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Raul's Victory |
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Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs was not a happy man. Since going into semi-retirement and becoming a consultant for NCIS, Gibbs had more time to spend with his family, but they were also the current cause of his stress. As a single father of triplets, Gibbs made full use of the NCIS daycare for after-school and snow days. As a consultant, his hours were usually fairly regular, so when he got a call from the academy the children attend, requesting he come pick one of them up, he became concerned. That was until he found out no one was sick but that there had been an “incident” on the playground. Now he was just annoyed as he entered the principal’s office. “Special Agent Gibbs. Thank you for coming so quickly.” Principal Ben Johnson stated as they shook hands. “What happened Ben?” “From what witnesses told me and what I could get out of your children…” “Monsters you mean.” Ben smiled. “Yes, maybe but apparently one of the bigger boys tried to pick on Abby and Tony took exception and punched the bully. Broke his nose. He probably would have done more but Kate pulled him off. Since the other boy is a bully and we have no tolerance for bully’s, the parents will not be making a complaint.” “Was Abby okay?” “Yes. She’s a little fireball. Gave as good as she got and wouldn’t let the bully push her around.” “And Tony?” “Anthony will be suspended for 3 days for fighting but Kate and Abby will not be disciplined.” “And the bully?” “Suspended for 2 weeks and then on probation for the next 6 months. If he steps out of line once, he’ll be expelled. I have a strong dislike for bullies.” “As do I. Do you want me to take all 3 of them?” “Dismissal is in a few of hours so it’s up to you. Abby and Kate are already back in classes even though Abby was a little upset. Tony should be out in the office by now.” “I’d like to check on the girls then I’ll just take Tony with me. They can go on the bus to NCIS headquarters as normal.” “Excellent.” They shook hands again and Gibbs left the office to find his only son sitting with his head down. Anthony D. Gibbs was tall for his age and not afraid of much at the ripe old age of 7. Tony was a typical boy; the rougher the better. He would wrestle and push his sisters around but defended them fiercely when anyone else tried to hurt them. He loved practical jokes and got into more mischief than all three of them put together. Of all three children, Tony was the only one not in an accelerated program at school. He was certainly smart enough but he didn’t apply himself to anything unless he wanted too and school didn’t qualify for the boy. “Anthony!” Tony shot out of his chair and onto his feet. “I’m sorry dad.” “We’ll talk about it at home son. I want to check on your sisters and then we have to head back to NCIS.” “Yes sir.” Gibbs held out his hand and Tony took it. “Do you have all your school work for the next 3 days?” Tony sighed. “Yes sir. Miss Boyea brought it all down while you were talking to Mr. Johnson.” “Good. You can work on it at daycare.” ***** The duo entered Kate’s classroom first. “Hey dad. Hey squirt.” Kate ruffled Tony’s hair as he scowled. “I’m taking Tony with me back to the office. I want you and Abby to go to after-school like usual.” “Sure dad. We’ll be okay.” “Good. Thanks for assisting Tony and Abby on the playground.” “That punk was picking on Abby. I almost popped him myself. Tony was just quicker.” “Caitlin Gibbs! That attitude is why Tony is in trouble.” Gibbs said sternly. “Yes sir, but it would have been worth it.” Tony giggled then stopped when Gibbs glared at him. “What am I going to do with you two? And people wonder why my hair is gray.” Gibbs hugged Kate and sent her back to class. Then he and Tony headed for Abby’s class next. Gibbs could hear his 7 year-old-daughter before he could open the door. “DADDY!” Gibbs only had seconds to react as he caught Abby in mid-air. “Hey baby girl. Are you okay?” Abby kept hugging her father and answered with a nod. “That bully didn’t stand a chance. Tony broke his nose.” Abby reported in awe. Gibbs set Abby on her feet. “That’s nothing to be proud of Abigail. Tony shouldn’t have hit that boy.” “But daddy, Danny was pulling on my pigtails.” Abby had her little hands on her hips to express how serious she was. “I’m sorry Danny did that