Tony awoke Sunday morning to an empty house.

Gibbs was nowhere to be found.

The basement was empty, other than the large boat of course. So was the kitchen, living room, and the backyard. His car was still in the driveway.

Tony looked at the clock. It was 8:00am.

There was no note saying where Gibbs was. There was no new message on the answering machine. And he didn't have work that day.

Tony got nervous.

Where was Gibbs? He wouldn't have just left Tony alone here. Would he?

Tony got dressed and went outside. He sat on the front steps and waited.

An hour passed.

Tony was about to fall asleep when he heard the low rumble of a car coming up the street.

A black '66 Mustang pulled into the driveway with Gibbs behind the wheel. He got out and tossed the keys to Tony.

Tony easily caught them in one hand as he stood up. His mouth was gaping open.

"Since when did you have such a sweet car?"

Gibbs smiled.

"I don't. You do."

Tony's mouth dropped even lower.

"That car… is mine?"

"Yup. You're turning 16 next week, right?"

"Yeah and I had driving lessons at Rhode Island Military Academy last year."

"So its settled. We'll go get your license next week."

"Thank you so much! Oh my God this is so awesome!"

Tony ran to Gibbs and pulled him into a hug, with his head still turned and facing the car.

He pulled away and said,

"Thank you da--Gibbs."

"About that, Tony. I talked it over with the director, and…if you want to of course… I can legally become your father."

"You mean, adopt me?"

"Yes. But I understand if you don't want to."

"No. I'd like that."

"Good. Because I already signed the papers."

They both smiled and Tony eagerly got into the drivers seat of his new car.

___________

Tony's 16th Birthday…

Tony woke up and went downstairs.

As expected, Gibbs was already up and drinking his coffee. It was a Saturday but Gibbs had to work.

"Happy Birthday Tony."

"Thanks… dad."

Gibbs smiled, but noticed that Tony still seemed slightly uncomfortable addressing Gibbs with a title that had brought so much pain to him for so long. He changed the subject.

"I have to get to work. Be back around 6."

Tony nodded.

Gibbs left and Tony went out to his car. He had gotten his license the previous day.

He got in and admired the leather seats, the smooth exterior, and the brand new radio. He backed out of the driveway and drove down the street.

He didn't know exactly where he was going. He just loved being in his car.

The last week was agony as he had waited and waited for his license. Watching the car in the driveway, begging to be driven.

He was halfway down a main street when it started pouring rain. He was lucky Gibbs hadn't gotten him a convertible.

But he noticed a girl walking down the street in the rain. It was Ziva.

Tony pulled his car over next to her and rolled down the window.

"Need a ride?"

Ziva smiled at him.

"Hello Tony."

"Quit talkin' and get in. It's pouring out there!"

Ziva smiled again, this time slightly wider, and got in the passenger side.

"Thank you, Tony."

"No problem. So where ya headed?"

"Well I was just walking, but I didn't plan for this."

"That's fine. Today was the first day I could legally drive this baby."

"You got your license today?"

"Well technically I got it yesterday but I turned 16 today."

"Happy Birthday."

"Thanks."

"I can not wait to get my license."

"Wait, you don't have your liscense?"

"I am 15 tony."

"But you gave me a ride home the other day."

"Yes. What is your point?"

Tony thought she was joking, but her face was dead serious.

He gave her a confused look.

Ziva only smiled and looked out the front window of the car.

"So where should I drop you off?"

Ziva thought for a second.

"My house, I suppose."

"David manor it is." Tony replied, smiling.

Ziva smiled back. Her house was about 20 minutes away. They had some time to talk.

But before tony had a chance to say anything, Ziva turned her head sharply towards him.

"Tony, I have a problem."

"What is it Zee-vah?" Tony stretched out her name, hoping his humor would lighten her sudden tension.

But she didn't even smile. He quickly found out why.

"I am moving, Tony."

Suddenly the world seemed to crash down around him. Nothing else mattered right now.

"What?"

"My father told me last night."

"But why?"
"it is my brother, Ari. He has gotten into some trouble and we need to go back to Tel Aviv. It is a Mossad matter."

"Will you ever come back?"
"Honestly Tony, I don't know."

Tony stared blankly into space. He seemed to be driving on autopilot.

But why? He had known this girl for what? A week? And now he felt like his world was crashing down all because she was moving?"

"When?"

"A week from Monday."

__________

Tony had dropped Ziva off hours ago. But he was still driving up and down the streets. He didn't feel like going home. But it was 6:00. Gibbs would be home any minute. And it was still his birthday.

Maybe they could order a pizza or something.

He turned into the driveway.

Gibbs's car was already there.

Tony went into the house to find Gibbs waiting for him.

He smiled at Tony.

"I have a surprise for you."

Tony looked at him strangely.

"What's going on?"

Gibbs only smiled again and pointed up the stairs.

"Go see for yourself."

Tony went upstairs with Gibbs following close behind.

His room was the first door on the right at the top of the stairs.

The door was closed.

Tony looked at Gibbs.

"Go ahead, Tony."

Tony opened the door.

The room that was once a guest room, was now completely redone.

The walls were now dark blue. The bed had blue and black covers. But the best part was the framed movie posters hanging on the wall. One was from the movie The Outsiders, with Patrick Swayze and Matt Dillon. The other was Ferris Bueller's Day Off, with Mathew Broderick. Both were some of his favorites.

Tony turned and looked at Gibbs, who said,

"Happy Birthday, and welcome home."