Tim slept the rest of the way home, snoring loudly and drooling on Tony's shoulder where he had firmly planted his head the second he fell asleep. Tony felt kind of sorry for him, knowing it had been his stupid idea that had put Tim into this position, so he let Tim be. Thinking about his defense he grimaced as he realized just how many bad decisions he had made lately.

-Flashback-

It wasn't just the beer. It hadn't even started with that. It was that growing feeling in his stomach he knew all too well that had started off this whole thing. Normally Tony would have told his friends no, even Luke. There was no way he under normal circumstances would ever have touched the beer. Not that this wasn't normal, because it was. Abnormal was those times his Dad didn't have to work late all the time. Still, this time had been worse than usual. It had started with one big case then directly followed by another major one making his Dad snappy and in a bad mood. Something Tony only knew those few times his Dad did make it home before he had fallen asleep. Tony knew it wasn't something they had done but couldn't help but feel a little hurt at that. Sure, his Dad did his best, but sometimes that wasn't good enough.

It had started when the first case started on its third week. Tony had started off gently by causing trouble in school, a few missed assignments, a few notes Tony never bothered to leave at the kitchen table for his Dad to sign instead opting to sign them himself. When the second case started Tony had made his way over to the NCIS headquarters. He had had a rough day and whether he wanted to confess everything to his Dad or not, he felt that he needed someone to talk to. Stepping out from the elevator into the familiar bullpen he to his surprise found it empty. Figuring that his Dad and the team probably were out somewhere and would be back soon, Tony sat down in his Dad's office chair and started working on his homework, telling himself he'd be better of having it finished before talking to his Dad. An hour and a half passed before Tony was ready to pack up his books. Deciding to wait for thirty more minutes he sat back down in the chair and put his feet on the table. It only took ten before Tony got bored and headed down to autopsy instead of staring at the bullpen's orange walls for another twenty minutes. He figured that Ducky might know where they were and being alone in the bullpen was too tempting to his exploring side for long periods so this was the best solution to stay out of trouble. Reaching the autopsy, he found the space empty. Sighing and calling it his unlucky day he sat down on the cold floor and massaged his head feeling a headache starting.

"Hey Tony!". Tony jumped slightly, cursing to himself for doing so, when he found that it only was the autopsy gremlin, Palmer.

"Hey Palmer."

"How are you doing today Tony? I noticed that you were massaging your head."

"I'm fine Palmer" Tony said and pushed himself of the floor.

"You sure? I do have some pain medication here somewhere, I think."

"I'm fine. Do you know when my Dad gets here?" Palmer's face fell and Tony instantly knew what the answer was gonna be.

"I'm sorry Tony but he and the others are out on stake out, they won't be back until 10 pm at the earliest. But I'm sure you could hang out here if you'd like."

"No thanks, I'll just head home."

"I could tell him you swung by." Palmer offered.

"Don't bother. I'll just see him whenever he comes home." Tony ended the conversation and headed towards the elevator without another word.

-Flashback ends-

"Get him out of my car, now!"

"How about asking a bit kinder."

"How about doing as you are told for once."

"I'll have you know that will never happen near you."

"Just get out of the car Stupid and take your brother with you before I decide to drop you off at NCIS instead." Tony wordlessly obeyed lifting his brother over his shoulder and carrying him upstairs. It wasn't easy, but it was faster than trying to steady a half sleeping, drunk, Tim.

"Put him to bed and then come back down. I'm sure you have some homework or something you can do until your Dad gets home. Something to keep you entertained and out of my way."

"You could always leave."

"Fat chance." Tony glared but continued on upstairs, dumping Tim on his bed before rearranging the covers over him. The kid didn't even bat an eye, just snored and drooled some more. Closing the door behind him Tony headed for his own bedroom to look for his book bag and freshen up a bit before heading downstairs. It was in the middle of the shower Tony suddenly became aware of someone moving around in his room. Quickly turning of the shower, declaring himself clean enough, Tony grabbed a towel and headed back into his room. There he found the exact person he needed the most and always would.

"Hey Dad."

"Anthony." Tony grimaced at that and headed on a search for some clothes to put on, effectively

ignoring his Dad's gaze that followed him around the room. Pulling on a pair of pajama pants and a T-shirt he was suddenly turned around by a hand on his shoulder. Tony bit his lip and looked down, not able to meet his Dad's gaze, not that it mattered. Just a few seconds later a determined hand gripped his chin forcing him to meet his Dad's searching gaze.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes sir." Tony answered quietly, trying to turn away his gaze but not succeeding. "Is Fornell still here?"

"No. He went on home after ranting about his shoes for a bit. In other words there is nothing and no one to take my focus away from you Tony." Tony grimaced a bit at that. "Take a seat."

"Dad…" Tony started but was interrupted.

"Tony, before you start I want you to remember that there is no use in lying to me." Tony looked up surprised. He'd never even thought about that and frankly it hurt him a bit that his Dad found it necessary to remind him. "What's going on Tony?"

"Nothing."

"What did I just say son?!" The grip around his chin returned, this time harder and locked his gaze with his Dad's.

"That there is no use in lying to you." The reply was so reflexive that Tony barely had time to process it before he said it. Years of experience had drilled him into the fine art of answering his dad back automatically at that tone of voice, whether he wanted to or not.

"So then why would you do it?!"

"No idea Dad." The glare that met his eyes said it all and Tony gulped, knowing he was on even thinner ice than just moments before.

"You really think the best way to get me to understand is to rile me up Tony?! Because I can tell your right now it isn't."

"Sorry Dad." The apology was heartfelt and Tony suddenly felt a wave of tiredness overtake his body. His Dad seemed to sense it too as Tony put more weight on the hand that was gripping his chin.

"Come on kid. Let's get you to bed." The eyes that less than a minute before had shot daggers were now kind and understanding as the grip around his chin moved down to his upper arm instead.

"No!" Tony exclaimed at that as his Dad started to help him up. He'd rather take the chewing out than his Dad putting him to bed and be gone again tomorrow morning. He never saw his Dad anymore and now that he actually had his attention he wouldn't give into the sleep that so desperately wanted to overtake his body.

"Tony, Buddy, focus on me please." The voice was worried and Tony focused on his Dad again, feeling his mask fall at that and his eyes water of unshed tears of both misery, relief and tiredness.

"Can't we just keep talking instead?"

"Tony you are tired, you should really sleep son. We can talk tomorrow."

"We won't."

"What?!"

"You have work."

"Is that what this is all about?!" Tony didn't answer just bit his lip. "Tony, Buddy, the case is wrapped up and I told the director we needed some time, so we are free for the next few weeks."

"Really?!"

"Yeah buddy. Really."

"Then…can you stay?"

"Sure. Jump under the covers Buddy." As soon as Tony was under the covers his Dad tucked him in before easing himself down on to the bed next to him and moving Tony's head to rest on his lap. "Do you want to talk a bit or just sleep?"

"I'm sorry Dad, for everything."

"It will be okay Tony."

"You have to start your vacation with this mess."

"I don't care buddy, whatever this is will get through this."

"I've missed you." The words were barely a whisper as Tony was on the edge of falling asleep but Gibbs heard the insecurity behind the words and smiled sadly at his oldest son as he wrapped his arms around him even tighter, realizing Tony might just have given up the reason behind everything. A few seconds later he felt the boy relax in his arms and bent down kissing the top of his head gently.

"Missed you too buddy. Missed you too."