A/N: to Earthdragon, I had to go look at Gil Bellows on ImDb and you're close. Geordie's hair isn't receding (or won't be if/when it grows out from his Marine cut) and his jawline is a little rounder, no facial hair of course; Geo is little stockier than Gil, but his coloring, eyes and general build are very close to how I see Geordie.

Chapter Four

The dark figure seemed to nod and hands were placed on top of the steering wheel. Tony started to reach for the handle of the door and suddenly found himself nudged aside as Fornell assumed Tony's place. DiNozzo looked up and saw Gibbs give him an apologetic look. DiNozzo had been right; Fornell had recovered enough to finally take a stand.

XXX

Still on the phone and straining to listen for anything, Geordie and Damon tried not to make any noise. Geordie was trying to be calm, but he was furious, with everything, but mostly because he wasn't there and had no control of the situation. Damon, having seen Gibbs' team in action, had faith and was just waiting. Of course, he pondered, it wasn't his father and brother whose lives were on the line. He liked Gibbs and DiNozzo fine, but wasn't even sure they were friends much less anything familial. Rob came downstairs for something, took one look at them and headed back upstairs. Geordie thought he'd probably crawled under his bed as he'd been known to do at the shelter as small boy; he would hide under the cots when frightened.

XXX

At the hospital, Ziva was suddenly alert, feeling something, she didn't know what. Tim woke as she straightened her posture and the two sat there, hand in hand, waiting for whatever news was coming. Tim was terrified, he knew it was something with his dad, he knew it in his gut. He practiced deep breathing as Ducky had showed him, to keep from hyperventilating.

XXX

At the house on his property, Pat stirred and cracked open one eye. What the hell happened? His head was pounding something fierce as he tried to remember what had happened and what was supposed to be happening.

XXX

Fornell reached out and cracked open the door handle. Pulling it open, he moved out of firing range and Tony moved accordingly, keeping their weapons trained on the man in the vehicle. "Step out of the car, slowly, hands where I can see them."

The man raised his hands in surrender as he moved out of the car. DiNozzo pulled his arms behind his back and snapped the cuffs on, then patted him down. "He's clean, no weapons."

Gibbs stepped around to face the young man. "Talk."

"I'm Pat Cooke."

"No you're not."

"Yes…I am…I'm Pat Cooke Jr., my dad's the one you know, if you're Gibbs, oh God, please be Gibbs, otherwise you're going to kill me, aren't you."

"Your dad? Where the hell is he?"

"He's at the house, there…he had an accident today, hit his head pretty badly. The doctor came and said he has a concussion but he didn't think he needed the hospital. I knew you were coming and he trained me on the light signals years ago, but I didn't know I was supposed to get out of the vehicle and I got scared. Then I tried to call your burn phone, but got someone else who wanted to know some identity code and I just hung up. I'm sorry, I was trying to help."

"Pat's always referred to his son as Brian."

"Yeah, that's our middle name, it was easier growing up to use my middle name, rather than two Pats and I hate being called Junior." Tony or rather Anthony DiNozzo Jr., groaned at that, sympathizing with the young man. He stopped when Gibbs glared at him.

"Who's with your dad now?"

"No one, I told him I was going to come meet you like he'd planned and he agreed and I came down here." Gibbs thought for a moment. The kid looked vaguely like Gibbs remembered Pat looking when they were 30 years younger, enough for the story to be true, but he wasn't taking any chances.

"Ok, here's what we're going to do. DiNozzo here is going to ride with you and we'll follow. I've got to warn you, I'm not crazy about this story and DiNozzo is a crack shot and a little crazy. He'll shoot you in the head if you look at him wrong." DiNozzo tried not to roll his eyes as he might just have to do that, although not because he was crazy.

"Yes sir, I understand."

"Don't call me sir, I work for a living."

"That's just what my dad always says." Gibbs shoulders relaxed just a fraction and DiNozzo found he was able to breathe again. The comment had been made so off the cuff, so freely that it rang true.

