Title: Tony's drunken visit. SLASH Gibbs/Tony

Summary: Tony shows up drunk at Gibbs house, talking about a bad break-up and being in love with someone he can't have. Will Gibbs put the pieces together?

Feedback: As always love feedback. Let me know what you think :)

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to Cookie62 for beta reading!

CHAPTER 3

A month later

Gibbs sat at his desk reading the same sentence for the tenth time.

"I'm going for coffee." He said standing and heading towards the elevator. Tony, McGee and Ziva watched until he disappeared.

"Did you put him in this foul mood?" Ziva said in a half whisper towards Tony's desk.

"No." Tony barked back.

"Then what is it?" She said still whispering.

"I don't know and why are you whispering?" Tony asked.

Ziva got up and walked over to Tony's desk.

"Because he is even grumpier than usual."

"Well I didn't cause it."

"Are you sure?"

Tony glared at her. Everyone on the team now knew that he and Gibbs were seeing each other. So Ziva's concern that it was somehow his fault wasn't misguided.

"I'm sure." Tony forced a smile. "Have you notice any change in his mood just because we are dating?"

She furrowed her brow. "Actually no. He has still been the same old grumpy Gibbs."

"See so it's not my fault."

"Are you not giving him enough sex?" She asked as if she was asking about the weather. "Maybe if you were giving him more he would be less grumpy."

Tony shook his head. "I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer. Plus if Jethro found out you even asked me that question we would both get head slapped into next month and into next year if I answered it."

"McGee what do you think?" Ziva said as she sat down on the edge of Tony's desk and looked over at him.

"Um." McGee paused not really wanting to be pulled into this discussion. "I think he would definitely head slap you into next week."

"Not that. About why Gibbs is so grumpy." Ziva shook her head.

"Oh, um probably just something about a case." McGee nodded.

"But we're not working a case McGeek."

"Maybe an old case."

"Maybe." Ziva sighed.

As they heard the elevator ding Ziva ran back to her desk, just as Gibbs passed the bullpen and up the stairs.

"MTAC." Ziva said to Tony as she watched Gibbs put his eye to the retinal scanner.

##############################################################################

Gibbs didn't emerge from MTAC until it was almost time to go home and even then he walked straight past the bullpen and to the elevator disappearing again.

When five turned into five thirty and Gibbs still hadn't returned the team finally decided to leave.

Tony made the twenty minute trip to Gibbs' house in less than fifteen having learned the back roads to take and speed up the trip. Gibbs' car was already in the drive.

As Tony made his way into the house there was silence until he heard the faint sound of sandpaper against wood. He made his way to the basement and stopped at the top of the steps.

"Decide to leave early?" Tony asked looking down at Gibbs.

"Yeah." He answered not looking up.

"Okay." Tony said slowly walking down the stairs.

Gibbs kept sanding.

"Any reason?" Tony asked as he reached the bottom of the steps.

"No."

Tony walked over and touched Gibbs' back. "What me to order some dinner?"

"No."

"Okay." Tony let his arms wrap around Gibbs' waist. "Want some help?

Gibbs stopped sanding and pulled Tony's arms away.

"No." Then went back to sanding.

"Right." Tony took a step back. "So did I do something to put you in this pissed off mood?"

Gibbs shook his head. "It's not always about you."

Tony's eyes widened and he nodded. "Didn't think it was but when you won't even look at me or say more than one word answers I have to wonder."

"Just want to work on the boat." Gibbs paused. "That better?"

"No, that's you being a smart ass." Tony said folding his arms across his chest.

Gibbs threw the sander down and turned around. "No, that's me telling you I want to work on the boat and I'd like to do that alone."

Tony nodded. "Okay. Well if this is how you're going to be all night I'll call and have dinner with Abby."

"Fine."

"What the hell is wrong?" Tony said shaking his head.

"Nothing."

"Obviously something is because you're being a bastard all of a sudden."

"I'm always a bastard."

"Hey." Tony took a step towards Gibbs his expression softening. "Tell me, maybe I can help."

"Call Abby have dinner, maybe stay over."

"Whoa, stay over?" Tony looked shocked. "So you want me out of the house, for just the night or longer?"

