Title: A Pound of Flesh
Author: ncismom
Characters: Tony DiNozzo, Jethro Gibbs, Tony DiNozzo, Sr.
Warnings: angst, drama
Spoilers: Takes place a couple months after the Season 7 episode, “Flesh and Blood�.
Summary: The unexpected return of Tony’s father creates friction between DiNozzo and Gibbs.
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS and it characters, I just enjoy letting my imagination run wild!

Part 1



The sound of the sirens were deafening as the ambulance weaved its way through the streets of Washington D.C. towards George Washington Hospital as Tony DiNozzo watched the paramedics feverishly work to stabilize his father. The elder DiNozzo had insisted on Tony staying with him and the paramedics had reluctantly agreed in hopes that it would help calm their uncooperative patient. It was the first time in his life that his father actually needed him and Tony was determined to be there for him. Maybe this could be a turning point in their normally strained relationship; then again, Tony had learned a long time ago not to get his hopes up, at least where his father was concerned.

“Just take it easy, dad,� Tony soothed. “Everything’s going to be fine.�

“Easy…for…you to say, Junior,� his father gasped, his voice muffled by the oxygen mask over his face. “You’re…not…the one…with an elephant sitting…on…your chest.�

“Just let these guys do their job,� he urged. “You’ve got Bob over there sweating bullets.�

Tony felt his dad’s hand tighten around his as another wave of pain assaulted him. “I’m scared…Junior. This could…be it…for your…old man.�

He shook his head in protest. Tony had never known his father to admit to being afraid of anything and to hear him say that he was scared of dying was almost more than he could fathom. “Just remember that DiNozzo’s don’t quit. Do you hear me, dad? You’re not going to quit.�

“So…many regrets.�

Tony reached up and brushed a stray lock of hair from his father’s forehead. “I know, Dad. Let’s not worry about the past. Right now, you’ve got to concentrate on getting better. Now just relax; you’re almost at the hospital.

Senior nodded and closed his eyes, but he still refused to let go of Tony’s hand. Bob mouthed a silent thanks to Tony as they noted a slight improvement in the EKG. Tony breathed a sigh of relief and sat back against the wall, watching the two paramedics pour their soul into making sure that his father lived. It was an awesome responsibility to hold someone’s life in ones hands and these men and others like them did it without reservation. He had been in that position before when he had pulled Gibbs and Maddie out of the river; it was an experience that he hoped he wouldn’t have to live through again.

“Thanks guys,� he quietly uttered.

Pete glanced up and smiled. “You’re welcome. Don’t worry,� the paramedic added. “He’s going to be okay.�

Tony acknowledged him with a tired grin. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off and the exhaustion that had plagued him earlier was beginning to return. He wasn’t sure that he would have the energy to climb out of the ambulance whenever they arrived at the hospital, but somehow, he would have to find the strength that he would need to help his dad make whatever decisions that would have to be made regarding his health.

It was just a couple of minutes before the ambulance was backing into the emergency room entrance of the hospital. The doors swung open and the two paramedics unloaded the gurney and headed towards the ER. He listened carefully as Bob summarized his father’s condition and spouted off his most recent vital signs. Tony tried to follow them into the treatment room, but his path was blocked by the attending physician, who left him standing in the corridor with only a quick promise to keep him informed.

He made his way over to the waiting area and sat down on the couch. Tony cradled his head in his trembling hands. A myriad of emotions were vying for control; feelings of anger, remorse, frustration, and guilt were rearing their ugly heads, demanding his attention. He was still finding it difficult to believe that he was sitting in a hospital waiting room, counting the minutes until the doctor returned to bring him news of his ailing father.

Tony hated hospitals and usually avoided them, especially since his bout with the plague. Now, here he was waiting to find out if his father was going to live or die and he was once again drawn back to a time when he was faced with the possibility of losing the man who had been more of a father than Anthony DiNozzo, Sr. had ever been. It was only after the case had been solved and Gibbs had taken his unexpected hiatus in Mexico that Tony had taken the time to sort through his feelings, which he did in the privacy of his own home, unbeknownst to his team. At the time, he no choice but to bear his burden alone; he had to keep the team together and be strong for them. It was one of the loneliest times in his life. Until now.

Raking his hands through his hair, he wondered how long he was going to have to wait to find out how his father was doing; he truly despised waiting. It seemed that he’d been waiting all his life on his father to show some interest in him and it had taken the older man losing everything to make him remember that he still had a son. Tony still wasn’t sure that his dad wanted or needed him, especially after their argument earlier in the morning.

He slid down and rested his head against the cushion of the couch. Tony gingerly felt his swollen lip as he allowed his mind to drift back to the moment that served as the catalyst that now had his father hovering between life and death.


***Three hours earlier***


Special Agent Tony DiNozzo fumbled with his keys, wondering if he had enough energy to unlock the door to his apartment and stumble the few feet required that would allow him to seek the comfort of his couch. It had been nearly four days since he had managed to snatch more than a quick nap at his desk and the exhaustion ripped through every fiber of his being. This last case had quickly turned from a routine investigation of a petty officer’s apparent suicide to a race against time to save the dead man’s family from a ruthless drug lord by the name of Nicholas Sporanzi.

After pursuing countless leads and carefully monitoring Sporanzi’s movements, Gibbs and the team were able to take down the drug dealer and rescue the wife and daughter of Petty Officer Joseph Morgan. They had tracked Sporanzi to a deserted warehouse on the waterfront and like a well oiled machine, the team entered the building and while Gibbs and Tony had kept the dealer and his two bodyguards occupied, Ziva and McGee had extracted Morgan’s family.

It had been Tony’s bullet that felled Nicholas Sporanzi. Gibbs had given Sporanzi several opportunities to surrender, but he was not going to be taken alive. He had opened fire on them and Tony and Gibbs had no choice but to return it. The whole shooting incident was over in less that 30 seconds and as a result, there were three less criminals to terrorize the streets of Washington, D.C.

After the scene had been processed and the necessary statements were taken, Gibbs had sent his team home with strict orders not to be back at work until the following Monday, stating that their reports could wait until then. As soon as they arrived back to NCIS headquarters, Ziva and McGee didn’t waste time following the Marine’s instructions. Gibbs had privately praised Tony for a job well done and the two men went to their respective cars.

As soon as he had been sure that Gibbs had cleared the parking garage, he got out of his vehicle and made his way to the bullpen, hoping to have most of the paperwork ready for Gibbs to sign off on first thing Monday morning. If he managed to finish it up tonight, it wouldn’t be hanging over his head all weekend and he’d be able to enjoy his days off. Of course, he wouldn’t be doing much more than lying around his apartment, eating Ramen noodles, and watching the James Bond marathon on television, but considering how tired he was, that would be enough excitement for him.

He had just sat down at his desk when he heard the familiar ding of the elevator. Tony didn’t have to look up to know that Gibbs was now standing in front of his desk. After being properly chastised for not following his orders, he was accompanied by the team leader to the parking garage. Gibbs opened his car door and stepped aside so Tony could slide into the driver’s seat and then closed the door. He started the engine and headed home, knowing that it was useless to try and argue with his boss.

Glancing up in his mirror, he saw that Gibbs was following him to ensure that he didn’t head back to the office. Tony pulled in front of his apartment building and waved to Gibbs and he drove on by. Five minutes later, he was still trying to find the right key to fit his lock.

He finally came across the one that would unlock the door. As he entered the apartment, he slung his backpack on the floor, slipped off his shoes and fell on the sofa. Tony embraced the softness of the cushions as he cradled a pillow underneath his head. He felt like he could sleep for days or at least until Monday morning.

Just as Tony was beginning to doze, the sound of his door bell startled him, causing him to end up on the floor. “Son of a …!� Tony pushed himself up on his hands and knees and glared at his door, wondering who would be at his apartment at four in the morning. Standing up, he made his way towards the door, pausing only long enough to turn the lights on.

Opening the door, his expression faded from anger and disgust to one of surprise and uncertainty. Standing before him was his father, Anthony DiNozzo, Sr., the man who up until recently had seemingly been content to deny his existence whenever it suited him. Their last encounter had resulted in his father telling him that he loved him, but for some reason, Tony couldn’t convince himself of his dad’s sincerity.

It took a few seconds before Tony trusted himself to speak. “Dad? What’re you doing here?�

“I just got into town,� Senior answered, handing Tony his coat and hat as he entered the apartment. “My flight arrived a little over an hour ago from Monte Carlo.�

His father’s tone was icy and distant, much like their relationship. Tony cleared his throat. “You took Al up on his offer?�

“You could say that.�

Tony draped his father’s coat and hat over a nearby chair. Closing the door, he leaned against it and wrapped his arms around his weary body as he waited for the inevitable other shoe to drop. He could tell by his father’s eyes that all hell was about to break loose. Being on the receiving end of Senior’s wrath was not a new experience, just one that he hadn’t had to face in a long time. “Did you two have a nice visit?� he nervously asked.

“Yes, it was very pleasant. Al is a gracious host.�

“That’s good.�

“I suppose it is.�

Taking a deep breath, he blew it out and braced for the storm that was about to hit. “Something wrong, Dad?�

His dad’s eyes narrowed. “Why do you ask, Anthony?�

Tony casually shrugged. “Because you’re here in my apartment at four in the morning,� he carefully replied. “I wasn’t sure that you even knew where I lived.�

“I’ve kept up with you over the years.�

He knew he was being fed another lie. What did he expect from a man whose whole life had been nothing but a fabrication? “Really?�

Senior nodded. “Especially these last couple of months.�

Tony hugged himself a little tighter. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.�

“I think you do, Junior.�

The older man took a step closer to him. Tony could feel the daggers shooting from his eyes as they pierced his soul. Standing to his full height, his stance took on a defensive posture. “Maybe you better clarify it for me, because I’m on my fourth day without any real sleep and I’m a little fuzzy.�

His father exploded, his normally cool façade shattered by rage. “Did you think I wouldn’t notice?�

Tony’s own anger rose, quickly escalating to match his father’s ire. “Notice what?�

“The fact that my own son has been sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong!� Senior bellowed.

“What are you talking about?�

Senior took a step closer, but Tony didn’t back down. “How about for starters, you letting me believe that Al picked up my tab, when in fact it was you? If I hadn’t discovered that before I went to Monte Carlo, it could have been a very embarrassing situation all the way around.�

Tony’s laughter dripped with sarcasm. “Heaven forbid that Anthony DiNozzo, Sr. find himself in an embarrassing situation. Tell me again, why you’re mad about this?� he impatiently inquired. “Your bill was taken care of; you saved face at the hotel and you got a free trip to Monte Carlo. I’m not quite following your logic, Dad.�

The elder DiNozzo visibly bristled. “How did you get into my accounts?�

“Secrets of the trade.�

“Secrets of the trade? You hack into my accounts and you expect me to be satisfied with an answer like that?�

“I don’t expect you to be satisfied with anything I’ve done,� Tony admitted. “I’m used to that, so it really doesn’t bother me. I was doing what I thought was right; I’ve been trying to help you get back on your feet. In case you haven’t noticed, you actually have money in your main account in New York.�

“I don’t need your charity!� Senior growled.

He couldn’t believe the words coming out of his father’s mouth. “Really? Do you plan on going around and mooching off royalty for the rest of your life?� Tony challenged. He knew from experience that it was useless to get in a war of words with his father, but his fatigue and years of pent up frustration were spurring him on.

Tony’s head snapped to the side as his father backhanded him. He wiped the blood from the corner of his lip and met Senior’s stare. It wasn’t the first time that Senior had raised his hand to him for smarting off, but it was definitely going to be the last time. “I think you better leave, Dad.� He had been a fool to think that he could work his way back into his father’s graces.

“Not until I get an explanation as to why you find it necessary to keep track of my finances!�

The senior agent laughed. “What finances, Dad? You’re broke!� Tony cried out. “I’ve been trying to help you get back on your feet a little at time. What’s wrong with that?�

“I already told you that I don’t advertise my failures and by you taking it upon yourself to…�

His father staggered and clutched his chest. Tony reached out to steady him. “Dad?�

“Junior?� The older man blindly reached out for his son.

“Dad, what’s wrong?�

Tony helped him over to the couch and loosened his father’s tie and the top buttons of his shirt. “Dad? Can you hear me?�

“My….chest…hurts?�

“Your chest?�

Senior nodded. “Thought it was heartburn…on the…plane. Not so sure now.�

Tony patted his dad on the shoulder as he dialed 911. “Just take it easy, Dad. Help is on the way.�

“Just let…me…rest. I’ll be…all right.�

He began to give the information to 911 as he continued to watch his father struggle with the agony that was threatening to overwhelm him. Satisfied that the paramedics were on their way, Tony helped Senior put his feet on the couch and knelt down beside him. “Okay Dad: I just want you to try and slow down your breathing. Everything is going to be okay.�

“Can’t…go to the hospital,� his father moaned.

“You don’t have much of a choice right now. This isn’t heartburn, Dad.�

“I know, but….�

“Then no arguing; you’re going to the hospital.�

“Can’t pay…�

Tony squeezed his shoulder. “Don’t worry about that. Right now, the only thing that matters is making sure you’re okay.�

The older man’s pain filled eyes met his own concerned gaze. “Why?�

“Why what, Dad?�

“Why do you care?�

He wasn’t sure that he could honestly answer his dad’s question. Why did he care? Maybe for the same reason that he couldn’t bust his father a couple of months earlier; maybe it was the hope that if he cared for his dad that his feelings would be reciprocated. He swallowed hard, giving his father the only answer that would come to his lips. “Because you’re my dad…�


***present time***


“Excuse me? Are you here with Mr. DiNozzo?�

Tony opened his eyes to find a nurse standing over him, concern and compassion radiating from her tired eyes. “Um…yeah. I’m his son.� He stood up and pinched the bridge of his nose in an effort to clear the cobwebs from his mind. “How is he?�

“The doctor wants to speak with you. He asked me to tell you that he will be out in just a few minutes.�

“Did he say anything about how my dad was doing?� he asked again.

“No, but I’m sure that he’ll answer all your questions,� the nurse assured him. She motioned towards a tall man with graying hair that had just entered the waiting room. “Here he comes now.�

Nodding his thanks to the nurse, he quickly made his way across the room and greeted the physician. Extending his hand, he introduced himself. “I’m Tony DiNozzo.�

“Dr. Ryan Manning,� the doctor replied as he shook Tony’s hand. “I was called in as a consultant on your father’s case and once he’s admitted, his care will be turned over to me.�

“How is my father?� Tony pressed.

“He’s resting at the moment. We managed to get him stabilized and we’re running a few tests to get a better idea at what we we’re looking at,� Manning informed him.

“Did he have a heart attack?�

The doctor nodded, confirming Tony’s fear. “Yes, he did. But thankfully, we got to him in time. Once he is situated in his room on the cardiac wing, I’m going to let him rest for today; I’ve scheduled him for a heart cath tomorrow so we will know what direction we need to go in.�

“Can I see him?�

“After he gets settled.� The doctor looked at his watch. “It will be probably another 30 to 45 minutes. You can go on up to the waiting area on the third floor and a nurse will come and get you when you’re able to see him.�

Tony clenched his jaw, stifling a defeated sigh from escaping his lips. “Thanks, Doc,� he finally managed to mumble.

“You’re welcome and don’t worry, you’re father’s going to be all right.�

He watched Dr. Manning head back through the double doors and down the corridor that led to the treatment rooms. His father was going to be all right, or so Dr. Manning had said. Tony wasn’t convinced, but he wasn’t about to argue with the well meaning physician. Truthfully, he was too tired to argue and he would need what little reserve of strength he had left to deal with his father.

He never remembered his father being sick, but Anthony DiNozzo, Senior would never admit to having a cold, much less a serious illness. Tony had been away a lot as a youth and between boarding schools and summer camps, he possibly saw his father a grand total of two weeks a year. Even at Christmas, Tony considered himself fortunate to get a message from the housekeeper stating that his dad had gone to pursue another lucrative deal, which usually involved Senior staying occupied during the entire two weeks he was home.

Knowing now that his father’s life had been a lie, he wondered what exactly his dad had been doing all those times when he had forced his young son to spend those holidays alone. Had Anthony DiNozzo, Sr. truly been that desperate to avoid his son? Had he really been that much of a burden to his father?

Pushing these thoughts to the back of his mind, he forced himself to consider what his next step should be. He rolled his neck from side to side in an effort to work out the kinks as his mind began to sort through what he needed to do. Tony glanced at his watch. He needed to take a shower and change clothes, but that would have to wait until after he saw his dad. There was no doubt in his mind that his father was making a list out of things that he would require during his hospitalization and he would be able to take care of both chores at one time.

Tony wondered if he should call someone, but he had no idea who his dad would want him to notify, especially knowing how much he hated to appear weak in front of others. Was there another trophy wife that he would rather have by his side instead of his son? He shook his head in disgust. Where had that thought come from?

“Come on, DiNozzo,� he quietly chastised. “Get with it.�

Making his way towards the third floor, he briefly considered calling Gibbs and letting him know what had happened. He brushed that thought aside, not wanting to bother the team leader until he knew exactly what was going on. He was aware of the fact that Gibbs had little use for his father, especially when the former Marine discovered that Tony was still trying to help his dad financially. That revelation had led to a heated argument in Gibbs’ basement, with both of them finally having to agree to disagree.

As he exited the elevator, he met his father’s gurney as the orderlies wheeled him down the hall. Tony was taken back by the pallor of his dad’s skin and the fear still present in his eyes. These were the same eyes that had often bore daggers through him as a child whenever he had done something wrong; now, there was no anger, only apprehension.

“Junior?� his father called out.

The two orderlies stopped, allowing Tony to catch up to them. “I’m right here, Dad,� he answered.

“I thought you may have gone.�

Confused, Tony asked, “Why would you think that?�

His dad closed his eyes for a brief second as if he were considering Tony’s question. A tear escaped and snaked its way down his father’s cheek. “Because you have every right to walk away.�

He probably did have every right to walk away; his father had walked away from him plenty of times throughout his life. But he couldn’t. Not now. Maybe this could be a new start for them, or maybe his father was just fabricating one of his cons. Only time would tell.

He took his dad’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m not going anywhere,� he vowed.

“Thanks, Anthony.�

Tony wasn’t sure how to handle this unusual display of emotions from his father. This was a side of his dad that he had never seen. “The nurses are waiting to get you settled in your room. I’ll come see you when they’re done.�

He watched as the orderlies continued to wheel his father down the hall to his room. Tony leaned against the wall, struggling to gather his own thoughts. There were so many doubts assaulting his mind, he was no longer certain of his place in the life of Anthony DiNozzo, Sr. A man, who up until a couple of months ago, seemingly had everything he wanted; now all he had was his son.

The ringing of his cell phone shattered his silent musings. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the caller ID. “Gibbs,� he muttered. “Crap.� Tony wasn’t sure that he was ready to talk to the team leader, but he also knew he didn’t have much of a choice.

Blowing out a pent up breath, he reluctantly answered his phone. “DiNozzo…�

Gibbs took a sip of his bourbon as he stood back and stared at the frame of the new boat that he was building; it was like being reunited with an old friend after a long separation. He had started this latest project a couple months ago; right after Tony’s father had dropped back into his life unexpectedly. The team leader had tried to reserve his judgment on Tony DiNozzo, Sr., but after his impromptu discussion with the elder man, Gibbs had quickly learned that his assumptions were correct. DiNozzo’s father only cared about himself and Tony was simply a convenience.

It still amazed him that despite the years of neglect and estrangement, Tony wanted this man’s acceptance. If any one thing had driven home that observation, it was the fact that DiNozzo had paid his father’s bill at the hotel instead of calling him on the carpet. Later that night, Tony had told Gibbs that he couldn’t bust him because despite whoever else he may be, he was still his father. The team leader’s respect for Tony had risen yet another notch; if only his father could see what a fine man his son had become.

Tony was a good man. DiNozzo hid behind a mask so people couldn’t see his insecurities; his father was the same way. He had challenged the elder DiNozzo to take the opportunity to get to know him as an adult, but the former Marine knew his suggestion wasn’t well received. After Tony’s father left, Gibbs could easily sense that the visit had left his senior field agent reeling emotionally and it had taken a few weeks before DiNozzo was back on even ground.

Or at least Gibbs thought he was. He had recently discovered that Tony was still keeping track of his father’s accounts and sometimes supplementing them with his own money. When the team leader confronted the agent, a heated argument had occurred, leaving both men angry and frustrated. Gibbs knew that Tony was just setting himself up to be hurt again and he had vowed to do everything in his power to prevent that from happening again.

Finishing his drink, he decided to head upstairs to catch a quick nap. As he reached for the light, his cell phone rang. Gibbs held the phone at arms length until he recognized the name. It was Abby. Despite the early morning hour, he wasn’t surprised that the Goth was up; sometimes he wondered if she ever slept.

“Gibbs,� he grumbled.

“Gibbs! Gibbs! Gibbs!� Abby’s anxious chatter sent up a warning flag in his mind. “Have you talked to Tony?�

“Not since I followed him home a few hours ago. Why do you ask?�

“I was over at my friend’s house; you remember me talking about George? He’s the one that heads up our work group for the habitat for humanity houses that we…�

“Abs! What does this have to do with Tony?�

“I was getting to that, Gibbs,� she pointed out. “George has a scanner that monitors all the 911 calls and while we were getting the tools everything together for our next project, I overhead the dispatcher send out an ambulance to Tony’s address for a possible heart attack. Except for Tony’s lungs, he’s healthy; I just can’t imagine him having a heart attack. I tried to call his house and cell phone, but both of them went to his voice mail.� Abby paused for a breath. “Have you been working him too hard?�

He ignored her last jibe, knowing that Abby didn’t mean in it an accusatory manner; she would never intentionally hurt anyone’s feelings. A knot formed in the pit of his stomach as he processed what she had said. If Tony was in the hospital, he needed to be there for the young man. It was only a few months after DiNozzo had started working for him that he found out that the young agent had no one listed as his next of kin.

When the team leader had finally managed to coerce an honest reply out of Tony, he discovered that DiNozzo had believed that it would be too much of an inconvenience for his father to be notified if something happened to him. He could easily recall his frustration and DiNozzo’s apparent nonchalance; it had taken a little persuasion but he had finally managed to convince Tony to list him as his next of kin.


***flashback***

The former Marine hit the emergency stop button, bringing the elevator to an abrupt halt. He turned to face the young man standing beside him; Tony’s vibrant chatter ceased as a smile quickly replaced his expression of surprise. DiNozzo was an expert at slipping on a mask to hide his true emotions, making the world believe that he led a roguish and carefree life.

“Uh, something wrong, Boss?� Tony asked. The team leader could sense a nervous edge to DiNozzo’s voice.

“Personnel called me today.�

“Really? About what?�

“It seems that you’re ignoring the twenty or so emails that you’ve received from them.�

“Oh, well…I’ve been meaning to get back to them, but…we’ve been busy,� DiNozzo stammered. “You’ve got to admit that we haven’t had much time to…�

Gibbs eyes narrowed into his infamous glare; it completely unnerved most people but Tony was quickly learning to stand his ground. That was one of the reasons that he had wanted DiNozzo working for him. Tony DiNozzo had convictions and he stood by them, something that the team leader truly admired.

