A.N.: I know, I know! "You're so late, Tia Reh! Why did you take so long?!" I'm really sorry. This whole month was...just one of the worst. I'm using writting to feel a little bit better, but it's really hard. So, let's continue our tale!

DISCLAIMER: Nothing is mine, except the plot and a few OC's in the future!

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When Marty awoke, an immense sense of relief filled Jethro. After everything that boy suffered the Marine feared that his body and his mind gave up to live.

But it didn't happen. Martin is a wild force of nature. Whatever he could do to overcome the ghost of the suffering he lived in his 11 years of life...he would.

The Marine and the wife stood by his side until he woke up. The drugs and the exhaustion did'nt knock him down for one, but for two whole days. The moment Shannon strokes the boy's blond hair, he breathes deeper, moving his head to the left and finally slowly opening his eyes.

- Hey...good morning, sweetie. Welcome back!

The woman notices the boy's gaze is still glassy and confused. He tries sit up, but he feels pain and clenches the teeth, hiding some crying. Leroy, still silent, just comes over and adjust the bed so Marty can stay in the position he wants without much effort.

- Do you remember me, Marty?

- Ms. Gibbs?

She smiles and nods, still stroking the boy's hair. He doesn't understands why she was there, because he expected her mother to watch over him. And then the memories come back with all the force. The house, the fight, the shots. Mom's body, stretched out on the kitchen floor. His own blood spreading in a puddle as he just waits to join her.

Marty begins to pant, despair taking over. Shannon and Jethro hear the machine and the heart rate accelerate and try to calm down the kid at once. The last thing he needs at moment is get agitated.

- Marty, breathe. Please, stay calm. Shhh...it's over, he'll never hurt you again.

Gradually anxiety gives way to crying. Which is very rare coming from Marty, he was always taught not to cry, that tears is a sign of weakness. But Shannon's embrace and her tender words were enough to knock down the wall formed around the boy's heart. Jethro looks all admired, each time loving his wife a little more; she always managed to reach even the most hardened souls.

- Am I going to jail now, Mrs. Gibbs? I-I shot him. He killed my mother and I s-shot him.

- Even if they would really try take you, I'd never allow it, boy.

It's Jethro's voice. He approaches the bed and strokes the boy's messy hair, making him look up his face.

- You'll stay with us. Shannon and I have an extra bedroom and a baby girl who needs a big brother.

Marty is speechless. He's an orphan now, and feels he has no right to disrupt a family that begins a new life with a baby. He feels intrusive. He lowers his head, his cheeks reddened by shame, until a kiss spotted on his forehead. When he looks up realizes it's Shannon. Imitating a gesture Roberta used to do every day. This brings more tears to the very blue orbs and he snuggles in the woman's arms, his body trembling from the tragedy suffered and from the fatigue. He doesn't take long falls again in a restless sleep.

Gibbs tells Shannon he needs to clean up the guest room for Marty, so he kisses her and goes home. As soon as he arrives at his gate, an officer of intelligence addresses him and hand over two envelopes. They are full, almost stuffed. The Marine thanks him and goes into the house, soon locking himself in the office.

In the two envelopes is all information about the Brandel family, but what most takes the attention of Leroy is Martin files. Despite everything he has endured in a still very short life, he has a brilliant mind and never repeated even a single school year. All those absence days would be enough to fail in two or three years, but the boy got grades for passing not only on tests but also on extracurricular assignments. With only 11 years old he already speaks very well at least two languages and began to learn the third. He is also a prodigy in some sports, including surfing and some martial arts.

As admirable as all seems, Jethro knows way too well the reason for so many activities and so much talent is just one kid: Marty wanted to stay as far away from Gordon as he could for as many hours as he could.

The man sighed, running his hands over the face and thinking about the decision beginning to form in his consciousness. So many skills simply can't be thrown away. Marty is just a kid, but it can make all the difference in the world. He picks up the phone, dialing the number he knows by heart.

- Hey. It's Gibbs. I think I found the right kid for you.