Not much action in this chapter, I'm afraid. Well, Tony's a bit tired!

As Tony opened the door to his cabin he blinked in astonishment: the walls of his kitchen were bright orange. He blinked again and realised that he was in the squad room at the Navy Yard; he shook his head and went to sit down at his desk except that his chair turned into the rocky island and the sea was beating against it. Where was Borin? He looked in all directions but couldn't see her. Then he thought he caught a glimpse of her red hair disappearing under a wave and he jumped in to try and reach her. He swam towards her but she kept disappearing and reappearing just out of arm's reach. He made one last desperate effort but, just as he touched an outstretched hand, she slipped away.

"Borin," he shouted, "where are you?"

Tony sat bolt upright in bed,

"Hey, DiNozzo! It's all right," came Gibbs' calm voice, "you're safe."

Tony looked around and realised that he was sitting up on his bed back at the cabin and that Gibbs was looking at him with a quizzical look on his face. He opened his mouth to ask another question but Gibbs beat him to it,

"Borin's fine too. Bit battered and bruised, like you. She's back at Millie's."

Tony nodded. Now that he was a bit more awake, he could vaguely remember being shepherded by Gibbs, Ducky and McGee back to the café where Millie was waiting with hot soup and dry clothes. He seemed to remember that he had, rather bizarrely, shaken Borin by the hand when he first saw her. He tried to remember what else had happened,

"Did I finish the soup?" he asked.

Gibbs chuckled, "No, about three mouthfuls in, you were about to go swimming in it, so we brought you back here."

"Oh," said Tony regretfully.

"it's waiting on the hob when you want it," said Gibbs apparently able to read Tony's mind.

"Hmmm, later perhaps," said Tony sleepily, "you staying?"

"I'm staying," said Gibbs calmly. He watched as Tony's eyes drifted shut. They opened again,

"I thought you'd painted the walls orange," Tony said unexpectedly, "but they're blue. I thought they were going to be green." His eyes slid shut again and stayed that way as he fell asleep.

Gibbs looked at the walls thoughtfully but before he could do anything there was a light tap at the door and Ducky came in.

"Ah, Jethro, how is Anthony doing?"

"You just missed him, Duck. He woke up for a couple minutes, he was having a nightmare. Thought he'd lost Borin."

"it's hardly surprising that he should experience some lingering psychological effects," said Ducky, "I know the word is overused but I would have to describe his and Agent Borin's journey as 'epic'."

"They did well," said Gibbs with a hint of pride.

"Yes," said Ducky, "but no more than we would expect, eh? Now, Jethro, I think it is as well that Anthony has returned to the Land of Nod. I need to give him an injection of this broad spectrum antibiotic with which Dr Murray was kind enough to supply me."

"There a problem, Duck?"

"I thought I detected a couple of crackles when I listened to Anthony's chest when we first recovered him. I have been in contact with Dr Pitt and we think, just as a precaution, that it would be wise to put him on a course of antibiotics. When he is more awake I will ensure that he takes them orally in tablet form but I would prefer not to wait to begin the treatment. Perhaps you could assist me?"

"Sure, Duck. I just hope he's sound asleep. You know how he feels about injections."

Gibbs' fears were unfounded. There was a slight wince as the needle went in but Tony didn't wake up.

"I will leave you to it then," said Ducky, "I am going to check in on Agent Borin. Do you want me to bring some food down later?"

"No need, Duck. Sutherland said he'd bring something in. I think DiNozzo will sleep through till morning now. I'll bring him down for breakfast."

"Very well. Let me know if you need anything. Good night."

Left alone, Gibbs thought back on the eventful day. Once they had assured an anxious Tony that Borin had been found, Tony let Ducky examine him as the launch returned to Milsom Bay. Tony's injuries matched Borin's almost exactly except he had a jelly fish sting instead of a twisted ankle.

"What's up, Doc?" asked Tony as Ducky packed away his equipment.

Ducky directed a mock glare at Tony, "And how long have you been waiting to use that, may I ask, Anthony?"

Tony just shrugged his shoulder, feeling a little loopy in his exhaustion. Ducky chuckled and replied, "Just like Agent Borin you are in remarkably good shape considering the circumstances." He was about to add his automatic order to stay still and take things easy but a glance at Tony assured him that, for the moment at least, the agent was completely spent.

