A/N: Short little fix to season 1 episode 20 'Missing' - At the end, Gibbs tells Tony he's irreplaceable and then turns around and tells McGee to 'forget it, he's still alive.' I thought that was rather crappy and this is what I wish had happened instead. Inspired by and written for NFA's Fixit Fic! Challenge.
IRREPLACEABLE
"Tony, as far as I'm concerned, you're irreplaceable."
Tony's face lit up. "I knew it, heh. I knew behind the whole Marine thing you really are…at heart…"
"DiNozzo!"
"Yeah, Boss?"
"You stink. Shower." Gibbs turned to McGee and pointed to the desk across from his own. "That's your desk." He turned to Kate and glared. He pointed to Tony's desk. "That's Tony's desk. You got that, Agent Todd?"
Kate swallowed hard. "Yes, Gibbs."
Tony blinked.
"DiNozzo! Shower! Now!"
"On it, Boss!" Tony stopped at his desk long enough to retrieve the change of clothes he kept in his filing cabinet and took the stairs to avoid anymore tiny rooms. He couldn't quite keep from smiling despite how bad he felt physically. A rush of warmth filled wished it hadn't taken him going to hell and back to find out that his boss cared but at least now he knew. He smirked a little at the thought of teasing Kate and McGee about being told off about the use of his desk but decided against it. That might annoy Gibbs and he didn't want to do anything that would make him change his mind. Some memories should be sacred.