"Dad! What's up?" Tony's gleeful voice warmed Gibbs's heart all the way back in Washington.
Ever since Tony went off to college nearly 2 years ago the house had been quiet. Then again the only reason why it was ever loud was because of Tony. After Kelly and Shannon the only times it was ever filled with any sort of happiness was when Tony was around. It had been nearly a month now since Gibbs had heard anything from the boy. The college was too far visit, and both were too busy to pick up the phone.
"Hey Tony," Gibbs laughed at the sound of joy in his son's voice. "How are you doing?"
"I LOVE College! Oh, did I tell you? I'm on the varsity team!"
Gibbs gave a sad smile. He supposed it was good that Tony was adjusting well to college life. Then again, Tony always was able to adapt more or less to any circumstance thrown at him. Gibbs remembered the first time Shannon ever threw out the option of adoption; he laughed as he remembered the fit he threw the minute his eyes landed on the little boy who was sitting by himself in the emergency room.
--flashback in a flashback--
"Jethro, you'll have to wait a couple of minutes. A little boy walked into the waiting room some time ago, and he is my last patient," Shannon apologized.
Gibbs nodded understandingly. He was proud that his wife was a doctor, and even prouder of the fact she absolutely adored her job. He didn't mind the long hours; lord knows he's left Shannon alone longer than he wanted. No, Gibbs understood Shannon's need to save people, to give them hope no matter the circumstance.
He looked around the waiting room finding only one chair open besides a small boy who was currently cradling his arm to his chest, blood pouring down the side of his face. He couldn't have been older than 10 years old. The thought angered Gibbs as he searched the room looking for anyone that looked like the boy, his blood bubbling when he realized the boy was by himself.
He walked towards the empty chair, his eyes never leaving the boy. Shannon and him just got married, but they always wanted kids, even before when they were just dating. His mind wandered once more to the future possibilities of his family growing happily. He already loved his non-existent kids.
"Is this seat taken?" Gibbs asked the boy softly, as to not startle him.
The boy slowly raised his head to look up at Gibbs, fear on his face. When he realized that Gibbs was looking at him he shot his head back down, staring fixatedly at a spot on the ground.
"No sir," the fear leaked into the boy's voice as he tried to make himself smaller.
Gibbs tilted his head observing the boy. He was absolutely filthy looking with mud and dirt all over his clothes, but Gibbs noted the designer brand labels hidden under the dirt and filth.
"I'm Jethro," Gibbs said introducing himself.
"I'm Anthony DiNozzo, but everyone calls me Tony," Tony said giving Gibb's a shy smile.
"I like your name Tony," Gibbs said trying to catch the boy's eyes.
Gibbs held back a small gasp when he first caught Tony's eyes. He never believed that "eyes were a window to one's soul" until that moment. Tony's own eyes spoke of the broken life he had led, of the pain he had suffered. Yet, they sparkled with hope as they met his eyes. They danced with curiosity as they stared into Gibb's own blue eyes.
"I think Jethro sounds way cooler," Tony exclaimed.
--end of flashback within flashback--
"Dad?" Tony's voice interrupted Gibbs's reverie bringing him back to the present.
"Sorry buddy. I was just remembering the first time I ever talked to you," Gibbs smiled into the phone.
"Dad, please, I had to wear that stupid cast for like EVER," Tony groaned.
"Yeah, but that was the last time," Gibbs reminded him.
Tony nodded, knowing that his dad couldn't see. "Yeah…yeah it was. Thanks dad."
"Tony as creepy as this sounds I considered you my son the minute I laid eyes on you," Gibbs said confidently.
"Kind of like in that film…" Tony started.
"Don't ruin the moment, son," Gibbs said with a laugh.
Of course Tony would bring up a movie.
"So did you call so we can take a walk down memory lane? I mean not that I mind at all, I love when we go on these trips, I'm just kind of confused," Tony started to ramble.
"No, I called you with some news," Gibbs said with a sigh. "Emily and I decided to call it quits."
"Dad you were only married to her for like a couple of months!" Tony exclaimed.
"She gave birth to twins Tony. I came in to visit her and she had left. There were divorce papers on the table and a note stating she would call me regarding custody of the kids," Gibbs explained.
"WHAT?" Tony shrieked into the phone. "The kiddies aren't due for another month and a half! Hold on, I'm coming home."
"No! Tony, you need to stay in school. I just wanted to inform you of what was going on back here," Gibbs said trying to calm his son down.
"Dad, winter break is coming up. I'll talk to my professors and I'm on the next plane home," Tony stated. He grabbed his wallet from his pocket counting all of three dollars and a condom. "Um…can I borrow $400 for my plane ticket?" Tony added sheepishly.
--
Gibbs awoke to someone gently shaking him. A scowl immediately replaced the small smile that was playing on his face due to his latest "dream."
"What?" Gibbs demanded causing McGee to stumble back a little.
"Um…duh…uh…Boss, director's back from her meeting," McGee said pointing the Jen's retreating back.
Gibbs looked up immediately locking eyes with Jen. Jen said nothing continuing up the stairs at normal speed.
"Where are the others?" Gibbs asked looking to find Ziva and Tony's desk empty.
"Ziva is in the bathroom…I think," McGee said stopping to rethink his answer.
"And DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked interrupting McGee's thoughts.
"I don't know. With his girlfriend I think," McGee sputtered out.
"Tell that boy to get his butt back to this office NOW," Gibbs stated jumping up from his seat.
He started walking when he looked around the office once more. He whirled around quickly, his eyes finding McGee standing frozen to his spot. "Uh…Boss?"
"Where's Bella?" Gibbs demanded searching the bullpen once more for any sign of his daughter.
"With Ziva. Uh…buh...uh…Tony told…uh…Ziva and me not to let her out of our sight. And I needed to go to the bathroom, so she stayed with Ziva, but then Ziva needed to go…" McGee explained, sputtering through it as quickly as possible.
Although his face didn't show it Gibbs was relieved, the fear escaping back to its hiding place once more. Ziva would never let anything happen to Bella.
"Didn't I tell you to call DiNozzo, McGee?" Gibbs asked, glaring at McGee.
"I'm on it, boss," McGee said stumbling back to his desk.
Gibbs was almost all the way up the stairs when McGee yelled up to him. "Um…boss, it went straight to voicemail."
Gibbs stopped momentarily shaking his head in frustration before walking towards the director's office, the day's events quickly coming back to him. By the time he reached her office door he was livid slamming the door open to find Jen sitting at her desk, a worried look on her face.
"We need to talk," Gibbs stated. "Tell me why I have a feeling in my gut you know why they asked for La Granouille's daughter."
Jenny looked down biting her lower lip. She looked up to the ceiling before looking back down again. "Tony is working an undercover case," she started.
"So I've been told."
"His girlfriend isn't really his girlfriend," she said observing his reactions.
When Gibbs didn't say anything Jen continued, "In order to get closer to La Granouille he has been pretending to be Anthony DiNardo."
"And?!"
"Tony's girlfriend is La Granouille's daughter."
A/N: Ok, it didn't dive into the family thing as much as I'd like so I wrote chapter 5 and it is written with Bella Gibbs as the center of the chapter. I hope you guys liked this chapter and 5 will be up some time tomorrow. Thanks for the reviews.