If people don't like this story, then don't read it. I know that sounds rude, but don't comment on how you don't like my story. This is FANFICTION. I'm not an NCIS writer or anything. I'm only fifteen years old; I know my writing might stink. But please try your best to be a little considerate of me feelings. And, please try not to take this story seriously. I'm sorry, if I offended you in any way.
Chapter 7
Luke sighed in frustration. Kyle keeps saying he'll walk him home. He's ten years old, not some six year old! But, Kyle is persistent and at the moment; he's much taller than him. "Come on, Johnny. We need ta drop Luke off"
"I'm doin my homework" his little brother shouted.
"Too bad, I can't leave you alone, Tony's rule not mine, J" Kyle called up the stairs. Sometimes he feels like Johnny's damn babysitter. Johnny only comes downstairs cos Kyle called him J. He's the only one who does.
"You're as bad as Tony" he muttered causing Kyle to half grin. He nudges Luke who tries to smile, but he can't get off the thought of him in trouble.
He wonders if his dad will send him back. The kids at The Home are probably placing bets anyway. He's heard the older kids do that; sometimes with kids they don't like. It isn't as though the kids didn't like him. It's just they thought he was weird. Luke suddenly wishes he wasn't so weird. Most of the kids at The Home were over twelve that was probably it. Now that he thinks back on his life there; nothing was ever fair for him. All the kids knew his age, so he was a really easy target.
"Luke, are you listening to me?" Kyle asked gently shaking his shoulders. Luke looks up from his day dreams.
"Sorry, watcha say?"
"I'm getting picked up for soccer. So I'm going to drop you off at your street. Do you know you're address?" Luke remembers two numbers and the fact that they live on a block like Johnny. How hard could it be? Candy's car will be in the driveway anyway. Luke nods; confidently. "Good, are you cool with this?" Kyle asked kindly. He can always sprint to practice or get a different ride.
"Yep"
"You have everything?" the older boy asked.
Luke nods. The three children leave the house. It's sort of dark out. With Kyle in the middle; Luke and Johnny would never admit this but, they're scared. That's why Kyle is in the middle, so they can each have someone to cling to if they get scared.
Kyle chuckles when Luke grabs hold of his arm. "Baby" Johnny mumbled, he hears a mysterious sound and latches onto Kyle who smirks at him. Kyle being who he is, he doesn't comment on the fact that two ten year olds are clinging onto him like a first graders. The two boys let go of the blue eye rolling thirteen year old. Those two are such dorks; lovable dorks.
Once they reach Luke's street. Kyle doesn't seem to notice Luke's nervous glances and how he's walking slower. Johnny does. "Why yah walkin so slow? Do you have a curfew? Mine's nine on school days and nine forty-five on the weekend" Johnny bragged, Luke looks at Kyle whose once again rolling his eyes.
"For once, Johnny's right. No offence, but we really need to get home. Are you sure you know the way to your house? It's cool if you don't" Kyle offered, but his eyes tell a different story. He needs to get to practice and by the looks of it he wants to.
"Hey! I'm offended by that!" Johnny muttered, he suddenly wishes Kyle wasn't so bossy and big brother like. He's like a disease.
"Shut up for a sec, J" Kyle ordered. This time, however Johnny obeys and slowly walks away from his brother. Sometimes he wishes Kyle would act more like his brother than his third parent.
"I know the way" Luke lied. Kyle nods, not sure if Lucas is lying or not. Luke awkwardly turns his back on the DiNozzo boys and starts walking.
If only he hadn't lied to Kyle. He's thirteen and probably knows the way. After ten minutes of mental chatter, Luke spins back around; fully expecting Kyle to be behind him. Instead Kyle is halfway down the block following a sullen looking Johnny. A Street light suddenly turns on; as does six others. It looks like a Broadway show leading up to…a broken light. Some show, Luke shoves his hands into his pockets and nervously starts clapping his hand against his thigh.
