NOT SO VEILED THREATS

jSUMMARY: In "You'll Always Be Mine" Tony tells Abby and Ducky about Gibbs threats to his friend. So why did Gibbs threaten the man? And what was Tony and his friend's reaction.

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Tony lay in bed debating whether to get up now or try to go back to bed for a few more minutes.

"Phone," Gibbs popped his head into the room.

"That decides that," Tony sighed softly lifting his head up to get a look at the older man.

Gibbs couldn't help but chuckle, "Still don't want to wake up huh?"

Tony stretched while snuggling down under his covers, "Don't suppose you'd take a message?"

Gibbs said nothing as he sat down at his son's side and put a hand over his blanket covering his stomach.

It was all Tony needed to wiggle to a sitting position, "I'm up! I'm up! I'm up!"

Gibbs chuckled softly, "Thought you were."

Tony rolled his eyes as he took the phone, "Hello?"

"It wouldn't have been easier to just take the phone in the first place?" The voice greeted him.

"Isn't it kinda early to call and bother me?" Came the reply.

"Fine," The man responded casually, "If you don't want to know that I'm going to be in town in about two hours…"

"WHAT!?" Tony shot straight up, "What are you doing in town?"

The answer was muffled by Gibbs rushing back into the room, "Tony?"

"Sorry dad," Tony gave the older man a sheepish grin, "Didn't realize I was so loud."

Gibbs took a deep breath and gave him a frown, "When you're done come on down."

Tony nodded and blushed as Gibbs left the room, leaving the door slightly open.

Laughter brought him back to the conversation, "Shut up Johnny."

"Ohhh, is daddy being protective of his baby boy?" John continued to laugh.

"When are you going to be here?" Tony ignored his friend's laughter.

"I have to make a stop to Steve for lunch," John explained. "I should be there around four…five at the latest."

"We eat at six-thirty so don't be later then that," Tony warned.

"I'll see you then kid," John hung up before Tony could retaliate.

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Tony got up from his bed and made his way downstairs. Though Gibbs would never admit it, he had come to love the sound of his son's bare feet pattering on the floor as he sped through the hallway and down the stairs to the kitchen. It brought him back, not for the first time, to the time when his daughter had done the same.

"Dad," Tony called as he made his way to the kitchen, "Guess what?"

"You're smiling so I'm gonna guess its good news," Gibbs smiled as Tony rubbed his eyes with his fists.

"Mm-hm," Tony agreed as he blinked the last of the sleep from his eyes, "John's coming through. He should be here between four and five."

"Sounds nice; BBQ for lunch," Gibbs asked as he turned to finish getting breakfast ready. He did his best to hide his growing discomfort.

It wasn't that he minded his son having friends over. On the contrary, he wanted his son to be comfortable bringing over who ever he wanted to over.

It was the fact that he didn't know how to handle the situation. Kelly had been a mere child when she had been alive. When ever she had friends over the parents often came with them. Shannon had called them play dates.

It had been simple dealing with the kids. A game of hide and seek or tag, a quick lunch, and some ice cream, maybe a movie in the VHS and they were happy for a few hours.

Tony and his friends were adults. They didn't need to be watched or entertained. In fact, if what he heard was true, they wouldn't want him around. So what was he supposed to do?

"Actually…" Tony broke through his dad's thoughts with his hesitation.

"Just say it son," Gibbs waited to be told that he, Tony, was going home for the night or something to that effect.

"Could we have the BBQ for supper?" Tony worried his lower lip. "If I know John, he would really like a home cooked meal."

"I can grill some steaks for you guys," Gibbs agreed.

"You're gonna stay aren't you?" Tony asked, looking worried, "I mean, if you don't want John here, we can…"

"No," Gibbs refuted, surprised at what he was hearing, "I just…we need to go shopping."

Tony gave him a funny look but didn't say anything. He understood enough to know that Gibbs was learning to adjust to life with another just like he was.

"Can we have steak?" The question was thrown over the younger man's shoulder as he made his way to the dining room, breakfast in hand.

"Yes," The answer was called to the retreating back.

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"I hear a car," Tony ran to the front of the house in time to see a car pass by, not slowing down in the slightest.

Seeing the dispirited look on his child's face Gibbs gave him a small smile, "It's only now four Tony. Give him some more time son."

"I know," Tony gave him a sheepish smile, his second that day, "I'm just excited. It's been almost a year since I've see him and he's never come here before."

"Why don't you go make a salad?" The suggested was said in a way that let the younger man know it was really a suggestion.

"Do I have to eat it?" A pout was firmly in place.

"Anthony, are you still trying to get out of eating your greens?" A voice broke in.

"Hi Du…" Tony grinned at the man standing behind the resident ME, "John!"

Ducky jumped out of the way as Tony ran into his friend's embrace. He grinned broadly as he made his way to his own friend.

"I don't think I've seen Anthony smile so much in a long time, my friend," The ME greeted the new dad.

"Thanks for coming down Duck," Gibbs shook his friend's hand, feeling slightly better that he wasn't facing his son's friend alone.

"I'm afraid I can only stay for dinner, Jethro," The older man apologized, "Mother is having a bad day and I hate to leave the poor nurse alone for long."

Gibbs nodded his understanding, silently deciding to go work on his boat after his friend left.

Before anything else could be said Tony walked over, "Hey dad, I'd like you to meet John; John, dad."

"Nice to meet you sir," John grinned.

Though Gibbs would normally growl as being called sir, he could tell that the younger man wasn't trying to be smart. He'd been raised with certain manners and he was using them as he'd been taught.

