Marie cuddled closer to Jethro, "Tony has always been good at whatever he sets his mind to."
"He said something to me at lunch today that I was not expecting," Jethro said to Marie as they continued to cuddle.
Marie looked into Jethro's eyes, "What did he say?"
"I remember how you told me awhile back that Tony very rarely speaks of his father, well today at lunch he briefly mentioned that his father worked at the Pentagon and was in Naval Intelligence. I kinda had the feeling he didn't really want to say anything more so I let it pass."
Marie sat up looking surprised at Jethro, "Really?"
Jethro rolled on to his side resting on his elbow facing Marie, "Yeah, I was telling him stories about my Marine Sniper missions and that's when he told me about his dad, I think he wanted me to know that his dad was every bit the man that I am."
Marie smiled at Jethro, "You did what countless child psychologists and therapists had failed to do. You got him to say something about his father."
Jethro looked surprised at the revelation.
Marie cuddled closer to Jethro before speaking again, "Tony was in therapy for years after his father was killed and he never opened up to any of them. He was eleven when I first brought him to a child psychologist. By the time he was almost twelve, he refused to continue. I tried everything to get him to continue but he has always kept his feelings well hidden and deals with things in his own way. He convinced all the family that he was fine and to be honest with you, I was tired of the fighting and constant battles, the groundings and other punishments handed down whenever he acted out. I feel really bad that I lost my temper a few times and spanked him. Michael tried to reason with him as well and I know he too lost his temper and spanked Tony on more then one occassion. By the time Tony was twelve, we decided that we would let it be. For the most part, Tony was a happy boy, had lots of friends, did well in school, and played sports. In looking back, I can now see that Tony learned at a very young age how to hide his feelings from all of us. The only thing he could not control were the nightmares."
Gibbs thought about what he had just learned and said, "I think you did a wonderful job. You said it yourself, Tony was a happy child."
Marie gently stroked the back of Jethro's hand. "We spoiled him, and only wanted him to be happy. I should have realized that the nightmares were an indication that he was not fine."
Gibbs sat up, taking hold of both of Maries hands. "You handled it as best you could. You can't second guess the decisions you made years ago. Focus on what he needs from you now."
Marie layed back down next to Jethro and he wrapped her in a hug. He kissed her on the forehead and said, "So I'm confused here, is this a good thing or a bad thing?"
Marie laughed at Jethro's question, "It's a good thing Jethro, just continue to be his friend and let Tony set the pace."
The next day Tony went to work with his mom, she put him to work as a busboy/dishwasher. This was the job he held at the restaurant before going off to college so he did not have to be trained. He kept the dining room clean and the dishes properly washed and put away. He only got in trouble once the first day at work when his mom caught him borrowing another employees cell phone.
"Anthony! I told you no cell phones," his mother scolded.
"Later Steve I gotta go," Tony said as he closed the cell phone.
"Technically mom you said I could not use my cell phone, you did not say I could not use someone else's phone."
Marie looked at Tony and said, "You knew exactly what I meant when I said no telephone, otherwise you would not be hiding in the pantry making your call now would you?"
Tony just smiled and said, "You got me there, come on mom you can't blame a guy for trying."
Marie told Tony to return the phone to whom ever he borrowed it from and to not let it happen again. As Tony passed his mother he was surprised when she smacked his butt with her hand.
"Owwww!" He yelled as he turned to look back at his mom, "That really hurt." He walked away rubbing the back of his pants.
The days passed by quickly as far as Marie was concerned and she was sad when she realized Tony would be leaving in a few days. She was starting to get used to having him around again, especially since he had been coming into work with her everyday. He had decided to keep working even after he had earned enough money to pay Jethro back. It would be nice heading back to school with some extra money in his pocket.
Jethro and Tony continued to bond over the next few weeks by going to a baseball game one day then fishing the next. Today was the day Jethro was going to drive Tony to his house in Georgetown and show him the boat he was building in his basement.
Tony insisted that you can't build a boat in your basement and Gibbs was going to prove him wrong.
They made their way down the basement steps and Gibbs smiled when he heard Tony say, "Well I'll be damned." Tony walked around the frame of the boat admiring the craftsmanship. He looked around and didn't notice any electric saws or power tools of any sort.
Gibbs knew what Tony was thinking and said, "I only use hand tools, I love how my hands feel against the wood and besides it relaxes me and helps me unwind after a stressful day."
Tony thought about how he liked to relieve stress and a smile came over his face as he thought to himself, "My way is definitely better then building a boat."
Tony continued to study the boat, "Yeah but doesn't it take you a lot longer doing it this way?"
Gibbs gave Tony a quick smile and said, "What's the big rush? I take satisfaction in knowing I did the best possible job without taking any shortcuts and when I am finished I leave behind something beautiful and hopefully something that people will admire years after I am gone."
Tony wasn't sure if they were still talking about the boat or maybe something a little deeper. As they headed back upstairs to head for home Tony paused and said, "How are you going to get it out of the basement?"
The next day the whole family plus the members of Gibb's team were gathered for a BBQ at Marie's house in Baltimore. This was Tony's last day with his family before he needed to be driven back to OSU and get himself prepared for the 2009 Summer Quarter and Marie wanted to do something special for her son.
