~Chapter 14~

*Ten Years Ago*

Gibbs would never eat Italian again. Ever. Period.

Not after the surreal experience he went through. Never after that.

The moment Abby's melt down had subsided, the group all went out to eat, mostly to kill time before cornering their killer. Gibbs hated waiting, but he wasn't about to let stupidity and impatience get in the way of closing a case.

Due to Tony's triumph in getting the Caff-Pow, he was allowed to pick the restaurant.

A horrible decision really. Since the detective had never been in DC before, he spent at least twenty minutes going through catalogues before finally settling on an Italian restaurant about five minutes away.

"Hey Tony? You know what? I'm going to take you bowling." Abby announced as they all squished themselves in the car. Ducky, Gerald, Vivian, and Sam were all riding separately and since Gibbs had dragged DiNozzo here...

"Bowling?" Tony asked cautiously. He seemed to be tip toeing around the happy Goth, as if he thought her abrupt change in heart towards him would vanish within seconds if he so much as blinked wrong.

"Yes bowling silly. I'm on a team you know."

"Cool."

"Yeah it is. I'm not the captain…Yet. But I will be. Sister Ann says I have a lot of potential."

"Sister Ann?"

"Uh huh. She's a nun. All my team mates are."

"You bowl…With nuns?" Tony repeated slowly, as if trying to figure out if Abby really said those words or not. Gibbs glanced back through his rear view mirror, catching wind of Tony's stunned expression.

"Yeah." Abby replied in her 'duh' voice "We make a pretty rocking team. Though the sisters don't have very good taste in music…Not for sure why because you know, we're a lot alike. We all like cats, puppies, peanut butter sandwiches, surprise parties- So I don't get how they don't like metal songs about death. Can you believe it? I've been trying to get them to see it for years but Sister Rosita just tells me that it isn't their style…They like the high pitch stuff apparently. Which is pretty I guess, but it doesn't have the same ZANG to it, you know?" Abby looked over at the detective who gave a nod and the Goth looked approvingly at him. "See, you understand." She told him, sounding relieved "I'm glad I have someone here I can relate to!"

Gibbs resisted the sudden urge to laugh at Tony's face- his eyes now resembling plates and mouth almost gaping open in pure shock and confusion. Abby didn't seem to notice as she chattered on for the rest of the car ride, explaining to Tony more about her hobbies and life which would jump from wild parties one second to helping out at an orphanage the next. His forensic analysis was really one of a kind.

"You coming DiNozzo?" he asked as soon as the car was parked. Abby had already jumped out, moving towards the door with an expectant tap of her foot. Tony on the other hand, seemed to be still recovering from having his ears talked off- obviously he was used to him being the talker.

"Uh…Yeah." He blinked, rubbing his eyes before popping out of the car, a new grin on his face. "Just wait until you try this place Gibbs! It's amazing!"

"Thought you said you never been here before?" Gibbs yawned, following Abby into the restaurant. It seemed typical enough, tables set strategically apart with Italian decorations flowing around the counters and ceiling.

"It's Italian." The younger man explained, as if that made any sense. Gibbs decided to let the matter drop.

Apparently feeling more comfortable in restaurant, Tony's voice now regained its use, talking over a million miles an hour as they were seated by their host, who Tony complained should have a been a girl, because it is much better manners to be greeted by a woman rather than a man.

Eventually, after about ten minutes, Abby and Tony seemed to have an unspoken contest on who could speak louder and faster than the other, which quickly escalated into one trying to talk over the other.

For possibly the first time ever, Gibbs was thankful when the rest of the team showed up.

"Hey guys!" Abby chirped, taking a sip of her mountain dew as the group piled in.

"Hey." Viv smiled and glanced over at the detective "She's practically back to normal." She told them quietly "Tony, how did you get that drink again?"

"Uh…Well…I asked the guy for it and he wouldn't give it to me." Tony explained uncomfortably "So I kind of grabbed his arm and pinned him against the wall and told him he had to give it to me…But he didn't. He must have really wanted it for some reason."

"Well, yeah DiNozzo, that was his drink." Gibbs snorted and the younger man threw him a look before going on.

"So then I kicked his legs, and he fell to the floor and I kind of pried the cup from his hands. Then he started crying and I felt really bad so I gave him ten bucks and left."

"You made him cry?" Vivian asked, looking somewhat appalled.

"I would have too." Muttered Sam, shaking his head as he watched Abby bounce around, her eyes focused on the menu happily.

"Could you not have found another way to get the poor lad to give the drink?" Ducky asked with a frown "Though, I dare say it was kind of you to give him the money."

"How much does a Caff-Pow cost anyway?" Gerald asked, whose large frame was awkwardly positioned between his mentor and Sam. Every head turned to both Gibbs and Abby, neither which answered. In Abby's case it was because of her complete attention on the menu, whereas Gibbs was just a bastard.

"Here you go darling!" the older agent glanced up to find a pretty waitress walking towards them, handing Tony a tray of food. The man licked his lips and smiled up at the girl as she put his drink next to the steaming plate.

