Gibbs watched from one end of the couch as Alex slept on the other, curled up with blanket that the marine had draped over him early in the morning.

Alex refused to sleep any that night, even refused to go back to his own bed.

In the end, Gibbs and Alex occupied the couch while Tony got what sleep he could in Alex's room.

Alex had managed to stay awake until round 6am before the exhausted boy dropped off. Gibbs didn't go back to his own room for the rest of the night, getting what sleep he could on the end of the couch.

Tony was in the kitchen moving as quietly as he could to let Alex sleep. Tony brought him a cup of coffee when he saw that Gibbs was awake. The Marine could tell Tony was still a bit shaken about Alex's nightmare since the man kept looking at the teen like he was a ticking bomb. He just hoped that DiNozzo didn't make Alex embarrassed when he woke up.

Gibbs was watching a football game on TV when he finally heard the front door open quietly and he saw Ducky and Abby enter the room. This was the most he had heard Abby be quiet, even her combat boots were moving silently.

He motioned for the woman to come and take his place before whispering to yell if she needed him. She eagerly took his spot watching vigil over the boy like a silent black clothed protector.

Then he herded his oldest friend to the kitchen. Ducky walked in with his medical bag and sat down at the table with Tony.

Gibbs sighed and leaned against the counter.

"I take it we didn't have a good night?" Ducky surmised.

DiNozzo snorted at the understatement.

"Tony walked in on Alex having a pretty bad nightmare. Shook them both up pretty bad. Alex didn't get back to sleep until six this morning." Gibbs answered, ignoring Tony's indignant look at being called 'shook up'.

"Well, that's certainly not going to help Alex heal if he's not getting the right rest, Jethro." Ducky admonished.

"Well, Duck, I can't exactly force him to sleep."

"We could drug him?" Tony put in, which got glares from both of the older men.

"I think medicating the boy should be used as a last resort, Anthony." Ducky answered sternly.

"Thanks for that, Ducky." They heard a voice from the doorway call.

Alex and Abby entered the kitchen, Alex's eyes permanently glued to the floor, avoiding all gazes. The boy and the goth joined the men at the table.

"Good morning, lad. How are you feeling?" Ducky asked as Gibbs went over quietly began to fix Alex something to eat.

"It's two in the afternoon, Ducky. You shouldn't have let me sleep this late." Alex said, his last statement directed towards Gibbs.

"You needed it." Came the simple reply.

"And you don't have to jump up and fix me something to eat just because I woke up." Alex said exasperatedly, watching as Gibbs didn't stop his motions.

"I do when you're sick." Was Gibbs' only reply.

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

Alex's retort was cut off as Abby put a hand on his shoulder and stage whispered, "Alex, this is a fight you're going to lose. When Gibbs shifts into Papa Bear mode there's no stopping him. He won't admit it, but he secretly likes taking care of people."

Gibbs could obviously hear her as a small smirk appeared on his lips but Alex noticed he didn't correct her either.

Alex sighed and shook his head, letting the subject drop for the moment.

"Maybe if you're lucky he'll make the eggs and bacon into a smiley face." Tony teased, testing the waters.

"Are you jealous, Tony? I'm sure Gibbs can do the same for you." Alex joined in with a small smile.

A silent agreement that what happened last night would stay between them.

Ducky then took his cue and put his bag on the table.

"Alright, let's take a look at those arms before you eat, we'll worry about your chest later." He said, motioning the teen to show him his forearms.

Alex was about to protest but the glare he got from Gibbs prompted him otherwise so he relented, they really were beginning to itch a bit.

Alex watched as The ME started with his sting, it was the one that hurt the most at the moment and was probably the nastiest looking.

The blonde looked over at Tony who didn't seem the least bit bothered about watching Ducky tend to his swollen and slightly pus-filled wound as he ate his lunch. One crime scene too many, Alex thought.

The doctor examined the arm expertly, causing Alex nearly no pain before applying some cool ointment that took any pain away.

Moving on to the next arm, he moved a bit more slowly. The cut on his arm had required ten stitches and was highly infected by the time they were rescued. This wound did cause Alex to wince a bit as Ducky prodded it and applied a different kind of salve on it.

"Sorry, Alex, I'm done now. We'll let those get some air before we bandage them back up." Ducky apologized.

