The Altruistic Grumpee

By Glow60

This is where I left off in the last chapter…

(Tony knew Gibbs was right but he was not going to admit it, "GIBBS…WHY…DON'T YOU GO TO HELL! BETTER YET…GET THE HELL OUT OF MY LIFE AND MY SON'S LIFE. LEAVE US ALONE. IF YOU DON'T…I PROMISE YOU WHEN I LEAVE HERE I AM TAKING MY LITTLE BOY BACK HOME WITH ME AND I MEAN BACK HOME TO NEW YORK. SO NEITHER YOU NOR MARY WILL EVER HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MY SON OR ME AGAIN. NOW PLEASE…LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE…"

Tony turns his back to Gibbs and would not look at him. The room became very quiet. It stayed that way until he hears a nurse asking him if everything is okay. When he turns to answer her he notices that Gibbs is no longer in the room.

Meanwhile outside in the parking lot, Gibbs makes his way to his truck. Once inside the vehicle his mind goes back over the argument he just had with DiNozzo. He is angry with himself because he let it get too out of control. He looks back at the building. He wonders if he should go back and finished what he had started but decides against it. As he places the key into the ignition he feels a sharp pain. He grabs his chest and places his head against the steering wheel. The pain was just too much and he passes out…)

CHAPTER 7 – This Act of Altruism

Back inside the hospital, DiNozzo watches as the nurse finishes checking his blood pressure. She mentions to him his blood pressure is a little high. She tells him she will be back shortly to check his pressure again. After she leaves Tony has time to think about his confrontation with Gibbs. He had not planned to get angry with Gibbs because he knew the older man had been there for him and his little boy. He just didn't like Gibbs telling him what a stupid thing he had down. He knows now he needs to apologize to his friend.

As he reaches for his IPhone he stops when he sees George Washington Lee standing in the doorway of his hospital room. Lee doesn't smile as he grabs a chair and sits down next to the bed. Neither man spoke a word as Lee picks up DiNozzo's chart and looks it over before he puts it back. Finally he says, "I was visiting an old patient of mine when I heard you were back in the hospital. I was surprised so I had to stop by and see what happen."

Tony looks annoyed," I'm not your patient anymore."

"I know…but I always like to check on my old patients and see how they are doing. It's just who I am."

Tony starts to feel a little angry again as he asks, "Did Gibbs put you up to this?"

There is no emotion on Lee's face when he says, "No…I haven't talked with Gibbs since the party. As I said a moment ago, I was visiting an old patient of mine when I heard you were here."

Tony stares at the man for a few seconds. He is not sure if Lee was telling him the truth or not. Finally he says, "Look…you don't have to worry about me and you can tell Gibbs he don't have to worry about me anymore. I made a stupid mistake of taking the alcohol with my meds and I promise I won't do that again."

Lee stares at Tony for a few seconds before he finally cocks his head and asks, "Tony…was it really a stupid mistake or did you subconsciously planned it?"

For a few seconds, Tony's face changes to anger but it was gone just as quickly as it came.

Lee smiles just a little because he knew he has hit a nerve. He reaches into his shirt pocket and pulls out what looks like a laminated card. He hands it to Tony. Tony looks at the card for a second before he tries to hand it back to Lee but Lee refuses to take it.

Tony smiles as he jokingly crosses his heart as he says, "Look Lee...I promise you I am fine…I just made a stupid mistake and now everyone thinks I am suicidal…but I'm not. It was just a stupid mistake. I have learned my lesson and I won't make that stupid mistake again. So…you can go back and tell whomever sent you here that I am going to be okay and they don't have to worry about me."

Lee didn't believe him, "Tony…please hear me out first before you kick me out of your room. Shortly after I left the navy I went through some really rough times. I started thinking of my dad a lot. I kept saying to myself if only I had been there for him when he needed me the most…maybe just maybe I could have helped him in someway. Anyway I begin drinking a lot and started going down a self-destructive path. It wasn't long before I begin blaming God and everyone else for what happen to my family. I will always regret not making peace with dad before he died. Maybe if I did he would be alive today."

