A/N: Hey everyone! This is my newest, but oldest story. This story was the first idea and first story I had actually ever wrote as a fanfic, so... here we go with it! A note first: I am intrigued by the prospect of Tony being a dad and I was curious with how something could play out for a long time, so this is my first story of that theme. Here's something else: To all my readers of my story, 'Unspoken Promise', I am writing it, I promise! I have temporarily lost my muse and am trying to find it back to finish the next chapter, so bear with me and enjoy this until then! - Drew

"Remember, I love you and your sister. I always have and always will, Matt."

Those words echoed in the 9 year-old's head as he and his twin sister watched numbly as their mom's funeral ended and her casket was slowly lowered into the ground. His minded drifted to three days ago, when the last conversation with his mom took place.

"M-mommy, p-please don't l-leave us." His sister cried as they stood on both sides of the bed in the dark hospital room. Their mother laid in the bed, slowly dying from the cancer that has taken over her body. She held their hands with the little strength she still had and took a labored breath.

"Honey, I have no choice. If I could choose, I would never leave you guys." She whispered painfully. She could see the pain in her children's eyes. It wasn't fair that they had to watch her die. And it certainly wasn't fair that the only way of life they knew was coming to an end. Her boyfriend promised to be there for them, but she didn't know how long that promise would last. She closed her eyes to get rid of the pain and those thoughts before turning to face her son. She opened her eyes and took another labored breath.

Matt saw the pain flash in her eyes as she breathed. He squeezed her hand and leaned closer. "M-mom?" He stuttered, trying not to cry, since he was trying to be strong for all three of them. He was always the silent but strong one, letting the two females show the emotion.

"Matt, I need you to watch out for your sister. Protect her, no matter what. Can you promise me that?" She waited as he nodded and didn't say anything else. She hated that only at 9 years old she was asking so much out of him. Their mom inwardly sighed and cringed before she pointed to a stack out four thick envelopes sitting on a chair against the wall. "You two need to take those envelopes. There are names on the outside of each. Two are for you, and two need to be delivered. Can the both of you do that for me."

They nodded and she continued. "You can't open or deliver them until after-" her words coughs in her throat as she saw Matt silently shed a single tear and watched it roll down his face and of his check. She took a deep breath and continued. "Until after the funeral." She squeezed both of their hands and gave a small smile. "Afterwards, I want you to go to a place. You will be safe there until someone comes to pick you up. The building is..."

Matt sniffed inaudibly and he tried to rid that painful memory from his mind. He turned and looked at his sister. She had her head down, refusing to acknowledge what was going on around them. The 9 year-old sighed and looked around at the few adults there, seeing if any of them were actually watching the two mourning children and he was thankful that none of them were. He turned back to face the hole where the casket was almost gone from view and saw the priest who had done the ceremony was walking away, signaling that it was over. He looked around again and saw that the crowd was dispersing.

He reached over and gently nudged his sister. "Hey," he whispered. "Are you ready to go?"

She nodded slightly before they both stood up. They reached behind their chairs and grabbed their backpacks. Matt looked around to make sure no-one was watching before they snuck away from the cemetery and tried to find their way to the marine base where NCIS stood.

A/N: So I know this is short, but it is just the beginning...