Gibbs/Allison Series:

Choosing Between Old & New # 5

By: MChakotayParis (R. Mason)

Chapter 23

The next morning they woke Ali early and after a quick diaper change and breakfast Tobias, Gibbs and Ali set out for Chesapeake Beach, as usual Ali spend most of the drive in the backseat watching video's on her iPad or reading a book. After a couple of stops for snacks and a diaper changes they made it to Chesapeake Beach just before noon. As they pulled into the sandy driveway of Ali's beach house both Gibbs and Tobias looked at the backseat and found Ali sleep on the backseat as usual. She was laying on side with one leg leaning against the seat with the other stretched out, it was clear that she was wet so Tobias just crawled into the back and quickly changed Ali's diaper as she slept.

Gibbs carried their luggage and boxes into the house as Tobias changed Ali, then carried her into the house and put her on the couch. After pulling out plates and the lunch they'd packed Gibbs tried to wake Ali.

"Sweetheart, you need to wake up and eat lunch" whispered Gibbs as he gently stroked Ali's cheeks

Ali turned over and tried to brush Gibbs' hand away from her face, with a smile Gibbs tried again gently turning Ali over and pulling her pacifier out of her mouth

"Ali baby, you need to eat something before you take your nap" said Gibbs then gently pulled Ali into a seating position and held her until her eyes slowly opened.

"Daddy?" asked Ali sleepily as she looked at both men sitting in front of her.

"Yes princess, now you need to eat then we can put you down for your nap" said Tobias as he brushed her hair out of her face, then handed her a plate with a sandwich and chips.

Ali took the plate but sat for a minute looking at both men then put it in her lap and started eating, with a smile Tobias and Gibbs each took a plate and sat down beside Ali to eat. Ten minutes later Ali was finished and swaying on the couch as she looked with a glazed looked at her father's. Tobias grabbed the plate from her hands and then pulled her into his arms and carried her into her bedroom and put her down for her nap. After quietly cleaning up their lunch dishes Gibbs and Tobias carried their suitcases in their room both taking a nap themselves waking only ten minutes before Ali just after four o' clock.

After a quick diaper change the threesome climbed back into Tobias' SUV and headed towards the small town of Chesapeake Beach. Just after Gibbs pulled into a parking spot in front of the Peter's General Store running happily into the store with a squeal.

"Ali!" called Tobias as he reached for the woman just missing her by inches as she ran into the general store doors.

A few minutes later the two men entered the Peter's store to find Ali clinging to her "Grandma Rachael & Grandpa Todd"

"Allison Fornell-Gibbs what did we tell you about jumping on people" said Gibbs as he stood in the doorway watching his daughter hug her grandparents.

"Oh pooh Jethro, you leave her alone. She can jump us any time she wants" said Rachael as she turned to face both of the men standing in her store doorway. Then she turned back to the woman in her arms. "Now how are you my angel?"

"How are you Jethro, Tobias" asked Todd as he headed towards the two men with his hand extended.

"Doing good Todd, you're self?" said Tobias as he shook Todd's hand

"Not bad, been a busy early summer so far with the carnival that came to town earlier in the month and with all the tourist its brought into town we've had an almost epidemic of flu"

"Oh well I hope things slow down for you and Rachael" said Gibbs as he once again shook both Rachael and Todd's hands and then lead Ali off to get their groceries

Twenty minutes later Gibbs, Tobias and Ali were back in Tobias' SUV heading towards the beach house once again, on the ride home Ali was all but bouncing in the back seat for once sitting up instead of laying down with her iPad.

"Daddy, Papa Grandma Rachael said that there was a carnival in town. Can we go please...please?"

"Ali baby we just got here, I'd kinda like to spend some time with my girl before we go out see the sights" said Gibbs as he looked back at Ali through the rear view mirror

"Awe thank you Daddy, but I didn't mean right away. Grandma Rachael said that they would be here through July, maybe we could go before they leave?" said Ali slightly blushing at the complement

"We'll see what we can do sweetheart" said Tobias as he turned slightly in his chair to look at Ali

At their answer Ali smiled and laid down on the seat grabbing her iPad and pacifier from her bag on the floorboard. As usual by the time they pulled into the beach house Ali was asleep on the backseat and with a knowing smile both Gibbs and Tobias got out of the car, carrying the groceries into the house before returning to get Ali. After quickly checking if Ali was wet, Gibbs changed her and then carried her into the house placing her on the couch.

By nine o' clock Ali woke up to find both Tobias and Gibbs sitting in one of the side chairs beside the couch with Gibbs on Tobias' lap.

