As always thank you for your Reviews, Favs and Follow. I really enjoy reading them.

I will most likely post weekly. If I can do it sooner I will.

I really not sure what you will think of this chapter but I hope you like it?

WARNING: This chapter does mention CHILD ABUSE.

Chapter 11

Even though little Tony had innocently let the cat out of the bag, Kelly still gathered everyone together into the living room so she could tell them that Mark and she were now official engaged. They planned to have their wedding sometime next spring and they would like to be married by the lake. They didn't want anything big or elaborate for their wedding. They just wanted to invite just the immediate family and a few close friends.

To celebrate, Jackson called an old friend of his who owned a nice restaurant in the area. The place was well known for having the best food and a huge dance floor with live music. He made reservations for them around six that evening. It was going to be his treat. They all got dressed up and left to eat and party.

Gibb, Shannon, Kelly and Mark had ordered their food and decided to go dance a little while they were waiting for their food. Tony stayed with his grandpa. He watched as the others were dancing. He had never been to a place like this before. The music was loud and everyone seemed like they were having good time.

"Grandpa…why do people dance…dance?"

"To have fun."

"It looks…like a…a lot of work to me."

Jackson laughed, "Yes…I suppose it can be."

A few minutes later, the band was finished with the song. The bandleader announced they were going to do Chubby Checker's "The Twist" next. Kelly ran back and grabbed her little brother's hand. "Come on Tony, let's you and me do the twist. I want to have a dance with my little brother."

Tony looked at his grandfather for guidance, "Go on boy. Trust me, you are going to have a lot of fun."

Tony looked at Kelly, "I don't know…know how to dance."

Kelly smiled as she dragged him toward the dance floor, "It doesn't matter just follow what I do. Come on squirt, I promise you are going to like it."

Shannon wanted Gibbs to do the twist with her but he didn't want to. He only liked the slower dances. Mark told Shannon he would go with her. She got up and left with the younger man. Gibbs sat down next to his father as the song started. Both men just sat there for a while and watched as everyone was having a good time.

It was a little near the end of the dance, Jackson finally says, "Leroy, I don't envy you when that boy gets into his teens. He is sure going to be a handful when it comes to the ladies. Look at him."

Gibbs grinned when his eyes finally caught sight of his son dancing with his sister and two little girls about his age. The child was having the time of his life. "Dad, for once I believe you are so right."

The father and son looked at each other and just laughed. Rarely do they agree on anything.

It was a little after dark when they returned to the cabin. Everyone was still wide-awake and nobody was ready to go to sleep just yet. Shannon made Tony go take a bath and change into his pajamas. Mark and Kelly decided to go sit outside for a while so they could spend some private time alone. The rest of the family decided to play a few games of rummy.

When Tony was finished with his bath and dressed in his pajamas, he joined the others in the kitchen. He wasn't tired yet so Shannon told him he could stay up just a little while longer. Tony had never played cards before so he sat next to Gibbs and quietly watched. While he was watching Gibbs explain to him how to play. After the third game Tony asked if he could play. Gibbs turned his hand over to the boy. It appeared that Tony had been paying close attention because he won the next couple of hands. Tony wanted to play another game but Shannon saw him starting to yawn and made him go lay down. He tried to protest but it didn't work.

The cabin only had two bedrooms, so they had already talked about what the sleeping arrangements were going to be while they were there. Shannon and Kelly were going to share one room and Jackson would take the other room. Mark was going to sleep on the couch. Gibbs and Tony were going to sleep in sleeping bags on the floor in the living room. Mark had offered to sleep on the floor but Gibbs told him that he wanted to do it. He thought it would be a fun way to spend some time with his son. It would be almost like they were camping together.

Sometime around two in the morning Gibbs woke up. He felt something was not right. He looked over to where his son should have been sleeping but he only saw an empty sleeping bag. He looked around the room and didn't see him. He wondered if the child might be using the bathroom. He waited a few minutes and didn't hear anything. Gibbs got up and knocked on the bathroom door lightly. He didn't get an answer so he opened it up and looked inside. He didn't see anybody. Gibbs was now worried. He peeked inside both bedrooms and didn't see the child. He thought to himself, "Where could that boy have gone?"