Tony though had no such qualms, "I'd be careful about siring him John boy; he hates it."

John gave a slight wince, "My apologies Agent Gibbs. If you would excuse me, I need to wrestle your son to the ground for the JB comment."

"By all means," Gibbs agreed seriously.

Tony gave an outraged look before turning and fleeing down the yard. John gave chase and moments later Tony was on the ground calling uncle.

When the two got back to the grill they found Ducky and Gibbs laughing.

"Thanks dad," Tony pouted.

Gibbs said nothing as he brushed grass out of his son's hair causing John to double over with laughter.

"I brought a salad over Jethro," Ducky talked over the two younger boys.

"Thanks Duck," Gibbs smiled, "Tony, go grab some plates so we can eat; unless you'd rather eat inside?"

"Out here works," Tony turned and with John following made his way into the house to get plates and silverware.

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"Dinner was great Agent Gibbs," John beamed a smile in thanks.

Gibbs looked up from the book he was pretending to have interest in. In truth he hadn't really read more then a couple words. He was too busy keeping an ear out for any trouble. Ducky had left the hour before and Tony had taken John up to his room to, in Tony's words, 'show off' his room.

Gibbs nodded his headed in reply, as his eyes followed his son, who had run back up the stairs and then came back down jacket in hand; his feet bare once again.

"Most places require shoes son," Gibbs teased.

Tony looked down at his feet and smiled, "My shoes are on the porch."

Seeing his dad's raised eyebrow he elaborated, "John pushed me into a puddle and they got muddy."

"I didn't push you," John protested, "You weren't watching where you were going."

"I was pushed," Tony looked broken hearted, "With a friend like him who needs an enemy."

"Melodramatic," John rolled his eyes.

Tony just grinned brightly, "We're gonna head to Mullin's."

"If you're shoes aren't dry," Gibbs informed his son, "put on your other pair. No need to risk getting sick."

"They're just muddy," His son informed him, not at all bothered with the mother hen routine.

"You can take my jacket," The eldest man responded back, "It's getting cooler out there."

"Cool," Tony wasn't about to pass up the offer, "I like that jacket."

Standing at the edge of the room, John was quietly laughing to himself. It was nice, if not a little strange, to see Tony being fussed over. He knew that his friend hadn't had a father figure in his life for a long while.

He was happy for the younger man to finally have what he wanted…a father. Besides, there was more material for him now to tease with.

Laughter brought him back to the present.

"Da-ad," Tony protested the attack on his person.

"You done," His dad asked, his hands ceasing his attack on his boy's stomach.

Tony laughed, his head thrown back as his dad finally stopped tickling, "Ok, ok, ok."

Gibbs nodded his head, in mock seriousness, "Good, now go put on your other shoes. I'll wash the ones on the patio."

Tony wrinkled his nose as he did what he was told. John pretended to be looking at the pictures in the hall in an attempt not to get caught laughing.

It only took his friend a couple minutes to come back down, his feet properly shoed.

The two younger men walked out the front door. As Tony stepped onto the porch he heard his dad yell for him to take his coat. With an eye roll, he reached back into the house to pick the coat off the hook.

John finally burst into loud laughter.

"Shut up Johnny," Tony blushed slightly.

"Aw, is little Gibbs getting mad?" Johnny taunted good naturedly, "Come on Tony, daddy just wants to protect his little boy."

Before Tony could retaliate, Gibbs shadow loomed over them. Tony gave an inaudible groan. He could tell by the glint in his dad's eyes that the older man was up to something.

Sure enough, John soon found himself pressed against the house, Agent Gibbs standing over him.

"You're driving," The two words were a statement.

John felt the need to answer, "Yes, sir."

"Da-ad," Tony whined, trying to get his dad to lay off.

"See my son," Gibbs ignored his child's plea, "I want him back in the same condition…"

"I swear it," John interrupted, losing the battle to remain calm.

"Don't interrupt me again," Gibbs warned, pleased to see John nod his head frantically in understanding.

"Dad," Tony tried again, "He doesn't realize you're teasing him."

"If something happens to my boy," Gibbs, again, ignored his child's plea, "You best not come back around. In fact, if I were you, I'd find the highest building and jump."

"G-got it," John stuttered, his face pale.

Tony was blushing to the tips of his ears as he groaned into his hands. He knew his dad was just playing with his friend…at least he hoped.

"Have fun," Gibbs grinned as he released the boy in his grasp, "Tony, don't stay out too late."

"Nigh, dad," Tony shook his head, not believing his dad had pulled that stunt.

As the boys reached the car Gibbs called out, "Oh, and John; if something happens and you don't jump, when I catch you, and I will catch you, I will make you wish you had."

Tony had just gotten himself in the car when John pulled away. Tony was chuckling to himself seeing his friend looking worse for wear.

"First round is on me," Tony promised, his laugh finally coming out.

Gibbs walked into the house and down to the basement before he gave into the temptation to laugh. Oh, it had been a good night.

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Tony got home shortly after midnight. He'd wanted to stay out longer but John decided not to take any chances and got his friend home early.

"Want to come in?" Tony smiled as he asked.

"I think I should head home," John answered, his doors locked and his window was only open a crack.

Tony laughed, "You do realize he was just joking right?"

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," John disagreed. He smiled up at his friend, "You're dad really does care about you kid."

"Call me when you get home," Tony waved goodbye.

As Tony lay in bed, he couldn't stop the smile. John was right, Gibbs really would kill for him and that thought made him smile while he slept.

THE END