AN: Tags from Episode 6.02, Agent Afloat. I am slowly but surely getting over the no hug thing between Tony and Gibbs and the lack of Gabbiness, that aside, I am very happy to bring you Tag # 1…enjoy...more to come soon.

--

Ziva: You're still beating yourself up over Jenny…

Tony: Not as much as I used to

Ziva: Drinking?

Tony: Not as much as I used to

Ziva: You could've called

--

"See you bright and early boss…" Tony was grinning from ear to ear; still in disbelief that he was actually saying it. He was half way to the elevator before Gibbs called him back. He strode towards his desk willingly. "I knew you wanted more than a handshake boss…" He put his arms out for a hug but slowly put them down as he met the stare Gibbs was giving him. "Handshakes good boss, only kidding."

Gibbs came out from behind his desk and examined his Senior Agent. "You think Ziva was the only one who noticed?"

Tony was a little rusty but still figured he could pick up on his boss's inferences. "The pictures I had up? Well I figured you noticed 'em boss, but the reason I didn't have a picture of you up there was, well, lots of guys on the ship and I didn't want…"

"I don't care about the photos DiNozzo."

"Then uh, care to clue me in? It's been over a hundred days since we've had one of these stand offs."

"Jenny's death," he stated plainly. "You haven't put it behind you…"

Tony shifted his weight as he contemplated the statement. "It's behind me."

"When you're drunk or sober?"

He once again waited to respond; being careful to sound sincere. "I'm sure I didn't do anything you wouldn't of done boss…"

"Is that right?"

Tony let out a sigh before answering. "I just needed it to forget sometimes…"

"And just how often was sometimes DiNozzo?"

Tony almost scoffed. "You implying I'm a drunk Gibbs? Come on, you know me better than that."

"I know the Agent who left four months ago; not so sure about the one who's back."

"Boss, I'm fine. Honest. I think being back home will help; I already feel a hundred times better."

Gibbs examined him once more. "For the record DiNozzo; I didn't drink to forget her…learned a long time ago that it makes the waking up and having to remember a hell of a lot harder." He patted Tony on the shoulder before turning to leave. "Ziva was right…you could've called."

Tony had to smile at the mini lecture. He'd really missed them. "Night boss."

--

He had arranged to have his apartment utilities turned back on and did his best to get settled back into his place. He hadn't had much time to pack when he left so most of his things were still in order; dusty; but in order none the less. He tossed his things down and made his way into the kitchen and pulled out a lone glass. As he reached for the handle of his liquor cabinet; he closed his eyes.

"She died alone."

"We are all alone."

It was then he placed the glass back into his cabinet and grabbed his cell phone. He plopped himself down on his couch and resisted hugging the cushions out of sheer joy of being home. He put his feet up and opened his phone…

"Hey Ziva…yeah I know it's late sorry…listen, I was wondering if maybe…we could, I don't know. Talk?"