A/N: Hey all, sorry the chapter late! For those who don't know, I'm going to college for a second degree and my classes just re-started so RL (real life) sucks right now! I did make this chapter a little longer then the others. Thanks for being so patient!

A/N2: an parts italized are parts that are being signed!

BETA: NONE! I'm posting without even checking myself so...my apologies!

OoOoOoOo

Twin guilty expressions entered the faces of the two youngest people in the room before Tony broke down laughing

Twin guilty expressions entered the faces of the two youngest people in the room before Tony broke down laughing. Abby was quick to follow.

Glad to see the tension leaving the duo Ducky turned to Gibbs. "Jethro, really; I told you to make sure he was eating healthy."

Gibbs rolled his eyes, "Don't look at me Duck. They got the ice cream on their own."

"And who gave him the money?" Ducky raised an eyebrow.

Gibbs pointed to Abby with a smirk on his face causing Tony to break into a fresh round of laughter. Abby jokingly hid behind Tony when Ducky turned his raised eyebrow to her.

"Tony," Abby whispered loudly, "Should we run?"

"A run would be an excellent way to ensure you're hungry for a very nutritional dinner," Ducky smiled broadly.

"Um yeah, about that Ducky," Tony began.

"I knew you'd like the suggestion Anthony," Ducky didn't blink.

"Right," Tony took a step back before turning to Abby, "Every person for themselves."

With that the two ran upstairs to hide in his room. Ducky laughed softly and shook his head at the child-like behavior of the younger two. His eyes held the humor he felt but it quickly left as he saw his friends face.

"What is it Jethro?" Ducky asked not fooled by the impassive face his friend had on.

Gibbs said nothing as he spun around and walked outside to start the grill. Ducky followed at a slower pace.

"What happened Jethro?" Ducky sat at the picnic table.

Gibbs halted his movements and turned his steely look on his older friend. For his part, Ducky didn't bat an eye. He simply started back and waited.

"That bastard," Gibbs finally spat, "Showed up at the park."

"Anthony's father," Ducky clarified.

"That thing is not Tony's dad," Gibbs growled.

"No, he's not; you are," Ducky agreed. "Is your son alright?

"He was scared," Gibbs turned back to the grill.

"That is understandable," The M.E. responded.

"I know that," The lead agent snapped. He took a deep breath and, after making sure his son was wasn't within hearing range, continued, "I've never seen him so scared before Duck. He couldn't even hide it. What do I do?"

"Be there for him." The older man answered gently. Then with sternness that only he could get away with added, "Do not go after Mr. DiNozzo. It won't help Anthony if you get fired from NCIS or worse yet, arrested."

Gibbs smirk was met with a raised eyebrow and a frown.

After a moment Gibbs agreed, "Fine, I won't go after the bastard…yet."

OoOoOoOo

Upstairs in his bedroom, Tony and Abby, were laying on the bed laughing. Abby watched her friend as she laughed. She could tell that, though laughing, there was still something nagging in his head. She also knew that to ask questions now would result in him shutting down.

"We should get your dad back for that," Abby playfully frowned.

"Living may be over rated Abs, but I think everyone would miss us," Tony smiled.

"True," Abby grinned back, "Very true; we're the miss-able sort."

"That we are Abs," Tony agreed with a snicker.

Abby sat up slowly and looked at her friend, "Are you ok Tony?"

"Fine," Tony answered quickly…too quickly for Abby.

"Tony…" Abby started.

"Don't Abs," Tony's eyes flashed, "lets just not go there."

"Ok," Abby said softly.

"Wanna play a game?" Tony sat down at his computer and started the new game Gibbs had brought him the weekend before.

"Sure," Abby smiled though her eyes held her true feelings. "Do you think Gibbs will let me out of the house?"

"If you ask nicely," Tony answered, "Why?"

"I told Ziva yesterday that I'd meet her for a drink tonight," Abby responded. "I thought maybe I'd spend the night with her again."

"Ziva playing the hostess…I don't know Abs," Tony grinned.

"Be nice," Abby punched her friends arm.

"OW!" Tony rubbed the spot where he'd been hit, "You first."

With a roll of her eyes Abby grabbed the extra desk chair Gibbs had brought and sat beside Tony, "What are we playing?"

OoOoOoOo

Gibbs and Ducky laid the last of the food on the dining room table as Tony and Abby came running down the stairs.

"Is it done?" Tony asked as he eyed the food.

"No, me and Duck just thought we'd decorate the table." Gibbs replied with a playful roll of his eyes.

Tony rolled his eyes and shook his head, "Point taken dad."

With a grin Abby sat across from Tony at the table while Gibbs and Ducky sat across from each other. The group began to pile food on their plates. Gibbs put a spoonful of green beans on his protesting son's plate.

"I don't like green beans," Tony whined.

"You promised you'd eat them," Gibbs responded.

"I'm not hungry," Tony tried.

"Shouldn't have gotten an ice cream my dear boy," Ducky butt in. "Sweets always ruin an appetite.

"I didn't eat an ice cream, I had a bite of Abby's" Tony protested with a sly look, "Besides, dad's the one that brought donuts."

"Jethro," Ducky scolded.

"Traitor," Gibbs grumbled with a playful smack to his son's head.

With a final laugh the four ate and talked about nothing in general. Through out the meal Gibbs noticed that Tony would, every so often, rub his arm. At first he thought nothing of it but as the meal came to an end he became worried.

He didn't want to say anything in front of Abby knowing his child wouldn't want to say anything in front of the young Goth. When dinner was over he got up to clear the plates, telling the others not to help but Abby got up anyways. Before he could stop her she signed to him quickly, that she needed to talk to him.

