"When it's all said and done…when you've gone off to Mexico for good. What happens then?"
Anthony DiNozzo asked that question like he'd been waiting to ask it his whole life. When he'd imagined the response in his head; he hoped for at least a three word answer. But a part of him knew he wouldn't be that fortunate. That part was wrong.
"Life goes on."
Tony looked him up and down as they stood toe to toe in the middle of an empty office. "That's it then…that's the words of wisdom I carry with me?"
"What more is there DiNozzo?"
He shrugged and turned towards the exit. "Guess nothing. Just forget I asked."
Gibbs reached for his arm and Tony stopped in his tracks to turn back. "What do you want me to tell you? You want me to tell you that it gets easier…or harder? You want me to give you all the answers to every situation that's gonna come your way? Every grieving parent…every grieving widow. Every half hearted bastard who will swear he didn't do it? Cuz if that's what you're looking for, then I don't have it."
Gibbs then took his turn at leaving and this time Tony was the one reaching for his arm. "Yes you do."
"Oh is that right?" He was clearly agitated but Tony's reluctance to give in, calmed him somehow.
"You're the standard boss. Sure, you're not the cookie cutter Agent that Directors love, but the kind they love to hate; because you get the job done. You do have the answer for the grieving parent…child…sibling…friend…widow. I've seen you do it. I've seen you when it doesn't seem to get any easier…it's when you excel. And I've seen you break the half hearted bastards and the whole hearted ones…so when I go looking for answers, I'm sure as hell gonna ask you…" He cleared his throat and took in a short breath. "I'm asking you because it's your shoes I have to fill….I'm asking you because there is no one better…I'm asking you, cuz hell boss, I'll need all the help I can get."
Gibbs hid a smile, then shook his head. "That's where you're wrong DiNozzo."
He nodded and accepted the criticism. After all, he was used to it. "I usually am."
"I mean about my shoes. No way in hell you'll be able to fill them."
"Believe me boss, I know." His gaze shifted to the ground and all he wanted to do was run out of there, hide under his covers and cry himself to sleep.
"You're gonna make your own foot prints Tony…I mean let's face it, can there really be another gentle, loveable and kind guy like me?"
Tony had to laugh, but couldn't. "Really boss, you don't have to make me feel better. I should've never asked in the first place." He closed his eyes and shifted his body to make himself vulnerable for a head slap.
"Fine, then let me ask you a question."
Tony opened his eyes. "Okay…"
"What's the most important part of my life?"
"Your boat." The head slap finally came. "Ow…okay, us."
"Damn right. Now, would I have left my team to some half wit?"
Tony almost blushed. "I don't know what to say."
Gibbs motioned towards the exit. "You want advice DiNozzo? Lesson Number One…how to say a lot by saying nothing at all…"
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Totally random one shot. But I just started typing and there it is. Hope you liked it :) And don't worry, I'll be updating Gut Feeling, Whatever It Takes, and Giving Back soon too. Just had to get these one shots out of my system :)