NCIS BIGBANG Brats, Badges and Hoses: Chapter 3 - Badges Versus Hoses
Brats, Badges and Hoses: Chapter 3 - Badges Versus Hoses
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Chapter 3 - Badges Versus Hoses
Tony slept fitfully but he slept and before he knew it, morning was there and a flurry of activities swirled around them as they got ready for the main event - the Annual Tournament of the Baltimore Badges Versus the Inner Harbor Hoses.
Tony always laughed that they had gotten away with the name and it had stuck. It had started as a simple basketball game to raise money for the Death Benefits Fund for cops or firefighters killed in the line of duty. The event had grown over the years to include a $50 a plate dinner donated by local caterers and some kind of volunteer service activity during the weekend along with the game and, of course, the infamous calendar. Some years the events were designed to raise additional funds with a car wash or bake sale. Other years they volunteered their time to fix up a family’s home that had lost a loved one that served or they opted to repaint the firehouse. As much as Tony enjoyed those activities, it was playing basketball that he always enjoyed the most. He had tried to start an intramural league at NCIS when he had first started but the work schedule had proved too crazy to keep up with it. He gave up and instead stuck with the occasional pick-up game he could find at the local Y in order to keep his skills sharp enough to not embarrass himself at this once a year shindig.
He had showered quickly before anyone else needed the bathroom. In a one full-bath house like this, he imagined mornings were hectic with everyone trying to get ready for the day. He had been right. As soon as he was out, Pete swooped in behind him.
“I’m getting in before all the hot water’s gone,” he whispered conspiratorially.
“Don’t you go in there first, Mister!” Tony heard Angie yelling from their bedroom. She ran down the hall just as Pete winked and slammed the door shut.
Angie glared at Tony like it was his fault. “You let him in,” she said accusingly, her dark hair askew and her grey eyes bleary-red. “For that, go get the coffee started. I have to piss too much to listen to running water.”
Tony snickered but turned and followed her out towards the living room.
He headed into the kitchen while she stomped off to a powder room that had been built off of the living room a few years before. Tony knew neither of them liked it much even if Pete had built it himself. It had turned out that Pete was no Gibbs when it came to do-it-yourself work but he had been adamant about doing it. It was functional, if cramped and a little wonky. The floor was uneven so the toilet sort of lilted to the side when you sat on it so it was a careful balancing act while doing your business.
Tony suspected they hadn’t been able to afford to hire someone to do it so Pete just did it himself. Tony would have offered assistance but the one time he tried, he’d only insulted them so he never offered monetary assistance anymore except for a rare dinner out. Instead he often brought “his old” things and offered it to them if they wanted it: old TVs, blu-rays, his old laptop for Maggie. Tony would ask if they wanted it because he didn’t just want to throw it out. Angie and Pete didn’t earn much but they worked for what they earned and it paid for the basics, just not the luxuries Tony was used to. Angie’s knowing statement earlier made Tony realize he hadn’t been as clever as he thought he had been.
He wasn’t rolling in money, but he was more than comfortable with the money left to him from his mother’s trust when he had turned 25. He had invested it well and it was how he paid for the place he moved into when he first moved to DC (and still lived in), as well as allowed him the few trips he was able to take and the expensive suits, cars and electronic toys he had. Mostly though he reinvested it and lived off of his NCIS salary. Not having rent or a mortgage had made his life much easier. He could see the struggle Pete and Angie had trying to live off their cops’ salaries.
When it became apparent they needed an additional toilet, they did it themselves, much like they ‘fixed’ most things. Tony admired them for it, knowing he could never do the work himself. He had never had to learn how and didn’t have the interest but he knew enough to see that while they made things work, it didn’t have the same level of craftsmanship Gibbs’ work had. Then again, Gibbs did it more out of desire than necessity. He enjoyed time spent building cabinets, toys, and yard work. Gibbs could have paid someone else to do that work, but he chose not to. Pete and Angie didn’t have that option and so the work they did was necessary and just another chore to get done.
Tony puttered around the kitchen to do as he had been commanded. Once the coffee was brewing, he began getting mugs out of the cabinets.
“YAWWW-OWWW!” Tony heard Pete scream and turned to see Angie leaving the powder room with a satisfied smile. Then he registered the sound of the powder room toilet flushing.
“Damn it, Angie!” Pete’s voice echoed through the hall.
“Serves you right, ‘Mr. Can’t Let His Wife Pee Before Stealing the Good Bathroom’!” She yelled back as she walked into the kitchen, not looking anymore awake than she had earlier. “Where’s the damn, coffee?”
“Still brewing. See you’re still not a morning person,” Tony quipped.
She glared at him and Tony stepped back, yet again almost expecting a familiar headslap. He laughed. She was the most generous and friendly person he knew except before she had had her caffeine. She reminded him of Gibbs except for the friendly and generous part.
He laughed to himself. It was an unfair thought. Gibbs was generous in his own way. Maybe not friendly, but he cared deeply for those who got under his tough exterior just like Angie even if she had an odd way of showing it. She would kill to protect her own, just like Gibbs. He envied Pete for a moment and wondered what it would be like to have someone like her at your back as a partner. He knew they fought at times, knew they struggled but they always had a sense of humor and there was never any doubt they were family and there was love. Tony sighed.
He watched as she pulled the pot out from underneath and shoved her cup into the stream of brewing coffee. He was impressed she hadn’t missed a drop in the transition.
Once her cup was full, she gracefully transferred the carafe back under and took a sip from her cup.
He had forgotten she took her coffee black - like Gibbs. And why was he thinking of Gibbs so much this morning, Tony asked himself.
“You don’t make it strong enough, but it’ll do.” She walked away as Pete came out of the bathroom.
“All yours,” he said as they passed by each other but before she could duck in, Maggie ran from her bedroom into it and shut the door.
“MAGGIE!” Angie yelled and started banging on the door.
Pete made a face at Tony. “Oops.”
“Honey, Tony and I are going to go pick up the donuts,” Pete said as he grabbed Tony’s arm and headed to the front door. He grabbed the keys off the table by the door. “We’ll be back in a few!”
Tony turned to see Angie glaring back at them.
“Coward,” he said to Pete as they got in the car.
“Yup. Before her coffee, you bet I am,” Pete smiled, his pale complexion reddening with emotion.
It had only taken thirty minutes, but by the time they got back Angie and Maggie were busy loading the other vehicle with odds and ends. Their own vehicles were filled with the donuts they were taking to the basketball court for the volunteers. Tony was grateful he was able buy something almost like real coffee, flavored with his preferred vanilla and hazelnut while they were there.
He handed over a caramel hot chocolate with whipped cream to Maggie who took it gleefully.
“You remembered!”
“Of course, Magpie. How could I forget?” Tony smiled. “Besides, you’re going to need that sugar if you think you have a chance against me.”
“I’ve been practicing. We’re going to so beat you this year.”
“I’m shaking already,” Tony laughed and bit into a jelly donut he’d taken from one of the boxes.
---
The rest of the morning sped by as they set up for the game. Tony greeted his former compatriots as they warmed up for the first game. He saw the photographer and introduced himself before reminding him not to use his image in the calendar. Ray had laughed and said he remembered. His brother was on the force and so Tony and Ray had known each other for a long time.
The day was warm and sunny with just a slight breeze. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
---
“Close match. The Harbor Hoses could pull this out but only if DiNozzo misses the free throw.” The announcer called out over the cheap PA that had been loaned to them by the elementary school. It worked so it didn’t matter. They always had a pretty large crowd and a good time, the lack of high end equipment notwithstanding.