"It's okay, Ducky." Alex said with a small smile as Gibbs sat a plate down in front of him. He nearly fell out of his chair when he saw the plate...his food in the shape of a smiley face.

"Are you trying to be cute?" Alex asked as he ignored Tony's laugh.

"Is it working?" The marine asked as he sat down and picked up his coffee.

"Yes!" Abby said with a smile as big as the one on his plate.

Alex glared at his food but began to eat to hide the fact that he was fighting a smile himself. Gibbs had his moments.

"Has Jackson already left?" He asked after awhile.

Gibbs nodded his head.

"McGee and Ziva took him home. He wanted to stay and say goodbye to you but he could only leave the store he owns closed for so long. Thanksgiving's coming up, he'll be back then. And I'm sure he'll call once he's settled back at his house." He assured, glad that Alex had come to like his father.

Alex nodded. Wow, in as little as month he had become a American planning on celebrating Thanksgiving with his grandfather.

Abby and Tony took over most of the conversation during the rest of Alex's meal. They were immersed in talking about which movie they were going to watch first, Abby wanted horror and Tony wanted a classic black and white gangster movie. When Alex was done they moved into the sitting room, leaving Ducky and Gibbs in the kitchen. In the end Abby won, getting her horror movie.

Gibbs could hear the screams of a girl on the TV screen that was overacting horribly.

"Despite the boy's nightmares, I'd say that being back home has done wonders for him. He already has more color to his face." Ducky surmised.

"Think the team's helping a lot. Tony especially. He's certainly keeping Alex's mind off Jack." Gibbs noted.

"Despite his teasing, I would be willing to bet Anthony would have been a terrific older brother given the chance. But don't get the facts crossed Jethro, your presence is helping the boy too."

Gibbs snorted.

"Oh yeah? Which part, Duck? Getting him kidnapped? Or not being able to do anything while those bastards hurt him?" He asked.

"Jethro, come on, wallowing in this guilt isn't going to do any good. He doesn't blame you, why are you doing this to yourself?"

"I promised. Not only him, but his guardian. I don't like breaking promises. I'm better than this." Gibbs berated.

"You put too much blame on your shoulders all of the time. Alex knows you're not Superman, and he doesn't expect you to be. He just wants someone he can count on. He doesn't have a father figure in his life to protect him or to tell him that he did a good job. Jethro, you're that person now. That's all he wants. And you're doing it. Do you think he fell asleep at six this morning because he was exhausted? That may have been part of it but he stayed asleep, with no nightmares, because you were there."

Gibbs shook his head.

"He fell asleep and stayed asleep because he was dead on his feet. His mind didn't have the energy to create a nightmare."

This time Ducky laughed.

"I think you're underestimating the power of the human mind, my friend." Ducky said.

"You didn't see him when he woke up, Ducky. He was scared. He thought he was back with Yokov alone."

"Ahh, but there it is, Jethro. He thought he was back with that assassin alone." Ducky said with a knowing smile.

Gibbs sighed and shook his head, no longer having the energy to fight with his friend.

"Whatever you say, Ducky." He relented.

"He'll show you, Jethro." The Examiner promised.

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-late that night-

"Ziva, it's late what are we doing in MTAC?" Tony protested as he tried to get comfortable in the theater chair.

The Israeli sighed apprehensively. She had instructed Tony and McGee to meet her in MTAC at 1am.

"Okay, I have been pulling the truth a little about me having contacts that could get Alex out of harms way with SCORPIA." She hedged.

"It's stretching the truth. What are you talking about? Can you help Alex or not, Ziva?" Tony asked.

"Yes, of course I would not lead you astray with something like this, but I left out one tiny detail."

"About what?" Tony asked again getting even more confused by his partner.

"My contact. He is not just a contact, Tony." Ziva said, glancing around to make sure they were alone. "My contact is Levi Kroll. He's one of the Head Executives of SCORPIA."

Tony's eyes bugged as he and McGee exchanged shocked glances.

"How do you know one of the Executives of SCORPIA, Ziva?" McGee asked.

"He works for Mossad." She stated.

"What? You know he's a criminal and yet he's still with Mossad? Does your father know?" Tony spouted.

"No, my father does not know. That is the leverage I plan on using tonight." Ziva informed.

"Tonight? He's here? You brought a SCORPIA head to DC? Are you crazy Alex is-" Tony was caught off by Ziva.