Gibbs didn't answer, but looked away.

"I see." Tony nodded now angry. "Are you even going to tell me why?"

Again there was no answer.

Tony chuckled. "Wow. Nothing just get out."

"I need some time." Gibbs finally spoke.

"Time." Tony nodded. "Away from me?"

Gibbs sighed.

"You have the nerve to fuck me this morning and then tonight tell me to leave because you need time." Tony shook his head. "You're a bigger bastard than I ever thought."

"Yeah I am." Gibbs said finally looking at Tony.

"You think I would have figured that out when after a month you still never told me you loved me." Tony paused. "Even when you had me practically living here and we told our friends. You-" Tony pointed at Gibbs. "You told our friends, you wanted them to know and then you do this."

Tony headed towards the stairs. "Take all the time you need."

He stopped half way up the steps. "But don't think I'm just going to wait around. I did that for years. I'm not doing it again." And with that Tony made his way out of the basement.

Gibbs listened as he heard the front door slam, then the car door and finally the engine start and slowly disappeared in the distance. He ran his hands over his face and swallowed back the tears.

#######################################################################

Tony slammed the door as he walked into the apartment. There was no reason to but it just felt good, the anger having built up the whole drive here. He paced the room back and forth in front of the couch like some caged animal. Then he suddenly stopped and looked around. It seemed like some foreign land to him. He'd been here maybe twice in the last month, just to pick up odds and ends clothing, but he hadn't stayed here since he'd shown up at Gibbs that Friday before Labor Day. Tony fell down onto the couch and stared at the TV. He ran his hand over his face and let out a deep breath.

He had no idea what the hell had just happened. Everything had been fine that morning. They had made love like so many mornings and gotten ready for work. Then sometime between arriving at work and about 0930 Gibbs had suddenly become a monster. Gruff to everyone, barking orders and then finally getting coffee and disappearing into MTAC. What the hell had changed in two hours. He hadn't talked to anyone. All he had done was put his side arm and badge in the drawer then started reading a file.

They had been happy this last month at least it seemed that way to Tony. He had discovered a playful and funny side of Gibbs that he hadn't realized existed. It had started when Gibbs realized Tony was ticklish and it became a game to him. They would fall onto the couch or bed laughing. And throwing popcorn at each other while watching a movie and then needing to vacuum afterwards. Tony sighed. And they made love as if each time was the first time. Gibbs was always so full of hunger and need as if he would never get enough. Tony was still amazed at how Gibbs could take him then take him again moments later. They had christened every room in that house, including the basement and the boat.

Gibbs still was not the chatty one but at least they actually had conversations. Yet they had also discovered they were comfortable in the silence. Tony had been helping with the boat and they could stay down there for hours barely saying a word to each other. Or Tony could sit with his feet in Gibbs' lap, working on the laptop which Gibbs read the paper and drank his coffee.

So what was it? Tony stood up and walked into the bedroom and stared at the empty bed. He felt the tears well up in his eyes as he sat down, then let his body fall back on the bed. A month. He hadn't slept alone in a month.

#####################################################################

Gibbs sat on the basement floor with his back against the workbench, his head back and his eyes closed trying to forget everything. He wanted to forget what this day meant to him and everything that had happened. Even the bourbon wasn't helping, and it wouldn't. How do you forget hurting someone you love? Part of him wanted Tony to walk back in so he could explain and the other part of him just wanted to let it go. He could have told Tony, could have explained. So why didn't he? Because it was easier to just be a bastard and live with the pain. He was use to that. The happiness that Tony had brought to his life that was what he wasn't use to. And he was happy with Tony more than he had ever imagined. For being so different in so many ways, they fit together perfectly. Tony brought out that playful side Gibbs had forgot he had. And the boat, he never expected Tony to enjoy working on the boat with him. But he did. Gibbs smiled. In fact there were nights that Tony was the one that made them work on it.

Gibbs ran his hand over his mouth and swallowed hard as he looked over at the boat. In just a month part of the hull was already on, because of Tony's help. They had even talked about what they would name it, where they would sail it, and how they would make love in it.

Another boat to burn, Gibbs thought.

He picked up the picture that was lying on the floor beside him and glanced at it and then laid it back down. His head dropped back again. "I'm sorry."

