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''Kelly's room?'' Tony asked shocked.
It didn't matter that Kelly was a girl and Mason a boy. Kelly's room was light green with white and had a dark brown wooden floor, when he last saw it. She loved the outdoors, the woods, grass, flowers. So green was a great color. But still that was Kelly's room. ''Are her... stuff... still there?'' He asked. He had never been in that room after he left Gibbs place seventeen years ago''
''Her bed with stuffed animal on it and her desk with everything on it and in it yes. Her toy chest and things on the wall. But other then that it's empty and I think you know that her room is big enough to put a crib in there as well''
Still Tony wasn't convinced. Why was Gibbs doing this? ''Gibbs... are you sure about this?'' He asked.
''Have I ever lied to you, DiNozzo?''
''Well.. no... but... It's Kelly's room''
''And she likes to share. I still know my daughter, Tony''
''I know. It just... I don't know'' Tony said. Gibbs saw a look of he couldn't read, before Tony looked away. ''It scares me''
That confused Gibbs. ''Why?''
''Do you know that when I stayed here, how many times I had stood in front of that door? My hand hovering over the door knob, but I never once opened it. Out of respect for you, but also... because I'm scared''
Gibbs closed his eyes. He understood how Tony felt. It was a part of closure you didn't want to have. Too many good memories and he realized once again that Tony also had memories.
''Kelly's room is the one place I go to think'' Gibbs said softly.
Tony looked at him. ''I thought the basement was that place''
Gibbs shook his head. ''No, that's the place I don't think. I'm so distracted and concentrated in building that boat that I don't have to think''
It was silent for a moment. Then Tony spoke up again. ''The window seat by the window that is looking out over the backyard'' He said.
Gibbs nodded with a smile, impressed that Tony knew or remembered. ''Kelly and I used to sit there, looking at the stars. She loved that window because it looked out over the garden en behind that the old abandoned baseball field. It's always completely dark so you could see the star filled sky''
''I found Kelly once looking out of that window'' Tony said softly. ''When I asked her what she was doing, she answered. 'Looking at the stars with my dad' '' Gibbs looked at him, his eyes a little wide. ''She was convinced that you were also looking at the same stars at that moment, because you always did. I didn't have the heart to tell her that where you were it was in the middle of the afternoon. The thought of it made her smile and I could only wish I had that kind of relationship with my dad''
''Someday, you're going to be a great father, Tony'' Gibbs said softly. ''You're doing great taking care of a baby already''
''He's right'' Olivia's voice came into the room.
The two men looked up to see her standing in the doorway towards the kitchen. ''Sorry.. I didn't mean to startle you. I heard the what.. Jethro? Said'' Olivia explained.
Tony looked at her. She was wearing an old OSU T-shirt and a sweatpants that hung far too loosely around her hips. Her blond hear was damp and a little curly because of it, but she looked better. Clean.
''How are you feeling after Ducky examined you?'' Tony asked as she came over and sat down on the other side of him.
She reached out her hands and grabbed Mason from Tony. ''He's a weird doctor. Kept rambling weird stories. But he was nice''
''Yeah he is'' Tony said. ''You should get some sleep. It's late''
Olivia nodded. ''Just a couple more minutes. I love to watch Mason sleep. It's calming''
''Tomorrow a friend of mine is going to bring you some clothes for you and the baby'' Gibbs said.
Tony and Olivia both looked at him surprised. ''Who?'' Asked Tony.
''Abby'' Gibbs said.
''Gibbs... do you think that's a good idea?'' Tony looked at him skeptically.
''I'm going to talk to her tomorrow. I won't tell her the details, I will tell her what to get. It's a good test to look if she trust you enough to do stuff without pushing for details'' Gibbs explained.
Okay, Tony had to admit that was true. That was his main issue with Abby. As much as he loved her... most of the time. She always wanted to know everything about anything. Kept pushing until you told her. Like she didn't trust you if you didn't tell her everything. She had made clear she wanted to do better and this was her chance to prove it.
Tony nodded. ''Okay, that's fine by me''
''You decide what you want to let her know'' Gibbs told him and Tony nodded again.
''Who's Abby?'' Olivia asked.
''She works with us as a Forensic Scientist'' Tony explained. At Olivia's confused look, he added. ''Some who works in the lab and works out the evidence''
''Cool'' Olivia grinned then asked, ''She nice?''
''She can be if she likes you. She's overwhelming nice. If she doesn't then she definitely doesn't. It does takes her time to warm up on you. She doesn't trust many people outside our (''Family?...'') Team, so easily'' Tony explained.
