A/N: Thanks for your reviews! :) Here's another chapter.

Chapter Six

"What the hell, Dad?" Tali exclaimed and Tony winced as she usually only used 'Dad' when she was really upset with him.

"Language, young lady," he chided as he held up his hands. "I know I was an ass, okay?"

"Language," Tali replied, grinning at him. "That's a dollar into the jar."

"Same goes for you."

"But really, Abba. What were you thinking?"

"I don't know, honey," Tony answered truthfully. "I was in a really bad place that day, okay? I know I shouldn't have said that but in the end it helped us along."

"How so?"

"Well…"

*GT*

"How many more?" Tony groaned as he let his head fall back against the headrest of McGee's car.

"Only two," the new Senior Field Agent answered, grinning at him. "How long does your dad babysit Tali?"

"As long as this takes," Tony sighed. "God, I didn't know apartment hunting was this stressful."

"Tell me about it," McGee gave back – he had only just searched for his own a little over a year ago. "Do you already have someone to take your old one?"

"Yeah, few people here and there. It'll sell," Tony shrugged. "Didn't think I'd let go of it that easily and with no hard feelings. But it's really not practical for Tali and me."

"Yeah. Took us forever to find something suitable for both Delilah's wheelchair and a possible kid in the future."

"How's that going by the way?" Tony asked cheekily, not expecting an answer but was surprised when Tim shrugged.

"We're trying. No luck yet, but we've got time."

"Wouldn't want to be pregnant on your wedding day anyway."

"Oh, not like it's going to show in mere four weeks," McGee grinned once more. "But yeah."

"Tali's really excited about it. Since the moment I mentioned dancing, she's over the moon about your wedding."

"Good. Heard that Victoria thinks the same way. They'll make a cute couple on the dance floor."

"I'll have my camera ready." Tony looked out the window for a few moments, trying to remember where the next apartment was. "Where're we headed again?"

"Seriously, DiNozzo," McGee chuckled. "You're talking like I'm the one who's looking for an apartment. Alexandria. Should be really close to Gibbs' actually."

"Right," Tony nodded, already deciding not to take that one. Far too close to home. "How is he by the way?"

"Gibbs?"

"Yeah."

"Same old. Maybe a bit quieter," McGee shrugged as he took the right highway exit.

"Quieter? How's that possible?"

"Strictly business lately. Not that he's mean or anything but he's a bit distanced. Why are you asking? Thought he was at your place a lot?"

"Emphasis on the past tense here."

"What happened?"

"I've been an idiot," Tony said quietly. "Said some things I didn't mean and you know how he is with apologies. Hasn't been around for three weeks or so."

"I'm sure it's not that bad, Tony," McGee said as he pulled into a parking space in front of a nice looking apartment building.

"Oh, it was," Tony almost whispered. "Don't know what got into me."

"Then go over and apologize. He's not your boss anymore. Work rules don't apply. I'm sure Tali already misses him."

"She's heart broken," Tony answered.

"Then get over yourself and visit him," McGee said with such force that Tony actually leaned back away from him.

"Woah, Probie."

"Don't probie me. You know I'm right."

"Alright, alright, I'll think about it," Tony said, raising his hands. "Don't be so bossy, Mr. SFA."

"Good," McGee grinned again but his eyes still remained serious as he continued. "Don't want any fights at my wedding. You got that?"

"Yes, McGee."

*GD*

A couple of hours later, Tony unlocked the door to his apartment, tired beyond belief and actually disappointed in himself. Of course, he had caved. Of course, he had fallen in love with the apartment near Gibbs' house at first sight. It was just perfect. Big enough so that Tali could have her own room, big enough so that he could bring his piano and still have his plan to install a projector to watch movies fulfilled. And all of that for a reasonable price. He had had no choice but to take it right away.

He had looked forward to a quiet evening with Tali but was disappointed when two long arms pulled him into a fierce hug almost immediately.

"Tony," Abby squeezed him tightly. "How was the apartment hunt?"

"Fine," Tony mumbled. "Got one - over in Alexandria."

"Oh cool," Abby beamed.

"What are you doing here?"

