Warning: … some people may need a tissue …

"Anyone sitting there?"

"Just my invisible friend."

"What?"

"D'you see anyone sitting there?"

"No … but I was …"

"Damn it, sit down before you fall down!"

Tony sat down on the park bench. He felt he should have had a better comeback to his brusque fellow occupant of the seat, but all his energies were currently being used to keep upright. "Thanks," he said.

"You OK?" asked his companion, noticing the other man's pallor.

"Yes. Or rather no, but I will be. First day out today."

"Ever?" came the amused reply.

"Feels like it," said Tony, "I bust my leg a few weeks ago and cracked my skull. I made it to just one crutch yesterday, so I could come out."

"Huh."

"I'm Tony by the way. Tony DiNozzo."

"Gibbs, Jethro Gibbs."

"Pleased to meet you … Gibbs," said Tony. Somehow, he felt that Jethro would be too informal at the moment.

Gibbs nodded, "Dogs seem to be getting on," he pointed to the patch of grass in front of them where an elderly Labrador Retriever was being tugged at by a German Shepherd puppy. As they watched, the puppy seized the older dog's ear and was then cuffed across the head for its troubles.

"Oops," said Tony, "Sorry."

Gibbs shrugged, "They're all right. I'm guessing that's why you had to wait until you could walk with just one crutch before you came out?"

"Yeah. She wouldn't have understood it if I'd left her behind," said Tony. "She was getting as stir-crazy as me, but I needed a hand free for the lead!"

Gibbs nodded again. If Tony had been shut up indoors for some time it made sense that he was willing to talk to anyone he met.

The two watched their dogs wrestle and play, although truth to tell, it was the puppy who was playing while the Labrador mostly put up with it, occasionally delivering a warning bark or headbutt.

"I never realised how good the sun felt," said Tony, closing his eyes and lifting his face to the sun. "And the smell of grass … Sorry, I'm rambling. Guess the cabin fever was worse than I realised!"

"You're all right," said Gibbs, "Been there, done that … well, perhaps not so much with the chattering … but I know how you feel."

"Thanks," said Tony, "Although the people who know me would probably tell you that I don't need to be suffering from cabin fever to talk people to death. It's sort of a habit. Tell me to shut up if you want to."

"Would it work?" asked Gibbs curiously.

Tony thought about this, "Might do. Might not … or it might for a few moments but then I'd forget."

Gibbs shrugged, "I can always get up and go if I don't like it," he pointed out calmly.

Tony grinned and closed his eyes again and sniffed once more. A contented but arrested look showed on his face and he opened his eyes to look in the direction of the aroma he had just caught. His face fell when he saw that the coffee shop was about 100 yards away, beyond his reach. He sighed.

Gibbs had smelled the same smell and saw Tony's resigned look, "You want a coffee?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine," said Tony unconvincingly.

"Hey, the people who know me would probably tell you that it's dangerous for me to be without regular supplies of caffeine. I'm going to get one for myself – you want one?"

"Yes, please," said Tony. "Cappuccino."

"Sugar?"

"Three, please. Here, I've got the money."

"Later," said Gibbs, "Keep an eye on Nell for me."

"Nell?"

"My dog."

"Oh, yes – I should have worked that out. I think she's pretty much wrapped up with Flora at the moment."

Gibbs nodded his agreement; the dogs had calmed down now and were lying in a contented canine cuddle.

A few minutes later, Gibbs and Tony were sitting with their drinks in a companionable silence. Uncharacteristically, Gibbs broke the silence,

"How long are you going to be on that crutch?"

Tony frowned, "A few weeks. The doc says it might not ever get back to full strength …"

"Huh," said Gibbs sympathetically.

"But it probably will," said Tony, "They're just being cautious. And I haven't been fired, so that's a good sign."

"Why would you be fired?"

"I'm an FBI agent, work in the field. Not much call for field agents who can only walk like a crippled crab and can't run after the bad guys," said Tony with an attempt at lightness.

"I guess," said Gibbs. "But there'd be other work you could do, wouldn't there?"

"Don't know," said Tony, "Seeing as I didn't work out that Nell was your dog's name, I'd say that my investigative skills are a bit suspect at the moment."

"You'll get there," said Gibbs.

"I hope so," said Tony. "Don't think I'd be good behind a desk."

For a moment, it looked as if Gibbs was going to say something, but he took a swallow of coffee instead and silence resumed.

"You need a hand up?" asked Gibbs as Tony seized his crutch in preparation for leaving.

"No. But if you could grab Flo's lead that would be great," said Tony as he manoeuvred his way to his feet.

Gibbs obligingly picked up the lead, waited till Tony was steady on his feet and then handed it to him.

"Come on, Flo," said Tony, "Time to leave your new friend."

Nell whined when she saw that Flora was going and Flora nudged her gently in farewell.