Jethro showed off his excellent BBQ skills and prepared steaks, Chicken, hot dogs and burgers. , Tony sat in the kitchen talking to his two grandmothers. His maternal grandmother made her famous potato salad while his paternal grandmother put the final touches on her fruit salad. Both ladies understood English but it was easier for them to speak in their native Italian. They were happy that their children as well as their grandchildren were all fluent in Italian. Even though both grandmothers were in their late eighties they were still very active working at the restaurant and enjoyed going to Bingo twice a week. Tony's paternal grandmother Rosalie was telling Tony how she won $1000.00 last month on her u-pick em' ticket and how it was Tony's birthday number that won. She slipped him a $100.00 for bringing her good luck. Not to be out done his maternal grandmother Cecelia went to her purse and wrote Tony a check for $100.00 and told him to do something fun with the money. Tony, now $200.00 richer was enjoying all the attention and wondered if his grandfathers were going to be just as generous.
Michael and his two kids were tossing a Nerf Football to each other on the lawn and the kids asked their dad if he could get the others to play a real game. "Hey the kids want to play a game," Michael said to the others.
Soon everyone that wanted to play was gathered on the lawn and Jethro and Nicole's husband Dominic were chosen to be team captains. Jethro won the coin toss and got first pick, "I'll take Tony."
Tony pumped his fist in the air and said, "Yes! Tony DiNozzo number one in the draft." He went and stood next to Jethro.
Dominic chose Frank and the two of them did a little chest bump. Jethro chose Ziva next and Dominic not wanting to get in trouble with his wife Nicole pointed to her to join his team. Jethro chose McGee next while Dominic took Michael. Jethro pointed to Kate and she joined team Gibb's. Gina stood with Michael's two kids with her arms folded, she was daring Dominic to pick a kid over her. Dominic looked at his choices and said, "I'll take Tina. The little girl screamed and jumped up and down for not getting picked last.
Jethro pointed to Abby who joined team Gibb's giving each team member a high five.
Dominic pointed to Michael's wife Angela and she went and stood with her teammates.
Everyone laughed at Gina and waited to see who Jethro would take. Everyone but Jethro knew that Gina was very good at sports but she was really competitive and always got carried away in any type of competition so it was always the family joke to pick her last to make her mad. He pointed to Stevie who said, "Sorry Aunt Gina and ran to his team giving his Uncle Tony a big high five. Gina sighed and walked to her team with her arms still folded.
The game was fun for both sides and all of the adults let the kids score anytime they had the ball. The guys of course had to show off a little bit too. Jethro the quarterback and Tony the receiver connected on several long passes and Tony just loved taunting his two brothers and brother-in-law anytime he scored. Frank had fun tackling Kate and the two of them were seen kissing more then once after a play had ended. Which prompted Tony to say each time, "There is no kissing in football."
The final play of the game came when the very competitive Gina kneed Tony in the groin and picked up his fumble for a defensive touchdown. Although she denied ever laying a hand on her brother, she was penalized and team Gibb's won 30-24...
Tony was still laying on the lawn holding his tender area and trying to breath when Marie called everyone for dinner. The hungry group made their way to the picnic tables leaving Tony to get up on his own.
"That's okay guys, I can get up on my own," he mumbled as he watched his family make their way to the tables. The food was perfect and everyone ate their fill. For dessert Marie carried out a large cake that read, "Good Luck At School Tony, Go Buckeyes."
Finally it was time for the party to come to an end. Michael and his wife Angela gave Tony a check for $500.00 and told him to save it for emergencies. Michael gave Tony a big hug and Angela kissed him on each cheek and told him to stay out of trouble. Michael's two children said they would look for him on t.v. and Tony knelt down so they could each give him a kiss. Tony put the check in his pocket and said, "Thanks guys, your the best."
Nicole hugged and kissed Tony and Dominic shook his hand and said, "Good luck and make sure you guys cover the point spread this season." Tony laughed and said that he would do his best.
Frank with Kate at his side shook his brothers hand then after a few seconds not sure of what to do next he gave Tony a quick hug and said, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
Tony smiled at his brother and said, "You can count on it bro."
Kate shook Tony's hand and wished him luck. Kate noticed that Tony held her hand a little longer then he should have as he said thank you.
Ziva, Abby and McGee thanked Jethro and Marie for inviting them to the party and wished Tony good luck and told him they would look for his teams games on t.v. this season.
Gina gave Tony a big hug and kiss, "Sorry about the game, you know how I hate to lose."
Tony smiled at his sister, "It's okay, I forgive you but you really have to learn a little self control."
She hugged and kissed him again and said, "You better make it home for Thanksgiving because I miss you already."
Finally it was time to say goodbye to the grandparents and just like Tony had hoped each grandfather came through big time with a crisp hundred dollar bill. He gave each of his grandfathers a kiss on each cheek and told them he loved them. His grandmothers were crying and kept coming back to kiss and hug him over and over again. It took awhile before the crying grandmothers allowed their husbands to finally take them home.
Now it was just Jethro, Marie and Tony. It was late and they were getting an early start for Ohio in the morning and Tony was feeling really tired. He went over to his mom and gave her a kiss and then wrapped her in a big hug, "Thanks mom for the great party, I had a lot of fun."
Marie smiled at her son, "Your welcome sweetheart."
Tony turned to Jethro, "You take care of her or I'll go into your basement and burn your boat." Jethro laughed and reached his hand out to Tony who smiled and firmly shook the hand that was offered. "Goodnight guys, I'll see you in the morning," Tony said as he went upstairs to bed.