Abby had called his cell five times while they were still in the air and seven more times since landing and clearing security at JFK. Now in the car, having just merged onto the State Parkway heading for the Long Island Gold Coast, it was ringing again, and without taking his eyes off the road ahead Gibbs reached into his pocket plucked out the phone and threw it at McGee to deal with, still being in no mood to talk to her. After reading that file on the plane he simply couldn't talk to anyone right now.

To say he was angry didn't adequately describe the amount of contempt he had for the FBI. The fact that Tony had been hurt, not in some nefarious mafia scheme to blackmail his father, but because he'd saved an FBI agents life was going to fuel that contempt for a very long time. As far as he was concerned Hannigan was a coward for prioritising saving the operation over saving Tony. Of course he knew not everyone would see it that way. Gibbs would bet his last dollar Wilkes believed Hannigan to be a hero, which was why he let them have the report in the first place, probably hoping when this was over he'd change his mind about ensuring those still working for the FBI are held accountable. That definitely wasn't the case, now more than ever did he want a few moments alone in a dark room with the Agents responsible for not only abandoning an injured child in an Alleyway, but for allowing him to be drugged and subjected a dangerous procedure without due cause. It was lucky for Hannigan that Bell got to him first, as far as he was concerned the bastard got off light.

A high pitched scream from the back seat distracted him from his thoughts, looking in the mirror he could see McGee with his cell held away from his ear. Gibbs cringed. He left bad, for him and for Abby, but knew McGee could deal and that she'd get over the rebuff easily enough. Out of all the young people he had in his life Tony, McGee, even Kate, Abby was the most well-adjusted one. Despite appearances she was mature enough to understand the choices he made, even if she didn't like them, which is why he knew once he explained why he couldn't speak to her, she'd understand. Tony on the other hand would definitely not understand any of this, he was the least mature out of all of them and Abby's exact opposite. If Gibbs ignored him like he had Abby just now Tony would immediately think he'd done something wrong and work his butt off figuring out what and how to fix it. Every word Gibbs said and everything he did was dissected for its hidden meaning, not that he had many hidden meanings, but that didn't stop Tony from over thinking things and looking for them anyway. Tony maybe just as smart as Abby, but sometimes the idiot in him overruled that intellect.

This entire situation had already led to some major over thinking. Tony had been in a tailspin of insecurity from the moment he'd broke the news of his connection to the fictional Craig Bower and it was only going to get worst as soon as Tony clapped eyes on him and realised he'd been lied to once again.

In spite of, or maybe because of DiNozzo excessive need for attention, they'd built up a social relationship that until recent events Gibbs had successfully managed to keep separate from their working relationship. In the office it was growls and headslaps from him, jokes and acting out from Tony, but at home, with no one to keep up appearances for, Tony dropped the cocky self-confidence and Gibbs stopped being a bastard. It was nice, being able to show his softer side for a change and knowing it wouldn't be used against him or damage his reputation as a hard-ass in anyway. Then there were the times when the lines blurred. Occasionally Tony's guard would drop at work without warning, usually when he'd already been pushed to his limits and couldn't keep up the happy façade any longer. At those times when Gibbs pushed him to far he'd push back and openly demand the loving attention he craved regardless of who was around to witness it.

You do care right?

Gibbs still couldn't believe he'd asked him that, as if he could ever think he didn't. He'd tried to ignore him then, but when Tony didn't let up …

Are you saying you don't care?

…Warning bells went off in his head. The bastard persona was as important to Gibbs as Tony's clown face was to him, but in times of crisis he was willing to drop his guard. Walking off that elevator Gibbs knew ignoring him wasn't going to work. Tony was too tired, too beaten and too scared to rein himself in. Thinking that he'd screwed up by getting himself drugged and kidnapped in the first place he needed validation, needed to hear that he still mattered, that Gibbs wasn't going to brush him aside and replace him because of that one mistake. So, knowing that, he'd done what was necessary and told Tony he was irreplaceable.

Deep in thought, Gibbs Stared at the seemingly never ending road ahead. He wasn't an idiot, he knew he treated Tony differently from his other agents, by using tricks to get him to behave, filtering information to teach him to think for himself and guarding him against anything that might bring him to harm emotionally. Tony always came across as confident, but his grandiose nature merely masked a very low self-image that effected how he thought and felt on a daily basis. It was obvious to anyone looking close enough that he could be easily hurt and that's why Abby was so concerned back in the basement. Gibbs could still hear her telling him faking his shooting was 'risky' and hit out at the steering wheel causing Kate to him to jump out of her seat. The deception was going to hang over them like a dark rain cloud, ready to burst and at a moment they'd be least prepared. That on top of what truths lay in the FBI folder, currently housed in their hire car's trunk and Gibbs knew it wouldn't be simple a resolution. DiNozzo wasn't that simple.

