Chapter 1

He was running, running hard and fast. He was trying to get away from the horrible sight that he witnessed. He couldn't get the gruesome sight out of his head, the blood… the horrible, broken corpse! He continued to run, through the dark, and finally broke the cover of woods. He didn't stop, he continued down the hill and into the town. He stopped long enough to go to the sheriff's office, and then ran all the way back to his house. Barricading himself inside he fell to the floor and wept.

Tony was stifling a yawn, when he walked into the bullpen. Ziva and McGee, were already there working on their reports. He snorted lightly to himself, there always seemed to be reports to fill out.

"Morning Zee-Vah!" Tony greeted, drawing out her name. Ziva glanced up.

"Good morning Tony. You are looking up sound." Ziva said.

Tony gave her a blank look, "up sound…" he muttered to himself, and then held up a finger as he got what she was saying. He couldn't help the laugh that escaped him, and Ziva frowned.

"Upbeat, Ziva… it's upbeat." McGee supplied.

"What?" she frowned?

"It's upbeat Ziva. Not up sound… jeez I swear you get these idioms wrong on purpose. There is no way you could mistake that. What's worse is the fact that you even used the word wrong!" Tony said.

Ziva glared, muttering something darkly. Tony just grinned, and stood up after powering his computer. Tony glanced between his two probies.

"Where's Gibbs?" he asked.

"MTAC." McGee replied, and continued to type.

Tony nodded, "Do we know why?"

Ziva shrugged, "No."

Tony sighed, "So you didn't bother to ask."

"Why should they DiNozzo?" a gruff voice sounded behind him. Tony spun around and faced his boss.

"Hey boss- hey!" Tony started but cut off when Gibbs plucked the coffee cup out of his hands.

"Thanks DiNozzo… haven't had a cup for about an hour." Gibbs replied calmly.

"You're cold hearted… you know that boss?" Tony complained.

"What's the second B in my name stand for again?" Gibbs smirked.

"Yeah, yeah." Tony mumbled, under his breath.

"Think of it this way DiNozzo… its compensation for being late. Again. Now gear up… we have a case." Gibbs said, and walked out of the bull pen towards the elevator.

Tony rushed to catch up, "Hey boss. What's the hurry?"

"I want this case over quickly." Gibbs growled.

"Why? Where are we going anyways?" Tony asked.

"Stillwater." Gibbs replied.

"Oh." Was all Tony said before falling in step behind his boss.

Gibbs couldn't believe his luck, he had somehow managed to step on some toes in Sec-Nav… and now he had to return to his hometown. How could this day get any worse.

Gibbs drove into the small town, following the roads that were burned into his memory. He spent his child hood trying to create as much mischief as he could. He pulled up in front of his father's store. McGee jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped and almost cried when he felt solid ground.

Tony snickered, "C'mon probie… you can't have that weak of a stomach."

"What is your excuse Tony? You seem to be a little green on the gills." Ziva said behind.

Tony sighed, "It's around the gills. Jeez, you have to be doing this on purpose Ziva."

Ziva shook her head, "I do not know what you are talking about."

"Of course you don't." Tony grumbled.

"I see Leroy's driving hasn't improved." A deep voice sounded.

"Jackson!" Tony grinned as he turned towards a burly man standing in the doorway to the Stillwater general goods store.

"Is that Anthony?! How are you doing son?" Jackson asked with a grin.

"Amazing!" Tony answered.

"You haven't made my son angry?" Jackson asked with a thoughtful expression.

Tony grimaced, "No… at least not yet." Then he felt a head slap. He sighed and rubbed the back of his head, "Thanks boss."

"Focus DiNozzo." Gibbs growled.

"Come on Leroy. It's been years since you stepped foot in Stillwater. Get over here and talk to your old man." Jackson said..

Gibbs sighed, "Hello… dad." he grounded out, "As much as I would love to exchange stories we have a crime scene to get too. Can we use the store as a base?" Gibbs said, Jackson nodded, letting Gibbs get back into the car, Ziva and McGee followed.

"Make sure you are careful out there. Tony." Jackson said, "Keep them safe."

"Hey… it's me we're talking about, I'm the picture of safety!" Tony said.

Jackson snorted, "Yeah, I'll believe that the day I get Leroy to express his feeling with words… instead of blowing things up."

Tony gave him a wounded look, "Oh c'mon! That's a low blow!"

Jackson grinned, "I play dirty."

"I'll say." Tony said.

"DiNozzo!" Gibbs barked. Tony jumped and ran for the car.

"Coming boss!"

They reached the crime scene and piled out. They were deep in the woods, tape surrounded the area and a bunch of guys walked around, staring at the ground.

Gibbs growled when he saw people walking over his crime scene. Just like everything else, Gibbs was a very territorial person. They got out of the car flashing their badges at the outline of cops. They made their way to the center, and found a man looming over the body.

"What do you think you're doing?" Gibbs growled. The man stood up and faced the group, shock evident on his face.

"Gibbs? Leroy Jethro Gibbs?" the man asked.

Gibbs stared back, then a huge grin split his face, "Tray! Is that you?!"