A/N: I didn't have my Beta read through this since I just handed her Just like you that was much longer than usual so any mistakes are ONLY my own. I can't promise anything but I would like to update at least one more story within next week. As always, reviews are highly appreciated and ideas keep my inspiration alive and well.
-AlexJoSkyler
-Bullied-
"Have you slept at all?"
"Yes Dad, I'm your son, I just woke up early." Tony offered as an explanation while he continued to concentrate on the trick he tried to do with the soccer ball.
"Nothing more than that?"
"No."
"Anthony Leroy."
"I don't want to go." The truth just run out of him before he could stop it. With a movement of his head Gibbs got his son to pass the ball to him.
"Come here buddy"
"I'm fine Dad." The glare that met him told him otherwise and Tony sighing sat down next to his Dad.
"What is it about going back that has you so upset?"
"I'll miss…"
"Other than that Tony?" His Dad asked with a knowing gaze.
"You'll go back to work." Tony answered in a small voice, feeling all of six years old. "And I know you've worked here as well, but it was different. You didn't work more than Uncle Pride and at least one of you made sure to eat dinner with me. I love what you do Dad and I love Grandpa Mike and Grandpa, but I've gotten used to having you around most of the time."
"Oh buddy" His Dad drew him close to his chest. "So have I and I'm planning to talk with the Director once we get back home about spreading the cases a little more between the teams instead of putting my team on most of them."
"She'll…"
"She'll have to listen unless she wants me to transfer here."
"What?!"
"If that is what it takes to spend more time with you then that is what will happen, Tony."
"You've always made time for me, no matter what. I don't want you to feel like you didn't."
"I've tried buddy, and don't worry, any guilt I carry is not your fault."
"I just don't want you to feel bad for things you couldn't control. You saved lives Dad. If I had to eat dinner alone every once in a while, when Mike or Ducky couldn't be there, then it was worth it."
"You really got your Mom's brains Tony."
"I got yours too." Tony insisted. The response to that was a kiss to his head. "Dad…"
"Yeah buddy?"
"She'd be proud of you." Tony had no problem seeing the emotion hit his Dad's face and how much he struggled with keeping it there and not putting on the mask he would use in front of anybody else.
"Not nearly as proud as she is of you, buddy. She's looking down on us smiling."
"I know. I miss her Dad."
"So do I, kiddo. So do I."
-Bullied-
It was much later in the evening and Tony lay at his bed, watching the ceiling, thinking about the upcoming goodbye he had to say to his life in New Orleans. The life he had lived here was very different from home, not just when it came to his Dad's increased presence during his everyday life, but also small things like the given best friend he had at home, Luke. Groaning loudly Tony reached for his phone, realising he hadn't talked to Luke for at least two weeks, and that his best friend actually had tried to reach him a couple of times, but Tony had had his phone planted in his room most of the time so he hadn't heard it ringing. When he finally had realized that Luke had tried to reach him, it had always been too late to call.
"Hi Tony, are you okay?"
"I'm fine Luke, I'm sorry I haven't called back."
"It's fine, how is life in New Orleans?"
"Very good."
"Nice to hear that, Tony. We all miss you here though, so don't take too long to get yourself back here."
"One week."
"One?! Really?! Yes! Tony! I can't believe it, we'll have so much fun!"
"Yeah." Tony answered, instantly perking up. "How are the teams doing?"
"Football is going okay, but the basket team is in desperate need of their star."
"That bad?!"
"Lost the last few games."
"Oh. How is coach taking it?"
"Having the team do extra training. That will probably be taking most of your free time once you get back home."
"I'm grounded for 2 months so it sounds good to me."
"What did you do?"
"It's a long story." Tony could here Luke's name being called through the receiver.
"I'm sorry Tony, I do want to hear the story, but I really have to go, I promised Dad I'd help him fix the car, it's been making some weird noises lately."
"It's okay Luke, I'll see you in a week."
"Make sure you do Tony. Bye!"
-Bullied-
Tony walked into the school building feeling both dread and excitement. It was his second last week here and he wasn't sure how he felt about it.
"Good morning Tony." His math teacher Mrs. Wilson greeted cheerfully.
"Good morning Mrs. Wilson."
"Is everything all right Tony?"