"Uhhh Daddy...you know there is another chair available?" said Ali as she slowly moved to sit up.

"Ohhhhh...Ali" stammered Gibbs as he jumped off Tobias' lap to stand with a slight blush growing on his face

"Oh don't worry, I know you two need some time alone so I'll just head off to bed" said Ali as stood up and headed towards her bedroom, stopping only when Tobias ran up to her grabbing her by the arm

"Oh no you don't young lady, you need to eat before you go to sleep. Now I know it's late but how about we fix you a quick light dinner and then you can go to bed after that" said Tobias as he started leading Ali towards the kitchen.

Together they fixed a grilled chicken chief salad for Ali and she ate it sitting between Gibbs and Tobias on the couch as they watched the last part of a double header baseball game. By the time the game was over Ali was once again asleep curled up against Tobias. As Gibbs put Ali to bed Tobias quickly cleaned up Ali's dinner things and then meet Gibbs in their room to start their own little vacation.

-NCIS-

The next day set a simple routine that Ali, Tobias and Gibbs followed almost religiously. They woke Ali at eight o' clock and after a quick diaper change Ali, Tobias and Gibbs make breakfast then Ali dressed and they spent the first part of the day out just outside the patio room on the beach. Then after lunch and her nap she played in the patio room for the rest of the day.

Since it was July the day's got hot fairly quickly and because of that Gibbs and Tobias only let Ali play outside for a couple of hours and by eleven o' clock she was inside, although she begged repeatedly to stay outside longer. Finally Gibbs and Tobias relented and Ali spent the whole day playing in the sand just outside their patio then spent the next day and a half inside with mild heat exhaustion. After that Ali was only allowed to go out in the early morning hours and spent the rest of the day in the patio room.

To keep himself and Ali busy Gibbs spent the internet searching for awning frames then drew out the plans for a frame and wooden deck for the back of the beach house. When she felt better Ali, Tobias and Gibbs went into town to the local lumber yard and got the supplies for the deck and awning frame, ordering the fabric cover on the internet.

It took the three of them two weeks to finish the deck and awning frame and after installing the cover, Gibbs and Tobias decided to celebrate by taking Ali to the carnival in town. Even though it was the weekend and one of the busiest times Gibbs and Tobias made plans to take Ali that Friday night. As usual after Ali's nap she spent the rest of the day in the patio room working on one of her puzzles until Gibbs came in and called her to and early dinner.

"Ali, it's time for dinner" said Gibbs from the doorway of the patio room, he'd been standing there watching her for a few minutes and smiled as she looked up at him and almost ran into his arms.

"But it's still early Daddy, it' only five o' clock?" said Ali as she looked over his shoulder to the mantel clock above the fire place.

"Well we thought that we'd have an early dinner then head on out to the carnival that way you could spend more time there before it got dark" explained Gibbs

"The carnival! Daddy are you serious?" yelled Ali then squeezed his neck again

"Yes baby girl, that is if you still want to go?" asked Gibbs with a laugh

"Of course I do Daddy"

"Then let's get going, I heard that it's leaving this Sunday and if we're going to go before it leaves we'd better go now don't you think?"

"Yeah! Papa, Papa. Did you hear? We're going to the carnival!" yelled Ali as she left the patio room and ran to find Tobias in the kitchen fixing dinner

"Yes I heard little one, just like I suppose the whole Chesapeake Beach heard. Now go wash your hands and you can help me finish up dinner" said Tobias with a smile

"Thank you Papa, thank you Daddy" yelled Ali as she ran to her bedroom to wash her hands

"Are you sure this is such a good idea Jethro, you both have been working really hard on the patio and she might need to rest for a while?" asked Tobias as he looked at his partner.

Gibbs and Ali had done most of the work in building the deck and awning frame with him helping intermitting and they both had gotten a slight sunburn. Ali's wasn't too bad but he still worried about her being out in the sun again before it healed.

"She'll be fine Tobias, we can make sure she has one a hat and drinks plenty of water. She did pretty good using her depends underwear while we were making the deck so I don't see a problem with her wearing them for tonight" reminded Gibbs as he looked at his partner. It still amazed him that Tobias was so excepting of Ali even when she was slightly more grown up than before.

