Gasp! It's another Chapter! And in the same week?! What is this madness!
Tony sighed and rubbed his forehead.
He was so sick of questions.
No. He didn't know how he got here.
No. He didn't know what happened.
No. He didn't know how to get a hold of his family.
And he didn't particularly want to at the moment.
"Look, I d-d-don't remember any n-numbers, I'm s-s-sorry. But c-c-can't you l-l-look up the b-business?"
His father would be so pissed if he got a call at work saying Tony was in the hospital but he couldn't stay here indefinitely.
The man across the room...Morgan!… shifted with interest.
"Yes! Of course, can you tell me your father's name and the business?"
"His n-n-name is Anthony D-D-DiNozzo Sr. and..."
He paused when the doctor looked away from him to Morgan.
"Is...is th-th-that not right?"
He knew that was his father's name. What was going on?
The doctor seemed to receive whatever silent message he was waiting for from the man camped out next to his bed so he turned back to Tony and smiled. He reached out, as if to pat him on the arm, but Tony flinched away, eyes wary and frightened.
He was confused.
He was tired.
He was hurting.
And his father was going to tear him apart when he got home.
He didn't want to be touched. He just wanted to be left alone.
The doctor's smile faltered and he sighed sadly.
"Don't worry Anthony. We'll get it figured out."
Tony closed his eyes and buried his head, listening to the sound of retreating footsteps and the swick of the closing door, trying to force himself to calm down. He was going to make the FBI guy freak out if he didn't get a handle on himself. He concentrated on breathing in and out, and felt the slight give as the I.V. began to release painkillers into his system.
Shit.
Now he was going to get all…
Tony squeezed his eye closed tighter, desperate to keep control of his thoughts and emotions, determined not to let any of the storm gathering behind his eyes seep out of his mouth.
Just concentrate. You're going to be fine. There's no way FBI is going to stay here much longer. He did the police thing, he got you to hospital, he knows who dad is so he's going to find an excuse to leave any minute.
"You alright kid?"
Tony raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything.
Do I look alright? What do you want?
The man didn't seem bothered his silence.
"You seem to be getting a bit frustrated with the nice doctors here. Then again I don't really blame you. I had a concussion check once where the eighth time they had asked me my name, the date and the president I told them I was Legolas out to defeat the dark lord Sauron and I demanded they return my bow and my dwarf. I thought the nurse was going to have a heart attack."
Tony snorted and adjusted his seating, trying to block out the light of the room from his pounding head.
Morgan smiled. The kid hadn't said a word to him since waking up but the reaction of humor was a good sign.
"They kept me under observation for another two days. My team threw a fit."
Team? Why do you have a team? And why on earth are you still here?
Morgan didn't notice Tony's internal dialogue and pulled a photo out of his wallet, handing it to the boy.
Tony hesitated then reached out a shaky hand to draw it closer.
There was Morgan, sitting on a desk with his arm around a blond woman with feathers in her hair. Another blond was leaning on the other side of the desk, laughing at something Morgan had said just before the camera flash. A couple feet away was a dark haired man speaking to another older man over a folder. They were looking at the three on the desk with fond smiles while a brunette woman was just stepping into the frame, smiling and waving to the rest.
They looked happy.
Friendly.
And something...something about it was familiar. Not the people, but the atmosphere.
He shook his head and handed the photo back.
Probably something from a movie.
"That's Penelope Garcia, Jennifer Jareau, Jason Gideon, Emily Prentiss and Aaron Hotchner. Hotch's on his way, you'll meet him officially soon."
Tony looked at him in concern.
Did I do something illegal? Why is he staying and what would make him bring in another agent? What did I do?
Derek watched Tony carefully and saw the turmoil, the concern on his face.
"You're not in trouble Tony, we're just trying to reach your family. Hotch is going to help us."
Tony nodded, still confused.
Okay. Stay focused. You can ask this question without losing your dignity.
"Why c-c-can't you re-re-reach him? You sh-sh-should at least be able to g-g-get a m-message to P-P-Penny, his s-s-secretary."
Morgan reached out but pulled his hand back immediately when Tony leaned away from his hand, looked panicked and trapped.