Still walking…more or less wandering, Luke hears a car jerk to a stop. Without thinking, he starts to run. Doors slam and someone chases after him. He feels his breath catch once the dude has a hold of him.
An angry, pissed off voice ordered. "Lucas, open your eyes" the voice sounds familiar, but Luke doesn't wanna take any chances so he shakes his head. Tears start to wobble down his cheeks. The ten year old wishes his dad was here. He'd protect him. "It's me, son" his father said trying to soften his tone.
Luke opens his eyes. "Dad!" he said wanting so badly to hug him. Tim shakes his head as though to say 'what were you thinking?' He leads his boy to the car. Weirdly enough, his thoughts trail back to the DiNozzo boys. They might cause trouble, but they're good kids at heart. And Luke could use a few friends like Johnny.
Pulling into their driveway, Luke's eyes widen with shock. There are four police cars with the lights flashing and firefighters. 'Why the hell would there be firefighters? How would they help?' Luke wondered, but didn't dare say. He didn't move from the backseat instead tears start to roll down his red stained cheeks.
"Come on, you have a lot of explaining to do, Luke" Tim encouraged, trying to nudge him out of the car. But, Luke is having none of it.
"Dad, I can't" Luke whimpered.
"You can, but you won't. Lucas McGee get out of the car" Tim ordered, looking surprised. He sounds sort of like his own father.
"No" Luke exclaimed.
"What did you just say?" Tim asked his eyes alert and focused onto his defiant son.
"…no" Luke whispered meekly.
"If you don't get out this minute, you're in big trouble" Tim threatened that emtpy threat. He remembers his father saying it to him and Sarah many times.
Luke mumbled. "I'm already in trouble…what's the point?" Tim opens his mouth to speak, but closes it. He got in trouble for sleeping over someone else's house without their knowledge; basically his parents did the same thing he and Abby did.
Only when he asked his father the same question, Henry McGee jerked his son out of the car and walked him into their house. With a smack to his rear every third step. Tim shudders. When he was a kid he never wanted to be anything like his father. Here he is, shouting at his son; exactly the way his father shouted at him. Tim decides on taking a different tactic. He doesn't want his future relationship with his son to be strained.
"What's the matter, son?" in such a kind tone it surprises Luke. Not the good surprise, instead of saying anything. Luke starts to cry.
"You should just send me back" Luke offered. Tim shakes his head, the thought of even doing that is unimaginable.
"I'd never dream of doing that" Tim promised giving Luke a crooked smile. Luke tries to smile back, but can't.
"Why?"
"Because I love you, your mom and I both do. We love you a lot"
"But I didn't call" Luke said rubbing his eyes. His entire face looks wet with sadness and remorse. It almost makes Tim his choice to punish him
"Listen Luke, I love you because you're my son. Not because you don't get into trouble, I get that all kids get into trouble a few times in their life. That doesn't mean I'm going to hold a grudge against you, your entire life. Do you understand?"
"Yes, but I can't go in there. Everyone's gonna be so mad" Luke whispered. "I worried them for nothing"
"You're right, everyone will be mad…for awhile, but not forever. Do you wanna know a secret?" a teary eyed, Luke nodded. "This event will pass. It might take awhile, but it'll pass. Soon, this'll just be a funny story, but don't think this will be a funny story tomorrow cause it won't. It'll take time" Tim said thoughtfully.
"Thanks, dad"
"Anytime son, are you ready?"
"Do I really gotta go in?" he whined finally sounding like a normal ten year old instead of a robotic wanna be good kid.
"What do you think?" Luke sighed; he already knows the answer to that question. Side stepping past all the police cars, Tim leads his son into the kitchen. Abby does a double-take when she sees the two of them. Quickly hanging up the phone, she walks over to Luke with her hands on her hips.
"Hi mom" Luke said softly. Abby has tears in her eyes, which causes Luke to feel even lousier than before.
