Title: Favourite Friend
Author: Trista Groulx aka dustytiger
Rating: T (same as the show, nothing explicitly naughty)
Disclaimer: I am an unmotived beauty consultant and frazzled barista who does not own NCIS, it belong to its creator, network, writers, actors, actresses and other people who bring it to life weekly, I make no money from having fun with these characters, just some much needed sanity. I also do not own the song which helped this fic to grow it belongs to Katie Rox, and likely SOCAN.
Summary: Tony goes to pick up Ziva from the airport after she buries her father, but she doesn't want to go home.
Notes: Got a little bit more Gibbs here, stuff he has to say without Ziva being able to walk in ;) Thank you for the support heart and much love to all. Had an uber frustrating day could use some happies.

"... I want you by my side, want you here with me, You're all I need…"

Dinozzo was sitting at his desk joking with McGee about a video game the other agent liked to play. Gibbs came in, coffee in his hand, both of them were expecting Gibbs to start barking orders at them about a new case but he placed the coffee on his desk without saying anything. Tony knew this could be the talk he had been dreading since his boss had left Ziva's but didn't want to let on in front of his co-worker.

"Dinozzo we need to talk," Gibbs told him.

Dinozzo stood up, feeling a little like he had been called to the principal's office but followed his boss. Gibbs went toward the elevator and Dinozzo knew this could end badly after his discovery the morning before. A moment after they got into the elevator, Gibbs hit the button stopping the machine. Tony knew that something serious was about to happen. He hoped he wasn't in trouble, but he was glad it was him in the elevator with the boss, and not Ziva. He hadn't heard from Gibbs since he'd shown up at Ziva's and discovered their relationship, and he thought he had gotten off too easy.

"Don't hurt her," Gibbs warned, his tone more serious than the younger agent had heard before.

"Boss?" he asked. "She knows how to take care of herself."

"While I don't doubt that for a moment, you know that's not what I'm talking about."

Although both men had seen Ziva get out of almost any situation with ease, do to her training at Mossad they both knew that her emotional side was not as easy to guide. The few times she had let her guard down she was very sensitive and caring, and Gibbs could not stand the thought of her losing that part of her. He had known Dinozzo for a long time, and knew how he often treated women. Although he had seen him grow up recently he still worried that part of his personality would always there. He believed in the adage that a leopard couldn't change his spots, and Anthony Dinozzo Junior was a proud womaniser.

While Gibbs understood a lot of that part of the agent's personality was as a result of how he had grown up he couldn't watch him hurt a woman who had become like another daughter to him. He might not be as open with Ziva as he was Abby he still felt the same about her, especially now that she had lost her father. He needed Dinozzo to know that there would be consequences if Ziva ever showed up in his basement heartbroken about one of Dinozzo's escapades.

A part of Tony wanted to be insulted that his boss would do something like this, but he fully understood. Gibbs knew more about his mistakes with women than a boss should. He didn't want to make those mistakes with Ziva, he would cut off his arms before he treated her like he had treated some of the women in his past. It wasn't just because he knew that Ziva could kill him in a second and hide the boy that he didn't want to hurt her. He cared about her in a way he had never cared for anyone before, and he knew he would be lost if she was gone.

"Boss if I thought for a minute I was still the same person I was when we met I never would have let myself do this with her," he told his boss, honestly. "I don't know if I can explain it better than that."

"I still worry, Dinozzo. I know what you have done in the past," Gibbs reminded him.

"I understand, but if I did anything stupid she would kick my ass and leave the carcass for you. I know if I mess this up I'm screwed, I'll never find anyone like Ziva again."

Gibbs smiled slightly. "You're right. There is more to it than just growing up and not making the same mistakes you've made in the past."

"I know, and I'm willing to learn now, I want to know what it's like to have what I have seen other men have with their partners."

"When Director Vance finds out you might not like what he has to do."

"I know, Boss, and we've talked about all that. But it was time I stopped ignoring what everyone else could see. I don't want it to cost us our jobs but if it comes to that then that's how it has to be. She's worth it whatever happens I know that's the truth."

Gibbs nodded, surprised by how mature his agent was acting. "When are you planning on telling everyone else?"

"Soon, we don't want to lie to our friends now that it's out."

"It's not going to be easy."

"I know, Boss," he sighed. "We need to tell them before they get mad because we kept this a secret too long. It's not like I can just go out there, kiss her, and be done with it. We just need to figure out what and when to tell them."

"All right. I'm serious Dinozzo don't hurt her or you won't know what hit you."

"The last thing I want to do is hurt her. After you left we talked about our living situation. If we don't tell everyone soon they'll all going to find out when Director Vance tracks me down to talk about why my address is being changed to Ziva's. If that happens Abby and McGee will find a way to reroute my paycheques to orphanages and puppies."

Gibbs smiled. "I'm happy this is serious."

"Me too, Boss, me too."

"One last thing, Dinozzo, keep her safe from that bastard."

"I plan to," he assured him. "She'd kill me if I told her but I'd take a bullet for her if it came to that. Gibbs, I love her. Senior might have had his hang-ups, but he taught me that when you love a person you protect that no matter what it takes."

"Smart man."

"When he has to be."

"He taught you well in his own way."

"Just don't tell him that his head won't fit through the door."

The two men laughed then Gibbs hit the button to restart the elevator. Dinozzo went back to his own desk, glad that Gibbs hadn't shot him and that the whole conversation had gone so well. McGee wasn't sure what to think about that, while Ziva busied herself with work in hopes that she wouldn't be the next one called on. She was a little surprised when Gibbs just went over to is desk, picked up a folder, setting everything in motion to start investigating the next case.

End Part 10

Notes: I think of Gibbs as a bit of a father, they are going to tell the rest of the team next. Hope you're still enjoying this, let me know heart.