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In all honesty, the man was nothing to be afraid of just by looking at him.

He was in his mid-forties with a paunch and a receding hair line, large coke bottle glasses and a penchant for red plaid.

He looked like the chemistry teacher that everyone knew and everyone avoided, not because he was mean or or would fail you if you looked at him the wrong way, but just because it was social suicide.

All in all he looked like someone your attention would note, and then you would move on, forgetting about him the moment he was out of sight.

Unfortunately he wasn't someone Tony could forget.

The man stalked to Tony's bed and began to remove the tubes and wires that were keeping him together and out of pain. Tony watched with wide eyes, looking between him and the door, hoping for Gibbs, a nurse, the doctor, for God himself to come. Anyone.

He bit his lip to stop from crying out when the IV was jerked out of his arm and the physician muttered under his breath. Grabbing Tony's arm he dragged him from the bed, ignoring his soft cry of pain.

"Let's go kid, I have paper work to do. Your father's going to be unhappy about this one."

Tony struggled to get his feet under him and force the words out.

"I th-thought…"

"You thought what? That you weren't going back? Will you never learn Anthony? He'll be back to business by the end of the day and he'll expect you home. Don't want to disappoint him now do we Junior?"

Tony swallowed back tears.

Gibbs had told him he didn't have to go back.

He promised.

Tony looked at the doctor who was already impatient with waiting and began to drag Tony towards the door. Unable to get himself moving, still fuzzy with medication, he stumbled along, trying to get his feet to cooperate.

They were half way through the room when the door swung open and a frazzled nurse and worried doctor stood facing them.

"What is going on here?"

Doctor Griffin drew himself up.

"I'm removing my charge from this hospital."

Doctor Crayel bristled.

"By whose authority?"

"Anthony DiNozzo Sr. The boys father. I'm Anthony juniors physician and my instructions are to remove him to his home to continue his healing process in the comfort of his own bed."

"I don't think so. Tony is under police protection and is supposed to stay here."

Tony felt himself slipping from Griffin's grip, unable to hold his weight. The doctor didn't pay attention, only tightened his grip and jerked the boy back up. Doctor Crayel noticed and he took a step towards Tony, his jaw tightening.

"Look, just let Tony get back in bed and we'll sort this out, I think there has been some kind of misunderstanding."

Griffin shook his head and began arguing, pulling Tony closer to him. Crayel seeing no way out of this, elbowed the nurse giving her a knowing look. She fled down out of the room and down the hall.

…

"Boss, the butler let us in like you said and what we found… it was like a nightmare. There was damage to the wardrobe, it looks like he was thrown into it several times. We found the belt you mentioned too, just like you said. This is… is the boy okay boss?"

"Tony. His name is Tony. And how do you think he is McGee?"

The line was quiet before a subdued, "Sorry boss" came over through the static.

Gibbs sighed, he couldn't take his anger out on his team, this wasn't their fault.

"Tony will be alright, he's resting. Any hits on the BOLO?"

He could feel the frustration coming from McGee.

"Nothing Gibbs, not a single sign of the man, but we're still looking don't worry. We've flagged his accounts and we're watching his associates. He makes a move, we'll know about it. Anything else you need boss?"

"Actually yeah, underneath Tony's bed there should be a stuffed bear, bring it down to the- "

"Agent Gibbs?"

He turned and saw a worried nurse who was ringing her hands and looking and forth from him to the hall.

"Yeah?"

"Are you the agent in charge of Tony DiNozzo?"

He snapped his phone shut, cutting off McGee and gave her his full attention.

"Is there a problem?" he asked already moving towards the room.

"Mr. DiNozzo's personal physician has come to collect Tony and-"

Gibbs broke out into a run.

