AN! Due to popular demand, I made another chapter showing Gibbs' Point Of View. Thank you all for your generous reviews! Here it goes!
You know, I was just a hardened jarhead. Slowly slipping away from humanity. Then I met this kid in Baltimore. He was cocky, and arrogant, but had the smarts to back it up. For some reason, I had felt like a father again. Not just a protective feeling. But a fatherly feeling. One I haven't had since Kelly. He was just some kid that needed a shoulder to lean on.
Personally, my heart broke for him as I learned about his childhood over the years. Being left in a Maui hotel? Hoping to be remembered by your own father. When his mother died, who did he have? His father was a piece of uncaring crap. I could picture the little boy, hugging the picture of his mommy, red rimmed eyes. Crying in the night, but nobody could hear his pleas. My own tears threatened to fall. But no! I was a marine damn it! I cannot break, I will not fall. The day that I fall, it will be for him. For Tony; My son.
But one of the greatest factors of him, was his heart. There was a chasm that pleaded. 'Listen Lord! Hear me scream!' Though now the darkness has faded away. The red glow of pain is still bright. It reminded me of Kelly, when I told her I had to leave. She screamed 'No daddy! If you love me you'll stay! Daddy no!' That was the day I broke, that was the day that a little piece of me died before I went to war. I didn't want to leave, but I didn't have a choice. I would've stayed if I could. But then again, I had a choice when I left for Mexico. And I left. Even though Tony was silent, anyone that knew him would know he was my little Kelly that day. And I didn't care at the time. I felt so heartless, so empty. Especially when his face was twisted in confusion, at his items, at his old desk.
I knew I hadn't forgiven myself, and I knew he knew when he looked into my eyes, and his face suddenly turned sad too. Tony always told me my eyes were my open page. Well so was his. And guess who was in my basement that night. DiNozzo. I told him he was my son, and for the first time he called me dad.
Everything was fine, until the case with little girl. Carly Jakobs and her mother were killed while her father was overseas. Why? Apparently they witnesses a murder. My heart rate sped up, and I could feel my chest constricting with full blown anger. I was so furious, I had made a mistake one night. That mistake almost cost me my son. I told him that he should be dead instead of Kelly, that he deserved to be taken away from life, while my daughter had the chance to live. I knew I struck a chord. I knew that I went to far. But I couldn't find myself to give a damn. Tony left a few moments later. Thinking I hated him, and I didn't blame him, I sure acted like I did.
When I got into work on Monday, I went straight to MTAC, and once I got into the bullpen, I knew DiNozzo was hung over. I felt a rising guilt in my heart.
Next thing I knew, we went to a crime scene. As he went to bag evidence, I could feel my gut churning and twisting, badly. Then, a sudden shot found its way over, and a cry of pain was heard. I saw Tony fall, and my heart leapt into my mouth. I shot the attacker twice to the thigh and once to the head. I called my boy's name. As he blacked out.
When he next awoke in the hospital, he asked 'Gibbs?' I suddenly missed the boss, or dad. I was stupid to expect him to call me so, after everything I've said.
Tony told me it was all his fault. No, I wouldn't let him do this. It was all my fault. He had to know. I told him that he and Kelly were equal. I know it will take time to believe. But it's true. I love Kelly and Tony. I know Shannon would've been so proud. In my eyes, I have two children. So we will keep the fate. And we will fight.