When school started back on the Monday, Tony was in no fit state to be able to attend all day. His wounds whilst healing itched like mad and his ability to sit down, although getting a little better would no way enable him to get through an entire period let alone a full day. The school under the leadership now of an interim Principal was prepared to allow Tony to work at home for a short while until he was able to return. His detention, which still stood, was delayed until the Saturday after his eventual return.
Each night after school, Maisie, Aaron and Lewis turned up to go through the lessons with Tony and bring the work for the following day. The group would chat, catch up on the daily gossip, watch TV and occasionally play a game or two. They were becoming firm friends.
Two weeks after term started Tony was well enough to go back, his night-time bed wetting had decreased and he had even made it through some nights totally dry; It helped that Gibbs had now completed his course and on a few nights had talked Tony into allowing him to wake him at intervals through his sleep to go and empty his bladder. These had become less frequent and whatever damage had initially been done seemed to be on the mend. Sure there had been a few accidents along the way but nothing that the family couldn't deal with.
The night before Tony's return to the classroom, Maisie had visited alone. The boys were at baseball practice and it was the first time she was going to have Tony all to herself.
When she arrived Shannon answered the door.
"Hello Ma'am," she greeted her, "Is Tony in?"
"Hi Maisie, yes, he's down with his Dad in the shed," replied Shannon, "do you want to go down there and take some drinks with you?"
"Sure thing," beamed Maisie, "are they busy?"
"Finally getting around to finishing the notice board," nodded Shannon, "they're probably both covered in saw dust."
"I don't mind," grinned the young girl, "I mean I love the smell of real wood and sawdust."
Shannon smiled to herself as much as anything. If this little girl was sweet on Tony and if Tony turned out to be anything like Gibbs it was a good job she liked the smell of sawdust on clothing. The smell of coffee on breath along with a hint of bourbon would still have to wait a long time yet.
Maisie practically bounced her way down to the shed, the only thing steadying her a little was that she carried 2 sodas and a thermos mug of coffee in her hands.
As she approached the shed doors, she could hear the sound of father and son at work, Gibbs giving out orders and directions for what they needed to do and Tony replying.
She pushed the door a little further ajar and they both looked up to greet her.
"Hi Maisie," smiled Tony, "have you seen what we have nearly finished?"
"That looks great Tony," she smiled, "I love that you are so good at making things."
She blushed furiously red as she realized that she had said this out loud, "I mean it's great that your Dad can show you how to make and fix things when so many people of our age can't." She tried to recover the situation but got decidedly more flushed.
Gibbs sensing that he had become the gooseberry in this little meeting picked up his thermos and made an excuse to get out of there, "well, er I should just go check on the measurements again Tony, you know before we cart it up to your room and all."
Tony blinked in surprise; they had measured several times before they cut. They knew it would fit perfectly. It took him a second or two to catch on that his Dad was giving him and Maisie a little space. His Dad winked to him and gave him a thumbs up sign as he backed out of the door with his coffee in his hand. In so doing he bumped straight into Shannon who was bringing some fresh baked cookies down for them to enjoy.
"Er you might want to take them back to the house for a while," Gibbs tried to be subtle but clearly failed.
Shannon frowned at him, "why would I want to do that?"
"Because," urged Gibbs motioning his head towards the shed, "Tony's a little busy."
"Sure I know he has a lot of work on to finish the project," started Shannon, and then finally picking up on the vibe, "oh, oh, I see," she said realizing what was happening. "Are you sure we should leave them in there together?"
"Shan, they'll be fine," said Gibbs, "Tony and I have talked all about this, I trust him and it's just cute puppy love at this point, can't you recall when I made you weak at the knees with just a peck on the cheek," he grinned.
"I'm not sure Marine," laughed Shannon, "why don't we go back to the house and you can remind me."
Giggling like two teenagers themselves, Shannon and Gibbs went back to the house. Gibbs tried to pinch a couple of the cookies and felt Shannon slap his hands away,
"Aw why'd you do that?" he moaned.
"Because I made them for Maisie and Tony to eat," rebuked Shannon, "not for you to wolf the whole lot down, you'll spoil your tea."
"Tony would too," Gibbs pouted sounding just like a kid.
"You can have one," Shannon caved in to the puppy dog eyes he was making.
At that stage Kelly toddled in from the living room and spied the cookies.
"Mommy cookie?" she asked.
"See what you've done now?" laughed Shannon, "I don't know why I even try?"
"Its really not all my fault," mumbled Gibbs through a mouthful of cookie, using the distraction of Kelly to pinch a second one and hide it behind his back.
