Gibbs wished he could just forget the last few days. Seeing Tony so sick puts things into perspective. He never wanted to fight with Tony, he certainly doesn't want to be telling him who he can and can't see. But relationships between Agents rarely work out and he didn't want to see Tony as heartbroken as he was when he lost Jeanne.

Gibbs walks back to Tony's room, EJ is still with him.

"How is he doing?" Gibbs asked.

"He is still out; his doctor came back. Tony is currently running a fever." EJ answered washing his face with a wet washcloth.

Gibbs sat down next to her watching her taking care of him.

"Is there anyone we should call?" EJ asked.

"No, the team already knows. They are going to come and check up on him tomorrow." Gibbs answered.

"What about his family?"

"Tony has a father, they don't talk much and he doesn't see him. They are a perfect example of that old cliché; that you never really know what goes on behind closed doors."

"Why is that?"

"If he hasn't told you about his estranged relationship with his father; then I'm not going to." Gibbs answered.

EJ accepts that answer. "Why don't you like me? I haven't done anything to you."

"Who says I don't like you?" Gibbs questioned. EJ stared at him. "I do not like that you are seeing Tony."

"Why?" EJ responded determine to get a real answer out of Gibbs.

"Relationships between agents rarely work out. I don't want to see Tony heartbroken again."

"Tony could hurt me as much as I could hurt him." EJ pointed out.

"True, but I am not concerned about you. That is on your team. My concern is Tony; he hides behind a mask and never lets anyone really know what he is feeling. He really hasn't been serious with anyone since-"

"Jeanne Benoit." EJ interrupted.

"He told you about her." Gibbs questioned.

"He did. He told me he had started seeing her as part of an undercover operation and that he fell in love with her. He also told me that it ended badly. I am going to do my very best not to hurt him."

"You better not; because if you do, you will answer to me."

"I hear you. I am going to get some breakfast. You want anything?" EJ asked.

"No thank you."


Gibbs waited for EJ to leave before he turned to Tony. He got real close to his ear.

"You listen to me DiNozzo and you listen good. I know you don't feel well and I know you are running a fever, but I need you to wake up."

Tony slowly opened his eyes. He was surprised that Gibbs was sitting there with him. Wasn't he mad at him? Weren't they fighting? Tony was so confused.

"Are you here to kick me off your team?" Tony asked.

Gibbs looked at him in shocked. He surely didn't think that would be the first thing out of his mouth.

"Why would you think that?"

"You are upset that I am seeing EJ. You want me to stop seeing her; but I am not going to. At least not because you want me too." Tony started.

"Tony"

"When I didn't do what my father wanted me to do. He threw me out and turned his back on me." Tony answered looking away from Gibbs.

"Hey Tony, look at me." Gibbs said and waited for Tony to respond. After a few minutes he did. "I will never kick you off my team and I will never turn my back on you. You are like a son to me and I love you. That will never change, no matter who you date."

"I wish I could believe that. But, I still think that one day you will force me to choose between the team and my love life. No matter what, I feel like I am going to make the wrong decision." Tony replied.

"EJ has been here with you. She left to get some breakfast, but she will back soon. EJ and I have agreed to disagree for the time being. When you get out of you here, you will stay with me until you are 100 percent. I will use that time to get to know EJ a little better." Gibbs responded.

"Hey sleepyhead, how are you feeling?" EJ asked with a smile as she walked in.

"Still here." Tony answered with a huge smile.


EJ and Gibbs sat with Tony in the hospital until he was released. EJ came by to see Tony as often as possible. By the time Tony was a hundred percent better and ready to return to work; things between Gibbs and EJ were also better. They might not see eye to eye on things, but they both care about Tony.

EJ and Tony worked different cases and sometimes even different weekends. Tony still continued to stay with Gibbs for a little while longer. EJ came over at least once a week for dinner. Gibbs still wasn't sure that things will work out between Tony and EJ; but for now he is supporting them, because it means so much to Tony.