A/N: I think the SF has broken me! I'm writing AU, I'm thinking AU and I've got ideas for even more AUs! And not just any AU; this one for example has got supernatural elements! But give it a shot! It's not that paranormal, really; just one teeny tiny element, which considering the title and the summary, shouldn't be too hard to guess.

And again, the effect of the SF and the whole 13th season shows on the Gibbs I've created in this chapter! (And just this chapter and the first part of it!) Just a heads-up!

This is not a long story and doesn't contain any spoilers, I think. And don't let the ending of the first chapter scare you.

Also, this is not a suicide fic!


. If Wishes Were Horses .

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He grimaced as he tried to move and felt a dull pain running down his spine, a pain caused by spending hours in a wrong position; that pain was soon forgotten, though when the nausea and a terrible headache were registered and he absently congratulated himself for making it to the bathroom before throwing up.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd had such a terrible hangover. After he'd lost his girls, he'd started to drink so much that now getting him truly drunk would sound pretty impossible to those who knew him. But well, apparently he still could get to that point with the right amount of alcohol and the right incentive, of course. And well, last night it'd been the anniversary of his girls and what better incentive to get drunk than that.

Little by little as he started to get more alert and the ability of thinking came back to him, he began to remember the events of the previous night and what struck him was DiNozzo's visit.

"Dammit." He growled as he remembered everything.

Clearly Tony had somehow known about the date and had come around to make sure he was alright. Too bad he had already been on his way to be completely wasted, with the filter between his brain and his mouth already gone and the bastardness turned on and running full force. He'd wanted to lash out at someone; at the person who'd taken his precious girls from him; but that person wasn't around; he was dead; he'd made sure of it; so what other option did he have but to lash out at the only one who was there? Namely his SFA! But what the hell, why had he said such awful things; where had they even come from?

And just why in the hell could he remember things so clearly? It wasn't normal; people never remembered things they did while drunk!

He remembered shouting at the younger man; calling him worthless and unwanted; he could remember telling him that it wasn't fair that the younger man could get to live when no one really wanted him and he had to lose his precious little daughter; he'd asked why someone like Tony who no one would notice if he vanished one day had the chance to live when his beautiful, lovely little girl had to die, when so many people were devastated by her death and nobody cared if Tony hadn't lived to become an adult! And he'd ranted and shouted and spat the most awful things that he could think of in that state of mind and he hadn't even noticed when Tony left.

He vaguely remembered the younger man apologizing and admitting that he'd asked himself the same question multiple times and that he really would trade his place with Gibbs' daughter if he had the chance and wasn't that just frigging amazing? He'd been the ass and Tony had been the one apologizing and for what? Being alive?

Goddammit! He cared about Tony; he cared about him like he was family and yet, in his grief, not only had he ruined everything that could imply that, he'd made sure what little self-confidence and self-respect Tony had were destroyed; he'd joined Tony's father in wishing him dead in someone else's place; he'd very clearly told him that his life was worth less that his girl! What the hell was wrong with him?

He had never thought he could be so disgusted with himself for something that he'd said or done; but now, now he knew he could never forgive himself for the way he'd treated the younger man; the man who'd been always so loyal and so caring.

Grabbing his keys; he jumped into his car and rushed towards DiNozzo's house; headache and hangover be damned.

He couldn't even come up with an excuse to soothe his SFA; to let him know he hadn't meant a word he'd said and that the younger man was one of the few people in his life that he cared about the most. He never really showed it, especially not in front of Tony, but even the idea of Tony being hurt scared him. How could he wish him dead? So, of course he hadn't meant those terrible words; still, for him to utter those shitty things was unforgivable.

Parking his car in front of Tony's building, he took a deep breath to collect himself and his thoughts and left the car; if there was any occasion that required him hitting his knees and asking for someone's forgiveness, it'd probably be this one; but sadly, he knew that wouldn't solve anything; it wasn't like the younger man was mad at him; heck, he'd clearly believed that Gibbs had been right and that his words were justified; what he needed to do was to prove he cared, but first, he had to change his way and start it with an apology.

The door to Tony's apartment was slightly ajar, so he quietly walked in and hoped against hope that he wouldn't find Tony drunk and broken. He didn't think he could take it if he saw him in that state, knowing he'd put him there.

The place looked empty, though; there were no signs of the other agent in the apartment, but the badge and weapon belonging to DiNozzo were in their designated place; so he couldn't have gone out. Then why was the apartment empty? And why was the door not shut and locked?

Walking to the bathroom, Gibbs called out. "Tony? You in there?"

The bathroom door was shut and after a second of hesitation, the Lead Agent grabbed the handle and turned it. The door opened easily but the sight that greeted him literally brought Gibbs to his knees right where he was standing, in the doorway.

He hadn't even noticed when he'd ended up on the ground; all he knew was that he was staring at one of his worst nightmares after losing his girls and he knew beyond any doubts that this time if he wanted to kill the culprit, he had to eat his own gun.

