Severed Connection- Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Gibbs sat in the basement on a Friday night in a zone. When he sanded he felt calm, he felt as if he could let go of his problems for a time. He closed his eyes when he heard the front door open. He could tell by the footsteps that he had several visitors. He knew who it was before they descended into his sanctuary.
Abby, McGee, and Ziva tentatively walked down the stairs into Gibbs' dark haven. They saw him in the corner, sanding a piece of wood. They went towards him. After a few moments of awkward silence, Gibbs said, "Take a seat." He pulled out two horses for them to sit on. Abby and Ziva shared one and McGee took the other one.
"What's on your mind?" Gibbs asked but he knew it was a foregone conclusion what they came to discuss.
"Come on, Gibbs." Abby replied, pain evident in her voice. "We haven't talked to Tony in seven weeks!" Her lower lip quivered. "Does he hate us that much?"
Gibbs looked at the other two to see if they had something to say, but they stayed quiet. Gibbs sighed. He really did not want to get into this now, but it was time. He was waiting for them to approach him to give an explanation.
"Okay, let's talk." Gibbs responded.
"Wait…what?" McGee stumbled slightly. "You actually want to talk? You?" He asked.
"When it is important, I can talk." Gibbs replied with a slight scowl.
"Good." Ziva said. "Like I said before, I am sorry about the party. If I could get a chance to explain that to Tony, I am sure..."
"Ziver," Gibbs interjected in a tight tone, "this goes beyond that damn party." He took a deep breath. This conversation was going to take a lot out of him. "When I left for Mexico..." he began. Ziva, Abby, and McGee looked at each other with surprise. They were not sure what this had to do with Tony, but they stayed quiet for the time being. "I was pretty messed up. I handed the team over to Tony. Now the manner in which I did so likely left something to be desired. I had total confidence in Tony's ability to lead the team, but my 'you'll do' probably sounded a bit dismissive."
"Okay..." McGee said in a confused tone. Gibbs looked at him and wanted to smack that attitude right off his face. But, he kept his composure.
"So," he continued as he looked at his two agents and his forensic specialist, "how was Tony as a team leader?"
"He was fine, Gibbs." Ziva answered quickly. Gibbs now truly understood why Tony was so upset.
"Just fine." Gibbs replied slowly.
"What does this have to do with anything, Gibbs?" Abby asked.
He ignored her question for a moment and turned to McGee. "So, Tim, how was it being a senior agent?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "It wasn't all that different from what I did before, to be honest with you."
Gibbs nodded and turned back to Ziva. "Why did you call me when you were in trouble and not your team leader?"
"Because I knew you could help me. I needed the best."
"And you did not think Tony could help?"
She stuttered slightly. "It's not that...it's just..."
"And Abby, for the entire time I was gone, you had pictures of me plastered all over your lab."
"Well, yeah...I missed you."
"When I 'retired', I had no intention of coming back. I left the MCRT at the Navy Yard in the best hands that I could. Tony Dinozzo is the best young agent I have ever worked with. I would have never considered anyone else to assume the position. He did not get it by default or because it was the easiest transition, he truly deserved it. And I am sorry if my actions handing him the team and how I resumed the lead gave you the impression that I thought otherwise.”
Ziva, Tim, and Abby gazed at each other with wide eyes. Did they just hear Leroy Jethro Gibbs apologize?
“Ziva, there is no one else I would rather have on my six than Tony. Tim, the reason you did not notice a major difference as senior agent is that Tony not only was the lead but did the majority of your work as well.” He took a deep breath. “Tony is not me. And I’m sure the million times you reminded him of this hurt him.” They all looked away. “And when he did try to put his own stamp on the team, like with his campfires, he was met with eye rolling and snide remarks. The amount of insubordination you showed him is inexcusable.” He paused. “I played my role, as did all of you.” He looked pointedly at the three. “So, after knowing all this and the fact he was not invited to a ‘team’ party, why the hell do you think Tony would want any part of us?”