"Don't you 'hi mom' me, little man. Do you know how much you worried us? Oh gosh, I love you so much. I couldn't bear if anything happened to you. Do you understand me, little man?" Abby wagged a finger at her son who has tears rolling down his cheeks. "Now give me a hug, sweetie" she sighed, not being able to handle those tears.
Luke happily accepts the hug his mother is offering. She ruffles his hair, she honestly doesn't know what she would've done if she lost him. The police officers and firefighters smile and frown at this. This is nice and all, but the kid completely wasted their day. They could have been looking for thieves and other children instead of him. The NCIS Agents who have kids of their own; nod like they completely understand. A few of the older cops and firefighters do the same.
"Lucas, you have something you want to say to the police officers, firefighters, and NCIS Agents?" Tim asked more like ordered sternly.
"I'm sorry I wasted your time" Luke said looking down shamefully.
Luke receives a few dull nods and mumbles of 'its fine' and 'its cool kid.' He looks down his ocean blue-green eyes filled with remorse. Tim eyes Luke; he suddenly feels utterly disappointed in his boy. Why didn't he call Candy? This entire chaotic event could have been prevented if he called. He suddenly knows how Tony feels, being a father to his sons. How can he do it with two? Tim can barely wrack his head around one. Abby wants more; she wants at least four. She already has the names picked out; her top picks are Caitlyn and Tyler. Four friggen kids, that's like the Duggard's with their 20 kids.
The cops are the first to leave. Then the firefighters and lastly the NCIS Agents; a few Tim knows from work. Agent Frankie Sanchez, who has a nine year old son of his own, was very understanding. Unlike a few of the firefighters; they glared down at Luke and shake their heads at him. Ashamed and embarrassed, Tim puts a comforting arm around Luke's shoulders. He sees him tense up at first and then relaxes.
"Luke, go up to your room while mom and I discuss a punishment" Tim ordered leaning against the counter and taking a sip of coffee.
"Dad, mom, I really am sorry" he sounds so sincere.
Tim and Abby resist the urge to cradle their little prince. He's ten years old and oughta know what he did was wrong. But the way he's looking now. Abby can't tell if he's ten or five. She points towards the stairs; like he forgot.
"You heard your dad, Lucas" Abby said firmly. Luke looks from parent to parent. He suddenly understands that he'll never win. The odds of him winning are slim, cause it's two against one. No fair, he slumps up the stairs. Thoughts of hiding might seem stupid, but he wonders if he should do it.
Gibbs has explained how his day went with the girls. Julie explained that she has a buyer who went over the price range for the club. Both adults know Ally won't care. She has already said that she likes living in a big house. Even though, the house isn't that big, she likes it. That's probably since she's never lived in a house before. They just aren't sure how Thalia will take the news.
"Jules, you do know we have to talk to Ally" Gibbs said with a raised eyebrow. He, himself was hoping to put this off for much longer. But, it seems like the day has come for them to discuss things with the family.
"I know, but Ally's never had a father figure in her life...until you" Gibbs smiles at her. That's...well that's a beautiful thing to say to someone.
"What ever happened to her real father?" he feels compelled to ask. After all, he did tell Julie about Shannon and Kelly.
"Thalia's parents had left her with me so they could find themselves; she was around six at the time. Men pretty much avoided me. I didn't blame them. I had a first grader on my hands. I met Nicholas Newton, Ally's father. He was a musician and we had a six month fling. Later when I found out I was pregnant. I was thrilled. Nick didn't want to have a baby. Didn't want a bastard child to ruin his future" Julie said looking like she might cry at any given moment. "After Ally was born, he signed away his rights as a parent. The girls and I went to live with my father."
"Is that why Ally's middle name is Nicole?" Gibbs asked. He's been wondering how Ally got her name for a long time.
"I wanted her to know, that her daddy loved her. Even though, I'm almost certain he could care less about her. I was young and stupid. I thought giving her a piece of Nick would somehow make me feel better, but it didn't. I know that this sounds selfish, but Gibbs. He's the father of my child and I wanted for anything for him to change. I was young and stupid" Julie furiously rubs her eyes. She looks a lot like Ally when she's upset.
