Chapter 10

"He was exposed to toxic gas four nights ago. Signed himself out AMA from the hospital." Gibbs had dragged Tony down to autopsy and gave the facts to the ME. Ducky frowned silently and led Tony to one of the tables and started to examine him.

"Any signs of nausea or dizziness? Any shortness of breath or coughing?"

"Just in the beginning, the first two days maybe, I'm fine now." Tony answered quietly. He looked guilty and Gibbs felt he was right to do so.

At least he was letting Ducky examine him now. It was always a fight to get him to seek medical attention.

He had avoided the entrance examination that was required for all new NCIS agents so long that they had threatened to just fire him again. It was only thanks to Ducky's patience and clam persuasiveness that he had been allowed to give him a full medical.

The first time he had been wounded working for NCIS, a stab wound, he hadn't told anyone, and later collapsed of blood loss. When he'd woken up in the emergency room he'd panicked and tried to run.

On that occasion, Gibbs also had found out that the younger man had put down one 'Robin Masters' as next of kin. Needless to say that he had been seriously pissed and changed that to his own name.

When Ducky was finished, he shook his head in quiet desperation: "He's okay now, Jethro, fortunately he has more luck than brains on his side, where it's regarding his health!"

Relived to hear this, Gibbs prepared to go heads on with Tony now. He came dangerously close to the younger man's face again and hissed. "You are an idiot, DiNozzo!"

The reprimand didn't miss its aim. Tony visibly shrank and paled. He tried to distance himself from his Boss, but wasn't successful as he was still seated on the examination table. He avoided eye contact. Actually, his eyes were searching the door behind Gibbs.

Gibbs noticed just how badly Tony was affected. He's going to bail on you, tone it down or he's going to go into fight and flight mode!

Gibbs was deeply concerned about his agent, the anger just appeared as a sidekick to it. Anger was his usual response to things, if something wasn't going his way he would just yell and make it go as he pleased – must be something he picked up with the corps.

Yelling will not work here, though.

He backed off a little bit: "Now, didn't we establish before that you tell me if you are hurt?" he asked, forcing himself to sound somewhat calm. "Wasn't that why I put my name down as your next of kin? Did I miss all the calls on Monday night, telling me that you were in the hospital?"

Tony looked down in his lap, he had visibly flushed. "Well … it wasn't work related. I thought I shouldn't bother you with my personal problems. You don't want to know stuff like this. I'm sorry."

Gibbs gut was twisting, hot fury rising in him against the people who had messed up the mind of the boy. Tony, who was always the first to help others and cared deeply for his friends, was incapable of seeing that others might return that and care for him as well.

Softly now he said. "You're wrong Tony. I want to know! I care."

Tony's gaze shot up to him in awe. He was completely taken by surprise and downright shocked to hear such words. Gibbs had sounded gentle and caring, openly showing affection. It was a tone Tony had only heard him use with Abby before, or when children were involved in their cases.

Tony's face displayed a struggle of emotions. All the self-doubt, the guilt, self-hatred, fear and the insecurity were visible for a moment. It seemed like he desperately wanted to believe that he was wanted and cared for, but in the end couldn't allow himself to do so, it would make him too vulnerable.

That moment passed and Tony gained control again. Slipping on one of his masks a wide smile appeared on his face. "Aww, Boss, you care! That's so sweet." He said, making it sound like a joke.

He hopped off the table and made his way around Gibbs and Ducky and headed for the door. "Listen guys, it was nothing, I'm fine. You just proved it yourself, Ducky. No need to go all mother-hen on me."

"Tony!" Gibbs now barked again to stop him from leaving, "DiNozzo! You're not solving problems by ignoring them."

The young man stopped, but didn't turn again to face them: "Very well spoken, boss, you had fortune cookies yesterday?" Without giving them the chance of another word he stepped out and took the stairs to get back to the bullpen.

Stupid, stubborn! Gibbs cursed once again. He looked at Ducky, seeking advice on how to proceed now from his friend.

"Oh dear! I think he acts out like this because he has no idea of how he is supposed to react adequately."

"He's acting like a jerk." Gibbs growled lowly.

"That he is." Ducky turned and busied himself by putting away his instruments. After a while he continued in his best narrative tone, like stating one of his stories. "I read a paper a while ago on the insufficiencies in relationships towards important others and attachment figures in children who suffered severe neglect and abuse. It was written by a colleague in France. I met him once at a conference in London. A charming fellow, who had traveled quite a lot to. I remember sharing some memories about India with him. He is an excellent listener, well something that surely comes in handy for a psychologist. He…"

"Duck!" Jethro cut the older man off.

Ducky turned again to face him and looked him over intently. Gibbs felt like he was being searched for his motivation and capabilities. Concern was written deeply in the ME's features.

"He needs help, Jethro!"

"I know, Duck, I know! But where should I start? I can't even make him listen to me right now." Gibbs voice was harsh with frustration.

"For a start, where is he going to sleep tonight?"

Author's Note: Please review!