Title: Best Friends the Best Kind of Brothers

Summary: After the memorial to Breena in the Squad-room, Jimmy turns to the one person he knows should have and would have been there. Tony. Based after Episode 18x07 The First Day. After Breena's memorial in the squad room.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: This came to me after re-reading some back and forth between myself and SoapDramaCrimeGirl. This is for you, Darl.

NCIS, Washington D.C. 2020

"Read your letter, Jim." Gibbs murmured in his ear, letting Jimmy turn to look at the photo that Gibbs had brought up on the plasma.

"Dear Breena, I'll never forget the first time we met. I heard your laugh from across the room and I knew. I've never felt anything like it before, to hear a laugh and know that your life will change forever. And then I saw you. I was stunned. B-Baby, they wouldn't let me see you. But I know that you can hear me now." Jimmy read the whole letter while trying to choke back the tears. The silence in the bullpen only broken by his words.

"I'll miss you, Breena. I love you. All my love, your ever-loving husband, Jimmy." He finished.

"That's was beautiful, Jimmy." Ellie said.

"Really nice." Nick agreed.

"That was so touching, Jimmy." Tim said. They all enveloped him in a group hug, even Jack joined in. They gave him all their support, even if they hadn't lost a lover like he did, they had known loss once in their lives so they knew how it felt to lose someone close to you.

Paris, 2020

"Hello?" Tony hadn't expected the call, he'd spoken to Tim on Wednesday and Gibbs Friday night. Abby had rung on Monday and he'd spoken briefly to Ellie on Tuesday. His dad had called Thursday – so who in the world was calling him on a Sunday?

"Tony?" The voice was unmistakable. The one person had hadn't spoken to since he'd left. But Tony could hear the note in the voice that didn't belong.

"Palmer. You sound upset – what's going on? Is it Breena? Vicky?" He asked, wanting to help his friend in anyway he could. He'd been there when Tim had called and told him about Morgan and John and Tony couldn't wait to see the twin in person.

"Breena. She…she got the virus." Jimmy whispered; Tony nearly missed it.

"Covid? Oh my God…do you need me there Jimmy? I'll be on the next red-eye to DC." Tony was nothing in not loyal. If Jimmy needed him, he was there, no questions asked, just like Jim had been for Tony when Gibbs had retired to Mexico.

"No, it's ok, Tony. You don't have to. I'm ok. I've got Tim and Kasie, Ellie and Nick. Dr Mallard and Gibbs. I'm ok." Jimmy insisted. He didn't want to disrupt what Tony had with Tali – he didn't want to take Tony from his home just because he was a little upset (okay his distraught but that's not the point).

"Jimmy…it's Breena…I mean – she is the love of your life." Tony pointed out, a little confused as to why Jimmy didn't want him there.

"I know she was, Tony. Believe me, I know. And I miss her like crazy. But I wanted you to know. Her family banned me from her funeral, so we had a little memorial here in the squad room." Jimmy said.
"Nice. I hear you have a few more members. You mentioned Kasie – but Jack Sloane I hear is another." Tony was going to help, even if he wasn't there.

"How do you know?" Jimmy didn't realize Tony's deflection tactic – removing his attention from Breena and to Kasie and Jack.

"Abby came to see us after Clayton's funeral. She was so happy to see us. I sent McGee some photos, you'll have to ask him to share." Tony said a smile growing on his face.

"I might just. Thanks, Tony." Jimmy said. He'd finally realized what Tony had done.

"Anytime, Jim." Tony said.

"Best friend ever." Jimmy grinned.

"Well, for you – the Goose to my Maverick…just without the dying." Tony laughed, making jimmy chuckle as well, the first real smile in weeks.

Tony looked up at the building he thought he'd never see again, Tali held tight to his hand. She was nearly as excited as he was nervous. He hoped they didn't have a case. Even if they did, he'd just sit down at his desk – no, it's Tim's desk now he told himself, and wait for them to return. Or he'd go straight down Autopsy and see if Jimmy was around. Failing that, it'd be down to Ducky's office – Tony knew that he'd been made Historian – Gibbs had told him about Ducky's new office and position and Tony bet Ducky loved it.

"Tony?!" He turned to see Ellie coming up behind him, "Oh my god! It's so good to see you!" She hugged him tightly, Tony laughed and hugged her back just as tightly.

"Good to see you too, Bishop. Tali, do you remember Ellie?" The girl shook her head, "no? That's ok. This is Ellie, one of Aba's friends." Tony said.

"Who are you here to see?" Ellie asked.

"Jimmy."

"Well, you know where to find him. Are you gonna come up and say hi?" Ellie asked.