Morgan swallowed and fought to keep his voice even. Garcia had told them the kid had been abused. It made sense he wouldn't want to be touched. That he would be scared. He took a deep breath and forced a smile he didn't feel.
"Tony. We don't want to reach DiNozzo Sr."
The boy's eyes widened and an emotion he couldn't quite put a name to flickered through the deep green.
"W-Why?"
"You...you don't live with him anymore."
His eyebrows drew together, worried and uncertain.
"I...I d-d-don't...what?"
Morgan looked with concern at the heart monitor. He needed to calm him down.
"Tony...you were removed from his home. You have a new family. We're trying find them, but we can't get any information."
Tony blinked and turned away.
I don't live with father anymore? What happened? What did I do? When did this happen? A new family? What does that even mean? Who am I staying with? Are they…. What is going on?
He started when he felt a heavy but gentle hand on his shoulder.
He stared up at Morgan with fear.
He was so confused.
He just wanted to go home.
But...where was home now?
Xxx
Jackson waved the nurse away. He was fine dammit, he just wanted some answers.
"Hey...um...miss."
The brunette looked up from her phone and smiled at him.
"Kate. My name is Kate Todd, Mr. Gibbs. Everything alright?"
"No. Where is Leroy? Have we found Tony?"
Kate bit her lip and glanced back at the screen.
"Gibbs is...Agent Gibbs is questioning a witness."
"Tony?"
She didn't meet his eyes and Jackson sighed.
"I wanted to protect him. I tried but..."
Kate placed her hand on his wrinkled fingers.
"Jackson, this wasn't your fault. Nobody knows what happened to Tony but he's the most resilient kid you'll ever meet. I'm sure he's going to show up."
Jackson sighed and looked back to the window.
"He's just a kid."
"No he's not."
Kate and Jackson both turned to the door where Gibbs was leaning.
"What Leroy?"
Gibbs stepped further into the room and paced over to window.
"He's not just a kid. He's brilliant. He's my son and we'll find him. I always find him."
Jackson opened his mouth but thought better of his when he took a closer look at his own son. There were dark circles under his eyes and his hands were constantly clenching and releasing.
He looked tired.
He looked scared.
Jackson nodded.
"Then go find him, what are you hanging around here for?"
Gibbs smiled and stepped closer to the bed.
"Thanks Dad."
He then swept out of the room, Kate quick on his heels.
"Boss!"
He turned and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm staying with him, don't worry. But Hernandez?"
Gibbs looked back her down the hall.
"He's discovered the consequences of revenge. He spoke the director, pleading guilty to kidnapping and attempted murder. He's being deported to the Federal Social Readaptation Center in Altiplano"
"Murder?"
Gibbs met her eyes, anger burning deep in the blue.
"They were transporting Tony to dispose of him."
Kate felt her breath catch.
They were almost too late.
They could have lost…
She nodded and turned back to Jackson's room.
"Gibbs... Hernandez in Altiplano."
Gibbs started down the hall.
"He won't make it a month."
Xxx
Tobias hung up the cell phone with frustration.
No homeless shelters.
No free clinics.
No other hospital.
No taxi service or city bus.
No patrolling officer or security guard.
No one had seen Tony.
No one just disappears!
He growled under his breath and stared out the window.
"Agent Fornell?"
He turned at the vaguely familiar voice and looked with surprise at the stern man a couple feet behind him.
"Aaron Hotchner?"
The man offered a hand and relaxed his expression.
"Hey Fornell. What are you doing here?"
Tobias sighed.
"Working a case. Kidnapping."
Hotch studied the lines on his face, the obvious worry.
"Personal?"
He nodded.
"The kid is a good friend on mine. Practically family. His dad's in law enforcement. We're all connected."
Hotch put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry. How's it going?"
Fornell shook his head.
"It's a mess. We caught the bastards who took him, but Tony's still missing. He just vanished-"
He paused seeing the look on Aaron's face.
"Hotchner?"
"Did you say Tony?"
Tobias nodded.
"Could you describe the boy?"
"Um...sure. Sandy brown hair, kind of shaggy. Naturally tan skin, he's Italian, little shorter than average, probably right at five foot. He's slender, not unhealthily, but just slender." Tobias paused and thought back to a younger Tony. "He was adopted from an abusive neglectful home when he was younger. He's always been a little under average when it came to body mass. We've been trying to make up for lost ground for the past six years..."
