Chapter 9

Gibbs rushed upstairs to Tony's room and opened the door. He was relieved to see Tony still sleeping peacefully. When he was sure Tony was ok he went back down stairs, took his gun from the drawer and did a quick sweep of the downstairs area. After locking all the doors he went back upstairs. He checked all of the rooms and then returned to Tony's room. He looked down on his sleeping agent. His gut was churning with a feeling that he needed to be here so he pulled up a chair and sat beside the bed.

He had been sitting there for half an hour when his phone rang again. He quickly answered it and moved to the door so as not to wake Tony.

"Gibbs" he answered.

"Gibbs it is Ziva." came the reply. "There are two agents outside your door."

"Good." Gibbs replied and hung up.

"What's going on boss." Tony asked as Gibbs came back towards the bed.

"Your father has escaped." Gibbs told his agent reluctantly.

"Crap, he's on his way here." Tony concluded as he pulled off his covers. "I have to get out here."

"Hey, you need to stay here." Gibbs said as softly as he could "I won't let him hurt you."

"He wants to kill me Gibbs." Tony replied as he shook his head and stood up. "I need to leave."

"Tony I promise you I will not let him near you." Gibbs replied as he stopped Tony from walking away. "You need to trust me."

"I don't think I can boss." Tony replied softly. "You've been great this past week boss but it doesn't fix everything that's happened."

"I'm trying Tony." Gibbs sighed. "There are two agents outside the house and Ziva and McGee are trying to find your father. This is the safest place you can be. I'll protect you."

"God Gibbs I wish I could believe you." Tony yelled as he walked across the room. "When you were in Mexico I wished everyday you would come back, that you were here to help me. I looked up to you so much. When you came back I was happy but way you just threw my things back on my desk that hurt. I still don't know why I turned down that promotion. Then Franks came along and knocked me out. When I found out it was him that knocked me out and you knew about it, God I was so angry."

"Tony I."

"No Gibbs, I know what you are going to say but damn it, I've saved your life as many time's as he has, you owe me too." Tony continued yelling. "You've treated me like crap since the whole Jeanne thing and now you expect me to trust you. Trust needs to be earned and you have a long way to go before you earn my trust back."

"I know Tony I'm trying." Gibbs sighed. "Give me a chance and I will prove you can trust me."

"I'm trying Gibbs." Tony sighed as he collapsed into the chair near the window. "It's hard for me to trust anyone. You were one of the first people I've ever trusted, I used to trust you with my life, but you threw that trust away."

"Tony." Gibbs sighed just as his phone rang he say that it was Ziva so reluctantly answered.

"What is it Ziva." He barked as he moved just outside the bedroom.

He watched as Tony closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of the chair.

"We have been told that a man fitting the description of Tony's father was seen in your area." Ziva said. "I have alerted the agents outside your house. McGee and I are nearly there."

Gibbs heard a sound from Tony's room and spun around to face the room "Get the agents up here now." He said and quickly hung up.

He could see a shadow at the window and could hear the window moving slightly. He moved into the shadows so he wouldn't be seen. A few seconds later the window popped open and a man climbed in. Gibbs aimed his gun and waited for the man to make his move.

The man pulled out his own gun and pointed it at Tony who had just opened his eyes.
"I'm going to put an end to your miserable existence." Tony's father growled

"I don't think so." Gibbs said as he stepped out of the shadows. "Drop the gun."

Mr. DiNozzo spun around and faced Gibbs. "You." He growled as he reached around a shocked Tony and hauled him to his feet."

"Yeah me, now drop the gun or I will shoot."

"You won't shoot me." Mr DiNozzo laughed "You'll hit your agent."

"Don't count on it." Gibbs growled and moved forward.

Mr DiNozzo aimed his gun at Gibbs and squeezed his arm tighter around Tony throat.

"Shoot him boss." Tony gasped.

"It's alright Tony." Gibbs assured as he aimed his gun. "I know you are tired but just hang on for a few more minutes."

"Shut up." DiNozzo senior growled. "I don't know how you put up with him Gibbs; I thought you would have been glad to be rid of him."

"He is an excellent agent and an even better man. You would know that if you hadn't been such a bastard to him all of his life."

"He has you fooled," DiNozzo laughed. "He's a good actor but that's all."

"He has saved many lives, mine included." Gibbs replied "Now let him go, he can barley hold himself up."

Tony moaned as he tried to pull in air and wait for a signal from Gibbs. He knew what he had to do but had to wait for the right time.

"He's weak." DiNozzo growled as he looked down at his son.

Gibbs nodded to Tony and Tony got the signal. He gave a gasp and went limp in his father's arms. The sudden weight caused DiNozzo Senior to lean forward exposing his shoulder to Gibbs.

Gibbs fired his weapon and watched as the bullet hit DiNozzo Seniors shoulder. The older man dropped Tony to the ground, aimed his own weapon and pulled the trigger. Gibbs dodged out of the way as he fired his own weapon again. At the sound of the shots the other two agents burst through the door.

One agent went to check on Tony and the other on Gibbs. DiNozzo Senior's body was on top of a very still Tony. The agent moved the body and checked Tony's pulse. Tony returned to consciousness when he felt a hand on him. His eyes snapped open as he cried out and sat up in the bed.

Tony saw his father's form crumpled on the ground beside him and then he saw Gibbs form on the ground. He pushed himself up and limped over to Gibbs. He carefully leaned down to make sure Gibbs was still alive. He could see blood on the carpet. With the help of one of the agents he gentle rolled Gibbs over.

"Aghh." Gibbs moaned and clutched his injured arm.

