So...I'm not dead. I did take the boyfriend home to see my parents so it was pretty close but nope. Still kicking. Just to let you know what's been going on in life- dad had emergency surgery (he's fine now), I discovered tumblr (three days later I realized I should probably eat), I submitted my poetry to actual legitimate poetry magazine (wish me luck) and I started volunteering at the humane shelter (walking dogs and teaching cats that humans are people too), and I created an alternative clean energy.
Okay, that last one was a lie.
But still...nice to think about though...
Hope you all enjoy this chapter and thank you so much for your reviews, they mean so much to me!
~Renee
"You okay kid?"
Tony glanced over at Morgan, the agent studying him with concern. He sighed and looked back at the man, Gibbs, signing the last of the papers for his release. His forehead creased and he spoke softly.
"I l-live with him. I kn-kn-know I do. The agent sh-sh-showed me. But..."
He knew that he had been told this before but he was just so confused. Morgan stepped forward, ignoring the way Tony stiffened at his approach and leaned lazily on the desk. He followed Tony's lead and pitched his voice low, but suspected that Gibbs could hear anyway.
"Yeah Tony. You live with him. He adopted you. He's your dad. From what I've heard you seem to be very happy with him."
Tony's nose wrinkled. He didn't care much for fathers and his experience with them didn't lend itself to happiness. And he knew very little about Gibbs. Really nothing other than the fact he had been kind to him. And apparently that was years ago.
It didn't feel like years ago.
He had reacted the way he did when he first saw him partially out of relief for seeing a familiar face and partly because of the painkillers running through his system.
The truth was…
He was going home with a stranger.
And he was scared.
He can't be worse than father. Maybe this is a good thing? Every one of these complete and total strangers thinks it's a good thing.
He swallowed and looked up at Morgan, an irrational need to be reassured by this stranger gripping him.
Derek smiled at him and bent his knees so he was closer to his level. He remembered being taller than Tony when he was that age, but Gibbs had told him the kid would probably always be a little behind.
"Tony, Gibbs is a good guy. He loves you very much. He'll take care of you."
Tony worried his lip and nodded, trying to keep from shaking when Gibbs walked over to them, a warm smile on his face.
"Hey Tones, ready to go home?"
Tony bit the inside of his cheek and with one last look to Morgan, he nodded.
Home.
Home. Right.
Gibbs reached out a hand and hesitantly, Tony took it, relaxing slightly at the feel of the rough calluses gently guiding him out the door.
"See ya around Tony."
With his free hand, wrapped tightly to protect the sprain, he waved goodbye and stepped through the automatic doors toward a bright yellow charger.
He paused at the sight of the car.
"Pretty isn't she?"
Tony nodded, unsure of how familiar he normally acted with the grey haired man.
Gibbs was disappointed at his quiet but didn't let it show.
This was his son.
He'd remember eventually.
Xxx
The car ride was silent, punctuated only by the reactions of the other drivers as Gibbs tore down the road, anxious to get his boy home and healed.
Gibbs glanced over at his son, he was pressed up against the door, staring out the window, his wide green eyes distant and tired.
He wasn't good at small talk. He and Tony had never needed it before. Gibbs focused straight ahead and cleared his throat.
Okay. You're fine. Let's just think about this. You know how to handle father...senior? Stay out of his way, keep your head down and don't say anything. Maybe it's the same way here? Maybe we just exist around each other? I'm sure there must be a tax break for-
"The uh, the zoo will sure be happy to see you."
Tony twitched, surprised at being addressed. He turned slightly, so he was still leaning on the locked door, keeping as much distance between him and Gibbs as possible.
"The z-zoo?"
Gibbs nodded, not looking at him.
"Yup. You've got an ark's worth of pets roaming around the house. They're climbing the walls waiting for you to get back."
Tony's head titled and he leaned slightly forward. He loved animals.
Gibbs lets me have a pet? Multiple pets?
"Two dogs, three cats, and stray goldfish. Each and everyone you dragged in from the street. I'm still a little unsure where the fish came from to be honest." Gibbs mulled, answering Tony's silent question.
Tony chuckled and uncurled the smallest bit from defensive position. Gibbs fought a smile at the reaction. He didn't want to scare him off, but this was a good sign.
"There's Sam, a white haired...something. Looks like the bottom half of a dust mop. Then Doc, he's your newest addition. Just got him. He's part german shepherd part...bear."
Tony out and out smiled then. He loved dogs. The loyalty, the unconditional love they always seemed willing to give.
"The cats are their own kind of monster. Rusty you found stuck in the thorn bushes out back a couple days before Christmas when you were nine. Danny was about a year later. He was sitting on the front porch like he belonged and sauntered right in when you opened the door. Saw Rusty on the couch and hopped right up next to him. The two have been inseparable since. You said it was just like-"
"Ocean's Eleven. D-Danny and Rusty. I l-love that movie."
Gibbs nodded.
"Exactly. You made me watch it every week until I thought we could rob a casino ourselves. Then you started on the original Sinatra version."
Tony ducked his head, quietly pleased. Gibbs watched movies with him.
Yeah. Mom watched movies with you too. That didn't exactly end the way you dreamed.
Tony briefly closed his eyes and swallowed down the bitterness that rose at that thought.
"And the other c-cat?"
"Atticus. After-"
"T-T-To K-Kill a Mockingbird. That's my f-favorite book."
Gibbs smoothly pulled the car into the drive.
