Gibbs knew the moment their case took them to Stillwater that Tony and Abby would find out about his father. He had hoped to keep that part of his life closed the way it had been – he had no reason to reconnect with his father. He hoped that by leaving Tony back with Abby to run leads in the lab, he could avoid any problems. But as soon as he saw Ziva talking to a familiar face, he knew the news would reach home within an hour.

He lie awake in his old room and stared up at the reminders of his past. He was surprised that neither Tony nor Abby had called him. McGee had talked to both and said they would be driving up the next day, but he at least expected Abby to call – no doubt they both had more questions than he would be able to answer, and it weighed heavily on him that they didn't call.

They were likely mad. He had left out the information on his dead wife and daughter and now this. He only hoped he hadn't ruined it all.

"I can't believe he didn't tell us," Tony pressed harder on the gas pedal and directed them onto the freeway.

"I can. What about his life has he volunteered?"

Tony shrugged. "I know, but still… he's referred to his father as being dead. Not only did he not tell us, he kinda flat out lied about it." Avoiding the topic was one thing, lying about it was another.

"It's Gibbs. He's not exactly an open book. He's a little… dusty."

Tony glanced over at her. "But when do we start deserving a bit more than the same old mysteries he lets everyone else believe."

"Tony…"

Tony sighed and he reached out to rest a hand on her thigh. "I'm not… it's not a deal breaker, I just… I don't want to be lied to."

"He didn't lie to us; we overheard his lie to someone else. It's not like we actually asked him about it. I'm sure he'll explain it all." Abby covered Tony's hand with her own and turned to look out the window. "Plus, if we're lucky, his father will tell us all kinds of fun stories about Gibbs as a kid."

Tony laughed. "Gibbs as a kid. Who would've thought."

They were pleasantly cool when they arrived, both of them taking in everything about Jackson Gibbs without showing much in the way of their personal relationship. Tony referred to him as Boss and Abby was so caught up in Jackson's charm, she hardly had time to focus on the case, let alone the younger Gibbs.

It irritated Gibbs the way Jack flirted so openly with her, and the way she lapped it up, smiling coyly and teasing him right back. Gibbs looked to Tony to see if he was put off by the show of affection from his father to Abby, but even Tony seemed to find it amusing. Gibbs quietly stalked around the back of the shop, pricing cans as Jack taught his lovers how to work the cash machine while Abby waited for DNA results.

"He's Ethan's father…" Abby looked up sharply. "Charles… he's Ethan's biological father."

Gibbs managed to push his irritation aside to refocus on the case. They finally pieced it all together and together Gibbs, Tony, Ziva and McGee headed over to arrest Charles' son-in-law. He sent Ziva, Tony and McGee to escort him to the local police station to wait for transport. With the one car, they didn't have room to drive him back to D.C. Gibbs and his father sat back in his old car and headed back to Jack's home.

"You gonna tell me why you get so angry every time I talk to that pretty scientist of yours?"

Gibbs shot his father an annoyed glance, but said nothing.

"It seems like every time I even smile at her, the hair on the back of your neck raises. What gives?"

"Nothing." Gibbs was dreading the explanation when they returned to his house – assuming they came back to his house. He had no idea what had happened at the hotel in Stillwater where Tony and Abby stayed while he was forced to spend another night at his fathers.

"She's a nice lady, that one." Jackson sat quietly for a moment as his son drove them back. "Parts of her remind me of Shannon – her spirit. They look nothing alike, but… a special spark."

"Enough." Gibbs snapped. Abby was the one person he had never compared to Shannon and he wanted to keep it that way.

Jack glanced over to him and nodded. "Tell me about the rest of them. That Tony kid seems to be a handful, but a good guy nonetheless."

"He is. Best I've got."

"Hard worker."

"No one I'd rather have watch my six."

Jack nodded and then stayed quiet as they pulled up out front of the store. Abby had already packed up her equipment and was running the cash machine, ringing up purchases for a few customers in line. "You didn't have to open up, Abby," Jack smiled. "We're a small town, people can wait." Though judging by the friendly smiles and full shopping carts, she was good for business.

"It's no problem, everyone has been super sweet since I'm not as fast with this thing as you." She handed the change to the person she'd been helping with a smile. "Come again soon."

"New hire, Jack? The man asked as he headed for the door.

"Temporary help unless I can convince her that small-town life is more enjoyable than the big city."

Abby grinned wide. "Very tempting, Jackson," her gaze shifted to Gibbs and seeing the frown, her smile faded. "However, I'm pretty happy where I'm at. I hear the guys out front. I'll let you take over again, gotta load up my equipment." She stepped around the counter and grabbed the first box on the table and headed toward the door, keeping her gaze firmly on the box in her hands.

Tony opened the door as she approached and the three agents stepped aside until Abby was out. "Boss, he'll be transported back first thing tomorrow." Tony stood awkwardly looking between the two Gibbs men.

Gibbs nodded. "McGee, grab a box and help Abby finish loading."

Abby came back in and together, she and McGee managed to grab the remaining stuff to carry it back to the car. Ziva said her goodbye first, and headed for the car. Tony wasn't ready to leave, he had so many questions, so much he wanted to know. "Jack, I've got a few questions…"

Gibbs wasn't sure why he felt panicked over the idea of Tony asking questions, so he put a limit, hurrying the younger man through his goodbye. Suddenly Abby was waiting for her turn to say goodbye. She hugged Jackson tight and invited him for a visit to her lab and then turned to the car. Ziva was already riding shotgun, but rather than complain she headed for the backseat, content to rest against Tony while they drove back.