Tony didn’t know this announcer. There were usually two - one from each team. The last few years it had been Ben Taggert, a fireman, and Justin Bailey, a cop, but Bailey had been unable to make it so a new person stepped in. He didn’t catch the guy’s name. Clearly the guy had no idea who Tony DiNozzo was if the doubt in his voice about his ability was anything to go by.
Tony was sweating and he was out of breath. Even though the game was for fun, they all played their best because they wanted their team to win. Tony really wanted to win. The prize was completely worth it.
He concentrated and ignored the benched Hoses and their families yelling to distract him. Tony was very good at concentrating under pressure. He had to make the first free throw to earn the second. If he was able to do that, then they’d be one point up with only ten seconds to burn.
He rarely missed and he didn’t this time. Sometimes the fireman joked around that he was a “ringer” but since Tony had founded this little event, he’d been grandfathered in as a player.
He still took a deep breath and focused on his second shot. Once he made that, it was a matter of Pete just having to control the ball for a few seconds and not allowing the Hoses to get it.
By one point they had won. Tony couldn’t wait for the next event - the winning team’s award but they all took ten minutes to cool down.
---
“You ready, Tony?” Magpie asked, sitting across from him dressed in her team uniform. The kids had decided to paint their own tee shirts after they had chosen the name for their team. He thought she had used an entire bottle of glitter glue on her shirt to spell out ‘Brats’ in huge letters on the front and her last name on the back.
“Bring it,” Tony answered. She was the center for the kids team against his winning Badges.
The referee stood between them holding the ball. Tony towered over Maggie. The ref looked at him and said, “Begin!”
Tony spun around five times fast before the ref threw the ball in the air. Dizzy, he took a swing at where he thought the ball was at and missed it completely.
“Hah! Got it!” Maggie yelled and the game was on.
Brats versus Badges was the prize for winning the first match and Tony loved it. Kids (ages 7 -12) from the fireman and the policeman’s sides got to form a team and play against the winners from the Badges/Hoses match but the kids got to make up all kinds of rules and got as many time outs as they wanted.
The first rule was the adults all had to spin around five times before a play started. At any given time, three rules were allowed to be enforced. Each kid on the team was allowed to shout up to three rules during any quarter. The referee would decide if the rule was good and which rule was ended. The Ref also changed all the rules halfway through each quarter.
For the first few minutes the rules were:
“RULE!” little Jimmy Rowland yelled.
Everyone froze while the Ref went to learn the rule.
“New Rule,” the ref yelled. Tony recalled the ref’s name was Mary Donovan. “Each Brat player may sit on the shoulders of or ride piggyback on a Fireman to play. Players - choose your Inner Harbor Hose!”
The kids ran off and each picked one of the firemen that had played earlier and brought them onto the court. The younger ones sat on shoulders, bigger children rode piggyback.
“Eliminate the spinning rule!” the ref called out. Play resumed for a minute. Tony felt silly skipping on the court but he was glad he was almost as good with his left hand as his right hand and was thrilled the spinning rule had ended.
“RULE!” Shelia Brown yelled. The ref ran over to her.
“New Rule,” the ref announced. “Brats do not need to bounce the ball! Remove skipping!”
Play resumed. Even though most of the onus was off of Tony, playing one-handed was a challenge, particularly against opponents who were now over seven feet tall and didn’t need to dribble the ball.
Sheila was sitting on her father’s back and he was well over six feet already. He just walked up to the basket and she dropped the ball in.
After several baskets, and even two made by the Badges, the ref blew the whistle. “RULES CHANGE!”
It was halfway through the first quarter. The kids were up by ten.
“The New Rules are: There are now five rules!”
Play continued. The Brats had managed to score twice, even though it was harder for them without the height. Everyone laughed as not only the Badges on the court had knelt down, but all the ones on the benches had rushed the court to join them as they saluted the kids with a loud round of “Brats Rule!”
When the second quarter started, Tony wasn’t on the court. They tried to make sure everyone had a chance to play, particularly if they had a kid on the court. He was enjoying watching though as the Badges tried to play while they whistled and there were four balls in play and ten kids on the court to their five.
Like the night before, Tony couldn’t remember laughing so hard since the previous year. This was his favorite part of the entire weekend - the kids’ game.
“Told you we’d beat your butts!” Magpie said as she ran up to hug him during the half-time break.
“So you say - but the game’s only half over!” Tony laughed and handed her some Gatorade while they watched the first half of the third quarter.
During the last few minutes of that quarter, things got a little hinky.
Both Tony and Maggie were back on the court. The Badges had to play with another person at their back, arms linked together at the elbows - so one person was always moving forward, while the other was moving backwards.
Tony was linked to Darren Williams, a cop he had known for years. They had never spoken much as they only saw each other at the annual event and things were usually hectic. Tony remembered he wanted to ask Darren if he remembered anything about the guy that had bought that first “Get out of Jail Free card” but he’d have to do it after the game. There was too much going on.
While they were waiting for the next play to start, Darren said, “I see your dad made it again.”
“What?”
“Your Dad. I think it’s nice he comes all this way to see you.”
“My dad? You must be mistaken. I doubt my Dad would ever come to this,” Tony said. Even though he knew it wasn’t true, he couldn’t help but look around a bit. He hated how he sometimes got so needy for any crumbs of acceptance from his absent father, even after all these years, but he couldn’t see Senior anywhere.
“He comes every year. I’ve chatted with him a couple of time. He says he looks forward to watching you play and how proud he is of you.”
Just then the ref started discussing a new rule, but Tony ignored her.
“My dad?” Tony knew his voice sounded a little too high-pitched.
“You and your dad have issues? Nevermind - not my business.” Darren sounded like he regretted saying anything.
“Ah, no. But where is he? I don’t see him.”
“He’s over by the bleachers, hiding under them actually. Says he needs the shade. He have a skin condition?”
“No, not that I know of?” Tony said sort of confused. He looked over to where Darren seemed to be looking and gaped. Looking back at him were two very familiar blue eyes and they did not belong to his father.
“He said he was my father?” Tony asked in a whisper.
“Ah - no. I just assumed…”
Just then Tony went down as a basketball hit him on the side of the head.
“Tony!” Darren yelled as Tony slipped out of his arms.
“Tony!” His other team mates yelled and turned to check on him followed by Angie and Pet and some of the kids.
“Tony!” A very familiar voice called out and as Tony looked up at the familiar faces, he jerked back as he saw the one he hadn’t expected. “Boss?”
Gibbs had pushed his way through the throng and used his thumb to pry open Tony’s eyelids to check his pupils.
A paramedic from the fireman’s side came up. “Step aside, let me check.”
“He’s prone to concussions,” Gibbs and Angie said at the same time. Tony watched as the two stared at each other.
“I’m fine,” Tony insisted waving Gibbs, Angie and the paramedic away.
“Let me be the judge of that,” the paramedic said. Tony blinked at him and vaguely remembered meeting him.
“Brian, right?”
The prematurely balding man nodded and Tony was slightly dazzled by the reflection of the sun off his head. He blinked some more when the man insistently flashed a small penlight into his eyes.
“Trust me, I know what a concussion feels like. I am fine.”
“DiNozzo,” Gibbs began with a no-nonsense tone but was stopped when Maggie wiggled through the crowd and dropped to her knees next to him. She threw her arms around his waist.
“Tony!! Tony…you’re okay, right? You’ll be okay? I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.” Tony could tell she was trying not to cry.
“Miss…Miss, I need you to...” Brian started to say until Tony glared at him.