There wasn't any blood on the clean bathroom floor; there wasn't an empty bottle of pills either; Tony wasn't even lying down on the floor and the bathroom seemed as neat as ever. The only difference, the thing that'd add to Gibbs' nightmares if he didn't finish his life, would be the younger man sitting there, back against the well, head leaning back and eyes open, glazed over and staring at nothing. Gibbs didn't need to check for a pulse to recognize a dead body. Tony's chest wasn't moving, his face was colorless and there was no life in those green orbs. Tony was long gone.

This was all his fault; his words must've pushed Tony over the edge and he'd probably ended his life with some pills or something.

He was still on his knees, looking pale and lost when a voice startled him.

"Mesmerizing, isn't it?"

Jumping to his feet, Gibbs took a couple of steps back, ending up inside the bathroom; unconsciously, he was hovering over Tony's body, like he was trying to protect him. His head was telling him that it didn't matter anymore; that it was too late already; but his heart couldn't accept it and he still needed to protect the younger man who was like a younger brother to him; like a son.

The man standing there looked strange, with an air of confidence, superiority and mystery about him. He wasn't big or muscular per se, but it was clear that nobody could ever think of him as anything but a strong personality. Even Gibbs who could always jump into fighting mode, without a second to spare, couldn't move his hand to reach for his gun this time. For all he knew, this man could be responsible for his agent's death and he knew he should arrest him and somehow arrange for his friend's body to be taken to the autopsy and receive Ducky's careful attention. They needed to find out the cause of death and then... God, Tony was dead. Once again, his knees buckled and this time he found himself on the ground, next to his friend's dead body, pulling him close to his chest.

"He did it for you." The man stated calmly; like he was talking about the plot of a movie.

Gibbs' head snapped up; he'd forgotten he wasn't alone.

Leaning his shoulder against the door frame, the guy read the sea of emotions and different feelings in the other man's eyes. Shrugging nonchalantly, he continued, "He was desperate and so were you. For hours he was sitting there wishing he could trade his place with your daughter. We decided to grant his wish."

"Whu-" Gibbs tried to speak, but the hoarse sound that left his mouth didn't feel like it belonged to him.

"What? He was desperate." The man sounded indignant. "And we've heard you, too. We heard how you wished him dead instead of your daughter."

"No." Gibbs shook his head vigorously. "It's... No. I didn't... And it's impossible!"

"Of course it's not." The guy rolled his eyes. "But we did make sure it really was what he wanted. Make no mistakes, we're always thorough."

"Who the hell are you?" Gibbs shouted all his anger and despair.

"Language!" He warned. "Name's Kabshiel!" When Gibbs' puzzled look didn't change, the man rolled his eyes. "Nobody knows me. It's not fair." Sighing he said, "Angel of favor?"

Gibbs still looked at him with shock.

"Whatever." The man sounded annoyed. "He prayed and I came; I asked if he was sure; he said yes. I told him he'd die like he's never grown old. He said he knew and that he didn't care. I took his life and gave it to your daughter. End of story."

Gibbs' eyes flashed with fury. He was finally coming back to himself. "I don't give a shit what you've been using; you're under arrest for-" Before he could finish his sentence the man vanished before his eyes and now, with a lax jaw, Gibbs was sure he was the one under the influence of some sort of drugs. Maybe this was the shock of losing Tony causing him to think he was seeing things. Maybe it was the guilt; or maybe this whole thing was just a nightmare! Jeez! He hoped so. But before he could shake himself awake, the guy reappeared with a smirk on his face. "Forgot to take him. Sorry."

Hearing those words, Gibbs clutched Tony's lifeless body to himself and tried to hide him from this stranger.

"Man! I'm an angel of the Lord; I just shook the universe by doing you and this guy a favor and trading lives, something, that I might add, we're strongly forbidden to do; you really think I can't take him from your arms."

"Don't. Stay away." Gibbs was unable to understand a word he was hearing; all he cared about was that he'd lost Tony; he wasn't about to the let some stupid SOB take his body away, too.

Kabshiel sighed and maybe for the first time since Gibbs had seen him, he looked dead serious. "Gibbs. I can call you Gibbs, right? Good;" He said not waiting for an answer, "Your wish has come true because of this man; what else do you want? You wanted your daughter back. She's back. Just remember, it's not the same little girl you lost so many years ago. Like I said, I shook the universe; many things changed because of my doing; your girl's grown up now and soon you'll realize that things happen for a reason."

Not a moment later, he snapped his fingers and then he was gone; along with Tony's body.

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TBC

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A/N: Since this one is so different, I wasn't sure about posting it here; but well, at the end I couldn't resist. So, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Just remember, the categories of the story are selected knowingly and there's a reason I've given no warnings.

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I don't own the show and its characters and all mistakes are mine.