Tony stared at the unopened pizza box on his lap. What little appetite he had was now practically nonexistent as he tried to focus on what seemed to be a one sided conversation that Ducky was having with Gibbs. From what he could gather, the team leader had arrested Brewer and was taking him to the Navy Yard; the agent figured that Gibbs was grasping at straws with whatever he was charging Brewer with, but he knew that the Marine had his motives. At the moment, he was too tired to even contemplate what his mentor had up his sleeve; however, he couldn't let his exhaustion get in the way of his plan. He was getting out of the hospital today, with or without his doctor's permission.
DiNozzo already knew that the doctor would not release him, so he was going to have to initiate his own escape. He needed to talk to his dad about everything that had happened and together, they needed to decide what they were going to do. He wasn't about to let Gibbs or anyone else clean up the mess that his dad had made; it was time for Senior to step up to the proverbial plate. Tony's father had told him repeatedly that he had a lot to lose monetarily, but if that were the case, then the old man wouldn't be in his current predicament. He hoped that the words that they had exchanged earlier would have had time to sink in; maybe for once in his life, Senior would listen to him and do the right thing.
He was drawn back to the present as Ducky was slipping his phone back in his pocket. Handing the pizza box to the ME, he sank down in his bed and pulled the covers up around his shoulder. "Gibbs?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes," Ducky answered. "He has taken your uh…visitor into custody. Jethro said that he's going to hand Brewer over to the FBI and then he'll be back to see you." The physician laid the box on the counter. "Aren't you hungry?"
"Actually, I'm kind of tired," he admitted. "I think I'll wait and eat it when Gibbs comes; I'm going to catch a quick nap before he gets here."
Unfortunately, the older man failed to take the hint that Tony wanted to be alone; then again, Ducky knew him too well and may have already figured out what he was up to. Surely, he hadn't lost his touch. Tony was so used to slipping on his mask and convincing people that he was all right, that when the facade didn't work, he felt vulnerable and anxious. "I'll just sit here and read until Jethro returns," Ducky informed him. "You won't even know I'm here."
"Ducky, you don't have to stay. Brewer's in custody and all I'm going to do is sleep; I'm sure you have better things to do than to sit and watch me saw logs. I'll be fine. Really."
Ducky patted him on the leg and sat down in the chair beside his bed. "Nonsense, my boy; I have nothing better to do. Besides, Jethro's last words were, and I quote, 'to not let DiNozzo out of my sight.'"
How did Gibbs do that? How could the man possibly know that he was plotting to check himself out of the hospital? Tony shook his head in frustration. The team leader's spidey-sense must have been tingling; Gibbs tended to know when he was about to do something stupid and going AWOL from the hospital would definitely be considered stupid. "What does Gibbs think I'm going to do?" he wanted to know, disguising his annoyance with a nervous laugh.
"Really, Anthony? Jethro knows you better than you know yourself. Perhaps I should remind you of the last time you were in the hospital."
"That's okay, Duck." The last thing he felt like doing was engaging in a trip down memory lane. He didn't like the memories associated with his bout with the plague; that had truly been some of the most difficult days in his life. The only thing that made them bearable was the fact that Gibbs had been by his side, head slapping and growling at him as the older agent continually ordered him to get better. Pushing those memories aside, he tiredly sighed, "I'm going to sleep now."
Tony closed his eyes; his plan was just going to have to wait to be executed at a more opportune time. Of course waiting was one of those things that were easier said than done, but he didn't have a choice, nor did he feel like he had a lot of time. His dad was bound to wear out his welcome at Gibbs' house and truthfully, Tony was afraid to have the two men under the same roof for any length of time. His father could try the patience of Job and Gibbs' patience was not of Biblical proportions.
As he lay there trying to sleep, his thoughts drifted back to the first time he had ever allowed the team leader to have a glimpse of the man who was responsible for his existence. Looking back, Tony realized that Gibbs' animosity towards his father began that particular night in the Marine's basement.
