Disclaimer: I do not own anything, the characters all belong to the creator of the show. I just own the idea and the plot for this story. As well as my OCs AJ Gibbs, his ex-wife Amber and his kids, as well as Jason DiNozzo, his wife Maria and their kids. They are mine as well as Mia and Gabriel DiNozzo.
A/N: Sorry for the wait between updates, it's longer than I would have liked. My cousin just fly in from Atlanta this past Saturday and he's here for a week until next Saturday (July 29). So, updates will be slow and will be late at night depending on how much time I have to write.
A/N: I still looking for that one Male OC, the Medic OC and I'm looking for another OC Male or Female that can be Tony's love interest NOT on the team. Maybe a liaison to the Honolulu PD. Medic OC must have a military background (obviously) in the Navy as a Corpsman, preferably Green side meaning he goes down range with the Marines on the ground. Thank you all, that is all onward to Chapter 3.
Goodbye Washington Hello Hawaii
Chapter 3
It had been three whole days since the team had seen Tony at Children's National. Well not Gibbs actually he had seen Tony Tuesday in his house, early in the morning. That sure had been a surprise for the Gunnery Sergeant. Feet propped up on the kitchen table like he owned the place. A Master Gunnery Sergeant USMC mug cradled in his hands. It was AJ's mug. That conversation Gibbs wanted to have with Tony didn't happen that morning because Kimberly came in and practically pounced on his former SFA, knocking him out of his chair. Luckily Tony had set the mug down before she did so. "Oomph. Morning to you to Kimmy." Tony said.
"I didn't know you were sleeping over, I woke up and Mia and was in my room." Kim told Tony.
"I know, it was late last night and we didn't want to wake you." Tony told AJ's ten-year-old daughter. She was the spitting image of her mother, Amber. Long blonde hair and blue eyes, full of life and child-like wonder.
"How long are you staying, can you come to the museum with us?" Kim asked in rapid fire hope in her sky-blue eyes.
"Well, Kimmy there's something I need to tell you first sweetie." Tony had said.
Jake and Luke just stood there in identical plaid sleep pants smiling. They called DiNozzo, Uncle Tony as a way of greeting. That had surprised Gibbs. He didn't have to time to ask only wonder, how connected outside of work DiNozzo really was. Along with talking to DiNozzo he also wanted to talk to his son AJ. Those talks would have wait. He needed to get to work. Tony and Gibbs passed like ships in the night, since Tony's little 'sleepover'. When one was coming in the other would leave. It was like Tony was going out of his way to not be in the same room as his former boss as much as possible. Tony sure wasn't making it easy on Gibbs. How was Gibbs supposed to say what he needed to say without being able to get a minute alone with DiNozzo.
It was now Thursday. The team hadn't had a case since last week. It was a rare quiet week for the team. Gibbs was still a mess, and he tried not to show it. Although both Tim, Ziva, and Jaecyon could see that Tony's leaving had adversely affected the silver haired man.
Tony was a damn good agent and he hated to see him go. Gibbs walked into the bullpen that Thursday morning 0930 on the dot, coffee in hand. Gibbs had yet to open the envelope with the letter in it. The key to his third desk drawer sat on top it. The key unlocked the drawer that Gibbs knew held his medals, that he'd been awarded over the years. Tony's desk cleared out. Which meant the medals were in his third desk drawer.
That's when Gibbs knew it was official Tony wasn't coming back. The worst thing he hadn't even left D.C. yet, and it was driving Gibbs up the wall. Tony's behavior toward him at home, Gibbs' actions, he was more irritable than usual. He even snapped at Abby his 'favorite person' his pseudo daughter. The person he'd sided with when his SFA had been hurt as a direct result of Abby last year.
Even with Jaecyon taking Tony's spot as SFA for the time being, it was still difficult. They'd all worked together, before they knew how each other worked. It shouldn't be difficult. Now instead of five people working together it was four. Since when Jaecyon had been on Gibbs team the first time he'd shared responsibilities with Ziva. Tim however was a little miffed and jealous that Jaecyon took the spot as SFA even if it were only temporarily at least that's what Director Vance had said. Gibbs had told Tim rather gruffly that just because Tony was gone didn't mean he would be automatically promoted. Tim was nowhere near Tony's experience nor did Tim have the other mans' intuitive. Jaecyon did that's why he was the teams' SFA for the time being.
