Tony and Ziva returned after a long 3 days in the field. Some Lieutenant had gotten himself killed in the middle of the boon docks in a hunting accident and it had taken forever to get the evidence they needed to prove it really was an accident. The only entertainment was the humming of the dueling banjos with McGee that drove Ziva mad.
And now on his way home, he wanted to be happy and relaxed, yet he was returning to an 11 year old that had done nothing but cause trouble all week. What was he suppose to do? When he had talked about it with Ziva she seemed to think nothing was the right thing to do. As far as she was concerned Gibbs had dealt with things throughout the week and what's done is done. How could she be so laid back?
He didn't want to be the absentee parent his father was, he wanted to be involved yet work took him away a lot. He was torn. And then when CJ pulled stunts like this it made him wonder if it was because she as trying to get their attention however she could.
Tony dropped Ziva off at home with their luggage and drove onto Gibbs' house to get his daughter and maybe a bit of advice.
The front door was unlocked as usual and he headed straight to the spare bedroom to check on his little trouble maker. She was curled up on her side sleeping soundly. He stood for a long time with his shoulder leaning against the door frame. How could this sweet innocent little girl cause him to feel so 'lost' and out of control? At work he leads a team of agents in sometimes dangerous circumstances, deals with the director and other officials and yet an 11 year old child seemed more complex and difficult to manage. He closed the door and headed to the basement where he knew Gibbs would be working on whatever his latest project was.
Gibbs acknowledged his arrival with a simple and quiet nod of the head; his hands didn't even hesitate in his sanding of the wood. Tony descended the stairs and sat on the second last step, his elbows resting on his knees. He stayed quiet wringing his hands, sighing occasionally.
"Just say it Tony"
"Boss, I .." Tony still looked to his old Boss for advice and support, Gibbs truly was a substitute father.
"You what, DiNozzo?"
"It's CJ… I guess I'm trying to figure out what to do"
"What to do?"
"You do remember what happened over the last few days do you not? You're the one that called me to explain that my daughter has been fighting, lying, forging letters and pulling pranks"
"DiNozzo, I've already dealt with everything, your daughter still can't sit down without flinching, what were you thinking you should do?" Gibbs replied in his 'you're being an idiot Tony' annoyed tone.
"Ziva said that same thing"
"She always was very smart" Gibbs smiled.
Hesitating and sighing again, Tony continued.
"I guess it's more than just this past week. It's more like why? Why did she do it? What was she thinking? Why did I think I could be a good father? How did Ziva and I end up with a daughter?"
"For that last question, I think you have enough understanding of the birds and the bees that I don't have to get into those details do I?"
Laughing and nodding in his frat boy demeanor he looked to his mentor and reading the look stopped quickly.
"Why did she do it? Tony what do you do for a living? You deal with people all day everyday… can you really not figure out why she would do it?" pausing long enough for Tony to think about what he just said.
"The thing is… the only explanation I can think of is that she is misbehaving to get more attention from Ziva and /or I but that doesn't seem right. She doesn't seem like a needy kid, never has been, even as a baby"
"Why did you do it to McGee?" a frustrated Gibbs asked.
"It was fun" giving Gibbs a you should know that look.
Gibbs stepped towards DiNozzo and slapped him on the back of the head, only lighter than he would have usually.
"So … CJ superglued the kids hands to the keyboard because it was FUN DiNozzo." Gibbs explained in his know it all raised voice. "It is not some deep seeded need to have you with her for more time… that would probably hinder her new 'trouble making' life style. And what kid wants to come home and explain that they've been up to no good at school, she was just trying to get away with it, a normal kid thing to do"
Tony laughed, Gibbs was probably right, he always was.
Tony stood to leave, Gibbs who had returned to his wood working project called after him "Tony you are a good father, that doesn't mean your kid isn't going to screw up."
Tony carried is half sleeping daughter out to the car smiling as he realized, his daughter was exactly like him.