Beautiful Child

By Glow60

There will be one more chapter to after this. Thanks again for the ones who took time the review and comment. Also thanks to the ones who have been following this story.

My Usual Warnings…

* As always I prefer not to use a beta reader so all the mistakes will definitely be mine.

** This story is rated M because of the language and the subject matter. You have been warned if you don't like please do not read.

Chapter 12

During the flight back, McGee calls Gibbs to let him know that Balboa and his team had found evidence that Smith had been helping Dupree all along. They found information on Smith computer showing that he had withdrawn a large amount of money on the same day Dupree kidnapped DiNozzo. They also found drugs and a small speaker with a recorder. The recorder had subliminal message that was directed solely at DiNozzo. Gibbs now had the proof he needed to put Smith behind bars for the rest of his life.

Once the plane landed, Tony was taking back to the hospital. Tests were taking and blood was drawn. The blood test show Tony had traces of a drug in his system. It was the same drug Abby found in Dupree's backpack and at Smith's house.

The next morning, Gibbs met with Smith and his lawyer. At first Smith, refuses to admit to any guilt until Gibbs shows him all the evidence they now have that proves he had helped his friend. Gibbs also told the doctor they believe Dupree had killed others during his time on the run and he will be charge with aiding and abetting in those murders. Lastly Gibbs told Smith he is going to make sure he never sees the light of day.

When Gibbs was finished with Smith he heads to the hospital. The Wilsons were visiting Tony. Gibbs told the old couple it was now safe for them to go home. The old couple was excited. They couldn't wait to get home and start rebuilding their house.

Sarah smiles at Tony, "Child…I know our place has bad memories for you but if you ever want to come visit us we would love to see you."

Tony thanks her but he wasn't sure he would ever visit them. Even though they were all safe now, Tony's demon was still with him. He looks over to the corner of the room he sees the ghostly image of Dupree staring at him. For once the apparition wasn't smiling, it just stares at him for a few seconds before it vanishes.

A few seconds later, Tony notices Gibbs staring at that very spot he was looking at just a few seconds ago. He wonders if the older man had seen what he had seen. He watches as Gibbs turns and looks at him but doesn't say anything.

The Wilson stayed for a couple of hours and then left.

After the old couple leave, Gibbs pulls out a newspaper that was stuffed in his jacket pocket and sits down in the chair next to the bed. Tony asks, "Boss…the danger is gone aren't you going to go home?"

"No DiNozzo…I'm staying here tonight to keep you company."

"I…don't understand."

Gibbs smiles, "I saw the look on your face at the beach. I saw the look on your face just a couple of hours ago. You see him don't you?"

"Boss?"

"You see Dupree don't you?"

"How did…did you know?"

"DiNozzo…I have seen that look before. You remember my friend Colonel William Ryan who kept seeing a dead soldier? He had that very same look you had."

"Boss…do you…you think I'm crazy?"

"No Tony…you went through a very traumatic experience. I think your mind is confused right now and it is still playing tricks on you. I know Dupree might visit you in your dreams and I want to be here. I want to have your six."

Tony smiles just a little. "Thanks Boss."

Gibbs grins a little; he likes the idea that Tony keeps calling him boss. He hopes one day he might be his boss again. Gibbs opens the newspaper and finds the page with the crossword puzzle. He began working on it.

Tony was bored so he started flicking through the TV channels until he found something that catches his attention. It was an old black and white movie. Tony smiles as he tells Gibbs, "The earliest movie I remember my mom taken me to see was this movie. It's the 1953 version of the Titanic. It stared Clifton Webb, Barbara Stanwyck, Audrey Dalton and Robert Wagner. Back then my mom had this big crush on Robert Wagner. She told me Wagner remaindered her so much of my Dad. I really don't see the resemblance do you?"

Gibbs just grins.

An hour later, Tony was sound asleep. Gibbs could hear the soft snoring. Gibbs smiles as he puts the paper and pen down. He decides to head for the nurses' station to get him so coffee. He knows it is going to be a long night.

It was sometime in the middle of the night when Tony starts dreaming…

He dreams he is naked and his hands are bond above his head. When he opens his eyes he is hanging from a tree in the middle of a huge field. He starts to shake as he watches as dark figure moves slowly toward him. He knows it can only be one person. Seconds later Dupree is standing in front of him. He laughs as he asks; "DiNozzo…did you really think you can get away from me so easily? Do you think your Gibbs can protect you from me? It's not going to happen. You belong to me. You are mine forever."

