Tony just sat there staring at Ziva as the others talked about the dinner she had made for

them the night before. He struggled hard not to let the others see how hurt he was that

she hadn't invited him. However, when he looked into her eyes he allowed the hurt to

show for her. Was he that unwanted that they didn't even wonder why he wasn't there?

Surprisingly Ziva looked away first unable to take the hurt in his eyes. She turns to her

desk to grab her gear and turns back to him seeing him typing away at his keyboard finishing

off his report.

"You ready to go Tony?" Ziva asks hoping to relieve the tension between them.

"Actually, Ziva I think I'll get McGee to take me home. I'm just going to go to bed when I get

there so rain check on the dinner, okay?" Tony replies refusing to look at her.

"Tony? Are you sure?" She asks quietly.

Tony finally looks up at her, the coldness in his eyes causing a shiver to run down her spine.

He couldn't understand what he had done to be left out of he dinner. Especially since even the

Autopsy Gremlin was there. After a moment of staring he looks back at his work.

"I'm sure Agent Da'vid. I'll see you on Monday. I'm going to take the weekend off and hang out

with my friends." With that he prints out his report, stands grabbing his gear and going to the

printer to get the printout. He puts it in the case folder and places it on Gibbs' desk. Gibbs places

his hand on Tony's shoulder to get his attention.

"Tony? Are you okay?" Gibbs asks quietly.

"I'm fine Boss. I'll see you on Monday." With that he pulls away from Gibbs and walks to the

elevator where McGee is waiting for him. McGee places and comforting hand on Tony's

shoulder giving the injured shoulder a gentle squeeze before they got on the elevator. As they

ride down Tim speaks softly.

"Hey, I'm sorry you weren't invited last night. I had wondered why you weren't there. I.."

"Stop...just don't. I get it Probie. I'm the second oldest member of this team but I'm not a

part of it. It's been that way my whole life. It just took 5 years of working here to get it this

time." He sighs and looks at Tim. "It usually only takes 2. I guess I got too comfortable here."

"Tony, no. That's not true. Abby and Gibbs both asked why you weren't there last night. Ziva just

said you were busy and that was it. She wouldn't talk about it." McGee says.

"I wasn't though. I had no clue about the dinner. It was as if she didn't want me there. I get it. It's

done and over with. Move on."

On the ride to Tony's they stayed silent. Tony wasn't even talking as he usually did. He just sat there

leaning his head against the door window. Tim would look at him on occasion but wouldn't say a

word letting Tony just rest until he had to walk up the 3 flights of stairs to his apartment. Tim sighs

wishing he could make Tony feel better.

*********************************break****************************************

When they arrive at Tony's place Tim sees he has dozed off and smiles sadly. Why was it Tony

always hid behind his frat boy image. However, to Tim, right now was handsome and vulnerable.

Of course no one knew his feelings for the senior agent and he planned to keep it that way. But he

was angry for him. Tony had been a friend to Ziva, but after last night he wondered if she was his

friend at all. He sighs again and reaches over gently shaking Tony to wake him up. Tony moans

slight before raising up and opening his eyes. He looks at his Probie and smiles.

"Hey, sorry about that. I guess the pain meds they gave me finally kicked in." Tony says with a

slight slur.

"It's fine Tony, you needed the rest. Let's get you inside. It's a long way up to your apartment and

I know I'll have to drag you myself." He smiles before climbing out from behind the wheel and walks

around to help Tony out of the passenger side. Once the car is locked up and McGee shoulders Tony's

gear they slowly make their way up to Tony's place.

"Tim, thanks for bringing me home. You don't have to stay. I'm sure you have someone better to hang

out with. Abby or maybe Ziva?" Tony says bitterly.

"Tony, I do not have anything else to do and I certainly am not going to visit Ziva. She's angered me

for hurting you."

"Why do you care, Tim? I don't usually have this kind of loyalty out of you. You usually save that for

the boss."

"Tony, I care." His says and thinks to himself `more than you know`. "I am here because I want to be.

Now let's get you inside and you can shower while I order some pizza."

Tony smiles at Tim and nods. He was glad that Tim cared. He was secretly excited to know that he

actually did. He'd never tell him that though. He was still in love with Abby last he had heard, so he

knew there was no need to say anything.

"Come on Probie. You Buying? I can get if you can't."

"Nope I got it Tony. You just go on and take a shower."

Tony unlocks the door and makes his way to his bedroom to take his shower. He knew he had to be

careful what he thought around Tim or his body would betray him. He removes the sling and bandages

and grabs some sweats off the end of his bed and goes to take a shower. While he stood under the

spray he allowed his hurt feelings to escape and tears slowly mixed with water.

In the living room Tim is sitting there staring at his phone contemplating calling Ziva. He couldn't

understand why she had not invited him to the team dinner. She wouldn't even say why she hadn't

invited him, just that he was busy. He now knew that Tony wasn't busy and was home alone the night

before and that just bothered him greatly. No one else had ever not included Tony in a team activity

before. Deciding to just wait until later he tosses his phone onto his trench coat in the corner of the

couch and sits back with a sigh. He'll get Tony fed, maybe watch a movie or something and just hang

out with him tonight. Gibbs had called moments earlier, just after he had called the pizza place for

Tony's favorite pizza, telling him to keep an eye on Tony and to make sure he eat and slept. So he

planning to spend the night on the couch to keep his promise to Gibbs.