Gibbs hoped to God the boy didn't sleepwalk. It was too dangerous for anyone to be outside in the dark by himself especially with a lake not too far from the cabin. He thought about waking the others but he decided he would check around the outside of the cabin first. When he opened the door he was so relieved to find his child sleeping in one of the rocking chairs on the porch. He grinned, as he was getting ready to wake his son so he could get him back inside.

"Boss?"

At that very moment, Gibbs thought he was going to have a heart attack when he heard the whisper. As he turned around, he kept his voice low so that he wouldn't wake the child up, "DiNozzo don't you ever do that to me again."

The ghost Tony took a step back and grinned a little; "Sorry Boss…but you now know how I used to feel when you snuck up on me."

Gibbs just stared at Tony for a few seconds but he couldn't stay angry with him for too long. He finally smiled. "DiNozzo…just don't come up behind me the next time that is all I am asking."

Tony grinned as he raised his right hand, "Okay Boss. I promise I will only appear in front of you from now on." Gibbs now wondered if that was such a good idea. He will probably have a heart attack either way.

Gibbs looked at the sleeping child and then backed to the boy's ghost father. He needed some questions answered, "Tony…how did you know to come here?"

"I don't know Boss…I just sensed it. I can always sense when he needs me and I come no matter where he is at the time."

"When you don't sense your son where are you?"

Tony thought about it for a few seconds, "I am really not sure…Boss. It's like I am in an abyss. There is only darkness. Sometimes…I can hear what sounds like muffled voices but they sound so far away. I never can make out what they are saying."

"Tony…can you sense anyone else beside your son?"

"I can sense you but only when you are near my son."

"Do you sense your son all the time?"

"I can…only sense him when he is very emotional, like when he is very depressed or very happy. Tonight, I could tell he was happy and he wanted to talk with me so I came. He told me that your daughter Kelly is getting married. Hey and by the way…congratulations old man. It won't be long before you're a grandpa."

Tony could tell he was getting off the subject from his boss's stare. "Right…My son told me you guys went out to celebrate the engagement. He said that he got to dance with Kelly and some other girls. I wish I could have been there to see my big man dance and flirt with the babes? I bet he takes after his old man?"

Gibbs grinned, "You would have liked it. He was a perfect little gentleman. He's nothing like his father."

The ghost Tony grinned, "That really hurt…Boss. I would like you to know that I was a perfect gentleman when I was his age. My mother made sure of that."

Gibbs just grinned and shook his head.

"Boss…can I ask you something? How is it that you also seem to have two different lives?"

This was the one question Gibbs had hoped that Tony wouldn't ask. All he could say at the moment was, "I made a wish."

Tony looked at him puzzled, "You did what?"

"Tony…I know what I am about to say sounds just as crazy as me standing here talking to a ghost…but I was granted a wish and I made it. I wished that Shannon had never met Pedro Hernandez. This way I would have my wife and daughter back. I also hoped if they were alive you would never have come to NCIS and you would be still alive. What I didn't realize at the time was you were going to die in Baltimore if you never came to work for NCIS and me. Tony…I am so sorry."

Tony grinned a little, "Boss…the wish thing…does sound a little too hinkey for me as Abby would say but how else would you explain Shannon and Kelly being alive? So, I believe you. You should also know to never apologize it's a sign of weakness. How many times have you beat that one into my head? If I…were in your shoes I would have made that very same…"

It was at that very moment Tony turned his head as if he was trying to hear or see something. The younger man to hear muffled voices and then he saw a very bright light. He turned his attention back to his boss. Tony looked worried and started talking very fast, "Boss...something is happening. I…I am not sure what it is. I have to go now. I can't stay. I am not sure if and when I will be back. Tell my…"

Tony never got a chance to finish his sentence; he vanished right before Gibbs eyes. The older man just stood there and stared at the empty space. He was trying to figure out what had just happened. He was not sure what the younger man had seen and heard but whatever it was he could see fear in the younger man's green eyes. Gibbs was now worried that he was never going to see his friend again. It felt to him as if he lost Tony for a second time.

Gibbs knew there was nothing he could do so he turned his attention back to the sleeping child. He woke the boy up to get him back into the cabin. He helped him into his sleeping bag. The child was so tired that he fell right back to sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

It was still a few hours before sunrise so Gibbs decided to go back to sleep himself. As he lay there he wondered why the ghost Tony had to leave so suddenly. He also wondered if he was going to ever see his friend again. If not, what was he going to tell Tony's son when he asked where his daddy is? He didn't remember falling asleep but he finally did.

