Gibbs/Allison Series:

Choosing Between Old & New # 5

By: MChakotayParis (R. Mason)

Chapter 6

For two days Allison shifted between Allison and Ali, during most of the day Ali was Allison, after she'd eaten and cleaned up everything she became Ali mostly cuddling on the couch, watching television, a movie or reading a book. Auggie still made her regular calls twice a day and they spent most of the time talking or discussing her pictures. By Wednesday Allison had done enough thinking to decide that if she wanted to try to be Allison full time that she might as well see if she could do it here so when Auggie called Wednesday night she told she what she was going to do.

"Auggie, I think I want to try to be Allison full time" said Allison quickly. They had been talking about some of the pictures she'd drawn that day, when all of a sudden Ali had made that announcement.

It took a few minutes before Auggie found her voice again and said softly. "Well, are you sure that is something you want to do?" then she watched as Allison sagged a little then slowly stiffened and sit up straighter in the chair.

"I…I…I'm not sure but if I'm going to be Allison from now on I need to see if I can do it and here seems to be the safest places"

"Well I guess that does make sense, but remember you don't have to do this if you don't want to" reminded Auggie.

"I know…. But Auggie do you think I can do this?" asked Allison weakly

"If this is something that you feel you need to do then I'm sure you can do it for as long as you need to"

"Thank you Auggie" whispered Ali

After that they talked for a few minutes more and then closed their video conference, on another computer sat two very stunned men.

"Auggie, what exactly does she mean she wants to try and be Allison full time?" asked Tobias

"Ali wants to start acting like an adult all of the time" responded Auggie with a sigh

"Can she do that, I mean I didn't think Ali had ever acted like an adult full time full" said Gibbs excitedly

"I don't think she actually has, ever since she was ten and had to take over her family Allison has always been Allison during the day and Ali at night" answered Auggie

"Then do you think she can?" asked Tobias

"I honestly don't know, I think she'll give it a good try. The problem is will she be able to think like an adult all the time"

"If she can't, do you think we should let her? I mean if she's never thought like an adult full time she might do something that would hurt her unknowing" said Tobias worriedly

"I doubt it Tobias, but I'll keep an eye on her" said Auggie

"Auggie if she…." started Gibbs but stopped at the stern but sad looking face on Auggie's faces

"I'm sorry Jethro, Tobias but I can't. If we don't at least let her try, it will be a sore spot for her"

"You will watch her for us won't you Auggie, I mean you won't let her…." started Gibbs then stopped when he saw the soft motherly expression on Augustina Chandlers face.

"Oh Jethro, I'll watch over her for you and if I see her getting into trouble or not being able to handle it I promise I'll send you both straight down"

At her answer both Gibbs and Tobias visibly sagged in the chairs they were sitting in, at this Auggie smiled and then leaned closer to the computer.

"Are both of you ready if I need to send you down there?" asked Auggie with a smile but with a serious tone

"Uhhhhh yes, we both have everything covered and my car is packed with everything we'll need to take down except our suitcases" said Tobias as he smiled back.

"That's good, now I know how hard this is for the two of you but right now need you both to just wait and let Ali work this through herself. If I know our Ali this phase won't last long, Ali is too much a part of her for her to give up. You should be able to be with your baby girl in a few days or maybe less"

"Are you sure Auggie….is she?" started Gibbs

"Jethro, you're going to have to trust me and Ali. I wish I could tell you that this part wasn't necessary but it is. I'll check with her again tomorrow morning and you can see how she's doing, until then you two need to try and relax. Go out on a date or relax at home, just spending some time together. The next few days will probably be very busy for the two of you while you reacquaint yourself with your baby girl. She's going to need a lot of pampering and coddling before she is comfortable enough to be Ali with both of you. You both might have to press your point with her, when you get there" said Auggie

"We'll do whatever it takes to get our little girl back" replied Tobias with a firm strength in his voice

"I'm glad you feel that way Tobias, because you're both going to need all the strength you can muster while you deal with Ali. Remember that if she says things, or acts out she's only doing this because she's confused"

"Thanks Auggie" sighed Gibbs as he leaned against Tobias

After that the three of them talked for a few minutes longer then the video conference, ended and Gibbs and Tobias spent the rest of the evening relaxing together.

