Master Jethro, I seek admission to your halls," said Seer Morrow formally.

"You are welcome and peace be on your sojourn," replied Gibbs.

"I need to talk to you and to Tony," said Morrow, "Is he in his studio?" Gibbs nodded. The Seer had learned his lesson and simply went to the door, knocked and called through, "Tony, it's Seer Morrow. Can you come out, please?"

A moment or two later, Tony emerged, trying to hide his green hands. Morrow's eyes twinkled but he didn't comment.

"The Green Finger Horticultural Hortation proving tricky?" suggested Gibbs.

Tony nodded, "I'll get there. In the end."

"Tony, Jethro, I have something to tell you," said Morrow in a serious tone.

"Go on then," directed Gibbs.

"I've been reaching out to your family, Tony." Tony's face lost its colour and his eyes widened fearfully, "No, not your father," said Morrow hastily, "No, your family in England."

"Oh."

"I spoke to your great uncle Clive. Clive Paddington," said Morrow turning to Gibbs, "He's Tony's mother's uncle. Tony, he was upset that he'd lost contact with your father and you, but he said that he understood that you were all upset when your Mom died … and he didn't want to interfere. He didn't know about the magic."

"Do the Paddingtons have magic?" asked Gibbs sharply.

"Some do. He doesn't think that Tony's Mom did, but it is in the family."

"So he's not embarrassed by it?" asked Tony.

"By no means. He was distressed to learn that your father's family disapproved …"

"I don't think I know him," said Tony.

"No, you wouldn't. He said he visited when you were a baby … had plans to keep in touch when you were older … perhaps introduce you to your English family, but it never happened."

"Oh. What's he like?"

"He seems kind. And he's interested in meeting you. But only if you want to, Tony."

"I guess it would be OK. I mean, it might be cool," said Tony who was obviously excited but wary at the same time.

"Jethro? Would you be willing for him to come here?"

"If Tony wants to meet him, sure. When?"

"Now, if you want. He's upstairs, waiting to see if you'll admit him."

"Tony," said Gibbs, "The Hand Restoration Remedy is in the blue book. Why don't you take it into your studio and perform it? Should be straightforward. You don't want to meet your uncle with green hands, do you?"

Tony nodded agreement and summoned the blue book before walking into the studio.

Gibbs turned to Morrow, "You sure about this, Tom? Is he OK?"

"He seems fine, Jethro. I've done my investigation and there's nothing suspicious about him. He's just someone who wants to look out for his great-nephew."

"OK, if you're sure. Bring him down."

As they waited for Clive Paddington to arrive, Gibbs spoke to Tony, "Don't worry … I've got your six. If you don't like him, he won't be staying. Understood?"

"Yes. Thank you, Master. And what's my six?"

"I'll explain later."

At that moment, Seer Morrow entered the basement with a tall, distinguished looking man who didn't look much like Tony except around the eyes.

"Tony, this is your great uncle, Clive Paddington. Mr Paddington, this is Tony."

Clive gazed at Tony for a moment or two and then extended his hand to be shaken, "I can't tell you what a pleasure this is," he said, "You know, you have a look of your mother."

Tony took the hand but didn't quite know what else to say apart from Hello, Sir.

"And you must be Master Gibbs," said Paddington, "I must thank you for the care you have given to Tony … I am most grateful."

"It's no trouble … most of the time," said Gibbs with a wry look at Tony who managed to gaze back guilelessly.

"Let's all sit down," suggested Morrow, "And get to know one another."

Gibbs looked slightly aghast at the prospect of such an activity, but it turned out that he and the Seer didn't need to do much except listen as Tony and Clive chatted away.

"Why don't you show your uncle around?" suggested Morrow once it was plain that the two were getting on well.

Tony jumped up and led Paddington into his studio. A few minutes later, they emerged, and Tony said to Gibbs,

"Master Jethro, is it OK if I take Mr Padd – I mean, Uncle Clive up to the yard? He wants to watch me shoot hoops."

Gibbs nodded consent and watched as Tony led his newfound relative upstairs.

"They're getting on well," observed Morrow.

"Yes," said Gibbs gloomily.

Morrow coughed in a way that suggested he was about to suggest something that he wasn't sure Gibbs would approve of.

"Spit it out," ordered Gibbs.

Morrow grinned at not having been able to deceive Gibbs, "Paddington wants to take Tony to the UK. For a vacation," he added hastily, "He wants to introduce him to the rest of his family … to his heritage."

"For how long?"

"Two – three months."

"Three months!"

"Only with your permission, of course. The apprenticeship agreement takes priority and you are Tony's master."

"What do you think?"

"I think it would be good for him to go. You know, it's good to have family," said Morrow gently. Gibbs nodded stiffly but didn't comment. "And it would be good for Tony to see something of the world. I don't know if he's told you what his life was like before …"

"He told me." Gibbs didn't expand on the reason Tony had told him.