The words echoed around him, said to an empty room with the hopes it would reach the people it needed to.

#######################################################################

The ringing of his phone forced Tony from a fitful sleep. He sighed as he reached for the phone and stared at the ID. It wasn't a call, it was his alarm. Sitting up, it all hit him like a fist in the stomach. The fact that he was in his own apartment, alone in his bed and that was now the reality. Heading towards the shower he tried to forget.

###########################################################################

Gibbs sat at his decks signing off on files and checking his e-mails as they filtered in. McGee was already sitting at his desk. Ziva strolled in. "Morning."

"Morning." McGee smiled.

Gibbs nodded.

A few moments later the elevator pinged and it took all of Gibbs' strength not to look up. Tony walked into the bullpen and put on a fake smile.

"Morning everyone."

"Tony." Ziva smiled.

Gibbs phone rang.

"Yeah Gibbs." there was a pause. "Yeah got it."

He stood up as all three agents grabbed their gear.

"Female Lt. dead at her boyfriends place." Gibbs said as he put on his side arm. "Ziva you're with me."

"DiNozzo, McGee. Get the address of the Lt. From the LEO's and head over see what you can find." and with that Gibbs and Ziva headed towards the elevator.

McGee looked at Tony, surprised by Gibbs taking Ziva as well as Gibbs reverting back to using DiNozzo.

"Not a word." Tony barked.

McGee just nodded.

Tony dropped his gear and picked up the phone and called dispatch to get the information he needed.

#####################################################################

The car was painfully silent as Ziva and Gibbs drove to the scene. And even when they arrived the only words Gibbs spoke were orders. The same was true of his conversation with Ducky.

Then when they were done and back in the car heading to NCIS there was again silence.

##########################################################################

Tony walked into autopsy shortly after Ducky had arrived back with the body.

"Jethro I'm fast but not that fast."

"Not Jethro." Tony said.

"Ah Anthony."

"Hey Ducky."

"I don't have anything yet if that's why Jethro sent you down here."

"Just came to visit." Tony said looked over the body.

"Visit?"

"Well thought you might have something." Tony shrugged.

"No."

Tony looked around. "Where's the gremlin?"

"Out sick." Ducky turned to Tony. "Tony is something wrong?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Because Ziva was with Jethro at the crime scene and you came to visit."

"Ah."

"Are you two fighting?" Ducky asked looking concerned.

"Way past fight."

"Anthony?" It was said as a question.

Tony sighed.

"What happened?"

"I don't know." Tony started pacing. "I came home last night and he wanted me gone."

"Like that?"

"Just like that."

Ducky looked surprised. "And knowing Jethro there was no explanation."

"Of course not." Tony paused. "I mean I could understand if there had been something leading up to it but there was nothing."

The doors to autopsy swooshed open and Jethro took a step in then paused.

Tony glanced over. "Just checking to see if Ducky had anything."

"Did he?" Gibbs asked.

"Not yet."

"Then why don't you let him get back to work DiNozzo."

"Right Boss." Tony said as he walked out of autopsy.

Ducky was staring at Gibbs.

"What?" Gibbs barked.

"Just interesting that you've reverted back to calling Anthony, DiNozzo."

"It's work."

"And is it work when you don't bring him to a crime scene."

Gibbs sighed. "I have more than one agent Duck."

"Ah yes of course." Ducky said staring at him.

"Just say whatever you need to say so we can move on."

"Anthony seems upset and you are in a foul mood. It leads me to believe there is a problem." Ducky explained.

"No problem, so can you look at the body now?" Gibbs asked.

"You know I have watched you go through three divorces and realized each time when those relationships were coming to an end." Ducky paused. "But I didn't see any signs of problems that would end your relationship with Tony."

"Duck." Gibbs sighed.

"Jethro I have never seen you as happy as you have been this last month with Tony." Ducky looked for any reaction from Gibbs. "And you've actually spent time with people. I've seen you outside of work more than I have in years. He brings that out in you."

"I don't want to talk about this." Gibbs barked.

"And not talking is a large part of the reason you've been divorced three times and why you are about to lose the best thing that you've had probably since Shannon."