-NCIS-

Ali's time as Allison wasn't as easy as she'd hoped, during the morning Ali was very capable of being Allison but at night is where it became a struggle. During the days Allison kept herself busy, working on her computer, watching television or writing in her journal. Since she was trying to be Allison full time she didn't feel it was right for her to color so she asked Auggie if she could write in a journal. Auggie agreed readily as long as she typed them into an e-mail and sent it to her.

At night was when Allison's problems began, since she was Allison full time now she didn't take naps after lunch and by the time it was dinner time Allison was exhausted. After dinner was when Allison usually turned into Ali but now that she was Allison full time now she couldn't do her regular routine. So after she'd fixed dinner, eaten then cleaned up the kitchen Ali sat in the living room tried to find things to do. After a few minutes she remembered the small chest that held some of her toys and things and she wondered if there was anything that she could do as an adult.

After a few minutes Allison found one of her puzzles then went to the floor right in front of the couch and poured out the pieces. For the next two hours Allison worked on the puzzle so intently that she didn't even noticed until it was too late, a warm puddle spreading out from under her bottom. Allison jumped up so suddenly, spreading several of the pieces across the floor and even sending a few into the puddle. As Allison stood watching the puddle spread across the floor a small cry escaped her voice.

After a few minutes Allison made her way to the bathroom, quickly showering and changing into a dry set of clothes. Since she had said she wanted to be Allison full time she'd called Rachael asking her to buy her some panties and she was wearing them full time. At bedtime Ali changed into a sleep top and pants. The first time Ali didn't have a problem except for getting up several times during the night to go to the bathroom. The night Allison had another accident during the night and woke to a wet puddle in the middle of her mattress.

By the third day Allison was looking haggard and was totally exhausted, she'd lost almost all control and was having several accidents during the day and every night was waking up in a puddle. When Auggie called on Friday night it was with a shock expression that she opened the video conferencing.

Allison was pale and had deep dark circles under both of her eyes. Her hair was unwashed and sticking out in all different directions.

"Auggie" cried Allison as she saw the older woman's face on the computer

"Oh Allison, what's happened?" asked Auggie as she looked at the woman in front of her.

"Auggie, I don't think I can do this anymore. I don't want to be Allison anymore, I want it the way it used to be" cried Allison, and then dissolved into a crumpled heap on the floor, crying heavily with deep loud cries.

On Tobias' and Gibbs' computer appeared an IM box with only one word "NOW!" which shot both men into a rush of activity. Ten minutes later they were pulling out in Tobias' SUV heading quickly towards Chesapeake Beach.

-NCIS-

In record time Tobias made it down to Chesapeake Beach pulling into Allison's sandy driveway in only two hours time instead of the normal three or more hours that it regularly took to make the drive. As soon as Tobias stopped the car both he and Jethro threw opened their doors and raced towards the house. Allison was still circled up on the floor in front of her computer, crying with Auggie's video conferencing box still opened on her computer. Her voice anxiously calling her name.

"Auggie, we are here. We'll call you back later" said Tobias as he closed Auggie's video conferencing box.

"Damn, Ali baby were here. It's alright baby girl….Daddy's here" said Gibbs as he bent over Allison laying in the fetal position on the floor.

Gibbs quickly checked Allison over, finding no apparent injuries but could tell that Allison was wet and had been in those clothes for a while because she had the smell of wet clothes.

"Tobias, I think we need to get her cleaned up and back into a diaper and clean clothes"

"I'll go get her things while you get her into the bathroom" said Tobias as he looked at his partner and little one on the floor.

A few minutes later Gibbs carried Allison into the bathroom, laying her on the sink counter close to the shower stall in her bathroom. After quickly stripping off their clothes of down to their boxers, they undressed Ali then together they carried her into the shower stall. After turning on the water, adjusting it to a warm gently spray they moved into the water and began to gently washed Ali's body then her hair. When they were done they both stepped out of the shower stall, Tobias quickly grabbing a towel and placed it around Ali. As Gibbs dried Ali, Tobias dried off and pulled back on his clothes again, then took Ali from Gibbs.

