"Dad! That's not how you shoot a Power Ranger Operation Overdrive Weapon! Donchya know anything?"

Gibbs looked at the five-year-old boy, perplexed, then glanced at the toy in his hand. He was an NCIS Federal Agent, specially trained in weapons, to protect his country. How could a child's toy gun be anymore difficult to shoot than a federal agent's issued weapon?

It was true, Gibbs had a lot to learn about kids, but he always figured himself a natural. He silently talked himself through this small dilemma, accepting the fact there would always be a generation gap between them. He remembered the good ol' days of Bugs Bunny and the road runner, longing for the lost simplicity cartoons had; just hit'm on the head with a hammer.

"I pulled the trigger just like you said to."

"But, you are not in the correct stance." Gibbs tried again, hopping in a half circle, landing on his two feet, attempting to master the stance he remembered Tony showing him minutes before.

Tony sighed looking at the floor in mild disgust. "I wish I had a little brother, he would know how to do this."

"I'm a grown man, what makes you think a little boy would know?"

"My friend, Mikey's little brother Teddy knows. Cause he watches Power Rangers with him and, well, he just...knows. Gees, dad." Tony shrugged, his patience running thin for the older man, offering no sympathies for his shortcomings.

Tony had been asking for a sibling for the last two years, and Gibbs wasn't even currently dating. Working full time, then parenting at night and weekends; Gibbs found the time to devote to a woman was beyond his grasp. Gibbs had been in his early 20's when he adopted Tony and the women he met were not interested in being tied down to a family so early in their young lives. They were just graduating college or beginning their careers and going out to bars on the weekends. They had no interest in joining him in taking care of a little boy.

Fornell had set him up on a blind date for the coming weekend but Gibbs' heart wasn't into it, presuming it would fail as the others had. He was more excited for the weekends to spend with Tony, and now, high on his list, to watch Power Rangers and learn the correct way to handle a Power Ranger Overdrive...do-hickey.

"Well, guess what, it's time for bed."
"Ahhh, dad..." Tony whined intensely, prompting Gibbs to plug his ears with his fingers. "How about I do some chores for you first?"
"Yeah, I ain't fallen for that one, son. You can do some chores around the house tomorrow. Now if you want that story get in there and brush your teeth." Gibbs pointed towards the bathroom through the kitchen.

Tony took off like a rocket as Gibbs grinned towards his enthusiasm. At least he still held their reading time in high regard, Gibbs thought.

"I'm picking out the book tonight, Tones!"

Gibbs could hear a slight whine from the bathroom. "Nof da one wid da bunnies!" Gibbs could tell Tony had already started to brush his teeth.

After four straight nights of Green Eggs and Ham, Gibbs thought he might lose his mind so he decided to take the reins.

Gibbs worked his way to Tony's room, perusing the bookshelf, grabbing Goodnight Moon, an old favorite. It had been Tony's first book given to him by grandpa Jackson. Tony almost knocked him over as he jumped onto his bed finding his way under the covers. Gibbs smiled at the boy with toothpaste coating his upper lip, cuddling into his arm to get a good view of the chosen book.

"Good choice, dad. This was my favorite when I was little."

"You do realize you're five?" Gibbs looked Tony in the eyes as his thumb wiped the toothpaste off his lips.

"I know, now I like big boy books, right dad? Plus, I can read some of them, too. But I like when you read them to me the best." Gibbs warmly tousled his hair, feeling close to his adopted son.

"And this is one of my favorite things to do with you. You're a good boy, Tony."
"So, you'll get me a little brother?"

"Its not that easy. All those stories about a stork dropping off little babies; they aren't true."

Tony looked confused staring off into space trying to picture a baby riding on top of a bird. "How abouts I ask Santa for one?"

"He only handles, toys, too many strict codes and rules when it comes to delivering babies."

"Huh?" Tony's nose scrunched up, confused.

"Sorry, Tony, I'm just having fun with ya. A little brother or... a little sister" Tony whined at the mention of a sister. "will come when they are good and ready. You can't rush these things."

"Ah, dad, just read the book. He's coming pretty soon, I just know it. You just have to get on board with it."

Gibbs squinted his eyes, looking at his son, confused with the confidence he used to speak his words. He didn't have an explanation for his son, so he shrugged then began to read.

