"Hey there kiddo."
"Uncle Pride" Tony mumbled happily as he felt himself being lifted into his Uncle's arms and carried inside.
"I see your Dad didn't take it easy on you since it's barely 9 and you are asleep."
"It's Leroy Jethro Gibbs and the forest, what do you think?" Tony snorted half-awake yet half asleep as his Uncle settled him onto the bed.
"Well I sure missed you."
"Dad said you and Donnie are okay now." Tony mumbled.
"We are kiddo, so you can sleep well. Everything is fine."
"Good. Thanks Uncle Pride."
"You're welcome buddy. Now go to sleep." Pride said as he caressed the back of his nephew's head watching as the kid's breathing turned even.
-Bullied-
"Donnie!" Tony shouted as he caught a glimpse of his friend in the busy hallway.
"Hey Tony! How are you doing?"
"Good, how are you? I see that Uncle Pride didn't kill you so I guess I can't go home and complain to him about it." Tony joked.
"Better than last week." Donnie grimaced. "I guess you know everything."
"It wasn't hard to guess what was going on. All Uncle Pride and Dad told me though was that you were going to stay at Uncle Pride's for a while and then reassurances that you'd work it out." Tony explained carefully, wanting his friend to trust his Uncle.
"No details?" Donnie asked surprised.
"Whatever you choose to tell me Donnie is as much as I will know. Chris and Uncle Pride won't utter a word without your consent." Tony answered seriously.
"Good to know."
"All I want to know anyhow is that you and my Uncle are fine." Tony assured him once more.
"Yeah, thanks by the way. I have a feeling you gave King a heads up since he all of the sudden seemed to realize everything."
"You aren't angry." Tony stated surprised. He had counted on Donnie being at least a little mad about it. Not that he had counted on Donnie finding out at all.
"I was too proud to say what I wanted to and needed to say so no, I'm not angry with you. Thanks to you everything turned out great and I now have a mentor."
"That's great to hear!" Tony exclaimed, truly happy for Donnie.
"How was camping?"
"Good enough for me to miss it when we head back home." Tony answered with a slight grimace, painfully aware for how long it would be until him and his Dad would be able to do something like that again.
"When is that?"
"I'm honestly not sure. When Uncle Pride finally thinks I won't hide anything from him again I guess. " Tony answered
"He's really like a dog with a bone at times."
"Yeah, unless you haven't figured it out yet the last thing you want to do is lie to him."
"Yeah, I got that message loud and clear. Tony? Do you ever come visit?" Donnie knew the insecurity he felt shone through but he frankly didn't care.
"Of course, Uncle Pride and Chris wouldn't have it any other way. Christmas break if not before that."
"Good to know."
"New Orleans isn't getting rid of me that easy and I hope I'll see you around when I get here, besides, I haven't been handed a date for our departure yet." The silence fell for a few minutes before Tony continued: "We should really head to class now, but do you want to come to NCIS after school?"
"I'm grounded for two days."
"We'll just have to do it on Friday then."
"Okay. Friday." Tony smiled slightly at Donnie before turning away and heading towards his first class of the day.
-Bullied-
"Are you nervous?" Tony asked with a smile as Donnie came to a sudden halt outside the gate that lead into the alley next to the NCIS building.
"No, just taking in the sight. It has been years since I was here the last time before I came to apologize and then I didn't pay much attention to my surroundings."
"It hasn't really changed has it?!" Donnie shook his head as Tony greeted the guard that let them in on the property.
"Hey King, looks like we got company!" Chris shouted towards the kitchen as he got up to greet them. Tony smiled at Chris but stepped back to let Chris envelope Donnie in a hug first.
"Hi buddy."
"Hi Chris."
"Good of you to check in, otherwise I'd be forced to stop by your place."
"Yeah, because you aren't coming later right?!" Donnie smiled teasingly.
"And miss the chance to eat your mother's cooking?! Of course, I'm not coming. It's not like I love Katherine's cooking or anything like that."
