A/N-I was very surprised with the finale. I really liked it but did not need my tissues after all. I will not give away any spoilers but I will say I really loved learning more about what makes our beloved Leroy Jethro Gibbs tick. There was not enough Tony/Gibbs for my liking so I am going to continue as I would like to see it-spoilers for previous episodes and I have taken some liberties with them.
Of Fathers & Sons Chapter 11
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal" ~ Irish headstone~
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Gibbs was up before sunrise on Monday morning.
Before he headed down to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, he looked into the guest room to check on Tony.
Tony was lying on his back with his head tilted to his right. He was deep asleep and Gibbs just watched him for a few minutes. He looked so young and innocent. Gibbs again pondered how Senior could have been such a cruel bastard to his wonderful son. Gibbs thoughts of senior brought his rage to the surface-he so wanted Senior to pay a price for what he had done all the years of Tony's life.
Gibbs did not believe in karma.
If karma did exist, Senior would already be paying some hefty dues.
Letting Tony sleep as long as he could, Gibbs quietly closed the door and made his way downstairs.
Two hours later Tony was up and joining him at the kitchen table.
They shared a hearty breakfast, cleaned the kitchen and got ready to start their busy day in a comfortable silence. Tony loved that about Gibbs. They worked in perfect sync on the job and off.
Both men were dressed casually in jeans and t-shirts.
"Let me change your bandages, Tony, then we'll head out."
Gibbs gingerly tended to Tony's hand saying:
"How does it feel today?"
"It itches so I guess it's healing, boss...I can move all my fingers and it doesn't hurt as much."
To prove it, he held up his hand and moved his fingers around.
"That's good, Tony…baby that hand for a few days…Doc Warner will be over tomorrow night to check on you."
"Thanks Gibbs….for taking care of me the last few days. I want you to know I'm here for you…just tell me how I can help."
"Just you being here is helping me." Gibbs said as he grabbed his red USMC hoodie from the coat rack near the door.
Tony grabbed Jack's black and green flannel over shirt from the same rack.
He found it was a bit big as he pulled it on but it smelled like Jack and that was comforting.
When he turned back Gibbs was smirking at him.
"What?" he asked
"You look like a lumberjack, DiNozzo."
Tony laughed and said playfully "You got a problem with lumberjacks, Gibbs?"
"Nope…I have never had a problem with them…" Gibbs said as he thought of Shannon and the first rule she ever taught him.
"Everyone needs a code to live by, Gibbs. Rule #-1 Never date a lumberjack."
Tony noticed Gibbs looked deep in thought as he grinned. He wondered what memory Gibbs was reliving. Tony had noticed Gibbs was really mellow since he arrived. He hoped he had given Gibbs comfort and support and he was pleased Jack's project had turned into such a wonderful gift for Gibbs.
"So where do we start boss?" he asked quietly.
Gibbs looked at him and said:
"I need to go back to the mortuary… we'll begin there."
Tony nodded and followed Gibbs out the door.
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Tom Wilson was seated behind his desk clicking away on his computer when Gibbs walked in to the mortuary office.
"Good morning, Jethro" He said casually.
When he saw Tony follow Gibbs into the room, he stood and offered his hand saying:
"Tony! What a surprise…good to see ya kid!"
"Hey Tom…how are you? How's Lucy?"
"Good…Good…Sorry about Jack, Tony…I know you two were close."
"Thanks Tom…Yeah…Jack was one of a kind." Tony said sadly.
"Have a seat you two. Here are the papers from yesterday, Jethro….was kind of worried when you bolted out of here last night."
Gibbs accepted the papers from Tom and ignoring Wilson's comment and Tony's curious expression said:
"Thanks Tom….I was hoping we could schedule Jack's service and burial for this coming Saturday. My boss and my team will more than likely make the trip up from DC and I want to make it easy for them."
"I understand" Tom said as he pulled up his calendar.
"Saturday would be perfect actually. Did you want to have the service here in our chapel or do you prefer a graveside service?"
