Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from NCIS. Although God knows I wish I did! :)

Rated T for description of abuse.

"Dinardo, bag and tag, Vadid, take pictures of the body. McGuire, call Ducky and see what's taking him so long." Gibbs barked at his team upon their arrival to the crime scene.

This was a typical case. They were called about a dead petty officer found in the basement of a mansion. Although this wasn't just any mansion. It belonged to world famous Italian Business man, Anthony DiNozzo Sr. Gibbs wasn't quite sure what the "sr" was for. No records showed DiNozzo having a kid.

He soon bit back his words as he heard a small child-like cry come from a small corner of the basement. Shadows blackened the corner. Gibbs moved closer. A small shuffling could be heard, but there was nowhere for the person to run to.

Gibbs moved into the corner, and stood silently looking at a small huddled form crouching in the corner.

Gibbs tried to hide the look of disgust on his face as he took in the sight before him.

It was a young boy, around the age of 10. Bruises and scars covered his face. One of his eyes was nearly swollen shut, and a deep gash reached from his left cheekbone up to his temple.

By the looks of the boy, someone had severely beaten him.

The boy clutched his arm to his ribs, obviously in deep pain.

Gibbs tried to speak in a calming voice, as not to scare the kid, "I am special agent Gibbs, NCIS. In order to help you I need to know your name."

The young boy just stayed in the same spot, shaking. Gibbs could just barely hear the boy mutter, "Tony."

"You will have to come with me. You are safe now. Nobody is going to hurt you anymore."

The boy looked up for a moment with tears welling up in his eyes.

Gibbs just gave him a caring gaze and said, "I promise"

Although Gibbs was taken off-guard when the boy suddenly stood and bolted.

His feet pounding the ground hard, Gibbs took off after him.

But Tony had went through the back door and was soon running down the street away from Gibbs.

"Dinardo, Vadid, McGuire, after the boy!"

Gibbs didn't want to scare Tony more by yelling this, but an overwhelming feeling of protection swept through him when he saw the pained look in Tony's sullen green eyes.

He went to follow his team in the pursuit of the boy, but suddenly a black expensive-looking car pulled up beside the boy and pulled him in, much to the boy's struggle.

The car sped away, leaving Gibbs staring in anger as he saw Tony's face appear in the back of the car's window. Tears were streaming down his face as the boy looked torn between whether he should shout for help from the strangers or allow this man to take him away. The decision was soon made for him when a large hand came up behind him and smacked him so hard upside the head that Tony suddenly fell out of view until the car was a large distance away. Gibbs cursed and stormed into his car. He shouted out the window to his team, "Finish up here then head back. And put a bolo out on that car!"

His team only stood watching in confusion as their boss sped away, fuming over the young boy he just met.

_______

Back at NCIS…

When Gibbs got back he stomped out of the elevator, coffee in hand, and headed to autopsy. He didn't know what is was that made him feel so protective over the young boy. Maybe it was just the overwhelming look of fear in the boy's eyes that set off the fatherly instinct hidden deep down inside of Gibbs.

After a long talk with Ducky, he headed back to the bullpen to see if they had gotten any hits on the bolo yet, and to have McGuire find out every detail about this Anthony DiNozzo.

Suddenly it hit him.

The name Tony was short for Anthony. Anthony was the name of Mr. DiNozzo Sr.

So he did have a son.

But it couldn't have been the boy's father who did this. No parent could be that cruel.

He was sure his team would find the bastard who hurt that boy soon.

He was interrupted from his thoughts when he heard Officer Vadid say, "Gibbs, we have a hit on the name of the dead body. Petty Officer Lynn DiNozzo. It says here that she had a restraining order out on Anthony DiNozzo for threats."

So Gibbs was wrong. It was the father. Anthony DiNozzo was our murder, and most likely, Tony's abuser.

"Get an arrest warrant out on Anthony DiNozzo Sr. And put out an Amber Alert for Anthony DiNozzo Jr."

"Jr?" asked DiNardo. "I thought he didn't have kids."

Suddenly it seemed to dawn on Agent DiNardo.

"That was the kid we were trying to catch wasn't it, Boss?"

Gibbs just gave a brief nod and headed to his desk to try and get an estimate on Anthony Dinozzo Sr's location.

