The rest of the summer passes quickly with Kelly and Maddie joining the after school program at their school so Tony could play football. Gibbs enrolled him in a private school that wasn't traditional but was good for bright kids and where Gibbs and Tony both hoped he could make friends. Charlie started hanging around with friends he made the year before but Tony clashed with them. And he talked with Charlie.
"Tony, Bailey doesn't like us being friends."
"Really? The dirty looks and everything he does when I just say hi never told me." Charlie looks at him. "He told me you were his and I should leave you alone."
"He doesn't believe that we're cousins because you don't look like me or my family and we don't share a last name"
"Why does he hate me so much? I haven't made a pass at you, I don't act like there's anything between us or …"
"You get along with Mom and Dad, Jimmy loves you and you're a jock."
"Wow … okay. I'm a jock, that's a horrible thing to be. So I should quit football because your friend doesn't like me playing when he hates me?"
"I didn't say that Tony. Last year he was one of the brightest at Summit. He has a high IQ and work wasn't easy but he worked hard for his grades and to be at the top of his classes. He was living up to his father's expectations and was going away to military school that's why he wasn't around this summer. He comes back and now you're up there at the top of the class without much effort and you have time to play sports as well."
"Yes that's such a bad thing. Look what do you want from me Charlie? To stop saying hi, not act like we're family … pretend … you know what okay? If you want to be with someone that chooses your friends and says who can say hi to you that's fine. I'll pretend I don't know you when I see you but you can explain it to your parents."
"Tony …"
"No, I understand perfectly well but guess what I'm making friends as well and I would never let them decide who I can or can't be friends with but that's your choice." During the next few weeks Tony and Charlie avoided each other for the most part and Camille, Arthur and Gibbs let them work it out. Tony hung out with some of the football players outside of school including a homeless teen Tony seemed to click with.
"Did you want to stay for dinner tonight? Dad said to stick around so he can give you gas money but he doesn't always get home until 8 or 9."
"He doesn't have to give me gas money."
"You take me to pick up the girls so they don't stay long in after care and then us home. He knows you helped last weekend with the yard work. Mr. Stone asked where he found you so he could hire someone to help do his yard. He thought you were hired to drive us around and do things around the house."
"I wish I could make money like that. What's for diner?"
"I put on a pot roast this morning and left overs will feed Dad, Kelly and Maddie while I'm gone this weekend. I have to go to New York Friday after the game to be there by Saturday morning."
"What's going on Saturday?"
"Big board meeting Saturday at my former dad's company. I'm on the board so they try to keep the big meetings until the weekends or after 4 their time so I can attend by phone. You should come with me and get away for the weekend. I'm sure Dad will let you leave the truck at his house and he's driving me to the train station."
"I can't even afford to wash my school clothes and uniform this week how will I ever afford a train ticket? Thank you but …"
"I can pay for it." Tom looks at him. In the meantime if money's that tight and you don't want gas money then wash your clothes at our house. You can't go around with dirty clothes and we can wash our uniforms together."
"I need a few things washed."
"Then do a few loads of laundry. Dad won't mind if you stay the night."
"Ask him and we'll see. I should be able to do two loads before I have to check into the shelter." After dinner Gibbs wasn't home but Tom was tired as he waited for his clothes. They did homework waiting for the clothes to finish and then started to doze off.
"Go lay down Tom. "
"No, I'm fine."
"No one will care if you fall asleep here Tom. You're in no condition to drive to the shelter either way."
"What about my clothes?"
"I'll put them in the dryer." Gibbs got there and noticed Tom looking tired. "Is everything okay?"
"Tom's tired and won't go to sleep."
"Do you think he can make it into the basement without falling down the stairs." Tom looks at him.
"I'm not asleep yet."
"Well go on, I'd offer you the spare room but if the girls are asleep I don't want to startle them in the morning."
"Thanks," Tom went downstairs and Tony heated up dinner for Gibbs.
"Do you think Tom would like to earn some money?"
"If it interferes with football I doubt it. He's trying to get a football scholarship to college."
"Nothing like that but to stay here for two maybe three weeks. I have to go out of town on protection detail and I can't leave you kids here alone. You could probably stay here alone but I can't leave the girls here without an adult and sending them to Dad's …"
"I can talk to him about it. Might take some pressure off things if he has a place to stay."
"I'll pay him of course and you have the card for groceries and just get money to give him for gas."
