Confusion 4 – Acceptance

(Thanks to all the people who have reviewed and ejoyed the previous 3 parts of this. Hope you enjoy this one.)

Tony had been very happy at work. He was much more settled and was spending a lot of his free time with Gibbs, not that he told the others that. He still told them outrageous stories of his nights out. He would see a small smile appear on Gibbs face as he told them. Ducky was very pleased for both of them.

Tony came bounding into Abby's lab, "Hey Abbs," he said."

"Tony," she smiled back at him. "Got something for me?"

"Nope, no new cases just now. We're all working on cold cases. It's driving me nuts, Abbs. It's not that I want anyone to be hurt to keep me busy, it's just McGoo. He is so in his happy place, showing off his computer skills."

"It's what he's good at Tony."

"I know."

"Have you heard from Jackson?"

"Yes, I'm going up there this weekend."

"Just you?"

"Yes. What can I say, he likes my company. At least he gets a conversation out of me," he turned to face Gibbs knowing the man had heard his comment and smiled.

"Shouldn't you be at your desk, working on old cases?" Gibbs asked.

"On my way," Tony said moving past Gibbs as a hand came out and swatted him. "Ow!" he said moving quickly towards the stairs.

"He is so much happier," Abby said.

"I'm glad, he's had a hard time recently."

"He enjoys the attention you give him."

"Not all of it," Gibbs said. "I'm not a push over, you know. There are rules he has to follow." Abby giggled. "What?"

"I just can't imagine Tony doing as he's told."

"He's getting better. Now get on with your work while I check that Tony did go back to his desk."

He walked into the bullpen just as Tony was about to throw a scrunched up piece of paper at McGee. Gibbs shook his head and Tony let it fall into the bin. "Go get us all some coffee," Gibb said."

"Me? But he's the Probie."

"You. He's got important work to do." Tony got up reluctantly.

"This isn't..." Gibbs glare stopped him complaining any further. "Fine. Don't want to interrupt McGenius doing his work." His computer made a noise. "Can I read my e-mail before I go?"

"Of course." Tony sat down and read it. He saw Tony's face go white. "Everything ok?"

Tony looked up. "What? Oh yes, everything's fine." He got up and left.

Tony went to Gibbs' favourite shop to pick up the coffee and doughnuts. He had been surprised to receive an e-mail from the Private Investigator he had hired. He hadn't expected him to find something out this quickly. He would have to sneak away to speak to him as he hadn't told Gibbs anything about hiring him. He quickly went back to the office and handed out the coffee. "You ok?" Gibbs asked.

"Yes fine," Tony answered quickly, a bit too quickly for Gibbs' liking.

Tony saw Gibbs watching him as the day went on. He'd have to be careful or Gibbs would find out what he was doing. He wasn't sure why he hadn't told Gibbs but this was something he wanted to do himself. He wasn't used to having someone in his life who wanted to know what he was doing and what time he would be home. It was a strange feeling.

"I need to leave a bit earlier tonight," he said to Gibbs. 2I'm meeting a friend." Gibbs' trouble radar began to ping. Tony hadn't mentioned meeting an old friend but he couldn't ask too much in the office. "Is that ok?"

"Yes." What else could Gibbs say? They weren't busy. He'd speak to Tony when he got home.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said picking up his coat and leaving.

You'll be seeing me tonight, Gibbs thought. He picked up his cell phone and pressed the key for Tony's number. No answer. Now he knew Tony was up to something, but what?

Tony hurried out of the building. He heard his phone ring and looked at the screen. Gibbs. He turned off the phone. He got into a taxi and made his way to the Private Investigator's office.

He knocked and entered. "Hi Dave, what did you find out?"

"Sit down Tony."

Tony was immediately worried. People only asked you to sit down when there was trouble. "What's wrong?"

"I asked a friend of mine to try and trace your father and mother's families."

"You told me this..."

"I know but she phoned me last night, she wanted to meet me this morning."

"And?"

"She didn't show up."

"Maybe she was too busy."

"I've been to her house. Someone had been searching through it and none of her neighbours had seen her."

"She might just have been called away in a hurry."

"I suppose. I'll leave it for one more day then if I can't get in touch I'll phone the police."

"Do you have any idea what she found?"

"No, she said she'd tell me when I saw her. I could ask someone else to look into it."

"No it's okay."

"I've been doing some research into your mother's parents. Did you know they were British?"

"British? Mum never said very much about them although people often used to say I had her accent when I was small. Said I spoke like Little Lord Fauntleroy."

"Did you know they were still alive?"

"What?"

"Yes. I managed to trace their phone number if you wish to contact them. That's one of the reasons I asked Marcy to check her family, she knew how to find out that sort of information in Britain."

Tony took the number and put the card in his wallet. "I'll phone you later," he said walking out.

He walked along the sidewalk, he was so preoccupied that he didn't see the black van begin to follow him. It drove over and came to a halt just in front of him. He just had time to register it was there when two men jumped out. A cloth was placed over his mouth and after two breaths he collapsed into their arms.

TBC