Hello!

Sorry, I promised to update on sunday... but better late than never. But I got a beta reader! Special thanks go to Special Agent Baker! Thank you a lot!

Thanks for all reviews, too. :-) I am really happy when I get reviews :-)

"Tony? Why is daddy so nice?" Sofia wondered.

She was sitting on the coach of their living room wearing a new dark green dress which Tony bought her a few days ago. Sofia loved that dress. She felt like princess… like a really beautiful princess.

"Well, you know, I work for daddy now, so he's happy." Tony replied. "That's why he's nice."

Sofia looked at Tony with confusion. She didn't understand why Tony didn't solve the problem they had with their dad earlier. He could just have taken a job from their dad years ago and they wouldn't have gone through all that trouble. But Sofia was happy now.

Their dad invited them to a New Year's party. There were a lot of strangers, but some of them had kids and Sofia was happy to have some playmates, especially because Tony seemed to be busy talking to some colleagues.

Sofia had to admit, she never saw her older brother like that before. He looked so gentle.

Sofia never saw him wearing a suit… ever. Most of the time her brother looked dirty and exhausted, but now his appearance had totally changed.

Dad behaved very strange towards Tony too. He tapped him on the shoulder and introduced him to his friends proudly.

Was everything fine now? Would they finally be a happy family? As much as Sofia wished that to be true she also had a weird feeling about it.

Sofia observed Tony as he smoked a cigar with an elderly man and listened to what he had to say.

Why was she so damn worried about her brother?

"Hey, Sofia, my mom said we could shoot some firecrackers. Do you want to go outside with us?"

It was the 11 year old son of one of her dad's colleagues who asked. He was nice and she liked his reddish hair.

"I don't know," Sofia replied with uncertainty. "I don't want to leave my brother."

"Why? He seems busy," The boy replied. "Don't bother him."

"But what is he talking about?" Sofia asked with worry in her voice.

"About some boring stuff," The boy answered easily. "I listened to my father and his colleagues once… nothing interesting at all."

"Are you sure?" Sofia asked.

"Yes! Now let's go outside." The boy said as he pulled her with him.

Gibbs didn't like Christmas that much. He liked it because Kelly loved it and because his team seemed to enjoy some peaceful days and a nice evening at his house.

Gibbs could deal with Christmas, but New Year – he actually hated New Year. He didn't see a reason to start a new year with drinking and polluting the air instead of working on catching bad guys.

Nevertheless he invited everyone again. But Gibbs didn't even try to enjoy himself. He knew he couldn't.

He couldn't stop thinking about those Dinozzo kids. How was Tony? He had a concussion on Christmas Eve. Did he actually see a doctor?

Gibbs had to work the past few days, so he didn't even have time for crisis of conscience. But now he had…

What if Dinozzo Sr. beat his son to death one day? Gibbs would never forgive himself.

Hell, he hated himself for how he threated Tony a few days ago. That boy got beat up by his dad and went to his house to get some help. It shouldn't matter that he wanted help from Kelly and not him.

But the first thing Gibbs did was to shout at the boy. Gibbs had been ready to drive the boy to his own house – Tony's personal hell, where most likely his dad would have battered him. If it weren't for Ducky, Gibbs wouldn't even have noticed that Tony was hurt and needed help.

"Jethro, are you alright? You seem to be absent today. I know you do not appreciate New Year parties, but you do not even try to pretend to like it. What's the matter?" Ducky asked.

"Ducky… Do you remember Tony Dinozzo?"

"You mean the boy who visited your house a week ago?" Ducky asked as he tried to remember. "How could I forget him? I am worried too, but you couldn't persuade him to accept your help."

"Yeah, but…" Gibbs started, but was interrupted.

"You don't want to give up. I know you, my friend." Ducky said with a small smile.

"But I don't know what to do. I don't think that pressing charges would help if Tony doesn't testify against his father and it's not even a case. Dinozzo Sr. is Fornell's suspect. My hands are tied. I really don't know what to do." Gibbs said in defeat.

"If you want to help our poor boy, you need to win his trust. So far Anthony never had anyone to trust except himself. He had to grow up much too early in order to protect himself and his sister. His father is beating him up regularly and teachers are keeping him after school and calling his dad instead of realizing that the boy doesn't have fault at all. Most of the people give Tony the feeling that he is worth nothing… so did you." Ducky explained.

Gibbs swallowed, but he knew that Ducky was right.

"So what do you think I should do?" Gibbs asked.

"If you want the boy's trust, you need to show him that you trust him." Ducky replied.

"How am I supposed to do that?" Gibbs asked.

