Chapter Seven
Gibbs had a second helping of the spaghetti and meatballs. After dinner Leyla took Amira upstairs for a bath letting Gibbs and Tony talk. Gibbs got out a bottle of Maker's Mark Kentucky Bourbon and poured them each a glass.
"I've got some cash for you. It should be enough for a while. Also, you and I should go to my father's store tomorrow. We can start renovating and treating it like we are going to re-open it," stated Gibbs.
"You want me to become a storekeeper, boss," said Tony.
"If you are doing nothing it will be suspicious. Reopening my father's store is good cover," said Gibbs.
"What about firepower?" he asked.
"I've got six clips for you and you have the Henry rifle," said Gibbs.
"Henry rifle," mumbled Tony. "What's next? In a jam I throw rocks."
Gibbs glared at him.
"I brought my tools. The store needs work," he said.
"Yes, boss," said Tony. "How long will it take to fix the place up?"
"Three or four weeks. My father let the place get rundown. I've been meaning to start fixing it up, so I can let someone reopen it. You can be free labor," said Gibbs.
"Yes, boss," sighed Tony. "You know that I'm no good with tools."
"I know you can learn," said Gibbs.
Tony rolled his eyes.
"Tuesday I'll go back to NCIS and arrange some time off. I'll come back up here and we'll work together fixing up the store. I can also act as your backup," said Gibbs.
"Leyla and Amira have the bedrooms upstairs and I have the sofa," said Tony.
"You have the cot I brought," smiled Gibbs. "I have the sofa."
"My back is going to love you, boss."
"Don't complain, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.
"Tony or Franks. There is no DiNozzo here," smiled Tony.
Gibbs looked at him for a moment then grinned.
"You and Leyla are getting along," he said.
"I've been a perfect gentleman, boss," said Tony.
"I trust you, Tony," he said then a smirk appeared on his face. "But I'm glad I'm here to chaperone now."
"Very funny, boss."
"Not joking, Tony," he said then stood up. "Now help get my tools and the cot."
NCISNCIS
Tony heard Gibbs in the kitchen preparing coffee in the coffeemaker and knocking pans together. He looked at his watch to see it was just after six in the morning. The urge to take the pillow and suffocate himself almost got the better of him, but instead he sat up on the cot and stretched. Getting up he joined Gibbs in the kitchen.
"Morning, boss," he mumbled.
"Do you know if there are any blueberries of strawberries in? I'm going to make Amira some pancakes for breakfast," Gibbs said.
"Frozen blueberries in the freezer," he yawned an answer.
Gibbs opened the freezer and grabbed the bag of frozen blueberries. He looked at Tony, who stood in the middle of the kitchen with his eyes shut sleeping while standing.
"DiNozzo," he snapped.
Tony opened his eyes and looked at Gibbs.
"Get upstairs and take a shower. I can handle breakfast by myself," said Gibbs.
"Yea boss," he mumbled.
Tony stumbled his way up the stairs to the bathroom and a hot shower. Letting the hot shower wash over him, Tony found himself falling asleep while standing in the shower. Time passed quickly, as the hot water ran out and cold water woke him into action. Trying not to scream, he got out of the shower and finished his morning ablutions then he got dressed and went downstairs.
Leyla and Amira were now awake and had joined Gibbs. Amira was babbling away talking to her Jedde. Tony sat down in the living room. As he sat composing himself, Leyla came into the living carrying a mug of coffee for him just the way he liked it. She handed it to him and sat beside him.
"Thanks," he smiled.
"You are my husband," she said.
Tony looked at her with an expression that mixed confusing and anxiety. Leyla held a serious look for a moment then she broke out in a highly amused smile. Tony rolled his eyes.
"You don't like the idea of being married to me," she teased him.
"No, that's not it. Trust me when I say the idea of marriage to someone like you doesn't scare me, which is saying something," he said.
"You are a good man, Tony. You shouldn't be afraid of finding happiness," she said.
"Thank you, Leyla," he said softly.
For a few moments she stared into his sea green eyes and he stared into her dark brown eyes. Both of them didn't speak nor did they want to speak, and then suddenly there was a call.
"Breakfast is served," Gibbs called.
With smiles on their faces, they got up and joined Amira in the dining room. Gibbs brought in a big platter of blueberry pancake, placed them in the middle of the table, and then sat down. Leyla served Amira, while Gibbs and Tony dug in.
"I thought after breakfast we'd go to store and get started," Gibbs said.
"What can Amira and I do?" asked Leyla.
"We'll find plenty of things for you to do," smiled Gibbs.
"So you really intend on keeping your father's store going," said Tony.
"Jackson would like that," said Gibbs. "The store meant a lot to him."
"Should we clear out some of his belongings and give them to Goodwill, boss?" asked Tony.
"That's a good idea, Tony. His clothes, canes, and other things would be a good start," said Gibbs.
"What do you intend on doing with this house, boss?" asked Tony.
"Keeping it. Maybe I'll rent it. Maybe when I retire I'll move back here and run the store," grinned Gibbs.
"Can't really see you doing that, boss," smirked Tony. "Although, you would scare the local kids away from stealing at the store."
"Maybe Amira and I will stay here when this is done and run the store and stay in the house, Gibbs," said Leyla.
"Stillwater is a boring town," said Gibbs.
"You know that boring doesn't bother me, Gibbs," she smiled. "It is better than what I grew up with."
"I now," Gibbs said softly.
"Jedde, more pancakes," Amira spoke up.
Tony realized that he'd never experienced this side of family before. He couldn't help but grin.