"Julie" Gibbs whispered, giving her a kiss on the lips; comforting and loving. Those kisses are rare now-a-days.
"You know, I thank God every day. I'm so happy she doesn't look a thing like him. I know I sound silly Gibbs, but I don't think I could bare it if she did"
"Julie its okay, everything's going to be okay"
"No it won't Gibbs. As Ally grows up, there'll be more questions about her daddy. I don't think I can answer them"
"You won't want to, but you will. Julie, Ally has us both. I may not be her birth father, but I damn well love that child like she was my own" Gibbs said nodding to confirm how he feels.
"I know you do. That's why I love you so much" Julie said little tears fall down her face.
Gibbs wipes a few of Julie's stray tears. He hates it when she cries. They open the door to Ally's room to find the six year old playing with her Barbies and Bratz dolls. She grins brightly when she sees them. "Hi Gibbs, hi mommy…mommy are you okay?" Ally asked looking up at her mommy. She suddenly feels scared, her mommy never cries.
"Yes baby"
"Why, are you cryin?" Ally asked looking concerned.
"Mommy's just a little sad, is all" Julie admitted, Ally studies her mommy's face. Why would she be so sad? Is it something she did?
"Ally-cat, we need to have a little chat" Gibbs said, patting the spot in between him and Julie. The six year old sits in between the two of them.
"Thalia come in here" Julie called her voice catching and high-pitched. She needs to be in here too. This is officially a family meeting and she hasta be apart of this too.
"I'm busy, Auntie" Thalia shouted back sounding very disrespectful. Gibbs gets up; Thalia shouldn't speak that way to anyone let alone an adult figure.
"Make yourself unbusy and get in here" that's the firmest Gibbs has ever heard Julie. To be honest that's the firmest Julie's ever had been with the girls.
"Why?" Thalia asked her voice nervous and unsure.
"Because I said so, that's why" Julie ordered her tone stern. The door creaks open and Thalia walks in. She plops onto the bed, ignoring her aunt's eyes.
"Am I in trouble?" Thalia asked leaning against the frilly Princess Jasmine pillow that Julie got her last Christmas.
"No Thal" Julie replied, letting out a breath of relief. She actually listened to her.
"Am I in trouble?" Ally asked suspiciously.
"No princess" Gibbs answered smoothing out her tangled red hair.
"Girls, we have a different type of family. A special family, we have a family without a real birth daddy" Julie began; trying to use words that Ally and Thalia will be able to understand.
"Yeah, Thalia's daddy is someplace else. He's my Uncle right?" Ally asked, causing Thalia to suddenly become interested in the ceiling. She doesn't like to talk about her father or mother.
"That's right pumpkin, and your daddy is someplace else too"
"I know…where is he?"
"I don't know" Julie looks down; her face red with shame.
"Why don't you know?" Ally was practically shouting, but this time Gibbs didn't stop her. He figures this is her way of letting off steam.
"I don't talk to him" Julie said quietly.
"Why isn't he here?" so many why's and most of them. Julie doesn't have a real sufficient answer to.
How do you explain to a child, that her own father didn't want her? "Your daddy is a selfish man. Do you know what selfish means?" Ally shakes her head. "That means his only concern is himself. It isn't good to be selfish...he left us six years ago" Julie said softly. This hurts to say almost as much as it hurts to hear.
"Why did he leave?" Ally asked leaning against her mommy.
"He…didn't want to be apart of our family" Julie said surprising herself with honesty.
"Didn't he like me?" Ally asked chewing on her lip to keep from crying. Thalia stares at her fingernails. When Ally's sad, nothing good can come from it.
"Oh baby, you never met your daddy. I'm sorry you have to hear this, baby" crocodile tears start to roll down Ally's cherubic face.
