Notes: So we've got Tony running back to alcohol, and Ziva irrationally upset. This is going to be interesting… thanks again to all who've been sticking with me.

Chapter 4

After he'd finished filing his case reports, Gibbs headed back to the hospital to check on Ziva. He was pleasantly surprised to find her awake.

"How are you feeling?"

"I am well. The doctor took a scan of my head. He says the swelling is practically gone."

"That's good," Gibbs said. "Tony go for coffee?"

Ziva shifted her eyes away from Gibbs at the mention of Tony.

"What aren't you telling me, Ziva?"Gibbs asked, concerned.

"Tony left a few hours ago, and has not returned. He was here when I woke up, and told me of the accident. I got angry, and asked him to leave."

Gibbs took out his cell phone and hit the speed dial for Tony. When he didn't answer, Gibbs' next call was to Tim.

"McGee, I need a favor. Tony is missing. I need you to track the GPS in his cell."

"Absolutely, give me a minute."

The line was silent for a moment.

"Boss, he's at O'Leary's. You don't think he's—"

"For his sake, he'd better not be drinking. Thanks, McGee. I owe you a coffee."

"Just get Tony before he hurts himself."

"No worries. Go home, Tim. Get some rest."

Gibbs hung up the phone, and turned back to Ziva.

"Tony slept by your bed for a week. I had to force him to go home and take a shower. He cares more about you than you think."

Gibbs turned and left the room before Ziva had a chance to respond.

O'Leary's was quite crowded, for a Wednesday evening. Gibbs spotted Tony at the bar, nursing a glass of scotch. He made a beeline to his SFA, and put a hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

"Tony, what are you doing here?"

"Drinking."

Thwack!

"Have you lost your mind?"

"I don't have anything else to lose at this point."

Gibbs looked up at the bartender.

"How long has he been here?" he asked her.

"A couple of hours. I was about to cut him off after that last drink."

Gibbs nodded his thanks and turned back to Tony.

"You're done. I'm taking you home."

He reached to take Tony's glass out of his hand. Tony jumped out of his chair and threw a punch. The scotch glass went flying, and smashed on the floor five feet away. Gibbs grabbed Tony by the arm and twisted it behind his back. He shoved him against the bar, and took out a pair of handcuffs. He cuffed the SFA's hands behind his back. He took some cash from his wallet and gave it to the bartender for Tony's tab. Without another word, he yanked Tony out of the bar by his arm.

Tony thrashed around in Gibbs' grip the entire way to the car. When they got there, Gibbs slammed him up against the side of the car.

"What the hell is the matter with you!"

"You have no right to handcuff me!" Tony shouted angrily, attempting futilely to escape Gibbs' grip.

"I have every right when you assault me in a bar in front of witnesses!"

"You're arresting me for assault?" Tony said, shocked.

"We'll see."

Gibbs shoved him into the backseat of the car and slammed it shut. He stalked around to the driver's side and got in.

The car was ominously silent as Gibbs drove. Tony shifted uncomfortably in the backseat. He didn't attempt to speak with Gibbs. Nothing he could say right now would calm him down. He leaned forward and rested his forehead on the seat in front of him and closed his eyes.

Tony was jolted upright when the car screeched to a halt. He blinked in shock when he saw where they were.

"You're not taking me to jail?" Tony asked as Gibbs opened the doot to let him out. Gibbs didn't say anything. He simply yanked Tony out of the car by his arm and slammed the door.

"Are you finished boxing with me, DiNozzo?"

Tony nodded mutely. Gibbs took out his keys and unlocked the handcuffs, freeing Tony's hands.

"Follow me," Gibbs ordered, putting the handcuffs away in his coat. Tony silently followed him into the house. He pointed to the couch. "Sit your ass down."

Tony did as instructed.

"You want to tell me what happened between you and Ziva?"

"She hates my guts, Boss. I told her about the accident, and now she hates me for it."

"So you thought going back to the same bar that caused the trouble, and getting drunk again was going to help? Have you completely lost your mind?"

"She didn't give me a chance to explain myself. She just told me to leave. I've destroyed every friendship I have, and put a dent in my career, all for a few drinks after work."

Gibbs sighed and sat down next to him on the couch.

"The only thing you're destroying is yourself. Going back to that bar was the dumbest thing you could have done. You have a problem, you call me. I don't care if it's the middle of the night. You call me. If I have to drag your ass out of a bar one more time, you're not gonna like the result. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Boss."

"Good." He stood up. "Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."

With that, Gibbs left him alone in the living room. Seeing no other alternative, Tony lay down and pulled the blanket over him that was draped over the top of the couch. Maybe he hadn't destroyed all of his friendships, but there was one that needed repairing.

TBC...