''Can be a good characteristic'' Olivia shrugged.
''Yeah it can be'' Tony said with a far away sound. Then he shook his head. ''Well... Hop young lady go on. Upstairs. Time to go to sleep'' He mocked ordered as he took Mason from her.
''Glad to see you haven't changed one bit, Anthony'' Olivia said with a smile, both Gibbs and Tony hadn't seen yet. It really tried to reach her eyes this time, but still didn't touch it.
''Go to bed'' He pointed towards the stairs
''Yes sir!'' She saluted and Gibbs laughed as she did make the same mistake as Abby did.
Tony smirked. ''Wrong hand, Liv''
''Oh... right'' She did it again with her other hand.
''Better'' Tony approved.
She looked at the stair well and her face changed visibly. It went from playful to dark. She turned back to Tony. ''You're going to tuck me in too?'' She tried to ignore the starting raise of her heartbeat.
Tony looked at her, while Gibbs raised his eyebrows. ''Uhm... sure. I'll go up with you'' He gave Mason to Gibbs. ''I'll be right back, boss'' He assured.
''Good night... Jethro'' Olivia said, still unsure of the man and the name. But she did kind of liked him. He was nice.
''Night'' Gibbs said. He looked after them as Tony led her up the stairs.
Once they were out of sight and a moment later he heard the door close, Gibbs looked at the little human in his arms. If he had to be honest, he had to say that he surprised himself with giving Kelly's room for the kid. He didn't know why he had said it in the first place, but he knew that he was certain of it. What Tony had said to him, touched his heart and he had been struggling to hold back the threatening tears.
But this little guy... He deserved a room, a home, just a normality after living his first week over there. And he was convinced that is she was still here, even though he knew that she probably wouldn't live here anymore, she would have shared the room or giving it up to let sleep somewhere else. Kelly had wanted to do that and Gibbs knew he would do everything for his daughter.
God he missed her. And Shannon. Shannon once helped a young man in trouble and he turned out more than okay. Now he helped out Olivia and Mason and he was convinced that whatever happens they were going to turn out okay.
Gibbs looked in the sparkling blue eyes. ''Yeah, now you have slept enough, huh?'' He smirked. The blue eyes were looking at him, as if he was studying and trying to figure out what or who Gibbs was.
Then the smell hit him like a bomb.. a stink bomb. Gibbs chuckled and shook his head. ''I should have known'' He said. He stood up with the kid in his arms and walked over to the kitchen.
He had dumped a pack of diapers there, along with the baby wipes and formula. For now the dining table had to do for changing table. He grabbed the diapers and wipes and laid them on the table. Then he laid paper towels on the table and laid Mason on top of it. He started to get him out of the night suit. Once that out of the way he easily opened the diaper got rid of it.
''Yuck! What exploded in here?'' Tony asked as he came into the kitchen.
Gibbs smirked at the sight of Tony pinching his nose. ''A party pooper'' He said.
''That's the kid?'' Tony asked as he came to stand next to Gibbs. Mason was completely satisfied looking at both him and Gibbs. ''Damn, that munchkin can make a—''
''Hey!'' Gibbs growled softly. ''No swearing in front of the kid''
''Sorry. Still learning'' Tony excused. He watched interested as Gibbs skillfully changed the baby.
''Why did Olivia want you to come upstairs too?'' Gibbs asked.
''Uhm...'' Tony's eyes darted from Gibbs to Mason and back again. ''She's a little apprehensive when it comes to new surroundings. The sounds she isn't used to... tends to keep her awake. So I stayed with her, told her every detail of the room and sounds she heard. She took the pills and was asleep in matter of minutes''
''Result of living on the streets'' Gibbs questioned.
''Yeah that too'' Tony said.
''What?'' Gibbs asked.
''Nothing'' Tony shook his head.
Gibbs looked at him for a moment, then let it go. ''I'll get a car seat from the attic. Then we can put Mason in there for a while, while we get the crib'' He instructed.
''Okay''
...
Once that Mason was in the car seat, that they had placed in front of Kelly's room for a moment, Tony followed Gibbs up to the attic. Gibbs went for the boxes, to get them out of the way. He was standing with is back to Tony and didn't seem the notice that Tony was taking in all the stuff.
When he got there, he looked around. The attic was much bigger then he thought. You could probably make another bedroom out of it. But now it was full of stuff. Boxes with, Shannon, Kelly, Christmas, photo's, Uniform on it.
But it was a mannequin that got his eye. He slowly stepped towards it. On the mannequin was a beautiful white dress, going all the way to the ground. It was simple with one thick shoulder strap and the other shoulder strapless. On the middle was a white linen belt with a little silver flowers on it.
