Hey there loyal readers! I know it's been a while, but I'm back now so here goes nothing.

Chap. 1

Tony stepped out of the car and stretched. His long limbs didn't like being cramped in a car for too long. That was probably one of the reasons his Dad had stopped so often on the way up to Stillwater. Hearing the door to the store open. Tony turned to see Jackson Gibbs making his way toward them with a beaming smile on his face. Before he knew it Tony was grabbed into a bear hug and squeezed so tight he thought his eyes might pop out.

"Tony, it's good to see you son! Leroy didn't give you too much trouble on the trip up did he?"

"Not too much. He was fairly well behaved."

Gibbs chuckled and stuffed his keys into his pockets. Tony and Jackson could always be counted on to provide comic relief.

"Well don't just stand out in the cold, come on and get inside."

Gibbs followed his father and son into the store as they started to catch up on gossip and God knows what else. Honestly they were like two old busy bodies when they got together.

"It isn't nice to talk about people who aren't here to defend themselves, you know?"

The comment went unheard as the two gossips continued to talk up a storm as they entered the store. This week was going to be interesting.

"Dad are you coming?"

"I'm on my way, Tony. Just going to grab something from the car."

When he finally did make it into the store, he found Tony sitting behind the counter chatting with an elderly lady while he bagged her groceries. Tony could strike up a conversation with anyone. He didn't hold any kind of prejudice against anyone or anything. He was naturally kind hearted and constantly tried to hide that from the world. A childhood spent getting beaten for such things could make one want to hide that away, he supposed.

"Leroy Jethro Gibbs! It's good to see you around these parts again."

The elderly lady Tony had been talking to turned to him and he got his first look at her. Mrs. Kingston, his old History teacher. He remembered her well. She had been strict, but fair and she always found ways to grab his attention during lessons. She really was a great teacher.

"Mrs. Kingston, how have you been?"

'Oh, I can't complain. Eli and his wife are up for the weekend. They didn't bring the kids though. Won't be too much fun without them."

Grace Kingston was almost Jackson's age. She had one child, a son, Eli. He was married, had two daughter and three granddaughters. Mrs. Kingston was a great grandmother and apparently loving every minute of it.

"Well, it was good to see you Mrs. Kingston."

"Jethro this young man was just telling me that he works with you in DC."

"Tony here is my Senior Field Agent. He's also my son."

Gibbs watched as Tony's eyes bulged almost out of his head. Did he think people wouldn't find out? Or that Gibbs himself and Jackson wouldn't be shouting that from the roof tops?

"Jack told me he had family coming in. I should have realized. Well, I have to get going. Eli wants to grill out later."

As she walked away, Gibbs turned to his son who was still reeling from the conversation.

The kid looked almost panicked.

"What's the matter?"

"What? You being my son?"

At the small nod Gibbs sighed. He had thought they were past this.

"It doesn't bother you that these people know that stuff? What if they disapprove?"

"Let 'em. I'm not going to hide you Tony. I'm proud of you, I want to show you off."

Jackson chuckled behind him.

"Oh, I think you'll get plenty of chances to do just that. Grace seemed quite taken with him. NO doubt she'll tell the ladies in her Bridge club, who will tell the ladies in the Knitting Circle, who will tell the ladies in the Book Club who will let something slip at the library and then it will make its way back here. You'll be the talk of the town Tony."

"I just don't want to cause any trouble."

"I wouldn't worry too much about that. The blue hair brigade will keep any of that in check. You'll be theirs in no time!"

Both Jackson and Gibbs walked back to the counter laughing. Tony would be mothered to no end before the trip was over. Maybe that was a good thing.

"It's not funny. I've never been around old people before."

Jackson Gibbs glared at him as he spoke.

"Old people?"

"Well not you obviously, just old…er people."

Gibbs laughed.

"Tony just take the bags to the house and start unpacking. Well, be there in a few. It's almost seven now."

"Is that ok?"

At Jackson's nod, he grabbed the car keys and headed out the door.

"He's still pretty insecure, I see."

Gibbs grabbed a broom and started sweeping. Yes, Tony was still very insecure. It was one of the things they were working on.

"He's a work in progress, Dad."

"How's that going for you?"

"Good days and bad days. It's life, Dad."

"Life with that boy is never just life, Leroy. Now finish with the sweeping and let's get the hell out of Dodge!"