A/N: Sorry for the missed updates. Had to take some mental health days and afterwards my laptop was throwing a temper tantrum.

The Italian in this chapter comes from Google translate so if it does not say what it's supposed to say just deal with it, it's all in good fun.

I do not own NCIS or it's characters, all mistakes are proudly my own or a result from auto(in)correct.

Also a big thank you for all those that left me a review, I really appreciate it and it keeps the plot bunnies running!


Chapter 22

Vivian had been a member of the team for a month now.

While her first impression of the team had not changed a bit she had to admit there was more to them.

Gibbs is indeed an impatient grade A bastard but somehow get's away with it.

She thinks it's because he's that way to everybody.

Abby is great at her job and a good soul, Vivian just wished she would calm down a little.

Ducky was by far the most normal of the team however he could be rather longwinded.

And then there is DiNozzo…

She can't deny that he's a capable agent and easy on the eye.

His flirting seems to be something ingrained in his being rather than sexist.

Even though she knows these things she just can't stand the guy.

The constant teasing, the flirting the…the… she doesn't know.

The man has more layers than an onion and if she hates something it's a person she can't read.

And then there is the bond DiNozzo and Gibbs seem to share.

She knows DiNozzo started at NCIS shortly before she came and while Gibbs seems to accept her presence he doesn't trust her like seems to trust DiNozzo.

Why would a man like Gibbs, trust a guy like DiNozzo this fast.

She walks into the bullpen and catches the end of Gibbs' and Dinozzo's conversation.

'Bring desert.'

'Don't I always?'

She sees Gibbs smile at Dinozzo and she gaps for breath.

They're gay!

They are sleeping together and are trying to keep anyone from figuring it out!

Gibbs growl and headslaps DiNozzo to keep others from noticing and DiNozzo flirts with everything in a skirt to maintain a cover!

She doesn't care if they're sleeping together, along as they keep it out of the office.

Maybe she should let them know that she supports them.

Blackadder walks towards her desk.

'We done for the day?'

'Yeah.'

She grabs her bag and looks at the men.

'Just so you know, I know and I don't mind if anyone else asks you'll have my support,' she says and walks away.


Gibbs and Tony look at each other weirdly not understanding.

'Support us? Support us with what?'

Gubbs shrugs.

'Don't know. Be at my place in sixty.'

'Sixty minutes, on it boss,' he says and rushes towards the elevator leaving a smiling Gibbs behind. Still wondering what Vivian thinks she knows.

Tony drives home thinking about Blackadder words but shrugs it off as he arrives at his place.

He has a nice tiramisu in his fridge that he's planning on bringing.

Kelly had loved tiramisu long before they had met, now that she had tasted his own home made tiramisu she was positively addicted and now Shannon had been telling him he had to make it for her too.'

He would take a quick shower and change his clothes.

The team would be off tomorrow so maybe he'd ask Kelly to stay the night.

He opens his door with a soft smile on his face.

He acts like a lovesick teenager and that's exactly how he feels.

He wants nothing more than to see her, hold her hand, carry her grocery's inside hear her voice.

He never saw it coming.

as soon as he steps foot inside his apartment a heavy object meets the back of his head and he falls to the floor.

Before he loses consciousness he hears a familiar voice.

'consideralo un avvertimento. Agente DiNozzo.'


'Hey mom, dad,' she says as she enters her parents' house.

She kisses her parents on their cheeks and looks around.

'Where is Tony?'

'Not here yet, I thought he would be coming with you since he is late.'

'No I haven't spoken him today.'

Gibbs frowns and grabs his phone hitting #3 on his speed dial.

Kelly looks questioningly at her father who shakes his head.

'Voicemail. I've got a bad feeling, I'm going there.'

'I'm coming with you!'

'No Kelly! If something is wrong then it could be dangerous and neither him or I want you anywhere near that.'

'You can either take me with you or I'm leaving here after you leave and follow you in my car!'

Gibbs looks at Shannon for help.

'Kelly, your father is right. Tony would want you safe honey.'

Kelly looks scared at her father.

'Please let me know if you find him.'

Gibbs gives his girls a kiss on their cheeks and leaves.

In record time he manages to arrive at DiNozzo's apartment building.

With his hand on his weapon he slowly makes his way towards his apartment, keeping an eye out for anything out of place.

Nearing Tony's front door he can see something is wrong.

The door is slightly ajar.

Drawing his weapon he opens the for with his foot.

He quickly sweeps the apartment finding Tony unconscious and tied to a chair. The rest of the house was clear.