“So, you want to tell me why you haven’t listed a next of kin yet?� he pressed, cutting straight to the reason that they were having this discussion.

“I haven’t?�

He resisted the urge to head slap his probationary agent, but he opted to wait he young man out. Gibbs had quickly learned that Tony would talk when he was ready and not before, but he had also learned how to read between the lines when DiNozzo was trying to avoid talking about something that would possibly reveal an aspect of his true personality.

“No, DiNozzo; you haven’t,� Gibbs coolly stated.

“I’ll get on that right away, Boss.�

“I’m sure you will; right after you answer my question.�

“Your question?�

“Do you want me to head slap you, DiNozzo?�

Tony shook his head. “No, Boss.�

“Then tell me what the big deal is about listing your next of kin,� he demanded.

“I uh…I just forgot to fill that part out.�

Gibbs crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “Want to try again?�

The dark haired agent’s mask began to slip. His blasé attitude was replaced one of resignation and regret. “My...uh…father, well, I just usually never know where to find him and besides, if something happened to me, I don’t think he’d consider it a great loss.�

“You mean to tell me that your father wouldn’t care if you got hurt?�

Tony shrugged. “I don’t know. He never has before; not sure why he’d start now. Broke my leg in college, pretty much blew my chances at going pro, and he finally sent me a card signed by his secretary. I was shot in Peoria and I didn’t even get a card that time. Of course, I’m not sure why I expected one…he never approved of my career choice. But I was kind of thought he might send one that said I told you so�

“He didn’t want you to be a cop� Gibbs deduced.

“No, of course, he didn’t want me to be a phys ed major either. I’ve kind of always been a disappointment to him.�

Gibbs felt his anger begin to build. How could Tony’s father be anything but proud of the man standing before him? He had only known Tony for a few months, but in that time, he had come to admire and respect the young man, who had easily made the adjustment from detective to federal agent. Tony had integrity and that was something to be said for in this day and time. Although he had yet to meet DiNozzo’s father, he had already formed his own opinion of the man.

“You need to list somebody,� he insisted. “Put me down as your next of kin.�

“You?� Tony’s eyes reflected his disbelief at his suggestion.

“Yeah. Me. You got a problem with that, DiNozzo?�

Tony swallowed hard. “No problem, Boss. No problem whatsoever. I just...are you sure?�

“Have you ever known me to say something I didn’t mean?�

“No, Boss.�

“Then it’s settled.� Gibbs hit the switch to start up the elevator and pushed the button that would take them to human resources. If it hadn’t been so heart breaking, DiNozzo’s expression of utter confusion and uncertainty would have been amusing. The lift doors opened and Gibbs gestured for Tony to follow him. “No time like the present.�

Tony grabbed him by the arm just as the team leader was about to enter the personnel office. “Boss, why are you doing this? It’s not your responsibility.�

“That’s where you’re wrong, DiNozzo.� He couldn’t admit to Tony that he was beginning to think of the young man as a son. Neither of them was ready for that kind of emotional revelation, so Gibbs had decided to temporarily settle for allowing his actions to reinforce the unspoken words.
“You’re my responsibility and I take my responsibilities very seriously.�

“I know you do, Gibbs, but this is too much. I’ve gotten by all these years, I…�

“Not another word, Tony,� he warned. “Now, get in there and finish your paperwork.�

Tony opened the door and glanced back over his shoulder. “Thanks, Boss.�

Gibbs gave a rare smile as he patted the agent on the back. “You’re welcome, Tony.�


***end flashback***


“Gibbs? Are you there?� Abby’s anxious voice penetrated his thoughts. He silently chastised himself for permitting himself to drift off.

“Yeah, Abs,� he sighed. “I’m here. I’ll try and find out what’s going on.�

“Will you call me as soon as you know something?�

“I promise.�

“Pinky promise?�

“I’ll call you when I know something,� he repeated as he snapped his phone shut.

He stripped off his shirt and grabbed a fresh one out of the closet. Gibbs stared at his cell phone lying on his dresser and decided to try and call Tony’s cell phone again; although Abby couldn’t get through, he knew that DiNozzo wouldn’t dare ignore his call if he were able to answer.

One ring. At least it didn’t go to voice mail.

Two rings. “Come on, pick up Tony,� he impatiently demanded.

On the third ring, Tony answered. “DiNozzo…�



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“Are you all right?�

That was the last question that he had expected out of the team leader’s mouth. Tony hadn’t been greeted by the usual crustiness of the lead agent’s voice; instead his tone was laced with worry and it unnerved the younger man. He wasn’t sure how to truthfully answer his boss’s question so he simply settled for his standard reply that would more than likely earn him a head slap. “I’m fine, Boss.�

There was a slight pause and Tony could have sworn that he heard a sigh of relief. However, when Gibbs finally spoke, the gruffness that had been lacking earlier was present once again. “If you’re fine, DiNozzo, why is Abby calling me and telling me that she heard an ambulance being dispatched to your apartment?�

“Abby called you and said…� Tony raked his hand through his hair. “She must have been at George’s place.�

“DiNozzo!� Gibbs barked.

“I’m fine, Boss,� he assured the older man. “I’m here with my dad.�

“Your dad’s back in town?�

“Yeah.�

“How long’s he been here?�

“Just a few hours,� Tony tiredly replied. “He came to see me after his plane landed.�

“Why?�

He was not mentally or physically prepared to get into another argument with Gibbs over his father. Tony slid down the wall and sat unceremoniously on the floor. “He found out that I was responsible for footing his bill,� he tiredly admitted.

“I take it that he wasn’t too happy with you,� Gibbs assumed.

“Not really. Anyway,� he continued. “We started arguing and then he had a heart attack. He’s getting settled in his room now and he’s going to have a heart cath later on.�

“I’m on my way.�

A lump formed in Tony’s throat. “Boss, you don’t have to do that. I’m fine and…�

“What hospital?�

“George Washington, but…�

Tony muttered a curse when the line went dead. “Great. Just what I need.� He wasn’t sure that he could handle the situation with his father and the obvious resentment that Gibbs held for the ailing man, coupled with the fatigue that was already threatening to overwhelm him; maybe he should just go and check himself in on the psych ward.

“Mr. DiNozzo?�

He glanced up to see a nurse standing over him with a clipboard in hand. Tony pushed himself up off the floor, his cheeks flushing a pale crimson. “I was…um…just holding up that wall for a few minutes.�

The nurse smiled at him. “You’re not the first, Mr. DiNozzo. Over the years, there’ve been a lot of people ‘just holding up the wall’ while they were waiting to hear about their loved ones.�

Tony swallowed hard. In all his years, he had never referred to his father as a loved one; maybe because until recently, he had been convinced that his dad could barely tolerate his presence. “Uh, yeah,� he muttered. Clearing this throat in an effort to gain his composure, he quickly changed the subject. Nodding down the hall, he asked, “Can I see my father yet?�

“Yes,� she replied. “But only for a few minutes; he’s been given something to help him rest.�

“I understand.�

She handed the clip board to him. “After you visit with your father, could you please fill out these papers? It’s just the standard admission forms, medical history, insurance information and stuff like that. You can just bring it up to the nurse’s station when you’re done.�

Tony took the clip board and began to peruse the information that he was expected to know. He would muddle through it somehow, hoping that he could manage to fill in the blanks of his father’s life. “I’ll uh…get this back to you as soon as possible.�

“Thank you,� the nurse said. “Go on in and see your dad.�

Tony followed her up the hall and to his dad’s room, nodding his thanks as she continued up the hall. He quietly entered his father’s room, his eyes fixed on the man lying in the bed, attached to various monitors and IV’s. The very idea of his dad being ill was not something that he had ever considered, but now, he had no choice but to the face the reality of his dad’s possible mortality. “Dad?� he softly called out.

Senior turned to face him. “Come on in, Tony. Sit down.�

He silently obeyed and pulled a chair up next to his dad’s bedside. “How’re you feeling?�

“Better,� the older man sleepily answered. “The pain is almost gone, so that’s a definite improvement.�

“Do you need anything? Are you comfortable?�

He felt like sliding out of his chair and onto the floor as his dad’s gazed narrowed; that all too familiar glare made him feel like he was twelve years old again, waiting to be dressed down again for being a disappointment to his father. “You seem anxious, Anthony,� Senior stated. “Is something wrong?�

“No,� he replied. “I’m just worried about you; I want to make sure you’re comfortable before I leave. I know that you more than likely have some things that you want me to get for you and I thought that while you were resting, I could…�

Tony’s mouth felt like he had just swallowed sand. “And I’m rambling. I’m sorry; I should let you rest.�

“You can’t get any rest in a hospital.�

“That’s for sure,� Tony chuckled. “I remember when I was sick with the plague and…� He stopped abruptly. “You don’t want to hear about that. That was a long time ago.�

This time it was his father’s cheeks that were flushing with embarrassment. He knew better than to call attention to what his dad would label as a moment of weakness, but that moment was almost nonexistent as Senior slipped his mask firmly back in place. “So, Junior; what’s with the clipboard? Writing a report?�

Tony shook his head. “No, it’s your admission paperwork. The nurse asked me to fill it out, but I’m not sure that I can answer all the questions.�

“Really? Anything I can help you with?�

“I think I can do most of it. I can call Dr. Akers for your medical history if I need to and then I think I can figure out the rest.�

“About my insurance. I don’t…�

“Have any,� Tony finished. “I kind of figured that out when you said you couldn’t pay. Don’t worry about it; I’ve got it covered.�

“How?�

“Like I said, don’t worry about it, Dad. All you need to do is get better so you can start leading that charmed life again.� Tony grabbed up the notepad on his father’s nightstand. “So, what do you need me to bring you?�

“I’ve already started formulating a list in my mind. I guess you know me better than I realized,� Senior quipped.

“I have a feeling that before all this over, that we’re both going to be in for an eye opening experience.�

Tony jotted down the items that his father was requesting; he was instructed on everything from who to call to what kind of toothbrush he wanted. After several minutes of dictating, his father began to drift off to sleep. Tony quickly penned a note to his dad telling him that he would be back as soon as possible and then left the room.

He sat down in the waiting area and filled out what information he could, making a note that he would contact his father’s family physician and have his medical records sent. When he got to the information sheet regarding payment, he quickly signed his name on the line for the responsible party, realizing that he could possibly be dooming himself to financial ruin. He wouldn’t be able to add his father to his own insurance because the heart attack would be viewed as a pre-existing condition. “Like father, like son,� he whispered.

“Tony?�

The senior agent glanced up to discover Gibbs standing over him. He quickly turned the clip board over and stood up. “Hey, Boss. You got here fast.�

“So, what’s going on?�

“My dad’s resting. I was just getting ready to run and get a few things for him.�

“Let’s go. I’m driving.�

“Gibbs, I…�

For the second time in the past thirty minutes, he’d been silenced by steely glare. “All right,� he conceded. “Let me just give this to the nurse and I’ll be ready to go.�

Tony handed the clipboard to the nurse, who politely thanked him, and then he joined Gibbs in the elevator. He hoped that the team leader would resist the urge to stop the car and start pressing him for details; besides tying up the hospital’s elevator, he knew he wasn’t ready for the confrontation that he knew was coming.

Gibbs remained silent, obviously waiting for Tony to make the first move; he had seen the team leader use this tactic before and he bristled at the thought of it being used on him. He wasn’t a criminal and part of him resented being treated like one.

He looked straight ahead; his voice was tight as he struggled to remain in control of his emotions. Tony couldn’t believe that he was about to challenge the team leader, his mentor, the man that he had looked up to for nearly ten years. “I’m sure you have a lot of questions, Gibbs and I will answer them to the best of my ability; but then you’re going to listen to what I have to say. Is it a deal?�

“You trying to bargain with me, DiNozzo?� Gibbs asked.

“Nope. Just telling you how it’s going to be.� He turned to look at Gibbs and extended his hand. “Deal?�

Tony saw Gibbs try and suppress a slight smile as he shook his hand. It wasn’t often when he challenged the ex-Marine, but when he did, he always believed he was justified in doing so. “Deal.�

Satisfied, Tony leaned against the wall of the elevator, arms crossed as he took a silent defensive stance, mentally preparing for the onslaught of questions. “All right. Fire away…�

Anthony DiNozzo, Senior had never felt so alone in his life. All his life he had been embraced by powerful people who were enticed by his natural charisma, but now there was no one around for him to impress with his charming ways. Although he would never admit it to anyone, the thought of being by himself in a hospital terrified him. He glanced at the clock and began mentally calculating the elapsed time since Tony had left to retrieve the personal items that he had requested, hoping that his return would be imminent. Much to his surprise, he found the presence of his son oddly comforting and knew that despite the obvious tension between them that Junior did seem to actually care about what happened to him.

He had always prided himself on being self sufficient; his survival had greatly depended on his ability to coerce people into doing what he wanted. Using people for his personal gain was how he managed to get by all these years and he didn’t feel an ounce of remorse for his actions. But what did he truly have to show for his life? A string of ex-wives, a son that he didn’t know, and not a penny to his name, but he still had his pride. His pride was the one thing that he could count on and he would not allow anyone, including his own flesh and blood, to take it away from him.

His son had taken the liberty to look into his finances and had seemingly become his personal crusader. He knew that the image that he had worked so long to create had been tarnished because of Tony’s curiosity and he had been angry. Unfortunately, his anger hadn’t served any purpose except for landing him in the hospital with a heart attack.

Looking at the clock again, he silently cursed when he noted that only five minutes had passed. Maybe he should have just been satisfied with what Tony could have found at the gift shop instead of sending him out for what he deemed as necessities. He was used to the finer things in life, but at the moment, he thought that he could settle for less if it meant he didn’t have to be alone.

He sighed in relief as a nurse entered his room. Quickly glancing at her name tag, he pasted a smile on his face and greeted her. “Julie. That’s a beautiful name,� he stated.

She returned his smile as she studied his heart monitor. “Thank you, Mr. DiNozzo. My husband thinks so too.�

“He’s a very lucky man.�

“I tell him that every day,� Julie playfully replied. “How are you feeling?�

“Better,� he admitted. “The pain is all but gone.�

“That’s good. It looks like your heart rate and blood pressure are stabilizing. Can I get you anything?�

“Now that you mention it,� Senior began. “I was wondering if my son said anything about how long he’ll be gone.�

“No, but I can call him for you if you need me to,� she offered.

“Do you mind?�

“Not at all. What’s his number?�

He was taken back by her question. How could he admit that he didn’t know his own son’s phone number? Thankfully, she sensed his unease and assured him that she could get Tony’s number off the admission forms.

“Thank you,� he answered. “I’m always getting his work number and cell phone number mixed up. I’m sure you understand.�

Julie nodded and gave him an understanding wink. “I know what you mean; I have days that I can’t remember my own name much less a phone number.�

Looking around the room, his gaze fell back on the nurse. “I noticed that there wasn’t a phone in here. Do you think you could bring me one so that I can speak with him directly? I’m sure you have better things to do than relay messages between me and my son.�

“Well, technically, you’re not supposed to have a phone in here so you can rest, but I’ll see what I can do.�

He took her hand and kissed it. “I appreciate it, my dear.�

“Not a problem. He probably didn’t get too far since he ran into that friend of his.�

Senior’s eyes narrowed at her revelation. “What friend?�

“I don’t know his name. He was older than your son and had silver hair and blue eyes,� Julie recalled. “He was kind of intimidating, but your son didn’t seem to act too concerned.� Patting him on the leg, she turned to leave. “I’ll be back in a minute with that phone.�

“Thank you.�

His smile quickly faded as soon as Julie left the room. He clenched his jaw as he considered the man that his son looked up to as a father. Their last encounter had resulted in a less than pleasant exchange of words between the two men. He was still angry that Agent Gibbs had presumed to tell him how to handle his son and resented the fact that the team leader was trying to interfere in what he considered to be personal family business.

There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that Tony valued Gibbs’ opinion and sought his approval above all others; the elder DiNozzo couldn’t remember the last time that his son worried about gaining his approval. The day that Tony announced that he was pursuing a career in law enforcement was the last time that the young man had made the effort to seek his counsel for anything and he had remained silent. That act alone had finished severing what little bond that they had ever had between them and he knew that he had no one but himself to blame.



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Tony was sitting on a bench just outside the entrance of the emergency room, the younger man patiently waiting for the team leader to join him and begin his ‘interrogation.’ He had promised his Boss that he would answer any questions, but then Gibbs was going to listen to what he had to say. He knew Gibbs’ feelings regarding his father and sometimes they mirrored his own, but his desire to be accepted by his dad drove him to tamp down his frustrations and strive to be accepted by a man who seemingly could never make time for him.

The aroma of coffee brought him back to the reality of the moment as he nodded his thanks and took the cup from the former Marine. Tony welcomed the warmth of the brew and gingerly took a sip. “Thanks,� he mumbled. “I needed a little pick me up.’

“I don’t doubt it,� Gibbs agreed. “Have you even been to bed yet?�

“Not really. I hadn’t been home too long when my dad arrived.�

“Kind of an odd hour for a visit.�

Tony shrugged and then took another drink of his coffee as Gibbs sat down beside him. “He came straight from the airport. I had no idea he was back until he showed up on my doorstep.�

“So what did he want that couldn’t have waited until a decent hour?� Gibbs pressed.

Unable to meet the team leader’s questioning gaze, Tony stared at the contents of his cup. “He uh…he found out that I footed his bill and bought his ticket.�

“I take it he wasn’t too appreciative.�

Tony shook his head, vividly recalling the irate expression that his father had worn. “Nope, he was pretty pissed. Said I embarrassed him by doing that. He didn’t like the fact that I knew about his finances.�

“Does he know that you’ve been supplementing his accounts?�

He tiredly grinned at his Boss. “He does now.�

“Guess he’s not happy about that either.�

“Nope.�

“What’d he say?� Gibbs wanted to know.

He was beginning to regret telling Gibbs that he would answer his questions. “Not a whole lot,� he lied. “We argued a little, he collapsed, and here we are.�

Tony set his coffee down beside him and raked his hands through his hair. He was physically and mentally tired and the last few hours had simply added to his exhaustion. Massaging his temples in an effort to ward off the impending migraine, he waited for Gibbs to make the next move.

“You okay?� the older man gently asked.

He blew out a pent up breath and sat up, the muscles in his back protesting the slightest movement. Tony would give anything to be in his own bed right now, but his place was here by his dad’s bedside, playing the dutiful son. “I’ll be fine, Gibbs. Right now, my dad’s health is what I have to concentrate on right now.�

“You can’t keep bailing him out, Tony.�

“I know, but right now, I’m all he has. I admit that it’s not much, but…ow!� Tony winced as Gibbs whacked him on the back of the head; after all these years, couldn’t the man tell when he was working on a migraine?

“What was that for?�

“I never want to hear you shortchange yourself like that again,� Gibbs growled. “That man doesn’t know how lucky he is to have you as a son.�

He rubbed the back of his head. “Couldn’t you have found a less painful way to get your point across, Boss?�

“None that would have gotten your attention. Besides, you don’t like it when I’m nice to you.�

“Gibbs, I…�

“Tony, I just want you to be careful,� Gibbs pleaded. “I don’t want to see you hurt.�

“Gibbs, I’ll be fine,� he assured the team leader. “Believe me, when it comes to my father, I don’t expect a lot. Soon as he’s on his feet, he’ll be back to living that charmed life that he so loves.�

“What’s he going to do in the meantime?�

“What do you mean?’

“Until he’s on his feet,� Gibbs elaborated. “After he gets out of the hospital, what’s he going to do?�

“I don’t know. I guess he’ll stay with me for a while.�

“Who’s going to look after him?�

Tony bit back a sharp retort. He felt like Gibbs was trying to back him into a corner and his natural instinct was to come out fighting. Clenching his jaw, he finally replied, “Gibbs, just say what you’ve got to say. You’ve been chomping at the bit since you’ve arrived, so go ahead and get it out of your system.�

“All right,� the former Marine conceded. “The last time he was in town, he really did a number on you, whether you want to admit it or not. I suggested that he take the time to get to know you and he basically told me to mind my own business. You’ve bailed him out on more than one occasion and he can’t even appreciate what you’re trying to do for him. Now, he’s sick and he needs you; kind of convenient if you ask me.�

“You done?� Tony angrily inquired.

“For now.�

Pushing himself up off the bench, he began to pace. “Good. Now, it’s my turn. I’ve always been a matter of convenience to my father, so why should now be any different? The point is that he’s my dad and I can’t turn my back on him. I know you don’t like him and to tell you the truth I’m not sure that I even like him sometimes, but right now, I’m doing what I think is best.�

“What if he’s using you?�

“It won’t be the first time. Now, I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your opinions to yourself,� Tony insisted. “I can handle this.�

“I’m not questioning your ability to handle this.�

“Then what are you questioning? My ability to do my job? I thought I proved that to you the last time.�

“Tony, I…�

Tony stopped mid stride and glared at the man who had been like a father to him for several years. As he opened his mouth to issue a stern warning, his cell phone rang. Pulling it out of his pocket, he curtly answered, “DiNozzo.�

“Junior?�

“Dad? Something wrong?� he asked.

“No. I was just wondering how much longer you were going to be. I um…I guess I’m a little nervous about being in the hospital. I don’t think I’ve ever been in one,� Senior recalled. “I was out of town when you were born and…� He heard his dad nervously clear his throat. “Anyway, I…�

He turned away from Gibbs and walked a few feet up the sidewalk. It was still difficult for Tony to believe that his father feared anything, but he had learned from experience that facing death tends to put things in a different perspective. “I’ll be back in an hour or so, Dad; I got held up with uh…the paperwork. Is there anything else you can think of that you need?�

“No, I’ll suppose be fine until you get back,� his dad reluctantly conceded. “I’ll see you in a little while.�

“Bye, Dad.�

“Bye, Anthony.�

Tony slipped his phone back in his pocket. “I’ve got to go, Boss. I need to get these things for my dad and get back.�

“Tony, if you need me…�

He nodded his thanks. “I know, Boss. I know.�

His pace quickened to an easy jog as he headed towards his car. Tony ignored the growing headache as he got in his vehicle; he would deal with his own discomfort later after he made sure that his father’s needs were taken care of. Pulling out into traffic, the team leader’s words echoed in his mind. He knew that Gibbs was probably right about his father and he probably shouldn’t get his hopes up that his dad’s heart attack would bring them closer, but there was a tiny part of him that wanted nothing more than to prove the team leader wrong and show him that his dad could change. The only problem was that there was no way that he could convince Gibbs that his father could change when he didn’t believe it himself.



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Jethro Gibbs watched his senior field agent peel out of the parking lot, his senior field agent clearly disconcerted by the events of the past few hours. The unexpected emotional impact of the elder DiNozzo’s visit had left Tony reeling, forcing the younger man to seek out therapy. He had been the only one to know until DiNozzo had accidently let it slip one day, but thankfully, his co-workers had elected not to pursue the subject.

DiNozzo was a private person when it came to his personal life; people saw what Tony wanted them to see and most people didn’t appreciate the glimpses that he gave them. He had learned long ago to read in between the lines regarding Tony’s past and over the years, Tony would allow him to see behind the mask that he constantly wore. Gibbs had not lied to DiNozzo’s dad when he had said that he had inherited Senior’s personality, but that was where the similarities ended.

