As much as he tried to fight it. Gibbs could no longer hold back his tears. He just completely broke down in Ducky's arms. He just wanted to be with his boy. What had made Ted so cruel? More importantly what had made him be so cruel to Tony? At least he was in jail and wouldn't be able to hurt Tony anymore. Unfortunately that didn't mean he was safe. It just meant one less sick bastard was out there. How many others were out there itching to cause harm to someone like Tony? Just so they could feel strong and powerful. All they were was schoolyard bullies who never grew out of it. A new wave of sobs racked his body. Ducky pulled him closer and gently stroked his hair.
"There, there it's alright Jethro." Ducky said softly.
"It's just so hard!" Gibbs cried.
"I know in the old days Anthony would have beaten that man senseless. Sadly his motor skills aren't what they used to be and he just can't fight like that anymore." Ducky explained.
"It's not just that it's all of this!" Gibbs cried.
"All of what?" Ducky asked.
"The fact that somebody would hurt Tony. The fact that I can't keep up with him. The fact that I have to worry about him all the time." Gibbs sobbed.
"Well as I told you when you first came to me about becoming Anthony's caretaker. This is a difficult job that you have to be one hundred percent committed to. Now if you don't think you can handle it anymore. I can help you find a good group home for him." Ducky explained.
"No Duck, I know this is hard but I can't do that to him. He needs me and I need him. I am not using him as a replacement for Kelly. I just. I mean I have seen him everyday for almost thirteen years now. I can't put him somewhere and only see him when I have time. I need to go to sleep knowing he is across the hall." Gibbs explained.
"I understand Jethro. Just know you don't have to do this alone. All of us are here for you." Ducky assured.
"I know Duck. I couldn't do it without you guys and the people at the daycare center." Gibbs replied.
Abby Borin looked at the remnants of Tony's backpack and possessions. They were no longer scattered across the floor of the mall. She had picked them up and placed them on the nearest bench. She was hoping that she could repair at least one of the items. Everything was ruined damaged beyond repair. She wiped a lone tear from her eye. Ignoring the stares and whispers about the weird lady on the bench with all the trash. She wanted to stand up and scream that this isn't trash. She knew that yelling and arguing wouldn't do any good. She had to do something to help Tony. She placed the broken and torn toys, ripped up sketch pad, and smashed crayons into the remnants of the backpack, walked over and threw them into the trashcan. Before heading towards the toy-store. She knew that she couldn't replace the backpack or key chain. She hadn't seen any Mighty Mouse themed products in years. Except for on Tony's former desk and she had spent months trying to find a stuffed hippo similar to Bert for her friend's son. Only to come up dry every time. She figured it was some weird secret website or store that only Abby Scuito and the other Goths of the world knew about. The first thing she was able to replace was the crayons. There was a huge sale display right by the entrance. Her eyes landed on the sixty-four pack complete with a sharpener. She immediately grabbed the box and tossed it into her basket. She also got a smaller twelve pack. To keep in his backpack. Next she got the sketch-pads one for home and another for the backpack. She made her way over to the action figure section debating between two different Spider-man dolls. Before eventually deciding on the one with less small parts. She didn't know how Tony was with putting stuff in his mouth and she couldn't have him choking on her conscience. She noticed a two for one sale on GI-Joe's and grabbed a couple for Tony. According to the "Tony's Team" Facebook page run by Abby, McGee, and Jimmy Palmer. GI Joe's were Tony's favorite and she didn't recognize those two from the photos. Her last stop was the stuffed animal aisle. She looked at every teddy-bear. Before falling in love with a caramel colored bear donning a red and white Letterman jacket with the company's logo on the chest and 2014 on the sleeve. She knew that this would mean everything to Tony. On her way to the checkout she noticed a table of balls and other sports gear. She picked up a glow in the dark basketball and made her way to the checkout.
"Is somebody's birthday coming up?" The cashier asked eying her overflowing basket.
"No, my friend's son is in the hospital and I want to cheer him up." Abby explained.
