A/N: Thanks to –RunningFromTheInside- for the idea for this chapter.

Disappearing Act

"Todd Marcus DiNozzo, for the last time, you are not going to that birthday party. You are grounded, remember," Tony said, looking at his son with crossed arms.

"But dad, that's not fair," Todd whined.

"What's not fair is that you hit Tali with the ball on purpose and now she has a black eye," Tony said. "Now, no means no."

"You're horrible," Todd said.

"Alright, that's it, go to your room, young man, now," Tony said, using his best Gibbs impression. Todd skulked down the hall to his room and slammed the door. Tony walked down the steps and sat down on the last step and put his head in his hands. He hated disciplining the kids; it brought back bad memories of his own childhood. Ziva came around the corner and slid past him so she could sit behind him and rubbed his shoulders.

"You know he still loves you," Ziva said, kissing the top of Tony's head.

"I know, but I can't help but feel bad when I punish them," Tiny said, sighing.

Meanwhile, Todd packed a change of clothes in his book bag and nimbly climbed out of his window on to the tree outside and shimmied down. After he was safely on the ground, Todd took off for Greg's house.

"Ziva!" Tony called from the doorway of Todd's room. Ziva came running up the stairs.

"What?" Ziva asked confused.

"Todd's gone," Tony said. Ziva ran for the phone and just as she was about to dial 911, the phone rang.

"Todd?" Ziva asked breathlessly.

"No, this is Mrs. Allan, Greg's mom," the voice on the other line said.

"Oh, hi," Ziva said, disappointed.

"Did you know that your son was at my house?" Mrs. Allan asked.

"Oh thank God," Ziva said, and then she cupped her hand over the mouthpiece of the phone. "He's at Greg's," Ziva told Tony and Tony sighed with relief. "Mrs. Allan, we'll be right there to pick him up. I'm o sorry."

"It's alright," Mrs. Allan said.

Twenty minutes later Tony had Todd and they were on the way home. The ride back to the house was silent and filled with tension.

"Dad," Todd finally said. "I'm sorry, you're not horrible." Tony reached over and ruffled his sons hair.

"It's ok, little man, just don't ever pull the disappearing act again."

A/N: Ok, you all know the drill…………. But seriously, please review, you're insight makes me a better writer.