So I'm back again! this is the Sequel to ''Flesh and Blood''! some of you had read that story... if not it probably better to do so, otherwise it's going to be a little confusing to understand ;)
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To clear up that confusion a little, In previous Story, Gibbs comes to know that while his hiatus in Mexico, Tony had a hard time at NCIS. Tony in return sought some peace and quiet in a place no one knew. The graves of Shannon and Kelly Gibbs.
When one day Gibbs visits the graves for Kelly birthday, he finds Tony there and demands a explanation. So Tony finally confesses his relationship to the girls.
Also Tony has had it with the way he's treaded by his teammates and friends and spils the beens of his days as teamleader.
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Anyway I chose the Title of this story from one of my reviewers their name is Lunaz! Thank you for giving me that great idea :)
Maybe the charaters are a little OOC.. but hey nobody complained about that in the first story in this Universe ;) (which i have named the FAB-universe)
I won't you up much longer, Just wanted to thank you for clicking on this story and i hope you like the first chapter so much you will follow and review :)
(Warning! No BETA, dyslectic and not English but Dutch from origin, all typo's and grammar mistakes are ming
Enjoy your reading!
It was Wednesday just before afternoon, when Tony and Gibbs were driving back to the HQ from a crime scene. They had caught a case just a couple of hours ago. Ziva and McGee were in the truck behind them. Where or how far they didn't know exactly. McGee was driving. Saying he wanted to ''live'' a couple of more years, which caused Ziva to slap him on the arm hard. Tony had grimaced at the force, knowing it would give McGee one sore blue arm for a couple of days.
It has been two weeks and two days since the last outburst. The days went by in a sort of blur for Tony. He could feel the underlying tension coming from Ziva, McGee and Abby and he was silently thinking of giving them a break, but wouldn't that crush the whole point of what he was trying to come over?
Then there were the sleepless days since Sunday morning. He had noticed the worried eyes of Gibbs and it wouldn't be long before Gibbs would bring it up. Especially now that they were alone in a car, for the first time in two weeks.
He was tired, everyone had noticed that and Ducky had mentioned it when he got a look at him over the body. Tony had dismissed it, but he knew that Ducky knew he was lying to him. And he knew that Gibbs had heard their conversation.
3 sleepless nights already and he had 5 more to go. He hated this. Why in the worlds was it that his father call now? After all these years of no contact? Saying he wanted to discuss something important. ''Which wasn't that important if it could wait more then a week'' His mind told him. He could think of a couple of things though, and every one of them, he hated.
''Your gonna tell me, what's bothering you?'' Yup, there it was. Gibbs who pulled him back to the present with the awaiting question.
''Didn't sleep well this week'' Tony mumbled, not moving.
Gibbs had the overwhelming desire to roll his eyes and slap the back of Tony head, but down inside him he knew this was not the Boss/employee talk. ''I've noticed that. Care to share why?'' He asked, glancing at his friend for a moment.
Tony closed his eyes and sighed in defeat, for a moment, but obeyed. ''My father called me Sunday''
Gibbs turned his head to look at him surprised, but then looked back to the road. He was silent and said nothing for a moment. Tony didn't know if Gibbs was waiting for more, but he waited too. After a few minutes of silence Gibbs picked up his phone instead of asking further.
''Yeah Ziva... No nothings wrong... We're about 3 miles from HQ... Yeah tell McGee to drive faster! Tony and I are going to stop for something to eat'' Tony lifted his head and looked at Gibbs quizzically. ''No you two are going back to the HQ and can pick something up when Tony and I are back...'' Gibbs listened some more and then without saying, as usual hung up.
''You trust them to do their work while we're not there?'' Tony asked.
''They know that unlike you, Iwill fire them for not doing what they are supposed to do'' Gibbs told him.
''Yeah I know'' Tony said softly, returning to his place against the window again.
He didn't bother to continue that argument again. He knew that the disrespecting behavior of the other towards him, had angered Gibbs, he was probably more angry with them then Tony was, but he was grateful that Gibbs had his six in this.
They drove further in silence and after ten minutes Gibbs parked the car the familiar diner, Gibbs usually eats. Tony on the other hand, knew about Gibbs addict to this diner, but hadn't been here himself. They got out and walked to it. Tony looked around. ''Who builds a diner under a bridge?'' He asked himself.
As soon as Gibbs opened the door he was greeted by the dark skinned woman. ''Hey Gibbs'' She smiled at him.
''Hey Elaine'' He smiled back and sat down on the bar stool. Tony stayed standing behind him.