…

Tony's vision was going blurry. There was blood dripping down his wrist where the IV had been ripped out and his back hurt so back. It was hard to breathe hanging the way he was. His arm was being jerked and moved with every gesture of Griffin's and Tony was resting on his knees, awkwardly crumbled with his left arm wrapped around his ribs. His shoulder was protesting the movement but the rough treatment was limiting his options. The words were getting fuzzy and the argument between doctors was sounding farther and farther away.

Crayel's hands were up trying to get the other man to calm down. Every time he tried to approach Tony, the other doctor would behave erratically and jerk the boy around, and Crayel was worried that all the work they had done on Tony's injuries were going to be undone.

"Just calm down and we can figure this out."

"Look I have a job to do and you are in my way. I have to get the kid home and-"

Gibbs stormed into the room the nurse close behind, calling security.

"What the hell is going on?"

Everyone froze and Tony looked up in relief.

Gibbs was here.

Gibbs would fix this.

Gibbs took one look at Tony and lost what little control he had of his temper.

He walked past Crayel and in front Griffin. He stopped in front of the man and got in his face.

"You're going to let go of Tony. Now."

The man narrowed his eyes.

"I have a job to do."

Gibbs smiled, harsh and hard.

"Yeah, me too."

He grabbed the man by the front of his shirt and lifted him right off the ground.

Crayel thought about stepping in between but seeing the look in Gibbs' eye, he decided it was best to let this play out.

Griffin gulped and released Tony who slumped to the ground. Crayel and the nurse rushed forward and began to check him over, murmuring worriedly to each other.

"Give me one good reason."

Griffin licked his lips.

"I'm just doing my job."

Gibbs shook him.

"Your job? Your job. Your job where you come see what his father has done and accept it, use it to your own gain? Where you put the broken boy back together again knowing you'll be called back the next month, the next week, the next day? Your job where you are paid to ignore the suffering of a child? Your job?"

Gibbs' shook the man again, his fists going white with the effort not to hit him.

"Agent Gibbs..."

Gibbs ignored Crayel and dropped Griffin back to the ground, but keeping a grip on his shirt.

"You're under arrest for attempted kidnapping."

The man blanched but Gibbs paid him no mind, looking down at Tony who had slipped back into unconsciousness and was being lifted carefully by the doctor back into bed. The doctor looked to Gibbs and muttered angrily, glaring at the physician.

"He pulled some stitches, his back is seeping. We'll have to redo a couple sutures. Aggravated some bruises also. The exertion and pain was probably too much, his system couldn't handle it."

Gibbs growled and turned back to the man still trapped in his fist.

"You hurt him, you pulled and pushed and dragged him until he couldn't even stay conscious anymore. Why?"

The man gulped and replied again.

"I was just doing my job."

Gibbs couldn't stop himself.

He knocked the man flat on his back.

"Agent Gibbs!"

Gibbs looked up at the doctor.

Crayel sighed and shook his head, smiling ruefully.

"Great, now someone is going to have to clean up that mess."

Gibbs grinned.

"As long as it ain't you, right?"

Crayel turned back to Tony and muttered.

"Do no harm my *ss, served him right."

XxxX

Great.

Just great.

Everything was colorful again.

More painkillers?

It had to be, because there was no way he was seeing what he was seeing.

"Ooh! Yay! You're awake!"

Tony looked at the stranger in confusion. He wasn't afraid, not this time, more bemused than anything else. He didn't think he could be afraid of this person, not even if he tried.

Because really, of all the things he expected to see when he woke up, this wasn't it.

The woman had black hair pulled back in pigtails, and skin that was about as pale as it could get. Bright blue eyes and dark make-up brought her all together, with a black skull tee-shirt and a green skirt as the finishing touches.

And let's not forget the dog color.

If it wasn't for the clothes, the smile and the pigtails, she would look a little bit like the vampires I keep dreaming about. Maybe she sucked the blood out of Doctor Griffin. Huh. Maybe they aren't as scary as I thought...