Taking the final sip of his coffee, he threw his cup in the trash and walked back into the hospital. Gibbs’ infamous gut was trying to warn him and he wanted desperately to ignore it, but he couldn’t; not when it was Tony’s future at stake. He slipped into an elevator right before the door closed and pushed the button that would take him to the floor that housed Anthony DiNozzo, Senior. Gibbs was determined to make sure that Tony’s father understood that if he hurt his son again, there would be hell to pay.

Disgusted, Tony slung the plastic shopping bag into the passenger’s seat and slid under the steering wheel. “Only man I know who can’t use toothpaste from Wal-Mart,� he grumbled. Frustrated, he sighed and began to gingerly massage his temples; his headache was now on the verge of morphing into a full blown migraine and he wasn’t sure that the over the counter pills he had just purchased would be able to bring him any relief.

Tony clumsily reached for the bag and opened the bottle of pills and popped three of them in his mouth and swallowed. Laying his head against the headrest, he closed his eyes hoping that the moment of stolen solitude would allow his frayed nerves to settle so that he could mentally prepare himself to face his father once again. Although his dad was ill, Anthony DiNozzo, Senior was still a formidable man who still managed to hold some kind of power over him, capitalizing on Tony’s need for acceptance and security. He had desperately craved affection from his father when he was growing up and now he didn’t necessarily have his father’s affection, but he did have his attention.

He sat up and glanced at his watch and calculated that he had been gone almost an hour. Exhaustion hampering his every movement, Tony put the key in the ignition and started the engine. He would have to remember to thank Mark for bringing his vehicle to the hospital. Mark and his wife Liz lived across the hall from him and they had been awakened by the commotion of the EMT’s arriving. When asked if they could do anything, Tony had asked him at his convenience to bring his car to the hospital and park it.

Within twenty minutes of arriving in the ER, Mark had texted him and said that his car was in the emergency room parking lot and the key would be under the floor mat. There wasn’t a doubt that he was going to have to do something special for Mark and Liz; perhaps when their baby came, he would offer them his babysitting services so they could have a night out.

Gibbs had offered to drive him, but after their earlier discussion, Tony was more than happy to run his errands by himself; he needed to be alone and process his jumbled thoughts and feelings. He was aware of the fact that the team leader had his best interests in mind and knew that Gibbs thought of him as a son; that was a feeling that he had come to truly cherish over the years. However, sometimes like all fathers and sons, they didn’t see everything eye to eye and Tony DiNozzo, Senior was one of those points of contention.

Tony had never understood how Gibbs could accept him for who he is and his own father had never been able to do so. The former Marine was a hard man, but he was capable of love and compassion; why wasn’t his father? He had tried to demonstrate those emotions to his dad, but until recently his intentions had been rebuffed. Why was it so important to him to win the approval of his father? Was trying to forge a relationship with his dad worth sacrificing everything including his own self respect?

He was glad that Gibbs had seemingly forgotten about driving him to the store; Tony was sure that they had both been spared some harsh words that once spoken, would have remained etched in their memories forever. Putting the car in drive, he began to pull out of the parking lot and make his way back to the hospital. He slipped on his sunglasses in an effort to block late morning sun and provide some protection from the blinding light that seemed to burn a hole through his eyes into his skull.

As he sat at the stop light, Tony studied the list lying beside him making sure that he had everything that his dad had requested. His gut began to churn as a realization dawned on him. “You idiot,� he chastised himself, “Gibbs doesn’t forget about anything! Crap!� As soon as the light changed, he sped towards the hospital. Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he hit the speed dial button that was assigned to Gibbs’ number but it went straight to the team leader’s voice mail.

“Damn it!� he growled. It was not a good sign that Gibbs wasn’t answering his phone. “How could I’ve been so stupid? I should’ve made sure that he left the hospital!�

There wasn’t a doubt in Tony’s mind that Gibbs was more than likely having a talk with his father. Why hadn’t he seen this coming? “Because you’re a frickin’ moron, DiNozzo.�

Tony scrolled back through his calls until his found the number that his father had called him from. As he began to hit the call button, the battery died causing his phone to shut off. Tony searched the glove compartment for his charger until he remembered that he had left it in the car at work. “This is just not your day, Anthony.�

Ignoring the blasts of several horns, he weaved in and out of traffic until saw the exit that would take him to the hospital. Tony sped down the ramp and despite even more protests from other drivers, merged into the flowing traffic. It wasn’t until he saw the blue lights flashing behind him did he realize that he had run the stop sign at the end of the ramp. As he pulled over, he shook his head in disbelief at his errant stupidity and carelessness. “Yep, DiNozzo,� he muttered to himself. “You’ve definitely seen better days.�



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



Jethro Gibbs lightly rapped on the door and entered the room without waiting for an invitation. Anthony DiNozzo, Senior was lying in bed, fine lines of exhaustion evident in the older man’s distinguished face. He was surrounded by IV’s and monitors, but the machines did not take away the pure arrogance that engulfed the man as he warily eyed the team leader.

The silence between the two men spoke volumes of the disdain that they held for each other. Gibbs considered Tony’s dad to be both selfish and foolish. All DiNozzo had ever required from his father was the assurance that he was loved and despite the elder DiNozzo’s claim a couple of months ago, Gibbs doubted that the man was capable of such a deep seated emotion. The former Marine had all but begged Senior to get to know Tony as an adult; instead, the man had played on the younger man’s desire for a closer relationship with someone who was nothing more than a stranger and Gibbs had been the one to pick up the pieces.

“Agent Gibbs,� Senior solemnly greeted him. “My visitors are restricted. How did you get past the nurses?�

“I didn’t ask them,� he simply replied.

“Does Anthony know you’re here?�

Gibbs shook his head. “Nope.�

“Do you think that’s a good idea?�

“Probably not.�

“Then why are you here, Agent Gibbs?� Tony’s father impatiently pressed.

“Just checking to see how you’re doing.�

The fact that Tony had his father’s smile was more than irritating to the team leader; the mischievous twinkle, the ability to hide behind humor, and his charismatic way with people completed the mirror image of his senior field agent. Fortunately, that was where the similarities ended. Anthony DiNozzo, Senior was a man who used people for his personal gain and didn’t care who he hurt in the process and Gibbs was determined that Tony didn’t become a casualty of his father’s self serving agenda.

“I find that hard to believe,� Senior retorted.

A sly grin escaped his lips. “Yeah, me too.� Gibbs sat down in the chair beside the bed, studying the man before him. He had a feeling that another battle of wills was about to ensue and neither man would ever admit defeat. “I ran into Tony and he told me what happened.�

“And?�

Gibbs leaned forward, his grim expression and his piercing gaze reflecting the contempt that he felt for this man. “And let’s just say that I’m not convinced that your motives are completely honorable.�

“You think I’ve faked a heart attack? That I would subject myself to this because I have some hidden motive?�

“The thought had crossed my mind.�

“And now that you’ve seen me? Do you still think I’ve faked it?�

The agent shrugged, noting that Senior was clearly angered by his accusation. “Maybe. Time will tell,� he pointed out. Changing the subject, he impatiently asked, “Want to tell me why you’re even in D.C.?�

“That is between me and my son, Agent Gibbs,� Senior seethed.

“Your son? Is this the same son that you were mad at for bailing you out financially?�

He saw Tony’s father visibly bristle, obviously DiNozzo Senior had not expected him to know about his financial problems. “I think you need to leave, Agent Gibbs. I need to rest.�

“I guess it takes a lot of energy to figure out how to dupe your only son out of his life savings.�

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.�

Gibbs clenched his jaw as he fought against the urge to strike the ailing man. “I know that Tony’s been supplementing your accounts from his own trying to help you keep your head above water.�

Obviously miffed by the team leader’s revelation, Senior testily replied, “I don’t share my private affairs with strangers, Agent Gibbs.�

“You don’t share them with your son either,� Gibbs shot back. “I would think that if you were going to take his money that you’d be a little more open with him.�

“I didn’t ask Anthony for his money! As a matter a fact, I had no idea that he was doing anything until right before I left for Monte Carlo and I discovered that he had picked up my tab and purchased the ticket.�

“Did you think that the money was magically appearing in your accounts?�

The harsh glare radiating from Senior’s emotive orbs could rival his own. Gibbs refused to back down, his determination to keep Tony safe from his father’s manipulative ways utmost on his mind. After his father’s last visit, it had taken the young man a while to clean up the debris from the destructive path that his father had left in his wake and the team leader refused to stand by and allow Tony to be the casualty of his dad’s private war.

“Like I said, Agent Gibbs,� Senior fumed, “This is between me and my son; so you need to back off.�

“That’s where you’re wrong.� Gibbs knew that his next words would serve no other purpose but to further anger the man before him, but he wanted Anthony DiNozzo, Senior to know exactly what he was going to be up against if Tony ended up with any more emotional scars as a result of his dad’s selfishness. “If it concerns Tony, I am involved. I’m not about to let you hurt him again. I told you to take the chance to get to know him, but you didn’t. You left just as quickly as you came thinking that a simple ‘I love you’ would make up for forty years of treating him like he’s a matter of convenience.�

“My relationship with my son is none of your business.�

Gibbs shook his head in disbelief. “Your relationship? What relationship? You know nothing about Tony!�

“That’s a damn lie,� Senior spat. “I know my son!�

“I guess that’s why you sent him a power sander for his birthday several years ago or why you had no idea he nearly died from pneumonic plague.�

“Throwing that up in my face again?�

“Why shouldn’t I?� he challenged. “If it had been my son lying in isolation fighting for every breath, nothing would have kept from his side. You say you love him, but actions sometimes speak louder than words.�

“But it wasn’t your son,� Tony’s father purposefully reminded him. “It always seems that the people who have no children are the first to give parental advice.�

He had admitted to the elder DiNozzo that his daughter had died and now he was attempting to capitalize on his loss and use it against him. Gibbs rose from his seat, the back of his legs scooting the chair away from the bed; he braced his arms against the railing in an effort to control the tremors of rage coursing through his body.

“You listen to me, you bastard,� Gibbs choked out, venom dripping from every word. “You don’t have the right to call him your son. I’ve spent years undoing the damage that your negligence inflicted upon him and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you drag him down again. I’ll be watching your every move and if I think that you’re playing Tony and taking advantage of him, I’m the one you’re going to have to answer to.�

“Are you threatening me, Agent Gibbs?� Senior inquired. “I think there’s a law against an officer of the law threatening a civilian.�

“I’m not threatening you, I’m making you a promise and not as a federal agent. I’m making you a promise as a father that I will not let you hurt Tony.�

He was aware that Senior’s amused smile was simply a mask to hide the indignation that he felt towards the team leader. “You think of Tony as your son, don’t you?�

Gibbs nodded and without hesitation answered a resounding, “Yes.�

“Let me ask you something, Agent Gibbs,� Senior insisted. “It’s obvious that Tony has a lot of respect for you and you claim to look upon him as a son, but you need to remember that he’s not your son. His name is Tony DiNozzo, Jr., not Tony Gibbs and one thing about DiNozzo’s is that we don’t let others meddle in our business. So don’t flatter yourself in believing that you know what makes Junior tick, that’s a mystery that has yet to be solved and believe me some of the finest doctors around have tried.�

“What do you mean by that?� the agent demanded to know.

“If you know so much about him, you figure it out. Of course, when you do, you may decide that he’s not worthy of your parental instincts.�

“Is that what you decided all those years ago?�

“No,� Senior growled. “I tried to be a good father and give him everything that he wanted.�

“Except your unconditional love.�

“Don’t you dare judge me!�

“Kind of hard not to.�

“I think you better leave.�

“One more thing, Mr. DiNozzo…�

“I think you’re done, Gibbs.�

Both men looked up as Tony stormed in, slinging the bags he had in the chair that Gibbs had recently vacated. The former Marine silently cursed as he studied the exhausted features of his senior field agent; it was obvious by the dark circles under his eyes that Tony’s headache was now a migraine and that it was an effort for DiNozzo to put one foot in front of the other.

“Junior!� Tony’s father called out. “I’m…glad…�

The heart rate monitor began to beep erratically and Tony was at his dad’s side in an instant. “Just take it easy, Dad,� Tony soothed. “You don’t need to get yourself worked up.�

Gibbs glared at Tony’s dad he watched Senior pat the younger man’s arm, reassuring him that he was all right. “I’m fine, son. Just a little too much excitement.�

“I’ll get the nurse for you.�

“Thank you, son.�

Gibbs didn’t miss the hidden meaning behind Senior referring to Tony as son. The man was truly a master of turning any situation to his favor and now he was trying to make it seem like he was the innocent victim in the obvious confrontation between the two archenemies.

Before Tony could press the call button, the nurse entered this room. “Okay guys; can’t a girl get her lunch break in?� Julie teased.

“I’m sorry, Julie,� Senior apologized. “It’s nothing. I didn’t mean to alarm you; I guess I just let myself get too worked up worrying over the tests and other things.�

“It’s easy to do.�

The team leader nodded at the nurse who was now eyeing him with great suspicion. “Mr. DiNozzo’s visitors are restricted for now,� she informed him. “Didn’t you check in with the nurse’s station?�

“No, I didn’t. I was just getting ready to leave anyway,� Gibbs assured her.

“Next time, please check with us.�

“I’ll do that,� he acquiesced.

Tony cleared his throat in a subtle attempt to disperse the tension between Gibbs and Julie. “Dad, while Julie is checking you over, I’m going to walk Agent Gibbs out.�

“Don’t go too far away, Anthony.�

“I won’t,� Tony vowed.

Gibbs followed Tony out of his dad’s room and down the corridor towards the family waiting room. He easily sensed the storm brewing in his senior field agent and knew that he was about to be the recipient of DiNozzo’s well deserved anger; perhaps he should have waited to confront Tony’s father, but he wanted the man to know that he had Tony’s six. The team leader’s gaze followed Tony as he began to pace the small room; his movements were agitated despite the fatigue that was clearly plaguing him.

DiNozzo stopped midstride and clumsily sat down in the nearest chair, his hands cradling his head. When Tony finally looked at him, Gibbs could see the agony in Tony’s eyes; the pain from the migraine was becoming unbearable and a feeling of guilt swept over the former Marine, knowing that his actions had added to his son’s physical and emotional torment. He didn’t want to hurt DiNozzo, but in his efforts to protect Tony, he had unintentionally made a bad situation worse.

“Just how much more do you think I can handle right now, Gibbs?� Tony asked, his voice tight and controlled.

“Tony, just hear me out,� Gibbs began.

“No, you hear me out,� DiNozzo snapped.

Gibbs figured that he truly deserved a few harsh words but hoped that Tony would eventually understand his reasons for going to see his father. “I’m listening,� he answered.

“I told you I could handle my dad; I’ve been doing it all my life and while I know you mean well, you need to butt out and let me take care of things. The man just had a heart attack and you go and start an argument with him! What were you thinking? Evidently you weren’t thinking or you would have just gone home!�

“I just wanted to be sure he wasn’t taking advantage of you,� Gibbs reasoned.

“I know that sometimes people have their doubts, but most of the time I know what I’m doing and I know what I’m doing when it comes to dealing with my dad! How do you think I managed to survive all those years before I met you?�

“You had to watch your own back then; you don’t have to do that now.�

“I’m beginning to wonder,� Tony mumbled.

Gibbs realized that Tony had not meant for him to hear his response, but that didn’t help the sting of his words. Deciding to ignore the remark for now, he moved to sit beside the dark haired agent. “You look like hell.�

“It’s not been a good day.�

That was an understatement. “Tony, I…�

“Look Boss, I know the two of you didn’t hit if off on the best of terms the last time he was here but while he’s sick, could you cut him some slack?�

“Sure, but what happens when he gets better, Tony?�

“He’s not going to get better if you keep harassing him!�

He was surprised and amazed by the fact that Tony had kept a tenuous control of his temper; if the situations were reversed, he wasn’t sure that he would have been able to remain as calm. DiNozzo’s lack of response only confirmed that the agent was pushing himself beyond his limits; between the lack of sleep, the stress of his father’s situation, and the migraine, it was nothing short of a miracle that Tony was still upright.

“Could you please just stay away from him?� Tony pleaded.

“Tony, I’m not going to stand by and…�

“Code blue, room 302! Code blue, room 302!� came blaring over the public address system.

“Crap! That’s my dad’s room!� Tony exclaimed, pushing himself up off the couch.

Gibbs saw Tony’s eyes roll back in his head and he instantly knew that the young man’s body had given out under the physical and emotional stress. The team leader managed to catch DiNozzo before he hit the floor and lowered him back onto the couch. “I’ve got you, Tony,� he whispered.

Checking Tony’s pulse, he found it to be a little fast, but Gibbs figured that was to be expected. The former Marine then headed down the hallway to see what was happening with DiNozzo’s father, knowing that when Tony came around he would want to know about his father. He met Julie coming towards him, her smile indicating that the elder DiNozzo was all right.

“It was just a false alarm,� she quickly explained. “It seems that Mr. DiNozzo decided he didn’t want to lie on his back and while he was trying to get comfortable, several of the leads came off so hence the alarm and the automatic code blue call.�

Sighing in relief, Gibbs was glad that he wouldn’t have to tell Tony that his father had died. Despite DiNozzo’s usual forgiving nature, he’s not sure that the young man would have been able to forgive him for being the catalyst that could have possibly led to his dad’s demise. “Thank you.�

“Where is Tony?� she asked. “Mr. DiNozzo wanted me to make sure that he was all right; he’s really worried about his son.�

The team leader clenched his jaw to prevent the sharp retort that wanted to escape; it was evident that DiNozzo Senior sure had this nurse fooled. He gestured towards the waiting room where Tony was starting to come around. “Have you got time to work in another patient?�

Somewhere in the murky depths of the darkness that was surrounding him, Tony heard someone repeatedly calling his name, forcing him back up through the mire of exhaustion and pain that had swallowed him whole. The simple act of opening his eyes exposed him to an onslaught of agony making him wonder if there was a knife protruding from his skull; he wished that whoever was talking to him would remove the blade from his brain so he could concentrate on something besides the torment that wracking his body.

He closed his eyes again and tried to swallow the bile that seemed to be stuck at the back of his throat. The nausea quickly became too much for him and Tony felt himself being rolled over onto his side while he lost the meager contents of his stomach. After a few moments of nothing but dry heaves, he was gently rolled onto his back as a moan escaped his lips.

“Agent DiNozzo?�

The voice that called to him was sickeningly sweet but familiar. Where had he heard that voice before? Did he dare try and pry open his eyes again to see who was calling his name? Slowly forcing his eye lids to cooperate, he searched the dimly lit room in an effort to figure out where he was and who was with him. His tired gaze finally came to rest on his father’s nurse who was hovering over him, her own eyes filled with concern.

“Agent DiNozzo?� Julie called out to him once again. “Can you hear me? You’re in the waiting area on the cardiac floor.�

“Hear…just fine,� he whispered. “Head hurts…like a…son of a…�

“I get the picture,� she quickly assured him.

“What happened?�

“You passed out.�

Tony shook his head, instantly regretting the action. “DiNozzo’s…don’t pass out.�

Memories of alarms ringing and the call for a code blue began to echo in his mind. The thought of his father dying was more than his mind could handle at the moment; he had to find out what happened to his dad. Tony struggled to sit up despite the hands that were attempting to restrain him.

“Easy, DiNozzo.�

He should have realized that Gibbs wouldn’t be far away. Tony could always count on the team leader and usually took comfort in the older man’s presence. It had taken a long time for him to accept the fact that even when they had their differences, Gibbs would not walk away; the Marine never left a man behind. He couldn’t say the same thing for his father, but dwelling in the past was not going to change anything.

“My dad,� Tony gasped.

“He’s okay,� Gibbs answered. “It was a false alarm; a couple of the leads got messed up and it caused the alarm to go off.�

Knowing that Gibbs would never lie to him, Tony laid back down on the couch. He curled up on his side, burying his head against the vinyl cushion. “God, it hurts,� he mumbled, not caring if anyone heard him. Most of the time, he had a high tolerance for pain but he had let this particular migraine spiral out of control and now he was suffering the consequences.

He heard a quiet conversation between Gibbs and Julie but he didn’t even attempt to make out their words. Tony knew that he should make himself get off the couch and go and see about his father, but the very idea of moving was something he didn’t want to consider. He couldn’t do anything for his dad until he was able to open his eyes without the urge to throw up.

The agent startled at the unexpected touch on his shoulder, but immediately relaxed when Gibbs spoke his name. “Tony?�

“Yeah?� he replied, his voice barely audible, knowing that the slightest sound would set off an explosion in his head.

“The nurse has gone to find you something for the pain.�

“A gun?�

“Nothing that dramatic.�

Tony didn’t protest when Gibbs took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Just take it easy,� the older man insisted.

“Can’t…do much else.�

“Haven’t seen you have one this bad in a long time.�

“Yeah,� was all Tony managed to say.

“They should have your file from the last time you ended up in ER with a migraine, so it shouldn’t be too much longer before you get some relief.�

“’Kay,� he slurred.

“Can I get you anything?�

“No.�

He squeezed Gibbs’ hand as the pain in his head seemed to magnify ten fold. Tony didn’t try to wipe away the tears that were escaping from his clenched eyes. “Oh man, Gibbs,� he panted.

“I’m right here.�

Tony had no idea how long he lay there before Julie came back in. “Tony, I’ve got a shot that’s going to help with that headache,� the nurse announced, her bubbly personality too much for him to handle. “Then once you feel up to it, I’m sure that Agent Gibbs can give you a ride home so you can get some real sleep.�

“Just give me…the shot,� he growled. “’m not going home.�

“You haven’t had a decent night’s sleep all week, DiNozzo,� Gibbs reminded him.

“Not…my fault.� Tony wished he could take the words back as soon as they came out of his mouth. He didn’t want the team leader to feel like he was blaming him for the disruption of his sleep pattern this past week, but right now his pain was doing most of his talking.

“I need…to…get back to…my dad,� Tony explained as his tears continued to flow. He hated crying in front of Gibbs, but he knew that his mentor wouldn’t hold his emotions against him. Unfortunately his father’s perception on shedding a few tears was something entirely different; weeping was another thing DiNozzo’s didn’t do.

“Your dad is fine, Tony. He’s in good hands.�

“Still need to be around…he’s not had a…lot of…experiences with hospitals.�

He heard Julie clear her throat and Tony motioned for her to give him the shot; she didn’t need to witness the pending disagreement between him and Gibbs. “I’ll uh, need to give this to you in your…�

“Thigh,� he finished. “I know the…drill.�

Tony fumbled for his belt but his fingers were refusing to cooperate. Groaning in frustration, he was grateful when Gibbs asked, “Need some help, DiNozzo?�

“Will you respect…me in the…morning, Boss?� Tony feebly quipped.

“Always, DiNozzo.�

It didn’t escape his notice that Gibbs was making every effort to preserve his dignity as the team leader provided the nurse access to his bare thigh. Tony felt the prick of the needle and the medicine enter his blood stream; hopefully before much longer, he would feel the much needed relief of the sheer agony that was burning inside him.

“Thanks, Gibbs,� he mumbled.

