Kayla knelt down in front of a sobbing Sam not quite sure what exactly the child was trying to say, his words drowned out by the crying. "Shh shh.. It's ok Sam… we'll solve the problem… just calm down …it's ok…" she pulled the toddler into her arms and gently patted his back as she tried to sooth him further. She didn't release him until his sobs were under control and she thought she might be able to finally understand him. Kayla was very confused she rarely saw the boy ever cry at all, and his distress was so overwhelming she was sure she was witnessing the collapse of his little world.

"What is so wrong SamSam?" she asked again when she pulled him away from her chest. "I…. I ….I…. I " he gulped air fast and furiously "I lost my coat" he blurted out. Confused by why that would have him so upset Kayla hugged him close again. She looked to the young teacher standing at the door of the classroom for help. Seeing that her input was called for the teacher explained "We went on a neighbourhood walk today as we do every week. He had the coat when we left the classroom but not when we got back. We stopped at the park on the way back and the kids played for a short time. None of us saw him take it off. I am sorry. Please tell Mr. and Mrs. McGee we did look for it and we just can't figure out what happened to it. I tried to explain to Sam that his dad would understand but he is having trouble understanding that."

"No problem" Kayla said understanding more about the situation. "Look Sam, I'll talk to your dad for you. OK. I'll fix it. Ok? Monkeyshine?" Kayla tried gently. "You sure?" Sam asked not sure she would be able to convince his father that he shouldn't be in trouble. "I'm sure" Kayla said definitely.

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There was a huge break in the case and with the culprit caught it meant that only paper work was left to deal with. At these times Tim made sure he got home in time to eat supper with his kids, knowing he could work on the computer once they were in bed. He arrived home to find his boys playing together in the living room. The "Norman Rockwell" moment was broken however the second he called out his "hello boys". Sam looking up in surprise, not having expected his father home before he went to bed he didn't immediately respond. Then he kicked himself into full gear, running into Kayla's arms resuming his earlier sobbing.

It was Tim's turn to look absolutely bewildered. His look asking what was going on because he couldn't find the words to. Kayla scooping Sam up and standing in front of Tim explained what had happened at school and that Sam had been worried all day that Tim was going to get mad at him for not wearing his coat home. Deep in his gut Tim didn't believe a word of it and was about to say so when he again got a flash of his own father. Instead he tried to take Sam from Kayla, his son held on for dear life and wouldn't let go of the young caregiver. Not wanting to fight Tim resigned himself to talk to the back of Sam's head. "Sam… can you tell me what happened?" hoping that Sam would tell the "real" story and not whichever one he had allowed the grownups around him concocted.

"I losted my coat and you're gonna be mad at me for not wearin' it home" Sam sobbed miserably. Tim pursed his lips and exhaled audibly. "Sam… how did you lose your coat?" Tim continued. Pushing his face deeper into Kayla's neck Sam answered "I took it off at the park 'cause I was too warm".

"Really?" unable to hide the sarcasm in his voice.

"Yes" Sam yelled turning enough to look through his arm and Kayla's neck.

"Watch it there" Tim warned. "How exactly did you get TOO warm today?… it's barely 45 degree out there.." Tim stated as if he was talking to one of his suspects.

"I was wearing my other coat under it… you never said I couldn't wear it … you just said I had to wear THAT one" Sam spat out, knowing he was safe while being held by Kayla.

Grinding his teeth and shoving his hands in his pockets Tim took another few seconds to collect himself. He was doubting his own son; what a horrible thing to do. Yet somehow he just couldn't believe that the coat had gone missing without "help".

Luc was still in the living room, Kayla's back was to him and he could see both Sam's face when he lifted it and his father's. He couldn't believe that Sam could be that cocky. Luc would never try what Sam was doing. Luc even had a small flutter of guilt as it had been his suggestion that losing it would have been a better choice. Now the coat was missing under "hinky" circumstances; he thought he might be partly to blame. He played with the toys in front of him half heartily as he observed the tableau in front of him.

Kayla wanted to help as much as she could and she had promised her little charge that she would speak on his behalf and so she offered "the teachers said they looked for the coat and couldn't find it. He really has been very upset Mr. McGee. I told him you would understand that these things sometimes happen."

Both Luc and Tim repeated Gibbs' words in their heads 'I don't believe in coincidences' but neither spoke out loud.

"Thank you Kayla."Tim offered not know how to tell her she was being duped.

"C' ere Sam" Tim said gently tapping him on the shoulder as he successfully took his son into his arms. "Sam did you honestly lose your coat at the park?" Tim asked hoping beyond hope that his son would answer truthfully.

