Tony and Gibbs met in the elevator next morning.

"Boss," said Tony.

"DiNozzo," replied Gibbs. He looked at Tony out of the corner of his eye but his agent looked the same as usual. It was only when Gibbs got to his desk that he realised what was unusual: apart from the greeting Tony hadn't spoken during the journey to the squad room. Admittedly it was a very short journey but Tony would normally have found at least three topics of conversation to while away the time. Not today.

Gibbs looked across to where Tony was settling in for the day. Tony caught the look and grinned back.

"Going to see Ducky," announced Gibbs.

Tony nodded before saying to Tim, "Hey, Probie-no-more, got that report yet?"

NCISNCIS

"Good morning, Jethro," said Ducky jovially when Gibbs walked into Autopsy. "How are you this fine morning?" Gibbs grunted, a grunt which Ducky interpreted as meaning that he was fine. "And what about your esteemed father?" He received another grunt which, once again, he took to signify that Gibbs Senior was also well. "Splendid," he said, "And to what do I owe the honour of this visit? As far as I am aware there are no corpses awaiting our attention … unless we have missed a call out?"

"No, Ducky. You haven't missed anything," said Gibbs.

"I am delighted to hear it. I sometimes fear that the death rate among Marine Corps and Navy personnel in our locality is above what might reasonably be expected. When I have time I intend to devote some time to investigating this phenomenon. I can only trust that the figures have not become widely known as I would conjecture that they would lead to a migration of the affected personnel away from the Washington DC environs …"

"What?" asked Gibbs distractedly.

"I was merely filling time until you chose to enlighten me as to the reason for your visit," said Ducky.

"Huh. Ducky, do you think I behave differently when my Dad comes to town?"

"Ah," said Ducky, "It is an interesting phenomenon … another one … how, despite our age, we can regress when our parents make their presence known."

"Regress?" asked Gibbs. "You think I regress?"

"Not just you, Jethro," said Ducky reassuringly, "I think most of us do. My dear mother, despite her mental degeneration, was still able to make me feel about fifteen years old. Which, in some ways of course, should be an agreeable experience but, alas, we rarely regress to the type of fifteen-year-old we would wish to be."

"I guess," admitted Gibbs. "Jackson does make me feel like an awkward teenager sometimes."

Ducky gazed at him sympathetically, "And … forgive the question, Jethro … were you a very awkward teenager?"

Gibbs laughed, "You could say that! We had our moments. But you don't think it's unusual – to regress when he shows up?"

"Indeed no," said Ducky. "Although some people do have a different experience."

"They do?"

"Yes. Anthony for example."

"Yeah? How so?"

"He has confided in me that he ages when his father makes an appearance. He says he feels he feels like the parent to an irresponsible teenager!"

"Ah," said Gibbs. Silence fell.

Ducky endured the silence for a moment or two and then said, "Is there something else I can help you with, Jethro?"

"No. DiNozzo came to see me last night."

"Yes? I was under the impression that he does so reasonably frequently."

"Not so much now," said Gibbs.

"I see. And was there a reason for the visit?"

"I guess," said Gibbs. "Probably nothing."

Silence fell again and Ducky let it lengthen a little longer this time before saying, "And what is probably nothing?"

"He was … put out."

"Put out? That doesn't sound like Anthony. About what was he put out?"

"McGee having point during the last case."

"Yes?"

"He wanted to know why."

"I'm sure you had a reason," said Ducky.

Silence again.

"And were you able to satisfy him?" asked Ducky, realising again that silence was never a good way to provoke Gibbs into talking.

"Not so much," said Gibbs.

"I see. And were you able to satisfy yourself as to the reason?" asked Ducky shrewdly.

"Not so much," said Gibbs avoiding Ducky's gaze.

"Ah."

"That all you got to say?" demanded Gibbs.

"I fear so," said Ducky.

Another silence fell, one which, this time, Ducky seemed loath to break. Gibbs' cell rang,

"What is it, DiNozzo?" said Gibbs as he answered the call. "All right, see you there," he ended the call and said, "Gotta go, Duck. Abby's found something on a cold case."

"You're welcome any time, Jethro," said Ducky with his usual courtesy.

