Part 10

Gibbs and Tony sat at the table as Rose set out the dinner. She set a glass of milk in front of Tony and a large cup of coffee for Gibbs. "Dad, can I go to the dance?" Tony asked.

"You want to go to the dance?" Gibbs asked.

"Yes, you see I asked Abby if she wanted to go and she said yes."

"Then you should go," Rose said. "You can't let a lady down."

Gibbs smiled," Then we'd better go," Gibbs said.

"Yes," Tony said jumping up and knocking the table and his glass. Gibbs managed to grab it before it fell over.

"Calm down and sit."

Tony looked at Rose," Sorry," he said.

"That's alright. I can remember my first dance with my first boyfriend, I was about your age."

Tony went red, "She's not my girlfriend, she's just a friend." Rose set the plates on the table. "This looks great."

"And make sure you eat some vegetables as well," Gibbs said.

Tony wiped his plate clean with the piece of bread. He mumbled something. Gibbs said," Swallow Tony before you speak."

"That was really good," he said.

"You'll take the pattern off the plate," Gibbs said. "It's finished."

"I do have an apple pie and cream," Rose said.

"Great," Tony said.

"I don't know where he puts it," Gibbs said. "You'd think I didn't feed him. All he thinks about is his stomach."

Tony smiled. He liked seeing his father so relaxed. Tony's eyes lit up when he saw the pie. He couldn't wait to taste it. Gibbs refused a piece," I'm sorry but I'm full up," he apologised.

"I could eat it," Tony said. "I wouldn't want it to go to waste."

"No you could not," Gibbs said. Tony pouted.

"You can take some home to have later."

"Thanks," Tony said.

"Don't encourage him," Gibbs said.

Gibbs sat drinking his coffee. "When do you want the shelves fixed?"

"Would tomorrow be alright? I'd like to open in a couple of days."

"Yes. I can come in with Tony in the morning."

"I could come here for lunch," Tony said.

"Yes you can," Rose said.

"Or you could have your sandwiches at school," Gibbs said. "Just like you always do."

"Dad!" he protested. "That's not fair."

"You can come here," Rose said laughing.

Tony stuck his tongue out. "You are pushing it young man," Gibbs said in warning.

"Sorry." He looked at Rose. "Are you going to the dance?"

"Yes I think I will. It'll give me a chance to meet people. I've been so busy I've hardly met anyone."

"We could call for you on our way to the dance, couldn't we Dad? You don't want to have to go on your own." Tony looked pleadingly at Gibbs.

"Tony's right. We'll call on our way. I can introduce you to some people. After all I have to go to keep Tony out of trouble."

"I don't always get into trouble," Tony protested. Gibbs snorted and Rose laughed.

"We'd best head off home," Gibbs said standing up. "Thank you for the meal."

They rode down the road. "Dad?"

"Yes Tony."

"You're not mad at me?"

"About what?"

"The dance."

"No Tony."

"Good. Can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

"Why did you change your mind about Ro... Miss O'Neal?"

Gibbs smiled. "She's a nice lady. And it would have been impolite to refuse her invitation."

"And she's a red head," Tony said softly. "You like her?"

"Tony, I've told you before."

"I know. It's just... I like her."

"You like her food."

"That as well."

Tony was really happy when he arrived back at the farm, his plan was working. "Let's ride out and check the fields," Gibbs said.

They rode out to the wheat field. "It's nearly ready to cut. I hope the rain stays away."

"Do you cut this all yourself?" Tony asked.

Gibbs almost laughed but looking at Tony's face he realised that Tony didn't know. "No Tony, all the farmers work together and we help each other."

"Can I help?" Tony asked.

"After school and at the weekend."

"I could take time off school," Tony offered.

"I bet you could but the answer is no."

"I had to try." Gibbs laughed.

"You can help lift the potatoes too. And we have to pick all the fruit and vegetables. Most of it is put in jars for the winter."

"Pity you didn't have a freezer," Tony said.

"What's that?"

"Just something I read about, it keeps food cold."

"Let's get back." They rode faster and were soon back at the farm. "You look after the horses while I feed the pig."

Tony was glad that Gibbs was looking after the pig, he hated the animal and was sure it didn't like him. He rubbed Blaze and soon had both horses back in their stalls.

Gibbs had the bath out and full by the time Tony came back in. "I don't need a bath," he protested.

"You're going to school tomorrow and you smell of horses."

"I.." but Tony could see there was no use protesting so he started to undress and get into the bath. "It's still early."

"And you need to get up early to do your chores and look after Blaze. He's your responsibility and you'll need to have him ready to take you to school."

"Fine."

Tony washed quickly and was soon in his nightshirt. "I'll need to buy you warmer nightshirts. It gets very cold here in the winter."

Gibbs set out some food on the table. "Come on Tony."

Gibbs let him read in bed before telling him to put his light out. Gibbs sat in his chair looking into the fire. He had enjoyed his day. Rose O'Neal was a very nice lady and she was good to look at. He was beginning to look forward to the Harvest Dance. He better look out his good suit. He went through to the chest in his bedroom and opened the lid. He pulled out his suit and hung it up. He hadn't worn it since the funerals. As he pulled out the jacket a photograph fell to the floor. It was a picture of Jenny and the boys. He should get a frame for it and set it up.

Tony was smiling as he woke up. He wished he could have stayed a bit longer in his dream. He swung his legs over the bed. He felt much better after his sleep. He heard movement down stairs and he made his way down. "Enjoy your nap?" Jackson asked.

"Yes," Tony said stretching. "Where's Gibbs?"

"He went to the shop to get something for me. Sit down, I'll make some coffee and sandwiches and then you can take your pills."

Tony felt much better after something to eat. "I'll start the painting now," he said.

