Tony managed a hard grin towards Ducky as he got off the elevator and headed to the garage. "Good evening to you!" he waved as Tony stalked off to his car. Frowning, Ducky punched the button to take him to the bullpen.
Seeing no one around, he approached Jethro who still sat at his desk thumbing through files.
"Hey, Duck!" Jethro looked up surprised but happy to see his friend. "What'cha got?"
"Nothing case related, I'm afraid, Jethro. I wanted to talk to you about Anthony."
"What about him?" Jethro's demeanor was nonchalant though there was a heavy air around him that indicated he knew something about what he was going to be told.
"What did you say to him? He looked, for better lack of a phrase, like someone just kicked his puppy."
Jethro stood to full height behind his desk and bristled. "I told him he was irreplaceable."
Ducky looked perplexed.
"And then told McGee to move from his desk, that we'd found him alive."
"Oh, Jethro!" Ducky's voice held all the recrimination Jethro felt after saying those words. "Do not trifle with the boy's feelings! You know how he adores you!"
"I know, Duck, I know" He wiped his hand over his face. "I can't let the others know how I feel. I can't play favorites with my team!"
"While I understand, everyone knows he is your favorite by virtue of being hand picked by you to be on this team! That boy is as loyal as a St. Bernard. He'd do anything you asked of him."
"That's not the problem. I know he has my six and everyone's on this team."
"Oh, you haven't, have you?"
Jethro looked into Ducky's eyes, nodded once and immediately adverted his gaze.
"When?"
He looked Ducky straight on, "First time we met, Baltimore. He tackled me and pulled his gun and I swear he was half grinning the whole time."
"Then go to him and let him know. What happens after can be figured out later. How did you feel when you got his call?"
"I was terrified." Gibbs admitted.
"I'm not certified in psychology, but I can imagine he will do this to you more times than you can count. Are you ready for that?"
"No. But I want to protect him, let him know he isn't alone."
"Then go to him, share with him what you've shared with me. You won't be disappointed, I promise."
~~~~~~~~~~NCIS~~~~~~~~~~
An urgent knocking at his door roused Tony from his half-sleep state. He got up and peered through the peephole to see Gibbs standing there.
As he unlatched the last of the locks and opened the door, Gibbs pushed his way through and slammed the door shut, pushing him against it, covering his body with his own. Holding his face still, he looked into his eyes, "Don't ever scare me like that again".