"I did lose it at the park" Sam said, as far as he was concerned that was the truth.

"You lost it by accident?" Tim asked. Sam resumed his heavy sobs and buried his head in his father's chest wiping his eyes and nose on his own arm as he snuggled in. Instead of answering he just nodded. At this point Tim started to question his own intuition; Sam didn't get this upset about anything. He got angry, frustrated or defiant but not actually upset. Maybe he had actually lost his coat and was this upset because he knew what it would look like.

"Let's get some supper ready… does that sound like a plan?" switching topics as he had gotten as far as he thought he could. Luc stared incredulously at his father's receding back. Had his father just taken that "show" as real? Shaking his head he was suddenly overtaken by anger himself. His father would never have believed that kind of story from him.

Tim and Sam made supper while Luc went to his room to seethe. He wasn't sure why he was so angry about the situation. He didn't want his brother to get into trouble; he would do almost anything to keep him from running astray. But he sat in his closet twisting a shoe lace in and out of his fingers angry than a bear woken from hibernation. Years later Luc would look back at this moment as the first time he realized that his brother would use manipulation to get what he wanted with little thought to others and their feelings. Like he would do for years to come Luc came to the conclusion that Sam was doing it because "he was a little kid" and hadn't learned the "right" thing yet. And like he would do for years to come he would try to help his brother learn.

Tim found his eldest sitting in his closet. Confused for the second time that night Tim asked "What's up bear? You ok?"

"Ya, I'm fine… just thinking" Luc answered.

"Supper's ready … you hungry?" Tim smiled holding out his hand for Luc to take. The two walked to the kitchen hand in hand.

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The night passed without incident and both boys bathed, dressed for bed and Tim read them stories snuggled together in Luc's bed. Carrying his youngest on his back he took him to his room and dropped him playfully into bed. Kissing him on the nose he tucked him in and reminded the boy how much he loved him. Handing him his stuffed elephant Tim noted how Sam immediately started to rub its ear against his cheek. Turing out the light he backed out of the room and headed over to Luc's room to tuck in his eldest child. Luc too seemed tense yet Tim couldn't put his finger on it. Smiling he decided he was reading too much into, his career of reading people playing overactive when it wasn't needed.

Having enough work to keep him busy until sunrise Tim went immediately to his office attached his ear buds to listen to music as his worked on the never ending paperwork associated with the closing of a case. He didn't hear Luc get out of bed and quietly step across the hall to his brother's room, open the door and stand beside Sam's bed. Sam wasn't surprised to see his brother, Luc often would stop by to make sure he was ok and when something had happened it was something Sam 'almost' expected.

"Sam… what did you actually do to lose your coat?" Luc had learned as soon as Sam could talk that asking the question in the way that suggested you already knew what he'd done wrong got Sam talking a lot faster. That and admitting what he'd done wrong was easier to do to his brother.

"I not gonna tell you 'cause you'll tell Daddy" Sam said turning over so his back was facing Luc.

"I'm not going to tell Daddy…. yet" Luc answered. Not sure what his brother meant by the Sam turned just his head to read Luc's face.

"Sam…. What did you do to lose the coat? I know it didn't happen by accident and I would bet a million dollars that Dad knows as well…"Luc said in a tone that was more fatherly than child like.

"It was your idea" Sam countered angrily.

Softening both his tone and features Luc answered "I know … that's why I'm here… if I hadn't given you the stupid idea in the first place I'd just let you dig yourself a great big deep hole and hope you stayed in it." Luc loved his brother but he was still an eight year old.

"You wouldn't really throw me in a hole would you?" Sam asked worried.

"No that's not what I mean… it's an expression… for being so smart you sometimes don't get things" Luc accidently let his thoughts be spoken out loud. Sam was stressed, tired and worried so his first reaction was to punch his older brother. Luc didn't even say anything he just turned and walked back to bed fighting the tears that threatened to spill.

He had barely covered himself with his blanket when he heard his door creak open and heard the little feet sneak closer to his bed. Still angry about being punched Luc didn't spin around to acknowledge the little tap on his back. Sam stood leaning on the bed gently poking Luc's back. When his insistent pokes were not working he tried "Luc… Luc…Luc". The desperation in his brother's calling of his name stabbed him in the heart and he slowly rolled over to look at his little brother, whose eyes were glossy with unshed tears. "What?" he said as meanly as he felt.

"I didn't mean to punched you" Sam answered crawling up into Luc's bed. Luc shook his head at how quickly his little brother could get him to fold. "Ok" Luc said before he continued "Sam you need to tell Dad that you lost the coat on purpose before he finds out… if he thinks you'll lie to him he won't EVER believe and I might not either!" Luc said with as much emphasis as he could while still whispering.

