Tony knew that his relationship with Zoe was going downhill, and fast. But he loved her, and he wanted it to work between them, so he had been trying to fix things for the last month. Nothing was working. He hadn't said anything to anyone yet, but he was sure that the team had figured out something was wrong, or at least McGee had after experiencing the same thing with Delilah the previous year. Nobody had mentioned their suspicions, which he was grateful for, but it wouldn't be long before they did say something. And no doubt that it would be Gibbs that spoke to him. Not that he minded. After all, Gibbs was like a father to him, and was the one person Tony felt comfortable to confide in. He was having trouble concentrating that morning, and the case was suffering because of it. So he did the one thing he could think of to fix it.
"Boss, I'm going to get lunch, do you want anything? Bishop? McGee?"
"There's a great take out shop a couple of blocks away. I'll come with you," said Gibbs as Tony took orders from the rest of the team.
"Sure." Tony knew exactly why Gibbs was coming, and knew there was no point in fighting. It would just get him into trouble later on.
Once they were in the car, Gibbs started. "What the hell is going on with you lately DiNozzo?"
Tony sighed. "It's nothing boss. I'm working it out."
"Don't lie. I know something is going on. It has been for a while. Something about you has changed Tony, almost like when Ziva left. What happened between you and Zoe?"
"Nothing happened."
"DiNozzo."
"Really. Nothing happened. I don't know why she hasn't been talking to me, or calling me, or answering any of my messages. At first I thought she had gone undercover or something, but then she showed up in the bull pen with a case. I tried talking to her, but she completely ignored me. I wouldn't be surprised if I did something without realising it, but I can't fix it if I don't know what that is."
"What could you have possibly done? The last time you spoke to her, was she upset?"
"No."
"Then think about it. What happened after that talk?"
"She went to visit her parents. She never asked me to come, but she said that she would be gone a week and when she came back, we would catch up. That week came and went, then another, and I couldn't find her. So I called her parents, and they said she had left after a week, like she told me, and that she had spoken to them the previous night."
"Is that when you started calling her?"
"Yeah. But like I said, she never got back to me. It's like she disappeared from my view but everyone else could see her still."
"Why didn't she ask you to go with her?"
"I told her I wasn't ready for a meet the parents dinner. When I told her my dad wanted to meet her, I also said I didn't think it was a good idea, but she really wanted to meet him. I tried to get her to see my point of view on it, but she still insisted, so I gave in. But I was firm about not meeting her parents yet because every time I do, something goes wrong for me. I didn't want to screw us up a second time."
"Did you tell her that?" Gibbs asked as they got out to get lunch.
"Yes. She was okay with it. We agreed that until I was ready to meet them, I would stay in DC when she visits them. We both thought it was a good idea."
"Do you want me to talk to her?"
"No. Then she might think I can't face her."
"You don't need to worry about that Tony. If she isn't answering you, then she might be hiding something. I can find out."
"You would do that?"
"Of course. You are my senior agent, my friend, and my adopted son. I will always help out where I can."
"Thank you boss. Now I can see why Abby goes to you when she has a problem, and why she always calls you the greatest boss in the world. Although, that goes without saying."
"Thank you DiNozzo. Now, let's get lunch, and we'll see what we can do."
"How?"
"Well, it just so happens, we need the ATF's help on a case. I'll request that Agent Keates works with us on the case because she has a good reputation for working well with other agencies."
"Thank you Gibbs."