"Yes ma'am" Tonya answered reflexively, knowing his Dad was going to call the school in just a few hours to tell them the deadline. Both Mike and Jack had been informed, but Tony hadn't wanted to talk with either of the men right then, instead he had opted for going on a run in the neighbourhood. He had taken his time, taking in the scenery for a memory that needed to last far longer than a few days. The scent, the noises and the feeling no image could capture.
"Good then, see you in class." Tony just nodded absentmindedly, mentally going through the sights of all his favourite spots he had run through. His phone suddenly beeped and checking the message Tony saw it was from Mike but decided to let it be for now. He wasn't in the mood for his Grandpas gruffness right now.
"Anthony Gibbs!" The shout caught Tony off guard and swirling around he came face to face with Mr. Trevor, his and Donnie's history teacher. "Have you possibly seen Donovan anywhere?"
"Donnie Williams?"
"Yes, young Donovan seems to be avoiding me and you can tell him that if he doesn't find me before lunch I'm going to take more drastic measures."
"I'll tell him if I see him sir."
"Good. Thankyou Anthony."
"No problem sir." Tony answered, wondering just what trouble his friend had found himself in this time. The younger kid seemed to find even more trouble than Tony and Tony wasn't used to anybody topping his records since not even Luke had managed to. It was almost two hours later before Tony spotted Donnie. Leaning against his locker, the younger teen looked exhausted, but still pushed himself up after only a moment and started to leave.
"Hey Donnie, wait up!" Tony sprinted to catch up with Donnie with was easier said than done in the busy hallway.
"Tony! Hi! I need to get going…"
"Mr. Trevor told me to tell you that he wanted to see you before lunch or he'd take drastic measures, whatever he meant with that…"
"Shit!"
"What is it?"
"Nothing Tony, don't worry. I'm heading to see him now."
"Donnie."
"It really is fine Tony."
"It doesn't sound that way."
"I just need to stay focused more in his class, that's all."
"I could help you with the material." Tony offered.
"It's okay, but thanks anyway. I do know the material, I just haven't done my best lately."
"If you change your mind the offer still stands."
"Thanks Tony."
"How about you come over after school, we could play a little football and I could quiz you on the material." Hesitating only a few seconds Donnie smiled.
"Sounds good, except could we make it the park instead? King's backyard still reminds me of us both being grounded, besides the park has more room."
"You do know he isn't angry anymore."
"Yeah I know Tony, the park would just be more fun."
"If you really want to go to the park then we'll head there."
"Thank you, see you then." With that Donnie was spurting down the hallway, leaving Tony looking after him.
"No problem…" Tony muttered and took out his phone when it beeped for what felt like the millionth time that day. Seeing it was Mike again Tony gave in and opened the messages. Scrolling back to the beginning of today's thread Tony read:
"Hi Junior, heard you are heading home next week."
"I know you are in school Tony, but you do best to answer me kid."
"Tony everything will be alright back here, whatever happened in New Orleans stays in New Orleans kid. Whatever you want to tell me is fine with me, no need to dread seeing me or avoiding my calls."
"Anthony Leroy Gibbs, you know I expect an answer the latest when you get home, and an honest one. No bullshit got me?!" Tony winced at that, he could almost se his Grandpa's face darken for every moment, he knew though that it was out of worry and that his Grandpa nowadays was more bark than bite. Deciding to just bite the bullet, Tony answered:
"Yeah, talked to Dad, huh? It's not facing you gramps, it's just leaving NO that's hard."
It only took a moment for Tony to get an answer.
"You bet I did kid. Good, but can't wait for my grandson to return to Washington."
"Love you too Gramps"
"Love you buddy, you know that. Might even like your Dad once he gets you back in one piece." Tony had to laugh at that, he knew that his Dad and Grandpa weren't affectionate in public and kept up their mask of annoyance with each other mostly for show. Thinking about it Tony kind of missed their interactions and would be happy to see it once they got back to Washington.
-Bullied-
Tony sat at his desk trying to do his homework but found himself focusing on the rain outside his window instead. Donnie had been behaving oddly the last couple of days and Tony couldn't seem to find out why. Even Chris and Uncle Pride seemed kind of worried, but neither of them told Tony anything. Donnie and Tony had been in the park when Donnie all of the sudden got in a hurry to leave as soon as Chris showed up. Chris had started to chase after Donnie but hadn't caught up with him for some reason. Tony had tried to find him in between classes the last two days, but the rumour that he was leaving had spread like wildfire and Tony had constantly been stopped in the hallways by people he barely recognized. All of them expressing their sorrow over his departure from NO. The teachers had done their part of occupying his time as well by making sure he would get out the most of his academic experience here. That meant that he was held up after classes by well-meaning teachers explaining the material once more, making sure he knew it by heart. That also meant more homework than ever and a few group projects with people he just now started to get to know. It was bittersweet. A perfect ending, but still just that, an ending.
