I own nothing from NCIS and make no money from this story! If I did own them there would be some wicked story lines! LOL! But for now I shall merely play with them and return them very sated!

A huge thanks goes to my most excellent Beta-Amy- without whom this would not be as polished! Kudos to her for her great work and wanting to work with a nut like me! Trust me! And I love her dearly! She rocks!

Come by my facebook page- always a riot! Sometimes great eye candy as well! Facebook./gibbsandtonysbabe Always happy to have you drop by!

Next Birdman will be a mission story...hang on...he'll be flying again!

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Tony began to wake up hearing the subtle movements of people in the house. As he slowly opened his eyes, he found a pair of angry blue eyes glaring at him.

"Mom!" He yelped in surprise.

"What is this I hear about you turning this house into a winter wonderland all by yourself? Doing it while no one was home?" Rose demanded.

Tony tried to glare at Dante but her petite body blocked his view.

"Don't you worry about Dante, Mister. I'll deal with him later. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I rested in between, Mom. I didn't rush around at all. It started as one task that kinda…grew." Tony sighed. "The next thing I knew I had done the whole house." He looked up through his eyelashes. "I was bored and I wanted to make it special. We don't all get together that often."

"That doesn't make it ok to push it." She gently grabbed his chin lifting his head to meet her eyes. "It wouldn't have mattered whether the house was decorated or not. It's still special. And each and every one of us would have gladly decorated with you." She sighed as she continued.

"You always push yourself too hard. You, Jethro, and my wayward son."

"Hey. I didn't do anything." Dante chimed in.

Rose whipped her head around and met Dante's eyes as he sheepishly lowered them. "Do you want to try that again? Who rushed to tattle on his husband?"

Jack, Gibbs, and Wes struggled to keep straight faces and not laugh as they watched the scene before them. Hearing the door, Dante made a move to answer it.

"Don't you dare move from that spot young man, I am certain that the three men trying to keep quiet are quite capable of answering the door. Now I'm still waiting for an answer."

Gibbs went to the door as Dante answered his mother.

"I did. But in my defense, it was because I was worried. I came home and saw all of this-" His voice tapered off as he saw his mother's narrowed eyes.

"Want to try that again Dante Wesley Craig?" Rose asked in a tone that brooked no defiance.

"I wanted to get Tonio in trouble as payback." Dante sighed. His father was having a hard time holding in his laughter as his grown, adult, married 6'1" son cowered at his five foot nothing wife, however he managed to keep it in check as he had no intentions of not sleeping beside her.

"I'm sure that somewhere in that head of yours you were also worried, however that was not the mitigating reason you rushed to inform me of his deeds. If I was able I would turn you over my knee."

"Mom!" Dante's eyes widened in shock.

"You know better. Now, apologize to Tonio."

"Fine." Dante walked over to Tonio who was desperately trying to suppress a grin. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have exaggerated my concern, though I am and will always be worried. Because Mom is right, you do push yourself too hard." He leaned down and kissed Tony's lips as he heard his husband whisper. "Payback's a bitch."

Rose smiled briefly before narrowing her eyes at the man lying on the couch. "You will stay there. I want no more shenanigans from you or I will have Ducky administer a pain killer to you." She grinned evilly. "And it won't be an oral one either."

Tony looked at Dante, Gibbs and his dad hoping that one of them would speak up for him only to see them all grinning at him.

"Damn. Ok…I'll stay on the couch."

Rose walked over and kissed Tony on the cheek. "That's better." As she walked over to Ducky, "Would you please check him over before lunch Ducky? I don't trust him with his 'I'm fine' answer."

"Of course, dear Rose. It is a pleasure to see you again. I brought some of mother's English scones for later. I made them from her recipe. It feels wonderful to share them with everyone. I also brought Scottish shortbread, made from a recipe that has been handed down generation after generation." He looked over at Tony.

"This was the year I'd planned on handing it down to Anthony seeing how my mother loved him. But…" Ducky's eyes twinkled as he saw the look on the younger man's face. "We shall see how he does now and maybe he will be able to help me make a batch for Christmas morning."

Dante whispered to Tonio. "Be good. Those cookies are awesome and your loving husband would appreciate them."

Ducky walked over to the couch and placed his bag on the coffee table.

"Tell me the truth Anthony, how do you feel?" The look in Ducky's eyes conveyed he was serious.

Tony sighed, unable to lie to the man. "I'm sore and really tired. Not unmanageable, but I will concede that even though I wasn't trying to, I may have overdone it."

"Where does it hurt?"

"Ribs and head."

"Alright young man, let's see what we have." Ducky began to examine him thoroughly as everyone watched with concern.

"Well my dear boy, it seems that you are none the worse for wear. You pushed too hard and your body is telling you. Tonight you will take a stronger pain pill, no arguments. And tomorrow you shall take it easy. Shouldn't be difficult with this room full, not to mention those that will be arriving."

"I dare say you have everything already set so it should be no issue for you to sit back, watch and enjoy everything, should it?"

Tony sighed. "No."

Ducky patted his leg and gave him a fond look. "Good. Now sit back and relax. I am sure Rose has everything under control."

"I do indeed Ducky, though considering that Tonio already has the bulk of the food and extra's cooked, I have had very little to do."

Tony sent her a sheepish smile. "I just wanted you to be able to enjoy yourself and be able to visit with everyone. Cooking relaxes me and I enjoy it, and I wanted to incorporate some new dishes."

"Then it's all done and I see that the rest will arrive tomorrow from the caterers. Anything else that I need to know?"

"Nope." Tony grinned.

Rose sighed as she smiled. "Everyone will be over tomorrow for the big Craig/DiNozzo Christmas. Do you need to do any last minute shopping Tonio? If you make a list I can take care of it."

"No Mom, but thanks. Took care of the last bit last week. Not sure about Dante though, he's not as efficient as I am."

"Hey, I resemble that remark." Dante laughed. "But I am all done."

Wes walked over to the couch. "So what's on the agenda for tonight?"

Rose looked at her husband. "Maybe we could pop some corn and watch a movie or play a game or two. Tonio really has everything organized and if he takes a nap, he should be up for it as well."

Ducky nodded. "Sounds wonderful. I don't remember the last time I sat down to play a game; it's had to have been years. Before Mother's Alzheimer's took over. I remember the two of us playing a variety of old and new games." He smiled at Tony. "Rose has made an astute point, if you rest for a bit you should feel more like yourself and feel up to it."

Nodding Tony settled back into the couch.

The house was filled with the sounds of family laughing, talking and enjoying one another as Tony closed his eyes and let sleep take him. Dante brought a blanket over and covered him up, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead before walking over to Gibbs, Ducky and his father who were smiling as Ducky shared a story.

Rose watched from the chair beside the couch not quite ready to leave her son yet as she watched Tony's breathing even out. She smiled at the group knowing that tomorrow there would be more laughter and noise and couldn't stop the warmth at the thought that her sons made this large group of soldiers and colleagues a family that was closer than many born of blood.

Love lived and flourished in this home. They didn't need a holiday to feel or celebrate that.