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Here we go! Chapter 13! Enjoy! :-)
I own NCIS and anything related to it…In another life!
Tony paced angrily back and forth across the room.
"Tony, calm down," said Kate.
"This is not what was supposed to happen! She was supposed to find her a family to go to, not send her away to some treatment facility. There is nothing wrong with that little girl! She just lost her father and rather than them trying to make things right for her, they are just going to throw her away! If she doesn't have emotional problems now she sure as hell will when she leaves that place!"
Silence began to fill the room. Tony continued to pace back and forth, unsure of what to do with himself nor the anger, frustration and sadness that ran through his veins.
Kate ran her fingers through her hair as she let out a heavy sigh. "Why don't we take her?"
Tony stopped pacing and looked Kate. "What?"
"I don't want to see her go, Tony! At least not like this! They send her away to some treatment facility she is going to be nothing more than a face in a crowd! She's afraid of being by herself, and if they send her there that's exactly what's going to happen! We can take her!"
"You heard what Sharon said, Arissa has been through physical and emotional trauma! There is no telling how she is going to react once she comes to terms with everything that has happened."
"To hell with what she said, Tony! She's three years old! What's the worst she can do? Have nightmares? Cry? We can handle that!"
"Or she could act out her abuse and become violent?"
Kate tilted her head as she stared at Tony. "Do you really think Arissa is capable of harming herself let alone anyone else?"
"No, but you do realize we are talking about taking full responsibility for her?"
"We've been taking care of her for nearly a month now."
"By herself. Are you still gonna feel this way when the baby comes and we have two kids to look after?"
"We'll figure something out, Tony. You can't tell me that you don't want to do this?"
"No, I do but are you sure about this?"
"Is it wrong that I just want to protect her?"
"You were a Secret Service agent, protective instincts are in your blood!" smiled Tony as he kissed Kate on the cheek. "Thank you, Kate!"
Gibbs arrived at the café to find Tony and Kate seated at a secluded table in the back corner. Kate sipped on a cup of tea while Tony swirled the bottle of water he held in his hand.
"This better be important, DiNozzo! I left a department meeting to rush over here!" said Gibbs as he took a seat at the table with Tony and Kate.
"It is, Boss," said Tony.
"Well, what is it?"
Tony and Kate looked at each other.
"We are going to become Arissa's foster parents."
"What?"
"They feel that because of Arissa's emotional and physical trauma, it would be better for her to be in a treatment facility rather than in a foster home. But we all know that's not true! She needs to be somewhere she feels safe, with people who are going to give her the love she needs."
"And that would be with you two? Tony, taking care of a child is a big responsibility."
"We are well aware of that, Boss, but we can't just let her go like that."
"Can't or won't, DiNozzo?"
Tony said nothing as Gibbs turned his attention to Kate who stared at the cup in her hand. "Kate, how do you feel about this?"
"I'm with Tony on this on, Gibbs. I can't let Arissa go! Not under these conditions," replied Kate.
"You two are about to have a baby! Do you really think this is a good idea, right now?" asked Gibbs.
"Boss, I know you think it's really immature and irresponsible but you have to understand that this is something that we have to do," said Tony.
Gibbs shook his head. "I never said you were immature, DiNozzo. What you are doing takes a great deal of maturity! I'm just surprised to see you have it," replied Gibbs.
"So you're supporting us on this?" asked Kate.
"Yep! I'm actually quite proud of the two of you. I was wondering how long it would take you two to final start acting like adults and here you go! Maybe you two are ready for parenthood after all?" exclaimed Gibbs.
"Thanks, Boss! That means a lot!" replied Tony.
"I said maybe, DiNozzo."
Gibbs smiled and placed a hand on Tony's shoulder before planting an open hand on the back of Tony's head.
"Ow! What was that for?" asked Tony as e rubbed the back of his head.
"For taking so long to start acting like adults!" said Gibbs as he placed another slap on the back of his head. "And that one was for Kate! I would slap her but she's pregnant."
"The baby appreciates that, Gibbs," said Kate, trying to contain her laughter.
"So why did you call me?"
Tony and Kate looked at each other in question.
"I don't know? We just did! Felt like we needed to share with you," replied Tony.
"Okay? So now what?"