“You’re welcome, Tony.�

“I need to check…on my dad.�

“I’ll do it,� Gibbs volunteered.

If it hadn’t hurt so much, Tony would have more than likely been overtaken by a fit of laughter. The idea of Gibbs having a civil conversation with his father was almost ludicrous; there wasn’t a doubt in Tony’s mind that a simple feat such as checking to see how his dad was, would turn into another battle of wills.

“I don’t think that’s a…good idea, Gibbs.�

“I’ll just make sure he’s all right.�

“Still…don’t think it’s a good idea.� Tony was finding it increasingly difficult to keep his eyes open. His sudden desire to sleep was overwhelming his ability to protest Gibbs’ willingness to talk to his dad.

“I’ll stop in and check on him,� Julie volunteered.

Tony winced as he mutely nodded his thanks. “Tell him…I’m okay. Not sure he’ll ask, but you can tell him anyway.�

“I will,� she promised.

As Tony closed his eyes, he heard Julie tell Gibbs that she would bring a blanket for him and that he could sleep on the couch as long as he needed to; it was a good thing that they didn’t insist that he go home because at the moment, he wasn’t sure he could even sit up. He knew that sleep was the only thing that would help him at this point and if he was going to be of any use to his father, he would have to succumb to the demands being placed on his body.

The last thing he remembered was Gibbs covering him with the blanket that the nurse had provided him with and sitting down across from him, trying to make himself as comfortable as possible in the hard plastic chair. Tony drifted off to sleep, hoping that when he woke up, he would discover that everything had simply been a bad dream.



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



Anthony DiNozzo, Senior was not a happy man. He thought for sure that Tony would have come running at the sound of the code blue page, but he had only been successful in alerting the doctors and the nurses, who had arrived with every intention of saving his life. Turning on his charismatic charm, he sheepishly apologized for unknowingly dislodging the leads in his effort to get more comfortable.

His doctor had obviously been slightly perturbed, but his nurse assured him that everything was all right and that she would go find Tony and inform him of the false alarm. Senior had flashed his winning smile once again and thanked her as he took her hand and kissed it. Her cheeks had flushed and she had nearly tripped rushing out of his room; even if he was flirting with a married woman, it was comforting to know that he had not lost his touch in dealing with the opposite sex.

That had been almost forty five minutes ago and he had seen Julie up and down the hallway several times and she had yet to stop in and let him know that she had found Tony. He abhorred the very idea that Tony could be listening to the concerns that the interfering Marine had about their father and son relationship. His son truly admired and respected the team leader but as he had taken great pleasure in reminding Gibbs, Tony was his son.

He was getting ready to push the call button when Julie sailed in the room, apologizing profusely for not getting back sooner. “I’m so sorry, Mr. DiNozzo; your son got sick and I was just trying to get him situated.�

Senior’s brow was knit together, puzzled and concerned by her revelation. “Sick? What’s wrong?�

“He has a migraine,� she explained. “When Tony heard the code blue, evidently he passed out and when he came to, he was in terrible pain. He’s obviously been working on a migraine for a while. I got him some medicine and he’s sleeping it off in the waiting room. Agent Gibbs is with him.�

“A migraine? I didn’t realize he still had those,� he muttered to himself. “I figured that he would have grow out of them.�

“So he suffered from them as a child?�

“Sometimes,� Senior replied. “The doctor thought that stress was usually a triggering factor.�

“Well, I’m sure it’s been a stressful day for him; it’s not easy when your loved ones are sick.�

“I suppose your right. I think that he said something about not having a lot of sleep the last few days,� he purposefully recalled, not wanting to accept that he was the cause. “Sometimes I worry about him keeping up such a strenuous pace; his Boss never seems to cut him a break.�

“Agent Gibbs is with your son right now; he seems very concerned about him.�

“I’m sure he is,� Senior growled, his dislike for the lead agent intensifying every second.

Julie nervously cleared her throat. “Your son wanted me to tell you that he’ll be okay and that he’ll be up to see you in a little while.�

“Whenever he’s ready; I don’t think I’m going anywhere,� he grinned, making a sweeping gesture towards the monitor and IV’s that were attached to him.

“I’ll check on your son periodically for you and let you know how he’s doing.�

“I’d appreciate that. He’s my only child; I can’t help but worry about him.� He had slipped back into the role of the concerned father which seemed to endear him even more to the nurse.

“I’m sure you do. He’ll be fine,� Julie assured him. “I’m on for a few more hours, so just buzz if you need anything. In the meantime, you get some rest; you’ve got a pretty big test coming up.�

“I will,� he acquiesced. “Thanks for everything, Julie.�

“You’re welcome, Mr. DiNozzo.�

As she turned and headed towards the door, he called out to her. “There is one more thing, if you don’t mind.�

“And what’s that?�

“I’d like to speak with Agent Gibbs.�

“Um, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You got pretty upset the last time and you really need your rest.�

“Please, just for a moment,� he pleaded.

“I’ll tell him that you want to see him but I wouldn’t count on him making an appearance right now; I really don’t think he’s going to leave your son’s side.�

Biting back a sharp retort, Senior nodded his thanks as Julie left to tend to another patient. He would save his wrath for Gibbs; the man was determined to undermine his position in Tony’s life and he couldn’t let that happen. Of course, if he were honest with himself, he knew his son more than likely looked upon Gibbs as his father; he had certainly never treated Anthony like a son.

Blowing out a frustrated breath, he began to construct a plan to win Tony’s love and devotion. He had to turn his son against the team leader and in order to do that, there would have to be breach of trust. Senior knew that he was an expert on betraying the trust of people; he had done it enough in his life to the point that he was now alone.

He closed his eyes and began to drift off to sleep as memories of the past churned inside his mind vying for a place in his dreams. Anthony DiNozzo, Senior never accepted defeat and he was not about to start now. He had lost his money and the love of several women, but he would not lose his son. Tony was all he had now and although their relationship was strained, his position of power in his son’s life would not be threatened by a former Marine grunt who couldn’t mind his own business.



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



It was the commotion in the hallway that brought him out of his self imposed musings and it was the familiarity of the voice that forced Jethro Gibbs to go and see why Abby Scuito was arguing with one of the nurses. He walked out into the hallway and took the scientist by the arm and escorted her to the waiting area.

“Abs, what are you doing here?� he inquired, his own fatigue wearing on his nerves.

She glared at him with eyes that silently challenged his authority. “Someone didn’t call me and tell me what was going on so I decided to come down here myself and no one here seems to want to tell me anything and...�

Gibbs stepped aside as she peered over his shoulder. “Tony! What happened? Why’s he asleep on the couch? If he had a heart attack, what’s he doing in here? What’s going on?�

“His father had a heart attack and has been admitted for some tests and possibly surgery,� Gibbs patiently began to explain, knowing that Abby was worried about her friend. “Tony’s all right; he has a migraine and he got some medicine and is sleeping it off. He refused to go home, so he’s sleeping on the couch.�

“Is Tony’s dad okay?�

“I guess so,� he shrugged. “He’s going to have a heart cath later to see what’s going on; Tony wanted to make sure he was around for it.�

Abby made her way over to the couch and knelt down beside Tony as Gibbs reclaimed his seat. Every once in a while, he found himself wondering how far Abby and DiNozzo’s friendship extended, but he also knew deep down that Tony and Abby would never cross that line.

He watched as she began to lightly run her fingers through Tony’s hair. “He hasn’t had a migraine in a long time. I figured he would have gotten one when his dad visited the first time, but he didn’t.�

“Or he hid it from us,� Gibbs stated.

“True. He doesn’t like to appear weak, especially in front of us.�

“Thank his dad for that.�

“Gibbs, why don’t you like Tony’s dad?� she inquired. “He’s so charming and such a flirt. I just picture Tony being just like him when he’s older.�

“Yeah, he oozes the charm,� the team leader stated. “Let’s just say that he’s passed up a chance of a lifetime.�

“And what would that be?�

Gibbs sighed, sorrow and regret filling his heart at his own loss. He doubted that particular wound would ever completely heal and Anthony DiNozzo, Senior was willing to be satisfied with simply bouncing in and out of Tony’s life whenever the mood hit him.

“Gibbs?� Abby called out to him. “What chance are you talking about?�

The team leader stared at Tony, who remained oblivious to their conversation. When he finally met Abby’s gaze, he didn’t bother to hide the anguish that he felt in his heart. “He’s missing his chance to be a father.�

Part 6


Abby’s eyes drifted between Gibbs and Tony as both men continued to sleep. The team leader had finally given in to his own exhaustion when he had become convinced that Tony was settled and no longer trying to fight the effects of the pain reliever. Both of them had been asleep for close to an hour, leaving Abby to her thoughts and the unspoken duty of watching over her friends.

Tony and Gibbs were more than her friends; they were part of her family and family always looked out for each other. She found it odd that up until a couple of years ago, neither Gibbs nor Tony had ever spoken about their perspective parents. Abby had known a few things about Tony’s parents, but only what he had wanted her to know. She hadn’t even realized that Gibbs’ father was still alive until a case had forced the former Marine to return home.

She had been immediately taken with both Jackson Gibbs and Tony’s dad; their distinctive charm had captivated her from the first moment she had met them. However, their sons didn’t seem as impressed as everyone else, but over time, Gibbs had become more at ease with his father, but Tony was still guarded.

No longer content to sit and watch the two men sleep, Abby rose from her seat and stepped out into the corridor. Glancing up and down the hallway, she watched the flurry of activity with mild interest as the nurses and doctors made their rounds. After observing their level of dedication, she felt a twinge of guilt for arguing with one of the nurses earlier; the nurse had been doing her job and Abby knew that she had not taken that into consideration when she was demanding answers about Tony.

Knowing that she owed the nurse an apology, Abby began to make her way towards the nurse’s station, hoping that the woman would overlook her outburst. She had allowed her worry for Tony to consume her and she had taken her concern and frustration out on the first person who had the misfortune of crossing her path.

Abby couldn’t help briefly glancing in each of the rooms as she walked down the hallway; she wasn’t around sick people very often and she found herself curious about them. One man in particular caught her attention and a smile danced upon her dark lips as recognition dawned upon her.

She softly rapped on the door and peered into the room. “Mr. D?� Abby called out.

A familiar smile greeted her, a smile that she had seen Tony wear a thousand times before. “Abby! What a pleasant surprise! Please come in,� the elder DiNozzo insisted.

Abby walked in, her eyes darting between the man lying in bed and the monitors attached to him. “I heard what happened,� she informed him as she sat down in the chair beside him. “How are you feeling?�

“The pain has eased up quite a bit,� he admitted. “I’m a little restless, but other than that, I guess I can’t complain; I’m still alive.�

“I wouldn’t expect anything less; DiNozzo’s are tough.�

“You bet we are.�

“Can I get you anything?� she asked the ailing man.

“I could use some company,� Senior suggested.

“That I can do.�

Happy to feel useful, she made herself comfortable in the chair and then captured Senior’s hand with her own. “I would tell you to rest, but it’s been proven that no one can truly rest in a hospital. I remember when Tony was in the hospital with the plague, he complained about not being able to sleep because the doctors and nurses were all the time coming in and checking on him; Tony would put on this fake smile but underneath it, you could see that he had just about had all that he could take.�

“I know the feeling.�

“You and Tony are a lot alike.�

“So I’ve been told.�

“Well, it’s true. I’ve always wondered what Tony would look like when he was older and now I know.�

“He’ll still be handsome and charming,� Tony’s dad teased.

“And modest.�

“Of course.�

Abby didn’t miss the flicker of concern that danced in the older man’s eyes. “Is Anthony all right? The nurse said she had to give him something for a migraine.�

“He’s sleeping,� she informed him. “He’s on the couch in the waiting area and Gibbs is asleep in one of the chairs; they’ll both probably wake up as stiff as a board. But I guess if I had only had a few hours of sleep in the past four days, I’d be able to sleep anywhere too.�

“I noticed when Junior was in here earlier that he looked tired.�

“Yeah, he pushes too hard sometimes, especially if the case was as high profile as the last one; whenever Gibbs slept, Tony slept. Most of the time they’d catch a few winks at the office. I don’t think either one of them went home.�

“What were they trying to prove?� Senior asked.

Abby shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just the way they are.�

“Is Junior happy in his job?�

“I think so, at least most of the time.�

“He’s obviously good at what he does or a man like Gibbs wouldn’t have kept him around.�

“Tony’s the best.�

“That’s good to know,� he grinned. “There were times when Junior was growing up that I wasn’t sure if he was going to even make it long enough to decide what he was going to do with his life.�

“What do you mean?� Abby inquired, her curiosity piqued. She knew very little of Tony’s childhood and the prospect of catching a glimpse of her friend as a boy was more than a little tempting.

Senior cleared his throat. Abby didn’t miss the hinting expression of regret in his voice as he spoke. “Anthony had a…difficult time after his mother passed away. We certainly had our share of ups and downs. There were days that I didn’t even know my son and there was nothing that I could do or say to him that seemed to make a difference; he was like a stranger.�

“That must have been so hard on you.�

“I finally had to resort to seeking professional help for Junior; as a father, it wasn’t an easy decision to make, admitting your child to a psychiatric hospital.�

“Tony was in a psychiatric hospital? I never knew that about him.�

“I can’t imagine that he would share that with anyone; he doesn’t like to talk about that time in his life.�

The thought of Tony having to see a psychiatrist at such a young age was almost inconceivable to Abby. It wasn’t surprising that DiNozzo had seen a shrink, but it bothered her that he had seen one as a little boy. Little boys were supposed to be playing sports and chasing girls, not going to therapy.

She knew that as an agent, Tony had to submit to annual psychiatric evaluations and as far as she knew, he had always passed with flying colors. Of course, her friend was quite the expert at containing his feelings; something that evidently he had mastered years ago.

“Why are you telling me this?� she asked, silently questioning his motives.

“I don’t know. I guess I was just thinking out loud,� he sighed. “I think having this heart attack has put things in perspective, especially my relationship with Junior.�

“Maybe you’ve been given a second chance.�

“I think I used up my second chance a long time ago; I’m probably up in the hundreds by now,� Senior retorted.

“I doubt that. Tony doesn’t really hold grudges, well except for Trent Kort, but that’s a whole other story. Just tell him what you told me about putting things in perspective and that you want to get to know him. Tony’s a great guy and as his father, you have a lot to be proud of. I know that Gibbs certainly is proud of him and…�

She saw Tony’s father tense at the mention of Gibbs’ name. Something was definitely hinky between Gibbs and Senior and Abby had a feeling that Tony was going to be caught in the middle of their private war. “Did I say something wrong, Mr. D.?�

It didn’t escape her attention how quickly Senior managed to plaster his smile back on his face. Abby had seen Tony do the same thing many times and she now understood from whom he inherited that ability from.

“No, Abby,� he assured her. “I just remembered something that I need to take care of. By the way, did my nurse inform Agent Gibbs that I wanted to speak with him?�

“She just did.�

Abby and Senior glanced up to see Gibbs making his way across the room. Uncertain as to whether she should leave or stay, she made the snap decision to remain firmly planted in her seat until Gibbs told her otherwise. She had the feeling that she was going to have to play referee between the two obstinate men.

“Gibbs, I thought you were asleep,� she stated, in an attempt to slice through the tension in the room.

“I was,� the former Marine answered, his gaze fixed on Tony’s father. “I woke up when the nurse came to check on Tony; she told me that Mr. DiNozzo wanted to see me.�

“Is Tony still asleep?� Abby had no idea why she had even asked such a unnecessary question. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that if Tony were awake, then he would have done everything humanly possible to keep Gibbs from confronting Senior.

McGee had told her about the panicked expression Tony had worn when Gibbs had volunteered to give the elder DiNozzo a ‘tour’ during his previous visit. She hadn’t been able to understand why Tony had been so worried, but after talking with Senior, Abby was quickly beginning to realize why he had been so stressed out; the obvious tension between the two men was nearly unbearable and things between them could only end badly.

“Yep. Why don’t you go on back and sit with him?� Gibbs suggested. “I won’t be long.�

“Well, um…if he’s still sleeping, I…� Silenced by Gibbs’ infamous glare, she rose from her seat. “I’ll just go sit with Tony for a while. What do you want to tell him if he wakes up?�

“Tell him the truth.�

“Which is?�

“His father asked to see me.�

“Right,� Abby sighed as she hastily exited the room.

She was tempted to stand outside the door and listen but Abby knew that Gibbs would know that she was there; sometimes that sixth sense he possessed was more of a curse than a blessing. Abby walked back down the hallway to the waiting area to find Tony sitting up on the couch, cradling his head in his hands. Quietly sitting down beside him, she began to gently rub circles on his back. “How are you feeling?�

“I’ll live,� he mumbled.

“Maybe you should lie back down and try and go back to sleep.�

“I need to check on my dad first.�

“Uh, he’s fine. I just came from there and he’s resting,� she informed him, hoping that he would be satisfied with her answer. “He’s worried about you.�

“I’m sure he is,� Tony sighed.

“He is,� she repeated, her tone taking on a sharper edge. “Give him a chance.�

She swallowed hard as Tony stared at her through pain filled eyes. “I see that you’ve been swept away by my father’s charm; pretty soon, you’ll be president of his fan club.�

“Tony, he’s your dad and he’s all alone. I think that having his heart attack is making him reevaluate his priorities.�

Abby’s observation was met with silence. As Tony lay back against the cushion, she could see the fine lines of agony and fatigue etched in his handsome face; she knew that she had done nothing but add to his stress by seemingly siding with his father. She took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t…�

He smiled at her, reaffirming what she had told his dad earlier; Tony didn’t hold grudges and for that, she was thankful. “Don’t worry about it, Abs,� he said. “It’s no big deal.�

She laid her head on his shoulder and the two of them sat in silence. Within a few minutes, Abby noticed that Tony was lightly snoring, once again succumbing to the effects of the pain medicine he had been given earlier. Afraid of waking him, she remained still but her mind continued to wander.

Her thoughts flashed back to the conversation with Tony’s father and the revelation of the younger DiNozzo’s difficulty after his mom had died. She couldn’t begin to imagine how life had been in the DiNozzo household, but according to Senior, it hadn’t been easy. Abby knew that many people had the misconception that by coming from a wealthy family, that Tony had a life of ease, but as she found out, that wasn’t the case.

Abby wanted to talk to Tony about it, but it was obvious that now was not the time. Giving Tony’s hand another squeeze, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to drift off to sleep knowing that she would have to wait and maybe do a little investigative work on her own.




XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



After making sure that Abby was out of earshot, Gibbs sat down in the chair that she had just vacated and met the hardened gaze of Anthony DiNozzo, Senior; he knew that he would never like this man even if he was Tony’s father. “What did you want to see me about, Mr. DiNozzo?�

“I have a favor to ask of you,� Senior coolly stated.

“And what would that be?�

Senior pushed the remote button, allowing him to sit up straighter in his bed. “I appreciate all you’ve done for my son these past few years; I know that he looks up to you and that he thinks the world of you.�

“I assure you that the feeling is mutual.� Tony had definitely earned Gibbs’ respect and devotion, but more importantly, the young man had reminded him the significance of having a family.

“I gathered that from our last conversation.�

Gibbs allowed a tiny smile to escape his lips as he shifted in his seat. “Mr. DiNozzo, you and I are both too old to play these games. Why don’t you get to the point?�

“Very well,� the older man growled. “I want you to back off.�

The former Marine arched his brow. “Back off?� he questioned.

“Yes, back off and give me a chance to be Tony’s father.�

“You had your chance,� Gibbs flatly replied.

“But he still needs his father; I’m sure you can relate to what I am saying. After all, it was only recently that you reconciled with your father and you’re in fact still working on rebuilding your relationship. Am I right in my assumption?�

Gibbs quickly realized that Senior had obviously been doing some digging of his own. “My relationship with my father isn’t any of your business.�

“Then why is my relationship with my son any of your business?� Senior wanted to know.

The team leader visibly bristled. If Tony’s dad wanted to play rough, so could he. Gibbs was normally considered to be a man of few words, but he could not pass up this opportunity to make sure that Anthony DiNozzo, Senior understood exactly where he stood.

“I could’ve gone home at any time and would have been welcomed; Tony couldn’t. I didn’t have my achievements taken forgranted and I didn’t have my insecurities trampled upon by arrogance and irrational demands, but Tony faced this every day of his life while he was living with you. My dad was never too busy for me, but you were so busy that you left him in a hotel by himself for 2 days. Does that sound like a good father-son relationship to you?�

“Maybe I should talk to your father and get things from his point of view,� Tony’s father fumed. “It wasn’t easy being a single parent; I tried to help Junior…�

“Don’t go there,� Gibbs warned. “This isn’t about you. It’s about Tony and why your very presence seems to put him on edge. He’s trying to help you; it’s about time you learned to help yourself and quit relying on other people’s fortune or misfortune to bail you out.�

Gibbs was taken back when Senior quietly answered, “Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s time. But I can’t make amends with Junior with you hovering around; that’s why I’ve asked you to back off and let me learn to be a father.�

“You can’t learn it overnight,� Gibbs pointed out. “You asked me to back off and if Tony agrees, I can do that; but just so you know, I’ll be watching you. If I even think that you’re going to hurt him again, there’s nowhere you can hide that I won’t be able to find you. Tony’s putting a lot on the line for you and you better remember that.�

“I know and I appreciate everything he’s done for me. I was wrong to become angry about the money he’s been putting into my accounts; I plan to apologize for that as soon as Tony feels up to seeing me.�

Senior leaned towards him and motioned him to come closer. “Now that you’ve had your say, I want you to listen to me.�

Gibbs leaned forward. “I’m listening.�

“Don’t get in my way because like you said, the only person who will get hurt is Tony and neither of us wants that to happen. Tony is my flesh and blood and that goes deeper than any foster bond that you feel that you may have with my son. So, if I were you, I’d watch my back, Agent Gibbs; things could get nasty.�

Rising from his seat, Gibbs headed towards the door, knowing that he couldn’t stand being in the same room with Tony’s father any longer. He glanced back over his shoulder. “Threaten me all you want, Mr. DiNozzo, but I won’t make this easy for you. If you want Tony’s respect, you’re going to have to earn it and we both know that earning it is easier said than done.�

Not waiting for a reply, Gibbs left and headed back to the waiting room. Stopping mid-stride, he leaned against the wall. Regret consumed him as he realized that somehow Tony had once again become a pawn in the game of life. He had no right to do this to his senior field agent and although his intentions were good, Gibbs knew that he couldn’t make Tony’s decisions for him.

Tony had to come to his own conclusions about his father and Gibbs could not influence him. After all was said and done, he knew that the only thing he could do was to be there to pick up the pieces again and hope that there was enough left of Tony to put him back together one more time.

Tony opened his eyes as the smell of coffee permeated his senses, bringing him back to a level of awareness that he wasn’t sure he was ready to experience. The familiar smell of the brew told him that Gibbs was nearby and had been patiently sitting by his side while he slept. A sense of déjà-vu swept over the senior field agent as he remembered another time several years ago that the team leader had stayed by his side, except this time, there weren’t any blue lights. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that Jethro Gibbs had his six.

Grateful that the blinding agony of the migraine had nearly subsided, Tony figured that he could handle the occasional twinges of pain and the feeling of disorientation that accompanied the aftereffects of the medicine that he had taken. Although his is stomach still churned at the thought of food, he knew that the nauseous feeling would eventually pass as well once he was on his feet.

