Rating: FRAO
Warnings: M/M, sex, language, kink, piercings, abusive parent, serial killer, talk about rape/non-con. Violence. Secondary character death (bad guys).
Genre: Slash, romance, first time, angst, h/c, case fic, pre-show AU
Pairing: DiNozzo/Gibbs

A/N: If you enjoy my story, please leave me a comment - I love to hear from you! Thanks to my betas.

This and the next chapters are dedicated to Herky Illiniwek for a comment that had an effect on Tony's actions.

Craving Coffee
Chapter 29 - Transition

Anthony DiNozzo Sr. leaned back in his chair at the conference table and rubbed one finger absently across his mouth, seemingly engrossed in the conversation between Director Morrow and Agent Fornell. DiNozzo interjected an occasional comment, apparently enjoying the sound of his own voice, thought Gibbs derisively. Why the hell Tony's father was even allowed to sit in on this meeting, when he should be locked in a small room being interrogated by Mike Franks and his handy telephone book, was beyond Gibbs.

Gibbs, furious that the director of NCIS was talking to this criminal as if his word carried any weight, noticed that DiNozzo, in spite of his pompous, confident manner, had sweat beading on his upper lip. When DiNozzo surreptitiously wiped it off, Gibbs realized that the successful million-dollar dealmaker was acutely nervous.

DiNozzo must have felt Gibbs' gaze upon him because he tensed and his eyes darted around the room. When he became conscious he was being appraised, and by whom, DiNozzo appeared momentarily startled. His inner feelings were revealed only for a split second, but that was long enough for Gibbs to ascertain, without a doubt, that Senior was not just nervous – he was scared. The question now, thought Gibbs, was what – or whom – was Tony's father scared of?

It was uncanny how quickly and effortlessly Senior's expression had changed once he knew he was being observed – from appearing disconcerted to being totally unconcerned. What bothered Gibbs, apart from the duplicity of the man, was that this was exactly the same kind of transition he had seen Tony go through, and more than once.

Much as he would like to deny it, Gibbs could no longer ignore that Tony had inherited at least one of his father's less than desirable characteristics. Anyone could see physical similarities between Tony and Senior, but the same ability to effortlessly take on a different persona – that bothered Gibbs. With Tony it was a way of covering up undesirable emotions, of offering a dispassionate face to the world as a way of protecting himself. It was a cover-up, to be sure, but to Gibbs it seemed as though the transition Tony went through was like pulling on a whole new outer skin, and one that came with its own unique personality.

Had years of abuse damaged Tony's inherent good qualities, and shaped him into a younger version of his father? Who could blame Tony for using the tools he'd learned from his father, becoming adept at subterfuge, using sex to get what he wanted? As these thoughts went through his mind, Gibbs stole a glance at Tony, only to find that he was looking straight at him with a hurt expression on his face. Their eyes locked and Gibbs knew that Tony had caught sight of his brief surge of doubt.

Tony shook his head almost imperceptibly and whispered, "No, Jethro. You can't think I'm like him…"

As soon as he looked into Tony's eyes, all of his doubts disappeared and Gibbs knew for certain that Tony was a good person at heart, and that he was nothing like his father. Tony was not and never could be corrupt, self-centered and amoral…not his Tony. God, Gibbs only had to look at the boy and his breath quickened, a surge of love and affection rising and taking hold, so strong it was as if his emotion was a tangible thing. Senior was looking at them now with narrowed eyes, trying to figure out what was going on between them. Gibbs feared that he was too transparent, that his soul was laid bare every time he looked at Tony. He regretted that he'd allowed his uncertainty to show, but he swallowed and quickly turned away, concerned that he would reveal his feelings if he wasn't more careful. He refused to let DiNozzo catch on to how he felt about Tony, knowing that he would use it against them.

Tony must have taken Gibbs' abrupt movement as rejection because next thing Gibbs knew, Tony had made himself small in his chair and, once again, was feigning disinterest in the proceedings.

Gibbs was suddenly aware that Fornell was talking to him, and he forced himself to concentrate.

"…so all we need," Fornell was saying, "is a record of Torres and Harding's intent to collude, even if it's a handshake. Just getting Senator Harding and a New York mob boss in the same room will be the end of the senator's career. It won't matter that they used to know each other back in New York when they were kids. What we're after here are grounds to apply for warrants for these gentlemen's businesses and residences. We, at the FBI, get Torres, and you at NCIS move in on Harding. If anything else comes up in their conversation with Mr. DiNozzo, such as admission of any other criminal activity, we'll accept that as a bonus." He said hopefully, "We're confident that Mr. DiNozzo's affiliation with both Harding and Torres makes him the best candidate for the job of go-between."

Tony released a snort at Fornell's words and slouched further down in his chair. Gibbs agreed with Tony's assessment but he refrained from pointing out that no fed worth his salt would trust any man who would turn on his high-powered friends so easily, even if it was to avoid being prosecuted. Gibbs muttered tersely, "Rule number one."

"Never screw over your partner," Tony recited, almost absently. "Agent Shepard told me she embroidered it on a pillow but I think she was pulling my leg." When he saw that everyone was looking at him, including Director Morrow, who seemed amused, Tony flushed a little and shrugged. "Dad's rule number one is the same…except you need to remove the word 'never.'"

With a pained smile on his face, DiNozzo Sr. raised his hands as if to say 'what can you do with kids?' and at the same time looked as if he wanted to throttle his son.