Though it was quite boring just sitting around the office. Jaecyon was swamped with Tony's paperwork, plus his own transfer paperwork on the side. Jaecyon was only doing this as a favor to Vance. He too couldn't wait to get out of D.C. to his posting. The sun, the surf, the women. Though Jaecyon wasn't interested in dating he had a girlfriend, Sarah McGee. Jaecyon would be with Gibbs' team for as long as it took Tony to get his act together, and tell his kids that they were moving. As far as Jaecyon knew he hadn't even told Ducky or Jimmy what with everything that had gone on with Gabe at the hospital, and the ensuing 'talking to' by Tony. Speaking of Tony, he was at the hospital where he'd been for the past four days. Barring mandatory hygiene calls by Ducky, and AJ.
Tony was sat on one of couches in the family lounge on the surgical and medical recovery floor. Mia had spent the morning with Gabriel in his room. Then Jimmy had taken her back to Gibbs' place, around lunchtime so that AJ could take her and his kids out for the day.
Tony had his head in between his knees. Breathing deeply. He'd royally screwed up. This was the first time he'd had a moment alone since the accident Monday night. He knew he shouldn't have left the kids with Mrs. Ramirez.
The seat on next to him on the couch was suddenly occupied. "Oh, my dear boy. I'm sure everything will be alright young Gabriel is doing splendidly is he not?" Ducky asked.
Tony looked up at Ducky. He is what Tony imagined a grandfather being like. He once thought Gibbs was the perfect image of a father. But he was wrong. I mean nobody is perfect. But nobody couldn't honestly in good conscious do what Gibbs did to Tony last year.
"They expect he'll pull through just fine he's recovering nicely, doc Burd says he can go home tomorrow. I got promoted Ducky." He said quickly quietly almost in a whisper. "I don't know if you or Jimmy read my letters yet, but I did. I was going to tell Mia and Gabriel after I came home on Monday, but now, now I don't think it's such a good idea. Maybe they're all right, maybe Gibbs is right, maybe I'm not ready to lead my own team." Tony was spinning into a self-depreciating spiral. Ducky had seen it before.
"Anthony" Ducky said quite seriously. Tony didn't even flinch at his name. There were only two people who called him by his first name, Ducky and Hetty. "If anyone deserves a promotion and the opportunity to lead their own team it is you. You may not have been with us long, but its long enough to where the Director believes you deserve this chance. I do as well, as does Mr. Palmer." As if he knew he was being talked about Jimmy walked into the family lounge and sat on the left side of Tony.
"It's true Tony, I know it may not mean much coming from an autopsy gremlin like me, you should be proud of yourself, Gibbs' team has the highest solve rate because of you, before you came along, it was half of what it is now." Jimmy said a small smile on his face.
"Thanks Jimmy, that…that means a lot." Tony said. Before either of them could say anything else Tony's phone he thought it might be AJ, but it wasn't it was the director. "Yes, I'm doing good, yes sir so is Gabriel he should be out of the hospital tomorrow afternoon, yes sir I understand I'll tell them tomorrow and then start the moving process."
"That was Director Vance I presume." Ducky asked.
"Yeah he's moving up my time table. I've got to tell the kids, I got promoted and we're moving. Then to actually start the moving process, but on top of that I have to call Jay and tell him, that I won't be there for the whole vacation and that Maria's going to have five kids at her house instead of three."
"I'm sure they'll understand Anthony."
"Oh, yeah Duck have you met my brother. He's worse than AJ at times."
"Ah siblings." Ducky said reminiscing.
"Yeah, sibling younger brother who's a pain in my ass at times. I don't know how Trent does it with two of them." Tony was glad he had Jimmy and Ducky by his side through all this and AJ too, he was a real friend looking after his daughter and taking her places. Along with managing his own kids and Gibbs. 'Yeesh, I don't know what I'd do if I was born into that family.' Tony thought to himself as he dropped off to sleep that night on the reclining sofa couch in Gabe's hospital room.
Friday morning came all to quickly for Tony, but this was a happy time. Tony was happier than he had been in the past few days. Gabe was coming home today. Home to their house not Gibbs'. Tony didn't know what he was thinking back then, he could have told AJ to just bunk at his place, that way Mia wouldn't have had to pack a bag and stuff. Though admittedly Tony wasn't thinking all that straight four days ago.
Tony was excited and nervous at the same time. Those same nerves he had that Monday morning about telling his kids they'd be moving came back full force. Gabe was ambulatory with no restrictions, meaning he could get up and walk around and leave his hospital room. It was just like he was at home, he was able to play video games and play cards with some of the other kids that were in the game room with him. He was only ten, but there were times where he acted much older. He wanted to be like his older cousins, Logan and Connor, who were in high school.