He slowly sat up, bracing his still aching head with his hands. Moaning softly, he began to massage his temples in an effort to rid himself of the residual effects of the migraine. “I hope that you got another cup of that coffee,� he stated, realizing that Gibbs was more than likely one step ahead of him.

A weak grin escaped his lips when he felt a cup of the hot steaming liquid pressed into his hands. “Thanks, Boss,� he mumbled as he brought the cup to his lips.

“Figured you were about ready to wake up and that you’d need a little pick me up.�

Tony made a face when he swallowed the first sip. “You didn’t put any sugar in it.�

“Sugar wouldn’t sit well with your stomach,� Gibbs pointed out. “Brought you some toast, too. You need to get something in you.�

Taking the dry toast, Tony began to munch on it, his stomach only protesting slightly at the intrusion. “Is my dad doing okay?�

“He’s fine. One of the nurses stepped in and said that his cath was scheduled for first thing this morning. They’ll be taking him down around 7:30 or 8.�

“First thing this morning? What time is it now? How long have I been out of it?�

“It’s about 5:30 in the morning and you’ve been out almost 16 hours. Between the medicine and the fact you hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in a week, you were pretty tired.�

Tony couldn’t argue with that statement; tired didn’t even begin to describe how he was feeling at the moment. “I need to go and see him.�

“He’s fine, Tony,� Gibbs assured him. “He’s had plenty of people checking in on him.�

“Yeah, I remember Abby telling me that she had been to see him.�

“She did and she stayed with you for a while, but I finally sent her home to sleep.�

“And you’ve been here the whole time?�

“Pretty much.�

“Thanks.�

“You’d have done the same for me, DiNozzo.�

Tony took another sip of his coffee, silently wishing that he had some sugar or flavored creamer to add to the bitter drink; however, beggars couldn’t be choosers. “So, did you talk to my dad?�

“He asked to see me,� the team leader admitted.

“I asked you to stay away from him,� Tony reminded the older man. “You two are like oil and water and…�

“He asked to see me,� Gibbs repeated.

Tony sighed and raked his hand through his hair. It completely unnerved him every time Gibbs and his father spoke; strained civility was the nicest way to characterize their conversations. “What did he want?�

“We were just talking about father and sons.�

“Please don’t beat around the bush, Gibbs. Just tell me. I know my father better than you think and when he asks to see you, he’s got something on his agenda. So tell me, what did he want?"

“He wants me to back off so he can have a chance to be a father to you.�
“He feels threatened by you,� Tony surmised.

Gibbs shrugged. “I don’t know.�

“I do. He knows that I look to you as a…� Tony knew that their bond was an unspoken one and he was hesitant to ruin it by acknowledging it out loud. “Well, you know what I mean,� he quickly added, hoping that Gibbs understood what he was trying to say.

“I know what you mean, Tony.�

“My dad’s a hard man to understand sometimes.�

“Yes, he is.�

Tony nervously licked his lips. “Gibbs, I…�

“Tony, I’m not going to come between you and your father unless I see that his actions are hurting you. You deserve better than having to pick up the pieces of your life after he’s through with you. I just want you to be careful.�

“Gibbs, I’m used to it. I’m used to being low on the totem pole of his priorities and I’ve survived. This may not be any different, but I’m going to be there for him while he’s sick and I’ll do what I can to get him back on his feet so he can lead that charmed life he’s so used to. Maybe we’ll grow closer, but I’m not foolish enough to believe that he’s ever going to truly change. He’s my father; he is what he is.�

“And you can settle for that?�

“I have all these years.�

Setting his coffee cup on the table in front of him, Tony pushed himself up off the couch and headed towards the door. “I’m going to check on my dad.�

“Tony?�

He glanced back over his shoulder? “Yeah?�

“If you need me…�

Nodding his thanks, Tony grinned at the former Marine. “I know where to find you. Go home and get some rest, Gibbs. I’ll call you when I know something.�

“I’ll stick around.�

“Please Gibbs; just go on home. You’re just as tired as I am. I promise I’ll call.�

“If I don’t hear something from you by lunchtime, I’m coming back,� Gibbs reluctantly agreed.

“I’ll call you.�

With a final wave, the senior agent made his way down the hall, hoping that his somewhat disheveled appearance didn’t frighten anyone. He would go home and shower and change into fresh clothing after his dad was in recovery; it was going to be a long day and he really didn’t want to spend it in the same clothes he had slept in.

Since it was still early, he wasn’t sure if his dad would even be awake, but he still wanted to check on him. He peered in the room to discover that his dad was sitting up in bed, reading a newspaper. Tony lightly pecked on the door and entered the room. “Hey, Dad,� he greeted.

His father’s face seemed to light up at his arrival. “Junior! You’re awake! I wasn’t sure if I was going to get the chance to talk to you before they took me down. Are you all right?�

Uncertain as how to accept his dad’s obvious concern, Tony simply nodded as he took the seat by Senior’s bedside. “I’m fine. I guess everything just caught up to me; I didn’t mean to sleep so long.�

“Nonsense, my boy. You need to take care of yourself. I uh…wasn’t aware that you still got migraines.�

“Every once in a while; they tend to hit me when I’m under a lot of stress.�

“And I certainly have been the cause of a great deal of stress for you, haven’t I?�

Tony shook his head. “No Dad; it’s been a rough week at work and like I said, it finally caught up with me.�

“Like I said, my heart attack didn’t help matters,� Senior
reiterated. “I’m sorry, Junior.�

He stared at his father in disbelief. Anthony DiNozzo, Senior very seldom granted anyone a sincere apology; to say that one was sorry was often seen as a sign of weakness. Tony swallowed hard in an effort to keep his emotions hidden. “It’s all right, Dad. You just concentrate on getting better.�

“You know that my procedure is scheduled for this morning?�

“Yeah. Gibbs told me.�

“Gibbs is still here?� his dad inquired.

“He was. I sent him home; he needed to catch up on his sleep too.�

“Did he tell you that he and I talked?�

“He told me that you asked to see him.�

“I did. I wanted to ask a favor of him.�

“He told me. He told me you wanted him to back off so you could get a chance to be a father.�

Senior’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Gibbs talks too much.�

Tony couldn’t help but laugh at his father’s remark. “Actually, Gibbs isn’t known for being chatty; he talks when he has something to say.�

“Unlike us. We DiNozzo’s tend to prattle on sometimes, never saying what we truly mean.�

He shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Tony wasn’t sure that he was ready for a heart to heart talk with his father. The man had reentered his life abruptly and had been keeping him in a state of emotional upheaval for months to the point that he had been regularly seeing a therapist. That decision had been a difficult one given his past history with psychiatrists, but he had eventually found one that he could talk to and their sessions had helped him regain his balance. He had a feeling that he was going to have to resume his sessions once everything was said and done.

“That’s part of our charm, I guess,� Tony quietly answered.

“You could be right,� Senior agreed. “Maybe it’s time we quit beating around the bush and be honest with each other.�

Tony was beginning to wonder if he was still asleep and dreaming; he and his father had spent their lives dancing around any emotional issues and now all of a sudden, his dad was suggesting that they talk about their feelings. “Who are you and what have you done with my dad?� he quipped.

He regretted the words as soon as they came out of his mouth. The hurt expression that his father now wore cut at his heart. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, Dad. It’s just that you’ve never wanted to…�

“It’s all right, son,� soothed the elder DiNozzo. “I know that it seems a little strange, but I’ve had a lot of time to think and I believe that having this heart attack has been a wake up call of sorts.�

“A wake up call?� Tony questioned.

“Yes. Like I said, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about our relationship and I realize that there were so many times that I could have done a better job of being a father to you, especially after your mother died. I know that I can’t go back in time and change everything that happened between us, I would like to think that we could take what time we have left to get to know each other again. When I was here the last time, Gibbs suggested that I get to know you as an adult and I almost lost that chance.�

“Dad, I…I don’t know what to say.�

“You don’t have to say anything right now; just think about what I’ve said. I hope that you’ll give me another chance.�

Tony was unsure of what he should say next. He wasn’t use to seeing the emotional side of his father; for the first time that he could remember, his dad appeared to be on the verge of crying. DiNozzo men never cried. Tony easily remembered being told that he would not cry at his own mother’s funeral and he could count on one hand how many times he had cried in his life.

Clearing his throat, Tony finally managed to ask, “Do you need anything?�

“There is something that you can do for me.�

“What is it?�

“I want you to go home and take a shower, change your clothes, and get something to eat.�

“I was planning to do just that when you’re in recovery.�

“No, Junior. Go now,� Senior insisted. “They’ll be coming in a little while to take me down and…�

“Dad, I’m not going anywhere until after your cath is done; they may need to talk to me or something…�

“How about a little positive thinking, Junior?� Senior grinned.

“Sorry, Dad. I just don’t want you go through this alone.�

He was shocked when his dad gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m not going through this alone,� Senior informed him. “I’ve got you. However, I know that you were sick earlier and I want you to take care of yourself. If I do have to end up having surgery, then I’m really going to need you. I want you to go home for a while and rest; the doctor knows how to get a hold of you if they need you.�

“Dad, I…�

“Please, Anthony. Do this for me.�

Tony shook his head. “I can’t leave you alone.�

“I don’t know what I did to deserve such loyalty, but I’m grateful. Now, please go home and rest for a while.�

Glancing at the clock on the wall, Tony figured that he could go home and freshen up before his dad went into surgery. “I’ll run home for a little bit, but I’ll be back. I promise.�

Senior sighed. “All right, son. I guess I’ll have to be satisfied with that.�

He smiled at his father as he rose up from his seat. “I guess so. If you need me for anything, call me.�

“I will.�

Tony made his way towards the door, pausing long enough to glance back over his shoulder and giving his father one final nod. He told the nurse that he was going home for a little bit but should be back before his father was taken down for his heart catharization. Making sure that the nurse had his phone number, he took the steps down to the parking lot.

Getting in his car, he drove home, his body and mind on automatic pilot. When he pulled up in front of his apartment, he sat in his vehicle as he tried to muster the energy that it would require to get to his apartment. Tony’s exhaustion had crept into every part of his body and he was seriously considering just leaning his seat back and going to sleep in his car. At least there wasn’t anyone around that he had to keep up appearances for and for that, he was glad.

Tony could simply be himself for a couple of hours but the only problem with that was he was no longer sure of who he was anymore. It seemed like his father’s reemergence into his life had started yet another identity crisis; he was definitely going to have to see his therapist.

He turned off the engine and got out of the car and entered his apartment building. Tony got in the elevator, grateful that for once it was actually working. Within a minute, he was getting off on his floor and sorting through his keys to find the one that would unlock his door.

“Agent DiNozzo?�

Tony jumped at the sound of his name. He silently chastised himself for being so worn out that he failed to be aware of his surroundings; his carelessness had permitted two men in dark suits to sneak up behind him. Turning around he faced the two men, both of whom seemed to be right out of an old gangster movie. “Who wants to know?�

The older of the two men spoke. “Forgive the intrusion, Agent DiNozzo, but I was looking for your father.�

Tony studied the two men standing before him. The one who had just spoken stood a couple of inches taller than him; his salt and pepper hair framed a face that bore a distinguishable scar on his right cheek. The Armani suit that he sported spoke volumes of the man’s expensive taste. The second man was clearly the hired muscle and obviously took his job very seriously. Turning his attention back to the well dressed man, Tony said, “I’m sorry; I didn’t catch the name.�

“That’s because I didn’t offer it.�

“Maybe you should.�

The stranger extended his hand. “My name is Sam Brewer and this is my associate, Joseph Corolli.�

Tony’s eyes widened as he recognized the older man’s name. “Sam Brewer? Atlantic City get too boring for you?�

“So, you’ve heard of me,� Brewer stated.

“Yeah, I used to see your name from time to time during my days at Baltimore P.D. Sometimes your name would come up in some of our investigations, but nothing that could ever link you to any criminal activity.�

“There’s no crime in making money.�

“No, there’s not. It’s what you end up doing with it that can sometimes be considered criminal.�

“Touché,� Sam agreed.

“Anyway, you said you were looking for my father?� Tony pressed.

“Yes. I needed to discuss a business proposition with him. It seems that he’s a little late on his payment.�

Tony shrugged as he turned his back to the men to unlock his door. He knew he was unarmed and that he needed to get a weapon; the agent just prayed that his gun was where he had left it early yesterday morning. “If I see him, I’ll tell him you’re looking for him. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I’ve got things to do.�

A strong arm whirled him around until he was once again face to face with his unwanted visitors. He broke free from Corolli’s grasp; his hardened gaze shooting daggers through the two men. “I told you that I would tell him you’re looking for him the next time I see him. Did I use too many two syllable words?�

“You certainly don’t have the suaveness of your father,� Brewer declared.

“My suaveness as you put it, is tired and needs to sleep.�

“I know your father is in town, Agent DiNozzo.�

“Then why are you harassing me? You probably already know where he is.�

“I lost his trail after he arrived in Washington.�

Tony turned back around and opened his door. The urgency to make sure that his dad was safe was overwhelming. “He left this morning. I just got back from taking him to the airport,� he lied.

He was shoved through his door and suddenly found himself on the floor. “I think you’re not telling me the truth, Agent DiNozzo. Your father owes me some money and I intend to collect itâ€"one way or another. Be sure he gets the message.â€�

Corolli jerked him up off the floor and punched him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him. Bracing his stomach with his arm, Tony struggled to catch his breath but ended up on the floor once again. Two swift kicks in his side forced him to cry out in pain when he felt a rib snap.

“Do you think you can remember the message?� Brewer taunted.

The agony that Tony was experiencing prevented him from answering. What kind of mess had his father gotten himself into? Was this the reason why his dad suddenly felt the need to be closer to his son? Did his father only want his protection from the enemies that he had made over the years? He should have known that the dream of actually having a true father and son relationship was too good to be true.

“If I were you, Agent DiNozzo, I’d have a serious talk with my father. I’ll be in touch,� Brewer vowed.

Tony heard the door close, signaling that he was alone once again. He slowly sat up and got to his hands and knees and carefully stood to his feet. The pain of the broken rib a constant reminder of what had just happened; he had a feeling that his life was about to turn into a living nightmare. He pulled out his cell phone and called the hospital; he had to talk to his dad and find out what was going on.

He cursed when the nurse told him that they had an earlier opening in the cath lab and had already taken his father down for his test. Tony knew he had to get back to the hospital before his dad got back to his room so he could find out why his father owed money to the likes of Sam Brewer.

Making his way to the bathroom, Tony turned on the water as he carefully slipped out of his clothes. Looking in the mirror, he examined the bruise that was quickly forming on his side. “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do, Dad,� he whispered.

Tony stepped in the shower and began to replay the events of the past few minutes in his head. Tony knew he should call Gibbs, but why should he expect him to help clean up his father’s mess? His father had never liked anyone knowing their family business, but Tony had a feeling that they were both in over their heads. How could he pay his father’s hospital bills and whatever money he owed Sam Brewer?

Tony stayed in the shower, letting the near scalding water stream over his aching body. When the water grew cold, he cut off the water and grabbed a towel to dry himself off. Staring at his complexion in the mirror, he saw a stranger staring back at him. When had his life become so complicated?

Wrapping the towel around his waist, he walked into his bedroom and picked up his phone. He sat down on the edge of his bed and stared at the phone; Tony knew what he had to do. He had to call Gibbs and let him know what was going on, but if something happened to the team leader because Tony involved him in the mess that his father had created, he would never forgive himself. His finger hovered over the speed dial as he made his final decision as to what he was going to do.

Part 8


Jethro Gibbs poured himself a cup of coffee and began to make his way towards his basement. His steps were heavy as exhaustion coursed through his body, his knee sending him a painful reminder that he wasn’t as young as he used to be.

He carefully walked down the stairs and slowly circled his boat, sipping his brew as he admired the fine craftsmanship that had been created by his own two hands. There was something about the solitude and the intricacies of working with wood that always seemed to soothe his frazzled nerves and sort out his jumbled thoughts, but at the moment, he doubted anything could keep him from worrying about Tony.

The added strain of his father’s illness was forcing DiNozzo to push himself beyond his limits and the resulting stress was already affecting the young man’s health. Gibbs hoped that Tony had taken his own advice and had gone home to rest, but he had a feeling that resting was the last thing on his mind. Senior’s heart attack had unnerved his senior field agent, forcing Tony into the role of caretaker; a part that DiNozzo wasn’t use to playing.

The relationship between Senior and Junior was unusual; both men hid behind a mask of charm and deceit giving the appearance that all was well with their world when in all actuality, nothing could be further from the truth. Tony’s father was a man of mystery who obviously had not taken his paternal responsibilities seriously and now faced with a life threatening illness expected his son to take care of him; at least that was the way that it appeared to Gibbs.

Tony, being the dutiful son would oblige the elder DiNozzo hoping that perhaps after all these years, his dad would be able to find room in his heart for the young man who wanted nothing more than to be close to his father. Gibbs was truly concerned that Tony was going to be hurt by his father once again and he was determined to do everything in his power to prevent that from happening. DiNozzo seemingly could never catch a break where his father was concerned and despite Senior’s supposed desire to get to know his son better, the team leader couldn’t shake the gut feeling that the elder DiNozzo had a hidden agenda.

Setting his coffee down on the step below him, Gibbs raked is hands through his salt and pepper hair in a subconscious effort to clear his mind. Aware that he truly needed to sleep, but too tired to get back up and walk up the stairs, he eased his back against the wall and stretched out his legs in front of him. A groan escaped from his lips as he closed his eyes. “I’m getting too old for this,� he mumbled to himself.

The silence surrounding him was almost hypnotic as he began to allow the sweet arms of slumber to embrace him, hoping that Tony was getting the opportunity to do the same. It was the sound of his cell phone ringing that jarred him back to reality and sent the vapors of much needed sleep scattering into the air.

He fumbled for his phone, managing to answer on the second ring. “Gibbs.�
“Uh, hey Boss.�

The team leader sat up at the sound of Tony’s voice. DiNozzo had been the one to insist that he go home and rest; Gibbs knew that for Tony to call him there had to be something wrong. “Tony? Everything okay? Is your dad all right?�

“Yeah. They took him in a little earlier than they originally planned,� Tony answered. “I’m heading back over there in a little bit.�

Something was wrong and he had a feeling that it had something to do with Tony DiNozzo, Senior. The uncertainty in Tony’s voice concerned the team leader and he was determined to discover the cause of DiNozzo’s obvious distress. Many people assumed that Tony was unflappable and under most circumstances, they would be right; however, if the situation involved his father, Tony’s self-assurance seemed to evaporate.

“Tony, what’s wrong?� he quietly pressed.

“It’s nothing,� Tony answered a bit too quickly. “I just wanted to tell you that they took my dad earlier; I said I’d call if there were any changes.�

“You didn’t call me to tell to me that they took your dad early for his catharization; you want to cut the b.s. and tell me why you really called?�

An image of Tony as a lost child looking for direction etched itself in his mind; Gibbs had always been there to offer guidance and he was determined to do so once again.

“I shouldn’t have called you, Boss. I just wasn’t sure what else to do,� Tony said, almost as an afterthought.

“What’s wrong?�

“It’s…it’s nothing I can’t handle. I’m really sorry I woke you up,� Tony apologized.

“You didn’t wake me up,� he countered. “I was just in the basement. How many more excuses are you going to throw at me before you tell me what’s going on?�

Gibbs was rewarded with silence on the other end of the line. He thought that he heard a faint gasp as Tony muttered a curse. The knot in his stomach pulled tighter as he considered the possibility that DiNozzo was hurt. After a few seconds, Gibbs gently called out to the agent. “Tony, are you still there?�

“I’m still here, Boss.�

“Talk to me, Tony.�

“Boss, before I tell you why I really called, I need you to give me your word that you’re going to let me handle it. I don’t want you confronting my father about this and I don’t want you to overreact and…�

“DiNozzo!�

“No Gibbs,� Tony stated, clearly not phased by Gibbs’ gruffness. “I need your word.�

It was evident to Gibbs that whatever it was that DiNozzo had to say was extremely important to him and if it took the team leader giving his word to encourage Tony to open up to him, then he would do as DiNozzo asked. “All right; I give you my word.�

There was no mistaking the sigh of relief that he heard emanating from DiNozzo. “Thanks; I really appreciate you trusting me on this.�

“You’re welcome,� the former Marine replied. “So tell me, what’s going on?�

“I got home and there were some men looking for my dad,� Tony began to explain.

Gibbs visibly bristled. “What men?�

“Sam Brewer and his hired muscle.�

Gibbs stood up, his swift movement knocking over his coffee. He had never had any dealings with Brewer, but he knew the man’s reputation and that was enough for him. “Sam Brewer? How did your father get mixed up with the likes of Brewer?�

“I don’t know; they had a business deal and my father owes him money. I guess that Brewer wants to collect. Obviously I haven’t had the chance to talk to my father about this; of course, I’m not sure he’d tell me the truth.�

He made his way back up the stairs and to his living room. His first instinct was to take Tony into protective custody and let Senior resolve his own conflict with Sam Brewer, but he knew that that DiNozzo would never leave his father defenseless against Brewer and his henchmen. “What can I do?� he wanted to know.

“Nothing. Remember you gave me your word, Boss,� Tony reminded him. “I guess I just thought you should know just in case something happens.�

“Where are you now?�

“I’m at home, but I’m getting ready to head back to the hospital.�

“Hang tight. I’ll be there in ten minutes; I’ll take you to the hospital.�

“Gibbs, you don’t have to appoint yourself my personal body guard. I’ll be fine,� Tony assured him.

“I’ll be over in ten and you better be there.�

Gibbs hung up, not giving Tony the opportunity to argue with him. Although Tony probably wasn’t too happy with him at the moment, he knew that DiNozzo would be at his apartment when he arrived. He couldn’t permit the man that he cared for as a son to fall prey to his father’s schemes; Tony would not be held accountable for the sins of the father.



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



“Why can’t you learn to keep your mouth shut, Anthony?� Tony mumbled to himself as he hung up his phone.

He had gone against his natural instincts and called the team leader; his family problems had always been kept private and to allow an outsider to be privy to them had gone against everything that his dad had taught him. However, Gibbs wasn’t an outsider; he was more of a father figure to him than his own and would do everything in his power to help him.
Tony also realized that if either he or Senior ended up as fish food in the Potomac River, Gibbs would at least know where to place the blame.

He slowly stood up, wincing at the pain in his side as his broken rib shifted slightly. Tony was going to have a difficult time hiding his pain from Gibbs but he was going to have to; he thought that he had done a fair job of hiding it from him on the phone when Tony had shifted without thinking and he had to bite back a string of expletives that would make a sailor blush. Gibbs had enough to worry about now that he had taken on the role of his personal bodyguard.

Tony grabbed a pair of jeans and button down shirt, effectively managing to put them on without too much effort. His socks and shoes were going to prove to be a little more difficult because it would involve the usually simple task of bending over. He grabbed a pair of socks out of the drawer and sat back down on the bed, already deciding that he would wear a pair of slip-on shoes. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he put on his socks and sat back up, blowing out a pent up breath in an effort to try and even out his breathing.

