"You nerveus Tony?" Gibbs asked from the couch. Tony was pacing the living room and kept looking at the clock. It's been a week since they knew the vaccine would work. Today was the day Tony would get it. Ducky would give it to him and promised to be here around four o'clock.

"No... I mean yes... I mean... a bit." Tony said nervously. Tony had black bags under his eyes. He didn't sleep all week. Well he slept but not for long. Most of the time he would stay up so he wouldn't have to sleep and that made Gibbs concerned.

Everyone was worried what the vaccine would do but now they were also worried about Tony, how he was now. There were mixed feelings and that also makes the decision confusing.

Gibbs sighs. "Tony why don't you sit down and watch a movie or something. You want something to eat? You didn't eat much of a breakfast and you didn't eat lunch."

"I'm fine. Not hungry." Tony said and kept pacing.

"Tony, it would be an other two hour before Ducky gets here. So stop pacing." Gibbs said.

Tony looked at the clock for the last time before he walks to Gibbs. "You still got your promise right?" Tony asked softly.

Gibbs ruffled Tony's hair. "Of course buddy. You have nothing to worry about. A promise is a promise." Gibbs lifts Tony up and sat him on his lap. "Now what movie are we watching?"

Tony struggles and leans against Gibbs chest. "You can choose."

"Alright. What you say we watch Shrek?"

"Okay" Tony said softly. Gibbs kept running his hand through Tony's hair. It would calm him down and maybe he would sleep a bit.

Two hours later Ducky opened the front door. Tony was up immediately. He had closed his eyes and was almost asleep but now he was wide awake again.

"Ducky you're here!" Tony said and slide off Gibbs lap.

"Of course my dear boy. I said I would be here around four." Ducky said as he walks inside.

"You got it?" Tony asked nervously.

"Tony give Ducky a moment to get inside. He just got here. Tea Duck?" Gibbs asked.

"I know that. I just want to be sure." Tony said as he followed Gibbs to the kitchen.

Ducky smiled. Tony would always have the last word. "Don't worry Anthony I got it with me." Ducky said as he points at his black doctors bag.

"Why you got your bag with you? Vaccine is not that big isn't it?" Tony asked as they sat down at the kitchen table.

Ducky gave Gibbs a knowing look. He would need his help later. "Why don't you tell me how your week was? I noticed you got bags under your eyes."

Tony didn't say anything and looked at Gibbs who was sipping his coffee. "Ducky asked you a question Tony. It's polite to answer."

"You talked to him! It was our secret!" Tony said and crossed his arms.

Gibbs shook his head and runs a hand through Tony's hair. He lift him up and put him on his lap so he was facing him and lifts his chin. "I know you're nervous but you don't need to shout."

"But you told him." Tony said frustrated.

"Tony everyone can see the bags under your eyes. That is no secret."

"Dear Anthony. Jethro would never say anything if it was a secret between you two. I was just concerned about you." Ducky said.

"Why? You don't have to be concerned." Tony said stubborn.

"I wanted to know how you were Anthony, because I don't want to give you the vaccine if you were sick. The vaccine could not work then. Also I need to know how much I need to give you." Ducky said now he got Tony's attention back.

"But I'm not sick. So you can give it to me."

"I heard and see you were not sleeping Anthony. I also heard that you're not eating that well this week. Can you tell me why?" Ducky asked kindly.

Tony turns around and clinged against Gibbs. "I just want it to be over with." Tony said as he hides his face in the crook of Gibbs neck. Gibbs runs his hand up and down on Tony's back.

"Ducky are we sure we can use it?" Gibbs asked. He just wants to be sure. He could understand Tony wanted it now. The last few days were hell for Tony. Stuck in between. Nightmares all night and too nervous to eat. If they would wait longer, Tony could get sick for real.

"We are sure Jethro. But before I can give it to Anthony I need to..." Ducky gave a pointed look at his bag. Gibbs got the message and nodded.

"Tony when do you want the vaccine?" Gibbs asked kindly.

Tony looked up. "Now.." Gibbs looked at Ducky again. Tony saw this and knew there was more. "What?" He asked.

"Anthony before I can give you the vaccine, I want to examine you. I want to know that you're in good health. Also it gives me an indication how much of the vaccine I can give you." Ducky said.

Tony's eyes widen. He didn't expect that. Tony looked at Gibbs worriedly. "Please daddy I'm not sick."

