When Gibbs got to Tony's apartment it was 01:00. He gave him a little time, but knew he didn't want him alone for too long.
He knew Tony felt responsible for Senior's heart attack, though Bethesda had gotten hold of Senior's recent medical information. The man had been having heart trouble for a while.
When he got to Tony's door, he found it ajar, and instinct made him pull his gun.
He nudged it open slowly.
"Tony?" he called softly.
He got no answer. He switched the light on next to the door.
Tony was sitting on the floor, knees drawn up, with his head back on the wall. He looked up at Gibbs, as if confused as to why Gibbs would be there.
Saying nothing, Tony turned his head and looked back at the wall in front of him.
Gibbs sighed and put his gun back in the holster. And then he went and sat down next to Tony, leaning in just slightly so he could in some way bolster him physically.
They sat in silence for a while.
"You know," Tony finally said in almost a murmur, "he finally believed me. After all these years…we finally talked about it and he believed me."
Gibbs sighed. "I'm sorry, Tony."
Tony snorted a little. "Apologies…don't go breaking your rules for my father, Boss…"
"Not for him. For you. For the pain he helped cause you. And because you could have used more time to…work things out with him…"
Tony turned his head, looking at Gibbs, brow furrowed. The words had affected him. And he was finally feeling pain.
"Yes," he said in a bare whisper, "could'a used more time…" His eyes were glassy as he looked away again.
Gibbs waited a while.
Then he slowly got up, offering a hand to the younger man.
"Come on," he said, with compassion in his blue eyes. "Let's get your stuff together. You can stay by me a few days and I'll help you with all the arrangements."
Tony looked up at him, and nodded slightly, before taking the hand up.
Senior had a will and all his arrangements prepaid. Tony found out when he called Mr. Gardiner, his father's trusted lawyer. He wasn't sure if it had been planned because his father had been ill for a while…or just as a usual part of dealings with his lawyer. At any rate, there was a certain amount of relief in there being a plan.
It was Senior's wish to be cremated, and have his ashes spread over Long Island Sound. It was where his parents had met, on the rocky beach of the island's north shore. And this, the lawyer instructed, was Tony's responsibility to execute since he would get the urn after the service. The lawyer also told Tony he was gathering things together to review with him after the funeral, in regards to what Senior had left in his will to Tony.
Since the services would be held in upstate New York, that was where the body was shipped. This was due to the fact Tony had one remaining Aunt, Theresa, who lived in Elmsford, and was the only family member on his father's side who had been in touch with them.
Gibbs made arrangements for the flights and limos to take them to and from the funeral home and Aunt Theresa's, for the traditional meal after the service.
Vance took the team off rotation for several days without complaint, and called Tony directly to offer his condolences, suggesting he take some time off. The only ones who could not be spared were Ducky and Palmer, who had to cover the running teams. Ziva had been asked by Vance to go on a diplomatic mission to Israel, and wasn't due back for another week. Gibbs left her a message, just to let her know what happened.
Over the two days of phone calls and arrangements, Tony was quiet. Gibbs didn't push, knowing this was a lot to absorb for anyone. The rest of the team showed at different times, expressing their care and concern, especially Abby.
And finally, they had caught the flights to New York LaGuardia airport early Tuesday morning, and the limos took both Abby and McGee, and Gibbs and Tony towards the service.
Gibbs could have gotten one car for them all, but he thought Tony might need to have one to himself after the service.
He stared at the younger man, sitting next to him.
Tony was in an Armani suit, black, with a charcoal grey tie, and sunglasses. He was absently looking out the window, watching the New York State thruway pass by.
"How many batches of cookies did Abby make for you?" Gibbs asked.
Tony turned and smiled. "I think like seven or eight. I particularly liked the star cut-outs."
Gibbs frowned a little, "I didn't think you even ate them…" Tony hadn't eaten much over the last two days, though Abby had shown up at the house with McGee and Ducky, with flowers and food. She tried desperately to make it better for Tony. In the end, he didn't want to talk. All he really wanted from her was to curl up together, and watch movies in the guest room. Which she did, but continued to bake. Compulsively, in Gibbs' kitchen. Until the entire table was covered with several kinds of cookies.
Gibbs assumed she had to keep busy in order to deal with a quiet Tony.
"No…I know. I didn't eat many. But…they were nice to look at…"
"How long's it been since you saw your Aunt?'
Tony shifted in the leather seat. "Oh…I dunno…has to be when I graduated the Academy."
"She came, huh?"
"Yeah. Theresa actually thought it was a good thing, unlike Dad, who thought…well, that I was making a mistake with my career choice. You know the story. But she was always kind to me when I saw her…though it was rare. Dad didn't make a lot of time for her…or anyone really, after my mom died."
"I guess…" Gibbs said carefully, "she didn't know much about what went on in your father's house."
Tony licked his lips, and Gibbs caught the grim set of his mouth, which was the only indication he was disturbed by the question, since the sunglasses were very dark.
