A/N: WOW! I can’t believe the end is here. I feel like I just started this story yesterday, wondering if I was out of mind trying to write a long fic and if anyone would read.

It has been fun and an adventure writing this story! Most importantly it has been an honor. I actually had tears when I wrote ‘the end’ at the bottom of this page. I never thought it would come but alas it has come too soon.

THANK YOU! To everyone who has reviewed this fic! It makes me swell with joy every time I see a review in my inbox. To all of you who have reviewed every chapter my extra thanks! You all are amazing and I couldn’t ask for better people to read my fic!

ON WITH THE STORY!

Two hours after he’d fallen asleep Tony woke up, startled to find himself still in his boss’s arms.

“Gibbs…what happened,” Tony inquired, looking around the hospital room.

“What do you remember?” Gibbs asked, not wanting to throw too much at Tony.

Tony closed his eyes and leaned into his boss too tired to be entirely embarrassed with the situation. Besides he wanted the comfort and knew he could pretend to not know what he was doing later.

“Um…I heard a phone ringing and then everything went black.”

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Tony woke up and stretched. It’d been almost nine months since he’d woken up in the hospital wrapped in his boss’s arms. He couldn’t believe how fast time flew.

A knock sounded at his door causing him to jump. The door opens and Gibbs entered the room.

“Get up, get dressed, and get downstairs.”

“I’m coming boss.” Tony replied with a grin.

The two had an important meeting that morning so Tony had spent the night with Gibbs. Of course in the nine months since he’d ‘come to’ he’d spent more times at Gibbs house then he did at his own place.

He quickly took a shower and made his way downstairs. Gibbs had brought him new slacks and polo shirt for the meeting. When he got downstairs the entire team was there waiting.

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“Tony!” Abby squealed.

It was the first time her and the team had come to visit Tony since he’d gotten out of the hospital from his ordeal.

“Hi Abs,” Tony greeted back, allowing the Goth girl to hug him tight. “Miss me?”

“Yes,” Abby answered honestly before stepping back.

“It is good to have you back,” Ziva greeted with a smile.

“I’m a miss able sort of person,” Tony smiled.

Ziva shook her head before giving in to the temptation to hug the man before her.

“You’re playing games on your own computer,” McGee greeted with a grin.

Tony blushed; he’d been told all about playing games on McGee’s computer.

“Of course probie,” Tony greeted the junior agent with a hand shake.

“Anthony, my dear boy,” Ducky didn’t hold back on giving Tony a hug.

“Hi Duck,” Tony greeted back with a slight blush.

Palmer greeted Tony by giving him his Magnum PI remote control car.

“Jimmy,” Tony gasped.

“You already saw it but I figured,” Palmer shrugged.

“It’s awesome,” Tony grinned giving Palmer a half hug.

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Breakfast was eaten quickly as the team made their way to their separate cars and began the drive to their destination. Everything was kept under wraps from everyone but each other. There was no way anyone one who could harm them could find out…that included the director of NCIS.

As they pulled up to the building Tony looked over at Gibbs with worry in his eyes. Gibbs inwardly frowned; he hadn’t seen Tony with that look in his eyes since the day Gibbs started to explain everything that had happened.

“Alright,” Gibbs asked quietly.

“What if it doesn’t go through?” Tony asked nervously.

“We’ve been through harder already,” Gibbs reminded him. “They’ll agree.”

The group walked in, Gibbs and Tony leading. When they got in Gibbs steered Tony to the left where a man was waiting for them.

“Mr. Welling,” Gibbs greeted the man with a hand shake.

“Agent Gibbs,” Welling nodded his head. “Tony, how are you doing?”

“I’m fine sir,” Tony answered as he followed Gibbs lead and shook the man’s hand.

“We are in courtroom four on the second floor,” Welling informed the group.

He led the team up the marble staircase of the court house.

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Tony stared at Gibbs desk with a frown. This was the third time in month that Gibbs had been late for work. Hearing the ding of the elevator Tony turned his attention back to his computer.

