A/N: Posting without a spelling/grammer check! sorry for the mistakes and the delay!

Special Thanks: To Jenny for the wonderful idea on how to take care of Senior! Thanks hun!!

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Tony sat on a swing in the park. He allowed the movement of the swing to lull him into a calmness he wasn't really feeling. His eyes were still red rimmed from crying earlier in the day.

Gibbs had, despite his son's protest, forced him to take the rest of the day off. When the older agent had left, his son was in his room, sleeping.

Tony hadn't slept for long. His mind was too busy. He was going to save his dad's career one way or the other. With that in mind he didn't flinch when a figure stepped in front of him.

"You make a decision." The person asked.

"You're a bastard," Tony answered. "And I will never forgive you."

"I didn't ask if you forgave me." The man scoffed. "Hell Anthony, I could care less if you forgave me, love me, or hate me."

Tony said nothing. He refused to even look at the man he had for so long called father.

"I'm assuming you made a decision then," DiNozzo Senior's voice was cold as he repeated his greeting.

Tony knew he'd concede defeat at some point but for the moment he just wasn't ready. "Why do you care? You got what you wanted."

"I got no such thing," Senior bellowed. "I wanted a son who was strong, who would keep the family business going; someone I could be proud of. What I got was you."

The words cut into Tony's heart. To know your parent hated you was bad enough…to hear him say the words was worse.

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Tony stood from the swing and walked a few paces away. He turned back, his eyes flashing, "Then why does it matter that someone adopted me? You don't want the responsibility of having me; now you don't."

"Quit acting like a fool Anthony. How do you think it would look if your only…son," The word was spat out, "got himself adopted by another?"

Tony's mouth dropped, "You're afraid I'm going to embarrass you? Why the hell would I tell anyone? As far as I'm concerned, Leroy Jethro Gibbs is the only parent I have or have ever had."

"Is that your answer then?" Senior sneered. "I'd think real hard about this Anthony. Is having a father worth the trouble?"

Tony started to shake. "What do you want from me?"

"I want you to choose." The man answered. "Either you get the adoption reversed or I go to your director and let her know what's going on. I will then do everything in my power to make sure the integrity of NCIS is questioned."

Senior lent into his son, closing as much space he could between the two without actually touching. He hissed, "I will make sure your dad no longer has a place at NCIS. And you will follow him."

"You would rather guilty men free then see me adopted by someone who cares?" Tony couldn't stop the sound of disbelief escape.

A raised eyebrow let Tony know just how dumb a question it really was.

Tony shook his head disgustedly, "I hope you rot in hell."

"You've made the right choice Anthony," The older man's voice was smooth, void of all emotions.

"You know, I've always wondered," Tony knew he was playing with fire but he couldn't help but get one last jab in, "if mom knew what a truly pathetic man you are."

Tony didn't have time to duck the fist that came straight for his head.

Tony stumbled backwards and would have fallen if it hadn't been for the frame of the swing set that he fell against.

DiNozzo Senior wasn't just angry. He was lived…which was unfortunate for him. He never saw the other man come running up from behind him.

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Leroy Jethro Gibbs had watched the heated exchange between ex – father and son warily. He knew Tony was going to purposely try to push the other man's button. He also knew it was going to be a dangerous move.

What Tony said, Gibbs didn't know but he could tell something was wrong. He took off in a jog but was soon in a full out sprint when he saw Senior's fist raising. He didn't even get the chance to yell a warning when the fist connected with his son's eye.

Watching Tony stagger backwards, Gibbs ran faster. What he wanted to do was go straight for his son to make sure he was ok.

What he did instead was grab the man who was advancing on his son and throw a punch of his own.

The man in front of him went down; grabbing his jaw that he knew was broken.

Gibbs stepped over him and went to his son, "Tony?"

Tony's eyes had unshed tears, "I have it."

Gibbs gave him a gentle smile before bringing him into an embrace, "Go wait in the car."

"Dad…" Tony looked at him worriedly.

"He'll be alive when I'm done," Gibbs promised knowing that it wasn't so much Tony wanting Senior to live as it was Tony not wanting him to get into trouble.

Tony gave a short nod before heading to the car.

Gibbs turned to the man, who had been smart enough not to get up from the ground.

Gibbs gave a small smile as he advance, "Let's talk."

Senior tried to scramble away but he was too slow. Gibbs grabbed him and put him into a hold, that he once used Tony to demonstrate on. "I wouldn't move to much if I were you. One snap is all it takes."

He put enough pressure on the man's neck that he stilled instantly, "You come any where near my son again and I will kill you. That is not a threat; that is a promise. I find out, you were anywhere in DC and I will make sure you need the best nursing care for the rest of your life. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Came the slurred reply.

"Good," Gibbs kept a tight hold, "If you even try to find a way to get Tony away from me or to harm either one of us and I will make sure the tape, Tony used to record your conversation, is leaked to every major press junket I can find. And I know enough people to get it done."

Senior's eyes widened at that threat. He knew the man holding him wasn't bluffing. He nodded his head to show he understood.

Gibbs released the man and stood up, "I suggest you get your jaw looked at when you get home."

With that he walked away, without a look back.

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When he got to the car, Tony had been unable to stop his tears. He didn't even try to see what was going on, knowing that Gibbs had parked far enough away that he wouldn't be able to see.

When Gibbs got to the car, he let out a sigh of relief. He felt stronger and safer with his dad nearby.

Gibbs could tell that his child had been crying but said nothing as he started the car. There were only six words that were uttered the entire time.

Tony looked over at his dad as fresh tears fell, "Can we go home now dad?"

Gibbs nodded and headed in the right direction.

TBC…