Gibb's gently palmed the bedroom door open. He prowled over to Tony's bed, his special ops training in full flow. Glancing down at the curled form of his son, his breathing shallow his eyes visibly moving under the shuttered lids, as he suspected, the kid wasn't really asleep.
"You awake?" Gibbs growled playfully.
Tony jumped, which made Gibb's smile and confirmed that Tony hadn't heard him come into the room.
"No," Tony answered, rolling onto his side. He opened his eyes and squinted at his dad, while stifling a yawn. "What is it with this creeping about thing, dad? You nearly scared me half to death!"
The older man laughed and shook his head.
"Just keeping the old skills honed, son." He smiled, noticing Tony roll his eyes. Turning to leave the room, Gibbs looked over his shoulder. "You have two minutes," he teased as he reached the door.
Tony propped himself up on one arm, his hair sticking out in all directions, "Or what?"
"Or I find out if you're as ticklish now, as you were at twelve." Gibbs answered with a grin, shutting the door and leaving Tony alone to think about what he'd said.
Tony stared at the shut door momentarily before bolting out of bed. Still dressed in sweats and the t-shirt he'd slept in, he ran down the stairs. Gibbs could hear the slapping of bare feet on the wooden floors before Tony appeared in the kitchen. Gibbs chuckled at Tony standing by him, knuckling his sleepy eyes. 'Something's definitely don't change' he mused, remembering a regressed Tony doing something very similar.
"Very funny dad," Tony grumbled good naturally.
Gibbs ruffled his hair as he passed the younger man a plate of food, leading the way into the dining room. Tony sat opposite him and happily tucked into his breakfast. Gibbs absently watched the scruffy sleep mused head bobbing about as he ate his own breakfast with a little less gusto than Tony.
"Hungry?" Gibbs inquired with a grin. Tony nodded his head as his mouth was full. Gibbs couldn't stop the chuckled that escaped his lips, "Well, you better slow down or you're gonna get indigestion."
"Sorry," Tony blushed as slowed his eating to match Gibbs.
Gibbs shook his head as he sat back and finished his coffee. One would have thought there'd be awkwardness between the two men and their new relationship but there wasn't. There was only comfort that each relished.
With breakfast done, Gibbs started to clear the dishes. Tony jumped up to help and followed the older man into the kitchen.
"You want to run to the store with me and I can drop you off at Abby's or you want to drive yourself?" Gibbs asked as started to wash dishes.
Tony didn't even have to think about it, "I'll come with you."
"Go get ready then, I'm leaving in twenty minutes." Gibbs warned with a smile.
Tony dashed up the stairs and Gibbs gave a chuckle; ever since the adoption papers had come through Tony had stayed close to his side. The younger man was full of energy and cheeky but Gibbs didn't mind any of it. Besides, Tony seemed to reveling in the attention and it showed, even at work.
Over the course of the week he watched his new dad cook under the guise of needing to learn how. Gibbs, however, knew that the younger man already knew how. Gibbs made sure they ate breakfast and supper together even during cases. When they were home they had a silent agreement, if not rule, that there was no TV and no answering the phone unless it was Gibbs work phone.
Much like when he was twelve, Tony would often sit on the basement stairs reading out loud the books that Gibbs suggested. He would re-read the parts that he found were particularly funny or parts that he just wanted to talk about or ask questions about. When they weren't on a case Gibbs taught Tony how to work on the boat, finding that the younger man was not only a fast learner, but a willing learner.
In turn for all the time Tony spent doing the things Gibbs liked, the older agent allowed himself to be talked into watching not promised one James Bond movie, but all of them. Though the experience was as Gibbs imagined it would be, the feel of the body against him and seeing the wide grin on Tony's face made it worth it. Just the night before he'd allowed himself to be talked into watching a Magnum PI marathon. Gibbs had to smile at the memory of Tony falling asleep with his head on Gibbs shoulder.
Gibbs wasn't complaining. For him it felt so natural to have Tony around. Gibbs couldn't help but wonder how he'd survived all this time without a 'child' in the house.
OoOoOoOo
Thirty minutes later, Gibbs was finally able to usher his son out of the house and into the car.
"I'm waking you up earlier tomorrow," Gibbs grumbled.
"What'd I do?" Tony asked with fake indignation.
"Do all kids take that long to get ready or just you?" Gibbs inquired, his eyes showing his amusement.
"You were just blessed dad, what can I say?" Tony responded with a wide grin; the word 'dad' rolling off his tongue.
Gibbs softly swatted at his head causing Tony to laugh.
