Family Portrait
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or any characters affiliated with the show.
A/N: hey guys! Sorry for the time between updates. I just started my fall semester, and I have another story to work on (my Boy Meets World chapter fic), so I'm pretty busy. This chapter is shorter so that it could be posted earlier. Technically, I'm supposed to be studying right now, but I wanted to give you guys something, at least. Hope you still enjoy. Please Read and Review! I love and appreciate reviews, it gives me more motivation to update!
Gibbs and Jenny had to sign some papers and grab their belongings before taking the kids back to their apartment. Once they finished up with Franks and Stan, who wished the kids good night and told the other agents that they would be finishing up here and heading over to their place soon, they turned to the little group of children and smiled.
"You guys about ready to leave?" Gibbs asked them.
It had been a long day, and the kids were tired. Abby and Tim hadn't had their usual afternoon nap, and the stress of leaving the orphanage had exhausted them all. They were yawning, and Ziva was rubbing her eyes. Kate and Tony looked weary, but were obviously were not planning on going to sleep anytime soon.
Taking their sleepy silence as a 'yes', they pushed the down button. They then stepped on the elevator and pushed the button for the garage level, closely followed by the kids.
Franks had gotten permission for Gibbs and Jenny to borrow the same van they had used to transport the kids earlier, because there wasn't enough room in either car they drove to work in for all the kids to stay together. They could have the space if they used both cars, but they would have to separate the kids. Gibbs didn't even bother to ask Tony and Kate for permission. Everyone knew what the answer would be.
The kids assumed the same positions as earlier; Abby, Ziva, and Tim buckled into their respective car seats in the back row, and Tony and Kate in the middle row.
The ride to the nearby apartment was about ten minutes long, and Abby and Tim fell asleep. Ziva had just dozed off when the car came to a stop in the parking lot outside the apartment complex.
Jenny turned around and whispered to Tony and Kate. "We're here. Do you want to wake them up?"
Tony opened the door so he and Kate could climb out. As they put the seat down, Ziva snapped awake and whispered something in Hebrew. Tony smiled and took her hand so he could help her out of the vehicle. When she got out, Kate shook Tim gently and whispered softly to wake him up. He yawned while Tony lifted him out and set him on his feet. Kate then repeated her actions with Abby, who pouted but allowed Tony to pick her up out of the car and put her down next to Tim and Ziva.
The group started walking to the lobby, where they waited for the elevator and rode up to the fourth floor. The two-bedroom apartment was at the end of the hallway. Gibbs took out the keys and opened the door. Gibbs and Jenny stepped into the living room first, and the kids followed, though much slower and more cautious.
The living room in the small apartment was cozy and bright. Jenny had clearly added a feminine touch, but the room wasn't outright girly. It was cast in shades of blue and white. The kids were too tired to notice many details, though they all were glad for a safe place to sleep that night.
Jenny smiled warmly as she encouraged them to follow her into the small hallway that led to the bedrooms. "This is our room," she showed them the master bedroom, decorated in shades of brown, "And this is our guest room, where you'll be staying for a while."
It was smaller than the master bedroom, but not too crowded. It was painted in shades of yellow and white. Abby immediately ran to the queen—sized bed and crawled under the covers so she could sleep. Tim followed, but before he could get in bed, Kate called them back. "You know the rule. Bath time first. Then you can go to bed."
Abby and Tim whined. "Please, Katie, we're tired!" Ziva rolled her eyes and stomped her foot. The adults didn't blame them. Even Gibbs and Jenny were tired, and it showed on their faces. But Kate couldn't be moved, and the younger kids gave up, having already adapted to Tony and Kate's stubborn rules long ago.
Gibbs led the way to the bathroom, where Tony wasted no time in closing the door to give all the kids their privacy. Gibbs and Jenny stood there for a moment, unsure if they should leave the kids alone. But after a few minutes passed with no sounds of distress, they decided that they were fine and went to go sit in the living room.
All the kids emerged about fifteen minutes later, dressed in their underwear. Abby and Tim were sucking their thumbs sleepily, and Ziva looked about to fall asleep standing up. Even Kate and Tony were looking exhausted.
Jenny made a mental note that the children needed pajamas.
"Alright, kids. Are you ready for bed?" Gibbs asked them.
Abby and Tim nodded, and Ziva's tired yawn answered the question. Tony led the way to the guest bedroom, where Tim ran to the bed. Abby made as if to follow, but hesitated and turned to Gibbs and Jenny. "Thank you!" She said, smiling and ignoring Kate's emphatic use of her full name and hugging Gibbs' leg quickly before running to the bed and crawling under the covers with Tim.
Ziva followed the younger kids to the bed and made herself comfortable at the foot of it. Kate followed them and Tony turned and gave Gibbs and Jenny an uncomfortable nod before closing the door and following Kate. Gibbs got the feeling that the boy wouldn't sleep much that night.
Franks and Stan got there and hour later and decided to crash on the pull-out couch, after which Gibbs and Jenny went to bed, each wrapped up in their own thoughts about the day and these kids that had already begun to steal their hearts.
Hey guys. Again, I'm sorry this chapter is so short, but I need to study for my test tomorrow. My next chapter will be longer, I promise. Please Read and Review!
