Disclaimer: Not mine.

Monday, mid-night.

The squad room was dark and quiet, with only a few desk lamps on. Tim and Ziva were draped over their desks and Tony was slouched down in his chair fast asleep. Reynolds had moved down to the floor like Towen and the two men were also sleeping. Everyone had gone over the files on the missing men until one by one they had dozed off. Only Gibbs and Daniel were still awake, though Daniel barely realized Gibbs' presence. The silence was broken by the buzzing of Daniels phone. He didn't even look at it when he answered.

"Dr. Jackson."

"Hi Uncle Daniel."

"Nate? What are you still doing up? It's after ten o'clock?" Daniel was shocked to hear the voice of Adam Marks oldest son Nathan.

"Couldn't sleep. Wanted to talk to you." He could hear the exhaustion in the young boys tone. "You're trying to find Dad right?"

"Yes Nate I am. I'm going to find him, and bring him back to you."

"I put the kids in bed and read them stories, but I couldn't sleep."

"You're a very good big brother Natey. But tell me where's your mom?"

"Mom's been in her room crying all night. I want to go in and see her, but I'm too scared. What if she wants to be alone?"

"Nate, I know your mom. She's just needed a moment. You should go in and see her. I bet she would love nothing more."

"Yeah. Maybe." Nate sounded so unsure.

"Nate. Tell me what's bothering you."

"The Colonel that came to tell mom, that dad was missing, he told me that I'm the man of the house now that dad's gone. I don't know how to do that Uncle Daniel. What do I do?"

Sighing, Daniel rubbed a hand across his face. He was furious that anyone would tell an eight year old boy he was the man of the house, just after learning his dad was missing. "Nate, I want you to tell me the three things your dad says to you before he goes to work."

"What's that got to do with anything?" Nate asked confused.

"Just humor me."

Daniel heard the little boy huff before answering his question. "One, play with and watch over your siblings, two, listen to your Mom, and three, I love you... Uncle Daniel you know this. Why did you ask."

"I know Natey, now tell me, in any of these things, does your dad say you're the man of the house?"

"...No."

"No. That's right. Nate your dad doesn't want you to be the man of the house. He wants you to play with your brother and sisters, and listen to your mom. She's in charge when your dad's not home. They just want you to be a kid."

Daniel could hear small sniffles through the phone and knew Nate was crying. "Really?"

"Yes Natey, really. You were a perfect big brother tonight. Helping out your mom with the littler ones, but you need to go talk with your mom."

"I will. I promise. But I want you to make a promise too." Nate was trying to calm his tears as he said this.

"Nate I promise to bring your dad back to you, safe and sound."

Gibbs had sat quietly at his desk, not trying to ease drop, but not being able to not listen. Hearing this, Gibbs perked up, wondering if he was going to need to have a chat with Daniel later.

"No, well yes, I know. You'd do anything to get dad back, I know you would. That's what I need you to promise."

"I don't understand." Daniel was confused to what Nate was trying to ask.

"I need you to come home just as safe and sound as dad. I know you. You really will do anything, including not coming back at all, if it means saving dad. I need you to come home alive too."

There was silence on the phone as both thought about what Nate had said. After a minute Daniel quietly said, "I can't make that promise Natey. But I will promise to try, alright?"

"I love dad so much. But I love you too. I don't think life would be the same without you around. I know mom, Megan, the twins, and dad would feel the same. Please Uncle Daniel, both of you come home." Nate was crying once again.

"Nate, listen to me. I love you too Buddy. I promise to do everything I can to come home alive. Okay?"

"Yeah. Okay... Oh umm hi Mom." Nate said sheepishly. Daniel chuckled as Nate said, "Um, I think mom wants to talk to you."

"Daniel."

"Caity-bear."

"Don't call me that."

With a smile Daniel replied, "Don't be to hard on Nate. He's scared for Adam and needed someone to talk too. He needs his mom, Caity."

"I know. He was a great help earlier."

"You okay?"

"I'm good, was just a little shocked when they said he was missing. I know you'll bring Adam home... but Nate was right Daniel. You need to come home too."

"I know. I know."

"Alright, well I have a little boy that I need to cuddle with. You go get some sleep. I know you'll stay up all night if it means finding something, but you need rest too."

"I will. Night Caity."

"Night Daniel."

The squad room was once again silent as Daniel closed his phone and went back to the papers that he had in front of him.

"You will keep that promise, won't you." Gibbs said, not asked.

Daniel looked up at him and the two just stared at each other for a moment. "I don't have a death wish if that's what you're trying to imply. But I will do anything to bring back Adam, along with Sergeant Abrams and Lieutenant Sanchez." When Gibbs just continued to stare, Daniel asked, "What would you do Gibbs? If it was your team out there missing? Would you just sit back, or would you do anything to find them?"

Gibbs leaned back in his chair as he contemplated what Daniel had said. He knew he would jump right into the middle, with no thought before hand to his own safety, if it meant saving his team. Gibbs just nodded his head as they both came to an understanding. Then they went back to work, trying to find any little clue that could help them.

A/N: Okay so I wrote this chapter over and over again. But like Jack in the last chapter, Nate, wouldn't leave me alone here. He wasn't suppose to come in until later, but oh well. You got to meet him early. I promise, the next chapter will have info about how the men died.