Lee eyes begin to water as he continues, "Anyway…to get back to what I am trying to tell you…A few years back I was traveling on this plane to visit my grandmother. I was sitting next to this woman. We got talking and I told her about my time in the service and what my plans are. We talk through the entire trip. Just before we disembarked the plane, she hands me that card that I just gave you. I have been keeping it all these years and it has helped me throughout some of my most rough times. I am hoping it might help you?"

Tony looks at the card again and reads it to himself. 'My grief and pain are mine. I have earned them. They are part of me. Only in feeling them do I open myself to the lessons they can teach, by Anne Wilson Schaef.'

Tony tries to hand it back to Lee.

Lee shakes his head, "No Tony…you keep it. I have more. Besides…Schaef's words are forever ingrained in my mind and they have helped me throughout my most difficult times. Maybe her words will somehow help you as they have helped me. Listen…I know you love your little boy with all your heart. I also know you would do anything for him but you have to take care of yourself to accomplish that. You have to remember you are not in this alone, your little boy has lost his mother and sister and he almost lost you twice now. No matter how much he loves his Grumpee…you are his world and you will always be his world. Can you imagine what it would do to that sweet precious little boy of yours if you were not here for him anymore?"

Tony didn't say anything because he knew the man was right.

Lee stands up. "Well…I have to go. Tony…you take care of yourself and take care of that little boy of yours…"

As Lee walks out of the room his thoughts are on the phone call he received early this morning. He was surprised to hear a little boy voice. The child was crying and begging him to help his daddy. Before the phone call ended he had made the promise to the little boy that he would do whatever he can to help his daddy.

Lee takes one last look in the room before he whispers to himself, "Tony…you better get your act together and take care of your little boy. If you don't I will personally come back here and kick your ass."

A few minutes after Lee left, Tony's cellphone rings. He looks at the name on the screen. It was his mother-in-law Mary. He wasn't really in the mood to talk to her but she did have his son. He decides to answer it but instead of Mary voice he hears his little boy's sweet voice instead, "Daddy?"

Tony couldn't help but smile as he whispers into iPhone, "Hi…little man."

"Daddy…are you okay? Are you really okay? I…I was so worried about you?"

"I'm okay now that I can hear your sweet voice? Are…are you having a good time with Granny Mary?"

"Yes…Granny Mary is going to take me to the zoo tomorrow. Can you and Grumpee come with us?"

"No…not this time but maybe we can go another day."

"Daddy?"

"What…little man?"

"I heard Granny Mary and Grumpee talking on the phone. They said you want to be with mommy and Sissy in heaven. Daddy…please…(sob)…stay with me. I…I promise I will be a good boy and do everything you want me to do."

The father closes his eyes. He was doing everything he could to keep control of his emotions. Finally he says, "Little man…you are already a good boy. You have done nothing…wrong. If anyone has been wrong it was me and only me."

"Daddy...Grumpee and me were so worried about you. I saw my Grumpee cry and I cry too."

"I know. I'm…I'm so sorry I upset you both."

"Daddy…you better not make us cry…anymore. If you do I be mad at you next time…"

Tony couldn't help but smiles just a little as he gets a well deserved scolding from his little boy. Finally he says, "I hear you and I cross my heart and promise I won't make your Grumpee or you cry anymore."

For a few seconds there was only silence. Finally little Tony says, "I love you Daddy and I want you to be here with me…forever."

Tears flows freely down the father's cheeks as he says, "I love you too. I am so sorry for all the stuff I have put you and Grumpee through. Can you ever forgive me?"

The little boy ignored his father's last question as his says, "Daddy...can I come home and be with you."

"No…for now you need to stay with Granny Mary until daddy can get himself better."

"Daddy…Granny Mary says we have to go now. Granny is taking me to McDonald's. I…I will call you tomorrow…okay? I love you Daddy…bye."

