Doug Sutherland was sitting on the couch with a half empty bottle of Scotch in front of him. Tony knew that the bottle had been nearly full the day before so guessed that Doug had drunk the rest. He wondered if Doug was a happy or a miserable drunk and got an answer soon,

"Hey, look who it is! Mr 'I'm such a nice guy, I'd be a much better son than your insensitive boar of a ...'", Doug trailed to a halt as he realised his sentence had become a bit too convoluted. He took another gulp of whisky and continued, "so where've you been, Mr DiNozzo? Working out how to con money out of Dad. Life father, like son?"

"I took your Dad into Belbrough. He had to go to the dentist," said Tony calmly, trying to keep his temper.

"That's very dutiful of you," slurred Doug, "but as Dad is letting you live here for nothing, it's the least you can do."

"Yes, it is," said Tony reasonably, "I'm going to make myself some coffee. Do you want some?"

"Coffee? Oooh, no, I think I'll stick to this. It's very good."

"You'll have a hangover in the morning," warned Tony.

"What do you care?" demanded Doug.

"I don't especially," said Tony honestly, "but I think your Dad will."

Doug laughed, a rather unpleasant, bitter laugh, "Oh, yes, Daddy cares a lot now. He didn't care all those years ago when he decided he needed to find himself: even if it meant losing everyone else. Did he tell you about that, Tony?"

"He's told me some. He regrets what happened."

"Oh, he regrets it does he? Did he tell you how everything changed; all the money went. I had to go to another college because we couldn't afford the one I wanted to go to. Did he tell you that? Did he tell you that my mom had to get a job? That we had to leave our nice house and rent somewhere? He ruined our lives just so that he could come and be a beach bum and make people think he's this wise, perfect person. Well, newsflash – he's not. He's a selfish bastard!"

"I know he's not perfect," said Tony, "and he knows it too."

"Our life was perfect," said Doug, "we were all happy together, it was perfect and then ... then, he left. And it was all gone, nothing was ever the same again. It was never safe again."

Tony began to glimpse what was behind all this,

"It wasn't the money, was it? It's not the money that counts?"

"If he'd loved us, if he'd loved me, he'd have stayed. Isn't that what you're supposed to do for people you love. Isn't that what fathers are meant to do for their sons?"

"I don't know, Doug. I don't think it's what my Dad would do for me."

Doug looked up at that and seemed to recognise some kinship with Tony; two sons disappointed in their fathers. He raised his glass in a salute, "To sons who deserve better fathers!"

Tony relaxed a little, "Here, let me make you that coffee. You really should stop drinking now, you know."

Doug stood up angrily, "Don't tell me what to do. You're not in charge here." He swung his arms in an extravagant gesture and the whisky bottle he held in one hand smashed against the wall behind him. He was left holding the jagged neck; he looked at it thoughtfully, "that would do a lot of damage, wouldn't it?"

"Yes," said Tony warily, "so you'd better be careful."

Doug waved the broken glass, "I wonder if Dad would still want to paint your pretty face if it was all cut up?" He swept it vaguely in Tony's direction, "or perhaps it's a sign, perhaps I should use it on me. Then I'd find out if Dad cared or not," he looked at the bottle and stretched his arm, "no, I think I'd rather put it in your face or your arm." He lunged forward and Tony stepped back easily.

Tony had no real doubt that he could take Doug down but the broken bottle was dangerous and Doug unpredictable, still wavering between self harm and attacking Tony.

"You have to let it go, Doug," said Tony.

Doug looked at the broken bottle, "I don't want to let it go, I like it. It's got possibilities."

"Not the bottle – although that would be a good idea. You've got to let go of the past, Doug, this isn't doing you any good."

"Easy to say," said Doug sulkily.

Tony wondered if the sedative effect of the alcohol was beginning to kick in, "You're right, it's easy to say but I still reckon it's true."

"Doesn't sound like you've forgiven your Dad," pointed out Doug.

"No, but I'm trying. And your Dad is trying too."

"So it's do as I say, not as I do?" sneered Doug.

"I'm not saying it's easy, but unless you sort yourself out you're in a world of pain, Doug."

"I just want it to be all right," wailed Doug, "why does it have to be so hard?"

"I don't know, Doug, I don't know."

Doug slumped back on to the couch and cradled the bottle to his chest as he sobbed lethargically. Tony bent over Doug extracted the broken glass from his hand, "I'll go make you that coffee now," he said.

"I like it with cream," said Doug unexpectedly.

"You'll have it black and strong," said Tony firmly.

