Summary: Gibbs has adopted Tony and is fostering Tim. Tony is 5. Tim 1 1/2. Gibbs is dating Jenny. They are both in their late twenties, he never met Shannon. Gibbs was only a marine for a few years; he has now left the marine corp. He is now working for NCIS as a junior field agent. Jenny took a different route and is an R.N, naval officer at Bethesda hospital.

Do Not Own NCIS

I want to thank GOTTAHAVEMYNCIS for being a great beta reader. I really appreciate it. I realize I have a significant problem with the word "It's" I wasn't in school the day they taught us about that weird little...' ... apostrophe...makes me want to go back to school.

Can't sleep

Tim forcefully snuggled his head into Gibbs shoulder rubbing his itchy, swollen eyes into the material. Gibbs felt the moisture from his tears, dampening his shirt as he rubbed Tim's back in soothing circles.

"Come on big guy, relax. I'm here for ya'." Tim seemed to be climbing up Gibbs frame unable to keep himself still; a sudden intake of breath shuddered through his body.

"That's it...get it out. You've got to be exhausted, Tim." Tim yawned then whimpered in response, a tired, weak wail initiating a new set of tears. Gibbs walked from the kitchen through the house to Tim's room, positioning himself into the rocking chair set in the corner of the softly lit room, a nightlight glowing on the far wall. He was lost as to what to do next to get Tim to sleep. He'd had already given him a bottle, changed his diaper and walked the floors bouncing him in his arms.

He fit Tim in the crook of his arm in a sitting position rubbing his thumb up and down his nose hoping he would at least close his eyes. His other hand massaged one of Tim's feet through his cookie monster slipper. It was 2:00 in the morning and he was worried his crying would wake Jenny and Tony.

Gibbs' eyes grew heavy as they rocked, a soothing and rhythmic motion that was working wonderfully for himself. Tim was quiet except for an occasional sniffle or tired sigh. He tugged and rubbed his ears, frequently; one of the symptoms the doctor noticed diagnosing his double ear infection. The pain was one of the things keeping him awake. Gibbs glanced at his watch to calculate the time of his next dosage.

Gibbs watched the toddler as he fell asleep, his head rolling from side to side, his mouth parting and his breath slowing, calming. He stroked his straight, blonde hair from his face. Gibbs smiled seeing that the bruises and scrapes on his arms and face had completely faded since the day he was found. He looked so small and innocent in his clean, white long johns; the only article of clothing closest to pajamas that he would wear to bed.

It had only been two months since he had volunteered to take him in after the boy was found wandering the streets in pajamas much like the ones he was wearing now, clutching a teddy bear and a small, dirty blanket. The neglected toddler had wandered out the front door of his mother's rundown apartment they shared with her boyfriend onto the streets of southeastern Anacostia on a cool autumn day. Luckily, Gibbs had spotted him walking aimlessly on the sidewalk and stopped to pick him up. The local police department had investigated his case, and located his place of residence one street away from where Gibbs had found him. His mother was home at the time but declared dead; an overdose she had succumbed to a day before. The boyfriend was never located and there was no next of kin to take Tim. Gibbs had fallen for the little guy so had volunteered to foster him. Tim had clung to him ever since, wanting nothing to do with anyone else except Tony, Gibbs's adoptive son.

Gibbs bent over to look closely at Tim's face to make sure he was truly out. All signs indicated he was down for the count, but he'd seen that before. He took a chance, slowly standing while squeezing him to his chest. Tim hung like a rag doll as Gibbs snuck his way silently to the crib. He was not surprised when he heard the start of a muffled cry. Gibbs sighed. How long could a kid go without sleep? He was beginning to seriously worry for the little guy's health. He sure was strong-willed; he'd give him that.

"Want me to try?"

Gibbs looked up to see Jenny standing in the doorway, yawning, in her sweats and t-shirt, her short, thick, red hair standing up on end. Gibbs thought she looked beautiful.

"He really doesn't know you too well-"

"Well, he doesn't know you too well, either."

"Hey, give it a try. I'm all out of ideas."

"Do you think its his ear infection that's keeping him awake?"

"I think so. He keeps rubbing his ears but he isn't ready for another dose of meds, yet. If these don't stop the doctor said the next step is ear tubes."

"Did you try a bottle?"

Gibbs tried to talk over Tim's crying that was starting to get out of hand. He bounced him against his chest trying to calm him as they talked, "He just had one an hour ago. Plus he's getting too big for those."

Jenny could see the circles under both their eyes. "I think desperate times call for desperate measures." Gibbs handed Tim off to her as Tim reached desperately for Gibbs. Gibbs didn't look back as he headed to his bedroom.

"Giiibsss. Please. Please."

Jenny frowned at his mournful cries. "Come on, Tim. It's Jenny. Gibbs needs to sleep, just like you do, darling." Tim was too exhausted to fight, falling forward, his forehead leaning on her shoulder. Jenny held him to her chest bouncing on her toes hoping the motion would ease Gibbs's absence.