Gibbs looked at Ducky as he puts his bag on the table. Tony was in his kid mind again. He hoped it wouldn't be a problem. "I know buddy. We just need to be sure. I will be here with you." Gibbs said and gave Ducky a nod to begin.

A couple of minutes later the examine was done. "Jethro can you weight him for me please?" Ducky asked as he puts his stuff away.

"Sure Duck. Be back in a minute." Gibbs said and brought Tony upstairs. It didn't take long before they came back downstairs and Gibbs told him how much he weighed. Tony sat in the living room playing with his cars. Gibbs told him to do that and would call for him when they were ready.

Ducky looked concerned at his notes. "Something wrong Duck?" Gibbs asked worriedly.

"Jethro he lost 4 pounds since the last time we weighed him."

"But he was already... I made sure he..." Gibbs stutters.

"I know Jethro. I'm sure you did. He is an energetic boy. Lots of energy. And we can't forget he got sick and now last week..."

"Could this be a problem to give him the vaccine?" Gibbs asked worriedly.

"I don't think so. But maybe when he is an adult again, he needs to put some weight. We just need to watch closely. That is why I wanted to check him out now so I would know if something is wrong when he is big again."

Gibbs nodded in understanding. "So when do you want to give it to him?"

"That is for Anthony to decide."

"Tony? Buddy can you come here?" Gibbs said and Tony ran to the kitchen. Gibbs lift him up and sat him down on the table so they were looking each other in the eye.

"It's your decision when you want it now. Whenever you are ready." Gibbs said.

"You promised right? You will be here right? Nothing changed?" Tony asked softly just to be sure.

"Yeah Tony like I said all week. I promise. Nothing changed." Gibbs said with a kind smile.

Tony hugged him. "I want it now. Will you hold me?" Tony asked Gibbs.

"Sure Tony. I will not go anywhere." Gibbs said and puts his arms around Tony. "You can give it now Ducky."

Ducky nodded and gave Tony the vaccine.

It was a weird feeling Tony felt. It was cool and then he felt energy. It was hard to say how he felt. It was so much energy, Tony soon felt tired.

"Tony? Open your eyes." Gibbs asked concerned. Tony was shaking his head and was now closing his eyes.

"Am trying. Too much energy. Too tired." Tony said tiredly before he went limp and passed out.

"Ducky? Ducky? Something is wrong. Tony come on wake up. Open your eyes buddy." Gibbs said concerned almost hysterical.

Ducky took a quick look at Tony. "I think it's best we just put him to bed. His body is changing now from inside. I think that is what Anthony meant. Too much energy. I think it could take awhile and he will be asleep. Remember when he first changed. He then also slept for a long time."

"Yeah Uhmm. You're right. I will bring him upstairs and stay with him in case he needs me." Gibbs said as he stood up. He lays Tony down in his bed an sat next to him. Running his hand through Tony's hair so Tony would know that he was not alone. It would be a long night.

Ducky shook his head and went to the kitchen to make some dinner for himself and Gibbs. Gibbs could take care of Tony but he also needs to eat something.

———————————

It was nine 9 o'clock in the morning. Ducky told Gibbs to take a shower and to go downstairs for some breakfast. Gibbs held Tony all evening and all night. Tony was still sleeping peacefully this morning. Ducky thought now was a good time to get Gibbs out of the bedroom. To get a break.

"I don't need breakfast Ducky." Gibbs said as he got his coffee.

"Leroy Jethro Gibbs you sit down on that chair and eat your breakfast." Ducky told him sternly. "If you want to be there for him, you need to take care of yourself. I don't want to hear an other word."

Gibbs looked shocked at Ducky but sat down and begins to eat. Ducky looked pleased and sat down next to him. After breakfast they suddenly heard a door opening upstairs. They looked at each other and were up immediately.

"Tony?" Gibbs asked as he got upstairs. The bedroom was empty. Just to be sure Gibbs looked under the bed. It wasn't the first time he found Tony there.

"Anthony you here?" Ducky asked when Gibbs also looked confused around the room.

"I'm in here." Tony said softly from behind the bathroom door.

Gibbs immediately knocks on the door. "Tony open up."

"Uhmm Gibbs?" Tony said softy.

"Yeah Tony?" Gibbs asked concerned.

"I'm... I'm big again."

Gibbs looked for a moment at Ducky. "Okay Tony. We knew that, that would happen. Can you open the door now so we can see you?"

