"He's been following me around since he got off that damn boat." Leroy Jethro Gibbs complained to Ducky while following him around autopsy.

"Do you know why he is following you?"

"He keeps saying he missed me. I know he missed me, I missed him too but I don't spend all my time chasing him to remind him of that fact."

"Are you glad he's back?" Ducky questioned.

"Of course I'm glad he's back. I just … I know he missed me Duck, but I don't know why he keeps telling me he missed me."

"Maybe he is just looking for a little reciprocation, Jethro."

"He knows I missed him."

"Have you said it?"

Gibbs glared back in response to the question.

"Have a little sympathy, I would venture a guess he was very lonely when at sea. Maybe you should tell the boy how you feel. He is probably just looking for a little reassurance." before Gibbs was able to interject Ducky continued. "I know you think he knows you care about him...What I mean to say is, if you just tell him how you feel I think your little shadow will relax a little."

"What the heck am I supposed to say?" He continued finishing his own question. "I missed you too, Tony." he retorted sarcastically.

"That would be a good start."

"Oh, and I suppose you want me to tell him 'I think of you like a son' and other sappy crap like that."

"Is it true?"

"I'd sound like an idiot and he would probably be embarrassed. Telling him how I feel would make things more uncomfortable not less."

"Maybe you should ask Tony if that would make him more uncomfortable." Ducky said nodding at a position behind Gibbs back. Gibbs swiftly turned around to find DiNozzo behind him standing in the autopsy doorway.

"Hi boss," Tony said with a shy smile.