"Tony! Do I look like an idiot to you? That is why we are in MTAC. McGee you can operate the controls by yourself, no?" Ziva asked her friend.

"Of course, it's simple all I have to do is-"

"Good," Ziva cut McGee off too, there was only so much time. "Get it set up."

McGee nodded and went over to the system and began pressing buttons. Ziva had already instructed the MTAC operators to clear out for awhile. No one dared to defy the woman.

Tony sized her up.

"You do realize this isn't exactly legal, right? NCIS isn't supposed to negotiate with criminals." He said, but made no move to stop McGee.

"I am not negotiating. I am threatening." Ziva replied smoothly.

Tony smirked but turned and waited for the screen to light up with the SCORPIA members face. As he was waiting his thoughts drifted to Alex and his nightmare the night before.

Tony was never technically an orphan, but on most days of his childhood he borderlined on it.

His mother had died young, Tony was only eight when she passed. He had loved his mother. She was the most parental figure he had in his life and after she died he was alone with senior. His father had never wanted kids. So, off to boarding school it was. No, he was never physically neglected he had all he could ever want. Food, clothes, toys, you name it. But it wasn't the material things DiNozzo yearned for as a kid, it was the closeness with his father that he wanted. Emotional neglect can hurt just as much as the physical.

He knew Alex was pretty much in that boat too. All the teen wanted was someone to rely on, someone he could turn to when his world came crashing down in front of him. Every one he had once relied on for that kind of support was now dead.

But now here was his boss, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, here to save the day. Tony had always known Gibbs would make a perfect dad. It was cruel fate that someone with that much fatherly tendencies to have their child ripped from his life. Kelly Gibbs had been one lucky girl in the parent department.

At least now Gibbs' amazing parenting abilities were being put to good use again. God knows Alex Rider needed it.

DiNozzo was jerked out of this thoughts as a face suddenly appeared on the screen. The man was older and had a long beard. What was more startling was the fact that this man was wearing an eye patch. Tony had to restrain himself from making a pirate joke.

"Shalom, Levi." Ziva greeted.

"Ah, Ziva. How good it is to see you again. I hear you're still a liaison with NCIS? Come now, I'm sure your abilities can be used better elsewhere, don't you think?" Levi Kroll greeted rather bluntly.

"I did not request this meeting to discuss me." Ziva replied, ignoring the jabs at her career decisions.

"Ah, yes, I was wondering when I was going to get this call from you. You wish to discuss Alex Rider, yes?" Levi asked sitting back in his chair.

Ziva nodded.

Kroll sighed.

"There's nothing I can do, Ziva." He stated, "Kurst is very adamant about this child. He wants the boy dead."

"I am sorry to hear that, Levi. That means there's nothing I can do about my father finding out about your relations with SCORPIA. You know how my father feels about betrayal."

Kroll glared, "We had a deal."

Ziva shrugged, "My father is the head of Mossad it would go against all that I am if I did not tell him about this. Right now, there is a friend of mine within Mossad who will give my father every file I know about you and SCORPIA, he is with my father now. All I have to do is make one call. You are still at Mossad headquarters. If my father finds out about your betrayal to him you will be dead before you can get to an elevator."

Kroll began to curse loudly in Hebrew, he knew he was caught. Tony and McGee were keeping quiet, letting Ziva do her magic.

"What do you propose I do?" The man finally asked.

"That is not my problem. Just get them to leave Alex alone."

Kroll laughed.

"I don't think you realize the impact Rider has had on SCORPIA this past year, Ziva. He killed the former head of SCORPIA along with a top assassin with a hot air balloon. The kid's dangerous."

Ziva, McGee and Tony exchanged glances, murder with a hot air balloon. They didn't think Alex was ever going to quit surprising them.

"I do no care what the boy has done. It is irrelevant. Everything he has done it has been to survive in a world to which he does not belong. I am confident that you will figure out a way to neutralize the situation. And know that any attempts at disappearing will be found out. I have eyes everywhere."

Kroll sighed heavily.

"You are still as lethal as ever, Ziva. It's good to see that your years with NCIS has not softened you completely." He belittled once more before ending the feed.

"That's it?" Tony asked.

"Yes, that is all I need. He will handle SCORPIA unless he wants my father to know he has been lying to him for years." Ziva assured.

