A/N: Thank you all very much for all of the great reviews that you left me for the last chapter. I just couldn't find the time to reply to all of them. I hope you all enjoy this chapter as well.
They walk into the judge's chambers not really knowing what to expect. They see the Judge handing up his robe then reach for a bottle of water from his small mini-fridge.
"Have a seat Agent Gibbs, Captain DiNozzo." He tells them then waits until both of the men are seated before he says a word.
"I'm glad you daughter is fine Captain, she sure is a spitfire. Take good care of her and her mother."
"I will your Honor, thank you for everything you did for us." Tony tell him simply and honestly.
"I was following the law and it is within my discretion to administer the degree of punishment as I see fit." Picking up his water he takes a long sip then puts the bottle down. "I want you to know that was your one get out of jail card. No man is above the law especially a Police Captain. If I ever see you in my courtroom again I'll throw the book at you."
"I understand perfectly your Honor, If I'm ever in your courtroom again it will be as an officer of the court only."
He nods his head accepting the pledge from Tony. "Agent Gibbs I'm surprised that you would send two inexperienced agents over to your home making sure that the Captain stayed put. Did you send probies on purpose?"
The judge looks at Gibbs and sees nothing at all in his expression that would give him away. "My bailiff told me that you were a Gunny in the Corp, I understand the never leave your men behind. And that you felt a need to stand by and help out a former member of your team, Agent Gibbs. Pull a stunt like that again and I find out about it, I'll have your ass in the brig faster than you can say semper fi. Do you understand?"
"Yes your Honor." Gibbs answers without flinching.
"Good, now that all that unpleasantness is out of the way I understand that you have a picture in your phone of a homemade dollhouse painted pink. My granddaughter's birthday is coming up and I'm looking for ideas."
Ten minutes later the two men meet up with Diana, Anna and Fornell in the lobby of the courthouse. Fornell seeing the look on both of their faces knows that there in nothing to worry about. Having been there friend for so many year he felt comfortable in reading their body language hoping that he is not misreading it, but knowing them the way he does it's a gamble either way.
"Well?" Diana asks as she stands.
" We were given a slap on the wrist and a talking too. We're fine his Honor sends his best wishes to you and to Anna."
"So why do you look like the cat that swallowed the canary?" Fornell asks Tony.
Knowing Gibbs well, Tony reaches and picks up his daughter holding her close to him. "Guess who is helping the Judge make a doll house for his granddaughter?"
Fornell smiles then he chuckles softly. "Are you going to paint it pink too Gibbs?" Anna asks tuning in her father's arm as he holds out her arms to Gibbs.
"Not pink, violet this time."
"I like pink better. Can we go eat waffles please? I'm hungry."
"Good idea, but my little one you are to big to be carried. You walk." Diana tells her and takes her hand after Gibbs puts her down.
Gibbs and Tony start to bring up the rear they don't get very far before Gibbs slaps Tony in the back of the head. "Hey, what the heck was that for?"
Gibbs doesn't say anything at all he just glares at Tony. "Thanks for not doing it in front of Anna at least."
"What time is your flight back?"
" No flight yet, I'm going to take McGee up on his offer to book the flight for me. I need to get Anna back and into a normal routine she needs to see that she will be safe in her daycare. I also talked to the department shrink he set up an appointment with a colleague of his that works with children."
They stand by the car and watch as Diana takes Anna into Gibbs house with the intent of taking a nap.
"Did you arrange to step up patrol in the area?" Gibbs asks once he sees his front door close.
"I didn't, Julio did."
"Good thank him for me."
"Will do. Jethro, about Abby and Ziva?" Tony asks bluntly.
"You won't have to deal with either of them. You should go thank Vance and say good-bye to Ducky though."
"I think I'll leave Diana and Anna at your home when I do, can we go now? I'd like it if you would lock the door for me, for them please."
"Go tell your wife were your going. Tell her that the number for work is on the pad near the phone."
"On it boss." Tony replies slipping into familiar banter.
Tony comes back in just a few minutes carrying a three of Anna's drawings. When he sees the unasked question on Gibbs face. "Gifts for Ducky, Vance and McGee."
GTGTGT
He left Vance's office feeling he still owed the man and the agency a debt for all of the resources that were used to get his daughter back. But with a feeling of gratitude and pride as well. Vance told him that he was always welcome back if he got tired of being just a cop. Tony couldn't help but smile as he watched the director look at the picture that Anna had sent him.
Entering the bullpen a step behind Gibbs he was not surprised to see both Ziva and Abby by Ziva's desk talking in softly not letting their voices carry. He didn't even
acknowledge them at all he just walked over to McGee and handed him the picture from Anna.
Having been informed by Vance that Ducky was out on a call with another team he knew that his drawing would be safe with Gibbs. He said nothing as Gibbs opened his center desk drawer and placed the drawing in carefully treating in like it was a priceless work of art from one of the Renaissance Masters.
"Tim." Tony waits for Tim to look at him. "Anna sends this to you. Along with a big hug and thank you. I'm forgoing the hug. She also wants me to tell you that she can't wait for her Uncle Tim to come out and see her."
"Uncle Tim? See me?"
"Well I sort of told her that you would be coming out with Gibbs and when you did come, you would help me buy her a computer that she can use. Just let me know when your coming I can get a few days off and maybe we can talk Gibbs into helping us build swing set."
"I'd love to come Tony, do you have room for me at the house?"
"Lots of room Tim, it's a five bedroom house, Diana wants a big family. Tim about your offer for booking a flight back?"
"I'll take care of it. I just need your credit . . ." Tim starts to say only to have the card placed in front of him on the desk.
"Just give it to Gibbs when your done please. I've got to go I promised to show my girls around the national mall." Tony tells his him before he turns and catches a set of car keys that are being tossed to him.
"Abby and I are not invited to your home Tony?" Ziva asked with a mixture of confusion and irritation .
"I don't think that is a good idea, do you Ziva? Neither of have any respect for me at all and after you threatened to hit my daughter. You're lucky that you can still stand. So I think it's better this way don't you?"
"But Tony?" Abby whined.
"No Abby my daughter and wife are more important to me than you and your feelings. Both of you, set fire to the bridges. There is no going back and no one to blame but yourselves."
Tony turns from the girls to McGee, "I'll catch you later Tim." Turning to Gibbs, "See you tonight Boss." Walking from the bullpen toward the elevators he felt eyes on him, he looked up and t o see Vance watching the team. The exchanged a wordless nod before the elevator opened and Tony stepped inside.