He hit the steering wheel again, this time in frustration as he nearly missed the turn. Taking a sharp left into a wide street the first thing he noticed about the neighbourhood Tony grew up in was that there were no visible houses, every hundred metres or so they came across a long winding driveway guarded with tall gates, but that was all. It was early morning, but even so Gibbs couldn't imagine any kids playing in this street, no bikes left on street corners, no parents idly chatting while they watched their offspring play. He couldn't ever imagine Tony thriving in such a closed off environment. When they first started pulling apart the NYPD's investigation of his kidnapping Kate had labelled Tony an extrovert, as an only child himself Gibbs knew solitude and what it meant to finally belong somewhere, and seeing this neighbourhood, he knew Tony would have only known loneliness.

The thought saddened him considerably, causing him to remember the last time he'd seen Tony was when he'd climb into Millers van, a dead look in his eyes, the likes of which Gibbs had only seen in marines returning from combat. The ones who'd reached their breaking point and were lost forever. Hopefully Tony hadn't surpassed his own breaking point yet and was just temporarily lost, upset after their second brutal argument in as many days.

Tony should never have followed him to the head. He'd come here to get away from everyone, to clear his head and maybe think of a way out of this mess that didn't involve Tony doing something idiotic. Now his refusal to tell him what was wrong was sending Gibbs over the edge. Tired of pussy footing around, Gibbs stared Tony down, he looked panicked and tried to back away, but Gibbs wasn't going to let him. Not this time.

"You know what DiNozzo," he started casually, "if you aren't going to be honest with me this isn't going to work."

"Gibbs I-" Tony choked, the words dying on his lips.

"You told me before you weren't a child." He said calmly, turning his back to wash his hands.

"I'm not." Tony growled standing rigid behind him.

"Well then stop acting like one!" Gibbs spun around advancing forward, surprising Tony with his sudden venom and forcing him to take a step back towards the door.

"I'm not! I'm trying to offer a solution." He screamed back in desperation, looking scared and confused by his swift tone change.

"No," Gibbs laughed at him, "what you're doing is having a tantrum and wasting my time."

"I can't take another night sleeping on your couch." Tony swallowed and regrouped.

"Then try sleeping in the bed upstairs." He retorted sharply, pinning him with another hard and unforgiving glare.

"Funny," Tony nodded with a watery smile, telling Gibbs he found it anything but, "but can we maybe stay away from discussing my irrational fears and stick to the facts?"

"The facts being that you want to offer yourself up as bait and hope we catch Miller before he decides kill you?" He asked sarcastically.

"I don't care anymore Gibbs!" Tony flipped, moving away to pace the far wall putting as much space between them as possible, hands gesturing wildly. "I can't cope with this anymore, you guys looking at me like I'm about to fall apart, people knowing what happened. I hate it. I hate it all. I want to go back to head slaps and jokes and…"

"Enough!" Gibbs slapped him as requested, hoping it would wake up any remaining brain cells.

"I want a chance to end this." Tony ground out, face set like stone, not even reacting to the slap.

"It's too dangerous…" Gibbs sighed, calming down and stepping away, releasing he'd just let his temper get the better of him and in the worst way.

"The job is dangerous!" Tony shouted, getting more and more worked up, "it's only a matter of time before they catch up to me, I can't hide at your place forever."

"Hey, I said I'd keep you safe!" Gibbs stepped forward again, poking him in the chest.

"It's a decent plan Gibbs." Tony said calmly.

"If you think offering yourself up to Miller as bate is 'a decent plan' you're an idiot and don't deserve to be an agent on my team." Gibbs looked him directly in the eye.

"I'm willing to take the risk." Tony ignored the insult and veiled threat.

"Well I'm not." He said quietly, indicating they were done with the conversation.

"It's my choice, you can't stop me boss." Tony said evenly, watching him.

Hands bunching into fists at his side Gibbs walked towards the door, turning to face Tony just before he crossed the threshold. "You go anywhere near Miller and your off my team for good, DiNozzo."