Tony is too afraid to talk. He watches as the tormentor of his dreams walks behind him. He can now feel Dupree's hands on his hips. He whispers, "I miss this."

Tony is too scared to say anything. The thought of this man raping him again was too much. He panics and starts struggling but the ropes being cutting into his wrist and cause bleeding. He yells for Gibbs and begs him to help him.

Tony stops struggling when he hears Gibbs calling him.

"Tony wake up...come on…Tony you need to wake up."

As Tony opens his eyes a nurse walks into the room and asks, "Is everything okay in here?"

All Gibbs says is, "Mary…everything is under control. Tony was just having a bad dream."

The nurse leaves the room and Gibbs turns his attention back to Tony. He smiles when he sees familiar green eyes staring back at him, "You okay?"

Tony just nods.

"Good…would you like to talk about it?"

"No…I…I will be okay. Right now…I'm just too tired."

"Get some sleep. Don't worry…I am not going anywhere."

A few minutes later Tony was sound asleep. Gibbs was glad that Tony trusted him enough to go back to sleep.

Early the next morning, McGee stops by to drop off a change of clothes for Gibbs. Tony is still sleeping and Gibbs decides to go change his clothes and gets himself some fresh coffee. He leaves McGee alone with Tony. McGee keeps staring at his friend. He can't believe the difference one month would make. Right now if he passed Tony on the street he would not recognize him. Tony was just a shadow of himself. He had lost so much weight. His hair was just showing signs of starting to grow back. What bothered him the most were those dark circles around his eye.

McGee still feels guilty about what happened. He believes he should have been stronger and maybe Tony would have never been gone through the hell he did. He turns and walks toward the big bay window.

While McGee was lost in his thoughts he was not aware that Tony was watching him. Tony had been lying there pretending to be asleep. When McGee walked away Tony opens his eyes and just stares at him.

Finally after a few seconds Tony asks, "Are you real?"

McGee…almost jumps when he hears Tony's voice. He turns and asks, "Why…why would you ask me that?"

Tony repeated himself, "Just tell me are you real?"

"Yes…I am real…why would you ask me that?"

Tony sits up, "Right after I was taken…I tried to get Dupree to tell me what hap…pen to you. When he finally answered me he told me you were dead and it was my fault. He said I…should have protected you. He told me how worthless I was as an agent."

When McGee didn't say anything, Tony continued, "He is right you know. I…I am worthless. Hell even you told me that."

McGee walks toward the bed; "Tony…I never said such a thing."

"Yes…you did in a way. You remember right after Gibbs left us, you called me a temp…temporary team leader. And when I asked you if you thought I couldn't rate my own team. You told me I wouldn't be here now if I could."

"Tony…I am sorry I should have never said that to you."

Tony was not convinced, "No…you are not sorry. I remember you, Abby and even Ziva k…kept telling me that I…I was not Gibbs."

"Tony you got to understand we were all upset that Gibbs left and I am sorry we took it out on you."

Tony whispered, "Did…did any of you think…k that I might have missed Gibbs too?"

That statement tugged at McGee's heart, "Tony…I am sorry."

Gibbs had been standing in the hallway listening. He remembers the conversation between the two younger men. He remembers talking to McGee after Tony left the bullpen. He then remembers Shepard telling him there were some rocky moments but Tony really held the team together. At the time he never knew Tony's rocky moments were to do with McGee, Abby and Ziva. He wished he had asked Shepard more about it. If he had he would have had a long talk with the others. He knows DiNozzo can sometimes get a little too leadership happy but Tony was his second and when he was not there they should listened and respected his authority.

Gibbs' attention turns back to the two men in the room. McGee was talking now, "Tony there…there is something I need to tell you…do you remember that day you disappeared? I somehow made you angry when I questioned why only the two of us were going to a crime scene. You thought I didn't think you could handle the lead. Tony…I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I just want you to know that."

"McGee I remember some of it but I…I wasn't really angry with you. I was angry at something that I had overheard that morning. It pi…piss…ed me off. I am sorry I shouldn't have taken it out on you…Probie."

McGee grins when he hears Tony favorite nickname for him.

Gibbs smiles…