Fornell had already climbed back into the SUV, in the front seat this time. Gibbs gave Tony a pat by way of an apology and waited until DiNozzo and the kid had gotten back in the vehicle. He climbed into the driver's side of the SUV and they took off, trying not to run over the slower vehicle in front. They hadn't been on the move for more than 20 seconds before the two men heard a voice bellowing at them. "Gunnery Sergeant Gibbs, report NOW." Fornell's eyes widened and Gibbs bit back a smile as he realized he'd never disconnected the phone call. Fornell picked up the phone and without a word passed it to Gibbs.

"Stand down Lieutenant, we're alive and well and on our way to the house."

"What the …that's great, mind telling us what happened? "

"The guy who called you is Pat Cooke, Pat Cooke Jr. that is, filling in for his injured father. DiNozzo's with him in his vehicle now, holding a weapon on him just in case it's a load of bull, but he looks enough like Pat and I know Pat has a son around his age."

"But you didn't know his name?"

"Something like that…long story, son, tell you when we get home."

"Call us from the house when you get there."

"Copy that, Lieutenant." This time he carefully disconnected the call and handed Fornell the phone. Tobias had his eyes covered, "This is a fucking mess, Jethro."

"Which is about to start getting un...uh, better, Tobias. And don't ever pull a shit stunt like that on me again!"

"Why not, you've pulled it on me a dozen times."

"I have neve…ok, maybe I have but that doesn't make it right for you to do."

Tobias looked at him astonished, who was this guy? Gibbs shrugged and they both busted out laughing.

XXX

Sitting next to the kid, Tony saw his shoulders were about as tense as they could get. Noticing his look, the kid spoke, "I really screwed up, didn't I Agent DiNozzo?"

"Could have done worse, kid, and at least you're alive and your dad's alive."

The kid blinked rapidly, "You mean you guys…"

"Without hesitation, have before, will again, especially when we know we're up against the kind of dirtbags we are this time."

"Uh…should I know what that is?"

"Probably best you don't."

"But you believe me?"

"Let's say we're giving you the benefit of the doubt for now. My boss knows Pat Cooke has a son, although the name's different, that's a point against you, not using the name you've gone by; you have no weapons on you, a point in your favor; Gibbs seems to think you look enough like Pat Cooke to be his kid, another point for you, you knew the light signals, point for, but didn't step out of the vehicle to confirm, point against and you panicked on the phone, point against. If you'd told the man who you were and what was going on, that would have been better. If you are a dirtbag and this is an ambush, you'll be the first to go. And if you are Cooke Jr. and your dad is being held hostage by dirtbags, you'd best tell me before we get any closer. We're good at what we do, kid, the best in the business."

The kid was stuttering in his fear now, "No ambush and no hostage, my dad really did fall and hurt his head. I had to leave him alone to come down here, it's not good for him for me to have done that but he told me to. He told me to."

Now the kid was fighting tears and DiNozzo had to fight his urge to give in and believe the kid. Trouble was, he'd seen plenty in his years as a cop and then a Federal Agent and dirtbags who could turn on the innocence were not that uncommon.

XXX

In the SUV, Gibbs was getting impatient, worried about Pat and what might be waiting for them. The kid had told them there was a twenty minute drive to the house and more than 15 minutes had gone by. Dawn was beginning to break and Gibbs was starting to see vague shapes ahead. Fornell peered ahead too. "Looks like it could be a barn and maybe a shed?"

"Hope Geordie bought you jeans and some boots because it looks like you're going to need them out here."

"How the hell long do you think I'm going to be here, Jethro…geez, didn't mean that…don't think I'm not grateful, beyond grateful for arranging all this and bringing me here, risking your entire family."

Gibbs spared him a look. "You know you'd do the same for me, Tobias."

"Yeah, I would, although I don't have all the federal agents, a former assassin, and a spook in my family."

"Spook?"

"Figure Geordie is some kind of spook."

"He doesn't…huh, I don't know, don't think so though. Whatever he was, he isn't now. Don't forget Werth, you know him!"

"Ah yes, so I have one gun for hire in my arsenal."

"Your question, Tobs? I don't know, hope less than a month. Depends on how long it takes us to bring Gehob down and get you reinstated."

"Cleared and reinstated."

"Cleared…of what?"

"Colluding with an enemy combatant."

"When the hell did you do that?"