"He missed out" Ally looks up. "He's a stupid man to leave. How could someone not want to get to know you? Your funny, sweet, and everything a daddy could ever want his daughter to be" Gibbs said, watching a now-proud Ally start to grin.
"Ally, our family is special cause you have so many people who love you. You don't need that daddy; when you have mommy, Thalia, Auntie Ziva, Auntie Abby, Uncle Timmy, Uncle Tony, Kyle, Johnny, Luke and me. We all love you so much and I'm certain that there's no family out there like ours" Gibbs said hugging her. Ally cries into his chest; he knows she'll leave a stain, but he doesn't care. He's had worse, thanks to McGee.
Ally sniffled. "Do I look like him?"
"No, you don't"
"Will I ever meet him?"
"If you want you can…when you're eighteen" Julie compromised. Gibbs blinks. He never would have allowed Ally to meet that S.O.B
"I don't wanna ever meet my birth daddy" Ally hiccupped.
"He was a jackass, Ally-cat" Thalia offered, receiving warning looks from Julie and Gibbs that say 'watch your language.' The thirteen year old has a wide innocent grin while her aunt starts reading Junie B. Jones There's a Monster under My Bed. Thalia has always liked those books. They were fun to read and listen to.
As a rule, the boys always have to wash their hands before dinner. Ziva doesn't like it when the boys come in and start eating with filthy hands. She can tolerate a lot of things, but gross hands aren't one of them. Well hygiene on its own is apart of her department of parenting; brushing their teeth, making sure Johnny takes a shower, and eating healthy as well.
"Did you two wash your hands?" Tony asked suspiciously.
"Yeah" they chorused, Johnny has his fingers crossed behind his back and Kyle only rinsed. He didn't really use soap, just made some of the dirt come off.
"Let me see" As a trained special agent, both Tony and Ziva can tell when the boys are lying. They both can tell when water has been running for five minutes to make it look like they did as they were told.
"Aww come on"
"Don't you trust us?"
"Just do it" Tony ordered softly.
The boys hold their hands out. Ziva tightly presses her lips together to keep from smiling; as Tony goes from one boy to the next. He looks like a Marine Sergeant with his cadets, trying to weed out the men from the boys. First of all, Johnny's hands look gross and Kyle's look clean enough. He guesses, that Kyle barely washed them. At least he did.
"Johnny, go back in there and actually wash your hands. Kyle, go sit at the table for dinner" Tony ordered looking past his son's and at the T.V. How come its never on anymore?
"No fair, he only rinsed!" Johnny pouted. He stalks into the bathroom and angrily turns the water on in the sink.
"I used a little soap" Kyle glares at the back of his brother's head. That dweeb, he's such a tattletale sometimes. Johnny mumbles something under his breath about being the youngest and how it's unfair.
The food smells so good. It's chicken stir fry with mashed potatoes. Kyle was sort of surprised Ziva had time to make it. Considering, how their case is cold at the moment everyone has been on edge. The two of them hadn't been home to eat a real family meal in a long time.
"You two had Lucas over today, yes?" Ziva asked causing Johnny to almost choke on his milk. Kyle did call he wants to say, but doesn't.
They nod in between mouthfuls of chicken. "Did you know he's in trouble?" Johnny swallows and looks up; astonished.
"Why?" Johnny squeaked out.
"He didn't call Tim or Abby to let them know he wouldn't be home" Ziva answered tersely, giving Kyle a look. The older boy shrugs his shoulders as though to say 'not my fault.'
"Did you know, that his babysitter was waiting an hour for him?" again they shake their heads. "She called the police thinking he got kidnapped" Tony said calmly. That they knew, but Luke is old enough to be his own man.
"Sorry" Kyle said and he means it to. Luke's really going to catch it for this. Maybe he should have lent him his phone.
"Sorry" Johnny said sorrowfully.
Ziva answered, "It is fine. Luke is home safe and nobody got hurt. You two just need to understand that things that seem little may have a big outcome." She knows full well that by saying the boys may not learn from their mistake. But they are boys.