He carefully stood back up and slipped his feet into his shoes and made his way to the living room. Glancing at his watch, he knew that Gibbs would be arriving any moment and that he was going to have to make sure that his mask was firmly in place. If the former Marine realized that Tony was hurt, the older man would never let him out of his sight.

The sound of a key unlocking his door forced him to stand upright as Gibbs entered his apartment. “Hey, Boss,� he casually greeted, surprised at how rested the team leader appeared to be despite the fact that he had obviously gotten very little sleep.

Gibbs handed him a cup of coffee while simultaneously taking a sip of his own. “Three sugars and a hazelnut creamer?�

Tony shook his head in amazement as he took the cup. “You had time to stop for coffee?�

“There’s always time for coffee.�

“Good point.�

He felt Gibbs’ ever vigilant gaze upon him. “Did you get any sleep?�

Knowing that it wasn’t any use to lie to him, Tony answered, “Not really. I did take a shower and clean up so I feel a lot better; it’s amazing how a hot shower can improve your outlook on life.�

“I’m sure it does,� the team leader conceded. “You still need to rest.�

Tony shrugged off the suggestion. “I guess I wasn’t as tired as I thought I was; I must have caught up on my beauty sleep while I was sleeping off my migraine.�

“Either that or something or someone kept you from getting any real rest.�

“I guess you’re talking about Sam Brewer,� he deduced. “Gibbs, I can handle this. I shouldn’t have called but I just…�

“You did the right thing by calling me; at least I can watch your six a little closer.�

“It’s not me he’s after; it’s my dad,� Tony pointed out.

“Yeah, but you know as well as I do DiNozzo, that men like Sam Brewer use any means possible to get their point across and I just want to make sure that he doesn’t use you as his messenger.�

Tony inwardly cringed at the former Marine’s well meaning words. Had Gibbs managed to see through his façade? Was he aware of the fact that Tony was trying to hide the fact that he had already been given a rather painful message to deliver? He had spent a life time of living behind a wall of stoicism and false bravado and he knew that he couldn’t afford to show any cracks in his armor; his dad’s life depended on him to be able to stay in control and focused.

Clearing his throat, he grabbed his keys and jacket. “I need to head on back to the hospital.�

“I’ll drive you,� Gibbs insisted.

Tony shook his head. “You don’t have to do that, Boss. I’ll need to have my car and you…’

One of these days, he was going to be able to withstand Gibbs’ infamous glare, but it obviously wasn’t going to be today. Despite his claims of not being tired, exhaustion was indeed claiming every part of his body prompting him to make the decision to allow Gibbs to win what could have been a potentially long and drawn out argument.

“All right,� he sighed. “Let’s go.�

He gestured for Gibbs to go in front of him in an effort to keep him from seeing Tony’s pained expression as the usually simple task of walking was quickly becoming a major endeavor. Keeping his coat over his arm, he attempted to nonchalantly brace his side, hoping that the action would somehow help support him as he forced his legs to keep up with Gibbs’ purposeful strides.

Tony closed the door behind him and hurried to catch up with the team leader. “Elevator or stairs?� Gibbs asked.

“Elevator,� Tony automatically replied.

“All right.�

DiNozzo watched as Gibbs pushed the button to summon the elevator car. Thankfully, they didn’t have to wait too long and the two of them promptly entered the empty lift. As soon as the doors closed, Tony punched the number one and they began the short journey to the first floor. Leaning against the back wall, he took the opportunity to allow his body to relax; he clenched his jaw as he fought against the fire that was burning inside him.

The abrupt stop of the elevator forced him back to awareness as he realized that Gibbs had hit the emergency stop button. Tony stared at his boss, confusion and disbelief radiating from his own emotive orbs. “Something wrong?�

“Lift up your shirt,� Gibbs ordered.
Tony swallowed hard. “Huh?�

“Your shirt. Lift it up,� the lead agent repeated.

“Are you all right, Boss? That’s kind of a strange thing to ask, isn’t it?�

“Nope.�

“Gibbs, I need to get to the hospital,� Tony pleaded, trying to think of any excuse that would enable him to deny Gibbs’ request.

“You probably do but not for the reason you think.�

“Gibbs, my dad…�

“Can wait. You’re favoring your side; what happened?�

Tony shook his head as he reached around the team leader to try and restart the elevator. Normally, he wouldn’t have even considered defying Gibbs, but he could not endanger the one man who had given him so much over the years; he didn’t want anything to happen to his dad, but Tony knew he would never forgive himself if something happened to Gibbs.

“Let it go, Gibbs,� he growled.

Gibbs stepped in front of the console preventing Tony from restarting the elevator. DiNozzo couldn’t bear to look into the blue daggers that were attempting to gaze into his soul. “I can’t let it go, Tony; not when I know you’re hurting. Now lift up your shirt,� Gibbs quietly demanded, his usual stern tone was now gentle and soothing.

Angry at himself for allowing Gibbs to manipulate him, Tony threw his coat on the floor and lifted his shirt to expose the bruise that had formed on his side. His cheeks flushed crimson when the team leader gently probed his aching side. “Did Brewer do this?�

“His hired muscle did it. It’s no big deal.�

“Looks pretty painful to me,� Gibbs observed.

“Nothing I can’t handle.�

“You keep saying that. Are you trying to convince me or yourself?�

“Gibbs, please.�

“You don’t have to do this by yourself.�

“That’s where you’re wrong, Gibbs. One thing that was drilled into me since the day I was born was that DiNozzo’s take care of their own problems. Do you know how furious my father would be if he knew that I involved you in this mess?�

“Do you think that he would willingly risk your life because of his pride?�

“Yes,� Tony blurted out. Surprised by his answer, he attempted to correct himself although he knew that he had spoken the truth. “What I mean is that the DiNozzo name is everything to my dad and quite frankly, that’s all he has left right now. He’s probably going to have to heart surgery and now he’s got Sam Brewer out there demanding money that he clearly doesn’t have! What am I supposed to do, Gibbs? He’s my father!�

Tony saw that familiar fire in Gibbs’ eyes; it burned whenever the team leader felt an injustice had been done. “That’s right! He’s your father and as a father, his main concern should be his son!�

“I’ve never been his main concern and I doubt that’s going to change; I just have to settle for what I can get.�

“And what’s that?�

Tony pinched the bridge of his nose as he forced the tears of anger to stay at bay. “I don’t know,� he admitted. “Right now, I’d settle for this entire conversation to be over; I need to get to the hospital.�

“First thing you’re going to do when you get to the hospital is to get checked out,� Gibbs informed him.

“Whatever.�

“Tony, your dad’s in over his head and I don’t want to see you dragged down with him. Brewer doesn’t play around; I don’t want to see you hurt any more than you already are.�

“I’ll be fine,� he assured Gibbs. “I’ve just got to figure out how much money dad owes Brewer and then I can go from there.�

“You need to report this to the police.�

He shook his head. “Nope. You know and that’s enough. Besides, I don’t even know what kind of business venture that my dad has with Brewer; I need to find that out first.� Tony started the elevator, grabbing his side as it lurched as it continued down to the first floor. “Brewer probably has ties to the police force; he does in Baltimore so I figure he probably does in D.C. as well.�

“Tony, I…�

“My car or your car?� he asked, sending a silent message to the team leader that this particular discussion was over.

“I’ll drive.�

Tony carefully slid into the passenger seat of Gibbs’ car. Laying his head back against the head rest and closing his eyes, DiNozzo quietly rode out the waves of pain that seemed to assault him with each breath. Today was certainly not turning out as he had planned and thanks to Sam Brewer, he had a feeling that things were going to get a lot worse before they even considered getting better.

His hopes of repairing and rebuilding his relationship with his father were disintegrating before his very eyes and fate kept dealing him one blow after another. Would there ever be a day when he could have one thing he wanted without having to literally fight for it? He already knew the answer to that question. Sometimes life just sucked.

Part 9

Jethro Gibbs glanced over at his passenger, who had been unintentionally dozing on and off since they had left Tony’s apartment. Despite DiNozzo’s claim that he felt rested, he knew that the younger man was still exhausted and that he was pushing himself beyond his limits both physically and emotionally. He was truly worried about his senior field agent and although Tony would rebuff any kind of sentimental demonstration, Gibbs had vowed to make sure that he had DiNozzo’s six through this ordeal.

The team leader couldn’t help but wonder how much more Tony could handle before he reached his breaking point. DiNozzo’s fatigue coupled with his father’s constant antics were slowly chipping away at the image of the self confident man that Tony so casually portrayed; the mask was slipping once again to reveal a child desperately wanting a father’s approval and doing whatever it took to get it, even if it meant sacrificing his own mental and physical well being.

Gibbs was not prepared to stand by and watch Tony destroy himself because of his father’s selfishness. He just hoped that when it came time to intervene, that DiNozzo would be able to forgive him.

As he turned the car into the emergency room parking lot, Tony startled awake. Gibbs didn’t miss the nearly inaudible gasp as DiNozzo was forced to brace his side as he shifted in his seat. He silently cursed the older DiNozzo for placing his own son in jeopardy and if the former Marine had his way, Senior would know what a precarious position he had placed Tony in as a result of his greed.

“You all right, DiNozzo?� Gibbs asked as he searched for a parking place.
Tony nodded as he slowly exhaled. “Yeah, I’m okay; I just moved too fast.�

“Maybe the doctor will prescribe something for pain.�

“You know me and pain meds, Boss; not a pretty combination,� Tony reminded him.

Gibbs permitted a grin to escape his lips as he recalled the last time DiNozzo had been prescribed pain medication; although he would probably never admit it, it had been interesting and entertaining. “No it’s not,� he agreed. “However, it may be a necessity.�

“Can I check on my dad first and see if he’s back in his room?�

“Someone would have called, Tony. Let’s get you checked out and then we’ll go see about your dad.�

Pulling into a vacant space, Gibbs cut off the engine and got out of the car, quickly making his way to the passenger’s side. Opening the door, he helped Tony to a standing position and waited patiently for him to get his bearings.

“Can you walk?� Gibbs wanted to know.

Tony nodded and began to slowly make his way towards the emergency room entrance. “I hope this doesn’t take long,� DiNozzo mumbled under his breath.

Gibbs couldn’t blame him for not wanting to be subjected to the usual lengthy wait that emergency rooms were famous for, but he was determined that Tony was not going to leave until he had been examined by a doctor. “Come on,� he urged. “Let’s get you checked in.�

He motioned for Tony to take a seat while he went and provided the necessary information to the receptionist. Gibbs took the clipboard from the lady and made his way back over to DiNozzo who was now talking on the phone. He listened to the conversation as he began to fill out the required forms.

“…I understand,� Tony said. “Tell Dr. Manning that I’ll be up there in five minutes. Thank you.�

Tony hung up and slipped his phone into his pocket. The determined expression on DiNozzo’s face sent out a warning flag to the older man that Tony was once again going to put his needs aside in order to accommodate his father. “That was the nurse and my dad’s in recovery,� Tony began to explain. “The doctor wants to talk to me about what they discovered during the heart cath.�

“Did you bother telling the nurse that you were currently in the emergency room waiting to be seen?� Gibbs inquired, not bothering to hide his frustration at what sometimes he perceived as Tony’s lack of self preservation.

“I uh…kind of forgot to mention that,� Tony sheepishly replied. “It won’t take long and I promise that I’ll come back and get checked out.�

Gibbs knew that Tony would keep his word and because of the agent’s sincerity, the team leader reluctantly agreed to allow DiNozzo this small reprieve. “All right,� he conceded. “I’ll come with you.�

“You don’t have to do that, Boss.�

“I know I don’t.�

Tony nodded his thanks. Words weren’t necessary between the two of them; years of working together and the friendship that had developed as a result had allowed them to form a bond that didn’t require words. It was a relationship that many envied and few understood but over time, both men had come to accept that they had each played a surrogate role in the other’s life.

“Let’s go,� Gibbs urged as he handed the clipboard back to the admissions clerk, informing her that they would return shortly. He joined Tony who was slowly making his way towards the elevator. It was obvious by the way that DiNozzo was guarding his side that he was in quite a bit of pain. As they entered the lift car, Gibbs watched with hidden concern as Tony leaned against the back wall.

“You okay, DiNozzo?�

“A little sore, but I can handle it.�

“Just don’t overdo it.�

“I won’t. Kind of hard to overdo it when I’m moving like an old gray headed man.�

“Saying I’m old, Tony?�

Gibbs forced himself to conceal a smile as realization dawned upon Tony as to what he had just said. “I…I didn’t mean that you were old, Boss,� DiNozzo stammered. “I was just relatively speaking and…I think I’ll just stop while I’m ahead.�

“Good idea.�

The two men rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Gibbs knew that Tony was hiding the fact the he was terrified to hear what the doctor had to tell him. He had to admit that he admired DiNozzo’s loyalty to his father; in his opinion, the elder DiNozzo didn’t deserve such devotion. The team leader knew he had to let Tony take the lead on how to handle his dad, but he refused to stand by and watch his friend destroy himself physically and emotionally because of one man’s selfishness.



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



The few seconds that he had permitted his body to relax only served to reinforce the fatigue that was beginning to take up permanent residence in his muscles and joints; of course, the fact that his body had been subjected to several hard punches from Brewer’s men only added to his ever increasing level of exhaustion. He had intended to go home, take a hot shower, and catch a quick nap in hopes of rejuvenating his spent reserves, but unfortunately his father’s past had intervened with those plans.

Tony could sense that Gibbs was watching him but he didn’t acknowledge the silent demonstration of concern. He truly appreciated all the team leader had done for him, including forcing him to seek medical attention, but DiNozzo was still wary of involving him in the twisted relationship between him and his father. Gibbs was insistent that he was going to remain by his side; Tony just hoped that when push came to shove that the team leader would know when to step away. His father did not condone outsiders knowing his personal business and Gibbs seemed determined to make sure that he knew everything there was to know about Tony DiNozzo, Senior.

The elevator doors opened and the two agents headed down the corridor. Tony forced himself to stand tall and walk unguarded; he was here to talk about his father’s condition, not to cast concern upon himself. He graced the nurse with a smile and wink as she pointed them in the direction of Dr. Manning’s office; his father wasn’t the only one who could charm the ladies.

“Easy, DiNozzo,� Gibbs mumbled.

“Sorry, Boss�, he grinned. “Focusing.�

Tony knocked on the door. He took a deep breath and blew it out before entering the office. Tony usually considered himself to be stoic regarding most things but there was something about waiting to hear about his father’s medical condition that truly unnerved him. His dad had never been sick a day in his life and in an unexpected turn of events was now possibly facing open heart surgery.

“Come on in, Agent DiNozzo,� Dr. Manning insisted.

He cleared his throat and introduced the team leader, who was standing beside him. “This is Jethro Gibbs; he’s my…he’s a good friend of mine.�

“Good to meet you, sir. Marine?�

Gibbs nodded. “Yep.�

“I thought so. My father was a Marine; he was killed in Desert Storm.�

“We lost several good men over there.�

“You were over there?�

“Yes.�

“Thank you for your service, Mr. Gibbs.�

“Thank you, but I think Tony wants to hear about his father’s condition,� Gibbs insisted.

Tony nodded in agreement. Although he normally wouldn’t have minded the display of gratitude towards his Boss, he was thankful that Gibbs was able to steer the conversation back on track. He really didn’t trust his voice to speak at the moment, the lump forming in his throat was the only thing preventing him from throwing up.

“Of course,� Manning stated with a hint of apology as he moved to sit behind his desk.

Taking the seats opposite of the physician, Tony leaned forward so he could absorb every word that Manning spoke. If he was going to help his father make any kind of decision regarding his health, he was going to have to make sure that he understood all the options.

“First off, let me assure you that your father came through the catharization without any problems. He will be in recovery for a little while and then he will be moved to his room but he will have to lay flat for six to eight hours,� Manning began.

Tony swallowed hard. “All right. So, does that mean that you didn’t find anything?�

“On the contrary, we found several problems that need to be rectified.�

“Such as?�

He watched with baited breath as Dr. Manning furiously typed something on his keyboard. The physician turned the monitor around so Tony could have a visual of what he was talking about. “This is a video of the catharization and it details what I discovered.�

Tony studied the artery that the doctor was pointing to as he listened to Manning continued to explain his findings. “This particular artery is almost 95% blocked while this other one here, is about 93% blocked. He also has some partial blockage in two other arteries but I feel confident that with a stint and medication that they can be resolved. It’s the two major blockages that we are going to have to do bypass surgery on.�

Nervously licking his lips, Tony stared at the monitor. “Bypass surgery? When?�

“I’d like to schedule it for tomorrow.�

“Tomorrow? Couldn’t you do the stint and medication for the major blockages?�

“Truthfully, your father is a walking time bomb. The two major blockages require immediate action. After seeing the results of the cath, I’m surprised that he’s still alive. He was fortunate that you were with him when he had his heart attack.�

“How long will the surgery last?� Tony wanted to know.

“Probably around 4 hours. After your father’s had a little time to recover, I’d like to talk to both of you together so you’ll know what to expect.�

“All right.� Tony pinched the bridge of his nose as he took a moment to process everything that he had learned about his father’s condition. “Can I see my dad?�

The doctor glanced at his watch. “He should be on his way back to his room. Give the nurses a few minutes to get him situated. In the meantime, do you have any other questions for me?�

“I uh…don’t know,� Tony admitted. “I guess I’m just trying to get my head around everything. My dad’s never been sick a day in his life and now he’s facing surgery; it’s a little overwhelming.�

“This didn’t happen overnight,� Manning reminded him. “I would venture a guess and say that your father has a rather extravagant lifestyle.�

“That’s probably the understatement of the year.�

“Well, he’s going to have to tone it down for a bit, but I promise that if he does what he’s supposed to do, he’ll be back on his feet in no time. I’ve seen people in worse condition than Mr. DiNozzo who are living healthy, normal lives.�

“Is there anything I can do?�

“For now, keep him calm and don’t expose him to any unnecessary stress,� the physician suggested.

“I can do that.� Tony stood up and extended his hand. “Thank you, Dr. Manning. I’m going to go to see if my dad’s back in his room.�

He felt as if he were in a trance; nothing seemed real but yet life seemed to continue on around him. Tony scrubbed his face as he left Dr. Manning’s office. His mind was so occupied with his father’s health that he paid very little attention to the fact that Gibbs had yet to follow him.

How was he going to break the news to his dad? How would his dad react? How was he supposed to react? A conundrum of variables swam through his jumbled mind, his over active imagination creating a series of worst case scenarios. He had to be strong for his dad; he didn’t have a choice.

It was only a few seconds before Gibbs joined him; he usually found the team leader’s presence comforting, but for some inexplicable reason, he was apprehensive around the team leader.

Gibbs shattered the awkward silence between them. “You okay?�

“Yeah,� he sighed. “I’m fine. Just worried about how my dad’s going to take the news.�

“He’s strong; I’m sure he’ll be all right.�

“He’s scared.� Tony winced as he shifted slightly; he had temporarily forgotten about his injuries but a sharp pain shooting through his side quickly brought them to the forefront. He couldn’t think about himself at the moment; his thoughts were completely consumed by his father’s well being. “He told me he was scared; I’ve never seen him scared.�

“I guess he has a right to be scared.�

“Yeah, I guess. I guess it’s just that this is a side of my dad that I’ve never seen and it’s a little…weird.�

“I imagine so.�

Ignoring Gibbs’ forced concession, Tony continued pondering the mystery that was his father. “I mean, this is a man who always comes out on top, even when he’s flat broke. Now all he has to show for the charmed life he’s led is a bad heart,� he mused. “When I was younger, I used to wonder if he even had a heart; how crazy is that? Everybody has a heart…�

“Some people’s hearts are just bigger than others,� Gibbs quietly insisted. “Let’s go back down to the ER and get you checked out.�

Tony shook his head defiantly. “No, I need to talk with my dad first.�

“DiNozzo…�

He visibly bristled at the former Marine’s attempt to interfere with what he had to do. “No, Gibbs! I gave you my word that I’d go and get checked out, but I’ve got to do this first. I need to see my dad.�

“You’re not going to do your dad any good if you don’t take care of yourself.�

“I know but I need to do this. What would you do if it were your dad?�

Tony didn’t wait for him to answer. “You’d make sure he was okay and that’s what I’m doing for my dad.�

Gibbs didn’t have a chance to respond before his father’s nurse came out of his room and informed Tony that he could go in. “It’s probably best if you stay out here,� he suggested, knowing the intense dislike that Gibbs and his father had for each other.

“I’ll be waiting right here if you need anything,� Gibbs assured him.

“I know.�

Tony entered the room to see his father laying on his back, the usually vibrant man was too still. “Dad?� he softly called out.

“Junior,� the older man rasped. “I was wondering where you were.�

“I was talking to Dr. Manning.�

“It’s bad, isn’t it?�

Despite their tumultuous relationship, Tony could never lie to his father. “Yeah, but you’re going to be okay. Dr. Manning said that when they’re done, you’ll be good as new.�

“I guess the old ticker finally gave out.�

“Nope, it just needs some fine tuning. The doctor’s going to come by a little later and talk to us about what to expect.�

“I have a feeling that you already know what to expect.�

Tony sat in the chair beside his dad’s bedside. “He wants to do surgery tomorrow. You’ve got two major blockages and two minor ones and…�

Senior’s head began to thrash back and forth. Tony stood up, ignoring the pain that was still consuming his side. “Dad, you’ve got to take it easy; getting upset isn’t going to do anything but cause your heart rate to go up and create more problems. Tell me what’s wrong.�

“Surgery? I can’t afford surgery.�

“Dad, don’t worry about that. I’ll take care of it. You just concentrate on getting better.�

“I can’t ask you to do that, Junior.�

“You’re my dad; you don’t have to ask.� Tony brushed a stray piece of hair off his dad’s forehead. “Right now, you just worry about getting better.�

“I’ll pay you back, Junior. Every dime.�

Tony forced himself to bite back a sharp retort. There was no way that his dad would ever be able to pay him back monetarily; he would simply settle for the man acting like he wanted to be his father and that he wasn’t a matter of convenience.

“Just get better; that’s all I want.�

His dad grabbed onto his wrist. “You’re a good son, Anthony. Thank you.�

He wasn’t sure why he felt the urge to place a kiss on top of his father’s head, but he did. AS he stood back up, he gasped as he was provided with a cruel reminder of his earlier altercation with Sam Brewer’s hired muscle.

“Junior? Are you okay?� Senior inquired.

Tony couldn’t tell his dad about Brewer; at least not yet. They had to make it through tomorrow and then once his dad was on the road to recovery, he would ask about his dealings with Sam Brewer. Until then, he figured that he would be safe at the hospital because that’s where he intended to stay until he was sure that his father was going to be all right.

The team leader was standing against the wall opposite of Tony’s father’s room, slowly sipping his coffee as he silently contemplated the physical and mental welfare of his senior field agent. DiNozzo was currently in with his father, discussing the results of Senior’s heart catharization with him; the results had not been favorable, but a complete recovery was expected.

Gibbs knew that this situation was as difficult for Tony as it was his father; DiNozzo had been thrust in the position of caretaker, a role that he more than likely never imagined himself playing. The elder DiNozzo was self-reliant, constantly looking out for his own interests, not caring who he hurt in the process and that included his own son. Unfortunately, Tony was too accustomed to picking up the pieces of his life and trying to rebuild them from the ashes that his father had left behind.

