A/N: I've been told that I should let up on the bashing and that I'm getting too sweet. I'm sorry you don't like my story, but there are plenty more out there for you to read. Find one you do like. A small reminder, I make no money as it all belongs to someone else. I do promise to put them back after I am done playing with them. That is until my muse pokes me again. My many thanks to WmGeorge, a wonderful Beta.
"DiNozzo, stop." Hearing his name Tony turned and looked as Gibbs jogged over to him. "We'll take the sedan; the vests are in it, just in case."
Understanding completely, DiNozzo got into the sedan a few seconds after Gibbs did. As they left the Navy Yard, Tony called a friend in the precinct closest to his house.
"I'm gong to need backup at my home, Jim. I just found out that my father knows where I live. I believe he might be there now. Don't go inside, I want to go in first. He has a habit of being drunk and belligerent. You know about the kids we're taking care of, a bunch of unknown cops could scare them. I don't want them frightened. We're fifteen minutes out, maybe ten." Tony ended the call and then flipped a switch on the dashboard, turning on the sedan's siren and flashing lights.
Tony's lip curled in a wry grin as he looked at his boss. "The director had the lights and sirens installed in the car you use. He figured that it would be safer for everyone if you used it."
Gibbs just glared.
"Ziva is the only one other than you that drives like you're in Le Mans. Of course, you're the better driver, even at that speed."
A small smile appeared on Gibbs face as he glanced at Tony. "You get a vest and put it on before you take one step toward the house, understand?"
"Yes, boss." Tony knew that tone of voice. He also knew there is too much at stake. The lives of Mandy and the children he has come to love dearly hang in the balance. "Jim said he'll meet us there."
"Good."
It was a good day with the children, Mandy thought, as she and Luke cleaned up the kitchen. They had spent the early afternoon making brownies and mini pies. The joy on the faces of the children was worth the mess. Just watching them learn and do new things, was something she never thought she'd experience with children. She prayed the court case would go their way, and she and Tony could adopt the children. They filled a longing in her heart she hadn't known was there. Factor in Tony, the only man that she had ever loved, who loved her without reservation, and for the first time in her life she felt truly, joyfully happy.
It was Gunny that alerted her that someone was at the door. He ran to the door, sat in front of it and growled, his ears flat against his head. Gunny had been taught not to bark at the door, in case the children were sleeping when visitors came. She dried her hands and went to the door with Hannah and Noah following her, Luke only a step behind after he put the last few pieces of flatware in the drawer.
It was the telltale sound of scratching of the keyhole that made a shiver run down Mandy's back, a feeling of danger mixed with fear. She knew the lock was a good one, but still she was scared - not for herself but for her children. She took a few steps back and bumped into Luke, who had grown four inches in the short time that he was with them. He was almost the same height as she was, now.
"Take the little ones into my office and lock the door. Call Tony, tell him that something is hinky."
"Mandy?" He had heard the word hinky often enough from Tony and Tim, so he knew that he should do what Mandy said. But he also felt the need to protect her, as well as his siblings, like he always had before.
"Go, please. Gunny will keep me safe. You stay with the little ones."
Luke didn't like it, but nodded his head. He took Hannah and Noah to the office and handed them their tablets. He made a shushing noise and put one finger over his mouth. It was a gesture they knew well, as he'd used it often before their mother died and their father went to jail. So they stayed still and quiet, just as Luke had taught them. Luke pulled out the cell phone they had gotten him as a reward for a perfect report card, and typed a message.
Mandy says something is hinky, someone at door, heard scratches. Gunny on alert ears back and growling.
After he sent the text to Tony he crept back to the living room. He knew he wasn't a match for a grown man, but he wouldn't let Mandy get hurt, not if he could help. Even if he had to put himself in front of her.
For the first time in his life Luke knew what it was to be loved and wanted, and to live without fear. His step-mom tried, she really did, but she just wasn't strong enough to run away from his father. Mandy and Tony, they were different He'd heard them late at night talking, and sometimes disagreeing. They never raised their voices. He would listen to them talk and eventually they would come to a compromise. But they didn't yell. The only time he heard loud noises from them was when Tony would tickle her, then kiss her as she collapsed into his arms. That was something that his parents never did, and it was nice to see. Mandy wasn't afraid of Tony, and she wasn't afraid to tell him no. He knew that Hannah and Noah loved them because his brother and sister had told him. Hannah sometimes called Mandy mommy and so did Noah, when he wasn't feeling well. It made Mandy hold them closer and kiss them as she took care of them. It was something he wanted to do to, he just didn't want to get his hopes up in case the judge said no.
