Chapter 37

Gloria Sciuto steps off the plane and descends the stairs following the passengers as they head towards the customs area and the departures lounge. She keeps following them until an attendant taps her on the shoulder. Gloria raises a perfectly manicured eyebrow at him. He gives her a wry smile and carefully signs to ask her where she departed from.

'New Orleans.' She signs in her family slang. The confused expression on the attendant's face worries her for a minute, but she realises her mistake. 'Family slang.' She signs apologetically. 'I came from New Orleans.' She amends using finger spelling and smiles gently at the relief showing on his face.

'This way ma'am.' He gestures a slightly different way. 'This was the final leg of a much longer flight. You and these two gentlemen are the only ones who boarded in the states.' She nods gracefully and glances over to the two men. She makes a double take at one of them, the younger one. He inclines his head gracefully at her.

'Pleased to meet you.' He signs very carefully and slowly.

'And I You.' She replies. 'I also read lips if this is easier for you.' The relief shows in both men's faces.

'My name's DiNozzo. Vincent DiNozzo.' The older gentleman who hadn't spoken says slowly allowing Gloria to easily read his lips. Her hand flies to her face in shock. She glances at the attendant.

'Do you have a brother called Anthony?' She signs and the attendant translates for her. Vincent nods slowly. 'Do you know if he had children?'

'One son I believe.' He pauses. 'Although no one knows what happened to him.'

'Also named Anthony?'

'Yes.' Vincent DiNozzo is cautious now. Gloria glances at the younger gentleman who had signed earlier.

'Crispin Paddington.' He signs. He glances at his companion. 'We are looking for Anthony Junior. And his mother.' He pauses. 'She's my father's sister.'

'Where are you planning on staying?'

'The Four Seasons.' Vincent states.

'I may call on you sirs.' Gloria's hands still. 'I need to talk to a few people before we continue this conversation.' Gloria pauses again. 'Your search may be half over.'

'Let's move into the warmth.' The attendant speaks while signing.

'Good idea.' Vincent states pondering Gloria's last statement. The two gentlemen allow Gloria to precede them into the Arrivals Lounge.

Gloria Sciuto pulls up outside the Gibbs's house in her taxi and climbs out. He signals the driver to wait for a minute as she heads to the door. But before she's halfway there, the front door opens and Tony comes barrelling out. He throws his arms around her and hugs her to him tightly. She rubs a hand up and down his back soothingly. He steps back. 'It's good to se you maman.'

'And you little one.' Tony glances up and spots the taxi. 'I'll get your bags.' Gloria smiles.

'Such a sweet boy.'

'I'm not a boy anymore.' He pouts playfully.

'You'll always be a boy to me Tony.' Tony darts away before Gloria can pinch his cheek. She smiles and continues into the house. Tony heads towards the driver and takes the bags from him.

'What's the damage?'

'All paid for sir. In advance.'

'By who?'

'A British Gentlemen. Very proper he was.' The cabbie imitates a British accent and completely mangles it.

'If that was supposed to be British then you are way off.' Tony retorts. 'But thank you very much anyway.' Tony strides back towards the house with Gloria's bags leaving the cabbie behind.

'Where's my tip?' He yells. Tony ignores him but it brings Gibbs to the door.

'What's he want?'

'More money than he's due.' Gibbs glares at the driver until he gives up and goes away. Gibbs helps Tony with the bags and they close, and lock, the door behind them.

Gloria sits in a chair at the kitchen table watching Abby and Gibbs move about the kitchen. 'Why are you here?' Tony asks as signs sliding into a seat at the table.

'Because my family needs me.' She signs back. He grins and Abby hugs her tightly.

'We're telling Daddy's team the story; we're finishing it tonight or tomorrow.'

'And then Tony's coming to work with me.' Gibbs finished leaning against the worktop behind his son. Gloria's eyes widen. Gibbs pushes himself off the counter top and nudges Tony. 'Go and work in the living room kiddo. I need to talk to Gloria alone.' Tony looks at him through narrowed eyes but nods and drags Abby along with him. 'What's up?' He signs taking the seat that Tony had vacated.

'I got off the plane with two gentlemen. They called themselves Vincent DiNozzo and Crispin Paddington.' Gloria pauses her hands. 'They are looking for Vincent's Sister-in-law and her son. '

'This Crispin's cousin and blood aunt?' Gloria nods. 'What will they do if they find them?'

'Welcome her back into the family. And welcome him into the family. At least I think so. They didn't say so in many words.'

'Body language and micro expressions?' Gloria grins at him. 'What do you want to do?'

'Abby says that you are telling your team. Before you start the story again, you and me need to go to see them and talk. Then we give Tony a hypothetical situation.' Gloria pauses and looks away. Gibbs reaches across the table to get her attention back. 'I may have implied that I knew where one of them was.'

'Your words exactly?'

'Your search may be half over.' Gloria signs sheepishly. Gibbs pauses before lifting his hands to reply.

'I need to talk to them ASAP.'

'To the Four Seasons let us go.' Gibbs grins wryly and stands. He moves quickly to the living room door.

'Kids, Your mother and I need to pop out for a while.'

'We aren't children dad. You don't need to coddle us.' Abby protests.

'Katie and Timmy are due over soon Abs.' Tony reminds her. 'How long will you two be?'

'Not sure. I'll call when we're on the way back.'

'Okay.' Tony says before Abby can speak. He keeps his head down on his project. Gibbs looks carefully at him and he feels in his gut that Tony knows, pr at least can work out, who he's going to see. Tony glances up and smiles. 'Go, we'll be fine.' They make eye contact and Gibbs forces a smile. He heads to the front door and catches up with Gloria.

'He knows what we're up to. Or at least he thinks he does.' He signs to her. Gloria gives him a weak smile as they walk out of the door, locking it behind them.

A/N:- Hope you have enjoyed this chapter for the May Day Bank Holiday. And just because I've been called an evil genius, I've decided to tease my beloved readers by saying roughly how many chapters (when the story is completely finished) there will be: about 50.