Confusion 3

Jackson prepared lunch for them while Tony sat on the sofa. "And what am I supposed to do if I can't watch TV?" Tony asked Gibbs.

"Rest, maybe read a few books," Gibbs said.

"Great," Tony complained.

"I will not change my mind Tony, there are consequences for your actions, get used to it."

Tony turned to look at Jackson and said," No offence but there doesn't seem to be a lot to do around here."

"No offence taken, I'm sure Leroy felt the same when he was growing up here. Certainly couldn't wait to leave." Gibbs turned to glare at his father," And you can stop that right now son. It didn't work when you were a kid and it surely won't work now." Tony sniggered. "There's a bookshelf over in the corner, might find something to read there."

"Okay." Tony went over to look. "Wow! You've got some of The Saint books, I loved that series on TV with Roger Moore. He became James Bond you know?"

"I do. There are some Ian Fleming books there as well, if you like them. I've got Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, not many people realise he wrote that too."

"I love that film," Tony said. "Mum and I used to curl up on the sofa with popcorn and watch it every time it came on."

"Try the book then." Tony took it off the shelf and sat down. Although Tony loved films he also enjoyed reading and spent quite a bit of time with Ducky talking about various books they had both read. He was soon engrossed in the story.

Gibbs went through to speak with his father,"Want to fill me in on what is going on?" Jackson said.

"There's nothing going on, Dad."

"Son, I haven't seen you in years and you turn up on my doorstep with a young man."

"We can go if you don't want us," Gibbs said angrily.

"That is not what I meant and you know it." Gibbs looked at his father," Sorry. I needed somewhere he could get better without any distractions."

"So you could keep an eye on him?"

"That as well. He has a habit of getting into trouble. He doesn't take proper care of himself when he's ill. I aim to make sure he does." Jackson smiled. "What's the smile for?"

"Nothing son. I think your friend just fell asleep." They looked over at Tony. Gibbs went over and picked up a blanket and covered Tony with it. "He means a lot to you?"

"He does, more than he realises. I brought him here so that we could have time together and so that you can get to know him."

"He seems a good kid."

"He is. He's guarded my six more times than I care to remember. Damn good at his job."

"He's more than a colleague though isn't he?" Jackson asked.

"Yes and I aim to let him know that. He gets into trouble and he doesn't care what happens to him."

"Sounds like someone I know," Jackson commented.

"It's different."

"Why?"

Gibbs hesitated. "Because."

"Think you'll need to think up a better reason than that. He's going to want an answer."

"When will lunch be ready?"

"About ½ an hour."

"Want some help in the shop?"

"Young Millie Peters is looking after it for me. She helps out in the afternoon." Jackson made coffee and went out to sit on the step.

"I'm sorry," they both said at the same time.

"Can we agree to start again, no more accusations," Jackson said.

"Deal." They sat in companionable silence until they heard a creak behind them.

"Sorry I fell asleep," Tony said. "I keep doing that."

"You need the rest," Gibbs said. Jackson saw Tony bristle at that remark. Another one that doesn't like being ill, this was going to be interesting. How was Leroy going to cope with someone just like himself? "Looked in the mirror, DiNozzo?" Gibbs said smiling. Tony went back in and they heard a yelp.

Jackson got up and walked inside. Tony was standing by the sink the tap running. He was trying to wet his hair so that it lay down. He looked like a kid when he turned round and faced Jackson. He grabbed a cup of coffee. Jackson checked the soup. "So how long have you lived here, Mr. Gibbs?" Tony asked.

"It's Jack and I've lived here all my life. My family used to own a farm outside of town."

"They did?" Tony was intrigued.

"My great grandfather, Jethro, used to own a farm outside of town. It's now on the outskirts of the town, town grew to meet it." He didn't notice how white Tony had gone.

"You got any photos of him?"

"Funnily enough I have. Got them in an old album on the shelf beside the books. Two of the pictures were taken at his weddings. He was married twice. I'll take them out and show you later."

"Didn't know you were interested in genealogy, DiNozzo?" Gibbs said.

"You don't know everything about me," Tony answered.

They sat at the table and Jackson served up the soup. "This is great," Tony said. "Pity you couldn't cook like this Boss."

"I have other talents," Gibbs said.

Gibbs and his father talked about people they knew in town. Gibbs got up and came back with Tony's medication. He set two pills down and the dreaded drink. Tony glowered at them. "Oh come on Gibbs, that is just wrong. I don't want to drink that horrible stuff after that very good soup. I'll take it later."

"You'll take it now. You've got another one for later."

Tony hated this. "But I don't want it," he whined. "I should be able to decide what I put in my own body," he argued.

"You told the doctor you'd take your medicine if he let you out of hospital, take it."

Tony picked up the pills and stuck them in his mouth. "Just so you know I'm doing this under protest." He swallowed them with a drink of milk. He glared down at the drink.

"I hope you are not going to behave like this every time I give you this," Gibbs said. "Just take the darn drink."

Tony's eyes flashed angrily and he was sorely tempted to throw the drink over Gibbs like he had done before but then he remembered the consequences. He picked up the drink and swallowed it down. He grimaced. As he set it down jack handed him another glass. "Drink this." Tony took a mouthful, it was delicious.

"Thanks Jack." He drank the rest of it. "What was that?"

"Just something Leroy's mother used to make for him when he had to take medicine. Wouldn't take it unless she'd made that." Tony grinned up at Gibbs. "He didn't like taking things either, what a fuss he used to make."

"Dad!" Gibbs protested.

"It's true. If it had been left to me I'd just have given you a good swat and made you drink it." Tony couldn't imagine Jackson swatting Gibbs.

"No you wouldn't," Gibbs said. "At least I didn't throw it over you when I didn't want to drink it."

"You did?" Jackson asked. Tony nodded so hoping that Gibbs wouldn't tell his father what he did. "This I have to hear."

Tony yawned, "Think I'll have a rest."

Gibbs almost choked on his coffee. Usually he had to force Tony to rest. "That sounds like a good idea."

"And while you're sleeping Leroy can tell me the story."

Tony groaned.

TBC

Part 2