"Bye my little man. I love you too."

Tony had thought his little boy had already hung up when it went quiet. He was surprise when he hears, "Bye Daddy…I got to hang up now."

Seconds later the nurse enters the room to check his blood pressure. This time it was back to normal. After she leaves, Tony tries to call Gibbs so he can apologize but the older man was not answering his phone.

Earlier this morning at the Sciuto-Moores' house…

Gibbs was sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee, while Abby was getting ready to make breakfast for her family. At the moment he knew better then to say anything to her. He knew she was still angry and refused to look or talk to him. He really didn't blame her because no one likes to be woken up in the early morning hours and have to drive forty miles to the hospital just to chauffeur and babysit a stubborn old man.

Every time he hears a cabinet door slam or a pot bang against something he almost jumps. He thinks to himself if Abby doesn't give him a heart attack nothing will. He decides it is best for him to keep his mouth shut and wait until she is ready to talk with him.

While he waits, his mind goes back to yesterday. He remembers the pain and everything going black. The next thing he remembers was waking up in the emergency room. He had an oxygen mask covering his face and he was connected to a heart monitor machine. One of the nurses explained to him what had happened. She also told him they had to go through his pockets to find out who he was and they called his doctor. It was just a short time later when Dr. Cyril Taft arrived. Gibbs knew immediately that his friend was angry with him. He remembers his old friend sits down in one of the chairs next to the bed. Cyril had the test results in his hands. He studies the paperwork before he looks at him. Finally he says, "Gibbs…the good news is you didn't have a heart attack."

"Then what cause the chest pains? Was it my old injury?"

"No…it was just stress…"

Gibbs smiles with relief.

Taft didn't smile back as he says, "Gibbs…I know you have been going through a lot since the accident. I had tried calling you several times after the funeral. I wanted to see how things were going with you but you never returned any of my calls."

"I planned too…but I…"

Taft cut him off, "Gibbs…I am your friend. I have been your friend for a number of years now. I know how much you care about Tony and his family. What happen to them was very tragic. If…I know you correctly…you are doing everything you can to help Tony and his little boy and it is what is causing your stress. You can't keep doing this…your body is telling you to slow down and maybe let the others help out. Abby and McGee could help and all you have to do is ask them."

"They have their own problems. As long as I can help DiNozzo and his son I am going to keep doing it."

Taft raises his voice just a little; "This act of altruism is not a good thing if you kill yourself trying to do it. That pain you felt yesterday was your body warning you to take a step back."

Gibbs did not say anything but stares at his friend.

Taft shakes his head as he stands up and walks out of the room.

Gibbs' mind is brought back to the present when he hears Abby yelling at him, "GIBBS! WHY DIDN'T YOU CALL MCGEE OR ME? TONY AND YOU ARE FAMILY. we care about both of you. you should have called us. We would have come and helped somehow!"

Gibbs wished he had never mention to Abby about what had happen at the hospital. He remembers he was still a little groggy from the meds on the ride to Abby's house. He told her about the argument he had had with DiNozzo and now he regrets.

Abby turns away before she slams her hand against the counter. She takes a deep breath and turns back to him before she says, "What Tony said to you was so very wrong. He was just hurting and he wanted to hurt back. He…"

She couldn't finish what she wanted to say. She begins to cry.

Gibbs stands up and tries to comfort her but she pushed him away. He tries again but this time she allows him to comfort her. It was almost noon when McGee came by and drove Gibbs back home.

Almost an hour after Gibbs had left, Abby cellphone rings. She looks at it and sees its Tony. She is not sure if she wants to answer it but gives in after a few seconds. "Tony…what do you want."

Tony could tell from Abby's voice that she is angry with him. He ignores her and asks, "Abby…I have been trying to call Gibbs but I keep going into his voicemail. Do you know where he might be?"

It was a few seconds before she answers him; "He is probably at home by now."

