Tony stood in the elevator waiting for the doors to open and reveal the sunshine, birdies and rainbows on the other side. Or, at least, that's what it would seem like after the last couple weeks. With Abby having gone to Gibbs last night and sorting everything out, it was going to be peaceful once again. A smile spread over his face just thinking about it and he couldn't help but start to whistle.

The doors opened and Tony stepped out into this brave new world only to find a grim looking McGee sitting at his desk. But, to be fair, Probie always looked grim. "Morning, McSunshine!"

McGee looked around over his shoulder. "Hide."

Tony stopped in his tracks. "What?"

"Hide. I don't know what you did to piss Gibbs off, but he's looking for you and he's not happy."

The smile quickly slid from Tony's face as he tried to think about what he could have possibly done. Images of Abby from last night flooded his mind, but how would the boss know about that? Would Abby really tell him? She'd have to know Gibbs wouldn't be happy about it. Who you kidding? He's Gibbs! He knows everything! "Where is he?" he asked quietly hoping to make a quick escape back to his apartment and call in sick.

"Think he went up to MTAC. Or to see the Director. Either way, he'll probably be back shortly."

Tony looked around, but he didn't see any sign of Gibbs. What the hell had happened last night? Tony had to find out. "I'm gonna go see Abby," he told McGee and turned around only to come face to face with a very stealthy Gibbs. He jumped and took a step back. How does he do that?!

"You're not going anywhere, DiNozzo."

"I'm not?"

"Nope."

"But I just gotta run down really quick and-."

"And nothing," said Gibbs as he walked around Tony towards his own desk. "If you need something from Abby, you can send McGee down. You got too much work to do to be playing around down there all day." He sat at his desk and opened his email. When he didn't see Tony move, he looked up to find the Senior Field agent staring at him from the same place he had been standing. Gibbs pointed at his desk. "Sit." He commanded. Tony didn't move. When Gibbs gave him a pointed stare, Tony finally turned away and sat at his desk.

What the hell happened? Tony stared at his keyboard. Things were supposed to be better, not worse. He turned on his computer and took a ballsy move by opening up his messenger system. Deciding to remain hidden, just in case, he opened a chat with Abby.

OneNOnlyTony: What the hell happened last night?!

Labby_Land: What do you mean?

OneNOnlyTony: Gibbs is pissed at me. Won't even let me come down there. Did you tell him about last night?

Labby_Land: I didn't tell him anything!

OneNOnlyTony: You mean anything about what happened or anything as is anything at all?

Labby_Land: Anything at all

OneNOnlyTony: WHAT?! Why not?

Labby_Land: He was preoccupied.

OneNOnlyTony: How?

A few minutes went by without Abby saying anything back. Tony was worried. Preoccupied? What could that possibly mean?

OneNOnlyTony: Hey Im risking my job here. I'd like to know what happened.

Labby_Land: He was with someone else

Fuck, Tony thought. He leaned back in his chair and looked over at Gibbs. Anger flooded his chest, but he kept it down. He knew he couldn't blow his top at work. Abby would be pissed. Gibbs would kill him. Hell, this job was probably going to kill him anyway. Maybe even just the stress from these two.

Gibbs gathered some folders off the desk. "McGee, take these to Abby," he said holding these out. Tony looked over at McGee and saw him sigh. The stress was getting to everyone. McGee stood and took the folders Gibbs was handing out. He threw Tony a glance that shouted 'Save Me!' as he walked by. Glancing back over at Gibbs he saw the man looking back at him. Gibbs had no right to be mad at either Tony or Abby if he was out with another woman last night. Tony broke the gaze and decided to bury himself in his work while wondering if things were ever going to get back to normal.

Tony was lying on the couch watching television, trying to leave the case at work for once, when the phone rang. He never even thought about not answering it. That never seemed to be an option. "DiNozzo. What up?"

"I need you to go to the lab and check on Abby. She still hasn't left."

"Why don't you just go, Boss? Or, better yet, call?"

"She's not answering."

"Maybe she left with a friend."

"She didn't"

"How do you-?"

"I just do!" Tony was pushing it and he knew it by the tone in Gibbs' voice. He just couldn't stop pushing though.

"McGee lives closer. Why not call him?"

Gibbs grumbled. Tony wasn't his first choice in sending to check on Abby. In fact, he was dead last, but no one else was available. "McGee apparently has grown tired of his job!"

Tony chuckled. "Hung up on you, didn't he?"

"I'm ordering you, DiNozzo. YOU! Now get out ass there!" And with that, Gibbs disconnected the call. Tony closed his phone and his eyes. This was going to be a long night.