"I don't want that but Daddy will be mad at me for losing the coat… and then telling everyone it was an accident… I can't tell him now… I just can't!" Sam began sobbing uncontrollably again. Luc worried that the boy's crying would alert their father that they weren't in bed going to sleep and he quickly covered his mouth. Growling deep in his throat Sam pushed Luc off. Luc knew that anger could so easily take a hold of Sam that he would use it to control his other emotions. Not probably the best choice but the one he had at his disposal at that point in time.

"Look Sam… I feel bad because you were listening to my suggestion about losing the coat… let me think a minute" Luc suggested as both boys sat cross legged on his bed. Sam looking intently into his older brother's eyes as he watched Luc thinking. "What if I tell Daddy what happened?" Luc suggested. Before Sam had a chance to protest Luc continued "I'll tell him it was my idea, that I didn't mean it but you didn't know that… you were just listening to me…. and that you lied to save me… "Luc answered.

"Isn't that lying to?" Sam scrunched his face in mystification. How could him telling his dad he'd lost the coat by "accident" be a lie… but Luc telling his dad he'd told the not whole truth to protect his brother wasn't a lie.

"Ya, but it's different"

"How?" the younger brother really did want to know the difference.

"'cause we'll be doing it to let Dad know what happened… and not to keep from getting into trouble" Luc answered.

"But won't you be lying about why I did it so that you don't get into trouble… or so I don't get into trouble?" Sam asked still very perplexed about different kinds of lying.

"Kind of … but because we are telling the truth about the big BAD thing then the rest is sort of ok" Luc suggested not sure himself anymore.

"C'mon" Luc called to Sam as he scooted off the bed and stood holding out his hand. Sam really didn't think was going to work out as well as Luc did. Luc knew he wasn't going to sleep tonight until his dad knew he'd given the little squirt the idea in the first place and that meant that Sam had to fess up.

Tim always let his guard down when he was at home. He thought it was the healthier choice instead of jumping at every noise and movement, with two boys in the house there was always something going on. Therefore when the office door slowly swung open he jumped and quickly pulled the buds out of his ears. "What are you two doing out of bed?" he asked before he took in the scene in he was observing. Luc was standing just inside the office door Sam standing directly behind almost not visible except when he was peeking around the older brother. As soon as he realized he could be seen he quickly hid again.

"Dad… Sam… I mean… I have something to tell you" Luc said changing the sentence part way as Sam grabbed the back of his pj's with the grip of a someone holding onto a life preserver after having begun drowning.

Tim closed his laptop giving his full attention to the two boys. "I'm listening" Tim answered carefully.

"I…Um… I" Luc turned to look at his brother but the younger boy stayed behind him holding onto his the pj's for dear life. This was way harder than he had imagined it when they were talking in his room. "I guess… I … don't think I need to say anything…"Luc tried now sure he was going to be allowed to back out now. He even turned to leave before his father coughed to get his attention.

"Luc… what did you come down here to tell me?" Tim asked kindly.

"You promise you won't get mad at me or Sam" he pointed over his shoulder to the boy who was still hiding behind him.

"I can't promise how I am going to feel… being mad is an emotion… I can promise to listen and I can promise to be as understanding as possible" Tim answered and for the third time that day his own father came to mind. This time it was the incongruity of the scene and words spoken. When Tim had been young he too would come to his father's study and tell him whatever was on his mind; he too needed to have a clear conscience. But his father would never have agreed to not get angry… he wouldn't have ever asked that of his father.

Swallowing repeatedly trying to get rid of the thick feeling in his throat Luc looked again as his little brother who was looking up at him expectantly. He then looked at his dad and started again "I kinda gave Sam the idea so you can't be mad at him… K?"

Tim took a few seconds to jump to the point in the conversation Luc seemed to have begun at. "You told Sam to lose his coat?" Tim asked amazed that his eldest would have thought of that let alone tell his brother it was a good idea. He couldn't get "mad" he was too shocked. "Not exactly" Luc continued before Tim had recovered. "When he cut it up I said I would have lost it instead…. I didn't really mean for him to do it… I was just sort of talking out loud… I … I didn't mean … I didn't mean for him to actually do it… but he didn't know that… he's just a little kid… he didn't know Dad… so you can't be mad at him… K?" Luc grimaced as his father continued to just stare in disbelief rather than the expression of understanding he had somehow expected. "You told Sam to lose his coat?" Tim repeated still working through that point.

