"Good morning kiddo"

"Morning." Tony answered with an even tone. He had been told yesterday evening that he was going to spend a couple of days at Uncle Steve's place and that it wasn't negotiable. His Dad had explained that it was so that he and Uncle Steve could work a few things out, but Tony wasn't so sure that was the whole reason.

"Are you ready for school?"

"Yes sir."

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes sir."

"Tony, you aren't in trouble anymore, kid. Sure, we've got a few things to clear up, but as far as I'm concerned we are good." Uncle Steve explained with a kind voice.

"Good to know" Tony answered, flashing his Uncle the best megawatt smile he could muster.

"Come on, you crazy kid, we'll be late for school."

"Yeah, school…" Tony was suddenly struck with the dilemma what to do about school. He'd always been a bright kid, but school being his only chance to slack off even a little, he hadn't always done his best. That had to change now that he was going to be perfect, miserable yes, but perfect. Looking down at the simple outfit of a black long-sleeved shirt and dark jeans, Tony didn't exactly look like himself, but he didn't look like Tim either. Totally changing overnight wouldn't have been easy and Tony was pretty sure even his Uncle would have sensed something if he had. The most noticeable change was that his hair for once was combed through and not pretty much left to its destiny like usually.

"Tony! Are you okay?" Steve had stopped in the doorway to study his nephew who still hadn't moved an inch. Shaking his head slightly to clear it Tony answered:

"Yeah. I'm coming." Plastering the smile onto his face Tony grabbed an apple out of the basket to eat during the car ride, giving him the perfect excuse to not talk. A silent car ride later Tony was stepping into the school and instantly greeted by a taken aback Luke.

"Wait. What?! Did I miss the formal invitation?"

"Nope." Uncle Steve having left the boys alone gave Tony the perfect opportunity to, for a few minutes at least, drop his mask.

"What's going on Tony? Is this another one of your brilliant ideas? Because I'm telling you, ignoring your Uncle didn't end well and neither will this." Luke's tone wasn't joking anymore, but serious.

"Dad told Uncle Steve, and I'm quoting: 'you know how he can get.'" Tony explained, letting all the hurt he felt shine through.

"What?!"

"It wasn't in a good way either."

"What are you going to do?" Luke asked, eyes full of sympathy for his best friend.

"Become just like Tim, perfect. Clearly that is what Dad and everybody wants and always wanted."

"No Tony, you know your Dad loves you, he always has, he always will. It has nothing to do with being perfect."

"Maybe it has, maybe he just believed that I was more perfect than I was. Don't forget he knew barely nothing about how I've been acting in school."

"Tony…"

"Leave it Luke, there is nothing you or anybody can say. I've made up my mind. This is me now."

-Flashback ending-

Grimacing at the sight of all three males staring at him with displeasure written on their faces, Tony sat down on the sofa in front of them with a deep sigh.

"I'm sorry."

"Are you really Junior?!" Mike asked with a raised eyebrow "Or just saying what we want to hear?!"

"I'm sorry I worried you."

"But not sorry you did it?!"

"It was the only way we knew to stop it. Luke was there the whole time. I was safe!" Tony argued, getting worked up by his Grandpa once again deciding what he was thinking without him ever voicing it. Saying it, he got up to his feet to not feel as intimidated by the three older men.

"I saw him fight Anthony, it wasn't safe! You were lucky!" Uncle Steve roared, he also getting worked up by his nephew daring to justify the risky plan.

"Maybe, but at least something happened! That's more than what happened while it was left up to you!" The room got quiet at that and Tony realizing he had stepped over the line, took a step backwards and fell onto the sofa, keeping his gaze at the TV behind them, instead of at his Uncle. He knew he shouldn't have said it, but it didn't make it less true.

"We tried to keep you safe. It was going slow, but we didn't want to take any chances." Uncle Steve explained with a forced, quiet voice. "We did what we did to keep you safe."

"Sorry." Tony apologized quietly, eyeing his Uncle for a brief second.

