"Excuse me!" Gibbs yelled.
"That is not fair! We talked about that before. It was not your fault!" Tony said.
Gibbs looked at them and saw that this was a discussion they had before. He took a deep breath. "Alright both of you sit down and tell me what happened."
Tony looked at Gibbs before Gibbs said sternly. "Now." Tony sighs but sat down and Heather followed.
"Okay apparently this is still an issue between you two. So if we want to leave the past behind then we need to talk this out. So tell me the story from the beginning." Gibbs said.
Tony crossed his arms angry he didn't want to tell the story. Heather saw that and took a deep breath.
"It was a rainy day. Tony was eight years old. An energetic little boy and was always playing. Most of the time he was outside playing. But that day Tony had to stay inside. He uhmm... he had broken his arm a couple of days before. Told me a story that he fell out of the tree but I didn't believe that story." Heather begins.
"Why not?" Gibbs asked.
"It was raining all week. Mr DiNozzo senior never let Tony play outside when it rained. He would get dirty and that was for poor people he said. He came from money. And Tony had to show that if he was outside. So when Tony told me he fell out of a tree on a rainy day I didn't believe him. Also mr DiNozzo called me personally that he fell and hurt his arm."
"The story didn't fit." Gibbs said.
"No it didn't. So when I looked at his arm, mr DiNozzo was standing besides him so I couldn't check him out further. So two day's later I went back to the house and told him I wanted to check up on Tony's arm. Mr Dinozzo was busy and was on the phone in his office. He told me to go and that Tony was in his room. Tony was sitting silently in the corner of his room with a frightened look on his face when the door opened. I knew that something wasn't right. After a couple of minutes Tony relaxed a little and I told him I wanted to check him out. When Tony took off his shirt I knew for real the story wasn't real. There was a handprint on his upper arm and other unexplained bruises. When I asked him about it he cried. I asked if his father did that to him, he wouldn't say but when I said I would talk to his father he told me he didn't mean to do that. I knew enough."
Gibbs saw that Tony looked uncomfortable but he had to hear the story. "What then happened?"
"I went to mr DiNozzo and demand what happend to the boy for real this time. I told him about the bruises. Mr DiNozzo got angry. He hit me and threatened me."
"He hit you?! You never said. Why?" Tony asked shocked.
"Because that is not something you say to a little child. This was something between your father and me." Tony wanted to say something but kept his mouth shut.
"You reported it?" Gibbs asked.
"I wanted to go to child services but..."
"But you never got there. This was the moment you got fired isn't it?" Gibbs said.
"No I never got there. That night I was called to come to the house. My service was needed. Tony was lying on his front in his room. His back was bleeding. Mr DiNozzo was standing in the doorway with his arms crossed. He told me it was my fault he got hurt and how I dare to turn his son against him." Heather said sadly.
"I told you I went to him. I heard you cry. It was my own fault! *cough*" Tony said.
"I should have protect you better! I knew for years. I always had my suspicions. Now I had prove. But you got hurt instead and that is my fault." Heather said as tears were forming in her eyes.
Tony looked at Gibbs for help. "Heather, Tony is right. It was not your fault. You tried, that is at least something. I have seen a lot of cases like this and let me tell you, you did already more than most people do."
"He is right Doctor Willis. He was already mad at me. I knew he would do something. Besides he has a lot of money. No matter what you did you would never win. And like I said before. At least you tried and for that I am always thankful." Tony said. Heather smiled sadly and gave him a hug.
"You're a good child Anthony. Never forget who you are. And never forget who you can trust and who cares about you."
"I don't forget." Tony said with a smile.
"Good. I have to go now. Thank you Anthony that you would talk to me. I know it was unexpected but it did me good. I hope for you too."
Gibbs stood up also. "I will walk you out." Gibbs offert and Tony said his goodbye.
"Thank you mr Gibbs. It did help talking with him about it. I hope it did for Tony the same as it did for me." Heather said as she stood by her car.
"I'm sure it does. He needs to talk about those things. I am glad it helped already for you." Gibbs said.
"Look out for him mr Gibbs. Make sure he feels safe and is wanted." She said and stepped inside her car.