Gibbs face changed an anger burning right under the surface. "Call me when you have something."

And Gibbs turned and walked out of autopsy.

Ducky stood there a moment. "Seems I hit a nerve."

############################################################################

Gibbs stormed into the bullpen to his three agents looking at the plasma.

"What have we got." He paused and walked over in front of them. "And if any of you say nothing I'm firing all of you."

All three looked at each other.

"NOW!"

"The Lt.'s landlord said she hasn't been staying at her apartment in at least two months, said she was staying with her boyfriend." Ziva started. "She had another month on the lease and told the landlord she would be moving in with her boyfriend after that."

"No news on the boyfriend yet." Tony jumped in. "APB is out and Navy bases are on the lookout if he shows up there. No movement on his credit cards or cell phone. But he did make a call on his cell phone two hours before the Lieutenant's death from his apartment."

"Where too?" Gibbs asked actually looking at Tony.

"A suicide hotline."

Gibbs looked surprised. "And?"

"It was him. I called talked to some of the counselors who were working when the call came in. They remember a man saying he was thinking about killing himself, said his girlfriend wanted them to go through with a suicide pack." Tony paused. "He talked for few minutes then hung up."

Gibbs turned to McGee. "It's all on you."

"Um well." McGee cleared his throat. "The Lt. also made a call three hours before she died."

"To?" Gibbs barked.

"The same suicide hotline. And looks like she told them the same thing."

"Looks like?" Gibbs asked annoyed.

"Three calls came in at that time from women. The hotline is sending over the tapes so we can do voice recognition." McGee looked at his watch. "Abby may already have them by now."

"Then go find out."

"Right boss." McGee nodded as he almost ran to the elevator.

Gibbs glared at Tony and Ziva who were just standing there.

"FIND ME THAT BOYFRIEND." Gibbs yelled.

"Right."

#########################################################################

Gibbs phone rang. "Gibbs." there was a pause. "Just tell me."

There was a long while that Gibbs just listened.

"Thanks Duck." Gibbs said as he hung up the phone. He knew it wasn't like him to have Ducky tell him about an autopsy over the phone but he didn't want to have to deal with Ducky face to face right now. Not after earlier.

He stood up and headed for the elevator.

"What ya got Abs?" Gibbs said as he walked into the lab.

She looked at him for a moment.

"What?"

"Nothing I guess." She said as she looked back at the computer.

McGee was sitting beside her and realized she had expected a Caf-Pow.

"The woman that called the hotline was Lt. Tanner and she gave them the same story as her boyfriend, Lt. Harm. Only she said one other thing." Abby smirked.

"Which was?" Gibbs asked.

"That she believed if she didn't go through with it her boyfriend was going to kill her then kill himself."

Gibbs sighed. "So she backs out and he kills her."

"Sounding like it." Abby nodded. "We found his finger prints on her bracelet. Find me the gun I can match the bullets.

"McGee." Gibbs said. "Check the hospitals and morgues see if anyone fits his description. Maybe he tried to kill himself and failed or succeeded."

"On it boss." McGee nodded.

Gibbs stepped over and kissed Abby's check. "Promise, Caf-Pow later. Good work."

And Gibbs turned to leave and ran straight into Tony who was walking into the lab.

Gibbs grabbed Tony's arms as they collided and for a moment Tony didn't move. Gibbs' eyes locked with Tony's and for a second Gibbs wanted nothing but to pull Tony into his arms. Tony didn't see the want in Gibbs' eyes; he was too hurt to see anything through his hidden pain.

Then as if it physically hurt Tony for Gibbs to be touching him, he jerked out of Gibbs' grasp.

"Sorry boss." Tony swallowed hard.

"You remembered." Abby smiled as she saw the Caf-Pow in Tony's hand.

"Of course." Tony smiled. "Why?"

"Ask Bossman." She said slightly annoyed.

"You forgot." Tony said as he looked back at Gibbs.

"Yeah." Gibbs nodded.

"He's been busy Abs, cut him some slack." Tony said as he walked past Gibbs and over to Abby. She took the Caf-Pow and took a long slurp.