Gabe had spent the morning in the game room surrounded by older teenage patients, apparently, this little ten-year-old kid was a boss at the video games. Tony felt almost bad pulling him away from the games and his new friends, that he knew he'd most likely never see again. Age was but a number in a hospital, it put every an almost equal play field. Surely none of these older kids would ever dream of hanging out and playing video games with a soon to be fourth grader.
"Dad why'd you pull me I was totally winning and kicking so serious ass." Gabe said as they walked back to his room IV pole trailing behind him. Therein lies the reason Tony didn't want him hanging around older kids just yet. Cousins were a different thing they were family, but strangers kids in a hospital. Totally different story.
Tony ignored the language for now, both of his kids had heard their fair share of swearing over the years. Seeing as who their uncles and father were it was bound to happen sooner or later. "I pulled you out because you're going home today Gabe, and I've got something I want to tell you and Mia first, before the doctor comes."
Gabe looked slightly worried at that statement. "It's not bad, is it?" Gabe questioned as they rounded the corner to where Gabe's room was.
"No, not bad all" Tony said. 'At least I hope it won't be bad.' Tony thought to himself. He'd already run a million and one scenarios in his head of how this could go. With his luck, it would not go the way he wanted.
"There you two are what took you so long, I've been waiting forever." Mia complained loudly, sitting up in the recliner to look at her father younger brother.
"I had pull Mr. Mario Andretti here out of the game room." Tony said smiling down at his son.
Tony helped Gabe onto his bed. He sat up close legged Indian style on the bed. Tony took the sofa. "So, what's up dad what'd you have to tell us?" Mia asked.
"Yeah dad tell us, what happened." Gabe wanted to know he hated not knowing things.
"I got promoted, and with that promotion comes a move, to Hawaii." Tony said simply but rushed the last half. He didn't need to tell them he put in for a transfer and they'd be leaving whether or not Vance gave him a promotion or not. His and Gibbs' problems were between himself and his former boss he didn't need to involve his kids in that mess.
"Cool." Gabe exclaimed at the same time Mia said "No." Ah there is was scenario number three. He knew Mia would probably react like this. At least she didn't run out of the room. Though being in a hospital she was pretty confined to where she could run too. Plus, it would cause a huge problem if she did. They'd have to lock down the whole hospital.
"Now Mia, I know what you're thinking, you don't want to leave your mother, and I understand that I really do, I don't either, but this is an opportunity for me, that I can't pass up. It means more money, I can buy you nicer things. You'll be closer to your cousins, and you'll be on the same school schedule as them."
"It's only a four hour and fifty-five-minute flight from here to California dad, it's only five minutes more from Hawaii to California with the three-hour time difference." Mia explained hotly.
'Oh, someone obviously got an A in geography.' Tony thought. "Mia sweetie we all miss your mom, none more than me." Tony started before Mia interrupted him.
"Then why leave why don't you turn down the promotion like you did before and just move to a different unit or division or whatever here in D.C." Mia was pleading now. "Please daddy."
"I'm sorry Mia, I don't know how I can explain it to you in a way you'll understand. But I can't turn this down, I've already accepted, I was going to tell you guys on Monday, but…" Tony trailed off.
He was in no way making this Gabe's fault. It was Tony's fault entirely, if hadn't left them they wouldn't be in this scenario right now. Or well at least not in the location that they were. He doesn't doubt for a second, that he wouldn't be having this conversation at all. Not with his kids and their attitudes. Mia's reaction was totally understandable.
"This is final, we're moving end of discussion." Tony stated firmly. "You'll makes tons of new friends trust me." Tony had no doubt that that was true, but he also knew that Mia didn't care much about that right now. "And every holiday and special occasion we'll come back visit your mom okay."
Mia grumbled to herself still clearly upset. "I'm sorry what was that my little mumbler." Tony said trying to tickle his daughter and make her laugh.
"You promise." She asked more clearly.
"Scout's honor".
"You were never a scout dad." Gabe said.
"Alright you caught me SEAL honor then." Tony acquiesced. Mia smiled lightly now. Gabe smiled too. 'Maybe this whole thing won't be so bad after all.' Tony thought to himself.
Twenty minutes later Dr. Burd came into Gabe's room and talked to Tony. It looked like he was ready to be discharged. Dr. Burd just gave Tony the care instructions for Gabe's burns, Tony signed some papers, and the DiNozzo family were on their way. Tony had already called Jimmy to collect all of their things from Gibbs' house and bring them back over to the family home.
"So, you excited to be going home bud?" Tony asked conversationally on the car ride home.
"Yes, my own bed, my things, my own food, my room."
"Yeah, that's great, but all that's going to change in a few days right dad." Mia said.
"Mia Isabelle DiNozzo, you watch your tone young lady." Tony warned as he eyed his daughter in the rearview mirror.