''Are you going to help me or not, DiNozzo?'' Gibbs asked.
''I wish I had seen her in this'' Tony whispered. Finally Gibbs turned around and his expression softened immediately as he saw Tony staring at Shannon's wedding dress. ''She would have been so beautiful in it''
''She was always beautiful, Tony'' He said.
''I know... but—''
''I know what you meant, trust me. Maybe you will see her in it'' Gibbs said and turned back to the boxes.
Tony first thought was. ''How would I do that?'' But then he looked over the box that said photo's and he realized that every couple had photo's so even Gibbs and Shannon. But was Gibbs suggesting that he would maybe show them to him? His hand went to the pocket that held his wallet. It was like reminding himself it was still there. Should he tell Gibbs?
''Going to stand there all night and the kid is going to be upset very soon'' Gibbs pulled him back out of his thoughts.
''Oh yeah'' Tony said and then went to Gibbs as he helped move the boxes away.
He tried not to be too curious as he lifted the boxes and placed them to the side to create a path. The less boxes they had to move, the more he heard toys with little bells, sliding from one side to the other. Eventually their were old clothes from Kelly from when she was younger than eight, all the way to when she was a baby herself.
This was Gibbs' past, from the years he had with Kelly and Shannon, before he was deployed. Talking about it was one thing, but with the stuff, Tony could actually see it right before his eyes. It made it feel more real once again.
Gibbs picked up the last box and placed it on top of other, before he sighed and looked at the one place that the most organized of the whole attic. Tony stood next to him and together they looked over the stuff. It was placed like it was a room. The were all painted white and in each piece of furniture, had one of more hearts carved out.
Tony walked forward and slid his hand over, the dresser and the changing table, the crib, the rocking horse and chair. All had the same hand in it. A hand he knew. ''You made it yourself'' He stated, completely in awe.
''Gotta do something when you have to wait for nine months'' Gibbs shrugged. ''Besides, it's cheaper then buying it at a store''
''They are really beautiful. Different than the boat. I mean.. the boat is great too, but it has a... rough hand in it? But this... the little details, it's so different, almost soft'' Tony tried to explain what he thought.
Gibbs smiled. Tony had impressed him once again, with noticing the difference. ''I know what you mean and your right. I made this because I wanted the best for my daughter, even though we didn't know if we were getting a boy or a girl. My first boat was like that too, I was never able to get the same feeling building boats again''
''Are you sure you want to do this?'' Tony asked again, turning to Gibbs.
He nodded. ''Mason deserves it, Tony and I don't have nine months to build other things for him''
''Okay'' Tony had a sad smile.
''Just the crib tonight and that box'' Gibbs said, pointing to one of the boxes he had sat apart. ''The rest can wait for tomorrow. You need to go to sleep, cause you aren't going to be able to sleep much''
''Joy'' Tony said sarcastically.
''You signed yourself up for this remember'' Gibbs smirked.
''Yeah I know'' Tony said. ''Come on'' He moved to the crib, Gibbs following him.
Together they got the crib out of the attic and placed it in corridor, before Kelly's room. Mason was nex to the door and awake. ''I'll get the box'' Gibbs said as he climbed back up the stairs.
Tony turned to Mason. The boy was looking at the crib. Tony smiled and lowered himself. ''Hey, big guy'' He said. ''Do you like it?'' At that moment Mason made a noise. ''Oh you do, do you. Well that's good, because you are the one going to sleep in it'' Mason turned his eyes to the sound of Tony's voice and looked at him.
''Tony!'' Gibbs voice came from the hole in the ceiling. Tony straightened himself and looked up. Gibbs was holding the box and lowered it through the hole. Tony grabbed it. ''You got it?'' Gibbs asked.
''Yup'' Tony said and felt that Gibbs let go of it. He placed the box on the floor and wathced Gibbs climb down again, but he was more looking at the hole.
Tony's eyes were narrowed in thought as Gibbs looked at him. ''What?''
''Did you ever think about, to place just a real stairs in here? It's big enough up there for another room and you have plenty of space in this corridor'' Tony asked.
''That's why we bought the house. You know, because you never know what the future holds'' Gibbs said. ''Plus the fact that Kelly was always talking about how some of her friends had a brother or sister. She never said anything directly, but we knew that she wanted a sibling''
''I never said anything either. I wanted one, So that, that way I wouldn't bother my father so much'' Tony told him. ''But I don't think that Kelly wanted one for the same reason''
''No, she wanted one to fit in'' Gibbs said. ''She was a little different and wanted to do everything other did or had so that she felt normal''
Tony frowned. ''Different?''