"When I allegedly colluded with your son the sleeper agent." Gibbs let loose with some of his more colorful language. Fornell listened with a grin, this felt good, as much of a pain in the ass all this was, he was glad to be back in the saddle with his old friend. He was starting to feel more like T.C. Fornell, Federal Agent for the FBI again.

"Tim was cleared of those charges; you said they were never registered."

"They were not."

"So how can you be accused of colluding with someone who was proven not to be an enemy?"

"Good question."

"Wow, this guy is corrupt and stupid."

"Not sure if stupid applies, Jethro, he managed to get himself appointed ADD pretty quickly and then to isolate me from everyone at the Bureau. Not to mention put me on indefinite suspension without a peep from anyone."

"Said this all along, Tobias, the Bureau doesn't deserve you, bunch of idiotic, politically minded bureaucrats who don't know their asses from a hole in the ground."

"Appreciate the sentiment, Jethro, but as I've always said, they may be idiotic politically minded bureaucrats who don't know their asses from a hole in the ground, but they're my idiots. It's too late in the day to switch agencies now."

"And he denied your retirement?"

"Yep."

Jethro said something in a language Tobias didn't know, although he thought it might be Hebrew and wondered if Ziva had been teaching her team some Hebrew profanity.

"And after this is over and you're reinstated?"

"Dunno yet. Thinking I might take one more case, see how it feels, but probably put in for my retirement then. Have enough in Emily's college fund now, as long as she doesn't decide to go to medical school."

"Think that's a possibility?"

"Depends what week it is. Before this started she was talking about veterinary practice or a psychologist. Now she's talking attorney – she met Ms. Newell and was very impressed, talks a lot about helping the unjustly accused."

"Kelly wanted to be either a ballerina or a horse doctor." Both men chuckled.

"I bet she would have followed you into law enforcement, Jethro, maybe into NCIS. Which reminds me, did Geordie tell you what Sarah said she wanted to do?"

Gibbs shook his head and Fornell told him about Sarah's decision to join NCIS so she could get security clearance and be able to participate in family conversations.

Gibbs chuckled, "She's a feisty one, our Sarah. Whatever she ends up doing, she'll be damn good at it, that's for sure, just like Tim and Geordie. All four of them are absolutely goal driven."

"Probably what saved them."

"Yeah and that was Tim's doing, he says when he realized he was on his own with Sarah, he knew that education would be their only sure way out. And I know he fought to keep them in school, when it was snowing or raining, they had to walk to and from, couldn't afford a bus. He tutored them when he could; made sure they had their homework done as well as keeping up with his own studies. Not to mention keeping them from starving and keeping them clothed. He told me the thrift store he went to kept clothes they knew would fit the kids and they allowed him to put things on layaway. Said one year he found a red sweater for Robbie, took him an entire year to pay for it. Said sometimes he'd take in six cents and apply it to his account. And then only when the kids had enough to eat. " Gibbs paused, "Not him, the kids. He said one time he collapsed and the kids got Geordie and it was because he'd fed them, but hadn't eaten much himself for too many days. Geordie rounded up the other kids and they scrounged enough food to feed him. He said he learned his lesson that day; that he needed to be there for the kids. He was 13 then, here I am at my age just learning that lesson myself, Tobs. My kids need me."

"Yeah, Emily is the only thing that's kept me going through this, Jethro. Even though I know Diane and Victor are there for her, I couldn't leave her."

"You telling me…?"

"Yeah, thought about it, on my worst days. But I couldn't do that to Emily."

"Thank God, Tobias, it wouldn't just be Emily you know."

"Thanks man."

Gibbs opened his mouth to say something but saw what looked like a house in the murky light and he pulled the SUV to a stop behind the off-road vehicle. Drawing their weapons, he and Tobias got out of the SUV and crept quietly forward.

In the front vehicle, the kid pointed to the house and pulled to a stop. He reached for the door handle and DiNozzo pulled his weapon, "FREEZE."

"What?"

"We are not walking in blind. We wait for Gibbs and Fornell."

Gibbs tapped on DiNozzo's window. He lowered it and the boss leaned in.

