AN: In case you're wondering about all the new posts, I was going through some old works and stumbled across a few. Full of angst as usual! Hope you enjoy them. All the best in the New Year!

Tony opened the front door, and it looked like a Hurricanes aftermath. He picked up a few lone pieces of furniture, and set them upright before calling out for him. "Boss?" He didn't yell, still afraid of what he was going to find. He stepped around and over broken glass as he made his way towards the basement. He was almost certain he'd find him there, but when he didn't, his concern grew even more. He traveled up the stairs to find him sitting in the back yard, a bottle of bourbon in plain sight. He could only see the back of him, so he approached slowly.

"It's DiNozzo," he announced before taking in the sight of him. "Abby wanted me to come by…"

Gibbs didn't acknowledge his presence, not even after he took a seat beside him.

"Ducky is with her…in case you were wondering. She keeps asking for you."

Silence.

"Boss, listen, I know you don't want me here…"

"Then why are you here?" He finally spoke, his voice hoarse, his eyes blood shot.

"I don't know…"

Gibbs took a swill from the bottle before tossing it a few feet away. "Nothing works."

"Boss?"

"You wanna know why you're here DiNozzo?" He met his eyes. "You're here for answers…well I'm fresh out."

Tony averted his eyes. "I'm here because Abby asked me to come…and Ducky…and since this morning, the cast of characters is getting smaller…"

"Thanks for the reminder…you can go."

He shook his head deliberately. "No."

"What?"

"No."

Gibbs tried to sit himself up, but failed. "Go!"

"I made Abby a promise…she's scared boss…hell we all are…"

"And I'm not?" His decibel rose a bit, before he realized something. "I cant make this right DiNozzo, I cant bring them back from the dead…"

Tony winced at the last word. "Not asking you to boss, I'm just asking that you be there…"

He glanced at the bottle resting in the grass and looked up to see tears in his Agents eyes. "Why aren't your eyes red?"

Tony swallowed hard. "What are you talking about?"

"You know damn well, what."

"Crying in front of Abby isn't easy…" He admitted. "Plus, someone's gotta be the rock while you're hiding out in your back yard."

Gibbs watched the mist in his eyes diffuse. "Not all it's cracked up to be, is it?"

"It's not just about me…"

Gibbs would've smiled if he could. "You want to hear me say, we're gonna make it?"

"Wouldn't hurt."

Gibbs reached out and took hold of his Agents arm. "At ease DiNozzo…"

And in a moment, Tony let a few loaded tears fall. "I feel like I'm the last one left…first Kate…now, the Probie and Ziva…"

He released his arm and came inches from his face. "Listen to me."

"I'm listening boss."

"We…will…make it. You understand me?"

Tony nodded, but remained locked onto Gibbs expression. "I understand…but…"

"No butts," Gibbs quieted him. "You have to believe it…even when you don't…"

Tony glanced down at the empty bottle of bourbon. "Do you?"

"Before you got here…I'm wasn't so sure."

He motioned towards the door. "Well I know a couple people who could use a little help with that too."

Gibbs nodded in agreement, before examining his Agent. He opened his mouth to speak when he was cut short.

"You don't have to say it boss…I know."