Abby gasped a bit as tears rolled down her face. “I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings…I -I just missed you.”
“I get that Abbs, but you guys never gave him a chance. Hell, I didn’t help either.” He shook his head a bit. “Tony thought of us as his family and we let him down." He paused. "Did you know that Tony had a very difficult childhood? He lost his mother early, his father was neglectful and hateful, and basically disinherited him when he was eighteen. He has been on his own for so long."
“I didn’t know that.” Tim said as they all pondered Gibbs’ revelation.
“How do we make it right?” Abby added as she wiped her face.
“Is Tony even coming back to NCIS?” Tim asked, guilt coursing through him. When Jethro did not immediately answer, Ziva spoke up.
“Is he, Gibbs?”
“I don’t know. I call almost every day and he won’t take my call. The Director and Ducky are still in contact with him, so we’ll have to wait to hear from them.” He resumed sanding.
“We are sorry, Gibbs.” Ziva said sincerely.
“I’m not the one who needs to hear that, Ziva.” Jethro replied quietly. After some time, the three slowly made their exit.
*
The next morning, Tony and Senior sat on the enclosed veranda eating a late breakfast. Tony had slept in unusually late. He was exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster he had been on lately.
“So,” Senior began, “I had a conversation with Dr. Pitt this morning.”
Tony looked up. “Really? What did you talk about?”
“Well, after I chastised him for breaking your leg…”
Tony’s eyes widened. “What? You know about that? How?”
Senior’s eyes sparkled. “I’ll get to that in a minute. But, I asked him if you were well enough to travel. I had my personal doctor email him your progress.”
“Travel? To where?”
“I think some sun would help your recovery. I asked him if I could take you to the Cayman Islands.”
“You still have your place there?” Tony remembered many times growing up his father would jet off to the Island, but he had never taken him along. He was always left behind with the Help.
“I do. The sun would help you regain some color. It would probably do well for your lungs as well.”
Tony smiled slightly. “What did Brad say?”
“As long as Alice accompanies us and we are aware of a nearby reputable hospital, he gave us a thumbs up.”
“Us? You’d go too?” Tony asked tentatively. “Don’t you have work to do?”
“Nothing I can’t take with me. And besides, Anthony, I have very reliable people running my companies. I have taken a step back from daily operations for some time now.”
Tony ducked his head slightly. “Okay.” There was some silence for a time. Senior saw that Tony was likely finished with his breakfast.
Senior took one last sip of coffee and stood. “So, Dr. Pitt and your leg?”
Tony immediately shook his head in disbelief. “How did you know about that?”
“Come with me,” his father replied. Tony and Senior walked slowly down the long corridor; his father looped his arm into Tony's to keep him steady. Tony's strength had improved but when he had to walk distances, it helped to have some support. They finally reached a large room that held a television. Senior walked to the entertainment center and opened up one of the sliding doors. He pointed out a collection of DVD’s to Tony.
Tony gasped slightly as he pulled one out. “These are all my games at Ohio State.” He turned to his father. “How?”
“A few years back, I made a donation to their athletic department and department of criminal justice. I wanted the money used to establish a scholarship for a student in need. I asked if I could have copies of your games. I guess it was my way of trying to get to know you.” He paused. “I bet football was really important to you.”
“Yeah…it was…” Tony responded wistfully and then his mood turned somber. “If it hadn’t been for that and my fraternity brothers…” Tony’s voice trailed off. Senior understood the implications of his son’s words and what he did not express. He nodded his head in understanding.
“Anthony, I don’t want you ever to think I am trying to buy your love or anything like that. I know I need earn back your trust. This was just a way for me to make up for what I should have done before. I am sorry I wasn’t there for you; cheering you on…supporting you emotionally and financially.” He walked up to Tony and placed his hand on his shoulder. “It must have been lonely.” Tony could not trust his voice with words so he just nodded and looked away. Senior sniffed as he saw Tony’s eyes water; so, he changed the subject. “Why don’t we go pack?”