"Hi Tony, how are you feeling? Well I guess that's a silly question. You're probably feeling pretty stinky. And hinky. And jinky. Well I think that last one just applies to Scooby-Doo. You look a little queasy though, would you like a drink of water?"

He nodded, still confused but if the smiling crazy lady wanted to offer him water who was he to refuse?

"Y-yes p-p-please."

She beamed at him and poured him a glass of water from the pitcher next to the bed. Moving slowly she brought it to him and helped him take a drink, noticing his eyes were growing wary as she got closer to him, she started to talk quietly again.

"My name's Abby. I'm a friend of Gibbs. He asked me to hang out with you while he takes care of a couple things. He'll be back soon, but until he does you're stuck with me. I brought some stuff for us to do though, some card and games, I bet you're really bored by now. I had my appendix out when I was a kid and was stuck in the hospital for a couple days and about went crazy I was so bored."

"It's n-n-nice to meet you M-miss Abby."

"Miss? Oh I feel so old! It's nice to meet you too kiddo. Now, I've got cards for poker, Battleship, Clue and the Game of Life, what's your pleasure?"

"I-I…you d-d-don't…I mean...Do-doctor Griffin"

Abby leaned close to Tony, her expression soft and sympathetic.

"Don't worry sweetie, Gibbs took care of him."

Tony sighed in relief and Abby turned her head, studying the tired looking boy. After a brief beat of silence she spoke again deciding to try something different.

"Ya know Tony, I have had a really crummy week, and playing games always makes me feel better, but I have no one to play with. It would really help me feel better if you would play with me. Would you mind?"

Tony half smiled at her and shook his head. Miguel and Mayer did the same thing when they wanted something from him, made him think that he was doing them a favor by letting them do something nice.

"I r-r-really like poker."

Abby laughed.

"Poker it is!"

XxxX

"Interrogation three boss."

Gibbs grunted at McGee and stormed towards the room, Kate close behind.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"With you."

Gibbs glared at her.

"No."

Kate put her hand on his shoulder but moved it quickly at his look.

"Gibbs, if you kill him, we get nothing from him. Besides, Morrow already told me I had to."

Gibbs rolled his eyes and stalked back towards interrogation rooms flinging open the door with Kate on his heels.

He stopped and stared at the man sitting at the table waiting with a haughty expression.

"Agent Gibbs?"

Gibbs felt himself lock down.

He had been here less than a minute and he already wanted to smash this man's face in.

If he wanted answers he was going to have to play this right.

And not kill him.

Yet.

"What can I do for you?"

Gibbs stalked over to where Griffin was sitting and slammed some papers down on the table.

"Was that supposed to be threatening?"

Gibbs was silent.

Griffin huffed and leaned towards the papers.

"Kidnapping? Assault? Malpractice, attempted murder? Are you out of your mind?"

He once again said nothing.

Griffin bristled.

"Look, I'll admit that I shouldn't have tried to take Junior from the hospital but come on, attempted murder? How does that fly?"

Nothing.

Kate leaned forward from where she standing behind Gibbs and spoke in a scathing tone.

"You have been aware of what DiNozzo has been doing to his son for years and you have been helping him by providing under the table medical treatment to hide his abuse. By not reporting him, by helping him you have made yourself an accomplice."

The other man narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw.

"Look DiNozzo is the one who messed up his kid, I didn't do anything! I am innocent!"

"Exactly, you didn't do anything. You left him there, knowing what his father was capable of. Knowing that one day he might take it too far. You might as well of drew back your own fist."

Griffin put his head in his hands and Kate looked over at Gibbs who had remained silent through all of the questioning. He inclined his head, and Kate took the cue.

"We can help you though. If you can tell us where DiNozzo is, maybe we can make things a little bit easier on you."

Griffin shook his head, still resting in his hands.

"I don't know where he is. But if he doesn't want to be found, he won't be. If he thinks he took it far then he may not come back."