"I will and I'm trying to talk him into going to New York with me this weekend. I don't know there's something about him I think he would do good there. Meeting people and getting to know that world."
"It would be a great chance for him. If he'll stay here while I'm gone I'll pay for his train ticket." In school the next day Tony and Tom talked about the trip to New York, what Tony had to do and how they were going to stay with the DiNozzo's.
"Nonie's going to have us over for her family dinner Saturday night since we're coming back on Sunday when she normally has them. Friday night Yaya's driver will get us from the train station and then we'll go to DE Saturday morning. There's a board meeting I have to go to and then some candidates for some position there they want my opinion on."
"What's DE?" They turn to see Bailey standing there.
"That's none of your business. I wasn't talking to you so please don't interrupt my conversation with my friend." Bailey snorts,
"The two of you belong with each other. Both dirt poor, both liars and full of crap. There's no board meeting and candidates for you to decide on. You're a liar Tony Gibbs and a bad one at that. Why do you think any business or company would want you on their board of directors when no one else wants you."
"You know nothing about me."
"I know your parents both died and now you're stuck in a home where they made you their slave. You're adopted and adopted kids are never loved as much as the real ones. I mean if your own parents don't want you then why pretend your adopted father does."
"Who told you I was adopted?"
"Charlie did why else. He said his dad was the lawyer in the adoption case and everyone feels sorry for you. He explained how his parents felt sorry for you not having family so they made you sort of family but that doesn't mean they love you or want you around." Tony saw Charlie watching them but he didn't say anything.
"You tell Charlie don't worry I won't make the mistake of thinking he's family again. It's not my fault that my parents died and that 's why I was adopted but you know what I have a big extended family who love me and still want me around. I don't need people to pretend to be good just for their sake's."
"Tony …" Tony spun on Charlie.
"Don't … you feel sorry for me because Mama and Anthony died and I'm with Dad … fine but you can tell your parents why the girls won't be going over, why I won't treat them like my Aunt and Uncle anymore and … forget it you're not worth it." Before they could say anything else the football players were called to the gym so Tony and Tom left.
"Boys, I'm sorry but the game this weekend is canceled or rather postponed. Since it was supposed to be an away game they've been fixing the field and someone set fire to Central's field early this morning so they can't use theirs either."
"So no game?"
"No, not this week but it's all over the news about the fire and that's where the scouts are looking so don't loose hope." Tony felt a little better about this.
"Maybe tomorrow after we take the girls to school … oh wait we can't do that. We still have to get the girls from school'"
"What were you going to say?"
"WE could drop them off and then go to the train station but we can't go until Dad gets home."
"Maybe we can just take it earlier in the evening then." Tony grins,
"We could do that." When they got home Gibbs was already there. "Hey dad, you're home early. Is everything okay?"
"I got suspended for two weeks." Tony saw Gibbs holding ice to one hand.
"What did you do?"
"I punched a suspect. He kidnapped and killed a little girl and I snapped. After the game do you think you'll be okay driving to the train station Tom? I'm going to take the girls to Stillwater for the weekend and they're upstairs packing.."
"We actually don't have a game tomorrow they're fixing the field and someone set fire to Central's filed so there's no game. I was thinking we could set off when the girls were in school then I realized we'd have to wait until you got home from work instead."
"Would your family mind if you came a day early?" Tony looks at Gibbs and he laughs. "Gibe them a call and tell them you and Tom will catch the 735 train tonight. Kelly and Maddie were excited for the day off school and to see Jackson while Tony was happy for New York.
"I'm just going to warn you now if you need anything think about it now. Between Nonie and Yaya you'll have clothes, things you need and then some."
"They don't know me."
"They won't spoil me and leave you out. I'm in need of new cleats and there's a sports store that's good there."
"Yeah mine are getting worn too but I need sneakers more if they really …"
"They'll get both if that's what you need and want. Yaya is into practical things like clothes, shoes, things for school. Nonie feeds my love of books, computer games and the fun stuff. Maybe we can go to DE tomorrow and hang out with my Uncle Ham there. He's a ton of fun."
"He won't want a stranger hanging out there."
"If he doesn't after I told him you were going with me Saturday then he's not who I thought.." Tony calls Alexandra.
"I'm sorry Junior, I was going to call you tomorrow but Jonathan and I won't be in town. Roger needs us to fly out to California Mary and Cora have a dance competition this weekend and want us there."
"That's fine, I'm sure I can stay with Nonie and Poppy." Tony calls them next.