"Well, maybe you should start with allowing Kelly to befriend him." Ducky suggested.

Tony's job was hard. It felt so wrong to talk about selling drugs. But talking about human trafficking was even worse. Unluckily it was today's main topic.

How could they talk about something like that on New Year?

Tony was sure today was his worst New Year ever and Tony had certainly had some really bad New Year's parties throughout his life. Last year, for example, he had spent an awful waiting room in hospital with a broken arm and his crying sister.

But this was worse. Tony's only comfort was that he was one of the good guys, not a criminal like his father.

Tony was actually the opposite.

"So, you have any new offers?" Dinozzo Sr. asked his colleague.

"Yes, some really nice girls. They are all about eighteen years old." The man replied. "I have ten girls in all."

"And you said that they are already in the US?" Dinozzo Sr. asked.

"Yeah, in a warehouse not far from Mexico's border." The man replied. "So, how much?"

Did his father just talk about girls like they were some sort of merchandise?

Tony's stomach turned at the thought.

"Well, I haven't seen them yet." Dinozzo Sr. said.

"Fine, you can see them. When can you get a flight to New Mexico? Or should I bring them to you? But I warn you, that will cost more."

"No, I'll come there… well, my son will go with you." Dinozzo Sr. explained.

Tony shrugged. What had his father just said? He… Tony… would go with that man to inspect the girls… so that his father could buy them?

"What? Dad, I… but… I really don't know…" Tony tried to make an excuse, any excuse.

Dinozzo Sr. looked at Tony with an evil eye. He didn't like when Tony looked insecure or scared, especially in front of his colleagues.

"You just have to check if they are healthy and how old they really are, not that hard, is it?" Dinozzo Sr. said calmly.

"I guess not." Tony replied softly. "Fine, I'll go and see the girls."

"Very well, Anthony, you will leave tomorrow." Dinozzo Sr. said triumphantly. "I will tell my secretary to book a flight for you. Don't mess this up."

"I won't." Tony replied confidently. "Sir?"

"Yes, Anthony?" Dinozzo Sr. said.

"May I leave the party so that I can go and pack." Tony asked carefully. "I don't want to be tired tomorrow."

Dinozzo Sr. didn't seem too happy, but begrudgingly allowed it.

Tony sat in the bathroom on the cold floor again.

After he had sent his sister to bed, Tony had locked himself up and broke down.

He was crying like a bog baby.

He didn't know how to deal with what he had to do tomorrow. He didn't know if he could deal with it at all. He had bad nausea and was so disgusted with his father.

Tony had the mobile he got from the FBI in his hands. Should he call agent Fornell and tell him that he couldn't do it? Should he beg for witness-protection program to help him and his sister?

Tony's hands were shaking.

Maybe he could call Fornell and just talk about it? Maybe the agent could comfort him?

How much more information did those agents want? Wasn't it enough to know that his father did human trafficking?

Tony jumped when his mobile phone rang. It wasn't the phone in his hand, but the other one in pocket.

"Anthony Dinozzo Jr." Tony answered uncertainly.

"Tony! It's Kelly." The cheerful voice replied.

Tony needed a moment to compose himself.

Hopefully she couldn't hear that he had been crying.

"Kelly? Why did you call?" Tony asked. "I mean, I'm really happy that you called… But I thought…"

"I am sorry, Tony. I wasn't fair to you." Kelly said. "I mean, maybe I was, but I miss you. You are a good guy, you just cause too much trouble sometimes."

Tony smiled.

"Yeah, I am sorry about that." Tony replied with a smile. "But do you actually want to be friends again? You know, I miss you, too."

"Yes, Tony." Kelly replied. "I want to be friends with you; actually, I think we never stopped."

"Thanks, Kelly, you made my day." Tony said happily. "I really had a bad evening. I actually think I had the worst day of my life. I needed that. Thanks a lot."

Some tears of relief flowed down Tony's cheek.

"Why? What happened, Tony?" Kelly asked with concern.

"Let's call it family issues." Tony replied.

"You can come over to my house." Kelly said. "We have quite a nice party going here."

"I don't know… Your dad…he doesn't like me. Remember?" Tony replied with uncertainty.

"Actually it was his idea to invite you." Kelly said.

"What?" Tony asked incredulously.

Tony rang the bell. He still felt uncomfortable joining the party at Gibbs' house.

But it couldn't be worse than the party his dad had thrown.

Tony had a little bit of a bad conscience because he had left his sister alone at their house. But Dinozzo Sr. wasn't aggressive the past few days so it should be fine.

"Tony!" Kelly opened the door and hugged him. "How are you?"