Kate put her hands on the table and leaned towards the man as Gibbs still stayed quiet, watching the man carefully.

"What do you mean?"

Griffin grumbled.

"He has accounts in Italy, under a different name, and don't ask me the name cause I don't know. But I know it's a lot of money. Rich widows and girlfriends he conned out of cash. He has everything set up so he can run the businesses from Italy and has several places in Europe to stay. He has it set up that he would never have to come to the US if he didn't want to."

Gibbs had just about had enough.

Kate stood next to the man.

"Are you sure that there is nothing you can think of? If you can't help us, we can't help you."

He shook his head.

Gibbs was done. He looked over at Kate and then to the door.

She raised she eyebrow, the indecision was plain to see on her face. After a brief moment she nodded and stepped from the room, closing the door behind her.

Gibbs stood and walked behind Griffin, he put his hands on the man's shoulders and leaned in whispering in his ear.

"I'm only going to say this once. There are so many ways I could make you to talk to me, ways that would leave no marks, no evidence, no reason for anyone to suspect a thing. I could leave you on the floor begging for me to stop, just like that man did to his son. You know the difference? No one would know what happened to you. Everyone would assume you were lying and leave you in agony. I will leave you in complete and total torment and there is not a thing you can do to stop me. You want to save yourself? Tell me what you know."

Griffin looked at Gibbs obviously trying not to show the fear Gibbs had installed.

"Y-you're threatening me?"

Gibbs smirked and crossed his arms staring at him.

Griffin looked at Gibbs and then down at his lap before nodding.

"He has a private jet called the Lauranna. It's in a private landing strip in Baltimore Maryland. If he's leaving the country, he's leaving in that."

Gibbs stood, preparing to leave the room.

As he stepped to the door, Griffin spoke again, confusion evident in his words.

"I don't understand, why are you going to all this trouble. Junior is nothing special, he's worthless."

Gibbs froze and then slowly turned around. Walking at an even pace he placed his hand on Griffin's shoulder, aware of the fact that Kate was watching through the mirrored glass. Moving his hand so that it was resting on the nerve next the man's neck, Gibbs leaned close to him and whispered.

"Tony is not worthless. He's mine."

He squeezed.

…

Gibbs stepped in the hospital room to hear Abby exclaim incredulously-

"No way! There is no way you have Royal Flush! That's...that's impossible."

"R-r-read 'em and w-weep."

Gibbs looked at the smug look on Tony's face and saw the edge of a blue card sticking from underneath the blanket.

He couldn't help it.

He burst out laughing.

Abby looked over at Gibbs in shock.

"Bossman! He just...he...a royal flush...he beat me! He cleaned me out! I just lost five bucks to this kid!"

Gibbs was still chuckling as he leaned on the bed, putting his hand over the hidden card so Abby wouldn't see.

"You were betting? Where did you get money?"

Tony's lips twitched.

"S-s-someone brought me Orso. I always k-k-k-keep some m-m-money in h-h-him."

Tony pointed to a small tear in the stuffed bears leg that he had conveniently filled with ones and fives. Gibbs laughed again. McGee had dropped the bear off with Abby after leaving the crime scene, understanding what Gibbs wanted before the phone call had been cut short. Gibbs had thought that having the bear would offer some comfort but he didn't realize it would hold so many surprises.

"You keep cash in your stuffed bear?"

Tony leaned back on the pillows and regarded Gibbs.

"Wh-wh-who would th-th-think to l-l-look there?"

Gibbs shrugged.

"Works for me Tony. Works for me. Hey Abs, do me a favor and track down Ducky for me?"

"Sure thing bossman. I'll catch you later Tony, it was great hanging out with you!"

"B-b-bye M-Miss Abby!"

Tony waved and watched as she left, honestly sad to see the bouncy young woman go. He turned to Gibbs, his lips still in his half smile.

"She is r-r-r-really n-n-n-nice Gibbs."