Entering the kitchen Gibbs started to put water in the sink. While he waited he gave Abby a questioning look.

Abby looked back to make sure that Tony wasn't paying attention to them; she found him engrossed a story that Ducky was telling.

She began to sign, 'I think you should talk to Tony.'

'Why? Did he say something?' Gibbs was worried he missed something he should have seen.

'That's the point Gibbs. He won't say anything…even to me.' Abby's worry was evident in her eyes.

'I'll talk to him' Gibbs promised.

'He won't talk with me and Ducky here' Abby wagged a finger at Gibbs in a scolding manner. As an after thought she added 'well, maybe he would with Ducky but for sure not with me'.

Gibbs stewed for a moment before turning around and shutting the water off and depositing some of the dirty dishes in to the water. He knew Abby was right but for one, he couldn't ask her to leave, for two, he knew Tony would never let her out of the house. Not after what happened earlier in the day.

He needn't have worried. When he turned back to face the Goth, she was smiling.

'What' he asked.

'I already have a plan,' Abby smirked. 'I told Tony that I was supposed to go out with Ziva and while he was in the restroom I called her and asked if I could stay with her. I didn't tell her why but she still said yes.'

'That's my girl' Gibbs gave her a kiss on the forehead.

'I told Tony I was going to ask you for permission so…' Abby bit her lip and looked back into the dining room to ensure that Tony wasn't paying attention to them once more.

'I'll play my part', Gibbs gave her a playful week.

Aloud he said gruffly, "Are you going to help me Abs?"

"Sorry boss man," Abby grabbed a towel with a smile.

Together the two washed and dried the dishes they'd used. When they were done Gibbs sent Abby back to the table with a glass of milk for her and Tony. He brought a cup of tea and cup of coffee out before going back and bringing out the dessert Ducky had made.

"Is that…" Tony's voice trailed off as his eyes went wide.

It was a little known fact that the senior agent had a thing for chocolate. If you wanted to ensure his friendship for years to come there was one thing you could make that would get him every time…

"Lava cake," Gibbs finished for him with a grin.

He placed it on the table and handed Ducky a knife and plates so the M.E. could cut and serve the desert. Tony watched with a grin as chocolate oozed out of the middle of the chocolate cake.

Ducky shook his head and handed the two younger people each a piece, "I don't think I should be doing this but since Jethro is the one that has to handle to sugar intoxicated children…"

"On second thought," Gibbs stood as if he were going to take the cake.

Tony held up his fork as if it were a sword, "Dad, I would hate to have do anything to you."

"How ticklish are you again?" Gibbs raised an eyebrow.

Tony squirmed and took a bite of the food. He looked over at Ducky, "That's the best Ducky."

"Thank you Anthony," Ducky handed Gibbs a plate and took one for himself.

The four sat quietly until Abby spoke.

"Gibbs, Ziva and I were going out for a drink and then I was going to spend the night. Would you mind?" Abby took a bite of her food and refused to look over at Tony knowing if she did she'd give them away.

"I don't know Abs," Gibbs was hesitant.

Abby put a slight pout on her face before Tony could come to her rescue. "Come on dad, let her go. Besides then you can give Ziva your 'you can run but you can't hide' lecture."

Abby and Ducky looked over at him with twin confused looks. Tony looked at them with a blush.

"When John came to pick me up so we could go out, he," Tony glared at Gibbs, "Told him that if anything happened to me he better not come back."

"I wanted him to remember to be careful," Gibbs protested to the delight of his two guests.

"That I understand," Tony agreed, "What I don't understand is why you had to tell him that he better find the tallest building to jump from because if you got your hands on him he would wish he had."

Abby and Ducky couldn't hold back anymore and started to laugh uncontrollably. Tony sat eating the lava cake with a scowl which would have looked fierce had he not also been blushing.

When they'd gotten themselves under control Abby and Ducky each told a story of their parents embarrassing them, reassuring Tony it was something that all parents did.

It didn't take long before the desert was eaten and the table cleared. Abby called Ziva to pick her up before grabbing the over night back that had been at Gibbs house since Tony's accident.

When she got there, Ziva was greeted with Gibbs 'promise', as Abby called it. The Mossad agent nodded her head in understanding and promised to have Abby in the office, in the same condition as she was currently in.

OoOoOoOo

It was only ten when Tony finally decided to up to his room and get on the computer for some internet surfing. He said good night to his dad who hid his disappointment at not being able to get the chance to talk to his son.

After Abby had left, Tony had gotten on his phone and made calls. Ducky had started to say his good byes when Gibbs asked him if he'd be willing to stay the night. He could tell something was up with his son and wanted the doctor nearby.

Ducky had agreed quickly and called the nurse he'd hired to stay with his mother. He wasn't surprised when the nurse agreed to stay without hesitation. Tony had given him the name of the nurse who always seemed to be free at the last minute.

At first Ducky had been worried about that but he had finally worked out that Tony was playing the part of beneficiary and paying the nurse on the side to keep herself open for when Ducky needed her.

After Tony had disappeared upstairs Gibbs poured himself and his friend a small tumbler of liquor.

"Is everything alright Jethro?" Ducky inquired, accepting a tumbler.

"I don't know Duck," Gibbs admitted.

The two sat in comfortable silence and watched some television. It was almost midnight when they decided to go to bed. Gibbs ran out to Ducky's car to grab the older man's over night bag.

He'd just gotten back in the house when he heard it.

"NOOO! DAD!" The cry echoed through the house, "GIBBS!"

TBC…