AN - Sorry for the long delay. It was entirely unintentional, life just got really busy - I've not had time to read stuff never mind write - and then somehow I just couldn't get this to come out the way I wanted, which was to reflect a slightly rawer, more edgy Tony than than we usually get to see in the show .. well all those years with Gibbs must have taught him something right? As something of a compensation it is slightly longer than usual and the next chapter is almost done.

The black sedan sped around the corner, two wheels almost leaving the ground as Gibbs raced across town. After the way things had gone down in Baltimore, he'd known he'd have to work hard to earn DiNozzo's trust and now, the first time it really counted, he had dropped the ball. The ex-marine cursed his own stupidity, even as he willed the car to go faster. He tried to remind himself that it was SOP to split the team when they needed to cover more ground. Except that he had broken one of his own rules by assuming the brother was no threat. It was a damned rookie mistake and he should have known better.

Arriving at the address DiNozzo has shown him, his chest tightened as he realised the small building was closed in the middle of the day. Exiting the vehicle he drew his weapon and made his way around back. Finding an unlocked service door he moved soundlessly down the hallway towards the main workout area where he could hear the muffled sound of voices. Taking a position to the side of the glass entry doors he caught sight of DiNozzo on his knees, his hands cuffed behind his back and his shoulder holster conspicuously empty as Matthews levelled his Agent's own gun at his head.

"Aw hell." Gibbs murmured.

Tony looked pale and dishevelled, his cheap, thin, suit jacket was badly wrinkled and his shirt was un-tucked. The blood trickling from a fresh cut on his cheek bone was testament to the fact that he hadn't surrendered his weapon without a fight. His steady gaze and defiant body language reassured Gibbs that, even in those circumstances, he wasn't about to fall apart on him. Although, what really caught his attention was the way DiNozzo's eyes glittered, hard and dark, in his stark features. He had only seen that particular look grace his features right after Dyer was killed. It had opened his eyes to exactly how much of a stubborn SOB the usually genial Detective could be when it came down to the wire.

"Is that what you did for Jeff?" Tony was asking. "Taught him respect?"

"Jeff would have been nothing if it wasn't for me. He was a weedy little kid. He didn't have the discipline or the stamina to make it in the Corps until I toughened him up. Everything he achieved was because of me. I made dammed sure he had what it took to succeed." Matthews retorted.

"Including a quick kick in the ribs or a punch in the gut when he wasn't quite good enough?"

In answer, Mathews simply raised the gun so that DiNozzo was looking straight down the barrell. Gibbs couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride as the younger man straightened up, and faced him down without any outward show of fear. Still, the last thing he needed was the kid provoking Matthews into blowing his damned head off before he could get a clear shot.

"NCIS, Federal Agent," He announced himself, stepping out where Matthews could see him, his own Sig Saur at the ready. "Drop the weapon."

He didn't miss the look of surprised gratitude that flashed across DiNozzo's face at his unexpected appearance. He could hardly blame his newest Agent for being unsure of his rescue. After all, it was Gibbs' own screw up that had got him into this mess in the first place. Still, he'd hoped that the other man had begun to trust that he would always have his six. The flush of mortification that followed, spreading across Tony's features, at having his Boss find him unarmed and vulnerable, wasn't something Gibbs could afford to worry about right now.

"You're a Marine." Matthews realised.

"NCIS, Federal Agent," Gibbs corrected. "Don't make me tell you twice."

"What did a career soldier like you do to get landed with GQ Joe here?" Matthews demanded, nodding at DiNozzo. "Kid can't fight worth a damn and he's got a real smart mouth. His type doesn't belong in the service."

"Actually, NCIS is a civilian organisation," DiNozzo spoke up. "We work for the government under Federal law not Military regulations. It kinda explains the whole "Federal Agent" part."

"Hey," Matthews grabbed DiNozzo's head by the hair and yanked it so far back that Gibbs could see the exposed tendons in his throat as Matthews leaned in to hiss menacingly. "Didn't we already have this discussion, pretty boy? You don't get to talk to me like that. You show me some respect."

"Take your hands off him." Gibbs ordered coldly. "Or I'll drop you where you stand."

"I'm doing you a favour," Matthews protested, torn between the note of pure command in the former gunnery sergeant's voice and his own unshakable belief in his actions, as he reluctantly loosed his grip but didn't lower his weapon. "Your boy here needs to be taught a lesson."

"Same kind of lesson you taught your brother?" Gibbs probed.

"I gave that kid everything," Matthews protested. "You think I would ever have quit the Corps if it wasn't for him? I gave up my life for that boy. He owed me."

"Except, he didn't want to keep with the programme, did he?" Tony taunted. "He was bucking for a transfer. He didn't want your fists or your belt anywhere near his baby son, did he? After everything you did for him, he didn't even want you in his life."

"He was going to move out to California. Said he wanted to start a new life, raise his boy right. Like there was something wrong with the way I'd raised him," Matthews scowled. "After everything, I'd sacrificed for him you think I was just going to let him turn his back on me?"

"DiNozzo." Gibbs warned, Matthews looked mad as hell, as much as he wanted a confession, he wasn't about to sacrifice his Agent to achieve it.