Gibbs strolled by his desk and laid a manila envelope on the younger agent’s desk. Tony stared at the envelope briefly before looking up at Gibbs. Gibbs didn’t look at him as he picked up his phone.

Tony slowly opened the envelope allowing his eyes to scroll the document. The first line stopped him.

IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF Anthony DiNozzo Junior

Tony’s head snapped up and he stared at his boss. Gibbs for his part pretended not to notice that he was being stared at. Tony’s eyes scrolled down to the bottom of the page.

Case No. 84622648

Petitioner: Leroy Jethro Gibbs

Tony looked up and straight into the eyes of his boss who was suddenly standing by his desk.

“Gibbs,” Tony started but stopped. He was still too stunned to say anything.

“It’s just a formality DiNozzo,” Gibbs informed him. “It’s up to you.”

Tony looked down at the empty space directly to the right of Gibbs.

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Tony fidgeted in his seat. He nervously tugged at the polo shirt he was wearing. He had been more then willing to wear suit the proceeding of the day but Gibbs had insisted he not.

As Tony went to again tug at his shirt Gibbs captured his wrist and pulled his hand down. Tony gave him a sheepish smile when Gibbs laid an arm around his shoulders.

“It’s gonna be ok,” Gibbs whispered into his senior agent’s ear.

There was no time for anything else as a voice suddenly called out, “Case number 84622648.”

Mr. Welling stood up and beckoned his clients forward. He led the way to the defendants table and they all sat down.

“Case number 84622648, one Leroy Jethro Gibbs, petitioner, adoptee, Anthony DiNozzo Junior,” the judge’s voice droned. “Are all parties present?”

“Yes, your honor,” Welling answered.

The lawyer and judge went through all the legal aspects of the case while Gibbs and Tony sat and listened. Tony looked back and got an encouraging smile from all but Ziva who nodded her head in encouragement.

Tony was brought out of his thoughts when he heard Gibbs gruff voice. He forced himself to pay attention.

“Mr. DiNozzo is an adult now Mr. Gibbs,” the judge stated. “Why do you wish to adopt him now?”

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“Why Gibbs,” Tony inquired. “Why do you want to adopt me?”

Tony stared at his boss as he sunk a little further into the couch. After work Tony had followed Gibbs back to his place. He parked his car and followed Gibbs into the house and sat on the couch. Gibbs came back a few minutes later with a cup of coffee for himself and a glass of juice for Tony.

Tony frowned a little but took a drink. He had wanted a beer but ever since he’d turned twelve, a time which he did not remember Gibbs had been giving him juice to drink and watching over him. Tony had taken it all in stride.

Gibbs sighed and sat across from Tony, sitting on the coffee table. He had never been one for sharing his feelings and the one time he had Tony no longer remembered. It was because of that that Gibbs was going to once again share his thoughts.

“When you first came to work for me I saw a boy who needed to be shown the way to be a man. I saw myself before Mike became my boss.”

Gibbs voice trailed off…he couldn’t do this…he couldn’t…he had too. With a deep breath he began again.

“You’re the son I always wanted Tony. You are my son now. The adoption is making it legal. If you don’t want to go through with it then we won’t. It won’t change anything.

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“Mr. DiNozzo, you have a living parent. Can I ask why you want this adoption?” The judge’s voice brought Tony back to the present.

“Your honor my father gave me up when I was twelve. Agent…Jethro has been more of a father to me in the five years I’ve known him then the man who helped give me life was in those twelve.” Tony answered his voice firm.

The judge sat back in his seat and looked over the forms in front of him. Included were four character testimonies on behalf of the two in front of him.

“Mr. Gibbs, I agree with your petition and award you custody of Anthony DiNozzo Junior.” The judge declared banging his gravel down twice. “Take care of your son Mr. Gibbs.”

Gibbs nodded at the man and shook the lawyer’s hand. Behind him the rest of his team was celebrating.

Gibbs stood and brought Tony into a hug, “I’ll always take care of you.”

THE END