His gut was telling him that he was the man who kidnapped Tony earlier today. And his gut was never wrong.

They had to find Tony. They just had to.

________

5 years later…

Gibbs was at his desk, looking through an old case file from 5 years ago. The DiNozzo case. They had never found the kid, Tony. He could be dead for all they know.

They caught his father a few years back at a cheap hotel. But when questioned about Tony, he pressed the fact that he didn't have a son. It had taken all Gibbs had not to Gibbs-slap his head so hard that he was knocked unconscious. Just as he had done to Tony in the back of the black car all those years ago.

But now as Gibbs sat behind his desk, flipping through the file, he was overcome with a feeling he hadn't had since Shannon and Kelly's deaths. A feeling of guilt. It was his fault that they hadn't found the kid. If he had been more alert when he first discovered Tony, huddled in the corner, he wouldn't have allowed him to bolt like that. But Gibbs just sighed and tossed the file into his drawer.

He came out of his thoughts when the phone began to ring. He answered it with his usual gruff voice, "Gibbs."

The voice that came after was the woman from the front desk, Cynthia.

"I have someone here who is asking for you by name. Shall I send him to your desk?"

Gibbs hesitated before answering.

"Yeah. Thanks Cynthia."

And he disconnected before she could respond.

A few moments later a young man, about the age of 15, came into the bullpen and over to Gibbs's desk. There was something familiar about him, but it didn't hit him until the boy introduced himself.

"Tony DiNozzo. Are you Agent Gibbs?"

Gibbs just stared back at him for a moment before taking in the condition of the boy.

His face had the familiar pattern of bruises and scars, including a long scar running from his cheekbone to his temple. Most likely left from the gash that had been there all those years ago.

Although now his physical state didn't seem to be the major problem. His emotional state was crumbling before him.

His entire body was shaking, and tear lines were clearly existent on his face. His eyes were lined with tears, but Tony was clearly trying to hold them back, so he wouldn't look weak in front of the hardcore ex-marine.

Gibbs finally found his voice.

"What happened to you?"
Tony's eyes went wild. It seemed that memories went rushing through his head all at once. Finally a response came.

"I-I g-got out."

"Got out of where, Tony?" Gibbs asked patiently.

"T-The basement."

Gibbs was somewhat confused by the answer.

Tony seemed to sense his confusion and continued.

"I-I was locked in there. Got beat up. A lot. By m-my…"

Even thought Gibbs had expected the next word to come, he still tensed when it came out.

"…my father."

That bastard! Gibbs thought to himself. How could he do this to his own son?

Gibbs knew he needed to know more, but he didn't want to push Tony into a panic attack. He was already pretty nervous. So he tried his best to mask the anger and spoke in a casual voice.

"Why don't you come down to autopsy so we can have Ducky check you over."

"Ducky?" Tony questioned, almost amused.

"Yes. Dr. Mallard is our ME. I'm sure he'll want to take a look a look at those injuries."

Gibbs settled his eyes on the bruises covering Tony's face.

Suddenly Tony looked very uncomfortable.

Gibbs caught the look and quickly changed the subject. Although he knew he would have to ask Tony about the injuries soon, whether he wanted to or not.

Gibbs put a firm hand on Tony's shoulder and led him to the elevator, where they silently made their way down to autopsy.

Ducky turned to greet them when he saw Jethro enter.

"Ah hello Jethro. I have only just started my autopsy, but I have so far concluded that our unfortunate petty officer's cause of death was severe trauma to the skull."

Ducky was referring to their current case.

It was then that the elderly ME noticed the other presence in the room.

"And who is this?"

Tony just stood silently. So Gibbs spoke up for him.

"Tony DiNozzo. I need you to check him out." He lowered his voice to a whisper. "He seems to have been beaten heavily, maybe even tortured. He needs help, Duck."

Gibbs received a curt nod from the older man and watched as Tony turned around, obviously noticing the sudden quiet that overtook the room.

Ducky turned to Tony.

"If you don't mind, I'll need you to remove your shirt so I can further document your injuries."

Upon his request, Tony pulled off first his leather jacket, followed by his t shirt.