As Tobias carried Ali into her bedroom Gibbs was almost right behind him, going to her dresser looking for her diaper and sleeping clothes. After finally finding her things Gibbs went to Ali's bedside, diapering then dressing Allison in her sleeping clothes. As Gibbs settled Ali in the bed Tobias went the kitchen to fix Ali her bottle. Upon returning Tobias placed the bottle to her lips until Ali finally latched onto the bottle and started sucking greedily. After a few minutes Gibbs found Ali's "Puffalump" sitting on the top shelf of her closet. He quickly placed it in her arms then turned on her sleep music and both standing back watched until she gave a deep sigh and fell asleep.

After Ali fell asleep, Gibbs and Tobias quickly searched the beach house finding things the same but slightly different as well. All of Ali's baby things had been removed and placed in the extra bedroom, placed in a corner of the room covered with one of the dust clothes. After they'd replaced all of Ali's baby's things to where they belonged Tobias turned the computer on again and contacted Auggie. When Auggie's request was accepted they looked into the thoroughly miserable and worried face of Augustina Chandler.

"How is she Jethro, Tobias? Is she alright, she wouldn't answer me when I called to her"

"She's physically fine Auggie, I don't know about emotionally because she hasn't talked since we got here"

"How was she when you found her? What condition was she is when you got there?" asked Auggie

"Circled into a ball in the fetal position wearing wet clothes." said Gibbs

"What clothes was she wearing?" asked Auggie quickly over the computer conference box

"She was wearing her adult sleeping clothes and a pair of regular panties" said Tobias

"Damn!" yelled Auggie violently

"Auggie, what does it mean?" asked Gibbs as he watched the older woman.

She'd gotten up violently, pacing back and forth in front of her computer until she heard Gibbs question. At his voice she stopped looking at the computer screen then flopped back down into the chair in front of the computer.

"She tried turning into Allison fully, totally trying to give up Ali all together" said Auggie with a slightly harsh voice. "As I told you before Jethro, Ali is an essential part of Allison's personality something she can't just give up. I'm not surprised she had a break down when she lost control"

"What should we do now Auggie? She's acting totally helpless" asked Tobias questionably

"The most important thing to do now is just to love her and take care of her. She may fight you trying to turn her back into Ali but you have to be strong. You may have to force your hand and swat her if she fights too much. If she accepts your punishment then you shouldn't have any more problems from her"

"If you think its best Auggie, we'll call you back tomorrow and let you know what happens" said Gibbs as he closed the video conference box.

They stood for a few minutes then quietly went out to the car, removing all the boxes and their bags from the car. When they had replaced all their things back in their proper places they retreated to the master bedroom, changing into their night clothes then climbed into their bed. It took them several hours before they finally calmed down enough to fall asleep only to wake several times during the night at several noises from Ali's room.

-NCIS-

The next morning Gibbs and Tobias woke feeling like fathers of a newborn baby. Ali had woken them several times during the night with noises and soft crying. After quickly changing her, they replaced her blankets then watching her a few minutes then left until the next time they heard her again. When they went to check on Ali the next morning she was still asleep but wet once again so as Tobias gathered her supplies Gibb went to Ali's bedside. She was lying slightly on her back with her pacifier in her mouth and her "Puffalump" in her right arm. Her eyes opening slightly to see Gibbs standing above her, the look on her face changing from peaceful sleep to a frighten child in an instant.

As Gibbs started to reach for her Ali panicked and started flaying her arms around at him, swings wildly at him with fists and then started kicking her legs. Gibbs tried grabbing her arms, moving away from her flaying legs finally grabbing both of her hands in one of his.

"Ali…Ali its Daddy. Allison...Stop!" called Gibbs loudly then as one of her legs connected with his thigh Gibbs free hand connected with Ali's bear thigh just below her diaper. A moment later Gibbs felt sorry for striking Ali in anger but remembered Auggie saying he might have to force her hand and punish her if she started to fight him.

