Early Sunday evening, Tony and Ziva boarded a flight for Ohio. The girls wanted to tag along but Tony and Ziva felt it best to go alone. They were not sure how Charlie would be and they were anticipating a lot of paperwork and long waits. McGee was keeping the girls until the DiNozzo's return.

The plane touched down in Columbus around nine Sunday night. Tony and Ziva had a quick dinner in town and then headed to their hotel. The first meeting was taking place at seven in the morning and was half an hour from the hotel. Ziva headed for bed as soon as the couple arrived to the hotel but Tony stayed up and watched a movie. After the movie he showered and climbed into bed beside Ziva. Before anybody knew it the alarm was buzzing and it was time to get started. Tony went down for breakfast while Ziva had her shower. After Ziva's breakfast the couple was on their way. They drove to an office building downtown and were led down a winding hallway. The first meeting was just a simple meeting with a social worker. They sat in hard chairs in a cramped office space.

"So you understand there will be weekly inspections for the first thirty days and then random inspections until the adoption is complete." The social worker explained.

"Yes mam" Tony replied.

"We read all of the paperwork." Ziva added.

"Excellent" The social worker replied.

"When can we bring Charlie home?" Tony asked.

"You can pick him up this afternoon as we discussed but you will not be able to bring him home for another seventy-two hours." The social worker explained.

After hours of paperwork and interviews, the DiNozzo's were finally able to meet Charlie. They were led farther down the hallway to a slightly larger room. Sitting on the couch in the back corner was a small boy with shaggy brown hair and big blue eyes. He had a series of small scars on his face and a larger scar on his neck. He wore a green flannel shirt and pair of blue jeans. The social worker reminded them to move slowly and to keep a safe distance. Tony and Ziva nodded and then made their way to the couch. They took seats on either end of the couch and made sure to let Charlie make the first move.

"Hi" Charlie mumbled.

"Hi Charlie, I am Tony and this is my wife Ziva." Tony introduced.

"We are your new family." Ziva added.

"You aren't my family." Charlie scoffed.

"Well then we are going to take care of you." Tony corrected.

"Clint used to take care of me but he couldn't anymore. Is that going to happen to you?" Charlie asked.

"No Charlie, we are never going to give up on you." Tony assured.

"Why did Clint give up on me?" Charlie asked.

"He did not know how to take care of a child like you but Tony and I do." Ziva explained.

"How do you know?" Charlie asked.

"Because I am a lot like you. I had a rough life before I married Ziva and even after. I know pain and I am never going to give up on you." Tony explained.

"Well what about you?" Charlie asked Ziva.

"I had a hard life too and like Tony I want to pay it forward." Ziva assured.

The social worker gave Tony and Ziva a reprieve to take Charlie out for lunch. The couple chose a pizza place a few blocks away from the office. There were arcade games and a huge lunch buffet was offered. So if Charlie wasn't a pizza, kid there were other options. Ziva payed for the meal while Tony and Charlie collected their cups and found a table. Charlie took one bench at the booth and Tony and Ziva sat on the other side. Ziva who was trying to keep healthy for the babies ordered a Ceaser Salad and took slices of vegetarian and cheese pizza from the buffet. Tony loaded up on every type of pizza, pasta, hot dogs, and then helped himself to the desert bar. Ziva coughed and Tony begrudgingly took a small plate of salad. Charlie took a slice of vegetarian pizza, two scoops of pasta, and helped himself to the salad bar. He took a piece of cake and a cinnamon roll.

"Are you a vegetarian?" Ziva asked.

"My parents were. I guess I never tried meat." Charlie explained.

"Our daughter Marley is wanting to be a vegetarian too. It would be wonderful if you could help me keep her healthy. She is extremely active and I am clueless on how to make sure vegetarians get everything they need." Ziva explained.

"Well if you want to try meat this pepperoni, sausage is to die for." Tony replied, shoving a piece of pizza into his mouth.

"TONY!" Ziva warned.

"Just trying to help the kid out." Tony rebuked.

"Look if you guys eat meat that is fine. It was just Clint and me so it was easy for him to make or buy too small meals." Charlie explained.

"No Charlie whatever makes you comfortable." Ziva insisted.

After lunch Tony, Ziva, and Charlie walked back to the office. Soon the paperwork was finished and the new family was all set. Over the next few days they would take Charlie exploring and handle a few follow up meetings. Upon arriving home they would take Charlie for a check-up by their pediatrician and get him enrolled in school. Upon arriving on the street Tony hailed a cab, so the new family could ride to the hotel.

"No! I am not getting in! No!" Charlie cried.

"Charlie what's wrong?" Ziva asked.

"I haven't been a car since... since... I can't." Charlie stammered.

"It's a long drive back to the hotel we are staying at, but we can take a bus tonight. That being said you are going to have to ride in a car eventually." Tony suggested.

"No! I can't! I can't!" Charlie cried.

A/N: Will Tony and Ziva be able to get Charlie over his fears? New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.