"Look at me Anthony." Raising his eyes Tony flinched slightly at the disappointment that was clear in his Uncle's eyes. "You deliberately risked your health, disobeyed us and lied to us. Furthermore I don't care how wrong you think we are, we always have a reason behind every order, behind every decision. If you have a problem with what we tell you, you come to us, not turn around and do the opposite."

"Yes sir." Tony didn't exactly like the sound of that, but realized he didn't have a choice but agree. And just like that he realized the gravity of it all. It was very seldom he chose not to fight his Dad on his beliefs, but with this being as big as it was, Tony had made the hard choice and was going to stick with it. Arguing wouldn't lead him anywhere, not in this case, he knew that.

"Tony. Do you understand us?!" His Dad asked calmly, yet sternly.

"Yes sir."

"To the point where this doesn't happen again?!" His grandpa prompted. "Where you don't risk yours or Luke's lives so carelessly. All it would have taken was one bad push, causing you to hit your head at the wrong place and this would have ended totally different, Junior."

"Yes sir." Tony answered, distracted by the scenes playing out in his head, this time though, everything played out differently. Tony was so caught up with it that he hadn't noticed his Dad stepping forward until the man enveloped his shaking body in a tight hug. Letting the tears fall freely, Tony gripped his Dad as if his life depended on it and listened to the comforting voice:

"Tony buddy, calm down. Shhh kiddo. Everything is fine. Take deep breaths. Calm down."

"I'm sorry Dad, I never thought he could harm us more than a punch or a small shove." Tony got out in between sobs. "I didn't think..."

"Shhh buddy, calm down. No one was harmed, everyone is okay. Come on buddy, deep breaths." When Tony finally calmed down he stayed where he was nestled into his Dad's big chest, just inhaling the smell of sawdust. "Are you calm?" Gibbs asked his son gently.

"Yes sir, I don't know why I reacted that way…" Tony answered, wiping away the last few tears when he, after a strong battle with his own will, let go of his Dad.

"It all became too much for you, buddy. You've been strong about this for weeks, it was time to let it all out."

"It just suddenly hit me, he really could have hurt Luke."

"He really could have hurt you!"

"I'm your son."

"Doesn't mean you can't get hurt Anthony." The voice that had been comforting just moments ago was now stern.

"No, but…"

"No buts, Anthony Leroy. You are just as important as Lucas is. Both of you could have gotten badly hurt the way Rizzo fought, but you already know that, meaning you also know why we are as disappointed in your actions as we are." Tony bit his lip and nodded slightly. "It goes without saying I can't just let this go buddy."

"I know."

"I will have to talk to your Uncle first though since you defied both of us."

"Okay. Where did he disappear to by the way?" Tony asked, looking around the room and finding his Uncle and Grandpa gone.

"They gave us a moment. Why don't you go and find them if you are ready?" Tony nodded, hugging his Dad tight for another moment before letting go and going on a search for his Grandpa and Uncle.

-Flashback-

It had been three days. Three long days since Tony's decision to become an image of his brother. He had spent his classes actually listening and evenings doing homework, nothing but homework. He had seen his Uncle watch him closely, but so far he hadn't said a thing. Thinking back Tony could see that his Uncle had been unusually quiet, but he himself hadn't felt like talking so it hadn't mattered that much.

"Tony?! Are you okay?!"

"Tim?!" Tony flew up from his chair and turned towards his brother with the intention to hug him but remembered in the last second to not act as desperate as he felt.

"I'll repeat my earlier question again, are you okay Tony?"

"I'm fine, Timmy-the worrier. What are you doing here? Don't tell me you finally got yourself on probation like me."

"No. And don't call me that! Grandpa Mike had to help Dad with a case so I'm staying here a couple of days."

"Really?!" Tony asked surprised.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?! I mean I knew you behaved like an idiot but splitting us up?!"

"Yeah…I still wonder what the guys were thinking."

"Don't let Uncle Steve hear you refer to them as that." Tim warned.

"Yeah, yeah Timmy-the tattle tale. It's not like I could be in bigger trouble no matter what so."

"What did you do anyway?"

"Uncle Steve caught me setting up a prank and found out about me being the famous pranker. But that's all history now and we are fine." Tony said, suddenly remembering he had to be perfect like Tim, and part of that was letting go of the past.

