Chapter 10

Authors note- I do not know legal jargon so sorry ahead of time if I messed it up to much.

School

Gibbs sighed exasperatedly as he stared down his very stubborn almost thirteen-year-old son. It had been just under a year since Tony had come into his life. It had been an interesting year. So much had happened that he had a hard time wrapping his head around it all.

First there was when Tony got his cast off; if he thought Tony was active before it was nothing compared to when he was free from his restraints, even with weeks of physical therapy, Tony moved more than Gibbs thought possible. At first Gibbs wasn't sure what to do; now that Tony didn't need him to physically help him any more, Gibbs was going to go back to work, but he was hesitant to leave Tony alone by himself. But after much discussing and arguing on Tony's part Gibbs agreed to test it out. And much to his surprise and relief Tony was more than capable to staying by him self.

Then there had been the bigger issue of Tony's father's trial. Since it had been such a high profile case it had been pushed though the system a lot faster than it normally would have. Thank fully they had managed to save Tony from having to testify against his father, by having both Ducky and Dr. Cranston sight it as being to traumatic for him; Much to the FBI's displeasure. Tony's father had been found guilty on all counts and in exchange for a lesser sentence he gave up all of his contacts and the names of the men that he had sold Tony to and was going to spend the next fifty years in prison with a chance of parole after he had served half of his sentence.

Then there was their own court date. Gibbs had, had no doubt in his mind that every thing would go as planned, he had already gone through the whole Child Protective Services requirements and had qualified easily enough. The court date was just a formality and to finalize some remaining issues. But Gibbs did worry about Tony.

Even though the kid wouldn't admit it, Gibbs and every one else could see that the weeks leading up to the court date had been very hard on Tony. Gibbs couldn't count the number of times he would rush into his sons room in the middle of the night to try and help calm him from a night terror. They had gotten to the point that Tony hadn't wanted to go to bed, and instead opted to work on his college classes, and Tony being Tony and spending so much extra time on them, was practically ready to graduate with another degree.

He would have if Gibbs hadn't forced him to stop, Gibbs had found that, that was always Tony's answer when he was stressed, he would just submerge himself in what ever kind of work he could possibly come up with and if he didn't have any on hand he would find some, in hopes of distracting himself enough so that he wouldn't have to think too much about what it was that was bothering him.

Since Tony's sleeping was being compromised, his appetite also suffered, causing him to drop precious weight that he couldn't afford to lose. This in turn brought Ducky's worries to the forefront, and so he began to fuss and nag, which only served to drive Tony deeper into his depressed state.

All in all it was a vicious circle that had escalated until Gibbs had finally had enough and all but force-fed Tony. He had even gone so far to slip him some sedatives that Ducky had given him. That had only worked for about two days before Tony had figured it out and began refusing to eat anything that he hadn't seen Gibbs make for him self.

