Fox's Den

 

AN: This is my first NCIS fic ever so please be nice? HUGE thanks go out to dragonheart25 for the beta, for the much needed help with this and other chapters and for keeping me on track and not letting me quit when I hit a roadblock. I wouldn’t have been able to get this far without dragonheart25. Thanks hun!

 

Chapter One

Two years later would find Tony on a case that had him crossing paths with an Undercover Navy Cop. Leroy Jethro Gibbs. When all was said and done Tony had lost respect for Danny and planned to quit the force. Getting the job offer from Gibbs had been a godsend but he figured his new employer should know up front about his family life. So once Tony had gotten the chance to speak he had told Gibbs that he had custody of his Five year old Daughter. Tony had noticed a flash of something in the admittedly sexy older man’s eyes when Tony mentioned having a daughter but eventually just put it off as a trick of the lighting. Thankfully Gibbs did not care and the subject was never brought up again.

Two years into Tony’s working at NCIS, Gibbs added another member to the Team that had previously consisted of just himself and Tony. Caitlin Todd. Tony wasn’t sure what to make of her at first. Yes she was pretty but Tony had his eye on someone older, male and decidedly unavailable. Soon enough though, Tony found himself enjoying working with Kate. No matter what most thought Kate was like a sister to him. Yes he enjoyed teasing her just to get a rise out of her but he also knew she would be there for him no matter what. Still…there were a few things he hadn’t told her. Hadn’t told anyone other than Gibbs and that was only a brief mention when he was hired.

 

Tony was a father. His beautiful daughter. Despite her not being his biologically it was easy for him to care for her as if she was. It was hard to believe that she was seven already. Time was just flying by. Someday soon he would have to introduce her properly to the team. Oh sure she knew of those he considered family here at NCIS. Her Aunt Abby, her Aunt Kate, nonno Ducky, and the Bossman. Soon. Definitely soon. Before long another member had been added to the team. MIT grad Timothy McGee. He also gained an honorary name from Kelly this time. Her Uncle Timmy. Thankfully she hadn’t picked up on his propensity to make fun of McGee and she hopefully wouldn’t; at least not until they had been properly introduced. Of course at eight years old Kelly was becoming quite the troublemaker. How she could be a troublemaker and yet not want to fight was beyond him.

 

Then…they caught a case. A Navy Lieutenant had been murdered. They’d gone to the crime scene and collected the evidence. Unfortunately it wasn’t much to go on. He’d been trying to track down some leads when his phone rang.

 

~ “DiNozzo”

 

~Mr. DiNozzo, This is the School Nurse calling.

 

~ “Yes?”

 

~ There was an Incident at recess and Kelly wanted me to call you.

 

~ “Oka-ay.”

 

~ Would you like me to put her on?

 

~ “Please do.”

 

~ Papà?

 

~ “Yes Sweetie?”

 

~ A boy pushed me on the playground and I hit my head and it really really really hurts and I was throwing up in the nurses office and I don’t know how I got to the nurse’s and you always said that if I hit my head I should tell you right away cause if I hit my head really hard I might need to see the doctor and so I had Ms. T call you cause you always told me I should tell you right away and I still don’t feel too good. Can I come Home? Please Papà?

 

~ “Of Course Sweetheart.”

 

~ Kay. Here’s Ms. T again. I think she wants to talk to you.

 

~ Mr. DiNozzo?

 

~ “Yes?”

 

~ Do you wish to pick your daughter up? She seems to only have a slight headache and no fever. She is perfectly fit to return to class.

 

~ “I’ll be there in about ONE hour or less if possible.”

 

~ Understood Mr. DiNozzo. I will inform Kelly’s teachers and the office that she is going home.

 

“Boss I need to take the rest of the day off. Family Emergency. I’ll be back tomorrow.” Tony said as he grabbed his gun, badge, cell, keys, and his pack.

 

“No. We have an active case DiNozzo.”

 

“But…Fine. I’ll be back in an hour” as he tossed his pack back down by his desk before heading towards the elevators.

 

“DiNozzo! Where do ya think you’re going?” Gibbs questioned as Tony went to leave.

 

As he was stepping into the elevators he said “Lunch and Coffee run. I’ll be back in an hour.”

 

*Scene Switch*

 

Upon arriving at Kelly’s school Tony parked the car and walked into the school making a B-Line for the Office which was located somewhere towards the center of the school. It would mean he’d have to pass a few classrooms but it was the most direct route. While he was passing one of the open classroom doors, unbeknownst to Tony, the Teacher happened to look over and caught a glimpse of his weapon but not his badge and called Security. Upon arriving at the Office he walked in and over to the office lady/receptionist and waited a bit impatiently for her to look up.