"Well I don't want her drinking any soda or all that junk food at the carnival. We'll need to pack her some drinks and snacks before we go"

"Ya think Tobias, now stop worrying. She'll be fine" said Gibbs as he pulled the other man into his arms and leaned forward to steal a quick kiss when he heard a little cough behind themselves

"Uhhh Daddy, I hate to break this up but I need to be changed before we eat dinner" said Ali as she stood in the doorway of the kitchen shifting slightly from foot to foot

"It's alright princess, I'm on my way. Why don't you finish fixing dinner Tobias and Ali and I will be right back" said Gibbs with a quick kiss then head towards his daughter and lead her back into her bedroom.

Tobias watched the pair go and smiled, so far Ali had been good and done everything they'd asked of her so she really did deserved this treat. He just hoped that it didn't come back and backfire on them in some way.

After eating dinner and packing a cooler and a bag for Ali the trio set out to the little town of Chesapeake Beach and the carnival. The carnival was in a vacant lot just outside of town and was already packed with people by the time Gibbs pulled into the parking lot. After reminding Ali of the rules they all left the SUV making sure Ali was wearing a hat and sunglasses.

When they finally got up to the ticket booth the man selling tickets remembered them and greeted them warmly. "Welcome back Ali, Mr. Gibbs, and Mr. Fornell " he actually worked at the lumber yard but was earning some extra money on the weekends.

"Hello Thomas, been busy? "asked Gibbs as he recognized the man

"Yes very, well you have a good time and be careful Ali and stay with your Daddies" said Thomas as he handed the tickets to Gibbs

"I will Mr. Glassbee, and thank you" said Ali as she took Tobias' hand and together they all walked into the carnival.

After that they spent the rest of the afternoon alternating between riding the rides and playing some games. Once again Ali went on her favorite rides, the bumper cars, the high flying swings and the carousal but she also talked Gibbs or Tobias into taking her on a few of the other more adventurous rides. Finally the night ended with all three of them taking a gentle ride on the big Ferris wheel with Ali clutching her new stuffed animals that Gibbs and Tobias had won for her. By the time the sun had totally set Tobias was leading a very sleepy Ali back to the SUV and laying her down in the back. After checking to see if she was wet, he changed her then covered her with a blanket climbing into the front seat with Gibbs.

"Do you think she had a good time?" asked Tobias as he looked over his shoulder at Ali asleep on the backseat

"Look at her Tobias, she had a wonderful time. How many times have you known her to wear herself out in just four short hours?" answered Gibbs with a smile

"You don't think it was too much for her do you?" asked Tobias worriedly

"I don't think so but we can watch her this weekend and she how she does. How about you, your stomach settled from that whirly top that she talked you into going on with her?" asked Gibbs, as Ali and Tobias had exited the ride Tobias had looked decidedly green.

"I'm feeling a little better, although I wouldn't mind just a quiet night at home after we get the squirt bedded down" said Tobias as he put a hand to his stomach

"Then that's what you'll get, you deserve a reward for going on that ride with Ali in the first place" replied Gibbs with a smile.

After that the drive home was quiet with Ali sleeping in the back seat and Tobias leaning back in the seat with his head against the headrest. At one of the stop lights Gibbs looked over and gently took Tobias' hand gently giving it a squeeze then held it the rest of the way home. As Gibbs pulled into the sandy driveway to Ali's beach house he looked over and saw Tobias was asleep in the passenger's seat. With a smile he gently squeezed Tobias' hand until the other man opened his eyes and looked over at him.

"Go inside and get ready for bed Tobias, I'll take care of Ali"

"Are you sure?" asked Tobias sleepily

"I'm positive love, go on inside and get ready for bed" answered Gibbs, then leaned over and give Tobias a quick kiss

"Thanks Jethro" said Tobias weakly then opened the door and staggered towards the house.

Gibbs quickly exited the front seat then opened the backseat and leaned in picking up Ali and carrying her into the house. Gibbs took Ali directly to her room, then changed her into a nighttime diaper and sleep top then gave her a bottle and turned on her sleep music. He stood watching her for a few minutes to make sure she was settled then headed towards the master bedroom to check on Tobias.

In the master bedroom Tobias was lying across the bed fully clothed with his feet hanging off the bed. With a smile Gibbs turned him over and saw that the man was fully asleep so he gently started undressing him, smiling at the way Tobias was letting him have his way with him. It reminded him of the other times that Tobias had lain and let Jethro do exactly what he wanted. After removing all his clothes but Tobias' boxers he maneuvered him to wear he was laying the right way on his side of the bed, with a gently kiss to his forehead Gibbs pulled the covers over him, then went into the bathroom to get ready for bed himself.