“I’m fine…right?” Tony said pointedly to Brian. His eyes flashed up to Gibbs who was watching the scene carefully.
“Uh…I’m sure you are, I just need to do this to finish some paperwork,” Brian stuttered.
Tony was grateful the other man picked up on the hint. “See Maggie. I’m fine. You still throw like a girl,” Tony teased.
She lifted her head up, eyes running and cheeks red. “Do not!” She insisted and hit him lightly on the chest before laying back down on his chest.
“Like a really strong, tough girl who wasn’t trying to hurt me but has really good aim,” Tony continued and wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her head. “Now, I’m going to sit out for awhile and let you kids get on with the game.”
“I don’t wanna play,” Maggie said, deflated.
“Sure you do. Besides, you finally have a shot at winning if I don’t play,” Tony teased. “Don’t you want to win?”
“We are already beating your butts!” She was sounding as if she was trying to regain her enthusiasm.
Angie finally reached down and tapped Maggie’s shoulder. “Honey, let’s get out of the way. Tony will be fine and your teammates need you.” She smiled at Tony and he was glad she understood he really wasn’t feeling well but didn’t want to frighten the young girl. “You remember what Tony has always said about teams.”
“You have to have each other’s backs.”
Tony noticed Gibbs’ smile.
“Yes, and your team needs you,” Angie said as she led her away. The rest of the crowd dispersed. Without thought, Tony took the hand Gibbs had offered and stood up. Gibbs led him to the sidelines, one arm wrapped around Tony’s waist and Tony’s armed draped over Gibbs’ shoulder.
“Feels a little familiar, huh Boss?”
“Yeah, you do get hurt too often,” Gibbs said.
“Uh, I meant helping me off a basketball court. You remember the Salazar case - when I twisted my ankle?” Tony felt Gibbs fingers tighten on his waist.
“Sprained it, you mean,” Gibbs muttered.
“You do remember!” Tony was elated for a moment until Gibbs closed his eyes and paused.
“A little hard to forget,” Gibbs said quietly before starting to walk again, after shifting his arm a little higher around Tony’s waist.
Tony suddenly remembered all the other baggage that had come with that case - the mysterious young man whose mother Gibbs had known in Colombia maybe a little too well during some way under cover op that Tony never did learn about and the young man that seemed a little too adoring of Gibbs and another visit from Mike Franks who always seemed to know more about Gibbs than Tony did. Franks got on Tony’s nerves because the Boss seemed to trust him more than Tony but Franks always seemed to have his own agenda.
He turned and looked at Gibbs and realized he never had gotten an answer about the woman or her son.
Gibbs never looked at him. “Not mine,” he said with a finality that Tony knew meant not to bring it up again.
“Sorry, Boss,” Tony whispered. “Didn’t mean to…”
“Here we are,” Gibbs cut him off.
They had made it to the ambulance that was on hand in case of emergencies and Brian had already gone ahead of them to prepare.
“I have no intention of leaving the game,” Tony said to Brian who just shook his head. Gibbs lowered Tony so he sat on the floor of the back of the ambulance and stayed next to him.
“I know,” Brian said. “Let’s just make sure your eyes are working in sync and get you some Tylenol at least before I release you. I am always going to recommend you go to the hospital for a more thorough check, particularly if you're…” he trailed off looking at Gibbs, clearly not knowing what to call him.
“Boss,” Tony filled in the blank.
“Friend,” Gibbs said at the same time.
Tony looked up, surprised. He realized Gibbs still had his hand on Tony’s shoulder. The touch seemed particularly warm as Gibbs squeezed a little, rubbing his thumb in small circles along Tony’s neck.
Brian looked between the two men. “Ah…” he said as if understanding something. “If your friend says you have a history of concussions, that’s nothing to take lightly.”
“I have a hard head,” Tony laughed.
“I’ll say,” Gibbs replied. “Let the man check you out. Don’t need you shooting the wrong thing because you’re seeing double.”
“Well, let’s get through this to verify that nothing is obviously wrong.”
Brian quickly checked his pupils again without comment. Tony assumed Brian thought Tony was a cop so the gun comment went unnoticed.
“Does this hurt?” Brian asked several times as he pressed various places on Tony’s head.
Each time, Tony indicated a firm no.
“I don’t even have a headache,” Tony insisted. “I really want to get back to the game.”
Brian finished a few more tests but seemed satisfied. “I’ll release you but recommend you don’t play anymore and take it easy the rest of today. It’s just the dinner after this so maybe leave early and get a good night’s rest. But…”
Tony knew this was coming and rolled his eyes.
“If you start having any pain, blurry vision or feel woozy, nauseous or faint, you need to go to the ER. Will you do that?”
Tony glared at him and grunted noncommittally.
“Yes, he will,” Gibbs answered for him. “I’ll stay with him and make sure of it.”
Brian looked between them but again seemed satisfied by what he saw in Gibbs. “I’ll release him to your care then.”
“You alright?” Pete asked. He was out of breath and just raced over. “Angie’s taking care of the table and Maggie’s busy so I thought I’d duck over and check.”
“Fine. It’s nothing.”
Pete raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief.
Gibbs chuckled. “He has that reputation everywhere, huh?”
Pete looked up at Gibbs as if he’d just noticed him.
“Who are you?” Pete asked nicely.
“Pete - Gibbs - Gibbs - my friend, Pete.”
“Gibbs - the Gibbs?” His eyes widened as he looked at Tony and then at Gibbs. “Well, it’s about time I got to meet the son-of-a-bitch…”
“PETE!” Tony yelped.
“…who stole Tony away from Baltimore PD.” Pete grinned and held out his hand.
Tony stared in shock as Gibbs not only took it but smiled and said, “Nice to meet you, too, Pete. He staying with you?”
“Yeah, why do you ask?”
“Tony won’t say it but he needs to have an eye kept on him tonight. In case of headaches, blurry vision…”
“Yeah, I know the drill.”
“I said I’d stay with him, but if he has someone to check on him…” Gibbs hesitated.
Tony groaned. “How many times do I need to say it? I am fine!”
They both stared at him. “Right,” they both replied.
“Well he’s staying with us, but if you’d rather stay with Gibbs,” Pete started.
“NO!” Tony shouted. Gibbs looked at Tony a little insulted.
“No, I mean I appreciate it, Boss, but part of this weekend is visiting my friends. I don’t want to spend the night at some hotel - I mean, you are staying at a hotel, right - or were you driving back to DC tonight? I can’t go back tonight.” Tony realized he was babbling based on the twin looks of concern on Gibbs and Pete’s faces. He took a deep breath. “It’s not your company I don’t want. I just don’t want to be without theirs.”
Gibbs half-smiled at Tony and nodded.
“Ok, Gibbs you can stay with us tonight, then,” Pete offered. “It’s a small place but you can either share the guest room with Tony or take the couch.”
“You don’t have to…” Gibbs started.
“I insist. I want to hear all about Tony’s escapades at NCIS. I mean - did he really get chained in the sewers or is he just yanking our…you know... chains - pun really not intended.”
“He really did. Could’ve given up and died but he didn’t. Fought his way out and saved himself and a Marine.” Tony almost blushed at the way Gibbs was looking straight at him. He felt Gibbs squeeze his shoulder again. “He’s a good agent.”
“That I don’t doubt.”
“PETE!” A voice was yelling at him.
Pete looked around and saw Betsy Welsh yelling for him. “I’d better go or she’ll be knee-deep into the whiskey slush before the game’s over.”
“How’s the game?” Tony asked.
