"Jethro you okay?" Tom Morrow asked. They just briefed him about the whereabouts of Tony's father. Gibbs just seems to listen to them with one ear. Mike looked questionable at the Director.
"Huh, oh yeah. So Uhmm you got another lead?" Gibbs asked distracted.
"Probie I just told you that. Were you listening at all? Where is your head?" Mike asked.
"Yeah yeah I am listening Mike." Gibbs said who was still pacing.
"Okay cut the crap. What is going on? Why the nervous walking around?" Mike asked sternly.
Gibbs took a deep breath. "Mister Charles is here. He is now talking with Tony alone. Ducky is nearby. But before that he spoke to me. Ducky had giving him his report yesterday. He said he is concerned about Tony staying with me."
"You're kidding right!" Mike said.
"Why does he have concerns? You afraid he will take him away?" the director asked as he sat down with the other two man at the table.
Gibbs ran a hand over his face. "I don't know. Tony didn't made any progress with his weight. He also doesn't sleep that good. Ducky is testing his blood. He got bags under his eyes. He is afraid if I go back to work again..."
"That he is not alone. We told mister Charles that. I already found an office where Tony could stay if you have to work overnight." Director Morrow said.
Gibbs smiled sadly. Suddenly Pacci came through the door breathing heavy. "Agent Pacci what is going on?" The director asked impatiently.
"Sorry, but you guys have to see this." Pacci said as he took the remote from the table. "I found mr DiNozzo senior."
All the eyes of the other three man grew wider and looked at him questionable. Pacci pressed on a button and soon they saw the breaking news on the tv.
"It's been confirmed that the victim of the shooting is Mr A. DiNozzo senior. Mr DiNozzo just left town for a vacation. Unfortunately the car was stopped by these man who were also killed on the scene. They probably planned on robbing Mr DiNozzo. When mr DiNozzo didn't wanted to give them his money they shot him in the head."
Gibbs close his eyes. "He didn't deserve that." He said quietly.
Pacci looked confused. "Why not? We got him now. He can't run away anymore. Case closed."
"He means that it was a too easy way out for him. That he should be fined for his actions." Mike told him and Gibbs stood up.
"Where you going probie?"
"To get Ducky for confirmation. I then need to tell Tony and mr Charles." Gibbs said with a heavy breath.
"How are they doing Duck?" Gibbs asked quietly.
"Oh Jethro. I didn't hear you coming. They are fine so far." Ducky told him who was waiting on a chair outside.
Gibbs nodded. "I need you to do something. And I need the information quickly."
Ducky frowned. "What is it Jethro?"
"Mr DiNozzo is death. Shot to the head."
Ducky gasped. "Oh dear."
"It's all over the news. I need you to get the confirmation. When I have that I have to tell Tony and mr Charles." Gibbs said.
"Of course Jethro. I will find out immediately. You will stay here?"
"Yes, I will be here."
30 minutes later Ducky came back. Gibbs sat on the chair staring at the ceiling. "Jethro are they still in there?" Ducky asked questionable.
"Uh Yeah. What is it taking so long?" Gibbs asked.
"Don't know Jethro, but I have the information you asked for. It's been confirmed."
Suddenly the door of the conference room opened. Mr Charles stood there and soon Tony followed. His eyes lift up when he saw Gibbs and ran to him.
"Gibbs!" Tony said. He had been crying Gibbs noticed when he held Tony in his arms. He raised an eyebrow at me Charles.
"We had a deep conversation but everything is alright now again." Mr Charles told them and Gibbs nodded.
"Ducky can you tell Mr Charles what we found out and ask him how we tell..." Gibbs asked.
Ducky smiled at how at ease Tony was with Gibbs. "Of course Jethro. Give us a moment. Let's go inside mr Charles." Mr Charles raised an eyebrow but followed him. A couple of minutes later they came back.
Mr Charles took a deep breath. "Let's all go inside. Mr Gibbs do you want to tell or should I?" He asked when they all sat down.
"Tell me what?" Tony asked confused.
"I think it's best if I tell him." Gibbs said.
"Alright. We will be here."
"Tony we found out where your father is."
"Really? Will he come for me? I don't want back. Please Gibbs." Tony said fast.
"Tony, buddy. You will not go back. Never okay."
Tony looked down. "Good. So is he in jail then?"
Gibbs ran a hand through Tony's hair. "No Tony. Your father died today. We just had our confirmation."
Tony looked up confused. "Death? How? He was sick?"
Gibbs looked questionable at Ducky what he should tell him. What was a proper way to tell the child.
"Anthony. Your father got robbed on his way to the airport. Unfortunately there was a fight and he died." Ducky told him.
Tony stared at Ducky for a long time before he crossed his arms. "You are not telling me something. What is it?"
"Tony. He just told you what happend. No matter what. Your father died." Mr Charles said.
Tony stood up angry. "I want to know what happened! It was my father! Now tell me, how did he die?"
Gibbs knew Tony needed to know the truth. "He was shot. Died instantly."
Tony stared at Gibbs before he nodded and looked down. It was the truth. "Like Jacob." He whispered.
"Yes like Jacob." Gibbs said softly.
Tony walked to Gibbs and climbed on his lap and put his arms around Gibbs neck. Gibbs put his arms around Tony. Running a hand up and down Tony's back.
"Gibbs is it weird to feel sad but also angry?" Tony asked softly.
"No buddy. Nothing it weird about it." Gibbs told him.
"Am I a bad person?" Tony asked suddenly after a couple of quiet minutes.