"Something on your mind buddy?" Uncle Pride asked him softly coming into his room.
"Just thinking."
"Would you like to share?"
"It's nothing…"
"Just the usual." Pride continued, shaking his head slightly. "I think I've heard that a bit too much lately. What are you doing home anyway? I thought you'd be hanging out with Donnie every chance you got."
"Haven't seen him since Monday."
"Is everything alright between you?"
"Yeah, I even asked him if something was going on between you guys, but he told me everything was fine." Tony sighed.
"He should be checking in soon anyway so if you don't see him tomorrow I'll pay him a visit. Now since you are home, how about you help me cook dinner? Spend some quality time with your Uncle here?" Pride asked, hugging Tony close to his side.
"Do I actually get to touch any of the food?" Tony asked teasing. Uncle Pride was notorious for being overly careful with everything that happened in his kitchen.
"Wash those hands and we'll see."
"What are we cooking?"
"How does tortillas sound?"
"Like Dad might even eat it." Tony laughed and headed for the kitchen along his Uncle. After washing his hands he turned around to find his Uncle struggling with keeping all five tomatoes he was juggling in the air.
"Here." Tony barely had time to catch the tomatoes his Uncle threw him. "Do you think you could wash and cut them while I start on the meat. The rest of the ingredients are in the fridge and I'll help you as soon as I get this started."
"Okay"
"What's going on here?" His Dad asked smiling.
"Cooking Jethro. That's what you do when you prepare food to be eaten." Pride answered.
"Need some help?"
"This isn't cowboy steaks Dad." Tony answered innocently. "But we might let you help if you pass a simple test."
"Okay…" His Dad agreed, looking rather amused.
"What's this?" Tony quizzed, trying to look serious while holding up one of the tomatoes he was washing.
"A tomato."
"And this Jethro?" Pride in turn quizzed, throwing Jethro a cucumber.
"A cucumber made to bang your head with."
"Do you know how to cut one of those into SMALL pieces?" Tony asked suspiciously.
"Do you know who normally cooks your food?!"
"Grandpa Mike." Tony answered innocently, quickly trying to back away when his Dad advanced on him. Realising he was backed up against a wall and didn't have anywhere to go, Tony resorted to begging:
"Come on Dad, we were just playing with you, right Uncle Pride?!"
"Don't bring me into this Tony, you started it."
"And I'm going to end it." His Dad stated before grabbing a hold of Tony and starting to relentlessly tickle him.
"Dad!"
"Anthony."
"Daddy! Come on!" Tony shrieked while trying to free himself from his Dad's hands.
"Need some help over there Jethro?" Uncle Pride suddenly asked.
"No! Uncle Pride!"
"I'm taking that as a yes." Uncle Pride laughed and joined his Dad in tickling him, neither of them paying any attention to the meat that was cooking on the stove until it was too late.
"You smell that Jethro?"
"Smoke." Tony saw the realisation draw upon his Uncle who sprinted towards the stove and turned it off. Holding up the pan with the now pitch-black meat Tony had a hard time containing his chuckles at his Uncle's face.
"I blame this on your Dad, kiddo. I should forbid him from ever entering this kitchen again. I am though unfortunately getting used to his coffee." Turning towards his son Jethro ignored his old friend and asked his son:
"Take out?"
"Sounds good to me."
A/N: Pretty short for the wait you all had and I'm really sorry for that, one thing I wonder about is how much you want me to include Donnie in this? Was the mention in this chapter enough? (I felt that Tony had to at least mention it since Donnie and him are such good friends and he is one of the reasons Tony will miss NO.)
We have one week and two days left in NO guys and I think that will mark an ending to this story (however sad) It will though take a pretty long time to get there so for any Bullied lovers, it won't happen yet. I did kind of jump over almost a week, but there isn't much inspiration right now for anything special to happen in the middle of the week, but there will be more excitement to this story so no worries. The next chapter will begin very interesting with a face outside the window…