Holstering his gun he calls Vivian and an ambulance.

Gibbs kneels in front of Tony and unties him, catching the unconscious man before he can fall out of the chair.

'Tony, can you hear me son?' he asks with worry.

It hadn't been that long ago that Tony had his last concussion, another one this soon after the previous one... which was soon after an other one now he thinks about it...

That can never be good for the young man.

Gently Gibbs examines the head wound and winces.

That looks like a nasty wound.

'Tony open you eyes for me,' he says and gently slaps his cheek.

Gibbs is relieved to hear a soft moan coming from the man.

'That's it, open your eyes Tony. You with me?'

'Gibbs? quello che è successo?'

'Tony,' Gibbs says. 'Tony you have to speak English for me.'

Tony blinks a few times confused before letting out a groan.

'Sorry.' he says.

'What happened?'

'I hoped you could tell me. You were late so I came to check on you.'

'Thanks.'

Gibbs helps Tony sit, holding his shoulders when the world starts spinning.

'I called for an ambulance and Viv.'

Tony groans but this time it has nothing to do with pain in his head.

'I'm fine Gibbs, I don't need an ambulance and I need Viv in my home even less.'

'You got jumped Tony, in your own home, we need to figure out who it was.'

''consideralo un avvertimento,' Tony says all of a sudden.

'Are you sure you're okay? I do not speak Italian.'

'No, I mean yes I'm fine! The one that knocked me out said that to me.'

'What does it mean?'

'Consider it a warning.'

'Your family?'

'Most likely.'

They can hear sirens and not long after EMT's rush into the apartment.

'You let them take a look at you, I'm gonna call Shannon and Kelly after that you'll be coming home with me and staying there until we sort this mess out.'

'What are we gonna tell Viv?'

'What do you wanna tell her.'

Tony closes his eyes tired.

'Dunno… trust you.'

'Stay awake sir.'

Gibbs pats his shoulder and stands up just as Blackadder walks through the door.

'You're late.'

'Sorry boss these streets are a damned maze. Tony okay?'

'Don't apologize. And he will be.'

'What do you want me to do?'

'Start processing the crime scene, I'll call for temporary back up.'

'Does DiNozzo know who would want to do this?'

'We have our suspicions. Get fingerprints dusted and get them to Abby, I'll be taking Tony to the hospital.'

'Boss I'm fine, I don't need a hospital!'

Gibbs gives Tony a stare which made the younger man back down.

Or maybe it was the headache.

'Not a suggestion,' Gibbs says while looking at the EMT's.

'How is he?'

'He has a minor concussion and a nasty headache. He should be fine in a few days.'

Gibbs helps Tony stand and supports him when the movement makes him dizzy.

'Sorry boss,' he says.

'I'm taking him to my place Blackadder, the other team is in charge until I return. You get to work.

Vivian watches Gibbs and DiNozzo leave with a little smile on her face.

In some sort of weird way. She thinks. They make a cute couple.


Kelly jumps from the couch the moment the door opens.

She had wanted to call her father a hundred times since he left but her mother withheld her.

'Dad! O god what happened?' She asks as soon as she sees Tony.

'Somebody broke in, hit me over the head with…something.'

'Another concussion Tony?'

Tony grimaces at Shannon's words.

It's not his fault people keep hitting him on his head.

'He'll be staying with us Shan, this was a warning most likely from his uncle.'

'Not that I don't appreciate the offer boss,' Tony says softly.

'But that would lead them here and put Shannon and Kelly in danger,' with every word he speaks his words become softer.

'Maybe It's better if I leave.'

'Tony!'

'I won't put anyone else in danger tells, especially you!'

Gibbs raises his hand to smack Tony's head but remembers the concussion just in time and settles for a tap under his chin.

'I take care of my own DiNozzo, you are not just my agent but also the man Kelly loves, that makes you family.'

'But…'

'No but honey,' Shannon interrupts him.

'We can take care of ourselves.'

'What if I move back home for the time being. Would that make you more relaxed?'

'I don't want them to come after any of you.'

'I'll arrange a protection detail for them when they leave the house and for when we are all home.'

Tony, seeing that he wasn't going to win, sighs and conceded.

'Fine, but as soon as it becomes too dangerous for you guys I'm leaving. I won't take you down with me.'

'It won't come that far. Let me call Tom and arrange things.'

'Gibbs, if it's all the same, I'd rather not have Viv…'

'I know Tony, I don't either, I wasn't thinking NCIS.'

'Toby?'

Gibbs nods and makes his phone calls.