"We will, next time" Kyle promised, Johnny nods in full agreement with his brother. Ziva smirks at them; they actually think there won't be a punishment for this. At least they're optimistic.
"I'm happy to hear that, but no T.V. for the rest of the night that goes for both of you and when I say T.V. That includes video games"
"Aww…alright" both of them moaned and groaned, but in the end Tony and Ziva stayed firm. No T.V. is a better punishment than a spanking. Spankings are for serious offences and taking away privileges are for the small ones.
"I was wondering something" Johnny said swallowing the chicken and mashed potatoes with a smile in his eyes.
"Go, for it" Tony said openly.
This is a good start. "Could I umm…call you mom and dad?" Johnny asked nervously. He hopes to God, they don't hate this idea.
"We'd like that a lot kiddo" Tony said trying very hard not to cry. Ziva smiles at him and smoothes out his hair.
"Well I want to call you, dad and Ziva, mom. But, you can choose you own titles" Kyle said causin the adults to grin at him. His funny man antics never seem to stop.
"That's funny; you have a shiny future in becoming a comedian" Tony said rubbing his chin methodically.
"Aww and I was hoping to become an NCIS agent" Kyle mocked. Tony clips the back of his head.
"I wanna be a millionaire or a pilot or something cool!" Johnny swallowed hard. He wants to try it out. "Mom, dad" he said to himself. It sounds like it's a word alien's use. He hasn't said those words in months. Kyle cracks a beautiful grin and shakes his head; he reminds Ziva of the sweet Tony who would do anything to make someone else happy. Johnny's a much more immature version of Tony who can't stop goofing around, he jokes around for smiles. Basically the boys like to make other people smile. She couldn't be prouder of that.
"No, Timothy McGee, you can't and won't" Abby ordered with her hands perched on her hips.
"I can and will. He worried a lot of people today, Abs" Tim said trying to keep his voice down.
"He's a little boy" Abby said. She knows spanking is helpful, but she just doesn't want to hear the cries that come on the end of a spanking. It hurts to hear more than anything. She's heard Johnny take a spanking and doesn't like how it sounds. She knows for a fact Ziva hates spanking them, but 'it works'.
"I know he is, but when my dad spanked me it kept me in line" Tim informed her.
"You don't talk to your parents, McGee! I don't want it to be that way with Lucas. He's my baby" Abby said. Now Tim gets it. She doesn't want to lose her baby. The way his mother lost him.
"That's where you're wrong. I don't talk to them, because they didn't agree with my life choices" Tim said sourly. He only spoke to them last week to tell them he's married and has a son.
"Timmy, he's only been with us for a few weeks. I want him to adjust, well with us"
"I do too, but kids need their boundaries and today he squashed one" Tim said throwing his hands into the air and looking like a madman.
"He didn't know"
"He knows well enough to call home. Candy was worried sick and frankly I don't think he's considered her feelings" Tim said quieting his voice a little.
"I always wanted to be like my mother when I had children; fair and firm" Abby sounds wistful. Tim wants to tell her she is, but he knows that isn't what she wants to hear.
"What would your parents have done if it was Rob?" Rob is Abby's younger brother who caused a little less trouble than she did. That's not a compliment. Abby caused trouble that it should be illegal. "And it was the eighties" Tim added. He knows the eighties were the highlight of the spanking era.
"My mama would've spanked Robbie and sent to bed without any supper 'an empty stomach leaves the soul wonderin' and once your wonderin' you wake up knowin' what you did was wrong' my brother and I were told that many times. Now dad, he was a different story. He would've done the same thing only without a speech; just take us over his knee. Then he'd make us explain what we did wrong. We always dreaded mama's spankings more than dad's. Somehow hers seemed to be more serious" Abby explained seriously. Tim nods with a smile forming on his lips. He's met Abby's mama and when she's mad she isn't afraid to tell you.
"I'll remember that" Tim starts up the stairs.
