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I Do Not Own NCIS

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The emergency room was surprisingly slow and Dr. Dillinger had occupied himself with another patient as Jenny and Gibbs stayed with Tim. Her shift had ended over an hour ago but she couldn't gather the strength to tear herself away from the situation involving baby Tim and the very kind...and cute, NCIS Special Agent.

Gibbs had relayed to Jenny what Tobias had told him also, informing the doctor once Tim had fallen asleep. The poor little guy had a long road ahead of him and she was happy to see Gibbs was willing to be a part of it.

Looking at the baby she could hardly believe he was found alone on the streets of DC just a few hours ago as he slept soundly in Jethro's arms. Jenny had wrapped a hospital blanket over him and Gibbs was reluctant to release him. Jenny was crouched beside Gibbs' chair lazily running her fingertips up and down Tim's exposed arm.

Gibbs kept his eyes on Tim. "I really don't want to take the chance of waking him. He so, needs the sleep."

"Well, the social worker should be here any minute-"
"Is it Kate Todd?"
"Uh, yes. I believe so. Have you met her before?"

"Yes. Through the process of my son, Tony's adoption. She is amazing, her sense of protection for the kids she comes in contact with is...admirable. She really cares about them." Jenny could see Gibbs was having a tough time. He wouldn't look her in the eye, just watching Tim sleep, his voice shaky, his watery eyes, frequently blinking.

"You know...I've seen this kind of neglect over and over again and I thought...or I had hoped that I would eventually become desensitized, or, maybe a better phrase; 'not feel so heartbroken whenever I witnessed another abused child', but it still hurts...to the core. I just don't understand how something like this could ever happen. But, there are people who care. You for one, Jethro."

Gibbs raised his head, sadly smiling, to search Jenny's eyes. For her to proclaim to him, her heartbroken concern and care for neglected and abused children, revealed a side of her that he thought was absolutely beautiful. He saw a love in her eyes that was reserved solely for people's welfare.

"So, that's why you are a nurse." Jenny smiled back.

Gibbs gasped.

"What is it?"

"Oh, damn, uh, I mean darn. I have a date tonight."

"A what?" Jenny looked at Gibbs perplexed. "You do? I... uh. Oh, okay." Jenny moved to pull Tim from Gibbs' arms. "Well, let me just take Tim and when Kate gets here you two can have your interview-"
Gibbs shook his head. "No, it's not that. My friend, set me up on this blind date. I never really wanted to go in the first place. What I should have done was never agree to it. But, now I know I definitely can't make it."

Jenny seemed to relax, as she giggled then caught herself blushing from embarrassment. "I mean, oh darn. You need a phone, again.

"Could you call my friend Tobias-"
"Only if I can call him Toby."
"Huh?" Gibbs' nose scrunched up not understanding Jenny's demand.

"I mean it. No child should ever be named...Tobias. I much prefer Toby. When I think of the name Toby I think Of circuses. When I think of the name Tobias I think of ...court rooms. Stuffy and boring."
Gibbs was taken aback at Jenny's new found sense of humor.

"You can call him Loretta if you want, I just know I need to cancel."

Jenny giggled, putting her hand over her mouth as her body relaxed, bouncing with her giggles.

"I think someone is getting silly..." Gibbs's chin rested on his chest as his eyebrows raised, looking up at Jenny.

"I'm sorry Jethro, I worked the night shift and I didn't get much sleep the day before. I believe I'm getting a little bit punchy."

"Oh yeah. Just a little. But you sure look cute...uh, yeah." Jenny covered up for Gibbs' embarrassment by pretending she had not heard his comment through her giggling while walking across the hall to the phone. But she made sure to file away his priceless compliment to savor for later contemplation.

Gibbs motioned across the hall to Jenny the phone number by displaying the appropriate amount of fingers for each number so as not to wake Tim. Jenny thought this was out-of-this-world funny as she giggled the whole time. Gibbs was beginning to think he would need to drive her to her home when she was done with work, it was a proven fact sleep deprived people caused the most accidents.

Gibbs smiled watching Jenny's conversation with Tobias. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he knew Tobias would be giving him hell for this. Gibbs knew it was all worth it as he watched her laugh while unwinding from a stressful work shift.

Tim mumbled in his sleep as Gibbs comforted him. He ran his fingers through his hair as his eyes slowly opened. "Mama?" Gibbs throat constricted making it impossible for Gibbs to answer the boy. He began to rock Tim hoping he could keep his mind off thoughts of the absence of his mother. Even though he knew this would be futile after having experienced consoling Tony after his mother had died. He knew Tim would have to work through the grief process no matter how bad his home life had been.