Gibbs walked from the lab and into the elevator. As the doors closed and the elevator started Gibbs hit the emergency stop. He ran his hands through his hair and over his face, and then shook his head. Leave it to Tony to cover for him, even to Abby. Even after he was a total bastard Tony had his six.

Turning Gibbs punched the elevator wall, and then shook his hand as the pain struck.

##########################################################################

"Cause of death?" Gibbs asked as he looked at the man's body on the table.

"Single self inflicted gunshot wound to the head." Ducky answered.

"Suicide?"

"Yes."

"Thanks Duck." Gibbs nodded as he headed out of autopsy.

########################################################################

"People actually make suicide pacts?" Ziva asked.

"Yeah, but this one wasn't quite a pack. She backed out and he decided to kill her." Tony explained.

"I will never understand."

"That's a good thing." Tony nodded.

Gibbs walked into the bullpen with another cup of coffee. "Go home."

The three agents looked at him.

"I didn't stutter." He said as he sat down.

All three started gathering their things. Gibbs glanced at Tony who was already heading towards the elevator. Ziva and McGee not far behind.

"Wanna go get a drink?" She asked Tony and McGee as they waited for the elevator.

"Sure." Tony smiled. "Oh a flaming nipple shot."

"Seriously?" Ziva groaned. "What are you sixteen."

"Maybe." Tony smirked.

McGee shook his head.

Gibbs waited until the three disappeared behind the closed elevator doors before running his hand across his forehead. He tried to remind himself Tony hid behind humor and that he really was upset about what had happened between them. But it was harder to believe when he just wanted to know that Tony was hurting as much as he was. Gibbs shook his head, he was the one who had let Tony walk away, had made it seem easy to just throw their relationship aside, so why should Tony be upset or even care that Gibbs wanted to take it all back.

Bourbon, he needed it.

########################################################################

Gibbs stared at the empty glass as if it somehow could give him all the answers.

"Need another?" The bartender smiled.

"Yeah." Gibbs smiled as he glanced up at her.

"Something bothering you tonight Jethro?" She asked looking concerned.

"Nope."

She nodded. "Not that you'd tell me if there was."

He chuckled. "Probably not."

"Let me guess relationship problems?" She sighed.

He didn't answer just spun his glass around on the bar top.

"It's always relationships, work, or money." she paused. "Or some combination of the three."

"So why do you think it's relationship problems?" He asked finally looking up at her.

"You love your job, money doesn't matter to you." She shook her head. "Only leaves relationships."

He nodded. "And have you ever known me to care about relationships?"

She chuckled. "Not really, but I haven't seen you in here in over a month." She grinned. "That means someone was keeping you busy."

"Ever think of being an investigator?" He asked.

"I already am." She smiled. "Part of the job."

"The other part, getting drinks." He paused. "Shouldn't you be doing that?"

"Have you looked around?" She paused. "There are three people here. And the couple in the booth have been more interested in each other than another drink."

Gibbs glanced over his shoulder and saw the young Navy ensign with his arm wrapped around a woman as they spoke softly and laughed.

"Yeah see what you mean." Gibbs said as he turned around.

"So you have my undivided attention." She said putting her elbow on the bar and her chin in her hand.

"I'm good thanks." He said as he took a swig of the Bourbon.

She shrugged as she pulled back. "Suit yourself."

Gibbs went back to staring at the glass. He should be at home, working on the boat, drinking free drinks in his own home, but it was the last place he wanted to be. The house would just be an empty reminder of a day that would now be even more painful for him to face. And the boat, he would have to deal with that as well.

He sighed and took the last swig from his drink, threw some money on the counter, and left.

##############################################################################

Walking into the house, Gibbs stopped just inside the door, the silence overwhelming. It hadn't been this quiet in the house in over a month. He shook his head, it didn't matter, he was just here to grab a few things. Making his way upstairs and into the bedroom, he took a few items from the closet and went to close the door. He paused as he glanced at the suits hanging to the far right, colorful, well tailored suits that were not his. Looking at them a moment he smiled. Never did he think there would be another man's suits in his closet, yet Tony had changed all that with one simple statement. It seemed like a lifetime ago now, that first night, his own confusion, Tony's desire. Gibbs closed the door and turned to go.

