Part 3
(Thanks for all the lovely reviews)
Gibbs phone rang again as he was driving towards New York. "Boss he's stopped at Pinelawn Cemetery on Long Island." He then gave Gibbs directions.
"Thanks McGee," Gibbs said.
Gibbs drew up beside Tony's car. He walked into the cemetery and looked around. It was a huge place. There were a few people walking around. He went over to a man who was standing at the side. "I'm looking for this young man," Gibbs said holding up his phone with a picture of Tony on it.
"Saw him way over there by that wall," he said. He was standing in front of a gravestone in the shape of a small open book." Gibbs looked in the direction the man was pointing. He could make out a shape kneeling down.
"Thanks." He walked over.
Tony was kneeling. On the small gravestone was written Mairead DiNozzo, born 1962 – died 1889. Mother of Anthony DiNozzo.
"Your mother Tony?"
Tony turned round quickly. "What are you doing here?"
"Where else would I be?"
"I told you I don't need you."
"And I chose not to believe you."
"Then more fool you," Tony said getting up to move away. Gibbs grabbed his arm.
"Stop it. You can say what you like but it is not going to make me go away. What has all this got to do with your father?"
"Nothing," Tony answered sullenly. Tony saw Gibbs eyes narrow, he was swung around and Gibbs delivered four hard swats to his backside.
"Don't lie." Tony gasped and his hands went back to cover his backside. He looked around to make sure no one had seen what had happened. "Now answer the question." Tony pursed his lips and glared at Gibbs. "Your choice," Gibbs said. He pulled Tony towards him, bent him forward and wrapped his arm around Tony's waist.
"No!" Tony shouted as Gibbs' hand made contact with his backside. The swats continued until Tony said," I'll tell you." Gibbs let him up but kept a hand on one arm.
"He found out I was trying to find out information about my mother. He frightened the P.I. I hired." He saw Gibbs eyes narrow again. "Then he warned me off."
"How?"
"By saying he would hurt my friends," Tony said softly.
"Did he hurt you?" Gibbs looked straight into Tony's eyes.
"His goons took a belt to me. That's why I went off for three days, I didn't want anyone to see me."
"Why didn't you tell me? After all I've said to you. I've told you how I feel about you, son."
"I just..." Gibbs pulled him into his arms.
"If I'd known they'd hurt you I wouldn't have..," Gibbs tried to apologise.
"What's your rule about apologising Boss?" Tony managed to say. "Any way they didn't really hurt."
"Must be losing my touch then," Gibbs said glad that Tony was able to joke with him. He turned to look at Tony's mother's grave. "She was very young when she had you."
"Yes. I put the gravestone on. It was all I could afford. He made her life hell." Gibbs didn't need to ask who 'he' was. "I don't blame her for wanting to die, Gibbs. Her life was a living hell. But why did she leave me behind?"
Gibbs pulled him into another hug. "She should have got you away."
"No. He wouldn't have let her go."
"She should have protected you."
"You don't know what it was like, don't judge her."
"Then explain to me," Gibbs said.
"Leave me alone."
"Not going to happen son."
"I'm not your son," Tony said remembering what his father had said.
"What did he say?"
"I don't kn..."
"You know what happens when you lie to me," Gibbs reminded him.
Tony hesitated. His backside still stung and he didn't want a repeat of that. "He said I had to stop looking into my mother's life. The P.I. had hired a genealogist to look into my mother's family."
"It was a her. She disappeared. The P.I. also dropped the case."
"Why didn't you talk to me?"
"I didn't want to bother you. You've done so much, I didn't want to be a burden." Gibbs hand shot out and smacked him hard on the head. "Ow! What was that for?"
"You will never be a burden. Ever." He grabbed Tony's head and made him look at him. "I mean what I say, you seem to have forgotten that."
"People get tired of me," Tony said.
"Don't judge everyone by what your father is like. I am not him and I never will be."
"But he could hurt you."
"I can look after myself."
Tony turned to look at the grave again. "I loved her Gibbs but I don't think she ever loved me." Tony felt the tears drip down his face.
"Did he tell you that?" Tony nodded. "He's lying to hurt you. Come on, let's go."
"Where?"
"My dad's. I think we need some time to talk again and set a few things straight."
"I'm good." Gibbs gave him a look. "I am."
"We are going to have to have a serious talk about telling lies. If you're good I'd hate to see you when you feel lousy."
"Oh come on Boss."
"Let's go."
Tony turned to follow when he saw an old lady approaching. "Tony?" she said.
TBC