"Yeah, whatever." Mia grumbled under her breath. 'I don't know how you do it you little bro.' Tony thought to himself. His brother had a preteen daughter himself, Sophia. And two teenage boys. Logan the oldest would be a junior this coming school year and Connor the younger brother would be just starting high school as a freshman.
Gabe was too busy trying to play his PSP one handed to even notice the interaction between his dad and sister. A short while later Tony was pulling the car into the driveway of their home. He noticed AJ's rental car and smiled.
Gabe got out of the car and noticed the rental car. "Dad whose car is that?"
"You'll see." Tony smiled inwardly to himself. He and the kids walked up to the front door, unlocking it and he walked inside.
"Surprise." A group of people chorused. AJ came up to Gabe and clapped him lightly on the back.
"Good to see you're alright little man you had us all worried." AJ told Gabe. Mia pushed passed her brother and ran up the stairs to her room.
"Hey watch it Mia." Gabe yelled back at his sister's already retreating form.
"Let me guess you told her you were moving." AJ guessed.
"Yep, didn't take it so well, she doesn't want to leave her mom."
"Ah, I see I'd say I totally understand, but I'm afraid I don't sorry pal." AJ told Tony as the small welcome home Gabe party headed further into the house.
"It's alright she just needs time to process is all." Tony replied heading toward the fridge for a beer. He pulled out three and handed one to AJ. AJ nodded his thanks. Tony brought the other one over to Jimmy, who was seated on the couch talking to Ducky. The kids were all in the game room hanging out with Gabe.
"Congrats on the promotion, man Supervisory Special Agent that's big, and Hawaii, man I'm so jealous, you know I've never been stationed there."
Tony almost did a spit take. "What you've never been stationed in Hawaii."
"Nope, neither has Jason. We've been all over the east coast and our most recent base being Camp Pendleton. I mean it's great and all, but it's no Hawaii."
"I'm sure Mia will warm up to the idea of the move in no time, kids are quite resilient Anthony." Ducky chimed in.
"Have you met my daughter doc." Tony chuckled lightly. "Vance gave me three days to get everything done after Gabe got out of the hospital. That's Monday, I have to be gone by Monday. Packed up and car shipped out and everything."
"Breena and I can help you with that Tony if you need."
"Thanks Jimmy I appreciate it."
"No sweat Tony, it's what I'm here for." Jimmy replied as he took a swig of his beer.
A few hours later AJ and his brood were finally getting ready to leave. Ducky and Jimmy had left a few hours ago. "Come on recruits hut two three four move it on the double." AJ ordered playfully.
It seemed to Tony that he wasn't the only one that didn't want to see Gibbs anytime soon. Sometimes he felt bad for his friend having Leroy Jethro Gibbs as father. He couldn't imagine it. It seemed AJ was reluctant to go back to his fathers' place.
"Dad we're not your recruits'" Lucas reminded his dad just as playfully.
"Oh no, you're not I thought you were my little Marines." Tony watched his friend and his interaction with his kids. He smiled at that. "Hey Tony, thanks for inviting us. The kids had a blast." AJ told Tony as the three Gibbs' got ready to leave.
Tony leaned on the stairs that led up to the bedrooms. "You know AJ you guys don't have to go. We've got the room."
"Yeah dad, please can we stay over." Lucas asked. "I wanted to hang out with Gabe some more."
"No, you guys come on Gabe just out of the hospital today. I'm sure he just wants a few days to himself."
"But dad." Lucas started.
"Lucas Jackson." AJ warned. Lucas shut up really quick. He knew his dad only used their middle names when he was being serious.
"Okay, fine."
"It won't be that bad. You like hanging out with Grandpa and so does Kimmy." AJ reasoned. "Now let's go and leave Tony in peace." AJ gave his friend a look that said 'you know what you have to do to fix this.'
Tony shot him back a look that said 'I know, but I'm really not good at this.'
AJ and his three kids walked out of the DiNozzo household and got in their rental car and drove back to casa de Gibbs.
Tony sighed heavily and turned to his son. "Go and get ready for bed okay it's late. I'll be in twenty to change your bandages." Gabe nodded at his words and headed up the stairs to his room.
"I really could use your help this time Izzy." Tony said aloud to the empty entry way of his house. He'd leave the kitchen clean-up for later. He had more pressing matters to attend to.
Tony had stopped by his room to quickly change into an old pair of Navy sweats and a Navy SEAL t-shirt. He knocked on his daughter's door. "Go away." Mia yelled through the wooden door.
"Mia, you know I'm not going to do that we need to talk. Please open the door." Tony asked. There was movement within the room and the sound of a lock disengaging. Mia opened the door just wide enough for her dad to step through.