It was early in the morning when Jackson and Gibbs had planned to take little Tony out on the lake to do some fishing. Gibbs woke the boy up to get him ready. Tony was all excited until he realized that he was going to have to go in the boat. He couldn't swim and he was terrified that he was going to fall into the lake and drown. Gibbs tried to reassure him that he would be safe with a lifejacket on but the boy wouldn't hear of it. So the three ended up just fishing off the dock. Gibbs made up his mind later in the day to start teaching his son how to swim.

When they were finished fishing they headed back to the cabin. Shannon and Kelly were in the kitchen getting breakfast ready. Mark was sitting at the table drinking coffee.

Shannon smiled when she saw them walking past the kitchen, "How did it go boys?"

Gibbs didn't say a word as he walked past her to put the fishing gear away. Shannon looked at Jackson wondering what was going on. She could tell her husband was not in a very good mood. The older man held up his catch. "I got more fish than my boy here and he is angry because he lost our bet."

Gibbs turned to look at his father, "Dad…it would have been a tie if my line hadn't broke at the last minute?"

Jackson grinned, "Leroy, you're just mad because I beat you fair and square. So, that means you have to clean all the fish the rest of the time we are here. Remember that was our deal and don't you go getting that child to help you."

"Dad…"

Shannon decided not to listen to their bickering anymore because the father and son did it every time they went fishing together. She turned her attention to her son and asked, "Well…Tony how did you do?"

Tony smiled as he held up his fish. "I…I caught the big…biggest one."

After breakfast, Gibbs sat outside and started to gut and debone the fish. Tony offered to help his dad but Gibbs told him a bet was a bet and he had to do it alone. Tony didn't say a word but just sat there so he could keep his father company.

It was almost around noon when everyone including Jackson wanted to go down to the lake for a swim and to have some fun. Kelly and Mark took a couple of inner tubes out to the center of the lake were they could have some privacy. Jackson and Shannon sat in the shade and watched as Gibbs began teaching Tony how to swim. Gibbs started showing him how to do the dog paddle. The boy was a little nervous at first but he did as he was told. It wasn't long before he was doing the dog paddle around Gibbs. Both Jackson and Shannon started clapping to encourage the boy. They both knew it wouldn't be long before Gibbs had the boy swimming like a pro.

A little later, Kelly and Mark came back to the dock and they started diving off of it. Shannon was standing not too far from them when Gibbs snuck up behind her and pushed her into the water. When she reappeared above the water she gave her husband a dirty look and promised to get even. Gibbs just stood there and laughed.

Shannon was not finished with her husband. She wanted revenge and she was planning to get even. She waited a little while, before she swam over to where Kelly and Mark were. She asked them for their help. Nobody in their family has ever been able to sneak up on Gibbs and push him into the water. Shannon figured between the three of them they could do it. So they waited a while until they were sure Gibbs had his guard down. When they decided it was time, they were surprise to find that Gibbs has been waiting for them all along. He managed to push all three of them into the water within a few seconds of each other. He stood there laughing. "Shannon, I told you it's never going to happen. When are you going to learn, you can't sneak up on an ex marine?"

Right after he said that, Gibbs found himself being pushed into the water not too far from the other three. When he finally surfaced he saw his father standing on the dock grinning. "I guess I still have it." Nobody dared to laugh, because a few seconds later, Jackson found himself in the water just a few feet from his son. When he finally surfaced he saw Tony standing there with the biggest grin on his face.

Gibbs knew the boy didn't understand that he shouldn't be pushing older people in the water like that. It could hurt them. He was getting ready to say something when his father stopped him. Jackson looked at his grandson and laughed, "Boy you got your grandpa all wet. Now that we are all in the water why don't you come and join us?"

Tony looked at everyone and then backed to his grandpa. He looked real nervous but he did something that nobody expected him to do. He jumped into the water all by himself. Gibbs immediately moved closer to where the boy jumped in. He wanted to make sure Tony was okay. The boy surfaced and spit out water. He started to dog paddle over to where is his grandpa was. "I…got...you…you real good…good didn't I, Grandpa?"

Jackson grabbed his grandson and held him so the boy's shoulders where just about the water, "Tony, do you know you just did something your father has never been able to do."

"What's that…that Grandpa?"

Jackson laughed out loud, "Boy, you got me all wet. Your father has been trying to do that all these years and has never been able to do it."