"Don't worry I will. Drive safe." He said before she took off.
——————————
Tony was still sitting on the couch staring at nothing. He was in deep thoughts.
"Your boy okay Leroy?" Jackson asked his son as he looked around the corner to where Tony sat.
"Huh. Something wrong?" Gibbs asked as he walks to his father.
"You tell me." Jackson said and he walks to the kitchen. This was something his son had to do.
Gibbs sighs as he looked at Tony. Making a coughing sound to get his attention as he walks to him. Tony shook his head and looked confused at Gibbs.
"You want to talk about is?" Gibbs asked as he sat down next to him.
"No. Just... a lot to process. Just made me think." Tony said softly.
"Yeah about what?" Gibbs asked kindly.
"Where are the man and where is he? Is she sure she is safe." Tony said distracted. It was more looking like Tony was talking to himself then he was talking to him.
Gibbs lay a hand on his shoulder to keep him grounded. "Tony?"
Tony shook his head and looked at him. "Uhm what?"
"You want to find out where he is?" Gibbs asked carefully.
Tony stood up immediately and starts to pace. "No no no no. Nobody can look.*cough* It will leave a trail. No no. I don't want to know."*cough*.
Gibbs also stood up and stopped him in his pacing. "Hey. Calm down. We don't look okay. It was just a question because you were wondering."
"Oh Uhmm when I said that? *cough*" Tony asked confused.
Gibbs shook his head. "Come on. Let's go to the kitchen I got that coughing syrup Doctor Willis ordered." Gibbs said and leads him to the kitchen and gave Tony the syrup.
Tony swallowed it and shuddered. "Oh god. Couldn't you get a nice flavor? It's disgusting."
"It says Multi flavors." Gibbs said.
"Yeah well not the good once that is for sure." Tony said and took a glass of juice.
Suddenly there was a knock and Jackson opened the door. "Ah hello Simon. Come on in." Jackson said and Simon smiled.
"Leroy, Tony look who's here." Jackson said.
"Simon what a surprise. What are you doing here? Something I can help with?" Gibbs said.
"Hello Jethro, Tony. Some of Oscar's wounds got infected and that made me wonder because of Tony's lungs." Simon said.
"Oh I am sorry to hear that. He gonna be alright?" Gibbs asked.
"Oh yes. He has some antibiotics. I came here to check up on Tony. I didn't listen to his lungs the other day but he was coughing... and now that Oscar got an infection... Anyway I came here to check up on Tony." Simon said.
"No way! I am done with doctors and things... I had enough already!" Tony said angry and turns around. "I will be in my room!" He shouts when he walked away. Gibbs looked concerned.
"Uhmm sorry. Did I said something..." Simon begins to say uncomfortable.
"No you did nothing wrong Simon. His personal physician from his past was here a couple of minutes ago to talk to each other. He had a coughing fit and was a little short of breath. She offered to checked him out. She prescribed a coughing syrup and a nebulizer to clear his airways." Gibbs said.
"Ah that's what he meant with done with doctors." Simon said.
"Yeah I guess so. Also he was a little rattled after the conversation. Don't take it personal. He needs time." Gibbs said.
"I could understand that." Simon said.
"Come sit down Simon now that you are here. Take a cup of coffee. I want to know about your camping experience for the first time." Jackson said. Simon smiled and sat down.
Halfway through the conversation Gibbs said he would go upstairs to check up on Tony. Gibbs knew Tony needed some time to himself so Gibbs let him be for awhile.
Gibbs knocked softly on the the door. No answer. Carefully Gibbs opened the door. Tony was lying on his side facing the window. Gibbs walked over to him and sat on the other side of the bed next to him and runs a hand through his hair.
"Talk to me Tony. Don't shut me out.." Gibbs said kindly.
"I don't want to talk now." Tony said softly.
Gibbs sighs. "Alright. But don't forget I am still here. I will not go anywhere. I don't let anyone hurt you."
Tony turned around and snuggles against Gibbs. Gibbs didn't expect that but soon he held Tony closer.
"I know." Tony said and closed his eyes.