Abby but violence doesn’t answer everything. I want you and Kate to finish school and then take the bus to after-school. I’m taking Tony now.” “No daddy! I want to go now too.” Abby stomped her foot. Gibbs raised an eyebrow and stated sternly, “You will do as I say young lady or we will go and have a private ‘talk’. Do you understand?” Abby decided to change tactics. “Please daddy?” “No Abby. I’ll pick you up at daycare.” “Are you gonna kill Tony daddy?” “No, not today Imp. I love you, now go back to class.” “Bye daddy. Bye Tony.” Abby skipped back to her class and back to work. Gibbs took Tony’s hand again and said, “Let’s go son. I still have work to do.” “Dad? Do I have to go to daycare?” “Yes. I need to go help one of the teams out in the field.” “But wouldn’t it take less time to go directly to the scene instead of going all the way back to NCIS and then back again?” Gibbs tilted his head. “You’ve had too much time to think about this haven’t you?” “Yes sir.” “Why?” “I feel bad you had to come and get me.” Gibbs opened the passenger door of the car and Tony climbed in. “Son, you know even when you behave badly I still love you. You’ve been suspended for the rest of this week and you’re grounded for the next two weeks…” “Ah dad.” “Ut!” Gibbs pointed at Tony. “Would you rather I spank you?” “No sir.” Tony wiped the tears forming in his eyes. Gibbs got into the car and handed Tony a tissue. “Good. I want you to consider it dealt with so no feeling guilty. Even though I don’t approve of the fighting to solve problems, I’m proud of you defending your sister.” Gibbs drove a couple miles then spoke again. “When we get to the scene, you stay in the car. Understand?” “Yes dad.” Tony smiled from ear to ear. He loved being with his dad on the job. “Good. Let’s get to work.” ***** Jethro Gibbs never knew what hit him when the doctor told him and his wife they were having triplets. After a long and difficult term, the first of 3 babies entered the world a month early. First to appear was Caitlin Theresa Gibbs. She had her mother’s red hair and unfortunately her temperament. Kate was small at 4lbs. 5oz. but the doctor assured the new parents it was typical with multiple births. Three minutes later, Abigail Samantha Gibbs arrived. Abby had a dark head of hair and a healthy set of lungs. Weighing in at 4lbs. 6oz., Abby was a shocking opposite of her sister. She stopped crying the moment she was set into her father’s arms and was wrapped around Gibbs little finger from the start. When baby number three decided to show up backwards, causing his parents undue stress, Jethro should have known he was going to be trouble. Anthony David Gibbs was 5lbs. 10oz. with dark hair, curious from the start and afraid of nothing. Tony was the reason Jethro was almost completely gray. All three babies were healthy and the much larger family headed home a short 5 days later. Mrs. Gibbs had trouble keeping up from the get-go. Jethro help by working less but it wasn’t enough. She was so depressed that when the triplets were 2-years-old, she wrote a note and disappeared into the night. Months later, Jethro found out his wife had gone to Canada and ended up killing herself. Jethro took a leave of absence and got their lives in some semblance of order and within 6 months the Marine in Gibbs was running his household as any good drill sergeant. When the kids started pre-school at three and were tested, Jethro was told all three of his children had above average intelligence. Jethro refused to start them early stating they needed to be kids, but when enrolled in kindergarten, each child was added to an advanced curriculum that was tailored for them as individuals. Abby and Kate excelled in everything but loved science most. But where Kate liked to know why something worked, Abby loved the hands on aspect. Jethro lost count how many times Abby took something apart just to see if she could. Tony on the other hand, hated all aspects of school. He was smart enough but wanted nothing more than to be with his friends playing or following his father around to solve crimes. Tony may have been the last child born but he was the natural leader of the group. When he would get an idea for a practical joke, Kate would plan it out and Abby would make it happen. Thus started the slow crumbling of Gibbs well ordered world; and he couldn’t have been happier. The End
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