"Here's how we're going to play this. DiNozzo, you switch places with Fornell. Kid, you're still under suspicion until we verify the house is clean, find Pat and confirm your story."

While he was talking, DiNozzo got out and Fornell slid in. The exchange made, Gibbs and DiNozzo disappeared from sight.

XXX

Geordie completed his 57th check of the house and perimeter. It was what he did while he waited in an operation. Damon stood guard in the house. Rob ventured downstairs again and looked Damon directly in the eyes.

"You don't look as freaked out as you did before. Is it better now?"

"Not 100% yet, but yeah, looks much better. Everyone is still in one piece, no threats no weapons."

"Tim and Ziva?"

"Spoke with Ziva 10 minutes ago, they're fine there."

"Where's my brother?"

"Right here, Doc." Geordie spoke from behind Rob's right shoulder and he jumped. "Dang Geo, I hate when you do that."

Geordie gave a low chuckle. "Have to keep you on your toes."

"No you don't, I'm going to be a doctor, not a Marine or a Federal Agent."

"All right, Doc, don't get in a tiz. I just made a fresh pot of coffee, be ready in a couple of minutes."

"Thanks." The two brothers smirked at each other and Damon relaxed. His own brother Derek had been a few years older than he and had died when he wrapped his car around a tree on the way home from a concert where he'd been drinking, just three weeks shy of his 19th birthday. Twelve year old Damon had worshipped the ground he walked on and still missed him. His brother had planned on joining the Marines after earning his AA degree at community college and so Damon determined to follow his brother's dream to join the USMC. When he was rejected at first, he found a way and eventually found a new home in the Corps. He transferred his fierce love for his brother to his fellow Marines in Iraq and that had worked for awhile.

Unfortunately, his way in to the Corps had also proved to be his way out and now he floated between jobs, having no real goals. He was glad to be doing this for Gibbs, the man had always played straight with him, but he didn't know what he'd be doing next. Something would come up, it always did.

He thought when Gibbs got back tomorrow that he'd go back over to Bethesda and spend some time with Tim. He liked the guy and was happy for him that things had changed for the better. Finding out Tim and Ziva were a couple, now that had been a surprise although not as big a surprise as finding out Tim was Gibbs' son, that was a jaw dropper. He and Ziva had flirted a little but nothing had ever come of it; he felt she wouldn't be interested in a guy who was no longer a warrior, more of a drifter these days. And he'd never been totally comfortable with DiNozzo; seemed like the guy had never really forgiven him for breaking his nose back during his 'roid rage. Now as he looked around the kitchen for his coffee mug, he mused about Tim's brothers and sister, he liked their vibe together. Gibbs was one lucky guy.

He finally spotted his mug on top of the refrigerator and grabbed it, waiting for Geordie and Rob to fill their mugs. Geordie made a face and gestured to Damon to hold his mug out. "C'mon, my mom taught me manners when I was a kid, haven't forgotten them. Company first."

Damon smiled, "Thanks man."

Rob slurped at his coffee and then slumped into one of the chairs at the table. "'M starving."

Geordie laughed, "You still always hungry?"

Rob grimaced, "Yeah, actually Ducky says it's because of not having enough to eat when I was a baby. He ran some tests and found evidence of malnutrition he says happened during my first two years, so before we met. Thank you, Ellen, wherever you are. Anyway that's me, always hungry."

Geordie grimaced and gave his brother a warm hug. "Sorry, Rob, won't tease you about it anymore."

Damon spoke, "If nobody minds, I can make breakfast."

Geordie looked at him, "Yeah, dawn's broken, so the possibility of a surprise attack is pretty much off the table. We should be hearing from them. It was only supposed to be twenty minutes to the house, how long has it been, Damon?"

"Seventeen minutes."

"Ok, yeah, let's get breakfast started. What do you want, Doc?"

"Eggs, bacon and pancakes."

Damon saluted with the spatula, "Coming right up."

"Sure you don't mind? Not in the job description."

"Nah, I like to cook and it gives me something to do until they call. When they do, Rob, can you take over?"

"Yeah, Damon."

Damon had the pancake batter mixed when the call finally came in.

