DISCLAIMER: I don't own NCIS.

A/N: I'm sorry it took me so long, but I had some difficulties putting this together...

***

Gibbs and Ziva both drew in a deep breath. Tony was huddled in the back corner holding his Sig and eyes red and puffy. Tear tracks could be seen on his face and his body shook slightly. Tony hadn't even noticed them yet, still lost deep in memories.

"Tony," Gibbs said as he put his gun away. "Tony look at me. Put the gun down."

But Tony didn't respond. McGee and Ziva looked at each other shocked. They watched as Gibbs entered the closet and spoke Tony's name again,

"Tony. DiNozzo! Hey, I need you to snap out of this!"

Finally Tony looked up at them and whimpered, "G-Gibbs?"

McGee found himself edging away from Tony slightly; the normally jubilant, silly agent was now very real and troubled. He couldn't believe that the Tony he knew could be sitting in his closet, holding his gun, and crying. Feeling guilty McGee couldn't help but feel he would rather have found Tony shot or unconscious. Then he would be able to help Tony and know exactly what to do. Chancing a look at Ziva, McGee caught a rare moment of Ziva's mask ripped off.

She looked sadly at Tony, wondering what could have happened to make him reduced to hiding in his closet. Not fully realizing that the gun was not there to protect him, Ziva suddenly strode into the closet and knelt next to Tony, "Tony, we need you to tell us what happened."

Tony looked wide-eyed at Ziva, "What? I...," he shook his head as tears trickled down his face. He mumbled pulling away from her and Gibbs.

"Tony," Gibbs said sharply. Worry was starting to commandeer his facial expressions. He reached for Tony's gun slowly, speaking soothingly, "Listen Tony, I'm going to take your gun and-"

"What! Don't do that Gibbs I swear I'll be better," Tony shouted alarmed. "I know I should've come in and told you, but I couldn't! I'll take whatever punishment! I'll even double it; I can take whatever you give me! Just don't take my gun and badge boss!"

Stunned the three other agents pulled back slightly. Noticing, Tony stood up and pulled a suit from behind him,

"Look boss, I'm coming," Tony kept looking at them wide-eyed as he made his way to his bathroom discarding the clothes he was wearing. They could hear him continue to mumble to himself as he brushed his teeth and pulled his fresh clothes on.

"Tony," Ziva leaned against his bathroom door. Tony looked at her through the mirror as he washed his face. Suddenly he grinned,

"Hey sweet cheeks! Wondered when you'd come tearing into my apartment!"

Gibbs' mouth twitched at the innuendo, but he could tell that Tony was already wavering again. McGee searched the room for an explanation of his partner's scary behavior but he couldn't see anything unusual. That is except the fact that his room was pretty impersonal and clear. Except for the poster it seemed that Tony's room was in fact a hotel room.

But as Ziva admonished Tony for his blatant sexual implication, McGee realized that maybe Tony kept it that way on purpose. Impersonal and easy to leave, except for the signed poster over his bed. Tony brushed past him and walked towards his kitchen.

"You see how impersonal this place is Ziva," McGee whispered to Ziva. "I mean except for the wide-screen TV and hundreds of movies," he added as they walked through his sparse living room.

Ziva nodded, pursing her lips together tightly. "Mossad agents would keep apartments like this."

"Tony's not Mossad. And, well, he's Tony."

"You sure you don't want anything boss," Tony pleaded. He was pulling out a cereal bar and bottled water, expectantly waiting for Gibbs to say something. Tony fidgeted, constantly starting to move away but pulling himself back.

"No DiNozzo," Gibbs crossed his arms. "You gonna explain?"

Tony had turned around and once he heard Gibbs' question he dropped everything and stood still. A tremble ran through his body and he clenched his teeth together, causing a tick in his jaw. A moment later, Gibbs watched as Tony tried to pull himself together and create a believable excuse.

"Explain what boss? That I had a minor breakdown but now am ready for work?"

Gibbs raised his eyebrow, waiting. The excuse, Gibbs thought, was partially true. Somehow he had to figure out what caused Tony to 'breakdown.' Tony was still facing away from Gibbs, but McGee and Ziva could see his face from the dining room. With his eyes closed he sighed letting his shoulders slump forward. Ziva shifted beside McGee.

"Yeah I know boss. Lame excuse," Tony's voice came out soft. "I…"

Ziva made to move towards Tony and after a second of hesitation, she moved closer to him, not speaking but rested her hand on Tony's shoulder. A flinch caused her to retract her hand with a hurt expression on her face before a mask of indifference was placed.

McGee's eyes narrowed as he swept his gaze from Tony to Ziva. But he saw Tony already shaking his head.

"No, you guys…deserve to know," Tony sighed warily and dragged his hand over his face. He moved out of his kitchen and treaded into his dining room. He glanced at McGee before pulling out a chair and sank down upon it. He gestured towards everyone to make themselves at home.

Gibbs moved closer coming to a stop and leaning up against the wall opposite Tony. Ziva stayed back watching. McGee waited a moment before prompting,

"Tony?"

Tony looked up from where he was tracing a pattern on his table to McGee. There he saw Tony hesitate before whispering,

"Don't become like me McGee. Promise me."

McGee's mouth dropped open, "Uh, sure Tony."

"No! Promise me McGee," Tony shouted. "Don't lock yourself up! Don't hide yourself until all you are is walls and locks and fear!"

"I, I promise Tony," McGee faltered.

"Make sure McGee! I don't want you to end up anything like me. Don't act like anything but yourself McGee. Don't let anyone scare you into hiding, especially me," Tony stared hard at McGee, but the maniacal look in them gave McGee a sense of fear than reassurance.

Gibbs frowned, not liking the implications Tony was making about himself, "DiNozzo, what the hell are you talking about?"

But Tony shook his head, "Nothing boss. Just look after Probie, you too Ziva."

He nodded his head towards Ziva, who scowled.

"What. You cannot anymore," Ziva crossed her arms over her chest, angry.

Tony stared at her and attempted to smile, "Not anymore Zi-va."

"What do you mean by that," Ziva asked.

A/N: I know it's not quite as dramatic, but Tony is trying to pull it all in right now. Soon we'll see him (unfortunately) fall completely apart in front of the others. Let me know how I did! :) Thanks for all the reviews!