Gibbs left the room and jogged down the corridor to catch up with his second in command. They both entered the elevator silently and kept up the silence as the elevator doors closed behind them and began to ascend. Gibbs put out his left arm and pressed the emergency stop button. Tony turned his head to face his boss, his expression dark.
"What are you doing?" He asked, trying to suppress the anger he still felt from the interrogation.
"That's what I want to know," Gibbs replied, "Wanna explain what all that was about?"
"Not really," Tony replied quickly, he dug his hands into his trousers pockets and avoided Gibbs' strong gaze.
"Tony," Gibbs spoke softly, "You and I both know that back in that room…you were talking from experience," Tony pushed himself against the wall of the elevator and dropped his head, his eyes stared absently at the worn grey carpet, "Tony," Gibbs said again, this time more forcefully.
"What?" Tony snapped. His head shot back up, "What do you want me to say?" He asked "You want me to say that my dad drunk so much he forgot who I was? Or that it was a drunk driver that ploughed into the car when I was twelve, killing my mom? Or that I can't ever have more than one beer, because I'm too scared what any more might do to me!"
"That's a start," Gibbs replied calmly after Tony's rant. He knew Tony needed to let it all out before he could get back to work. He knew about Tony's mother and his father's drinking problem anyway, "You remember what I told you about interrogating suspects?" He asked.
Tony sighed and then answered the question, "Never let it become personal."
"If it becomes personal the suspect can hold it over you, you can't-
"-let them get to you," Tony finished, "I remember, sorry Boss."
"Don't be," Gibbs shook his head, "You got something out of that kid, you connected with him and got what we needed. You and he are more similar than you'd like to admit," Gibbs said before starting the elevator up again.
The time it took for the elevator to reach its destination gave Tony time to take a deep breathe and clear his head. He smiled, "Thanks Boss."
"Don't mention it," Gibbs replied before stepping out of the elevator and into the squad room. Tony followed. A second later an agent ran up to Gibbs, out of breath, "What is it?" Gibbs asked.
The agent took in a deep breath before answering, "The kid got away, slippery little thing ran off when we were moving him to the cells."
"Okay, lock the building down and search it room by room," Gibbs ordered.
"He's small, check cupboards and ventilation shafts too," Tony added. The agent nodded firmly before running off.
"McGee get the Navy Yard security team on the look out then get out there yourself, get Ziva to co-ordinate the rest of the search," Everyone nodded, "I want this kid found, he'd the only link we have to Yates's killer," Gibbs and Tony headed back to the elevator while McGee phoned Ziva.
They searched the building for more than an hour with no results. The navy yard security had been informed and were on the lookout but it was a big area to search and almost impossible to find a person, especially if they didn't want to be found.
"Sorry Boss," Tony shook his head as he hung up his phone and turned Gibbs, "No-one's seen him. A boy like him could find a way out if he wanted one badly enough, trust me," Gibbs raised an eyebrow.
"You spent a lot of time running and hiding from people did you?" Ziva asked.
"My dad threw the kind of parties that made you want to kill yourself, it became a game to escape unnoticed," Tony smiled, "This one time I jumped onto the drinks cart and had the butler wheel me out."
"Okay," Gibbs brought the attention back to him, "Contact local LEO's and inform them of Harry Houdini, in the mean time, find anyone else who knew Yates. I'll be in Autopsy," He said before marching to the elevator to join Ducky.
After a long tiring day of frequent phone calls and database searches Tony sighed in relief as he finally pulled into his allotted parking space underneath his apartment building. They'd had no luck locating the boy and Gibbs' mood deteriorated a little more each hour. By the time Tony had left Gibb's glare had made several of the younger agents cry, even the glare had sent a few seasoned agents running. Tony yawned widely as he pulled out his backpack and jacket before slamming the door shut and locking it. He strode towards the elevator that would take him to his apartment on the fifth floor. He swore as he saw the sign cover the elevators doors telling him it was out of order. He sighed loudly again and braced himself for the five flights of stairs. Any other day and he would have enjoyed the exercise but Tony barely had enough energy left for one flight of stairs left alone five. He barely managed it, taking a minute at the top before carrying on to his apartment at the end of the corridor. He frowned as he neared his apartment door, at first he thought his eyes were deceiving him, his mind playing a trick on his in his weary state. Huddled on his doorstep was Jake Milos, he looked more tired than Tony was and more than likely drunk. The boy looked up as he heard Tony's footsteps.
"I hate you," He told Tony.
Tony nodded, "Okay," He answered; he stepped over the boy and opened his apartment door. He entered and instantly flicked on the light. He turned back to the boy,
"You coming in or not?" He asked. Jake watched Tony carefully for a minute before shuffling into the apartment. Tony closed the door behind him then led him into the living room.
"Couch is yours," He nodded to the inviting couch before walking off. He re-entered the room and threw a blanket and pillow onto the couch. Tony watched Jake eye the couch and he smiled,
"It won't bite" Jake said nothing but grabbed the blanket and laid down on the couch. "I'm in the other room if you need anything" Tony said before heading to his bedroom. He was too tired for any food or TV. He took off his trousers and shirt and slipped under the covers in just his boxers and an old T-shirt. He pulled the gun out from it's holster on his belt and placed it under the pillow, aware of the drunk and angry teen than was currently in the other room. He wouldn't use it on Jake, but he instantly felt safer knowing it was there. He stayed awake as long as he could, listening for any noise in the other room then fell into a deep sleep, the gun under the pillow and the boy in the lounge forgotten.