Year Five
They had fought again. Tony knew it as soon as Gibbs stepped in the door, Ria and his cup of coffee in tow. Gibbs' brow was furrowed; staring out at everyone with a look that said Don't you dare ask what's wrong. Knowing his many moods, the staff moved out of his way like an ocean. Ria looked glum; even though it was summer holiday.
"DiNozzo, what are you doing?"
Tony looked down at his monitor, which just moments before had been showing a video one of his college buddies had sent him. The tryouts for this year's cheerleaders were frozen on the screen now. Oops.
"Eh…sorry, Boss," Tony said, preparing himself. Three…two…one. But the much anticipated Gibbs-slap (so the NCIS crew had dubbed it) didn't come. Instead, Gibbs just kissed Ria on the forehead and sent her into her little room.
"We've got a call for a car accident outside of D.C. Should be nothing, but we still are being called in. Todd, McGee, come with me."
"What about me?" The words were out of his mouth before Tony could think. Gibbs arched his eyebrows.
"I'm sure Abby and Ducky could use your help. They seem to be cleaning out the freezer today," Gibbs said, sweeping out of the room. With a sympathetic smile from Kate (and a smirk from McGee) the room was once again silent.
With nothing to do, Tony picked up his feet and headed down to the autopsy room.
"Tony!" Abby said, heading to him in an instant. "What are you doing down here?"
"Apparently Gibbs doesn't like my idea of talent in the dancing area," Tony said, thinking back to the video. It's just because she's blonde. If it were a redhead…
"Video?" Abby asked, and Tony nodded. "College buddy sent it to you?" Another nod. "Just what I thought. Alright, DiNozzo, we can put you to work."
"Don't call me that," Tony muttered.
"Excuse me? This is my domain, pal. My cave of Wonder, so to speak. I mean, if your wonder is a bunch of bodies and computer equipment and Latex gloves, then it's your cave of Wonders too. But I don't think it is 'cause up til a couple years ago you wouldn't even come down here…"
"Okay, Abbs, I get it."
"Abbs?" The Goth said with a maniacal gleam in her eye.
"Okay, ma'am," Tony said, raising an eyebrow.
"That's better. Now, Ducky's working on the freezer already, so you can either clean dead gunk out of the freezer or work on some of this paperwork."
"I'll opt for the paperwork," Tony said, wrinkling his nose.
"Alright, I'll be right downstairs. And keep an eye on Ria, okay?"
"Sure," Tony called as Abby walked away. He sat down at the monitor. "Blah blah blah…Director this…. Autopsy that…. Blah blah blah." After about five minutes, Tony got bored and decided to go get a drink. When he returned, he looked down at the monitor…and Ria was gone.
Tony ran up the stairs and into the room. "Ria!"
A red head poked out from under the table. "Hi Tony!" Ria said, grinning. "Did you come to play tea party with me?"
"Yeah, sure kid. Actually, I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
Ria instantly sobered. "I'm fine, Mr. Tony…but my mama isn't."
Tony looked up at her. "Come again?"
"Mama says she doesn't think Daddy is doing things right. She says it when I'm asleep."
"Ria, you're parents love each other very much. You were asleep- how do you know she says that?" Tony asked, humoring the girl.
"I was wistening one night. Mama says Daddy woves someone named Shannon. And that he isn't taking good care of me," Ria said. "Daddy does take care of me!"
"I know that, sweetie." Wow. I just called the kid sweetie. What's next? "You're mommy was just upset. She'll be okay." There's no way…
"Tony? Tony where are you?" Abby's voice carried through the speaker in the wall.
"With Ria, Abbs."
"Well, can you come up here? Unless you're busy playing house," Abby said. Tony could hear the smile in her voice; but he was anything but smiling.
"Sure thing." He said, walking to the door.
"Mr. Tony?"
"Yeah, kid?"
"Do my parents still love each other?"
Tony paused, his hand on the door. "I'm sure they do, Ria. It'll be okay."
That was the first lie Tony ever told to Ria.