A/N: Some of you wanted to see more Jimmy, so I added some more conversation between him and Tony; hope you like it!

A/N2: Some of you had some...concerns...regaurding Tony. It's hard for me to describe what I'm doing with him. I know he's out of character and a bit childish with his feelings. Please take into account though, that in my story I have Tony mentally, emotionally, and phsycally abused. His behavior before being adopted was his mask. The way he felt he had to be. With Gibbs as his dad, he's allowing himself to be more open. Not only that but part of it is also the fact that there's still some lingering affects of his mental de-aging. If you have any question or concerns please feel free to PM me!

Gibbs was ready to storm out of the NCIS building and hunt down the bastard that hurt his son

Gibbs couldn't stop himself from pacing in the small confines of the elevator. His fist kept clenching and unclenching.

He knew that in reality it was Tony who should confront his father. It was something that would help the younger man in the long run. For the moment though, he didn't care. No one hurt his son and got away with it.

'If the bastard where smart he'd be half way out of the country already,' Gibbs growled to himself. However, the famous Gibbs gut told him another story. The man was still in DC; worse yet, the man was closer then any one suspected.

Gibbs eyes turned cold as the elevator finally opened at the right floor. There was no hesitation in his movements as Gibbs left one elevator and headed for the one that would take him to the main lobby.

The agent didn't even bother to stop for his gun. He knew it would be better for all if the weapon wasn't anywhere near him when the time came.

He practically flew threw the bullpen when a voice called out, "Where you going Gunny?"

Gibbs stopped in his tracks and closed his eyes briefly before turning around, "Colonel. What can I do for you sir?"

"Thought I'd stop by and take you for a coffee," The Colonel smiled but his eyes showed it wasn't a question, suggestion, or a request; it was an order.

"We're busy," Gibbs tried, wanting to get out of the building for a little 'hunting'.

"So you weren't about to leave the building?" The Colonel frowned.

Gibbs simply stared at the man, not saying a word. He would have given a patent Gibbs glare but he knew it would no effect on the other man.

Seeing that he wasn't about to get a response the older man stood and headed for the elevator, "Let's go then."

He didn't bother to look back, knowing the NCIS agent would follow. Gibbs scowled as he followed the man. The Colonel was one of the few who had not only, total respect and loyalty from Gibbs, but his obedience as well.

"Tell me what happened," Came the order as they two sat down at a table with their coffees.

Without meaning to or knowing why he did, Gibbs told the man everything that happened starting with the accident that caused Tony to mentally de-age.

"I don't know what to do sir," Gibbs admitted dryly.

"You might want to consider telling the boy you love him," The Colonel smiled.

Gibbs raised an eyebrow. He was never one to vocalize his feelings.

"Hell, Gunny," The man frowned. "You can show the boy all you want but if you don't say the words, how the hell is he supposed to know?"

Gibbs frowned at the thought.

OoOoOoOo

Tony kept his head down; refusing to meet his friend's eyes no matter how much the younger man demanded it of him. As far as he'd come in accepting that someone could love him with no condition and no boundaries there were still times when it all slipped away.

For his part, Palmer gave up on trying to get Tony to look at him, choosing instead to force the older man's head up by cupping the other man's chin in his hand.

"Do you have any idea how much he loves you?" Palmer asked. Tony's eyes darted away from his friend's, "Look at me Tony."

Tony's eyes flew up. As many times as he heard Palmer's voice be firm, he'd never heard it go stern. He looked over at the man he thought of as a brother warily.

"Think about this," The younger man said, "He chose you."

Tony's eyes furrowed, "I don't…"

"Do you honestly think that Gibbs hasn't mentored anyone before? The man is a Marine." Came the slightly exasperated answer. "Of everyone he's met, he chose you to take under his wing. He chose you to be on his team."

Tony bit his lip and looked down again. He'd never thought about it that way before.

Palmer continued as he released his hold of his friend, "Of everyone Gibbs has ever met and mentored, Abby included, he still chose to make you his son. He didn't have to adopt you, you know. He could have pretended that nothing had changed. He could have looked at you like you were nothing. He didn't though, did he?"

Tony shook his head, knowing it was a question he couldn't refuse to answer.

"He chose you," Palmer reiterated, "That has to count for something."

Tony gave the younger man a half smile before getting into the elevator and allowing it to take him up to the bullpen.

With a shake of his head Palmer waited for the elevator to come back down and take him to autopsy.

OoOoOoOo

Realizing the bullpen was empty, Tony quickly made his way to the elevator and out of the NCIS building. He knew Gibbs would be pissed when he found out but the senior agent needed some fresh air and, of course, he needed some stuff from his apartment since he had an inkling that Gibbs wouldn't let him go back anytime soon.

It was a quick drive out to his apartment, where he let himself in. He quickly packed the bag of stuff he'd need. He never noticed the door open quietly until it was too late.

"What are you doing here?" Tony's voice was harsh.

"Come now son; I told you I'd see you soon." The man answered.

"Get out," Tony demanded.

The man smiled, "I think we should talk first."

Tony fought to keep his panic at bay. "I have nothing to say to you."

"I have something to say to you," Came the blistering reply.

Tony grabbed his bag and headed for the door, "Lock up before you leave."

The man grabbed Tony's arm and whispered in his ear. If anyone had seen it would have looked like nothing more then a father talking encouragingly to his son. To the trained eye though, it was something more.

When the man finally released Tony, Tony was pale and shaking. "You do not scare me anymore. I will not allow you to ruin my life."

"It won't really ruin your life though will it son." The man smirked.

Tony didn't say anything as he spun around and walked as calmly as he could down the hall. He didn't bother to wait for the elevator, choosing, instead, to take the stairs. As soon the stair well doors shut behind him, Tony took off in a dead sprint down the stairs and to his car.

He drove aimlessly for fifteen minutes, not at all surprised when he reached his final destination…home.

OoOoOoOo

Tony walked into the house and deposited his bag in his room. He sat on his bed, knowing he should get back to work or at least call his dad and let him know where he was but he couldn't.

He knew his father's threats were real. While he didn't care about his own career, he couldn't jeopardize his dads.

Tears he had never before let fall, fell down his face. He got up and made his way downstairs. No, he would do what ever he had to, to make sure Gibbs never got hurt.

As he entered the living room so did someone else.

"Tony?" Gibbs stared at his son, his keen eyesight taking in the tear stained face. "What happened?"

"Nothing," Tony answered, giving his dad a fake smile. "I spilt some coffee on myself and I didn't have a clean shirt."

Gibbs took a step forward. "Are you sure?"

Tony nodded, "I should get back to work."

As Tony passed by the man, Gibbs grabbed his arm. "You can tell me anything son."

Tony swallowed the lump in his throat. He wanted nothing more then to tell his dad what had happened…to allow the older man to handle it. He wanted the life he knew back; the life where he could hide behind his mask; the life where he was nothing more then a frat boy, a womanizer, a loud, obnoxious senior field agent.

Gibbs knew at that moment there were only four words that could possibly get through to his only son.

"No matter," He pulled the younger man into a tight hug, "I love you son."

And with that, Tony laid his head on his dad's shoulder and cried.

TBC…

A/N3: ok, so most of this chapter really wasn't needed BUT I wanted this last scene to be the segway into the next chapter and I didn't think any one would apprecaite a chapter with only 16 lines! Hope it was ok! Please, Please, please review!