"Speaking of tonight I really need to get going, my parents won't be too happy if I don't get home in time to help out with the dinner."
"Check in with King before you leave, he is in the kitchen." Chris ordered, before turning towards Tony. "So, how was school?"
"Good."
"Doesn't sound that way. What's going on?"
"Have you heard Dad and Uncle Pride talk about a date yet? Or a timeframe at least?" Tony asked with a sigh, sitting down on his Brother's messy desk.
"Time frame for what?"
"Going back to Washington."
"Bet you haven't asked them if you are asking me."
"Not really." Tony admitted.
"Why?"
"Guess I'm scared of the answer."
"You'll be back at Christmas Tony don't you miss Ducky and your friends?"
"Yeah, it's just hard to leave New Orleans."
"Wasn't it hard to leave Washington at first?"
"Yeah…"
"So, what is different now?"
"I honestly have no idea."
"You've grown close to so many people here, more than ever before." Pride's voice boomed across the room. "You know you should have asked us kid, even if it isn't an easy question."
"Sorry." Tony muttered, glancing down instead of meeting his Uncle's eyes.
"Tony."
"I know." Tony sighed, this time meeting his Uncle's eyes.
"We have decided on a date buddy, but it's your Dad you have to ask." Tony nodded tersely at that before walking over to his Dad's desk and flopping himself down on the chair without another word.
-Bullied-
"Hi Tony, welcome to our place." Donnie smiled whole heartedly at his friend.
"Thanks. It's a beautiful home you have Mrs. Williams." Tony continued looking at Katherine and shaking her hand with a small smile.
"Thank you, Tony."
"Welcome Tony, feel right at home." James greeted him with a warm smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Williams." Tony tried not to show his disappointment when Nate was nowhere to be seen, he really would have wanted to get to know the guy. Sighing internally, he turned back towards the entrance and smiled at the scene that unfolded between his friend and his Uncle.
"Hi." Donnie greeted Pride.
"Hi kiddo." The older man drew the kid into a bear hug that he quickly melted into. Smiling at the pair but sensing Donnie's discomfort with being the centre of attention, Tony quickly followed James and Katherine to the back patio along with his Dad. It was only a few minutes later that Uncle Pride and Donnie made their way over to the rest with Pride's arm around Donnie's shoulder. Tony smiled at Donnie as the boy sat down next to him, but soon got too caught up n the conversation to realise that something was changing. Ten minutes later the door to the patio opened and everybody's attention turned to the young man standing in the doorway. Nate tried to look relaxed but Tony saw the nervousness and wondered what was going on. Judging from his Uncle's and James's expressions neither man was too happy with Nate. Visibly sighing the young man made his way over to the table where he first shook hands with Gibbs:
"Good afternoon, Agent Gibbs."
"Good to see you again Tony. Hey squirt." He continued before making his way over to his Mom who looked disapproving but greeted him with a small smile. After that Nate looked lost for a minute before walking over to James and Pride.
"Hi." The greeting was quiet, and Nate didn't focus more than a second on either man before sitting down and serving himself quietly. Gibbs was the first one to break the silence by complementing Katherine on the food which Tony realised was to get the attention off Nate that looked ready to faint or flee for that matter at any second. That was until two strong hands clamped down on Nate's shoulders, causing Tony to wince sympathetically. A few moments later Gibbs started asking Nate questions that the young man almost happily answered and Tony threw his Dad a knowing look. As soon as both Donnie and Tony had eaten Donnie asked if they could get excused:
"I'd like to show Tony around and maybe play a little football before dessert." Donnie explained.
"Okay. But be back in 30 minutes." James agreed.
"What was that all about?" Tony asked once the pair made their way inside and started walking upstairs.
"Nate's been unreachable for at least a couple of days. I don't know what happened before I came home but Nate's been going out before my parents get up and coming home as late as he can get away with and on top of that ignoring King's calls." That would explain it, Tony thought.
