Chapter 2

Folding the letter neatly I managed to get it back in the envelope without first ripping it to shreds. Probie still seemed to be lost in cyber-space, and Ziva was busy typing up her latest report. They didn't know. It was something he really didn't want them knowing. Now however thanks to his father there was a paper trail, and them finding out was only a matter of time. It scared him beyond belief that they would lose confidence in him or treat him differently. He was still the same Tony, but knowing his past would cause them to see him as something different.

Director Shepard had offered him his own team. Somebody was retiring in Florida and if he wanted the job it was his. He however was content to stay right where he was, he was happy, or he was happy till Dominick DiNozzo stuck his big nose into things. The idea of his own team had excited him, but Gibbs wasn't in Florida, and what would he do without Abby to confide in? Hell even McGee had turned out to be an important part of his life along with Ziva, although she scared him sometimes. She was one of the few that could probably take one good hard look and see beyond the façade he had built around himself.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder causing him to jump. How long had he been sitting here staring into space?

"Conference room DiNozzo." Gibbs was already halfway across the bullpen before he even had time to scoot his chair back. This was not gonna be good. The knot in his stomach got a little bigger as he got up to follow. He received sympathetic looks from Ziva and McGee they probably thought he was going to get one of Gibbs famous chewing out sessions. The man had looked livid when he managed to catch a glance of his profile. He nodded to his fellow agents and followed Gibbs to the nearest unoccupied room. He felt like a man going to a hanging.

The conference room door was open, he entered closing it behind him. Everyone didn't need to know just yet.

Gibbs stood leaning against the table trademark coffee in his hand, the look on his face said everything he needed to know there would be problems.

Gibbs wasted no time. "Your on forced leave until a psych exam can be completed, six sessions mandatory." Gibbs got out before Tony could complain. "Effective immediately." That was the nail in the coffin. My legs felt like jelly and I sat down head in my hands.

"Why didn't he just have one of his "people" take care of me?" I said through my hands. I was suddenly overwhelmed with the need to hit something or scream, but then Gibbs touched my arm. Sawdust, old spice and coffee seemed to sooth me.

"That won't help Tony." How did he get over here that fast? Zivas' ninja skills were nothing compared to Gibbs. I could still feel his hand on my arm warming me calming me. My hands slid from my face and I looked at the man in front of me. More than a boss, he was my rock ,whether he knew it or not, as cliché as that sounds. Boy he was getting sappy maybe he did need to see a shrink.

" Boss, I'm lost without this job, I don't know what to do, everybody's gonna know, I…." I was rambling, and I knew it. Gibbs knew it to.

"One thing at a time DiNozzo. Now is not the place to bring everything out in the open." His eyes gestured to the camera in the corner of the ceiling. " You be at my place seven tonight, I'll cook, you bring beer, we'll sort all this out, all of it." he squeezed my arm one last time. "I'm sorry Tony, I'll need your gun and badge." They stood Gibbs arm falling away, he missed the contact immediately. Handing over the requested items he turned to leave. "DiNozzo… Tony it's gonna be okay." and then he gave the back of my neck a little squeeze "See you tonight."

TBC