Gibbs began the nightly ritual of getting the kids off to bed by offering them a snack at the kitchen table. He sat with them, observing Tim as he listlessly ate one cheerio at a time, his unfocused gaze fixed on something across the room.

"Tim, are you okay?" Tim nodded, without interrupting his stony stare.

Gibbs was worried about him after the encounter with Steve. Gibbs would make sure he did everything in his power to see that the man was put behind bars for the atrocities he put Tim through. It would not be difficult to convince Tobias that the case involving Tim and Steve needed to be accomplished, no matter how difficult it could be to prove.

Gibbs smiled at Tony. He was up to his usual shenanigans, acting goofy, and Gibbs knew he was only trying his best to cheer Tim up. Gibbs had no intentions of stopping the boy as he wiggled in his chair throwing cheerios in the air trying to catch them in his mouth, all to make Tim laugh.

Gibbs speculated the night was going to be a rough one.

Tim had found hope for a day, and now Steve had come and taken it away from him; reminding Tim, once again, that the world was filled with pain and hate. How could Tim grow in confidence if all he learned was how unsafe it was to be little and defenseless? All Tim wanted was love. Gibbs still couldn't fathom that, that idiot had the nerve to attack this innocent boy after all the pain he had put him through, previously in his life.

Gibbs took a deep breath hoping to clear his mind. "Okay, Tony, time for a book, why don't you go pick one out."

"Tim, do you want to help?" Tony asked, enthusiastically as he ran to his room.

Tim slowly nodded then climbed off the booster seat onto the floor. He followed Tony to his bedroom, his shoulders slumped, dragging his teddy bear and blanket. His cookie monster slippers scuffled on the wood floor.

"Tim. You pick one out, too." Gibbs yelled after him.

"'K." Tim continued without looking back to answer, his head hanging down.

Gibbs sighed, his elbows on the table as he held his face in his hands. He would do his best to prove to Tim that the world wasn't all bad, by being there for him. He knew he had to change his mindset and keep upbeat for Tim's sake.

Gibbs walked into Tony's bedroom to find Tony sitting at the head of his bed with Tim next to him, laying on his side and curled up in a ball, squeezing his teddy bear and blanket, sucking his thumb.

"Would you like to sit on my lap, Tim?"

Tim answered Gibbs by reaching his hands towards him. Gibbs smiled, snuggling him into the crook of his arm, loving the way he fit so nicely in between Tony and himself.

Tony passed his father the book as Gibbs read the title out loud. "Cookie monster takes a bath? Wow, Tony we haven't read this one in years."
"Thought Timmy might like it." Tony glanced at Tim's slippers.

"I took one of dem...today." Tim pointed at the picture of Cookie monster in the tub, nodding to Gibbs. "Huh, Gibbs?"

"Yes, you did and now you're as clean... as a sparkly string bean." Tim shyly looked down, fighting a smile. Gibbs tweaked Tim's nose. Tim's face broke into a smile then continued into a belly laugh. He wrapped his arms around Gibbs' chest, hugging him.

Tim's laughter was like sweet nectar to Gibbs, slowly sweetening and overcoming the sorrow the day's state of affairs had brought. Gibbs knew Tim's road was a rough one, but he had the utmost confidence in Tim's strength and the power of his and Tony's love to get him through it.

Within minutes of starting the book both boys had conked out, quietly snoring.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Gibbs had given Jenny a call earlier, with a little heads up as to what had happened to Tim at the store. He wanted to make sure she knew they could very well be interrupted and there was a chance he might not be able to devote his time, solely to her. He had a strong feeling she would be okay with the possibility and help in any way she could if he needed it.

"I may not be a mother yet, Jethro, but I have a good idea the demands of what being a parent entails." She had told him over the phone.

"Oh, you do?" Gibbs kidded her as he smiled, longingly. Gibbs loved the way she said his name, it rolled off her tongue like honey.

"I'm with children a good portion of my time at work. And, these children are usually sick and in need of some patience and tender loving care. I'm not clueless, Jethro."

And, that she was not. Gibbs had to keep reminding himself that she was a nurse and was no stranger to the needs of small children.

Gibbs felt content that both boys were asleep, in Tony's bed. Tim had fallen asleep in his arms and Tony had nodded off leaning against his shoulder. Gibbs had done a good job of finagling his way from their affectionate, nestled bodies, then gently tucking them under their covers. They had looked so cute together he didn't have the heart to take Tim away and put him in his crib. Besides, Gibbs was sure Tim needed all the close affection from himself and Tony, as he could get. He didn't see how it could hurt.

There was a soft knock on the front door. Gibbs glanced at the clock; right on time. He tucked his button-down, short-sleeved shirt into his jeans then fixed his collar. He smoothed down his hair while he glanced in the mirror that hung on the wall close to the front door. He puffed his chest out then breathed in deeply before opening the door. His quick beating heart seemed to slow down as his breath caught in his chest.

"Well, don't you look just wonderful this evening." He cleared his throat. She was dressed in a light, emerald green sweater, black jeans and cream colored sandals to match her sweater.

Jenny blushed, as she entered offering him a big smile. "Jethro. Your home is just lovely."

"Well, it doesn't have any sign of a woman's touch since it's just us men now, but-"
"Oh, I think it's darling."
"Darling? Darling, I've never heard. Maybe a few 'machos' and 'manlys', but never a darling. Here, I'll give you the tour. You just may change your mind once you see the bathroom."

