The steady thrum of the engine stopped as he heard the key turn off. He opened his door and stepped out onto the road, hearing the corresponding 'snick' that informed him that Gibbs had done the same.
He could hear traffic noises, a low constant roar, random in its deviations from the norm. Probably would fit the textbook definition of noise: random, stochastic. Depending, of course, on what textbook you asked. He had learned some things after hanging around Abby and Ducky for so long.
There was a wind. It rattled a flattened can on the sidewalk. Footsteps, his own and Gibbs', echoed off the buildings.
Their footsteps echoed loudly as he chased Lieutenant Parker.
They'd reached the fence, neither speaking. He could hear a T.V. playing some game show, clapping and cheering. The fence was covered with graffiti.
Parker climbed the fence. His mind stopped for a fleeting second to appreciate the way that the human form fitted in with the artwork that was the fence, before he too was helping to create living art.
He looked down the alleyway that ran parallel to the fence. The buildings loomed over it, creating a shadowy tunnel. He heard the flapping of wings, thought he caught a glimpse of a cloaked figure.
He stepped up to the fence, feeling his heart rate increasing, hoping that Gibbs wouldn't hear it. He had to pass this test; Gibbs had to know that he was trustworthy.
He grabbed hold of the fence, pulled himself up and looked down.
He realised his error too late; saw Parker clinging like a limpet to the other side of the fence. He reached out with his right hand, trying to stop his fall. His fingers briefly grasped the fence before the weight of his dropping body wrenched them away.
The world shifted underneath him for a moment, before settling again. He took several deep breaths, calming his heart rate. He noticed that there was another figure on the fence beside him, Gibbs. He was peering down, his face blank. Dealing with his own demons, he supposed, if he had any.
He looked back down. It was a fairly large drop, definitely explained why it had hurt so much. He sniggered, and ignored the fact that Gibbs had turned to look at him. Gibbs nodded, before stepping down from the fence. He followed, stopping once again to look at the graffiti.
It wasn't your run of the mill tagging, it was more akin to art. Admittedly, modern art that you would probably find in some low-level government building. There was a metal plaque a few feet away, at eye level. He went over to it and burst out laughing after reading it. He heard Gibbs returning, and turned to catch his reaction. Gibbs smiled and laughed silently, before heading back to the car.
He looked again at the plaque, shaking his head with bemusement. He walked to the car, trying to figure out exactly who was responsible for it. It was probably Abby, it fitted in with her sense of humour. The soft roar of the car's engine started up as he opened the door. He glanced at Gibbs as he got in, there was still a faint hint of a smile around his eyes, but there was something else there too. Something that reassured him that he was not the only one who had dealt with their demons. He was filled with the realisation that he mattered. Not what he did, but him. The feeling lasted a fleeting moment, a brief interlude from the monotony of the noise that was his life.
"Back to work, DiNozzo. Don't let your fame go to your head." Gibbs smirked as the car moved off.
"No, Boss." He'd have to come back with a camera, Dianne would get a kick out of it.
"DiNozzo's Leap, indeed," Gibbs muttered. "More like DiNozzo's Folly."
"Love you too, Boss."
Gibbs hit him on the back of the head.
A/N: Yes, I know I said that this was finished before, but it really is this time. And who is Dianne? Maybe I'll explain in the future, but then again, maybe not. Thanks to all that have reviewed, and hopefully in the not too distant future I'll have some more stories for you to read! Thanks again to Kat31 for betaing. Love you, sis.