"Of course, as long as you don't have a case. As soon as I'm done with Palmer, I'll be right up." Tony replied, like he'd miss seeing the team. Or at least the three he had missed seeing every day.

"Well, we do but there's no body and it's hard to find any leads. Be careful or you might get asked to help. I'll let it be a surprise. Come on, you can ride with me." Ellie grinned and after signing in as visitors and recording their info for contact tracing before getting a visitor's badge and joining Ellie with their masks (except Tali) in the elevator.

"The team – or at least Tim and Gibbs – will be so happy to see you!" Ellie said.

"I hope so. I know I spoke to Tim and I didn't say anything – so as long as you can keep a secret, Ellie. We should be find to surprise everyone. You've been practicing your 'surprise' haven't you, Tali?" Tony asked.

"Yep. Aba said that I had to say 'surprise' when we see Jimmy and then Uncle Tim and Uncle Leroy." Tali informed Ellie.

"Leroy?" Ellie hissed.

"Don't say anything. And act surprised when you see me and Tali." Tony whispered back.

"Got it. I'll see you guys later, ok?" Ellie grinned as she let them off the lift first at Autopsy.

The doors of Autopsy whooshed open but Jimmy didn't look up from where he was trying to pen an email to Tony and really didn't want to be disturbed. But he knew that he couldn't escape all the people in his building, Gibbs was bound to visit at some point, he always popped up at interesting times.

"Here we can observe the Autopsy Gremlin deep in thought as he contemplates what to write in the allusive email." Tony said, imitating David Attenborough, he drew a giggle form Tali who loved her father's impersonations.

"Tony, I really don't–" Jimmy stopped dead when what he'd said actually sank in.

"Surprise Jimmy!" Tali squealed.

"Tony! Tali!" Jimmy jumped up out of his seat, "What are you both doing here?"

"Surprising you!" Tali said as if it were obvious. Honestly how silly were Daddy's friends?

"Well, I'm very surprised!" Jimmy grinned down at the little girl.

"You didn't think you could tell me about Breena and not expect to see me?" Tony smiled.

"I told you…you didn't have to come out here. I'm fine." Jimmy sighed.

"You know what fine stands for, right?" Tony smirked.

"No." Jimmy shook his head with a wide grin.

"Freaked out, insecure, nervous, emotional." Tony said.

"That sounds like me." Jimmy nodded.

"Always here for you, Jimmy. Don't ever doubt that." Tony said.

"I never did, Tony." Jimmy replied, "you were always my second favourite person in this place…the first being Doctor Mallard."

Tony stepped off the elevator, after saying hi to Kasie, and held tight to Tali's hand. The squad room was filled with familiar noise. He glanced around and saw a few familiar faces and some new ones. But there were two he really wanted to see right now. Gibbs and McGee.

"Sitrep!" Gibbs snapped as he walked into the Bullpen, coffee in hand. Tony listened as McGee, Bishop and Torres updating Gibbs on their case. He missed the updates. That was one way to insert a joke here and there. He slowly made his way to the bullpen as Gibbs sat down.

"Tony!" Tim exclaimed getting to his feet and embracing the older man. Tony laughed as he returned the embrace.

"Good too see you, Tim! You're looking good." Tony said, chuckling.

"Uncle Tim!" came the indignant cry from Tali.

"And Tali!" Tim bent down to give the little girl a hug. He was amazed at how fast she seemed to be growing, "How old are you now?"

"7!" She told him proudly.

"Tony." The Italian turned and shared a grin with his old Boss.

"Hey, Gibbs. It's good to see you." Tony said.

"You look well Tony. Really good." Gibbs embraced his old friend and the smile the team saw was genuine.

"So, this the famous Tony?" Nick asked getting to his feet, Tony held out his hand.

"Tony DiNozzo." He said.

"Nick Torres." The Latino replied.

"Italian?" Tony asked.

"Latino." Nick replied.

"DiNozzo." He turned.

"Director Vance." The younger man smiled.

"Good timing. You got some time?" Vance asked.

Tony shared a look with Bishop, "Yeah, why you need my help? My rates are sky high." He warned.

"We'll work it out. Give it a try?" Vance asked, holding out a file to the Italian.

"No problem. Tell me what you got so far, McGee." Tony said.

A/N: I don't know if the US has 'Contact tracing' but here is Australia we do. So, I added it here. Basically – if you don't know – you record your name, phone number and date of visit and then if there is a breakout of Covid they can contact you to get tested. Simple and effective.

Also, I'm not completely happy with this, but it was the best I could do. I should write a completely free hand fic and try again…