“Kids are winning of course. You missed Bertoli having to squawk like a chicken whenever he had the ball. What do you think, Gibbs? Ever see such a crazy game?” Pete asked.
“Yeah, I have. A few times. It’s good thing you do here,” he said looking around. Once again, Tony felt the subtle pressure on his shoulder.
“See you later. You’ll sit with us at dinner, Gibbs? Angie will kill me if you don’t.”
“Sure, have to keep an eye on this one.”
Pete glanced between the two and smiled. “I bet you do.” He waved at them and ran over to where a rather tall, lanky woman was attempting to lift a large cooler onto a table.
“You sure you’re okay?” Gibbs asked.
Tony stood. “Yes. I think I was more surprised than hurt.”
“Sorry about that.” Gibbs led them to some benches that were off to the side of the field where they could watch the game but with fewer people sitting around.
Tony turned to look at him. He could tell Gibbs was purposely focusing on the game. Tony glanced out and noticed Maggie wasn’t playing anymore. He looked around and saw her on the bench with the other kids but she was watching him.
He waved to her as he asked Gibbs, “Why are you here anyways?”
“In the neighborhood,” Gibbs answered. Tony turned to look over his shoulder at Gibbs and saw Gibbs glance at him and give a half-smile.
He would have pressed for an answer but Gibbs nodded his head, indicating Tony should look. Just as he turned, Maggie had run up to them.
“You’re okay?” She was biting her lip. It was clear she was still a little distressed. Tony held out his arms and she sat in his lap.
“Fine, Magpie. The doc says I’m a-Ok!”
“Who are you?” She asked Gibbs.
“Magpie, this is my…friend, Mr. Gibbs.” Tony said, opting to use the word Gibbs had. Explaining why his boss was there would be too difficult as he still didn’t really know why he was there but his stomach fluttered a little at the thought that Gibbs had gone out of his way just to come see him.
“Call me Gibbs.”
“Okay. But you have to call me Maggie. Only Tony calls me Magpie.”
“Understood, Maggie,” Gibbs nodded with a smile Tony knew he usually reserved for children. Tony liked seeing Gibbs’ face soften as he looked at her. His heart broke a little as he realized Maggie was a little older than Kellie had been when he lost her but had a similar look based on the few photos he had seen.
“Is Tony telling the truth?” she asked Gibbs. “Mom and Dad say Tony always says he fine even when he’s not. It’s the only time he doesn’t tell the truth.” She looked over and Tony saw her brown eyes flash in accusation. She may have her dad’s coloring, but she definitely wore her expressions like her mother, Tony mused.
“Your dad must know him well but this time Tony really is fine. I heard the doc say so,” Gibbs said.
“Good. Sometimes he doesn’t know how to take care of himself.”
“Truer words were never spoken,” Gibbs agreed. “But I know you probably keep a close eye on him.”
“I have to. He’s so much trouble,” Maggie said, giggling.
“Yeah, he is that,” Gibbs said in a softer voice, almost conspiratorially. “We’d better work together to keep him safe.”
She laughed out loud and nodded vigorously.
“I’m right here!” Tony said, slightly insulted, as he realized Gibbs and Maggie had already bonded. How did Gibbs do that?
“Of course you are, silly. I’m sitting on you.”
“Why aren’t you playing?” Gibbs asked her.
“Not as much fun without Tony and Dad. Mom doesn’t play. Besides, Billy’s dad finally showed up so I wanted to let them play together.”
“That was very nice of you,” Gibbs said.
“That was, Maggie,” Tony agreed. “I thought you didn’t want him playing because he was so bad?”
“We’re so far ahead of you, we’ll win anyways even if it was us that was blindfolded.”
At the look on her face, both Gibbs and Tony leaned forward to look at the game and realized the Badges were in fact, blindfolded.
“I suggested that rule to Billy to keep us ahead,” she laughed.
“There you are,” Angie said as she walked up to them. “I was beginning to worry.”
Maggie jumped off of Tony’s lap and hugged her Mom.
“Mom, this is Tony’s friend Gibbs!” Maggie sounded very excited. Gibbs stood up to shake Angie’s hand in greeting.
“Nice to meet you. I understand you’ll be staying with us tonight?” Angie asked. Tony realized Pete must have filled her in.
“He is? You are? Cool!” Maggie yelled excitedly and fist-pumped the air.
“Uh, yes. Your Dad invited me to stay, if that’s okay with you,” Gibbs said to her.
Maggie looked between Tony and Gibbs. Tony glanced up at Gibbs, trying to suppress a smile at how diplomatic Gibbs was being. It was hard not to laugh.
“You’re staying in Tony’s room, right?” Maggie asked, suddenly.
Both men and her mother turned to look at her.
“Probably the couch,” Gibbs said, looking at Angie.
“NO!!” You have to sleep with Tony!”
There was a sudden silence. Tony almost laughed aloud knowing his eyebrows rose as high as both Gibbs’ and Angie’s did.
“I mean he was hit on the head,” Maggie continued without halting. “I’ve seen enough hospital shows to know head injuries have to be watched. And I know they say that guy said he was okay - but, “her voice lowered, “he’s not really a doctor. He’s a paramedic. What if he’s wrong?” She bit her lip. “And I don’t know what to look for and Mom and Dad sleep together, so you’ll sleep with him to make sure he’s okay, right?” She looked at Gibbs with a pleading look and then turned it on her mother.
Angie laughed. “Yes. Fine. You’re right. Someone needs to keep an eye on Tony just in case. Anyways, the game’s wrapping up so we’ll need to head off to the dinner soon.”
“Angie!” Someone was yelling her name. It was the same woman that had dragged Pete away earlier.
“Be right there, Betsy!” She yelled back then rolled her eyes at Tony and Gibbs. “That woman has the loudest bellow of anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Can I ride with Gibbs and Tony?” Maggie asked. “He’ll have to have someone show him where to go. Tony left his car at the house so we can ride with Gibbs in his car there. Gibbs - you have a car here, right?”
Gibbs nodded.
“Tony needs to go wash up before the auction so should go now so he and I can both use the shower before you and Dad need to use it.”
“Auction?” Gibbs asked.
“Volunteer auction. We usually do some volunteer work on Sunday but this time we thought it might be fun if people could buy a volunteer partner for the day. Of course, all the money it added to the Fund,” Angie explained.
“We wanted to do a Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction but some people balked,” Maggie said.
Angie looked at her questioningly.
“What? I overheard you on the phone,” Maggie said to her mother. “I personally think loads of people would pay for a date with Tony.” She giggled loudly.
“Easy there, Magpie,” Tony said.
Maggie pretended to zip her mouth but took a deep breath. “But I think is a better idea. Married people can participate - more volunteers, less likely to be misunderstood.”
“You really were eavesdropping, weren’t you?” Angie admonished her daughter who didn’t have the grace to look embarrassed.
“So, can I go with them?”
“Please...” Tony whined, playing along, clasping his fingers together.
“Okay. And because Tony does need to go clean up, you can go if Gibbs agrees to keep an eye on you.”
Gibbs nodded.
“Then, you’re the boss, Boss,” Angie said, acknowledging she really did know who Gibbs was. “Maggie has a house key. We’ll see you back there later.”
They headed out to the lot.
“Wow! That car is awesome!” Maggie announced upon seeing the yellow and black striped muscle car.
Tony couldn’t disagree. He always did like Gibbs’ Challenger.
---
Go to Next Chapter
See Warnings and other info on Chapter 1
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Chapter 3 - Badges Versus Hoses
Tony slept fitfully but he slept and before he knew it, morning was there and a flurry of activities swirled around them as they got ready for the main event - the Annual Tournament of the Baltimore Badges Versus the Inner Harbor Hoses.