"Thanks!" he told her with a small wink and she giggled, twirling her hair slightly as she looked down at him.

"Oh, did you guys already order?" Gerald frowned and Abby blinked, shaking her head in confusion.

"How did you already get your food Tony?" she asked and the waitress broke in, still looking at her customer.

"He's Italian." She replied.

"So?" Viv cut in "I thought you said you never been here before?"

"I haven't." Tony agreed "I'm Italian. This is an Italian restaurant."

"Do you two know each other?"

"No, but I'm sure we can." The girl giggled and Tony nodded, his mouth already full of food.

"This is pretty good." He praised "Thanks, I'll be sure you get a nice tip." The waitress smiled again, placing a hand lightly on his back before walking away, obviously forgetting about taking the rest of the group's order.

"I call not paying." Tony said as he put a forkful of food in his mouth.

The food (when they finally got it) ended up being pretty good. Gibbs still wasn't for sure what was going on with DiNozzo and the waitress- they both claimed to not know each other before today, yet somehow Tony kept getting things without even being asked. After he received his dessert, Gibbs quit trying to figure it out. Some things were better left alone. Besides, if he ever really wanted to know, he would find a way, he always did.

"Anthony, where is dear Alexander anyway?" Ducky asked as he took a bite out of a very strange dish he was eating…What did he call it? Pesceimburratoe Hazel?

"He went to go get all the legal stuff ready for the arrest." Tony said "And Rachel came by, so he went to see her too."

"Rachel?"

"His daughter. She's getting married next month and wants to meet up with him and Vanessa this weekend to go over wedding details or something like that." Despite the very nonchalant way this was said, Gibbs couldn't help but notice the almost, disgust, at the way he said wedding, as if it was a filthy term.

"You don't like weddings or something?" he asked lightly as the others shifted their attention back to another conversation. DiNozzo blinked, giving him a startled look as he began messing around with a half-eaten plate of food.

"Do you? I wouldn't think so, seeing as you've been married four times. Though I guess you could like them, which is why you keep having them."

It was a good deflection. But Gibbs wasn't sidetracked very easily. Maybe that crap worked on other people, but the kid was going to have to honest with him whether he liked it or not.

"Wasn't what I asked." He said calmly and Tony squirmed slightly, looking distinctly uncomfortable about his technique not working. Quickly, he gathered another charming smile and answered lightly.

"I'm indifferent. Hey, what would you rate that girl over there? Because I'm thinking an eight, but she could be a nine you know?"

"Why?"

"Well, for one thing she's wearing a lot of make-up so that takes at least one point off. Thought I guess-"

"Why don't you like weddings?" Gibbs clarified. Normally, he would have let it drop already. It wasn't his concern anyway. But part of him wanted the kid to know that Gibbs was going to get the answer he wanted, even if it took all night. The other half, strangely enough, wanted to know why he had an adversary with something that should be a happy occasion.

After making a distinct noise of disgust, Tony seemed to accept the fact he was going to have to come up with a reasonable answer.

"Look, after my mom died my Dad got married a bunch alright? After the first three it got kind of old." Gibbs nodded thoughtfully and frowned at his now empty glass of coffee. Reaching over, he took DiNozzo's and gulped a sip of his.

"Can you please stop doing that?" Tony grouched "Yours will be refilled in like what? Five minutes." Placing the now empty cup on table, Gibbs smiled.

"Now so will yours."

How did he do it?

It was something Tony really wanted an answer to as he ate, his eyes full of wonder at the man who had completely waltz through Tony's deflection, humor, and lies like he did it every day of his life.

It was…Amazing! How on earth could he possibly just…Know? Gibbs would have to teach him that someday.

Wait…What? No, that was all wrong. Tony would never see the man after today. It would be over. Done. Perhaps they would catch a glimpse of each other at the killer's trial but…Nothing after that. There wasn't going to be a someday. What was he thinking?

Besides, people like Leroy Jethro Gibbs were dangerous. Tony was the son of an actress after all. He knew how to pretend, how to act. He had learned from an early age that people who know what you're thinking are a threat to you. This agent was like that. Bright red flag in Tony's book. 'CAUTION: STAY AWAY. THIS PERSON WILL BRING PAIN AND SUFFERING TO YOUR LIFE'.

However, part of him wondered if it was worth the risk. The guy knew a lot about crime fighting. Tony could learn a few things…No, no, no! First off, he was already having trouble with his decision to stay in Baltimore. He couldn't just go dancing off into another job. A federal job for that matter! Not to mention what would happen if he really did get too close to Gibbs? Assuming that the man would even work with him?

No. He couldn't- he wouldn't do it. No way. He had family here right? Alex and Scarlett lived here. Not to mention Rachel and Vanessa. Hell, he was supposed to go to Rachel's wedding next month! He was perfectly happy here…

The strange thing was, despite the fact it was true, Tony couldn't help but get that strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. The one that made him feel all tingly inside. It was as if something was telling him something was up. Ugh, what did his stomach of all things know anyway? The only thing it was good for was storing delicious Italian dishes. Hmm…Maybe he should get a pizza to go…

"Here you go Tony!"

