Part 7
Tony was very angry, in fact he was furious. The doctor had told Gibbs that he wanted Tony to stay in the hospital for the night and that was that. Gibbs would not change his mind. He would not allow anything to hinder Tony's recovery, not even what Tony wanted. He had started to argue saying he could just sign himself out but that had got a bad reaction. He was sure Gibbs wouldn't carry out his threat but he wasn't going to chance it. That man could be so mean.
Jack came in to sit with him," I hear you're not good company just now," he said putting some magazines on Tony' table.
"I would be fine at home, why do they have to make such a fuss?"
"You know doctors, they like to be sure of things. How is your arm?"
"Fine," Tony answered hissing as he moved it.
"Tony! We've had this talk before. The truth."
"It hurts a bit but I could have coped with that in my own bed. This thing is so lumpy." He hammered the bed with his fist.
"It's one night."
The door opened and Gibbs came in. "He still moaning?"
"I am not moaning. I have the right to go home if I want."
"And I said you're not. And as your father I have that right." Tony muttered something under his breath. "I can still wash that mouth out with soap you know."
Tony glanced up at Gibbs," Sorry!"
"I know you're not happy but I'd rather take no chances." He looked at his father and then took a deep breath. Might as well get this over with now. "I have something to talk about with you."
"What's that?"
"Your grandfather." Tony looked over at Jack. "No, not Jack. Your other grandfather."
"I don't have one," Tony spat out between clenched teeth.
"Tony I know you won't be happy about this but he helped us find you."
"I don't care. You've betrayed me. You promised."
"Tony, I.."
"Get the fuck away," Tony shouted. "Ow!" Tony jerked back as Jack slapped him across the face.
"Dad!" Gibbs said.
"He deserved it. My father would have taken his belt to me for speaking like that to him, ill or not." He stared at Tony. "The least you can do is listen to him, let him explain." Tony knew he should but he couldn't stop himself.
"I don't need him or anyone else. You're all the same. Get out." When they didn't move Tony screamed, " GET OUT!"
Ducky came to the door," What on Earth is wrong?"
"I want them to leave, tell them to go or I'm going to discharge myself."
"Jethro, Jack come on." They got up and followed Ducky out. Gibbs told Ducky what had happened. "I see. Let me go in and talk to him."
Ducky went back in. Tony was lying back in the bed. "I don't want to hear it."
"What? You don't want to hear how Gibbs took help from someone to get his son back. How he was man enough to realise that he needed the man's help. What would you prefer Anthony, that he didn't listen and you ended up dead?"
"I.. don't know."
"Yes you do. That man would do anything to save you. He'd take help from anyone to get you back. He'd lay down his own life for you. And you treat him like this. You are not the Anthony I know if you do."
Tony looked shamefaced. "I..." Then he looked up. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one you need to say that to, am I?"
"No. Could you ask Gibbs and his father to come back in?"
Ducky went to the door, "Jethro, Jack, I think Tony has something he wants to say."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I can understand if you can't forgive me, it was a rotten thing to say." Gibbs sat on the bed and took the young man in his arms. "I'm.. s..o..r..r..y!" Then he started to cry.
"It's alright Tony. Sh!" He rubbed his hand over the back of Tony's head.
When Tony had calmed down he let him sit back on the bed. "Will you listen now?" Tony nodded.
Jack looked at him," Tony look at me." Tony looked up.
"I'm not much of a grandson am I?"
"Stop that. You were angry. And while I don't condone that language I can understand your feelings. I'm sure I can think of a suitable chore at home for you to do. My basement has been needing a clear out for years." Tony groaned. "No one said being a member of this family would be easy."
Tony managed a smile. "Thanks Jack."
"I prefer Grandpa."
"Grandpa."
"Good boy. I'll just go help Ducky with the coffee."
"Don't suppose you have a basement that needs cleaned?"
"Nope but I do have a car that needs cleaned for the next four weeks."
"Oh man!"
"I need to talk to you about Michael." Tony almost opened his mouth to make a comment about using his first name but changed his mind. "He gave us the number plate of the car that took you."
"And how did he have that?" Tony asked.
"I was having you followed," Michael said from the door. Neither of them had heard him come in. "I know I shouldn't have but I just wanted to know about you."
"Why now?"
"I've always wanted to know. Your father didn't make it easy. He threatened you and your mother. I couldn't let that happen."
"What about after she died? You could have found me then."
"I tried. He told me he would have you killed just like he'd had her killed."
"He what?"
"I don't know if he was telling the truth or not. I made enquiries but no one knew. I know he was ruthless enough to do it."
"He was," Tony agreed. "She died in a car crash. I was with her at the time."
"I'm sorry Tony. I knew you were in the car."
"She died in my arms. She told me to find you. She tried to say something else but she hadn't the strength. There was so much blood."
Gibbs pulled Tony into his arms. "I'm sorry Tony."
"She really loved me Boss."
"I'm sure she did."
"Did you know I wasn't his?"
"No," Michael said. "I had no idea. If I had I would have fought to get you."
"How did my father know about the trust?"
"It was when I met him at a function in London. He heard me talking to a friend. He confronted me about it."
"What did he say?"
"He wanted to know what would happen if you died before him. I told him the money would come back to me. He would not get his hands on it."
"When was this?"
"About a year ago. I asked how you were. He said he had nothing to do with you. You had chosen your own path. That was when I decided to find out about you. What I found strange was you withdrew money from your trust just after you came of age."
"I didn't," Tony said. "I didn't even know about it."
"But the lawyer contacted you when you turned 25. He said he had given you all the details."
"I know nothing about it."
"I'm having someone check him out."
"I'd like to sleep now," Tony said yawning.
"Of course. If you'd like I can bring in some pictures of your mum when she was little. You are very like her."
"I'd like that," Tony said snuggling into his blanket.
"Good boy," Gibbs said. "I'll be right here when you wake up."
Jack left with Michael.
TBC