Gibbs thought for a moment wondering what his dad might like. Jackson wasn't an overly religious man and had no real church affiliation. He didn't want a military burial. Gibbs had wished he had time to actually make the pine box coffin, which his father requested, himself.
Tony tried to wait Gibbs out but thought he might be of some help remembering a conversation he had with Jack.
"Um…boss….Jack always said he didn't want any hoopla when it came to his time."
Gibbs laughed his eyes bright with unshed tears.
'This is harder than I thought it would be'
Tony reached out to comfort him, placing his hand on Gibbs arm and giving it a squeeze.
"Right, no hoopla….he mentioned that in his will."
"I can make some suggestions if you'd like, Jethro." Tom offered.
Gibbs sat back and said "Give us your spiel Tom."
For the next 15 minutes Tom Wilson offered up his professional advice and opinions to make Saturday absolutely perfect.
It was decided there would be a celebration of Jackson's life in the chapel at 11 AM Saturday morning to be followed by a graveside service at 2 pm. They would then have a catered meal back at the banquet hall next to the Chapel.
"Do you want to have an open casket at the celebration, Jethro?"
Gibbs looked at Tony who shrugged, deferring to Gibbs.
"Maybe I should see him first." Gibbs stated
"Let me arrange a viewing right now. It will only take a few minutes and then you can decide." Tom offered.
Less than ten minutes later Tom was back and said "He's ready."
'Great…but am I ready' Gibbs thought as Tom led them to the viewing reception area.
Tom came to a halt outside a heavy wooden door and said:
"Take your time, Jethro…Sheriff Brewster brought over your Dad's personal items this morning. I have those and his clothes packaged for you when you're ready. If you chose to have an open casket, think about how you want Jack to be dressed. Just come back to my office when you are ready."
As Tom walked away, Gibbs turned to Tony and said "Would you come in with me?"
Tony's stomach was churning at the thought of seeing Jack on a slab.
He didn't want to but he had a feeling Gibbs needed his support so he said:
"Of course boss"
The room was small but beautifully decorated. Dark woods with colorful tapestries and a faux fireplace made it look like a small library except there were no books in sight.
There was comfortable seating in a semicircle with the steel gurney in front.
Tony looked around, avoiding Jack, as Gibbs proceeded directly to his father.
Tony wondered if the seating was here so people could spend time with the body of their loved one.
He thought that was both beautiful and just a little creepy.
He berated himself for allowing "creepy" to venture into his thoughts.
He himself had spent time in the darkness of the NCIS autopsy room drinking away the pain of Jenny's death, her bullet ridden refrigerated body just feet from him. He felt guilty he had not been there for her at the end and he did not want her to be alone.
He had held Kate's lifeless body in his arms, speaking softly into her ear, her blood spattered on his face, before Gibbs pulled her away from him to be transported back to Ducky's autopsy table. He had whispered feelings of sorrow, love and regret that she was taken from them too soon and made her a promise that she would be avenged. Gibbs validated those thoughts as he gently wiped her blood off Tony's face then hugged him tightly vowing that Ari Haswari was a walking dead man.
Then there had been Paula's death. Tony had to fight Gibbs to be allowed to work the scene after she had been blown up in a failed attempt to stop a terrorist. She had sacrificed her own life for them and not much had been left of her body. Tony swallowed hard thinking about that gruesome day. While processing the location he had found a lapel pin she had been wearing. The explosion had been so powerful it blew the pin into a corner of the room. It was a small golden angel that she had pinned to her jacket in honor of her team members, Hall and Nelson, who had been killed the week prior to her death.
Tony had picked up the pin and looking around made sure he was not seen as he slipped it into his pocket. He remembered their last conversation when Paula had told him-
'Life is too short to not tell someone you love them when you do'.
It had been Paula's words that convinced Tony to tell Jeanne Benoit he loved her. He had been driven to speak the words because of Paula's death but when he spoke them he had not been lying to Jeanne. He did love her…still loved her in a weird way…he often wondered where she was and if she was happy.
Tony placed his hand in the pocket of his jeans and felt Paula's golden angel against his fingers.
