Chapter Two
present…
Tony pulled up to his house and found it surrounded by local LEOs and another car that he recognized as Gibbs'.
He tried to make sense of it all. Gibbs must have come by to see the baby. Maybe the police were there for his neighbors? Had something happened while he was out?
He parked the car and got out, a grocery bag in his hand. Kate hadn't been due for another week and they hadn't even gotten diapers yet when she'd gone into labor. It had been his first errand after they'd gotten home from the hospital early that morning. The new father had only been gone for 20 minutes.
Unfortunately it was all the time Ari had needed.
As he walked up his drive, Tony could no longer deny that the police, ambulance and all the people were gathered around his house. The house that held his wife and new baby.
The bag dropped forgotten out of his arms as he ran to his front door, screaming his wife's name.
Gibbs heard the ruckus outside and knew what it meant, dreading it since the moment he'd found Kate in the hallway. Leaving the sleeping baby still in his crib, he ran to the door to intercept his Senior Field Agent.
When Gibbs got outside of the door he found three agents trying to hold back the frantic husband and new father. Outnumbered as he was, they were barely keeping Tony under control. There wasn't much that could stop a man who'd lost everything. Gibbs knew that from experience.
Afraid that someone might get hurt, Gibbs took over, reaching for Tony's arm.
"DiNozzo!"
The voice broke through Tony's terror, grief....agony. He looked at his boss.
"Gibbs?"
Tony's voice sounded like a lost child. In one word he asked everything he wanted to know, even though he didn't want to know it.
"The baby's fine, Tony," Gibbs said softly. He wanted to give the man something to hold onto, a small glimmer of hope.
Tony's knees buckled and he staggered. Gibbs was there in an instant, his arm around the younger man's shoulders.
Tony looked into Gibbs' eyes, tears streaming.
"Kate?"
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Six months earlier….
Tony got properly plastered at his bachelor party. Well maybe "party" wasn't the right word. After all it consisted of only himself and Gibbs and they spent it talking, laughing and working on the ever-present boat. Come to think of it "bachelor" wasn't the right word either, considering Tony was technically already married.
They also wisely did it the week before the wedding reception. Gibbs knew Kate would kill him (and she had the skill to do it too) if Tony had shown up at the reception hung-over.
After some talking, some yelling and a LOT of explanations, Gibbs had finally come to terms with Tony and Kate's relationship. He didn't like that they'd hid it from him but when he saw the two of them together, he forgave. Kate positively glowed with excitement about the baby, happily requesting a transfer to another department and a desk job.
Gibbs had even helped out when Abby had suggested giving the two a wedding reception. The couple had basically eloped and everyone was excited to throw them a party.
The entire "family" gathered together at a favorite restaurant. Gifts were brought, toasts were given, and everyone celebrated the happy couple. The Monday afterwards, Tony returned to work and Kate moved to her new office.
The team greeted Kate's replacement about a week later, Officer Ziva David. Everything was perfectly and utterly normal.
Gibbs kept track of his growing godson, still comfortably ensconced in his mother's womb. Tony brought in sonogram pictures and even a video, bragging at his son's "pride" with many winks.
Gibbs' "family" had been growing.
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Present…
Tony looked into Gibbs' eyes, tears streaming.
"Kate?"
Again with one word, Tony said it all, asked it all.
Gibbs didn't need to say anything, his silence spoke volumes. Tony had long ago learned to understand the other man when he said nothing. What little strength there had been in Tony's legs gave out and Gibbs guided him to the front step, not allowing him inside yet. The younger agent wasn't aware of anyone or anything around him as his grief took over. He sobbed without shame into Gibbs' shoulder and the older man held him hard, also without shame. Shame had no place there that morning.
After a few minutes Gibbs saw a familiar face walking towards them through the crowd. Catching Ducky's eyes, he nodded his head towards the house. Mouthing two words at the ME, Gibbs received a nod in return and Ducky disappeared inside silently. The older man returned minutes later with a blanket in his arms.
"Tony," Ducky whispered, getting the younger man's attention quietly. Tony looked up and Ducky's heart nearly broke at the pain in his friend's face. Ducky's chin quivered a little as he spoke again.
"He's fine," the older man said and put the blanket in Tony's arms. He and Gibbs both hoped that a father's love would help a husband's grief.
"Thank you," Tony whispered gratefully, holding his son tightly.
To be continued….