"I'm glad; I hoped he would. So, you know that his life has been limited. I think it would be good for him to see more of life."

"Hmph, I guess. But I won't make him go if he doesn't want to," said Gibbs sternly.

A sweaty but happy and excited Tony soon appeared with a calmer but apparently also happy Clive Paddington in tow.

"I don't understand the game," confessed the Briton, "Basketball is not played as widely at home as it is here. Although my granddaughter is very adept at netball … Perhaps, Tony you would be able to share experiences?"

"That would be great," he said, "When's she coming to the US?"

"Ah," said his uncle, "That brings me to something else. I wonder, my boy, if you would like to come for a holiday … a vacation … to the UK?"

"Excuse me?"

"The rest of the Paddington family is eager to meet you … and I would very much enjoy showing you where your dear mother was born and brought up."

"I'd … that would be … but I can't," said Tony.

"Oh. Why can't you?"

"I've got to be here. I'm Master Jethro's apprentice … for 1000 days."

Seer Morrow intervened, "I've already spoken to Master Jethro about that. He's willing to let you go."

"But …" Tony was clearly torn, "But what about Nora? She'd miss me."

"Reckon she'd be OK," said Gibbs gruffly.

"And the books? What about the books?"

"I had no idea you were such a scholar," said Clive, "But don't worry, I have an extensive library at my country home. I'm sure you'll find something to interest you."

Gibbs had a fleeting vision of the books in the Paddington library flying around Tony's head, "Um, I'm sure we can work something out, Tony," he said.

"How long would I go for?"

"I thought about ten to twelve weeks," said Clive.

"What do you think, Tony?" asked Gibbs.

"I'd come back, wouldn't I?" said Tony.

"Yep."

"Promise?"

"You ever know me to say something I didn't mean?"

Tony shook his head, "And … it's OK to go?"

Gibbs put his hands on Tony's shoulders and bent to look him in the eye, "Tony, do you want to go?"

Tony closed his eyes, much as he had all those months ago when making the decision about signing the apprenticeship agreement. "Yes," he said as he opened them again, "Yes, I would." The decision made, and reassurances given, Tony gave into his excitement and cheered, "I'm going to England!" he snatched up Nora and danced around the room.

NEXT DAY

"We'll keep in touch through Seer Morrow," said Paddington to Gibbs as they waited for Tony to make his final preparations. Gibbs nodded. "I'll look after him," promised Clive, "He'll be fine. This will be good for him."

"You sure you don't want me to give you an Aviation Amulet? Make the journey simpler."

"Thank you, but no. I have always enjoyed air travel and, although I have tried magical aids, I find I prefer to go at a more leisurely pace and have my whole body arrive at the same time. I fear magical travel always give me the sensation of my liver arriving an hour after the rest of me."

Gibbs shrugged, "You haven't used one of my aids but suit yourself."

"Say goodbye to Master Jethro," said Clive as Tony emerged from his room, "I will await you in the garden … yard. Goodbye, Master Jethro … and thank you for entrusting Tony to me."

Gibbs turned to look at Tony, "You can't take her with you," he said, pointing to Nora who was once again draped around Tony's neck.

"I know," said Tony in a slightly choked voice.

"I'll look after her," promised Gibbs.

"I know," said Tony again. He peeled Nora off his neck, planted a quick kiss on her head and put her on the table. "Master … I will … you will let me come back, won't you?"

"You're always welcome back … but I'll understand if you don't want to come."

"I'll always want to come back," insisted Tony.

"I've got something for you. Here …" Gibbs handed Tony a stone.

"What is it?"

"It's a Homing Stone. It will always bring you here when you want to come." Gibbs had decided that actions would say more to Tony than words.

Tony grasped the stone tightly, "Thank you …"

"Come here," said Gibbs and he pulled Tony into a quick hug, "Fair passage on all your journeys,"

"And a blessing on all that you aspire to," replied Tony shakily. And then, with a quick look around the basement, he ran lightly up the stairs and was gone.

XXXXXX

"The basement seems quieter without Tony, does it not?" said Ducky some weeks later, "Have you heard from the boy?"

"Off and on. He's busy, having a great time. Turns out that he's got five cousins his age. Two doting aunts and sporty uncles. They love him over there."

"He'll be back, Jethro. Never fear."

"We'll see, Duck. We'll see."

"Apart from anything else, it would be a shame if he stopped his training. From what you've let drop, he is likely to be a remarkable proponent of magic."

"He could learn in the UK," said Jethro who seemed determined not to be optimistic.

"But you have a high regard for his abilities, do you not? At the time of his accident, you were impressed by his sensing of the evil of what had been lurking on Tobias."

"Yeah. He's a bright kid. Fornell told me that some of what he suggested about the reasons the bug was planted turned out to be right … helped them compile a psychological profile and find the bad guys. Think he wanted to recruit Tony there and then."