NCISNCIS
Dressed in work clothes bought at Walmart, Tony and Gibbs started ripping apart the shelving units that Amira and Leyla had emptied of can goods. Leyla boxed the canned good, checking to see which were still good, so that they could be given to a local food bank. Gibbs' intention was to give the whole store a face lift then worry about ordering new goods and foods to sell.
"I think this shirt is giving me a rash, boss," said Tony.
"It's not giving you a rash," said Gibbs.
"Are you sure? It only cost $12.95. God knows what it is made of," said Tony.
Gibbs glared at him.
"Okay, I'll shut up," said Tony.
With hammers they took apart the shelving of one aisle. Leyla dragged a full box of cans to the front door when it opened and in walked Sheriff Ed Gantry. Gibbs and Tony stopped working.
"Hello, Jethro, sorry about Jackson," he started.
"Can I help you, Ed?" asked Gibbs.
"I noticed you working in here and someone living in your house, just want to do my job," said Gantry.
"This is Tony Franks and that is his wife Leyla and child Amira," said Gibbs. "They are staying at my father's house and helping me to fix up the store so it can reopen."
"Oh, so you are going to reopen the store, huh?" said Gantry. "You thinking of retiring and coming back to Stillwater?"
"It's possible," said Gibbs. "You thinking of retiring, Ed?"
"Nay, Jethro, I'm in my prime," Gantry smiled.
"How's Chuck?" asked Gibbs.
"Mr. Winslow is still reeling from your investigation. Ethan is in a wheelchair and still recovering. Emily lives with him with her son. She won't talk to her father and her husband is in jail for killing one marine and trying to kill Ethan," said Gantry.
"I'll have to visit Corporal Lacombe," said Gibbs. "I'm glad he's in a wheelchair. He should be dead."
"I think you should stay out of it," said Gantry.
"Are you telling a federal agent what he can or can't do, Sheriff Gantry?" Gibbs asked in a cold tone.
"I'm just trying to avoid trouble. Chuck Winslow blames you for most of these troubles," said Gantry.
"I didn't have a son and hide his identity. I didn't influence my son-in-law to hate and want dead that son. And, I especially didn't lie to my daughter about that son, so she actually dated him," said Gibbs. "If I see Corporal Lacombe it is going to be marine to marine."
"Just keep in mind that there are still some bad feelings around here, Jethro," said Gantry.
"I'll keep that in mind, Sheriff."
Gantry looked at Tony then Leyla and Amira.
"Mr. and Mrs. Franks, glad to meet you," he said then left.
"What an A-hole," remarked Tony.
"He's had better moments," replied Gibbs.
"Gibbs, do you want me to go with you when you visit this marine in the wheelchair?" asked Amira.
"I might, Leyla," said Gibbs then he looked at Tony. "Tony can babysit."
Gibbs observed as Tony grinned then looked at Amira.
"My girl and I don't mind that. We can watch a movie and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, right?" said Tony.
"Yes, baba," said Amira.
Gibbs grinned. Tony looked at him confused, while Leyla tried to suppress a smile.
"What?" said Tony.
"Baba," grinned Gibbs.
"Okay, I'll bite, boss. What does baba mean?" Tony asked.
"Daddy," answered Gibbs.
Tony looked over at a smiling Amira. He forced a grin on his face then looked at Gibbs again.
"Get to work, baba," said Gibbs.
NCISNCIS
For the next two days they worked on the store then Gibbs left for DC with the understanding he'd be back in a few days. When he got back he'd be on leave, so he'd be there to stay. Before leaving Gibbs told Tony that not to work on the store without him. He didn't trust Tony's restoration skills.
With Gibbs gone, Tony was back on the sofa. He woke the next morning with Amira staring at him.
"Wake up, baba," she said, "it's almost time for breakfast."
"Okay, munchkin," he said.
He'd gotten used to hearing her call hi baba. The truth was he kind of liked it. Again, it was feeling part of a family in a way that he'd never experienced before. Amira gave his cheek a kiss then ran off towards the kitchen. Tony sat up slowly and sighed.
Looking around the living room he saw the boxed of clothes and other items that had been packed up for Goodwill, who was going to pick it up today. Tony watched Gibbs pack up the boxes and saw the sadness on his face then Amira came to him to give him a kiss goodnight and Gibbs brightened. Leyla and Amira were Gibbs family and Tony was starting to realize just how important that kind of family could be.
Leyla walked into the living room. She had a summery dress on and a smile. His heart skipped a beat, which wasn't a good sign.
"Breakfast is done. We are having scrambled eggs, toast, and fruit," she said.
"And coffee?" asked Tony.
"Of course," she said.
"Thank you, Leyla," said Tony.
"You don't have to thank me, Tony. Amira and I think of you as family and family doesn't have to thank people," said Leyla.
Tony smiled but didn't say thank you.
NCISNCIS
"Witness protect said that someone hacked into the computer. The only files looked at where Cortez' wife and child," said Vance to Gibbs. "Cortez is spending some serious money on revenge."
"What is WitSec doing with his family?" asked Gibbs.
"They asked the FBI to take over their protection since they've been compromised," said Vance.
"I'll have McGee try to trace the hacker," said Gibbs, "and Bishop work with him."
"How is Stillwater going?" asked Vance.
"Doing some work on my father's store," said Gibbs. "DiNozzo is a much better investigator then he is a carpenter."
Vance laughed.
"I've arranged for time off for you," said Vance. "I hate having my best MCRT out of commission. We need to find this Cortez and bring him."
"We will, Leon," said Gibbs. "Maybe DiNozzo and I can do some investigating from Stillwater. I'll have Abby get me a laptop."
"Be careful, Gibbs," said Vance.
"We will be," grinned Gibbs.