"Thanks Gina." Tony winked at the waitress as she handed him the box of steaming pizza. From the corner of the man's eye he saw the others look at him with a mixture of awe and pure exasperation. After Tony received all his food without so much as even picking up the menu- they stopped asking how Gina knew what he wanted.

Maybe one day (not that they would ever see each other again…Because he was staying in Baltimore…Because he didn't want to leave…) he would tell them.

"Where's Abby?" Tony looked over to see his new friend's (a strange as that sounds) seat empty. Sam was frowning; none of them seemed to have noticed her slip away.

"Bathroom." Gibbs spoke up…Well, everyone except Gibbs. But Tony was beginning to think he somehow had an unfair advantage over the rest of them. Maybe he wasn't even human…A psychic? Vampire? Mind reader? He would have to ask Vivian and Abby later. They seemed like they would know.

"She's taking forever." Gerald grumbled under his breath and Ducky hit him with a vehement force.

"Hush, Abigail can take as long as she wants." He sniffed and Tony smiled lightly. Everyone seemed to stick up for Abby- which was kind of ironic because she seemed more than capable to taking care of herself…He supposed that despite the Goth clothes, she still portrayed that strong sense of innocence. Bit of an oxymoron he supposed.

"Ow!" Sam yelped and this time, the detective sniggered as the pea he had flicked at the agent landed right on his eye. "What was that for?"

"I'm bored." Tony explained and Sam's eyes narrowed.

It. Was. On.

Abby could hear the food fight starting from almost a mile away (though she was only a couple yards away from the group). Sam and Tony had apparently started a war of throwing food at each other, Viv and Gerald quick to join soon afterwards.

She would admit, Abby was impressed with how Anthony DiNozzo dealt with people. Especially if he could get Sam Gavotte- the timid, introverted, shy agent to get into a food fight. Laughing quietly to herself as she heard Gibbs and Ducky attempt to quiet the ruckus, she quickened her stride hoping to join in the action before the two 'adults' stopped the fun.

"Excuse me ma'am?" Turning the Goth found herself face to face with the man from the table over. He had been watching her throughout the meal, but Abby hadn't thought much of it. People watched her often. Whether from her actions, interesting choice of apparel, or just because she was pretty.

"Hi." She beamed at him, only feeling slightly uncomfortable at the step he took towards her.

"Do you think you can help me with something?" he asked, and this time Abby did take a step back when he came closer to her.

"Uh...I don't know. I guess it depends what it is because they're waiting for me back there…" she told him, her voice trailing off. Part of her wanted to help this guy- whoever he was. His eyes held a desperate look in them and his hands were trembling. The other half of her was screaming bloody murder to run.

"Just…Just don't move." He told her and his hands began to latch on her arms.

"Let me go." She said calmly, looking him dead in the eye. She may not have a gun, but hell if she didn't have weapons. Those spikes on her wrists weren't just for looks.

"Don't. Move."

"LET ME GO!" she yelled and the next few seconds went by in a blur. The man slammed her against the wall, making a move to push her out the door at the same moment she struck, clawing black nails at his face. Then somewhere within the time they struggled, another body came into the mixture, pulling the man off of her. Her breathing instantly became easier as the man suddenly lashed out away from her, turning upon her rescuer.

It was Tony.

Huh. She knew there was a reason she liked this guy. It wasn't his hair after all.

From the corner of her eyes, Abby saw the rest of the team jumping up and sprinting to help out the detective, but Tony seemed to have it under control as he lashed out, pinning the man to a table in a few fluid moments.

Cursing in multiple languages, Tony cuffed the guy, wiping blood from his cheek.

"Come on Dude." He complained "I've got NCIS people already beating up on me. Why'd you have to join them?"

The reply was a series of threats, insults, and curses, all rolled into one. The guy was creative, she'd give him that. However, his words were instantly quieted the moment Gibbs came along whispering something into his ear.

Aw… That was her silver fox. Always leaving that one of a kind impression.

"So…" she said and everyone turned to her, Ducky and Gerald's eyes full of concern, Viv and Sam's shocked, Gibbs's lethal, and Tony all of the above. "Did I really miss the food fight?"

Hmm... This one seemed better than the last one right? My writer's block is a bit better, but I wouldn't say I was all the way better. Things are still kind of crazy over here! Don't worry though, I would never forget about you guys (;

Anyways, I looooovvvvveeeedddddd Shell Shocked. So freakin adorable with Tony lol. I never really pictured him looking like that as a teen...Weird because he supposedly lost his virginity when he was 14...Smh. The part about his mom was sweet, though really sad. I wish they would tell us how she died already! Ten seasons and we still don't know! All I got was that it was after the movies and she ended up in the hospital...Hmm...Car accident? Shooting? Heck, poisoning is still possible! Anyway, moving on...

Remember to review! I love them! I promise I'm trying to keep my updates faster but... I'm having a hard time over here...I would tell you guys about it, but you don't want to hear about my life problems lol. See you guys soon!

Love,

lNightWriterl