And without waiting to see the impact of his words Gibbs stepped out into the corridor, allowing the door to swing shut behind him. As he walked down the corridor he could hear Tony calling him back, asking him not to leave, but Gibbs kept walking, heading for the elevator.

Telling Tony he was off the team was tantamount to saying he didn't love him anymore. Gibbs knew what that would do to him, and it was much worse than the ill-timed anger fuelled headslap. Sadly enough, inappropriate violence was something Tony could deal with far too well. When Tony had first started at NCIS he promised to teach him to be the best agent he could be, as time went on he promised himself he'd be the best role model to Tony he could be and more recently he'd made a promise to keep him safe, not because it was his job or the right thing to do, but because he cared too damn much about Tony to lose him. And In less than twenty-four hours he'd broken every single one of those promises.

He only hoped Tony saw passed his failures and mean words to the fear that was fuelling them. Like Ducky had said, he'd threatened DiNozzo with loss of his job on many occasions and not once had he made good on it. With a hefty sigh as they grew nearer their target destination he supposed there was no time to lament on it any further. DiNozzo's long term metal state would have to be addressed after they caught the bastards dead set on hurting him again. At the end of the day Gibbs would rather have him alive and slightly traumatised than just plain dead.

.

Kate was fit to burst. She'd wanted to say something back on the plane, after reading through Hannigan's report and having more than a few questions, especially regarding Gibbs' last interview with Senior which he'd yet to speak of and that had put them on Miller's tail, but chose to leave Gibbs be until he indicated he was ready to talk. Now they were nearly at their destination and he'd had yet to do more than glare in her general direction and Kate was getting worried.

"We're nearly there." She started the conversation, feeling compelled to do something to break the brooding silence.

"Ah huh," He agreed none committedly, not even taking his eyes off the road.

Kate turned in her seat and stared at him resolutely.

"We're going to get him back, Gibbs."

She'd been meaning to ask about the plan for when they arrived, but the tight lines' around his lips and tension in his eyes told her Gibbs was hurting and trying to hide it.

"Why do you think they did it?" McGee spoke up from the back seat when her comment earned no response.

He was clearly as keen as she was to end the oppressive silence.

"Did what McGee?" She sighed, turning back around in her seat to face the road ahead.

"Why protect the bastards that hurt a kid." Gibbs hissed suddenly.

Kate could see McGee's reflection in the rear-view mirror, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. It was a funny image, but not one Kate had the strength to laugh at right now.

"To protect the operation and the agency," she answered in disgust. "The FBI had an unstable rouge agent working undercover, if word got out others would have been put at risk…"

"Doesn't make it right," Gibbs interjected.

"No," she agreed sadly, "it's doesn't."

It wasn't what Gibbs wanted to hear apparently and he made that very clear by pressing his foot down on the gas pedal. They descended into silence again and Kate would be made to eat her words if it ever got out, but she'd never missed Tony more.

"Well they're definitely here." She announced needlessly as Gibbs made a second sudden sharp left and kept going.

They'd pulled into the DiNozzo driveway only to discover the gates wide open, broken chain lying discarded on the ground.

"Wow, that's big, Tony really grew up here?" McGee commented on the mansion parked on the hill in the distance.

He sat forward, poking his head out from between the front seats as they made their slow progress up the long driveway. The house looked rather majestic in the early morning sunshine despite its dishevelled appearance and as they pulled up behind another car haphazardly parked outside the open front door Kate couldn't help but be in awe herself. It was like something out of an Emily Bronte Novel, not at all what she had expected from someone like DiNozzo.

"Tony lived here Tim, he's still yet to grow up." She managed to sound like her usual unimpressed self.

McGee laughed and Gibbs gave her a mild look of chastisement, one which Kate easily shrugged off as she climbed out of the car.

"That's a rental. They really didn't try to hide their trail." McGee said pointing at the car in front while following her and Gibbs towards the house.

"Because they didn't think anybody would be following anytime soon," Gibbs said plainly, reminding them of the fact Tony and the rest thought Gibbs was dead.

"I'm going to kill DiNozzo when we catch up to him." Kate muttered, joining him on the opposite side of the door.

"You and me both," Gibbs whispered in agreement, shaking his head as he stood, his back to the wall, drawing his weapon and assessing every angle of approach. "Kate with me. McGee, stay out here, cover the door."