"Tim, I'm not giving you permission to spank him" Abby said courageously. Tim looks back at her and nods.
"I know"
"So what are you going to do?" Abby asked incredulously.
"I'm going to talk to him" he answered. Abby huffs at him, but doesn't say anything more as she goes into the kitchen to start dinner.
Luke has never seen his mom or dad mad. Today they weren't just mad. They're pissed off. He guesses they have every right to be. He did sort of worry them. And he worried the police and firefighters and NCIS people. There's a knock on his door. He looks up to see his dad walk in. He has a cardboard box in his hand. Luke studies the carpet.
"We have a problem here, don't we?" Tim asked placing Luke's blue painted wooden work chair in front of him.
"Yes sir" Luke agreed quietly.
"I'm going to be honest with you" Tim explained. His father would've yelled at him till his ears fell off. "What you did today wasn't just wrong. It was inconsiderate towards our feelings and Candy."
"Candy!" Luke remembered. A rush of guilt flows through his spine; dammit.
"You had her running in circles today looking for you. How can you find someone when you don't know where to look?" Tim asked firmly.
Luke opens his mouth to speak, but Tim cuts him off. "It's a rhetorical question" the ten year old closes it.
"I'm really sorry" Luke tried.
"I know, but that doesn't excuse what you did. Lucas, mom and I've decided that your grounded for one week" Tim starts packing a few of Luke's toys away.
"What are you doing?" Luke asked curiously. He sits down on his bed and watches as his father places his comic books into the box.
"I'm packing up your toys" Luke's eyes widen. Is he really going to take away all of his toys for a week? His room will be empty.
"What'll I play with?" the ten year old asked stupidly. Tim looks at him and wonders for five seconds on how he got moved up. Then he remembers he's ten years old.
"That's the point of being grounded Lucas. You can't do anything fun, while your grounded. Those are the breaks, kid"
"But, that's my stuff. You can't just take it. Hey let go of that" Luke exploded. His dad is so mean. How come he's taking away his stuff? He said he was sorry to those cops and stuff. No fair. No fair at all.
"Luke I want you to take a deep breath and count to ten. You hear?" Tim said rubbing Luke's back. Luke's Social Worker has told them Luke has breakdowns sometimes when he's mad. All he needs to do is count to ten.
Luke does as he's told and calms down some. That is until, he sees Tim unplug the T.V. and place the X-Box 360 into the box. "Let go of that. It's mine!" Luke screeched. He lunges at Tim; kicking and punching him in the ribs.
Tim, who's had enough of his attitude, smacks Luke's bottom; hard. His lower lip wobbles and Luke sits down on his bed and watches his father pack away the rest of his toys. Tim goes downstairs for a few minutes and heads right back up. Luke's still frozen on his bed, he looks stunned. "This is for your own good. Come on, dinner will be ready in ten" Tim nudges his shoulder.
"Not hungry" he mumbled looking quite angry. Tim doesn't blame him. He's ten years old and doesn't have anything to play with anymore.
"You know the rule. You always come down to the table, even if you're not hungry" Luke rolls his eyes. He knows the stupid rules cause they're stupid and silly.
"It's a stupid rule" Tim doesn't say anything for a minute. Luke didn't think that rule was so stupid when he first moved in.
"I know you're mad about me taking your toys away, but it could've been worse" Tim said hoping Luke will come downstairs without making a scene.
"How? You stole my stuff?" Luke asked sniffling a little.
"I didn't steal your stuff. You'll get it back at the end of the week, but that just depends on how you behave. Consider yourself lucky, I didn't spank you. Now get downstairs and wash up for dinner" Tim ordered. He's getting a little sick and tired of this rebellious attitude.
