Section 92
Fridays were the best. Well, they were the best when you were working, Tony thought. When you're already off, there's no anticipation. Just dread, he thought looking at the clock. The memorial was to start at eleven-thirty.
Jackson and Jethro exchanged glances. The previous evening after Jethro had told his father about Heidi Mabus, Tony had recounted his conversation with Clarissa Sacks. The bag of evidence was still on the coffee table. They had decided to have McGee review the information before bringing Vance or Fornell in.
"Tony, why don't we take Zuma to the park for a while?"
"So I can sit and watch? Know what you are trying to do, Jethro. I'm going to watch the service; you don't have to… You could take Zuma running."
"Nope. Told you. Got your six. If you want to watch we will, it's just that…" Jethro struggled for the words. "I don't want it to upset you."
"It probably will. But I have to watch. I need to, for those he has hurt."
"Tony," Palmer stuck his head around the front door, interrupting the conversation. "Up for a little company?"
"Always, Black Lung." Tony joked.
"Someone wanted to come see her Uncle Tony." Palmer maneuvered the stroller in and shut the door.
"We were just going to the living room." Jackson said. "Let's get this little angel out of these blankets."
"Set up?" Tony asked quietly.
"Not that I know about," Jethro said, "but…"
"Rule 39." Tony gave a wry laugh. "All of them?"
"Well, probably just the NCIS family. I know Leon and Ducky were going to the service as the NCIS representatives. Fornell went as his previous partner."
"Just Abby and McGee, then?" Tony pondered as Jethro followed him into the living room where Palmer was helping Victoria out of her blankets and sweater; while she was giving little whimpers of disapproval. Gibbs grunted non-committedly. With the team, who knew?
Finally free of the coverings, Victoria was smiling at her god-father. It was not gas, no matter what anyone said. Breena had dressed Victoria in one of the dresses that Tony and Jethro bought on their first shopping trip. The dress was white with pink, purple and yellow pastel flowers and an impossibly full skirt held up and out by tons of pastel tulle. The waist had a matching lavender sash that tied in the back. When Victoria sat up, the dress puffed around her.
Palmer laughed as he held Victoria out to Tony. "If you can find your god-daughter in all this dress, you can hold her and I'll go get the portable bassinet."
"No need." Gibbs disappeared into the other room. "I was cleaning out some stuff to get ready for the move." Gibbs wheeled in a lovely handmade bassinet in beautiful wood tones. The bedding was done in baby pink and white. "Figured Victoria could use this and save dragging one back and forth."
Palmer saw the small nod Tony gave him when he looked to him in clarification. It confirmed his suspicions, this bassinet had belonged to Gibbs' daughter. In that quick glance, Palmer understood and didn't make a big deal. "That's great! I know Victoria loves visiting her uncles."
Tony laughed. "She looks like a little princess. Are you my princess? How's my girl today?" Victoria gave a loud coo as Tony tickled her chin.
Instantly nails could be heard scrambling across the kitchen floor. Zuma tried to make a quick stop at Tony's feet by planting his front paws on the floor but the socks and forward momentum had him sliding sideways as his body moved past the pup's paws. The small pup hastened to scramble to his feet and he quickly put his paws on Tony's knee near Victoria's feet. He barked at her and she cooed at him. Zuma's tail wagged with excitement.
"Want him, too, I suppose?" Jethro smirked at Tony. "Hogging the god-daughter and the pup."
Jackson and Jimmy watched as Jethro scooped Zuma up and placed him carefully on Tony's lap; helping his husband settle the two where the little girl and puppy could talk to one another. They snickered as Zuma placed a gentle, sock-clad paw on Victoria's sock-clad foot. Both were wearing the white socks that looked like they had shoes; Victoria's were black and Zuma had picked red.
As the men watched the two 'talked' back and forth. Zuma gently and carefully patted his god-sister with his paws as he yipped and whimpered. In turn, Victoria waved her arms and cooed at him, sometimes catching her dress causing the tulle to ruffle and wave. When that happened, Zuma would poke at the soft material with his nose. The first time he sneezed and drew back indignantly to the infant's delight.
"You two are going to be good friends, aren't you?" Tony cuddled the two taking comfort in their love for him and each other.
A tentative knock startled everyone. Jethro went to the door and found a subdued Abby. "Do I look okay?" She asked quietly. Jethro looked at the toned down makeup and the lack of spikes. Abby wore a simple black lace dress with matching gloves. Her hair was in a simple twist. "I mean, we aren't going to the funeral, but we are in a way. …I wanted to show respect for his family. I mean, I know he didn't really know them. Well, he knew Sacks but not as his brother…"
"Shh, Abby." Gibbs kissed her on the top of her head. "Tony will appreciate you showing up. You look fine."
Abby gave a big sigh of relief. "I brought some cupcakes. My mom always made food for funerals and I wanted to do something."
"You came. That would have been enough." Jethro coaxed her into the house. "Tony's in the room with Dad, Palmer and Victoria." He gave her little pushes until she entered the living room and then went to sit next to Palmer on the sofa.
