AN: Hey guys, I know updates have been too few and far between but live has just got in the way of me. I cant promise I will be updating quickly because I have a lot going on my plate at the moment. But i will try my best. Maybe not the best chapter I could have updated but least it will let you know i haven't abandoned.
Hope you have a happy birthday whitecollar18 i think your the one that made me feel the guiltiest haha.
Zach stood in his bedroom window, watching down in the garden below him. He saw his father manning the barbecue, while he had one arm around Abby's shoulders, speaking with her softly and getting her to dry her tears. Zach felt like crap watching one of the kindest people he knew cry, and knowing he was the reason why she was.
He sighed and turned his eyes to the rest of his family. His uncles, Tim, Tony and Jimmy along with his brother and cousin Jayden were tossing a football between each other. His girlfriend was sat on the grass along with his Aunts Ziva and Ashley, and his sister Kelly. His two Grandpas were sat in their usual chairs watching everyone, baby Ant with them gurgling happily. Shannon was readying the lunch table with plates, salad and crisps. The only person he didn't see was Kate, and he assumed she had gone to the toilet because all her toys were still on the grass.
He didn't see anywhere he fitted in, he thought sadly. He wrapped his arms around himself unconsciously, never feeling more alone than ever. He was surprised his father hadn't been up to discipline him after the way he had talked to his Aunty.
"I guess his had enough of my crap" He spoke to himself.
He sighed to himself. This was all a bit too much, he thought he could have handled his family meeting the invader, but he realised he was far from ready for that. The teen knew he didn't want to be stuck in Florida with all of them, as much as he wanted to go he couldn't think of anything worse at the moment.
He needed time to himself, something which he wasn't going to get while he was here. He grabbed a bag, packing it with enough clothes to last a few days. He knew he would be in trouble for this, but surely his dad would understand he wasn't running away if he left him a note right?
The blond got his bag ready, making sure everyone was in the back garden before he entered his father's room. He knew where his dad kept his bank cards, and it was like he was robbing because they were his own. He was only planning to use it in an emergency.
He stopped for a minute to think before he picked up the card. Was he doing the right thing? Or was he being completely irrational? He didn't see any other way of getting out of the family holiday if he stayed around because everyone was so excited for it. All he would have to do is wait two or three days then come back home and hopefully most of them would have gone without him anyway since it had all been booked.
His decision was made, and he quickly ran out of the house before anyone could stop him.
The family had all finished their lunch and had gone back to their spots before. Abby had gone to join the girls, along with Kate. Gibbs and Shannon were sat down together, enjoying each other's company as they watched their family.
"Jethro, do you think you should take up some food for Zach?" Shannon asked.
She had made an extra spot at the table for the teen, but hadn't appeared, and Gibbs told Tony to leave him when he went upstairs to get him.
The silver-haired man thought about it for a minute before coming to a decision "I'll give him a little longer. He hasn't eaten all day, and he didn't eat much last night either. He'll cave soon"
His wife frowned "It isn't a game, it's your son."
"I don't mean it like that Shan." He felt slightly hurt that she thought he was heartless about his boy "I just know that if he comes down here himself he's going to be more open to talk to later."
"If he comes down here"
The man rubbed his eyes, quickly becoming tired. "I'll give him another hour before I go up to him. This is new territory and I'm not exactly sure what he wants from me at the minute."
"You'll figure it out soon Jethro. You're a good father"
Zach was walking nowhere in particular, he hadn't actually thought this far ahead. Maybe it this wasn't one of his better ideas, but either way there was no going back now, and he knew he needed to get off the streets soon because he dad would no doubt be patrolling them when he found out he left.
He pulled out his mobile, dialling his best friend Tom. His house was massive and he was sure he could hide out there for a few days without even noticing. His parents were rarely in the house, his mother was a movie star and his father was high up in the marines. Both of their jobs kept them busy.
"Hey Zach, what is up with you? I haven't heard off you in a while. Jayden said he saw your dad with some red head woman yesterday looking at the house next door to his. I thought you ..." He best friend talked a mile a minute.
"Whoa.. whoa.. chill out Tom." Zach should have known he would have a lot of questions to answer if he spoke to his friends. "I'll explain everything to you, I just need a place to stay for a few nights"
"Uh..." Tom said awkwardly "You know I'd let you around here normally, but my mom and dad both have a week off and we've got family here for the next few days. I'll ask my dad though..."