Gibbs mentally shook his head; he could still recall the morning of their court date like it was yesterday.

~~~~~Flash Back~~~~~

Gibbs sat next to Tony on the bench waiting. They were both tired and anxious, the last month had not been very kind to them, and then last night Tony had been so worked up that he had spent most of the night and then some time this morning in the bathroom, throwing up. When Gibbs had confronted him about what had him so upset, he hadn't been expecting his answer.

Tony had wrapped his arms around Gibbs' waist and had buried his face in his chest cried, "I don't want the judge to take me away from you. I'm scared that he some how made it so I can't stay with you."

Gibbs felt his heart break; he wrapped his arms around his son and held him a little closer. He gently placed a kiss on his head and said, "I want you to listen to me. I am never, ever going to let any one take you away from me! I would take you and flee the country before I let any one else have you."

Tony had sniffled and drawing his head back so that he could look up at Gibbs asked, "Were would we go?"

Gibbs chuckled and said, "I have a friend who lives down in Mexico that would be more than happy to house us while we were in hiding."

Tony had given him a watery smile and relaxed a little, though not enough to eat anything.

Now they sat at the courthouse waiting, waiting for their turn, waiting for the rest of their lives to be decided, waiting to become a family. Tony had snuggled close to Gibbs side a while ago, and now Gibbs could feel how his breathing had gone from tense and slightly shallow to deep and even. Gibbs looked down and smiled again at what he saw, Tony was sleeping snuggled in as deeply as he could into his side. Gibbs just sat there he was hesitant to even breath to deeply for fear of startling Tony, he wanted him to sleep as much as he could.

Gibbs wasn't sure how long they sat there, but it had alternated between feeling like hours, to having gone by in the blink of an eye. In reality they had only waited an hour before their docket was called. By the time they were ready to go in, the whole team including Abby and Ducky along with Jimmy had come to support Gibbs and Tony, even though they weren't allowed into the courtroom.

Gibbs had been hesitant to wake Tony but knew there wasn't any other way around it. He gently shook Tony's shoulder and gently called out, "Tony. Hey Tony. Time to wake up."

Tony came too, and blinked owlishly as he took in his surroundings. He looked up at Gibbs and without speaking telegraphed every thing that he was thinking. Gibbs took his hand and squeezed it gently.

Twenty minutes later they were sitting in the courtroom, waiting while the lawyers and the judge went over all the information that was being presented. The judge looked up and said, "Well I have heard all the information, and am Ruling that Mr. DiNozzo's rights as Anthony Dimitri DiNozzo's parent be revoked. And I hear by award full and legal custody to Agent Gibbs as his new father. I will sign off on the adoption papers.

I also here by award Agent Gibbs request that there be restitution made in the form of a trust fund in the amount of Ten million dollars to be set up in the name of one Anthony Dimitri Gibbs, with agent Gibbs being the overseer of said trust fund until the said child is of the age of twenty-five. To be set up and paid forward by Mr. DiNozzo immediately. I am also ordering that Mr. DiNozzo pay a maintenance fee to cover all future schooling, medical and basic needs, indefinitely. I also grant the defendants request that Mr. DiNozzo be responsible for any and all legal and lawyer's fees. That is all. Court is adjourned."

~~~~~ End Flash Back ~~~~~

That was it, that was all it took one hour and twenty minutes and a few signed paper later and they were done, Tony was now officially his, and they had made sure that Tony would be taken care of for the rest of his life. Tony had turned into a different person after that; it had been almost instant, as soon as he knew that every thing was going to be ok, he went from being a quiet reflective person, to talking none stop and having limitless amounts of energy. Gone was the depression and nerves, he was still tired but it wasn't the same as before, besides Gibbs had made sure that Tony would have plenty of time to rest before the gang came over for a celebration dinner at Gibbs's house. That night had been one of the best nights that Gibbs had ever had. That night Tony ate more than his fair share of food, that night he laughed and teased and acted like a real kid, that night there were no nightmares, that night Tony called Gibbs dad for the first time.

Gibbs sighed mentally he had just told Tony that he would be starting school in the fall. This hadn't been an easy decision for Gibbs, he understood probably better than most just how anxious Tony got when he had to intermingle with new people. He knew that Tony had little to no experience dealing with a lot of people at one time, and though they had been working on it and he was getting better it was still one of those long lingering side effects of his traumatic child hood. Gibbs wasn't sure how but apparently sending him to a public school setting was going to help him.

It had been Dr. Cranston and Ducky who suggested that it would be a good way for Tony to learn how to interact with other kids his age and to maybe encourage him to try different things. So after a lot of talking and arguing the decision had been made. Tony was going to start school in the fall, he was going to go to school with Jimmy since they offered advanced classes, and that way he would know at least one person there.

The school actually catered to the elite and wealthy; so they were more than willing to accommodate to Gibbs's demands, he still worried about retaliation from Sr. and wanted extra precautions taken. The school had assured him that since they catered to so many high-ranking politicians and publically notable people, the identification bracelets, library cards, and the uniforms all had a tracking device installed in them as safety measures, so that they would be able to track all of their students at all times in case they were to wonder off.