 

Finally fed up with waiting he cleared his throat and said “Hi. My name’s Anthony DiNozzo I’m here to pick my daughter Kelly DiNozzo up.”

 

“Of Course. If you’ll hold on a moment I’ll call over to the Nurse’s and have her sent up.” The secretary replied.

 

Five Minutes later Kelly entered the office with her backpack and Tony signed her out before picking her up and carrying her and her bag out to the car. On his way there he runs into one of the Security Guards, one of the reasons he chose this school even though it was out of his living area. Tony smiles and greets the guard and manages to reach his badge and hand it to the guard who examines it before handing it back and telling him it was a false alarm. Teacher had called in a man with a gun. Apparently she hadn’t seen the badge. Tony just smiles and says that it’s fine. Not the first time and won’t likely be the last it’s happened before continuing on his way out of the School and to his car,

 

*Scene Change-->Navy Yard**

 

Upon arriving back at the Navy Yard Tony carried Kelly down to Autopsy to get checked out by Ducky. He doesn’t trust a School Nurse’s opinion to diagnose a possible concussion. He peeks in before fully going into autopsy to make sure that there are no dead bodies on the tables and that Ducky has finished his Autopsy of the dead Navy Lieutenant.

 

“Hey Ducky. You done with that Autopsy yet?” Tony questions from just outside the room.

 

“Anthony my dear boy. Yes I am finished. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”

 

Stepping fully into the room he replies “I need you to take a look at my daughter. I don’t trust that School Nurse to know what a Concussion is let alone to properly diagnose it. She hit her head pretty hard on the asphalt and was passed out for a couple minutes at least.”

 

“Of course my dear boy. You never mentioned that you had a daughter though.” Ducky queried as he pulled a penlight out of his pocket and began running through a check-up on his young patient.

 

“Yeah Ducky… not many people do; mainly because I don’t want all the fuss that would be made if it was common knowledge. It is in my personnel file though.” It was Tony’s honest answer as he watched Ducky checking his daughter’s Eyesight and Coordination.

 

“It looks to me to be a Very Minor Mild Concussion. Nothing to stress out too badly about and unless she shows signs of continued dizziness or double-vision or fainting then shouldn’t need to go to the hospital. I would follow up with her pediatrician within the week though.”

 

“Thanks Ducky. I’m gonna pop on up to Abby’s lab and see if she’ll keep an eye on Kelly for me while I get back to working this case. See You Later Ducky.” And with a final wave from both Kelly and Tony he walked out of autopsy and to the elevators to Abby’s Lab.

 

**Scene Change Abby’s Lab**

 

Tony walks in. “Abby. Hey Abbs…Abby!”

 

“What?! Oh, Tony. She’s a cutie. Is she part of your case?”

 

“What? Oh, no. Abby this is my daughter Kelly. Kelly meet your Aunt Abby.”

 

Abby is her usual bubbly self and hopping from foot to foot.

 

“Can you watch her for a bit Abbs? I need to get back to the bullpen and hopefully find a lead and I don’t want her up there in-case we do and we gotta go running out.”

 

“Of course Tony! Don’t worry she’s in good hands. C’mon Sweetie, I’ll show you how to make a Volcano.”

 

“Thanks Abbs. Don’t worry Kelly I’ll be down to get you as soon as I can. You’ll have plenty of fun. If you want to see me just have Abby give you a tour. She knows where I’ll be.” Tony says while kneeling down in front of Kelly.

 

Kissing Kelly’s cheek he says “Now I need you to be a good girl for your Aunt Abby and don’t let your Zia drink too much Caf-Pow!.”

Standing he waves goodbye to Kelly and Abby and heads back up to the bullpen where he continues to try and connect the dots while their suspects cool their heels in interrogation.

 

Ignoring Kate and McGee’s teasing and questions he immerses himself in the life of their dead Lieutenant and their suspects trying to find anything that would give them a concrete motive as to why the Lieutenant was killed. Ignoring Kate’s continued comments about his dating habits he went back through the phone records looking for a connection. After several hours of working and finding several things that needed to be looked into deeper Tony heard the elevator ding, but didn’t look up.

 

It wasn’t until Tony heard Abby’s voice that he started slowing down knowing that she was only up there for one reason. He had to hide a smile on his face knowing that the team was about to get the shock of their lives. It wasn’t quite the way he would have preferred to introduce the team to his daughter but shit happens.

