Whew! Finally got time to post this chapter. I started a new job a few weeks ago, and between that, school starting for the kids, and marching band season, it's been a busy time. Anyway, I apologize for the delay and hope this chapter is worth your wait. Thanks to Jackileigh for being my beta==any mistakes are mine. Thank you all for your patience and your continued support!

Part 28

As soon as Tony heard his father's voice, he wished that he had listened to his gut and had never dialed Senior's number. What was he thinking? This was the same man who used to tell him that he would end up in the gutter; he could hear those words echoing the recesses of his mind. Tony knew that he had done far worse than his dad had predicted; he had ended up in prison and would have to bear those scars for the rest of his life.

"Hello, Junior," his father coolly greeted.

He wasn't surprised by the elder DiNozzo's icy tone; it was laced with disappointment and resentment; truthfully, Tony could barely remember a time that his father hadn't been cold towards him. Before his mother had passed away, he could recall snippets of happier times, but after her death, there had been nothing but loneliness and sadness. He had never lived up to dad's expectations and Tony had, for all purposes, quit trying.

Tony finally managed to find his voice and asked, "How are you doing, Dad?"

A cynical laugh escaped Senior's lips. "I doubt that you called me to inquire as to my well being."

The younger man knew that his attempt at any type of pleasantry would be rebuffed; Senior definitely wasn't interested in participating in any kind of civil conversation with him. Tony figured that he might as well get to the point, but he was having trouble finding the right words. He hadn't asked his dad for a dime ever since Senior had disowned him and Tony was beginning to feel ill at the thought of what he was about to do.

"You're right," Tony tiredly conceded. "I just thought…never mind. It's not important." In the grand scheme of things, it really didn't matter that he had always held on the slim glimmer of hope that Senior would demonstrate any kind of paternal feelings towards him.

"What do you want, Junior?" Senior demanded to know.

"I uh…I want to ask you something."

"Let me guess. You need some money."

"Right to the point," Tony growled. "Some things never change."

"I'm a business man, Junior. I don't have time to beat around the bush."

"Of course not. You've never had time for anything pertaining to me."

When was he going to learn to keep his mouth shut? Tony's tendency to speak his mind had caused him to get into quite a few altercations in prison, most of them ending badly for him. He needed to control his emotions because antagonizing his dad wasn't going to help his cause. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I shouldn't have said that. I'm still kind of…on edge."

"They have medication for that, Junior."

"I don't need any medication, Dad. I just need some cash to get back on my feet."

"So, you decided to ask me."

"Yeah, I guess I did." His father was clueless as to what it had cost him to pick up the phone and ask him for anything. "Like I said, I just need enough to get back on my feet. I'll pay it back."

"Well, Junior, I don't know. Why should I believe that you'll pay it back? I mean, after all, you are an ex-con. I'm sure you can understand my reluctance in parting with my hard-earned money, especially on someone I'm not sure I can consider trustworthy."

Tony raked his hand through his hair. Sometimes his father's hypocrisy still amazed him; he had never been able to count on his dad and now Senior was lamenting about not being able to trust him. Clenching his fist, Tony struggled against the urge to reach through the phone and strangle his father. "You know what they say, Dad? Like father, like son. Guess I learned my sense of dependability from you." So much for not provoking his father.

"There isn't any need to be a smart ass, Junior," Senior snapped. "Especially to the man who can make or break you."

Tony started laughing. There really wasn't anything funny about this conversation, but Senior's bold assumption that he actually could control him was ludicrous. His experiences in prison had failed to completely break him, so, Tony figured he could handle anything that his dad threw his way. "Make or break me? Really, Dad? That's kind of cliché."

"Maybe it is, but it's still a reality."

"I don't think so." Tony knew that he was going to have to find another way. He was a fool to have even considered calling his father for the time of day, much less to ask him for money. "Thanks for nothing, Dad."

As Tony started to hang up, he heard his father call out to him. "Junior? Hold on a minute."

Tony's gut was screaming at him to end the phone call, but the son in him always seemed to give his dad another chance. Maybe one day, Tony would come to his senses and quit expecting a miracle where his father was concerned. Putting the receiver back up to his ear, he asked, "What, Dad?"

"Where are you staying now?" his dad inquired.

"Why does it matter?"

"I think that if you want me to give you money, then you should be willing to talk to me face to face, like a real man."