As she lay there watching him Gibb let go of her hands and reached behind him for her diaper. When he connected with Tobias' hand a small smile met him and he felt instantly better. Tobias remembered Auggie's words to and didn't blame him for striking Ali. As Gibbs turned to face Ali again he saw her eyes were wild with fear but she wasn't moving or fighting him anymore.

"Ali baby…I'm going to change you now so you need to lie very still while I take care of you okay?"

said Gibbs as he looked at his baby girl.

She lay on her bed watching him as he bent down to quickly change her, when he finished and rose to stand over her again. As Gibbs handed Tobias Ali's wet diaper, wiping his hands with a baby wipe then sat down on the side of her bed.

"Ali baby…Papa and I are here to take care of you if you will let us. Is that what you want?" asked Gibbs

At her small little nod Gibbs relaxed a little then smiled and slowly sat back down on Ali's bed. Her checks were gently brushed with the back of his hand and he smiled at her gently. At few minutes later Gibbs reached out of his hand to Ali, she looked at it for a few minutes then with a weak smile reached for his hand and threw herself into his arms. As he finally held his baby girl in his arms once more Gibbs finally relaxed a little and looked back at Tobias. He stood watching the two people who meant the world to him, they had their baby girl back but he was certain they still had a fight on his hands.

Ali had accepted Gibbs as her Daddy, but she still hadn't dealt with him. Would she accept him as her Papa again or would he have to give her up. He didn't think he could do that now that he had been her papa for at least a year now. She meant the world to him, just as much as his other daughter Emily. He decided right then and there that he would fight for her and do anything he could do keep his little one. Hesitantly Tobias advanced on them, placing a slightly shaking hand on Ali's back gently rubbing in small circles.

Five minutes later Gibbs sat Ali back on her bed asking. "Do you want one of us to dress you or do you think you can do it yourself Ali"

Ali looked at the two men for a few minutes then looking down at her hands answered softly "I'd like to dress myself Daddy, but can I wear one of my play sets?"

"You can wear anything you want little one" said Tobias as he moved over to her and placed a hand on her head. She leaned slightly into his hand then got up and on slightly shaky legs walked towards her closet. As she picked out her clothes then headed towards the bathroom Gibbs noticed a smell coming from her bed. With the practiced hands of a parent he quickly felt around Ali's sheets finally finding a small wet spot in the middle of her mattress. As he leaned down, at strong smell of ammonia hit him and he knew this hadn't been the first time that Ali had wet the bed.

"Tobias, were going to have to change Ali's mattress, I think she's had more than one accident" said Gibbs as he stood up and started stripping Ali's comforter and sheets off her bed.

"Damn, I'll go see if her play mattress is alright. Maybe she can use that until we can buy her another one" said Tobias then left the room

Ali returned to the room to find Gibbs standing beside her bed with his arms full of her sheets. As she saw what they were she ducked her head and slowly moved to stand in front of him.

"I'm sorry Daddy, I know I shouldn't have wet the bed but I thought that as Allison I could…." started Ali but stopped bursting into tears as she stood in front of him.

Gibbs dropped the sheets quickly gathering her into his arms, holding her as she cried. When her tears subsided he gently raised her chin so she could look at him.

"Ali baby…Papa and I aren't mad at you. Were just really sorry that you felt you had to choose between being Ali or Allison. We both love you no matter who you are and to be honest would miss Ali if you gave her up"

Ali looked up at Gibbs with a look of utter amazement on her face; he wanted her to be Ali even if that meant that meant that his father didn't accept her.

"But what about your father…he?" asked Ali but was hushed when Gibbs placed a finger over her lips.

"Even if Jack doesn't accept you Ali, you are still the little girl of our heart"

"Really?" whispered Ali

"Really little one" replied Tobias as he came back in and knelt beside her. "Even if it's just the three of us we will love you no matter who you are. But remember you have an extended family that loves you very much. Everyone has been very worried about you when they found out what happened"

"I'm sorry, I guess I upset a lot of people huh?" asked Ali as she looked between both men

"Yes you did princess, but everyone understands and wanted us to tell you that they love you very much and can't wait to spent time with you after we get back home but for now it's just going to be the three of us until you're ready okay?"