Tony always laughed that they had gotten away with the name and it had stuck. It had started as a simple basketball game to raise money for the Death Benefits Fund for cops or firefighters killed in the line of duty. The event had grown over the years to include a $50 a plate dinner donated by local caterers and some kind of volunteer service activity during the weekend along with the game and, of course, the infamous calendar. Some years the events were designed to raise additional funds with a car wash or bake sale. Other years they volunteered their time to fix up a family’s home that had lost a loved one that served or they opted to repaint the firehouse. As much as Tony enjoyed those activities, it was playing basketball that he always enjoyed the most. He had tried to start an intramural league at NCIS when he had first started but the work schedule had proved too crazy to keep up with it. He gave up and instead stuck with the occasional pick-up game he could find at the local Y in order to keep his skills sharp enough to not embarrass himself at this once a year shindig.
He had showered quickly before anyone else needed the bathroom. In a one full-bath house like this, he imagined mornings were hectic with everyone trying to get ready for the day. He had been right. As soon as he was out, Pete swooped in behind him.
“I’m getting in before all the hot water’s gone,” he whispered conspiratorially.
“Don’t you go in there first, Mister!” Tony heard Angie yelling from their bedroom. She ran down the hall just as Pete winked and slammed the door shut.
Angie glared at Tony like it was his fault. “You let him in,” she said accusingly, her dark hair askew and her grey eyes bleary-red. “For that, go get the coffee started. I have to piss too much to listen to running water.”
Tony snickered but turned and followed her out towards the living room.
He headed into the kitchen while she stomped off to a powder room that had been built off of the living room a few years before. Tony knew neither of them liked it much even if Pete had built it himself. It had turned out that Pete was no Gibbs when it came to do-it-yourself work but he had been adamant about doing it. It was functional, if cramped and a little wonky. The floor was uneven so the toilet sort of lilted to the side when you sat on it so it was a careful balancing act while doing your business.
Tony suspected they hadn’t been able to afford to hire someone to do it so Pete just did it himself. Tony would have offered assistance but the one time he tried, he’d only insulted them so he never offered monetary assistance anymore except for a rare dinner out. Instead he often brought “his old” things and offered it to them if they wanted it: old TVs, blu-rays, his old laptop for Maggie. Tony would ask if they wanted it because he didn’t just want to throw it out. Angie and Pete didn’t earn much but they worked for what they earned and it paid for the basics, just not the luxuries Tony was used to. Angie’s knowing statement earlier made Tony realize he hadn’t been as clever as he thought he had been.
He wasn’t rolling in money, but he was more than comfortable with the money left to him from his mother’s trust when he had turned 25. He had invested it well and it was how he paid for the place he moved into when he first moved to DC (and still lived in), as well as allowed him the few trips he was able to take and the expensive suits, cars and electronic toys he had. Mostly though he reinvested it and lived off of his NCIS salary. Not having rent or a mortgage had made his life much easier. He could see the struggle Pete and Angie had trying to live off their cops’ salaries.
When it became apparent they needed an additional toilet, they did it themselves, much like they ‘fixed’ most things. Tony admired them for it, knowing he could never do the work himself. He had never had to learn how and didn’t have the interest but he knew enough to see that while they made things work, it didn’t have the same level of craftsmanship Gibbs’ work had. Then again, Gibbs did it more out of desire than necessity. He enjoyed time spent building cabinets, toys, and yard work. Gibbs could have paid someone else to do that work, but he chose not to. Pete and Angie didn’t have that option and so the work they did was necessary and just another chore to get done.
Tony puttered around the kitchen to do as he had been commanded. Once the coffee was brewing, he began getting mugs out of the cabinets.
“YAWWW-OWWW!” Tony heard Pete scream and turned to see Angie leaving the powder room with a satisfied smile. Then he registered the sound of the powder room toilet flushing.
“Damn it, Angie!” Pete’s voice echoed through the hall.
“Serves you right, ‘Mr. Can’t Let His Wife Pee Before Stealing the Good Bathroom’!” She yelled back as she walked into the kitchen, not looking anymore awake than she had earlier. “Where’s the damn, coffee?”
“Still brewing. See you’re still not a morning person,” Tony quipped.
She glared at him and Tony stepped back, yet again almost expecting a familiar headslap. He laughed. She was the most generous and friendly person he knew except before she had had her caffeine. She reminded him of Gibbs except for the friendly and generous part.
He laughed to himself. It was an unfair thought. Gibbs was generous in his own way. Maybe not friendly, but he cared deeply for those who got under his tough exterior just like Angie even if she had an odd way of showing it. She would kill to protect her own, just like Gibbs. He envied Pete for a moment and wondered what it would be like to have someone like her at your back as a partner. He knew they fought at times, knew they struggled but they always had a sense of humor and there was never any doubt they were family and there was love. Tony sighed.
He watched as she pulled the pot out from underneath and shoved her cup into the stream of brewing coffee. He was impressed she hadn’t missed a drop in the transition.
Once her cup was full, she gracefully transferred the carafe back under and took a sip from her cup.
He had forgotten she took her coffee black - like Gibbs. And why was he thinking of Gibbs so much this morning, Tony asked himself.
“You don’t make it strong enough, but it’ll do.” She walked away as Pete came out of the bathroom.
“All yours,” he said as they passed by each other but before she could duck in, Maggie ran from her bedroom into it and shut the door.
“MAGGIE!” Angie yelled and started banging on the door.
Pete made a face at Tony. “Oops.”
“Honey, Tony and I are going to go pick up the donuts,” Pete said as he grabbed Tony’s arm and headed to the front door. He grabbed the keys off the table by the door. “We’ll be back in a few!”
Tony turned to see Angie glaring back at them.
“Coward,” he said to Pete as they got in the car.
“Yup. Before her coffee, you bet I am,” Pete smiled, his pale complexion reddening with emotion.
It had only taken thirty minutes, but by the time they got back Angie and Maggie were busy loading the other vehicle with odds and ends. Their own vehicles were filled with the donuts they were taking to the basketball court for the volunteers. Tony was grateful he was able buy something almost like real coffee, flavored with his preferred vanilla and hazelnut while they were there.
He handed over a caramel hot chocolate with whipped cream to Maggie who took it gleefully.
“You remembered!”
“Of course, Magpie. How could I forget?” Tony smiled. “Besides, you’re going to need that sugar if you think you have a chance against me.”
“I’ve been practicing. We’re going to so beat you this year.”
“I’m shaking already,” Tony laughed and bit into a jelly donut he’d taken from one of the boxes.
---
The rest of the morning sped by as they set up for the game. Tony greeted his former compatriots as they warmed up for the first game. He saw the photographer and introduced himself before reminding him not to use his image in the calendar. Ray had laughed and said he remembered. His brother was on the force and so Tony and Ray had known each other for a long time.
The day was warm and sunny with just a slight breeze. It couldn’t have been more perfect.
---
“Close match. The Harbor Hoses could pull this out but only if DiNozzo misses the free throw.” The announcer called out over the cheap PA that had been loaned to them by the elementary school. It worked so it didn’t matter. They always had a pretty large crowd and a good time, the lack of high end equipment notwithstanding.
Tony didn’t know this announcer. There were usually two - one from each team. The last few years it had been Ben Taggert, a fireman, and Justin Bailey, a cop, but Bailey had been unable to make it so a new person stepped in. He didn’t catch the guy’s name. Clearly the guy had no idea who Tony DiNozzo was if the doubt in his voice about his ability was anything to go by.
