So I feel really bad because I haven't updated in ages! I'm really sorry to all of you who have been waiting, I hit some really sticky places with the story and couldn't get it where I wanted it to go. But I'm back on track now, so I hope that you guys will continue reading! We only have a few chapters left and I haven't decided if I'm going to do a sequel or not, it'll depend on how I feel about the ending of this story. But we have at least two more chapters before the end, so don't run away yet!
Thanks for reading and pretty please share what is in those beautiful minds of yours!
~Renee

The court room was full, curious and angry souls all trying to get a piece of the scandal, with press haunting the front steps of the courthouse.

A known and admired business man being arrested for child abuse and attempted murder?

D.C. was buzzing.

The judge, the right and honorable Mayweather, looked irritated with the proceedings already as the defense attorney scrambled for a foothold.

"Your Honor, my client is a respected member of society, he has several noteworthy businesses in the area, being held without bail is ridiculous!"

The prosecutor snorted.

"Respectfully Mr. Jameson, I have to disagree. Your client is a major flight risk. The man was obtained trying to flee the country for goodness sakes! Of that's not a sign of a man willing to run, I don't know what is!"

"There is a reasonable explanation-"

The judge scowled and banged his gavel.

"Enough counselors! The prisoner will be held without bail. Next!"

Anthony DiNozzo Sr was taken away by the bailiff while shouting something about incompetence at his lawyer.

Gibbs smiled to himself and without a word, left the courtroom.

XxxX

"And then Mayer looks right at the man and says 'you're right, the land is ruled by Kings, but Ace's have been known for revolution.' and then he lays down four Queens Ace high!"

Tony laughed quietly his eyes sparkling.

"You took the deed to man's bloody house? Mayer!"

The man grinned and glanced over at Miguel.

"I won it fair and square!"

Tony lifted an eyebrow, waiting.

After a beat of silence Mayer and Miguel both sighed and Mayer continued.

"Alright, I gave it back. I couldn't keep the man's house. It wasn't my style anyway."

Miguel laughed.

"Oh no, a house with two kitchens, an indoor pool, a tennis court in the basement and a bowling alley isn't your style at all."

Mayer rolled his eyes and was ready to speak again but was cut off by a new voice.

"I take it Mayer was the one who taught you cards?"

Tony smiled at Gibbs and reached out an arm, inviting the man to their circle.

"Yup. And Miguel taught me chess. You would expect it the other way huh?"

Gibbs smiled warmly at the boy and ruffled his hair.

"When it comes to you Tony, I try to keep an open mind."

Miguel and Mayer laughed and stood.

"Well Tony, it's getting late. We had better go, you need your rest."

The boy nodded and squeezed both of their hands in lieu of a hug, waving as they walked out the door.

Gibbs settled in one of the chairs they vacated and propped his feet up on the bed next to his sons.

Waiting until the door shut and the room was silent, Tony spoke up in a hushed tone.

"What did the judge say?"

Gibbs started and looked at Tony in surprise.

"What?"

One side of Tony's mouth came up in a quiet smile.

"Despite what he thinks, I'm not stupid. I know his arraignment was today. What happened?"

Tony was so quiet as he spoke that Gibbs' words held some bite when he responded, upset that anyone would think his son was anything less than brilliant.

"I don't think you're stupid."

Tony swallowed a smile at his tone, Gibbs almost sounded insulted.

"I know dad. I didn't say you did."

"Good."

Gibbs settled himself in his chair and picked up a crossword puzzle book, obviously done with the conversation.

Tony resisted the urge to roll his eyes and sighed quietly.

"Dad...please tell me."

Gibbs looked at him over the book.

"You're not going to let this go."

Tony shook his head.

"Probably not, no. I...I have a right to know."

Gibbs glowered at the window and muttered.

"I know."

He reached forward and ran his hand down his son's cheek, careful to avoid the bruises brightening the pale skin.

Tony could almost read his mind, his thoughts were so plain on his face. Gibbs didn't want to hide anything from the boy, but he didn't want to share this either.

"I don't want to think about him. I really don't, but I want to know. I have to know he's gone. I need to know he's not coming back."

Gibbs suddenly felt incredibly selfish. He didn't want to think about. Didn't want to talk about him. He wanted to push him out his thoughts, take his son home, and move on. Never looking back.

But that wasn't fair.

Tony needed closure too. And it was obvious he wasn't getting it yet. He had been dancing around what to call DiNozzo since the painkillers had worn off. He refused to refer to him as father and didn't like Anthony or DiNozzo. More often than not, if he had to talk about him he said Senior or didn't call him by anything at all, simply knowing that Gibbs would understand either way. He had been having nightmares again and grew tense whenever Gibbs left the room. He never asked him to stay, but he could see the worry around Tony's tired eyes whenever he stepped away. As much as he wouldn't admit it, Tony was scared. He needed to know what happened. He needed to know that it was over.

Gibbs sighed.

"You know, sometimes I wish you weren't so grown up. I wish you could just be a kid."

Tony shrugged, wincing as the motion pulled his back and whispered.

"I'm sorry."