"Okay…Daddy, Papa…how long can we stay here?" asked Ali in a shy little voice

"Tobias and I were given ten days before we have to go back to work. It's up to you if we spend it down here or at home" said Gibbs

"Can I think about it before I let choose?" asked Ali

"Of course little one, just let us know what you decide so we can plan if we need to get more food" said Tobias, then stood up and pulled Ali into his arms

At his words Ali sighed and leaned against him wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Now how about some breakfast, I don't know about you but this old man is hungry" said Gibbs as he placed a hand on her back.

"You're not old Daddy!" exclaimed Ali as she leaned back and looked at him

"Oh really, well I guess I must be thinking of someone else then. What do you think Tobias?" asked Gibbs as he looked at his lover and daughter

"Oh defiantly someone else, especially after last night when you…." started Tobias but was stopped when Ali pulled out of his arms clamping her hands over her ears.

"Ewe! Papa stop…TMI Papa...way to much TMI" cried Ali as she looked at both men and grinned

"Alright baby girl, we'll stop. Now how about that breakfast, I distinctly hear someone's tummy growling" said Gibbs, and as if to prove his point Ali's stomach rumbled again.

Ali ducked her head and then asked shyly "May I help, please?"

"Sure little one, as a matter of fact you can show us what Grandma Rachael brought you" said Tobias as lead her out of her bedroom.

As they reached the kitchen Ali stopped, turning to face both men. "How did you know Grandma Rachael brought me food?" asked Ali fixing both men with a glare

"Uh oh busted," said Tobias as he looked at Gibbs and then at Ali.

She didn't really seam upset just confused until it dawned on her then a smile broke out on her face.

"Auggie, she said that she really needed to tell both of you what we talked about since it involved all three of us"

"You're not mad little one?" asked Tobias as he looked at his daughter

"Not really Papa, she was right. Since I really wasn't in a very logical frame of mind at the time and you both are listed as my next of kin. You have the right to know what's going on with me; even I really didn't know myself"

"Well were both really glad that you contacted her and that she was there for you during a difficult time in your life" said Gibbs

"So am I Daddy, and I hope she can still be a part of our lives even after this is over" said Ali as she looked at both me with a pleading look in her eyes. She knew that neither man really like Psychologist, and could understand their reluctance to have her around after this was over. But Auggie had become an important person in her life, almost as important as the two of them and she wasn't sure if she wanted to give her up just yet if ever.

"Of course little one, Auggie is welcome in our family for as long as you need her" said Tobias

"Thank you Papa, thank you Daddy. I love you both"

"We love you too baby girl" whispered Gibbs and Tobias together, enveloping her in a three way hug. After a few minutes Ali's stomach rumbled again and all three broke apart with a laugh. "Now about that breakfast"

"Alright, alright, you two sure do get grumpy if you don't eat at regular intervals don't you" said Ali as she opened the refrigerator and started looking for something to fix for breakfast.

"You ain't seen nothing yet little one, just wait till you see your Daddy without his coffee" remarked Tobias as he quickly stole a kiss from Gibbs then headed towards the pantry to get the coffee he had stored there.

He knew that Ali didn't drink coffee and was certain that she hadn't asked Rachael to buy any for her so on a hunch he had bought and stored several packages of Jethro's favorite coffee in the pantry for just such an emergency.

When he returned Ali and Gibbs were happily making or at least trying to make pancakes but were getting more of the batter on themselves than in the bowl. As he watched he was amazed at how easily she fell back into the role of Ali, hopefully that boded well for the rest of the fight they had ahead of them.

Ali had changed, he could see that she was a little more outspoken and wanted to do a little more independently but still wanted her Daddy and Papa to take care of the major things in her life. This was actually fine with both of them just so long as they still had their baby and little girl.

After Tobias had started the coffee maker he waded into the fracas that Jethro and Ali were making and breakfast was made quickly. After they ate they cleaned up the kitchen then spent the rest of the morning taking care of the things that needed to be done because there were now three of them living at the beach house.