"Okay, then. Whatever you say. How long will it take for you to get back in touch with this guy?" Tony asked.

"A few days, at least. He will need time to come up with a proper plan to get his boss to change his mind about wanting Alex." Ziva explained as they walked out of MTAC.

"What exactly will this guy do?" McGee asked.

Ziva shrugged, "either he will attempt to talk Kurst out of his plans or he will kill him instead."

"And this Kurst guy? He's the new head of SCORPIA?" McGee asked again.

Ziva nodded, "I had heard that a member of SCORPIA had been killed but no one said that it was because of a child."

They reached there desks and Tony yawned.

"Well, I gotta get to the Boss's house. I've already left them too long." He said, he really did hope that Ziva's 'friend' got rid of SCORPIA. He missed his old bed. Ever since Gibbs and Alex had been rescued he had been staying with them. Gibbs was adamant about not messing up again.

"Tony, if you want to get a night's rest in your own home Ziva or me would have no problem taking over for you tonight." McGee offered, knowing his friend had to be getting tired.

"Thanks, Probie. Maybe tomorrow night. Gibbs is already expecting me." Tony replied as the trio headed for the elevator.

Although secretly Tony was hoping that Gibbs had cooked dinner and had saved him a plate of food. The man could cook.

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Gibbs sighed. Tonight was going to be a rough night. It had been two days and Alex still wasn't sleeping. He could see the teen was on the verge of exhaustion. With no sleep the teen's battered body wasn't recuperating and Ducky was nearly in fits because of it. The marine knew something had to be done, time for a dose of his renowned 'tough love'.

He found Alex sitting on the couch reading a sports magazine with tired, worn out eyes.

Alex looked a bit surprised when Gibbs sat down beside him. Normally, at this time of night, he was up to his elbows in sawdust working on his boat.

"We need to talk,' Gibbs said bluntly.

Alex gave a knowing sigh.

"I had a feeling this was coming," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, it's okay, Gibbs. It's not your fault." Alex assured.

Gibbs gave a look of confusion.

"Alex, what are you talking about?" he asked.

"You were going to say you couldn't look after me anymore, right?"

"You think that's-" Gibbs yelled before stopping himself.

Alex was mildly shocked by the man's shouting but what was more shocking was when Gibbs got up and stormed out of the room.

The teen watched the man leave just as the front door opened and DiNozzo strolled in.

"Hey, Boss. What's for..." He heard Tony's voice trail off Gibbs stormed pass him and slam the door to the basement as he disappeared into it's depth.

Tony came warily into the room with his eyebrows raised questioningly.

"What was that about?" He asked Alex.

"I don't know. We were talking then he nearly yelled and he stormed out." Alex explained, nearly as perplexed as Tony.

"He yelled at you?" Tony asked in dismay. Gibbs never lost his temper with kids...never.

"Almost. He stopped himself."

"Well, what were you talking about? Gibbs doesn't just fly off the handle...well, to kids anyways. You must have really set him off." Tony said, sitting down beside the teen.

"He said that we needed to talk and I just assumed he meant that all of this was finally catching up with him and he didn't think he could look after me anymore."

Tony then got quiet for a moment before he starting mumbling, "Could it be? No, it's not possible." To himself.

Alex scrubbed his tired eyes.

"Tony, come on, what's going on?" He asked.

"Well Al'...I, uh, think you hurt his feelings." Tony assured as if he didn't believe the words coming out of his own mouth.

"Oh, yeah, right. I know I haven't been around all that long but I do know that Gibbs just doesn't get his feelings hurt." Alex replied.

"I think you have a bigger impact on Gibbs than you think. He didn't do this because he felt bad for you. He likes you Alex. And I think he feels a little frustrated that you don't feel the same." Tony answered confidently. After seven years(1) he was glad he could read his boss' feelings through his actions so well. It only scared him because he knew Gibbs could do the same to him.

"I never said that I didn't feel the same, Tony. It's just...I don't know. Everytime he tries to show that he cares..I panic, I guess. I don't know why. Everytime he tries to parent or get closer I push him away."

Tony stretched on the couch.

"There could be a number of things, and I'm not going to pretend to be Ducky and analyze you, because only you know the reason you to that. But you gotta know that this isn't easy on Gibbs either. He's doing what he can but he needs a little reciprocation. You should talk to him." He said.

