Secure

Tony did not back down, however. Moving deliberately to Jethro, he put a hand on his father's shoulder and squeezed it gently as he raised his voice slightly and elaborated.

"Dad, no, I will not- I have no intention of obeying you in this." Faltering a moment as his father's expression changed from confusion to anger, he took a deep breath before he continued in a firm voice. "I realize that my actions this evening are definitely disrespectful and disobedient and will accept the consequences for that. Go ahead with those consequences- that is fair. Take my car to punish me, or ground me, or even spank me- whatever, I honestly do not care what you decide because I have absolutely no intention of doing what you say tonight. Not tonight, Dad, I will not obey you tonight." The last words came out softly, and as more of a statement than as a plea.

Ducky's shock at Tony's insubordination made him quickly try to smooth the turbulent waters. "Jethro, I don't think it will harm the boy to spend the night here. Tomorrow we can assess the circumstances again."

Tony had not lost eye contact with his father, and the younger man gave him a half smile. "I love you, Dad- you already know that. You also know how much I love Abuela, and that I would do anything for her. All my life you've molded me to conduct myself with moral guidelines, to go to bed with a clear conscience. My abuela needs me now, and therefore, I am going to be right here for her. I really do not want to not respect you, Daddy, but can't you see that I can not obey you in this?"

Gibbs pinched the bridge of his nose and took several seconds to consider his son's perspective. Tony technically ranked as an adult, a young man completely capable of running his own life, without guidelines from his father any longer. Truthfully, his son was too old to spank, or restrict, or punish in any parental way. At the same time, the little boy had never grown out of Tony, reminiscent of the fictitious Peter Pan. That ingredient made Tony uniquely Tony. In addition, that important characteristic also served to bring out his father's paternal streak, and once activated, he meant to protect his child.

Finally he acquiesced, allowing his confidence in his son to matter more than his uncertainty. "All right, Tony, all right. You may stay tonight with my blessing. However, if I get back to this hospital tomorrow and find you haven't eaten, or that you haven't gotten any rest, I am sending you straight home. I will not entertain any discussion to the contrary. There will be no second chances for you. Is that perfectly clear?"

His child nodded, "I got it, Dad, and thank you." Putting his arms around his father he hugged him, then settled his body against him, finding comfort in the familiar sawdust and coffee smell, and the familiarity of his dad's strong embrace. Jethro kissed the top of his head and ran his hand up and down Tony's back, offering physical comfort and his support. He had nothing more to give him.

Ducky interrupted, "Let us make our departure, Jethro, so that we can get some rest ourselves."

Reluctantly, Jethro turned Tony loose and tapped him under the chin. When Tony met his gaze he smiled. "I am proud of you Anthony."

Tony grinned and stepped back.

Gibbs called out over his shoulder as he and Ducky made their way down the ICU corridor, "About that punishment, I will not think twice about doling out one if I get back here and find you've ignored my conditions. Don't think I don't mean that."

Tony grinned again, secure in his father's consistency. "I've got you, Dad!"

However, as soon as the door closed behind the men Tony realized that he needed his father. Yanking open the door, he slipped down the hall and caught up with Jethro and Ducky at the elevator. They looked surprised at his arrival after such a serious confrontation.

Tony tugged on his father's arm impatiently. "Dad, may I have some money?"

"Money for what?" Jethro looked confused, but reached towards his back pocket for his wallet.

"Like, money so I can get something to eat," he explained.

Jethro sighed heavily, "Where is your own money, Tony?"

"I don't have any. That's why you need to give me some." Tony flashed him a brilliant smile.

Ducky couldn't help laughing at the reasoning.

Gibbs turned an annoyed look at his friend before answering his child.

"You are a college graduate now, Son, and you should not need me to be your personal banker any longer," pointed out his father. "You need to get rid of that notion you have held for twenty two years that your money is yours alone, but your dad's money belongs to both you and me."

Tony puffed his lip out into a pout and muttered, "True, Daddy, but if you gave me an allowance I would not be bothering you right now."

"What? That doesn't even make sense, Tony," Jethro grumbled, pulling out his wallet and passing over some bills. Then he raised his eyebrows and added, "Don't spend any of that on junk."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Tony slid the bills into his pocket, grinned at his father, and walked softly back to his post.

Before the young man opened the door to the room, though, he stood at the picture window that gave the medical staff an observation point while they monitored and worked at their stations. His grandmother lay unmoving and unresponsive.

Tony studied her still figure and smiled to himself.

Maria, in truth, had no blood ties to him whatsoever. Yet she had been his abuela, his grandmother, for all of his life. His attachment to her mirrored her attachment to him.

He ran his hands through his hair and straightened his shoulders before slipping quietly into the room once again.

Then he was left alone with his grandmother in the growing darkness, musing and praying to the background noise of the medical equipment.