The house had been evacuated. Left empty, it almost looked like a haunted mansion in front of the setting sun sweeping down behind it. The windows shone as Gibbs trod around, contemplating the events that had happened a few hours ago. It had been a messy affair that had left two cops shot dead. The large man that had been stood with his gun at Tony's temple had gone down hard. A shotgun blast from a couple of feet away tended to do that to you and when Gibbs looked down at his feet, he once again realised he felt no regret. Maybe after over 15 years at NCIS, shooting people just didn't seem to leave any impression on him and maybe that's a factor that had helped his past wives make their decision. He had almost become unable to feel any emotions as he put in a bullet that had ended a man's life.

However, recently that had changed. He had felt an emotion he hadn't felt in a long time, maybe not even since Kelly. Damn, had he made a beautiful daughter. Gibbs smiled as he remembered his little girl running around in the long green grass he had forgotten to trim one day.

Protectiveness. He had a huge impulse to help DiNozzo get through any problems he might have. Hardly anyone, only Kelly and maybe even Abby, had made him want to have the person near often. He hadn't got his nickname of 'Bastard' for any reason that was for sure, most people just saw his rough exterior. With Tony, he was able to lighten up and -in a sense- let his hair down.

On the other hand Tony had gone behind his back. He had informed his Captain of the details of an NCIS case. Even so, he hadn't told Gibbs that particular deal and that was what pissed him off the most. Gibbs knew he would have done the same thing in telling his Captain what he was doing but it didn't stop the feeling of betrayal entering his mind. For once, Gibbs was positively stumped for a next move.

He carried on walking around the large house that flashed red and blue from the Ambulances and squad cars that sat out front. He noticed Tony sat down on the curb nursing his bruised face with his right hand. His left sat on his lap as if he was nursing it. Tony looked up and saw Gibbs scrutinizing him with a scowl.

"You know, I don't know why you won't let the medics take you to the hospital."

"Because I don't need it," Tony looked up at stared directly into the ex-marines blue eyes. "I've been hit much harder than this Gibbs, trust me."

"I do believe me." Gibbs stated, repeating his phrase from inside the basement.

Tony smiled genuinely at Gibbs before looking back down at his lap as Jethro sat beside him.

Managing a slight sigh Gibbs lifted one of his knees and rested his hand on top.

"DiNozzo," He waited for Tony to turn to him before he carried on. "Why didn't you tell me about Turner?"

Tony took a moment to figure out what Gibbs meant before his eyes flashed dangerously. "I did as I was told. Isn't that what a good policeman does?" His tone was intense and Gibbs had to prevent himself from shouting.

"That's not what I mean Tony and you damn well know it."

A dramatic sigh came out of the detective's mouth.

"Yeah I know." Tony looked up from his lap and stared on straight ahead. "Turner asked me to report or the department would get a very crafty letter from a jumped up lawyer wanting compensation for his son."

Gibbs didn't say anything. He knew it wasn't needed and gave Tony the time to carry on.

"I had only worked with you a week, but I know how these things work… two departments going at it whilst I'm in the middle for being a snitch. I figured it would be best if I kept it to myself."

"I don't like secrets Tony and definitely not from people I work with." He stressed the last word which DiNozzo to smirk at the corners of his usually rambling mouth. Tony continued to stare at his lap as he spoke.

"Everyone has secrets Gibbs." He mumbled.

"Then how do you trust them?" Gibbs knew this didn't apply to Tony. The man obviously didn't trust anyone that came near him. He kept them at arms length.

"You don't need to know someone fully to trust them Gibbs." Tony said forcefully, raising his eyebrows at Gibbs. "Anyway, unless it's necessary, I don't believe secrets should be kept. What's the point in that?"

The two men sat in silence for a moment staring at the ambulance currently hoisting up a bleeding Poppa and beside him a shaking Matheus, arms wrapped behind him in handcuffs.

"Secrets can get you killed. They eat you from the inside and if you let them out, they take everyone you know down with it." Tony spoke as if a trance. He wasn't able to keep the words tumbling from his mouth. Suddenly, he turned his head and stared at Gibbs, inches away from his face. "I don't keep one unless there are risks to other people around me."

Gibbs held his gaze before Tony turned back to stare out in front, once again in a trance like world, face set hard.

"You keep secrets to protect other people? You don't keep them for yourself?" Gibbs pressed even though he agreed with Tony. Gibbs hoped to learn more about the man sat beside him, apart from his file, half hidden by the Baltimore police department.

"You keep your eye solely on the prize, Gibbs. In this case, you look at what is a necessity for where you are. Concentrate… and life is much easier. Why cause problems for other people and let the remaining few be brought down with you?" DiNozzo pressed on. "You know what that's like, ex-marine. It's exactly like a war. People fight to win the war, they fight for their lives and keep their eye on the goal. By the end of it," Tony gazed over at the other people buzzing around. "If they aren't concentrating on that one thing which will let them succeed... then it won't be a victory."

"Even if that war will get them killed in the process?"

"Even if it get's them killed." Tony looked right into the blue pools gazing at him.

Once again they sat in silence before Gibbs spoke up.

"Then tell me DiNozzo. What is the other eye for?"

Tony let out a small snort of laughter as the muscles in his face relaxed.

"That eye Gibbs… that eye is used for pretty woman that happen to walk past."

A/N I really hope this wasn't OOC. I worked hard on this one which is why it took me a while but i was a bit worried about it not being right. I enjoyed writing this one though... by the way there are still quite a few chapters left. This is by no means finished!