***flashback***
Tony had been working for Gibbs a couple of weeks but this was the first time that he had ever been to his boss's house. He was a little apprehensive about accepting the invitation but the offer of steaks and beer, provided he brought the beer, had been too tempting to pass up. The young man knocked on the door and when he didn't get an answer, he tested the door only to discover that it was unlocked.
He walked in and called out to Gibbs, announcing his presence. "Hey, Gibbs? You know your door's unlocked?"
"Yep," came the curt reply from in front of the fireplace.
Making his way over to the couch, he set the beer down on the table and practically fell on the couch. Tony watched Gibbs as he set the sizzling steak in front of him, the aroma of the meat further tantalizing his senses and his growling stomach. Simultaneously, the two men pulled out their knives and proceeded to cut their steak.
"Glad to see you remembered rule nine, DiNozzo," Gibbs observed.
"Yep. I'm a quick learner."
"I know."
Tony felt a small sense a pride at the thinly veiled compliment. He handed Gibbs a beer and then grabbed one for himself. "Wasn't sure if you were a domestic or imported kind of guy, so I just picked up a six pack of my favorite."
Gibbs took a drink and nodded his approval. "Not bad. Expensive stuff, DiNozzo."
"My dad always says that you shouldn't skimp on the alcohol. You should have seen his liquor cabinet; it contained the best of the best."
He could feel Gibbs' gaze rest upon him; Tony suddenly felt uncomfortable, forcing him to wonder if he had said something wrong. "Something wrong?" he asked, mid chew.
"Your dad drink a lot?" Gibbs wanted to know.
Tony shrugged and swallowed the bite of steak. "Yeah, but he holds his liquor pretty well. He's never been abusive, if that's what you're hinting at."
"Meaning what? That he didn't hit you? Sometimes words can be just as painful."
Was he that transparent? His father's constant disapproval had weighed on him heavily throughout the years. He was nothing but a disappointment to his dad and he had accepted that fact a long time ago—at least he thought he had. "I guess they can, but my dad…well, he never had a lot to say to me, except to tell me what a…" Tony took a drink of beer. "We really didn't talk much."
"What about your mom?"
Tony found himself desperately wanting to take their conversation in a totally different direction; he wasn't one to talk much about his past, but for some inexplicable reason, he felt led to answer Gibbs' questions. Clearing his throat, he quietly replied, "She died when I was young. Overdose."
The young man tamped down the memory of finding his mother's dead body lying on the bathroom floor. His father had refused to accept the fact that she had taken her own life and had forbade him to say otherwise. In fact, Gibbs was the first person he had ever shared that revelation with; it was nice to be able to trust someone with such a heavy burden. Trust was something that didn't come easy for him; he had learned at an early age that the only person he could truly depend on was himself.
"Sorry," Gibbs said. "So then it was just you and your dad."
"For a few years before I was shipped to boarding school. Actually, it was me and the hired help."
"Hired help? You come from money?"
"Yeah, but I haven't seen a cent of it since high school graduation. He disowned me when I didn't want to follow in his footsteps."
Gibbs put down his silverware and stared at him in disbelief. "He disowned you?"
Tony swallowed hard. Even though he had proven that he trusted Gibbs, he wasn't ready to delve into the sordid details of his childhood. "No big deal. I didn't need his money. Got a full ride to Ohio State."
"Yeah, I know. Athletic and academic."
"How'd you know that?" Tony shook his head in resignation. "Never mind. I don't want to know."
The older man grinned. "It's in your file. So, do you have any contact with your dad now?"
"He sends me a birthday present every year, of course it's never on my birthday," Tony half joked in an effort to lighten the somber mood.
"You're dad sounds like a real piece of work, DiNozzo."
"You have no idea. He's…well, let's just say, that if you ever meet him, it'll explain a lot about me."
Gibbs took a drink of his beer. "Sounds to me that you're who you are despite your father and if I ever meet your dad, I'll be sure to tell him that."
