Family Bonds

Jethro and Jack were in the kitchen, drinking coffee and enjoying the peace and quiet after lunch finished. Tony and Abby had raced upstairs to make preparations for the rest of the afternoon, so all was relatively tranquil.

"Ok, Dad, what do you want to do today?" Gibbs questioned as he leaned against the counter.

"Son, why don't we sit down and go through that box of pictures I brought with me? How's that for a plan?" Jack stood up from his chair and stretched leisurely. "I brought some blank photo albums, so we could actually do something constructive."

Gibbs nodded, and he wound his way to the living room with his coffee while Jack made his way upstairs to grab the box of pictures.

Tony bounced down the stairs two at a time and jumped off the last three steps to land with a flourish in the foyer. Peeping into the living room he saw Gibbs and grinned, then faked a throw of the basketball he had clutched to him.

"I wouldn't throw that ball, Anthony," Gibbs advised as he raised his eyes.

Tony laughed in reply, "You don't have to tell me twice, Boss. I have learned my lesson about throwing basketballs in the domicile. I'm heading outside to play instead."

Gibbs couldn't help but smile as he watched Tony depart. Through the living room window he studied him as he made his way to the basketball goal in the backyard. Tony started dribbling, then practice throwing, and was clearly in his element. There was nothing the senior field agent enjoyed as much as participating in outdoor sports, and he definitely had the talent and prowess to make him a great player.

Jack returned with the picture box and they moved an armchair in close proximity to the coffee table and sofa so that they could spread the photos out on a flat surface. Looking out the window at Tony he shook his head. "That boy was made for action, Leroy. What an athlete!"

His son nodded and voiced his agreement. "That he was, and is, Dad. He loves physical activity, and you are correct- he is a fantastic athlete." Jethro sighed, then smirked. "Of course that knowledge gives me a good, distinct edge when I want to change his behaviour or attitude. He will do anything to have me not put a damper on his fun."

"Very clever," smiled Jack, settling into the chair.

"Hey, whatever works, Dad-"

Ten minutes later a polite knock interrupted their concentration along with the sound of the front door opening. Gibbs called out, and immediately two of Tony's buddies appeared.

"Hey there Agent Gibbs," one greeted. "how are you today?"

"I'm fine, Paul. Let me introduce my dad, Jackson Gibbs. He's bravely spending the week with us." Gibbs waved the photo he was holding and indicated the young men. "Dad, Brian and Paul are friends of Tony."

All three murmured salutations and Brian turned to Jack, "Tony really wanted you to get down here for a visit. He's been talking about having you come to DC."

"He was excited. He told us days ago," Paul added.

The announcement touched Jack, and he smiled shyly at his son. They were working to close the cracks that had hurt their relationship over the years. The presence of Tony and Abby actually made their reconciliation less awkward.

Gibbs pointed to the backyard. Tony's guests quickly excused themselves to join Tony. The noise level increased dramatically and immediately, but it was a happy noise.

Jack watched out the window a couple of minutes, noting the three interacting with the ball. "Tony is definitely the most talented of the basketball group."

Jethro peered over his father's shoulder and didn't bother to keep the pride out of his voice. "Actually, it really doesn't matter what the sport is, but Tony will excel."

The two men settled again and started sorting the photographs, stopping to compare and consult over several of them. Jack had a pen and was marking the backs of several shots with identifying information.

Gibbs, sipping from his coffee cup, held one up for his father to see. "Look at this, Dad. I couldn't have been more than four or five."

Jack took it from him and brought it closer to him for better scrutiny. "That's when you were four. We were getting ready to take you to an Easter Egg Hunt. That's your basket on that table there. Can you see it?"

Jethro took the picture back and regarded it. "I think I remember that."

A knock on the door sounded again, then the front door opened quickly and hurried footsteps came towards the living room. Giggling interrupted, and the men looked up to see Abby's best friend, Vera.

"Hey," Gibbs greeted the petite brunette. "I think Abby's in her room. Go on up there, Vera."

Vera smiled in response and started towards the stairs, but Jethro suddenly stopped her. "Vera, this is my dad, Jackson Gibbs. He's visiting us for a while."

Vera moved to the couch and held out her hand to the older man. "It's wonderful meeting you finally, Mr. Gibbs. Abby told me you were coming, and she was really glad you could make it. She's talked and talked about your visit for days."

Jack was clearly touched. He asked politely, "So what are you two girls up to today?"

"I'm not sure," Vera replied, once again heading for the stairs, "we need to discuss our plans. We might just hang out and do nothing, or we might go shopping for new outfits."

They heard her knock on Abby's door moments later, and then Abby calling out a greeting.

Jack turned to Jethro. "Another thing, Son- I honestly don't know how you keep up with Abby. She's an energetic little whirlwind! It wears me out just hearing her talk."

That brought laughter, and Gibbs answered, "The thing about Abby is that she loves to be on the go. She doesn't particularly like to stay still." He paused, then added, "That fact gives me an advantage, because I can usually get her to behave by threatening to keep her in the house. Tony wants to be outside somewhere playing, but she wants to be gone somewhere doing. All I have to do with her is just tell her I'm about to take her car keys and she falls apart."

Jack nodded thoughtfully, then smiled slyly. "That is the beauty of parenting, Leroy, figuring out the buttons to push to get your children to comply with your wishes. Your mother and I did the same thing with you."

The two men laughed loudly and conspiratorially.