*Chapter 7*
Near the end of the alley, which is cut off from sight due to the van, the young boy and Apocalypse sit down on the hood of an old car. The boy, whose name is Taylor, already saved his own life by starting conversation; a conversation that Apocalypse understands without realizing why. They sit there sharing the French fries while the boy talks.
"I wish they would stop. Those kids are just mean." Taylor said. "I'm sick of them calling me Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift is a girl, like I told you. I'm not a girl. Do I look like a girl?"
Apocalypse shakes his head from side to side, indicating 'no' as an answer to the question.
"I don't know what to do." Taylor said. There's a brief moment of silence as they continue eating French fries. "Maybe you can scare them for me or something. Then maybe they'll stop making fun of me. I live in Smoke Rise. It's a small commu…Com... I don't know how to say that word. There's a park. They're usually at the park in the afternoon." There's another brief moment of silence as Taylor stuffs another French fry into his mouth. He looks up at Apocalypse. "You're a good listener. But I should get going. Mom is going to worry."
The boy stands up. Apocalypse raises his arm out in order to give the boy the remaining French fries.
"I had enough. You can have the rest." Taylor said. "It was nice talking with you." He said, even though Apocalypse never said a word.
Taylor walks away to go back to the beauty parlor before his mom realizes he's missing. Apocalypse remains sitting on the hood of the old car eating what's left of the French fries.
Tony arrives at NCIS Headquarters after picking Chioke up from school. They exit from the elevator on the third floor and walk to Tony's desk. Samantha Cole watches as the two of them enter into the bullpen. A smile breaks across her face at the sight of the happy child. Tony pulls a chair to his desk.
"I'll set you up with a coloring book." Tony said.
'You color with me?' Chioke signed with his hands as his father sits down.
"Sure, but only for a couple minutes." Tony replied. He takes out a Curious George coloring book and a box of crayons from his desk. "Then I have to go back to work. Or else Trip-G will be upset."
"Trip-G?" Ziva wondered as she stands up in order to walk a file to the Director's office.
"Triple G… Grumpy Grandpa Gibbs." Tony answered with a grin on his face. Ziva shakes her head as she walks away because she knows Gibbs will eventually find out.
With Ziva gone, Samantha watches Tony and Chioke color in the coloring book. From the smile on the child's face, she can tell Tony is a good father to him.
Gibbs and Julianna arrive at NCIS Headquarters with a pizza. As they step off the elevator, the ding of the elevator catches Chioke's attention. He looks up and becomes excited at the sight of his friend Julianna. Chioke stands up and runs to her.
"Chioke!" Julianna exclaimed in excitement as she hugs him.
Gibbs enters into the bullpen. The scent of the pizza catches Tony's attention. Tony licks his lips in hunger. Gibbs sets the pizza down on his own desk. Seconds later, Chioke and Julianna enter into the bullpen.
"Hi Tony." Julianna waves to him.
"Hey Julie." He greeted her back.
Gibbs takes a slice of pizza and leaves the bullpen as the children eat their lunch at his desk. While Tony works, he occasionally looks in the direction of Gibbs' desk to make sure there's a slice left for him. Tony's stomach growls at the sight of the pizza. He really wants lunch.
"School was alright today. I was glad to get out early though." Julianna said while Chioke slowly chews his food. "Let's find the Llama Song." Chioke becomes excited as Julianna opens a web browser on Gibbs' computer. He moves in closer. She googles the Llama Song and clicks on the first link. Julianna turns the volume up and the Llama Song starts.
While the song plays, Chioke claps and Julianna sings along with it. From her desk, Samantha has never been so confused in her life. The song doesn't make any sense. She looks to Tony for some type of explanation as to what in the world they're listening to.
"Don't even ask." Tony said. "They love it."
After a couple minutes, the Llama Song turns off as Gibbs enters into the bullpen.
"We need to work, so I need you two to go to the lounge." Gibbs said.
"Alright." Julianna said. "Come on Chioke."
The two of them grab their school bags and other things to keep themselves occupied. The pizza is left on Gibbs' desk for the time being.
With Gibbs once again gone from the bullpen and the pizza unattended, Tony stands up. He looks in all directions as he slowly moves closer and closer to Gibbs' desk. Upon reaching the destination, Tony licks his lips at the sight of the pizza box. He opens the lid and takes a slice. With the slice just inches away from his mouth, Tony receives a smack to the back of the head.
"The pizza is for the kids, DiNozzo." Gibbs said.