Gun directed at the floor with the safety off Kate watched him move stealthily forward into the house. Stepping over the threshold herself she nearly bumped into where he'd come to a standstill just inside the inner doorway. Remaining behind him, her gun matching his and pointed at the marbled floor Kate got her first glimpse of the inside. The entrance hallway was as fantastic as the outside, the wide spiralling staircase's impact not at all diminished by its dusty appearance.

"Wow, I knew Tony came from money but this is-"

"Let's just find DiNozzo and get out of here." Gibbs snapped, putting her back on task.

He looked less than impressed with the grandeur, but then he was probably seeing it in a different light. Knowing so much more about Tony's life here than she ever would Kate guessed he was picturing a much less impressive and certainly colder existence than she was.

The ground floor was open-plan, so they made their way through into what looked like the main living area. Kate scanned the room looking for anything suspicious while Gibbs went ahead of her and search the rooms beyond. Staying where she was, alert to any movement behind them Kate noticed two large cream sofas in the middle of the room. Both had dust sheets over, as did most of the rest of the furniture, only there was no actual dust at one end and where light filtered in through the partially open curtains it illuminated disturbed dust partials dancing in the air.

Walking over to take a closer look she tried to imagine a young Tony living here. Kate still didn't think it suited him, maybe because of all the light creams and whites. Though he put a lot of effort into his appearance now, she imagined him as a rather messy child, the kind with constantly sticky fingers. This place, despite the dust, seemed too sterile and impersonal for him.

"Gibbs," she called him back as soon as her eyes caught sight of the patch of blood on the once cream carpet behind the second sofa

Gibbs was by her side within seconds, staring down at the same dark red patch with hooded eyes and a grunt of agreement. They searched the immediate area, but Kate found nothing that could indicate whose blood it was. When she turned to tell him so she discovered Gibbs crouched down by the mantle with what looked like a broken picture frame in hand. He stared at it a long time, to the point Kate almost asked what was wrong, but then he shook off the broken glass and removed the photo, slipping it carefully into his jacket pocket before standing.

"They're here somewhere," he said cryptically walking out back towards the stairs.

Kate didn't bother to ask about the photo and was about to suggest splitting up to search the rather larger than expected house when a gunshot rang out, echoing off the sparse walls and sending them both springing into action.

.

Gibbs took off the second he heard the crack of the bullet, sprinting up the stairs taking them two at a time. Arriving on the first floor adrenalin pumping he paused and looked around for a sign of where the shot had come from. Hearing a woman's continuous screaming he flew along the corridor, Kate flanking him all the way. As he neared an open door at the far end Gibbs held up his hand, indicating Kate to hang back. He could hear a voice, one he thought he recognised, but had not been expecting.

"I'm going to kill her anyway don't make this more difficult than it has to be."

"You'll have to shoot me first, oh wait you can't! You need me to tell you where the money is."

"God damn-it DiNozzo," Gibbs whispered under his breath, back pressed to the wall next to the doorway.

He was overjoyed to hear his voice, but not happy to find he was tormenting the mad man holding the gun. Eyeing Kate he held up his hand and with nothing more than a look sent her back down stairs to retrieve McGee. Counting down in his head Gibbs inched his way closer to the door, his own gun aimed high.

"I don't need you, I want you dead!" Bell shouted, his back to the door, "You're the reason I got sent to that hell hole in the first place!"

Reaching the precipice Gibbs caught sight of Tony, blood covering his nose and cheek, barely managing to hold himself upright, Shauna standing right behind him.

"You should put your weapon down." Tony said, obviously trying to disguise his fear at the new turn of events.

"That's a good idea." Gibbs said walking inside the office like he was late for an appointment, managing to keep his sights on Bell, not even looking in Tony's direction. "NCIS"

Covering himself from all angles he stepped steadily closer, all the while keeping his gun aimed at Bell's head. A glance to his left gave him a brief look at Miller who wasn't going to be getting up anytime soon. Shauna was by his side, fruitlessly trying to stop the blood oozing out of his chest.

"Took your time didn't you Gibbs," Bell uttered casually, keeping his own gun aimed squarely at Tony.

"Put the weapon down, Agent." Gibbs kept his head and stayed neutral despite Bell's attempt to draw him into some kind of pissing contest.

"Can't do that I'm afraid," Bell shook his head. "I've not been an Agent in a long time, thanks to this one," he pointed at Tony with the gun, "but I guess it's what I deserved. I did cross a line there."

Gibbs instinctually followed his movements and caught sight of Tony staring at him like he didn't know whether to smile or cry.