Tony was sweating and he was out of breath. Even though the game was for fun, they all played their best because they wanted their team to win. Tony really wanted to win. The prize was completely worth it.
He concentrated and ignored the benched Hoses and their families yelling to distract him. Tony was very good at concentrating under pressure. He had to make the first free throw to earn the second. If he was able to do that, then they’d be one point up with only ten seconds to burn.
He rarely missed and he didn’t this time. Sometimes the fireman joked around that he was a “ringer” but since Tony had founded this little event, he’d been grandfathered in as a player.
He still took a deep breath and focused on his second shot. Once he made that, it was a matter of Pete just having to control the ball for a few seconds and not allowing the Hoses to get it.
By one point they had won. Tony couldn’t wait for the next event - the winning team’s award but they all took ten minutes to cool down.
---
“You ready, Tony?” Magpie asked, sitting across from him dressed in her team uniform. The kids had decided to paint their own tee shirts after they had chosen the name for their team. He thought she had used an entire bottle of glitter glue on her shirt to spell out ‘Brats’ in huge letters on the front and her last name on the back.
“Bring it,” Tony answered. She was the center for the kids team against his winning Badges.
The referee stood between them holding the ball. Tony towered over Maggie. The ref looked at him and said, “Begin!”
Tony spun around five times fast before the ref threw the ball in the air. Dizzy, he took a swing at where he thought the ball was at and missed it completely.
“Hah! Got it!” Maggie yelled and the game was on.
Brats versus Badges was the prize for winning the first match and Tony loved it. Kids (ages 7 -12) from the fireman and the policeman’s sides got to form a team and play against the winners from the Badges/Hoses match but the kids got to make up all kinds of rules and got as many time outs as they wanted.
The first rule was the adults all had to spin around five times before a play started. At any given time, three rules were allowed to be enforced. Each kid on the team was allowed to shout up to three rules during any quarter. The referee would decide if the rule was good and which rule was ended. The Ref also changed all the rules halfway through each quarter.
For the first few minutes the rules were:
- Adults spun five times before each play
- They were only allowed to skip on the court
- They had to use their left hand only.
“RULE!” little Jimmy Rowland yelled.
Everyone froze while the Ref went to learn the rule.
“New Rule,” the ref yelled. Tony recalled the ref’s name was Mary Donovan. “Each Brat player may sit on the shoulders of or ride piggyback on a Fireman to play. Players - choose your Inner Harbor Hose!”
The kids ran off and each picked one of the firemen that had played earlier and brought them onto the court. The younger ones sat on shoulders, bigger children rode piggyback.
“Eliminate the spinning rule!” the ref called out. Play resumed for a minute. Tony felt silly skipping on the court but he was glad he was almost as good with his left hand as his right hand and was thrilled the spinning rule had ended.
“RULE!” Shelia Brown yelled. The ref ran over to her.
“New Rule,” the ref announced. “Brats do not need to bounce the ball! Remove skipping!”
Play resumed. Even though most of the onus was off of Tony, playing one-handed was a challenge, particularly against opponents who were now over seven feet tall and didn’t need to dribble the ball.
Sheila was sitting on her father’s back and he was well over six feet already. He just walked up to the basket and she dropped the ball in.
After several baskets, and even two made by the Badges, the ref blew the whistle. “RULES CHANGE!”
It was halfway through the first quarter. The kids were up by ten.
“The New Rules are: There are now five rules!”
- Brats can have twice as many players on the court!
- Badges can only move on both feet going backwards. Going forward, you must hop on one leg!
- Brats baskets will now be worth two points instead of one.
- Every time a new play is started, Badges must wait five seconds before they can move.
- When the Brats score, Badges must all kneel on one knee and yell, “Brats rule!”
Play continued. The Brats had managed to score twice, even though it was harder for them without the height. Everyone laughed as not only the Badges on the court had knelt down, but all the ones on the benches had rushed the court to join them as they saluted the kids with a loud round of “Brats Rule!”
When the second quarter started, Tony wasn’t on the court. They tried to make sure everyone had a chance to play, particularly if they had a kid on the court. He was enjoying watching though as the Badges tried to play while they whistled and there were four balls in play and ten kids on the court to their five.
Like the night before, Tony couldn’t remember laughing so hard since the previous year. This was his favorite part of the entire weekend - the kids’ game.
“Told you we’d beat your butts!” Magpie said as she ran up to hug him during the half-time break.
“So you say - but the game’s only half over!” Tony laughed and handed her some Gatorade while they watched the first half of the third quarter.
During the last few minutes of that quarter, things got a little hinky.
Both Tony and Maggie were back on the court. The Badges had to play with another person at their back, arms linked together at the elbows - so one person was always moving forward, while the other was moving backwards.
Tony was linked to Darren Williams, a cop he had known for years. They had never spoken much as they only saw each other at the annual event and things were usually hectic. Tony remembered he wanted to ask Darren if he remembered anything about the guy that had bought that first “Get out of Jail Free card” but he’d have to do it after the game. There was too much going on.
While they were waiting for the next play to start, Darren said, “I see your dad made it again.”
“What?”
“Your Dad. I think it’s nice he comes all this way to see you.”
“My dad? You must be mistaken. I doubt my Dad would ever come to this,” Tony said. Even though he knew it wasn’t true, he couldn’t help but look around a bit. He hated how he sometimes got so needy for any crumbs of acceptance from his absent father, even after all these years, but he couldn’t see Senior anywhere.
“He comes every year. I’ve chatted with him a couple of time. He says he looks forward to watching you play and how proud he is of you.”
Just then the ref started discussing a new rule, but Tony ignored her.
“My dad?” Tony knew his voice sounded a little too high-pitched.
“You and your dad have issues? Nevermind - not my business.” Darren sounded like he regretted saying anything.
“Ah, no. But where is he? I don’t see him.”
“He’s over by the bleachers, hiding under them actually. Says he needs the shade. He have a skin condition?”
“No, not that I know of?” Tony said sort of confused. He looked over to where Darren seemed to be looking and gaped. Looking back at him were two very familiar blue eyes and they did not belong to his father.
“He said he was my father?” Tony asked in a whisper.
“Ah - no. I just assumed…”
Just then Tony went down as a basketball hit him on the side of the head.
“Tony!” Darren yelled as Tony slipped out of his arms.
“Tony!” His other team mates yelled and turned to check on him followed by Angie and Pet and some of the kids.
“Tony!” A very familiar voice called out and as Tony looked up at the familiar faces, he jerked back as he saw the one he hadn’t expected. “Boss?”
Gibbs had pushed his way through the throng and used his thumb to pry open Tony’s eyelids to check his pupils.
A paramedic from the fireman’s side came up. “Step aside, let me check.”
“He’s prone to concussions,” Gibbs and Angie said at the same time. Tony watched as the two stared at each other.
“I’m fine,” Tony insisted waving Gibbs, Angie and the paramedic away.
“Let me be the judge of that,” the paramedic said. Tony blinked at him and vaguely remembered meeting him.
“Brian, right?”
The prematurely balding man nodded and Tony was slightly dazzled by the reflection of the sun off his head. He blinked some more when the man insistently flashed a small penlight into his eyes.
“Trust me, I know what a concussion feels like. I am fine.”
“DiNozzo,” Gibbs began with a no-nonsense tone but was stopped when Maggie wiggled through the crowd and dropped to her knees next to him. She threw her arms around his waist.
“Tony!! Tony…you’re okay, right? You’ll be okay? I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you.” Tony could tell she was trying not to cry.