"I called Senior up, asking if I could kidnap your kid for a few hours to go dress shopping for Timmy's wedding."

"You find something?"

"Tali!" Abby cried out. "Do the catwalk and show your Abba how pretty you are."

Tony turned around and watched Tali run towards him in a beautiful sky blue dress. She looked more than pretty and he told her so as he picked her up. "You're going to be the most beautiful girl at the whole wedding. Just don't tell Delilah that."

"Okay," Tali giggled and then skidded over towards her granddad who was sitting on the couch looking utterly exhausted.

"You okay there, Dad?" Tony asked as he sat down next to him.

"Just tired, Junior. Forgot how exhausting shopping trips to the mall can be."

"Sorry," Abby grinned. "But I told you, you didn't need to come."

"Wouldn't have missed the evening with my little Tali for anything. But I'm going to head home now."

"Senior going soft in his old age?" Abby grinned when he had closed the door behind him.

"Yeah, he's been great actually," Tony frowned. "It's like he wants to make up for missed time with me. But he's getting old. An afternoon here and there is alright but I don't think he can handle much more."

"He's going to babysit the night of McGee's wedding?"

"Yup. Tali's going to be there for the ceremony and stuff but he'll get her around eight o'clock or something."

"Awesome," Abby grinned. "So shots are not out of the question, right?"

"No, they're obligatory. Who would've thought our little Probie would be the first to marry?"

*GD*

Tony gulped and blinked a couple of times to hold back the tears as he watched both Victoria and Tali walk down the aisle. They had both been chosen to be the ring bearers. Tali had been nervous about dropping the rings but now that she was walking down there she was smiling broadly, clearly enjoying all the eyes on her. Tony continued to watch Tali throughout the ceremony, his heart feeling lighter with every look she stole at him.

He didn't miss, however, the beaming smile she had given Gibbs as she had spotted him in the crowd. He had waved at her and he, too, was smiling but at the same time he seemed sad at her sight and it nearly broke Tony's heart. He hadn't had the guts to pluck up the courage to go over to his house and apologize, had always pushed it away to the next day until the next day was actually the day of McGee's wedding. He had figured that he would just avoid the older man, but looking at Tali now he knew that that had been wishful thinking. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

After they had congratulated the newlyweds, Tali let go of Tony's hand and for the split of a second that Tony didn't know where she was going, he felt his heart constrict at the sudden loss until he realized that she was running towards Gibbs. He picked her up, propped her up on his hip and gave her a soft kiss on the temple.

"Hey kiddo," he said, smiling at her. "You were the best ring bearer in the whole wide world."

"Victoria, too?"

"Yeah, she, too," Gibbs nodded solemnly. "But you're prettier," he stage-whispered into her ear.

"Hey Gibbs," Tony said as he stepped towards them.

"DiNozzo," he replied, his eyes still on Tali, his tone of voice having gotten colder.

"You coming to the reception?"

"Sure," Gibbs said, nodding.

"You dance with me?" Tali said, clapping her hands at the prospect. "You must dance with me."

"I will, I promise."

*GD*

"Come on, Abba," Tali whined, tugging at his hand. "Dance!"

"In a minute, princess," Tony laughed, downing the rest of his red wine.

He shrugged at Abby and her new boyfriend John, signaling them to order him another glass of wine before he let himself dragged away towards the dance floor by his daughter.

"Easy there, princess," he laughed, already feeling a little tipsy. He wasn't used to drinking anymore. He couldn't even remember when he had last drunk a beer.

They swirled around the dancefloor for a few long couple of minutes with Tony more carrying Tali than actually dancing with her. The little girl was squealing with delight and he laughed along with her, feeling like she was actually happy for the first time since he had known her.

"You having fun?" he asked her now and she looked up at him with big brown eyes before she nodded.

"Yes, Abba."

"Good," he just said and wanted to twirl her again when she suddenly stopped dead, her eyes fixed on something behind him before she looked at her father again.

"Can Boss dance, too?"

"Sure, honey," Tony smiled and quickly glanced over his shoulder to see Gibbs, looking sharp in a what seemed to be brand new suit, standing there a little off the dancefloor and watching them with a fond smile on his face. "Just go get him. I'll be at our table, okay?"