"Abby…I really need to talk with him."

"Tony…you were so mean to him. How can you mean so mean to him when all he wanted to do was help you and little Tony? You don't deserve someone like him."

"Abby…I know…I am sorry. I still need to talk with him."

"Tony…I am not the one you need to be saying you're sorry too. You need to say that to Gibbs"

"I know and that is why I want to talk with him."

"Good…he doesn't need to go back to the hospital."

Tony is surprised, "What are you talking about? What do you mean back to the hospital?"

"Right after he left you he had passed out in the hospital parking lot. They rush him to the emergency room. They thought he had a heart attack but it was stress. Tony…I am warning you better now hurt him because I am warning you."

Tony whispers, "I promise you I won't."

Meanwhile at Gibbs's house, he walks into the kitchen to make himself some coffee. He still couldn't get his mind off how he left it with DiNozzo. What kind of friend was he to walk out when his friend needs him to be strong for him? Maybe Taft and Abby are right? Maybe it is time he lets that the others handle it?

Once the coffee is made he pours himself a cup and heads down stairs. He places the cup down on the table as his eyes focuses on the highchair. He walks over and touches it. It still needs a little more sanding and then he can start painting it.

He continues to looks around the room. To him…this place has always been his safe space. It was his private place to think and get away from his problems. Since the accident it became a place he shares with his little grandson. It is so quiet now and he misses the little boy so much. He angrily picks up his coffee mug and throws it across the room. Pieces of the broken cup and liquid were now scatter all over the wall and floor.

As he reaches down to pick up the pieces he hears a noise. Someone is now walking across the upper floor. He recognizes those footsteps immediately. He watches as the basement door opens and his visitor slowly descends the stairs.

DiNozzo slowly limps toward him and doesn't stop until he stands a few feet in front of him.

Gibbs asks, "I thought Smith was going to keep you for a few days longer?"

Tony smiles shyly, "He…didn't like it when I signed myself out."

Gibbs ask, "Tony…why did you come here?"

Tony did not answer him right away but instead looks around the room. Gibbs watches as his friend spots the broken cup and spilled coffee. Tony limps toward it and picks up one of the broken pieces and studies it. Gibbs waits patiently. He knew anytime Tony wants to talk seriously he will never look at him until he gathers all his thoughts together. Finally, Tony places the broken pieces gently on the table. He looks at Gibbs, "Accident?"

Gibbs grins, "You could say that. Tony…answer my question. Why are you here?"

Tony looks at him, "I needed to be here because I need to apologize to you. On the trip over here I am been trying to figure out a way to apologize without you telling me it is a sign of weakness."

Gibbs smiles, "You…already know my rule eighteen covers it."

Tony nods, "Yes…your rule eighteen…I always seem to forget that rule. Gibbs…about yesterday…I…do…know you were only trying to help my son and me. I am so sorry for the way I acted and the things I said to you."

"Tony…I am also sorry for the way I acted too."

Tony shakes his head, "No…Gibbs…you have nothing to apologize for. I know you were just trying to help. Back at the hospital, I was just so embarrassed and I didn't like it when you reminded me."

Gibbs was about to say something but Tony stops him, "Gibbs…please let me finish what I need to say. After you left, Lee came by and talked with me. He gave me some good advice even though I was being a bastard to toward him too. After Lee left, my little boy called me and chewed my ass out. He let me know how much I was hurting him and you. Afterwards, I tried to get a hold of you but I kept going into your voicemail so I called Abby. She told me what happen to you in the hospital parking lot. Gibbs I am so sorry…I really didn't mean to hurt you or my son. I…do now realize I can't keep going this way because it is tearing all the people I love and care for apart. I know now I need to stop acting this way. It's time for me to move on and make a better life for my son and me."

Gibbs heart drops when Tony mentions he it was time for him to move own. He is afraid Tony is going to move away and take his grandson with him. He was afraid he would never see them again especially the little boy.