"Tony, I…"
Tony looked up into Abby's eyes and smiled. "I'm glad you're here." He motioned her to sit near him on the ottoman. He looked at her dress and the sadness in her eyes. "Thank you for coming to be with us. Zuma, doesn't Auntie Abby look nice?"
Zuma looked at Auntie Abby. The pup wasn't used to her being so quiet. He reached out a paw for her hand and she held one out for him. Laying a paw on her glove, he gave a small yip and then looked back at Victoria and yipped at her. In response, Victoria looked at Abby and cooed.
"Well, hello, Victoria. You look pretty in those pastels. Not that pastels aren't pretty."
"I think she's a bit early to rock the goth, Abbs." Tony smiled. With a wink at Palmer, he whispered to her. "Of course, Halloween is coming."
"Oh, no, you two! You are not dressing my daughter as Elvira, mistress of the night." Jimmy leaned forward on the sofa. "Breena would have your heads and mine."
"Ah, Jimmy. Just a cute black skirt with maybe a pair of black leggings." Abby pleaded. "She would totally rock."
"We could make her a Disney princess." Jethro spoke up. "Remember that pretty mint green dress with sequins or that pale pink with the lace underskirt with the pink parted overskirt. They had that Cinderella feel."
Abby gave him a scathing look. "A princess? Really? A little paper doll cut out. Jimmy, they have these little skirts with lots of tulle. I saw one with silver dusted spider webs on it. A little black top with a silver spider. She would rock the costume."
"I don't know, Abby. She really doesn't have the goth attitude." Tony pretended to consider his god-daughter's appearance. "Maybe we should break tradition. I know, maybe something a little Victorian. I saw a very simple, but elegant deep purple satin layered dress. We could dress her up as Beth from Little Women."
"No. Breena and I will pick her costume when the time comes. They make cute ones for infants. Pea in a pod. Pumpkin." Jimmy teased.
"You wouldn't dare!" "Not my little princess." Tony and Abby both glared.
"Don't listen to Daddy, princess. Uncle Tony will see you have a wonderful Halloween. You want to be a fairy? A dress with lots of sparkle and wings. Just leave it to Uncle Tony."
Jethro looked at where Victoria and Zuma were watching the three-way argument. Zuma had edged up to lay his head on Victoria's pillow…uh, skirt. She had managed to get her hand around and lay it on his paw. She cooed at the pup who chuffed in delight. "Just a thought, but they could go as Dorothy and Toto." He gestured to where the baby and puppy; making everyone say 'aw' at the cute picture.
"Woof." At the loud bark, both Zuma and Victoria jumped.
"Zuma," Tony tried to get ahold of the pup who was trying to burrow into the recliner whimpering. "Easy. Look it's just Uncle McGee and your cousin Jethro. Come here you silly thing."
"Jethro." Abby twisted around and grabbed the German Shepard around the neck. "I've missed you."
"Abby, you just took him to the park last weekend." McGee shook his head at the look she gave him. "I thought maybe Zuma would like to meet Jethro. I didn't know Palmer and Victoria were here. I can tie him out back." McGee offered.
"Not a problem," Palmer smiled. "She loves dogs. I thought it was just the corgis but when we went for a walk the other night, all kinds of dogs in the park came and peeped in her stroller. She loved it."
"If you're sure," McGee managed to move Abby enough untangle the leash.
"Let me have the god-daughter." Gibbs stood and moved to take Victoria. If Tony didn't get the pup soon he was going to claw his way through the fabric.
"Thanks." Finally, Tony managed to get ahold of two paws and a belly. Bringing him around to his stomach, Tony tried to stretch the puppy out. Zuma refused drawing into a knot and trying to get into Tony's shirt. It was then Tony felt the dampness.
"Do you want me to take him?" Jethro asked.
"I got him."
"Don't hurt yourself."
"Zuma," Tony crooned. "Hey, everything's okay." As he spoke he managed to accidently knock a glass of water into his lap.
"Tony." Gibbs handed Victoria to Jackson. "Here let me help."
"Careful," Tony handed him the shaking puppy. "I got him wet, too."
Palmer helped him stand. "Here, let me help."
"Jethro, can you…"
Gibbs was already in position. "We'll be right back." He escorted his husband and the pup off for dry clothes. Once in the bedroom he looked at Tony suspiciously. "Why did you knock that water on yourself?"
"Someone had a bit of an accident and I didn't want to embarrass him. Could you clean Zuma up while I change?"
Gibbs carried Zuma into small bathroom and turned on the warm water. "You are so lucky, pup, you don't realize how much he loves you." Zuma gave a soft yip. "Me, too. We must be the luckiest critters on earth." Gibbs striped off the pup's socks and gently washed his back legs.
By the time the duo returned to the bedroom, Tony was pulling on a clean shirt and trying to tuck it in. Jethro placed the pup on the bed and went to help. "You okay?"
"Just trouble reaching the back."
"Turn around." Jethro sent another prayer of thanks up. After four days, the bruising was just starting to fade. The past few days it had seemed to be getting darker, but he could see some areas developing into an off-green tone. If not for the vest, Tony could have been paralyzed or killed.