"So, he could follow in your footsteps?" suggested Ducky cautiously.

"Those days are over," said Gibbs firmly, "I like what I'm doing … I don't want to go back to being an investigator."

"Indeed … we all know what it cost you, Jethro. And there is no doubt that what you are doing now is a great service to the community. You can be proud of all that you do."

"Maybe," shrugged Gibbs.

"Hark, is that someone coming?" asked Ducky.

Seer Morrow entered the basement shortly afterwards and, after exchanging the formal greeting, said, "Any chance of a drink, Jethro? I've been in a committee meeting at the Magical Council all day and I'm … well, just let's say, I'm in need of something."

Gibbs summoned a tray of drinks and they each chose what they wanted.

"Good heavens," said Ducky.

"What?" asked Gibbs, he followed Ducky's gaze and said nonchalantly, "Oh yeah …"

Ducky had spotted Jasper and Nora entwined together in a basket set before the door to Tony's studio.

"… oh yeah, happened just after Tony left. I figure they both missed him and needed company," explained Gibbs.

"Jasper has been conquered," said Morrow.

"Any word from Tony?" asked Gibbs casually.

"Not since I saw you last …"

"The lad will be home soon, won't he?" asked Ducky.

"He might decide to stay," said Gibbs emotionlessly, "He seems to have fitted in well."

"Maybe," said Morrow calmly. "Although it would be a shame to lose him. From your reports, Jethro he is a remarkable student."

"He's ready to move on to the next stage," said Gibbs, "In fact, he's already moved on, but I don't think he's realised."

"Explain," said Morrow.

"Well, the spells … they're a bit like training wheels. And people with little magic always need them to control their magic. But the powerful people don't need them after a while. The written words give them the principles but then they move on and don't need them. When Tony told me about his childhood – how he was on his own so much … I figure that gave him a push. Because he was lonely, he used his powers to make friends with what was around him …"

"Ah," said Ducky, "The books … and the chess set," he laughed at the memory of his game with Tony.

"Yes. And I think he's got his basketball in on the act as well to give him difficult shots to master. He didn't have spells for that, but he just did it. And that's unusual for someone of his age … or perhaps our training stops kids doing it, who knows?"

"And you think he's doing something similar now?" asked Tom.

"You've seen it," said Gibbs.

"I have?"

"The day of the flood," prompted Gibbs.

"It was you who lifted us all up," remembered Tom.

"Yep. Carry on …"

"But the water disappeared almost immediately. I thought you'd done that, Jethro. You mean it was Tony?"

"It was Tony. He just did it and I reckon that shows he's ready to move on."

"Then we must hope that he comes back," said Ducky, "It would indeed be a pity for this country to lose such fine potential. And," he added sadly, "We would all miss him tremendously."

"To Tony," Morrow raised his glass in a toast.

"To Tony," chimed in the others.

The Seer, ever busy, soon had to leave and Ducky went with him.

As they stood panting slightly at the top of the stairs, Ducky ventured to say,

"I believe that the stairs are much less steep than they were when Tony first took up residence, do you agree, Thomas?"

"Yes, I think you're right. I hope it means that Jethro is emerging from his gloom. Well, good night, Ducky. Good to see you."

"Indeed, likewise. Er, might I ask you a question?"

"It feels like you already did," smiled Morrow.

"Tony and Jethro have turned out to be wonderfully good for each other. As far as I can see, Tony was a lonely child lacking in confidence and Jethro was … well, we both know what Jethro was …"

"And?"

"As I said, they have been good for each other. And I wondered …"

"What, Ducky? What did you wonder?"

"I wondered whether, in your capacity as a Seer, you sensed – foresaw - that their meeting would be so good … so healing?"

"Ducky, you know I can never discuss something like that. What I see has to remain a secret. Good night," and with a suspicion of a wink, he was gone.

"Quite so," said Ducky happily, "But I wonder," he muttered a little more sombrely, "What you see about Tony's return?"

XXXXXX

Gibbs arose the next morning with the sense of dullness that had attended all his risings since Tony left.

As he walked to the worktable, he realised with a slight shock that Jasper and Nora were not in the basket as usual.

"The Homing Stone worked," came a familiar voice from the table.

Gibbs grinned at the sight of Tony sitting at the table, surrounded by the books and chess set and with Nora draped around his neck and Jasper sitting on his lap.

"You're back," said Gibbs stating the obvious.

"Still got more than 600 days of apprenticeship to go."

"612," said Gibbs, "You've still got a lot to learn."

"I know."

"Hop to then; first client is coming down the stairs."

"Yes, Master."

Gibbs went to get a cup of coffee but, as he went, he ruffled Tony's hair.

AN: all done … it's time to leave Tony to get on with his apprenticeship! Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in the story – the characters are back in their non-magical box.