"Fine, a bit tired, but fine." Tony replied. "How are you?"

"Never felt better." Kelly replied with a smile. "Come in! We have plenty of food left."

Kelly took Tony's hand and pulled him into the house.

Tony blushed at the thought of Kelly holding his hand.

They entered the living room and Tony recognized Agent Gibbs and Dr. Mallard. He wasn't sure if he saw the other people on Christmas Eve as well.

All faces turned to Tony and Kelly.

"This is Tony Dinozzo" Kelly introduced. "And this, Tony, is Dr. Mallard, Abby Sciuto, Tim McGee, Ziva David, Jimmy Palmer and my dad."

Tony felt that they were skeptical about him though they all smiled at him.

"They are all in my dad's team." Kelly said. "You know his team from NCIS."

"Yeah… I know… You told me that." Tony said. "Hello everyone, thank you for inviting me."

Tony was exhausted. He felt like as he had been interrogated for two hours.

He talked to every one of Mr. Gibbs' team except for Gibbs himself and Dr. Mallard.

All of them treated him like a criminal.

Especially Abby Sciuto… she didn't stop asking him questions about school, how he spent his free time and she even asked about his dad.

She was obviously very worried about Kelly, but Tony had some nice moments with Kelly too.

They had talked about school, even if that topic didn't interested Tony at all anymore, he was still happy to just talk to her.

Now Kelly was talking to Abby and McGee, while Tony ate some cake.

Dr. Mallard sat down next to Tony.

"So, Anthony, we haven't gotten time to talk until now." Ducky said. "Especially because you and Gibbs are insisting that Kelly must not know about your visit on Christmas Eve… how are you?"

"I am fine, Dr. Mallard. Thank you for asking." Tony replied. "How are you?"

"I am as fine as a man of my age could be, but the last time you told me that you were fine, you certainly weren't. Did you visit a doctor?" Ducky asked with a little bit on concern.

"I saw a doctor." Tony assured Ducky. "I didn't have any headaches after a few days anymore."

"You still look a bit pale, my dear boy. Are you sure that you are fine?" Ducky asked.

"Yes, please stop asking." Tony said with a bit of annoyance. "I am just tired and I want to eat."

"Where is your sister?" Ducky asked.

"At home." Tony replied simply.

"At home, where your father beats the hell out of her?" It was Gibbs voice that asked the question.

The Special Agent sat down on Tony's other side and the boy started to feel crowded.

"She is fine." Tony said. "She is sleeping. My dad hasn't been aggressive the past few days, so it should be fine. Nevertheless I told you my dad never laid a finger on me or my sister."

Gibbs bristled with anger as Tony lied.

"Tony, please remember that if you ever have a problem, call me." Gibbs said. "If not me, at least call Kelly, alright?"

Gibbs voice was soft that Tony felt safe for a moment.

"Al…Alright…" Tony stuttered.

Gibbs patted Tony on the back.

"I am sorry about Christmas Eve, I wasn't that nice to you." Gibbs said. "I might have even scared you. You have to know that you are always welcome in my house."

Tony couldn't believe what he just heard.

Someone treated him like… like he was not just a random idiot.

But then Tony remembered that he had to hold his cover, especially now that he was working for the FBI.

"Please, like you could scare me, Agent Gibbs." Tony said with a smirk. "I am not a kid. I am perfectly fine with handling my life on my own and if you excuse me, I want to talk to Kelly before I leave. Thank you for the dinner."

-A few weeks later-

Tony's life was getting better.

He had learned to deal with his job.

Every day he wrote down what he observed in his Spanish exercise book. His father would never read his exercise books. He called Fornell A few times per week and talked to him.

Tony actually had more free time than before. He had quit his side job.

His new job was harder but less time-consuming. Tony hadn't been beat up for a long time.

All in all Tony felt better.

Even his marks in school were getting better.

He and Kelly spent a lot of time together. They weren't dating, but Tony was still happy with visiting her and doing homework with her.

Mr. Gibbs still had an eye on Tony, but he gave up persuading him to sue his father.

Today was a perfect day too.

He got a B+ in math and because his marks had gotten better he was allowed to join the football team again.

Tony had had his first football lesson after two years and Kelly had been there to watch. After that he and Kelly had gone out for ice cream.

Everything was perfect.

Tony was whistling while he went upstairs to his room. Sofia was still in school and since he had finished his work for his dad yesterday evening Tony could watch some TV.

Tony opened his door, but instead of seeing his empty room, he saw his dad and some of his henchmen.

His father was sitting on Tony's desk chair his Spanish exercise book in his hands.

It's a cliffhanger :-P I am sorry.