Gibbs and Tim had been home for about twenty minutes when it finally came to a point that Gibbs had to put Tim down so he could attend to his own needs. Tim whined and grabbed onto Gibbs' legs, fiercely, but Jackson convinced him he would hold him in the meantime. Jackson warmly smiled at Tim, poking him gently in the belly, finally, evoking a genuine grin, consuming his small, round face.

Jackson gave off a scent that reminded Tim of the wood chips that were piled under the equipment at the playground. Grampa Mitch had smelled liked the playground, too and Tim felt an instant warmth towards the man Gibbs called dad. Jackson's unshaven face looked prickly to Tim as he diligently resisted the urge to reach out and rub it.

Gibbs entered the room asking what Tony and Jackson wanted on their pizza. Tony was too distracted to answer. "What do you want on the pizza, Tony?" asked Jackson.

"Bacon. Always bacon. And, then s'more bacon." Jackson chuckled, the cheerful sound easing Tim's tension as he could no longer resist, running his hand over Jackson's stubble. Tim loved the tickling sensation it created on his palm and "Oooohh'ed." with delight. The older man laughed, tweaking Tim's chin as he gave him a short, gentle squeeze.

Gibbs was relieved to see them bond, happening almost, instantly in front of his eyes. It was Tony that Gibbs was worried about. He knew Tony wanted this relationship more than anything. Gibbs knew it was just going to take awhile for Tim to come around.

Tim was evidently still cautious in Tony's presence and it showed in his immediate, somber demeanor whenever Tony came close to him. Gibbs figured Tim hadn't had much experience around other children, being the only child with no other family. The neighborhood Tim was being raised in was considered a bad section of town and local LEOS were called there periodically. If Tim had any exposure to the neighborhood kids, Gibbs wouldn't doubt it may have been frightening and threatening combined without the constant guidance from his mother.

Tim adamantly stayed in Jackson's arms while Gibbs cleaned up, ordered the pizza and situated the boys in the living room; slipping a movie into the dvd player and getting what they needed. Tim watched Tony from the comfort of Jackson's hold as Tony continued to converse with the small boy. Tim would nod or answer, "Weally?" This excited Tony, encouraging him to talk louder and faster.

The pizza arrived half way through their movie as Tony bolted to the front door alerted by the knock.

"Who's dat, Jacshun? Where's Dony goin'?""

"He's answering the door for the pizza delivery, Tim."

"Oh." Tim answered, confused.

Gibbs placed the large, flat box on the coffee table handing paper plates to his father. Tony was handed a piece he was able to eat on his own. Tim watched Gibbs cut up a piece for him. "Pizza... Gibbs?"

"Yes, Tim. Here. Try some." Tim watched Tony shovel it down as he brought a piece to his mouth. Tim smiled as he chewed it, quickly shoveling, more pieces into his mouth.

"Slow down, Tim. Don't choke."

"You like pizza, Timmy? It's goooood, huh?" asked Tony.

Tim giggled, 'Ids...gooooooot." Gibbs smiled at his father, as they locked eyes. Jackson winked at his son, encouraged Tim would adjust just fine. There was a knock at the backdoor and Gibbs knew it had to be Kate.

Gibbs couldn't see her face, her arms full of bags and boxes of Tim's belongings. "Here. Let me help you. Is there more in the car?" Gibbs deposited the items on the kitchen floor. "Why did you come the back way?"

"I found a tricycle I believe is Tim's so I wanted to leave it in your backyard. But, otherwise, that's it." Kate shrugged, apologetically.

"Wait, what do you mean that's it?"Gibbs looked at the pile of things that were Tim's belongings. "Didn't he own a crib?"
"There was no crib. As best as I could determine he slept on the couch since I found a baby pillow on it along with some toys. I couldn't find any baby dishes except for a juice cup but it was so stained and dirty I threw it out. There are some clothes..but," Kate shook her head. "they're threadbare and... pretty dirty. He did have a few books and some shoes that were halfway decent."

"The shoes are probably in good shape because he probably never wore them. He won't take off those...darn slippers." Gibbs just stood there, rubbing his chin, staring at the meager pile of Tim's belongings.

"Jethro, I see this all the time. Tim had a couch to sleep on instead of concrete, a roof over his head-"
"And, as far as we know, he was physically abused by his mother's boyfriend and was neglected and malnourished when we found him. Fornell said the neighbors believed he was being abused and they didn't even do anything about it. How does something like this happen, Kate?"

"You're right. I am finding it difficult to believe, also. I try to stay positive, but any abuse towards a child...a baby is unacceptable. It gets to me if I don't try to put some kind...of positive spin on it for the sake of my own sanity."

"Hey." Gibbs put his hand on Kate's arm. "I'm sorry. I-"

Kate reached into her jacket pocket pulling out a photograph handing it to Gibbs. "Here. I found this in her bedroom on a nightstand."

