Shifting Directions – Chapter 8 (Abrupt Changes)

When Tony went into work that morning, he didn't expect to be in for a murder investigation. He had only been at the station for maybe a few minutes before being called out into the field.

"Look alive, DiNozzo! You have been assigned to this case. I want you out in the field in ten minutes! You will be reporting to me there!"

"Of course, Captain," Tony replied, making his way for the door.

Tony had been told within the first few minutes at the station about the case. He had also been given the location of the murder. Details were a bit sketchy since it had just been recently called in. So, nothing would be given until he made it to the crime scene. He would take one of the police cruisers and see where to go from there.

When Tony arrived, he was less impressed on what was going on.

"This what you call controlling a crime scene?" Tony raised an eyebrow.

Reynolds scoffed, "and what have you have done?"

"Using some type of barricade would have been a start. Do you expect people not to get curious and poke around? I would have thought you would have known that with all your experience," Tony crossed his arms.

"DiNozzo's right! Reynolds tie it off, now! Later I want to know everything you did once you got here!"

Tony didn't have to hear to know that Reynolds would be complaining under his breath. He had work to do.

The first thing Tony noticed was the vehicle and the bullet holes. There were three motionless bodies in the car. He started taking pictures of the car, which appeared to be a late model of a 1990s Honda Civic. He made sure to get a focus on the bullet points and the victims from outside the vehicle. He would have to wait to get an all clear before opening the car door.

"DiNozzo! Get that damn ME on the line!"

Tony looked up to hear the captain's yell.

"On it!" Tony took out his cell before calling the number. He shook his head, apparently there was something else he did wrong. Which meant more time before they could open the door and figure out how they died. Just because it was obvious that they could have been killed by three entry points didn't mean they were.

"DiNozzo, what do you got?"

"Three bullet entries, could be a possible cause of death. Some of the debris from the crash has already been bagged and tagged in case of possible malfunctions. Found the casings as well several meters away. Who ever did this, they definitely had a vendetta. On what, we don't know yet."

"Good work, DiNozzo. Let me know when the ME arrives, I want to know what he finds. Do not allow anyone to touch the bodies! And send everything you find over to Forensics to be tested." The Captain ordered.

"Yes, Sir."

Tony could already feel this was beginning to be a very long day. It would be close to an hour before the ME finally showed up.

"Doctor Calnan," Tony greeted.

"Officer DiNozzo, what do you have for me?" the ME asked.

"Three victims, possible death of a bullet. Though it is possible the crash may have killed one of them or more."

"I will know for sure by my autopsy."

Tony nodded and watched by the side as the car door was opened. He hadn't been sure when he was taking the photos. But it was evident on who the victims were. They were actually familiar to him. But not familiar in a way that he had spoken or seen them for years. But he knew them from the video feed he had viewed months ago. Officer DiNozzo was looking at the dead bodies of the Dursley family, the past caretakers of his son. The only regret was not able to be the one responsible for making them pay. Death was too easy for them. But there was no changing the fact that they were dead. A man, woman, and child were dead in that car.

That was when Tony made his way to the captain, who was currently reprimanding Reynolds. Who was quickly dismissed when Tony approached him.

"Got something for me, DiNozzo?"

"Doctor Calnan arrived and is looking over the bodies now."

"Good, I want you to head back to the station and log in the evidence so it can be reported to Forensics to pick up," he ordered.

"Yes, Sir."

It was from the Autopsy report that it was discovered that it wasn't the car crash that killed the three occupants in the Honda Civic. Though the aftermath of the car crash could have told him that since it was obvious that they weren't going very fast. The vehicle was still in operable condition. Though Tony had been correct of it being a vehicle in the late 1990s. It was from 1995 and most likely a rental. There was already an officer that was checking out the local rental car companies and airports. Hopefully they would be back within a few hours, providing they found where the rental the car was from. The bullets and casings were already sent to Forensics, hoping that within a few days they may hear something back.

Tony had the idea that maybe they may have been witnesses to something. Because several feet away they found another body. Something they didn't find until after the fact. Which would have been useful to know if the area had been set off in the first place.