"No leave it until tomorrow," Jackson said. "You overdid it today."

"I'm fine."

"Go read a book."

"Can I look at your photographs again?"

"If you want." Tony picked it up and started to thumb through the pages. He came to some photos of Jackson and Gibbs. "That one was taken not long before his mum died. She took it."

"You both look very happy," he said.

"We were. We had no idea she was ill."

"You must miss her," Tony said.

"Every day. I'm not saying I haven't had other lady friends, that would be a lie but she was the love of my life. And she loved Leroy with all her heart,"

"I wish my parents had loved me," Tony said.

Jackson didn't know what to say. "You do know you have Leroy and me now?" Tony shook his head. "You do son."

Tony got up and ran. Damn Jackson thought, he hadn't meant to upset Tony. He heard the front door slam shut and by the time he got to the window Tony was out of sight. He picked up his cell phone and hit speed dial 1. "Dad, what's wrong?" Gibbs asked.

"Tony's gone."

"What? Gone where?"

"I don't know. We were looking at photos and then I was speaking about how much your mum loved you and he said he wished his parents had. I told him he had us but he just shook his head and took off."

"I'll find him."

Gibbs tried phoning Tony but the messages went to voicemail. Pick up Tony he thought. He drove around the town but there was no sign of him. He stopped people on the street but no one had seen him.

Tony had no idea where he was going. He just had to get away. He was surprised when he found himself on the outskirts of town. He wished the farm was still here, he would have somewhere to go. He kept walking.

Then he heard the water. He knew this area, this was where he had gone swimming. An old tree still stretched out over the water. The deep pool was still there and he felt an overwhelming urge to dive in. He took off his trousers and shirt and climbed out onto the limb. He jumped up, grabbed his knees and hit the water with a loud splash. He shivered as the cold water hit his body. He swam out into the river. It was wider now than it had been. He dived under the water and swam around. He swam to the surface. He couldn't help the cough that erupted from his throat. He swam back to the bank and pulled himself out of the water. He used his t-shirt to dry himself and then put it and his trousers on.

He shivered as a cold wind blew. He'd better get back to the house, he knew Gibbs would not be pleased. He started to walk back the way he'd come. There were a lot of new houses built where the farm used to be, he so wished it was still there. It was a place where he felt safe and loved.

He nearly jumped out of his skin when a horn blew. He looked up, two piercing blue eyes glared at him. Gibbs, what was the man a blood hound, Tony thought. Gibbs got out the car. "Where the hell have you been DiNozzo? I've been all over town looking for you."

Tony couldn't help the smart remark that came out his mouth," Well you couldn't have looked everywhere." He so wished he could have bitten his tongue before he said that. A hard smack hit the seat of his trousers.

"Ow! That stung," he said angrily as he noticed a boy across the road on his bike smirking.

"They're wet. What the hell have you been doing?" Gibbs said.

"Nothing." He saw the anger on Gibbs face. "I went swimming okay."

"SWIMMING!" Gibbs shouted. "You've been ill and you go swimming in the river."

"So!" Another swat rained down. "Ow! Will you stop it?"

"I've barely started. You get your butt in that car right now. We'll finish this discussion at home."

"Home?"

"Yes. Get in." Tony moved round to the other side of the car keeping his backside well away from Gibbs. The boy was still watching. How embarrassing was this. He sat down and kept silent the whole way back.

Jackson looked up as the car drew up in front of the house. He saw Tony jump out of the car and almost run to the door. Leroy looked as if he was going to burst. He slammed the door. Tony nearly knocked Jackson over in his haste to go up the stairs. "Sorry!" Tony said as he took the steps two at a time.

Gibbs came in. "You will not believe what he did," he said to his father.

"I think you need to calm down. Sit down."

"No. I'm going up to deal with him first. Of all the damn fool things to do, he has to go swimming."

"Swimming? Where?"

"The river, down where the farm used to be. He's soaking wet."

"Tony, go take a hot shower and get into some dry clothes," Jackson shouted up the stairs. He turned to Gibbs. "And you sit down before you blow a fuse."

Jackson went into the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. He brought it through to Gibbs and told him to drink. "What am I going to do with him Dad?"

"Well first you need to calm down. You can't deal with him when you're angry. Then you need to talk to him."

Jackson saw his son take deep breaths and then drink some more coffee. He saw he was beginning to relax. He went back into the kitchen and came back with a cup of hot chocolate. "Take this to Tony."

Gibbs went upstairs. He heard Tony moving about in the room. He opened the door and went in. Tony immediately sat on the bed, it almost made Gibbs smile. "Here, Dad made this for you." Tony took the cup gratefully, he did feel cold inside even after the shower.

Tony drank and then set the cup down. He looked up at Gibbs," You mad at me?"

"Yes," Gibbs answered.

"Sorry."

"Why run? You could have stayed and talked. You are going to have to learn not to run every time something bothers you."

"Sorry."

"Want to explain?" Although it was worded as a question Tony knew an answer was expected.

"You were so lucky. Your Mum and Dad loved you. I never had that. I think my father hated me from the moment I was born." Tony couldn't stop the tears. Gibbs sat beside him and pulled him into his arms.

"It was not your fault." He kissed the top of his head. "There must have been something wrong with him." Tony shook his head as if contradicting Gibbs. "There must have been," he emphasised. "I've only known you for a few years and I've already begun to love you like a son and my dad's known you for less time and he's already decided you're his grandson." Gibbs held him until he relaxed and then he let him fall back onto the bed. He put a blanket around him. "We'll discuss the swimming escapade tomorrow. And you better not become ill or it won't just be me that's after your hide you'll have Ducky to answer to as well." Tony groaned.

TBC