Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize and everything you don't.

Warnings: Some language may be coming up in the next few chapters, just though you guys should get a heads up. And I'm also playing with the idea of a Criminal Minds crossover so, yeah. Depeding on how you guys feel about it, I've decided to maybe make this story slash with one of the CM's characters. Review and let me know how you feel about both.

Enjoy.

Letting Go

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Tony walked over to his daughter's room and opened the door slowly, trying not to wake her up. Tor loved sleep more than she loved anything else in life, seriously. Well, it was a competition between food and sleep, with sleep winning over food most of the time. This gave him some cause for concern as he worried she was too skinny and not eating enough. Especially considering how active she was.

Frowning slightly, he leaned against the frame of the door and watched his daughter sleep. Sipping his coffee, he marveled at how much his life had changed in such a short time. This was everything he had ever wanted; sure he had never really put any serious thought into having kids but that was mostly a product of his upbringing.

It made him sad sometimes, knowing how much he has missed out on but she was here now and he would never let her go.

His baby girl was very busy with school and sports and Tony had only just started to get used to going to meets and games on Saturdays to see his daughter play. It was an incredible feeling to go out and see her swim, play water polo, and play soccer. She was all over the place but he attributed that to the endless amount of energy she had.

She was incredible out there and he was so incredibly proud of how hard she worked and how good she was. They hadn't been able to spend much time together since they both had such hectic schedules. Tony made sure that the time he did have, he spent with her.

It had been slow progress at first, getting her to really open up and be comfortable with him but he had made it work. He had come to learn that while she was shy at first, she was incredibly social and out-going once she was comfortable. That definitely made Tor very different.

Tony smiled and laughed softly as his daughter twitched as her alarm went off. He watched as she reached out with one arm and attempted to find her phone without pulling her head from under her pillow, where she had moved it once the alarm had gone off. Finally, a tousled head of hair emerged and silenced the alarm. "Breakfast will be ready in twenty, darling." Grumbles met his ears as he walked back down the stairs into the kitchen.

It was Thursday and, emergencies not withstanding, he was supposed to have the weekend off. He had made plans with Tobias and Leon to bring everyone over for a family barbeque on Saturday after Tor's soccer game. The plan was to go watch Tor play (win) and the come back to the house to have a Mexican style barbeque.

Tobias had invited a couple of his friends from the bureau over, as had Tony. Tor had even asked if she could invite some of her friends and teammates over.

It was the first time Tony could remember having something to really look forward to. Everything else seemed to pale in comparison to what he had now. He had a family, a true family, with a daughter, friends who loved him and respected him, and parents who adored him. It still gave him pause thinking about Leon as his father, to think that he had people who actually wanted him. Tor not only wanted him in her life, she needed him.

There was something about being needed that made you feel you were worth something. It was indescribable. He hummed a random song as he finished cooking the French toast and called out for his daughter, "Victoria! Breakfast!" He grinned at the muffled reply and let a full-blown smile light up his face as he heard the stomping of feet of the stairs.

Tony reached out and ruffled Tor's hair as she sat down and piled food onto her plate. "So, it's still cool if I invite a couple of friends over on Saturday, right?" Tony looked up at Tor and raised an eyebrow as she focused on her food. Sure, Tor loved food and had a tendency to savor it but she never avoided his eyes.

"Of course. Unless, of course, it's a boy." She brightened up before she rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him. Laughing she got up as she stuffed the last bite of French toast into her mouth.

"Yes, dad. It's a boy, a very nice boy who will be coming over with his parents to ease your worries. Gotta' go!" He gaped at the cheeky smile she gave him and laughed as he heard her trip on her way out. It amazed him how graceful she was in the water and on the field, but outside of it? It was a miracle she hadn't broken anything yet.

Tony thought about Tor's response and decided it would be fine to have the boy over. In fact, he would personally make sure he had a good time. Grinning he glanced at the clock and swore. He had to move now or he was going to be late.

Gibbs yelling at him for being late was the last thing he was looking forward to.

He barely made it on time and ignored the withering glare aimed his way. He sat at his desk and pulled up the stack of cold cases they were working on. It had been a slow week and he prayed it would stay that way. The barbeque was going on regardless of whether he was there or not but he really wanted to spend time with his family. Especially now considering a boy was coming over to see his daughter.

The hours passed by slowly and Tony almost pumped his fist and let his excitement show through. He reigned in the urge and walked over to Gibbs' desk, placing his reports and the notes he had made on the cold case files for his consideration. He packed his bag and was just about to pass David's desk when he was stopped, "Tony! Tooonnnnnyyyy!"

He blinked in surprise and more than a little bit of shock. He turned to look behind him and it was actually Abby. Huh. This was unexpected; he didn't have anything pending down in the lab and hadn't made a request for anything so far.