He took a breath, and then exhaled. "No. She didn't know. She always thought my father pretty much walked on water. Her big brother. Successful business man with an estate…and I never told her otherwise."
Gibbs nodded.
Tony was silent for a moment, and seemed to be thinking. He shifted again in the car seat, turning more towards Gibbs.
"Boss…I…really appreciate you coming with me. And…not letting me stay in my apartment…I'm pretty sure I might have gone a little crazy there."
Gibbs nodded slightly, and put a hand on Tony's arm, giving it a squeeze.
"Got you're six, Tony. Always."
Tony smiled a little, and then went back to looking out the window.
MacDougal's Funeral home was where the service was held. It was only three miles from Aunt Theresa's house.
A long burgundy awning stretched forward from the front doors. They could feel the cool air conditioned air on their faces as they entered.
They all walked in with Tony, not really saying much, but taking in the sign that read "Anthony Dinozzo Suite 1" and several other names under it, for other services being held that day.
Other people walked through the elegant and simple hallways with puffy eyes, murmuring in hushed voices. White lilies in vases were in every corner.
Gibbs followed Tony down a hallway to the left, Abby and McGee trailing behind them, only occasionally whispering to eachother. He kept expecting someone to recognize Tony or approach him about his father.
It finally happened, in front of the doors to the suite where his father's service was being held.
"Anthony! Is that you?" A portly older man in a navy suit approached, putting a hand on Tony's arm.
He took off his sunglasses and said cordially, "Mr. Byron," and put his hand out to shake the other man's.
He had short grey curly hair and a beard, and grey eyes that were filled with intelligence.
"I'm so sorry about your father, Anthony." The man was genuine and his expression held a degree of sorrow.
Tony nodded, "Thanks, Mr. Byron." He turned to Gibbs, flanked by Abby and McGee and said, "This is one of my dad's old business partners. They ahh, spent a lot of time traveling together…"
The man turned to them, and smiled, shaking all their hands as Tony introduced them all, as his friends.
When he took Abby's hand, he said, "My Tony, this is a very pretty friend."
She giggled just a little, and Tony smiled when he caught McGee's slightly jealous glance.
When the introductions were over, Tony asked, "Mr. Byron, is Theresa here?"
"Oh yes, and several of your father's business associates who go way back. Why don't you go in? Can I get you guys anything to drink?"
They all shook their heads no.
Gibbs smiled when Tony asked Mr. Byron if he wouldn't mind getting Gibbs a coffee.
When they walked into the suite, lined with chairs, they all noticed the ceramic urn on a stand next to the podium. It was at the front of the room. It was a light blue with an ornate white pattern on it.
Before anyone could comment, a woman's voice chimed loudly from the side of the room.
"Antonio!" she said loudly, and ran over to him, throwing her arms around him.
"Hi Aunt Theresa," Tony said, putting his arms around the petite woman with silvery hair, twirled up on her head in a bun. She wore simple grey slacks and a peach silk blouse.
"She's so cute," Abby whispered in Gibbs' ear.
Gibbs shook his head at Abby.
Tony's aunt looked to be eighty pounds wet. And at most was 4'11".
She pulled away from Tony, looking up at him, and lightly smacked his cheek.
"You're still such a handsome boy, Antonio. You look good. And your father told me how well you are doing, last time we spoke," her voice took a little sad tone.
"Ah, really?"
"Yes. He told me you're a Fed now, ah?" she had an unmistakeable Italian accent.
"Well…I'm actually-"
"And who are these people?" she turned, cutting him off.
They could see her green eyes now, reminiscent of Tony's father. And the resemblance of his features.
He introduced them all again.
Except, when he got to Abby, his Aunt turned to him, "This is a friend of yours ? Lei' e' strega, no?"
Tony choked a little, while Abby's eyes went wide, understanding the word. Gibbs suppressed a chuckle and McGee just looked confused.
"No, Aunt Theresa, she's not a witch. She just likes that style of clothing," Tony eyed Abbys black lace and purple outfit, along with her usual extreme lipstick and goth jewelry.
"Oh, no, I-" Abby started to say.
"AH-AH, " Aunt Theresa said, "I've got my eye on you."She glared at Abby, leaning forward while the younger woman leaned back from her.
"Aunt Theresa, why don't we go sit down and catch up," Tony said, seeing Abby start to fume. "And why don't you guys just sit for a bit, and we'll be back," Tony suggested, and pushed his Aunt gently forward while turning to them and mouthing "sorry" to Abby, though his eyes said he was highly amused.
"Well," McGee said, "this is going to be interesting." He smiled smugly at Abby, while Gibbs let out the chuckle he was holding.
"Oh yeah, it is," said Gibbs, watching Abby fold her arms against her body in annoyance.
"Should've …brought my…voodoo dolls…" she stammered out, still in a bit of a huff.