"Might see you again, Gibbs," said Tony.

"I'm here most days."

Tony nodded and limped off with Flora going at his pace. Gibbs turned to the puppy,

"Want to play fetch?" he asked.

XXXXXX

It was no surprise to either Gibbs or Tony that they met on the same bench at the same time the next day although they didn't greet one another as effusively as their dogs did.

"How old is Flo?" asked Gibbs.

"14," said Tony.

"Ah," said Gibbs as he understood the reason for the sadness in Tony's voice. 14 was a good age for a Labrador and Flo looked her age.

"She's OK though," said Tony, "She's slow but she's happy. The vet says I'll know when it's time to let her go."

"You had her long?"

"Since she was a pup. She moved with me to three police forces and then to the FBI. I guess it's not the most sensible thing to have done but I've always found people to look after her while I'm working."

"A dog's a good friend," agreed Gibbs.

"This'll sound stupid …"

"Maybe … maybe not," said Gibbs agreeably.

"… but I think Flo kept me going when I was out of action. Seeing her want me to get better, seeing her want me to take her for a walk – well, it made me want to get better even when things got pretty dark."

"I don't think that's stupid," said Gibbs.

"And I don't think I could have managed with a puppy. Flo kept me going, she's a gentle lady, I think we've got the same energy levels but a pup like Nell would have worn me out."

"She does a pretty good job at wearing me out," said Gibbs ruefully.

Almost without Tony noticing it, Gibbs got the coffees in and bought donuts too. He reached into his pocket and drew out some doggy treats. "All right to give Flo one of these?" he asked.

"Go ahead," said Tony, "She hasn't exactly got a weight problem at the moment."

Gibbs nodded, thinking that Flo had a lot in common with her owner.

"What do you do, Gibbs?" asked Tony, feeling guilty that he had seemed to be talking about himself all the time.

"I work for NCIS," he said, "Used to be a field agent but I've just come back from an assignment in Europe."

"Cool," said Tony, "So you going to be based in DC?"

"Probably."

"Field Agent?" there was a wistful edge to Tony's voice.

Gibbs grimaced, "Probably not. I'm more likely to be training newbies."

"Why? I mean, why not a field agent?"

Gibbs pointed to his knee, "My knee's shot. It's good enough for most things but …"

"Not for running crooks down," supplied Tony. "Guess we've got more in common than our dogs liking each other."

"You don't know that yet," said Gibbs sternly, "You said the doc's hopeful. You need to believe him."

"Her," corrected Tony. "I guess. But how do you feel about not being out in the field?"

"It sucks," said Gibbs bluntly.

"Then why do it?"

"I'd rather be doing something … something still connected with catching the bad guys than sitting at home staring at the walls. Training might not be what I signed up for, but I reckon I could do it … and like I said, what's the alternative?"

"I guess," said Tony bleakly.

XXXXXX

As the days went by, Gibbs, Tony, Flo and Nell continued to meet up. Nell was growing fast while Flo was getting slower and slower. Tony was getting stronger every day and more optimistic about a return to work – Gibbs was Gibbs, seemingly unchangeable.

"What did the vet say?" asked Gibbs as he sipped on the coffee which Tony had been able to bring to him.

Tony looked sadly at Flo. She sensed him looking at her and woofed a tired woof. Nell seemed to know that boisterous play was out of the question and simply lay down beside her protectively. Tony cleared his throat,

"He said there's nothing wrong with her apart from being very old. She's in no pain, just getting weaker."

Gibbs nodded, there didn't seem to be anything else to say.

Next day, Gibbs and Nell waited half an hour longer than usual for Tony and Flo. Gibbs was about to start Nell's game of fetch when he saw Tony limping up towards them. Nell barked in delight and ran to meet him but then barked in puzzlement when she saw that Tony was alone. Tony stooped to pat Nell,

"Hello there, girl. Good girl!"

He sat down next to Gibbs as Nell continued to dance around him barking.

"Quiet, Nell," ordered Gibbs. The puppy subsided and sat looking mournfully at Tony. "Tony?" asked Gibbs.

"She died just after we got back from the park yesterday," said Tony with a catch in his voice. "She went to her basket, licked my hand … and then she went."

"I'm sorry, Tony," said Gibbs.

"It was a great way to go," said Tony. "She'd met up with her friends, had a great day and then just went to sleep."

"Doesn't make it any easier," said Gibbs. "She was a good dog."

"Yes, she was," said Tony. His eyes were red, but he managed to keep talking, "And I know it's for the best. And I didn't have to make a decision at all. I guess she was considerate to the end."

Nell whined and pushed her head into Tony's hand, imploring him to stroke her. Tony didn't say much more, but simply smoothed the young dog's head over and over.

