a few minutes ago in the basement

"so Jethro what is on your mind" Ducky said while sipping his tea.

"What is your plan?" Gibbs asked.

"I'm sorry Jethro but I think you need to start from the beginning. What plan? What has you concerned?'

"Tony. When you were examining him when he was a kid he was frightened. The emotions in their heads are still fresh. So do you have a plan?"

"Oh I see your point. Well.."

"How did he do when you were examining him at NCIS. How was.." Gibbs stopped talking when he saw the look in Ducky's eyes and was looking away ashamed.

"What aren't you telling me Duck?"

"Well if he let me examine him. I never got to finish. There was always something coming up. And when I did have the chance... Well most of the time he was asleep or unconscious." Ducky said quickly.

Gibbs was silent for a moment and kept looking at Ducky in disbelief.

"You are serieus? How.. He..." Gibbs sighs and took a deep breath.

"How was he when he was awake but didn't finish the examination?" Gibbs finally said.

"Uhmm, Well he was trying to get away. He couldn't sit still and his eyes were always moving around the room that would make you dizzy."

"So he never did well during an examination. So what is your plan when you go upstairs? He would try to be brave because he is an adult now, well barely if you think about it. He is still damm young."

"He trust you and felt safe when he was a kid while I was examining him. I think it's best that you would be there. So he knows it's safe and give him comfort when needed."

"Would he let me Ducky?"

"Of course. You are a father to him that can give him love. They all think that of you, you know."

Gibbs smiles."Okey Duck, let's go then."

When they came out of the basement, Ducky told Gibbs to get Tony while he was already in the room to get his things ready.

Gibbs stands in the hallway for a moment listening to the kids. Yeah Ducky was right. They saw him as a father figure. They were a family.

Well time to let his presents know.

"As long as you will all remember that!" He said.

Well time to get the other thing over.

"Tony, it's your time to see Ducky. Come on" Gibbs said kindly. He saw that Tony swallowed first and hesitate. But then he stood up to go to Ducky. Gibbs walks by his side. To let him know he will be there for him.

———————————————————-

Present

"Ah Anthony there you are. Why don't you sit down on the bed." Ducky said kindly.

Tony did as Ducky told him to do but stayed quiet. Gibbs was leaning against the wall next to the door, arms crossed.

Ducky shook his head. Gibbs wasn't given Anthony any comfort if he keeps standing there like a guard.

"Jethro why don't you sit down next to Anthony. It will be more comfortable than that wall."

Gibbs got the hint and sat down next to Tony who was shaking. He crabs Tony's hand in his and squeezes it. Tony looked him in the eye. Trying to relax. Ducky was starting his examination. During the examination Tony couldn't get himself to relax. Gibbs had his other hand already on his shoulder.

"Try to think of something else Tony. Try to relax." Gibbs whispers in his ear.

"I'm trying boss, I really am. I can't help it. I'm sorry Ducky". Tony said ashamed. Blinking the tears away that were in his eyes. Tony was not sitting still anymore. It frustrated Ducky he knew. He was trying to get away from Ducky's hands.

Ducky stopped his examination for a moment and looked at the boy. He could feel the fear shaking through his body. He thought for a moment of how to help the boy. Then he knew it.

"Don't worry about it my dear boy. Like you said you can't help it. Maybe I got an idea. When you were a little boy and I was examining you, you would only calm down enough when Jethro had you in his arms and comfort you."

"I'm not little anymore Ducky."

"No DiNozzo you're not, but you are still my son." Gibbs put Tony in a thight hug and put his hand on Tony's head and runs his fingers through Tony's hair.

Tony first stiffened but soon relaxed a bit.

"Close your eyes Tony. Focus only on my fingers and match my breathing. That's it Tony. I got you." Gibbs said softly.

Tony lay his head on Gibbs shoulder, eyes closed and concentrate on what Gibbs was saying and was doing.

Ducky saw that Tony was starting to relax. It was working. Now he could finished his examination.

Ducky smiles when he saw that Gibbs would comfort Tony again when he became agitated again. Gibbs was still holding him when Ducky was finished.

