Chapter Twelve: Regaining Normalcy

3 Weeks Later

Tony sat at his desk, smiling big. After a long three weeks, he was finally cleared for field duty.

Kate looked over at Tony. "You know, Tony, some people might think it creepy if someone smiled like that for no reason. But, for you, it seems normal. Why is that, DiNozzo?"

"Don't know, Kate. Maybe because I'm a happy person, generally. I's just so sick of desk duty! I'm finally back. You and McGee can sleep better now?"

"What do you mean?" McGee asked.

"Well, you and Kate can rest easily now that I'm back to save your…" as Gibbs walked in, Tony finished, "Asses! We were talking about asses, boss!"

"Good to know, DiNozzo," Gibbs said, shaking his head.

"Uh, well, that came out weird, boss. I was talking about Kate and McGee's...There's no way to fix it. I was saying that I'm back to watch their asses. You know, that's…!"

"DiNozzo? Quit while you're behind," Gibbs said, afraid of where his agent was leading.

"Yeah, got it, boss."

Gibbs' phone started to ring then, which he answered, "Yeah, Gibbs." He hung up and turned to his team. "Gear up! Got a dead body in Quantico!"

As Kate and McGee headed towards the elevator, Gibbs stopped by Tony's desk. "Take it easy today, DiNozzo. Don't wanna be back out on your first day back."

"Yeah, you got it, boss. And, uh, thanks for...everything. I know I'm not the easiest person to work with, so, uh, thanks," Tony said as they walked toward the elevator.

Gibbs motioned for Kate and McGee to head down, that he and Tony would meet them at the car. "DiNozzo. Do you remember what I told you after you apologized for bringing me into everything with your father?"

Tony slowly began to nod. "You...said I was worth it."

"And you are, so stop thanking me. You don't have to thank me for doing something that someone should've done a long, long time ago."

"Yeah, well, no one noticed because no one cared."

"You believe that?"

"Boss, when I was nine, they started calling me the unwanted kid because my dad never showed up for anything. I believe it," Tony admitted.

"I think nobody noticed because you didn't let them. You're a hell of an actor, DiNozzo. I've known you three years and I only found out because you were exhausted. Why do you do that?"
"Because they wouldn't understand."

"That go for me too?"
"That was kind of different. I mean, when I first joined your team, I wasn't gonna go and tell you my life story. It was already kinda weird already, given everything that had gone down with Danny. I wasn't gonna add to that. Then, later, it would've just been awkward. 'Hey! Did I ever tell you that my dad abused me?' Time went by and...too much time."

"What about when your dad came back? That seems like it would've been an opening?"

"Yeah, but I couldn't tell you. I was afraid of what you might think. I'm not...now. You know, my dad probably thinks he won. Because I gave up, let him win. I never took care of it myself. Never said anything, really, to him. He probably thinks I sent you in to take care of him."

Gibbs looked carefully at Tony before he said quietly, but sincerely, "Tony, giving up doesn't always mean that you are weak. Sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go. You know, I used to think ending up all alone was the worst thing that could happen. It's not. The worst thing that can happen is ending up with people who make you feel all alone. I'm sorry that that's how you had to grow up. And I know that sometimes when you say you're okay, you're not...at all." Gibbs smiled a little as he finished, "You're a pathological liar, DiNozzo."

For the first time in a very long time, Tony was actually speechless. He didn't know what he should say to all that Gibbs had told him.

Gibbs had the answer. "Come on, presumably before the car leaves without us."

Tony smiled. "Boss, you know the car would never leave without you."

"Yeah, well, can't leave without you either. You're my six," Gibbs said. He strode into the elevator. Tony couldn't move. He just stood there smiling. He was worth it to someone...not the most obvious person you'd expect. But someone, and that's what mattered.

"DiNozzo! Are ya coming?"

Tony chuckled to himself as he called back, "Definitely!"