"Hey Abs." Tony called over the music that blared through the lab.
"Tony!" She screamed running over and embracing the field agent. "How's Ziva? I heard about what happened. Is she okay? What's wrong with her?" Tony smiled.
"She's fine. Ducky thinks it's exhaustion, you know what she's like. She's currently having a lie down in the break room." Tony lied easily. He hated doing it but he'd rather deal with a pissed forensic scientist, who could kill him, hide the body and not leave a single piece of evidence, but who would forgive him as soon as she knew the reasoning, then a pissed assassin from whom there would be not escape and who would not hesitate to kill him with whatever was to hand, not to mention the fact that he would never live it down. Lying to Abby was in this case, and possibly only this case, was his better option and he knew it.
"So, what brings you down to the wonderful world that is Labby?"
"Ducky needs you to test this blood sample." Tony breezed producing a vile.
"This case?"
"Jane Doe."
"Ah cool. Anything specific?"
"Pregnancy hormones." Abby's looked at him quizzically. "What?"
"Wouldn't Ducky know if she was pregnant by doing an autopsy?"
"I don't know Abs; will you just do the test?" Tony snapped tensely.
"Are you okay?" Concern and intrigue fought for dominance in her voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine, he needs the results ASAP."
"Can do. I'll call you when I'm done."
"Thanks Abby." Tony left the lab quickly, keeping his hands firmly in his pockets as an attempt to hide the noticeable tremor from his friend. Pressing the button for the bullpen simultaneously, Tony sighed. "Oh God what if she's pregnant?" He asked the surrounding air. The ding of the elevator rang out as Tony came to a decision. He exited the elevator and made his way quickly through the bullpen.
"Tim, cover for me." Tony threw over his shoulder, already nearly at the next elevator.
"Where are you going?" McGee asked concernedly.
"I won't be long. I promise. I've got my cell." Without waiting for a response he was quickly on his way to the ground floor.
Little over an hour later, Tony stepped back out of the elevator and strode into the bullpen where McGee and Gibbs sat at their respective desks.
"DiNozzo, where have you been?" Tony looked to McGee who shrugged apologetically, before he took his boss' eye.
"I was." Tony paused, finalising his plan in his head. "I was running an errand. Are you busy?" Gibbs shot the younger agent a questioning stare before answering.
"What'd you got?" Tony smiled.
"I need a word." Tony glanced at McGee quickly. "Privately." Gibbs nodded before strolling past his agents to the elevator.
"Tony what's going on?" McGee asked leaning forward in his chair.
"I'll tell you later Tim." Tony promised before following his mentor.
Gibbs had pulled the emergency switch a good few minutes ago and was now waiting less than patiently for Tony to start talking.
"How long have I been here?" Tony started awkwardly.
"About a decade." Gibbs answered evenly, now curious as to where this would go.
"You trust me right?" It came out slightly more insecurely than he had planned.
"DiNozzo what's this about?"
"You trust me right?" Tony repeated slightly more sure of himself.
"I trust you."
"You know that I see you as a father figure, Zi too."
"Tony, where is this going?" Concern laced his voice.
"I love her Gibbs. I won't ever intentionally hurt her. You know that."
"I do." A very small smile danced on the older agent's lips.
"I want to ask her to marry me."
"DiNozzo…" Gibbs started but Tony interrupted.
"I'm not doing it because she might be pregnant. I'm doing it because I love her and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. But I won't do anything without your permission. I know how much you care about her." Gibbs smiled and placed a hand on Tony's shoulder.
"I never had you pegged for the old fashioned type." The agents chuckled softly. "You have my permission Tony." Tony beamed as the father he never had embraced him. It was a short sign of affection before Gibbs pulled away and brought the elevator back to life. "Oh and DiNozzo?"
"Yeah Boss?"
"I don't just care about her."