Now, Senior desperately needed the love and attention of his only child and Tony was more than ready to play the part of the dutiful son. DiNozzo was solely focused on getting his dad through the next few days and Gibbs was aware of the fact that he had more than likely already pushed his own physical infirmities to the back of his mind. Tony always put others first and although many people considered him to almost be narcissistic at times, Gibbs knew better; he knew the real Tony DiNozzo and hopefully one day, Tony would step out from behind the mask that he so efficiently wore and let others see him for the good man that he was.

He was brought out of his private musings by the sight of Tony coming out of his father’s room and closing the door behind him. Gibbs didn’t miss the fine lines of pain crafted around Tony’s eyes as he slowly made his way across the hallway in order to join him. The former Marine easily sensed that Tony was hurting and had used a lot of his waning strength to hide his pain from his father.

Gibbs offered him his coffee; the symbolic act speaking of the deep level of trust and respect they held for one another. His eyes were fixed on Tony’s exhausted features, knowing that the agent would get very little rest until he knew his father was out of danger.

“It looks like you need this more than I do,� he quietly observed.

Tony nodded his thanks and took a sip. “Ugh…needs sugar.�

“I think you better just drink it straight up,� Gibbs suggested. “It’s got more of a kick that way.�

“You’ve got a point,� Tony conceded as he took another drink of the warm liquid.

“How’s your dad doing?�

“He finally drifted off to sleep; he’s pretty worried about the surgery.�

“Can’t blame him for that.�

“Yeah. Hopefully after talking to the doctor, Dad will be a little more at ease.�

“I’m sure he will. Are you okay?� Gibbs inquired, his concern for his friend evident in his hushed tones.

“I’m fine,� Tony assured him.

“You don’t look so fine.�

“That’s not what the nurses’ say,� Tony tiredly quipped.

Gibbs smiled at the dark-haired man; despite his exhaustion and the heavy burden weighing on his mind, Tony was able to maintain his sharp wit. He truly admired the man’s ability to play the hand that life dealt him, even though there were times he wondered if DiNozzo ever wanted to fold.

“Really? I haven’t heard them say a word about how fine you look,� Gibbs countered.

“Well Boss, hearing is the second thing to go.�

“And the first is?�

“Eye sight of course.�

“Keep it up, DiNozzo or you’ll lose all your senses at one time,� he retorted.

The playful banter between the two of them seemed to alleviate some of the tension emanating from Tony. Gibbs wished that he could talk DiNozzo into going back to the ER and getting checked out in hopes that the doctor would send him home to rest, but he could tell by the determined look on Tony’s face that he had every intention of staying by his father’s side. Of course, that wasn’t going to stop him from trying.

“I don’t think it would take much for that to happen, Gibbs.�

“You need to get checked out and then go home and rest.�

“I can’t; not yet.�

“It wasn’t a suggestion.�

Tony took the final drink of coffee and threw the cup in the nearest trashcan. “I can’t leave right now, Gibbs. My dad…my dad needs me.�

“You’re not going to be a lot of use to him if you end up in the hospital; I would think he would want you to take care of yourself,� Gibbs surmised, hoping that he was correct in his assumption. Although he believed the elder DiNozzo to be self centered, he certainly expected that somewhere beneath the exterior, his paternal instincts were still intact. Surely, Tony’s father could see that his son was physically hurting; Tony was trying to hide the pain he was in but Gibbs could easily see through his façade.

Tony shook his head in protest. “I need to stay close by,� he protested.

“You said yourself that he’s asleep; you’ll probably be back before he wakes up,� Gibbs pointed out.

“Gibbs, I…�

He studied Tony as the younger man pinched the bridge of his nose; the events of the past couple of days were wearing on DiNozzo’s frazzled nerves. “I’ll tell the nurse where you’ll be and she’ll call if your dad wakes up,� he promised.

“Fine,� Tony finally conceded, much to Gibbs’ surprise. DiNozzo was definitely hurting if he wasn’t putting up any resistance to the idea of going back to the ER.

“Don’t tell her that I’m in the ER; just tell her we’ve gone to get something to eat,� the senior field agent instructed. “I don’t want my dad to worry.�

Gibbs’ eyes narrowed as he realized the implication of Tony’s instructions. “You didn’t tell your dad about Brewer,� he stated.

“No and you’re not either,� DiNozzo warned him. “He’s got enough on his mind and I don’t want to add to his stress before he has his surgery.�

“Tony…�

“Gibbs, if you want me to go to the ER, then just drop it for now,� Tony pleaded. “I’m too tired to get into this with you right now.�

“All right,� the former Marine relented. He knew that there was no use to argue with Tony at this point; DiNozzo had made up his mind and no amount of pleading was going to change that. For some unknown reason, DiNozzo had agreed to go to the ER and Gibbs was going to make sure he got there. He was still concerned about Brewer’s men possibly making Tony a target as a means to get to his father, but Gibbs had already appointed himself DiNozzo’s personal security detail and Brewer would have to go through him first.

He quickly told the nurse that they were going to grab a bite to eat, instructing her to call if Tony’s father woke up. Gibbs gently took Tony by the elbow and gestured down the corridor towards the elevator. “Let’s go,� the team leader softly urged.

“On it, Boss,� Tony tiredly replied.

As the doors to the elevator closed, Gibbs spared another glance at his senior field agent. He wanted nothing more than to help alleviate the burden that weighed so heavily on Tony’s shoulders, but as always, DiNozzo was calling up on his inner reserves to give him the strength and the insight that he would need the next few days.

Tony’s independence was something that he truly admired and one of the traits that had drawn him to the former Baltimore detective; unfortunately even after all these years of working for him, DiNozzo was still reluctant to ask for help. Gibbs blamed Tony’s father for this; ever since he was a young boy, it had been drilled into Tony that DiNozzo’s didn’t need help nor did they ask for it.

Sighing as the doors opened, he and Tony exited and began to make the slow trek back to the ER. Giving Tony’s shoulder a gentle squeeze, he decided that he going to have to remind DiNozzo, as he often did, that it was all right to ask for help.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Tony had lost track of how long he had been in the private room waiting for the doctor and nurses to finish their poking and prodding. He did not play the role of patient very well and he realized that those who were tending to him were probably just as frustrated as he was; his intense dislike of hospitals and everything associated with them was manifesting itself every second that he was forced to stay in this room at the mercy of the medical staff.

He wished he hadn’t insisted on Gibbs remaining in the waiting room; it would sure be good to see a familiar face. During his hospitalization after the plague, the team leader had been a constant source of reassurance that he was going to be all right; something that his own father had not done. Of course, Tony didn’t bother having anyone call his dad to inform him that he’d been sick; he knew that his father had more than likely been occupied with another business venture and that there was no use to contact him. But Gibbs had remained by his side, once again demonstrating to Tony that his Boss was full of surprises.

Tony gingerly flung his arm over his eyes, shielding them from the bright light; the residuals effects of the migraine that he had earlier were still lingering, making him more sensitive to noise and light than normal. It always took him a day or two to get over a migraine but with the added stress of his father’s illness, he doubted that his discomfort would be abating for several days.

He heard the door open once again, prompting Tony to peer out from under his arm to see who entering his temporary domain. Recognizing the doctor who had been attending to him, he slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position, battling the slight dizziness that came from rising too quickly. Tony quietly waited for his doctor to acknowledge him but at the moment, the physician was seemingly fascinated by his X-rays.

“Well Agent DiNozzo, it seems that you do have a broken rib; you took quite a hit but fortunately, the break isn’t too bad. With time and some rest, you should mend nicely; I’ll prescribe something to help ease the pain and…�

“I…uh don’t do well with pain killers,� Tony admitted.

“I’ll be sure to make it a mild one,� the doctor promised. “I’d also like to give you an IV; your blood sugar is a bit low and I think if we get it back up, it’ll help you feel better.�

“I really don’t have time for an IV…�

Before Tony could offer any further protest, Gibbs walked in the room. “According to the nurse, your dad’s still sleeping,� the team leader announced.

“You were saying?� his doctor pressed.

Tony lay back on the bed and closed his eyes. “Wake me when it’s over,� he mumbled.

He didn’t see the silent exchange of concern between Gibbs and the ER physician. Tony was a firm believer in picking his battles and he knew that this was one that he didn’t want to waste his energy fighting. He would take the IV and the pain killer and then he would go back and sit with his father, hoping that his dad would be none the wiser.

The agent ignored the hustle around him as a nurse started his IV and pulled a blanket upon his shoulders. It was a few minutes before he heard the door close and although the room was now quiet, he knew he wasn’t alone. Gibbs had seen him simply shut down and Tony knew that the former Marine wasn’t going to stand by and let him wallow in his own pity.

“They’re gone, DiNozzo,� Gibbs informed him.

“You don’t have to stay either; I’m a big boy.�

“I know; just thought you could use the company.�

“I’m not going to bolt,� Tony insisted, meeting Gibbs’ neutral gaze.
“Didn’t say you were.�

Tony fingered the tubing of the IV, knowing that the nutrients flowing through the clear plastic would hopefully give him the physical boost that he desperately needed. He wished that his mind could rest but the only way that could happen was in a drug induced slumber and that was the last thing Tony wanted; there would be time for rest later after he figured out what he was going to do.

Not only did he have to deal with the emotional and physical aspects of his dad’s surgery and recovery, Tony had to figure out what he was going to do about his father’s financial woes, not to mention his association with Sam Brewer. He had a feeling that his dad’s recovery was going to be a lot easier than taking care of his debts. Tony had already listed himself as the responsible party and would try and set up some kind of payment schedule to take care of his hospital bill, but Sam Brewer was going to be a problem.

Tired of thinking about the problems facing him in the future, he quietly studied the man sitting beside him. Once again, the team leader was by his side, prepared to stay for as long as it took for him to get over this latest obstacle that his father had thrown his way. Sometimes he was just an ungrateful bastard. Clearing his throat, he called out, “Gibbs?�

“Yeah?�

“Thanks.�

The ex-Marine smiled at him. “Any time, DiNozzo.�

Another few moments of silence passed. “Hey Gibbs?�

“Yeah?�

“Are you sure my dad’s still asleep?�

“Would you stop worrying? The nurse has my number and will call me when he wakes up. I told her that I managed to convince you to rest for a couple of hours and that we’d be back as soon as you got a little sleep.�]

“You always have my six, Gibbs.�

There was a knock at the door, which both men found strange. The medical staff usually floated in and out at their own discretion, not bothering to knock. He watched as Gibbs made his way to the door and opened it to reveal McGee standing in the hallway; Tony noticed how relief flooded Tim’s features as he entered the room. There was something definitely bothering his friend and Tony couldn’t help but feel like it somehow involved him.

“Hey, McGee,� Tony warily greeted.

“Hey, Tony,� Tim replied.

“What are you doing here?�

“I uh…talked to Abby and she filled me in on what’s going on; I just wanted to make sure that you’re okay.�

“I’m fine,� he assured the younger agent. “Just a little run down; nothing a little pick me up juice won’t cure.�

“How’s your dad?�

“Sleeping. He’s having surgery tomorrow morning.�

“Do you need anything?� Tim anxiously replied.

McGee’s nervousness was starting to wear on Tony’s last nerve. He knew Tim well enough to know that he always acted like a kid who had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar when there was something he didn’t want to talk about or when he discovered something that he knew Gibbs didn’t want to hear.

“I need for you to tell me why you’re really here.�

“I uh…I needed to talk to Gibbs.�

“And you couldn’t have called?� Gibbs interjected.

“It’s kind of important, Boss,� McGee explained. “I thought I’d better come in person and uh...�

“Would you two like some privacy?� Tony growled, tired of playing the guessing game with McGee.

“Uh, yeah. I won’t keep him long,� Tim promised.

“Don’t hurry on my account. I’m not going anywhere.�

Tony listened for the door to shut once again. “Alone at last,� he mumbled to himself. He glanced up at the IV and saw that it was about half empty and mentally calculated that he probably had another hour before he could be released. Knowing that he wasn’t going to sleep, he continued to consider the circumstances that were now controlling his life and how he could come up with a solution that would keep his dad alive.

Of course, every once in a while, he couldn’t help but let his mind contemplate the conversation taking place outside his door between Gibbs and McGee. Slowly sitting up, he grabbed the pole that his IV was hanging on and began to make his way over to the door. He braced his aching side with his free arm, the sharp pain in his side almost instantly made him regret his decision to eavesdrop; sometimes being a good investigator could be downright agonizing.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

If there was one thing that Timothy McGee hated more than anyone in the world, it was being the bearer of bad news. Maybe he should have called, but for some inexplicable reason, he had to make sure that Tony was all right; he couldn’t even begin to describe the feelings of worry and doubt that had been consuming him until he had seen Tony lying in bed, apparently unscathed except for being exhausted.

“What’s going on, McGee?� Gibbs demanded to know, his gruff bark bringing him back to the present.

“I was at the office upgrading our computers and Tony’s phone rang. I uh…answered it and it was Phil Carson from Metro; he’s one of Tony’s friends and…�

“I know who he is, McGee. Can you get to the point?�

McGee nervously licked his lips. “Sure, Boss,� he pleaded. “Apparently Tony’s apartment was broken into and it’s been pretty much trashed; Officer Peyton wanted Tony to see if anything was missing and when I couldn’t get a hold of Tony, so I called Abby and…�

“She told you about Tony and his dad.�

“Yeah.

“Who called the cops?� Disbelief and anger were clouding the older man’s features.

“His neighbor; the police were going to question him and see what he heard or saw. Abby’s volunteered to go to Tony’s place and see if she can figure out if anything is missing; she’s obviously been to his place a lot.� Tim winced at his inability to hide the petty jealously evident in his tone.

“Once a week ever since he came to D.C,� Gibbs stated.

“Really?� Neither Tony nor Abby had ever divulged that piece of personal information; how did Gibbs know about their ritual?

“Yep.�

Gibbs was clearly not in the mood to elaborate on his revelation, so McGee wisely decided not to press the issue. “I called Ziva and left her a message but she hasn’t called back.�

“She’s out of town; fill her in when she gets back,� Gibbs ordered.

“On it, Boss. Anything else you need me to do?�

“Keep on top of this investigation and keep it under your hat,� Gibbs ordered. “Also, I want you to find out anything you can on Sam Brewer.�

“Sam Brewer?� McGee asked, unsure if he had heard correctly. “You mean Sam Brewer, the Sam Brewer who owns half of Atlantic City?�

“The one and the same.�

“Okay,� Tim reluctantly answered. “Is there something I should know? Is Sam Brewer responsible for the break in?�

His inquiry was met with silence. Tim followed Gibbs’ gaze, coming to rest on Tony’s door. The team leader blew out a long frustrated breath; it was then that McGee noticed how tired the older man looked, ravaging him with guilt for adding to the lead agent’s stress. “Boss, are you okay?�

“I’m fine, McGee,� Gibbs coolly stated. “As far as Brewer’s involvement in the break in, that’s what we’re going to find out. I’ll meet you in the office later tonight to see what you’ve managed to come up with.�

“All right; but what are you going to do now?�

Before the team leader could answer, a crash sounded from the other side of Tony’s door. In two strides, Gibbs was at Tony’s door; the two men peered in to find Tony sitting on the floor cursing the IV pole that he had apparently tripped over. The team leader glanced over his shoulder and McGee could easily sense his irritation with the senior field agent. “I guess I’m going to talk to Tony.�

If Tony hadn’t been experiencing such a wave of agonizing pain, he would’ve had the sense to be embarrassed by his current situation. His natural curiosity and overwhelming desire to know what McGee and Gibbs were talking about had prompted him to get out of bed and traipse over to the door in hopes that he could hear their conversation. He had managed to discover that his apartment had been ransacked and Tony quickly came to the conclusion that Sam Brewer was more than likely responsible for the break in; the timing was too convenient for there to be any other explanation.

In his attempt to get back to bed undetected, his feet got tangled in the IV pole and he went crashing to the ground, alerting his team members outside the door to his ill conceived attempt at eavesdropping. His arm was cradling his aching side as he sent up a silent prayer that he hadn’t broken another rib; the IV had pulled out of arm and was now seeping clear liquid on the floor.

The door swung open and Gibbs and McGee came rushing to his side. Tony glanced up at the team leader, whose expression was a mixture of apprehension and irritation. “Hey, Boss,� he grunted. “Took a little spill.�

“I can see that, DiNozzo,� Gibbs retorted. “I thought you were told to stay put.�

“I thought so too; guess it didn’t take.�

“Guess not.�

“Are you okay?� McGee asked.

The one thing that Tim McGee knew how to do was worry and Tony was grateful for his friend’s concern. “Yeah, just give me a minute,� he answered.

“Can you get up?� the team leader wanted to know.

“I think so.�

With Gibbs and McGee on either side, Tony slowly stood to his feet and permitted his teammates to escort him back over to the bed. He sat down on the edge of the mattress and slowly exhaled as he tried to mask the nagging ache in his side; he briefly regretted not taking the doctor up on his offer to give him something for pain but keeping a clear mind had become a necessity.

Tony watched Gibbs pick up the IV pole as the nurse entered the room. He attempted to look apologetic as the nurse glared at him, her displeasure with his escapade was etched in her beautiful features. Flashing his infamous winning smile, Tony found himself hoping that the DiNozzo charm would keep him from a well-deserved scolding.

“I uh…tripped.� He knew his explanation was weak but it was the only plausible one that he could offer.

“That’s kind of hard to do when you’re not supposed to be out of bed. Are you all right?� she inquired.

“I’m fine,� he lied.

“We’ll let the doctor be the judge of that,� the nurse stated. “Now, stay put until I get back.�

“Yes ma’am.�

After she left, Tony breathed a sigh of relief; one hurdle had been cleared, but now he had to deal with Gibbs and he knew that the Marine was not happy with him. A moan escaped his lips as he lay back on the bed; he was beginning to regret his impromptu journey that had resulted in him eavesdropping like a nosy little girl.

“So how much did you hear?� Gibbs asked.

“Enough to know my apartment was trashed and Abby was going over to figure out if anything was stolen,� he honestly replied. There was no use trying to lie to Gibbs; it was a near impossible feat and one that he had never been able to accomplish.

“Any ideas?� the team leader pressed.

“Maybe.� Tony wasn’t ready to discuss his ideas and problems with McGee present; this was a personal matter between him and his father and the fewer people who were aware of everything that had transpired, the safer they would be.

He was thankful that McGee seemed to be able to take a hint as the younger man began to make an excuse to leave. “I um…think I’ll go over and see if there’s any new developments; maybe Abby is there and she’s…� Tim paused and glanced back over his shoulder. “Um, Tony?�

“What McGee?�

“Can I ask you something?�

“That depends on what it is.�

McGee nervously cleared his throat. “Why does Abby…I mean, you two…�

“McGee!� the team leader barked.

Despite his aching side, Tony had to laugh. McGee’s crush on Abby had been the topic of conversation of many of their weekly get togethers and although she had vowed that there was no longer anything between them, Tony knew that there were still embers burning that could easily burst into flames.

“Something funny, DiNozzo?�

“No, Boss. I was just…uh…never mind.�

Tony slung his arm over his eyes, silently pondering what his next move should be. His instincts were telling him that Sam Brewer was responsible for the break in at his apartment and if that were the case, the mobster was obviously using him to get to his father. He had to talk to his dad but if his revelation caused his dad to have a setback or worse, he’d never be able to forgive himself.

“So, you think Brewer’s behind this?� Gibbs inquired, breaking the easy silence between them.

“Yeah, but we’ll probably never be able to prove it.�

“Brewer’s using you to deliver his messages,� the team leader deduced.

“Probably.�

“Probably?� Gibbs exclaimed, his voice teeming with anger and frustration. “DiNozzo, first his hired muscle uses you as a punching bag and then your place is ransacked; you know how I feel about coincidences.�

“I know, Boss.�

“You’ve got to talk to your dad.�

“I will.�

“Now.�

“Gibbs, we’ve already been down this road. I’m not telling him anything until after his surgery.�

“DiNozzo!�

Tony pushed himself up out of bed and shakily stood to his feet; he did not want to rehash the same argument with Gibbs and the only way not to do that was to temporarily put some distance between them. He was grateful that the staff had allowed him to keep his clothes on; it was one less inconvenience that he had to deal with. He began to button his shirt as he headed towards the door. “I’m going back upstairs and check on my father.�

“You need to be checked out and…�

He shook his head defiantly. “No more doctors, no more IV’s, and no more lectures. I will handle this, Gibbs. Please, just let me handle it,� Tony begged.

Tony braced his ribs with his arm and although his gait was slow, he still managed to nearly bowl over the nurse. “Excuse me, Miss.�

“Where are you going? The doctor is on his way and…�

“I appreciate everything you’ve done but I’ve got to go.�

“What? You can’t…�

“I’m getting a little tired of people telling me what I can and can’t do. I’m going to go and sit with my father for a while.�

His eyes fell on the team leader, whose own gaze was still bearing down on him. Tony regretted blowing up at Gibbs but with everything that had happened, he had reached his limit both physically and mentally. “Go home, Gibbs,� he softly pleaded. “I’ll call you later.�

Without a backward glance, Tony headed towards the elevator knowing full well that Gibbs wasn’t going to be going home any time soon. He knew the team leader well enough to know that Gibbs would be doing everything within his power to try and figure a way to take care of Brewer; the man was going to get himself killed and then Tony would end up with his blood on his hands as well. Tony also realized that if something happened to Gibbs because of the mess that his own father had created, he would never be able to forgive himself or his dad.




XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX




Gibbs continued to stare after DiNozzo after he had left the room. He knew that he shouldn’t have pushed Tony so hard; whenever his senior agent felt cornered, he would come out fighting and this time was no exception. Although the team leader truly believed that he had Tony’s best interests in mind, he had to remember that DiNozzo was his own man and could make his own decisions.

“He sure is stubborn,� the nurse observed.

“Stubborn doesn’t even begin to cover it,� Gibbs mumbled as he stormed out of the room, not bothering to hide his irritation with not only DiNozzo but the entire situation that had been created by the arrival of Anthony DiNozzo, Senior.

His fowl mood was enhanced by the ringing of his cell phone; he wished he could meet the man that invented the infernal object and shove it where the sun didn’t shine. “Gibbs!� he growled.

“Gibbs, it’s Abby.�

“What is it, Abs?� Gibbs sighed as he impatiently waited for the elevator. Knowing that he was losing time, he opted for the stairs and began to descend them to the parking lot.

“I finally got to walk through Tony’s place and nothing was missing. It’s a huge mess though, DVD’s are everywhere and his suits, well let’s just say he’s going to be pissed when he sees them and his guitar was smashed; I hope he gets another one soon because I love hearing him sing and oh my gosh, I almost forgot to mention his jazz collection and…�

“Abby!�

“Sorry, Gibbs. It’s just so sad; I mean, who would do this to Tony?� she demanded to know. “What kind of person would break into somebody’s apartment and completely destroy it? I do know that it was someone who knew what they were doing because we have yet to come across a single fingerprint. The damage is too deliberate for it to be a random break in.�

“It wasn’t random, Abs. It was very deliberate.�

“What are you saying, Gibbs? What aren’t you telling me?�

“Nothing, Abs. Thanks.�

He hung up on the forensic scientist, knowing that a well-timed Caf-Pow would earn him forgiveness, and dialed McGee. Gibbs knew that McGee probably had yet to make it back to the office, much less find out anything useful regarding Sam Brewer, but that didn’t matter; he needed one more thing.