Tony sees the worry look in the blue eyes. He could only imagine what his friend was thinking at the moment. Finally he says, "Gibbs…don't worry…I have no plans to move away. I am just saying it's time that I move on with my life. I know there is nothing I can't do to bring my girls back but I do still have my little boy. He means more to me than life itself and I need to start acting like his daddy again. I promise you I will continue going to my sessions and do whatever I need to do to get my head back on straight. I was also thinking maybe you and I could go up to the cabin like we planned earlier. Maybe just you and me…we can spend some time fishing and maybe talk a little. Well…maybe in this case…I will do all the talking and you listen."

Gibbs smiles, "I would like that."

A couple of hours later Gibbs and Tony had everything packed for the trip to the cabin. They were both hungry so they decided to stop by their favorite diner to get a something to eat.

It was late in the evening when they arrived at the cabin; Gibbs parks his truck on the old gravel road. He looks over at Tony and notices he has a sad look on his face. He asks, "Tony…we can always turn around and go back if you want?"

"No…I was just thinking about my little boy. I wished he was here with us."

Gibbs grins just a little, "Well…let's get unpacked and then you can call him."

As Tony enters the cabin the lights suddenly come on, he is surprise to see his little boy and Mary standing near the kitchen table. Little Tony yells surprise as he runs and jumps into his daddy's arms.

Tony looks up at Gibbs, "How…did they know…we were coming?"

"I called Mary earlier."

"When you were with me all the time."

Gibbs laughs, "I was not with you when you went to the bathroom at my house."

"Well…I guess that explains why it took us two hours to pack."

Tony kisses Mary on the cheek and thanks her for bringing his little boy to him.

She smiles, "I couldn't have been more happy when Gibbs called me and told me of your plan. We both thought it would be nice if your son was here with you."

Tony looks out the window, "I didn't see a car. How did you two get here?"

"I parked my truck behind the cabin because your son wanted to surprise you."

Tony looks at his little boy and thanks him for the awesome surprise. Both Gibbs and Mary just stand there and watch the father and son interaction. They could tell the two were so happy to see each other.

Since it was late Gibbs had invited Mary to stay the night but she told him she had things take care of and needed to head home. When she was ready to leave she said her goodbyes and heads out the door. She takes one last look around the place; she remembers how much her daughter Zoe had loved it here. Zoe once told her that Gibbs's cabin always seemed like a magical place. It was a place where she, Tony and their children would go to get away from the city life. Mary smiles sadly as she remembers her daughter had tried several time to get her to come here but she always found an excuse not to go. She now regrets her decision. As she opens the door to her truck, she takes one last look back at the cabin. She spots her little grandson waving to her from one of the windows. She smiles as she returns the wave and blows him a goodbye kiss.

As she seats herself inside the truck, she wishes she could have stay longer but she knew it was time for her to make her exist. She knows these three need some time alone to heal. She had not realized has bad it been for them until she had spent some time with her grandson. At first, the little boy was too upset to talk to her but once he was able to talk the floodgates opened and he told her everything.

As Mary starts up her truck, she knows there will be many bumps in the road for them but she knows they are at least on the road to recovery and they won't be doing it alone. They have too many family members and friends who loved them enough to help them on the journey to recovery.

Gibbs, Tony and little Tony stayed at the cabin for almost a week. In the early morning hours Gibbs would take them out on the lake to fish. Tony promises that any fish he and his son catch he would clean them. For once Gibbs made sure he didn't catch any fish but let his grandson catch all of them. Gibbs made sure Tony keep his promise. In the evening hours they would go for long walks. At night after little Tony went to bed Gibbs and DiNozzo would sit out on the porch and talked. They talked about everything but mostly about Zoe and little Abby. Sometimes Gibbs would talk about his girls. The week went by fast and it wasn't long before they head back home to Gibbs' house.

There should be about two more chapters after this. I will post them as soon as I am finished with them.

I hope you enjoyed…