Mike: You don't know what it's like…going off to the other side of the world, to protect your country…but then you cant be there to protect your own family…
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"Plan on going home tonight DiNozzo?" Gibbs strode in with his seventh cup of coffee that day and sat at his desk.
Tony looked up. "Just finishing up some paperwork boss…"
Gibbs looked around at the empty bull pen. "Go home."
"I'd really rather stay…just had these noisy neighbors move in above me. They should be going to sleep soon."
"That the best you got?"
Tony shrugged innocently. "Would I lie to you boss?"
Gibbs eyed him. "Not without a good reason. Now what is it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about boss. Honest."
"DiNozzo," Gibbs stated plainly and simply awaited his response. Only he didn't expect his Agent to make his way over to his desk.
"I thought maybe I'd…well…" He stopped for a second. "Is there any chance I can just sit quietly at my desk with no explanation?" He met Gibbs stare. "Didn't think so…well to be completely honest I was…worried about you." He closed his eyes as if preparing for a well deserved head slap. But after a few seconds he began to open one eye at a time.
"What?"
Tony took a step back. "Worried…you know. Concerned."
"I know what it means DiNozzo. Why?"
He pointed up the stairs. "In MTAC earlier…that Commander. What he said to you. Thought it might've pissed you off a little."
"So you spending the night here is supposed to make me feel better?
Tony shrugged. "So it did bother you?" He cringed. "Of course it did. And I know you're tough enough that you don't need me to stay, I just thought it'd be nice if…"
Gibbs noticed his hesitation. "If what?"
"If you knew someone cared." He gave another shrug of his shoulders. "Not that I think that you think I don't care…I just thought…you know it doesn't matter what I thought. Cuz now you know right? So I can go now…." He started towards his desk and intentionally took longer than usual to gather his things. He turned to leave when Gibbs stood in his path.
"Where you going?"
"Um…" He started but was cut short.
"That paper work aint gonna finish itself." Gibbs stated plainly before moving back behind his desk.
Tony smiled slowly. "Of course it isn't." He set his things down and settled in, darting an occasional eye towards his boss as the night went on. Maybe he wasn't the only who cared after all.
