Lots of hate mail about this story. I guess I should have warned people that it's not for Tony fans. And some say it's OOC for him, but I don't think it is. And Ducky, well he's snapped at Palmer enough times that I don't think this is OOC for him either. Again, my opinion. Still... I have amended the summary to reflect the possibility. That said and done, I send a special thank you to all the readers who keep an open mind and open heart when reading my stories.

WHEN EGO GETS IN THE WAY

Summary: Tony is angry and Ducky hits the nail on the head.

Category: General

Rating: K+

Warning: Spoiler for season 10 finale.

Disclaimer: Someone else owns everything NCIS. I'm just borrowing the characters for a bit.

All mistakes are mine.

"I will tell you, Anthony, what I think, but only because you are so insistent."

Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo's shoulders relaxed a little as he looked into the stern face of the NCIS medical examiner. "I didn't... at least it wasn't something breakable." The senior field agent was still reeling from the latest discovery and his temper had gotten the best of him when he threw a roll of paper towels across the room.

Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard had hoped the younger man would have figured it out or at least gotten a clue before then, after so many years, but it was not to be... at least not yet. As for the oldest member of team Gibbs, yes, he sometimes didn't understand Leroy Jethro Gibbs and yes, the man completed a project that even he hadn't known about, but no, he wasn't angry about it. It was times like this when he wished he didn't know so much about human psychological conditions. Keeping his gaze directed at Tony's eyes, Ducky managed to keep it short...mostly.

"The question is not why Gibbs built it without consulting you or why he kept it a secret. The question, the one you need to discover the answer to, is why it bothers you so much."

DiNozzo's jaw clenched as he pulled his hands into fists.

"I believe you are angry because for all these months you had no idea what he was doing. Your life went on as usual and he was still always there for you. When you needed him. When you wanted him." Ducky walked toward the button on the wall. "He managed to work the long hours, be available for you, Abigail and Ziva and even Timothy, all while building a cabin in the woods."

Thinking about a fresh cup of tea, Ducky tossed a final barb as the doors to autopsy whooshed open and he prepared to leave the man alone. "I know you often have a hard time with the concept, Anthony, but not everything is about you. The cabin and how it came to be is about Jethro. And it says a lot... about him."

The End

Thanks very much for reading. Please review.

EGO noun A person's sense of self-esteem or self-importance.