Tony was taken aback by his request. He hadn't seen his father in years and now, Senior wanted to see him; something was definitely off about the entire situation. His dad was obviously up to something. "Why? What makes you think I owe you the time of day?"

"You don't," Senior conceded. "But consider it a condition of your loan request."

He shook his head in frustration. Everything was conditional with his father and he was not in the mood to play games. "I've changed my mind. I don't need your money," Tony declared. "If you don't want to help me because I'm your son, then we don't really have anything to talk about."

"Are you too embarrassed to face your old man? I just want to talk; it's been a long time since…."

"We can't even have a civil phone conversation; what makes you think that talking face to face would accomplish anything besides me wanting to punch you in the face?"

"Did you lose all sense of respect for your elders while you were in prison?"

"Do you actually think that I ever had an inkling of respect for you? You really are a self-centered…."

"Before you go any farther," Senior interrupted. "Do you want the money or not?"

Tony was torn. He needed the money, but he was no longer sure if he was willing to pay the price. The younger man felt physically sick; his last shred of dignity was about to be destroyed by his actions, but Tony also believed that his options were limited. Gibbs was probably going to kill him for what he was about to do, but he would have to deal with the team leader later.

"Where do you want to meet?"

Not only did he feel ill, but he felt dirty; almost as filthy as he did when he had been attacked in prison. He pushed those memoires to the back of his mind. Tony knew he couldn't afford to allow those images to take precedence; he had to stay focused in order to deal with his dad. "I'll come to you. Again, why don't you tell me where you're staying," Senior insisted.

"I'm staying with Gibbs." Tony pinched the bridge of his nose; his head was pounding and he knew that he on the verge of a migraine. "You probably shouldn't come here; I have a feeling that you won't be welcome."

"Probably not. How about the Adams House?"

"No." Tony could only begin to imagine the looks he would get from the patrons of the Adams House; he didn't fit in that crowd any longer and he wasn't so sure that he ever did. "I'm not really able to travel too far. There's a park down the street from Gibbs' house; we can meet there."

"A public park? I don't think so, Junior. If you want the money and you don't want me to come to Agent Gibbs' house, then you come to the Adams House tomorrow for lunch. It will be my treat," Senior added as an afterthought. "Be there at noon."

"No!" Tony growled. "Just forget it! I don't need your damn money! I'll find another way!" He couldn't bear to give up what little control he had; if he took his father's money, then Senior would own him forever and that would completely destroy him. "Everything has to be on your terms! Do you know how hard it was for me to call you and ask…Never mind. It doesn't matter. If you can't help me because I'm your son, then f*** you! I didn't need you while I was growing up and I don't need you now!"

Tony hung up and buried his head in his hands. "I'm such an idiot. Why did I even think he would help? You should have stopped me from making a fool of myself, Kate."

Would you have listened? You're as stubborn as Gibbs. Besides, I don't blame you for trying.

Tony picked up Kate's picture. "I should have known better. I just want…hell, I don't know what I want. I want my life back, Katie, and I don't know where to begin."

Talk to Gibbs.

"I can't."

Why not?

"I've disappointed him enough."

That's a lie.

Kate had always been more than willing to provide him with a reality check. With the exception of Gibbs, she had known him better than most; she could see behind his defenses and would often call him on his sometimes oafish behavior. Kate was right; he wasn't worried about disappointing his former mentor; he was just plain scared.

"Yeah. I guess it is."

You're scared.

His hand trembled as he traced the photograph of Kate. Why did she have to die? "Beauty and brains, Katie; you had it all. I have to say that you hit the nail on the head; not only am I scared, I am absolutely terrified of everything, but I can't let anyone know what a coward I am."

A barely audible knock on his door prevented Kate from answering him. Tony quickly placed the picture face down on his night stand; he really didn't want anyone knowing that he was having conversations with the dead. Clearing his throat, he called out, "Come in."

"Hello, Anthony," Ducky greeted.

He should have known that Gibbs would have called Ducky, especially after his latest escapade. "Hey, Ducky. What's up?"

"It's past time for a house call, so I thought…"

"You mean Gibbs called you." Tony knew that he was short with the ME and that he really didn't have a right to be; Ducky was merely trying to help him and he couldn't fault him for that. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I'm just tired."

Ducky patted him on the shoulder. "It's quite all right, my dear boy. I certainly didn't take offense; you've had a trying few days and so, it's understandable why you would be a little testy. Now, let me get your vitals and then I'll take a look at your knee."