"I wouldn't want to be in his shoes."
"Neither would I so I've tried to make sure I keep out of it. Not that it's hard since nobody likes to tell me things…but still."
"Sounds like a good plan. Is this your room?"
"Yeah." Donnie smiled and showed Tony into his navy-blue bedroom. It was about the same size as Tony's both at home and at his Uncle's, but the walls weren't covered with posters of famous players, jut a few photos of what Tony realised had to be Nate and Donnie when they were younger. Moving his gaze along Tony found a window overlooking the backyard.
"Wow you could basically spy on everybody from here." Seeing the tense figure in between the older men, Tony once again thanked his lucky stars for not being in Nate's shoes.
"I have done it a couple of times, didn't turn out good though" Donnie answered. "Where is Chris by the way?" He tried to sound like it wasn't a big deal, but Tony had no problem seeing through it.
"Finishing up something at the office, he should be here soon." Tony reassured him smiling.
"Really?!" Right then the boys heard a knock on the front door and Donnie spurted down the stairs only to lower his pace when he came into view, causing Tony to chuckle.
"Hi there, little brother." Chris greeted as Donnie opened the door.
"Hi Chris."
"What, no hug for me?" Tony smiled at the hug that followed, lingering at the stairs to not interrupt the moment.
"Have they eaten yet?" Chris questioned once they broke apart.
"Depends on how much time they've put on looking disapprovingly at my brother."
"Nate is here?!"
"He was a little late, but he showed up. With Dad's and King's reaction that took some major guts."
"Well he shouldn't have broken the rules if he wasn't ready for the consequences."
"Chris, they really looked mad enough without you joining them." Tony said giving his older brother a look that told him that he was serious about Nate having enough. "Why don't you join us playing football as soon as you have eaten instead."
"Good idea. I might actually just do that." While Chris greeted the rest of the people Donnie found a football and Tony started teaching him a few tricks. Only ten minutes later they were joined by Chris and a relieved looking Nate.
"How about we switch things up a little: Nate and Tony against me and Donnie?" Chris proposed. "This is the perfect opportunity for, you buddy, to get to know Nate a little."
"We've met." Tony answered a bit shortly, frowning at his older brother who made him sound like a five-year old.
"He won't bite you." Donnie said teasingly, causing Tony to smile despite himself. "If it were me maybe, but he won't do anything to you"
"Would you like to test that theory buddy?" Nate challenged advancing on Donnie.
"No thank you I'm perfectly fine with Chris here." Laughing, Donnie spurted towards Chris and hid behind him causing Tony to laugh freely.
"Nathan James, don't you dare touch your brother." Chris said in a mocking tone. Nate straightened up to stand at attention before he saluted Chris and answered.
"No sir. Never sir" causing everybody to laugh.
"What are you troublemakers up to?" Gibbs asked joining the group.
"Messing with Nate." Tony answered, pleading with a gaze for his dad to not give Nate a hard time.
"Sounds good to me. Straighten up marine!" Gibbs roared in his best Marine officer voice, causing Nate to do so, not sure if the man was kidding or not. "Relax cadet, I just want you to explain the rules of the game so this one" Gibbs pointed at Chris "plays fair and according to the rules."
"I always play according to the rules" Chris stated trying to look innocent.
"Yeah right!" Tony snorted. "Your rules." Nate quickly agreed causing Donnie to laugh.
"Help me here Donnie, I can't help that we play it a bit different in Alabama, can I?!"
"Poor Chris, has to ask Donnie for sympathy." Nate teased.
"Shut up Trouble. Last time you only won with one goal and that was because King didn't like my tackle." Nate whistled low at Chris choice of words.
"Better not let King hear that brother."
"Are we going to play or are you five-year-olds going to bicker the whole time?" Donnie asked.
"Play." They both answered at the same time causing Gibbs to roll his eyes good naturally.
