AN: Sorry about the delay in updating this series. Had a bit of block for a while. Hope you enjoy it :D

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Quote from: Season 1, Episode: High Seas

Kate: It's not the same thing you know

Tony: What?

Kate: You and Gibbs, Burley and Gibbs…

Tony: I don't know what you're talking about.

Kate: Was a different dynamic, a different time, you cant compare the relationships.

Tony: Who's comparing?

Kate: All I'm saying is that things on the surface are not always the same when you put them in context with the way things actually developed…under the surface…

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"I don't give a damn if a Semi truck hi jacked across the belt way…if you're late again, don't bother coming back."

Tony threw his arms up. "Boss…"

"If the next words out of your mouth are anything but, it won't happen again; you can leave right now."

Kate had been watching the exchange but couldn't process it fast enough to interrupt. And Gibbs was gone before she or Tony could say anything.

"Um…" Kate pointed to where Gibbs had just been; still searching for her voice.

Tony was fuming but slowly calmed himself with deep breaths. "Could Gibbs have gotten married and we not know about it?"

She normally would have laughed but was still in shock. "That…wasn't normal."

"Gibbs…isn't normal." He countered, slipping off his side arm and finally getting settled. It wasn't long before Ducky entered the bull pen solemnly.

"Have you two seen Jethro this morning?"

"You mean Hurricane Gibbs…yeah he just blew through." Tony replied; not picking up on Ducky's expression. "It was close but Kate and I survived."

"Ah, well he must be with Abby then."

Kate looked up. "We don't have a case." But contrary to Tony she noticed his expression. "Something wrong?"

"I'm afraid so, have you two checked your emails yet this morning?"

The two shook their heads before simultaneously pulling up their emails.

Tony spoke up first. "Gibbs didn't find out by email did he Ducky?"

"I certainly hope not." He turned to leave. "I'll be down in Abby's lab."

Kate then stood up and paced towards Tony. "Think we should go down there?"

He slowly shook his head. "Gibbs doesn't need consoling."

"You can't really be mad at him for yelling at you? He just found out Burley was killed…"

"Yeah, I read the same email you did." He stood up and filed a few folders. "And no I'm not mad...hell I'd let him slash the tires on my mustang if it'd help him get through it…" He stopped himself. "Okay, maybe not my tires…"

"This is not a joke Tony."

He slammed the file cabinet shut. "Oh really Kate? And here I thought Gibbs grieving was great material for comic relief…"

"Well I'm gonna do down there." She took a few steps towards the elevator and half expected Tony to follow. Only he didn't.

Kate approached a somber Ducky at the entrance of the lab; and the two stood quietly as Gibbs consoled a crying Abby. She leaned into Ducky's right ear. "Is there something we can do?"

Ducky shook his head and whispered in return. "I'm afraid not my dear; what Jethro is doing now is how he copes. Offsets all grief into caring for others; in particular her."

"Reminds me of my Father."

"Yes, well no surprise there. He does have those instincts." He tried to smile at the picture unfolding before him; because despite the cries; something about it was beautiful.

Some time later Abby settled down and Kate was able to offer her condolences. "Gibbs, I'm…"

He interrupted her. "Part of the job Kate. He knew the risks; same risks you and I face every day." He walked past and entered the elevator; arriving in the bull pen moments later to find Tony sitting at his desk quietly. The two exchanged glances and neither said a word for quite a while until...

"Spit it out DiNozzo."

"I don't know what you're talking about boss."

"I know you know…so just say it."

Tony shrugged. "Say what?"

Gibbs stood up in response. "You known damn well what…say you're sorry like the rest of the people I see today…"

Tony stood up as well. "I know how you feel about apologies Gibbs…"

Gibbs head hung a little lower than usual before he lifted it back up. "And whoever said to take everything I say as gospel DiNozzo?"

"No one boss. I watch and learn."

"Yeah, and where has that gotten you?"

He knew where his boss was headed. "I'm a better cop."

"How much better?"

"Better than I was before I got here."

Gibbs gestured towards himself. "Because of me?"

"Yeah boss, because of you." He watched Gibbs shake his head. "Are you second guessing yourself because of what happened to Burley? Boss, he made his own choice…"

Gibbs slammed his hand down to interrupt. "He wasn't watching his six! I taught him that Damnit…taught him to always watch his six…taught him to never take anything for granted…I've taught you those things haven't I?"

His decibel caused many of the surrounding Agents to stop what they were doing.

"Yeah, you have."

"Well, here's a new one…no rule, no example, hell no number of medals or cases solved will ever cut it DiNozzo…"

Tony noticed him starting to calm down and debated his response. He then watched Gibbs take a seat and approached his desk cautiously. "What happened to Burley could've happened to any of us. Now, sure, having you as a boss has made me a better cop; but I chose to come into work every day just like he did. And there's nothing you could've done to stop him or me from doing our jobs." He stepped back towards his desk and neither said a word until it was time to head home for the night.

Kate decided on leaving without a second attempt at condolences and waved good night solemnly. Tony stood up not long after and tossed his bag over his shoulder. "Night boss." He waited a few moments and after realizing he wouldn't be getting a response he left quietly.

The next morning came sooner than Gibbs would've liked. Another flight taking him to a place he was a stranger in; to pay respects to a kid he'd taught everything he knew. Even if it wasn't enough to keep him alive.

He closed his front door and stepped down his front steps to see a familiar face leaning against his car. "Thought you might want some company boss."

Gibbs gave a wry smile. "And just what made you think that DiNozzo?"

"Something a friend told me once."

"Is that right?"

"Yup, said you never let your boss go to a funeral of someone he cares about alone."

His smile remained. "Smart guy."

"I like to think so." He set his bag down. "So we gonna stand out in the cold or you gonna unlock the car?"

Gibbs opened the door without pressing a button or turning a key. Tony couldn't help but smile as he got inside.

The car ride to the airport; the flight; the funeral and the flight home were encompassed with the usual Gibbs silence. And Tony expected nothing less. It wasn't until Gibbs pulled back into his drive way that evening that he decided to express his gratitude.

"Well night boss." Tony started towards his car with a wave.

"Hey DiNozzo…"

He shrugged. "You don't have to say it. I know."

Gibbs managed a smile. "Listen, about me yelling at you yesterday…"

"Yeah, I know you were just upset; it's understandable given the circumstance and all."

"Actually I was gonna say I forgot something." And with a swift slap to the back of the head Tony mirrored Gibbs smile.

"Thank you boss."

It was then Gibbs shook his head and placed a firm hand on Tony's shoulder before waving goodnight. "No DiNozzo, thank you."