Tag to Episode 7:21 Obsession. LOTS OF SPOILERS so if you haven't seen the episode, you might now want to read. My thoughts on the episode: It was another one that disturbed me. Didn't mind the Tony thing so much, as my slashy heart could find lots of hints and clues in it (as you'll read here). I still loathe Mallison Hart and want her to die. Totally see where the end of season is going, too.

Anyway, tell me what you think of this episode tag. It is in my "Taken" universe, and isn't a jolly, happy story. All mentions of he, him, or his are Gibbs, and all italics are memories. Also, some dialogue is verbatim from the show.

Taken: Obsession

The wood calmed him. The rhythm of sanding and shaping allowed part of his mind to focus on the wood as the other still turned, allowing issues to become clearer and events to focus. He turned the plank over, rubbing a hand to find the rough spots, frowning as he noticed more tonight than he imagined.

Just like in this case. More rough spots to smooth. It should have been simple—a dead naval office, a missing sister, a notorious Soviet agent. All in a day's work. But then again, nothing was simple when Tony was involved.

He wasn't afraid. He hadn't ever thought it was real. It was just Tony, and some things had to be allowed.

He picked up the sanding block, glancing at the nearby saw horse, his mind returning to a few nights ago.

It was after 1:30 when he'd locked the door and climbed the stairs, thinking about what M. Allison Hart had told him regarding Dana Hutton. How the reporter was scared…but of what? Defense contractors? Would they have killed her brother? Had Lt. Hutton given his sister defense department documents, and could that be the reason she was on the run? He entered into the bedroom, pulling off his tee shirt and shoes. A hazy light spilled from around the curtains, illuminating the bed slightly. He slipped under the covers, his arms automatically opening as Tony turned toward him, snuggling close and waking a bit.

"Hey, Boss," Tony said, voice sleep rough.

"Hey," he said, holding Tony tighter and brushing a kiss on his head.

"Was someone here?"

"Yeah…nothing to worry about."

"M'kay."

As always, he was touched by Tony's total trust in him. He wondered about his own trust. He'd noticed Tony's interest in this case, and that it seemed a bit more intense than usual. He knew Tony would talk to him when he was ready. Pulling the younger man closer to him, he closed his eyes. He also knew he had to tell the team what Hart had said, that Dana Hutton might be involved more than just a missing person, that she might be involved criminally.

He licked his thumb, running it over the wood he'd just sanded, nodding in satisfaction the imperfection was gone. He started work on another section, slowly rubbing with the grain, the movements allowing his mind to shift again to the just completed case, again to an issue with Tony…

He watched as Ziva moved away from the plasma screen, a look of concern on her face. She turned to him.

"Gibbs…have you talked to Tony?"

He nodded. "Late, last night. Why?"

"He went to ZNN again," Ziva explained. "Tony got physical with Dana Hutton's producer." The concerned look on her face turned to worry. "I think he may be obsessed with this woman."

He suddenly realized the worry Ziva was showing was for him, not Tony.

Satisfied with the sanding, he slipped the plank into the hot box and picked up another one. Before starting, he poured some bourbon into his chipped mug, taking a drink of the strong alcohol, remembering late yesterday afternoon.

"Boss." Tony came to him as he snapped his phone shut. "I have to go."

He just raised his eyebrows in question, needing more, wondering if he'd get it. Tony's gaze never faltered and he knew. "Bring her back here," he instructed, turning once again to search the bookstore.

So Tony had brought Dana Hutton back, and they'd found the money in the store, but discovered the awful truth, that Dana had been poisoned, too. He'd watched as Tony's face paled as the younger man gazed at the small pink mark on Dana's arm. He noticed everyone's eyes turn to Tony in sympathy, even Ziva.

"Tony," he said, pulling out his own phone. "Take her to Bethesda. I'm calling ahead."

"Boss…" Tony hesitated.

"Go," he ordered, reaching down to squeeze his hand briefly. He stood watching them leave the store before turning to his other agents.

"Ziva, McGee, you two go as well. I want you both checked out from head to toe."

"What about you, Gibbs?" Ziva asked.

"I'll get Ducky to check me out," he explained. "Have Tony looked at, too. Tell him it's an order." He turned away as his call was answered.

His agents were fine, and his lucky find of the micro fiche solved the murder cases. Which only left Tony.

The object of his thoughts came slowly down the stairs, pacing across the floor to the work bench.

"How'd it go?" he asked.

"Well, she went peacefully."

"You okay?"

"Not really." Tony moved to sit down on the saw horse.

He shook out the nails from a jar and poured the bourbon, handing the glass to Tony before refilling his own mug. He bent his back, stretching tired muscles and bones. And he waited.

"I broke Rule Number Ten…again," Tony said softly. "`Never get personally involved with a case.'"

He took a drink before answering. "Yeah…the rule I've always had the most trouble with."

Tony looked puzzled as his registered. "Rule Ten? But I thought…"

"You though Rule Twelve?" Tony nodded. "Rule Twelve was easy to break, Tony, and good riddance to it," he continued, leaning down and kissing Tony softly. "As times goes on Rule Ten is harder and harder to follow. They all seem personal nowadays."

Tony's eyes were bright as they locked with his. "I didn't love her, Boss," he confessed.

"I know, Tony,"

"But there was something…I can't explain."

"I know that, too."

He moved closer to allow Tony to wrap his arms around his waist. He felt Tony turn his head into his chest, felt the small shiver turn to a shake, and grasped Tony tighter as the tears fell.