Dedicated to Sorgina :)

Tony: Really wish you would've stayed in the car boss.

Gibbs: DiNozzo, will you shut up…or I'm gonna shoot ya.

--

"If you ever take a bullet, take my place….hell if you ever take a girl out to try and protect me. I'll kill you myself."

Tony squinted. "Um, you do realize how ridiculous that sounds right?"

"Well let me be more clear. No one and I repeat no one takes my place."

He nodded and opened the car door, a bit hesitant to drive with him back to NCIS. "I think I got it."

"You think?"

Tony put on his seat belt quickly. "I got it. I got it." He ran a hand through his hair and spoke softly. "Sheesh."

"What?" Gibbs snapped at him as he peeled away onto the street.

"I didn't say anything…"

"The hell you didn't."

Tony contemplated for a moment before responding. "Well geez boss, it's not like you wouldn't take a bullet for us, and not that this would ever happen, but I wouldn't mind if you took a girl out to protect me. Then again that would depend on what she looks like…" His head was thrust forward with a forceful slap and he sighed outwardly. "I'm just saying…if it's okay for you to take our place…then why not the other way around?"

"It's my responsibility to keep you safe." Gibbs emphasized the statement by pointing at himself.

"And it's my responsibility to watch your six."

The two were at a stand off and Gibbs continued to drive in silence until they pulled up to NCIS. And just as Tony reached for the door handle Gibbs spoke up.

"So we're clear…"

Tony interrupted and didn't seem to regret it. "I get it. You can die for me; but I can't die for you."

Gibbs nodded. "Good."

"But so we're clear…if I die for you, you can't kill me. You do realize that?"

Gibbs put up his hand in head slap fashion but changed his mind. "What do you want me to say DiNozzo?"

"You don't have to say anything boss. It's a whole duty and honor thing. And really very touching…but you can't really expect me to agree with it."

Gibbs managed a smile. "I never did DiNozzo…I never did."