**Chapter Twelve -- Looking Up**
**September 28, 2010 -- Bradley's House**
Abby turned the key in the lock on the front door quietly, hoping that no one would hear her. It was Saturday morning, and typically everyone took the day to sleep in until almost noon. Slipping inside and depositing her shoes next to the door, she turned to walk up the stairs when she was met with Bradley's voice coming from the living room.
"You went to see him, huh?"
She closed her eyes briefly before walking into the large room and sitting next to him on the couch. "I did. Sorry I didn't tell you."
"I was worried, Abby."
"I'm an adult, BB, not the 16-year old who used to sneak out her bedroom window to go to concerts." She smirked, dropping her head on his shoulder.
"Well, you're reminding me a lot of that 16-year old right now." He sighed, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "So, how was it?"
"Good. We finally talked about what happened. It's not all fixed, but we're committed to working it out, and I think we've got a pretty good chance this time around."
The sandy-haired man leaned down and pressed a kiss to his sister's cheek. "That's good to hear, baby girl. I...I know I haven't always been the most supportive of you and Tony, but if he's what you want and he makes you happy, then that's fine by me."
"Thanks, BB. That means a lot, you know." She paused, smiling as she looked down at her hands. "Do you think Mama and Dad would've liked Tony?"
Bradley pulled back slightly and looked down at her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "I think they would be happy that you're happy." He pulled her close to him again and tucked her head under his chin. "You should take him by the house, show him where we used to live. When was the last time you were there?"
"You know it's been a long time." She said, the smile dropping from her face. "When are you gonna sell it, anyway?"
"You mean when are we gonna sell it? I don't know. Not yet. We've had good luck with renters. Selling it just seems like the last thing." He ran his hand over her arm, knowing that she was uncomfortable talking about their parents. "Can you imagine how excited Mama and Dad would be if they could see you right now? Their baby girl about to have a baby of her own."
"Stop. You're doing it again."
"What?"
"You're just getting all...trying to get me to talk about them." She said, closing her eyes to hold back the tears that she could feel welling up.
"It's only because you never do."
"I do. You know I do." A single tear slid down her cheek, making her shiver as it landed on her bare leg. "I just did."
He wrapped his arm tighter around her as she started to tremble slightly."You know the baby's gonna have something of them in it. I mean, what if it's got Mama's fire red hair or something?" He smiled. "You're bringing them back, you know. In a little way."
"I know. Are you trying to make me cry?"
Pulling back again, he took his sister's face in his hands and wiped her tears away. "You're gonna be a great mom, Abby. Like our Mama was."
"Thanks, Bradley." She leaned up and kissed his cheek before pushing herself off the couch. "I'll be back down in a bit, okay?"
"You got it. Chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast?"
"Only if you've got whipped cream." She grinned, making her way up the stairs.
He smiled, running a hand through his hair before standing up and walking into the kitchen. He started pulling down the ingredients for the pancakes when his wife came into the room and smacked him on the ass.
"That was sweet, you know."
"What's that?" He asked, putting a chocolate chip into her mouth.
"You telling Abby she's gonna be a good mom."
"Well, she is. I wasn't just saying it to be nice." He mixed the batter together while Britty dropped the chips in for him, shaking her head.
"I know you weren't. You know, you should talk to her about your parents more. You're the big brother, I'm sure you remember more about them than she does."
"She wasn't a baby, B. She remembers 'em."
She put her hand over his, stilling it. "That's not what I mean, Bradley. Tell her the little things about them. Things that she might not remember."
Abby came back down the stairs a moment later, smiling at the couple. "Jack still sleeping?" She asked, sitting on a stool and rubbing her belly.
"I think so." Britty said, moving to stand next to her sister-in-law. "So, did you and Tony...'make up' last night?"
The Goth's eyes widened as she looked at her friend in shock. "I am not discussing that in front of my brother!" She hissed, smirking at the redhead. "I do have some big news for you though."
"Do tell!" She grinned, leaning against the counter. Abby took her hand and placed it on the baby bump and she nearly shrieked when the baby kicked into her palm. "Oh! B, the baby's kicking!" She cried, holding her hand on her friend's belly. "When did this start?"
