Tony gave a defeated sigh letting his hand drop to his side as his father just stared at him, any hint of recognition unapparent behind the angry glare. He tried his best not to be wounded – after all, it had been fifteen years since they had last seen each other. In that time span Tony had filled out, his long legs no longer disproportional to his once lanky frame. His hair had stopped growing in wisps and was darker in hue. He had grown another couple of inches and was taller than his paternal counterpart. Yes, it made sense, Tony reasoned, that his father did not recognize him.
Stanton clasped Tony's shoulder, coming up from behind him. Tony missed the pointed look that Stanton had sent Gibbs' way as he led the young detective away from the crime scene.
"NCIS is a bit arrogant," Tony mumbled, schooling his features back to neutrality.
In truth the effects of the alcohol was now wearing off and in its place was just the constant pounding headache that seemingly accompanied each morning as of late. The sun had started to peek just over the horizon, falling against the white snow that still covered the ground, making it seem later than it really was.
Shouldn't fathers know their child regardless of age? Shouldn't they recognize their child if they had raised them? Tony's head spun as he tried to reason out his own father's reaction. He swayed and Stanton caught him, his eyes clearly etched with worry.
"Tony, you're really starting to scare me. How much did you drink last night?" Stanton asked leaning in so no one else could hear.
"I don't know," Tony sighed. He brought his fingers to the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut as he leaned against a cruiser.
"Let me talk to NCIS and then I'll give you a ride home. You think you can just stay here for a couple of minutes?" Stanton asked glancing over his shoulder to find Gibbs watching them.
Gibbs watched the interaction between the two partners noting Stanton's tense stance. Tony's face was contorted in pain as he cradled his head in his hands, mumbling something incoherent to Stanton. Gibbs watched as Stanton took Tony giving him a gruff hug, Tony frozen throughout the interaction. He watched as Stanton slapped Tony in the back of the head, Tony's eyes snapping open before a hesitant smile broke on his face. The entire time the thought of another Tony fresh in the NCIS agent's mind. Tony – Tony Gibbs – would be about Tony DiNozzo's age if he had lived. Gibbs wondered if he'd look like this Tony – if his hair would be darker, if he finally grew into those obnoxiously long legs and big feet that seemingly appeared out of nowhere, if he'd be a little taller. There was something about this Tony that screamed Tony, his Tony. The pain of his loss always greater around Christmas time and not even wife number four could ease away the memories.
"Jethro, may I venture to question what Stephanie and yourself have planned for this holiday?" Ducky's question interrupted Gibbs' thoughts.
Gibbs reluctantly turned to face the medical examiner. Ducky's expression curious as he looked up expectantly at him. Stephanie, aka wife number 4. It had only been two months since their arrival back into the states from their year-long stay in Moscow and yet it seemed they were already on the rocks. When he had admitted earlier that morning/late last night that he didn't feel like celebrating Christmas with Stephanie's family it had started another fight. She had left right afterwards claiming she wanted a festive holiday and she was going to her parents' house without him. She didn't look back when he had popped open the bottle of bourbon while she ascended up the basement stairs; didn't say good-bye before she slammed the front door shut; and hadn't called when she hopefully arrived at her parents house an hour and a half later. Then again, it was usually this time of year when wife number two and three had called it quits.
"Stephanie's at her parents," Gibbs admitted.
"Oh my," Ducky said noting the expression on Gibbs' face. "Well then we should hurry up if you are to meet her there. It is after all a…"
"I'm not going, Duck," Gibbs stated ending the conversation.
Ducky's eyes widened at the abrupt end. He exchanged a look with Wilson, which Gibbs ignored. Gibbs sighed noting that it was already seven o'clock Christmas morning and that unlike him, Ducky and Wilson were both excited for the Christmas season, and they both had family to celebrate it with.
"Why don't we pack up. I'll talk to metro and we can get out of here," Gibbs said before walking towards the two detectives.
Stanton was currently talking on the phone in the cruiser while Tony was leaned against it, his head in his arms.
"Let me guess you want jurisdiction," Tony's voice surprised Gibbs.