"Junny?" Jenny looked down to see two big, green, tired eyes studying her, a sad smile on his lips. His thumb found its way into his mouth as his other hand played with her hair, twirling the short curls with his finger. Did he recognize her from when they first had met two months ago? Jenny gave him a reassuring kiss to the top of his head.

"Do you want a bottle honey?" Tim nodded then rested his head on her shoulder.

Jenny worked her way to the kitchen opening the refrigerator to snatch the milk, grabbing a bottle from the cupboard overhead. She managed to keep hold of Tim as she carefully poured his bottle. She walked into the living room, plopping down on the couch, cradling Tim as he held his bottle, drinking, earnestly. She stroked his hair, his eyes closing, fighting to stay open. Milk dribbled down his chin so she used her shirt to soak it up.

She remembered the first day she met Gibbs he brought Tim into the emergency room at Bethesda hospital where she was stationed. She assumed they were father and son the way Tim was clinging to him, and the silent bond they shared between each other. However, she was confused by the awful state Tim was in; dehydrated, malnourished and dirty with bruises and scrapes covering his body. Once she learned Gibbs was a federal agent who discovered the neglected toddler, she was enthralled by his patient nurturing of the baby. She looked for a wedding band and was excited to see his fingers were bare. They planned a date for that weekend.

A scuffling noise brought her attention to the hall leading from the bedrooms. Two inquisitive, green eyes peered from around the corner.

"Tony?"

"Hi Jenny...wutchya doin?"

Jenny patted the couch next to her. "Come here. Sit with us, but you have to whisper, okay?" Tony smiled then ran, jumping onto the couch causing Jenny and Tim to bounce in place. Tim's eyes blinked open but then, closed. Jenny rubbed Tony's back as she looked into his face.

Gibbs had adopted Tony when he was just three. His mother, Laura, a good friend from his high school days had passed away, asking him beforehand if he would consider adopting him. From what little Gibbs had told Jenny they had been very close friends but a relationship had never progressed into anything serious. Gibbs had always been a surrogate father to Tony and he felt he was as close to a son as one could get. Gibbs had agreed without any hesitation.

Jenny found it amazing how a man so young could already be responsible for two young lives that were not flesh and blood and a NCIS special agent to boot. She had just finished college and started her nursing career without much thought to starting a family, just yet.

"Now why are you up young man?"

Tony shrugged "I dunno. You're up and Timmy is up."

"Tim is having trouble falling asleep tonight. Did we wake you?"

"I dunno." Tony shrugged, again looking around the room.

"How's school going? You're in... first grade, right?"

"Yup."

"Do you like it?"

"Yup. 'Sept when the girls chase me...they want to kiss me! And it can be really 'noying." Tony rubbed his nose as if it suddenly became extremely itchy.

Jenny smirked. "Did you tell them to stop?"

"Yup. But, they just laugh." Tony shrugged.

"Did you tell the teacher, then?"

"Nah...I'm not a tattletale. Sides, one of the girls smells like crayons."

"Oh." Jenny took a moment to consider his reply. "Hhhmmm. Do... you like the smell of crayons?"

"Yup." Tony giggled, putting his hand over his mouth.

Jenny laughed along with him. "You're a funny kid, did you know that?"

"Yup."

"Why is Timmy 'wake? Babies are 'spose to sleep a lot but he doesn't."

"He has a bad earache."

Tony started to squirm, his feet kicking as he played with his hands. "Ooooohhhh. Those hurt. Then give him baby medicine."

"He already had some but it's not working so good."

"Oh. Did you see that new Power Rangers movie?"

"Uh...I don't think so-"

"Power Rangers!"

"Mega Forsh!" Tim's voice gurgled with milk as he craned his neck to see Tony from where he lay in Jenny's arms. He struggled to sit up in Jenny's lap and smiled once he was able to see him; a kind of milk-foo-man-choo decorating his face.

Tony giggled and stood, positioning himself into what Jenny guessed was a power ranger stance. "Weapons!"

Tim locked an arm straight out in front of him. "Act..ti..vate!"

Jenny giggled as she 'ssshhhed' them.

Tony shrugged putting his hands over his mouth. "We better not wake up Gibbs."

"Oh, don't you know it." said Jenny.

Tim looked around the room then spontaneously reached his bottle up to Jenny's face. Jenny's eyebrows furrowed, perplexed.

"That means he wants you to pretend to drink from it, see... Timmy." Tim reached the bottle to Tony's mouth. Tony pretended to drink, crossing his eyes, moving his lips making slurping noises. Tim erupted into a belly laugh that thrilled Jenny immensely. She saw the tension literally vanish from his body. For a baby who was recently crying uncontrollably he couldn't stop laughing. Tim moved the bottle to her mouth next. Jenny crossed her eyes and stuck her tongue out to the side. Tim went into another fit of giggles that brought tears to her eyes. All the sadness she had seen in him magically vanished; it was so freeing to see him so happy. She hugged him to her chest. They took a few more turns pretending to drink then Jenny told the boys it was time for sleep.