"Agent Gibbs, are you alright." the agent asked.

"Yeah, just a scratch." Gibbs replied. "What about him."

"He's dead." The second agent replied.

"Tony, you ok?" Gibbs asked worriedly.

"I'm fine." Tony replied as he looked over at his father's body. "He tried to kill me again."

"But he didn't" Gibbs replied. "I had your six."

"But you got hurt."

"It's just a scratch Tony. And I'd rather it hit my arm than your head."

"Agent McGee and Officer David are on their way." One of the agents said "Dr Mallard and Mr Palmer are also coming,"

"Good work." Gibbs said as he struggled to his feet.

"Boss, stay down. Ducky will be here in a minute." Tony said as he kept pressure on the wound. "Please boss."

"Alright." Gibbs replied softly and sat down on the bed

Tony sighed in relief and sunk down beside him.

McGee and Ziva came into the room a few minutes later.

"Are you both alright?" Ziva asked.

"We are fine." Gibbs assured. "He didn't hurt Tony."

"That is good." Ziva replied.

"We'll process the scene." McGee said to the two agents. "Secure the area outside."

"Is Ducky on his way?" Tony asked

"He should be here in a few minutes." Ziva replied. "Are you alright."

"I'm fine." Tony replied "But Gibbs was shot."

"Just a graze." Gibbs added. "Come one Tony lets go down stairs."

"Ok boss." Tony replied and the pair got to their feet.

They slowly made their way down stairs and into the sitting room. They both sank down into the couch with a sigh. They were both exhausted from the ordeal and they were soon falling asleep leaning against each other.

Ducky arrive a few minutes later and took in the sight of the two men.

"Mr. Palmer, can you take care of the body upstairs, I think I need to have a look at Jethro and Anthony."

"Of course doctor." Jimmy replied and after a quick glance at his friend and the older agent, he headed upstairs. Ducky returned to the van and grabbed his medical kit. He returned to the sitting room and leaned down to assess his two patients.

"What have you done to yourself this time Jethro?" Ducky asked as he noted the blood on Gibbs arm.

"Just a scratch." Jethro replied as he opened his eyes.

"And how is Anthony?" Ducky asked as he gently probed Jethro's arm.

"I'm fine." Tony mumbled as he pushed himself up.

"Alright, let's get that top off you Jethro and I'll have a look." Ducky replied and then helped Gibbs out of his top.

"It's not too bad." Ducky concluded after a few minutes. "A few stitches and you'll be as good as new."

"See Tony." Gibbs said to younger man as Ducky cleaned the wound.

A few minutes later Ducky had Gibbs stitched up and checked his vitals.

"You are fine Jethro." Gibbs said. "You just need some rest. Now Anthony let me have a look at you."

"I'm fine Ducky." Tony assured.

"Let me confirm that." Ducky said as he pulled up Tony's top and listened to his lungs. He then took Tony's temperature and blood pressure.

"Your temperature is up a little as is your blood pressure but considering what's happened that's to be expected. You need some rest my boy."

"Thanks Duck." Tony replied with a weak smile.

"Come on let's go to my room and get some sleep." Gibbs suggested.

"Ok boss." Tony replied tiredly.

Gibbs pushed himself up and then he and Ducky helped Tony up. The three of them headed up the stairs and into Gibbs room. They helped Tony to lie down and then Gibbs climbed into the other side of the bed.

"Sleep well." Ducky said as he switched off the light and closed the door.

Ducky headed for Tony's room just as Palmer was loading the body bag onto the gurney.

"How are they?" Jimmy asked

"Just fine." Ducky replied. "They both need some rest. Timothy, Ziva, you will have to wait until tomorrow to take their statements."

"Of course." Ziva replied as she finished taking pictures.

"We are finished here now." McGee added. "We have all the evidence."

"Good let's get going." Ducky said "We will return tomorrow."

With that the group headed downstairs with the body as quietly as possible.

They locked up the house and left the two agents on guard for the night.

Gibbs woke a short while after the group had left when he heard whimpering.

He looked over to see Tony trashing in his sleep.

"Hey Tony wake up." Gibbs called and reached out to Tony.

Tony's eyes popped open as he yelped and scooted away from Gibbs.

"Tony it's me." Gibbs said and held his hands up in front of him. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"Sorry...boss." Tony panted as he realised where he was.

"It's ok Tony." Gibbs assured as he slowly moved to Tony. He could see Tony was trembling so he gently pulled him into his arms. "I have you Tony."

"Why did he hate me so much?" Tony asked with a sob. "Why did he want me dead?"

"I don't know Tony." Gibbs sighed "Everything I said to him was true. You are a good man and he should have been proud to be your father. I know I would be proud to have a son like you."

"Really boss." Tony asked uncertainly.

"Really Tony."Gibbs assured. "I'm very proud of you Tony, you are kind and caring and you are a great agent. I would be so proud to call you my son."

"Thanks boss." Tony replied as tears streamed down his face.

"I mean it Tony, I know I don't show it well but I mean what I said. Your father was a terrible man but he can't hurt you anymore."

"You had my six." Tony replied sleepily. "You kept your promise, you didn't let him hurt me."

"I'll always have your six Tony, always." Gibbs replied "And I hope you know you can trust me and tell me anything."

"I do Boss, after tonight I really do. And that goes both ways."

"I trust you with my life Tony." Gibbs replied softly as Tony relaxed in his arms and finally fell into a peaceful sleep.

They still had some making up to do, but tonight they had made a good start

The End.

A/N: And that's it for this story. I hope you all enjoyed it. Thanks again for all of the reviews and alerts they are really appreciated. Thank you.