“Miss…Miss, I need you to...” Brian started to say until Tony glared at him.
“I’m fine…right?” Tony said pointedly to Brian. His eyes flashed up to Gibbs who was watching the scene carefully.
“Uh…I’m sure you are, I just need to do this to finish some paperwork,” Brian stuttered.
Tony was grateful the other man picked up on the hint. “See Maggie. I’m fine. You still throw like a girl,” Tony teased.
She lifted her head up, eyes running and cheeks red. “Do not!” She insisted and hit him lightly on the chest before laying back down on his chest.
“Like a really strong, tough girl who wasn’t trying to hurt me but has really good aim,” Tony continued and wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her head. “Now, I’m going to sit out for awhile and let you kids get on with the game.”
“I don’t wanna play,” Maggie said, deflated.
“Sure you do. Besides, you finally have a shot at winning if I don’t play,” Tony teased. “Don’t you want to win?”
“We are already beating your butts!” She was sounding as if she was trying to regain her enthusiasm.
Angie finally reached down and tapped Maggie’s shoulder. “Honey, let’s get out of the way. Tony will be fine and your teammates need you.” She smiled at Tony and he was glad she understood he really wasn’t feeling well but didn’t want to frighten the young girl. “You remember what Tony has always said about teams.”
“You have to have each other’s backs.”
Tony noticed Gibbs’ smile.
“Yes, and your team needs you,” Angie said as she led her away. The rest of the crowd dispersed. Without thought, Tony took the hand Gibbs had offered and stood up. Gibbs led him to the sidelines, one arm wrapped around Tony’s waist and Tony’s armed draped over Gibbs’ shoulder.
“Feels a little familiar, huh Boss?”
“Yeah, you do get hurt too often,” Gibbs said.
“Uh, I meant helping me off a basketball court. You remember the Salazar case - when I twisted my ankle?” Tony felt Gibbs fingers tighten on his waist.
“Sprained it, you mean,” Gibbs muttered.
“You do remember!” Tony was elated for a moment until Gibbs closed his eyes and paused.
“A little hard to forget,” Gibbs said quietly before starting to walk again, after shifting his arm a little higher around Tony’s waist.
Tony suddenly remembered all the other baggage that had come with that case - the mysterious young man whose mother Gibbs had known in Colombia maybe a little too well during some way under cover op that Tony never did learn about and the young man that seemed a little too adoring of Gibbs and another visit from Mike Franks who always seemed to know more about Gibbs than Tony did. Franks got on Tony’s nerves because the Boss seemed to trust him more than Tony but Franks always seemed to have his own agenda.
He turned and looked at Gibbs and realized he never had gotten an answer about the woman or her son.
Gibbs never looked at him. “Not mine,” he said with a finality that Tony knew meant not to bring it up again.
“Sorry, Boss,” Tony whispered. “Didn’t mean to…”
“Here we are,” Gibbs cut him off.
They had made it to the ambulance that was on hand in case of emergencies and Brian had already gone ahead of them to prepare.
“I have no intention of leaving the game,” Tony said to Brian who just shook his head. Gibbs lowered Tony so he sat on the floor of the back of the ambulance and stayed next to him.
“I know,” Brian said. “Let’s just make sure your eyes are working in sync and get you some Tylenol at least before I release you. I am always going to recommend you go to the hospital for a more thorough check, particularly if you're…” he trailed off looking at Gibbs, clearly not knowing what to call him.
“Boss,” Tony filled in the blank.
“Friend,” Gibbs said at the same time.
Tony looked up, surprised. He realized Gibbs still had his hand on Tony’s shoulder. The touch seemed particularly warm as Gibbs squeezed a little, rubbing his thumb in small circles along Tony’s neck.
Brian looked between the two men. “Ah…” he said as if understanding something. “If your friend says you have a history of concussions, that’s nothing to take lightly.”
“I have a hard head,” Tony laughed.
“I’ll say,” Gibbs replied. “Let the man check you out. Don’t need you shooting the wrong thing because you’re seeing double.”
“Well, let’s get through this to verify that nothing is obviously wrong.”
Brian quickly checked his pupils again without comment. Tony assumed Brian thought Tony was a cop so the gun comment went unnoticed.
“Does this hurt?” Brian asked several times as he pressed various places on Tony’s head.
Each time, Tony indicated a firm no.
“I don’t even have a headache,” Tony insisted. “I really want to get back to the game.”
Brian finished a few more tests but seemed satisfied. “I’ll release you but recommend you don’t play anymore and take it easy the rest of today. It’s just the dinner after this so maybe leave early and get a good night’s rest. But…”
Tony knew this was coming and rolled his eyes.
“If you start having any pain, blurry vision or feel woozy, nauseous or faint, you need to go to the ER. Will you do that?”
Tony glared at him and grunted noncommittally.
“Yes, he will,” Gibbs answered for him. “I’ll stay with him and make sure of it.”
Brian looked between them but again seemed satisfied by what he saw in Gibbs. “I’ll release him to your care then.”
“You alright?” Pete asked. He was out of breath and just raced over. “Angie’s taking care of the table and Maggie’s busy so I thought I’d duck over and check.”
“Fine. It’s nothing.”
Pete raised an eyebrow at him in disbelief.
Gibbs chuckled. “He has that reputation everywhere, huh?”
Pete looked up at Gibbs as if he’d just noticed him.
“Who are you?” Pete asked nicely.
“Pete - Gibbs - Gibbs - my friend, Pete.”
“Gibbs - the Gibbs?” His eyes widened as he looked at Tony and then at Gibbs. “Well, it’s about time I got to meet the son-of-a-bitch…”
“PETE!” Tony yelped.
“…who stole Tony away from Baltimore PD.” Pete grinned and held out his hand.
Tony stared in shock as Gibbs not only took it but smiled and said, “Nice to meet you, too, Pete. He staying with you?”
“Yeah, why do you ask?”
“Tony won’t say it but he needs to have an eye kept on him tonight. In case of headaches, blurry vision…”
“Yeah, I know the drill.”
“I said I’d stay with him, but if he has someone to check on him…” Gibbs hesitated.
Tony groaned. “How many times do I need to say it? I am fine!”
They both stared at him. “Right,” they both replied.
“Well he’s staying with us, but if you’d rather stay with Gibbs,” Pete started.
“NO!” Tony shouted. Gibbs looked at Tony a little insulted.
“No, I mean I appreciate it, Boss, but part of this weekend is visiting my friends. I don’t want to spend the night at some hotel - I mean, you are staying at a hotel, right - or were you driving back to DC tonight? I can’t go back tonight.” Tony realized he was babbling based on the twin looks of concern on Gibbs and Pete’s faces. He took a deep breath. “It’s not your company I don’t want. I just don’t want to be without theirs.”
Gibbs half-smiled at Tony and nodded.
“Ok, Gibbs you can stay with us tonight, then,” Pete offered. “It’s a small place but you can either share the guest room with Tony or take the couch.”
“You don’t have to…” Gibbs started.
“I insist. I want to hear all about Tony’s escapades at NCIS. I mean - did he really get chained in the sewers or is he just yanking our…you know... chains - pun really not intended.”
“He really did. Could’ve given up and died but he didn’t. Fought his way out and saved himself and a Marine.” Tony almost blushed at the way Gibbs was looking straight at him. He felt Gibbs squeeze his shoulder again. “He’s a good agent.”
“That I don’t doubt.”
“PETE!” A voice was yelling at him.