Ten minutes later when Gibbs returned to the bedroom he wondered if he should try and take Tobias' temperature but remembered how fussy Ali got when they woke her up to do that so he just left him and decided to check him in the morning. As he curled up against Tobias' back he began to feel the heat radiating off the man and hoped that Tobias wasn't getting sick. A sick Ali was one thing but a sick Tobias was even worse.

-NCIS-

By the next morning Tobias' temperature had risen enough to where during the night he was restless and talking in his sleep, kicking Gibbs several times until finally he ended up cradling him in his arms and Tobias settled down. After that they got a few more hours sleep before Gibbs had to get up to take care of Ali. Gibbs moved carefully from behind Tobias and went to check on Ali, finding her awake but very sleepy.

"Hi baby girl, how you feeling?" asked Gibbs as he gently stroked her forehead.

"I'm tired Daddy, can I stay in the play room today?" asked Ali in her little girl voice

"Of course baby girl, let's get you changed and eating then I'll get your mattress out for you" said Gibbs as he quickly changed Ali's diaper, then left her in her sleep top and diaper and lead her to the kitchen.

While Gibbs fixed her breakfast Ali drank a glass of Gator Aide and when he slid the bowl of oatmeal in front of her she ate with her head on her hand. As Ali ate Gibbs quickly moved her play mattress into the patio room and covered it with her comforter and several pillows. He also put Ali's Gilligan's Island DVD in the DVD player, knowing that it was her favorite show to watch if she didn't feel good. When he was finished he returned to the kitchen to find Ali with her head down on the counter almost asleep again. Quickly checking the back of her neck for fever Gibbs went to her bathroom and got the Aleve that they kept there for when Ali got sick.

Gibbs put his hand on her shoulder and gently said "Ali baby, I need you to wake up and take these pills. They'll make you feel better"

At first Ali didn't respond and Gibbs started to become concerned that he was going to have to call for help but after a few minutes Ali slowly raised her head and looked at him with slightly glassy eyes.

"I'm sorry Daddy, I don't know why but I'm just so tired today" said Ali in a whispered voice

"It's alright baby girl, you had a big day yesterday and might have gone a little bit too soon after you and I worked on the patio and awning" replied Gibbs, remembering now Tobias' concern that she might have over done it

"But I like to help Daddy, and I enjoyed it!" said Ali as she sat up and looked at him for the first time that day with clear eyes.

"I know you do sweetheart and I enjoyed you working with me but we were out in the sun for a long time and Tobias was concerned"

"Where is Papa?" asked Ali as she looked around the kitchen noticing for the first time that only Gibbs was with her

"Your Papa's not feeling well right now baby girl so I'm going to have to take care of him. Do you think you'll be alright in the patio room by yourself today? I've set up Gilligan's Island and I'll bring in your bag with some bottles for you in a minute, Okay?"

"I'll be fine Daddy, go and take care of Papa and tell him that I love him" said Ali as she got off the stool, taking her bowl to the sink then headed towards the patio room.

Gibbs watched her go with a smile then headed back towards the master bedroom to check on Tobias. Finding him still asleep he heads for the bathroom and retrieves their thermometer, a bottle a Aleve and a glass of water. When Gibbs went over to the bedroom he placed the items on Tobias' nightstand then tried to wake his lover. After several failed attempts he pulled back the covers and splashed a few drops of cold water onto Tobias' boxers, knowing full well that this would wake him. Tobias never like to stay in wet, soiled or stained clothes and was always the first one to get up and clean them up and re dress after a night of love making.

As predicted even the few drops of cold water had the desired effect and Tobias sat straight up looking around yelling "What, what. I'm up...I'm up!"

"Shhhhhh Tobias or you'll wake Ali, I need to take your temperature" said Gibbs with a smile showing him the thermometer in his hand.

"Go to hell Jethro" said Tobias then laid back down and turned over on his stomach.

"Been there, done that and got the tee-shirt to prove it. Now are you going to let me take your temperature or am I going to have to do it the old fashion way?" replied Gibbs with a smile in his voice

"You wouldn't dare Jethro" mumbled Tobias as he turned his head to look at his lover.

"Oh yes I would, remember I've dealt with a sick and fussy Ali before I think I can handle you" said Gibbs then put his knee on the bed beside Tobias' hip and reached for his boxers.

Just as his hand dipped beneath the elastic waist band Tobias stopped him quickly turning over and opening his mouth.

