Chapter 8
The next couple of weeks pasted by in a blur. Tony spent a lot of time with the team. He went out with McGee for beers, with Ziva for practice, with Abby for shopping and he even went to a party with Ducky. Most of the time Tony would take McGee, Ziva, Abby and Jimmy for lunch when they didn't have a case. He also helped a lot with the cases. At first it was an advice but with time he started going to the crime scenes with the others. He wasn't part of the team but he definitely was part of the family. Even Vance seemed to accept Tony even though he wanted to know more about the man.
Tony was having a lot of fun with the team but he had to admit that he was scared. These people trust him and he lies to them. Every day. He knows that he can't keep going on like that. At some point he will have to choose. His life as a Shadow or Gibbs and the team. And it wasn't an easy decision. The Shadow wasn't gust a mask. It was a part of him. He knew he was powerful and he could do what he wanted and many people feared him for that but being himself couldn't stop people from doing bad things. From hurting others. As a Shadow he could put an end to that. It was a promise he had given many years ago. When he was just a boy.
Flashback
He was eight years old. His mother called him in her room because she wanted to talk to him. When he went there he saw machines surrounding his mother and the doctor was talking with his father. He knew his mother was sick but he had never seen her so weak. He went near her and took her hand.
"Anthony my sweet boy. I love you so much." His mother said.
"I love you too mommy."
"Anthony you're a big boy now. You know that I'll die soon. But remember that I'll always look over you. My son. You know that most people are not like us. They don't live like us. You must always care and protect those around you Anthony. There are people who do bad things to gain power and money. Don't ever be like them. You have to fight these people and be the man i see. Promise me Anthony."
"I promise mommy."
"Do you remember the last movie we saw together? About the man who protected the city?"
"Batman?"
"Yes. I made this for you. It's a mask. Like batman's. One day you'll be like him. And better. I know you will." His mother said and her voice weakened. She was asleep. Tony took the mask in his hands.
"I promise mommy. I'll be like batman. I'll protect the city from bad people." Tony vowed.
End of flashback
He knew it was a childish promise but he would never break his promise to his mother. He would always protect those who needed it even in the cost of his own life. Even if it meant that he had to lose Gibbs.
As he thought about it he knew that he wasn't good enough for Gibbs. Gibbs had a family once and a team that trust him and consider him family. People respect him. Tony himself has the respect of a lot of people but they don't see him for who he really is. They only see a spoiled rich kid who took over the family business and attended Rhode Island Military Academy as a teenager, and graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in physical education.
Tony was shown flirting with nearly every woman he encountered something that his father approved, what he didn't want though and he still doesn't want is to get married. He loves his son although he doesn't show it and he doesn't mind that his bi he just doesn't want someone to take advantage of him and be with him for his money. He would never approve a relationship with Gibbs but Tony doesn't care about that. If he decides to be with Gibbs he won't listen to his father but why would Gibbs decide to be with him when he can choose whomever he want?
"Did you bring the beer?" Gibbs asked one night.
"Of course." Tony answered. The last few nights Tony would go at Gibbs place and they would cook and talk for hours only for Tony to go back at his place with nothing happening between them.
"How was your day? Anything excited happened?" tony asked.
"The usual. We didn't get a case so we worked on cold ones. How about you? Did you go to the company?" Gibbs asked while cooking the steaks.
"Yep. I signed all the papers that needed my signature, I had a few meetings and I told them what I wanted them to put in the new issue of the magazine and will meet again tomorrow to approve the articles.
"So you won't come tomorrow at the office?" Gibbs asked.
"The meeting will last just a few hours so I might come to see the others and if you need help with any case." Tony said.
"Food is ready. The salad is in the fringe will you bring it?"
"Sure." Tony said and brought the salad and two beers.
"I'm visiting my father this weekend. I'll be back Monday morning." Gibbs said while eating.
"That's good. You should spend some time with your father." Tony said thinking of his own father.
"You never talk about your father."
"There's not much to say. He's one of the rich people who likes to work and make more money and spent time with women. He loved my mother a lot and when he lost her he couldn't handle it. So he send me away to study and when I came back he was - and still is - nowhere around. Even when I got engaged he wasn't there. He didn't like her. And I still believe that he had something to do with her leaving me." Tony said the pain evidence in his voice.
"Wait you were engaged?" Gibbs asked shocked.
"Yeah" Tony said smiling.
"So what happened?" Gibbs asked curious.
"Her name was Wendy. Wendy Miller. She left me the night before our wedding, and said that she wasn't ready to find a real love, but she was ready to be married. She broke off the engagement, but soon after married a stockbroker. As far as I know they have a son together but they're not married anymore. She was a really beautiful woman and very smart. My father didn't approve of her because she didn't have money but I didn't mind so there wasn't much he could do." Tony said remembering the past and smiling.
"So why do you think he did something to send her away?" Gibbs asked.
"Because he has done it in the past. When I was 15 I fell in love with the gardeners' son. When my father found out he threatened him that if he didn't leave from my life he would fire his father. He didn't want his son to have a relationship with someone without money especially with someone who works for us." Tony explained.
"Other fathers take their kids presents and decorate the Christmas tree together. My father didn't even do that. All he did was to buy me magazines to manage." Tony said with a sign.
"I understand him you know. He's my father. He wants the best for me. A lot of people fell in love with me just because of my name. He was trying to protect me. It wasn't the best way to do it but it's the only way he knows. If my mother was here things would have been different." Tony said. Gibbs couldn't believe what he was hearing. On one hand he could understand why Tony's father did what he did. People would do a lot of things for money but did he have to do it like that?
They continued talking until morning came and it was Friday. Tony went home to change and then went to the company while Gibbs went at the office. At lunch Tony met the team and they had lunch together. The weekend pasted by in a blur and it was finally Monday. The team were at the office waiting for Gibbs when Vance appeared.
"Where's Gibbs?" Vance asked.
"He went to see his father for the weekend. Why? What happened?" McGee asked.
"Have you heard about the Emerson case?" Vance asked.
"A little." McGee said.
"Serial killer. They carried him along with two others in different prisons. Something happened. He had a gun. He killed two policemen and took one for hostage. We just found the corpses and the truck. Gibbs cooperated with the prosecution of drugs. They cornered some in a warehouse. It was a battle. Emerson was caught, but his brother was killed. Nobody knows who killed whom." Vance explained.
"Emerson was there. He was who killed his brother and wants revenge." Ziva said.
"Find Gibbs and tell him to come here as soon as possible. I'll be in my office." Vance said and left.
"I'll call Gibbs. Find Abby and tell her what happened. Tell her to call Tony." McGee said.
"Ok." Ziva said and left.
A few minutes later Ziva appeared with Abby right behind her.
"Hey Tim. I called Tony and he'll be here shortly. Did you find Gibbs?" Abby asked.
"Yes. I told him what happened. He'll be here as soon as he can." McGee said.
"We should go to the scene. We'll tell Tony and Gibbs to find us there." McGee suggested and he and Ziva left.
hey everyone. thank you for reading my story... :)