It took awhile but finally Tony opened the door. There stood Tony. Big and an adult again. He still got black bags under his eyes and lost some weight. Ducky and Gibbs stared at Tony for a moment. Observing him. It made Tony uncomfortable. Suddenly Gibbs steps forward and held Tony in a big hug.

"It's good to see you again son." Gibbs whispered in his ear.

Tony was shocked for a moment when Gibbs hugged him but soon relaxed when he heard Gibbs words. He puts his arms around Gibbs. "Thanks dad." He whispers and Gibbs smiled.

Ducky did a quick check up on Tony before they went downstairs. Ducky made some breakfast for Tony who was eating it now.

"It's good to see you eat again." Gibbs said as he ruffles Tony's hair.

"Hey, I just did my hair." Tony said with a smile.

"Don't change the subject Anthony. Jethro is right. It's good to see you eat again. Last week you barely ate. You lost weight and need to get that back again." Ducky said.

"I didn't do it on purpose. My mind did things I had no control over." Tony said seriously and embarrassed.

"So you remember all of it? How you felt, what happend at the time?" Gibbs asked curiously.

"Yeah I remembered. Well I mean I remembered that but like it was then I don't always know why I did something."

They were silent for a moment before Gibbs spoke. "I'm sorry you had a childhood like that. It couldn't be easy." Gibbs said softly.

"You don't have to be sorry. It's not something you had controle over and besides you gave me something I never had. Even if it was for a short time. You were there for me." Tony said kindly.

Gibbs smiled at those words. "Still am kid. Remember a promise is a promise."

Tony smiled. "I remembered."

"Good. And never forget it." Gibbs said as he stood up. He ruffles Tony's hair again before he walks to the kitchen for some coffee.

"And the headaches Anthony? Are they still there? You still got flashes?" Ducky asked curiously.

"Not at this moment." Tony said in thoughts.

"Got something else on your mind?" Gibbs asked as he sat down again.

Tony sighs. "I just... how much did you found out and how?" Tony asked worriedly.

"What you mean? Found out about what?" Gibbs asked confused.

"I think Anthony meant about the past or am I wrong Anthony?" Ducky asked.

Tony shook his head.

"Anthony we always had our suspicions. But never found something that could explain things. I was already looking for clues the first year you started here."

"Why?" Tony asked confused.

"In my years I have seen enough to know when something isn't right. The masks sometimes slip."

"Oh" Tony said and looked down.

"You still hide them pretty well Tony. You would not see them if you wouldn't know what you were looking for." Gibbs said, wanted to let him know that he wasn't that transparent to the world outside.

"We took X-rays of your arm remember. It could tell us how old you were. But when I looked at the x-ray I found out you broke your arm already a year ago." Ducky said.

"Then who told you?" Tony asked with his eyes closed. He remembered what happened. How he broke that arm.

"Doctor Heather Willis." Ducky said and Tony opened his eyes confused.

"She is still alive?" He asked confused.

"Yes. She is a lovely lady." Ducky said.

"Why did you thought she was death Tony?" Gibbs asked.

"I thought... she was gone suddenly. Never heard from her again. Couldn't find her. I thought she died. She was always nice to me."

"She wanted to protect you by going to the police. Only your father found out..." Gibbs begins.

"And gave her a lesson or a warning or something. Scared her to death." Tony said.

"They have been watching her for years. When she retired they disappeared." Gibbs said.

"So that is how you found out. Who else knows?" Tony asked.

Gibbs and Ducky looked at each other. "Let me guess. The whole team." Tony said.

"They know about the abuse. Your behavior was different than how they knew you. They got questions but they found out for themselves when they connected the dots. They don't know the details." Gibbs said.

Tony stood up and start pacing the kitchen floor. Ducky and Gibbs both looked concerned.

"Anthony they still see you as how you were before. Why don't I call them. See for yourself. They wanted to know if the vaccine worked." Ducky said.

Tony sighs. "Fine you can call them. I will go for a walk." Tony said and walked to the front door.

Gibbs stood up and went after him. He may be an adult again but he would never be too old for a father. He quickly told Ducky to tell the team to come over for dinner.

—————————

"Why are you following me?" Tony asked when Gibbs walks next to him.

"Not following you. Just walking with you." Gibbs said.

"Why?"

"Because I know you and I know how your mind works. So tell me what's going on?"

