Gibbs was reading over some paperwork when Susan Mitchell from Child Services stops by to talk to him. He wasn't in the mood after hearing some rumors going around about his ex wife but knew she only came to him in dire straights. Mike barely glances up when she stops in front of Gibbs desk.

"Uh oh Probie, they're going to stick another one with you."

"Can it Mike. What can I do for you Mrs. Mitchell?"

"We have a boy who is 8 who needs help."

"Okay, what case?"

"It's not one of ours. The FBI is investigating Anthony DiNozzo Senior currently wanted for tax evasion, illegal arms dealings over seas and a few other things."

"So what's the problem?"

"His only relatives are his 8 year old son and his wife with with stage 4 lung cancer. She's at the very end stage right now and they're waiting for her to pass before arresting DiNozzo."

"Okay, what does this have to do with us? Social Services can take care of him right?"

"Yes but they have a foster home or potential foster home lined up who eventually want to adopt him but Mrs. DiNozzo's fading fast and they might not be ready in time. We need a home to keep him out of the official system until they're ready to take him."

"Okay but why me?"

"You were recommended because of who the potential family is. Mrs. DiNozzo knows of them but if Anthony Senior finds out they're worried he's going to try something to stop the adoption. He says he'll surrender when she passes and thinks Tony's going into the system."

"So how are they going to be able to adopt him?"

"Elizabeth DiNozzo has full custody and has handed it over. Anthony DiNozzo thinks that it's invalid and won't stand up in court but it will especially with him about to serve prison time. The problem is she's dying and the foster home isn't ready for Tony. We're hoping that maybe you'll take him in for a few days or at the most a week."

"Who is the foster family?" Susan and Mike exchange glances. "Who are they?"

"Tobias and Diane Fornell … I know they're not on good terms with you but if he goes into the system then it'll be harder for them to adopt. Right now it's about Tony and making sure he's taken care of and Anthony only has to know that you're the foster parent taking him when it's time."

"Are you kidding me? Who in their right mind recommended me to take them in? They don't know I have a foster parents license and ..."

"Dir. Gylls from the FBI. He said you guys have a strained relationship but that he hopes you'll put Tony first."

"Really … did you talk to my director? How am I going to go foster him when I have work to do?" Mike sighs.

"I talked to Beauregard he's giving us two weeks off paid vacation time. This isn't about the past that boy needs someone to help him." Gibbs rubs his face.

"I'm going for coffee and then I'll be back." Gibbs ran into Fornell by the coffee stand. "Surprise, surprise to see you here."

"I know you hate us but I need a favor." Gibbs nods drinking a long sip of coffee.

"I know, I'm still trying to decide on it."

"How do you know? Who on earth told you?"

"Susan Atwater from Child Services, who else?" Fornell looks at him funny. "Fostering Tony until you and Diane get your act together. She said Gylls reommended me."

"Oh … we didn't know. I was going to ask for a letter stating that you know us, where I work and stuff like that. We need at least 5 of them and from different people who actually know us. You don't have to say anything just the basics … you're really going to foster him?"

"I haven't decided yet. What about Diane's job?"

"If we get Tony she's quitting her job to stay home and be a full time mom. You know she wants kids but we're having trouble in that department."

"Thanks for that information Fornell." Gibbs gives him a look. "I'm going to help you but only for his sake and I want nothing to do with either of you. He doesn't deserve the system after losing his mom."

"You don't have to, we're desperate right now that's why I was going to ask you for a letter. We're trying to get things together but there are so many hoops to jump through it feels like it'll never happen."

"Just take care of him like he deserves." When Gibbs returns to the bullpen Susan's on the phone.

"What do you think Probie?"

"I'll help them … I'm crazy but I'll help them."

"His father's an donkey's behind but that doesn't mean he should suffer. Are you going to tell them?"

"Already ran into Fornell downstairs. He was coming to ask me for a letter for them stating I know them and all that crap. I told him what I was doing and that was it." Susan hangs up.

"Have you come to a decision? Mrs. DiNozzo's fading fast and I need to take the foster family over there."

"Yeah I'll do it but only for him." Mike nods,

"I'll see you in two weeks or call me if you need anything Probie." At the hospital they were shown to Mrs. DiNozzo's hospital room where a man stood just watching while a younger boy was crying at the woman's bedside. She was stroking his head and trying to comfort him and Gibbs noticed a movie was on that he thought was odd.

"That's enough Junior, we have company now and they don't want to see you make a scene. Mind your manners."

"Mr. DiNozzo, it's fine. This is Jethro Gibbs, he's going to be the foster father for Tony." Senior looks him up and down.

"Where's the Misses?"

"There is no Mrs. but I work for NCIS and I'm more than qualified."

"Well that's good no one needs to turn him into some kind of mamby pamby sissy. Can I speak to you in the hall?" Gibbs follows him out and Senior looks at him.

"What happened to the Fornell's? We were told that was the foster family taking him in and they wanted to adopt him."

"They still do but it's from my understanding that they aren't ready. I'm just going to take care of him until they can take him in."

"Take care of him … make sure he doesn't forget his mother. I've never been a good dad to him and I've had my share of messes but he needs a good family. With me in prison and his mother dead … he doesn't need to stay in the system. He'll probably age out before I get out."

"That's why I'm doing it and they're … good people." Senior looks at him and Gibbs sighs. "She's my ex and he's the one she left me for. She wanted kids and it's not something I could give her. I know she'll be a good mother." Susan comes out.

"Her heartbeats slowing down if you want to go in Mr. DiNozzo." He goes in with a doctor while two cops join them.

"He knows about the Fornell's and wants Tony to be with good people."

"And do you think they're good people?"

"Good no but I know Diane wants children more than anything and she'll do whatever she has to so he has a good home."

"That's good." When it was over Gibbs gave Tony time to say goodbye and Anthony gave him a key to their house so Tony could pack up his stuff and permission for him to take his mom's pictures and things. Anything he didn't take would be sold or donated and Tony cried the whole way there and while Mike showed up with moving boxes for them. Gibbs didn't know how things would go but he felt bad for Tony to lose his parents and not know what was going to happen next.