"You won't believe me if I tell you."
"Try me."
"Last night, Tony and I were watching 'Evil Dead' and it kicked him in the side."
"No way!" Britty exclaimed, smiling when the baby kicked again. "That was the first time?"
"Yep. He thought it was gas."
Bradley wiped his hands and turned the stove off before making his way over to his sister and placing his hand on her stomach, smiling when he felt the movement. "Congrats, Abs." He said, leaning down and kissing her cheek. Walking over to the stairs, he called up for his son. "J! Get your butt down here before your aunt eats all the pancakes!"
"Are you calling me a pig?"
"Nooo..." He smirked, walking into the dining room. "I wouldn't say that about my baby sister."
She got up and punched him in the shoulder before sitting at the table. "It's not nice to make fun of a pregnant woman. I'm sure you learned that when you guys had Jack."
"Yeah...but that was so long ago!" He joked, rubbing his shoulder. "I think I had almost forgotten. Ow!" He cried, holding his other shoulder where his wife hit him. "Jesus you two, gangin' up on me?"
"Well, you should think before you speak." Britty grinned, greeting her sleepy son as he sat at the table. "Mornin' baby."
"Hey Mama. Why up so early?"
"Early? Boy, it's nearly 11. We've spoiled you."
Jack grumbled quietly as his parents sat down at the table on either side of him. They ate quietly for a few minutes before Abby spoke up.
"Tony wants to pick J up one day next week and take him out. Wants to apologize for what happened the other day.
"No way!" Jack cried, crossing his arms over his chest. "I don't wanna go anywhere with him. He's not even my real Uncle."
"Jack! Bite your tongue." Britty scolded, hitting his arm.
"I don't wanna go! Don't make me, Dad, please!"
"Uh uh. I'm not getting involved. This is between your mother and your aunt." He said, standing up to clear the table.
Abby frowned at her nephew. "You really want us to go back to DC without talking to him first?"
"I don't care." He pouted.
"You're lucky he's not here right now, J. That would really hurt him. He loves you very much even though he doesn't have to. He may not be related, but he's always been good to you."
"I'm sorry." The boy sighed, dropping his eyes to his plate. "But do I really have to hang out with him?"
"It would really make me happy if you would. You're very important to me, Jackie, and so is Tony. I'd really like it if you guys were getting along."
"Do I get to pick where we go?"
"I'm sure you do." Abby smiled.
"Okay..." He groaned. "I guess I can hang out with him."
"Thank you!" The Goth squealed, jumping up from her chair, hurrying over to hug her nephew.
Jack hugged her back, patting her on the back after a moment. "Auntie...was that the baby?"
She pulled back and smiled. "Yup. Guess you made your little cousin happy too."
**Four Days Later -- October 2, 2010**
Pulling up in front of the school, Tony shifted the car into park, rubbing his hands nervously against his pants before he climbed out.
Abby had managed to talk Jack into hanging out with him after school in an effort to make up with the boy. Though Jack wasn't actually his nephew, he'd always liked the kid, and knowing that he was no longer comfortable around him bothered him more than he'd like to admit.
Rounding the car, he leaned against the passenger side, arms crossed over his chest as he watched the throng of children hurry out of the main door. Scanning the crowd, he frowned slightly when he didn't immediately spot the boy.
He pushed himself off the car and made his way toward the school, constantly on the lookout for Jack. He turned the corner and saw a group of kids gathered on the playground, reminding him of the fights he used to see when he was in boarding school.
"Hey!" He called, running over to the small group of kids. The group dispersed and he saw Jack on the ground with a taller kid wrestling him. "Hey! Break it up!" He yelled, pulling the larger boy off of his nephew.
Jack got up and looked at Tony before running off, heading toward the front of the school.
"Jack, wait!" He called, still holding he other boy by his collar.
"No!" He cried, not turning back to the older man.
He groaned. "Come on, where's your parents?" He said, pulling the kid along with him as he followed Jack.
They got back to the front of the school when Tony was approached by a tall, dark haired man who looked like the boy's father.