"I really don't want to move, I like it here and I like my friends. I don't want to finish my middle school years in a completely new school, or have to make new friends." Mia explained softly to her father.
Tony could see where his daughter was coming from at least a little bit. Even though Tony himself had been disowned a twelve years old and shipped off to boarding school along with his little brother Jason. He could understand losing the friends' part.
"I know you don't Mia. But this is something that's been in the works for a while and I'm not leaving you here."
"I could stay with Jimmy and Breena they don't have a kid yet. It could be practice for when they do have a kid eventually." Tony had to give it his daughter she was a smart one. She got her smarts' from her mother for sure. Got his looks though. The same emerald green eyes started back at him.
"Mia I'm not dumping you for an entire school on Mr. Palmer." 'Whoa that sounds weird to say Tony thought. He wanted to get through to Mia make her understand somehow. He was serious about this and that yes it was happening. Whether she liked it or not.
"Daaaaad." Mia whined. "You wouldn't be dumping me you'd be helping a friend out." Mia tried to reason with her father.
"Sweetie, I know why you don't want to move, I know more about your mother more than anything you don't want things to change. They are and you'll just have to accept them. I know it's hard now, but I'm here for you. You and your brother both you have to know that. I'm doing this for you."
"It doesn't feel like it." Mia sniffled. Tony got up from the desk chair he was sitting on backwards and walked over to his daughter. He gently wiped the tears out of her eyes.
"Oh, honey I know that, and there are things in life that parents do that their children will never fully understand, and this is one of those things."
"There are more things." Mia asked incredulously.
"Yes, to this day I still don't know why your Grandpa did some of things he did to your Uncle and I."
"I'm sorry I was such a brat and had attitude on Monday. I umm." Mia said out of the blue. This was really embarrassing for Mia to say and she really wished her mom were here and that her Aunt wasn't so far away.
"What what is it?" Tony asked.
"I got my period Dad." Mia mumbled. Tony heard though and it was probably the moment in all father's lives that they dread. This moment and the moment a fathers' daughter starts dating or gets pregnant and gets married. It was up there anyway at least.
Tony's face made an 'oh' expression. He understood now. The behavior, the moodiness, the attitude. All of it. He'd been around enough women to know. He just didn't think it'd be this soon with Mia. Though from what he'd heard from his sister in law it can be as early as nine years old. Girls mature faster than boys and all that. Hit puberty sooner.
"Oh-okay." Tony said trying not to sound too awkward. "Is there anything I can get you? Do you need anything um pads, tampons?" he questioned his daughter. He knew stuff because of Izzy and Maria. And Abby and Ziva. Oh, god that brings back memories. That he did not want to envision right the former Israeli Mossad officer on her 'time of the month' pure hell, for the men of Gibbs' Team. Plus, a frazzled, spazzy, eccentric, forensic scientist as well too. Forget about it. How those two managed to 'sync' up he'd never know. And didn't ever want to know.
"No, dad. I'm okay thanks. I told Hannah's mom when it happened she was a counselor there at the camp, and she got me all the stuff I need. A three months' supply." Mia informed her dad.
Tony looked visibly relieved, because while he may have known what to get Izzy on her 'time of the month' he had no clue what to get his preteen daughter. The only conciliation was that he wouldn't have to go this part of child rearing alone necessarily. AJ had a daughter, Kim she was only ten though. Jason had gotten lucky and had all boys. Logan the eldest, Connor the middle child and Anthony Dominic DiNozzo the third, the youngest. The baby of the family. Why Jason named his third son after him Tony would never know. He was twelve like Mia and a terror in his own right.
"Well okay, then if you're sure, I can get you anything you want remember, just ask okay honey." Tony felt relieved now that he knew what the problem was. "I love my angel you know that right." He kissed the top of his daughter's head.
Mia nodded. "I do dad, love you too. Goodnight."
"Night princess." Tony called from the doorway and headed over to Gabe's room. Tony found Gabe already asleep dressed in a pair of basketball shorts and a red muscle tee. His clothes strewn about the room just like any normal ten-year-old boy. Tony just shook his head and somehow managed to change his sons' bandages without waking him up. Score one for awesome super SEAL dad. Tony thought to himself.
This whole move and everything, would be good for his kids. They'd see it eventually. They just didn't know what new and exciting adventures awaited them, that was all. They weren't the only ones who would be enraptured in new and exciting adventures. Hawaii was a new beginning for Tony and his kids.
Well that's a wrap for chapter three again sorry it took so long been a bit busy. As always hit the that review button down below and tell me what you think.