Tony sat quietly as Ducky took his temperature, checked his pulse and blood pressure, and listened to his heart and lungs. He tried not to visibly tense under the doctor's careful examination, but it was difficult not to bristle at the mere thought of being touched. "Your blood pressure is a bit on the high side," Ducky informed him. "I suppose it could be partially because of pain, but I'm guessing that your conversation with Abigail has something to do with it as well.

He had almost forgotten about the fiasco with Abby; the conversation with his dad had overshadowed everything else. Instead of disagreeing with the elderly man, Tony simply shrugged. He wasn't about to tell Ducky about the idiotic mistake he had made by calling his dad; there just wasn't enough energy in him to go down that road again. "I'm okay, Ducky," he stated, unable to hide the weariness in his voice. "I just want to be alone."

"According to Gibbs, you've been alone for several hours. He's extremely worried about you."

Tony closed his eyes and blew out a breath. "I know. I've been an ass."

He could feel Ducky's piercing gaze upon him. "Don't you think you're being a bit too hard on yourself?"

"Not really."

"Anthony, is something else wrong? I mean, something besides your conversation with Abigail. You seem more distracted than…than usual," Ducky observed.

He wished that he could assure the ME that everything was fine, but he couldn't. Tony knew he needed to open up to someone who was preferably alive, but he still wasn't ready. Of course, the person who he needed to talk to was the one person that he was scared to talk to. "I'm fine, Duck. I guess I've just been doing a lot of thinking."

"About what?" the ME pressed.

"Everything." Tony blew out the breath he'd inadvertently been holding. "Ducky, I'm tired."

The older man nodded as he put away his supplies. "Very well; perhaps you'll feel better with a little more rest. I could give you something to help you sleep."

"No. I'd rather not."

"If you change your mind, let me know." Ducky sat down on the edge of the bed and Tony had a feeling that he was in for another well-meaning lecture. He wasn't sure what the doctor was going to say, but Tony was too exhausted to do anything but listen.

"Anthony," Ducky began. "Abigail is downstairs."

He stared at the Scotsman in disbelief. Why was she here? Their last conversation had left him with the impression that she wanted nothing to do with him. "Why?"

"She knows she was wrong and she wants another chance."

"Another chance for what?"

"She wants to talk to you and I think maybe you should consider granting her the opportunity."

Tony closed his eyes. This day keeps getting better. "Why? Why do I owe her another chance to blow me off?"

"She has come to her senses and right now, she's downstairs with Gibbs. I guess you can imagine how well that it going for young Abigail."

He almost cherished the thought of Gibbs taking down the scientist a notch or two. She had always pegged herself as the team leader's favorite and to have fallen from his graces would be devastating to her. Unfortunately, he couldn't find it in his heart to care. "Nothing less than what she deserves."

"True," Ducky agreed. "Do you feel up to seeing her again?"

If her only purpose was to assuage her guilty conscience, then he really didn't care to see her again. Should he be impressed by the fact that she was here and wanted to talk? She had her chance and Tony wasn't sure she deserved another one. The old Tony would undoubtedly tell her that he would forgive her and everything was going to be all right; the man he had become was not nearly as forgiving. "So tell me, Duckman; did you draw the short straw, or did Gibbs figure that I probably would take it better coming from you?"

"Both."

Tony tiredly grinned at the ME. What did he have to lose? He had already struck out twice; might as well make it a clean sweep. "I'll hear what she has to say, but I'm not promising anything. Of course, she's going to have to listen to what I have to say."

"I think that's more than fair," Ducky conceded. "Do you want to talk up here or downstairs?"

Even though it was temporary, this room was his sanctuary until he found his own place and he didn't want it tainted. "I'll be down in a minute."

"Take your time and remember, as Jethro says, we have your six. Don't let her off too easily; in fact, it will be a pleasure to watch you give her hell."

He quietly laughed at Ducky's instructions; Tony had never realized that the elderly doctor could be so spiteful. "Remind me never to get on your bad side, Ducky."

"Oh my boy, you really have no idea how vengeful I can be," the physician boasted. "Sometime I'll tell you about the time I was in Mexico and…" Tony thought that Ducky was going to go ahead and tell his story, but thankfully, the doctor paused midsentence and gave his arm a gently squeeze. "Well, like I said, that's for another time."