Gibbs had, had to admit that it did make him feel better. So finally he agreed and with Ducky's help had registered Tony for the fall semester. So Now Tony and Gibbs sat starring at each other unrelentingly.

Tony had reacted to the news about as well as Gibbs had expected him too. At first he had thought that he was joking, and then when he figured out that Gibbs wasn't joking, he had opted for disbelief and agitation. After three temper tantrums, a shouting match, and an almost break down, they were both tired and frustrated, though both for very different reasons.

Gibbs on the one hand was mentally kicking himself for having to upset Tony so much. He knew that it was the best thing for Tony. He knew that eventually Tony would get over it and that if for some reason it didn't work out, then they could do something else. But Gibbs was a father through and through and to see his son so upset, was literally breaking his heart, but also being a father through and through he knew that you had to do things some times that are hard and that your children don't understand, but once you had made up your mind you had to stand your ground.

Tony on the other hand was having a mini melt down, he didn't like being out in public, and he didn't like having to meet knew people, and he didn't like having to go to school. School had never been a good thing for him. He always used to get into trouble at school. One time for about a year, his teachers told Sr. that he was to active and they made Sr. medicate him. Tony shivered at the memory of that time, it was one that he actively tried to ignore and to keep locked away.

The two had, in their typical fashion, gone their separate ways. Tony locked himself in his room, and Gibbs went and buried himself in his basement. They did this every time they had an argument, they would ignore each other for several hours until one or both of them would cave and then they would go back to the way they were before as if nothing had ever happened.

Tonight though Gibbs wasn't sure that, that was going to be the case. He was pretty sure that Tony would be angry at him for a good long while and would probably refuse to talk to him for the rest of the night.

As it turned out Gibbs had been wrong Tony refused to talk to him for the rest of the week. By the time the week was up Gibbs was going out of his mind with worry. He knew he couldn't force Tony to talk to him but the silence was really starting to get to him. Finally on Sunday afternoon he had enough and was standing outside his sons room when he heard voices coming from inside. He felt a small twinge of guilt as he listened in on the conversation.

"Tony it's not fair to keep giving your dad the silent treatment. He's only doing what is best."

"I know Jimmy. It's just so frustrating. He wont even listen to my side of why I don't want to go."

Gibbs thought that Jimmy sounded strange like he was far away. He figured that they must have been talking over the web cam. Gibbs smiled when Jimmy laughed and said, "Oh I seriously doubt that, I think he has just already thought about it himself and figured out a solution for it. Your dad only had your best interest in mind and you and I both know he's not gonna let anything happen to you."

There was a frustrated sigh as Tony finally agreed with Jimmy's point of view. After a minute Tony said, "I guess, it's just that none of my other school experiences have gone over well, and I don't know why this one would be any different."

Gibbs heard Jimmy sigh heavily as he said, "Tony! You and I know that this is not going to be like any of your other schools because for 1. I'm going to be there with you, 2. Gibbs is your dad now; I needn't say more, and 3. This School is way better than those ones Senior put you in. he isn't going to be able manipulate them into treating you badly any more. You need to trust Gibbs on this Tony."

Gibbs hadn't been able to hear Tony's reply so he decided to knock and interrupt so that Tony wouldn't find him eaves dropping. He was just about to bring his fist down on the door when it was suddenly opened. Gibbs stared down at his son, he was beginning to fill out nicely, he was still to thin and a little on the short side but, he looked better than he had this time a year ago.

Gibbs quickly put his hand down and said, "I was just going to see if you wanted to go out for dinner with me. I thought we might go get some pizza."

Tony smiled slightly and said, "That's sounds good. I'm starving."

And just like that it was as if nothing had every happened.

Gibbs watched as Tony played with his breakfast. It was the first day of school. And Tony had been dreading it for weeks now. He had gone and taken the placement test, which he tested into the schools senior level advanced classes. But because this was more about reintegrating Tony into society, they decided that he would go into the sophomore level classes.

