"You got some nerve, you know that?"

It was out of his mouth before he could stop it. Tony hadn't meant to start a fight before he'd even gotten down the steps. Hell, he'd come here to smooth things over and convince his boss he was fine so the man would let it go. But that all went out the window as soon as he saw Gibbs.

For his part, Gibbs sat down his tools, content to just let Tony get it out of his system. That was until he turned to face his agent and saw the guy's unsteadiness. It was barely noticeable, but Gibbs had known Tony for three years. He knew when Tony was trying to pretend to be sober.

"Tell me you did not drive here," the marine growled, glaring at the young man.

But Tony didn't seem to care. "There you go again! Always in other people's business, whether they want you there or not."

Any other time, Gibbs may have made a comment about the irony in that statement, or about it being part of the job. This time, though, he was too pissed off.

Grabbing Tony's arm, he warned, "DiNozzo, so help me – "

"I took a cab," Tony snapped, cutting off the threat as he knocked the older man's hand away.

His anger towards Tony vanished instantly, but it turned straight onto Gibbs himself. Yet again, he was frustrated with himself for how he confronted DiNozzo. He should've known better; Tony wouldn't drive drunk, no matter what state he was in. But Gibbs was a stubborn bastard, and had a rule against apologies. So he didn't say anything, and just let Tony take his shots.

"You think you know everything, huh? The Great Almighty Gibbs," Tony scoffed. "Well, guess what? You don't know everything. And who the hell are you to lecture me on personal feelings clouding my judgment? Huh? How many times has your 'gut' decided things for us?"

"Not the same thing, DiNozzo," Gibbs retorted softly.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know. Instincts and hunches, and all that. Yeah, I get that. But what about when you stick up for your fellow marines? Or help out a friend? Or hell, just don't like someone?"

Gibbs stayed silent, watching as Tony paced while he ranted.

"Don't wanna play politics or deal with red tape? Not a problem! If you're Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, that is. … Ya know, I get it. I really do. Justice served. I sure as hell don't want some guilty, murdering, thieving S.O.B. back on the streets free to do it again because of some technicality." Tony stopped and looked Gibbs dead in the eyes as he asked seriously, "But when have you ever known me to let my personal feelings get in the way of me doing my job?"

"Never."

Tony froze, mouth halfway open as if he'd been about to retort until he realized what Gibbs said. Slowly closing his mouth, Tony stared at his boss.

Gibbs took the chance. "I have never seen you let your personal feelings impact the way you do your job, or cloud your judgment."

"Then why the hell'd you say all that crap to me back at the office?" Tony demanded.

Gibbs took a step toward his agent and answered honestly. "Because this was the closest I've seen you come to it since the Ellen Davidson case."

Whatever color had been in Tony's face disappeared, and he took a step back as if getting ready to run.

Taking a deep breath, Gibbs gave a conceding shrug. "Look, what I said back at the office… Not entirely true. No, good investigators don't let their personal feelings cloud their judgments. Most of the time. But it happens to everyone sooner or later. Doesn't make you a bad investigator, just makes you human."

Seeing Tony getting ready to argue again, Gibbs held up a hand and continued before he got the chance.

"It's gonna happen to you sooner or later, DiNozzo," Gibbs said bluntly. "I'd just rather it be later, after you've got more experience and practice. Less messy that way."

There was something in the way he said it. So Tony took a shot in the dark. "Less likely to get people hurt?"

"Yes."

And apparently he hit the mark dead center.

They all had secrets. Tony knew that. And he knew the man in front of him probably had many he'd never even know existed. Though Tony knew that Gibbs was trying to help, and wouldn't share anything that was said between them tonight; he hadn't before. But Tony couldn't help but remember Tom McAllister's words.

"When you come from the type of family I did, you get used to keeping secrets."

It was true. He and Tom did have a lot in common in that respect, and others. Tony was used to keeping secrets. And while his boss didn't know what they were, he did know they were there. That was one thing Tony liked about the man. Gibbs always seemed to know when something was up, but he wouldn't push you for details. He would push, that was for sure, but just until he knew you were gonna be okay.

And it was with that thought that realization hit Tony. Sighing heavily, he barely glanced at Gibbs, ignoring the man's watchful gaze as he walked back over to the stairs and collapsed onto them.

Gibbs didn't say anything. He'd seen the anger disappear from his agent's eyes. It had been replaced with what looked like defeat, and confusion.

"She looked past it all with him."

The quiet statement wasn't filled with anger. No, Tony didn't sound angry. Upset, maybe. Disappointed, definitely. And Gibbs didn't need to ask who 'she' was.

"Ya know, for a profiler, she really sucks at figuring people out."

There it was, Tony's attempt at humor.

Until he added, "Or maybe it's just me."

Gibbs could hear the despondency in his voice. Letting out a sigh of his own, the marine retorted, "Yeah, well, you don't exactly make it easy."

That got a small smirk out of his agent, who glanced up to see his boss sitting down beside him.

In his typical blunt fashion, Gibbs asked, "Are you mad she doesn't see past your act, or glad she doesn't?"

Tony froze for a moment. Trust Gibbs to cut straight to the heart of the matter. Hell, he expected it from his boss, but it still caught him off guard sometimes.

Gibbs waited. Tony wouldn't look at him, but the marine knew his agent would answer eventually.

Quietly, Tony shrugged, "Both, I guess."

Nodding, Gibbs told him, "You don't have to tell anyone anything. But don't get mad at them for not seeing past your crap when you won't let them in."

There was a quick glance that their years as a team allowed Gibbs to read for what it was. It was an unspoken 'You did.'

What was spoken allowed, Gibbs knew would not have come out as disappointed as it did if not for the alcohol in Tony's system right now.

"She doesn't even try."

Sighing heavily, Gibbs moved his hand to the back of Tony's head.

The younger man flinched slightly, as if expecting a head slap. Instead, his boss simply rested his hand there.

Ruffling Tony's hair slightly, Gibbs muttered a sympathetic, "I know."

They stayed like that for a minute. Gibbs's hand resting on the back of Tony's head, offering silent comfort. Tony unconsciously leaning into the gentle touch.

"He seems like a decent guy."

Gibbs smirked, shaking his head slightly. "Yeah, he does," he agreed.

A/N: That's all folks! Hope you enjoyed this final chapter, and the story itself! As always, reviews are greatly appreciated!