[From Twilight]

Tony's POV:

"Are you sure you're up for this?" Gibbs asked. I was leaning against the back of the elevator, staring up at the ceiling…hoping that this ride would be over soon and stop my head from spinning.

"I've never felt better." I whispered out, not taking my eyes off the ceiling. It came out a little weaker than I had intended, but I'm not quite up to speed yet.

"Yea?"

"Yea." I reaffirmed weakly. Gibbs smirked as he turned back around.

"You look like crap." He told me. I looked at the back of his head with a wry smile.

"I missed you too boss." I told the man genuinely, understanding Gibbs' odd way of displaying affection. The fact that he was letting me even come to NCIS was saying a lot.

"You've got another week of sick leave coming Tony, you should take it." Gibbs told me seriously. I returned to staring back up at the ceiling. Like that's gonna happen.

"I was going crazy at home. Maybe I'm not 100% but….you need me." I told him, trying to convince myself as well as Gibbs. He just gave me an amused look, seeing right through me. Alright new tactic.

"Ok….what about Kate and McGee? They're practically lost without me." I tried hoping I'll get something.

"They've gotten more work done in the last two weeks than they have all year." Gibbs told me and walked out of the elevator. I was frozen in my spot, before coming to my senses and rushing after him.

"But what about Claire? At least she missed me, right?" I asked, scurrying after Gibbs. I hadn't heard from her since she left ICU once I was on the mend from the plague. She stayed with me the first night and then just….left. I mean I tried calling her but she never picked up, and she never came to visit me. It hurt a lot but I kept rationalizing that she had to have a good reason…..right? I hope everything was ok.

"Yea….something like that." Gibbs told me cryptically. What was that supposed to mean?

"I can't wait to see their faces!" I exclaimed and ducked down so they couldn't see me behind Gibbs. The looks on their faces are going to be priceless! I crouched down until I was in front of Kate's desk and hopped up like a little kid.

"Hi Kate!" I shouted with a broad grin before coughing a little from the outburst. Kate didn't even spare me a look as she swiveled in her chair and continued her phone call. I frowned. That's weird.

"It must be important." I muttered to myself. That had to be it. I looked up to see McGee making his way into the bullpen. He's not busy. As he approached I opened my arms wide for a hug.

"Probie, did you miss me? Long time no…." I started but trailed off as McGee walked right on past me without a word or even a glance. I let my arms drop to my side.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked pitifully. Kate didn't answer as she hung up the phone and walked past me to the front of Gibbs desk. I frowned and followed behind her like a lost puppy. Did nobody care that I was back? I glanced around for the person I knew would talk to me…but Claire wasn't anywhere to be found. What was going on here?

"Virginia state police just got a 911 call Gibbs. Two dead sailors." Kate told Gibbs.

"Where?" he asked.

"Right off route 17 in Fredericksburg." She told him, handing over the file. I shuffled on my feet anxious to get back on a case. Finally, I'll have something to do.

"Let's roll, gas the truck." Gibbs called, pulling the keys out of his desk. Ah this is where I come in.

"Sure…." I started with a smile and reached up for the keys Gibbs had tossed. However, my smile dropped as the keys went over me and landed in McGee's hands.

"Sure thing boss." McGee answered as the three of them rummaged around gathering their stuff. I stood in the middle of the room, thoroughly confused. What was going on here? Am I invisible now?

"Maybe I did die." I muttered. That had to be it, I died and this is just some alternate reality or something. Gibbs looked at me.

"Feel that?"

"Feel what?" I asked in confusion. Suddenly a force barreled into me from behind and knocked, what little breath I had out of me. Gibbs smirked as I let out a pained whine and looked down at the familiar hands that were wrapped around my waist. It felt good to be in her arms again. Wait…..what?

"You're still alive." Gibbs assured, taking in my breathless form. Well at least Claire still likes me. I smiled and turned to face her, expecting a waterfall of emotional blubbering about how much she missed me. Claire smiled at me for a second before suddenly glaring and punching me in the shoulder….hard. I yelped in pain and stared at her incredulously. Ok….. Maybe she didn't like me after all. Without a word, she walked off towards the elevators, with me staring after her in shock.

"Welcome back DiNozzo." Gibbs called as he followed after her. I just stood there dumbly in the middle of the room, cradling my bruising arm. What the hell was going on here?