 

“And this is our stop. He should be just around the corner. I know he hasn’t left the building to track a lead.” Abby was heard saying right before a girl’s voice was heard.

 

“I see him! Papà! Look what Aunt Abby helped me make!” Kelly yelled running up to Tony and showing him the picture and stuffed bat she held.

 

Picking her up and sitting her on his lap Tony smiled down at his daughter and told her that her picture was very beautiful and that he’s going to pin it up right next to him so he can see it every day.

 

Looking up at Abby he asks “Why a Bat Abbs?”

 

“It was Kelly’s choice not mine” Abby says looking as innocent as possible.

 

“Papà? Can I keep the bat in Aunt Abby’s lab so I can come back and see her?”

 

Laughing Tony replies “Of course you can sweetheart. Now why don’t you go back downstairs with Abby until I finish up here. It shouldn’t be too much longer.”

 

“Kay.” Kelly says hopping down from her father’s lap and running over to Abby who picked her up and swung her onto her shoulders while telling Tony that she’d see him later as she carried a giggling Kelly to the stairs.

 

Gibbs mutters something about going for coffee while heading towards the elevator. 

 

Tony’s eyes follow Gibbs as he walks to the elevator. Thinking Gibbs’ gut wasn’t telling him anything that would be helpful with the case. At the moment they were at a standstill with the victims and suspects having nothing showing up in their financials or background checks. They’ve had cases start out that way but most of the time Abby or one of his movie references helps take the case in a new direction.

 

 

Gibbs gets in and waits a few seconds before hitting the switch. All the while a million thoughts were running through Gibbs’ head. Questions like; how and why and when. For you see Gibbs recognized Tony’s daughter. Yes she may have only been an infant the last time he’d seen her but he would recognize her anywhere. How his daughter had survived and Tony had ended up with her and why Tony hadn’t told him were a few questions that ran through his head. Oh and the fact that Mike Franks would have a lot of explaining to do once he’d heard Tony’s explanation.

When Gibbs got back from his coffee run Tony stepped into the elevator with him. As they were heading up to the bullpen Gibbs flipped the Emergency stop switch and turned to Tony.

 

“What’s Kelly’s Full name?”

 

“Huh? Oh Kelly G. DiNozzo. Why?” Tony replied.

 

 

“What does the G stand for?” Gibbs questioned.

“Gibbssssssssssssssssssssss…ooh boy…You’re related to Kelly aren’t you? How come I never made the connection? I am such an idiot. Some investigator I am.” Tony began muttering self-deprecatingly.

 

**WACK**

 

A resounding slap was heard in the elevator as Gibbs slapped Tony upside the back of his head.

 

Rubbing the back of his head lightly Tony turned and asked “Do you know where Kelly’s dad is?”

 

“Of course DiNozzo. He’s standing right in front of you.” Gibbs replied matter-of-factly.

 

Tony just stared slack jawed at Gibbs. He should have figured that out a few years ago; beating himself up for not putting two and two together. Some investigator he was. The whole time the man he’s been falling in love with, working with was also Kelly’s father.

While Tony was lost in his thoughts he didn’t even see the hand Gibbs was raising.

 

**WACK**

 

Another head-slap courtesy of his Boss.

 

“You know if you keep doing that I’ll end up breaking my own record of concussions in a month.” Tony said while ducking another head-slap from Gibbs.

 

Looking at him he knew that Gibbs had questions and that the older man would find it hard to ask them.

 

“I know you probably have a lot of questions Gibbs. I’ll give you a short version now and a more detailed one later okay?”

 

A nod from Gibbs was his only answer.

 

“I was one of the first Homicide Detective that responded to the call out. EMT was a lazy idiot and declared them both dead. I was the only one able to get into the wreckage and get their bodies out. Kelly was alive. I went to the hospital. At the time we didn’t know her name. We found out and then not long after the case was shipped to NCIS when the lead detective found out that Kelly and Shannon were listed as dependents for someone in the Military. I wasn’t lead cause I’d removed myself so I could keep an eye on Kelly in case the bastard that shot Shannon came back for Kelly. Eventually I stopped looking for you myself and hired a PI to keep searching. Can call and tell him to stop now. When Kelly was released from the hospital she came to live with me. Eventually changed her name after asking my lawyer about it.” Tony glanced over at Gibbs to catch the barest hint of a smile.