"You just said you couldn't be in bigger trouble." Tim pointed out.

"Don't want to test the rules right now Tim." Tony answered tensely.

"What's really going on Tony?! I mean look at you, that isn't you. I can count on one hand the times your hair actually has looked like you own a comb. And look at your clothes: button up shirt and dark jeans, who are you trying to impress Tony?! If it's a girl, it isn't the right time."

"No Tim, it isn't a girl. I just realized I need to grow up a little to act my age."

"A little?!"

"Okay, maybe a lot. Anyway, this is me now, get used to it." Tony answered, not letting Tim know how much the comment had hurt.

"Yeah sure, you'll be back to yourself within a few days."

"Don't count on it. I've got homework to do, so I'll see you later."

"You?! Homework?!" Changing the tune, when he realized Tony was serious, Tim continued: "Are you really serious about this?"

"Yes, Tim, I am. I'm sure you have homework too, so why don't you unpack and get to it. You know Dad and Uncle Steve expects it done."

"Yeah, sure…" Tim answered uncertainly, eyeing his brother one last time as he headed towards his own room, wondering just who had swapped out his brother.

-Flashback ending-

"What are we going to do Dwayne? I'm at loss here."

"I honestly don't have a clue Jethro" Pride sighed. "The kid should have known better than to do something so utterly stupid as provoking somebody. Do you want me to have a word with him?"

"Later. Right now I want to find something that will make my son think beforehand next time."

"I may have an idea" Steve said. "Ground him for the next fifty years." That earned a hearty chuckle from the other two men.

"Thanks Steven, but I was looking for something more creative."

"Have you talked to Jack yet?"

"No, but that might be a good idea actually."

"Yeah, especially if you consider how full he had his hands with you at that age." That earned Steve a headslap from Gibbs and another chuckle from Pride.

"It was nice to hear from you, and we really need to meet up again Steve, but I have to go. I'll call Tony tonight to check in."

"Sounds good, thanks Dwayne."

"Don't mention it Jethro, just call your Dad."

-Flashback-

Breakfast the following morning served to prove to Tim that Tony had really changed. Tony was clad in khaki jeans, just like him, and a white button up shirt, matching Tim's own light blue one. The only difference, was the royal blue sweater west Tim wore over his shirt. Tim watched to his confusion his brother sit down and make himself a sandwich instead of the cereal he usually preferred.

"Are you truly eating that?"

"Any problems with it Tim?"

"No, it's just you always…"

"Always has changed Tim, it's not a big deal." Tony cut him off.

"It's you, you don't do change Tony." Tony glared at his brother, the last thing he wanted was for him to alert their Uncle to anything being wrong. He felt his Uncle's gaze land on him just moments later and sighing cut out on the glaring.

"It's breakfast Tim, you are making a way too big off a deal out of this."

"Oh so isn't this a part of your growing up a little?!"

"Timothy." Their Uncle intervened. "Let Tony eat his breakfast in peace."

"Yes sir." Tim said, instantly backing down. "Sorry Tony."

"Don't mention it." Tony answered calmly, silently begging Tim to stop making such a big deal out of everything.

"You've got 10 minutes kids,"

"Yes sir." Tim and Tony answered at the same time.

"And Tony…bring a jacket, we don't want you to catch a cold."

-The Other Tony-

"You are serious, aren't you?" Tim asked as he closed the door behind him, coming into Tony's room the same evening. "This isn't you though."

"It is me now." Tony answered shortly, his eyes never leaving the assignment he was working on.

"You are miserable."

"I'm fine Tim."

"Oh so that is the reason I haven't seen you smile once since I came. That is why you are sitting here pretending to work instead of being outside with a ball in your hands, being you."

"Not pretending kid, it's extra credit work."

"Exactly! This isn't you Tony. Dad has to force you to study."

"Not anymore."

"Why are you doing this?! There is no logical reason as to why…you were in trouble. Are you trying to impress Dad?!"

"I'm trying to do my homework Tim." Tony said a bit annoyed at the questioning.

"So, it is you trying to impress him." Tim stated. "You are trying to make up for the trouble…or even better yet; get out of your grounding. We both know that isn't going to happen though. You know that as well as me, so why?" Tim asked desperately.