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Tim was uncomfortable, he was experiencing that more than frequent, empty feeling in his stomach and he needed to be changed. He wanted to say something to his mother but saw the dormant anger in her face, as they waited in line, the people behind them growing restless. He rested his chin on her shoulder as he observed the family behind him. It was a mom with five children surrounding her. One of the kids was a little girl who stood by her mother watching Tim. Her hand raised to slowly wave to Tim then, he slowly waved back with a weak smile. Tim squeezed his teddy bear, burying his face in its neck.

His mother rushed closer to the open window as the receptionist was now available to speak. "There seems to be a problem. My food assistance has been revoked."

"Can I have your name and case number?" Tim's mother passed a form with her information on it to the woman sitting behind the window. The woman clicked various keys on the computer pulling up her case file. "Well, it says here, Miss Williams that you didn't show up for a scheduled interview."

"But, my son was sick. He's just a baby, I couldn't bring him out."

"You could have called to notify us."

"You don't understand, my phone has been turned off, I couldn't afford the bill and-"

"I'm sorry, there is nothing I can do. You can appeal it."
"I've done that before."

"I suggest you appeal it then we can see what we can do."

"But, we need food now-"

"There is a food shelter over on Southby Street. If you leave now you can make the dinner crowd."

Tim's mother answered with a subdued, "Thank you." as she turned away from the window. She made her way out the lobby door, then walked to the side of the brick building to collect her thoughts while standing in the strong sunshine, enjoying its warmth after the strong affects of the building's air conditioning. "What are we going to do Timmy boy?"

Tim pulled back from his embrace he had on her to look into her eyes while sucking his thumb. His stomach growled as he pressed his hand into it to slightly relieve the hunger pains.

"Do you love me, mama?"

"Yes. I love my Timmy boy." Tim found solace in those words, clinging to them like a life preserve, surrounded by insecurity and sadness. He hugged her, patting her back.

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"So, Probie, why don't you leave early, I know Formell set you up on a date for this weekend."
"Mike, that's not till tomorrow night. I don't need that much time to get ready."
"Oh, yes you do. Take a hint, Jethro. Go to the barber, maybe set foot in a store and get a new shirt or buy a tie."
"What's the sense Mike, once the girl comes to terms with the fact that I have a five-year-old boy she will more than likely do what the rest did. High tail it out so fast, it will make my head spin."

"Then you'll know she's not the one, probie. You should be looking at that as a good thing. You have a built-in, invisible gauge reader to tell you right off if they're worth spending your money on."

Gibbs stopped writing, resting an elbow on his desk as he massaged his chin looking at Mike deep in thought. "You have a good point, Mike. This new concept you've come up with could actually make this whole dating thing a lot easier."

"So, take off probie, go have an ice cream with your son tonight. Go to the park."

Gibbs rose, grabbing his gun and badge from his desk. "Thanks Mike."

"Just send the ones that don't pass the test to me. I'm easy."

"You sure about that Mike? Do you like red heads?"

Mike leaned back with a huge grin spreading across his face answering Gibbs' question.

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Tim sat in his high chair making fighting noises with his power ranger action figure. "Mega Forsh!" He twisted the legs on the toy as he made it 'leap into the air'.

"Please, play quietly! Can't you see I'm tired?"
Tim couldn't understand why his mother was resting her head on the kitchen table and not in bed.

"It's bed time, mama."

His mother's anger reached it's capacity as she whacked the toy out of Tim's hands, sending it flying across the kitchen into a far wall. Tim cowered in his high chair, worried, wondering what she would do next.

She rested her head back down on the table and within minutes he could hear her snoring. Tim wiggled his way out from under the tray of the high chair like he had done dozens of other times. He retrieved his action figure then took a dish towel from the table to drape on his mother's back offering warmth. He kissed his open palm then placed his kissed hand lightly on her arm. "Please, get bedder." He walked into the living room, his cookie monster slippers scuffling along the wood floor. He climbed onto the couch, pulling his security blanket over himself, clutching the toy and his teddy bear then, curling his legs to his chest.

He looked across the room at the picture hanging on the wall of Jesus. His mother had told the man's life to him, saying He would protect him whenever he said a prayer asking Him to. Tim found peace looking at the picture. Tim thought of his father whom he had never met. Maybe Jesus knew where he was and would bring him into his life.

A tear ran down his cheek as he wiped it away. He didn't want to cry himself to sleep anymore. Tim smiled at the picture then cuddled into the corner of the couch falling into an instant, deep sleep.