Pete looked around and saw Betsy Welsh yelling for him. “I’d better go or she’ll be knee-deep into the whiskey slush before the game’s over.”
“How’s the game?” Tony asked.
“Kids are winning of course. You missed Bertoli having to squawk like a chicken whenever he had the ball. What do you think, Gibbs? Ever see such a crazy game?” Pete asked.
“Yeah, I have. A few times. It’s good thing you do here,” he said looking around. Once again, Tony felt the subtle pressure on his shoulder.
“See you later. You’ll sit with us at dinner, Gibbs? Angie will kill me if you don’t.”
“Sure, have to keep an eye on this one.”
Pete glanced between the two and smiled. “I bet you do.” He waved at them and ran over to where a rather tall, lanky woman was attempting to lift a large cooler onto a table.
“You sure you’re okay?” Gibbs asked.
Tony stood. “Yes. I think I was more surprised than hurt.”
“Sorry about that.” Gibbs led them to some benches that were off to the side of the field where they could watch the game but with fewer people sitting around.
Tony turned to look at him. He could tell Gibbs was purposely focusing on the game. Tony glanced out and noticed Maggie wasn’t playing anymore. He looked around and saw her on the bench with the other kids but she was watching him.
He waved to her as he asked Gibbs, “Why are you here anyways?”
“In the neighborhood,” Gibbs answered. Tony turned to look over his shoulder at Gibbs and saw Gibbs glance at him and give a half-smile.
He would have pressed for an answer but Gibbs nodded his head, indicating Tony should look. Just as he turned, Maggie had run up to them.
“You’re okay?” She was biting her lip. It was clear she was still a little distressed. Tony held out his arms and she sat in his lap.
“Fine, Magpie. The doc says I’m a-Ok!”
“Who are you?” She asked Gibbs.
“Magpie, this is my…friend, Mr. Gibbs.” Tony said, opting to use the word Gibbs had. Explaining why his boss was there would be too difficult as he still didn’t really know why he was there but his stomach fluttered a little at the thought that Gibbs had gone out of his way just to come see him.
“Call me Gibbs.”
“Okay. But you have to call me Maggie. Only Tony calls me Magpie.”
“Understood, Maggie,” Gibbs nodded with a smile Tony knew he usually reserved for children. Tony liked seeing Gibbs’ face soften as he looked at her. His heart broke a little as he realized Maggie was a little older than Kellie had been when he lost her but had a similar look based on the few photos he had seen.
“Is Tony telling the truth?” she asked Gibbs. “Mom and Dad say Tony always says he fine even when he’s not. It’s the only time he doesn’t tell the truth.” She looked over and Tony saw her brown eyes flash in accusation. She may have her dad’s coloring, but she definitely wore her expressions like her mother, Tony mused.
“Your dad must know him well but this time Tony really is fine. I heard the doc say so,” Gibbs said.
“Good. Sometimes he doesn’t know how to take care of himself.”
“Truer words were never spoken,” Gibbs agreed. “But I know you probably keep a close eye on him.”
“I have to. He’s so much trouble,” Maggie said, giggling.
“Yeah, he is that,” Gibbs said in a softer voice, almost conspiratorially. “We’d better work together to keep him safe.”
She laughed out loud and nodded vigorously.
“I’m right here!” Tony said, slightly insulted, as he realized Gibbs and Maggie had already bonded. How did Gibbs do that?
“Of course you are, silly. I’m sitting on you.”
“Why aren’t you playing?” Gibbs asked her.
“Not as much fun without Tony and Dad. Mom doesn’t play. Besides, Billy’s dad finally showed up so I wanted to let them play together.”
“That was very nice of you,” Gibbs said.
“That was, Maggie,” Tony agreed. “I thought you didn’t want him playing because he was so bad?”
“We’re so far ahead of you, we’ll win anyways even if it was us that was blindfolded.”
At the look on her face, both Gibbs and Tony leaned forward to look at the game and realized the Badges were in fact, blindfolded.
“I suggested that rule to Billy to keep us ahead,” she laughed.
“There you are,” Angie said as she walked up to them. “I was beginning to worry.”
Maggie jumped off of Tony’s lap and hugged her Mom.
“Mom, this is Tony’s friend Gibbs!” Maggie sounded very excited. Gibbs stood up to shake Angie’s hand in greeting.
“Nice to meet you. I understand you’ll be staying with us tonight?” Angie asked. Tony realized Pete must have filled her in.
“He is? You are? Cool!” Maggie yelled excitedly and fist-pumped the air.
“Uh, yes. Your Dad invited me to stay, if that’s okay with you,” Gibbs said to her.
Maggie looked between Tony and Gibbs. Tony glanced up at Gibbs, trying to suppress a smile at how diplomatic Gibbs was being. It was hard not to laugh.
“You’re staying in Tony’s room, right?” Maggie asked, suddenly.
Both men and her mother turned to look at her.
“Probably the couch,” Gibbs said, looking at Angie.
“NO!!” You have to sleep with Tony!”
There was a sudden silence. Tony almost laughed aloud knowing his eyebrows rose as high as both Gibbs’ and Angie’s did.
“I mean he was hit on the head,” Maggie continued without halting. “I’ve seen enough hospital shows to know head injuries have to be watched. And I know they say that guy said he was okay - but, “her voice lowered, “he’s not really a doctor. He’s a paramedic. What if he’s wrong?” She bit her lip. “And I don’t know what to look for and Mom and Dad sleep together, so you’ll sleep with him to make sure he’s okay, right?” She looked at Gibbs with a pleading look and then turned it on her mother.
Angie laughed. “Yes. Fine. You’re right. Someone needs to keep an eye on Tony just in case. Anyways, the game’s wrapping up so we’ll need to head off to the dinner soon.”
“Angie!” Someone was yelling her name. It was the same woman that had dragged Pete away earlier.
“Be right there, Betsy!” She yelled back then rolled her eyes at Tony and Gibbs. “That woman has the loudest bellow of anyone I’ve ever met.”
“Can I ride with Gibbs and Tony?” Maggie asked. “He’ll have to have someone show him where to go. Tony left his car at the house so we can ride with Gibbs in his car there. Gibbs - you have a car here, right?”
Gibbs nodded.
“Tony needs to go wash up before the auction so should go now so he and I can both use the shower before you and Dad need to use it.”
“Auction?” Gibbs asked.
“Volunteer auction. We usually do some volunteer work on Sunday but this time we thought it might be fun if people could buy a volunteer partner for the day. Of course, all the money it added to the Fund,” Angie explained.
“We wanted to do a Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction but some people balked,” Maggie said.
Angie looked at her questioningly.
“What? I overheard you on the phone,” Maggie said to her mother. “I personally think loads of people would pay for a date with Tony.” She giggled loudly.
“Easy there, Magpie,” Tony said.
Maggie pretended to zip her mouth but took a deep breath. “But I think is a better idea. Married people can participate - more volunteers, less likely to be misunderstood.”
“You really were eavesdropping, weren’t you?” Angie admonished her daughter who didn’t have the grace to look embarrassed.
“So, can I go with them?”
“Please...” Tony whined, playing along, clasping his fingers together.
“Okay. And because Tony does need to go clean up, you can go if Gibbs agrees to keep an eye on you.”
Gibbs nodded.
“Then, you’re the boss, Boss,” Angie said, acknowledging she really did know who Gibbs was. “Maggie has a house key. We’ll see you back there later.”
They headed out to the lot.
“Wow! That car is awesome!” Maggie announced upon seeing the yellow and black striped muscle car.
Tony couldn’t disagree. He always did like Gibbs’ Challenger.
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