"There a reason you're dragging my boy around?"
The Italian let go of him, looking at the bigger man closely. "Saw him on the playground beating up on my nephew." He said, motioning toward Jack.
Tony's eyes widened as he saw the man's fist coming toward him, unable to duck in time to avoid the stinging punch he received. Holding his eye, he stumbled back, attempting to balance himself before launching forward toward the man's waist, knocking him to the ground.
He managed to get the man flipped over onto his stomach, holding his wrists behind his back, his knees on either side of the man's waist.
"Get the hell off me!" He growled, struggling against him.
"I should arrest you for striking a federal agent." Tony whispered, leaning over him. He stood up suddenly when the larger man stopped struggling, moving over toward Jack while keeping his eye on him. "Are you okay, buddy?"
The shaggy haired boy nodded, looking up at his bruised eye. "Are you okay, Uncle Tony?"
Tony chuckled. "Yeah, kid. I'm fine."
**20 Minutes Later**
Tony sat outside the Principal's office door with Jack on his right and the father that punched him on his left, sitting next to the other boy. He held an instant ice pack over his eye and frowned deeply when the raven-haired Principal walked out of her office and addressed the two adults.
"Inside, gentlemen, please." She smiled, holding her door open for the two men. "Your mothers will be here shortly." She said, turning toward the two boys. "I expect you to behave until they arrive."
Both men stood and followed her inside, sitting in the chairs that were in front of her desk. "Can I ask what the problem is between you that caused you to throw a punch in front of my school, Mr. Keller?"
"He accused my boy of beating up on his nephew. Andy wouldn't do that."
"Look..." Tony started, taking the ice pack off his eye. "I know what I saw. And there were at least a dozen kids standing around that can vouch for it."
"What exactly is your relation to Jack Sciuto?" The Principal asked, looking to Tony. "I know his family well, and I've never seen you."
"I'm his aunt's boyfriend. I'm down here from DC, and I just came to pick him up from school. When he didn't come out, I went around to the playground looking for him and that's when I saw the fight."
"Well, I don't know how you do things in DC, but around here we frown upon grown men fighting like children. It sets a bad example, wouldn't you say?" She asked, watching with a small smirk on her face as both men averted their eyes. "You're excused. I need to speak with the boys now."
Standing up from their seats, the two men followed her out of the office, reclaiming their chairs as she called the boys inside. Tony slumped against his chair, covering his eye again with the ice pack and sighing.
"Well, if it isn't DiNozzo." Bradley said, walking in behind both Abby and Britty.
"Tony, are you okay?" The Goth asked, barely containing her giggle as she pulled the ice pack off his eye and looked at it closely. "Sitting outside the principal's office? Isn't that a little cliche for you, baby?"
Britty entered the office with the other boy's mother to speak with the Principal and to collect her son while Bradley remained outside with Abby and Tony. "I'm sure it's something he's used to, Abs. Not the first time in your life, am I right?"
"Ha ha." He replied dryly, glaring at the older man. "And so what if it isn't? All that means is that I sympathize with what Jack's goin' through in there. Speaking of, Bradley, you should probably have a chat with your son. I've got a feeling this isn't the first time this has happened."
Looking to his left, he saw Keller scowl at him. He rolled his eyes and turned back to face Abby, who was poking and prodding at his face. "Abs, please, that hurts." He whined, pushing her hands away from his eye.
"Sorry." She said sheepishly, pressing a gentle kiss to his temple. "The swelling's not too bad. Should be better in a few days. Keep the ice on it."
He nodded, placing the pack back on his eye. "Thanks, baby."
Britty exited the office a moment later, her arm wrapped around her son's shoulder. "Come on, you three. Let's get back to the house. It's time for a family meeting."
"Mama! Do we have to?" Jack whined, dropping his head when she tapped him on the back of the head. "Sorry." He mumbled, walking with her silently.
Abby couldn't help but laugh as they all walked back to the car. "Hey, BB, I'll head back with Tony. See you at the house in 10?"
He nodded, a semi-frightened look crossing his face at the thought of riding back to the house with his wife in the mood she was in.