"No… that is what I'm trying to say… I DIDN'T TELL HIM TO DO IT… he just misunderstood… 'cause he's a little kid… " Luc was starting to worry that he'd dug himself a hole. This was NOT going as he had planned. Sam hearing the catch in his brother's voice started to cry softly, if Luc was worried then he should be too.

The initial alarm took a few minutes for Tim to recover from but then he was able to get things straight and react in what he hoped was an appropriate manner. Luc obviously hadn't meant for things to go as they did, his need to confess clear evidence of that. Before dealing with that bit of information he thought it best to get the rest of the story. "So if he lost his coat on purpose… because you suggested it… why did he tell everyone it was an accident?" Tipping himself sideways trying to see his youngest who was sticking so close to his brother it was difficult to see him. Tim wasn't trying to "trap" that kids but he did want to know exactly how they had gotten to this point.

"Well... you see once he realized that it was the 'wrong' thing to do he knew you'd ask why he thought it was good idea and he didn't want to get me into trouble… he was looking out for me … see… he just wasn't thinking right… but he won't do it again… Right Sam?" Luc said looking over his shoulder to see the top of the little boy's head nodding up and down.

"See… all's well that ends well" Luc said quickly trying to turn to exit the room as fast as possible. Tim didn't say anything he just crooked his finger and gestured for Luc to come closer. Luc hesitated, he'd seen GG do that to both his dad and Uncle Tony and when they got close to him he always clapped them on the back of the head.

Moving forward slower than even he was trying because Sam was barely moving and he was basically dragging his younger sibling along the shiny wooden floor Luc made his way to his father's side. Tim rotated his chair so that he was facing Luc. Reaching behind the boy he disengaged the smaller boy from his brother holding him between his knees so that Sam didn't take off as Tim anticipated he might. With the younger contained Tim took Luc by the arm and turned him so that he could land a swat to the older boy's bottom. "Ow" Luc unwillingly let slip out, he wanted to be tough. "I don't want you to think you are responsible for your brother's actions. He has to make his own choices. They are just THAT… HIS choices…" Tim waited for Luc to nod then continued. "That being said… don't give him anymore ideas… he gets enough on his own… ok?" he said with a smile.

"K Dad" Luc tentatively headed for the door. When at the threshold he called to Sam "C'mon Sam let's go to bed I'll tuck you back in."

"Sam and I need to have a little conversation about lying… you go on ahead to bed.. ok?" Tim offered.

"But Daddy… he's just a little kid…"Luc starting to cry thinking he'd gotten Sam into trouble instead of out of it. "We were going to have this conversation at some point anyway… this isn't your fault" Tim quickly added knowing where Luc's thoughts were going.

Running up the stairs to cover his tears Luc went to his room slamming the door on his way.

Hearing the door slam, Tim decided that the boy in front of him needed his attention more than the one upstairs.

"Sam what have I told you about lying" Tim asked sternly turning the boy bodily so he was facing him. "But Luc said it was ok to if you were doing it to protect someone, like if you didn't want to hurt someone's feelings or you were protecting your brother from getting into trouble." Tim was about to call his eldest back down thinking that Luc had actually encouraged the little tyke to lie so that they wouldn't know that it had been his idea to lose the coat when Sam added "Luc didn't know I had lost it… he didn't know I told Kayla I had done it by accident but he said I should 'fess 'cause you would know anyway and lying wasn't right but you would understand 'cause it was to protect him."

That exact second was the one in which Tim realized that the two boys working together was not a good idea. One of them could cause trouble, the two of them as a team would cause absolute havoc.

"Sam…. Lying is WRONG… for any reason… I know you want to protect your brother like he does you… but please understand when I tell you… LYING will ALWAYS get you into more TROUBLE!" his tone more exasperated then angry.

"K … Daddy" Sam gave his father his most charming smile, if he didn't know better he would swear DiNozzo had taught the kid that move.

"I don't think so little man… we're still having THAT conversation" Tim replied before for the second time that week turned the little boy over his knee and spanked his bottom. Sam cried profusely right away. It had been a long day and he was just as angry as he was hurting. When Tim hoped he'd gotten his point across he gently picked Sam up into his arms and cuddled him into his chest, kissing him on his head.

It was only a few minutes before Tim heard the rhythmic breathing of a sleeping child. Looking down he smiled at the young boy in his arms. Instead of standing up and putting the boy back to bed Tim opened his laptop and leaned back in his chair. That way he could keep his son on his lap and work at the same time.

When Abby finally made it home she found Tim snoring in the chair the youngest still asleep in his lap. She had no idea what had transpired that night but watching two of her "men" sleeping cuddled together brought a broad smile to her face.