"I'm okay." Tony said softly.
Jethro helped him tuck the shirt in and then helped him sit on the bed. Zuma immediately cuddled into Tony's side. "Are you okay?" Tony scooped him up. "Want to pick some clean socks?"
Jethro handed them the bag and watched Zuma pick out socks. He leaned in the doorway and watched the puppy immediately headed for the shoe-like socks. He grabbed the black set that matched the ones that Victoria was wearing making Jethro smile.
"How did I know you'd pick these ones?" Tony checked the paws and found that Jethro had already put salve on.
"Ready?"
"Can you help me with his carrier? I think he might feel safer."
By the time the two men returned to the living room. Tony's recliner had clean sheets and pillow cases. "I popped your sheets in the washer," McGee said.
"Thanks, McGee." Gibbs helped him into the recliner. "If I get you another drink, will you not spill it?"
"Promise. I'll have a beer."
"Dad, Jimmy, McGee, Abby?"
"No, we helped ourselves." Abby said as they held up different bottles and cans.
"Brought you one, also." Palmer handed Gibbs one of his favorite beers and Tony a soda.
"Uh, bartender, there's a mistake. I specifically requested a beer. This isn't a beer."
"It is. It's a root beer which is the strongest thing you're getting till you're off the meds."
Tony opened his mouth but the head slap stopped his retort. "I was injured. You shouldn't slap an injured man."
"It was your back not your head. Deal." Gibbs made his way around the room to where his father was playing with Victoria.
"Nope. Not till your beer is done. This little angel doesn't need exposed to that at her age. Do you, sweetie?"
"How's Zuma?"
"Feeling a little insecure." Tony was looking down at Abby who was sitting on the floor next to Jethro who had his head down looking sad. "What's wrong, Jethro?" The German Shepherd put a paw over his nose.
"I think he feels guilty for scaring Zuma." Abby said.
"There was a bag here in my chair." Tony started to feel around and Palmer handed a zipped bag to him. "Come here, Jethro. Come to Uncle Tony. I have a treat."
"Ooo, are those the cookies that Hansen's makes for service dogs?" Abby bounced.
"And you know this how?"
"Jethro and I stopped in the other weekend when we went to the park. He had a the Love'n Nuts cookie and loved it." Abby informed Tony.
"This is the Autumn Harvest." Tony held up the treat. Jethro looked to McGee and at his nod, stood up and went over to Tony. The dog took the treat carefully, laid it on Tony's knee and then whined at the carrier. "I don't know if he's ready, but let's try. Hey, Zuma. Come on up. Look who wants to play with you. Come on."
Reluctantly, a small head appeared and drew back as Zuma found himself face to face with the German Shepherd. Picking up the treat, the older dog held it out offering it to the pup. "Aww," Tony crooned. "….you are such a good cousin. Look, Zuma, Jethro wants to share a treat with you." The pup looked from the huge dog to Tony and then back at the treat. Tentatively, he wiggled further up in the carrier to hook his paws over the top. The pup gave a gentle wuff and waited. When the older dog didn't move, Zuma cautiously moved his head forward and took the treat.
Jethro watched quietly as the pup laid the treat on his front paws and nibbled it. After a minute, the pup looked up from the treat into the other dog's eyes. Picking the treat up in his teeth, he bravely offered Jethro a bite. The room watched the two dogs sharing the cookie. "I belief it is crisis averted," the human Jethro said.
"Thank goodness." Tony said.
McGee opened a small bag he had brought along. "Jethro, want to show Zuma your toy." He held up a large blue dumbbell squeaky toy. The older dog turned in puppy mode; literally bouncing over Abby's lap to get to the toy. As he grabbed it, it squeaked loudly and he turned joyfully to leap back to Tony and Zuma.
"What you got there, Jethro?" Tony said.
The dog squeaked the toy again. Not to be left out, Zuma burrowed down into his carrier and then his head popped up again with his squeaky bone. The two dogs took turns making their toys squeak.
"Hey, Palmer?"
"Gibbs.. Jethro?" Jimmy recognized the gesture the older man made. With a grin, Jimmy turned and executed a perfect Gibbs' slap to the back of McGee's head. When McGee turned on him, Jimmy simply pointed at Jethro.
"You couldn't bring a quiet toy, McGee?"
"They're getting along." McGee offered.
"And we're getting headaches."
Tony snickered. It was funny to see someone else getting head slaps for a change. "There are some more treats in the pantry. Why don't you fill the bowls in the kitchen and give them a couple more treats, McSqueaker? Zuma's go bag is by the door. If you empty it out on the kitchen floor, they may decide to play where there's more room."
"Zuma has a go bag?" Palmer asked.
"He is Agent Zuma." Jethro said deadpan.
"Gotcha." McGee carefully picked up Zuma who had emerged from the carrier to try Jethro's dumbbell. Carrying the toy and pup, he led Jethro into the kitchen.
Tony looked at the clock and sighed. "Alright, hand over my god-daughter. It's time to turn on the TV and I want cuddles."