Later, Gibbs learned that Tony had told Abby the truth and had made her promise to keep it a secret. He didn't want Ziva and Tim to know about what his father had done to him and it was totally understandable. So they decided to give everyone the mugging story and move on.
Abby was shocked; she couldn't believe that Tony's father could've done such a thing. She'd seen the man and he always seemed sweet, a bit creepy, but it didn't seem like he could hit someone else and his son for that.
But then again, Abby didn't really know him; she had never believed the stories Tony had given them in very few occasions. It wasn't until that particular case around Thanksgiving Day that she realized the man could really drink himself to oblivion and that was when she felt ashamed for not believing Tony.
But even then she didn't think the older DiNozzo could ever hit anyone. Right now, though, she was so angry with him that she thought she could kill him and leave no trace behind.
No one was allowed to hurt her Tony and walk away, not even his own father. Especially not his own father!
Gibbs had told Tony what he'd said and done to his father. Tony had only nodded and smiled a smile that didn't reach his eyes; once again he'd been let down and he was getting old for being betrayed over and over again.
He was tired and Gibbs could see it in his eyes and every movement.
Tony had gone back to work after another week of resting and things had started to get back to normal, except the fact that Tony was more withdrawn than they had ever seen him.
Those who knew what his problem was couldn't really do anything. He wouldn't talk about his feelings much with anyone.
Ducky would talk and Tony would stand there and listen to him quietly and then would tell him that he was fine; that although he hadn't been hit before by his father, he wasn't surprised or anything. He'd told the old ME that he knew that his father had just been drunk and he'd never hurt him on purpose but he just didn't want to deal with his father's messes and stupidity anymore.
Abby kept inviting herself to his place and were giving him more hugs than she'd been giving him lately. Tony in return would bring her more Caf-pows and kept reassuring her that he was doing just fine.
There was only so much everyone could do.
Tim and Ziva didn't know what was bothering their teammate and like every other time, they kept cornering him and asking him questions or sometimes would use taunting to see how Tony would react. But better than every other time, Tony deflected them and never answered one single question with honesty.
Gibbs was another story, though. He had realized that it'd been a long time since the last time that Tony had come to his place just to sit there and watch him work or talk.
After the current unfortunate incident, Gibbs had told himself that he'd be there more for the younger man, but it seemed like, this time, Tony was keeping his distance deliberately.
He didn't know the reason, but he could say that it wasn't something new. Tony had been distant for a while now, but before this, Gibbs wouldn't pay much attention. He'd been preoccupied with their cases and his own life and he'd thought that Tony would come to him if he needed to talk. They'd been working together for more than eleven years now, Tony must know that he could trust his boss with his problems, and Gibbs liked to believe that the younger man knew it, he'd ended up at Gibbs' place more than once, after all.
The last time had been a long time ago, though. Gibbs tried to remember it and couldn't come up with anything after Christmas which was months ago.
A few times, Gibbs had confronted Tony at work, but the younger man had always brushed it off, telling him that he was just fine and not even once had he come to his place after their short talks during the day.
Now after almost three weeks, Gibbs had had enough. So, he'd all but ordered Tony to get his ass there for dinner and here he was; making dinner and trying to think of a way to make his young friend open up to him again, so he could understand what was bothering Tony that he couldn't come to his boss anymore.
There was a knock on the door and then a few seconds of silence before the door opened and someone walked in. Gibbs frowned and looked up from the fireplace he was sitting by. His frown turned into a confused look when he saw Tony coming in with a six pack of beer.
"Hi, Boss." Tony smiled.
"Since when do you knock?" Gibbs inquired.
"Well, I didn't want to interrupt anything. Wasn't sure if you were alone."
"The door is always open for you." Gibbs insisted. "When was the last time you showed up here, anyway?" He handed Tony a plate.
"Hmm, thanks." Tony accepted the offered plate and put it down to take his overcoat off.
"When was it?"
"When was what?" Tony asked and received a glare in return. "Oh, the last time I was here? I don't know; it's been a while."
"And why is that?"
Tony put his knife down and turned his head to look at Gibbs. "What's this about?"
"I just wanna know what made you stop coming here?"
