Back Story
"Dad," Tony called down the stairs, "are you in the basement?"
His father's response was affirmative, and Tony started to jog down the steps, a notebook gripped in his hand. He jumped off the last step and landed near where Jethro was sanding a section of the boat.
His father greeted him with a raised eyebrow. "What have you got there?"
Tony held the notebook up for his father to inspect. "It's my history notebook. My midterm's tomorrow, and I was going to ask if you'd quiz me. It's over the Vietnam War, and I think I've got it mastered. Hey, Dad, listen- my professor showed us The Killing Fields last week and that was one powerful movie. It was a true story about American reporters and the fall of Cambodia, and the last of the airlifts out of there. You'd like it."
Jethro nodded and stretched, then turned to put up the sandpaper and cut off the light. "I probably would. Let's go upstairs so we can get comfortable."
Half an hour later they were together in the living room. Reaching the end of Tony's study notes, Jethro glanced up over the notebook and said proudly, "Good job, Son, you know this material very well. I think you'll do really well on your test tomorrow."
Tony smiled in pleasure and reached for the notebook. "Thanks, Dad, I have all my mid term tests this week and I'm trying to ace them. Please tell me you've noticed that."
Jethro met his gaze. "I know you are, Tony, and it is going to pay off for you." With that, he stood up and made his way to the kitchen.
Tony followed, and watched quietly until his father had the coffee pot prepped with water, a filter, and aromatic grounds.
As he flicked on the power, Jethro looked over at him appraisingly.
"Ok, Son, why don't you just come out and tell me what's on your mind. I don't think you're interested in watching the coffee perk."
"Sure, sure thing," Tony swallowed, then pulled out a chair and sat at the table. He licked his lips nervously and regarded his father. "Remember, Dad, when I got into so much trouble about my first semester grades? Remember it was right before Christmas?"
"Of course I do, Son," Jethro nodded and leaned against the counter, watching Tony's expression.
Tony licked his lips.
"Well, so I had to leave school, drop out of Ohio State, and now I've been on restriction from then until now, and it's almost March. Plus, I got a spanking, Dad."
Jethro filled up a cup with steaming coffee and stretched. "The spanking wasn't for your grades, Anthony. The spanking was because you were disrespectful, and refused to heed my warning."
"Right, yes, I know that, and just so you know, Dad, it hurt a whole lot. Anyway, remember, though, that you said that you would think about re-evaluating my punishment after you saw that I was doing what I was supposed to do this semester."
"I did say that."
"So, if you find out that I am actually doing well at the halfway mark at Community College, will you reinstate some privileges for me?"
His father nodded his head thoughtfully and took a swallow of coffee before he answered.
"Ok, I think that's fine, and I will honour what I told you and take a look at your progress. However, I want to see stellar grades in all classes- not just P.E. this time, Son, before I return anything to you. I mean all classes had better look good."
"I know, Dad, and I have really been working and trying hard. Also, I have been doing my chores around the house without complaining or anything. I have not gotten into trouble with you about anything at all since then. You haven't even had to fuss at me for any reason. So I just want you to please go ahead and be thinking about giving me back the car, or my phone, or letting me go off sometimes, or even just allowing me to hang out with friends. I'm really very, very tired of being grounded. My social life is in the gutter, Dad."
Gibbs smiled in sympathy and nodded his agreement. "I will start returning some of the fun things when you show me that you've gained some maturity, that you're taking care of business, but not one day before then."
Tony jumped up and hugged him. "Thanks, Dad! That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
"You're welcome," Jethro grinned, watching Tony run back up the stairs.
It had been a rough few weeks for the teenager. When Agent Gibbs had seen the grades brought home by his son after his first semester at Ohio State, he had hit the roof. Though two A's were chronicled for the two physical education classes, the grade sheet was covered in C's from every other college class- those critical academic classes. Gibbs considered that a gross neglect of duty, and promptly laid down the law. Tony would not return to his dream college until he had done well and pulled up his grades at the local community college. Furthermore, his father relieved him of his phone and car, as well as restricted the eighteen year old from all activities other than class, determined that Tony would have absolutely nothing to focus upon except academics.
Tony responded to the consequences by sulking and pouting dramatically the next two days. Jethro gave his reaction some slack. However, he finally had his fill of that behaviour, and informed Tony that if his son didn't improve his attitude immediately, he'd correct it for him. Tony wisely eased up on his moping so that it fell short of too negative a response, lest his father view that as a continuance of a bad attitude. Above all, he did not want to get his butt beaten again. So he deftly walked a fine line- looking as miserable and victimized as he could without actually provoking his dad's anger to the point that his rear end suffered any more.
Even in Mexico, where they travelled for Christmas, Tony was subject to the punishment. His father was consistent about consequences, which never altered even if the location did. Still grounded, he was not allowed to leave the house in Campeche, nor could he participate in any extra curricular activities.
It was a miserable time for him, and to make matters worse, his abuela fussed at him, as well. Playing for sympathy, Tony threw himself into her lap as she rocked gently the first night he and his dad arrived. She brushed his bangs back and ordered softly, "Let us move to the sofa and then I will hold you. You have grown too much now for me to hold you in the rocking chair." Tony puffed out his lip but did as she told him.
Settled on the sofa, Maria pulled him to her so that he was reclining against her. He gave her an elaborate version of the grade sheet scene which he thought would garner some compassion. Instead, she fussed at him for nearly ten minutes, in a mixture of English and Spanish. Then she pointed out that the response could have been worse. "He was easy on you, Bambino, he didn't take the television or computer away from you." Tony threw back his head and groaned.