Gibbs smiled at him gently as his heart tugged at him.

"I love you just the way you are son."

Tony looked at him, his eyes bright.

"Really?"

"Really really."

"Shrek said that."

Gibbs smiled, remembering watching the cartoon with the boy.

"I remember."

"Yeah..."

Tony smiled softly thinking back to the night filled with popcorn and laughter.

"He's being held with no bail. He's not getting out of this. There's no way. The evidence is too much. The defense attorney is already trying to cut a deal with the FBI, but Tobias is making it hard as hell for him to get what he wants."

Tony looked up at him, surprised then nodded to himself, his eyes darting somewhere behind Gibbs' head.

"Thanks."

"Tony."

Slowly, his eyes turned back to his dad.

"Yeah." he whispered.

"It's going to be okay."

He nodded, tears slipping out of the corners of his eyes.

Gibbs stood from the chair, dropping the book on the floor and moving towards the bed.

With extreme caution and gentleness he set on the edge of the bed and pulled Tony into his arms, as the boy cried into his shirt.

"I'm here Tony. I'm here."

Tony's arm snaked around his waist and held on as his body shook his relief. With a choked sob he buried his head further into Gibbs' chest.

His father wasn't getting out.

Gibbs was here.

Everything was going to be okay.

Finally.

XxxX

"I'm making list of never's dad."

Gibbs chuckled as he eased the wheelchair down the hallway of the hospital.

"Oh really? Most people make a bucket list of things they want to do, not things they don't."

Tony squirmed in the chair, wincing as he tried to get comfortable.

"I want to do a lot more things than I don't. This list will be shorter."

"Okay, lay some on me."

Tony scowled at the chair he was sitting in.

"First of all, I am never ever ever getting in a wheelchair again. Ever."

"Never ever. Got it. Next?"

Tony crossed his arms in front of him.

"I never want to break another bone."

Gibbs nodded, his throat going tight.

Tony's eyes skipped down the hall and focused on a crying little girl being held by someone who was obviously her father.

He whispered.

"I would never let someone think I didn't love them."

Gibbs tightened his hands on the handle of the wheelchair until the rubber grips squeaked with protest.

The two were quiet and lost to their own thoughts for a moment, before Tony spoke up again in a light voice.

"And brussel sprouts. I never want to eat them again."

Gibbs smiled as they walked out the double doors.

"Not even Miguel can make brussel sprouts appetizing?"

Tony raised an eyebrow.

"Dad, I honestly believe that God made spouts taste that bad for a reason, and that reason is- we aren't suppose to eat them, and I am not going to argue with God...are you?"

Gibbs laughed out loud, unable to find an argument for that sound of logic from his nine year old.

"I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of brussel sprouts myself."

Tony grinned.

"I know. We haven't had them once since I moved in. You want to know something?"

"Tell me."

Tony titled his head back and looked up at his dad.

"I really want some pizza."

Arriving at their waiting car with Abby bouncing next to a weary looking McGee, Gibbs smiled.

"Pizza. Now that sounds good."

Abby overheard and laughed.

"Fornell is already at the house and last I heard was calling for enough pizza to last you two the rest of the week."

Tony laughed with her and carefully got out the wheelchair with Gibbs' hands guiding his way. Easing his way into the car, he sighed in relief to see the hospital finally disappearing.

"Never going to stay in a hospital again."

"I'll hold you to that one." Gibbs replied, sliding in the car next to his son, giving up his usual place in the drivers seat.

Tony looked out the window and smiled, watching the scenery pass by as they drove back to the house. The week and a half he had spent in the hospital had pushed him to his limit and he was ready to get home. He knew Gibbs wanted him to stay longer just to make sure, but he just couldn't handle it. He wasn't used to being required to stay in the hospital, and he most decidedly didn't like it. Between the emotional tole of being taken from his home and the physical stress his body was under he had crumbled, crying into his dad's shoulder asking if he could just go home. Gibbs had been unable to say no, and arranged for him to come home at the earliest possible date.

Ducky had thrown a fit, but understood in the end.

He had to go home.

The other occupants of the car sensed Tony's thoughtful mood and stayed quiet, allowing the boy his space to think.

The quiet was comfortable for Gibbs and Tony, both used to the silence that could follow the other, but to Abby it was pushing the edge of her self control. Finally with a burst of frustration she turned to Gibbs and began to sign.

*Is he going to be okay?*

He nodded, looking to the boy who was studiously ignoring them.

*Are you sure? I wouldn't be, I mean I would be because you would help me and I know you're going to help him, but he's a just a kid and that was his father even though he was a horrible father and shouldn't even be called that but I can't even imagine what I would do if my dad...*

Abby's hands slowed as her face twisted and she swallowed hard, turning back in the car to look out the window.

Tony gave a quiet sigh and turned to Gibbs and began to whisper.

"She does know I can understand her?"

Gibbs blanched at Tony and his eyes skittered between him and Abby before he cautiously rose a hand and began to sign.

A small smirk dancing on his face Tony lifted his own hands and answered.

"Come on! Now where did you learn that?"

