I Do Not Own NCIS

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Jackson had offered to stay and help out with the shopping trip but Gibbs knew he had to get back to Stillwater and open his store. Gibbs felt confident in the boys that they could handle the shopping trip on their own.

So far, Gibbs was really enjoying the day, spending it solely with the kids. He thought about his later plans with Jenny and felt instant butterflies invade his stomach, becoming even more excited. Yes, good day indeed, as his close friend Ducky would, likely say.

They pulled into the parking lot finding a spot close to the store. Tony stuck by his usual routine of getting out of the car, by waiting for his father to open his door then holding his hand to keep him safe in the busy parking lot.

Tim panicked, yelling for Gibbs, until he opened his door releasing him from his car seat.

Tony watched as his father lifted him from the car. "Be careful dad, when you pick him up, he's probably really sore." Gibbs gave Tony a sad smile.

He grabbed a stray carriage, loading them into it, Tony into the basket and Tim into the seat. Gibbs noted how much more heavy it was with one extra passenger, also making it very difficult to maneuver over the bumps and pot holes in the pavement.

Once they entered the store, Gibbs looked up to the ceiling, searching the signs to direct them to the baby department.

"Dad, it's over dare!" Tony pointed to an isle with a displayed row of baby carriages."
"Oh, would you look at that? Good job, Tony."

"I got good eyes."
"What did I tell you about eating carrots? Pays off in the long run, doesn't it?"
"I 'spose." Tony was standing in the carriage focused on Tim, trying to buckle the belt around Tim's waist. His expression was serious, his tongue poking out the side of his pierced lips.

"I won't fald out, Dony." Tim shook his head as he meekly tried to pull the belt from Tony's hands.

"But, you have to be careful. Safety first, Tim."

"Shafe...dee, Dony?"

"You know. Don't get hurt."

"Danks."

Gibbs pushed the cart, bringing them in front of the juice cups. "Okay, I'm going to let you both pick out one."

"Dad! Dad! Get me outta here." exclaimed Tony.

"Me, do." Followed Tim.

Gibbs pulled Tony out as he explained to Tim, "you need to stay in the carriage, little guy, where I can keep my eye on you. I don't want to lose you."

"Stay wid, Gibb?"

"Yup." Gibbs nodded at the boy. Tim seemed content with the answer as Tony carried over a bunch of sippy cups that Tim could choose from. Each one was decorated with a different theme in a specific color.

Tim pointed to a pink one with flamingos on it. "Yeah, I like that one, too." answered Tony.

"And chucks."

"Okay, the purple trucks or the blue ones."

Tim pondered a bit before deciding. "Boo."

Gibbs chose one, too; the green monkeys for good measure.

"Okay, boys. This is where we step it up a notch and it gets more intense. Clothes."

"Come on, dad. That is so boring!"

"I bet you'll be singing a different tune in a couple years when you want to start looking good for the little ladies."

Tony gagged, dramatically as he approached the clothes rack and generously wrapped his arms, wide around a bunch of clothes on hangers pulling them down then carrying them to the basket."
"Uh, Tony, son. It doesn't quite work like that."

Tim covered his eyes, fretting over Tony's hasty attempts to help out and the mess he was creating because of it. "Oh. Oh. Dats a wot of cothes, Dony!"

Gibbs was doing his best to keep his patience as he took the pile from Tony trying to hang them back up as the hangers became tangled and some of the clothes fell to the ground.

"Uh. Gees..." Gibbs put them on the floor then hung them back up, individually, as he grumbled to himself.

Meanwhile, Tony started to throw soft, stuffed animals that were mounted high, in a bin on a lower shelf as both the boys giggled, loudly. A few hit Tim in the face but, all he did in response was scrunch his nose and squeeze his eyes shut. Tony loved making Tim laugh as he continued to throw more, pelting the small, passive boy with the non-threatening toys.

"Okay, now Tony. You know better. Cut it out. Now, you gotta pick them all up."
"But, dad look at him laugh. It's sooo worth it."

"Find another way to amuse Tim."
Gibbs finished hanging up the clothes then checked the tag on Tim's shirt collar. "Okay you are now a 3T but this shirt looks kind of big on you. He grabbed a shirt off the rack holding it up to Tim. Tim sat very still as Gibbs determined if the piece of clothing would fit him. "Hmmm, looks good. Do you like this shirt, Tim?"

"Yus." Tim pointed to the red-colored shirt in Gibbs' hand. "For me, Gibb?"

Gibbs ruffled his hair. "Yeah. For you, kiddo."

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"Dad, I'm really thirsty. Can I get a drink from the... fender machine?"

"Uh, vendor machine. Yeah, but soda isn't an option." They were now leaving the store, exiting through the main entrance where the gumball and vending machines were located.

They had finished finding the items Tim needed, and both boys had behaved reasonably well; Gibbs feeling very proud and pleased with them. Tony did get a little out of hand, but eventually got his behavior under control and listened. Gibbs had anticipated that Tony would battle with the desire to show off in front of Tim; that was just something big brothers did.

Gibbs was also, happy to see Tim smiling, still alert and not cranky. Gibbs was thankful and ready to award them in any way he saw fit.

"I like water, dad. As long as it has some taste in it."
"Flavored water?"
"Yeah."

"Okay. You stay here next to the carriage and watch Tim and I'll get you a lemon water."