TBC…
Continue to Chapter 12
Gibbs sat in the basement on a Friday night in a zone. When he sanded he felt calm, he felt as if he could let go of his problems for a time. He closed his eyes when he heard the front door open. He could tell by the footsteps that he had several visitors. He knew who it was before they descended into his sanctuary.
Abby, McGee, and Ziva tentatively walked down the stairs into Gibbs' dark haven. They saw him in the corner, sanding a piece of wood. They went towards him. After a few moments of awkward silence, Gibbs said, "Take a seat." He pulled out two horses for them to sit on. Abby and Ziva shared one and McGee took the other one.
"What's on your mind?" Gibbs asked but he knew it was a foregone conclusion what they came to discuss.
"Come on, Gibbs." Abby replied, pain evident in her voice. "We haven't talked to Tony in seven weeks!" Her lower lip quivered. "Does he hate us that much?"
Gibbs looked at the other two to see if they had something to say, but they stayed quiet. Gibbs sighed. He really did not want to get into this now, but it was time. He was waiting for them to approach him to give an explanation.
"Okay, let's talk." Gibbs responded.
"Wait…what?" McGee stumbled slightly. "You actually want to talk? You?" He asked.
"When it is important, I can talk." Gibbs replied with a slight scowl.
"Good." Ziva said. "Like I said before, I am sorry about the party. If I could get a chance to explain that to Tony, I am sure..."
"Ziver," Gibbs interjected in a tight tone, "this goes beyond that damn party." He took a deep breath. This conversation was going to take a lot out of him. "When I left for Mexico..." he began. Ziva, Abby, and McGee looked at each other with surprise. They were not sure what this had to do with Tony, but they stayed quiet for the time being. "I was pretty messed up. I handed the team over to Tony. Now the manner in which I did so likely left something to be desired. I had total confidence in Tony's ability to lead the team, but my 'you'll do' probably sounded a bit dismissive."
"Okay..." McGee said in a confused tone. Gibbs looked at him and wanted to smack that attitude right off his face. But, he kept his composure.
"So," he continued as he looked at his two agents and his forensic specialist, "how was Tony as a team leader?"
"He was fine, Gibbs." Ziva answered quickly. Gibbs now truly understood why Tony was so upset.
"Just fine." Gibbs replied slowly.
"What does this have to do with anything, Gibbs?" Abby asked.
He ignored her question for a moment and turned to McGee. "So, Tim, how was it being a senior agent?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "It wasn't all that different from what I did before, to be honest with you."
Gibbs nodded and turned back to Ziva. "Why did you call me when you were in trouble and not your team leader?"
"Because I knew you could help me. I needed the best."
"And you did not think Tony could help?"
She stuttered slightly. "It's not that...it's just..."
"And Abby, for the entire time I was gone, you had pictures of me plastered all over your lab."
"Well, yeah...I missed you."
"When I 'retired', I had no intention of coming back. I left the MCRT at the Navy Yard in the best hands that I could. Tony Dinozzo is the best young agent I have ever worked with. I would have never considered anyone else to assume the position. He did not get it by default or because it was the easiest transition, he truly deserved it. And I am sorry if my actions handing him the team and how I resumed the lead gave you the impression that I thought otherwise.”
Ziva, Tim, and Abby gazed at each other with wide eyes. Did they just hear Leroy Jethro Gibbs apologize?
“Ziva, there is no one else I would rather have on my six than Tony. Tim, the reason you did not notice a major difference as senior agent is that Tony not only was the lead but did the majority of your work as well.” He took a deep breath. “Tony is not me. And I’m sure the million times you reminded him of this hurt him.” They all looked away. “And when he did try to put his own stamp on the team, like with his campfires, he was met with eye rolling and snide remarks. The amount of insubordination you showed him is inexcusable.” He paused. “I played my role, as did all of you.” He looked pointedly at the three. “So, after knowing all this and the fact he was not invited to a ‘team’ party, why the hell do you think Tony would want any part of us?”