Tony took another bite of steak. Hopefully that day would never come. He couldn't imagine what a meeting between Gibbs and his dad would be like. The team leader was everything his dad wasn't. He admired his mentor for his honesty and integrity and considered him to be the positive influence that he had been denied his entire life.
"I doubt he'll listen," Tony replied.
"He'll listen," Gibbs assured him.
"Gibbs, my dad doesn't listen to anyone except himself. Don't waste your breath. Some things are better left unsaid."
The two men continued to eat in companionable silence. Tony hoped that Gibbs would finally let this whole conversation drop; fortunately, the team leader picked upon his discomfort and conveniently changed subjects. The two continued talking well into the night and that night had been the first of many steak dinners at Gibbs' house. Tony knew that this was now a safe haven and it was something that would never take for granted.
***end flashback***
He opened his eyes to discover that Ducky was still sitting by his bed, quietly reading his book. Tony cleared his throat to get the ME's attention. He had to get out of here and in order to do so, he was going to need help.
"Anthony? Are you all right?" Ducky inquired.
"Yeah, Duck," he answered with a slight grin. "But, I need a favor…"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Gibbs entered his house to find Fornell and Tony's father sitting at the kitchen table. It was obvious that the two men had been involved in a serious conversation, but judging by the frustrated expression that the FBI agent was wearing, he had yet to successfully convince Senior to testify. He was currently keeping Brewer on ice until he figured out what the elder DiNozzo was going to do. The team leader hoped that the fact that Tony had another visit from Sam Brewer would force Senior's hand; maybe for once in the man's life he would think of someone other than himself.
"How's it going, Fornell?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
He glared at his counterpart as Fornell rose to his feet and grabbed him by the arm and forced him back towards the living room. His friend was definitely pissed; apparently Senior had managed to get on his last nerve, causing Tobias' normally easygoing manner to evaporate.
"Where have you been?" the agent wanted to know. "I've been trying to talk some sense into that bastard for the past few hours and…" Fornell took a deep breath and blew it out. "Do you know how close I've come to throttling that man?"
"I have a pretty good idea."
"That's why you called me over here, isn't it? You were on the verge of killing him yourself and needed to get out."
The team leader grinned. "Can't get anything over on you. So, he's not talking?"
"Oh, he's been talking, all right. He's been talking about everything but testifying against Brewer."
"Guess it's my turn for a go at him."
"Be my guest."
Gibbs headed back into the kitchen to find Senior searching his cabinets. "Looking for something?"
"I was looking for some of that coffee that your friend had; he refused to make ne some, claiming that you didn't have any more. Of course, I knew that was a lie because you're never without your coffee. Of course, I would prefer something stronger, but I figure you keep that locked up."
"I don't think either of those things are on that list that your doctor gave you," Gibbs pointed out.
"What the doctor doesn't know won't hurt him," Senior deviously stated as he sat down at the table once again.
The agent shook his head in disbelief. It was obvious that Senior hadn't learned anything from his recent ordeal. "Do you hear yourself?"
"What do you mean?"
"You just had heart surgery," Gibbs reminded him. "Surgery that your son is going to have to pay for because you're broke, or so you claim! The least you could do is follow the doctor's orders." The Marine had seen a lot of lowlife scumbags in his life, but Tony's dad was quickly moving to the top of the list. The man showed no respect for his son; it seemed like Senior only viewed Tony as a means to an end and it truly infuriated him.
"I guess you're right," Senior conceded.
"You guess I'm right? Tony has gone above and beyond to…" Gibbs pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why do I waste my breath? You're never going to change; no matter what, you're never going to change. The world revolves around you and nobody else and that's the way you like it," he continued to rant. "Your son doesn't mean anything to you, does he?"
"How dare you?" the elder DiNozzo challenged. "How dare you insinuate that I don't care about my son? Just because we're not your ideal of the perfect family…"
"You're only a family when it's convenient for you! How much longer do you think Tony's going to put up with your crap?"
