The Missing

Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS and no profit is being made.

I decided to do a series of one shots based on missing scenes from various episodes. I know a lot of writers are doing it but I wanted to give it a shot! Hope you like and please review!

spoilers: Hiatus part 2

Tony sighed and tried to take a deep breath as he stood in the shadows of the hospital doorway. Gibbs was in there, but at the same time it wasn't Gibbs. This was a Gibbs before Tony's time. It was a Gibbs perhaps better off not knowing the job he had now and the daily struggles blended with black coffee and bourbon. It was a Gibbs perhaps better off not knowing a screw up like him. Why were things taking so long? Why couldn't he find who had done this to his boss, his mentor? Tony ran shaky hand through his hair and crossed his arms leaning heavily into the doorway for support this time. Gibbs had stirred a bit glancing nervously around the room, twisting the blanket on his knees like it was his only link to reality.

"Someone there?"

Tony knew this was his cue. He stepped into the dimly lit hospital room with his arms at his side...reporting.

"Hi."

Tony blinked once taking in the meek and friendly tone .

"Hi."

He didn't know what else to say.

The older man sat up a bit straighter in his bed, blue eyes open wide, gentle even.

"Do I know you?"

Tony cracked a wry grin knowing that was a loaded question. Did Gibbs know him?

"Most of the time, " he replied. That seemed like the best answer. He drew a shaky breath and pulled up a chair next to his friend.

The blue eyes never wavered.

"You here to question me?"

Tony leaned forward resting his hands on his chin and his elbows on his knees. He was but the questions wouldn't seem to come.

"How are you feeling?"

Gibbs looked a bit taken back. "Head hurts like it's been hit with a hammer one too many times and my face feels like it's been through a meat grinder."

Tony couldn't help but smile at Gibbs' honesty. The Gibbs he knew would never had admitted that much. Gibbs eyes narrowed.

"That funny to you young man?"

Tony sat up straighter schooling his features. "No, sir."

Gibbs shook his head. "Don't call me sir..."

"You work for a living, I know."

Gibbs returned the smile as Tony finished his sentence.

"Do we work together?"

Tony nodded feeling the emotion becoming a bit too close for his comfort. "Yeah," he croaked.

Gibbs looked back down at his blanket, tearing the little threads that were falling away.

"Ever lose everything?"

Tony kept his green eyes focused on the window across the room instead of on the blue eyes staring directly at him.

"Yeah."

Gibbs nodded biting his lower lip taking in the tone of the young man's reply before continuing.

"How long?"

Tony looked into Gibbs caught off guard, "Excuse me?"

Gibbs repeated the question. "How long has it been since you've seen your family?"

Tony 's heart pounded. Did GIbbs remember?

Gibbs saw the joy bubbling just beneath the surface and decided to quell it before it got any further.

"I don't remember you son, just notice that's all. Sorry I shouldn't..."

"About 15 years or so."

Gibbs blinked. "That's a long time."

Tony forced smile. "You're telling me. Then again, I'm sure they don't miss me too much. One screwup less to keep track of. "

Gibbs took note of the young man's posture and a felt a bit of rage flutter through his heart but not toward the man in front of him. He decided to change the subject before he said something out of line.

"I'm sorry to get off track. What did you want to ask me?"

Sorry. Tony heard it but wasn't sure where it came from. Surely not Gibbs mouth. Then again, this wasn't Gibbs.

"I...uh...I'll let you get some rest and I'll come back tomorrow. "

Gibbs watched as the younger man stood up pulling the chair back to its rightful place, backing away form him...leaving him alone.

"What's your name?"

Tony had his back to GIbbs at this point and was glad too . If Gibbs saw the tears threatening to fall he would never live it down. Then again, maybe this Gibbs wouldn't care.

"Tony," he said daring to turn around.

Gibbs took in the sight before him and smiled. It was a genuine and pure smile if Tony ever saw one.

"Well, whatever the situation, Tony, it was your family's loss, not yours."

Tony felt the wetness on his cheek before he could turn away . Gibbs...damn him. Tony straightened his shoulders , gave a curt nod refusing to speak because all words had escaped him. He left the room, a part of him saddened by what he saw and a part guilty by the words from a wounded man that he felt happier than he had in quite some time.

Well, first in a series of one shots. Any thoughts? Should I write more? Please review!