"Of course you're welcome here Tonio. What time are you arriving and are you still bringing your friend?"
"Yes, Tom and I will get there around 10 but we will catch a cab. I don't want you or Poppy driving."
"Connor will go for you I know it. They want to see you this weekend so I'm sure of it."
"Ask him and then call me back." Connor picks them up from the train station and Tom was surprised by how welcome they made him feel for him being a stranger. Connor stopped to get them something to eat and wouldn't let either of them pay for it. Tom was surprised by how worried Ruth was about making sure he had new things something he wasn't used to. When he went to DE with Tony he was treated like he belonged there just because Tony took him.
"Okay, so we have three top candidates coming in for a final meet and greet. All three might have an offer but I want everyone to meet them to get a feel about them and their family."
"What if they think I'm here for a visit or I'm part of their crowd."
"Just ask for me or Junior or show them your badge." Tom received a badge with his picture on it. It is temporary but it means when you have it you belong here so they shouldn't give you a problem. Security won't know it's temporary." To Tony and Tom's shock and then amusement Bailey and his family were one of the people who came in.
"What are you doing here? You don't belong here."
"I'm on the board and Tom is my guest."
"I don't believe you." Tony shows Bailey his badge.
"This is my legal DiNozzo Enterprises badge unlike yours mine has my picture and information. Look at that so does Tom's." Bailey's father joins them looking and their scowls.
"How's it going? I'm John Buttons, Bailey's my son." Tony smiles.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Buttons. How do you like DiNozzo Enterprises so far?"
"It seems like a good place to work. Who are you here with?"
"My Uncle and my friend Tom actually."
"I've see you around Summit haven't I?"
"Yeah probably. I'm Tony Gibbs."
"He's that fake cousin of Charlie's I told you about. He's trying to act like he belongs here." Mr. Buttons laughs.
"We'll make sure him and his 'uncle' don't get far with Junior.. A man with no kids doesn't belong in a company like this and a kid who makes up family doesn't either." Bailey and his dad walk off talking to the others there while Tony and Tom laugh..
"You should've said something."
"Nope, I wanted to see if he was just as arrogant as Bailey and I think I can see where Bailey gets it from. I won't stop him from getting the job though. Uncle Ham said these people are highly qualified and many of the workers are arrogant because they're good at what they do. Besides if I say something it'll get back to Charlie and I don't want more trouble there."
"After everything else?"
"We're still family … we grew up like brothers and I'm angry but that's not how I was raised." Later Hamilton got everyone's attention.
"Thank you for coming. I'm glad to have met everyone and Junior tells me he got to talk to everyone here." Tony could see they were confused by this so he got in front of them.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Anthony or Tony DiNozzo Gibbs or as many here at DiNozzo Enterprises call me Junior. My Grandfather started this company and then my Uncle Hamilton and Dad Anthony DiNozzo took over to keep it in the family. He unfortunately has passed away but Uncle Hamilton is doing a great job running things while I attend school." Hamilton smiles,
"We deliberately didn't tell anyone that he was Junior so people could act normal around him and his friend who joined us today. Do you have anything to add Junior?" Ton smiles seeing Bailey and his parents worried.
"It was good to meet everyone and I hope you enjoy working for us and welcome." They broke for a catered lunch and Tony and Tom got their food and sat with Hamilton and his Aunt Linda who joined them for lunch.
"What are your plans for after this?"
"Not much actually. We were supposed to spend the day with Yaya and Papa but they went to California and Nonie spend yesterday spoiling us both. She also bought things for Kelly and Maddie."
"Well then today it's my turn to take you both shopping." Tom didn't know about that but Linda insisted and let Tom and Tony both pick out things they liked to do. Tom was thrilled by the time they decided to go to Stillwater instead of back to Virginia since Tony's family seemed sincere in wanting to get him things without expecting anything in return. Jackson also greeted him warmly while Tony and Gibbs talked about inviting him to live with them for good. Sunday they decided to stay another couple of days since it was quiet there. Tuesday morning Tony and Tom were in the store working when Mike walked in.
"I'll be right there." Tom didn't know anyone yet and Tony had most of the stock already memorized. Mile just watched Tom for a minute. "Sorry about that… hey Mike what are you doing here?"
"Me? What are you doing here?"
"We came Saturday night after spending time in New York. Is everything okay?"
"No," Gibbs and the girl walk in. We need to get you back to Virginia."
"Why? What happened?"
"They arrested someone for your murder."