''Coffee?'' She asked. She knew him well.
Gibbs came here often enough. They would talk, laugh, sometimes just innocent flirt, both knowing it was just for joke. He liked having a easy friendly relationship like that. He didn't have many friendships.
''Yeah, make two of them. One for me and one for my colleague over here'' He nodded at Tony who was standing beside him.
''Tony DiNozzo'' He reached out his hand and giving her his dazzling DiNozzo smile.
''Elaine Underwood, nice to meet you'' She said, not effected by it at all ''You take the your coffee the same as Gibbs?'' She asked, raising one eyebrow.
''Are you kidding me?'' He laughed, then abruptly stopped as he saw the glare Gibbs gave him. ''No... Hazelnut and lots of lots of sugar''
''Coming right up? Something to eat? Eggs easy?'' She asked Gibbs. Again he nodded and she looked at Tony.
''I have what he's having'' He answered the unspoken question.
''Great choice!'' She said and turned away from them.
''Come on'' Gibbs came from the stool and walked over to one of the tables in the back of the diner. Tony followed suit. They sat down across from each other, ut it stayed silent again for a while.
Tony absently took a paper table napkin and started to rip it in pieces. He knew Gibbs was watching... observing him.
Eventually, Gibbs grabbed hold of his hands and Tony kept staring at their hands as he finally spoke. ''He said he had important stuff to discuss. I told him not to come and hung up''
''He didn't say what it was about?'' Gibbs asked, taking his hands from Tony's
''No, just that it was important''
''Maybe he's telling the truth''
''The only important thing to him is his business'' Tony grumbled. ''What would be so important about that to discuss with me?''
Gibbs didn't know what to say about this. ''What if it's not about business?''
Tony stayed silent.
''How long has it been since the last time you saw or spoke to him'' Gibbs asked and glanced up seeing Elaine coming to them with a tray with two plate and two coffee's.
''I last saw him a year after a came to Baltimore and last spoke to him a week after I came to work for you. He thought I had changed careers and wanted to know what I did now. He wasn't pleased to know that I just changed from Cop to Navy cop'' He smirked at the underlying joke, finally looking up at Gibbs.
''Here you go'' Elaine said as she placed everything on the table. ''I have a extra pack of sugar on the side for you, dear'' She said to Tony.
''Thank you'' He said politely
''Eggs are the usual Gibbs, hope you like it'' She said to the older man.
''You always know what I like'' He said to her, with a rare smile, Tony hadn't seen much.
''Yeah, still waiting for the proposal'' She said walked away.
Gibbs shook his head chuckling.
''Trying something else then redheads, Boss?'' Tony raised one eyebrow.
''Eat your food'' Gibbs said in a ordering, in a way that reminded Tony to a great memory. He chuckled as he took a bite.
Gibbs frowned at the sudden change in Tony. ''What's so funny?'' He said still chewing.
Tony swallowed. ''Nothing, just remembering something''
''By your demeanor I guess it wasn't about your father'' Gibbs said taking another bite.
Tony put his fork and knife down and took a sip of his coffee instead. Swallowing he said hesitantly, ''No, it was about Shannon actually'' He looked up to see Gibbs reaction.
Gibbs looked at him for moment and then decided he wanted to know more. ''What about her?''
Tony smiled again and starting telling the memory.
..Flashback..
Year, 1990
Tony woke up as he thought that he heard something. He wasn't sure. He opened his eyes and at the unfamiliar wall. A moment of confusion went, Then as pang he remembered everything again. The argument with his coach, getting something to drink and eat with his teammates, going back to the hotel to study and getting beat up by his own teammates.
''Tony, you awake?'' The familiar voice said.
Tony realized that he was still on his side facing the wall and he turned, winching at the pain that jolted thought his head and ribs. He grimaced and then looked up at the woman... Shannon! Now he remembered her too. Remembered her stubbornness of bringing him here.
''Good morning'' She smiled.
Tony looked at her. ''Morning'' He croaked and cleared his throat. ''What time is it?''
''After eleven in the morning'' She answered.
''I slept from 6 pm to 11 am the following day?'' Tony asked surprised.
''I woke you up a couple of times'' She frowned. ''You don't remember?''
Tony thought for a moment and remembered that she did. It was routine for the concussion he had suffered. As for that, his head was still pounding, but not as much as back in the hospital. ''I remember''
''Good'' She said.
Placing the pillow against the wall, Shannon helped Tony sitting up against it.
