Ducky was sitting at his desk when he heard the slide doors opening.
"Oh Jethro I am so glad you are here. I am sure you heard about the conversation I had with Anthony?" Ducky said.
Gibbs walked to him and sat on a stool by the desk. "Yeah I heard. Pretty intense I heard."
"That is an understatement. Jethro he is so young." Ducky said as he gave him a drink.
"Yeah I know." Gibbs said and he took a sip.
"How come we didn't noticed?" Ducky shook his head. He was a doctor he should have seen it.
"I am pretty sure he told you the how and why. Don't beat yourself up about for not noticing it. He is an expert."
"I guess I let my emotions overrule me when I had that conversation with Anthony. He told me I had to see it as a doctor-patient confidentiality." Ducky said sadly.
"You forgot who he was when he told you his story."
"What you mean Jethro?" He asked confused.
"You suddenly saw him as a 24 year old kid. You forgot that he is an agent with a lot of experience."
Ducky's eyes widened. "He thought I didn't trust him anymore when I suggested certain things. I was treating him indeed like a..." Ducky shook his head. "He suddenly wasn't an agent anymore. He was a child and my grandfatherly feelings came back..."
"You wanted to protect him. Let him know he could be who he was." Gibbs said. Glad that he could make Ducky understand.
"Yes oh Jethro. I hurt that boys feelings." Ducky said sadly.
"He would understand when you two talked again. A lot of emotions came with that conversation."
"If he will talk to me."
"Don't worry. He will. I make sure of that." Gibbs said and Ducky smiled.
"Ducky there is one other thing we need to talk about. I am sure Tony told you it was need to know. If too many people would know, there could be a lot of questions asked what could leads to trouble. Kate and McGee can't know for now. Even if they are partners. Feelings could get hurt or lost of respect for one another." Gibbs said seriously.
"I could understand that and it's also not my story to tell but do you think that is wise? Why should they lose his respect?" Ducky asked curiously.
Gibbs sighs and stood up. "How would you feel that suddenly your senior field agent is younger than you. Not by a year or two but by 8 years. I think everyone's ego could be hurt by that. Not to mention how will they treat him."
"Ah you mean Caitlin. I could see that. Thanks Jethro for coming to me. I hope you could convince Anthony so that we could talk again. I am deeply sorry how the conversation went." Gibbs nodded and left.
———————-
When Gibbs came home he called out for Tony but there was no answer. Curiously he walks to the kitchen. There he saw a note on the kitchen table.
"Going to the basketball court.
Be back before dinner.
Tony".
Gibbs shook his head. Apparently was basketball becoming Tony's way of clearing his mind. He was happy that Tony at least left a note. He probably knew that Gibbs would be angry if he didn't let him know where he was. The boy was learning he thought with a smile.
Two hours later Tony stepped inside the house. Gibbs looked up from the living room. He was reading a book. But instead of walking to him Tony went to the stairs.
"Be back in a couple of minutes. Need to shower" Tony shouts when he ran upstairs.
Gibbs shook his head and stood up to make dinner ready. He was sure Tony would be hungry when he had showered.
Half a hour later Tony came downstairs. "Mmm smells good." He said as he enters the kitchen.
"Good sit down then. It's ready." Gibbs said and Tony smiled.
Soon dinner was finished. The dishes were done. Gibbs gave Tony a cup a of coffee.
"So I talked to Ducky." Gibbs begins.
"How did it go?" Tony said shortly.
Gibbs rolled his eyes and sighs. "He is feeling terrible about the conversation you two had."
"Yeah? Didn't look like it." Tony said angry and crossed his arms.
"Hey you said it yourself. There are two sides in this story so let me tell you his since you don't want to talk to him now." Gibbs said and gave him a look.
Tony sighs. "Fine. So what is his side?"
"You remember when you were younger?" Gibbs asked suddenly.
Tony looked curiously at him. "Parts. Why? What has that anything to do with it."
"You remember what Ducky's role was then?" Gibbs asked.
Tony shook his head as in confusion. "Okay seriously dad where are you going with this? Why are we talking about that?"