Startled by Gibbs' yell, McGee hit the brakes and everyone jerked in their seats, yanked back by their belts.

Gibbs turned his glare to McGee and swatted the back of his head.

"Pay attention to the road McGee! What are you trying to do?"

"Sorry boss! It won't happen again, you uh...scared me."

"You saying it was my fault?"

"I...uh...um..."

"Dad..."

Gibbs looked down at Tony who seemed to be trying not to laugh.

"You did yell."

Gibbs sighed and rolled his eyes, but took his attention away from McGee who gave Tony an appreciative look.

"Where did you learn how to sign?"

"He knows how to sign! Gibbs why didn't you tell me?"

Abby's shriek nearly took McGee off the road again.

"Aaabbbyyyy."

"Hush Tim, this is important."

"More important that what Gibbs will do to me if I wreck the car?"

"Hush! Since when can you sign?"

Tony leaned his head back against the headrest and sighed.

"I will tell you if you stop yelling. I want to go home and that's not going to happen if you keep screaming and McGee crashes the car."

"Thanks Tony." McGee called from the driver seat, gripping the steering wheel.

Abby opened her mouth but Gibbs shot her a look and she snapped her mouth back shut.

Fighting back a grin, Tony began to speak.

"Harris, a man who worked in the stables was deaf. He spoke sign language and he taught me. Or at least he did until Senior found out I was sneaking into the stables."

Tony's mouth screwed and his eyes grew distant.

"Harris and Anderson used to take care of the kittens that were hiding in the stable, Anderson would give reports about the cats to Miguel and then tell me, but I would still go out there to check on them, and Harris would tell me about each one. I liked learning the language, it was fun, like a game. Miguel always thought it was really funny, I can speak English, Italian, and American Sign Language, but all the Spanish I know is curse words. I can curse a lot in Spanish. Mayer gets so mad at him when he curses around me, but he doesn't understand a word of it so he has to guess based on how angry Miguel looks on whether or not he's actually swearing. Mayer made Harris promise not to teach me any ASL curse words."

Abby gaped at Gibbs who found he couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face.

He studied his son and shook his head.

"Why didn't I know that?"

Tony grinned at the ceiling, his eyes closed.

"I don't think it ever came up."

Gibbs laughed and wrapped his arms around his son's shoulders, unable to stop the pride from rushing through him. He was beginning to there was nothing his nine year old couldn't do.

XxxX

Abby and McGee waved goodbye as they drove away, already arranged with Gibbs to let the two have their first day back home as a family. Tobias had sent him a text saying there was a pizza on the table and Mike had the living room ready.

Gibbs unlocked the front door and held his breath.

With a gentle push, he opened the door and led his son into the living room.

Tony stopped short when he saw the room.

"Dad...is that a..."

"Christmas tree. Yeah. Want to help me decorate?"

Tony looked up at Gibbs in surprise.

When December had first rolled around and Gibbs was dedicating himself to the search for Senior Tony had thought nothing of the lack of Christmas decorations. Christmas was nothing they really celebrated at his old house anyway.

Just another excuse for his father to break out the liquor and drink himself to oblivion.

Days meant to be celebrated seemed to just make him angrier.

Tony had learned quickly to dislike Holidays.

But looking between the tree and the small smile on Gibbs' face, he found that he was suddenly curious. His friends from school had always spoke about Christmas like it was a magical thing, and Mayer and Miguel had told him countless stories about Santa and twinkle lights and soft melodies floating over the snow as carolers drifted across doorsteps.

Tony had spent too many Christmas's alone in his room, watching the world from his window, praying his father would pass out before he came to find him.

The idea of a real Christmas…

A tree, the music, the snow, the lights…

It almost seemed to good to be true.

"I… I can help decorate? Really?"

Gibbs' smile turned a little sad at the innocent question and he sighed quietly as he pointed to the two large crates sitting next to the tree.

"Decorations are waiting. After you eat and take a nap, we'll dig in."

Tony took a half step towards the boxes then turned to give his dad a look.

"I do not need a nap."

Gibbs crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, forcing himself not to smile at the boy.

"I don't recall asking your opinion. Doctor's orders, you need to rest."

Tony's eyes darted between the large tree full of promise and the large man who was not going to budge.

"Can I rest on the couch?"

Gibbs didn't move but stared at the boy who quickly copied his position.

The two found themselves, standing about five feet apart, each with their arms crossed a smirk and one eyebrow raised.

They held it for about two minutes before Tony's smirk turned into a full on grin and he began to giggle.

Hearing his sons light laughter, Gibbs smiled and stepped forward, scooping him up and gently crushing him to his chest.

Tony smiled and buried his head in his dad's shoulder, holding on to the embrace.

The two stood in the living room like that until the day and the medication caught up with Tony and he fell asleep in his dad's arms, and Gibbs stepped to the couch carefully lowering himself to the cushion.

With his son cradled in his arms, he decided he wasn't the only one who needed a nap.

Alright so I had the idea of Tony being able to speak sign language since chapter three and I never had a chance to stick in the bloody story and it was driving me nuts! I'm so glad I finally got a place to make it work!