A few days later Tony stood in front of the court room. Gibbs stepped up to him and looked at him, then at the door, then back at Tony.
„I’ve been in there before. In this room. I’ve sitten there and that lawyer grilled me over the way I lead the investigation. It was when you were in Mexico. He made me think I did everything wrong. It took me a lot of will to not agree that I made mistakes.“
He looked at his older lover.
„What if this is going to be like that?“
„Tony, it’s a hearing, not a trial. You won’t have to face a lawyer. Not now anyway. Just keep your temper towards Steve.“
Tony nodded curtly and then entered the room.
Some minutes later the judge entered and they stood up. Judge Daniels was not older than Gibbs and she smiled at Tony, what reassured him. Robert sat next to Gibbs as they waited.
„Ok, the case Andrews against DiNozzo. Mr. Andrew, you are requesting the custory for Lilian Robbins, is that correct?“
„Yes, Ma’am.“
„And you, Mr. DiNozzo, are the biological father of Lilian?“
„Yes, Ma’am.“
Tony said and nodded. He tried to surpress the nervous feeling in his stomach but there was nothing he could do.
„I viewed the file and I can’t see any of those reasonable doupts, that you, Mr. Andrews, based your request on, that Mr. DiNozzo is not capable of raising the girl. He is the biological father and had shared custody with the mother. His alomony checks were always on time and he has a well payed job which he maintained for five years now. Which are those reasonable doupts, Mr. Andrews?“
Tony’s heart felt a bit easier after this. Apparently the judge was on his side but he knew what reason Steve would bring now.
„Lilian is used to live with me and not with him and his lover.“
The judge raised an eyebrow.
„His lover?“
„Yes, Ma’am. Leroy Jethro Gibbs.“
Tony said just to take it away from Steve. He didn’t want to let it seem as if he was hiding anything.
„He is here, if you want to talk to him.“
„So, Mr. Andrews, your argument is that Mr. DiNozzo is in a relationship with a man?“
„It’s nothing serious, I’m sure. Tony...Mr. DiNozzo isn’t the kind of man who has serious relationships.“
„That’s not true! Ma’am, I did have serious relationships before. I was in one with Lilians mother, but it didn’t work out. And my relationship with Jethro is a serious relationship. We know eachother for five years, as long as I worked for NCIS and we took time before we started. You see, he’s my supervisor. We wouldn’t risk our careers for just a fling. I love Jethro and I know that he loves me. And Lil likes him. When Amanda died everything crashed down on me. I had to take Lil all of a sudden and he just shrugged his shoulder and told me to live in his house with him and Lil. He accepted the fact that I’m responsible for a five year old girl that easily. She’s happy with us and in the two weeks she’s living with us she has barely mentioned Steve.“
The judge patiently waited for Tony to stop and he did when he noticed that he was babbling. Gibbs changed a look with Robert.
„You know, I would like to have a word with your partner. What was the name?“
„Leroy Jethro Gibbs.“
Gibbs said as he stood and walked up to Tony.
„Mr. Gibbs, how long are you and Mr. DiNozzo living together.“
„Well, actually, just over two weeks. But as Tony said we know eachother for five and I know that nothing can tear me away from this man and his daughter except Tony wanted me to go.“
She noted something and then looked at him again.
„Anything else before I make my decision?“
„Yes, Ma’am...they don’t know how to raise a child. I lived with Amanda for two years. I know how to deal with Lilian.“
Steve said but Gibbs held up his hand.
„Wait...I do know how to raise a child. I had a daughter once. She...she died when she was eight. Therefore I know very well how to deal with a five year old.“
The judge nodded and made another note.
„Ok, I decide against the request of Mr. Steve Andrew to have custody for Lilian Robbins. You can try and ask for visitation right but given that you haven’t even been her legal guardian I don’t think that will get through either. For you, Mr. DiNozzo and Mr. Gibbs, I wish you luck with the girl and hope I won’t see you here again.“
Tony and Gibbs smiled at eachother as the judge stood and left the room. Steve was out just as quickly and Tony was happy about it. Never in his life he wanted to see that guy again. Robert met them and shook hands with Tony and then Gibbs.
„Congratulations, Tony. And Jethro, your daughter definitely was a bonus. But I’m sorry to hear that you lost a child. I know how much that hurts. My son died when he was two. It ended my marriage.“
Gibbs nodded not able to give the sympathies back. It had been difficult enough to mention Kelly. He felt Tony’s hand on the small of his back and forced himself to smile.
„Let’s go home.“
Tony said but it was merely more than a whisper. Gibbs nodded and was relieved that it had been that easy.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Title says it all
Chapter End Notes:
Still the same. I hope I won't take that long to update.