"But he wasn't listening to you anymore was he?" Tony pressed. "So, you did what you've always done. You pushed him to his limits so he would break down and see things your way. Except, this time you couldn't break him, could you? No matter what you did to him, he held out. So, you pushed harder and further until his heart gave out and you left him to die."

"You shut up," Matthews roared, as he grabbed DiNozzo by the throat and hauled him upright, pressing the muzzle of the gun against his forehead, as he propelled him across the room, until he threw him like a rag doll up against the wall, hard enough to elicit a grunt of pain, before he leant in close, pressing the muzzle of the gun right between his eyes. "You shut your mouth before I shut it for you."

"You lay a finger on him and I will drop you where you stand." Gibbs vowed, having taken adavantage of the distraction to move until his own weapon was only inches from Matthews head, feeling an unaccustomed helplessness as he watched things play out and not liking it one bit. "DiNozzo, stand down."

"The truth hurts, huh?" Tony gasped, as he locked eyes with Matthews, apparently completely unaware of the muzzle pressed into his forehead. "Like Jeff hurt when you started laying into him?"

"DiNozzo, shut your mouth or I'll shoot you myself." Gibbs promised.

"He said there was nothing I could do to stop him leaving," Matthews scoffed. "Like I was going to let a kid like him get the better of me."

"Yeah?" Tony's eyes glittered. "Except, you know the trouble with kids? They don't stay kids forever. They grow up and they learn to fight back."

The words were the only warning Gibbs got, before DiNozzo moved, kicking out and catching Matthews in the groin. The look of shock and pain on Matthews' face as he doubled over had just a moment to harden into cold fury before Gibbs took his shot, taking him out without a flicker of hesitation or remorse. He took a moment to check that Matthews was actually dead before stepping over the prone body to look at DiNozzo, who was leaning against the wall looking spent but satisfied.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

"First rule of hostage negotiation," Tony managed. "Keep 'em talking. I got you a confession."

"What you almost got me was a dead Agent," Gibbs pointed out abruptly, even as he reached out and grasped his jaw, turning it in to the light as he ran a practised eye over the cut, the ragged edges obviously made by the heavy gold ring on Matthew's right hand, feeing the tremors which began to course through his partner as he came down off the adrenalin high of being held captive he softened his tone somewhat. "You alright?"

"Yeah," Tony pressed his lips together tightly, somewhat wrong footed by the obvious concern. He knew he had been pushing it, not to mention the fact that he had surrendered his weapon in the first place. Most CO's would see those things as grounds for a serious dressing down, if not an official reprimand. "I'm fine."

"Good," Gibbs nodded sharply, as he released him, leaving Tony feeling slightly bereft as the warmth of his touch faded, moving around back of him so he could unlock the cuffs. "I've never lost an Agent yet and I'm sure as hell not going to start with you. Are we clear?"

Tony blinked as if he had been struck. The words hit him like a shower of ice water. He should have realised. Stupid to think that Gibbs actually cared about him, the ex-Marine just didn't want to mar his record. As Gibbs finished with the cuffs and came back around he turned his head away so that Gibbs wouldn't see the depth of hurt in his eyes.

"Crystal," His tone came out clipped and short, "Sorry Gibbs."

"What have I told you about apologies, DiNozzo?" Gibbs demanded gruffly, his eyes narrowing. He knew enough about his newest team member to realise that something was off but right now he didn't have the first clue what it was.

"A sign of weakness," Tony parroted obediently. He looked up, a hint of dark defiance in his eyes as he answered with cold and deliberate insolence. "Really, sorry."

It took something of an effort for Gibbs to keep his face expressionless. It wasn't like he hadn't seen DiNozzo act out like this before. After Dyer had been killed DiNozzo had been full of guilt and self-loathing, deliberately goading his Lieutenant until Sands had ripped him a new one in front of the entire squad room. Back then only the ex-marine's quick reflexes had stood between the hot headed young Detective and a career ending move. It was a dark and self destructive path and Gibbs had vowed he wasn't about to loose DiNozzo down that route.

The ex-marine had always prided himself on being a good CO. True, he pushed his people to be the best that they could be but, he never asked more of them than they could give, or that he demanded of himself. He had fondly imagined that he and DiNozzo were enough alike that that in itself would be enough to keep the brilliant and impulsive young investigator on track. Except, he was beginning to realise that the Long Island rich kid hadn't had the benefit of his advantages growing up.

"Get your weapon." He chose not to react.

He watched, keeping his expression impassive, as DiNozzo hovered on the brink of outright defiance. His resolve won out as the younger man pressed his lips tightly together, before he finally pushed himself slowly off the wall and pulled an evidence bag out of his pocket, using it inside out instead of gloves to pick up the Sig. Gibbs watched as all the colour drained from his face as he straightened up, closing his eyes against a wave of dizziness or nausea.

"You pass out and I'll kick your ass." Gibbs advised not unkindly.

Apparently, the no-nonsense approach, was exactly the right note to take with the complex younger man as he struggled to come to terms with the physical and mental strain of being held hostage. A thin, almost grateful, smile graced DiNozzo's features even as he swallowed back his discomfort.

"Not going to pass out," Tony assured him. "DiNozzo's do not pass out."

Gibbs nodded sharply, prepared to take him at his word, as he watched him recover sufficiently to bag and tag the evidence before calling for backup to process the scene. It was only much later, once they were back at NCIS, that he realised that was his second rookie mistake of the day.