"They're not going to eat all of this." Tony commented. After a couple seconds, he puts the slice back due to Gibbs glaring at him.
Julianna runs into the bullpen.
"Forgot the pizza." She said as she grabs the pizza box. Julianna notices the expression on Tony's face; as if he's hungry. "You want a slice?" She opens the box to allow him to take one.
"Uh…" Tony hesitates at the sight of the pizza he wants so badly due to being hungry. "Thanks, but I'll pass. The pizza is for you and Chioke."
"Your loss." Julianna said. She shrugs her shoulders and leaves.
Tony watches as his one chance at lunch walks further and further away. His stomach growls again; he realizes he should've been quicker in his pizza stealing.
"That was so nice of you, DiNozzo." Gibbs said sarcastically.
Tony walks back to his desk. A minute later, Lewis Matheson steps off the elevator. Gibbs immediately walks in the direction in order to acquire him. The two of them walk to the Director's office leaving Tony and Samantha alone in the bullpen.
"You're good with Chioke." Samantha commented.
"He's a good kid. I love him." Tony said. "Adopting him was the best thing I ever did."
"How long has he been with you?"
"Roughly half a year now." He replied. "I met him in Nigeria. We had a case. And Chioke was in the village we were at. The paperwork was quickly pushed through the right channels and I ended up taking him home with me."
"Adjusting to life in America must have been tough for him."
"Yeah…" Tony chuckled as Samantha stands up and walks to his desk. "Simple things we take for granted are things which were very difficult for him."
"Maybe you can tell me some stories over dinner." Samantha said with a smile. She sits on the edge of his desk and makes sure her legs are in his view.
"That… Umm…" Tony said nervously. "I'm married." He lifts his left hand to show his wedding ring. "So dinner is out of the question."
"Alright… We can go straight to sex."
"Whoa…" Tony said in surprise. "You're subtle."
"I'm a woman who knows what she wants."
"Yeah, umm…" Tony's never been so anxious to get away from a woman in his entire life. He hears the ding of the elevator. "My wife is here." He gets up and walks toward Jamie who just stepped off the elevator. They approach each other. "I'm so glad to see you." He gives his wife a kiss and hug as her arrival saved him.
"Who is that standing by your desk?" Jamie wondered.
"She's Tim's replacement." Tony answered. He leans closer to her in order to whisper in her ear. "That lady is sexually harassing me."
Jamie almost busts out laughing but she holds it in. The thought of Tony being sexually harassed by a woman is just too funny, especially since he used to be a womanizer.
"It's really not funny." Tony said.
"Oh, you're actually serious about her sexually harassing you." Jamie said in shock of it being true.
"Yes, I'm serious." He said. "Can you do something? Help me out here."
"You flirted with her, didn't you?"
"I may have accidentally flirted with her, I don't know. But I need your help."
"Alright, I'll talk to her."
"I love you." Tony said. "Thank you."
Tony and Jamie enter into the bullpen.
"Hi, I'm Jamie." Jamie introduced herself. "I'm Tony's wife and also Gibbs' daughter."
"It's nice to meet you." Samantha and Jamie shake hands. "I'm Samantha Cole."
"It's very nice to meet you, Samantha." Jamie said. She looks to her husband. "You were right, Babe. She is beautiful."
"Wait, I never…" Tony begins to say. Jamie looks back to Samantha.
"He's just a little shy about our open relationship." Jamie stated.
"We don't have an open relationship." Tony said in defense. "She's just messing with you."
"We've been looking for a partner for a threesome if you're interested."
"No, we're not." Tony said in defense. "And we haven't…"
"I'll think about it." Samantha said.
"Great." Jamie said with a smile. "I should get to work. Forensics is calling for me. I'm Abby's assistant, by the way. It was nice meeting you, Samantha."
Jamie walks away. She looks back at Tony as she continues walking.
'Thanks a lot.' Tony signed with his hands.
'Next time don't flirt with another woman.' Jamie signed back.
'It was an accident.' Tony signed. There's a brief pause. 'Flowers and a box of chocolates to make up for it?'
'And I'll give you dinner at Bruno's to make up for the threesome comment.'
'Deal.'
'I'll make the reservations.' Jamie signed. 'I love you.'
'Love you too.' Tony signed back. He turns around.
"So… Threesome." Samantha said with a smile.
All Tony can think is that this is going to be a long day. More than anything, he wishes McGee was here because he's in a heap of trouble with the new agent.