AN/ Since I had a little sleep because of a little bugger named a mosquito I had plenty of time to finish this chapter. I also have two ideas for a story when this story ends (I plan to only write one story at a time) and you lovely people get to decide which one it becomes. The one with Tony being in charge of an investigation relating Russian arms dealers (Gibbs is present but it's an old case from when he was way back in Philly the time line is probably a little different) or where he is starting as agent afloat and the ship gets hijacked. Please let me know! (Don't know when the story will start but then I can think out a plot)

Chapter ten

Tony stood at the grave of his mother and hadn't stopped crying since the start of her funeral. He didn't want her to be dead, he didn't want to be left alone with his father. His father had been looking at him with disappointment in his eyes, DiNozzo men don't cry, is what hid dad always says, and he hadn't stopped crying since his mother died.

When the funeral was over his father dragged him home and locked him up in his room. He spent hours alone crying and late in the evening he heard his door open.

'You will be punished for your shameful behavior from today, uncle Mario will be here any minute now, so remove your shirt', his father said with no emotion in his voice. Tony did as he has been told and folded his shirt. Only seconds later Mario came into his room. The rest of the evening the house was filled with screams, sobs and pleas from Tony.

Tony came to and did so with a gasp. He'd always been scared as hell for Mario and this dream remembered him why.

'You okay? You've been out of it for a while and been moaning for the last few minutes.' He heard Gibbs' soft voice.

'I'm fine...bad dream.' He could feel himself starting to burn up but decided against telling Gibbs. The man had other things to worry about right now. Short after they regained consciousness Maurizio came back and whipped Gibbs viciously. Gibbs hadn't made a sound but Tony knew the man was in pain.

'You okay boss?'

'I'm fine DiNozzo, nothing I can't handle.'

'You shouldn't have to handle it!`This is my mess and your paying for it.'

'Tony, listen to me. This isn't your fault you hear me? You didn't ask for this to happen and you tried to help me, I may not speak Italian but I know you asked them to leave me alone.' Tony looked in surprise at Gibbs. How could he know that?

'I know you Tony, you wouldn't sit by and let it happen.' The door opened again and Maurizio came back in.

'I have some new ideas Tony, today you get to decide who will experience them first.' Tony didn't have to think twice about it. If he could help it he would never watch how they hurt his mentor, friend...dad.

'You leave Gibbs alone', he said.

'Tony no!'

'Shut up old man!' Maurizio yelled and pointed a gun at Gibbs' head.

'I'm going to make this even more interesting for you Tony, if you make even one sound in the next hour, I'll shoot Gibbs, I won't kill him, I'll only shoot him and let the shock or blood loss kill him, then I'll let you sleep with his corps, do you understand?' Tony didn't know for sure the hour already started so decided against talking and just nodded.

'Clever boy', Maurizio said before disappearing. He'd only be gone for a minute when he returned with a water hose and a different kind of gun. Gibbs knew right away what he was planning on doing and started to fight the chains again.

'NO! LEAVE HIM ALONE!'

'He made his choice,' Maurizio said. 'And now he will pay for choosing you over himself', he said and turned on the water hose. When Tony was wet enough he turned it of and took the stun gun in his hands and smiled before firring. Tony tried to stay strong for Gibbs but could not help but scream at the top of his lungs from pain. After what seemed like hours but in reality were only a few seconds Tony passed out.

'Where are they!' Balboa was losing patience and he was doing so quickly. They had been interrogating senior all night long but all he had done this fr was smile and remain quiet. Balboa decided to go far a different tactic and sat down and a smile of his own appeared.

'We know that the DiNozzo's have connections with the mob, hell, your brother owns the mob, we know about all the safe houses they own and we suspect that they are being held in one of those, unfortunately it would take to much time to search them all so tell us where they are being held.'

'You have no grounds to hold me, so either let me go or place me under arrest, or else I'll be forced to press charges.' The man was right, they had nothing against him and they couldn't hold him for much longer, maybe the man could lead them to DiNozzo and Gibbs.

'You are free to go', Balboa said with gritted teeth.

'Thank you.' Senior stood up and left the room.

As soon as he sat in his car he called Maurizio.

'Put the syringe ready, I'll be there in a minute and I'll be bringing along the feds.' He hung up and smiled. Those stupid feds thought the mob was involved, he indeed did ask Mario but Mario was in war with the Yakuza, the Japanese mob was being greedy and he had to make himself known. He did however lend his son to him to use.

He payed got out of the car when they arrived and went inside.

'Do you have it?'

'Yes sir, you sure it will work?'

'The chance of survival is small, especially now he's weakened.'

'Yeah, but he is a stubborn old bastard.'

'That he is.' They entered the room just as Tony regained consciousness, the timing could not have been more perfect.

'I don't know how much time we have, I tried to lose them but they can come any minute, you make sure to cause a distraction.'

'Yes sir!' Maurizio was eager to please his uncle and went upstairs.

Senior picked up the syringe and smiled.

'Your death has arrived, special agent Gibbs.'

'Is that so?'

'How familiar are you with pneumonic plague or Y pestis, if you prefer?'