Abby and Tony had settled onto the futon for a cat nap, when Tony's cell phone startled them. Abby immediately reached for the stapler beside her and sat straight up. Tony opened his eyes to the sight and yelled. Fornell was returning from his coffee run and dropped its contents in the hallway to storm through the lab with his weapon drawn. Tony dropped the cell phone out of his hand and put his hands up. Abby was hesitant but let the stapler fall to the ground as well. "We weren't doing anything honest." Tony commented, still a bit groggy and confused.

Fornell put his weapon down and almost smiled. "Answer your phone DiNutzo."

Abby sighed at what had just occurred. "I need a Caf Pow."

Tony rubbed his eyes a bit before answering his phone. "Agent DiNozzo, who seriously needs a vacation…"

Gibbs almost smiled. "Gonna have to wait in line Tony…"

Tony immediately stood up at the sounds of Gibbs voice. "Oh hey boss, you back in Kansas?"

"Yeah, with Auntie Em and Toto too."

Tony had to grin at the continued metaphor. "Wow boss, you really did miss me didn't you?"

"Business DiNozzo…what do we got?"

"Found a lead that led us to one of Barclays hired hands…the body we fond at the warehouse was one of them. Seems they were contracted for the kidnapping, nothing more, nothing less. But um, are you sitting down?"

"The Agency is involved…" Gibbs deduced.

"Okay boss, seriously, that's scary even for you…how could you possibly…"

"Had a little run in with your buddy Kort in Scotland, he's being escorted to DC as we speak…had to figure he'd have some hand in this…"

"Right," Tony began, eyeing a curious Fornell. "The perp also told us that Barclay had Ducky picked up to get medical care, he may be alive boss. Fornell has his Agents and Local Leos checking local hospitals…"

Gibbs let out a sigh of relief; not only for Ducky but also McGee. If he wasn't the typical bad guy, maybe McGee had a chance after all. "That's good work…" He glanced at the clock on the console. "We're twenty minutes out…"

"Is Ziva driving?"

"Yeah."

"Then see you in ten." He almost closed the phone before Gibbs voice sounded through the receiver.

"And DiNozzo…"

"Yes boss?"

"You better have kept your hands to yourself."

The call ended and Tony began to suspiciously look around; particularly at the futon. Abby was back at her computer but noticed his gazing. "Lose something Tony?"

"Yeah, my belief that all things can be explained…"

Jen remained relatively silent while Barclay was asleep in a room across the hall. Tim's stare had not relented for the last hour and she couldn't take it anymore.

"That stare still has a long way to go before you reach Gibbs effectiveness."

Tim didn't blink. "I'm not Gibbs, I don't try to be. Who is it you're trying to be? Cuz it sure isn't the Director of NCIS."

Jen met his eyes and took in a breath. "You know, you're a lot more like Gibbs then you think."

"Yeah, well some traits are more desirable than others."

She picked up on his tone and tried to defend her ex-partner. "What Gibbs did to you had more to do with him, then it did with you."

"I'm well aware of the part I played."

"What I mean, is Gibbs has lost a lot in his life. More than most. He's set up these ways of dealing with losses; sure they aren't text book, but they work for him."

Tim shook his head. "Don't stand here and tell what Gibbs did was understandable…next thing I know you're gonna be telling me why what you did was okay…"

She continued with her original point. "You helped Gibbs get through the last month; whether you realize it or not."

Tim thought for a few moments as he kept his stare locked onto her. "Thanks for clearing that up…now don't you have some diabolic plan to carry out?"

The resentment in his tone caused her to let a lone tear fall but just as soon as it fell; she wiped it away. "There is nothing I could ever do to make up for this, I know that."

"Nothing…" Tim stopped himself and repeated the word with more force. "Nothing, you could do will change what's already been done."

"What about what hasn't been done?"

Gibbs noticed an odd smile on Ziva's face and decided now would be a good time to address it. "Something I should know about David?"

"If you're referring to my driving; I am going the speed limit."

Gibbs peered at the speedometer. "Uh no you're not…but I was referring to that smug look on your face."

"Oh, well, perhaps I am a bit excited…it's not every day a friend comes back from the dead…"

He managed a smile as he disagreed. "Yeah, well with DiNozzo it sure as hell seems like it."

When the car came to a stop at NCIS, Franks couldn't get out fast enough. "You teach her how to drive Probie?" He held a hand to his stomach as he followed behind the two of them slowly. They arrived at the lab in record time and Abby was in Gibbs arms before he could blink. He held her tight and grinned from ear to ear. "Hey Abs…"

"Oh I missed you so much…"

Mike sent a curious look over to Gibbs before he turned to see Tony and Ziva reuniting. She had cautiously placed a kiss on his cheek before Tony surprised her by wrapping her into a warm embrace; then twirling her around in celebration.

"There's no place like home eh Ziva?" He set her down and couldn't help but smile.

"No place indeed…" She replied; but soon eased away as she caught Gibbs making his way over.

It was as if time stopped when the two met each others eyes. Tony opened his mouth to speak but decided against it when Gibbs placed a hand on his face and examined his wounds. He gently moved his face side to side and ran a finger across the biggest gash. "You look like hell DiNozzo."

"You have to admit for a dead guy I don't look that bad."

It remained silent for a few moments as if Gibbs was savoring it. Two days ago he'd almost convinced himself he'd never see Tony's face again. Never hear his voice; never deliver another head slap; and never see him smile. The shock alone was enough to make the tough marine cry. He stood toe to toe with him for a few seconds longer before Abby playfully shoved Gibbs closer to him. "Will you two hug already?"

Gibbs sent a meaningful gaze in her direction before nodding towards Mike. Finally understanding what he'd said in that airport terminal hours before. He turned back to see Tony with his hand out.

"Hand shake will do boss."

"No DiNozzo, it won't."

And before Tony even had the chance to respond, Gibbs pulled him into an embrace. Tony reciprocated the expression and had they been alone he may have shed a tear. "Missed you boss." Tony said softly. Abby almost squealed at the sight, and the rest of them simply stood by and smiled. How Gibbs felt about Tony was no secret to them.

"Ditto Tony." Gibbs responded as he eased away, his hands still clasped on Tony's arms. "Good to have you back."

"Good to be back."

Abby had shed a silent tear at this point. "Aww."

"Abs…" Gibbs said gently before turning to Fornell.

"Hand shake will do for me Jethro."

Gibbs took his hand with a smile. "Thanks for taking care of her Tobias."

Fornell knew he was speaking about Abby and mirrored the smile. "Oh believe me; my Agents have never had a more riveting protection detail."

The comment caused Gibbs to send a signature stare her way. Abby immediately threw her hands up in defense. "I didn't kiss 'em or anything, I swear."

Gibbs managed a smile but was quick to get back to business. But just as he began to speak his phone rang and he stared at the caller ID with an element of surprise…

"Who is it boss?"

He answered before responding. "This better be more than a social call…"