Tony knew that he was gonna be bored to tears but he had given his word and he never went back on his word. He had also suffered through the shopping aspect of preparing for school; unfortunately he had out grown most of his clothes and had to have a whole new wardrobe, along with all of his required school supplies. That had been quite and afternoon.

~~~~~Flash back~~~~~

Gibbs and Tony were walking into the mall, when they suddenly found themselves engulfed in a swirling mass of black. Tony patted Abby on the back and said, "Hey Abby. Long time no see. What's it been like twelve hours?"

Abby quickly released them from her grip and lightly punched him in the arm saying, "So? I missed you. What are you guys doing here?"

Gibbs raised his eyebrow at that question and said; "You know why we're here Abby I told you yesterday that I was taking him shopping."

"Oh you meant this mall?" asked Abby with big innocent eyes.

Tony just laughed, grabbed Abby's hand and dragged her off saying, "Come on Abb's you can help start finding new stuff. You know this is my longest pair if pants that I own now and they are at least a good two inches shorter than I normally wear them."

Abby looked at him and noticed that his pants were starting to look a little cropped. She just shrugged and said, "have no fear Abby's hear and we shall find you some decent clothes."

Gibbs just shook his head as he watched them walk off arm in arm. This was going to be interesting.

~~~~~End flash back~~~~~

Gibbs could tell Tony hadn't slept well the night before and that was what was seriously affecting his mood. Gibbs sighed heavily; he lay his news paper down and said, "Talk to me Tony."

Tony just groaned and pushed his cereal around a little more. Gibbs reached over and lifted Tony's face so that he had to look him in the eyes and said, "Talk to me."

Tony grimaced and said, "It's nothing. I'm just being silly."

Gibbs shook his head and said, "I want to know."

Tony sighed and said, "I just had some bad dreams last night, and I guess I haven't shaken them off yet."

Gibbs gave him a small smile of understanding and going back to his paper said, "Yeah I know how that can be."

Tony just shrugged and went back to moving the cereal around in his bowl. Without looking up from his paper Gibbs said, "Eat or I will feed you."

Tony just rolled his eyes, and went to take a bite as Gibbs said, "I saw that."

Tony snorted and started coughing as he had in hailed some of the milk. Gibbs looked at his watch and said, "We better get going."

He got up from the table taking his coffee cup with him and draining the remainders of it before he placed the cup in the sink. He turned around to find Tony still in his seat, his hand clasping onto his spoon so hard his knuckles were white, almost as white as Tony's complexion had suddenly gone.

Tony knew he was being watched and he was well aware of how childish he was about to sound, but he had to make one last ditch effort and turning towards Gibbs begged, "Please, please don't make me go."

Gibbs sighed again and said, "Tony we have been over this many times."

"I know dad. I . . . just don't think that I can do it."

Gibbs knelt down by Tony and taking his face in both hands said, "You can do this. You are one of the bravest people I have ever known. It's going to be fine you just have to give your self a chance."

Tony nodded again and quietly got up form the table grabbed his book bag and headed out the door towards the waiting car. Gibbs said a silent prayer as he watched his son head out the door. He really, really hoped that it would turn out ok.

Tony dropped his bag down dramatically as he entered the house. His first day of school had officially come and gone and he had, had to admit that it had been pretty ok. Especially with Jimmy there, he had managed to not make an idiot of himself and had met quite a few new people. He didn't know if he could call them friends yet but they seemed nice enough. His classes were tolerable, even though he could tell he was so going to be bored, that was except for PE, he had enjoyed it immensely and found that he had a certain natural skill for it. He smiled as he grabbed some food out of the fridge and thought to him self 'Maybe school wont be so bad after all.'

Hey guys' thanks for all the reviews I really appreciate them and I just wanted to say keep them up it really does help to keep me motivated.

Hey sorry about that last post accidentally grabbed the wrong chapter when I posted it. My bad :/