Abby gasped a bit as tears rolled down her face. “I didn’t mean to hurt his feelings…I -I just missed you.”
“I get that Abbs, but you guys never gave him a chance. Hell, I didn’t help either.” He shook his head a bit. “Tony thought of us as his family and we let him down." He paused. "Did you know that Tony had a very difficult childhood? He lost his mother early, his father was neglectful and hateful, and basically disinherited him when he was eighteen. He has been on his own for so long."
“I didn’t know that.” Tim said as they all pondered Gibbs’ revelation.
“How do we make it right?” Abby added as she wiped her face.
“Is Tony even coming back to NCIS?” Tim asked, guilt coursing through him. When Jethro did not immediately answer, Ziva spoke up.
“Is he, Gibbs?”
“I don’t know. I call almost every day and he won’t take my call. The Director and Ducky are still in contact with him, so we’ll have to wait to hear from them.” He resumed sanding.
“We are sorry, Gibbs.” Ziva said sincerely.
“I’m not the one who needs to hear that, Ziva.” Jethro replied quietly. After some time, the three slowly made their exit.
*
The next morning, Tony and Senior sat on the enclosed veranda eating a late breakfast. Tony had slept in unusually late. He was exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster he had been on lately.
“So,” Senior began, “I had a conversation with Dr. Pitt this morning.”
Tony looked up. “Really? What did you talk about?”
“Well, after I chastised him for breaking your leg…”
Tony’s eyes widened. “What? You know about that? How?”
Senior’s eyes sparkled. “I’ll get to that in a minute. But, I asked him if you were well enough to travel. I had my personal doctor email him your progress.”
“Travel? To where?”
“I think some sun would help your recovery. I asked him if I could take you to the Cayman Islands.”
“You still have your place there?” Tony remembered many times growing up his father would jet off to the Island, but he had never taken him along. He was always left behind with the Help.
“I do. The sun would help you regain some color. It would probably do well for your lungs as well.”
Tony smiled slightly. “What did Brad say?”
“As long as Alice accompanies us and we are aware of a nearby reputable hospital, he gave us a thumbs up.”
“Us? You’d go too?” Tony asked tentatively. “Don’t you have work to do?”
“Nothing I can’t take with me. And besides, Anthony, I have very reliable people running my companies. I have taken a step back from daily operations for some time now.”
Tony ducked his head slightly. “Okay.” There was some silence for a time. Senior saw that Tony was likely finished with his breakfast.
Senior took one last sip of coffee and stood. “So, Dr. Pitt and your leg?”
Tony immediately shook his head in disbelief. “How did you know about that?”
“Come with me,” his father replied. Tony and Senior walked slowly down the long corridor; his father looped his arm into Tony's to keep him steady. Tony's strength had improved but when he had to walk distances, it helped to have some support. They finally reached a large room that held a television. Senior walked to the entertainment center and opened up one of the sliding doors. He pointed out a collection of DVD’s to Tony.
Tony gasped slightly as he pulled one out. “These are all my games at Ohio State.” He turned to his father. “How?”
“A few years back, I made a donation to their athletic department and department of criminal justice. I wanted the money used to establish a scholarship for a student in need. I asked if I could have copies of your games. I guess it was my way of trying to get to know you.” He paused. “I bet football was really important to you.”
“Yeah…it was…” Tony responded wistfully and then his mood turned somber. “If it hadn’t been for that and my fraternity brothers…” Tony’s voice trailed off. Senior understood the implications of his son’s words and what he did not express. He nodded his head in understanding.
“Anthony, I don’t want you ever to think I am trying to buy your love or anything like that. I know I need earn back your trust. This was just a way for me to make up for what I should have done before. I am sorry I wasn’t there for you; cheering you on…supporting you emotionally and financially.” He walked up to Tony and placed his hand on his shoulder. “It must have been lonely.” Tony could not trust his voice with words so he just nodded and looked away. Senior sniffed as he saw Tony’s eyes water; so, he changed the subject. “Why don’t we go pack?”
TBC…
Continue to Chapter 12