For a second it appeared that Fornell was going to break into laughter, but instead he covered his mouth with his hand and coughed. He turned to Gibbs and spoke to him behind his hand for privacy. "What can I say? My director made the deal with DiNozzo, and all I can do is work with whatever's tossed my way." Fornell sounded apologetic, but Gibbs still thought it was a big mistake to rely so heavily on DiNozzo to get them close to Senator Harding and Torres.

DiNozzo Sr. regarded Agent Fornell, who was now his official handler, patronizingly. "If we're done here, can someone call my driver so I can return to the Excelsior? I have a couple of business calls scheduled over lunch and I need to prepare for this evening's meeting. I will be taking Junior with me. I'm sure you'll be more than glad for someone to take him off your hands," he said, smiling broadly at nobody in particular.

Tony sent a panicked look Gibbs' way, but before either of them could say anything, Franks shoved himself off the wall and said in his gravelly voice, "Director, I took the liberty of orderin' some sustenance for these folks before we started this powwow. While Senior and the kid here are chowin' down, we big boys need to talk." He pressed a button on his cell phone and gave a curt order.

DiNozzo Sr. started to protest but Morrow quelled him with one look. The director of NCIS said, in an authoritative tone, "You are in protective custody, Mr. DiNozzo, and you will stay here until I say otherwise. My office, Agent Fornell?" Morrow headed towards the door, and indicated for Gibbs and Franks to accompany him as well.

Gibbs placed one hand protectively on Tony's shoulder and didn't move from his side. Tony started to rise but as Morrow walked by him he ordered, "You stay here, son."

From his seated position, Tony looked up at Gibbs, expecting him to explain to the director why he couldn't remain alone with his father, but at that moment Jenny appeared with two large pizza boxes and a bottle of soda, and Tony was momentarily distracted. He sniffed the air longingly as she passed by him and placed their lunch on the table. Tony licked his lips in anticipation and Gibbs realized how long it had been since breakfast. He could last all day without food so long as he got his coffee, but with Tony it was another matter. Tony never took his eyes off Jenny as she retrieved paper plates, cups and napkins from a side table, and made them available.

"Fornell," Morrow said, stopping in the doorway to usher the FBI agent out of the conference room. "Agent Shepard will remain with our guests." Jenny nodded, understanding her job was to ensure that the DiNozzos didn't leave her sight.

When Gibbs didn't make a move to follow his boss, Director Morrow took a couple of steps back into the conference room, leaned close to Gibbs and said confidentially, "Stop worrying about him, Gibbs. From what Franks has told me, he's perfectly capable of standing up to his old man. Pacci should be back from Norfolk by now, with information on the missing sailor. I want everyone brought up to speed on that first, before we go any further with this op. You with us on this?"

Gibbs was torn between his duty and keeping Tony safe, positive that any conversation between Tony and Senior would become hostile within minutes and go downhill quickly from there. "Be right there, sir."

"You have five minutes, Gibbs, while Franks gets the rest of the team together." Morrow sent Gibbs a stern look that was essentially an order to get his ass in gear, and then he headed out of the conference room with Fornell at his side.

Mike Franks grabbed a slice of pizza on his way past Jenny. "Looks like babysittin's part of a probie's job description," he said with a grin, even though the redhead didn't seem too upset at her assignment.

Jenny was busy checking out DiNozzo Sr. and apparently liked what she was seeing. "No problem, sir," she said with a brilliant smile. "I'm sure Mr. DiNozzo and I will find something to talk about."

Pissed off that Jenny was making eyes at Tony's father when she knew what he was really like, Gibbs couldn't help snarling, "How about you ask him what his best buddy is doing with the latest missing sailor right now, and if he aided and abetted the senator in his crimes."

Senior stiffened and pulled at the cuffs of his shirt. "I've already given my statement to the FBI," he said dismissively. "Your own director knows all about it."

Gibbs started to head around the conference table, and DiNozzo instinctively leaned back in his chair and looked around for an avenue of escape. "I don't give a shit what terms they offered you," Gibbs threatened, pointing his finger at him. "Before this is over you and I are gonna do a couple of rounds, DiNozzo."

Franks grabbed hold of Gibbs' elbow and shook his head. "He denied knowing anything." He guided Gibbs away, a hand on his shoulder, and said quietly, "We'll take care of it but not here, cowboy."

Studiously ignoring the male NCIS agents now they'd backed off, Senior was busy looking Jenny over, and appeared to be just as interested in her as she was in him. "Please, call me Anthony," he said silkily. "So, tell me why a lovely lady like yourself chose to become a federal agent. You like playing with guns?"

Gibbs once again took his place behind Tony's chair, unwilling to leave him alone in the same room as his father, even if Agent Shepard was going to be present to keep the peace. Even though Jenny was batting her eyelashes at Senior, he knew she'd never lose sight of her responsibility as an agent nor shirk her duty. Still, Gibbs hesitated – he'd promised Tony he'd take care of him.

Tony turned his head and looked up expectantly at Gibbs as if he was waiting for the older man to say 'you're with me, Tony,' and they'd get the hell out of there together. Once he saw that Gibbs was hovering because he was worried about what Senior might do or say, Tony snagged another slice of pizza and said softly to Gibbs, "I'll be okay but…you are coming back for me, right?"

***end chapter 29***