"Ducky was here most of the time. He took care of you when I had to go somewhere. He also was a big part in the coverup remember? In Stillwater."
"Yeah he played my grandfather so there wouldn't be too much questions asked why he was there." Tony said.
"Exactly." Gibbs said with a smile and stood up to get more coffee.
"Exactly what?" Tony shouts after Gibbs.
"Playing that part wasn't that hard for him. He already did those things a grandfather would do at home." Gibbs said as he sat down again.
"Okaaaay. But what has that to do with our conversation we had? Where are you going with this dad? I mean I am not little anymore."
"His emotions took over in the conversation you two had. When you told him your real age he saw..."
"A kid. Yeah I know. Was treating me like one too." Tony said angry.
"Tony" Gibbs warned. "He didn't realized that he was doing that till I talked to him. His grandfatherly feelings came back the moment you told him your story. He wanted to protect you. He thinks that you think you don't trust him anymore Tony and that conversation also hurt him. There were a lot of emotions without you both realizing how it till it was too late."
Tony was silent for a moment to let it all take in. "Uhmm okay. I understand too much emotions I think. Conversation got out of hand. But why the protection so suddenly? Why..."
"It's a feeling Tony. "Gibbs said kindly. "Like I have those fatherly feelings for you. You can't just stop them. It's just a..."
"Feeling?" Tony said with a grin.
"Yeah." Gibbs said and ruffled Tony's hair.
"Uhmm what Uhmm what do I do now then? Uhm I mean I didn't ask for Ducky to have those." Tony asked seriously again but also a bit nervous.
Gibbs put two vingers under Tony's chin and lift it a little. He then smiled kindly. "Just talk to him. I made him understand you. Like I made you understand him. And you have never asked for something like that because it just happend. Like we said it's a feeling."
Tony smiled. "Alright I will talk to him."
"Good" Gibbs said and ruffled Tony's hair again. He then stood up to go to the basement.
"Dad! If you keep doing that, then my hair will never sit normally again."
"Don't worry kid. You have too much hair products to let that happen." Gibbs said with a smile before he walks downstairs.
——————————
"Good morning. Glad to see you both back again. How was your trip?" Kate asked as she sat down at her desk.
"Was fine Kate. Thank you for asking." Tony said with a smile.
"Since when are you so polite?" McGee asked as he raises an eyebrow.
"Hey I can be polite. What is wrong with polite probie?"
"Nothing I just... you know what never mind. So you back full time with us again?" McGee asked.
"Nope three more days desk duty."'Gibbs said as he enters the bullpen.
"Desk duty?" Kate asked confused.
"Why? Something happend?" McGee asked concerned.
"No it's fine. Ducky is just being..." Tony begins.
"Ducky is what? If Ducky says that something is wrong then what was wrong? What did Ducky say?" Kate asked as she now stood in the front of Tony's desk.
"Sheesh Katie relax a little. I think you need a break. Too much cold cases?"
"Good morning too you all. I thought I heard my name when I walked out of the elevator." Ducky said kindly.
"Morning Ducky. Just Kate and Tony..." McGee begins.
"Just us!? Ducky why can't Tony work in the field?" Kate asked.
Tony stood up frustrated. "I can work in the field in three days. I said that already. I don't know what is wrong with you. But..."
"Nothing is wrong with me but apparently with you! You are my partner. Talk to Ducky if you can't remember why you have desk duty." Kate said.
Tony looked awkward at Ducky before he looked away. "No that's alright. I have work to do." Tony said softly and sat at his desk again.
"Anthony..." Ducky begins but Gibbs cut him off.
"Gear up. Dead marine." Gibbs said and Kate and Tim immediately stood up.
"I uhm will see you at the crime scene." Ducky said as he walks to the elevator. Kate looked curiously at both Tony and Ducky. Something was wrong.
"Keep your phone with you. We call you so you can look for information." Gibbs said to Tony before he walks to the elevator with Kate and Tim following him.
——————————-
"So what is with you and Ducky?" Kate asked in the evening. They were still at work. Gibbs was with the director and McGee with Abby.
"Nothing." Tony said distracted.