Gibbs made eye contact with Ducky. Ducky had a needle in his hand to draw some blood. Ducky let it see to Gibbs but not to Tony so Gibbs could prepare Tony. Gibbs nodded.

"Tony, Ducky is almost finished. He only needs your arm for a moment to draw some blood." Gibbs felt Tony tense up. "Tony he has a crème so you don't feel anything. Trust me Tony. Give your arm to Ducky. I will still hold you."

Finally Tony let go of Gibbs shirt and gave his arm to Ducky who quickly put the crème on. Tony was facing the other side so he didn't see anything and focus on Gibbs.

"All done my boy." Ducky said and put his hand on his shoulder.

Tony looked up and let go of Gibbs. "You already draw blood?, but I didn't feel anything". Tony said in disbelief.

"That my dear boy is the secret of the crème" Ducky said smiling. "And what I can tell is that you are healthy."

Tony smiles and stood up. "Good to hear Ducky" Gibbs said and also stood up.

Tony turned to the man. "I .. I'm sorry that I .." Gibbs stops Tony in the middle of his sentence.

"Stop right there Tony. Like we said, nothing to be sorry about. You have your reasons and we understand that. The only person that should be sorry is that piece of shit of a father that you had."

Tony looked away. Gibbs put two fingers under his chin so that Tony was looking him in the eye. "And when you are ready to talk about it we will be there. But you have nothing to be sorry about for something you can't control. You hear me. Nothing."

Tony nodded and gave Gibbs a hug. "Thank you boss for everything." He then walks out of the room.

Gibbs looked at Ducky and took a deep breath.

Ducky put a hand on his shoulder and smiles. "You did good Jethro. You did good"

Gibbs smiles at the words. He then walks out of the room.

————————————————-

In the living room Kate and Tim were playing scrabble when Tony walks in.

Tim looked up and smiles.

"Hey Tony, want to join us?" Tim asked when Tony sat on the couch.

"No thank you Tim thanks for asking."

"Did everything go alright in there?" Kate asked carefully.

"Yeah fine." Tony said and stood up and walked to the stairs.

"Where you going?" Tim asked curiously.

"To get change. I'm going for a run." Tony said. He needed to take his mind of things.

Tim and Kate looked at each other concerned.

"You sure that is wise. I mean we just got grown up again. Maybe you should take it easy." Tim said.

"Running is taking it easy. I can't sit still in a house all day. I will be back in 30 minutes." Tony said frustrated by the questions.

Kate gave Tim a look to shut his mouth.

"Then I will go with you Tony." Kate said and stood up to go upstairs. Beter than him going alone.

Tony sighs. "Fine." He then walk upstairs too to change.

Gibbs walks into the living room and saw only Tim sitting there.

"Where are Tony and Kate?" Gibbs asked.

"Getting changed. The are going for a run." Tim told him.

"They what!" He then heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He met Kate and Tony in the hallway in their running clothes. Ducky was just coming out of his room.

"What do you think that you two are going to do?" Gibbs asked angry.

"Going for a run boss be back in 30 minutes" Tony said and tries to step around him but Gibbs wouldn't let him.

"So let me get this straight. You de-aged and grew up again just today. You had your check up and now you think that running is a good idea. Don't you think that.. "

"It's just a run boss. I can't sit still all day. I just need to take a run. Just a little round then come back." Tony pleads.

"I'm going with him Gibbs" Kate said and gives Gibbs a look that Tony needed this.

"Yeah I can see that. Fine, 30 minuets not one minute more and I want you to take your cell phones with you incase something happened." Gibbs said sternly. Ducky looked approved.

"We got them with us Gibbs" Kate said. Gibbs nodded. He then stepped aside so they could go outside.

"I will also go and bring the blood samples to Abby and let her know what happened." Ducky said as he was putting his coat on.

"Okey Duck. Tell her to come for dinner. You too Duck see you soon." Gibbs said as he closed the door when Ducky was also outside.

Gibbs then went to the kitchen to make some coffee. Tim was playing some game on his laptop.

When his coffee was done he went to sit at the kitchen table to read the newspaper and tried to get himself to relax. The kids were healthy. Tim was here safe and Tony and Kate would be back soon. Taking a deep breath. They would be back soon.