CHAPTER 8

Tony opened the door as silently as he could and shook his head, even with everything that was going on the man still didn't lock his front door.

Venturing into the kitchen thinking he would make coffee before waking his boss, he was surprised to find Gibbs already doing just that.

"You got a reason for being here at 0515, DiNozzo?"

"Ah, yeah"

"You planning on telling me what it is?"

Tony sat down heavily at the kitchen table "McGee found the link" he slid the first file across the table.

Gibbs read the summary quickly then put the file down. As always his face betrayed no sign of his thoughts or emotions although Tony watched him closely. Silently Gibbs poured 2 mugs of coffee, handing one to Tony he sat down and began to read the detail in the file.

After half an hour Gibbs looked up. "What's the other file?"

Tony held the file out "Thompson" was all he said.

It took another hour and another coffee for Gibbs to finish his examination the file. Finally he spoke "I remember this case, Gary, the one we put away, was one sick scum bag. We thought that the brother might have been involved but there was no evidence, nothing more than a suspicion"

"Did you interview him? Philip?"

"No, Mike did. I never even saw the guy"

"So you didn't recognise him, when you shot him?"

"No Tony, I never saw him before that day"

"What about his name, did you recognise his name?"

Gibbs glared at Tony then in a level voice asked "Do you remember every name from every case we've had in the last 10 years?"

Tony said nothing but pleaded with his eyes for his boss to give him something.

Gibbs held his gaze and said gruffly "You should be getting to the office"

Tony looked defeated and bereft of confidence as he stood up and moved slowly towards the door. Gibbs wished there something to could say or do to ease the younger man's burden.

"Tony!" He waited till Tony turned to face him "This is good work. It gives us a focus"

For the first time in days Tony smiled and felt optimistic and all it had taken was the use of the word "us".