He trailed off seeing the look of shock on other agents face.
"Aaron?"
The man smiled and waved Tobias closer.
"I think there is something you need to see."
Xxx
Morgan smiled, trying not to laugh at the teenager, staring at the ceiling and belting out a song in something that most definitely not English.
"Tony?"
The kid waved at him and grinned, but didn't stop singing. He sung his arms up and around, directing an imaginary chorus, ignoring the wrap on his damaged wrist.
"Kid are you-"
He cut himself off the door to the room swung open and Hotch stepped in followed closely by a man who looked vaguely familiar.
"Tony."
The word escaped the man's mouth, barely released, just a breathe. Morgan watched as he all but shoved Hotch out of the way in his rush to get to the boy.
Tobias' knees hit the bed and he stared at Tony in disbelief.
"Tony?"
The kid didn't even acknowledge him, staring at the ceiling and singing in a language that so far only Tobias could understand.
"Oh Lordy. Troubled so hard. Oh Lordy. Troubled so hard. Don't nobody knows my troubles but God? Don't nobody knows my troubles but God?"
Tobias blinked and then looked to Morgan.
"Painkillers?"
He nodded and looked to Hotch for answers.
"Morgan meet Agent Fornell, FBI. We met on a case a few years ago. And meet Tony Gibbs."
Morgan looked at the FBI agent who was nearly in tears and blinked.
"I take it this wasn't a normal case?"
Fornell shook his head.
"No, this is family."
He sank into the chair that Morgan quickly vacated and listened to Tony's thready voice reach every corner of the room.
"Went in the room, didn't stay long, looked on the bed and brother was dead!"
Tobias chuckled and brushed the hair off of Tony's forehead.
"You listen to too much blues kid."
Tony turned his head at the contact and studied Fornell with glazed eyes.
"H-hello."
Tobias smiled warmly at him.
"Ciao Tonio."
Tony smiled at him, surprising the BAU agents. He then switched to English and reached out, poking Fornell's cheek cautiously.
"You seem somewhat f-f-familiar. Have I threatened you b-before? No...that's J-Johnny D-Depp. You're n-n-not Johnny D-Depp. But you're...s-s-someone. Well everyone's someone. Unless you're n-n-no one. But n-nobody's no one. You could be anyone though. And anyone and s-s-someone are both p-p-part of everyone. So I guess that's who you are… what's your n-name?"
Tobias stared at him in shock.
"I'm...Tobias. Toby. I'm Toby remember Tony?"
Tony pointed to himself and wrinkled his forehead.
"I'm T-Tony."
Hotch looked to Morgan worriedly.
"How bad is his concussion?"
Fornell answered before Morgan could.
"It's painkillers. They make him… confused. But they never make him forget us. Why doesn't he know who I am?"
Morgan frowned sympathetically and Tony reached out to grab Fornell's hand.
Tobias turned and wanted to cry out when he saw the tears in Tony's eyes.
"I'm s-sorry I don't r-remember you. Please don't be m-mad. I know you're nice. I remember you're n-nice and I don't have to be sc-scared of you. I'm sorry I don't-"
Fornell squeezed his fingers.
"It's okay Tony. We'll get it figured out. I'm going to call your dad okay?"
"No! M-Morgan said I d-d-don't have to g-go back to my f-father. I d-don't live there anymore."
His voice faded and he looked so dejected.
Had Morgan lied to him?
Tobias looked for answers again and Morgan murmured into his ear.
"He thinks he still lives with DiNozzo. He doesn't remember anything about his new family. We haven't been able to contact anyone and our tech analyst wasn't able to crack the file."
Tobias looked back to Tony and spoke absently.
"Gibbs had it sealed up so tight no one could open it. He was worried about Tony's safety." He chuckled ironically. "He wanted him out of harm."
Tobias stared at the boy and felt his heart break.
The boy was stuttering.
He hadn't done that in years.
He had recovered and healed and loved and now...
He pulled out his phone and dialed up his friend.