"Yes it is. You went through a short phase where your life goal was to be a lawyer."
Gibbs stepped from the car and hurried to the other side, opening his son's door before Tony could manage.
Tony looked up at the man and his waiting hand with wary confused eyes. Yes Gibbs had been very nice up to now, even having a conversation with him in the car but this wasn't how people acted. Tony slowly extended his hand and felt Gibbs' reassuring fingers close around his wrist and gently pull him to his feet.
"Th-thanks."
"Of course."
Tony looked up at the house waiting for him. It was two stories, quite a bit smaller than home...than his old home. But it was nice. It looked friendly. If a house could look friendly that is.
He took a hesitant step forward, Gibbs shadowing his movements. Tony felt a shiver run through his shoulders with Gibbs so close to behind him.
It's okay. If he wanted to hurt you, he would have by now.
Somehow that wasn't comforting.
They were half-way to the front door when it swung open and the dogs came barreling out. Gibbs automatically stepped closer to Tony, catching him from falling backwards as the dogs leapt up on his chest. Tony groaned and grimaced as their weight hit him. He had been released from the hospital but that didn't mean he was good as new. Gibbs shooed the dogs away and they both backed up with expressions of contrition. Doc scooted forward slowly, looking at Tony with wide hopeful eyes. The young man reached a hand out and gently rubbed the dogs ears, feeling something in his chest loosen as the animal leaned into his touch.
Gibbs had been right, the dog really did look part bear. He was huge.
"Hello D-doc."
The dogs tail wagged and he leaned into him, soaking in the presence of his boy. Gibbs smiled at the display then looked up to the door, the dogs couldn't have opened it themselves…
Mike stepped into the doorway and smirked at him.
Gibbs sighed and shook his head. Looked like he hadn't scampered back to Mexico. He shouldn't be surprised. Mike was really fond of Tony, and he would stay until he was sure the boy was alright.
Gibbs guided Tony into the house, the dogs quick on their heels. Sam was scampering between his feet and Doc was glued to his hip and Tony had never felt quite as safe. Gibbs helped Tony onto the couch and watched as Rusty and Danny materialized from nowhere to curl up on his lap. Tony ran his fingers over the cats and smiled when Atticus showed up on his shoulder. Doc lay down on his feet and Sam climbed on top of Doc so he was pressed against his legs. Gibbs stifled a laugh seeing that his son was almost completely covered in pet.
His laugh died in his throat though, when his eyes met Tony's.
Distrust.
Worry.
Exhaustion.
Even fear.
This wasn't his son looking at him.
This was a stranger.
And he was scared.
Gibbs breath caught in his throat.
Tony quickly looked away and went back to petting to cats tangled on his lap.
Mike stepped up to him and gripped his shoulder, forcefully gesturing to the kitchen.
"Tony."
The boy blinked at his name and glanced back up, carefully not meeting his eyes.
"I'm just going to step in the kitchen. Can I get you anything?"
"N-no thank you."
Gibbs nodded and walked quickly into the kitchen, Mike close behind him. Gibbs gripped the sink with white knuckled and closed his eyes, trying not to let the over flooding emotions get the best of him.
"Probie."
"What Mike."
"He's going to remember eventually. He's your boy. He's had a lot worse and he always comes out on top. He's going to be-"
"Fine? Really? Is that what you were going to say Mike? Were you going to tell me that my son is going to be fine? My son who can barely look me in the eye without being terrified. Who doesn't know if I'm anything like that bastard who nearly killed him and made his life a living hell when he was a child? My son who keeps getting knocked down again and again and never stops getting back up and smiling and carrying on? Of course he'll be fine but damn it Mike, he shouldn't have to fight to be. He should have the right to grow up and be safe and loved and taken care of and not have these nightmares and not have his life tore out from underneath him. He deserves so much better this."
Mike grabbed his shoulders and shook him lightly.
"Yes he does. That boy deserves the world. So make sure he gets it. Love on him Gibbs. Be his daddy. He'll remember. Your son isn't broken, so don't you dare act like he is. And if you even start to think you are than so help me probie I will knock you from here to Sunday."
Gibbs let out a long breath and a twitch of a smile towards Mike.
"Thanks Mike."
"Anytime Probie. Now get some coffee, you're a grump without it and it took me thirty minutes to figure out how to work that damn percolator."
"It's just a coffee pot Mike. Three buttons."
"Two buttons too many."
xxx
Tony scratched Doc's ears and smiled and the dogs sigh of contentment. The animal had positioned himself between Tony and the rest of the room so that someone would have to get past him before ever getting within arms reach of the boy.
"Good dog." he whispered down, and tried not to laugh at the tail beating against his legs.
The dog rested his chin on Tony's knee and stared up at him with wide eyes.
"You're a g-good dog."
He could hear Gibbs and...Mike? Yeah, he was pretty sure it was Mike, coming back down the hall.
He took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders.
Atticus shifted where he was curled next to his neck and started to purr.
You're okay. And if all else fails, the animals love you.
A slight smile pulled on Tony's lips.
Somehow, just telling himself that, boosted his confidence enough that when Gibbs stepped into the room, he met his eyes. Gibbs smiled at the sight of Tony relaxed against the couch surrounded by his attention starved pets.
His tired blue eyes met Tony's cautious green eyes and a slow careful grin spread across the boys face.
Gibbs met the grin with one of his own.
Mike was right.
They could do this.
They were family.