"And since when you care so much?" Tony was annoyed; nobody seemed to care what the hell would happen to him before his encounter with his father and now suddenly everyone was interested in his personal life. He wouldn't show how annoyed he was, but he was getting really tired.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Gibbs glared at his SFA.
Putting the plate down Tony sighed. "Gibbs, don't play dumb, it really doesn't suit you. Tell me what this is about and why I am here, so we can get it over with."
"This is about having dinner together, like old times. Eat." Gibbs ordered and turned his attention to his plate and quietly started to eat. Silently he cursed himself for bringing up that sensitive subject too fast. He knew Tony was on the edge; the plan wasn't to break him; it was to calm him down and reassure him. He already had enough on his plate; it wasn't right to add to it.
Contemplating for a few more seconds, Tony finally grabbed his plate and restarted eating with no words.
When they were done, Tony put his plate down and grabbed his beer. Bracing himself for the upcoming discussion, he turned his gaze to his Boss and asked, "Seriously, what's this about?"
"I told you, dinner."
"Gibbs." Tony warned.
Gibbs just stared at the younger man.
"Fine." Tony sighed, "In that case, thanks a lot for the delicious dinner. It was great. You didn't have to put yourself through so much trouble, but thanks. I should get going." Tony reached for his overcoat.
"You have any problem with me, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked before Tony could get up.
"What?" Forgetting his overcoat for the moment, Tony sat back again. "Boss? Why would you think that I have any problem with you? What have I done?"
"You seem distant."
"Me?" Tony genuinely looked confused. "I really don't get it."
"You said it yourself; you haven't been here in a while. And when your father showed up, I realized that I didn't know what was going on with you."
"Is that what this is about? My father again? I really wish nobody knew about it." Tony rubbed his temple.
"Everyone is worried. But this isn't about it. I told you I wouldn't let that bastard near you again and like it or not, I meant it."
"Well, I still haven't changed my mind, so thanks. But if this isn't about that fight with my father, then I don't know what this is about. So I haven't been here for a few months, what's the big deal?"
"The big deal is that it's not like you, DiNozzo."
"And how would you know that?"
"You see. You're annoyed. What's the problem?" Gibbs said calmly.
Tony sighed in exasperation; Gibbs was right. He was annoyed. Actually, he was pissed off. And Gibbs would always know what was going on with his people; he might be preoccupied and late sometimes, but he'd always come around.
"Your father told me what he wanted from you that night. It was money."
Tony's head snapped up.
"You remember that, though. Don't you? Why did you say you couldn't remember?" Gibbs asked gently.
"What difference would it make?" Tony looked away. "What would you think of me if I told you that my father hit me just for money? And that just like a little kid who doesn't share anything, I refused to give it to him."
"DiNozzo." Gibbs growled; he wasn't mad at Tony or anything, he just couldn't believe it that Tony thought he might think any less of him if he knew the whole truth. "I wouldn't have given him the money if he were my father. You did the right thing." He tried to reassure.
"He's not that old to be your father." Tony quipped after a few seconds of silence.
Gibbs was glad to hear that little bit of normalcy, even if it meant that Tony was once again hiding behind his jokes; he wanted to know the truth more, though. "But the fight with him isn't the only problem, is it?"
Tony sighed. Gibbs was really getting on his nerve.
"So?" Gibbs pushed.
"So nothing. You're right, I'm not comfortable like I used to be, but that's OK. Everything is fine. You don't need to worry." No matter what, Tony wasn't one to talk about his true feelings or problems willingly.
"Right, that's why you haven't been here since Christmas and now that you finally came, you knocked before coming in. Talk."
"I really should go." Tony grabbed his coat and stood up. "Thanks for the dinner." And he was out of the door before Gibbs could stop him.
Gibbs cursed himself for many reasons; for pushing Tony too hard to talk; for not seeing how bad Tony was falling apart; for not realizing it sooner; for letting it get this far; for not stopping Tony from leaving.
Things were getting out of hand and he knew that it'd be too late if he didn't act quickly; Tony's problem with his father had clearly acted as a catalyst.
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... TBC ...
A/N: Let me know what you think? :)
Thanks again for all your support! It's great to know you liked the way Gibbs handled the situation! :D
Sorry for any mistakes.
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