XXX

Tim and Ziva were starving by the time the breakfast carts rolled out. Ziva had been awake all night and Tim since 0430. She'd found a candy bar masquerading as a 'protein' bar in her coat pocket and they'd split it, but that had been nearly 90 minutes ago and both their stomachs were growling again.

When the aide brought the two trays in, she was amused by how fast the girlfriend snatched them out of her hands. She paused, "If there are extra trays this morning, would you two like more?" Ziva paused, trying not to mash food into her mouth, "Yes please." Tim's grin and nod would have given the aide the answer anyway but it was nice to hear the please. She liked this patient and his family, they were always pleasant and helpful; she didn't mind sharing the extra if there was any. She smiled as she left the room.

Ziva looked at her watch. "Your father should be calling Geordie any time now, my love. " Tim paused and raised his hands, with his fingers crossed on both. She moved back up on the bed and they cuddled for a bit, careful not to let their breakfasts slide to the floor.

XXX

Pat had mentioned a back door when telling Gibbs about his house, so now he and DiNozzo split up to cover both doors. First checking their backup weapons and ammunition, DiNozzo nodded at Gibbs when he was ready. Gibbs moved to the back door and DiNozzo took the front. Still concerned about an ambush, they moved quietly through the house, rather than following their usual protocol of verbally clearing each room. DiNozzo did announce himself when he entered the hallway, not wanting Gibbs to think he was a dirt bag and shoot him. Gibbs had cleared the back of the house and now waited for DiNozzo to reach him so they could clear the master bedroom together. DiNozzo grabbed the handle, opening the door while Gibbs covered him. They found no thugs and no dirtbags inside. What they did find was Gibbs' old buddy Pat lying flat on his bed, snoring softly to himself. They both saw the gash on the man's head and, having confirmation the kid's story was true, Tony left to bring Pat's son and Fornell into the house. Pat was sleeping peacefully, so Gibbs stepped outside the door and called Geordie.

"Dad!"

"Hey son, all is well here. Kid's story checks out, Pat's got a gash on his head and there are photos in his room with Pat and the kid."

"Thank God. You guys ok?"

"Yeah, we'll be tired now that the adrenalin rush is over, but we're good. How's everyone there?"

"Damon's fine, he's cooking breakfast. Rob's hungry and Sarah's still asleep. Spoke with Ziva a little bit ago, other than enjoying their breakfasts, no news from there, all is well."

"That's a relief. Ok, Geordie, I'm going to round up these guys, see if I can wake Pat up. I'll give Ziva a call about 1800 to check in; she can update you."

"Copy that, Gunny. Take care, regards to everyone - love you and bro."

"We love you too son, all of you."

Gibbs hung up, feeling a huge sense of relief and satisfaction. Now he needed to wake Pat. However, when he turned back into the room he found his old friend awake and grinning at him. "So cool that you're a family man again, Jethro."

"Yeah it is pretty cool."

"Sorry I had to send my boy, how'd he do?"

"Think you left out some key points, Pat, but he did his best, afraid he's had a rough time with us. No, we didn't hurt him, Pat, but I've never heard you refer to him as a junior, always as Brian, and he got a little panicky on the phone with my Marine son, so we've been on high alert since we got onto your property."

"Well, that ought to shake him out of the idea of following in my footsteps."

"Yeah, probably."

"Not your fault, Jethro, damn cat ran right in front of me and I tripped, slammed my head onto the porch railing as I fell. Poor kid hauled me in here and called our local doctor. He said I have a minor concussion but it sure put me out for a few hours!"

"Dad!" The kid came in and Gibbs left the room, closing the door behind him, giving them some privacy.

He found Tony and Tobias sprawled out in the living room, exhausted as Gibbs had predicted. Before he joined them, he decided to see if there was coffee. He found the coffeemaker all set up, all he had to do was hit the brew button. He did and within minutes the heavenly smell of dark rich brew was wafting through the house. He poured himself a mug and took it back to the living room. Fornell opened one eye, sniffed, smiled and fell back asleep. DiNozzo never moved. As Gibbs finished his coffee, he felt himself slipping over the edge into sleep and didn't make any attempt to stop.

A/N: Just saw the season 11 premiere, loved it! Won't give anything away though ;-)