"You should just write a book," Tony suggested.

"That's not a bad idea, Anthony. I'll have to think about that," Ducky mused. "Anyway, we'll be downstairs waiting when you're ready."

Tony nodded as Ducky left him alone. Pulling out Kate's picture, he laid it face up on the table beside his bed. She had hit the nail on the head when she had forced him to admit that he was scared. Everything terrified him now; he might as well be the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz. "I don't know how much more I can take, Katie. If this goes bad again…I don't know what I'll do."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Gibbs sipped his coffee as he listened to Abby ramble about how sorry she was for the way she had treated Tony. He believed that she regretted her actions, but it didn't change the fact that the damage had been done. The team leader wondered if she would ever comprehend what she had done by her rejection; if she was simply trying to ease her guilty conscience, then she better be prepared to lose more than her friendship with Tony.

"What do you think he'll say, Gibbs?" Abby wanted to know.

"I don't know, Abby. He's not in a good place right now and you're earlier rejection certainly didn't help matters."

"I know, Gibbs. I feel horrible. I really do."

"That may not be enough," Gibbs warned. "I still don't understand how you could do that to him."

"I don't either," she admitted. "Do you think Tony will forgive me?"

"I don't know. I wouldn't." The team leader knew he was being harsh, but he had spent too many years ignoring her tendency to act like a spoiled child; Gibbs loved her like a father, but it was time for her to grow up and accept some responsibility. Abby was a brilliant scientist and a genuinely good person, but she needed to realize that she needed to recognize the fact that the world didn't revolve around her.

He had almost expected her to be upset by his callous remark, but she only nodded in agreement. "I wouldn't either."

Gibbs knew that Tony was hurting, and he was having an increasingly difficult time keeping everything bottled up. One of these days, if DiNozzo didn't find a release for the anger and hatred that was consuming him, the younger man was going to explode and the fallout would be widespread. Tony was more than ready to bolt and had been for a while. Gibbs couldn't shake the feeling that if his former senior field agent disappeared, that he would never see him again.

The only thing that was holding Tony back was the lack of funds. He knew that Jenny was working on getting DiNozzo's back pay, but that could definitely take a while. Gibbs considered offering Tony the money he needed, but the Marine had a feeling that his offer would be refused. What could he do to convince his friend that it was all right to ask for help? The team leader didn't have an answer and at the moment; he had other things to worry about.

He met Abby's troubled gaze. "You're just going to have to accept what he has to offer. If that isn't anything more than listening to your apology and then going back upstairs, you need to deal with that."

"I don't know if I can."

"You have too."

The scientist nodded, determination etched on her porcelain features. "I will. I won't mess this up, Gibbs," she vowed.

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Ducky, who had been upstairs checking on his favorite patient. He was glad that DiNozzo managed to tolerate the ME"s presence; at least Duck could keep an eye on Tony's health. "How's he doing?"

"His blood pressure is a bit too high and his knee is causing him more pain that he wants to admit, but overall, young Anthony is doing as well as can be expected. He seemed a bit rattled when I first came into his room, but that could be because of a number of things."

"Is he coming down?"

Ducky nodded. "Yes, but I'm not sure I can tell you what to expect. He's…" The doctor paused, looking for the right word. "…broken. I suggest you tread lightly."

"I will," Abby promised.

"I was talking to Jethro."

Gibbs glared at his old friend and colleague. "Me? What the hell's that supposed to mean, Duck?"

"It means just that. There is something eating away at him and although I don't know what it is, I have a feeling that it is something far more worrisome than talking with Abby is plaguing our young friend."

"Like what?"

"I don't know, but I wouldn't push the issue until he's ready," Ducky suggested. "Let him deal with one thing at a time."

Gibbs knew that Ducky was right. He had to constantly remind himself that he had to allow Tony to address his issues in his own time frame, but the team leader also knew that he wasn't opposed to giving DiNozzo a little nudge when necessary. However, for now, he would bide his time. DiNozzo needed to talk with Abby and hopefully begin bridging the chasm between them. He wanted his family whole again, but Gibbs also realized that the unity that he missed wasn't going to happen overnight.

The Marine was drawn from his thoughts as Abby quietly greeted Tony. Gibbs motioned for Ducky to join him so that DiNozzo and Abby could have some privacy. Although he wasn't a religious man, the agent found himself praying that something finally went right for the man he thought of as a son.