XXXXXX

Tony continued to meet up with Gibbs and Nell each day at the park and would stay a little longer than before to join in the game of fetch. One day, about a month after Flora's death, Tony arrived without a crutch.

"No crutch," observed Gibbs.

"Good observational skills, Agent Gibbs. You really should pass those on to your new agents!"

Gibbs grinned back but didn't rise to Tony's teasing. "I guess it's a good sign?"

"Yes. The Doctor was pleased. Said I can go back to work next week. Not full-time yet, and not back into the field but she says it should just be a matter of time."

"Good," said Gibbs.

"Yes," said Tony, "I think I kept my cool when she told me … but I did kiss her and her nurse when I left."

"She good looking?" asked Gibbs.

"Actually, very," said Tony as if it had only just occurred to him.

"And the nurse?"

"I guess … although it would have been better if he'd shaved!"

Gibbs laughed. He knew what it was like to be side-lined through injury and he could picture Tony's relief at being told he would get better.

Tony laughed too but then sobered himself, "You know, Gibbs, I want to thank you."

"What for?"

"Listening … not being judgemental. I think I needed that."

"I didn't do anything," protested Gibbs.

"I think you did … you knew I was worried, but you didn't make me feel stupid about it. And you gave me hope, made me see that life wouldn't end if I couldn't go back in the field."

Gibbs shrugged, "You'd have got there in the end."

"Maybe," said Tony doubtfully. "And thank you for making Flo's last days happy."

"What?"

"She loved being with you … and Nell. At times, it was almost that she was young again herself."

"That's down to Nell," said Gibbs.

"No …"

"Enough, Tony," said Gibbs firmly. "If you want to thank me, go and get me a coffee!"

"All right," said Tony after a pause. "If that's what you want."

"It is."

When Tony returned with the coffee, they fell into a companionable silence until Gibbs spoke,

"So, you going to get another dog?"

Tony sighed, "I don't know. I've been thinking about it. I miss Flo … but it feels kind of disloyal. What do you think?"

"Flora was an understanding sort of dog. And she loved you … I don't think she'd mind."

"A friend's Labrador has just had pups. She offered me one of the litter - I went along to have a look … but I don't know. They were cute … but I didn't get one."

Gibbs released a big breath, "Good," he said, "'Cos you've already got a dog!"

"What?" demanded Tony, "What are you talking about, Gibbs?"

Gibbs pointed to Nell, "She's yours!"

"Gibbs, I can't take Nell! She's your dog. It's kind of you … but I couldn't take her."

"No," said Gibbs firmly, "She's yours! Take her!"

"But …"

"Don't argue, DiNozzo!" said Gibbs firmly. "She's always been your dog."

"What? I don't understand."

"Your Boss, Tobias …"

"You know Fornell?"

"Old buddy … we've known each other a long time. He told me what was going on …"

"What?" said Tony faintly.

"That you were beat up but getting better. And that he was worried about you … and so was the rest of your team …"

"I don't believe this," said Tony.

"They knew that Flo was coming to the end and they didn't want you to be on your own … so they had a collection and bought Nell. They thought you wouldn't want another Lab – might have felt you were just replacing Flora, so they got a German Shepherd."

"But …"

"Knew you wouldn't be up to looking after a pup while you were on crutches … and wouldn't want to while Flora was still around."

"So, you agreed to look after her until I could?" said Tony.

"Yep. Tobias said you'd probably walk with Flora in this park, so I came and waited for you. We figured you could get used to Nell … and by the time you were ready for her, she'd have calmed down some."

"And I'm guessing that Fornell thought some Gibbs wisdom wouldn't go amiss either," said Tony shrewdly.

"Don't know about that," said Gibbs. "So, do you want her?"

"You sure?" asked Tony, beginning to hope that the Flo sized hole in his life might be filled a little by Nell.

"Never surer," said Gibbs. "Here," and he held out her lead, "Got her toys and stuff in my truck outside the gate. You can pick them up."

"Thank you, Gibbs. Come on, girl. Let's play fetch," said Tony, looking happier than Gibbs had ever seen him. "Hey," he said to Gibbs in sudden worry, "We'll still see you, won't we? Nell would miss you … and so would I."

"Sure," said Gibbs, "And if you ever need a dog sitter …"

"You're on," said Tony. He held out his hand to Gibbs, "Thank you … again."

"No problem," said Gibbs, shaking the hand.

Tony gave a mock groan, "And I guess this means I'll have to thank Fornell too!

Gibbs gave his characteristic shrug, "Never hurts to be on the right side of the Boss."

Tony didn't answer. Gibbs noticed that he had the look on his face which meant that he was working something out. Finally, he said thoughtfully,

"Nell … Nell …"

Nell sat down and looked at her new master adoringly.

"Nell," repeated Tony. "Gibbs, is Nell short for Fornell?"

Gibbs shrugged. Tony laughed. Nell barked.