I do not know where this story will go so please watch up here for WARNINGS. INTERNALIZED HOMOPHOBIA. This will be very important as time goes on.

Also, I know I've said this before, but I've started a Facebook page called SilverMidnight52. I believe this will be an easier way for us to communicate and for you to get a say when I have questions.

I own nothing. Enjoy!

"Hand me the sandpaper, DiNozzo," Gibbs spoke not looking up from his latest project.

Moving away from the door I made my way down into the basement. I had been standing there for almost ten minutes not knowing how to say everything but knowing that I needed to say it.

After everything that had happened this morning with Abby and Dmitri I had been on edge. I knew that Abby had wanted him gone, but to tell people that he was gay and get him beat up was low.

I knew that I had basically done the same thing to McGee. Except I didn't think he'd be hurt. I had made a mistake and I worked to get the other agent to forgive and trust me once more.

Abby knew this. I had talked to her about the guilt I felt for getting McGee hurt like that. She had been so mad at me that she had punched me in the arm. For days, almost a full week, the woman wouldn't even talk to me outside of a case.

Now she was doing the same thing to Dmitri? At least I think she had. Okay, I didn't have any real proof, but my gut was telling me that she was the one that started the rumor. She had something to do with it. I know she did.

According to the Director the men that were going to beat up Dmitri had figured it out on their own. The Director didn't believe that anymore than I did. Still, that was their story and they were sticking to it.

Vance had fired the men almost instantly and had been escorted out of the building. The Director had sent me back to work after that, but there was one thing I had to do. At the very least it would calm my mind.

I went down to see Dmitri. It was a little after two p.m. now and I had thought that the younger man would be alright. At least I had hoped that he would be. And he was. If you didn't look past the fake smile.

As I talked to Dmitri I noticed that his voice was much softer than normal and that his movements were quicker and much more jerky. If he and I hadn't already talked about this he probably wouldn't be talking to me at all.

Those brown eyes of his had never lost that fear and for the first time I wanted to tell Abby off. How could she have done this to another person? I was the one that did stupid, childish pranks. Not her.

As odd as it sounded I was looking at everything the woman had done in the past. I had known that she could be manipulative, but now that I truly thought about it I wondered how I could have missed it.

If you were Abby's friend you were safe, for the most part. She would only do something if you really angered her and by that point knowing her you knew exactly what to do to not get on her bad side.

"You going to talk, DiNozzo?" Gibbs questioned finally turning to me.

"Dmitri was jumped," I answered deciding to start from the beginning.

Gibbs back straightened as he stood up. Almost instantly he was in his protective Papa Bear mindset. And, though I would never actually say it aloud, I loved when he got that look in his eyes. It reminded me of who he was.

I loved my Dad. I truly did, but he wasn't the best Father. Gibbs, on the other hand, he was born to be a Father. The fact that his chance at that was so violently ripped away from him broke my heart.

"How bad?" Gibbs practically growled.

"I stopped it before it got further than a split lip," I sighed, "But I'm not sure that was the only damage done."

"What do you mean?"

"He looked like he was used to being hit... Being beaten. The only thing he really fought on was the reason behind the beating."

"And the reason?"

"They thought he was gay."

Gibbs normally clear eyes darkened as if they were a storm. Okay, the older man was obviously pissed. Not that I could blame him but now he knew why I had been so upset all day. Now came the hard part.

"I think Abby was the one that started the rumor," I spoke slowly trying to get the words out.

The anger in Gibbs eyes was instantly replaced with shock and confusion. It seemed as if he couldn't believe it either. And why would he? Abby was his favorite and could do no wrong. I hated breaking that.

"Tony," Gibbs started.

"I know you don't believe me," I shook my head, "But you taught me to trust my guy and it's screaming. Abby told the people there would going to beat him up that he was gay."

"Like you did?"

Looking at the ground I took the hit knowing I deserved it. I had done this before. I loved to haze newbies and it sounded easier to believe that I could do it long before Abby. That didn't mean it didn't hurt.

"I didn't know he'd get hurt," I responded trying to keep my voice calm, "She did."

"DiNozzo," Gibbs turned away, "Abby would never..."

"Yes, she would, Boss. You know she would. You just don't want to admit it."

I had never talked to my Boss like this before, but this was different. I needed him to realize what was going on before something else happened. I had to stop this before Dmitri was actually hurt."

"I know Dmitri and Kelly were friends," I told the older man, "I saw a picture of them together."

"Dmitri showed you?" Gibbs asked his voice softer than I had ever heard.

"He had it resting on his lab and I saw it. That's not the point."

"What is, DiNozzo?"

Gibbs turned to me the anger back full force. I had known that this was how the man would probably react and I thought that I had been prepared. I should have taken more time though.

"You care about both Abby and Dmitri," I stood tall, "Dmitri was hurt by this rumor and not just physically. Take one look at him and you can tell that this scared him. Something happened to make him scared, Gibbs."

"Do you know what?" Gibbs questioned after a moment of silence.

"No, he doesn't want to talk about it and I don't want to push him."

"What do you want?"

"I want you to watch Abby and make sure she doesn't hurt Dmitri."

Gibbs stared at me in complete silence and for a moment I thought that he was going to refuse and kick me out. For some reason I actually thought that this would drive a wedge between him and I.

"Okay," Gibbs spoke turning back to his project, "If..."

"If what?" I asked confused.

"If you're right Dmitri will need someone watching him."

"I already am, Boss."