Ducky and Gibbs shared the same look of disguist as Tony revealed a large purple bruise over his ribcage, as well as several belt whip marks along his back, and what looked like knife cuts on his upper arms.

After a long moment of silence, Gibbs was the first to speak.

"Who did this to you?"

Tony looked down before speaking in a small voice.

"M-My father, at first. But when you guys busted him at that hotel, I-I was left there, in the basment for days before one of his girlfriends found me while snooping through the house. She called her other boyfriend who came and beat me until I was unconscious. Then they dragged me to the corner and tied me up. They gave me food and water every few days. Her boyfriend took out a lot of anger on me. But soon it grew boring for him so h-he…"

Tony tried to choke back sobs as all the memories came flooding back,

But Gibbs needed to know what had happened. So he continued to question him.

"He did what Tony?"

"H-He buried me."

Gibbs just stared at the boy.

How could someone bury a live boy? And why? Was it some sick hobby?

Gibbs gave Tony a look, telling him to continue.

Tony shuddered first, but did as he was told.

"H-He thought it was funny to watch me struggle. But his girlfriend told him it was a little extreme. H-He got mad. So he threw her in the ground with me. But after burying us halfway he passed out form all the alcohol. I was able to dig my way back out, but she had swallowed too much dirt and was choking. I tried to help but I couldn't. S-She died. S-So I ran. I didn't know where I was going, I just ran. I remembered you finding me in the same corner a couple years ago, and you were the only person I could think of to go to. So I looked you up. And I came here."

He let out a heavy sigh after completing the story. Tears were threatening to fall, but Tony still refused to allow it.

Gibbs didn't know how to respond. He wasn't sure whether to pull the boy into a hug or send him to Amy. The forensic scientist had a daughter about Tony's age who, despite the dark clothes and makeup, could brighten anyone's mood. But the look on Tony's face told him that he just wanted to be left alone for awhile. Or at least get off the sensitive topic.

Gibbs knew Ducky had to finish looking over Tony's wounds, so he headed toward the elevator with a simple,

"Going to get coffee."

About an hour later, Tony was finished with the last of his X-rays and was pulling his shirt back on when Gibbs walked in, coffee in hand. Ducky walked over to the ex-marine and spoke in a low voice, hoping Tony wouldn't hear.

"Jethro, this boy had several broken ribs, as well as multiple fractures that could date back to as far as 9 years ago."

Tony had obviously overheard, despite the ME's attempts, because when Ducky stated about the rib fractures, Tony let out a small whimper. Gibbs could understand why.

9 years ago meant that he received the blows at the age of 6. No child that young should have to go through that.

Gibbs knew Tony was exhausted. He needed rest, and after this day, so did Gibbs.

"Come on Tony. You're staying with me tonight." Tony jumped slightly at the agent's voice, but nodded in reply.

___________

During the short walk from NCIS to Gibbs's car, he noticed that Tony kept looking over his shoulder. It pissed Gibbs off to think that this kid had lived his life in fear because of a few cruel people. Tony relaxed a bit on the ride home. He was practically asleep by the time they arrived Gibbs' driveway.

When they got inside Gibbs showed Tony the guest room and bathroom before heading into the basement.

___________

Upstairs…

Tony had gotten a little nervous being alone in a strange house, and decided to follow Gibbs into the basement. The overwhelming yet slightly comforting smell of sawdust filled his nostrils. He soon saw the reason why.

A large half-finished boat was taking up the majority of the space in the large basement. Gibbs was methodically sanding one of the beams. He didn't even turn around when he said,

"Hey Tony."

Tony jumped slightly as the older man's ability to sense someone was there without even turning around. But he soon found his voice and asked the only question that came to his mind.

"How are you gonna' get that thing outta' here?"

Gibbs just shrugged and said,

"We'll figure that out when… if it gets that far."

He put a slight emphasis on the word 'if' .

Tony only chuckled to himself.

Wow. He hadn't heard himself laugh in a long time. It felt kind of good. But he still wasn't sure of what Gibbs would tolerate. He knew his father never allowed laughter. Who knew if Gibbs was the same. He had to be careful and find out what Gibbs would allow. He knew all too well that if you broke the rules, you suffer the consequences. No matter how painful it may be.