"Oh boss… not backseat, middle hump… " He didn't mind sitting in the back with Abby, but with McGee squished in with them; there wasn't much room for the four hour drive back. Before Gibbs could say anything, Tony watched as Jack held out the keys for the old car that Gibbs had wanted to restore.

"I don't have much use for it anymore. Take it."

Tony's eyes went wide as Gibbs dropped the keys for the NCIS car in his hand and then moved forward to hug his father.

Tony took his time driving back from Stillwater. There was no doubt that Gibbs would beat him home, but Tony was getting angry and ever since he had seen the guilty look on Gibbs face when they'd first arrived, he wanted to let Gibbs sit and think about it. It wasn't fair, he knew that, and part of him wanted to hurry home so he and Abby could get all the details as soon as possible. But after everything they'd been through, Tony didn't like that they were still keeping secrets.

He parked the car at NCIS and helped Abby to unload her supplies while the others grabbed their personal belongings and headed home. "Jack was nice," Tony commented. "I don't know why Gibbs would hide him from us."

Abby shrugged. "They seem pretty similar, actually. Jack just seemed more… open, friendly. I mean, Gibbs is nice to us, but…"

"Yeah, it took a while. They must've had a falling out." Abby followed Tony to his car and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "Don't be too harsh on him, give him a chance to explain."

Tony rolled his eyes, but knew she was right. There was plenty to be said about father-son relationships and while he knew Abby had been close with her parents, Tony knew what it was like to have a less than supportive father.

Gibbs was pacing, waiting for Tony and Abby to arrive – at least, he hoped they would arrive. He knew he owed them both an apology, though he figured it'd be more of an explanation rather than an I'm sorry. He had to admit that it had been good to see his father again. It had been a long time since the funeral, and while the anger has dissipated, he still hadn't understood why his father had shown up with a date to his girls' funeral. But Jack was looking well for his age, and the store seemed to be good for him. He had gotten the chance to talk to a few people that he remembered, and everyone spoke highly of Jack and his service to the community.

Tony arrived first and Gibbs watched through the window and Tony seemed to need the time to work his way up the front step.

"Hey," Tony said once he saw Gibbs standing a few feet away. "Abby was right behind me. She caught an extra red light."

Gibbs nodded. He started to say something, but Tony interrupted him. Neither were good at these sorts of situations, so it was for the best that they wait for Abby and get it all over at once. "Fresh coffee on?" When he nodded again, Tony shrugged out of his coat and headed for the kitchen.

Like Tony had said, Abby wasn't too far behind. She was talking animatedly on the phone as she approached the front door and then let herself inside. Gibbs was just about to say something but she shook her head. "… yeah, no… it was fine. No, I appreciate it. Yes…. Yes, thank you."

As soon as she hung up, Gibbs quirked an eyebrow.

"That was your dad, wanted to make sure we got home okay."

Gibbs could hardly believe it. Four hours away from Stillwater and Jack was still taking up her attention.

"Wait, what was that… that eye roll? Jesus, he was just making sure we made it home safely."

"How did he get your number?"

"I gave it to him."

"Why?"

Abby shrugged out of her coat and stared at him a moment before she spoke, her voice going soft. "We exchanged numbers so that if anything happened… someone up in Stillwater would know where to call. Or if something… if you…" she straightened her shoulders and accept the coffee that Tony carried out for her. "If something happened to you, I would be able to contact him."

"Abby…"

"What is it between you two? And wow… good to know your dad is actually alive."

Gibbs dropped down to the chair across from the couch where Abby was sitting and sat quietly until Tony joined them, sitting beside Abby. "Last I saw him was at the girls' funeral. He brought a date and it just…"

"Might not have been the classiest move, but he's still your dad. Seems nice, too." Tony added.

"Gibbs… remember how it's the three of us now? It's none of our business as to why you don't talk, but it was… hurtful that you tried to keep us away from your hometown. Did you think we'd suddenly side with him or something?"

"He had you eating out of his hand the whole time," Gibbs grumbled.

Abby laughed. "He's a sweet old man with a lot of charm. But you have to know that I'd always back you if it came down to it. And it was fun helping with the store. Reminds me of the store my Uncle Ron used to have. Luca and I would go in on the weekends and straighten out shelves for a free soda."

"He loves you," Tony interrupted. "You can see it in the way he looks at you. Don't take that for granted," Tony sighed. "Deep down, I'm sure my father loves me, but… he hasn't given a shit about me since I stopped fetching him his night cap."

Gibbs sat quietly for a moment, clearly thinking over his words before he finally spoke. "We've always had a hard time. We're too much alike in some ways," he shrugged. "But he… he brought a date to their funeral and I couldn't… he brought a date." He looked up, his brow furrowed. He expected them to brush it off, tell him that it was nothing against Gibbs, that he hadn't wanted to be alone. But instead of telling him that he was being ridiculous, the next thing he knew, Abby was making herself comfortable on his lap, her arms wrapped around him.

"Must've been hard to see," she murmured.

Gibbs let out a ragged sigh. "I do love him."

"Of course you do." Tony got up and stood beside them, his hand resting heavily on Gibbs' shoulder. "Must have a lot of memories of Stillwater."

Gibbs only nodded. He was trying to be more open, but he didn't have the words to describe how he and Shannon had met. It hadn't been something he'd thought of recently and then being faced with the very spot he'd first seen her had been quite a blow.

Tbc…

Omg, I love Jack on the show. Ralph Waite is the best actor to play him and he and MH play WONDERFULLY off each other. I wrote to him once with a screen cap from this episode, hoping for an autograph to add to my NCIS WallOfAwesome ™ and got a reply within a week with both an autograph and a lovely letter. The man is just as charming as he is on the show.