"Ahhh. But, we're having fun."

"We'll have more fun tomorrow. It's a weekend. We'll all do something together...special. For one, sleep in."

"Do you promise?"

"Yes."

"Can we get ice cream?"

"Ice creammm!" Tim raised his hands.

"Well, if it's okay with your father."

"Uh...okay." Tony stood, walking back to his room then stopped. He turned, running back to Jenny to give her a peck on the cheek. Jenny blushed as Tony ran back to his room.

Jenny looked at Tim sighing. "You boys are a couple of charmers, you know that?"

"Yup."

"Now it's sleepy times."

"Yup."

Jenny felt extremely hopeful that Tim would have no problem going to bed now that he was in a good mood and relaxed. She was grateful for the short time she spent alone with the kids even if it was in the middle of the night. She was new to this 'kid thing' but now felt more at ease and her confidence was boosted.

She reached his room, changed his diaper, then stood rocking him a bit more repeating soothing words to him before she placed him in the crib. Once his body lost contact with hers his legs stiffened and his body became rigid. She was unable to lay him down as his feet became firmly planted to the mattress and his fingers gripped the railing. A panicked frown formed on his face as he shook his head from side to side.

"No. Please. No. Junny." She turned to leave the room but stopped when she heard a loud thud. She raced back to the crib only to find him laying on his back his hands reaching for her as they closed and opened, yearning for her contact.

"Tim! Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?" She could see his bottom lip poke out as tears filled her eyes.

"Oh, Timmy. Sweetie pie...its okay." She picked him up and held him close, singing quietly. His arms softly wrapped around her neck as one hand patted her back.

Gibbs woke up to a nudge in his side. He rubbed his eyes seeing the morning light creeping through the opening of the curtains. He rolled to his side with an outstretched arm thinking he would be embracing Jenny only to find Tim sprawled out next to him in a deep sleep.

Gibbs smiled. "He got to you, too."

Jenny sat up leaning on an elbow. "He broke my heart...and I kept thinking what he has been through-"

Gibbs sat up to look at her. "But he needs discipline. The trauma he's been through doesn't change that-"

"I know. But he looked so sad...I was so worried he was going to think he was being abandoned, again."

"Plus...you want him to love you?"

"No! Well, yes. Of course I do."

"Jenny...don't worry, he loves you, especially if he knows he can depend on us. He needs the security of knowing we'll be there to guide him."

Jenny leaned back sighing. "It's just so hard to apply it when those sad little eyes are looking back at you. Ya' know Jethro, I have to ask...how did you become so insightful when it comes to raising kids?"

"I dunno-"

"Jethro?"

"Yeah, hon."

"When will you know if you can keep him?"

"They're trying to locate his father now...hopefully... they never will. He can't be so great if he abandoned him, unless of course, he has a good excuse."

Tim's head rolled to the side as his fist came up to rub his eyes while a yawn covered his face.

Jenny couldn't help but smile then burrowed her face into his stomach. "Morning, Timmy!" She was rewarded with a belly laugh, the same kind she fell in love with the night before. His fingers clutched her hair holding her in place.

The muffled pitter-patter of little feet on carpeting quietly echoed from the hallway growing closer. Tony ran in, jumping full-force onto the bed. "Morning Dad!"

"Dony!"

"Hey! What's he doing here? Did he climb out of his crib?" Tim sat up attempting to wrap his arms around Tony.

"No, he found another way."Answered Gibbs lifting his eyebrows. Jenny glared at Gibbs, pursing her lips.

Tony looked at Tim, questioningly, as Tim tried to hug him, not sure how to react. A smile of realization grew on his face. "Hey! Wow! We're like a family! This is so great...I can tell my friends at school I have a family like dem!" Tony hugged him back as they fell back onto the bed both giggling and rolling between Gibbs and Jenny.

Gibbs heart melted as he also felt a pang of guilt. How he longed for this for his boys, but he made a mistake of allowing Jenny to become close to them so early on in their relationship. It's true; Jenny was special...but were they ready? Two months was not a long enough time to really know each other; hell... was there ever enough time to fully learn someone. He was very hopeful watching the strong bond they had already developed but this was too much to ask of anyone. He knew he loved them as if they were his own, but would she? This was not a typical way to begin a marriage, he would need to find a special person to carry out that kind of commitment. Did Jenny have it in her? He loved watching her with the boys. She had a big heart and it showed in the ways she cared for them.

"Anyone for some pancakes?" Gibbs stretched and yawned searching for his robe.

All three yelled in unison, "Yeah!"

Yeah, he could get used to this.