Gibbs diverted to collect a CafPow and handed it to Abby when he arrived at her lab.

"Gibbs, Gibbs!" she said enthusiastically as she took the drink, "You're a lifesaver! They always tasted better when you bring them."

"What you got, Abs?" asked Gibbs.

Abby proceeded to give Tony and Gibbs a long explanation about a DNA sample which had been thought not to be good enough to be viable but which, due to new techniques, could now be used to trace a suspect.

"That's good work, Abs," said Gibbs. "Send the results to DiNozzo and we'll start a search."

"Already done," said Abby proudly.

"Can always s rely on you," said Gibbs as he put an arm around her and kissed her cheek.

"Come back soon," said Abby imploringly as Gibbs and DiNozzo left.

"So," said Tony as he pressed the elevator button to take them back to the squad room, "I guess Abby's an exception."

"Exception? To what?"

"Not being friends with people you work with," said Tony. "You remember, that's what you said last night."

Gibbs frowned, "Abby's different."

"Yeah?"

"Different situation. Abby doesn't report to me. She's not in my chain of command."

"Chain of command?"

"Yeah, you know. Chain of command," said Gibbs.

"Oh, I know what it is," said Tony, "Just wasn't sure you did."

Gibbs opened his mouth to reply but the elevator arrived at their floor at that moment and Tony hurried out.

NCISNCIS

Tony and McGee continued to work on the new lead for the rest of the day until Gibbs dismissed them at 18.00. They promptly packed up their gear and Tim hurried off.

"You going?" asked Gibbs of Tony who had lingered for a moment.

"You said we could," said Tony.

"I know. It's just that you don't always go so quick," said Gibbs.

"Oh," said Tony, "I've got somewhere to be."

Gibbs was conscious of a slight sinking feeling, "Yeah?"

Tony looked at Gibbs and decided to take the yeah as an attempt at conversation. He took a deep breath and said, slightly reluctantly, "I've got a meeting."

"A meeting?"

"Yeah. I-I've joined a men's support group. At Falls Church. They meet tonight."

"You've joined a what?"

"You heard me. It's your eyes that are shot, not your hearing," snapped Tony. "Oh, hey, sorry, Boss, I didn't mean to … I guess I'm a bit sensitive about it."

"I'm not surprised," said Gibbs drily.

"Well, it's helping."

"Helping what?"

"You know …"

"No, I don't," said Gibbs.

"Things are changing."

"They are?"

"Sure. Ziva leaving. Things. More change coming."

"There is?"

"Well, you're gonna pick a new team member sometime, aren't you?"

"And that worries you, DiNozzo?"

"Wouldn't say worry," said Tony cautiously. "But it's all change. The guys help. It's good to talk things through."

"It is?" said Gibbs blankly. "What else do you do? Apart from talk? Braid each other's hair and paint your nails?"

"No," said Tony crossly before frowning and admitting, "Although we are getting skin care tips tonight."

Gibbs laughed.

"They'll be good," said Tony, "Former Marine Captain. Works as an inspector on offshore oil rigs. He knows all about looking after yourself in extreme weather conditions."

Gibbs shook his head. "Who else goes to these meetings?"

"Couple of lawyers." Gibbs shook his head again. "A teacher, an aerobics instructor, a chef, a drycleaner, a carpenter, some others in law enforcement, a guy who works in a warehouse, a house husband. All sorts. We all pitch in with advice."

"What do you pitch in with?" asked Gibbs.

"I listen. Share. And I might be running a movie appreciation evening," said Tony.

Gibbs realised that it was a long time since Tony had shared anything with him. He made an impulsive decision, "Maybe I could come along? Sounds interesting." Gibbs was used to Tony falling in with every suggestion and he thought that this one would give Tony a kick.

"You? Come to the support group?" said Tony, "I don't think so, Gibbs. You'd have to talk, you know."

"I could do that," protested Gibbs.

"Yeah, right," said Tony. "And you have to listen as well."

"I could do that as well," said Gibbs.

"But you have to hear what people are really saying … underneath," said Tony, "I don't think that's you. 'Night, Boss. See you in the morning."

For the second night running, Gibbs watched Tony go and wondered what was going on with him.