-If it isn't that troublemaking grandson of mine, Mike greeted walking through the door.
-Hey gramps, Tony smiled and hugged him tightly.
-I'm surely never going to get used to that, Mike mused.
-To being old? Tony questioned with a big smile.
-Oh you…
-Let's all settle down a notch so we can eat with some peace, Gibbs interfered.
-When did peace became a word used in your house Probie? Mike muttered. Thought you couldn't get that cheeky troublemaking brat there to keep quiet for more than two seconds.
-Hey! I'll have you know that I never get in trouble for talking at school.
-Sure you don't because you charm and beg every teacher not to report it further, Tim said.
-Thanx for the input, Timmy-the-tattle-teller. Nobody asked for your opinion. Tim promptly ignored the comment and continued.
-You do know he's constantly in trouble for something? Tim asked his grandpa.
-Am not.
-Yes you are.
-Who gave you pizza last night?
-You, but you got in trouble so it doesn't count. Ha!
-Still put my own money on you.
-Jeez thanx, all of 10 dollars.
-I'll have you know it's pretty much all I had left.
-Left over from what? You've been grounded pretty much every day out of the last few months so surely you couldn't have found a way to spend your money that quick. Unbeknownst to him, Tim hit a sore point. Sure, Tony had cleared it with his dad, but it still was something he wasn't proud of.
-Whatever Timmy-the kid, was Tony's response and he started eating ignoring his grandpa´s raised eyebrow at the response to the normal banter between the brothers. Tim on the other hand continued like nothing had even happened.
-First it was the attitude, then it was the arguing, then it was the detention, then breaking the grounding, then being out after curfew, then more attitude and that's just the first two weeks of the month. Tony didn't even answer just kept eating in silence, which Tim took as his que to step it up and before Gibbs could warn his youngest to stay out of it the words were out there:
-You know gramps, there is this new kid in school and his also called Tony, even looks a bit like big brother here and the funny thing is he gets himself into even more trouble than our Tony does. Did you even think there was a possibility of somebody getting into more trouble than him? Tim laughed only realizing he had went too far when Tony pushed his chair back with a disgusted look on his face, scraped the plate and jogged upstairs without a word.
-the other Tony-
-Tony? Tim stuck in his head into the room where his brother lay on his bed throwing a basketball up in the air.
-Kid.
-Dad explained. I'm sorry, I didn't know.
-It's fine Tim.
-No it's not, Tim said coming into the room.
-Come on kid, I said it's fine, I just want to be alone a couple of hours to think things through.
-If you are sure, Tim said uncertain.
-Yes, I am, so get out.
-That was kind, his grandpa commented from the doorway. Everything fine with my probie junior?
-Yeah, gramps, just fine.
-Doesn't sound like it.
-Timmy hit a sore spot, there is nothing more to it than that. At his grandpa's gesture to continue Tony sighed and sat up on the bed making room for his grandpa. It really isn't anything gramps, I even cleared it with dad, I have just found myself in trouble so much lately that I sometimes feel that I am in over my head.
-Why's that?
-I honestly don't know, dad thinks it's because of my friends.
-And you don't agree.
-They are my friends gramps, and there aren't many of those around so I take what I get. Yeah sometimes they drag me into trouble, but mostly I just do some thoughtless stuff that just blow out of proportion.
-Like?
-Harmless pranks, the staying out after curfew Timmy-the snitch talked about was me not paying attention to the time and the bad grade he thankfully doesn't know about was just a test that had slipped my mind. Combine that with a teacher who is out to get me and you have her calling dad for the smallest things.
-Have you told your dad that?
-He signed the test.
-Not my question Tony.
-No, he doesn't know about the teacher but he can probably guess. I didn't want him or uncle Steve to worry or interfere and just make it worse.
-You should tell him kid.
-Jeez gramps, I think the man has had enough confessions for today.
-Really? Why is that?
-I may or may not have told him I didn't tell him the whole story the first time because I didn't think he'd be able to believe me after all the trouble I've been in lately.
-Did you really think that kid?
-I did but we are fine we hugged and made up.
-So why the strong reaction.
-It's still a sore point for me.
-Let it go son. Let go of the gulit.
-How did you…?
-Know you felt guilty? Boy, who do you think learned your dad all of his tricks? I know my grandson, you feel guilty for putting that extra stress on your dad´s shoulder and I'm telling you Tony let it go once and for all.
-I will try grandpa.
-You will do it.
-Yes gramps.
-Good boy, now how about you follow me down to the kitchen and we'll see what we can find for that growling stomach of yours.
-Thanx gramps.
-Don't mention it son, Mike said and drew the kid into a tight hug. That is what I am here for.