"How d'you find me?" Tony asked.

"Thought it was more you found us," observed Gibbs wryly.

Tony shrugged again, "wouldn't have made it to shore though. Boss, so I'm glad you turned up."

"It was Petty Officer Kilbride," said Gibbs.

"Yeah, he's being real helpful," said McGee, "he directed the Carousel to come this way so we could intercept him."

Tony nodded, thinking that he would ask for more detail later but settled for the moment for putting in a good word for him,

"He left us some food and water on the rock, Gibbs. Don't think we would have made it without that. What's going to happen to him, d'you think?"

Gibbs considered, "like McGee said, he's being helpful and he'll testify for the prosecution so he may be able to cut some sort of deal. But," he sighed, "can't get away from the fact that he gave away details of navy patrols. That's pretty serious even without helping to abduct federal agents."

Gibbs patted Tony on the shoulder. As he moved away he heard McGee say,

"Two nights alone with Agent Borin, eh? Bet you've got some stories to tell?"

Gibbs looked back and saw Tony directing a half hearted glare at Tim before nodding off once more.

Once they reached the quay, they led Tony to the jeep and drove to the café where they found Sutherland and Millie waiting for them. Gibbs found something settling in his gut when he saw their concern and their practical care. John had brought some dry clothes from the cabin and Millie had cooked some soup.

Tony clasped the change of clothes to his chest but then looked a bit uncertain. Gibbs intervened,

"Go to the bathroom and change, DiNozzo."

Tony nodded obediently.

"Don't take a shower yet, Anthony," warned Ducky, "I think you might fall asleep in it."

Tony nodded again and tottered off to the bathroom.

About ten minutes later, Gibbs heard a child's voice down the corridor. He recognised it as belonging to Joe who had been brought down with Pippa when Millie had passed the good news on to their parents in Raleigh. He followed the sound and saw Joe dragging a dazed Tony out to the yard where the hoop was,

"Come on, Uncle Tony, you promised to shoot some hoops with me."

Gibbs chuckled and made an intervention,

"Joe, you'll have to wait. Tony's tired,"

"Grown-ups are always tired," said Joe moodily.

"Sorry, Joe, " said Tony, "but I am a bit beat. I promise I'll play tomorrow if your dad brings you down after school."

"He will," said Joe darkly and Gibbs had no doubt that Kit would bring Joe down. "I helped," said Joe, "I really helped. John and Agent Gibbs couldn't use your cell but I could."

"Good boy," praised Tony, and he leaned down to whisper in Joe's ear, "p'raps you can give Agent Gibbs some lessons tomorrow."

Joe giggled and hugged Tony, "I was worried, Uncle Tony. I thought you was lost."

"Lost and found," said Tony lightly, "no worries. Come on, I think your Grandma mentioned soup."

He took the ball off from Joe and took him by the hand. Then, with his back to the basket, he threw the ball one handed and it went neatly through the hoop. Joe looked back in awe and allowed himself to be taken away.

Borin turned up as Gibbs directed Tony into the dining room.

"Agent Borin," said Tony formally.

"Agent DiNozzo," replied Abbie equally formally.

They shook hands and then grinned at each other. Tony punched Borin lightly on the shoulder and she returned the gesture,

"Glad you're OK," they said in unison and laughed. They gave each other a brief hug and then sat down at the table.

"Did Gibbs tell you that they turned up at the rock a few hours after we left it?" asked Borin.

Tony shook his head.

"If only we'd waited a bit longer," said Borin.

"Hey," said Tony firmly, "don't try and second guess yourself. We made the best decision we could and we made it back in one piece ... well, almost," he winced as he touched the jelly fish sting.

Borin couldn't help but smile as Tony unconsciously echoed Gibbs' words earlier in the day. Tony went on, "Besides, 'if only' are two of the saddest words in the English language. Don't go there," and he put his hand over Borin's in reassurance. They were interrupted by another voice,

"Uncle Tony! Uncle Tony!" It was Pippa making her way determinedly towards him. She climbed up into his lap, forcing him to use both hands to hold her, "I've got a green bow today," said Pippa confidingly, "'cos you said you like green."

Gibbs, overhearing, thought Pippa was a bit of a charmer. He seemed to remember her saying that she had a pink ribbon the other day because Uncle Tony liked pink. Tony didn't seem to mind, however,

"It looks very pretty, Pips," he said.