"Oh well I hope he feels better." The cashier replied.
"Me too." Abby replied relieved that the cashier didn't ask anymore questions. She doubted she could talk about Tony without breaking down.
Gibbs ran his hand through Tony's hair. They had set him up in a room and were keeping him overnight. He was extremely lucky to not have a concussion. As a result of the damage from his attack. Even a small blow to the head. Could prove disastrous to Tony. At the mall and during the ride over. He was so distracted by his anger at Ted and fear for his son. That he didn't really notice the injuries that the younger man had endured. His worst injury was severely broken nose that may require surgery to repair. His other injuries were two broken ribs, double back eyes, and severe bruising on his arms, legs, and torso. He had a huge bruise from Ted's fist on his stomach. The doctors were monitoring him for internal bleeding from that injury. The bruises around Tony's neck were the hardest for Gibbs to look at. Abby had said that she had seen Ted choking Tony. His words about how he would rather be in jail than live behind Tony. Made Gibbs sick. Just because he didn't think Tony belonged in the world. Didn't mean that everyone felt that way. It's not like Tony ever bothered him. He never wandered from the yard unless he was with Gibbs.
"Hello? The nurse told me that Tony was in here. Isn't alright if I come in?" A female voice asked from the doorway.
"Abby? What are you doing here?" Gibbs asked.
"I felt so bad about what happened at the mall. That I got Tony a couple of things." Abby explained.
"You didn't have to do that." Gibbs replied.
"Yes I did. He is such a great guy and he doesn't deserve to be treated like that. He didn't deserve to be the attack that left him like this either. He should have an easy life filled with love." Abby explained.
"That's what I am trying to give him." Gibbs replied.
"He's lucky to have you." Abby commented.
"I feel like this is my opportunity to make up for the way his father treated him. When he was a growing up." Gibbs explained.
"Well you are doing an excellent job." Abby replied.
"Thanks" Gibbs replied.
"How's he doing?" Abby asked.
"They don't think there's anything life threatening. He has a badly broken nose and a couple of his ribs are broken too. Other than that it's just bruising. They want to monitor him for internal bleeding though. So he is staying tonight." Gibbs explained.
"Poor Tony. Is he scared?" Abby asked.
"He was when he first arrived. Luckily he is on pain killers and will probably sleep the rest of the night." Gibbs explained.
"Alright well when he wakes up give him this for me." Abby replied.
"Sure, hey would you like to stay here for a bit?" Gibbs asked.
"Of course." Abby replied.
"Great" Gibbs replied.
"I wish that I had gotten there sooner. Then maybe he would be home right now instead of in the hospital." Abby replied.
"Don't beat yourself up. If it weren't for you that bastard would have killed Tony." Gibbs replied.
"Is your team coming?" Abby asked.
"Yeah Ducky is having dinner with the Palmer's, Bishop actually just left, and Abby and McGee are out to eat with Delilah and Abby's boyfriend Trent. They should be here anytime though." Gibbs replied.
"Other Abby has a boyfriend?" Abby asked.
"Yeah. He was in rehab with Delilah and Abby's church built a ramp and retrofitted his house to be wheelchair accessible." Gibbs explained.
"Oh that's nice." Abby replied.
"They seem really happy together. I hope that it works out for them." Gibbs replied.
"When is McGee and Delilah's wedding?" Abby asked.
"August" Gibbs replied.
"Have they already sent out invitations?" Abby asked.
"Not yet." Gibbs replied.
"Oh well I hope I get an invite." Abby replied.
"I think I can arrange that." Gibbs replied.
"Thanks" Abby replied.
"No problem. I hope that they get here soon. I could really use some coffee but I am worried about Tony waking up alone." Gibbs replied.
"Well when they do. Would you mind if I joined you?" Abby asked.
"I don't mind at all." Gibbs replied.
"Great" Abby replied smiling.
A/N: Abby Borin and Gibbs are about to go on their first "date". Their relationship will grow from here. New chapter should be up Wednesday. Please review and thanks for reading.
