Black & White Poof
Tony stumbled around his apartment in a heavy daze.
Throwing up as he fell into the wall.
'Too much...too mu-" he thought vaguely and threw up again.
He tried to reach the phone.
Tony collapsed, the pain in his side growing worse.
He had it under control.
He had it...under...
24 hours earlier
The elevator door opened and a very hung over Anthony DiNozzo walked in.
He had such an adorable scowl on his face that Ziva couldn't help but smile.
"Good morning Tony."
He grunted and slung down his gear.
She watched him take out a water bottle and swallow several aspirin.
He looked awful.
"Are you sick?" She asked, already knowing the answer.
Tony shot another scowl in her direction, "No."
Translation: he had been drinking again.
"Tony, this has to stop! Going out on the field hungover or tripping is dangerous!" Her expression was serious.
Tony knew she meant business and swallowed some more water, "It's tipsy-and I don't come to work drunk."
Ziva softened, "Tony...are you alright?"
A silent pause spoke more words than Tony could ever dream.
He almost answered when Gibbs walked in.
"Listen up! We've got a case. 48 hours ago a marine went missing near the Pakistani boarder..."
No one but McGee was listening.
The Mossad Officer studied her partner curiously.
He wasn't wearing a suit and tie.
Tony always wore a suit.
The hoodie he now had over his head was concerning.
Tony tucked his face into his arms instead of listening to Gibbs talk.
Tim noticed and his eyes widened to the size of bowls.
He tried to signal Tony.
He even kicked his foot loudly against the inside of his desk.
Tim coughed and apologized when (almost everyone) looked at him.
Unnerving silence in the bull pen.
Tony felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up on end.
He decided to take a peek.
"B-Boss!" his heart screamed and his body jumped.
Gibbs stood there staring at him, not saying a word.
"I was just, uh, resting my eyes Boss. Not that I was taking a nap! I would never do that on the job that's obviously unprofessional."
Ziva inwardly cringed, he was a terrible liar.
Then her eyes narrowed in observation.
Tony's pupils were pin points.
They were also red and glazed over.
Unfocused.
He wasn't directly looking at anyone or Gibbs.
He also looked like he hadn't slept in weeks and no longer bothered with personal hygiene.
Was it The Director's death?
Tony had spoken to her about the constant guilt he faced after they found the bodies in the desert.
Gibbs spoke softly, perhaps just aware of the state Tony was in as she was, "You sick, DiNozzo?"
The senior field agent looked a little panicked for a second there, "No! No, not the flu Boss just...just a hangover. Sorry about that, won't happen again."
Everyone held their breaths.
Jethro nodded, "Okay."
He walked back over to the giant computer screen, "Let me know if you need to go home, DiNozzo."
Tony slumped back in his chair in relief.
Ziva grew suspicious.
He was hiding something.
But what?