TINY DINOZZO

AN: I was inspired to write this after reading My Whole Life Is Thunder's "Maybe Sometime." CHANGED TO "The Betrayal of Agent DiNardo." She was not finished with her story when I started this story. But, she probably will be by the time I finish my story.. But I am only taking part of the story as my inspiration. I hope you all like the twist that I put on it.

Tony could not believe what he was hearing. His homecoming to D.C. had not gone as planned. He had expected his 'family' to welcome he and Tali with open arms. That had not happened, actually quite the opposite. Everyone seemed to hate him. That was okay, as much as it hurt him. He could deal with that. But, they were acting as if Tali didn't even exist. They had all acted like Tony had not gone on the mission to save Gibbs and Tim because he had not wanted to. He had wanted to. He would have gone, expect for the fact that he was now a father. And he was, quite literally, all Tali David DiNozzo had. He could not just leave Tali and go off on a mission. Who would he leave her with? Who could he trust to take care of her for an indeterminate period of time? Senior was out. He had enough trouble taking care of himself. He could not just ask someone to take care of his child for a few weeks. And, it could have taken longer, a month maybe? What if it had taken that long? How could he expect anyone to take care of his kid and not know then, or even if, he was coming back. Tony had no idea how things would have gone. And besides, he could not leave Tali. Not just dump her in somebody's lap for weeks, months. That wasn't fair to Tali or her caregiver.

Tony had had to make some hard decisions in a few short hours. Three hours after returning to D.C., he was in the director's office.

"Well, Agent DiNozzo," Leon started after Tony took one of the seats across from the director's desk. 'the behavior you describe is reprehensible. But, unfortunately, not criminal."

"I just…Tali has been through enough in her young life. She doesn't need this. This hatefulness and drama. I actually told her…." Tony shook his head and jus stopped. It hurt to talk about the betrayal had had experienced since returning to D.C. HE felt like had had lied to his little girl. Telling her about her Grandpa Gibbs and her Uncle Tim and Aunts Abby, Ellie, and Delilah. It pained him now to try to figure out something to tell her to explain why those people would not be in her life.

Vance had heard whispers of things. He had heard rumors of things that people were saying about Tony since he had had to decline the mission to save Gibbs and McGee. Vance had understood Tony's reasons. And the director had thought Gibbs and company had also. They had seemed as if they had understood and were sympathetic to the young man raising his little girl alone. But, apparently that was not the case. Since Tony had been back, all they had been doing was spewing venom in his direction. Vacne was not going to put up tit that.

"I found something. Regular working hours, not field work. You would be teaching in FLETC." Vance told him.

Tony looked at Leon for just a moment. He had not really considered teaching his thing. But, if he thought about it, that was all he did, for Gibbs, teach the new probies the ropes. And, he had done a good job with Kate and Time…and Ziva. They all became excellent agents because of him.

Tony nodded. He would be happy to take the job., for many reasons. First and foremost. He would be able to be home for Tali in the evening and have regular hours. Second, he would have weekends off. And third, while he was still in D.C., he would rarely, if ever, see Team Gibbs and company, who he was beginning to refer to as 'those people.' He was not going to let them case him away from any place that he wanted to be.

Tony had asked his dad to get him moved into the two-bedroom apartment he had picked out in his building. He needed bigger accommodations. He had hoped that that movers would be extra careful with his baby grand. He wanted to be able to teach his daughter how to play piano on that thing. And as it turned out, Senior had done a great job. The apartment was all unpacked and ready for the two of them to just move in and start living. Tony even found lots of brand-new outfits and toys for his little girl. Loads of pink and purple dresses, with pretty matching dress shoes. His dad had even thought about the weather, getting Tali a winter coat with matching hat and glove set. Several sets actually, knowing how kids tend to lose those things. Senior had even gotten her a rain coat and rain and snow boots. Tony could not help but smile at the outflow of love and support he was getting from his dad.

When Senior found out he was a grandpa, his whole attitude changed. He treated Tony a lot better, and he simply adored Tali. The old man had even joined Tony and Tali in France for a little while. But, he had needed to come him after a few months. Senior had not had the money for an extended trip. And he had wanted to make sure all was ready for Tony, when he decided to come back to D.C. and continue his job and his life.

Tony was not paying attention and, as old habit, hit the button for Gibbs' floor. He had been back at NCIS a month and had not seen or heard much of Gibbs and company. And he was happy about that. He didn't need the drama.

"It's back." Bishop stated seeing who was about to get off the elevator.

Tony looked up startled for just a second, then he realized his mistake. He then gathered himself and walked off the elevator like he meant to stop there.

"It?" Tony asked.

"You don't work here anymore!" The newbie snapped.

"Afraid I'm gonna take my old job back?" Tony retorted.

"Not gonna happen." Gibbs said, coming over to where Tony was. "I don't want you back."

"Well…." Tony replied. "As…pleasant as this has been…."

"Just leave, nobody wants you here." The newbie said.

Tony had started to walk away. But, that caused him to turn around. "You know…it's really sad. All the time I was in France I was telling Tali about her American family. Her Grandpa Gibbs, her Aunt Ellie, Her Uncle Tim and I…I told her what fun she would have playing with her cousins." DiNozzo shook his head and started to walk away. His little speech had had the desired effect. It shut them up. He turned again. "I had a 3-year old child. I could not go on a rescue mission. It's against agency policy to even ask the sole parent or caregiver of a minor child to engage in any field work that could endanger his or her life. I, however, was asked to consult, which I did. So, say what you want, believe what you want. I don't care."

"Ton…? Bishop started.

Tony turned. He shook his head. "You don't get Tony. It's Agent DiNozzo. What do you want?"

"I didn't…." Ellie began. The formality felt very odd.

Tony shook his head again. "You didn't know. You didn't care. It doesn't matter. You didn't have your facts straight! What did you expect me to do? Just drop my daughter on somebody and leave?! Is that what you thought? I could just leave her and go off, not knowing if I would even be back? And there she would be, without both parents. But, you didn't think about that." Tony shot back. "Despite the fact that there were other immensely qualified agents, many of them, already working on the case. Despite the fact that other alphabet agencies were involved. More than enough man power to do the job. And you come down hard on me because I have to take care of my child?"

Tony looked at Gibbs. "And, just so you know, whatever…kinship, whatever…respect I had for you is gone…long gone."

"Grandpa Gibbs, that…." Gibbs said, suddenly realizing what he was actually losing. He looked at Tony again.

"Now, I have to explain to her why she doesn't have …." Tony shook his head and turned away at that. By this time, they had gotten the attention of the entire floor. DiNozzo looked around at everybody.

There was a moment of silence while Tony cleared his throat. "The whole room got to see what that second B in Gibbs really means." He told the agent. "You should be so proud." The anger and the hurt evident in his voice.

"DiNozzo…!" Gibbs started.

"No." Tony backed away. "We're done! Your doing, not mine. There's nothing left for me to say. You've made your…thoughts, your feelings, very clear." And, with that, Tony took the stairs and exited the building.

THE END?

END NOTES: Does this need more? Or is this a good place to end it? What do you guys think? If it needs more, what does it need? I really kind of like this sort of 'jagged' ending.