Mandy heard a loud crack and saw the door knob fall to the floor. She made sure that Luke was behind her, placing herself between the door and whoever was trying to come in. She took three steps forward and motioned Luke to stay put.
Gunny stood beside her, alert and growling, his ears flat against his head, waiting for a command as he guarded them.
The door flew open and a large paving stone from the pathway followed it, breaking into pieces as it hit the hardwood flooring. Through the opening stepped Tony's father.
"Well, where is my worthless son? Abby told me this is his house. Not bad, not bad at all. After I make him sell it he can give me the money. I knew he had money and I want it, after all I'm his father, I should come first."
"Leave Mr. DiNozzo, leave now, you aren't welcome here. If you don't leave, I'll call the police and have you arrested for breaking and entering."
Senior glared drunkenly at her. "Who is going to believe you? You're nobody. How in the hell did you rope my son into marrying you? He needs someone beautiful on his arm, like that raven-haired knockout Ziva. Now she is a beautiful woman. Not like you, you're damaged goods. I heard about the brats he is trying to give my name to. I won't have it. My name isn't going to some bastard's children, not if I can help it."
"Get out and leave now, this is your last warning. I'll tell my dog to attack." Mandy tried to keep the fear out of her voice. She heard the sirens coming closer and prayed the police would be in time.
Luke could smell the liquor on the man's breath from he was standing. He knew from the way the older man was standing he was drunk. His father had always been more dangerous when he'd been drinking. Luke saw the older man take a step forward and punch Mandy, sending her crashing to the floor. Luke didn't think, he just reacted. He gave the signal Tony taught him. Gunny leaped through the air, causing Senior to fall to the floor, trying desperately to defend himself from the dog. Gunny had one of Senior's arms in his jaws, and was worrying it with his teeth.
"Stop moving old man, and I'll tell my dog to stop."
Mandy saw Tony's father reach into his pocket with one hand as he tried to defend himself with the other. She realized he was trying to pull out a push blade, and gave a new command. "Throat, Gunny." The dog immediately closed his jaws around Senior's throat – hard enough to bruise, but not break the skin.
She stood slowly and stared at Senior. "You move a muscle and I'll tell him to rip out your throat."
Senior started to lift the hand with the dagger in it.
"Gunny, harder."
Feeling the jaws tighten around his throat after the command was given, Senior tossed the blade away.
"Softer Gunny, good boy." Mandy looked to her left and saw Luke pull off his tee shirt and pick up the push blade. She also saw him shiver with fear and pulled him to her, holding him tight and giving him all the comfort she could.
"Thank you for standing up to him. I'm so proud of you."
The words had barely left her mouth when Tony came barreling into the house with Gibbs and Jim on his heels. Tony ignored his father and went directly to Mandy and Luke. After kissing them both he looked around, searching for the little ones. "Hannah and Noah, are they safe?"
Luke left a still shaking Mandy in Tony's arms, and turned toward the office. "I'll get them - dad." Luke moved off, smiling slightly at the stunned look on Tony's face.
Gibbs spoke as he crouched next to Senior. "DiNozzo, call off the dog. He looks hungry."
Tony frowned as he saw the start of a bruise on Mandy's face. "Did he do that to you?"
Mandy didn't speak, just nodded her head. As much as Tony wanted to give the kill command he didn't. He decided he'd rather see his father rot in jail. "Gunny, come." Gunny came to Tony and licked his hand as he sat next to his master and mistress. "Good boy." Gunny wagged his tail as Tony scratched behind the dog's ears.
"Junior, this is just a misunderstanding, I'm sure we can work it all out. No need for the police." Senior tried to get full control of his voice, but only managed a whisper. He struggled unsuccessfully to shake off Jim and Gibbs, as they hauled him to his feet none to gently.
"Agent DiNozzo?" Jim looked at Tony as two uniformed police officers came into the house.
"Out of my jurisdiction, Jim. You're in charge." Tony took the dagger, still in the tee shirt, and handed it to Jim, making sure no extra prints would be on it.
"Junior, do something," Senior yelled as he was dragged out of the house.
"I am dad, I'm protecting and taking care of my family - something you never did."