Tim was laughing, in the picture; held in a woman's arms who Gibbs figured to be his mother. She was petite and blonde with a tired smile on her gaunt, lined face. She was looking into the camera as she squeezed Tim in a bear hug. Their eyes were very similar in color, both pale green.

Gibbs took a moment to look at the woman before returning his attention back to Kate. "I'll frame this for him. Are there any other pictures?"

"All I could find were these." She handed him the rest. One was of Tim when he must have been anywhere from four to six months old, sleeping in a car seat. Another, looked very recent; of him holding a caterpillar up to the camera.

Gibbs shook his head. "He's not going to have any memories of the first couple years of his life."

"Well, Gibbs. He is very young. Not many people remember the first three years-"
"That's why there are photographs...and baby toys that are put away...and memory books and first-haircut clippings-"

"How I see it; he's getting another chance. We can do our best to give him hope towards a good life. We need to focus on the positive, Gibbs."

"Yeah."Gibbs knew Kate was right. He was glad Tim would not continue in an environment, that dismal and lack of sufficient care.

Kate breathed in a chestful of air, clapping her hands together to snap herself out of the negativity consuming her. "So, how is the little guy?"

"Come on, they're in the living room eating pizza and watching movies."

Kate followed Gibbs, smiling to see the tender moment Tim was having with Gibbs' father. He was rubbing his hand over the older man's face, laughing.

"He likes the feel of my face stubble." Jackson looked up at Kate chuckling. "But, he's got pizza sauce all over his hands."

Gibbs patted Jackson's back. "Not anymore. You have pizza sauce all over your face." Kate handed him a napkin, chuckling.

Kate smiled towards Tony. "Hi, Tony. Do you think you're going to like having little Timmy around the house to follow you around, honey?"

Tony shrugged not looking at Kate keeping his eyes on his plate as he blushed. "I dunno."

Gibbs had told Kate, previously, that she was the only one he knew who could leave Tony at a loss for words, calculating she was his 'first crush'.

"Pizza, Kate." Tim held up a small piece in his hand, then gobbled it down.

"Do you like pizza, Tim?"

"Yeah, id's gooooot."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After Kate had left, Gibbs stole away for a few minutes to give Jenny a call on her cell. He had asked her what her usual bedtime was, knowing that working the night shift at the hospital would have a large impact on an unusual time. He would feel awful if he was to wake her.

She answered on the second ring, a groggy, quiet voice filling his eager ears. "Hullo?"

"What I had planned on saying was, 'ah, it's so nice to hear the voice of an angel filling my ears', but I have to admit, that sounded like a pretty tired angel."
"I'm a very... relaxed angel. My sister suggested margaritas since I don't have work tomorrow. I can barely get through one, I think my sister will be drinking a whole pitcher of margaritas tonight."

"So, you're a light weight, that's good to know."

Jenny giggled. "Hey. Don't get any ideas-"
"You do not have to worry about me. I'm a gentleman, through and through."

"How's Tim?" Gibbs knew it was just a matter of time before Jenny would be asking about him.

"He's a bit leery of Tony, but he's taken a bit of a shine to my dad."

"Oh, your dad is there? Describe him for me."
"Well, he has a wooden, peg leg, wears any eye patch and has a parrot named Herman-"

"And, I suppose he spends his weekends searching the seven seas for buried treasure? Oh, stop, you-"
"He's a good guy. He has lived his whole life in Stillwater so when he visits he stays over for a few days since the trip isn't short-"
"Oh, is that where you grew up?"

"Yes, ma'am."
Jenny giggled. "You don't have to be formal with me, Jethro."
"Oh, but I do. On a serious note, I wanted to ask you out and I'm really nervous that you are going to say you already have a boyfriend-"
"Now, why would I have given you my phone number if that was the case? Just what kind of girl do you think I am?"

Gibbs could feel his face heat up. "See? I'm not good at this kind of stuff. I always seem to say the wrong thing. But, I am confused, as to why there is no one knocking at your door."

"I'm just giving you a hard time. You're doing fine and, yes I am single. I work...a lot. So, I would love to get together some time. But, I am willing to be flexible since I know you do have your hands full."

"But, I'd like to make them full... with you."

"Now, I think you're getting tired."
"How about tomorrow night. You can come over after I get the boys to bed."

"As long as their bedtime isn't midnight, that would be an excellent idea."

Gibbs smiled. "Oh, sorry. I can't vouch for Tim, yet."

Jenny giggled sending a tingly feeling through Gibbs' chest.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tim had managed to break himself away from Jackson's hold and work his way to Tony's side on the floor. A movie was still playing while Gibbs and Jackson talked quietly on the couch to each other.

Tony had spread out his action figures on the floor, lying on his stomach to view them closer as he moved them into fighting positions. Tim copied the bigger boy by lying down beside him, his elbows propped on the floor to rest his chin in his hands, watching Tony manipulate his toys into fighting stances.

"Do you want to play with some?"
Tim shook his head, 'no'.

"Okay, suit yourself."

Not touching any of the toys, Tim laid his head down on the floor drifting off to sleep, watching Tony play.