* Bullpen *

When Tony got in the bullpen, Gibbs appeared near him.

"Let's take a few steps and have some words, OK?"

"I was on my way to see Ducky. Care to join me?"

In the elevator, Gibbs smiled. Even if he was tempted to push the emergency stop button, he knew Tony wouldn't let him.

"So, Team Leader DiNozzo, what is this Omicron business?"

"Omicron is a pack of teams, eight of them, color coded. Each color means a different thing. I won't say much about the others, but my team is the black one. You do realize what this color means; do you? The Omicron operates under the direct orders from the President and let's just say we are known as a tight cluster of bastards. Something like piss in our soup and we'll make you eat it. Not the soup."

Gibbs looked at his ex-second in command. Tony had changed. No longer the carefree attitude was there. A dark cloud of danger hovered over him and his eyes… God, his eyes were lifeless, ready to take everything and give nothing back. Was that a mask of did Tony now let everyone see the real self?

"So Gibbs, what happened lately? Before you mention it, don't let that Delmano fiasco get in your heart. The order to get him in NCIS came from Jo."

"Wanted to ask you: who is Jo?"

"Jo? The greatest living walking mystery. I swear it to you Gibbs, she knows everything. Hell, I don't think even wikipedia got more information than she does. A piece of advice: never ever cross her; all of us Omicron would kill for her."

Gibbs couldn't help it but felt a pang of regret. Tony was no longer heart and soul NCIS, he moved on. Their new start will prove to be well chosen or it will become a disaster?

Entering the Autopsy, Gibbs trotted alongside Tony. Ducky saw them and the grandpa smile took command.

"Anthony, my dear boy, how delightful to see you again. My-my, you do look changed, indeed. I believe your last three years were full of unexpected events."

Ducky was Ducky and Tony missed his old friend's stories. Moving like time was on his side, Ducky brought in front three glasses and poured generous amounts of a Talisker whisky bottle.

"An unique brand this whisky is. Tell me, young Anthony, do you happen to know why did mister Palmer suddenly became bold as brass in the last months? Even if Jethro doesn't approve, it is nice to see confidence build in the young man. Why, I even heard you even offered him a job."

Gibbs was not pleased when he heard the last comment. He stopped the glass from touching his lips.

"What? DiNozzo, you can't come in here and try to steal my people! What's the matter with you?"

"Now Jethro, you must loose that second b from your name, people could get a wrong impression there."

Gibbs just shook his head. He knew he was on dangerous grounds, his friendship with DiNozzo was brittle, but he couldn't help it. Didn't want everyone to know, but he grew fond on Palmer, the kid was showing good signs. DiNozzo sipped from his glass.

"That's OK, Duck. Gibbs must live by the standards of his namesake. To tell the truth, Gremlin was there for me when no one would. I know it's past history Gibbs, but when you had your little hiatus and my team shown nothing more than malice towards me, I was feeling kinda low. Jenny didn't help, either. Only Jimmy stood by my side and we did grow in a nice friendship. During the last year, I reconnected with him and my team adopted him, like a little brother. Can't say they had a nice road to do that, but we are here for him, whatever he needs."

Great, Palmer was buddy with DiNozzo. But this wasn't a bad thing; the bad thing was he driving DiNozzo away, ah he remembered. There was a lot of lingering feelings around the whole deal. Not even now Gibbs confronted Ziva for her role in the "DiNozzo mess". He preferred to let her be. The damage was already done. Now it was the time for he to move one and cherish the fact DiNozzo gave him a second chance.

"Young Anthony, when did you have your last medical check? You must excuse the professional interest, but I only want the best for you."

"Well Ducky, to be honest, the last time I ever had contact with medical procedures was three months ago, when Jimmy put me in seven stitches for a knife wound. Won't say how I acquired such a wonderful gift. Please excuse me, but I need to make a reality check with Abby. Stay close doctor, I might need emergency treatment after the encounter".

* Abby's lab *

The lab was quiet. No music blasting from the speakers, no empty recipients of Caff-Pow littering the tables; only Abby, bent over her computer. Tony knocked and smiled when Abby jumped, surprised.

"Hello, Abby! Please put away the cutting tools and the toxins you may have at hand, I just wanted to say hi."

A tornado couldn't move faster that she, when she closed the distance and jumped at Tony, engulfing him in a bone-crushing, air-taking hug. She let him be after a while and playful punched in the arm.

"Oh, you are in big trouble, mister. You broke your promise with Abby; you said you'd never leave without telling. What was all this about? Where did you go? Are you back for good? What is with these clothes on you?"

"Abby! Abby! Breath! I have my own team now and I am back just for this operation. Told ya, I needed a fresh start, I was past my expiry date with NCIS. But tell me something, where is Bert?"

Abby looked sheepishly at him and her fingers knotted.

"Ah… Uhh.. I throw him in the incinerator, thinking it was you. Sorry, Tony,"

"Haha! That's good! I hope you no longer have the urge to do that with the real me, do you?"

Abby saw a glimpse of pain in Tony's eyes. Wait a second, since when Tony leaved someone saw the real him? Or it was just an elaborate façade?

"Tony! Have someone in your life? Someone special, I mean?"

"I don't wanna tell you. Not yet. You'll be the second to know?"

"Second to know? Mister, you are forgetting who you're dealing with. I am Abby, forensic scientist extraordinaire and you dare to say such a thing to me? Who is the first to know? Gibbs? No, you're still pissed at him. Timmy? Nah. Ziva? Oh my God, it's Ziva, isn't it? You do still love her, don't you?"

Tony allowed a sad smile to wash over his face; but it was so faint that Abby thought she imagined it.

"No Abs, it's not Ziva. She is a closed chapter from my life. I did love her, but you know how it ended, don't you? No, the first person that already knows is my leader. She is scary like a cat in the pidgins house."

"Why, I am shocked! Didn't saw you the type to go high over the fence. Who is she? I know I don't have the right to ask, but I need to know. Come on, Tony, Abby here speaking! Don't you dare have secrets with me, buster! I must meet her!"

Tony was almost missing the babbling of his friend.

"Abby, chill! Jo, my leader, is a good friend of mine, a real good friend. And she knows everything."

"Like Gibbs?"

"A thousand time scarier. And even more."

A sharp thrill was heard and Tony pick out his communicator from the pocket. A deep frown appeared on his face.

"Abby, talk to you later. The meeting is in progress and they need me."