Luke looks around his room and sighs. It's practically empty now. Besides his desk, bed, carpet, his coloring set, and a few action figures Tim kindly left behind. Luke groans, what is, he supposed to do all week; color and play with dolls. He suddenly wishes he never did this in the first place. Stomping down each step, Luke makes his way into the kitchen. Abby watches as he sits down without even wincing. She looks at her husband who has finished caring all of the boxes. Going to his side, she leans in and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
Thalia rubs her hind quarters. Her butt doesn't really hurt so much anymore. Gibbs only gave her eight swats. She's heard stories from the DiNozzo boys, that they get one swat per each year of their life. Now that she thinks about it. Gibbs could've spanked her tons harder and she sort of deserved it. Part of her believes she deserved it and the other part believes that Gibbs should have listened better.
She quietly walks into the basement. Ally is already tucked away in bed. She can hear Aunt Julie singing as Gibbs sands his latest boat. Thalia wonders if her aunt is drunk, she's never heard her singing before. "Hey, what are you doing up?" Gibbs asked Julie follows his eyes to see Thalia at the top of the stairs.
"I-I need to talk to you" Thalia stuttered, her confidence lacking.
Gibbs nods and motions for the teen to come; half-suspicious half-concerned. Thalia slowly walks over to his feet. "What's up?" Gibbs asked noticing her bite chewing nervous behavior.
"I get why you spanked me" Julie's eyes become wide. She never thought she'd ever hear Thalia say that, but there are things in the world that are unexplainable.
"Do you?"
"Yeah cos I got into a fight and you guys want me to grow up knowing right from wrong" Gibbs nods satisfied that she knows what she did was wrong.
"Why are you down here, Thal?" he asked softly.
"Cos you were unfair" Gibbs looks at her. How was he unfair? He knows why she got into trouble and told her what she did was wrong. In addition to that, he didn't really spank her that hard. Plus he only gave her eight taps. He could've given her thirteen spanks.
"Explain to me, how I was unfair?" Gibbs said his eyebrows rose with disbelief.
"You didn't lemme tell my side. You always lemme tell my side" Thalia said little tears trickle down her cheeks.
"Thalia…" he started, but she shakes her head at him. No…he can't talk. Thalia takes a deep breath.
"No, just listen okay" Julie touched Gibbs forearm and gives him a look; to listen. Just for five minutes to what Thalia has to say. "Elizabeth started it, not me. She called me names; said my parents left cos they didn't love me. I know that isn't true. Mom and Dad left cos they needed to find themselves. Then her mom, who's the TEACHER, obviously was on her side. Cause she's her kid and stuff. I thought when she called you…you'd lemme explain my side, but you didn't. You were on Mrs. Owens side and…and that's not fair cos now nobody's on my side and I'm all alone" Thalia trembles sadly.
Gibbs sighed. He never wanted Thalia to feel that way. He pulls the teen in a hug and shakes his head. "I'm sorry, Thallie. I'm sorry" Gibbs repeated wiping the girl's teary eyes. He sometimes forgets that Thalia is still a child.
"Gibbs"
"Yeah"
"Rule 6; never apologize it's a sign of weakness" Thalia said in a somewhat confident tone. Gibbs chuckles at her. They stop hugging and study one another's facial expressions.
"Rule 51, sweetheart" he whispered causing Thalia to blink; surprised and unsure. She doesn't know what Rule 51 is. Julie has a blank look on her face, so she must not know what Rule 51 is as well.
"Can I get switched out of Mrs. Owens class?" Thalia asked her face filled with hope.
"Of course" Julie responded. Thalia grins happily at her. That's a relief. She can already feel a weight lifted from her shoulders.
Both of them look at Gibbs who rolls his eyes and nods. "Now, go on up to bed. You have a big day tomorrow"
"I love you…both of you" Thalia said carelessly. She wants to sound careless about those words, but she can tell it isn't that careless to say I Love You to someone. Julie smiles while Gibbs downs a sip of his coffee and works on the boat with a wide smile playing on his lips. Julie can't imagine a more perfect moment than this to start kissing his neck. Gibbs being Gibbs, kisses her back; first on her lips and then neck. 'Oh great, we're going to do it on a boat. I hope I don't get any splinters' Julie thought.