There was a knock on the door, and oddly familiar knock, yet one that Nigel hadn't heard in over a year. There was only one person he knew that knocked like that.

"Tony," he greeted, beaming at the man who had so familiarly knocked, "Tony DiNozzo, good god how long has it been?" Tony laughed as the lanky brit pulled him into a brotherly embrace.

"You gonna invite me in Nige? Or are we just gonna stand out here all night?" he asked, pushing the other man away playfully. Nigel clapped a hand on his shoulder, pulling him inside and steering him towards the couch.

"When did you get here, luv? Is everything alright? How long are you staying for? Have you eaten yet?" he asked, already heading for the kitchen. Tony shook his head, smiling at Tony's eagerness.

"Today, no, three days, and no," he answered, "and in that order." Nigel gave him a sympathetic look.

"Anything I can do, luv?" he asked, and Tony grinned.

"Got any beer?" he asked, and Nigel held up two bottles, "Then yes, there is." Nigel tossed him one and ordered their favorite pizza, before plopping down on the couch next to Tony.

"Cheers," he said, raising his own bottle to the other man's, before taking a long swig. They just sat there for a moment, Nigel's arm casually around the back of the couch, and Tony's hand resting lightly on Nigel's knee.

"So," began Tony, breaking the silence, "are you and Bug still…" he trailed off.

"Nah," said Nigel, "We broke that off ages ago."

"Oh." There was a slightly awkward silence after this statement, during which Nigel gave Tony a good looking over. Upon closer inspection, his hair was disheveled, his clothes dirty, and something about his eyes was out of place.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" he asked quietly, looking into Tony's face, "Whatever it is that's not alright?" Tony answered quickly.

"No," he said, avoiding Nigel's gaze. Nigel lost his patience.

"For Chrissakes who died!?" he asked exasperatedly. It was meant to be just one of those things that people said, that didn't really mean anything, but Nigel knew something was up when the color drained out of the other man's cheeks.

"Kate," Tony said his voice barely a whisper. Nigel immediately felt terrible.

"I'm sorry luv, I didn't know. I didn't mean to-" he broke off as Tony stood abruptly.

"I should go," he said, his voice aching with sadness. Nigel stood also, and caught his arm.

"Tony you don't have to- I mean you-" Realizing that words were failing him, Nigel did the next (semi)logical thing. Placing a hand on either of Tony's shoulders, he lent down and put his lips to Tony's, in a gentle, but still firm kiss.

Tony's eyes widened in surprise, before he eagerly returned the kiss. After a moment Nigel backed off nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear, unsure of how Tony would react. He stood there, frozen for a moment, staring at Nigel.

"Nigel, what was- Did we- What…" he began finally, and Nigel grinned.

"Still think you should leave?" he asked, sitting back down on the couch and grabbing his beer off the coffee table. Tony snatched up his own and drained it.

"I think I could stay for a while," and with that he sat back down, both men grinning wildly.