What a Way to say 'Thank-You' – Chapter 4...
A/N – You have no idea how sorry I am for leaving this story alone for so long! I'll try and make this chapter longer than usual to make up for it but I really haven't had much time because I was away for the best part of 2 weeks and I was ill afterwards Thank again for all the lovely reviews I've received, you have no idea how much they make my day! Anyway – on with the story!
'Whatever's the matter, Jethro?' although by the look on Gibbs' face, Ducky was pretty sure he had a good idea.
Gibbs took a deep breath.
'DiNozzo...' he said.
Ducky sighed.
He had had a pretty good idea something was up when Mister Palmer had appeared with a very weary-looking Anthony at the doors of his autopsy. He had, however, never guessed it to be so serious that Jethro himself would come down after him.
'What has he done now?' Ducky prodded gently.
'Oh, it's nothing that he's done, Duck. More something that has been done to him...'
The old ME frowned, puzzled slightly, before it hit him and he put the jigsaw pieces together.
'Kaitlin and Timothy?' he asked, knowing full well how Tony felt about their constant taunts and teasing – even if he did hide those thoughts behind one of his famous masks.
'Got it in one, Ducky'
Tony and Jimmy watched the whole scene unfold from the safety of behind the glass windows of Dr. Mallard's personal office. Kneeling up on the sofa that had its back against the window, they both had a perfect view of Gibbs' back and Ducky's concerned-looking face.
'He's going to tell him everything, even if you don't Tony...' whispered Jimmy, his gaze never wandering from the conversation outside.
Tony nodded silently, holding his breath and waiting for the reaction of the kind old doctor he secretly thought of as a grandfather.
As Gibbs finished up relaying the story of what had happened in the bullpen, Ducky's face was the perfect image of shock.
But it soon turned to anger.
'How dare they! How dare they attack him like that about something so personal so close to Christmas?'
Gibbs looked down to his feet, ashamed; he knew it was partly his fault for letting it go on so far.
But Ducky wasn't done,
'And I've seen them do it before! We all have, don't deny it Jethro! You've seen the way he reacts to all the other taunting they subject him to! He hides behind that bloody mask of his, that carefree frat-boy persona he builds up as a wall so nobody can see how he really feels...'
Gibbs was shocked.
Jimmy was shocked.
Tony was... Well, very shocked.
Ducky's voice lowered considerably as he said: 'Excuse my language but it needed to be said. And you two can both come out of my office, you can't hide from your demons forever Anthony.' He all but whispered.
Gibbs wheeled around, surprised, as Tony and Jimmy emerged from the office, their heads hung in shame like two small boys waiting to be told off by their father for an act of mischievousness on their behalf.
'Y...You two were in there the whole time! You heard everything?'
Tony nodded solemnly, 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to listen in...' he mumbled to his shoelaces.
A sharp smack resounded around the quiet autopsy room, startling them all.
Tony turned around, his mouth gaping like a lost fish.
Ducky had just head-slapped Tony.
Ducky had just head-slapped Tony.
Ducky!
'What was that for!' Tony said indignantly, 'I didn't do anything!'
'You shouldn't be sorry Anthony! I meant every word I said and you deserve to hear it even if it wasn't in the most... expected of circumstances!'
Tony glanced over at Jimmy who gave him an encouraging smile, before turning back to Ducky and whispering:
'Thank You. Thanks a lot. That means a load to me...'
The medical examiner took one look at the boy and wrapped him in a tight embrace, replying 'Any time m'boy, it's good for you to hear it.'
Tony stiffened at first, not used to being hugged by anyone except Abby (and Abby was most definitely an exception to most of these things!)
But he soon relaxed into it and hugged back slightly.
He tried to remember the last time he had been hugged by anyone but Abby since his mother had died all those years ago, but with the exclusion of drunken man-hugs from his fraternity brothers on the night before he left for the Police Academy, he drew a blank.
They were interrupted by the gruff voice of the ex-marine standing to their left.
'I'll tell the others they can leave early, and you'll be staying with me DiNozzo. We'll talk tonight and sort things out with the others tomorrow.' He said.
'Um, boss – that really isn't necessary. I thought I'd maybe go home, watch a movie get an early night maybe, there's no need to...'
He was cut off again,
'Did that sound like a suggestion to you DiNozzo?' Gibbs said, raising an eyebrow.
'No, Boss. I'll just go grab my stuff boss.' Tony stuttered, making his way out of the autopsy.
'Hey! Wait for me; you probably don't want to face the others alone just yet anyway...' Gibbs said softly.
Tony nodded his agreement and slowed so Gibbs could fall into step beside him.
'That's probably a good idea actually Boss...' He mumbled, his eyes again were focused on the ground just in front of where he was walking.
'Of course it is DiNozzo,' smirked Gibbs, 'I came up with it!'
This caused Tony to smile.
Just a little smile,
But a smile all the same.
'We're getting somewhere...' Gibbs thought happily as the glass doors swept shut behind them.
Jimmy grinned and turned to his mentor.
'Everything you said, you knew Tony was listening the whole time, right? That's why you didn't stop.' He asked.
'Would you think any less of me if I said yes my dear Mr. Palmer?' Ducky said turning around to see eye to eye with Jimmy.
'Never, Doctor!' He said cheerfully.
'I thought not. It's just what the boy needs. To know that there are still people who care about him, even though there are those who seemingly don't. To know that even though his childhood was hell to grow up in, he has a new family now. Here, with NCIS... With us.'
Jimmy was silent for a moment, mulling over what had been said, before saying, more to himself than to anyone else:
'I think Gibbs makes a great surrogate father for him...'
A/N: So, there it is! Not as long as I originally planned or wanted it to be but at least something is now up! As always, your reviews make my day! Thank you!