Part 7

(Just a short part. One more part to go.)

Gibbs handed Tony a small box, "This is it."

Tony looked at it, "I was expecting a boat, boss, at the very least. After all Jack gave me a car," Tony joked. Tony tore it open. He opened the small box inside. There was a key on a key ring.

"It's to the door here," Gibbs said. "So you can always come home," he said softly.

Tony dashed from the room and up the stairs.

"What the.....?" Gibbs said and made to go after him. "I thought he'd like that," Gibbs said. "I didn't mean to upset him. Did I do the wrong thing?"

"No, son," Jack said. "You did the right thing."

"You've given him exactly what he wanted," Ducky said. "A place where he belongs. A place where Tony DiNozzo matters to someone. He's just not used to someone saying it. Give him time then go up to him."

"His father must have been a right b*****d to make that boy feel so worthless. Any man would be proud to call him son or grandson. I'd be proud if he was mine," Jack said.

Gibbs went to Tony's bedroom door and knocked," Can I come in?" He heard Tony get up and then call "Yes."

The only light that was on was the one beside the bed. Tony was sitting on the bed with his back against the headboard. The key was sitting on the bed in front of him.

"You okay?" Gibbs asked tentatively sitting down beside him.

"Yes."

"Look at me Tony." Gibbs reached out and put his hand under Tony's chin and made him look at him. He tried to shake Gibbs' hand off.

"Can't."

"I meant what I said, this is your home and this is your room as long as you want it."

"How can you want me?"

"You, Tony DiNozzo, are one of the finest people I know. You make me so proud."

"He didn't think so," Tony said. Gibbs knew Tony meant his father. "He says I'm worthless. Not worth bothering about."

"Shows you how wrong he is. I have a question to ask and I want an answer. Do you think my dad is a good judge of character?"

Tony looked down. "Yes."

"Well he's just said he'd be proud to have you as his grandson." Tony looked up tears forming in his eyes. "And if you'd like to give me and him another Christmas present you could agree to be my son and his grandson." That was when the tears started to trickle down Tony's face. Gibbs pulled him into his arms and let him cry on his shoulder. "It's alright Tony. Just hold onto me. I won't let you go. Not ever."

Tony shook his head. "What if I mess up? I'm not good at family stuff."

"First you won't mess up and second, we're all learning how to be a family. And if we make mistakes we'll learn from them. Dad and I didn't talk for years and yet here we are together at Christmas. Let's just take it one day at a time. We can do this, if you want to?"

"Want to? I've never wanted anything more." Gibbs ruffled his hair.

"We'd best get down and help Ducky with the washing up. Might not be his jovial self if he's got to do it all."

Gibbs got up," Go freshen up and then come down. I'll make sure we leave plenty for you to do."

"You are remembering my concussion boss? Might not be good for me to exert myself so soon."

"Five minutes tops and then I come looking for you. And you won't like the consequences if I have to come for you," Gibbs said smiling. "And Tony, when we're at home you could call me Jethro," he said turning towards the door.

"Rather call you Dad," Tony said very softly.

"If you want," Gibbs said.

Tony looked up at him. "You mean it?"

Tony looked like a child who had just been given the whole world," Do I ever say things I don't mean?"

"No, boss eh Jethro,, dad," he said quietly.

"Means you're also going to have to come up with a name for my dad, he won't like being left out." Gibbs said leaving the room.

Tony went along to the bathroom to wash his face. He'd never had a grandfather before. What was he going to call him?

TBC