Tony was sitting at his desk playing some game that Gibbs had ordered him to get rid of. He keeps meaning to do it, but just hasn't gotten around to it yet.

"DiNozzo take McGee and question a witness in Rock Creek Park." Gibbs barked.

"On it Boss." Tony answered.

"Oh and DiNozzo when you return I want that game off your computer."

"Yes Boss. Let's go McTagAlong."


In the park Tim and Tony were questioning the witness. Tony noticed someone standing in the distance. Without saying anything to Tim, Tony left to investigate it. Tim finished up with the questioning only to find out that Tony was no longer with him.

"Where the Hell did you get to?" Tim wondered. He saw that their car was still there; so wherever Tony disappeared to, he left on foot. Tim saw Tony talking to some older man that he didn't recognize and wasn't close enough to get a good look at him. Tim saw this guy hit Tony hard, knocking him on the floor. He ran to check on his partner and arrest the guy for assaulting a Federal Agent.

"Freeze Federal Agent!" Tim called with his gun aimed.

The guy took off, walking away casually as if he didn't have a care in the world.

"Let him go McGee." Tony said as he stood up.

"Tony, are you okay?" Tim asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"What happened? Why did you just let him escape?"

"I'm fine, so there really is no point. How did the interview go?" Tony responded.

"It went well, possible lead." Tim answered looking at the bruise forming on Tony's cheek.

"We should get back to the office and track down that lead. Here you drive." Tony said handing the keys to Tim.

Tim took the keys, but he wondered if Tony was really okay. Tony is not one to willing pass up the chance to drive. Tony got into the passenger side of the car and just looked out the window. Every so often Tim would glance over at Tony. Tony could sense that Tim was watching him.

"I'm fine McGee, quit watching me." Tony snapped.

"Sorry."


The rest of the ride back to the Navy Yard was driven in pure silence. Tony continue to stare out the window, he could see his reflection. He knows that the bruise is going to be really bad by the end of the day. His fat lip is still bleeding. Tim is trying his hardest not to look at Tony. He doesn't understand why Tony let this guy get away with assaulting him.

Tim took the elevator to the bullpen. Tony insisted on taking the stairs. Tim figures he wants to clean up first before facing the team, although no way he could hide the bruise or the fat lip from them.

"Any new leads?" Ziva asked as Tim entered the bullpen.

Tim didn't answer. He is having trouble remembering the interview, so much has happen since then.

"Where is DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked.

"He took the stairs, probably stopped off at the men's room." Tim answered distractedly.

Gibbs was concerned. Tim seems so out of it and he hasn't seen DiNozzo.

"Did something happen on the interview?" Gibbs asked gently not wanting to spook Tim.

"I saw some guy deck Tony and knock him on the floor. Tony just let him leave. He says he 'fine', but he just doesn't seem fine."

Gibbs took off to find DiNozzo and get him down to Ducky. He went to the men's room on the second floor and there was Tony leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. Gibbs heart broke when he saw that ugly bruise on Tony's face. He went to the sink and wet a paper towel.

"Tony, what happened?" Gibbs asked putting the paper towel on his cheek.

"It was nothing. I'm fine." Tony answered taking the paper towel away from his face.

Gibbs knew he wasn't going to get anymore out of Tony when he is like this.

"Come on, I'll take you home." Gibbs offered getting Tony off the floor. Tomorrow he will take him to see Ducky and get that bruise checked out.

"No Gibbs. I'm fine. I can make it on my own." Tony answered walking out the door of the men's room and towards the stairwell.

Gibbs tried to follow him, but he knew DiNozzo and if he doesn't want help; he will fight him every step of the way.


Gibbs went back to the bullpen.

"Everyone go home. McGee, try to remember any leads from that interview." Gibbs ordered.

"What about Tony?" Ziva asked.

"Unless Tony wants help, he won't accept any. Let him sleep on it and we will try to get to the bottom of what happened tomorrow." Gibbs answered though his gut was telling him to help Tony tonight. He hates it when it head and his gut argue with each other. But he knows one thing for sure. He can't push Tony when he is like this; Tony would push him away before accepting any help.


Gibbs went to Fornell's; he had promised Emily he would come for dinner. But his heart just wasn't in it; he was too worried about Tony.

"Hope you like Macaroni and Cheese. It is her favorite." Fornell commented putting the dish on the table.

Gibbs could never understand what it is with kids and that dish; it was Kelly's favorite too.

Fornell could tell that Gibbs was distracted. He was being very quiet; too quiet, even for Gibbs. He was just about to ask when he heard his front door opened.

"Uncle Toby, I need help." A voice called.

Gibbs knew that voice; what on earth was he doing here and "Uncle Toby". Gibbs came face to face with his Senior Field Agent of 9 years. Or more like what was left of his face, Tony looked like someone had beaten him badly or he had been mugged. His face was covered in bruises and the very expensive suit he was wearing when he left the office was torn to shreds.

Tony had no idea that Gibbs would be there tonight and he would have been shocked to see him if he wasn't about to collapse. Tony looked from Fornell back to Gibbs and then to Fornell again before collapsing onto the floor.