''She wasn't a girly-girl. She wore dresses now and then and she loved her long hair, but she didn't like dolls much and was more up in the tree or playing soldier with a boyish friend than doing make-overs with her girlish friends. In her time in school, it wasn't all that appreciated. So she would do what she liked, but also do what she thought others wanted her to do, at school that is''
Tony nodded in understanding and looked at the door in front of him
''It's not that scary Tony'' Gibbs said to him.
''It's just weird'' Tony said. His hand reached up to touch the doorknob, but it stayed an inch from touching it.
Gibbs knew more then anyone that Tony had to do this. It had taken him four years of living in this house everyday before he could open it. He laid a hand on Tony's left shoulder and felt Tony relax slightly. He watched as Tony's shaking fingers encircled the knob and slowly twisted it to the left.
The door made a click and Tony pushed it open. When it was open enough to go through, he still couldn't see anything. He switched on the light and the room came into view.
He looked around. Gibbs was right. It was just as he remembered it, only a different duvet and pillow cover on the bed. He absently reached out for his wallet once again. Still there.
He slowly made his way in. He walked around the room. He even remembered some of the stuffed animals that were on her bed. The whole house was a little bare, because Gibbs had took down photo's and decorations, but Kelly's room showed how it was. On her wall was a posters of horses and on her desk were photo's of her and her best friend Maddie.
He then made his way to the window seat and sat down. It was dark out and this time it was raining slightly. Unlike Kelly and Gibbs, who loved to watch the stars on a clear night, Tony loved to watch the rain. Even more so with a thunder storm. It was dark and mysterious.
He looked up to see Gibbs watching him. The older man had a sad smile on his face. ''Memories?'' Tony asked.
''Yeah'' Gibbs nodded.
He stood up again. ''Come on, lets get the crib in here''
the both got the crib in the room and it took a few minutes to figure out where they were going to place it, until Gibbs said it was a good idea to place him near the window so you could sit there if he had difficulty sleeping. Tony agreed.
Gibbs grabbed the box and pulled out a little mattress cover and blankets and started to make the crib ready for use.
Tony went to get Mason. The little guy was asleep again. He picked him up from the car seat and held him, walking back into the room. He watched Gibbs. His expression was unreadable, which just meant that he didn't want people to know how he felt, which couldn't be all good.
''I'm fine, Tony'' Gibbs said not looking at him.
Tony smirked at the lie. ''No your not, but I know you and I won't say anything''
''Good'' Gibbs said, he was talked out for today. He finished the crib and looked up. Tony was already coming closer. He raised his eyebrows in surprise. ''You're getting the taking care of a baby thing, very fast''
Tony just shrugged. And then smiled at Mason ''He's not that bad''
Gibbs nodded knowingly. ''Go on. Put him in the crib''
Tony slowly lowered Mason in the crib and watched as Mason stirred to get comfortable in the unfamiliar bed. Eventually he wasn't moved that much. His right arm was on his stomach and his left arm next to his head, is face towards his arm. Gibbs put a blanket over him.
''Now you go to bed too'' Gibbs said. Turning on a night light, he had found at the attic.
''You're not going to sleep?'' Tony asked.
''He's going to be up in a hour for his next bottle. I will stay up and write down what you have to do'' Gibbs told him, as he turned off the big light and the walked out of the room. ''You can do the round after that''
Tony thought for a moment then nodded agreeing. ''Okay. Good night''
''Night'' Gibbs walked towards the stairs and Tony across the corridor to the master bedroom.
''Hey Gibbs?'' Tony asked.
Gibbs stopped and turned. ''Yeah''
''They would be proud of you, you know. You don't like strangers and yet you let them stay here and use their stuff. But not only for that, but also for how you turned out'' Tony told him.
Gibbs was taken aback for a moment before he nodded. ''I know. Thanks''
Tony smiled and went into his room. While he changed he pulled out his wallet and placed it on the nightstand. Earlier he had put some sweatpants and shirt in here and he put it on. He crawled into Gibbs bed, but he doubted that Gibbs had slept in here lately.
He turned to the nightstand. The alarm said *1:17 am*. He hadn't noticed it was that late. He slid his fingers over his wallet, with a smile. Then turned off the lamp and settled in. He was asleep within minutes.
Yeah, so tell me what you think about this chapter and what you think and hope you will see in the future. i love to hear from you, you know. Inspire me! Positive thoughts people, that's all i'm saying ;)
-X- Leonie