Just as Tony stood back up, he heard someone else coming through the door,

"Tony!" said John in an agitated voice, "I just read the paper, you've got to see this ... what's going on?" he stopped as he saw his weeping son.

"Doug's a bit ..., well, he's a bit emotional at the moment," said Tony. He looked at the broken bottle in his hand, "I'll just get rid of this."

John went and sat next to his son and put his arm round his shoulders,

"What's wrong, Son?" he asked, "talk to me."

"I'm sorry, Dad," said Doug in a wobbly voice, "I'm sorry."

"What for, Doug?"

"For not being, be-being the sort of son you want."

"Don't say that. You're the only son I've ever wanted."

"Then why did you leave?" stuttered Doug.

Tony decided to give them some privacy.

"Hey, look. I'm going to leave you two to it. I'll go for a walk on the beach. Catch you later."

Doug and John barely noticed him leave as they began a long overdue conversation.

NCISNCIS

Gibbs had been driving for about thirty minutes when his cell rang. Unusually, he had remembered to set it on the voice activated hand-free mode so was able to answer it without taking his hands off the wheel.

"Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs," came Abby's excited voice.

"Abs?"

"I thought I'd track you; keep an eye on the traffic and work out the best route for you."

"Good thinking, Abs. Any more beeps on McGee's searches?"

"No, nothing. I've tried calling Kit Lacy but he's not picking up."

"Have you tried his mom?"

"Yes, but she's not picking up either. Where are you going to go, Gibbs. Belbrough or Milsom Bay?"

"When do I have to decide, Abs?"

"Not till you're quite close. Then if you decide to go to Milsom Bay you can cut off about fifteen minutes by turning off the main road."

"OK, Abs, keep an eye out and let me know if anything changes. Am I OK to stay on this road for now?"

"Yes, carry on as if you're going to Norfolk and then veer off. I'll let you know."

"Thanks, Abs," Gibbs closed the connection and went back to concentrating on his driving.

Another hour passed with no communication from Abby except the occasional call to confirm that he was still on the best route. Gibbs was beginning to regret not having brought coffee with him when the cell went again. It was McGee.

"Good news, Boss. It worked!"

"What happened, Tim?"

"We were moving fake Tony when the car was ambushed. It was just where you'd thought it might happen. Two cars tried to force ours off the road. The FBI van and other cars raced up and shoved into them."

Gibbs breathed a sigh of relief, "Good work, Tim. So it's all over. You've got Yalland?"

"Not quite, Boss."

"What you mean, not quite?"

"Yalland and his men managed to get out of the cars and they ran to this rundown warehouse building. They're holed up in there."

"Damn," said Gibbs, "what's happening now?"

"FBI and NCIS have got the place surrounded. They can't get out. They'll have to give up in the end."

"You're sure Yalland is there?" said Gibbs.

"Has to be, Boss. Nobody got away, we had eyes on them all the time."

"You still there, McGee?"

"Yes, Boss. You want me to come and join you?"

"No," decided Gibbs, "stay there. Keep me posted when it's over."

"OK, say Hi to Tony for me."

"Will do," said Gibbs.

Feeling calmer, Gibbs eased off the gas a little but kept driving. He still wanted to find Tony but was now beginning to wonder what sort of reception he would get and what he would say to him. He had been driving for about four hours in all when the need for caffeine became too strong and when he saw a café on the roadside, he pulled in. He had just taken a much needed gulp of the coffee when his cell went,

"McGee, what is it?"

"Er, Boss," came Tim's hesitant voice. Gibbs' gut churned,

"What is it?"

"The siege is over."

"And?"

"And Yalland wasn't there."

"He got away?"

"No. He was never there!"

"What?! I thought you said you saw him."

"I said no-one had got away. And they didn't. We just assumed that Yalland was there."

"Go on," said Gibbs grimly.

"When the attackers surrendered it turned out they'd been set up by Yalland."

"How?"

"Not sure. It seems that Yalland sold them information saying a load of confiscated cash was being moved undercover from one federal building to another."

"So he made money out of this?"

"Yes."

"Do they know where he is?" asked Gibbs.

"Fraid not, Boss. Boss?"

"Yes?"

"You realise that Yalland probably picked up Tony's picture on the OSU site?"

"Yes, McGee, I do realise that!"

By this time, Gibbs was already back at his car, cursing that he had stopped at all. "McGee, get down here as quick as possible. I'm going to make for Milsom Bay; that's where the photo was taken, seems most likely someone there will know about Tony."

"Yes, Boss. I'll tell Abby to work out that route for you."