Since he found it he carried it daily.
It gave him comfort and reminded him that life was short.
He looked over at Gibbs and at Jackson's prone body and moved closer.
Gibbs was staring down at his father, his hand on his dad's chest, remaining silent.
Tony had to admit Jackson looked really good-like he was asleep with a small smile on his lips.
He felt a rush of love for Jack and a great sadness for Gibbs.
He could tell Gibbs was at a loss for words so Tony decided he would speak for them both.
'Life is too short to not tell someone you love them when you do'
He knelt down to be eye level with Jack's head. He reached out and placed his right hand over the hand Gibbs had on Jack's chest.
Tony's warm touch brought Gibbs eyes to focus on Tony.
The sorrow in Gibbs eyes was hard for Tony to see.
Tony smiled warmly, looking up at Gibbs, as he spoke directly to Jackson.
"I was really apprehensive to come in here and see you, Jack. I was scared at how you might look. I didn't want my last memory of you to be your cold lifeless body….and although I know you are cold you still look like the Jack I knew and the Jack I love. You have had a hell of a run Jackson Gibbs and it has been my pleasure and my honor to have been on that run with you even for a short time.
I have been blessed to have met you and am proud to have known you. Thank you for being there for me and thank you for letting me be there for you. Thanks also for entrusting me with your stuff….I'll do my best to make you proud."
Tony watched as Gibbs smiled, a tear falling from the corner of his eye.
He let it fall without shame.
Tony squeezed Gibbs hand and continued:
"And don't you worry, Jack….I'll keep an eye on your boy…he gets into a lot of trouble as you know but I'll keep him safe."
Gibbs laughed and it was music to Tony's ears
Tony stood and bending forward, kissed Jack on the temple and said "Love ya Jack….rest well."
Tony released Gibbs hand as he walked around the gurney to face him.
Both of them had damp eyes but shared a smile as Tony embraced Gibbs.
The two men hugged each other tightly for several quiet moments until Tony said:
"I love you Jethro….I'll be right outside waiting for you…take as much time as you need."
Gibbs was speechless as Tony walked away but he did not miss the gift Tony had just given him.
Tony had spoken from his heart and he had said everything Gibbs wanted to say but for some reason could not.
As the door closed and he was left alone with his Dad, Gibbs finally found his voice.
He expressed it all-the tears and the sorrow but also the joy and love and appreciation he held deep inside for his father. He unburdened his heart and freed his soul of a lifetime of regret and rage.
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Tony flopped down on the couch in the hallway waiting for Gibbs.
He felt spent but happy he found the courage to say what he felt…out loud.
He hadn't checked his messages or e-mails since he had come to Stillwater so to kill some time he pulled out his phone and turned it on.
He had 20 voice messages and as many texts.
All of them were from his Father.
He deleted them all before his curiosity got the best of him.
He sat back wondering what his Father had to say.
He had probably called to mock Tony. To tell him how he missed the great event and wasn't missed after all.
'That could have all been said in one call or text' he thought with regret.
He shook his head and steeled his internal voice-'You and your Father are done'.
"That's right!" he said out loud but feeling foolish he looked around. He was happy to be alone.
He decided to check his accounts and see how much the wedding had finally cost him.
His curiosity was piqued when he noticed the bar tab had a charge back of almost one thousand dollars. He checked the account he had used to place the deposit for the reception. He had had to leave a ten thousand dollar deposit but found nine thousand dollars had been charged back. They had kept one thousand dollars for some reason.
Tony got a sick but happy feeling in his gut. What the hell had happened after he left?
He placed a call to the Adams House and asked for Charlie the bar manager.
When he got through he said:
"Hey Charlie…it's Tony DiNozzo. I see there's been a charge back on my credit cards and I was wondering what the hell happened?"
"Hey Tony….a gal named Linda returned an unopened box of champagne your dad charged Friday night. She asked if I'd take care of it for you."
"Uh…Linda and my Dad were getting married Charlie…."