Stopping to switch off the light he stared at the empty bed. Images of them making love flashed through his mind, of holding Tony while they slept, and watching Tony sleep. In the last month Gibbs had slept better than he had in years and he had actually slept in the bed more than he had in years. He had a reason to sleep in the bed, before it was just a reminder of being alone. The king bed had more room than any one person needed. He chuckled to himself. Even with Tony in it, the bed was too large. Tony was always in his arms when they slept, half the bed still went unused. Walking over he picked up the pillow that had become Tony's and opened the closet door tossing it inside. There was no reason to keep it on the bed now. And seeing it empty beside him would only torment him more. If he ever slept in the bed again.

He switched off the light and closed the door behind him.

#############################################################################

McGee walked quietly back into the bullpen and sat the coffee down on Gibbs desk, then went back to his own. He had come in early to do some computer work and found Gibbs asleep at his desk. Deciding that he wouldn't wake him until there was coffee nearby, McGee went and picked some up. If he had been a bear yesterday it was only going to be worse today. Spending the night at the office confirmed that something was going on between him and Tony, and it didn't seem good.

"Coffee." Gibbs head came up as the scent assaulted his nose.

"Yeah boss." McGee nodded. "Thought you might need one."

Gibbs ran his hands over his face. "Thanks."

"No problem." McGee said as he went back to his computer screen.

Taking a long sip Gibbs then looked at his watch. Grabbing what he had picked up last night he headed for the bathroom to change.

About fifteen minutes later Gibbs walked back into the bullpen like it was any day and he had just arrived. Sitting back down at his desk, Ziva walked in.

"Morning."

Both men nodded. She glanced between them then sighed. Another day of silence, she was so tired of this. As many times as she had wished Tony would shut up, the silence was now starting to make her actually want to hear Tony's movie ramblings. Even last night at the bar, Tony had stayed for two drinks, putting on a happy face but it was clear something was wrong. She had brought up Gibbs name once and the look on Tony's face made her not mention him again. Then Tony had left. Someone needed to fix this.

Tony walked into the bullpen with a forced smile and his eyes hidden behind his sunglasses.

"Tony." Ziva smiled.

"Ziva." He said as he dropped his bag beside his desk and sat down. Turning his computer on he waited silently as the screen finally came up and he checked his e-mail.

Ziva dropped her head into her hands and let out a deep breath. If Tony and Gibbs had decided to stop seeing each other, then this silence could last for weeks or months and it was going to slowly drive her insane. This was only day two.

#########################################################################

Ducky was sitting at the computer staring at a file he had pulled up. He didn't know what had made him check, maybe it was a hunch, maybe it was Gibbs' reaction that day. All he knew is that one piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. The date couldn't be a coincidence and Jethro did not believe in coincidences. It had to be at least part of the reason Gibbs had behaved the way he did that day. The problem was Ducky didn't know what exactly to do with the information or who to tell. Yes, he did. He was the one who needed to know. He dialed the number and waited.

"Can you come down here please?"

##########################################################################

Through the deafening silence Tony's phone rang causing the three agents to jump. Gibbs of course was unaffected.

"Agent DiNozzo." the was a long paused. "Sure." Then Tony hung up the phone.

Tony got up and walked towards the elevator without a word. Gibbs couldn't even look at him, Tony wasn't concerned with him asking where he was going. He'd stop for a coffee on the way back up.

The autopsy doors swished open and Tony saw Ducky sitting at the desk.

"What's up?"

Duck turned in the chair and looked at Tony. "I think I figured out at least part of what happened."

"To?"

"With Jethro."

"Oh." Tony paused.

"Look at this." Ducky said turning back to the computer screen.

Tony leaned over glancing at the information on the screen. "What I'm I looking at Ducky?"

"The date? Right there." Ducky said pointing at the date on the screen.

Tony's eyes went wide and he sighed. "Damn it."

He walked away from the computer and put his hands on his head. "Why didn't he just tell me?"

"You know how he is about sharing personal information and something like this. He deals with hurt by keeping it to himself."

"But still to just totally push me out of his life, that's extreme even for him."

Ducky shrugged. "Maybe there is more than just this."

"Maybe." Tony sighed. "But it can't just be a coincidence."

"No I doubt that." Ducky nodded.

