A/N: Sorry for the delay! I had some things to clear up due to some reviews and I didn't want to write until then. For anyone wanting to complain about how my fic is similar to Richefic's please see the review section as she left one. To all others I apologize once again for the delay…on with the show!!

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Gibbs didn't say anything for a long while as he stared at the M E. "What's causing it duck?"

"When the building collapsed Tony's brain did the only thing it could think of. It retreated into itself. In doing so the brain told him that he was twelve again. If we're going to help him Jethro we need to find out why." Ducky informed his friend.

Gibbs nodded and headed inside the room. Tony stared at him with wide, frightened eyes. Neither said anything for the longest time.

"How are you feeling DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked rather gruffly.

"I-I'm fine sir; I'm sorry to be so much trouble." Tony answered child like.

"Can I get you anything?" Gibbs wondered.

"No sir," Tony's eyes went wide.

"Can you tell me what you remember?" Gibbs asked while at the same time Tony asked, "How do you know my name?"

Gibbs smiled at that but didn't answer the question. He wanted to know what Tony remembered first. Tony had gone an ashen color when he realized he'd spoken when Gibbs had but seeing that the older man wasn't angry he calmed down a little.

"I remember celebrating my birthday with nanny and cook and the others from the staff. I-I unwrapped my father's present and then I was sent to my room. I-I ran a-away." Tony's eyes filled with fear. "Please don't call my father sir." He pleaded.

Gibbs struggled to reign in his temper. "First of all don't call me sir. My name's Gibbs so I suggest you use it."

Tony's eyes held more fear and for a moment Gibbs was afraid the younger man's eyes would pop out of his head. He took a deep breath to calm himself before speaking.

"It's ok Tony; I just prefer not to be called sir. Second of all, no, I won't be calling your father. If it's ok with you, when you get out of the hospital tomorrow I'd like for you to come home with me. If you'd rather not then I'll find other arrangements." Gibbs kept his voice calm and gentle.

"Who…how do you know me?" Tony wanted to know.

"The hospital called me after you were brought in. You don't remember me because you hit your head but we're friends." Gibbs reassured him.

Tony couldn't have explained it if he was asked but he trusted the man sitting by his side. There was something so familiar about him but it was something he didn't know. Instead of saying anything Tony simply nodded his head and lay back down. He expected Gibbs to leave then and was surprised when instead Gibbs covered him up and then sat back down.

"Go to sleep Tony; I'll be here when you wake up." Gibbs said firmly.

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Tony slept until a nurse came in bringing lunch. Tony ate slowly, trying to make sure he didn't make a mess. When he accidentally spilled some potatoes on his hospital gown he froze in panic. Gibbs could see the panic but ignored it. Instead he cleaned up the mess and gave the younger man a smile.

When Tony was done eating Gibbs finally turned to him. "Ok kiddo, I'm gonna have a nurse bring you another gown. While you change I'm going to go talk to a friend of mine who also happens to be your doctor."

"I understand Gibbs," Tony replied solemnly.

Gibbs ruffled Tony's hair, "I'll send for some books and games."

Tony's wide grin was enough for Gibbs to know that he'd said the right thing. Gibbs left the room and asked…ok more like ordered, a nurse to give Tony a new hospital gown. He walked to the waiting room and found Ducky and Abby waiting.

"What are you doing here Abs?" Gibbs asked sternly.

Abby looked up at her boss with tears. "Ducky told me everything Gibbs."

Gibbs sighed, sat down, and opened his arms slightly. Abby ran into them and plopped herself down on his lap. "What are we gonna do Gibbs?"

"I don't know Abby. I just don't know." Gibbs answered truthfully.

The two sat there, both in quiet thought. Ducky had walked a bit away when Abby first latched onto Gibbs but now he walked back. They all had to talk about how to help Tony.

"Jethro I called Abigail because I believe she can help." Ducky held up a hand to silence the questions from the two. "Abigail, we need to know everything you know about Anthony's past. We need to figure out why he's chosen this age."

Abby nodded in understanding but still looked unsure. She didn't want to betray Tony's confidence but at the same time she wanted to help him. Still perched on Gibb's lap she took a deep breath and nodded again.

"His mom died when he was eight. She'd been sick since around the time Tony was born and when she died his dad blamed him for her death." Tears began to run down Abby's face. "Tony never came out and said it but I think his father hit him."

"What do you mean Abs?" Gibbs demanded.

"It was things Tony said or the way he acted. When ever you were mad at him he'd flinch when ever I tried to hug him as if he were scared. If I got mad or scolded him he'd apologize over and over again. He'd sometimes mumble things like 'that would have gotten me backhanded' or 'would have thought the black eye would've been a learning experience.'" Abby's eyes filled with tears once again and she laid her head on Gibbs shoulders and cried.

"I know its hard Abs but you have to tell us. We can't make Tony better if you don't tell us," Gibbs pleaded.

Abby took a shaky breath and continued. "He was basically raised by the staff. He had a nanny who took care of him. When he was ten he had started to play sports but his father was going to make him quit. Tony refused and his father told him something about if he was going into the family business that he needed to be first in his studies. Then his dad got him a tutor."

Abby looked up at Gibbs and then at Ducky. Sensing just how difficult it was for the gothic girl, Gibbs held her more tightly.

"When he was eleven his father found out that he was still playing sports. When his dad went to the school and pulled him out of…I think it was football, he and Tony had a big fight. Tony said that he yelled that he was never going into the family business and that he had no family. The next year for his birthday daddy DiNozzo disowned him and sent him to military school." Abby was finished with her tale.

Gibbs and Ducky stared at one another trying to process the information they'd just be given. Both men felt sick at what they'd heard…both wanted to find Tony's father and beat him senseless.

"Tony said something about running away. Do you know what he was talking about?" Gibbs asked the girl on his lap gently.

Abby's dark eyes clouded, "His father's present for him that year was a school uniform and a card that said he'd disowned him. That's why Tony doesn't like wrapped gifts."

The men were shocked to learn the reason for the younger man's hatred for wrapped presents. They snapped out of their thoughts to listen to what Abby had to say.

"Tony was crushed Gibbs. And he was happy. If his father disowned him then he couldn't touch him. The hurt showed itself first and Tony packed some things and 'ran way' to the tool shed. His nanny brought him his meals and every couple days he'd go in for a shower. Other then that no one looked for him or even cared. He said he felt safe."

While Gibbs and Abby still looked confused it finally kicked in for Ducky. He knew why Tony had chosen to go back to the age of twelve. It made so much sense now that the doctor was sorely tempted to slap himself on the back of the head.

"Oh Jethro…I should have known." Ducky started.

"Known what Duck? Hell I still don't understand." Gibbs complained.

"You wouldn't Jethro. Let me talk," Ducky demanded, effectively shutting up the field agent. "Tony sees you as a father figure…someone he can look up to. When he was twelve he felt safe yet at the same time he wanted to feel loved. I think this is simply his minds way of trying to get what is so desperately wants and needs."

While Gibbs face showed signs of recognition to Ducky's words Abby's still looked confused. Ducky knew that Gibbs would never say what he was thinking so he kept talking.

"He was calm with you Jethro, I could tell just by watching you two interact so deep down he does remember you. Tony's twelve year old self and Tony's adult self are fighting each other. He wants to be loved…by you."

As Abby stared to understand she turned pleading eyes on Ducky silently asking 'how do we get Gibbs to take care of Tony'. Ducky shook his head at her. He knew that Gibbs wouldn't let Tony down. Gibbs didn't disappoint.

"How do I help him Duck?"

TBC…