He truly hadn't intended to start an argument with Tony's father, but fatigue and concern for his senior field agent had prompted him to take a stand. Anthony DiNozzo, Senior, had to realize what he was doing; he had to know what his indifference was costing him.
"Just keep your nose out my business," Senior spat.
"I can't do that. Unfortunately, your business became my business when you started screwing up your son's life."
Senior visibly bristled. Gibbs glanced back at Fornell who was seemingly enjoying the confrontation playing out in front of him. Both agents noticed the increased level of stress that Tony's father seemed to be experiencing; the team leader was pleased to see the older man sweat a little.
"I don't have to take this!" Tony's father exclaimed. "Is this how your treat your guests?"
"The only reason that you're not out on your ass is because of Tony."
"I'm not getting into a pissing contest with you, Gibbs! As soon as Tony is released, I'll be leaving here. Until then, we'll just stay out of each other's way."
With a firm grip on the edge of the table, he leaned closer to Senior, hoping that his attempt at intimidation would work to his advantage. "That's not going to happen."
"I just had major surgery," DiNozzo reminded him. "We shouldn't even be having this conversation; I can't be under any undue stress."
Gibbs wasn't about to let him off that easy. "Your son is still in the hospital, recovering from being beaten within an inch of his life," the Marine pointed out. "How much stress do you think he's under? He's supposed to be concentrating on getting better, but all he can do is worry about you."
"I'm worried about him as well."
"If that's the case, you'd want to do anything you could to help him."
"What are you getting at, Gibbs? What do you want from me?"
Gibbs shook his head. "I don't want anything from you, but your son needs you to testify against Brewer."
Senior crossed his arms in defiance. The elder DiNozzo's actions and expression reminded the team leader of a spoiled child who was not getting his way. Fornell had warned him that Tony's father didn't want to supply evidence against Sam Brewer, but Gibbs was determined to change his mind.
The older man shook his head, clearly frustrated by the direction that the conversation was taking. "I've already told your pal over there that…"
"I know what you told him and I'm telling you that you didn't give him the right answer."
"You don't understand, Gibbs," Senior attempted to reason.
"Then explain it to me," the team leader demanded. "Tell me what's holding you back. Your son nearly died covering your ass; why can't you for once do something for him?"
"I'm trying to do something for him! I'm trying to make sure that he's taken care of; Tony deserves to have a secure future and if I can…"
"If? You've spend your whole life counting on 'ifs'!" Gibbs felt the rage surge within him. "It's never been about the money! You're the one who cares about the money. It's time for you to stop worrying about your finances and start worrying about how your actions affect your son. How many times has Tony been forced to clean up your messes? Do you even know?"
Gibbs didn't miss the hint of regret flicker across Senior's face. The Marine wondered if he was beginning to get through to Tony's father. Could his words actually be penetrating the other man's thick skull?
"Do you realize that even after all you've done to him, he still loves you?" Gibbs pressed. "All Tony wants from you is to…"
"Enough!" Senior barked. "If it means that you'll leave me the hell alone, I'll testify!"
The Marine's eyes narrowed. Even though he had been trying to get him to testify, it was still a surprise when he had so readily agreed. Why the sudden change of heart? Perhaps, he shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. "You will?"
"Yes," Tony's dad nodded. "I'll testify on one condition."
Gibbs didn't miss the devious smirk that was dancing upon Senior's lips. As much as he hated to admit it, it was the same look Tony often got right before he dealt the final blow to a suspect that he was interrogating.
The team leader clenched his fist. "What condition?"
Ignoring Gibbs, Senior slid an empty cup towards him, the smirk spreading into his most charming smile. "First," he said. "I'd like a cup of coffee."
No excuses except trying to write around real life! I was behind after we got our power back and then I've been helping with Music and Band camp these past two weeks…yes, I'm a band mom! Talk about time consuming, but I love it. I've got the next chapter of Undertow almost ready, so maybe in a couple of days, it'll be ready. Thanks a lot for your patience and as long as you continue reading, I'll continue writing. You guys are the best!