Gibbs smiled and brushed the hair out of Tony's face.

"Yeah she is. She likes you."

Tony blushed.

"R-really?"

Gibbs chuckled again.

"Yeah Kid, really. So I have some big news for you."

Tony looked at him curiously.

"I spoke to your doctor and he said that by the end of the week, you'll be ready to leave."

Gibbs watched as Tony's face fell, and then as he quickly rebuilt it, throwing up a mask of complete and total expressionlessness.

"Oh. Th-th-thank you. I'll be g-g-going h-home then."

Gibbs moved so that he was on eye level with Tony again, forcing the boy to look at him.

"Tony. Look at me. Do you remember what I told you earlier?"

Tony nodded and whispered.

"S-s-semper Fi."

"That's right. Do you you remember what that means?"

"Always f-f-faithful."

"Always faithful. I told you that you weren't going back to your father, and you aren't. You're going some place safe. I got the papers all worked out and I talked to all the right people and if it's all right with you… you'll be coming home with me."

Gibbs held his breath, watching as his words registered with Tony.

Disbelief, shock, hope, fear.

They all flickered through his eyes as his face remained stone.

Until one emotion broke through.

Relief.

He looked at Gibbs and whispered.

"I w-w-would like that v-very much."

Gibbs sighed in relief, not realizing how afraid he was that Tony would say no until he said yes.

"Me too Tony, me too."

XxxX

"Here we are my dear boy, the day has finally arrived!"

Tony smiled at Ducky shyly. He really liked the older doctor, he was funny and really friendly, and not to mention after you've called someone a duck and offered to get them some bread crumbs, it's hard to be anything but relaxed in their presence.

Tony carefully eased himself off the bed, mindful of his sensitive back and still aching ribs, and moved his way to the wheelchair Ducky had positioned in front of him.

"A wh-wh-wheelchair Ducky? Re-re-really?"

Ducky tutted at him.

"Yes, now get yourself in it. You don't even want to imagine what Jethro will be like if he catches you out of that chair!"

Tony ducked his head to hide his grin as he slid into the chair.

Jethro. Gibbs had a first name and it was Jethro.

He knew better than to call him that, but still.

Jethro.

"Alright we have everything?"

Tony gripped Orso and glanced around the room. The clothes he been wearing were collected as evidence and he hadn't been wearing shoes. No flowers or cards had been sent, but there was a pile of board games in the corner that Abby brought and a pillow in the chair next to the bed where Gibbs had been sleeping.

The man had slept in the room with him every night, never leaving him alone.

That was more than he could ever ask for.

He settled himself in the chair and smiled up at Ducky.

"Yes, I h-h-have everything."

"What about the games Abigail bought?"

Tony lifted his hand that held the deck of cards.

"I'm k-k-keeping the ca-ca-cards. The re-rest I want to g-g-g-give to the h-h-hospital, for the other k-kids. W-w-will Miss Abby b-be upset?"

Tony face suddenly turned worried as he looked up at Ducky.

"W-Will she b-be mad at m-me?"

Ducky smiled down at the little boy.

"No my dear, she won't be mad. In fact I think she will be quite proud of you, Jethro too. That is a very kind thing you are doing."

Tony blushed and looked down as Ducky pushed him down the hall and to the elevator.

Noticing the young man's silence, Ducky allowed him the quiet, knowing that Tony was leaving his entire life and about to entire a new one.

The two walked/rolled to the doors and Tony winced when they hit the sunshine.

What am I doing?

I can't go to his home, I can't leave my father, he will be so angry with me...

What if I screw this up?

I can't do this.

Tony took a deep shuddering breath and gripped the arm rests of the wheelchair.

I can't do this.

"Tony!"

Gibbs was standing next to the car, a wide smile on his face.

Unwillingly Tony felt himself relax.

Gibbs said he wanted him.

He said he would keep him safe.

Gibbs wouldn't lie.

He could do this.