I got TEN reviews on the last chapter! So cool! THANK YOU and please keep them coming!
Here we go! Chapter 19! Enjoy :-)
I DO NOT own NCIS or anything related to it…I guess I can stake claim on Arissa though? She is my brain child!
Kate stayed in the office with Arissa while Tony and Gibbs followed Sharon into the conference room. Closing the door behind them, Gibbs and Tony could sense that Sharon was not there on good terms.
"I'm guessing you didn't drop by to say hi?" joked Tony.
"No, I didn't, Agent DiNozzo! Arissa's daycare called and informed me that she was involved in an altercation in class today? She hasn't been with you a week and already you are having problems!" spat Sharon.
"Sharon, it's not what you think?"
"The judge allowed Arissa to stay with you under the impression that you would protect her from incidents like this, especially given what she has been through!"
"Come on, Sharon! She had one bad day! It's not that serious!"
"This is very serious, Tony! I have to report these types of events to my boss. If he feels like I made the wrong decision by not sending Arissa to that treatment center, it's my ass!"
"Oh, I get it! You came all the way over here to protect yourself. You could care less about Arissa, one again."
"Don't put words in my mouth, Agent DiNozzo! My concern is for the child! This type of behavior is a red flag when looking for emotional problems."
"Really? Crying when someone hurts your feelings is a red flag?"
"Abused kids are often unable to express their emotions safely! This time she cried, next time she could be the one doing the pushing or worse! We can't take chances with this! She needs to be somewhere with people who can manage her behavior!"
"Kate and I have the situation under control! Her teacher is going to talk to the boys' parents and we brought Arissa back with us to calm her down. Everything is fine!"
"For now! What about next time? Are you going to be able to handle things once you have two screaming babies around? Oh, by the way thanks for informing me that you and Agent Todd are expecting twins!"
"I don't see how that's any of your business?"
"It's my business because it will affect Arissa! First time parenthood is difficult with one child and you are expecting two! Arissa requires a lot of attention! Attention you can't give her while trying to care for twins! I think it may be best if I found somewhere else for Arissa to go!"
"Where like that treatment facility?"
"If that's what's best for her then yes!"
"Sharon, calm down! Just because Kate and I found out we are having another baby doesn't mean we are giving up on Arissa! What's best for her is to be right here! We will adjust!"
"It's not about adjusting, Tony! It's about your competence in this situation!"
"What are you trying to say? That Kate and I are not capable of taking care of a child?"
"Tony, what I'm saying is that you don't have the knowledge or experience to handle a child with Arissa's needs! I mean look at what happened today? Being with you is supposed to provide Arissa with a healthy emotional environment and today showed that you and Agent Todd are not capable of doing so! You have enough on your plate now that you are expecting twins, why add any more stress?"
"How was I supposed to know that she was going to get picked on in daycare today?"
An argument broke out between Sharon and Tony, one of which Gibbs was not willing to listen to.
"That's enough!" shouted Gibbs, shutting both Tony and Sharon up. "The focus here is supposed to be Arissa! Now, Sharon, Arissa just had a bad day in school! It's something none of us could have predicted! But instead of being out there comforting her, reassuring her that this wasn't her fault and that it won't happen again, you want to make matters worse by taking her away from Tony and Kate?"
"She was involved in a physical altercation today, Gibbs!"
"One of which she stood back and cried through! She never laid a finger on those boys! I honestly don't think she ever thought about it!"
"But research shows…"
"I don't care what research shows! What is Arissa showing? Have you ever raised a child, Sharon?"
"No, I haven't Agent Gibbs. But I have done a great deal of studying in the area of parenting," replied Sharon, smugly.
"Well, then you know that the way in which you handle a situation all depends on the child. What applies for one may not apply for another. Just because today's events are indicators of emotional problems for one child doesn't mean that they are for Arissa."
"Gibbs, her behavior…"
"Was completely normal! She didn't do anything wrong! Neither did Kate and Tony! Why are you trying to throw the towel in after one bad day?"
"I'm not throwing the towel in! I'm just trying to…"
"Save your own butt? Sharon, there is no reason for you to be here. Arissa had a rough first day and that's it!"