Jenny had reentered the room noticing Tim stir, whispering to Gibbs. "He agreed to Toby but was very adamant against Loretta, making me promise I would never refer to him by that name, again." Gibbs snorted.

Tim sat up slowly. "Hey, sweetie, did you have a good nap?" Jenny rubbed his arm. Tim sat up looking around the room, confused, his eyes blinking as if trying to trigger memories of his surroundings.

"I have a friend, Herbie who works in the cafeteria. He had agreed to bring up some food for you. Do you like bananas?" Tim shrugged pulling the blanket closer to his face as he sucked his thumb, nestling back into Gibbs' arms.

Gibbs looked up at Jenny. "I think he needs a few minutes to wake up."

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"Agent Gibbs, we meet again. How is it children are just drawn to you?"

"Ya got me, Kate." Kate let out a huge sigh, a fist resting on her hip, standing in front of Tim and Gibbs that were still seated in the chair. "So, this is Timmy. You look sleepy little guy."

"He must have known you were coming Kate. He just woke up." commented Gibbs. "By the way, this is Jenny. She has been great with Tim since he arrived."

The girls lightly shook hands as they smiled at each other.

Kate reached into a big bag that hung over her shoulder, digging through its many contents. "Look what I have for you." Kate held up a matchbox car for Tim.

"A 1966 Shelby Hertz GT 350."

Jenny, Gibbs and Kate stood motionless looking at each other, shocked. "And I thought I was cool because I knew it was a white Mustang," said Kate.

"Mushtang Fastback...Wimbledon. White." corrected Tim.

Jenny realized she had to remember to close her open mouth, shocked at what she was witnessing.

"You have just earned full ownership of that toy, young man."

Gibbs could tell Tim wasn't sure what Kate had just told him. He whispered in his ear. "That means you get to keep it."

A shy smile grew on Tim's face as he cuddled into Gibbs' arms. "Dank you... Kate." He hid his face into Gibbs' chest, his face reddening.

Kate's eyes were fixed on Tim as she scratched her head, still astounded.

"You know about cars Tim?" Gibbs leaned over the boy.

"Yus."

"Herbie!" Jenny greeted the young man at the door of the room.

"Here's the lunch you asked for Jenny."

"Thanks a lot, Herbie." Jenny looked at Tim who was perking up, spotting the food that was meant for him. "You made someone very happy, Herbie."

"Danks 'erbie!" Tim waved to the man, his eyes glued to the food tray as he licked his lips.
Jenny peeled a banana while Gibbs unwrapped a straw for an apple juice box. Kate took the plate of pancakes, placing it on the nearby table to cut it up into small pieces.

Jenny broke off a piece of banana handing it to Tim as he practically grabbed it.

Kate looked at Gibbs with a sad expression, shaking her head in disgust. Kate mouthed the words, "He's so hungry." Gibbs nodded in agreement.

Kate finished cutting up the pancake handing it to Jenny. "Okay Jethro, Dr. Dillinger has brought me up to speed on Tim's case. He has already informed me that you wish to be granted custodial rights of Tim. I for one, am eager for you to do just that, too. I had the office run a background check on the boy and it would seem there are no other living relatives except for his father which we are unable to locate at this time. Until we do, I see no reason you cannot," Kate leaned over pulling on Tim's slipper making him giggle, "take care of this cute little fella."

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Jackson hung up the phone, then entered the living room, finding Tony lying on his stomach assembling puzzles.

"Okay, Tony we're going to head out and grab a bite to eat at the diner."
"Oh, good! I like it there. They have good fries."
"But, first I have to have a small talk with you. That was your father on the phone."

"Oh yeah? Why'd he call?"

"He had an emergency case he had to attend to. He found a small boy, well, a baby wandering the streets and he is staying with him at the hospital to make sure he is going to be okay."

"Wow! He found a boy!? Can we keep him?"

Jackson smiled at Tony's naive reasoning and enthusiasm. "It doesn't work like that son. They are trying to locate his family."

"But, we could be his family. I just know he would like us."

"Well, we'll see, Tony. He might have to stay with you and your dad for a while until they locate someone that can take care of him."

"Yes! I knew it!"

"Hhhmmm. Something tells me you did." Jackson looked at Tony through squinted eyes as he rubbed his stubbly chin.
Jackson thought it strange that Gibbs had just explained he was being interviewed by the social worker to see if he would qualify to take the boy in. Jackson was relieved to know that Tony was already eager to hop on board with the idea.

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