"I can understand wanting to be alone that day." Tony paused. " But he was cold, barely said anything, even when I was telling him what a bastard he was, he just agreed-"

Then it hit him and he shook his head.

"What?" Ducky asked seeing Tony had figured something out.

"We made love that morning."

Ducky raised an eyebrow.

"No. I mean, we did but that's not it, it's just-." Tony shook his head. "He was fine in the morning, even when we first got to work. It wasn't until like two hours after we got here that his mood changed. I mean like out of the blue changed."

Tony looked at Ducky.

Ducky still didn't seem to understand.

Tony let his hands fall to his side. "He forgot, until we got to work."

Ducky's face showed the sadness. "Oh my."

"It was my fault."

"Tony." Ducky sighed.

"I know. I mean I couldn't have known and I don't think that it was a bad thing but-"

"This is probably the first time since that day that he ever forgot, even for a moment." Ducky shook his head.

"How do I apologize for that, and do I?" Tony 's head fell back.

Ducky stood up and walked over to Tony. "You don't apologize."

Tony pulled his head up and looked at Ducky.

"You make him understand that it's okay." Ducky said patting his arm. "That he can remember, but it doesn't have to be every minute of the day."

Tony nodded. "Yeah. I just hope he can understand that after all these years."

###############################################################

Tony had grabbed a coffee after leaving autopsy and stood waiting for the elevator. As the doors opened, Tony was so lost in thought that he didn't even pay attention when he entered the elevator until the doors closed behind him. He looked up and stared directly into Gibbs' eyes.

For a moment Tony didn't speak as he tried to collect his thoughts.

"Um, needed coffee." He finally said.

"Yeah, I see that." Gibbs nodded.

"Case or something?" Tony asked as he turned and stood beside Gibbs keeping a safe distance.

"No."

"Okay." Tony nodded as the silence fell.

The elevator stopped at the next floor and Agent Gant stepped in.

"Hey Tony." He smiled.

"Hey."

"Man you should have stayed last night." Gant nodded. "After you left the bar, some hotties showed up."

"Really? Damn." Tony said trying to sound and look disappointed.

"Yeah this one," Gant shook his head. "She had-" He stopped as if suddenly realizing Gibbs was there. "Agent Gibbs."

Gibbs half smiled and nodded.

"We're going out tonight. You and Tim should come."

"Um I'm busy but I'll let McGee know." Tony said.

The elevator stopped at the next floor.

"Tell Tim to let me know and if you change your mind." Gant said as he stepped out of the elevator.

"Yeah."

The doors closed again.

Gibbs tried not to think about why Tony was busy tonight. It was probably just an excuse, since Agent Gant obviously didn't know about Tony's preferences.

"I have to tell him I'm busy or he'll bug me forever." Tony said.

"You don't owe me an explanation." Gibbs said trying not to sound relieved.

"Yeah, right. Old habits." Tony cleared his throat.

Gibbs forced himself to continue to stare at the elevator doors. This had to be the longest elevator ride ever. When the doors finally did open, Gibbs stepped out and headed towards his desk.

Tony made his way to his desk slower, thinking about what he had found out because of Ducky's little investigation.

"Hey Tony."

"Hey Ashley." Tony smiled as she approached the desk.

"I have a couple questions on your expense account." She smiled seductively.

Gibbs saw it, he was watching out of the corner of his eye. Ashley had always been interested in Tony. Gibbs wouldn't have been surprised if they had went out before.

"Ask away." Tony smiled.

Again Gibbs continued to watch the exchange, the jealousy inside him building to a fever pitch as Ashley touched Tony's arm and laughed at something he said. He wanted to let it go, he had given up the right to be jealousy, but as Ashley touched his arm for the third time, something inside him snapped.

"DiNozzo." Gibbs barked without looking up. "I want that report in twenty minutes."

"Right Boss." Tony nodded.

Ashley stepped back, knowing that when Agent Gibbs barked, everyone jumped. She smiled one last time at Tony then walked away.

Gibbs continued to look at the computer then the file lying open on his desk.

Ziva glanced over at McGee and they both exchanged worried looks.

Tony was now focused on the report he was finishing in front of him.

Damn it! Gibbs thought to himself.

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