He turned to face her as she rushed over to him and nearly fell over when she gave him a bear hug, like the ones he had been used to before—well, before. He righted himself and stood still as she let go, not hugging her back. He ignored the hurt in her eyes and was surprised at the lack of guilt he felt in doing so. "Yes, Abby?"

She looked up at him with big watery eyes and paused before she spoke. "Umm, Tony, I was wondering, do you maybe want to have dinner? We can go out for a drink too!" She smiled up at him brightly and he blinked. He looked at her uncomprehendingly, how long had it been since she or any of them had wanted to spend time with him?

"I have plans." Tony said, slightly cold and watched her deflate. She looked at him, head tilted to the side and waited for him to elaborate. "I have to go. I'll be late for dinner." Not to mention he still had to make dinner, seeing as it was his turn this week.

"Tony, you should cancel. It's not like you can't sleep with the girl some other time. Or any other girl. Abby wants to spend time with you." McGee said as he walked up to Abby and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. Tony said nothing and turned to go.

"I'm actually making dinner so I have to go now if I don't want to make it too late." He said as he turned around and made his way to the elevator once more.

"DiNozzo! Get back here, now." Tony took a deep breath and tried not to let the anger and irritation he was feeling shine through.

"Gibbs?" He said as he turned and waited for him to speak. Blue eyes drilled into his and he stared into them, unflinchingly. He may still have feelings for the man but they no longer define him, Tor and his family did.

"That is no way to treat Abby. If you're making dinner, you should have the team over. I'm sure your girl of the week won't mind." Ziva butted in before Gibbs could speak. He bristled at the implications but said nothing as he waited for Gibbs to speak. When he said nothing, he picked his bag back up and shifted, carefully considering his words.

"I don't see why you need to comment on something that is none of your business. I haven't treated Abby in any particular way, she asked me a question and I responded. Just as I don't invite myself over to your dinner parties, I expect the same courtesy." They gaped at him and Gibbs looked furious but he just pressed his lips together.

"Tony, I don't mind joining you guys for dinner. I can even help cook!" Abby said enthusiastically.

"Yes, Tony. We can help you cook. It would be best as you do not know how to cook." Ziva added as McGee winced at their comments. He wisely decided to stay out of it as he took a step back seeing the look on Tony's face.

"I don't want to have dinner with you, I want to have dinner with Tor. And if I had needed your culinary skills, I would have requested them David." He responded coldly.

She glared at him and put an arm around Abby as she wilted and tears filled her eyes. "Of course you would pick some slut over your friends. That will always be the reason you end up alone, Tony. No woman would ever want you." She said coldly and Tony felt a different kind of rage to what he was used to fill him.

He stepped up to her until there was barely any space between them, ignoring the startled gasps and murmurings of their colleagues, most of which had surrounded them at some point during the confrontation. "I would be careful who I call a slut, David. You have no right to butt into my life and I will ask you only once, to never refer to any woman in my company by that name. " He tightly reigned in his anger and walked towards the elevator.

He stepped in and looked at her with flat eyes. "Ziva, let's not project our insecurities onto other people. It's bad form you know." The doors closed before she could respond to his words and Tony let out a pained laugh as he doubled over slightly.

Three months ago he would have killed for Abby to ask him out to dinner; for the team to invite themselves over to his place and keep him company. Three months ago he would have been unable to contain himself of the thought of finally being a part of the team again. Three months ago, his heart would have burst knowing that Gibbs cared, that he was interested in what was going on in his life.

Now, he couldn't muster up the strength to care. It hurt, oh it definitely still hurt. But he was learning to love himself, if only to be the best dad he could possibly be. His sunshine, his little Tor was everything to him. Tor, torch—she was like a torch, lighting his way into a better, brighter path.

Tony realized that the pain he felt wasn't as consuming as it had been before his baby girl had come into his life. He was happy, truly happy, for what felt like the first time in his life. He didn't need them, he had something to live for now.

Besides, he had hungry daughter and little ones to feed waiting for him at home. Tobias was even coming over to join them for dinner. Smiling, he stepped out onto the garage, pushing the incident out of his mind.

He drove to the sweet sounds of Queen and the Beatles, humming along as he parked in his drive way. Tony stepped out of his car, carrying his bag, and paused as he looked into his living room. Tor was talking and making wild gestures with her hands, Tobias and the children laughing as she pulled faces, telling them some story he was sure would be hilarious. Tor was a brilliant story teller.

As he looked into his home, filled with laughter and the people he loved, he thought he was finally ready to let go.

It was time to move on.

AN: Hey guys, sorry for the last post but I've been busy. No excuse beyond that and for those of you kind enough to message me with concerns for my health, I'm almost 100%. Well, more like 90% since I doubt I'll ever be 100% again. Mehh, it's all good. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and have a great rest of the week lovelies!

CriesoftheFallen