"Thought you said you knew how my mind works." Gibbs gave Tony a headslap. "Hey!"

"Stop the attitude. You may be an adult but I still can spank your butt."

Tony's eyes widened. "You wouldn't."

"Try me and you will find out. Remember a promise is a promise. You got the whole package. So now tell me".

Tony sighs. "It's just weird. I know what happened when I was a kid and how it felt. It's all so clear and now I'm an adult again and those feeling are... it's just confusing."

"Like you said Tony. It just happend. Of course it would be confusing. You need to give it some time to know exactly what you feel right now."

"What will the others think? How would they react?" Tony asked softly.

Gibbs ruffles Tony's hair. "You have to face them Tony. You can't hide for them. And you will not get your answers till you see them."

Tony nodded. They walked for a couple of minutes longer before they decide to go back.

——————————————-

Dinner was almost ready when they heard a knock on the door. Tony was nervous and was pacing the kitchen floor. Gibbs shook his head and walked to the door to open it.

"Gibbs Gibbs Gibbs! Is he here? How is he?" Abby asked excited.

"He is in the kitchen Abbs and he is fine." Gibbs said calmly. Abby ran to the kitchen while Kate and Tim slowly followed her.

"Tony!!" Abby yelled and gave him a big hug. "It's so good to see you big again. Although it was cute to see you as a kid but I love the big Tony who I can watch movies with and go clubbing." Abby said excited.

Tony puts his arms around Abby and gave her a hug in return. "It's good to be an adult again Abbs." He said and let her go to greet Tim and Kate.

"Hey Tony it's good to see big indeed. How you feeling?" Tim asked.

"I'm fine." Tony said.

"Really? It's not weird at all? Do you remember what happend and how you were?" Kate asked curiously.

"Yeah Uhmm I remembered." Tony said nervously and looked at Gibbs.

Tony got uncomfortable with the questions. "Why don't we sit down, dinner is ready." Gibbs said. They all nodded and start eating.

"It's delicious." Abby said. When everyone was silent.

"So the front door is still locked. Why?" Kate asked.

Tony closed his eyes. Here it comes he thought. "Just a habit Kate." Gibbs said shortly

"Soo you really are fine? Not feeling weird at all?" Tim asked.

"Like I told you before I'm fine." Tony said.

"Really? You still got bags under your eyes and you are skinny. Ducky is he really fine?" Kate asked concerned.

"Hey! I told you I'm fine. Why don't you believe me?" Tony asked angry.

"Because I know you're 'fine'. I want to hear from a doctor to know for sure" Kate said.

"What are you my mother?" Tony said angry and crossed his arms.

"That is not what I said! I just want to be sure. You're my partner and a lot happend or did you forget. Even if you are bleeding to death you will say you are fine, so excuse me if I don't believe you're fine! Have you looked at yourself?" Kate yells.

"I got a desavoue guys." Tim shook his head.

"Caitlin, Anthony is fine. You're right, he lost some weight but a few good meals will cure that." Ducky said hoping to stop the discussion.

"See!" Tony said and pointed his hand to Ducky.

"Yeah I see. Now I know for sure." Kate said stubborn.

"Will you two stop it. You got your answers now stop it." Gibbs said as he took the dishes to the kitchen.

"She..." He..." began" they said at the same time.

"And I'm ending it." Gibbs said.

"Ahh still papa bear." Abby said and everyone laughed.

Dishes were done and they were now drinking coffee. Gibbs and Ducky saw Tony gape who tries to hide it. The energy Tony had was gone.

"Well I think it's time we go. A lot happend today and I think Anthony can use a goodnight sleep." Ducky said as he stood up.

Tim, Kate and Abby looked at Tony and saw that he was tired. Ducky was right.

"Uhmm yeah you're right. Goodnight Gibbs, Tony." Kate said. Abby gave them both a hug and Tim said his goodbyes. Together they left.

"Come on Tony time for bed." Gibbs said and helped Tony up the stairs. When he lays down he laughed.

"What's so funny?" Gibbs asked as he sat down on the side of the bed and runs a hand through Tony's hair. Same as the front door, it became a habit.

"I'm an adult again and you still tuck me in." Tony giggles.

Gibbs smiled. "Yeah Tony a promise is a promise. I will not go anywhere." He said kindly.

Tony smiled and closed his eyes. Gibbs would always keep his promise.

~the end~