[From: Hiatus 2]

...

Tony's POV:

I trudged up to the familiar house, thankful that all this mess was done for the day. Director Shepherd had given the team…my team…a few days off to sort out this whole change of command. I sent everyone else home early while I stayed behind to do some of the paperwork involved. It was surreal. Sure, I could talk a big game about taking charge but I never imagined Gibbs would actually leave. If anything, I would expect to take command after Gibbs went in a hail of gunfire or something of that nature. After all this turmoil I had going on, I knew I couldn't go home alone. Reaching the door I took out the key and unlocked it, setting my bags and jacket on the rack behind the door. I frowned at the dark house, the only lights coming from the living room. Slowly I walked in to spot Claire curled up on the couch with a sad expression. I took an extra moment to glance around at what was scattered near her and looked at the movie playing. I knew this mood and I was more than happy to ride it out with her.

"You must be pretty despondent over this huh?" I asked. She jerked in alarm, clutching her chest before weakly glowering at me.

"I'm not despondent." She protested with a pout.

"Claire, I know you. Right now you and I both know that you just need a real cry." I softly corrected, making my way over to the couch. She frowned cutely and crossed her arms defiantly.

"I do not need 'a real cry'" she defended. I smirked in amusement. I always did like stubborn women.

"Claire you're in your pj's wrapped in your giant snuggly blanket, you have wine and a tub of ice cream on the table. To top it all off you're watching Titanic, which you always watch when you want to cry but don't want to admit it." I listed off, gesturing to each point as I did. Whenever she would was truly broken over something she would go through this ritual. Snuggling on the couch. Drinking wine so she would loosen up. Ice cream is a standard comfort food. And Titanic. That in itself was very unique to her. She knew the movie made her cry so she would put it on to convince herself that it was the only reason she had cried that night. Claire hated to admit that she got emotional over 'trivial' things. I smiled as she glanced around, realizing that I truly did know her that well. With a sigh, her lip trembled and she looked up at me with that sad face, nearly breaking my heart.

"Fine I'm upset. Care to join me?" she asked hopefully.

"I wouldn't miss it." I assured her before heading to her room to grab some sweats. I'm sure some would say it stroked my manly ego to have her so dependent on me during her times of weakness. I'll admit that its some of it but I genuinely loved being the shoulder she cried on. I was one of the handful of people that have ever seen this side of her and that was a privilege I strived to honor. Once I was dressed I made my way over towards her and situated myself under the blanket. Instantly she shifted so that I was propped against the arm of the couch with her nestled tight against me. I reached to take a sip out of her wine glass before turning my attention to the movie. I wrapped my arms around her, giving her a sense of comfort and protection as she worked through the emotions that would eventually come out. It was the least I could do for her. She had my back all day at work so I was damned determined to be there for her at night when she needed the support. So when she cried over Gibbs, conveniently at the moment Jack lets go, I'll be there for her. And when the morning comes that we have to be back at work, I know she'll be there for me when I need her to be. This whole team leader idea was a lot less daunting knowing I had her in my corner.