"Don't think I didn't see that Leroy Jethro Gibbs," warned Shannon playfully, "now you and my other little cookie monster here need to go into the lounge and leave the cookies alone so that there are some left for Tony.
Scooping Kelly up and pretending to try to bite the cookie she was clutching, sending her into a fit of squeals, Gibbs did as he was told and went to sit with Kelly in the lounge to watch yet another Tom and Jerry cartoon with her.
Down in the shed Tony had finished demonstrating his notice board and how he had made it and had just offered to make Maisie a smaller one out of the offcuts which she had readily accepted. The conversation had however returned to the subject of school.
"I'm so glad you are coming back tomorrow," Maisie said.
"But you are still going to come over the house ad spend time with me after school though aren't you?" asked Tony and then to hide his desire adding, "I mean the others can come too."
"Yeah I'd like that," said Maisie, "I'd like to come over even without all of the others as well though."
Tony beamed at her with his winning smile, "I'd really like that too." He paused before mumbling out his next question with his eyes avoiding direct contact and getting ready to accept rejection. "Would you like to go to the cinema with me at the weekend?" he asked. "They're showing The Breakfast Club and um I er know that's one of your favourites."
"Tony I'd love to," she beamed, "that's so sweet of you to chose one of my favourite films."
"So you'll definitely come?" asked Tony seeking reassurance that his offer hadn't been rejected.
"Of course, I need to check with my mom," she added but I'm sure she'll say yes. What time should we go?"
"Well, er I've got to finish Saturday detention first," blushed Tony, "so I thought we could go after that, I could ask my mom to drive us there."
"I think it's mean you still have to do detention," she said.
"Me too," sighed Tony, "but I was talking to Granddad on the phone the other day and he said that if I can't do the time I shouldn't do the crime."
"My parents say that too," she moaned in sympathy with him, "one day we are going to be too old to get into trouble like that though."
"I hope so," agreed Tony, "but I think my old man will still wear me out over stupid things I do no matter how old I get."
"It's cos he loves you though," reasoned Maisie.
"Yeah you're right," smiled Tony, "doesn't mean I have to love getting into trouble with him though."
"No, but look at all the cool things you get to do with him as well though? I heard you and him talking as I came down here, can I ask you one question though?"
"Sure, fire away," replied Tony.
"Why do you sometimes call him Boss?" she enquired.
Chuckling Tony responded, "it's an old habit I picked up when I was 8 years old. If we worked together or if he was teaching me something I used to pretend what it would be like to work with him everyday with him as my Boss, and well I guess it kind stuck for when I'm making stuff with him and such. I normally call him Dad, or Sir if I'm in trouble, but I like the feeling of Boss, it just feels right."
"I think that's so sweet," she smiled, "now did we ought to go back to the house and do some of that work for tomorrow, I don't want you getting into trouble."
"Hey great way to kill a mood," laughed Tony, "but I guess you're right."
"Of course," she giggled, "I always try to be."
Laughing together both went back up to the house and sat and ate cookies and did homework until Shannon declared it time for tea and Maisie made her way back home, kissing Tony's cheek again as she left.
When he returned to join the family at the dinner table, Shannon and Gibbs shot a knowing look at each other and winked.
"So Tony what did Maisie think of your latest project?" asked Shannon.
"She loved it mom," he replied and then added, "er Dad I might have um promised I'd make one for her out of the off cuts, is that ok and will you help me?"
"Happy to help you son," smiled Gibbs, "we could knock it up at the weekend if you'd like."
"That would be good only I've um asked her to go to the cinema with me after Saturday detention, if that's alright with you and mom?" Tony replied.
"So you're dumping me for a cute girl hey?" laughed Gibbs, "I'm sure we can sort some thing out along those lines, you deserve a treat as you've been behaving really well of late, what do you think Shan?"
"Aww Tony I think that's really sweet," she replied.
"Mom, you sound just like Maisie," Tony blushed and then trying to get a more manly feeling back he turned to his Dad, "women hey?"
Gibbs chuckled and gently cuffed him around the ear, "hey don't say that too many times in your moms hearing, when I say it I end up doing the washing up."
"And you still will," grinned Shannon, "I'll hold you responsible for teaching that to our son."
"Man, a guy just can't get a break," laughed Gibbs, "I hope you are taking note son and learn by your fathers failings."
Tony laughed in response, "Gee dad, all of that alongside my homework is a lot of learning."
"You taking your moms side?" asked Gibbs trying to sound offended.
"Yup," responded Tony, "moms the one who I have to sweet talk into driving me and Maisie to the cinema."