Pippa beamed at him, "you look tired," she said matter-of-factly, "you should go to bed earlier."

"Good advice," said Tony seriously, "thank you, Pips."

Millie and soup arrived at that moment. Pippa reluctantly got off Tony's lap when it seemed likely Tony would drip soup over her if she stayed. Tony swallowed three mouthfuls but it became clear that he was about to fall asleep in the bowl. Gibbs removed the spoon gently,

"Come on, Tony. I think you need bed more than food."

Borin looked up, "Gibbs, he was pretty special out there. Really kept us going, he was determined we were going to stay together."

"That's DiNozzo," said Gibbs simply, "and from what I hear, you did pretty good too. Kilbride reckoned that you and DiNozzo had taken the shortest route possible back to land. That's pretty impressive navigation, Borin."

Borin shrugged modestly, "Guess we make a pretty good team then."

"You sticking round?" asked Gibbs even as if he manoeuvred Tony up from the table.

"No, I'm heading back tomorrow. The boyfriend who stood me up this weekend is having a guilt attack. Thought I might as well reap the benefits of that! Good bye, Gibbs. I expect we'll bump into each other again."

"Bye, Borin. And thanks," said Gibbs.

"Bye, Tony," said Borin.

Tony waved an aimless hand, "Bye," he said groggily.

So Gibbs had brought Tony back to the cabin and settled him in. He was surprised to realise how much he needed to be the one watching over Tony and he was grateful that Tony's new friends seemed to realise that too and were content to let them be. It was another Indication that Milsom Bay folk liked, and cared for, Tony but didn't want to take him over. There was still room for Gibbs in Tony's life. Gibbs wondered if he had been afraid of something different and that was what had made him ambivalent about Tony's new life.

NCISNCIS

After Ducky's visit, Tony did indeed sleep the night through. He seemed to have a couple of restless dreams but a word from Gibbs was enough to make him realise that he was no longer lost at sea and he settled down again. Gibbs slept in a chair by Tony with his legs propped up on the bed. As the cabin filled with the morning light, Gibbs felt Tony stir and looked down to see that his agent was awake.

"Morning, Boss," Tony said cheerfully.

"You look a bit more awake this time," observed Gibbs.

Tony grinned and made to get up but suddenly felt dizzy. He lay down again,

"Oops, perhaps I'll wait before I try that again."

"I'll make you some tea," said Gibbs, "you haven't eaten or drunk anything in a while. Apart from trying to swim in Millie's soup."

Tony frowned at that but decided that was a question for another time. Gibbs came back with a mug of sweet tea and a piece of toast.

"Try that," he said, "then you can have a shower and we'll go down to Millie's for breakfast."

"More water," grimaced Tony.

"You did well, Tony," said Gibbs.

Tony looked surprised, "I'm not dying, am I? Or am I already dead?"

"Nope, you're not dead or dying," said Gibbs tranquilly.

"Oh," said Tony, round a mouthful of toast, "'cos you don't usually tell me I've done anything well. So you can understand the confusion."

"DiNozzo, you and Agent Borin swam twenty miles with no supplies or equipment after being knocked out by a gang of crooks. That counts as doing well in my book."

Tony looked more depressed than Gibbs would have expected after receiving praise from him, "that's a bit worrying, Boss," he said. He saw Gibbs' puzzled look, "if that's the sort of thing I have to do before you give me an 'attaboy', then I don't reckon I'll get another before one of us retires."

He took another sip of his tea. Gibbs wasn't sure how to follow this up but Tony had something else on his mind and Gibbs saw that he looked distracted.

"Wasn't the kitchen blue last night?" he said at last.

"Yep," said Gibbs, "but you said you meant it to be green."

"So you painted it again?" said Tony in amazement.

"Sure, it's your home. You need it to be how you want," said Gibbs as if it was nothing.

"And you stayed?"

"Sure," said Gibbs

Tony looked at Gibbs who nodded. Tony felt that something had been given and received between them. A warm feeling swept through him.

"Thanks, Boss! Now, did you say something about breakfast?"


AN: thank you to everyone who has read/reviewed/followed this return to Milsom Bay.

Obviously I don't own the NCIS characters but it was fun to play with them.

I'll leave you all to decide what happens when Tony and Borin meet up again ... I don't think that penitent boyfriend will be around for long!