''I got you something to eat''
Tony looked at the tray she picked up from the desk and watched her when she sat down on the bed. ''Did she made all that herself?''He thought to himself. ''I'm really not that hungry''
''It wasn't a suggestion'' Shannon said sternly, glaring at him. ''You haven't eat or drank anything since four in the afternoon yesterday'. Eat'' She said and placed the tray on his lap.
''I'm going to ask you again. Why are you doing this?'' He asked Shannon.
She sighed. ''I told you, I want to help people when I see they need someone. You need someone''
''If you want to help people, why don't you work for a school or something?'' He asked.
''I do volunteer work at the hospital, but right now they don't need someone''
''So I'm volunteer work?'' Tony frowned.
''Oh honey. I just want to help. Why do you make it so difficult to let people help you?'' Shannon asked instead.
''Cause I'm not worth it!'' His mind screamed, but he remained silent.
''You want to be in law enforcement right?'' Shannon tried another approach.
''Yeah...?''
''Why?''
''Because I want to... to help people'' Tony answered.
''Would you help people if you saw they needed it?''
''I do. I did'' he stated. ''Didn't end up the way i wanted intirely, but i did'' He added in his mind.
''Well then, for me it's no different, right now. Your worth my time'' She patted his leg. ''Now I eat your food, Young man!''
''Yes Ma'am!'' he grinned, but still he felt like he wasn't worth a strangers help that much.
''Don't call me that! I'm way too young for that. I already told you that, don't make me repeat it again'' She said sternly, but the smirk shower her amusement.
She waited until he took a bite and when she was satisfied that he would eat, she left him to it in his room.
..End Flashback..
''When she came back in, I had finished all the pancakes and juice she had given me'' Tony chuckled. ''Damn I was so stuffed, I thought I was going to explode! But the 'Good boy' she gave me was worth it''
''She gave you a 'good boy'?'' Gibbs asked surprised.
''With the pat on the head and all'' Tony nodded grinning.
''God, I wish I had seen that'' Gibbs chuckled and shook his head.
''Yeah me too...'' He trailed off. And they both finished their meals.
''Do you...'' Tony stopped for a moment, unsure to ask, but then again he wanted to know. ''Do you think it would be different if you had been there?'' He asked. ''Would you have allowed me to stay there?''
''I'm not fond of strangers, but trust me even I would not be stupid enough to go in a discussion with my wife when she made up her mind about something'' Gibbs said as he finished his meal, but Tony noticed his mood at changed and then he realized that if Gibbs had been there, he probably would have been there when the car would have crashed.
''Shit!'' He cursed himself. ''Sorry'' He said softly.
''It's fine Tony'' Gibbs said honestly. He knew that Tony didn't mean to bring that part up. ''Besides, I don't only think about how it would've changed my or their lives''
''You don't?'' Tony asked.
''I thought about it several times, about if I would have been there, maybe it's a little different now that I know you knew them, but still I think about if I would have been their? Would I have protected them? I blamed myself a long time for their deaths''
''I wasn't your fault...'' Tony said quietly.
''It took me a long time, but I know that now'' Gibbs reassured him. ''I now think about, I would have been in that car too, I would most likely be dead too. I would have never met Ducky or Abby, Kate, McGee, Ziva'' He explained. ''And now after knowing your history. I would have known you, but you would have lost this whole family. You would have never joined NCIS. You probably still be hopping from job to job every two years''
''Yeah I would. But still I would have been ending up at NCIS I think'' Tony said.
''You would?'' Gibbs raised his eyebrows surprised.
''Eventually I would have gone looking for the Gibbs family and would have found out that you were all dead and then I would be the one chasing Hernandez''
''You would?'' Gibbs repeated shocked.
''Yeah!'' Tony said as if it was that obvious. ''I would have killed the SOB myself for killing the people who made me smile after years of suffering'' he told Gibbs. He had to remind himself, that his high school times had some better days, it wasn't all bad. Still not good either.
''And you talk about not being worthy'' Gibbs shook his head.
At that moment a cellphone rang. Gibbs knew it wasn't his and Tony grabbed his out of his pocket. He looked at the caller I.D. and his face twisted. He pressed the ignore icon and put it back into this pocket. Tony looked up to Gibbs.
''How many times does he call you?'' Gibbs asked, knowing it was Senior.
''Three maybe four times a day on the cell, During coffee in the morning, lunch, dinner and sometimes around midnight'' Tony said. ''He hasn't found my desk phonenumber yet''
''He really wants to talk to you''
''Yeah''
''Why do you ignore him?''
