Gibbs sat on the edge of the bed and watched Tony sleep. As the night progressed his symptoms had become more apparent. His glands were swollen and he had spiked a fever. Ever since the plague incident Gibbs hated to see his boy sick. Even a simple case of the sniffles turned into Tony half dead under blue lights. Gibbs had to keep reminding himself that Tony just had mono. It was serious but it could be a hell of a lot worse and if Tony did take a serious turn for the worst. He had an amazing medical team at Bethesda on call to care for him. Even when Dr. Pitt wasn't on duty he would always consult on Tony's case and if an emergency arose. He would be there in the blink of an eye. Tony groaned and shuddered in his sleep. Gibbs put his hand on his son's shoulder and whispered that he was OK. Gibbs wondered if Tony really was his son. Not that it mattered for anything. He had always seen Tony as and loved him like a son. All that would change is some words on paper. Family was so much more than flesh and blood to both men. Tony was born into a family where he was seen as more of a possession than a child and Gibbs had lost his only child in such a cruel and tragic way. When they found each other they just fell into the roles of father and son so perfectly.
"Boss?" Tony moaned.
"You alright son?" Gibbs asked.
"How's Sadie?" Tony asked.
"She's fine I fed her and put her to bed an hour ago." Gibbs replied.
"She probably thinks I abandoned her too." Tony sighed.
"No she doesn't I explained to her that you are sick and will have to be in bed for a while but I am here to take care of her." Gibbs explained.
"How was your date?" Tony asked.
"I didn't go." Gibbs replied.
"You stood a woman up?" Tony gasped.
"No I called Mary and let her knew that you were sick and needed me." Gibbs explained.
"I ruined your night. I have been nothing but a pain since I met you. If it weren't for me Jenny would be alive and you would be married and happy. Maybe with a little Gibbs or two." Tony rambled.
"That may be the stupidest thing you have ever said." Gibbs replied.
"It's true I am why Jenny is dead. I am why you are alone. I wish I had died that day instead." Tony replied.
"Tony, Jenny she was dying anyway. Even if you and Ziver had been there. She would have had at best a year," Gibbs corrected.
"Yeah right" Tony retorted.
"Why the hell would I lie about somebody having a terminal illness?" Gibbs demanded
"To make me feel better?" Tony guessed.
"I would never do that. I would never lie to make somebody feel better." Gibbs replied.
"Besides Jenny how many women have I ruined your chances with? You should just ditch me and go find happiness." Tony replied.
"Listen to me Tony. You are my son and nothing will ever come before you in my life." Gibbs replied.
"Even Kelly?" Tony asked.
"You and Kelly are tied." Gibbs replied.
"How did Mary feel?" Tony
"Mary understood she has kids. She was relieved that you didn't have cancer after all and if she had been mad at me. Well then she isn't worth my time. My boy will come before any women." Gibbs explained.
"Even Shannon?" Tony asked astonished.
"Shannon is gone and she is never coming back and even if she did. She would fall for your green eyes and smile and when she learned about your past. Her heart would melt and she would make me adopt you as an adult." Gibbs explained.
"She really would have liked me?" Tony asked.
"She would have adored you, Kelly too. She always wanted a big brother." Gibbs explained.
"Boss what if I really am your son?" Tony asked.
"Nothing will change." Gibbs replied.
"Really?" Tony asked.
"Well some paper-work would change but that's about it." Gibbs replied.
"It wouldn't change how you look at me?" Tony asked.
"Nope you have been my boy since day one. If I am your real dad great I will know your medical history and have the privilege of legally call you my son. If not well you are still my son." Gibbs explained.
"Can I still be on your team if you are my dad?" Tony asked.
"If I have anything to say about it you will." Gibbs replied.
"It's against the rules though." Tony replied.
"I am Leroy Jethro Gibbs I will burst into the oval office to keep you on my team." Gibbs explained.
"Alright dad." Tony yawned.
"Well you need your rest. Get some sleep." Gibbs replied.
"Will you be here when I wake up?" Tony asked.
"What do you think?" Gibbs questioned.
"Stupid question of course you will." Tony replied.
"Good night son." Gibbs said.
"Good night dad." Tony yawned.
Tony fell back asleep. This time it was a far more restful sleep. Gibbs watched his boy's chest slowly rise and fall under the sheets. He honestly didn't know what he had done to deserve such a wonderful son. To make things even better the son came with a beautiful granddaughter. When Kelly died he thought his opportunity to be a grandfather was over. Tony had really come through for him on that one. Tonight was ideal Tony didn't have cancer and he had some excellent snuggle time with Sadie when he was getting her ready for bed. This was real he had his son and granddaughter living under the same roof as him. The only thing that could make his life more ideal would if Shannon and Kelly were around to know their new son/brother and granddaughter/niece. Later in the night Gibbs started to feel tired himself. He quietly sneaked down the hall to his room and grabbed a pillow and blanket. When he returned Tony was sitting up in the bed.
"I didn't leave I just went for a pillow and blanket." Gibbs assured.
"OK" Tony replied falling back asleep.
Gibbs set his pillow down on the floor by Tony's bedside, lay down himself, and wrapped up in the blanket. He felt something on his hand and looked up to see Tony's hand lying on top of his. He reached up and grabbed his son's hand. Within seconds Tony was asleep again. If he really had been awake in the first place.
"Thanks for my new family girls. If only you could know them." Gibbs whispered into the darkness.
A/N: Not much of a chapter but Tony and Gibbs cleared the air on a lot of things that need to be discussed. New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.