Sharon threw her hands in the air. "Fine, if you all feel that there is nothing to worry, I will let it go! But I am watching you, Agent DiNozzo. If I find any indication that you and Agent Todd are struggling with your handling of Arissa, I will take her!" Sharon grabbed her things and rushed out the room.
"What is her problem?" asked Tony.
"She's book smart but she lacks commonsense. She's just trying to prove herself, that's all," replied Gibbs.
"Well, thanks for your help, Boss!"
Gibbs looked at Tony before leaving the conference room. "Rule 35."
Tony entered the Bullpen to find Arissa sitting on the floor next to Kate's desk playing with her teddy bears while Kate worked at her computer.
"I in trouble?" asked Arissa, her hazel eyes filled with fear.
Tony scooped Arissa up in his arms. "No, you're not in trouble," replied Tony with a smile.
"What did Sharon want?" asked Kate.
"Apparently, she heard about the incident today and now she's having second thoughts about the whole situation," replied Tony.
"Why?"
"She seems to think that we lack the competence to raise a child. And with us expecting twins, she feels we won't be able to care for Arissa. I really don't like her!"
"I don't like her either!"
"Me either," interjected Arissa, placing her head on Tony's shoulder. "She mean!"
"You okay?" asked Tony, concerned for the little girl.
"Yeah. I stay with you and Kate?"
"You're not going anywhere, sweetie!"
Arissa wrapped her arms around Tony's neck, hugging him tightly.
"Hey, it's almost lunchtime. How about you, me and Kate go get something to eat? Maybe we'll go get some ice cream afterwards?"
"Okay."
"I'm starving! How about that place over on fifth?" suggested Kate.
"The cheesesteak place? You hate them! You say their sandwiches nothing but bread dipped in grease!"
"I know, I just want something different."
"Are you having one of those pregnancy cravings?"
"No! I just want a cheesesteak that's all!" Kate jumped at the sensation of movement in her stomach.
"You okay, Kate?" asked Arissa.
Kate smiled. "Yeah, the babies just moved again!"
Tony rushed to Kate's side, placing his hand on her stomach hoping to feel the twins move. He moved his hand to feel a popping sensation on Kate's stomach.
"Oh my god, I felt it!" Tony could feel tears flowing into his eyes. For the very first time, he felt his children move.
"Can I feel?" asked Arissa, wanting to be a part of the moment.
Tony placed her tiny hand on Kate's belly so she could feel the babies move.
"That the babies!" shouted Arissa.
Overcome by emotion, Tony kissed Kate right there in the Bullpen, not even caring who was watching. Gibbs smiled to himself as he watched the three of them from outside of MTAC.
The next morning Arissa still wasn't all that excited about daycare. After having to brag her out of her bed, Tony spent the majority of the morning carrying her to and from to get her ready for the day. Arriving at the daycare, Arissa was reluctant to enter into the classroom.
"No, Nozzo!" whined Arissa, as he pulled away from the agent as they walked into the classroom. "I no want to go to school! I want to go with you and Kate!"
"You can't go with us, sweetie," replied Tony
"But I want too!"
"Arissa, I know those boys hurt your feeling but you can't let them scare you."
Tears began to form in Arissa's eyes. "But they make fun of me!"
Kate kneeled down and looked Arissa in the eyes. "They are not going to make fun of you anymore because if they do, Tony and I will arrest them and put them in jail!"
"You promise?"
Kate showed Arissa her handcuffs, "I promise!"
Kate took Arissa's hand and led her into the classroom.
"Nice job, Kate!" smirked Tony. "Threaten to arrest a three year old!"
Walking inside they were instantly greeted by a bright eyed Brittany.
"Arissa, you came back!" exclaimed Brittany, as she hugged Arissa. "Me and Sammy doing a puzzle, you want to help?
Arissa looked to Kate for reassurance.
"Good ahead! Have fun!" smiled Kate.
Brittany took Arissa's hand and the two walked away.
"You think she will be alright? Maybe we should say for a while?" asked Tony, worry ringing through his voice.
Kate watched as Arissa sat down with Brittany and Sammy and started working on a puzzle. At first, she could see that Arissa was a bit apprehensive but within a few moments of talking with Brittany and Sammy, a smile came to Arissa's face and she was laughing as she played with her new friends.
"She'll be fine," replied Kate.
What do think? Reviews/comments are welcomed and an update is coming soon :-)