"No!" she cried out. "You dance, too."

"You want me to dance with you and Boss?"

"Yes!" she squealed again and before he could answer, she was already off towards the older man who let himself get dragged to the dancefloor, too.

Tali grabbed both of their hands in her own, raising an eyebrow at them as they didn't take each other's free hands immediately.

"Fine," Gibbs mumbled good-naturedly as he grabbed Tony's free hand.

Tony let out a sigh but put a smile upon his face, not wanting to disappoint the kid when she had just seen Gibbs again after what felt like months. They danced like that for a couple of minutes and Tony let Tali's babblings wash over him, not really listening to her. He was suddenly hyperaware of the warmth that was spreading from Gibbs' hand that lay smoothly in his own. He didn't look at him, as his eyes were still fixed on Tali.

It was only when the song changed to a slower one that Tali stopped dancing and just when Tony was about to pick her up and guide her away from the dance floor, Abby walked up towards them, her yellow skull dress matching the color of the sinking sun in the background.

"Tali-Honey," she laughed. "Would you like to dance with me?"

"Yeah," Tali nodded enthusiastically. "Can I?"

"Of course, kiddo."

"We'll just wait over there," Tony pointed to the side but Tali shook her head vehemently.

"You two dance," she said pointing from Gibbs to Tony.

"Honey," Abby giggled. "I don't think they want to dance with each other."

"Why?" Tali asked, her expression clouding over. "You don't like Boss anymore?" she asked, looking at Tony with wide sad eyes.

"Of course, I like him," Tony hurried to reply but Tali didn't seem to be pacified.

"Then dance?" she said so brokenly that Tony knew immediately that they didn't have a choice but to meet her wishes.

"It'll look cute," Abby threw in for good measure with a wink before she took Tali's hand to dance away from them.

"We don't need to…," Tony started, but Gibbs just waved him off.

"It's alright."

"Okay," Tony answered slowly as he took Gibbs' other hand.

The first few steps were a bit awkward as they were both used to being the lead but Tony fell into Gibbs' step soon enough. They didn't look at each other, didn't talk to each other as both of their eyes were glued to Tali who was smiling at them whenever they got back into her eyeshot. After a few minutes, Tony relaxed enough in Gibbs' touch that he dared to look at him only to be surprised when Gibbs returned the glance immediately.

"I'm sorry, Gibbs," Tony started but broke off when the older man shook his head.

"No," he replied. "You were right."

"I was?" Tony whispered. "But the things I said…"

"You were right, Tony," Gibbs said, tilting his head ever so slightly to the left side as if he could look at Tony more closely this way. "I was there too often. Took charge when it really wasn't my place."

"No, but it was your place," Tony hurried to reply, feeling himself start to sweat even as his hand felt clammy in Gibbs'. "I needed you and I took advantage of you to a certain degree. But I liked having you there. You were such a great help. And… Hell, Tali loves you and she misses you like crazy."

"She does?" Gibbs asked so softly that Tony intuitively stepped a little closer towards him.

"Yeah," he breathed out. "I miss you, too," he then added in an afterthought, averting his eyes from Gibbs.

The older man remained silent as the continued to dance slowly, neither one paying attention to their surroundings. When Tony couldn't stand the silence any longer, he finally plucked up the courage to look at his former boss again. To his surprise, the older man had gotten a bit red in the face but he still stared right back at him. He didn't answer immediately, instead kept on looking into Tony's eyes. To Tony's utter astonishment, he didn't feel uncomfortable being stared at like that, so he just kept on looking back at him, waiting for Gibbs to say something.

When he finally spoke, it wasn't an answer to Tony's unasked question but it was Gibbs' way of saying that he had missed them, too.

"I've gone through Kelly's stuff," he offered quietly. "Got some toys that Tali could use."

"We could take a look this week if you wanted," Tony said, feeling a smile build on his lips. "I'm sure Tali would like to see all of the stuff herself."

"I'd love to have you over."

"It's a date then," Tony grinned, suddenly feeling like a million dollars.