Let's try this again!
Chapter 1
Tony sat staring at the file in front of him hoping that the words written on the page would provide some insight for him. It had been four months since Gibbs left with a "you'll do" and since then it had been nothing but tension, arguments and very late nights for Tony.
The team had been on back to back cases and today was their first day without one, which was why Tony was staring intently at the file before him, he had assigned everyone a cold case to review. As he looked up from the file and surveyed the squad room he noticed that it was only him and Agent Lee that were at their desks. As if reading his mind, Agent Lee said "they left for the day". Tony looked at his watch and noticed it was just after two o'clock, raising his eyebrow to Agent Lee with a silent question; she looked down at her desk and responded quietly, "over an hour ago. You were in the washroom when they packed up their desks".
Tony sighed and nodded, "Why don't you head on home Michelle." She gave him a quiet smile, "Are you sure Agent DiNozzo? I don't mind staying around and helping." Tony laughed, "No go on home, I am not making any headway with this cold case and McGee and David have split. It has been a rough couple of days go on home and enjoy the rest of the day."
She smiled and nodded, "Thanks." She packed up her desk and as she was making her way in front of Tony's, she said softly "don't stay too late boss". He looked up and nodded, "have a good night Agent Lee".
With Agent Lee gone, Tony pushed away from his desk and sighed, he still wasn't used to the view from Gibbs' desk. He looked around and noticed that it was surprisingly quiet in the squad room for a Thursday afternoon. Normally people were coming and going, chatting about cases, or just shooting the breeze, but today everyone seemed to be quietly working at their desk.
He looked up to MTAC and then his eyes made their way over to the Director's office. Since Gibbs' departure there had been several days he wanted to march in to Director Shepard's office and tell her to pick someone else, anyone else, to lead this team.
It wasn't like he didn't want to job, he was ready to be a team leader, but he knew, not only did Gibbs leave huge shoes to fill, but for McGee and David, there was no replacing Gibbs, as they liked to remind him. A lot. Tony knew that there was very little he could do to get them to listen and respect him as their team leader. As they said in the movie A Knights Tail, They had weighed and measured him and he has been found wanting.
Shaking his head of those thoughts, Tony pushed away from his desk and decided to go pay Jimmy and Abby a visit; they always seemed to be able to be able to cheer him up.
Making his way down to Abby's lab, Tony couldn't help but wonder what Gibbs would say if he were there and saw what was going on. Would he still think he made the right decision in giving Tony the team, or would he agree with Tim and Ziva.
When the elevator doors opened, Tony couldn't help the smile that came across his face as he heard Abby singing along to the music. He didn't always share the same taste in music as her, make that almost never, but he couldn't deny her passion for it.
He walked into her lab only to stop dead in his tracks before bursting out laughing. There was Abby singing into one of her test tubes as Jimmy rocked the air guitar. They both looked up at him as they heard him laugh. Abby just smiled back at him, while Jimmy began to turn red with embarrassment.
"Tony!" Abby yelled and she made her way over to him and enveloped him into a big hug. "You are just in time; we were in needed of a drummer!" she exclaimed jumping up and down clapping her hands, her pigtails bouncing excitedly with her.
"Maybe another time Abs", Jimmy looked at Tony and could tell something was bothering him. "What's wrong Tony?" Tony just shook his head. Abby shut off her music, "what did they do now?" Tony smiled, "nothing, it has just been a long week and I don't know what to do with them anymore."
"Do you want me to give them a stern talking to, I am no Gibbs, but I can be scary when I need to be!" Abby said, her voice slowly getting louder. "Down Abs" Tony laughed, "Ruff", she responded with a smile. They all laughed.
"Have you talked to the Director? Maybe she could offer you some advice." Jimmy offered. Tony sighed, "I may have to. They keep this up; someone is going to get hurt, or worse, killed." They all nodded solemnly.
Deciding to lighten the mood, Tony asked, "what brought on the rock session?" Abby smiled and jumped up and down, "Jimmy brought me some samples to run from Balboa's latest case, and as we were waiting for the results one of our favorite songs came on, and it is just too good not to go full-on rocker." Jimmy nodded along. "I will take your word on that Abs."
Just then one of Abby's machines started beeping, "Oooh, my baby is speaking to me!" she squealed and rushed over to her machine. As she read through the results, her brow began to crinkle. "What is it Abs?" Tony asked. "Something hinky." She offered before looking up at them.
"I ran a mass spec. on the sample that Jimmy brought me from under the Captain's nails and it is plankton." Both Tony and Jimmy looked at Abby with a confused look on their face, "whale food?" Tony supplied. Abby nodded, "essentially, yes".
"Why would the Captain have plankton under his nails?" Jimmy asked. Tony shrugged, "Guess that is what Balboa is going to have to find out."
Tony looked at his watch, "well I should probably get back upstairs, want to try and head out at a decent time, seeing as how my team is enjoying their afternoon."
"Hot date?" Abby asked, wagging her brow up and down at Tony. Tony just smiled and winked at Abby, "Don't I always?" She threw her head back and laughed, "Well we don't want to keep you Sex Machine."
Tony just shook his head and laughed as he made his way out of Abby's lab.
It was just after four o'clock when Tony pulled into his parking spot. Turning off the engine he rolled his head from side to side as he dragged himself out of his car. He was exhausted. It wasn't surprising after a long week of cases, but it felt different. If he thought too hard about it, he knew it might have something to do with the fact that his normal love and passion for his job was slowly fading.
He slowly made his way to his apartment, nodding politely at the neighbours he passed. He unlocked his apartment only to be greeted by and very excited creature that was spinning around and wagging his tail enthusiastically.
"Easy boy" Tony said, evidently he had a visitor. Tony bent down to pet the dog that proceeded to shower him with what could only be considered doggy kisses. "Alright, alright" Tony laughed, "I get it, you are happy to see me."
Tony got up and placed his jacket and bag on the kitchen table, and made his way into the living room where he could hear the TV softly playing. As he rounded the corner he paused and smiled. He took a moment to observe the tiny form that was sleeping on his couch. Glasses were askew, large book lying across their chest; and he could faintly make out his Ohio State sweater overwhelming their tiny frame, with their bare legs, tucked delicately into the couch.
Tony made his way into the room, crouching down; he removed the glasses from their face, and softly ran a finger down their forehead lightly tapping their nose. Small protest came from their mouth, making Tony smile. Eyes slowly fluttered open and a broad smile came across their face. "Your home" she whispered. He nodded and lowered his forehead to press softly against hers, "You're here" he said. She nodded, "Always" she said softly.
