* * * * *

Gibbs ran his hand over the board he'd just tacked in place, feeling for any rough spots he'd missed with the plane. He'd been working steadily for forty minutes, but even over the sounds of his handiwork, he did not hear the one sound he'd been listening for. He argued with himself – was he doing the right thing? Or was he just making things worse? He knew that Tony had come to rely on him for guidance and discipline. But did that discipline always have to take the same form? "Aw, hell," he finally said, putting down his mallet and taking the steps two at a time.

He walked into the living room and flipped on the lamp. Tony didn't even look up. He sat down in the chair again and leaned forward. "Why are you still here?" he asked.

Tony squirmed uncomfortably. "I…um…it's just…"

Gibbs sighed impatiently. "How have you made it this far in your career without completely falling apart? This can't be the first time you've screwed up this big. And this can't be the first time you've put a partner in danger because you did something stupid."

"Actually," Tony said hoarsely, "it is."

"It is what?"

"I've never done something that got my partner shot at before. But…" he stopped.

"But what?"

Tony steeled himself. "That's not why I'm still here."

"Then why are you?"

"I don't know," Tony whispered.

"Yes you do," Gibbs whispered back. His boat was still calling, but for the moment, he ignored it. "Tell me what the problem is, Tony." Tony shrugged. "Tell me," Gibbs insisted.

"Kate could have been killed," he answered lamely.

Gibbs shook his head. "You just said that's not the reason. And I know that's true because if it were, you'd have gone to find her by now. What's really bothering you?"

"Forget it," Tony said, standing up suddenly and turning for the door.

"Sit down!" Gibbs ordered angrily. Tony turned and looked at him for a moment before sitting down on the couch again. "I'm not playing around with you, Tony. What's the problem?"

"Are you giving up on me?" Tony asked quietly.

"Am I…am I giving up on you?" Gibbs asked incredulously. "What are you talking about?"

"Is the reason you didn't punish me because you think it's not worth the effort anymore?"

Gibbs mouth hung over for a moment – a first for him. "You think I didn't spank you tonight because I don't want to be bothered?" Tony nodded. Damn! "If I didn't want to be bothered, you would not be sitting in my living room right now. You'd be sitting in your living room looking for another job!"

"Then why…"

"Because I thought feeling guilty for a while would be an appropriate punishment for this time and deterrent for next time," Gibbs explained. "Apparently, all it did was make you useless," he said, almost to himself.

But Tony heard, and the words stung more than a belt ever could. He stood up angrily and headed for the door again, but Gibbs was faster. He grabbed his arm, spun him around and slapped him hard on the butt. He spun him around again and stood just inches from his face. "I am not giving up on you. One of these days, you're finally going to start thinking like an agent all the time. And when that happens, my job will be done. Until then…" he pulled Tony toward the couch, "bend over."

Tony bent over, but when Gibbs disappeared, he stood up again. He heard quick footsteps on the basement steps, the sound of him rummaging around for something, and then more quick steps coming back up. Gibbs appeared around the corner holding a paddle.

"Why are still standing up? I thought this was what you wanted?" he demanded, gesturing with the paddle. Without another word, Tony bent over the back of the couch.

A split second after Tony felt Gibbs' hand on his back, the paddle slammed into him. The impact took his breath away. Gibbs allowed him to recover before he launched into a spanking that was just hard enough to break the seal and make Tony start to cry. As soon as he did, Gibbs tossed the paddle onto the couch and pulled Tony up and into a strong hug. He held him as Tony sobbed, releasing his guilt over what had happened to Kate and fear that Gibbs had abandoned him.

When he finally settled down, Gibbs pushed him gently away and nodded toward the couch. They both returned to their seats as Tony sniffed. After a minute, Gibbs grinned. "Better?"

Tony shrugged.

"Don't tell me I just went through all that for nothing," Gibbs said with mock annoyance. He watched Tony for another minute as the young man absent-mindedly rubbed his fingers along the edge of the paddle sitting next to him on the couch.

Gibbs got up and went to the kitchen. He returned a moment later and handed Tony a bottle of beer. He settled back in his seat and took a swig from his own bottle. "What's on your mind?" Gibbs asked quietly, then sat back to wait.

Tony drank half his beer before he spoke. "This wasn't even about Kate," he said as if he'd been mid-thought when he started talking.

"No kidding," Gibbs said with a grin.

Tony looked up. After a few seconds, he returned the grin. "You're the investigator," he said. "What was this about?"

Gibbs laughed then suddenly sobered. "If I had to wager a guess, I'd say," he paused and studied Tony for a moment. "I'd say this is about your father. And me." Tony nodded slowly. "Anthony," Gibbs sighed, "I am not your father."

"But you said I was pretty much your son," Tony teased.

"You're lucky I can't reach you," Gibbs teased back. He sobered again. "I'm not going anywhere, Tony. And I'm not giving up on you. Is that clear?" Tony nodded again. "Is that clear?" Gibbs repeated a bit stronger.

"I got it Boss," Tony said.

"Good," Gibbs said, draining his beer. "Because if we ever have to have this conversation again, you will be looking for a new job." He stood up and grabbed the bottle out of Tony's hand. "Now will get out of here so I can get back to my boat?"