"If anyone can make Tony remember, it'll be Gibbs."
xxx
"Unless you have news on Tony-"
"Room 816."
Gibbs stopped speaking, he could feel his heart pounding in his throat.
"What?"
"Get up here. Someone needs you."
Gibbs was running before the line disconnected.
Xxx
Gibbs burst through the door, eyes wide and his son's name on his lips.
The room turned to look at him.
He registered the man sitting closest to the bed, tight black shirt and dark jeans. Badge clipped to his belt. The other man, across the room was in a dark suit and watched him warily. Fornell stepped away from the bed and blocked his view of the two others.
"Gibbs."
"Tobias. Tony?"
He shifted slightly so the anxious father could see past him.
"He's right here. Asleep. These are agents Morgan and Hotchner. FBI."
Gibbs didn't tear his eyes away from his sleeping son.
"Friends of yours?"
Tobias nodded.
"They are now. Morgan found Tony a few miles from the crash. Looks like a wandered away without the first responders seeing him."
Gibbs nodded and stepped around everyone, focused solely on his son.
His eyes skittered to Morgan who jumped from his seat again, offering it to the father.
"Gibbs. There's something else."
Gibbs looked to his child, who suddenly looked so much paler. So broken.
"Tobias..."
"No! He'll...he'll be fine. But...he doesn't remember Gibbs."
"What?"
"He thinks he still lives with Sr. He doesn't remember any of us. He has vague recollections. He knew he didn't have to be scared of me, but no idea of who he is now or who we are."
Gibbs swallowed hard and closed his eyes.
"Okay. One problem at a time. Physically, what's happening?"
Morgan handed him a file.
Sprained wrist.
Stage 3 concussion.
Two cracked ribs and three fully broken.
26 stitches in his side where a piece of metal had been jolted from it's place and sliced into his skin.
Heavy blood loss and massive bruising.
All in all.
He would live.
Gibbs rested his head on the side of the bed and breathed in the comforting scent of his son.
He would be okay.
He pulled his head up and sighed.
"Okay. He doesn't remember? From the concussion?"
Morgan nodded.
"That's the doctors best guess. He said only time will tell, but he's hopeful of a full recovery."
Gibbs was about to respond but his attention was pulled by Tony who was beginning to stir.
He reached out and interlaced his fingers with Tony's.
"Tony? Son?"
His eyes fluttered and he blinked owlishly.
The room held it's breath when the vibrant green eyes were caught in the gaze of the hopeful blue.
"Tony?"
The boy stared at him before a slight grin pulled at his lips.
"J-Jim."
Gibbs felt his heart sink.
He didn't remember.
He tried to smile and gripped Tony's fingers gently.
"I-"
"You h-h-helped me feed Jim the D-D-Duck. You're L-L-Leroy Jethro."
Gibbs smiled so wide Tobias took a step back. He had never seen him that happy.
"Yeah Tony. I'm Leroy Jethro."
Tony nodded and grinned back at him, patting the hand gripping his fingers.
"Are you al-al-alright?"
Gibbs nodded.
"Yes. I'm alright. How are you?"
Tony shrugged one shoulder and winced.
"B-B-Been better. C-C-Can you tell me what's going on?"
Gibbs settled back in his chair.
"Yeah Tony. I think I can help you out."
Xxx
The room was quiet. The lights flickering off the machines shone up on the ceiling making a twisted reflection of the night sky.
Gibbs was asleep, his legs stretched out in the chair and his head resting next to Tony's shoulder.
Tony smiled at the top of his head. His grey hair was mussed so he reached out gently rearranged the strands.
It spoke to his exhaustion, and his knowledge that it was his son, along with the fact the Mike Franks was still camped outside the room door that Gibbs didn't stir.
Tony listened to the rhythm of GIbbs' breathing, the only sound in the quiet night.
This was his father. His...dad.
Gibbs. The man who helped his feed a duck and gave him a coat. Gibbs.
Somehow when he told him, whispering in the caught silence in the room, Tony couldn't help but believe him.
Besides when the McGee kid showed up with the adoption paperwork and his birth certificate…
He sighed and leaned back on the pillows. The doctor said that he could be released to his...dad… tomorrow.
He could get out of the hospital.
He could go home.