When McGee answered, the younger man sounded out of breath. “Boss, I just got back to work and…�

“McGee! Pull the same records on Tony’s father and see if there was any interaction between him and Brewer,� he ordered.

“Tony’s dad? Do you think that there’s something illegal going on between them?�

What did he think? Was his opinion of the elder DiNozzo interfering with his judgment? He didn’t think too highly of a man who used his only child for his own personal gain but he was still Tony’s father and he had to accept that fact. If he continued to challenge Tony’s loyalty to his father, the only thing he would accomplish would be to destroy the bond that he and DiNozzo shared.

“Just do it, McGee and keep it under your hat,� he ordered. “Call me if you find anything.�

He hung up on McGee and slipped his phone back in his pocket. Gibbs walked over to his car and slid in the driver’s seat, his concern for Tony consuming his thoughts. If DiNozzo wasn’t careful, he was going to be in over his head and his father would be none the wiser but in Gibbs’ mind, DiNozzo Senior would be held responsible if anything happened to Tony.

It was then that Gibbs realized that he couldn’t leave; he would not go back on his word to watch Tony’s six, especially if Brewer was using DiNozzo to deliver his ultimatums. The team leader got out of his car and headed back into the hospital, stopping by the coffee shop to pick up two cups of coffee; it was going to be a long night.



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



Tony quietly entered his father’s room, stealthily slipping into the chair next to his dad’s bed. He watched the even rise and fall of the older man’s chest, thankful that his father was finally able to rest. As he watched his father sleep, Tony fought against his own exhaustion as his mind continued to race; there were so many things that he needed to say to his dad but he couldn’t bring himself to do so, at least not yet.

Of course, talking to each other was something that neither he nor his father excelled at; all his life, his dad had told him what to think and what to do and Tony had been expected to obey without question. Of course, that aspect of their relationship ended when Senior shipped his twelve year old son off to boarding school; tired of being a disappointment to his father, Tony had simply stopped listening and caring about what Anthony DiNozzo, Senior had to say.

After he graduated high school and headed to Ohio State, he and his father continued their formal relationship, pretending that they were a family and keeping up appearances, but there was never the closeness that a father and son should share. He wanted a father; he needed a father, but his was never there; Tony had found someone else to fill that role and now that his dad was trying to be a father, he was stuck between the life that he had always wanted as a child and the life that he had come to appreciate as an adult.

Gibbs was the father that had stayed by his side when he had been dying from the plague, he was the father that pushed him to be better, and he was the father who truly wanted what was best for him. Tony knew that his own dad couldn’t lay claim to any of those acts of fatherhood and yet Gibbs had been the one that had incurred his wrath. He cradled his head in his hands; why had he blown up at the team leader?

“Junior?�

Tony chastised himself for being so preoccupied that he hadn’t noticed his father was beginning to stir. He leaned forward and met his dad’s concerned gaze. “Hey, Dad,� he quietly greeted. “What are you doing awake?�

“I don’t know,� Senior sighed. “I guess I’m not used to staying in such a sub-standard room.�

“It’s not the presidential suite at the Adams,� Tony agreed. “But it’ll have to do.�

“Easy for you to say, Junior; you’re not the one lying in this bed.�

“You’ve got a point.�

He didn’t have the energy to argue with his father and found it easier to concede the older man’s point. “How’re you feeling?� Tony asked, purposefully redirecting the conversation.

“Not too bad,� Senior admitted.

“That’s good.�

“Can I get you anything?�

Tony wondered if his father was as uncomfortable with the forced conversation as he was. Of course, both he and his father were experts at skirting around the important issues and settling for the safe topics of conversation.

“No,� his father replied. “I’m not supposed to have anything after eight p.m.

Was it that late? Tony looked at his watch to see that it was almost ten o’clock; where had the time gone? “Sorry,� he mumbled. “I wasn’t thinking.�

“You look tired.�

“Just a little. I’ll rest better when I know you’re going to be okay.�

“Well, hopefully this time tomorrow it will all be over with; at least the surgery will be over with and I can concentrate on getting back on my feet. I uh…hope that I can still stay with you when I leave here.�

“Of course.� Tony made a mental note to make sure that his place was straightened up as soon as possible; maybe he could plead with Abby to help him make his apartment livable once again. Although he couldn’t imagine living under the same roof as his father, Tony realized that he didn’t have much of a choice; Anthony DiNozzo, Senior didn’t have any money or insurance or anywhere else to go.

“I don’t like putting you out, but….�

“Dad, you’re not putting me out,� Tony reasoned. “It’ll give us a chance to catch up.�

“I’m sure it will,� Senior sighed.

The palpable tension between them was unnerving; each man wanting to say something but neither one of them was willing to cross that imaginary line of formality that always existed between them. It was his father who finally broke the silence that threatened to smother them.

“Is there something bothering you, Junior?�

Tony sat back and folded his hands in his lap. His father was giving him an opening to speak his mind and he was suddenly having difficulty finding the words he needed to say. Come on, DiNozzo, he mentally chided. He’s give you an open door.

“I uh…I need to ask you something but I…don’t want to upset you, especially when you’re…�

“Anthony, if you have something to say, just say it. DiNozzo’s don’t mince words,� his dad reminded him.

“Okay.� Tony wiped his sweaty palms on his pants legs; he suddenly flashed back to cocktail hour at the DiNozzo household when he had to report on the events of his day. “I uh…� He nervously licked his lips. “Do you know Sam Brewer?� Tony finally blurted out.

His father’s face went pale and Tony had his answer without his dad having to say a word. Years of investigative work had taught him how to read people; a trait that had served him well both as a detective and federal agent. Part of him had hoped that his father would have told him that Brewer had made a mistake and confused his dad with another unfortunate soul who owed him money.

Tony pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a moment tamp down his initial anger. Why couldn’t his dad have come to him? He would have tried to help him despite their rocky history; Tony had cleaned up his financial mess once and he would have done it again.

When Tony looked up, his father had schooled his features; he knew that his dad had managed to come up with some kind of rationalization to explain his actions. Why did it seem like his relationship with his father was built on nothing but lies and convenience?

Senior cleared his throat. “Sam Brewer? I don’t recall…�

Pushing himself to his feet, a nearly inaudible moan escaped from his lips, but it was loud enough to warrant his father’s attention.

“Anthony? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?�

Tony slowly stood to his full height as his eyes met his father’s concerned glaze. He shook his head in frustration as he raked his hand through his hair. His father seemed to have the gift of understatement.

“Dad, we really need to talk.�

“Dad, we really need to talk.�

Truer words had never been uttered by Anthony DiNozzo, Jr. He and his father were not known for their long, heartfelt conversations; honesty was something that only existed between them when it was convenient, but now it was no longer a convenience, it was matter of life and death.

Tony had always made it a practice to stay out of his father’s business, especially after he realized that Senior’s business took precedence over everything including his own son. However, Tony knew that he didn’t have a choice; he had to tread in unknown waters and he wasn’t sure he was up for the challenge.

Cradling his ribs, he took a deep breath and blew it out in an effort to focus on the task at hand. Talking to one’s father shouldn’t be so difficult; but of course, DiNozzos never did things the easy way and that included discussing their problems openly.

“So, what do we need to talk about?� his father asked.

He stared at his father in disbelief. “What do we need to talk about? Are you serious? I mentioned the name Sam Brewer and…�

“Junior, I already told you that I don’t recall ever meeting a Sam Brewer,� Senior proclaimed.

“Dad, please,� he pleaded. “Please don’t lie to me. I can’t help you if you don’t start being honest with me.�

“Junior, I…�

Tony’s patience was quickly reaching its limits; he had never intended to have this conversation with his father until after Senior’s surgery, but the opportunity had arisen and now there was no turning back. In order to protect his father, he needed truthful answers; something his father didn’t seem to want to provide him with.

“Just stop. Don’t even go there; I don’t want excuses or half-truths or complete lies. I want you to tell me the truth!�

“You need to relax, Junior; you’re getting too worked up.�

Needing a release for his anger and frustration, Tony hit the wall with his fist. The adrenaline coursing through him was compensating for the pain the he knew he should be feeling; he was more than likely going to have to end up in the ER once again as well as pay for the repair to the crack now adorning the wall.

Flexing his fingers, he bit back the cry of agony that wanted to escape his lips. Silently chastising himself for his rash action that led yet to another injury, he then pushed the pain aside and turned his attention back to his father who was staring at him with a mixture of uncertainty and surprise.

“Perhaps I could relax if you would start being honest with me,� Tony stated with a forced calmness that he certainly didn’t feel.

Senior swallowed hard. “Sam Brewer was a business associate; things didn’t work out and we went our separate ways. I uh…borrowed some money to finance a deal and it fell through and I guess he expects me to reimburse him for his losses.�

Sitting down on the edge of his father’s mattress, he felt what little energy he had left ebb away as he contemplated his father’s admission. Surely his dad knew about Sam Brewer’s reputation; one doesn’t own half of Atlantic City and remain anonymous. Brewer somehow remained above the law and now his father had gotten mixed up with a known criminal.

“You borrowed some money? How uh…how much do you owe Brewer?� he quietly inquired.

“Well, I…�

“How much do you owe Brewer?� Tony was in no mood to hear any more of his father’s lies.

“Five hundred and some change,� Senior reluctantly answered.

Tony felt the knot in his stomach tighten. “Five hundred what, Dad? Five hundred dollars? Five hundred thousand? How much exactly?�

“Five hundred forty thousand,� his father finally admitted.

“Five hundred and…?� Tony tamped down the waves of nausea that threatened to overwhelm him. “Where did you plan on coming up with that kind of money? I don’t have that kind of money and I know that you don’t have that kind of money.�

“I intended to pay Brewer back; I had already made several installments and I was about to come into a nice lump sum.�

“Who do you know that would give you that kind of money?�

“That’s not important right now.�

Tony pinched the bridge of his nose in an effort to ward off the headache that was trying to return with a vengeance. He had too much on his plate to add the inconvenience of another migraine. What truly troubled Tony was that after all these years, he was no closer in understanding what motivated his father.

“It’s not important?� Did his father truly believe that Tony was simply going to be satisfied with his father’s quick dismissal of his question? After everything his dad had subjected him to the past couple of days, he deserved a straight forward answer from him and he was determined to get one.

“I don’t understand you, Dad. Earlier you were furious at me because I footed your bill the last time you were here, but then you end up in the hospital and you’re worried about paying your bills because you don’t have insurance. Then I find out that you owe money to the likes of Sam Brewer but you now suddenly have a mysterious money source; do I have another stepmother waiting in the wings that you’ve neglected to tell me about? As I recall, that’s the way it usually works.�

“Watch yourself, Junior,� Senior warned. “Your tone is bordering on being disrespectful.�

He was beyond caring how his tone sounded. Tony was tired of his father’s attempts at trying to distract him from the matter at hand; he was not in the mood for Senior’s games.

“Right now, I don’t care how disrespectful I sound; Dad, you need to level with me,� he pleaded. “Please.�

“Tony, I…�

“Why is it so hard for you to tell me the truth?� he demanded to know. “I’m your son; don’t you think I deserve to know what’s going on? I want to help you but you keep blocking me at every turn; it’s got to stop, Dad. You’ve got to tell everything that’s happened so I can help you.�

“Junior, I told you that I owed Sam Brewer money and I’m going to take care of it when I get out of the hospital,� Senior attempted to assure him.

“But you expect me to pay your hospital bills? There’s no lump sum of money, is there dad? It’s just another lie.�

“Anthony, please. I have it under control.�

“No you don’t, Dad! Brewer came to my apartment; my apartment! He was looking for you and he wanted his money; you don’t have this under control.�

He could have sworn that with that revelation, he saw a glimpse of panic in his dad’s eyes; Senior’s mask had slipped and Tony briefly saw the man that he wanted his father to be. Anthony DiNozzo, Senior, con man extraordinaire had ceased to exist and for a moment, Tony caught sight of the man who had taken him fishing as a young boy; a time when he and his father actually had a father/son relationship.

When his dad finally found his voice, regret hung on the simply apology. “I’m sorry, Anthony.�

Tony studied his father’s distinguished features; fine lines of exhaustion and worry had manifested themselves around his eyes. For the first time in his life, he noticed that his father actually looked old; the spark that had always radiated from his crystal blue eyes had been snuffed out, leaving Anthony DiNozzo, Senior defeated and full of doubt.

“Let’s start from the beginning,� Tony urged.

“The beginning?�

“From the time that you met Sam Brewer; maybe we can figure something out.�

“You still want to help me?� Senior asked.

“If you’ll let me,� he replied.

“I’d like that, Jun…Tony.�

Tony shifted over to the chair beside the bed. He had a feeling that this conversation was going to take a while so he knew that he might as well be comfortable. “All right, Dad; how did you meet Sam Brewer?�



XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX




Anthony DiNozzo, Senior had always prided himself on handling his own problems with the outcome always resulting in something that personally benefitted him; it was apparent to the man that he was going to have to swallow some of that pride and attempt to be somewhat honest with his son which was easier said than done. He had never wanted to involve Tony in his dealings with Sam Brewer, but he had run out of options.

Brewer’s patience with him had reached its limits and as a result, his son had been thrust into the middle of something that he didn’t understand; truthfully, Senior wasn’t sure that he understood everything that was going on either. Tony was more than likely going to have to be prepared to make a deal with the devil if he was going to save him from Brewer’s sense of justice.

“I met Sam Brewer the last time I was in Atlantic City, which was right before I visited you that last time. I convinced him that I had just come up on a deal that was just too good to pass up and he suggested that we become partners,� Senior began to explain.

“He suggested?� Tony pressed. “Are you sure about that?�

“Well, I might have presented the idea in such a way that…�

“Never mind,� his son grunted. “So when he found out that there wasn’t a deal, he wanted his money back, but you had already spent it.�

“I…uh…� Senior didn’t miss the fine lines of exhaustion in Tony’s features; a pang of guilt swept over him at the realization that he was causing the stress that seemed to be consuming his son. “Yes,� he honestly replied, not wanting to add to the pressure that Tony was already experiencing.

He watched Tony’s deliberate movements as he cradled his head in his hands. “Dad, why didn’t you just come to me? If you needed money, why didn’t you just come to me? I could’ve helped you figure something else out; taking money from a man like Sam Brewer is just plain stupid.�

“I’ve never asked you for anything and I wasn’t about to...�

Senior regretted those words as soon as they left his mouth. He saw the younger man visibly bristle, knowing that a biting retort was on the tip of his son’s tongue; the elder DiNozzo realized that he deserved every dagger that Tony could throw at him, but that was not Tony’s style. Maybe he had been right when he had said that he had never asked Tony for anything and that included his love, but for some reason, Tony had always given that freely even when they were barely speaking to each other.

“I’m sorry,� Senior apologized. “That didn’t come out right.�

“Yes it did,� Tony sighed. “But it doesn’t matter; at least not right now. What does matter is how you think that you’re going to pay Brewer back? And don’t tell me you have some money hidden somewhere; I’m not buying it.�

Sometimes Tony was too smart for his own good. It was obvious that his own son didn’t trust him and sadly, Senior couldn’t blame him. He had taught Tony from a young age that there were very few people in the world that he could trust; unfortunately, the boy had quickly learned that his father wasn’t one of them.

“I uh...,� he began to stammer. “I was going to make a deal with him.�

“Another deal? Why would you do that? Why would he make a deal with you? Do you actually think that he’s going to believe that you’re going to hold up your end of the bargain?�

“Actually, I was going to offer him something besides money.�

“And that was?�

Senior blew out a pent up breath, bracing himself for the storm that he was about to unleash. “He has some federal charges pending and I was going to offer to get them dismissed, in a manner of speaking.�

“And how were you going to do that? You don’t have any money to bribe a judge.�

“I wasn’t going to bribe a judge!� Senior barked, hurt that his own son would hold his past transactions against him.

“Then how were you going to get…�

Senior immediately noticed the sickly pallor that his son’s face had acquired as he realized what his father had intended to do; Tony’s expression of disbelief and betrayal was reflected in his eyes.

“Anthony, let me explain,� he begged.

“I don’t think you have to explain. You think that because I’m a federal agent that I can go in and fix these charges,� Tony deduced. “I work for NCIS and we don’t have anything to do with Atlantic City gangsters unless they’ve killed someone in the Navy or the Marines.�

“But I know that you have ways of gaining access to other agency files; you could…�

Tony shook his head vehemently. “No! Don’t even go there.�

“If I get the charges dropped, he’ll wipe out my debt. Evidently his freedom is worth more than the half a million that I owe him.�

“Do you realize what you’re asking me to do? If I get caught, I could lose my job and go to prison and you would still owe Brewer the money you so called invested. I can’t believe you!�

His piercing gaze followed Tony’s every movement as he rose from his seat and began to pace. “I thought you had changed, but I guess I was wrong,� Tony mumbled to himself as he continued to walk the short length of the room.

“Tony, please just listen to me.�

Tony stopped at the foot of his bed, his eyes brimming with an unbridled rage that Senior didn’t want to see released. “Listen to you? Why?� his son wanted to know.

“Because I’m your father.�

“No, no you’re not. A father wouldn’t ask his only son to compromise his standards just so he could save face in a world that he no longer has any influence over! A father wouldn’t lie to his son and a father wouldn’t put himself over his children! So don’t you lie there and tell me that I should do this for you because you’re my father!�

Tony’s venomous words were like a knife to the heart. Had he gone too far this time? Had he lost his son’s respect? Did he ever have Tony’s respect?

“I need to know one thing,� Tony insisted. “Why were you upset about me paying your bills when you were in D.C. the last time?�

Senior’s eyes narrowed. “Because I refused to be conned by my own son.�

“So, it was a matter of pride.�

“Yes,� he admitted.

“And what about your pride now? How much of it did you have to swallow to tell me the truth?�

“I think you’re being a bit over dramatic, Anthony. Maybe I did overreact when I discovered that you paid my bills but you have to understand, it made me look bad in Al’s eyes; I smoothed things over by telling him that it was a surprise birthday present from you…�

“Another lie!� Tony roared. “When does the lying stop? When do the games stop?�

Senior was saved from having to answer Tony’s thought provoking questions when the nurse entered his room. “Mr. DiNozzo, your heart rate is too fast; I’ve been watching it at the nurse’s station and it’s been steadily increasing. Are you feeling all right?�

“I’m having a little tightness in my chest,� Senior informed her.

“He’s fine,� Tony blurted out.

“I wasn’t aware your son had a medical degree.�

He laughed at the nurse’s flippant remark. “Actually, his degree’s in physical education.�

“Oh I see.�

Tony cleared his throat. “My father’s degree is in manipulation and lying; he’s actually got his doctorate in both those areas.�

Senior knew better than to try and start a verbal war with his son; Tony had an acerbic tongue when pushed and it was something that his nurse had deciphered as well. The older man hid his smile as the nurse turned to Tony. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but your father needs to rest and conserve his strength. Perhaps it would be better if you go home and get some rest,� she suggested. “Tomorrow will be a long day.�

The nurse’s attention was drawn to the hole that now adorned the once pristine wall. Her questioning gaze shifted between Senior and Tony, but neither man offered an explanation.
“That wall wasn’t like that earlier,� she stated. “Do either of you know what happened to it?�

Once again, her inquiry was met with silence. Senior breathed a sigh of relief as the nurse turned her attention back to him. “Get some rest, Mr. DiNozzo and I’ll check on you later.�

Senior locked eyes with his son. “I’m a little tired,� he confessed. “Why don’t you go on home, Junior and I’ll see you in the morning? I will I see you in the morning, won’t I?�

His heart sank as Tony turned to walk out of the room, refusing to make any promises. Of course, he knew that he more than likely deserved every harsh word and thought that was running through Tony’s mind; however, Senior also knew his son well enough to know that the younger man’s sense of duty would have him by his side in the morning as they wheeled him down to surgery.

“Tony?� he called out. “You will be here in the morning?�

“Yeah, I’ll be here,� Tony tiredly conceded.

“Thank you, son.�

“I’m not dropping this.�

“I don’t expect you to.�

“Good night, Dad.�

“Good night, Anthony.�

He watched as Tony left his room. An aura of betrayal hung over his son like a dark rain cloud. Although he knew that he had never had Tony’s complete confidence; Senior knew that he had managed to destroy what little trust that had been between him and he also recognized the fact that he would probably never be able to regain what he had lost.

Senior nodded his thanks to the nurse as she took great care to make sure he was comfortable. With instructions to call her if he needed assitance, Anthony DiNozzo, Senior was alone once again; he couldn’t shake the feeling that if he wasn’t careful, that he would be alone forever and that possibility was the one thing he feared more than anything, including death.




XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX



Gibbs was sitting in the waiting area, nursing his coffee as he watched for Tony to make his way past the small room towards the elevator. He had been waiting a while but he had to make sure that Tony was all right; Gibbs had a feeling that something was wrong and whether he needed it or not, DiNozzo was going to need someone to lean on.

He felt a familiar presence entering the room prompting him to walk over and press start on the microwave to heat the now tepid coffee that he had purchased earlier. Gibbs watched Tony almost collapse the couch; the anger and exhaustion that was radiating from DiNozzo was palpable and there wasn’t a doubt in the team leader’s mind that Tony’s father was responsible for the agent’s agitated state of mind.

“Thought I told you to go home,� Tony stated.

“Guess it didn’t take,� Gibbs replied, reciprocating one of DiNozzo’s infamous answers.

“I know the feeling.�

“You okay?� Gibbs asked, already knowing the answer to his question.

“Nope.�

“Wanna talk about it?�

“Nope.�

“Want something stronger than coffee?�

“Yep.�

Gibbs took the coffee out of the microwave and tossed it in the trash. “Let’s go then.�

As he extended his hand to pull Tony up, Gibbs noticed DiNozzo cradling his hand. “What happened to your hand?�

“The wall ran into my fist and no, I’m not going to go the ER to have it looked at,� Tony growled.

He wasn’t going to press the issue with DiNozzo; it was obvious that Tony was struggling to keep a tight rein on his emotions and Gibbs’ main purpose was to get the younger man somewhere where he felt safe enough to release those pent up feelings that he harbored. “Come on, Tony; let’s get out of here.�

“Sounds good to me, Boss.�

The two men went towards the parking lot and got in the car. The companionable silence between them seemed to calm DiNozzo’s nerves; he knew Tony well enough to know that his senior field agent wouldn’t talk until he was ready but Gibbs had made a personal vow to listen when the time came.

It only took Gibbs a few minutes of driving time before he pulled up in front of his house. Cutting the engine off, he glanced over at his passenger who was already starting to get out of the vehicle. Tony was definitely hurting, his emotional wounds running deeper than the physical ones he bore. Gibbs’ dislike for Tony’s father was quickly turning into hatred; it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay objective, especially when he knew that DiNozzo’s heart was being torn in two.