Chapter 10

Gibbs walks back into the bullpen, after watching Tony sleep for a few minutes, to find Kate, McGee and Tawdry going through their material from the various interviews from eye witnesses and the local beat cops. Gibbs slips into his seat without being noticed. He sits and attempts to look through the various pieces of paperwork on his desk but he can't concentrate. Sighing, he turns to his computer and opens his email accounts and access the instant messaging.

- 2B4Bastard:Abs, which part of town does T live?

- GothPrincess: what do you mean?

- 2B4Bastard: Where does Tony LIVE? His address, Abby.

- GothPrincess: Hillcrest Heights.

- 2B4Bastard: What's he living there for?

- GothPrincess: He can't afford anywhere else and it's near his precinct. Pls don't tell him I told you.

- 2B4Bastard: Abs, he'll work it out himself.

- GothPrincess: It's way too scary how like you he is.

- 2B4Bastard: He IS my son.

- GothPrincess: :D love you too.

- 2B4Bastard: Makes sure he sleeps peacefully.

No answer comes back from Abby but Gibbs knows that she will look over her surrogate brother as if the world was ending. His lips curl up into an unintentional smile at the thought of his son and… and his daughter. 'Miss you Mama Sciuto.' Gibbs murmurs making the others in the Bullpen aware of his presence. Kate glances over and sees that Gibbs needs more time to think. She stops McGee from approaching him and they go back to organising the gathered intelligence ready to tell Gibbs. Pulling himself together Gibbs stands from his seat and demands that they tell him everything. 'From the beginning. Sit rep.'

Two hours later, Abby scurries into Autopsy, she looks around just as Ducky is loading Jodie Chambers into one of the refrigerated storage containers. 'Hey Ducky. Damn.' She mutters with two emotions in as many sentences.

'What's wrong Abigail?'

'I turned my back for a second and Tony ran off. He vanished.' Her expression turns from exasperation to distress. 'Ducky, I don't want to tell him.'

'Abigail, you are is favourite here.'

'No, Tony is.'

'You both are. Abigail, you have to tell Jethro. As soon as possible.'

'Yeah, tell him STAT I know.'

'Abigail.' Ducky warns.

'Hang on I've got an idea.' Abby hurries over to the phone. 'Security? It's Abby Sciuto. Hi, Has Tony checked out Tony DiNozzo? Right yeah thanks.' Abby hangs up the phone her face scared and apprehensive. 'Tony has left the building.' Ducky looks back at her with a calm face.

'Go and tell Jethro, Abigail. You need to tell him.'

'I know Ducky.' Abby turns and faces the elevator. 'Promise me you'll attend my funeral.' Ducky chuckles as he ushers her out of Autopsy.

Abby shuffles along the rows of pens until she reaches Gibbs'. She leans on the barrier, trying to find a little bit of protection. 'What is it Abs?' Gibbs asks not looking up.

'That is scary Gibbs. How do you do that?'

'That's not why you're up here Abs. What is it?' Abby fidgets slightly. 'Abby.' Gibbs warns.

'It's err…'

'Abigail.'

'Tony is err…'

'Abigail Marie-'

'I turned my back for a minute, and err…' Abby manages to stutter. Gibbs hives her a full on glare. 'He disappeared.'

'Into thin air?'

'Out of my lab. I checked with Ducky first to see if he had gone to get more painkillers.'

'And?'

'So I checked with Security and they said he walked out. But he was acting strangely' Gibbs raises a single eyebrow. 'Their words not mine.'

'Did you ask?'

'No, I came straight to tell you.' Abby bites her lip as she watches Gibbs' expressionless face. 'Gibbs?'

'Ya did good Abs. Go and track him.' Abby nods hurriedly and scurries back down to her lab. 'Keep an eye on him.' Gibbs yells after her.

'You got it Bossman.' Abby yells back.

'What do we do?' Kate asks.

'McGee, help Abby. Kate, go down to autopsy and get the full reports from Ducky. Then come back and pick up Detective Tawdry and update his superiors.'

'What do I do while she's gone?'

'Sit there and shut up.'

'May I ask what are you going to do Boss?' McGee asks slightly confused.

'Nope.' Gibbs leans back in his chair and closes his eyes. He cracks an eye open and looks at the three still standing there. 'What are you doing here?' Kate and McGee scrambles to obey Gibbs' orders. Tawdry settles himself into the chair to watch Gibbs.

'Something interesting Detective Tawdry?' Vance asks behind him. Gibbs ignores the pair of them.

'Tony says he rarely or never sleeps if possible in the middle of a case. He says he follows his father's lead. But he's sleeping.' Tawdry nods at Gibbs.

'I'm not sleeping.' Gibbs counters not opening his eyes.

'Then what are you doing?'

'Contemplating my son.'

'Explain.'

'I've learned that if I wanted to try to get into my son's frame of mind, I have to shut out all stimuli.'

'What made you want to adopt him in the first place?'

'That I can answer.' Ducky approaches the three of them with Kate on his heels. 'I bumped into Katelyn on my way up here. Don't worry there is one for your Captain was well, Detective Tawdry.' Gibbs opens his eyes to face Ducky.

'Thank you Doctor Mallard.'

'Well, Doctor Mallard?'

'Ah, the question of why did Jethro adopt Anthony? One day a fatherless child and a childless father meet.' Ducky smiles. 'What do you think will happen?'

'They become a family.' Vance realises.

'Exactly. It just so happens that the fatherless child happens to be Anthony and the childless father was Jethro.' He turns to the man. 'Where is the dear boy?'

'Abs and McGee are looking for him.'

'Have you tried your home?'

'Abs should be-' Gibbs trails off at Ducky's look. He stands and grabs his coat and gun before striding to the elevator.

'Good idea Jethro. The boy needs you.'

'He's a grown man ducky.' Kate interjects.

'Physically, yes. But not completely mentally or emotionally. Why else would he seek out his father when Migraines attack?' Ducky smiles and heads back down to autopsy leaving Kate, Vance and Tawdry confused.