"I'm not trying to get out of anything Tim. I told you, I'm fine, and don't go telling Dad or Grandpa Mike or Uncle Steve or anybody anything else."

"That just proves you aren't fine."

"Let me do my homework Tim."

"Tim?" Tim questioned in a now sad voice.

"What?"

"You called me Tim. And not just once. You never call me that."

"I told you I'm trying to grow up."

"To the extent where you leave all traces of the old Tony behind?!" Preferably, Tony thought, but settled on answering:

"I'm still the same person Tim, I'm just growing up."

"No, you aren't." As to prove it he asked: "Do you want to go outside and play some soccer before it gets dark?"

"Abso…lutely not. I need to get this done. Maybe tomorrow." Tony had to swallow hard to keep his tears from falling. The sentence showed him just how much he had given up.

"Tony you are hurting."

"How many times do I need to tell you that I'm fine?!" Tony roared and raised up from his chair before sitting back down once he saw Tim's face. "Sorry kid, I'll just head to sleep when I'm done."

"What did they do to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Dad and Uncle Steve, after you got caught. What did they tell you?!"

"Just the usual speech."

"I don't believe you. Something must have happened!"

"Just let it go Tim, please."

"I can't. Not as long as you are like that."

"Go to bed Tim."

"No."

"This isn't up for debate."

"Ten minutes of soccer? Please Tony." Tim begged, desperate to find something familiar in his brother.

"Not tonight Timothy." Or ever. The days of playing sports or hanging out with friends were gone. This was his new reality.

"Okay." The heartbroken answer had Tony biting his lip until he heard the door softly close behind him. Tim would have to learn that he wasn't the same anymore. Thinking back on the last couple of days Tony knew Tim was right, he hadn't smiled even once. The praise from his teachers had been met with the same neutral face as his Uncle's surprise when Tony had stood ready by the car before his Uncle had even made it out of the door. A sudden knock caught Tony off guard and forced him to quickly dry the few tears that actually had had time to fall.

"Your brother seems upset, something I should know about?" Uncle Steve asked coming into the room.

"No sir. Tim just needs to sleep it off."

"What are you working on? It's nearly dark outside if you want to do something outside before then it's time to put down those books for a moment. You've done nothing but study lately."

"Thanks for the information, but I'm in the middle of something."

"What?"

"Science."

"I heard you asked for extra credit."

"Yes sir."

"That's quite impressive." Tony just shrugged. Any other time his Uncle's proud voice would have made him beam, but now it meant nothing.

"Tim isn't the only one you know, I've also noticed the difference."

"Tim was way out of line Uncle Steve. I'm fine. He is overreacting."

"Are you sure about that?" His Uncle asked with a knowing gaze.

"Yes sir. I'm fine."

"Don't do this Tony, don't play games with me or your Dad."

"I'm not playing anything!"

"Do you really want me to believe you've changed just like that, without any reason?!"

"I'm growing up."

"You are suddenly changing. There is a difference." Tony didn't answer that, just turned his gaze back to his homework, hoping his Uncle would change the subject. "Tony." The gentle tone got his attention, causing Tony to snap his eyes back up to meet his Uncle's. "I may not have been around that much lately, but I do know this isn't you, kiddo. You don't have to pretend around me Tony. Whatever your reasons are, you are enough just the way you are, just know that. And if you want to talk about it, I'm here."

"Thanks." Tony said quietly, fighting tears once more, this time not bothering arguing with his Uncle about being fine.

"Good night kiddo. Sleep well." Ruffling his hair once, Uncle Steve left Tony alone to dwell over their conversation.

A/N: I haven't given up on any of my stories so don't worry! Summertime is just very busy for me, but I will try to update as much as possible. I have the next chapter for Just like you already written in my head, it's just a matter of me writing it out on the computer…Donnie's next chapter is also basically ready ( the story that comes the most easy for me right now) and Nate's shouldn't be any problems.

If you have any ideas about any of my stories, feel free to leave me a comment or send me a PM. The one thing I struggle with right now is Tony's punishment for this…