Later the same day:

Tony had sunglasses on when he stepped of the plane and rubbed his temples with one of his hands for a moment. He heard Derek say "You're not looking so good cowboy. Think you need some sleep."

He replied "I need Penelope and a hug and then yeah flat on my back."

Derek said "Who's Zoe Keates?"

He replied "She's a friend of mine from Philly. She is subletting my apartment until she finds something, hers burned down. She's looked at a few places but none will take her cat Glock in the deal."

Derek nodded. "Just finished one of my property remodels a few weeks ago. If she's interested text her the picture with my number. I'm pet friendly for whoever wants to rent or own one of my places."

Tony said "Here is her work number." He gave Derek her card and said "She's also not in a relationship right now, could get a new friend out of the deal."

Derek smiled. "Always up for a new friend."

Tony headed slowly toward the entrance of the building looking pale and like he needed to sleep.

When he got inside he saw Penelope had light blue in her hair and smiled. "Hey lucky penny."

She replied "Hello angelfish, someone needs a hug."

He smiled a little. "Yes I do and your soft comfortable bed."

"I can do both", she said. She hugged him gently for a minute and felt his body relax. "

Hotch said "Take him home and get him some rest Garcia."

She nodded. "Will do my liege."

Hotch smiled. "What have I told you about nicknames like that Penelope?"

"That they were only to be used in my lair, off duty or on the phone." She smiled.

He said "We're lucky to have you. "

She smiled. "I know, by the way the drug task force needs my cyber brilliance next month for a few days. Apparently one of their techs gave notice yesterday. I can handle them and you if needed."

He said "Let me call Gonzalez and see what's going on. For now go home and have some down time. The team is on stand down for the next 48 effective immediately."
They all headed to their cars then.

Tony handed Penelope his keys and said "Do you want to drive?"

She nodded. "Sure."

He said "This Mustang is automatic. Last one was a stick." He sighed because he still missed that car.

She touched his face. "Let's get you home sugar bear."

He got into the passenger seat and leaned his head back. "Need to close my eyes a little honey."

She started the car and touched his hand gently. "I understand."

After a while they were at Penelope's place. Tony walked inside and felt his stomach turn over. "Think I need your bathroom for a few minutes."

She said "Poor baby."

He came out a few minutes later as the toilet flushed and his face looked pale and his eyes were watery.

"Need to shut down for a while baby."

She touched his shoulder. "Go ahead, I washed that shirt that you like the other day. I know it's special to you."

He said "Thank you a friend gave it to me on a case." He smiled a little thinking of when Paula had given him the shirt with the Superman emblem on it. She had said it was for when he wanted to act like he was but maybe had a wrinkled cape.

Then he went to the bedroom slowly and crawled into the king-sized bed. She had put his favorite sheets on her bed as well as a certain plum colored fuzzy blanket. He curled up and his head was under the pillows but out enough so he could breathe.

Then Penelope picked up her cell phone when he had surrendered to sleep and his headache. She pushed four on her speed dial and then Gibbs answered.

"Gibbs. Oh hello Garcia."

She replied "Hi back, I was wondering did Tony ever get headaches at NCIS, where he had to go home or after a bad case?"

"After we lost Kate." he replied. "Then when I went to Mexico on him. "He sighed, "Does he have one now?"

She replied "He is asleep, his stomach was upset earlier too. Says it's a five on the scale of one to ten."

Gibbs sighed. "Well I am guessing this crap with his "father" didn't help matters for him. When Tony feels emotional or overtired they happen. Keep me informed. He has had worse ones that put him in the ER with oxygen and an IV overnight. Ducky can give him a shot if you think he needs that."

She said "I am hoping sleep helps but if it gets worse I'll take him in myself. That man should not be called a father. You're the one who matters to Tony Gibbs."

He was quiet for a minute. "You're good for him Penelope. He knows not to waste that."

She smiled. "Thank you, sometime I would like the three of us to have dinner so I can get to know you more."

He said "When you get Tony back on his feet, let me know."

"I will do that." Then she hung up and went to check on Tony again.

He was having a dream when she went in. "But Dad, mom said I could have any toy I wanted for getting a good report card. I know it's a stuffed lion." "Why did you do that?" Then tears slid down his face slowly.

Penelope moved closer and put her hand on his back gently. "I'm right here Tony. Get it out."

He sniffed. "Dinozzo men don't cry."

"You need to, it will help. You were having a pretty intense dream."

He blinked. "My mom had taken me out for the day to have lunch and I got a milkshake. Then she said because my report card was so good between first and second grade I could have any toy I wanted in FAO Schwartz. I found a stuffed lion that I named Roar. I was almost seven. When I got home with him and Senior found out he threw him against the wall and his tail ripped. He said it was a sissy toy and his son was not having a stuffed animal in his bed." Tony swallowed. "Our nanny Tina fixed the tail and gave him back to me. He's still in my closet on the shelf."

Penelope hugged him. "Oh my sweet angelfish."

He said "I don't know why I remembered that today, I had forgotten it pretty much."

"You miss your mom. I know, I miss mine all the time. I take a week off work when the well time comes around."

He held her hand. "Thank you for listening. I should talk about this stuff more. Might be better if I got some of it out."

She ran her fingers through his hair. "Rest."