Hey guys, sorry for not posting a new chapter sooner and leaving you all hanging. I had some really bad feedback on my story and wasn't going to keep going but thanks to the encouragement and kind words of MaddieSwo6 I kept at it. That girl is the most amazing author and friend, without her this story would not be continuing so MaddieSwo6, this chapter is for you! Hope you all enjoy!
"See ya Tony"
Tony pulled her into a hug. "Shoot straight Katniss"
Together Alex, Max and Mrs Parker stepped into the elevator and the doors closed behind them.
As the doors shut Tony and the team stood there feeling helpless. Gibbs snapped them all back into reality.
"McGee, Abby found that the gun that shot Matthew Templeton is owned by a Jerry O'Connell. Run a search and put it up on the screen" Gibbs growled.
"Boss" Tony cut across McGee's stuttered reply. "You really going to just let them take Alex?"
Gibbs walked over to Tony and lifted his hand, causing Tony to flinch but instead of head slapping him Gibbs clapped him on the shoulder.
"It's the law DiNozzo. We follow the law, not interfere with it"
Tony nodded but didn't look happy.
"Boss, Jerry O'Connell didn't show up for work today" McGee said nervously. "He lives at 7206 Doncaster St in Virginia"
"Tomorrow morning, everyone be ready to gear up. We're shutting this case" Gibbs told the team as he grabbed his coat. "DiNozzo, get some sleep. Need you on the top of your game tomorrow"
Tony jumped to a mock salute as Gibbs headed towards the elevator.
"Well, I don't know about you guys but I'm using this early exit to get in some writing" McGee said.
"I think I will head to the gym" Ziva agreed. "I feel the need to work out"
"Gee Ziva, that's new" Tony called as she and McGee both left, leaving Tony alone in the bullpens.
Feeling bored he wandered down to Abby's lab. The sound of industrial rock assaulted his ears as he strolled through the door.
"Tony!" came the happy call as she slammed into him at full force.
"Hey Abbs, Abbs….can't breathe" he gasped in her iron tight grip.
"Right, sorry" she beamed before her smile changed to a frown. "You didn't come see me all day" she accused, stabbing his chest with her finger.
Holding up his hands in defence Tony gave her a small smile. "I know Abbs, I was babysitting, well, more like teensitting"
"Oh yeah, where is that girl. Gibbs came down around three o'clock and was looking for shoes for her. I gave him a pair of converse I had actually bought for Sister Rosita but…" she started off on a tangent before Tony interrupted.
"Got it Abby. She was picked up by Social Services half an hour ago"
"Aww Tony. Do you need a hug?" Before Tony could answer she pulled him into another hug. Looking over his shoulder she caught sight of the time and gave another shriek.
"Tony, it's like ten o'clock. You should be going home!"
Tony glanced towards her desk. "Actually Abbs, I was kinda hoping I could use your futon for the night?"
"Sure. I'm staying for the night anyway. I have lots and lots of evidence to run through Major Maspec. I already emptied the Caf-Pow machine" she waved to the half a dozen red and white cups behind her.
"Thanks Abbs, I owe ya one" Tony pulled the futon out and laid it next to her desk in the second room. Abby dimmed the lights and threw a blanket at Tony.
"Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" she sung before her face cracked into an evil grin. "And when you see the bugs that live down here…"
"Abby, ABBY. Don't tell me there are actually bugs down here. Please?" he exclaimed but Abby had already left, the glass door separating the two rooms closing with a double beep. Kicking of his shoes and lying down with a small sigh Tony allowed himself to shut his eyes and drift off into sleep.
"You little bastard. Can't you stay out of trouble for five seconds!?" Anthony DiNozzo Senior yelled at his eight year old son. Toy trains lay scattered in a small pile on the living room floor.
"I was p-p-playing" little Tony DiNozzo trembled.
"You don't play. In this house you work!" his father bellowed. Taking another swig from the bottle of whiskey in his hand DiNozzo Senior smacked his son around the head. "Clean up this mess!"
Tony let out a strangled cry and a tear ran down his cheek. "Why don't you love me?!" he sobbed as he turned to start cleaning up. He didn't see the blow coming, nor feel it as he was knocked unconscious.
When the darkness cleared Tony felt he was in his own bed. Something was in is ear. He tried to sit up but a large rough hand was suddenly on his chest, restraining him from sitting up again.
"Tony, son. Can you open your eyes for me?" Tony's eyes flickered open and he stared up into the face of an older man holding a thermometer.
"My name is Doctor Sanders. Do you hurt anywhere?"
"My head" little DiNozzo whispered. He looked over the doctor's shoulder to see his father standing near the door. DiNozzo Senior put a finger to his lips.
"Can you tell me what happened?" Doctor Sanders questioned.
"I-I-I fell over my train set" Tony covered. He knew what would happen if he told. No, it was safer to cover. If CPS took him away his father would contact his high powered attorney and in the blink of an eye he would be back home again. Tony hated to even imagine the beating that would ensue.
The doctor frowned but left it. "Panadol will take care of the headache. Don't let him go to sleep for four hours, then wake him every two hours after that. He should be fine by tomorrow" he said to Tony's father.
DiNozzo senior nodded and thanked the doctor before showing him out.
Tony curled up in a ball in his bed, tears leaking out of his eyes.
"I want mummy. Mummy, mummy MUM!"
"Mummy, Mummy, MUM!" Tony cried out, kicking the blanket that Abby had given him off. She came rushing in and knelt next to him.
"Tony, TONY!" Abby frantically tried to wake him.
"Nooo" he moaned, trying to swat the hand away, still in the dream.
"Tony, Tony WAKE UP!"
He jerked awake, tears spilling from his eyes. He tried to get his bearings, smearing the salty liquid down his face as he wiped them away.
"Hey, you okay?" Abby asked gently.
Tony shook his head, running his down his face again. "I dreamt about him again. This case, it's messing with me"
Abby leaned into him and put her arms around his shoulder. "You want to tell me about it?"
"I remember being so scared of my father. I could have told someone that he was abusing me but his power was so great he would have just got me back. I remember the terror. Alex went through the same thing as me, and now she has to go into foster care. What if it happens again? I can't be responsible for putting someone through what I've been through" Tony took a deep shuddery breath and laid back down on the futon as Abby released him.
"She would have been placed with emergency foster parents. I can hack into the system, find out who she's with and run a background check on them for you." Abby suggested softly.
Tony nodded and rolled over, shutting his eyes. He felt something being placed in his arms.
"You can have Bert for the night" Abby said. "I find he is awesome for warding off bad dreams"
"You sleep in a coffin. No wonder you have bad dreams" Tony muttered. He squeezed Bert, taking comfort in the familiar farting sound.
"Thanks Abbs" he yawned.
She smiled at the site of Tony so childlike. "You're welcome Tony."