Disclaimer: Not mine.
A/N: Not quite as happy of a chapter.. at least in the beginning... well, it kind of goes back and forth... :)
The small house was eerily quiet. The only light that shone through was from the moon coming through the partly open drapes. The only sound came from the kitchen sink, and the man who stood at it, muttering under his breath. Red mixed with clear as the man scrubbed his hands under the facet. Watching as it ran down the sides of the sink and into the drain.
"Gal-darn, snot-nose, good fur-nuthin', brats!" The man slammed his hands against the sink as he watched the rest of the red disappear from view. "Should have dealt with 'em long before now. But no.. 'keep 'em alive, they'll be good fur somethin'' he says. Right! Good fur tellin' the cops who I's am!"
The man walked into the living room and looked at the man on the floor. There was not a spot on him that wasn't covered in blood. "Sorry Vince. Nuthin' personal, but you did give 'em cops a description of me. Can't have that now. Can we? Well, you's can't have nuthin' anymore!" The man laughed as he picked up his knife and wiped it on the corner of the couch. "Don't feel to bad thou, you's just the first. Well technically second. Gal-darn Nigel ne'er could keep his nose to his self. But it ain't you's fault, it's cuz's. He made me keep 'em brats alive. He's next. Then 'em two little snot-nose cry babies are goners."
As he stood up he looked around the room, making sure he didn't leave anything behind. "Bye-bye Vincent. As far Landlords go, you's wasn't so bad. Sweet dreams Vince." The last sound before all was silent was the front door being locked and closed.
Around ten Sunday morning Gibbs found himself in a different part of the hospital. This room was much bigger. It had two hospital beds along with a fairly large and comfortable looking couch. But it was the sight of the two brothers in those two beds that made it a wonderful sight. Timmy had progressed enough that Doctor Michaels deemed him well enough to share a room with his brother. He would still need extra monitoring for the next few days, but he was well on his way to recovery. The boys were laughing while they watched cartoons and ate their yogurt.
Looking up he saw Agent's Vince and Davis walking towards the room. "What's up?" He said as he met them outside the room.
"Agent Franks wants you to meet him outside, got a body for you to see. We're here to watch the boys for you." Agent Vince said.
"Alright, let me just let them know." Understandably the two didn't want Gibbs to leave, but relented when he told them it could help in finding Ben. Introducing the boys to the two Agents, he left them to continue watching cartoons. "You two better keep them safe." He whispered threateningly in Davis' ear, as he walked out. He was gone before Davis could even think to say, yes sir.
"Oh my." Ducky exclaimed once they all got to the crime scene.
"Oh my indeed." Mike replied.
"Backdoor looks like it was jimmied open. The assailant was probably waiting for Dillard to come home. Took him by surprise."
"The assailant? You got someone other than Goldlin in mind for this?" Gibbs was furious.
"Now Probie, I know how ya feel, and I agree it probably is Goldlin. But why don't we wait till we got some proof."
"Then lets find it, so we can catch this guy before someone else gets hurt."
"Too late."
The three Agents turned around to see Fornell standing in the doorway. "What?" Gibbs asked walking over to him.
"This morning a man by the name of Carlos Santino was found murdered. The FBI have been after him for money laundering."
"What's that got to do with you being at my crime scene Fornell?" Mike asked, getting inpatient.
"Turns out Santino was Goldlin's second cousin by marriage." He stopped and waited for the explosion. He didn't have to wait long.
"WHAT!? How come we didn't know about this cousin? Stan!" Gibbs yelled.
"Gibbs I have every cyber geek working on looking for a trace of him, why they didn't find out about this..."
"They did. That's how we knew. Their search sent off alarms on our computers as I was at Santino's crime scene. Told them I'd come over and let you all know." Looking past the agents at the man on the floor he said, "Wow, your guy got off lucky. Whatever Santino did to make Goldlin mad, he did it well. Your guy look healthy compared to mine."
"Ok that's it. We need to find Goldlin now, before he goes after the boys." Gibbs said as he walked out of the house.
"Probie! Where ya goin'?" Mike yelled after him.
"Back to the hospital. I'll feel safer knowing I'm watching over them." Gibbs yelled back, before slamming the car door and screeching tires were heard.
"Think he realizes how deep he is yet?" Fornell asked.
"Nope. He ain't got a clue." Mike replied smiling.
Standing inside the door to Tony's and Timmy's room he watch the two boys sleep. Agent's Vince and Davis stood guard outside the door, watching for anyone that resembled Goldlin. Gibbs slowly walked over and sat between the beds. Looking at each boy in turn. Before Tony was always curled up as tight as he could get, now he was spread eagle, arms and legs in all directions. The sheets were tangled up in his legs and he was snoring away. 'Just knowing his brother is right next to him, he's let his guard down, even in sleep', Gibbs realized.
Turning towards Timmy, Gibbs saw he was stretched out on his side. Gibbs figured he would have been curled up if his sore body could have handled it. They both looked so peaceful. Gibbs wished he could grab them, run, and never look back. He knew he'd fallen hard for these two precious little boys, but there wasn't much he could do. Lost in thought it took him a minute to realize he had two green eyes watching him with a smile. It wasn't till the owner of those eyes spoke, that he looked up, startled.
"'I Gib."
"Timmy. I thought you were asleep." Gibbs smiled softly, running his fingers gently through Timmy's hair.
Timmy's smile grew as he leaned into the touch. "I wa'."
"Silly boy."
Timmy laughed as he laid his cheek on Gibbs' palm. "Gib fine Ben?"
"No, not yet. But soon." Gibbs sadly replied.
"Gib fine Ben." Timmy said as a fact this time instead of a question.
"Yeah Timmy, I'll find Ben." Gibbs thought, 'and he'll never hurt you boys again once I'm through with him.
"T'at w'at I 'ay." Came the sleepy reply through a yawn.
Gibbs chuckled, "Oh, what am I going to do with you Champ?"
"Gib 'tay."
"Of course I'm staying, now go back to sleep."
"No, Toe-y an I 'ided, 'tay wif Gib."
Gibbs was shocked into silence as Timmy's eyes finally closed and his breathing settled into sleep. His cheek still nestled into Gibbs' palm. Gibbs sat there watching the boys sleep until Nurse Jenna brought in their dinner. Tony kept up a constant chatter, bringing a smile to everyones face's. Yet for the rest of the night only one thought kept running thru Gibbs' mind, 'Tony and Timmy really wanted to stay with me'?
A/N: So, what'd you think? Like? No like? Couldn't help myself with Ben, tried a couple times, and he kept coming out the same way.
And I haven't quite decided yet... do ya'll think they'll find Ben, before he finds the boys? Let me know. I'd really like to know what you think! Thanks for reading!