Disclaimer: NCIS is the sole property of the creators, studio, writers, producers, directors, etc. Lucky them….

I consider myself lucky to be able to take them out to play for a while. Some dialogue was pulled directly from the episode Broken Arrow to maintain continuity.

A/N: Senior is back... Tony has NO idea what to expect this time, but he knows being DiNozzo, Jr. isn't going to be any easier. Caught between two 'fathers' for the 2nd time Tony wanders will Senior be friend or foe.

***The intent was a one shot, but the episode was too RICH to over condense. It will be a 'short' multi-chapter fic that digs a little DEEPER….

***Thank you for the tremendous response to the story I've taken such joy in writing. Every review, alert, favorite is appreciated. Hope you enjoy this read and review, review, review!

OTC~OTC~OTC

The evening held a sense of deja-vu. How many times had he played his days over with his boss sitting in front of this fire place. Sometimes it was mutual silence or monosyllabic expressed thoughts they shared. Sometimes it was a one sided scolding. Other times it was a one sided therapy session where Tony spewed whatever popped into his head and his boss would do the listening. Tonight definitely had the therapy feel.

"Fornell made this?" Tony asked from his seat on the floor in front of the coffee table where his double filled plate was. Gibbs arched his brow then nodded his head saying nothing. "Well, don't tell him I said it, but it's pretty good." Another smirk was his response. The silence wasn't at all uncomfortable.

Sipping his coffee while he watched the crackling fire blaze Gibbs hadn't noticed that Tony was finished the meal he initially thought he'd have to force feed the Italian. The boy wanted the meal topped off with a beer, but his boss wouldn't indulge the request until he got to the root of what was going on. If they had things they needed to deal with they'd both be doing it with a clear head. Suddenly he found himself with a small photo in his hand.

It took a split second, after he held it about a foot from his face, for Gibbs to recognize the subjects.

"Where'd you get this?"

"My dad's wallet. Surprised? I know I was. I never thought him to be the sentimental type. I mean you would have to be keep something like this in your wallet all these years."

"Not sentimental just a father."

Pulling himself up to sit on the couch Tony looked at his boss with inquisitive eyes. "You keep pictures of me in your wallet boss? I mean you've been like a dad..."

"Try to stay focused DiNozzo. He just gave it to you?"

"Well, after we wrapped up the case and I was finally able to pry him from Ziva and Abby I took him back to his hotel. I swear I was all set to just put him in a cab and keep my fingers crossed that he wouldn't resurface for another year."

"But..."

"I couldn't do it boss. I had to know. I had to know what was going on with his business and let him know that I knew. I had to know where our relationship stood. I had to know what he was feeling."

Holding out the picture to it's rightful owner Gibbs asked, "Did this give you the answers you wanted?"

"He does talk just slightly more than you do Boss. But, it was the fact that he even had this picture that told me what I really needed to know."

"Which was?" He thought this would be a real eye opening window to both DiNozzo men.

"I guess I needed to know if he stopped caring or if he ever did for that matter."

"You had doubts?"

"You met the man. Of course I had doubts. My memories are just glimpses, little flashes, of my childhood when my mom was alive. Most of what I remember after she was gone is, well...it's the stories you've been hearing the last ten years. Did he hate me or blame me for her death or just resent the reminder of her life that I was? I had to know. You would've been proud of me boss."

"Usually am Tony."

This made the younger man extend his smirk to a full on ear-to-ear smile. "Thanks boss that means a lot. I just asked him straight out. I told him I understood how hard it must have been after mom and I asked him why things we so distant between us. Mostly I just wanted to know if we had a chance to make it right again."

"So, the picture was his yes."

"No, the picture was his way of saying he felt... that he loved me and held on to me even after he sent me away. I think I just got a peek at how hard it was for him to have me there constantly bringing his grief to the front of his mind. He's not an easy man, but at least I know he didn't just dump me off because he had no use for me. I needed that boss. I really needed that."

"What now?"

"Well, for one thing he's known that I knew about his money problems and about me paying for his ticket last year. Nothing quite as mystical as your calling me on it within an hour. Seems Prince Al ratted me out. Apparently I've been more concerned about his financial well being then he is. He said it happened before and he's always bounced back. I guess that was his way of telling me to trust him and stay out of it. The man is who he is. The womanizing, the scheming, the business attack let's just say it ain't going away because the man saved a photograph."

"You okay with that Tony?"

"I think I have to be Boss. We both agreed to try. Of course in the next breath he had me rushing him to the airport to bum a ride on Donald Trump's private jet. Like I said, he is who he is. Most important, I have what I need here. Any relationship we build will add to it, but if it falls apart again I'll know I tried and I'll still have what I need."

Tony leaned back watching his boss leave the room. When Gibbs returned from the kitchen he held two beers. Tony took his with a moment of trepidation.

"So, we're good Boss? I mean you know there's nothing I did..."

"You did good Anthony. Anything I don't know we'll just chalk it up to this month's pass."

"Damn, that means no gluing McGee to anything for the next thirteen days. I might not make Boss... I might not make it."

"Try not to fall asleep on the couch DiNozzo. I won't listen to a second day of whining about your back." Taking off for the sanctuary of his basement Gibbs left his boy to his thoughts. For now things had quieted down. The solitude would without a doubt be short lived knowing this group. Hopefully, there wouldn't be anymore visiting relatives for a while.

~Fin~