It was at that moment everyone started laughing including Gibbs. He would get with his son later and explain to him to be careful when horse playing around older people because they can get hurt easily. Gibbs also wanted to be very careful about choosing the right words to say to the boy because he didn't want Tony to get upset thinking he might have hurt his grandpa without meaning too.

Once they were back in the cabin, Jackson told Shannon and Kelly both that he was going to cook dinner. He shooed the two women out of the kitchen. The only one he wanted in the kitchen helping him was his grandson. He showed Tony how to make an apple pie for dessert. Once the pie was in the oven, he got Tony to clean up the mess. While Tony was doing that Jackson made the batter for the hushpuppies and set it aside. Next, he had Tony shuck some corn while he peeled the potatoes. He got the deep fryer out to start it heating up. For dinner he planned to batter and deep-fry the fish they had caught this morning, make French fries, hushpuppies and cook some corn on the cob to go with it.

It was a little later, the pie was done he took it out of the oven and placed it on a towel on the counter to cool down. While he was finishing up cooking, he had Tony start setting the table in the dining room.

Jackson was enjoying the time he was spending with his young grandson but it bothered him a little how obedient this child was. Every time he told Tony to do something the boy would just do it without hesitation. Gibbs had warned his father to tread carefully when it came to this child. His son had told him about Tony's life before he came to live with them. Jackson now was wondering if the child really wanted to be in the kitchen helping him after all.

The food was finally done. Jackson turned off the fryer and looked at his grandson, "Tony, can I ask you a question and I want you to be honest with me?"

Tony just nodded as he lowered his head because he thought he was in trouble.

"Do you like being in here helping me or would you like to be in the living room with your parents?"

Jackson could tell the boy was thinking about what he just had asked. Finally the boy answered, "I…I like being here with you…you Grandpa."

"The reason I am asking child is because I just realized I am making you work like your foster parents did. I never bother to ask you if you wanted to help me or not."

Tony went back to finish setting the table. He didn't look up at his grandpa when he said, "Billy…Billy Walker always made…made me work. If I didn't do it I would get punished. There…were many times I…I didn't eat that day or sleep that night because I didn't have all…all my chores done on time. If I didn't do them he…he would wipe me…me hard." Tony finally looked up at his grandpa. A lone tear was falling down his cheek. "This is…is nothing like work to me. I…I like being here…here with you grandpa just as much as I like being with mom and dad and Kelly. I like…like helping you. It makes...makes me feel good inside. I never felt this way with…with Billy Walker. I hated…hated him because he was…was always hitting me, calling me names or making me work. The Walkers never really wanted me…me. I was…was only there to help with the...the farm work."

Jackson walked over and hugged the child. He looked up and noticed his son looking into the room. Gibbs eyes were watering as he backed away. He knew it was a private moment between a grandfather and his grandson. He didn't want to intrude so he left.

Once dinner was served everyone seemed to be enjoying it. Jackson was really a good cook. There was plenty of food for everyone but Jackson made sure Tony got a piece of the fish he caught. He felt the boy deserved and needed the extra attention.

When they were finished, they all went into the living room. Dessert, coffee and milk were served. While they ate the pie, everyone listened to Jackson telling stories about growing up in Stillwater and when he worked in the mines. Once they were finished Gibbs and Mark volunteered to do the dishes. With all the activities they did today and the big dinner everyone seemed to be extra tired that night so they went to bed early.

It was around one in the morning when Gibbs woke up because he thought he heard someone crying. He looked over at his son's sleeping bag and it was empty again. He got up and opened the front door and looked outside. He found Tony sitting in the rocking chair. The child was crying.

Gibbs had a feeling he knew why but he still needed to ask, "Tony, what's the matter? What's wrong son?"

"My…my daddy didn't come to see me. I…I wanted to tell him about all the stuff I did to…today. I wanted to tell him about me fishing and how I…I can swim now but he didn't come."

Gibbs hugged the boy, "Maybe he can't come right now. Maybe he will come later."

"No…No you don't understand my daddy told me that he…he might not come anymore because I…I have a family that loves me. I…I want my daddy. Why can't I have my daddy? Why can't I have both of…of you? It's not fair…"

It broke Gibbs' heart but there was nothing he could say or really do to bring the boy's father back. He would just have to wait and see what was going to happen. He continued to hug the child and tried to comfort him as best as he could, "I know Tony…I know."