"Arissa's hearing will be starting soon, I guess we should get over there and talk to Sharon," said Kate as the three got up to leave.
Gibbs joined Kate and Tony as they headed back to the court house for Arissa's hearing. They entered the court room just as the judge was taking the stand. Sharon Lee stood on the left side of the room while and couple in about their early sixties sat to the right. It was obvious from the look of the couple that they came from money and lived a very privileged lifestyle.
"Those must be the grandparents?" said Tony as he, Gibbs and Kate took some seats at the back of the room.
"They look loaded!" whispered Kate.
"We are here today to discuss the issue of custody for a one, Arissa Moreland. Is that correct?" asked the judge.
"Yes, your honor," replied Sharon.
"Two weeks ago, Arissa, age three, lost her father, one Petty Officer James Moreland in a homicide. Being that her mother is deceased as well, we are here today to pass custody of Arissa to her maternal grandparents, do you accept?"
The distinguished looking man stood up. "No, your honor, we wish to terminate our rights to Arissa."
"Please state your reason for terminating your rights to the court."
"We feel that at our age we are not capable of raising a child. We travel quite a bit and cannot guarantee a stable home environment for her, your honor."
"Bullshit!" coughed Tony under his breath.
"Let the record show that the child's maternal grandparents wish to give up their rights to the child. As a result, custody of the child will be given to the state of Maryland. Sharon Lee, you are the caseworker for Arissa, do you have a placement set for Arissa?" asked the judge.
"Yes, your honor. Arissa will be placed in a treatment facility…"
Just then Tony stood up. "Excuse me, your honor!"
"Yes?"
"If it is okay with the court, we would like to take Arissa."
"Who are you?"
"Agent Anthony DiNozzo and Agent Caitlin Todd, NCIS," said Tony as he and Kate made their way to the front of the courtroom.
"What do you have to do with this?"
"Agents Todd and DiNozzo have been caring for Arissa while we were waiting for the hearing," replied Sharon, shocked by Tony and Kate proposal.
"You two want to take Arissa?" asked the judge.
"Yes, we do," replied Tony.
"Your honor, I have to advise against this! Arissa has been through physical and emotional trauma, she needs to be somewhere where she can receive the necessary support needed to handle her situation. Agents DiNozzo and Todd can't do that!" interjected Sharon.
"Your honor, we are aware of Arissa's emotional needs and we personal feel that being with us will be more beneficial to her than being in a treatment facility," replied Kate.
"You are talking about caring for a child with potential severe emotional needs?" Are you sure you are up for that, Agent Todd?"
"I once worked security for the President, I'm sure I can handle a three year old."
The judge looked at Kate in astonishment. "You were with the Secret Service, ma'am?"
"Sure was!" replied Kate, proudly.
"While that is impressive, Agent Todd, you were not pregnant during your time with the President! Taking care of a child is a lot of work. Arissa could potentially be with you when you have your child, how will you two handle that? I mean you are federal agents! You work long, sporadic hours! What are you going to do when you both have to work late? Who is going to care for Arissa? Do you have the support system in place to help you cope?"
"They sure do!" said Gibbs from the back of the room.
"Sir?" asked the judge.
"Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, your honor! I'm their boss and I can guarantee that they have all the help and support they need to take care of Arissa," said Gibbs as he walked to the front of the courtroom.
"And how is that?" asked the judge.
"Arissa has become part of my team! My junior field agent adores her, my forensic scientist can't get enough of her, heck even my M.E. admires her! I'm sure any of them would be more than willing to help out when needed. And if they can't then well they got me."
Tony and Kate looked at Gibbs in shook.
"I'm impressed by your gesture Agent Gibbs but I still can't honestly say that I think that this is a good idea. This young girl could possibly face a lot of emotional problems in the future?" exclaimed Sharon.
"Or she could be perfectly fine? Only time will tell? But for the past two weeks, she's been nothing but smiles and that's because of Kate and Tony. She has become attached to them. You take her away from them, you're taking away her security blanket and there's no telling how she will react then?"
Gibbs, Tony, Kate and Sharon all looked to the judge who was silent. "I need some time to think about this."
Cliffhanger! What do you think? What will the judge say? Will Tony and Kate get to keep Arissa or is she destined for the treatment facility? Reviews are welcomed and an update is coming soon :-)