"If that's what you call beating up a six year old then yeah, you did." Gibbs kept his tone clipped and forced himself to pull his focus back to Bell.

"I've made my peace." Bell said bluntly, years of psychiatric treatment evident in that non-committal response.

"The FBI thinks you're crazy." Gibbs relaxed his stance, but remained firm, waiting for Bell to make the first move.

"Yeah, well," he chuckled, "but don't believe everything your told Agent Gibbs."

"I read your file, you were the FBI's best undercover agent." He continued, flicking another glance at Tony.

The similarities between Bell and DiNozzo ability wise were scary even to him and Gibbs did not scare easily. Their files could have been put side by side without names on and he'd struggle to tell them apart.

"The FBI looks after the FBI." Bell said sadly, his gun arm dropping towards the floor.

"They think you killed Agent Hannigan." Gibbs pushed, ready for his chance to make a move.

"I didn't." Bell snapped.

"Is that why you called us to Hannigan's crime scene? You wanted us to find out who did?"

Gibbs was just playing along, but Bell shuttered, looking regretful.

"He deserved better than that." He said calmly after a second's silence. "He covered up my fuck up. I owed him."

"He tried to stop you." Gibbs stated hiding his surprise and taking a step closer.

Bell flicked his glance back onto Tony. "The kid knew where the money was the whole time, we found out after we messed with his head of course, his good for nothing dad played us all good."

Senior had said as much during their last interrogation, admitted to stretching the truth when he'd told him and Tony about how he had left Miller to handle everything. The truth was when he'd shown up to the apartment it was with Bell's doctor in tow, the team Hannigan had called before passing out had arranged for him to escort the doctor up to subdue Bell, but Senior had used him for his own purposes as well, a payment of $20,000 under the table ensured he treated Tony too. Senior convinced Miller Tony would ruin everything if he told anyone what happened. The doctor performed the ECT and Tony forgot all about Senior giving him the money to hide. He was free and clear, with both Miller and the FBI. Only downside was when everything calmed down he couldn't find the money either, so sure he was that he knew where his son would put it, 'imagine my surprise' he said, 'when I went through his room and didn't find a trace.' But Gibbs wasn't at all surprised. Senior had no idea about his kid. The inappropriate birthday presents delivered in November were a testament to that.

"He isn't a little kid anymore." Gibbs nudged his head, chin pointing at Tony looking more than a little worse for wear.

Bell frowned, looking pained as he stared in Tony's general direction.

"It's all his fault." Bell screwed his eyes shut and raised his weapon to point at Tony once again.

"No his father played you, you just said so yourself, Tony was a victim." Gibbs edged closer keeping Tony, who hadn't so much as taken a breath it seemed since he entered the room, in his peripheral vision. "Mr DiNozzo gave his six year old son the only copy of the details that could lead you to the money. He was a selfish son of a bitch out to save himself."

"But the letter, it said-"

"I know what it said." Gibbs lied. "Miller wanted you to think it was all Tony's fault. He was a kid Bell, just a kid. Senior was the one who double crossed you."

"No!" Bell grabbed his head in pain, the gun loose within his grip.

Imminent threat gone Gibbs made his moved, but Bell wasn't as out of it as he appeared. The rather insane ex FBI Agent snapped to attention quickly and held the gun to Gibbs' forehead. Feeling the cool metal touch his skin he froze, glaring with murderous intent.

"Boss!" Tony panicked.

"Boss!" Bell mocked him and laughed, "Ah, brings back memories," he sighed happily, "of course last time it was daddy he was screaming for."

"Well I'm not his dad." Gibbs made his point without breaking from his glare, tone firm and steady.

"True." Bell seemed impressed. "You're here to save him for a start."

"You going to let them go?" Gibbs included Shauna in the bargain, despite wanting to shoot her himself for dragging Tony into this.

"He has to pay. He could have given us the money, Hannigan didn't have had to die." Bell spoke distantly, suddenly and unexpectedly transferring his aim back to Tony. "Time to say goodbye, Agent Gibbs-"

Before either of them could say another word Bell pulled the trigger.

TBC…

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A/N: Another chapter that has caused me some annoyance, I hope it reads okay, I would hold off but I wanted to get this and the next chapter (that will be posted either tonight or tomorrow) posted before I went away for a week. Let me know any glaring probs and of course let me know if you enjoyed it too! That's always good to hear ;) TTFN!