"Yeah, I love that kinds of waters!"

"Tim. I'll buy another one we can share, okay?"

Tim nodded.

The vending machine was only a few feet away from the carriage. Gibbs dug in his pocket for loose change counting it out as he faced the machine, a buzzing noise drowning out the surrounding noises behind him. Tony stood holding onto the carriage, staying close to Tim, discussing what they would play when they returned home.

A couple of men approached the boys as they were passing by on their way to the enter the store, walking in single file. The second one, wearing a hat and a scraggly beard leaned in quickly towards Tim, pinching him roughly on the arm as he passed by. He gave Tim a sarcastic grin as he did so, glaring into his eyes.

Tony watched the whole thing, as Tim's happy demeanor quickly dissipated once he saw who the man was. He began to tremble; frowning as he looked at Tony with sad, tearful eyes. He rubbed his arm then cowered as he wrapped his arms around his sides.

"Dad!" Tony yelled for his father as he ran up to the man from behind, kicking him in the leg. "Dad! Dad! He hurt Timmy! I sawed it happen!"

Gibbs turned, shocked to see Tony kicking a stranger. His first instinct was to yell at Tony but knowing this wasn't his son's usual behavior, he knew there had to be a good reason for him to act out like this.

"Hey! Keep your little brat away from me!" The man then, gave Tony a shove.

"You keep your hands off my son!" Tim was quietly crying, bent over in his seat, curled in a tense ball. Gibbs wondered what could have happened within the few seconds his back was turned for all hell to break loose.

"Tony, come here!" Gibbs darted forward to grab Tony by the arm to protect him from any further hostility from the hostile stranger as he scanned the crowd that hurried by avoiding the awkward situation in front of them.

Gibbs pulled Tony safely back to the carriage, knowing he needed to confront this man. "Tony, you stay here-" Gibbs stopped in his tracks when Tim started to heave then threw up, slightly, over the front of his shirt. Gibbs hesitated for a moment, unsure what to do next. He decided to grab a blanket from the diaper bag to wipe off Tim's face. Tim was physically breaking down in front of him. Gibbs knew instantly that he needed his full attention and the best thing he could do for him was to lift him from the carriage and hold him. Tim's arms went around Gibbs' neck and his legs wrapped around Gibbs' waist like a vice.

A light bulb went off in Gibbs' brain. "Is that man Steve, Timmy?"

Gibbs could feel the terrified child nod against his shoulder.

"I didn't do nothin'!" Steve pointed at Gibbs in anger, spittle flying from his mouth. Steve's friend pulled on his arm, directing him into the store.

Tony grabbed onto his father's leg, to get his attention, still accusingly pointing in Steve's direction, not at all phased that the tumultuous stranger had just shoved him. "Dad! He's leaving! You gotta stop him and arrest him."

"Tony, don't worry. I'll do something. Let's just get you guys to the car for now and get you home. Remember, Tony. I have friends in high places."

"What did the man do to Tim, Tony?"
"He pinched him real hard in the arm."

"Which one-" Gibbs was rolling up Tim's sleeves. "Oh. I see. This one...unbelievable."

Gibbs looked around the lobby entrance spotting the security cameras set up in all four corners of the ceiling, a green light blinking, in the corner of the monitors. Gibbs smiled. "Bingo. Steve messed with the wrong family."

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Gibbs got the boys home, got both, him and Tim washed up then unloaded the car as pasta cooked on the stove. He filled a small bowl and put it on the table for Tim, sitting him in the new booster seat he bought for him. Tony sat next to him with his own bowl of buttered pasta. Gibbs patted both of them on their backs. "I'm proud of you guys. You're both very brave."

"Thanks, dad." answered, Tony.

Tim stared at his meal, whispering, "Danks." Gibbs squeezed his shoulder, tenderly.

Gibbs went into an adjoining room where he could keep his eye on the boys as he discreetly called Tobias on the phone to tell him what had happened. Gibbs would request Tobias to continue the investigation of Tim's mother's death and now the assault on Tim since he had been involved in it from the beginning. He explained what had happened with Tim and Tony at the store and the security footage he would be able to request, from the store manager for further evidence. Gibbs was relieved when Tobias informed him they had already discovered Steve's last name during their original investigation.

Gibbs then, called Kate to update her, even though it was a Saturday, knowing that it didn't matter even if it was her day off. Gibbs explained the whole story of what happened to Tim at the store.

"Is he okay?"

"He was pretty shaken up. He's very quiet and subdued now. I think it triggered some horrible memories even if they did just happen a couple of days ago. I feel so bad for him, he's been doing so good until he met up with that...wing nut. Now, you are sure Steve isn't Tim's birth father?"

"No, his father's name is Michael McGee. This guy's name is Steve Willington, information picked up from the neighbors. Reports say they claim he's really rude and mean. Someone saw him throwing rocks at cats. But, we know, now, that he is much more capable of worse. People were 'creeped' out by him, said they would find him sitting on the front porch, staring at them when they weren't looking. I assume no one wanted to call the cops on him when they thought he was abusing Tim because they were terrified of what he would do."

"Yeah, I have to admit, I had no desire to confront the man, especially with the boys with me. But, I think he'll be doing some time if we can prove he had something to do with Tim's abuse. I wouldn't be surprised if he has priors."