"No don't!" The teen said panicked, the last thing he wanted was the lieutenant to phone his father "you see... I'm sort of laying low for a few days"
"Oh, you're running away?"
"No!" He did not want it to be called that "I'm taking some time to myself"
"In other words, running away" Tom hoped his friend knew what he was getting himself into "Listen, I would usually hide you here, but cousin is staying in my room and he's a little nerd, there is no way he will keep it quiet. I'm sorry dude."
The blond sighed "Don't worry about it; I'll go to Jared's house. If my dad calls you haven't heard off me"
They said their farewells and hung up. Zach changed the direction he was walking; he was going to have to be quick to get to Jared's before director Vance came home. He knew his other best friend wouldn't be too happy about hiding him, but he would do it nonetheless.
Hi dad, I'm NOT running away. Zach
Gibbs hand clenched into a fist, how had he been so stupid to think his son needed space. It was obvious from the missing clothes that his son didn't intend on coming back for a few days. He was moving too fast for the boy he realised, throwing a holiday, a house and meeting the family in the space of a few days was bound to set him off.
He would have given his son until later tonight to see if he would come home but it was pretty obvious that he wouldn't be. Instead he phoned his son's two best friends parents asking them to call him if they heard anything. They both assured him they would keep an eye out if their teens were hiding him.
"Jethro, I came up to see what was taking you and Zach... so long" Jack finished lamely when the younger man held up a note with the teen's writing on.
"Want me to call a search party?" Jack asked, watching his son carefully.
Usually it would have fuelled the man to find his errant child, but today he just looked, well he looked old and tired. He sat down on the bed, clearly not knowing what his next move should be.
The white-haired man sighed, pulling out Zach's desk chair, moving a few bits of clothing with his foot so he could place it down.
"Dad..." Gibbs said softly "I just don't know what to do."
"I think the worst thing to do now is not find the boy. I don't think he's ready for a family vacation, in fact I don't think he is ready for the four of you to be moving in together. I think you need to do some serious back-paddling here son, and find out what Zach's comfortable with and work from there."
Gibbs nodded in agreement. He hated to think so but the old man was right, he had pushed Zach too far. "I just missed Shannon and Kelly so much that I wanted it to be perfect right away."
"I know son. But it's never going to be perfect his quickly. I know everyone downstairs is over thrilled about it, but then it doesn't affect their life as much as if does Zach. He has to move, share his room with them, and share his dad with them"
Jack saw some energy in his son "I'm going to go find him. I'll give you a call later to tell you what is going on. Tell everyone else; tell them I'll find him"
"Good luck son"
Gibbs nodded, going into his own room to pack an overnight bag just in case. He didn't have any idea where his son had taken himself. He growled when he saw his bottom drawer slightly ajar, checking it to only find out his son's bank card was missing.
"Dad!" He called "Please get Tim to run Zach's bank card and give me a call"
He waited till he heard a response before leaving out the front door and into his car.
Tyler wondered why his little brother was so upset he had run off. But it was also inspiring and he could feel the love when all of the family did what they could to find him, even though they had been told not to worry.
He took the moment to talk to his mother privately "Mom, you really need to tell dad. You said you would today"
"I know..." She said and the man could feel another excuse coming on "But he's got a lot going on with Zach at the minute, I think it can wait a few more days."
Tyler was annoyed. He knew she would put it off until she was forced to tell. "You said you would the other day. You need to tell him and like I said if you don't, I will"
Kelly had been listening now interjected "Tyler, leave her alone. Would you we made it even harder on them now by telling them?"
"No, but they deserve to know the truth. Dad will help I know he will. I mean just look what the rest of the family are doing." He argued, becoming beyond annoyed.
"They are not your family Tyler, we are" Kelly growled.
"Screw you Kelly. I'm going to find Zach with them, and I'm going to tell Dad, so I suggest you do it first."
He started to storm off but his mothers gently touch on his shoulder stopped him.
"Tyler sweetie, just give me two more days, let him calm down first after this just so he doesn't blow it out of proportion"
The brunet man wanted so badly to tell her no, but he found he couldn't. She was his mother and he could see she was worried.
"Fine... two more days but that is it!"
With that he stormed off, hoping to help find his little brother.