"Okay, but just a second." Jenny gently held his arm as she balanced on one foot to take off her shoes.

"Oh, that isn't necessary."

Jenny stopped, holding a sandal in her hand. "Well, ya know, I always take my shoes off when I enter a house, I guess it's become a habit I had developed when I moved into my own apartment. I just automatically do it. I'll put them back on if you prefer."

"Wait. Actually you can leave those shoes off. Those are some of the cutest little girly toes I've ever seen." Gibbs was leaning over admiring her feet.
Jenny blushed, again as Gibbs kicked off his shoes. "I think I'll start that as a new habit for our home. See? You're influencing me, already."

Jenny giggled. "Well, that was easy. Something tells me you are one flexible fella."

"Well, I suppose I am. After taking in two boys I suppose I have to be. This way, Miss?" Gibbs held out a bent arm for Jenny to accept and begin his tour. As they entered each room Jenny found different items to admire and comment on that earned her attention. When they entered his bedroom she marveled at the photographs he had framed of his father and mother.

"And, this is Tony I take it? You still need to tell me the story of how he became your son." She held an 8x10 frame in her hand admiring the genuine smiles of Gibbs and Tony, sitting in front of a waterfall at a park on a beautiful sunny day.

"You can see the real thing, in his 'angel' form in the next room."

Jenny gazed at his picture. "He's beautiful. But, that's okay. We probably shouldn't take the chance of waking them."

They returned to the kitchen and Gibbs opened his refrigerator, the light illuminating the darkened room. "I would offer you a drink but since you had a such a wild time last night at your sister's drinking the margarita, you probably have a bit of a hangover-"

Jenny smacked his arm. "Oh. Stop you. I did finish it, well, kind of. But if you have wine that would be nice." She watched him as he kneeled to dig in the back of the refrigerator for the bottle. "We don't drink too much wine in this house."
Jenny smiled, her eyes widened. "Well, I certainly hope not." Jenny teased.

"It's too much of a girly drink. Us men prefer orange juice and the occasional root beer. Gibbs worked the wrapping off the top of the bottle then twisted the corkscrew into the cork as Jenny watched; the firm muscles in his arms, tensing and stretching, creating a warm feeling in her stomach.

Jenny thought, what a keen way for a man to show off his masculinity to a woman in such a simple action. She knew already, she would enjoy the presentation of the wine opening much more than the wine, itself.

He poured her a glass then opened the refrigerator again, to grab a bottle of beer. He twisted off the cap then raised it to her glass. "Cheers. To our first date."

"And many more." Jenny cleared her throat when she realized what she has just said out loud. Gibbs smiled as he drank from his bottle, his eyes tilted sideways, staying on her.

"Would you like to take this into the living room, I have a very comfy couch?"

"I'd love to."

They sat on either end, Jenny folding her legs underneath her body forming herself into the corner of the cushions.

"I wish I had started this 'no shoes in the house' rule earlier." Commented Gibbs.

"It is one of my many secret ingredients towards my happiness."

"Is that so?"
"Comfort. I hate to tell you, but you will not catch me in high heels, all too often."

"Me, neither." Gibbs leaned back taking a swallow of his beer as Jenny giggled. She stopped; suddenly and grew silent.

"What is it?" Gibbs whispered.

There was a slight shuffling sound then a little face appeared around the corner. They watched as two, green eyes peeked at them, then quickly slipped back behind the wall.

"Uh, Tony?"

"Dad. We have a problem." Tony stayed behind the wall talking to his father.

Gibbs gave Jenny a smirk. "And, what would that problem be?"

There was a few moments of silence then Tony stepped out in front to them. He held his hands, twisting them as he tapped the floor with his toes, keeping his eyes downward. "I think... Tim is sad in his sleep. He asked me for, for... his mama. And he keeps coughing really bad. I talked to him, but, I don't, I don't think he can see me in the dark because he won't answer me."

Gibbs squeezed his bottom lip squinting his eyes at Jenny. "I should probably check this out."

"Oh, of course Jethro. Tony and I can entertain each other till you get back."

"Thanks, Tony." Gibbs tousled his hair as he passed him.

"Uh, huh."

Jenny placed her wine glass on the coffee table then leaned her elbows on on her knees. "So, it's Tony, is it?"

Tony nodded.

"It sounds like Tim is having a nightmare."
"I think so, too. I hate dem. They're so scary. Once I watched a movie that had a werewolf and it made me have a nightmare. I was scared of his teeth. They were really big...and, and yellow." Tony's expression displayed utter disgust, then he giggled. "I bet he had bad breath."

Jenny giggled along with him. "Zombies scare me. Especially, the ones with a lot of worms all over them. Bet their breath ain't much better."

Tony ran over and sat on the couch next to Jenny. "I love zombies. And lots of worms...everywhere! Specially in their eyeballs!"

Jenny, sarcastically showed him her expression of disgust then giggled. "That's too bad that Tim may be sick."

Tony shrugged. "Maybe Ducky will have to come and check him out."

"Ducky? Do you have a dog?" Jenny looked at Tony, confused.

Tony covered his mouth laughing. "No, silly head. Ducky works with dad. He's a doctor."

"Oh." Jenny heard a loud cough come from Tony's bedroom; strained and wheezy. "I think I know what is the matter with Tim."