At the store Gibbs grabbed a cart and gave it to Tony to push while he kept track of the things they needed. The two had, before watching Magnum PI the night before, cleaned out the fridge and cabinets of their old contents.
Gibbs headed straight for the pharmacy section, wanting to get the groceries after getting the necessary toiletries first. Tony followed at a slower pace, looking at the different items on the end caps.
Tony stopped suddenly when he saw an empty aisle. He bit his lip and looked up to find Gibbs had wondered into another aisle and didn't seem to notice that he wasn't with him. Tony grinned; it was just meant to be…or maybe not.
Just as he was leaning into the cart, ready to go for a ride, a hand clamped around the back of his shirt, effectively stopping him.
"Don't even think about it," Gibbs voice was stern.
"Think about what?" Tony asked, his eyes wide and innocent.
"You know what," Gibbs replied tapping Tony on the head.
Tony blushed when he noticed a grandmotherly woman watching the whole scene. As Tony passed (pushed really) passed her she gave him a wink. Tony's blush deepened as he looked straight ahead.
Gibbs shook his head and followed his son towards the toothpaste aisle. He gave the older woman a shrug of his shoulders.
Tony kept quiet until they hit the grocery side of the store. There were a few things that Gibbs brought that Tony point blank said he wasn't eating. Gibbs just shook his head and let Tony pick up some snack food.
It wasn't until they got to the bakery that Gibbs put his foot down.
"Duck will kill me if he finds that in the house."
"Aw come on Dad," Tony argued, "What Ducky doesn't know won't hurt him…or you."
"Funny smart guy; you just remember that next time Ducky wants to check you over for injury," Gibbs smirked.
Tony grinned back, "So can I tell Abby that you're afraid of Ducky?"
Gibbs glared playfully back at him, "Keep it up kiddo and I'm putting back your fruit loops."
Tony's jaw dropped, "You wouldn't…" Tony eyed his dad warily, "Ok, so you would. How about a compromise? I will eat the…green beans if you buy, and let me eat, some…glazed donuts."
"Alright but you're taking the blame," Gibbs agreed, placing his order to the woman behind the counter. "And you're eating all the green beans on your plate."
Tony made a face but said nothing. It felt nice to have someone to banter around with…someone who didn't make him feel worthless. He smiled as Gibbs looked around before deciding to buy a Dutch apple pie.
"Do you want bagels?" Gibbs question brought Tony out of his thoughts.
With a nod of Tony's head Gibbs turned back to the lady and started picking and choosing different types of bagels for Tony to try.
When he was done the duo headed to the other window which held the deli. It was decided that they would get some basic sandwich meat for the days that neither wanted to cook or for the days they simply didn't have the time to cook.
While there they also made sure to buy some steaks to grill, chicken for Tony to bake the way he liked, and pork chops for Gibbs to bread.
By the time they were done the grocery cart was over flowing. Gibbs shoved it up to the cash register and waited while the cashier bagged the stuff and added up the prices. Gibbs said nothing to the final tally (165.34) while Tony's eyes about bugged out of his head.
Tony grinned when they got to the parking lot, "It's a good thing we brought your car."
Gibbs ruffled his hair, "Help put the groceries in the trunk."
Tony patted his hair down and then did as was told. When they were done he offered to take the cart to the cart corral.
"I don't think so," Gibbs answered.
"Aw, come on dad," Tony smiled mischievously. "Don't you trust me?"
Gibbs raised an eye brow. "You are not allowed to ride the cart."
"Da-ad," Tony couldn't help but whine.
"If and I stress if I let you get this out of your system you can not tell anyone. You can not do it again. You can not bug me about it later." Gibbs gave his son a look that said 'take it or leave it'.
"Deal," Tony replied, taking the cart and starting for the corral.
After making sure no one was watching Tony put one foot on the ring of the cart and bent slightly over to even out his weight. He pushed off with his other foot and went flying towards the corral.
Gibbs watched nervous about Tony getting hurt. When he was done putting the cart away Tony came back with a big grin.
"I've always wanted to do that."
Gibbs shook his head, "Now that that's out of your system, are you ready to go?"
Tony nodded and got in the car. "If I have Abby drive me home can she stay for dinner?"
"You really think I'm gonna say no?" Gibbs asked rhetorically. "Now Palmer on the other hand…"
Tony laughed, "He's a good guy once he stops being scared of you."
"Just behave yourself while you're gone," Gibbs ignored Tony's comment. "Don't think I won't ground you just because your not twelve anymore."
Tony blushed slightly at the reminder before retorting. "It's Abby's place. What kind of trouble could I get into?"
TBC… (too sudden an ending? If so, please feel free to start me in a direction)