Chapter Seven

Anthony DiNozzo, "the real Tony DiNozzo", was glad to be back in the states even if it was only temporary. Both the unmerciful heat in Saudi Arabia and the lack of liquor put a serious crimp in his style. While awaiting the hotel payout he was back in the U.S. courtesy of Prince Omar ibn Alwaar, staying at the Adams overnight until "Al's" private jet would fly him on to St. Bart's in the morning.

He was deeply pleased with himself these days, finally back in the money while waiting on more to arrive in short order. Absolutely ideal he thought, as he fixed his gold cuffs and smiled to the man beside him in the elevator. Having almost a million - leftover capital not actually needed for the investment - in his personal account now felt finally right. It had been a long time since things were how they should be. This damned economy, disastrous for men like me.

And, despite how abusive Junior had become in their last conversation, he had an envelope with a check in it for Tony to tide him over… since his son was being so ridiculous about the whole thing. Never let it be said, I am not looking out for my son, no matter how difficult he makes it.

His charming smile turned to a smirk. Just let him get his own rugrat someday, he'll change his tune when he sees what a chore they can be.

He was still a little angry this stop in D.C., purely to give Junior a check, was even necessary. He'd been unable to deposit straight into Junior's bank account while still in Riyadh - apparently the account number had changed. Such a little drama king, like mother like son. Although he could have picked it up from that third Nanny, you'd think both Elizabeth and I were monsters to the boy the way she overreacted.

Already having wasted his time trying to find Junior at his apartment, NCIS was the next logical place the boy would be. Luckily, his name was still on the approved visitor list, so the Officer at his side could escort him upstairs. See, that proves Junior wants me to stop in if I'm around.

The elevator doors opened, and Security Officer Mallick's stomach growled as he stepped out with Agent DiNozzo's father. Upon seeing the Agent stand up and say "Dad", Mallick wished both gentlemen a good day.

The elevator had closed in front of Officer Mallick before Tony shook himself and walked over to his smiling Father. This couldn't be happening. He felt himself pale, too many scenes from his overly vivid imagination popping to the forefront. His Dad had to get out of here. But I'm almost afraid what might happen if I get in arm's reach of him. God, why did he have to come when the team wasn't here? They would keep me from...

"Junior! Thought I'd find you here when you weren't at the apartment. You know, you ought to think about getting a condo someday, your building needs a major renovation."

"What the hell are you doing here? Are you insane? After what you did to me?" Tony felt the paleness replaced by a flush as his volume started to increase.

"Good God boy, not more of this. I thought you'd have cooled down by now."

"You committed a crime - against me Dad! You used what you knew about me wishing we were… you played me like a damn fiddle. And I had fucking cooled down until you had the gall to call me like nothing had happened… and to walk in here! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Disregarding most of what was said, but furious at being spoken to this way by his ungrateful offspring, the older man's shade of red almost matched Tony's. "I thought I was having to hand-deliver - very much out of my way I might add - a rather large check to you. A few thousand to tide you over, now I wish I hadn't bothered!"

DiNozzo pulled out the envelope with the check in it and threw it to the floor at Tony's feet. "Contact me when you can be civil Junior." He turned and began walking back to the elevator.

Tony was frozen for a mere second, feeling like trash had been thrown at him instead of any large check. Scooping up the envelope, he tore after his father, switching to Italian just like his parents always had when the real cursing at each other had begun. "You fucking asshole! I don't want to contact you! I don't want you to contact me!" He threw the envelope at his father's chest. "I don't want your goddamn check! I want you to stay the fuck out of my life!"

How dare the boy! After all I've done for him... "You do not speak to your Father that way boy!" as Senior backhanded him… hard.

Tony reached up and wiped at the blood falling from his mouth where the diamond-encrusted ring on his father's hand had ripped open his lip.

There was no more "just stop", there was no more freezing up. His years of hand-to-hand reflexes and his fury merged instantly in a way it never had before. Tony had already grabbed his father and thrown him hard back against the wall by the elevator before registering the feel and sound of his palm's heel breaking his father's nose.

At the same moment, Gibbs ripped open the stairway door and raced over, seeing murderous fury in his second's eyes. Immediately, he put his body arms out between the two men, knowing Tony would never strike him, and Senior at his back was incapacitated for the moment. Tony let himself be forced back a few steps, while continuing to shout over Gibbs' shoulder the whole time - the blood on his father's face not diminishing his fury at all. "You goddamn fucking bastard! Stay the fuck out of my life!"

As he heard the elevator doors open, Gibbs knew some combatants went all-out when they felt they were about to be stopped. He latched onto Tony in a bear hug and shoved him away from the older man as much as leverage would allow. His second had never seemed as large or as strong as he did right now.

Tim & Ziva had heard the shouting before the doors had opened. They dashed out of elevator, saw blood on both DiNozzos, and immediately put themselves between Tony and his father.

"Get his back Tim." Gibbs barked, as he spun them both around so Tony was not looking at his father anymore. Tim, worried Senior might stupidly try for Tony despite Ziva standing guard in a ready pose, leaned his back against Tony's, pushing backwards firmly towards the bullpen. The three men staggered stiffly away, Tony straining even more when "You ungrateful whelp, you broke my nose!" was heard over the cubicle partition.

"Over now Tony. It's over." Tony wasn't hearing him yet, he was still straining, head still swiveled towards the elevator. Tim was similarly saying, "Easy Tony, take it easy," as he shifted around to double the bear hug from behind. Tim suddenly remembered one of Abby's many descriptions of Tony as solid rock on the inside; right now he felt like a barely-mobile rock on the outside.

Gibbs caught Tim's eyes, indicating to hold up in front of Gibbs' desk where they had managed to maneuver Tony. Gibbs grabbed Tony's head, palms on jaw, thumbs on cheekbones, forcing him to pay attention. "DiNozzo! With me!"

A harsh, still distracted "Boss." replied, but at least he was halfway there Gibbs thought. Equally fierce eyes stared at each other. Gibbs spoke clearly, straight to his second's heart and mind, "You're mine Tony, you got that?"

Automatic, thorough nod answered, and Tony said quietly but with intensity, "Yours Boss. Sure as hell not his." Gibbs and Tim were both relieved as they felt Tony shudder in capitulation.

Gibbs knew Tony's adrenalin reaction, among other fallout, would set in soon, and he wanted to keep him moving till then. He made sure McGee understood these were his orders too, "You go straight to the East bathroom, get cleaned up. You then go straight to Conference Room One and wait for me there. You do not ditch McGee at any point. You got me?"

"On it Boss." Somewhere close to normal, getting back on track it sounded to Gibbs.

Tony was already starting to feel a little weak-kneed, and threw one arm over Tim's shoulders, not minding at all that Tim had shifted to one arm around his back. They walked off, ignoring all sounds behind them.