 

“Anyway I’ll bring Kelly over after work or after the case is solved; whichever comes first. You can explain to me what happened on your end then.” Tony said before flipping the switch and starting the elevator back up to the bullpen.

 

An hour and a half later Tony had found the connection between their dead Navy Lieutenant and the Petty Officer. They had been in a relationship and when the Lt. tried to break it off she had flipped and killed him. Gibbs had managed to get the whole story out of her after Tony had found the phone calls and credit card receipts that linked the two.

 

~After Work~

 

Sitting in his car Tony stared back at Kelly through the rear view mirror contemplating what had happened in such a short amount of time. He knew she’d recognize Gibbs. She had an incredible memory. She could remember everything about her mommy and daddy. Tony should have seen the resemblance, should have noticed how well Kelly’s description of her ‘daddy’ seemed to descried Gibbs. Maybe he had noticed it, subconsciously, and just didn’t want to see what was right there in front of him.

 

He’d always known that there was a chance that Kelly’s Dad would show up and take her away, he just hadn’t let himself think of what he would do if that happened.

 

Watching Kelly sleep in the backseat he felt his heart constrict. This would be the last time he’d see his bambina. He wasn’t going to put Kelly through another Custody Battle. She still occasionally had nightmares about the first one. He also wouldn’t make her have to choose between him and Gibbs. She’d be happy and he knew she would be well cared for. He had been able to tell that despite Gibbs’ gruff exterior he loved Kelly and wouldn’t do anything to hurt her, just like Tony wouldn’t. He also knew that he couldn’t put Kelly through the constant struggle of going from Gibbs home to Tony’s Apartment and back.

 

God he didn’t want to do this! He had half a mind to just turn back and grab some things and run off with Kelly. He’d raised her for seven fucking years!! Where the Hell was Gibbs? Living it up and remarrying three fucking times!!! He should resent him for just waltzing in and claiming Kelly back but…he couldn’t. Damnit!!! He loved the man too fucking much. How and when his feeling for the man had gone from admiration and lust to falling head over heels in love with him Tony didn’t know, but none of that mattered now. Life on the run was no way to raise a child and he could never put Kelly through that.

 

Damn but his life sucked right now. He was already missing her and she was still right there asleep in the back seat. He just had to fall in love with Gibbs. It would have been so much easier to work something out if he wasn’t in love with Kelly’s dad. The worst part being Gibbs was straight and would never date a man, let alone someone like Tony. Plus there was Rule 12.

Taking a deep breath Tony opened his door and stepped out. Walking around to the passenger side he opened the door and lifted a still sleeping Kelly out of the backseat.

 

‘Sometimes I swear she’d sleep through a Nuclear Explosion if left alone’ Tony thought with a mournful chuckle.

 

As he carried Kelly into the house he continued to think. He knew he’d need to leave. He wouldn’t be able to stay in DC knowing that his bambina was now living happily with her daddy. Oh sure she’d probably be a little upset about Tony’s leaving but it wouldn’t be anything noteworthy. She’d be too happy with having her daddy back. Thankfully the team was off rotation for the next few days. It would give Tony time to put his resignation into Gibbs email and the Director as well as pack a bag of his clothes and be gone before anyone realized he was gone. He’d leave the spare key to his apartment in Kelly’s backpack so Gibbs could get Kelly’s things once he found out Tony was gone.

 

Tony really should have paid more attention to his old neighbors when they told him about what not to do when it comes to children. Yeah they were resilient but he was really underestimating not only himself as a parent but just how much Kelly loved him. Of course if he’d had any idea of the chain of events that would follow he probably wouldn’t have been so self-deprecating. He really shouldn’t make assumptions based on past events and the actions of people that had no self-conscience.

 

TBC…

A/N: Here’s the translations. From this point out unless specified otherwise these are all Italian ~ English translations.

Papà ~ dad

nonno ~ grandpa/granddad/grandfather

bambina ~ child

Zia ~ Aunt

A/N 2: Wow! Thank you all for the wonderful feedback. Hope I didn’t disappoint with this chapter!!! Also as an aside while I may have recieved my fair share of concussions I never once went to the hospital for them. The symtoms are just what I experienced and my sister-in-law told me that I most likely had a concussion and should get it checked(she's the medical professional) but I despise hospitals so you can guess I didn't.

Also as an aside...I am basing Tony's reactions to the situation on something that I myself witnessed happen to a friend in a similar(similar not the same) situation. And Kelly's speech is based off of my own experience with children(3 nieces and 2 nephews).