Gibbs had driven to Anacostia in silence. For once, the car was quiet, but it was unnerving. Tony wasn't giving a running commentary like normal, he wasn't even talking. Kate had spoken only long enough to provide case details, then gone back to looking out the window. Now they were at the scene, and Gibbs had sent the two agents off to do different tasks, well away from each other, while he spoke to witnesses.

"And, do you think you could work with a sketch artist to give us a face?" Gibbs asked a young woman.

"Sure. When you're ready, I'll be there."

Gibbs nodded. He handed her his card and thanked her. After telling her he would be in touch, he turned to see how Tony was doing. He had asked his senior field agent to help Ducky with the body, since Gerald was out sick, and because he knew that Tony would talk to Ducky eventually. It looked as though he had been right- Tony was chatting with Ducky. It wasn't the normal, light-hearted chats they usually had, but it was better than silence. He decided to leave them be for now, and headed over to his next witness.

Tony knew Gibbs had given him the task of helping Ducky and photographing the dead body so that he could calm down and talk about the problem with Ducky. He didn't mind, he knew that Gibbs was just looking out for him.

"Anthony, could you help me roll the body over, please?" Ducky asked.

"Sure." Tony pushed the dead body over onto its side and held it there. "So, Ducky, maybe, when we get back and after you do the autopsy, we could, I don't know, talk?"

"Of course we can. You can join me during the autopsy if you like. I know you aren't squeamish, and I could use the extra hands."

Tony grimaced. "I think I'm good, Duck. Thanks for the offer."

"If you change your mind, you know where I'll be. Now, what would you be interested in talking about?"

"You know what I want to talk about already."

"Maybe. But, please, tell me."

Tony smiled. "I want to discuss something that happened this morning."

"I heard about that. Jethro is quite worried about you."

"He is. I feel bad for ignoring him and for being rude earlier."

"He isn't upset with you, Anthony. You do know that, don't you?"

"Yeah, of course I do. I just wish I knew why she said it. Do I really come across as that annoying, Ducky?"

"Not to me, but then I guess I cannot talk. People tend to get annoyed with me when I tell stories."

Tony grinned. "I love your stories, Ducky."

"I know you do. You always want to know the ending." Ducky smiled as they rolled the body back down.

Tony was silent for a few minutes as Ducky finished off his initial exam. He helped get the body into the bag and onto the stretcher.

"Would you like to come back to NCIS with me, Anthony?" Ducky asked.

"I should finish the scene."

"DiNozzo, go with Ducky. I want to know what happened to that petty officer when I get back," called Gibbs.

Tony nodded. "Yes, boss," he called back automatically, even though he had a sneaking suspicion that Gibbs had overheard Ducky's offer. "I guess I am coming with you, Duck."

Tony climbed out of the ME's van at NCIS. Ducky had just finished telling him a story about the first time he met Gibbs, and Tony was thinking it over. Gibbs hadn't changed much by the sounds of it.

"Anthony, are you coming?" Ducky called, and Tony realised that he hadn't seen the older man pass him with the body.

"Yes, coming!" Tony rushed over to the elevator and just managed to catch it before the doors closed.

Once they were in autopsy, Tony sighed. He loved working with Ducky, but not when a body was about to be chopped up.

"Is there anything you need help with, other than the body?" Tony asked.

"Well, if you are interested, Anthony, I could use some help with inventory. I need to know what I need to be replacing so I can do that this weekend."

"I'm on it!" Tony disappeared into the storage room, where he knew Ducky kept his extra equipment and products. He had a pen in his hand, and started to write down what Ducky was low on.

An hour later, Tony was finishing up with the inventory. He heard the door opening and footsteps entering autopsy, so he listened carefully to figure out who it was.

"Hi, Duck."

That was Gibbs. Tony let out a sigh of relief and went back to his task.

"Jethro, I've just finished the autopsy. Our petty officer here died from being strangled. His hyoid is snapped." Ducky handed over a report.

"Were there other injuries?"

"He was beaten before being killed. He has bruising over most of his upper body. I've taken some blood for Abigail to test for drugs and illnesses. She should be testing it now."

"Thank you. Now, where is Tony?"

Ducky gestured towards his storage room. "Helping me take stock of my inventory. He didn't want to help with the autopsy."

"Can't blame him for that one, Duck. I need to do a few things, so would it be alright if he stays down here for now?"

"Anthony is always welcome to stay with me. There is plenty of work for him to do. Besides, I'm sure that Abigail will happily take him in if he gets bored here."

"Thanks Duck." Gibbs headed over to the storage room. He reached to open the door at the same time that Tony opened it from the other side.

"Hi boss," said Tony.

"Tony, I want you to stay with Ducky today. If you get bored, go see Abby. Alright?"

"I don't have to go into the bull pen?" Tony asked, hope evident in his voice.

"No. I need you happy, Tony. Stay down here today. I'll call if I need you."

Tony smiled and hugged Gibbs. "Thank you!"

Gibbs couldn't help smiling as he watched his agent bouncing around with joy. He hadn't seen Tony so happy in a very long time.