NCISNCIS

Some days things just work out and it seemed, after all, that this was one of those days. Unknowingly, Gibbs followed the same route into Milsom Bay as Tony had nearly two weeks before and so arrived at Millie's café which was one of the first houses on the Bay. Gibbs screeched to a halt and ran into the café where Millie was just opening up after an afternoon shopping in Belbrough.

"Good afternoon," she said, "may I help you?"

Gibbs pulled his badge out, "Special Agent Gibbs, NCIS. I'm looking for Tony DiNozzo."

He was surprised to get a disapproving look, "Oh, you're Special Agent Gibbs. I've heard about you."

Gibbs decided not to waste time with this, "It's very important that I find him. Do you know where he is?"

"I'm not sure I should tell you, Agent Gibbs. I don't think he wants to see you."

"Look, I know he's mad at me but this isn't about that. He might be in danger. I need to find him."

"In danger? Here?" said Millie sceptically.

Gibbs kept his temper, somehow realising that shouting at this woman wouldn't get results.

" A criminal who Tony helped put in prison escaped a few days ago. We have reason to believe he's after Tony. I need to find him."

Millie frowned as she considered her reply, "He's not here. He moved out a few days ago and he's been staying with John Sutherland, about half a mile down the road."

"Thank you," said Gibbs, making for the door.

"But I don't think he'll be there at this time of day," said Millie having decided to be completely helpful, "he usually goes for a walk in the late afternoon. Along the beach. He likes to sit on Leeley's Stretch and watch the light change."

Gibbs ran back to the car, calling Abby as he went.

"Abs, Leeley's Stretch. Where is it?"

"Have you found him yet, Gibbs?" came her reply.

"I will do if you tell me where Leeley's stretch is, Abby." He could hear her fingers tapping the keys on her computer.

"It's about two miles straight down the road from where you are, Gibbs. There's a clump of cabbage palms there, that should help you spot it."

Gibbs clicked his phone shut and started the car. He drove for the two miles indicated by Abby and then saw the palms she'd predicted. He got out of the car and headed across the sand to the shore. He sighed with relief as he saw the familiar figure of Tony sitting against some boulders, looking out to sea.

Tony heard the shifting of sand and saw someone walking towards him. He recognised Gibbs and stiffened for a moment but waited for Gibbs to draw near. When Gibbs saw Tony, he experienced a sudden surge of joy that he was safe. The next moment he was gripped by an irrational wave of anger when he saw that Tony looked well, happy and relaxed having apparently had a wonderful vacation while his team had been running themselves into the ground trying to find him. He resisted the impulse to deliver a head slap.

Tony, characteristically, was the first to speak,

"Jeez, Gibbs, what happened?"

"What you mean?"

"You look awful."

And indeed, the long days of Tony's absence had wrought a change in Gibbs: he had lost weight, his eyes were bloodshot through lack of sleep, his normally crisply ironed clothes were crumpled, he had cut himself shaving that morning and his hair was dull and spiky.

Once again, Gibbs curbed the impulse to hit Tony,

"Well, you've been missing for nearly two weeks, Bozo. What do you think happened?"

"Oh," said Tony, he turned his gaze away from Gibbs and returned to looking out to sea, "I like it here. It's peaceful."

Gibbs dropped down to sit next to him, suddenly the days without sleeping were catching up on him but he was amazed how much better he felt just for having Tony next to him.

"I've got a book on birds," said Tony conversationally, "I'm trying to learn how to pick them out."

"How are you getting on?" asked Gibbs, deciding to let Tony lead the conversation.

"Not too good," admitted Tony, "they all look like white birds to me with black bits on them but I think I know the difference between a Little Gull and a Black Headed Gull now. Although it might just have been a baby Black Headed Gull that I saw."

Gibbs laughed and began to relax a bit more.

"How'd you find me?" asked Tony, still staring out to sea and avoiding Gibbs' eyes.

"Your photo popped up on the OSU site, with a kid on your shoulders, playing ball," said Gibbs, deciding not to mention BOLOs and tracking of bank accounts for the moment.

"Senior always did say nothing good would come out of playing sport," said Tony reflectively.

They sat in silence for a few more moments; Gibbs hoped it was a companionable silence but he wasn't sure.

"Tony ...," he began.

"Gibbs! Look out!" shouted Tony, but it was too late. A branch wielded by the person who had crept up unseen behind them, smashed on to Gibbs' head sending him tumbling unconscious to the ground. Tony leapt to his feet and twisted round, ready to defend himself and Gibbs.