A Father's Love

by SnarkyLittleHufflepuff

Tony is struggling with his worth when his father come to town. Can Gibbs convinces him he is loved?

3. Telling Gibbs

Title: A Father's Love

Pairings: Gibbs/Tony father/son

Summary: When Tony discovers his father's coming to town, it surfaces long buried memories. Can Gibbs convince Tony to let him help and that he's worth a father's love?

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to get this chapter up! I kept starting over because I wasn't satisfied with the way the chapter was going. But I finally got it the way I want it. I want to thanks all of you who reviewed last chapter: hecticlife, Audie the gothic alchemist, Skipper96, chaos56, poohbear123, ladykale1985, Tiva-McAbby4Life, DarkRose4u, KellyGibbsNCIS, DS2010, Long Live BRUCAS, TheNagginCube, julie250, Caper25, tansysam, Gibbsgirl777, and NickTonyK. You guys rock! And thanks for sticking with the story so far. Only two more chapters to go!

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Tony had been sitting outside Gibbs' house for the past fifteen minutes, trying to work up the courage to go inside.

"Come on, DiNozzo," he told himself. "There's nothing to be afraid of."

'Yes, there is,' that little voice inside him argued.

"Like what?

'For one thing, he could be disgusted by you when you tell him and kick you off the team.'

"Gibbs wouldn't do that," Tony argued.

'Are you absolutely sure about that,' the little voice said nastily.

Tony stopped and thought. One of his worst fears was that one day Gibbs would get tired of him. He thought of the man as a father. Hell, Gibbs treated him as more of a son than his own father ever did.

"Come on, DiNozzo," he told himself harshly. "Just go in there and tell him."

Tony took a deep breath and got out of the car. He walked up to the house, opened the door, and made his way to the basement, where he was sure Gibbs would be. Sure enough, there he was, sanding his boat.

Tony slowly made his way down the stairs. He walked over to the wall by the stairs, leaned against it, and slid down. He took a deep breath to get his emotions in check. Gibbs waited patiently for him to talk.

"My father's coming to town tomorrow," Tony said tightly. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Gibbs stop what he was doing and look at him. "I-I'm not quite sure how to feel."

To his horror, he found himself in the beginning of a flashback. He tried to stop it, but it was already too late.

*Flashback*

Five year old Tony was so excited. Today was Father's Day, and he couldn't wait to show his father what they made in school. He raced to his father's study and opened the door. He froze. Looking at him were business associates of his father. He knew he was in trouble this time. He was never supposed to interrupt one of his father's meetings.

He chanced a look at his father. Sure enough, his face was turning red with rage. But he put on a show for his guests.

"Everyone, this is my son Anthony," Senior said with a fake smile. "Say hello, Anthony."

"Hello. It's very nice to meet you," Tony said politely.

"Anthony, why don't you go to your room," Senior said.

"Yes, Father," Tony said. He turned to his father's guests. " It was very nice to meet you. Excuse me."

He left the office and closed the door behind him. He hurried to his room. Tony nervously sat down on his bed and waited for his father. He wondered what his punishment was going to be this time.

He didn't have to wait long. Twenty minutes later he heard angry footsteps pounding down the hall towards his room. He quickly scrambled to stand at attention. Senior burst into his room.

"What was the meaning of that Junior," he bellowed. "You embarrassed me!"

"I'm sorry, Father," Tony squeaked. "I didn't know you had guests. I just wanted to show you what we made for Father's Day."

"What makes you think I would want anything you made," Senior sneered.

"Yes, Father," Tony said softly. He tried very hard not to cry.

Senior started undoing his belt. "You embarrassed me, Junior," he repeated angrily. "That is unacceptable." He grabbed Tony and threw him down on the bed. He folded his belt into thirds and brought it down hard onto Tony's back.

SMACK! Tony screamed in pain. Senior hit him again and again. Soon Tony was crying as well as screaming. Fifteen minutes later, Senior finally stopped.

"Let that be a lesson to you, Junior," he said darkly.

He put his belt back on and left the room. Tony just curled up into a ball and wept.

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Eight year old Tony sat on his bed in his best suit, numb. He just got back from his mother's funeral. He wanted to cry, but he couldn't. He had already cried himself out.

'What am I going to do now,' he thought, lost.

Suddenly, his door burst open. In came his father, charging like a raging bull. He was drunk. Tony could smell the alcohol on his breath. Senior came straight for him. He tried to back away, but he wasn't fast enough.

"It's your fault," Senior raged. "You should have died instead of her!"

He grabbed Tony, ripped off his suit, and threw him down on the bed. He quickly pulled off his belt and folded it.

"Father, please," Tony begged. "Please don't!"

"Shut up," Senior bellowed. He brought the belt down hard on Tony's buttocks.

SMACK! Tony screamed. SMACK! "It should have been you!" SMACK! "You worthless little brat!" SMACK!

Over and over Senior beat him. Tony thought it would never end. He prayed for the pain to end. He got his wish. He soon lost consciousness.

*End Flashback*

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Gibbs could only watch in horror as the man he thought of as a son was dragged back into his painful past. He rushed over to Tony, grabbed him into his arms, and rocked him back and forth, trying to drag Tony out of the nightmare he was trapped in.

After what seemed like an eternity, but was really only twenty minutes, Tony snapped out of the flashbacks. He tensed when he realized Gibbs was holding him and tried to get away, but Gibbs just tightened his hold. After a few minutes, Tony relaxed into his embrace.

Gibbs tilted Tony's chin up to face him. Green eyes met blue.

"Tony, I want you to listen to me, okay," Gibbs told him. Tony nodded. "I am so sorry that you had to go through all that. If I had raises you, you would have been loved. I may not have raised you, but as fat as I'm concerned, you are my son. And I will never let Senior hurt you again. I love you, son."

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Tony looked at Gibbs in disbelief. He couldn't believe what Gibbs was saying. If his own father didn't want him, why should Gibbs? He searched those blue eyes for deceit, but all he found was sadness, anger, sincerity… and love.

Tony couldn't help it. He started crying. This was all he ever wanted and felt he could never have. He felt Gibbs' strong arms wrap around and hold him close, stroking his hair and whispering soothing words in his ear. He felt something he hadn't felt in a long time: secure.

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Gibbs felt Tony slowly relax. He heard his breathing even out and knew that he was starting to fall asleep. He knew this wouldn't be a comfortable position for either of them.

"Tony," he said, gently shaking his shoulder. "Come on, son. Let's get you upstairs to bed."

He led Tony upstairs to the guest bedroom. Tony plopped down on the bed. Gibbs undressed him to his boxers and undershirt and tucked him in. He went to the door and turned off the light.

"Love you too, Dad," Tony mumbled.

He was already half asleep, so he didn't see Gibbs smile as he closed the door.

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