''Because he did the same to me my whole life, until I did something he didn't approve of'' Tony said harsher then he had intended to.
''So this is giving him a taste of his own medicine?'' Gibbs asked not at all surprised by the tone Tony spoke.
''Yes... no... I don't know'' Tony said.
''Or are you afraid of what he has to say?'' Gibbs asked.
Tony remained silent. ''Dammit, I hate it when he does that!'' He thought.
The silence told Gibbs enough. He nodded. He wanted to say something, but for the second time in a month, Tony just snapped.
''It has been six years. What does he want to discuss? The only thing that comes into my mind is, saying he's getting or has married again, he's broke again and needs money or he again proposes that I come work for him. It's always one of the three. I am sick of it!''
''You have to face him at some point''
''No I don't!'' Tony said angrily. ''I like my life the way it is and he doesn't belong in it! He's maybe was a sperm donor to my mother, but he isn't my father! He didn't wanted to be it when I needed one so he doesn't get to have a son when it suits him!''
Okay that was maybe a little more then he had intended to blurt out. Then again, he was really good at bursting out and saying things he didn't want or was bothering him lately, so this was just another point.
Gibbs saw Tony as a eight year old boy for a moment. He didn't know the details but hearing this, plus the rest of the short stories, Tony had slipped now and then told him enough, that Senior was not a father to a son and he hated that. He didn't understand how a parent could be like that to their child.
No love, ignored him, maybe beat him? He wasn't sure about that last fact, but it wouldn't surprise him. But those people, who neglect or abuse their/ a child, were the people Gibbs hated the most out of all the criminals.
It made him realize that life was so unfair. Taking a child away from a loving parent, he thought he was trying to be and keeping a child tortured by a parent who doesn't want him or her at all. Not that he wanted that kid to be gone, more likely those parents... the kid is innocent.
Gibbs looked at him and Tony stared back. ''Shit!'' Tony thought as he saw the moment of shock on Gibbs face, before Gibbs recovered and reached out his hand.
''Give me your phone'' He demanded.
''What?'' Tony frowned confused.
''You heard me, I didn't stutter''
''Yeah, but why do you want my phone?'' Tony asked.
''So I know when he calls and I can answer it'' Gibbs explained.
''You want to talk to my dad?'' Tony's eyes widened, grabbing the phone out of his pocket again, but holding it.
''Yes I do, but only if he calls again''
''What are you going to say to him?'' Tony wanted to know.
''I don't know yet. I think it will be a 'in the moment' thing'' Gibbs gestured with his hand again and hesitantly Tony put his phone in the older mans hand.
''Tony... you know you didn't deserve it right?'' Gibbs asked as he put away the phone in his jeans pocket.
''Didn't deserve what?'' Tony asked.
''Him ignoring you, him saying the things he said that made you believe you're not worthy of help or love. You know it were all lies he told you right?''
''I... know''
''But you don't believe it?'' Gibbs narrowed his eyes.
''I do...'' He said, but the glare Gibbs gave him made him change his statement. ''Sometimes.. like the moment with Shannon or now... but times like Wendy or when you were in Mexico... or the memories... it makes me confused'' Tony admitted.
Gibbs nodded in understanding and took a deep breath. He leaned forward. ''As long as you believe me when I say, that you are worth it. Your the best damn agent I worked with, to have on my six'' He said, Tony wanted to say something, but he held up his hand. ''And from what's it's worth.. I know that Kelly would have loved to have you as a brother, you gave her a vacation she wanted to remember, she wrote about it in her diary''
''She did?'' Tony asked shocked.
''Yeah and if you were her brother, I would be a proud father of a great son and I don't understand, how somebody could do that to you or any other child. But lets face it, your family''
Gibbs saw a flash of raw emotion going thought Tony's eyes, but he recovered. ''Thank you''
''This is getting a hallmark moment again'' Gibbs shook his head.
''Got a lot of those lately, don't we?'' Tony smirked.
''Guess that's what suppose to happen sometimes, between... father and son?'' Gibbs said.
Tony stared at him in awe, before replying ''Yeah.. I guess so''
Elaine had taken their plates and just because they could and to taunt Ziva and McGee a little, they bought another coffee and drank them, slowly, then said goodbye to her, before heading back and finding out what the other two had found out.
That was the first chapter ladies and Gentlemen! i hope you liked it. let me know in a review, but remember, Positive thoughts! as you know reviews motivate me a great deal so keep that in mind!
Update soon in a couple of days :)
-x- Leonie ;)