"Nate, rules." Gibbs ordered, making Nate compose himself enough to recite the rules so the game could begin. In the end Nate and Tony won and Chris as revenge picked up Tony and headed for the pool.
"Chris! What are you doing?! Let me down!" Tony tried to squirm free, but his brother had a too god grip around him.
"Foul!" Nate yelled following the pair along with Donnie. Chris didn't listen though, instead threw Tony into the water before heading for Donnie. Donnie hid behind Nate thinking his older brother would protect him, while Tony spluttering made it up to the surface.
"Wait Chris. I have a better idea." With that Nate took a hold of Donnie's hands and nodded for Chris to take a hold of the feet. Once Chris had a good grip they started swinging Donnie sideways.
"I…2…3!" Chris counted. On three the pair let go and Donnie landed next to Tony in the pool. Tony tried hard not to laugh when Chris pushed in Nate just to moments later be pushed in by Gibbs.
"You…" Nate growled and headed for Chris trying to wrestle the other man under the surface.
"Kids…" Donnie laughed too busy watching the brothers to realise that Tony had snuck up behind him. Seeing his chance Tony jumped onto Donnie and pushed him under the surface.
"Tony…!" Donnie growled as well once he came up to the surface. Tony tried to climb out of the pool, but Chris had abandoned Nate and took a hold of him, throwing him into the air so he landed with a big splash next to Nate causing Donnie to head that way and in turn being thrown into the air as well before landing next to Chris.
"Your brothers aren't volleyballs!" James yelled laughing.
"Watch their heads!" Pride added.
"Forget them, dessert is ready, and nobody sits dripping wet out here, so you guys better head inside and at least find a couple of towels before joining us. Katherine's statement was followed by four yes ma'ams and a race between the four to get out of the pool first. The older brothers easily held their younger brothers back and, in the end, Nate reached the patio door first thanks to Chris that didn't give it his all, wanting the younger man to have an extra moment of happiness. Nate didn't seem to realise it but Tony saw it and was sure Donnie did as well when he cornered Chris inside. Smiling to himself Tony followed Nate upstairs to get the towels.
-Bullied-
"Your Uncle told me there was something you wanted to ask me." Gibbs stated once the pair sat in the car on their way back to Uncle Pride's.
"Yeah…" Tony answered uncertainly, not sue that he wanted an answer.
"Did I ever tell you the rest of the story?"
"No."
"How about we start with it then?"
"Okay." Tony agreed, happy to get something else to think about.
-Flashback-
"What happens now?" Leroy asked quietly as they started walking back towards the car the following day.
"You are grounded. Indefinitely. And I'm scheduling a meeting with your principal to sort out whatever is going on with Mr. Brown and Mrs. Thompson."
"That's it?" Leroy asked surprised.
"Do you want more?!"
"No!"
"Coach Harrison already punished you for your prank and though you shouldn't have disrespected your teachers I want to have a word with them before deciding on the rest of your punishment."
"Thanks Dad."
"You can thank me after doing the list of chores I'm going to write, starting with cleaning and rearranging the whole store."
"What?! Dad! That wasn't part of the agreement." Leroy whined.
"Unless you want to do it every other week for the rest of the year I wouldn't complain Leroy."
"Yes sir." Leroy sighed defeated.
-Flashback-
"How did it go with your teachers?" Tony asked curiously.
"Your Grandpa took care of it." His Dad said, laughing at the memory. "Believe me when I say it was the last time they messed with me."
"I can see that happening." Tony said, he too laughing.
"So now, what was it you wanted to ask son?"
"You already know."
"Still want you to ask."
"When are we leaving?"
"Two weeks."
"Just like that?!"
"We've talked about this Tony, we have our lives back there. Ducky, Mike and my job. You have your school and friends. Not saying that your Uncle, brother and Donnie aren't important, but we'll be back after Christmas."
"I know how you mean it, it's just not easy to leave New Orleans after everything that has happened."
"It's not goodbye for forever." Tony just nodded and looked out the window, lost in thought.
