After apologizing for his embarrassing display of emotion, Tony headed up to the guest room. Even with his forced nap on Ducky's cold table, he felt the exhaustion of the past several days still pulling at him.

Gibbs took the opportunity to make a few calls...

11 00 11 00 11

As Jackson Gibbs entered into his house from the snowy-cold evening, the phone was ringing. He hurried inside, closing the door and pulling off his gloves as he picked up the receiver. "Hello?"

"Hey, Dad,"came the familiar voice on the other line.

"Leroy," Jackson beamed as he shrugged off his coat. "I wasn't expecting a call from you for a couple of days."

"Yeah, I know. And I'm hopin' it's not to late to ask ya somethin'."

"What is it?" Jackson furrowed his brow as he sat down in his armchair.

"Do you have someone who could man the store for the week?"

"Well, the few days it'll be open this week, sure. Why, son? Has something happened?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, Dad. It's Tony. He just lost his father and I-"

"Oh no," Jackson interrupted. "He was coming to spend Christmas with him... What happened? How did it happen? Was he there?"

"Dad, how'd you know he was spending the holiday with Tony?"

"We talk now and then, Leroy. Kid was so damned excited and he wanted to tell someone, but was afraid he'd jinx it if he told anyone at work. Can't believe this happened to him... Was he already in town?" he repeated.

"He was in New York, checkin' into a hotel before his flight the next morning to get here. Had a heart attack."

"Poor sonofabitch..."

"Tony went up there alone. Wouldn't tell any of us about any of it. But he'd been acting strange for days and we finally put two and two together."

"What's he gonna do? Is he there with you now?" Jackson knew his son, and he knew enough about Tony to know that he cared a great deal for Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

"Yeah, he's here. I wanted to ask you if you'd come down for a few days; spend Christmas with us. I think he'd like that."

"Of course," he replied without hesitancy. "I'll have to fly... Truck's in the shop."

"You put her in the shop?" his voice portrayed his shock.

"Too damned cold to work on the thing myself, Leroy. I've got my limitations; getting old, ya know," he smirked, though his son couldn't see it. There was a silence on the other line, and Jackson realized then that he might've brought a bit of fear to his fearless son. "Don't worry 'bout me, kiddo; you're not the only one with stubborn Gibbs-blood running through their veins. Tony's old man was a heavy drinker. Well...heavier a drinker thanyour old man," he snickered. "I'll look into getting a ticket-"

"Don't worry about doin' all that," he interjected. "I'll have McGee find you one, and I'll call and let you know when you need to be at the airport. You can find a ride there, right?"

"I think I can handle that," he retorted with a snort.

"Be careful, Dad. I'll call you back soon."

"I'm always careful, Leroy."

"I love ya, Dad..."

Jackson swallowed. He could sense the pain he felt for his friend; one he knew he thought of as a son. "I love you, too, son..."

Tbc...