"Really. Then why the awkward atmosphere? And you still haven't told me why you are on desk duty." Kate said.
Tony sighs. Kate could keep going on and on about something till she had her answer. "Got a little infection. It's over now. Ducky just wanted to give it some time."
"Infection where?" Kate asked concerned.
Tony took a deep breath. "In my lungs. It's over now." He said softly.
Kate looked shocked and stood up to walk to him and sat on the side of his desk. "Your lungs Tony? And you didn't tell us, me? We were there remember. I was there."
"Yeah I know Kate. But like I said it's over now."
Kate rolled her eyes and sighs. "Fine. But next time you will tell me. First the other thing now this. I would think you got cursed or something. You really need a keeper Tony."
"Are you done?" Tony asked.
"No. What happend with Ducky? And don't tell me nothing. I know it was something. I never saw you two like that to each other before."
"Just a conversation that went wrong. I will talk to him later."
"Wrong how?" Tony gave her a look. " fine okay don't tell. But you need to talk."
"I just told you I would."
"Now Tony. Up. He is still downstairs." Kate said sternly.
"She is right. Go to Ducky." Gibbs said as he enters the bullpen again and sat at his desk.
Gibbs and Tony had a silent conversation with their eyes for a moment before Tony gave in. "Fine I will go." He said and stood up.
——————————-
"Oh Anthony. I didn't expect you here." Ducky said from his desk.
"No I uhm. I think we need to talk. We didn't left that conversation the other day right." Tony said nervously.
"No we didn't my boy. Come sit down. I will get you a cup of tea. I am glad you came to me. I also wanted to talk to you. It broke me when I noticed what I did wrong." Ducky said as he gave him his tea.
"Yeah. Uhmm I heard dad talked to you." Tony didn't noticed the slip he made.
Ducky smiled when Tony called Gibbs dad. "He did indeed. And I want to apologize. I let my emotions overrule me. What did Jethro told you?"
And Tony told him about the conversation they had last night. "So uhm like I said to him there are two sides in this story. So I am also to blame. I am sorry Ducky."
Ducky smiled. "I truly trust you Anthony. I never met so brave young man like you."
"Uhmm thank you." Tony was silent for a moment. "So uhm those feelings you have... uhmm how... no Uhmm... why?..."
Ducky lay a hand on Tony's shoulder. "My boy. I never had children on my own. My work is my family. And then you changed. The team changed. Jethro needed help and his feelings for you came to the surface. I took care of you a couple of times. You trusted me and you were comfortable when I held you. I suddenly got those grandfatherly feelings that I never had so strong before. I never said it before but I was happy I could be your surrogate grandfather when we did that undercover up."
"You were a good grandfather." Tony said softly.
Ducky smiled. "You grown up again and didn't need to be looked after every time. But then you told me how young you were and just like that those feelings came back. I always saw you as a grandson Anthony. Even before you were little. Like I said my work is my family. But the changing brought us closer to a real family."
Tony smiled. "I also saw you as family. I am sorry I didn't understand you why you were behaving like that."
"My dear boy. If I didn't noticed I was doing that how could you?"
Tony grinned. "You got a point there." Ducky smiled and gave Tony a hug to Tony's surprise.
Tony stood up to leave before he remembered something. "Ducky can I ask you an other question?"
"Sure my boy. What is it?"
"You said the team changed. How? Are you still seeing it?"
"The team became closer. We all spend time with you and wanted to protect you. As in seeing it now. Well Jethro is like a father to you now. I still got those grandfatherly feelings. And the others are still a little bit concerned about you. Why do you ask? You noticed something?"
"Just Kate and Tim but mostly Kate. They immediately want to know what was wrong and what and why. They seem to expect the worst."
"They are just concerned about you Anthony. But I can also see the change."
"Will it ever be normal again? Can you talk to her why she is doing that? But uhmm discretely." Tony asked thoughtful.
"Of course I can Anthony. If it will help you. But may I ask why you don't ask yourself?"
"Too awkward. Besides she wouldn't tell me the whole truth like she would do with you."
"Alright Anthony. I will talk to her."
"Thank you." Tony said before he left.