Two hours later, Tony and Gibbs were leaving Sal's with four new suits, three pairs of shoes, an abundance of socks and underwear, and a few polo shirts for casual wear. They stopped quickly for coffee and to pick up some basic toiletries for Gibbs. Tony had tried to convince him to go for the more expensive stuff, but Gibbs preferred the standard fare. After going to the grocery store for Rosa, they were soon on their way back.

Tony cursed under his breath as they pulled up to the driveway. Gibbs followed his line of sight to see a black Jaguar sitting where there had been nothing that morning. "My father's home," Tony explained as he parked and turned off the engine. He turned to Gibbs before they left the car. "You ready to pretend?"

Gibbs' lip quirked and the "Yes sir" that followed was anything but deferential. Tony smiled and got out of the car. Gibbs followed closely behind.

(~*~)

DiNozzo Senior was standing in the parlour when Tony and Gibbs came in. Senior's eyes lit up at the sight of someone next to his son, carrying an armful of bags. Before Senior could speak, Tony turned to Gibbs. "Can you take the bags upstairs, Gibbs?" With a short nod, Gibbs did as he was told. Senior's expression changed as Gibbs left them alone.

"Gibbs?" Senior asked. "That sounds a lot like a surname, Junior."

"I asked him his name," Tony shrugged.

Senior's mouth was set in a firm line, disappointment obvious.

"Look, dad," Tony argued the unspoken criticism. "I don't care what he tells me his name is, I just needed something to call him. It's not like you care whether or not the rotation of blondes you bring home are really called Tiffany or Sapphire."

Senior gave a short nod that told Tony he'd won that point, before picking up on another issue. "I'm surprised you chose a man."

"I didn't…" Tony took a deep breath. He wanted to tell his father how he felt, but he was afraid of revealing too much. "I saw him, and I just knew." Tony looked helpless and Senior smiled.

"It happens, Junior." He offered by way of approval.

"It was his eyes," Tony confessed. "I couldn't leave him there once I'd seen those eyes."

At this Senior laughed, and Tony was surprised to note there was no derision in it. "Y'know, son. I felt the exact same way the first time I met your mother."

"But you didn't buy mom," Tony lamented.

"True," Senior gave a wicked grin and stepped closer to Tony. "But at least that means there's no way he can refuse you."

Tony's heart sank at these words, but Senior didn't notice as he was already halfway out the door.

"Oh, and before I forget," Senior continued. "I'm having a party on the weekend. I'll expect you and your new… acquisition to be there."

Tony wanted to argue, but he knew it would be a bad idea, and instead he gave a single nod. His father seemed pleased as he left. Tony took a deep breath and looked towards the stairs. He'd have to warn Gibbs. He just hoped this wasn't too much, too soon.

(~*~)

Up in the bedroom, Gibbs had put away the bags and was now at a loss. Tony was taking longer than he'd expected. Gibbs' thoughts were interrupted by the sound of rapping on the window. He walked over cautiously and pulled back the blind, coming face to face with a grinning woman with black hair in pigtails and bright red lipstick. When she saw Gibbs, her smile faded. His brow creased in confusion, and Gibbs unlocked the window and stepped aside so she could clamber in. Even after she entered the room and closed the window behind her, the girl remained silent. She looked upset, and Gibbs didn't know what to say. He was saved by Tony coming into the room. The door was barely closed before the girl was standing in front of Tony, fury in her eyes. From where Gibbs stood, Tony looked terrified.

"Hey Abs," he said carefully.

"Don't 'hey Abs' me!" the woman replied. "You promised me, Tony!"

"I know," Tony slipped out from in front of her to step towards Gibbs. "But it's not what you think."

"How can it not be what I think?" She rounded on Tony immediately and Gibbs saw him flinch. "You went to that place and you…" She trailed off, pointing at Gibbs. There were tears in her eyes, and Tony stepped forward to comfort her.

"Abby, this is Gibbs," Tony started, and Gibbs took his cue to step forward. "He was trying to escape when I was at that place. They were going to take him back, and I didn't know what to do so I…" Tony trailed off, and Abby looked between the two of them.

"Gibbs?" She said softly.

"Yeah," Tony replied when it become clear Gibbs didn't know what to say. "He's agreed to stay here and pretend with me, just until I go to Ohio. It was the only thing I could think of, Abs, you gotta believe me."

Abby pulled Tony into a choking hug, and he laughed in relief as he returned it.

"I'm sorry I yelled," she said eventually.

"It's ok, Abs," Tony replied. "I know how you feel about this stuff."

"And I know how you feel about it," Abby countered. "I should never have thought you would…"

"Hey, it's ok," Tony pulled away to look at Abby's face. "But y'know if you tried using the door once in a while, I could've explained all this before you guys met."

Abby turned towards Gibbs when Tony said this. Gibbs had stepped back, obviously trying to give them some space. She held her hand out in greeting.

"Hi. I'm Abby." Gibbs shook her hand with a small smile. When he didn't speak in turn, Abby carried on. "I'm sorry about the yelling. I didn't mean to…" Abby looked to Tony for a second before focussing her attention back to Gibbs. "It's nice to meet you."

"Same here," Gibbs finally spoke, and the wry smile that accompanied it made Abby relax a little.

"We were just about to grab lunch," Tony said once they had fallen silent again. "You wanna join us?" Abby looked reluctant for a moment, so Tony added. "My dad's gone already. He probably won't be home until tonight."

That seemed to convince Abby and she nodded with a smile. Tony smiled in return for a moment before opening the bedroom door for them all to leave.