"C'mon, Abby." Tony said, opening the passenger door and helping her in. "Do we have to go back? I have a feeling this isn't gonna end well for me."
"Yes, we have to go back." She said, watching him sigh heavily as he closed the door and rounded the sedan, climbing in before starting it up and following the SUV back to the house.
Once they arrived, everyone met in the living room, sitting on the couches and chairs. "Okay, as you all can see, I'm not very happy about what happened today. Jack, I've never been called to your school before, and today I get called because you were in a fight?"
"Technically..." The Italian tried, receiving a sharp look from the redhead. "Sorry."
"Tony, I don't even know where to begin with you. I trusted you enough to pick my son up from school, an easy task in my opinion, and you end up in the Principal's office for fighting with another parent? I appreciate you trying to stand up for Jack, but do you always have to fight? That can't possibly be the only way you know to solve problems!"
Abby was giggling quietly next to her lover, unable to control herself, despite several glances from both Britty and her brother.
"I didn't start it!" Tony claimed. "I know, it seems like that's always my defense, but I swear! I didn't even throw a punch!"
"That doesn't matter, Tony! I grew up with enough fighting in my house with my 3 brothers. I don't need that for Jack."
"But Mama! Uncle Tony didn't even fight! Mr. Keller hit him and he did this super cool cop takedown thing and made him stop!"
Britty glared at Tony briefly before turning on her son. "Super cool, huh? When have your father and I ever taught you that fighting is cool, whether or not you hit back?" The boy frowned, dropping his eyes. "That's right. You're grounded for the weekend, so go call Michael and tell him that you won't be going to the movies on Saturday."
He stood up and walked out of the room slowly, trudging up the stairs to his bedroom.
"Britty...he didn't do anything wrong. He was just trying to keep that kid from kicking his ass!" Tony pleaded, watching Jack climb the stairs sadly.
"That's not the point, Tony." Britty said, sitting down next to her husband. She felt bad for punishing her son, but she knew that it had to be done. "He knows to avoid confrontations."
He looked across the room at Bradley in disbelief. "You never taught him to stand up for himself? Trust me, that's the number one thing a kid needs to know at his age. It's the first thing I learned at boarding school."
"He's not you, T." Abby said, placing her hand on his leg. "Let's not get in the middle of this, okay? It's not our place."
He sighed, taking her hand in his. "Yeah, you're right. Maybe we should get going." He stood, tugging Abby to her feet gently. "I'm sorry, you two. I just wasn't gonna sit there and watch Jack get beat up on." He shrugged. "He doesn't deserve it."
The couple walked out the front door, heading for the car when their names were called, making them stop. Turning around, they saw Jack running down the walkway toward them.
"What's going on, Jackie?" The Goth said, smiling at her nephew.
"I just wanted to ask Uncle Tony a question."
"Shoot, buddy." He asked, leaning against the side of the car.
"Well, I was hoping that maybe...you know, after my punishment, we could hang out like we were supposed to today?"
The older man smiled, tousling the boy's hair. "You got it, little man. I'll talk to your parents, maybe pick you up from school on Tuesday?"
"Sure!" He grinned, throwing himself at the older man and hugging him tightly. "Will you come over tomorrow? We can play some video games after I'm done with my homework."
He looked over at his girl and smiled. "We'll see, Jack. You'd better get back inside before your mom blows a fuse."
"Tony!" Abby laughed, punching him in the shoulder before turning back to Jack. "Go on. We'll be back tomorrow, okay? I'll see you after school."
"Okay, bye!" He said, waving at them. They watched as the young boy ran inside and closed the door, leaving them alone in the front yard.
"He's a good kid, huh?" Tony asked, wrapping his arms around the Goth's waist and pulling her close to him. "Think our baby will be like him?"
She smiled, leaning up to peck his lips. "Let's hope so. C'mon, I'm hungry and my back hurts."
"Ah..." He said, helping her into the car. "I see one of my famous back massages is in order, yes?"
"Oh yeah. Definitely." She grinned, resting her head back against the seat as they pulled away from the house and headed back to Tony's hotel for the night.
Chapter End Notes:
"Looking Up" by Paramore