"Well that didn't happen Tony…seems Linda cancelled the reception and asked the concierge to return your money to you. They kept the 10% cancellation fee of course although I heard she said she was going to make sure you got paid back."
Tony almost laughed …a giddy, silly laugh one might expect when you find out the person that has bullied you all your life finally got their ass handed to them. It was liberating and he was filled with joy that Linda seemed to be enlightened to the measure of the "man" she was about to marry and escaped before making a huge mistake.
He felt excited and happy but then the fear began to rear its ugly head.
Those 20 phone calls and those 20 text messages he deleted….he probably shouldn't have done that.
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Same time….Presidential Suite-Adams Hotel
"Anthony, my friend, what has happened? You did not get married after all?" Prince Omar asked with genuine concern as he stepped back from the door to allow Anthony DiNozzo Senior to enter.
Prince Omar had been unable to get into DC in time for the nuptials but told Senior they would celebrate before Senior and his new bride headed out on their honeymoon.
Omar had heard from a mutual friend that the wedding had turned into a fiasco.
He could only imagine how horrible it was based on his friend's appearance.
Anthony DiNozzo Senior looked like a shell of the man he had known for years. He looked miserable and was unkempt-something Omar had never witnessed before. In one word the man looked defeated.
Prince Omar guided senior over to the couch and then poured him a scotch.
"Thank you, Al" Senior said as he tossed back the drink then placed the empty glass on the table in front of him.
"It was my son….he turned Linda against me! He left me to be with his boss….on my wedding day! He left but before he did he spread a poison that destroyed my last chance for love!"
Prince Omar's eyebrows narrowed. He had heard that Junior had been a thorn in Senior's side most of his life. A son that was a disappointment and did not appreciate all that his loving father had sacrificed for him. Now that son had betrayed his father and brought shame to himself and the DiNozzo family name.
"You say your son left you to be with his boss? Agent Gibbs? Is that correct?"
"Yes! Gibbs has taken my son from me Al….filled his head with notions that he is more of a father to Tony then me! He even threatened me that he had power over Tony and could persuade him to turn his back on me…HIS FATHER!"
Senior let out a sob as his head dropped down into his hands. He wept silently as Prince Omar contemplated how to help his shattered friend.
"I will help you Anthony."
Senior looked up and sniffed "How can you help Al…why would you want to help? I am a pathetic wreck!"
"You are a wreck because your only son is being rebellious and he has been misguided. In my country such behavior is absolutely intolerable! If Tony were my son I would get him back from the negative influences around him and I would punish him severely for turning his back on his family."
"How would you punish him?" Senior asked
"If he were my son….I would retrieve him…forcibly if needed…away from Agent Gibbs…I would then give him a chance to redeem himself. If he was still insolent I would have him physically beaten until he realized the error of his ways and came back to his family. Back to his father who knows what is best for him and has his best interests at heart. Trust me Anthony…this is something I have had personal experience with! You have not met all my children but I had a son who defied me as your son has….and I took care of it as was my right as his father."
"So your son realized he had done wrong and came back to you?"
Prince Omar's face darkened and he looked angry "No…my son was much too gone when my men finally found him and returned him to me. He defied me to the very end…"
"The very end?" Senior asked
"In my country your children are yours…possessions. I was my Father's until his death. My children belong to me and when my son defied me it was my right to deal with him as I felt was justified…as I was the one who gave him life I was also the one who could take it from him."
"Al…you have never told me this…."
"No my friend…I have not. It is not something I am proud of but I felt bound by my honor to act."
"What did you do?"
"My son was executed for his defiance and his rebellion."
Senior gasped saying "Al…I am so sorry you had to make that choice! I want my son back but remember he is a Federal Agent and the laws of this land would never allow such an act here."
Prince Omar smiled and sat next to his friend on the couch "I do not fear his status in your government Anthony…in my eyes he is a child who defied his loving Father and he must pay for that defiance. His beguiler must also know the loss of his "son" to understand the pain he has created in your life. Leave everything to me my friend."
Senior rewarded his long-time friend with a dazzling smile.
A/N-This story is going to be longer then originally planned.