Gibbs was unaware that Tony knew of his approaching presence. The boy had given off the impression that he was lost in his own little world. Still, unwilling to let that throw him off balance, Gibbs stopped besides Tony leaning against the cruiser, his back turned to the boy as he knocked impatiently on the window to grab Stanton's attention.
The smell of bourbon and sawdust wafted to Tony's nostrils – the smell of his father, and Tony had to stagger back as the scent overwhelmed him. Gibbs smelled like home. Gibbs turned in time to see the man stagger and instinctively he reached out to help him. He watched as Tony jumped back as if he had been burned, stumbling and falling as he moved away from Gibbs.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Gibbs demanded suddenly finding himself angry at the younger detective.
"Nothing," DiNozzo huffed out quickly getting to his feet.
"Metro cops…" Gibbs said rolling his eyes and knocking harder against the window.
"We want shared jurisdiction," DiNozzo stated quickly composing himself.
"Shared jurisdiction my ass. I'm not sharing no case with a cop who can barely hold himself up," Gibbs growled out.
"It's our case. The only reason you guys got wind of it is because we called you," DiNozzo pointed out his voice just as loud as Gibbs.
Gibbs stepped forward in attempts to scare the younger man to submission, only to find that DiNozzo took a step forward too. He got in the younger man's face, but it seemingly did nothing, only making him more defiant. He stared back at Gibbs, green eyes daring him to do something.
"It's my case," Gibbs growled out. "Metro has no jurisdiction. Those are navy. Last time I checked we were Naval Criminal Investigative Service. You are Baltimore Police Department."
"Last time I checked. Your crime scene is in Baltimore so therefore we have just as much jurisdiction," Tony stated crossing his arms in front of him.
From 50 feet away both Wilson and Ducky stared, their jaws hanging open as the young man just continued staring defiantly back at Jethro. Most men would be running by this time, but no, the hung over detective just stood, his arms crossed, almost like a child unwilling to give in.
"Is that normal?" Agent Wilson asked Ducky.
"Definitely not, my boy. This is the first time I've ever seen anyone stand up to Jethro," Ducky said shaking his head at the scene before him.
Stanton rushed out of the car jumping between the two men. Gibbs watched his eyes coming together in disbelief as Tony broke into a smile. Gibbs growled frustrated only to find Tony's smile grow wider, as if he knew something that Gibbs did not.
"Our chief talked to the director. We're sharing jurisdiction, but it's your lead," Stanton said turning to Gibbs. "I'm sorry about him. Ignore him."
Gibbs huffed and at that moment Tony busted out laughing.
"Are you still drunk or something?" Gibbs demanded wanting to know what was so funny about his own expressions.
"No, but you look like you're going to pop a blood vessel," Tony stated pointing to Gibbs' face. He stopped laughing when Gibbs started back towards him. "Ok ok! I'll play nice! Looks like we're working together after all, boss."
Gibbs growled before whirling around. "I'm not your boss!" Gibbs shouted out.
But you are my father. Tony stated in his mind.
A/N - Hey guys this is still chapter 1. I decided to make it a little longer because the set up in the first one led to a lot of questions. Thank you so much for the reviews. They really make my day. I have finals this week and next week so excuse the lack of updates. I'm going to try and update more consistently during break. I hope you guys like this chapter and I hope it answers a little more of the questions. This one might go a little slower than biological catalyst. Also look forward to a revision of that coming in the near future. Please continue reviewing because reviews definitely make writing worth while. I'm having a hard time keeping this story in my mind so it's definitely a lot harder to write. Reviews are definitely going to be the main source of inspiration for this part even though I know it shouldn't. Once again, thanks you guys!
Liz
P.S.
Response to SilverNY57 - Hey! Just wanted to say thanks for your review! I always love your reviews because they are ALWAYS helpful. Straight forward and honest and definitely always humbling. I tried emailing you but I don't think it worked. I have a couple of ideas for this story and where it's going and I'd love to bounce those ideas off you if you don't mind. Your feedback always helps!
