I would also like to mention that the summary for this story is also largely in part courtesy of dizzy-in-the-izzy.
This chapter will delve into the heart and mind of one Tobias Fornell.
SLAM
Gibbs' head snapped up as his front door rattled on it's hinges. Seconds later a very frantic Fornell appeared rushing down the steps, immediately reaching for the bourbon he knew awaited him on the workbench. He hastily poured himself a glass and downed it before pouring another. Gibbs chose that moment to intervene.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing?"
Fornell simply paced the floor, worrying his glass.
"Tobias!"
Fornell ceased pacing and turned to face Gibbs.
"Emily just asked me if she could go out ON A DATE."
Gibbs' eyes widened. "A..."
"A DATE. WITH A BOY."
Gibbs chose not to say anything. It was better if he got through the ranting part first.
"A BOY, Jethro. She shouldn't want to go on dates with boys! She should be playing with dolls and painting her nails and asking if she can go to the park and swing. NOT DATING BOYS."
"How old is she now, Tobias?"
"Fourteen."
"I know it was a long time ago, but if I remember correctly, that's about the time dating starts."
"No. She will not be dating. She will not be traipsing around with teenage boys. I know what teenage boys are like, and I'll be damned if my daughter is hanging around anyone anything like fourteen year old me."
"Were you really all that bad?"
"They're all that bad! They're teenage boys. I know how they think, what they want. THEY SURE AS HELL WON'T BE GETTING IT FROM EMILY. If I have it my way she won't go on a date until she's 35!" Fornell stood in the middle of the floor, breathing heavily for a moment, trying to recover from his emotional rant.
"Are you done?"
Fornell sighed deeply, "I think so."
Gibbs got up and pulled out a chair for his friend, forcing him to sit before pulling up his own chair to face him.
"What does Diane have to say about this?"
"How the hell should I know?"
"You haven't discussed it with her," it wasn't a question.
"No. Not yet. She asked as I was dropping her back at Diane's place. We didn't get the chance to talk about it"
"What did you tell Emily?"
"I didn't say anything," he said, taking a sip of his bourbon. "She asked me, and then I just stared at her as we were standing on the porch. I just said goodbye and left."
"And came here."
"Apparently," he paused momentarily, "What would you do?"
"I don't know. Never got that far," he said sadly, memories of eight year old Kelly flooding his mind.
"I'm sorry, Jethro."
Gibbs only shook his head in response.
"I'm not going to be able to stop her, am I?"
"Nope," Gibbs said, taking a swig of his drink.
"Damn. I was hoping she'd just keep coming home with marker cootie shots and never even want to touch boys."
"Yeah, well, they grow up whether you want them to or not."
"Yes, unfortunately they do."
'So what are you going to do?"
"Try to convince her that boys are scum?"
"Doubtful."
"I guess I'm going to have to let her go."
"You should wait to see how our ex-wife takes this news before you decide."
Fornell's phone rang loudly from his pocket. "Well speak of the devil," he said as he pulled his phone out.
"She always did know when we were talking about her."
'Gotta be a sixth sense or something." He looked to Gibbs, eyes full of regret that their conversation had been cut short.
Gibbs just waved him off. "Go," he said, "Fill me in later."
"Thanks, Gibbs," he said, trudging back up the stairs.
"Anytime, Tobias. Anytime."