He hadn't been there when the body had been discovered, he had been on his way back to the station at the time. Which meant the area hadn't been surveyed. This case wasn't looking good at all. Then there was of course what the Captain would think of how things were being done. And from what he had seen, it wasn't good at all.

But that meant that there was something going on. Perhaps something even bigger was going on, more than anyone was probably aware of. Now if only they could figure out what that was. There was no telling on how long that may take.

So, on the days that Tony didn't have to be at work trying to figure out what the hell was going on. He was using his free days to decorate his apartment, something he had never done. In the past, there had been no point since he was the only one living there. So, decorations had seemed pointless and a waste of money. But now he had a child, who he knew would appreciate it.

But when Harry had been surprised to see it one evening, he wasn't sure what to think. Though he had hoped that Harry wouldn't hate it.

"That bad?" Tony guessed.

Harry shook his head, "no… I like it. Just…"

"Didn't expect it?" Tony helped.

Harry nodded his head, "yeah… something like that."

"How do you feel about helping me?" Tony offered.

Harry's eyes lit up, "can I?"

Tony had an amused grin, "would I have asked otherwise?"

Harry had an embarrassed blush spread across his cheeks.

Tony already had garland hanging in front of the kitchen counter that he used to prepare most meals. He didn't even bother for getting fake snow, mainly because he didn't want to clean up the mess from it. Plus, the fact there wasn't really any space to have it. The windowsills were decorated with green and red colored tinsel.

The only thing that probably was in need of decorating was the tree in the corner of the room. Obviously, the thing that Tony had asked Harry if he wanted to decorate.

The tree wasn't as big as the one that the Dursleys had. It was a bit smaller, though Harry found he liked it. Even with it being bare with all its green branches. But it was still a decent size for the apartment they were in.

"What's in the boxes?" Harry asked.

"Lights, garland, ribbons, some ornaments," Tony replied.

"Okay… what can I do?"

"Well… I already ran the lights up the pole. How about you hold the cord and help me wrap it around the tree and then the garland?" Tony asked.

Harry gave a hasty nod.

Tony plugged in the lights in the outlet and let Harry string the lights around the bottom of the tree. Tony held the bulk of it as he and Harry wrapped it around the tree. He did that until Harry wasn't tall enough to reach the taller parts of the tree.

"Ready?" Tony asked.

Harry looked up at Tony confused, "for what?"

Tony didn't even give Harry a warning before picking him up.

Harry yelped in surprise while still holding the lights.

"Tony!" he yelled.

Tony had a bright grin, "want to finish?"

Harry huffed but strung the lights as Tony moved inch by inch around the tree. Though Harry had a bright smile on his face, loving it. Though his arms felt slightly tired.

Tony eased Harry down to the ground, his feet gently touching the ground. The lights weren't technically aligned perfectly, but it looked perfect. Maybe this was the reason why people liked doing this type of Christmas tradition.

"Want to help me with the garland?"

Harry nodded as Tony handed him one end of the garland. It was weaved back and forth until the tree was covered in it.

The next part was something that Tony did himself due to it needing to be put near the top. Plus, he had a feeling that Harry's arms were probably starting to feel tired. He placed red ribbons on the front of the tree, no point in having them on the backside. The one in the center had a big bow on it.

"Pretty," Harry mumbled, slightly in awe.

Tony ruffled his hair, "it does, doesn't it?"

Then there was a knock at the door.

"Tony… who is that?" Harry asked confused.

He grinned, "a surprise for you."

Harry looked doubtful but watched as Tony went over to the door.

"Steve, glad you could make it."

Harry looked between the person he saw as his babysitter and the person he was starting to view as his dad. He didn't know what to do or expect. What kind of surprise was this?

"Hey… don't worry about Steve. He knows you don't like being around him that much. But I wanted us to have a photo. Our own Christmas tradition, how do you like that?" Tony whispered in his ear.

Harry gave a hesitant nod.

"Are you sure Tony? I can always come back later…"

"He's just wary around you, but I know he'll appreciate it later," Tony commented.

Steve frowned, "if you say so."

"Come here, bud. We're gonna get our picture in front of our tree."

Harry felt a smile grace his lips as he clutched at Tony. He felt Tony's arms wrap around him in a hug. Then the flash went off, one, two, no three times. Then he felt himself being lifted into Tony's arms and rested on his hip. The flash went off once more, he didn't even count how many times.

