A/N: Please don't murder me. Enjoy the story.

Timothy McGee nervously tapped his fingers on the wooden table in the middle of his booth. Tim looked around the scarcely populated café, his investigator and writer instincts taking note of some of the more interesting patrons. A young woman: probably late 20s a child in her lap and an infant in a stroller beside her. She was facing the entrance, constantly looking towards it. She's probably waiting for an estranged boyfriend/husband maybe for alimony. His waiter was a smoker, the nicotine stains fading but still visible on his fingernails. He was stressed about something, probably financial troubles. The waiter kept looking at the young woman, he looked at her differently. Maybe she was a regular and he had a thing for her. Maybe—

"Probie? Your hearing okay?"

McGee jumped slightly at the unexpected voice and the hand placing itself on his shoulder. His eyes shot up to find Tony and he let out a sigh as he relaxed back down into his side of the booth.

"You were the one to suggest this place and time, why are you so space-y?" Tony continued, looking exhausted. This was understandable, though, Tony had been out having drinks with Ziva the night before. Tim had never done so with the female assassin himself, but Abby's stories always left him a little wary of drinking with Ziva.

"Sorry, just…nervous." He muttered, the unexpected admission throwing Tony off slightly. Time wasn't one who usually admitted to shortcomings, not since his early years at NCIS. He had learned that such honesty could be a bad thing to have, even if just because his teammates would make fun of him for whatever he revealed. He did know, though, that the team didn't actually think little of him, it was just how things went. Over the years Tony's harsh teasing and hazing had only made him stronger.

"No need to be nervous, Tim. It's just me. It's just Tony." Two things struck Tim from the three short sentences. One: He had been addressed by Tim and not "Probie" or "Mc"- something. Tony was trying to comfort and relax him, but that only amped up his apprehension.

Two: The wide, "mega-watt" grin that had followed Tony's words had been forced, greatly so. There had been little authenticity in the smile which made Tim further question the emotional and mental state of his friend. He was constantly assuring them, almost overly so, that he was "fine". They all knew that wasn't entirely true, though.

"Is it? Is this 'Tony'?" McGee retorted, his skepticism audible in his tone.

"As far as I know, yeah." Came the completely bewildered reply; words iterated as if to a small child.

"You know what I mean." He huffed out, frustrated at Tony's stubborn refusal to talk honestly with him.

Suddenly, the faux confused expression vanished from his face, as if at the flick of a switch.

Suddenly, sitting across the table from Tim was Anthony DiNozzo, not Tony.

A few weeks ago, had someone told him that Tony was a depressed, serious man at his core, Tim would have asked them what they were smoking. By now, he had seen the core of his friend multiple times and once the initial incredulity had vanished, he had realized it made more sense that it sounded. The Tony that was projected was a shield. All insults, reprimands, and other put-downs were deflected away from Tony's guarded, fragile spirit. This way he could appear to be unwavering and apathetic towards these things.

"You're right." Tim hadn't been really expecting a response, since it had been minutes since either of them had spoken. The quiet statement was unexpected, not just for it having happened, because Tony wasn't one to admit anything. Especially, to admit someone else was right. "A few weeks ago, you wouldn't have had a clue."

The SFA's words held no malice, only an air of wistful reminiscing. Remembrance of when the team dynamics were simpler. When they didn't have a clue about the truth of DiNozzo Sr. McGee sighed, equally wishing things were still the same. It's not that he didn't know how to act towards Tony (well, okay, maybe a little), but mainly for Tony's sake. If this tragic series of events hadn't occurred, the former cop wouldn't have had to rehash all this terrible, personal shit.

Tony looked up at McGee, eyes locking. He looked prepared to speak; to explain his past as best as he could manage. McGee decided to stop him.

"It's okay, Tony. You don't have to. You shouldn't have to." The sincere compassion and understanding in the younger man's tone touched Tony. This was where Tony and Tim's relationship was different than any of his other relationships.

Gibbs, Ziva, Ducky, Palmer, and Abby had each wanted or even asked for at least part of the story. Tony didn't hold any ill will towards them for seeking as much; it was refreshing to talk with someone not wishing to hear the full scoop.

"Thank you." He responded; genuine smile gracing his visage as he gazed at his close friend and teammate. Tim returned the smile readily; pleased to see that his decision not to push had brightened the expression on his companion's face.

"No problem."A comfortable silence settled over there booth, both men content to listen to the cacophony of noises being emitted from the many other patrons of the café. "How are you, anyway? Um, physically, I meant." Tim revised quickly, not wanting to seem as if he were rescinding his previous offer of silence.

Tony winced at the question, suddenly all too aware of the various bruises littering his body and the pounding in his skull. He still couldn't turn his head too quickly, and if asked to walk in a straight line he probably wouldn't be able to accomplish it because of his concussion. He hadn't wanted to worry Gibbs, so he'd kept this a secret as well as his photophobia and hyperacusis. These last two symptoms were the most troubling, especially because the café had large windows that ushered in high amounts of bright sunlight and the decibel level was higher than any establishment of its size had any right to be.

"I'm-" Tony had to physically stop the automated reply of "I'm fine" to tumble past his lips. It was so ingrained in his mind that it took a moment to think of a suitable reply other than it. "I'm doing better." He finished lamely. He seemed hesitant to say even this, which worried the younger agent more than he showed.

"If you ever need anything, Tony, just ask." The double entendre was not lost on the Senior Field Agent. He knew that McGee was referring to both his emotional and physical needs and oddly enough, this didn't bother him as much as such a comment usually would. He would usually see this as a veiled way of calling him weak or incompetent, no matter how innocent and altruistic the speaker intended the offer to be. This time, though, Tony only heard the kindness behind the words. "I can imagine how hellish it must be to be around Gibbs 24/7."

Tony chuckled at this, thankful for the mood lightener. Funny. He was usually the one doing that.

"Yeah, I think if I didn't already have a concussion, I'd have gotten one from him already. The amount of times I've seen his hand rise and then freeze midair in remembrance is hilarious. He doesn't seem to know how to deal with me without the headslaps."

The two agents laughed, relishing the normalcy of the situation and the easy camaraderie that had been lacking in all of Tony's relationships lately.

The two spoke for over an hour longer before the simultaneous ringing of their cell phones interrupted them. They both answered the calls, unsurprised to hear dispatch notifying them of a body.

They both stood, McGee put a few bills down on the table and they made their way out of the café, both more at ease after their talk.

A/N: This took multiple drafts over a two month-ish period, but I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out. I have recently been fascinated by the McNozzo bromance and while this is primarily a Tony/Gibbs father/son story, I thought I'd touch on this bromance as I touched on the Tiva friendship (or more?). This will remain gen and Tony/Gibbs focused, though, don't worry.

Anyway, tell me what you think! Review! I can use all the constructive criticism I can get, this is, after all, written for you fans so your input is greatly appreciated. Every comment is considered when I write!

Thanks for reading!