"You don't play fair Jethro" mumbled Tobias as Gibbs slide the thermometer in his mouth

"Like we tell Ali, Daddy's don't have to play fair and right now I've got a little one and a partner who's acting like one sick" answered Gibbs as he looked down at Tobias

"Ali's sick?" mumbled Tobias around the thermometer

"Tobias, be quiet and let the thermometer work. We can talk when it's done" said Gibbs then sat down on the bed and gently stroked Tobias' forehead until the thermometer beeped.

Tobias' temperature was just a little over one hundred so he quickly shook out two pills and handed them to him along with the glass of water. After Tobias had drunk all the water he took the glass and dropped the thermometer into it placing both on the nightstand.

"You said Ali's sick?" asked Tobias as he looked up at Gibbs, he knew that she must not be as bad as him or he would have called Doctor Forrester who luckily made house calls.

"She's just tired Tobias, Ali's not running a fever but I gave her two Aleve just encase. Now you on the other hand have a temperature of one hundred point three so I want you to stay in bed and rest while I take care of Ali. Do you want any oatmeal or broth before I go check on Ali again?" asked Gibbs.

"Maybe some broth" said Tobias as he wiped his forehead with his hand and closed his eyes.

"I'll be right back" said Gibbs then leaned down and kissed his forehead

"Don't do that, you'll get sick!" replied Tobias as he tried to pull away but didn't get very far because of how weak he was.

"I sleep with you don't I, if I'm going to get sick then so be it might as well enjoy ourselves" replied Gibbs with a smile then kissed him again before getting off the bed.

"You're incorrigible" replied Tobias

"Yeah, but you love me anyway" said Gibbs with a smile then left the room to check on Ali.

Gibbs found Ali laying on her comforter with pillows all around her with one of her fleece blankets over her, as Gibbs knelt down Ali opened her eyes and looked at him.

"How's Papa?"

"He's got a temperature baby girl, how do you feel?" asked Gibbs as he placed his hand on her forehead, he knew he didn't have the touch that Rachael or Mrs. Travis had but he didn't think that Ali had a fever either.

"I'm just tired Daddy, nothing else. Will Papa be okay?"

"He'll be fine sweetheart, I think he's just sick from that whirly top that he went on with you yesterday"

"I'm sorry Daddy, I didn't mean to make him sick" said Ali then crawled into Gibbs' lap

"You didn't baby girl, old men...I mean older men like us just don't take well to getting our insides all scrambled. I'm sure Tobias will be fine in a few day"

"Okay, if your sure"

"I'm positive Ali, now is this blanket warm enough or do you need another one?" asked Gibbs as he rubbed her back

"I'm still a little cold Daddy" whispered Ali as she snuggled against his chest

"Alright, just stay right here and I'll see if I can get you another comforter okay?" said Gibbs as he shifted Ali out of his lap and got up to find another comforter.

When he returned Ali had moved to the middle of the comforter and was once again in the middle of a pile of pillows. Gibbs gently laid the comforter over her then knelt down and placed her pacifier in her mouth whispering "Go to sleep angel, Daddy's here" with that said he gently kissed the side of her head, then stood up to go check on Tobias.

When Gibbs returned to their bedroom he found Tobias just as he'd left him but curled up on his side asleep, after pulling the covers up closer to his chin Gibbs spent the rest of the day checking between Ali and Tobias. Ali never developed a fever but she slept most of the morning with Gibbs having to wake her up to get her to eat lunch. He had fixed her some Ramen Noodle soup with her favorite fish shaped crackers floating in it and let her eat it as a picnic on the mattress. After she'd finished he changed her then gave her a bottle of Gator Aide and let her take her nap there.

Tobias was another story though, his fever had risen to one hundred two and several times Gibbs had to straighten the sheets from around his legs or waist because he'd kicked them off as his fever rose. It was also almost nearly impossible to get him to wake up enough to even eat some broth so Gibbs ended up propping him up against their headboard and spoon feeding him at lease some of the broth. After that he forced two more pills down his throat then let him go back to sleep.

By three forty-five Ali was awake and felt good enough to want to set up on the couch with Gibbs to watch a baseball game but fell asleep even before the sixth inning. Gibbs let her sleep on his lap only getting up a few times when he heard Tobias getting restless again. For dinner Ali was able to eat some baked chicken strips and mashed potatoes, while Gibbs once again tried to spoon feed Tobias some broth. After spending the rest of the evening on the couch going between Ali and Tobias Gibbs gave Ali her shower then put her to bed by eight o' clock. After wrestling with Tobias to check his temperature once more Gibbs gave him two more pills then went to bed himself, pulling Tobias into his arms where he finally settled down and Gibbs got some much needed rest.