As Gibbs walked down the steps from Vance's office, he could already hear his team in the middle of a heated drama, on that very early Monday morning.
"All right DiNozzo!" McGee started to almost yell. "What are you planning this time?"
"What?" DiNozzo asked in almost a hurt tone.
"You bought me coffee again this morning. Why are you being so nice and what gag are you planning this time?" McGee asked suspiciously.
"No." Tony started to say, but they both stopped when they saw Gibbs entering the squadroom.
"We have a case that is being handed to us at Quantico." Gibbs stated as he walked by them. "Ziva is already at the scene."
"McGee, I want you to help Ducky. He is minus Palmer today." Gibbs added as he watched McGee quickly head down to autopsy.
"Tony." Gibbs said strongly as he watched DiNozzo walk towards him. As they entered the elevator, DiNozzo could feel the strong Gibbs's stare.
"I am fine, Boss." Tony shook his head, smiling. Still feeling the Gibbs' stare, Tony finally added. "Boss, are you all right?"
"I am still waiting to get DiNozzo back." Gibbs said. The all-serious Gibbs stare ended Tony's giggling response.
"I am back." Tony responded.
"Why are you being so nice to McGee?" Gibbs asked. This caused another quick laugh from Tony, but then he got serious again. They exited the elevator and made their way to the car.
"With all the stuff going on lately, I am just scared my personal dramas will end up in another one of McGee's books." Tony added with a look of horror.
"T. . .come on. . .are you serious!?" Gibbs retorted.
"And, you think being nice to him. . .?" Gibbs was lost for words. He finally waved his hand in resignation to the whole concept.
"Your dad shared with me what you told him in the hospital." Gibbs admitted. Tony's body tensed.
"You told me, a little while ago, that the reason you weren't talking to your dad was because he always knows when you have done something wrong." Tony nodded in agreement to Gibbs' words. "You sure we were talking about your dad?"
"Or were you referring to me?" Gibbs stopped and looked at Tony, when he asked that.
"No Boss, I. . ." Tony stopped and looked down, as he was unsure how to answer the question.
"W-what do you mean, Boss?" Tony asked. "That isn't true. My dad always took pride in my mistakes."
"Hey!" Gibbs said sharply. Tony did not jump this time. "I am not repeating the same statement again. We have discussed the director's death many times. And what have I said to you?" Tony nodded in understanding.
"Tony?"
"That it wasn't my fault." Tony said roughly, as he fixed is eyes back on the ground.
"I want DiNozzo back, all right?" Gibbs finally said to break the uncomfortable silence. He watched as DiNozzo seemed to be battling some inner-demons.
"And, you start talking to me again." Gibbs finally ordered, as he indicated that they needed to get into the car. Tony nodded in compliance.
"Maybe a good headslap would. . ." Tony joked but was surprised when he was treated with a threatening Gibbs' glare.
"Yes, Boss." Tony added, before quickly sitting down. Gibbs placed the key in the ignition. Right before turning the key, he stopped and stared in front of him. Tony looked over at him in concern, but he stopped himself from questioning his boss.
"When you start acting like yourself---maybe." Gibbs said sharply. "Now, where are you staying?"
"Oh, I am really—REALLY back in my apartment. "Tony said, raising his right hand acknowledging that it was the truth. After a moment of silence, Gibbs started the car. He glanced over at DiNozzo, who stared blankly out the window. He loudly cursed and turned the car back off, watching DiNozzo jump in surprise.
"What?" Tony finally asked nervously.
"You're too quiet." Said Gibbs. Tony chuckled at Gibbs' observation.
"No. Uhhh, aren't you usually telling me to shut up?"
Gibbs answered by raising his eyebrows. Tony sighed in resignation and nodded at Gibbs. He made another attempt to start the car, then turned to Tony again.
"It was Ziva wasn't it?" Gibbs asked observing Tony's reaction.
"She told you that you had a drinking problem." Gibbs got his answer when he saw Tony look down in shame.
"And, why exactly would she say that to you?" Gibbs inquired.
"First time, shortly after the director was killed, she caught me drinking in Ducky's lab." Tony answered. "Then, when you two arrived in Cartagena, Ziva asked if I was still blaming myself for Jenny's death and if I was still drinking because of what happened."
"Yeah, I heard that one." Gibbs stated, which surprised Tony.
"Then, she caught me with a broken alcohol flask when we were staying in Long Island." Tony admitted. "She said she would tell you about my drinking, if I did not attend AA meetings.
"That's it?" Gibbs said. Tony looked at him curiously. "I knew about two out of the three."
"And, why would it have been so bad if I knew?" Gibbs barked. Tony swallowed hard from hearing the anger in Gibbs' voice.
"I am sorry, Boss." Tony said as he watched Gibbs gruffly refocused his attention to starting the car.