Tony then leaned down and let Harry reach the ground. But that wasn't all.

"Climb on my shoulders," Tony grinned at him.

"What?!" Harry exclaimed, thinking he heard him wrong.

"Climb my shoulders," Tony repeated, the grin firm on his face.

Harry felt unsure, but the smiling was helping to reassure him. He started to climb on Tony's back to where his legs would hang over.

"Hold on," Tony warned.

Harry didn't have much time to think before Tony was standing back up. He probably would have fell if Tony didn't have a grip on him.

"Okay?"

"Yeah…" Harry managed.

With Tony's hands keeping a grip on his legs to keep him from falling, Steve took a few more pictures. Harry's hands were resting on Tony's shoulders. Before he knew it, his feet were touching the ground once more. He had never felt that high before, almost felt scared, if not for the fact he knew that Tony wouldn't let him fall. He kind of liked it and the thought of having family pictures with Tony, like his uncle and aunt did with his cousin, made him feel warm. Living with the Dursleys had never felt like a family but living with Tony did.

It felt weird to know that this was a family photo that Steve was taking for them. But maybe… it could be a good weird, one that he could get used to.

"I can text them to you later, Tony. I know you'll want to have them printed out. Harry's a cute kid though. Never thought I see the day of you being a dad, it's a good look on you," Steve commented.

Tony rolled his eyes at the dad comment. He knew it was true, hell he didn't even see himself ever being a dad. But how could he not…

"Thanks, Steve. You could stay for a bite to eat."

Harry frowned at that but didn't say a word.

"Appreciate the offer, Tony. But I actually can't stay long, promised the girlfriend that I would stop by."

Tony nodded, that he could understand, "well you can take some for the road."

"Alright," Steve agreed, knowing that he couldn't truly say no to Tony's cooking. Even during college. Anyone else who tried to cook, it tasted horrible, he figured Tony's talent in cooking was something to do with his best friend's Italian side.

Tony had decided to make pizza, and no he didn't order it over the phone. He had made it mostly from scratch, unless you counted the pizza sauce and cheese he bought from the store. He used a bread maker to make the dough, so that technically was made from scratch. After it rose enough, he would spread it across a cookie sheet. He would then add the pizza sauce, cheese, and then baked it. It had been a recipe that his mother had cooked time and time again. He had made it for Harry before, the boy absolutely loved it. He wondered if the child had ever tasted pizza before that moment. Though decided it was best he probably didn't know. He already knew that Harry had been starved during that time, knowing the details would just make him angry on Harry's behalf.

"Appreciate it, man. I'll see you later."

Tony watched as Steve left back out the door.

"There is more than you're saying. Steve isn't horrible to you? Is he?" Tony asked.

Harry shook his head.

"How about we eat and talk?" Tony suggested.

"Okay."

Harry almost burned his tongue when he took the first bite.

Tony snorted, "might want to blow on it first, kiddo."

Harry glared at Tony, though he didn't mean anything by it.

"So, what's wrong?" Tony decided to break the silence.

Harry sighed, "I'm afraid he'll see my magic and you won't be there to protect me…"

"Harry… you have nothing to fear. Steve actually has a younger sister just like you."

Harry's jaw dropped, "she can do magic? Like me…"

Tony nodded before taking a huge bite of his pizza.

"So, he doesn't care?"

"Not at all, he cares a lot for his sister. Even proud of her, can't wait to see what she'll accomplish. Is that why you've been hiding in my room?" Tony explained.

Harry blushed at that.

"No need to be embarrassed, I am glad you feel comfortable to seek comfort, even if its my room. I never want you to be uncomfortable here. This place is just as of a home for you as it is for me," Tony smiled.

"Thanks, Tony. Should I say I'm sorry?" Harry's voice was shy.

"That's up to you, I can always explain it to him. Steve won't blame you for it. You'll see him tomorrow though, I have to work in the morning," Tony shrugged before taking another bite of his pizza.

Harry nodded before taking another bite himself, thankful it was cooled down now. It really was delicious and had loved it the first time Tony had made it. But for the first time, Harry couldn't wait for the holidays. But then he was at a loss… what would he get Tony?