Alex was quiet for a while, lost in his thoughts before he came to a decision and stood up.

"Where are you going?"

Alex sighed.

"Gibbs said he wanted to talk earlier. So, we're going to talk. You're right, I owe him that much."

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Alex marched himself down to the basement, knowing that if he hesitated even a bit he might chicken out.

At the middle of the steps Alex could see Gibbs leaning against the work counter sipping on what Alex guessed was Bourbon.

"Can we talk?" Alex asked hesitantly. It didn't occur to him until now that maybe Gibbs wouldn't want to talk to him.

"Of course," Gibbs replied coolly, his temper now extinguished.

Alex took a deep breath, he was about to do something he had never done before. Share.

"You scare me." He said eventually, so sheepishly Gibbs thought he had heard him wrong.

Guilt washed over the Marine.

"Look, I didn't mean to yell at you, I-"

"No," Alex interrupted, "Not that. Not like physically scare me."

Gibbs looked at him questioningly.

Alex walked around the half built boat before starting.

"No one's paid me attention like you have...Not since Ian. And if they did pay attention it was because they wanted something. Even Jack was more of a sister than a mother. Ian was the only...'parent' figure I've known. And I like it here...with you and that scares me. I don't want to have a family again if it's just going to be ripped away. It hurts."

By the time Alex was done talking, Gibbs was putting his drink down and was standing in front of the boy. The teen's voice broke a fraction on the last word and that was all the incentive Gibbs needed. He grabbed Alex's shoulders and pulled him in for a careful but affectionate hug. The teen stiffened for a moment before giving into the man's comforting hold.

Gibbs rested his chin on top of Alex's head.

"I don't know what it's going to take to convince you that you don't have to worry about that anymore. I know that this is new to you. But I'm not going to make you go through that pain again. You can bet on it." He pulled Alex at arms length to look the boy straight in the eyes.

"You're my son, now. I want you around. I want you to be here. It's you and me now. Okay?" He asked, his ice blue eyes giving Alex all the comfort he needed.

The teen nodded, knowing words wouldn't be able to escape his mouth.

Gibbs knew it wasn't necessary but nevertheless the engulfed the blonde in another hug.

"Good."

When they finally pulled away from each other Alex looked up to the man.

"What did you want to talk to me about earlier?" He asked.

Gibbs nodded and sighed, knowing that their moment was about to be replaced with an argument.

"You have to get some sleep tonight. You can't keep going on like this." He replied.

"I can't-"

Gibbs reached into his pocket and pulled out a pill bottle and tossed them to the boy.

Alex read the bottle and looked sharply up at the man.

"Sleeping pills?" He asked.

"You need them. Just for a night or two at least. Ducky recommended, and I think it's a good idea." Gibbs said lightly.

"Why?" Alex asked looking at the container like Gibbs had told him that there were illegal drugs in it.

"Have you seen yourself? You're exhausted and this is the best way to do it."

Alex shook his head.

"No." He protested.

But Gibbs was having none of it.

"Just long enough for you to get your rest back. You know you can't avoid sleep and waiting until you fall out because of exhaustion isn't going to help. You're still recovering. I made Duck get you a low dose. It's not going to knock you out just aid you to sleep. And I'm not going to let you have a nightmare. I'll be right there to wake you up if you do."

Alex sighed.

"You don't have to watch me sleep like I'm eight. They're just nightmares." He said.

"I know. Now, come on," Gibbs urged as he handed the boy a bottle of water he had left down in the basement from earlier.

Alex sighed tiredly. A un-interupted night's rest did sound nice.

"One night, that's it." He said decidedly to the man.

"Fine." Gibbs agreed.

A/N- hellooo there... I know this is loong overdue and for that I'm soooo sorry. Everything's hectic around here.

This chapter is unbetaed so there wiill be mistakes and for that I'm sorry.

And not for the part most of you are thinking of...Yes this is probably waaaay OOC buut it needed to happen for Gibbs and Alex to get closer.

Did anyone like the Levi Kroll character not being dead? As you know Scorpia Rising never happened for this story so he iiiis alive

(1)- I've decided to set this in season 7 you'll find out probably next chapter.

I'm probably forgetting a lot but my battery's about to die and I have no way to charge.

You guys are amazing for sticking with me through this...review:D