Gibbs held Tony by the shoulders so he looked him in the eye. "Why would you ask that?" Mr Charles looked also up and was shocked by the question.
Tony sniffs. "Because I am glad he is dead. He can't find me anymore."
"Oh kiddo." Gibbs held Tony close again and Tony cried against his shoulder. "You are not a bad person. You are a wonderful person. Everyone who went through what you went through would have the same thoughts. Kiddo you are the most beautiful, smart, funny and loving person I know."
"Will you be my daddy now?" Tony asked suddenly.
"Uhmm..." Gibbs looked questionable at the other man in the room but especially at mr Charles.
"Tony, we can't decide that right now. There are some things we need to do and some time... we can't say that right now." Mr Charles said.
Tony looked up and at mr Charles. "You can't take me away. I want to stay with Gibbs!" Tony said and held Gibbs tight.
"Mr Charles.." Ducky said and gave him a knowing look. "He has a pretty good support team. A lot of love."
Mr Charles sighs. "Alright. Agent Gibbs Tony can stay with you. I want a weekly report from doctor Mallard. I want to keep a good eye on his mental and physical health. Agent Gibbs you need to follow some courses. We will meet again in one month and then I will make my final decision." He said and stood up. "Tony take care and I am sorry for your lose."
Tony smiled that he could stay with Gibbs. He didn't really know about the saying 'sorry for your lose.' "Uhmm thank you."
"Agent Gibbs" mr Charles gave him a friendly look. "Doctor Mallard can you walk me out?"
"Oh uhmm of course." Ducky said confused and walked him out.
"Hey Duck." Gibbs said when he walked down the stairs in his house. He just put Tony in bed.
"Hello Jethro. Anthony asleep?" Ducky asked as he took his coat off.
"Yeah. I just put him in bed. You want something to drink?" Gibbs asked as he walked to the kitchen.
"Yes, thank you." A few minutes later Gibbs gave him his drink and sat down at the table.
They sat in silence for a moment while they enjoyed their drink before Gibbs spoke. "I almost lost him Duck."
"But you didn't. Jethro you still have him and have a chance in adopting him." Ducky told him.
Gibbs put his glass down. "Nothing is sure till the month is over. He had his doubts. You saw him."
"That is his job Jethro."
Gibbs looked at Ducky. "What did you say to him? Why did he want you to walk him out?"
"I just told him what you already know. You and Anthony are made for each other. He saw that."
"So what did he want to discuss then?"
Ducky sighs. "Anthony needs to see me weekly. Just for the first month for now."
Gibbs nodded and closed his eyes. "So he doesn't trust me with Tony's health."
"Jethro, his job is to do what is best for the child. He didn't made progress on those subjects but what's more important that Anthony is with someone he trusts. I explained to him about the situatie and that it will take some time. Anthony went through a lot."
"You don't have to tell me that."
Ducky was silent for a moment. "Mr Charles also suggests that Anthony may need to see a psychiatrist. Problems sleeping, traumatic events that happend. The different emotions that he is feeling..." Ducky looked at Gibbs. He knew what he was thinking.
"Jethro I know you don't like psychiatrists but I think mr Charles is right. It may help Anthony. Help him to feel like a normal child."
Gibbs let out een deep breath and ran a hand over his face. "Maybe you are right. Maybe I need to that to prove I am the right father for him."
"You are already the right father for him. We just need to make sure that the traumatic events he experience won't leave a long term effect. That he will just grow up like a happy responsible young man."
Suddenly they heard footsteps on the stairs and soon they saw Tony walking to them.
"Hey buddy, why are you up so late?" Gibbs asked kindly and held out his arm as invitation. Tony immediately walked to him and leans against his side.
It was a cold night and Tony was walking around barefoot in just a shirt and shorts. Gibbs could feel how cold Tony was and picked him up and put him on his lap close against his chest, with his arms around him. Tony immediately snuggles against him.
"Brrrr you feeling cold." Gibbs said with a smile. "You here to take my warmth away." He said jokingly and tickles him a little. Tony giggles.
Ducky smiled and took a blanket out of closet in the hallway. "Here you go Anthony. This will give you some warmth." Ducky said as he put the blanket around him. Gibbs helped him and put his arms around Tony again.
"Why are you awake kiddo? Were you cold or did you had a dream?" Gibbs asked.
Tony snuggles closer to Gibbs. "Dream but now I am cold also. Missed you." Tony said quietly.
"It's too cold to walk around in those clothes buddy. You want to tell me what the dream was about?"
Tony was quiet for a moment. "My father, you, Jacob." Tony said while yawning.
Ducky gave Gibbs a knowing look. "You know you are safe here right?"
"I know." Tony said and closed his eyes. Soon Tony was asleep.
"Jethro..." Ducky begins.
"I know Duck. I know." Gibbs said softly while rocking Tony.
"Good. I will call a colleague of mine. He knows some names. I will let you know tomorrow." Ducky said as he stood up and took his coat.
Gibbs also stood up with Tony in his arms. Still asleep. "Thanks Duck. I will talk to you tomorrow."
Upstairs Gibbs walked to Tony's room to put him in his bed. The only problem was that Tony didn't wanted to let go and opened his eyes. "Don't go, please. Can I stay with you? Please... I don't want to be alone."
Gibbs sighs. Of course mr Charles and Ducky were right. Gibbs looked at the time. It was almost midnight. "Okay kiddo. You stay with me tonight."
Tony smiled and snuggles closer again. Gibbs smiled and shook his head. Who could say no to this kid.