"Abby? You here?" Tony enter the semi-dark lab and didn't see Abby at first. He knew she must have still been here, she would never leave her computer up and running, open and unprotected to just anyone who may enter the lab. "Abby?" he asked again stepping further in and looking around. "You here?"

"In here," she said from her office. Tony followed the sound of her voice and saw her laying on her futon near the far wall. "Hey, Tony. What ya doing here?"

"Checking on you. What are you doing here? You sleeping here now?" Tony squatted down in front of her.

"Just for the last couple nights. Home felt too lonely."

"You know you are always welcome over at my place, right?"

Abby faintly smiled. "After the last time, I didn't think I was allowed back."

"Rubbish. You are always welcome and you know that. Why not gather your stuff and we can go."

She hugged Bert tighter to her so he would "let loose." "No thanks. I'm all settled in here for the night. Maybe tomorrow night though."

"I don't like the idea of you sleeping here, you know. Gibbs doesn't either."

"Gibbs?" Abby asked, almost as if she hadn't heard the name before. "Why do you mention him?"

"He's the one that called me and told me you would be here. Wanted me to come check on you." Both were silent for a few moments. "He does care for you, Abby. You know that, right?"

He has a weird way of showing it, she thought then quickly scolded herself for thinking it. She was the one who pushed him away, right into that tart's arms. She deserved this. Now if only she could get rid of Tony. "Yeah, I know. But really, I'm good here for tonight. I will think about your offer for tomorrow though. Promise."

Tony didn't really believe her and was still reluctant to leave. He thought of staying with her, but knew she would just turn him down. Besides, he had nothing to wear for tomorrow. He had already used all his spare clothes stashed in Abby's office. "Alright," he said hesitantly. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "You know to call me if you need anything, right?"

Abby chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Yes, Dad. I got your cell, house and work number along with Uncle Tim's attached to the refrigerator. I will call if I need something."

"Or someone," he added for good measure.

"Or someone."

"Alright," Tony said one more time and stood. He could feels his knees creak from the movement and wondered how much like Gibbs he really was. Not enough in the way it counts, he thought as he took one last look at the Goth girl cuddled up with a farting Hippo on a futon mattress. Heading out the door, he speed dialed Gibbs.

Tony stepped off the back elevator after hanging up his phone and walked through the squad room towards the one that would lead him back to his car. The phone conversation didn't go too pleasantly. Gibbs wanted Tony to get her to leave, but he insisted she wouldn't. He pushed the call button for the elevator. Once the doors opened he came face to face with a confused and somewhat bewildered McGee. "What are you doing here, McGee?"

"Gibbs called and asked me to go and see Abby for him."

Toy smiled wide and McGee knew there was something up. "Really? The way I hear it, you refused to do it and hung up on him?"

McGee made a face at the statement. "He told you that, did he?"

Tony chuckled. "Oh yeah! And you can bet I'll be here bright and early tomorrow morning with popcorn to see when you two come face to face."

"Well, I'm here now, so if you don't mind," McGee made a move to walk around Tony.

"Actually, Probie, I do. And so will you. I just came from down there. You should be advised not to go. Besides, I already told Gibbs everything. There wouldn't be a point."

"So I left my date for nothing?"

"Not for nothing. You saved the poor guy you were out with from having to spend the rest of the date with you." McGee stepped up against the wall and let his head fall back against it. "Something wrong, McGee?"

For a few moments, McGee said nothing. He barely moved. In fact, he had closed his eyes and for a brief moment Tony wondered if he had fallen asleep. Suddenly McGee slammed his hands against the wall. "Damn it, Tony! This has to stop!"

Taken aback by the outburst, Tony wasn't sure what to say. He always made little comments like that to McGee. Why would this one bother him? "Sorry. I didn't mean that you were actually out with some guy."

"No, not that." McGee stood from the wall. "Its this! All this! All this running around, cancelling plans, changing everything just because Gibbs and Abby can't get along?! What the hell is that about?!"

"Maybe you should just calm down."

"No! No, I won't calm down! I love this job, Tony. So much. But these last couple weeks? I can't stand it! They are impossible to wok with. I don't think I can keep up with this."

"What are you saying?" Tony asked. He hoped he wasn't losing another partner.

McGee sighed. "I don't know. I love this team. I love you guys. But no one is getting along with anyone anymore. The fighting, isn't it getting to you?"

It was Tony's turn to sigh. "Yeah, it is. The flow is all messed up. The happy has left the family. Now its just like a normal family. You love them but you still want to punch them in the face."

"Not exactly how I would have put it, but yes, something like that." Both men stood silently. "I really don't think I can take this much longer, Tony. And after tonight's fiasco, I probably won't have a job in the morning anyway."

"Come on. It couldn't have been that bad." McGee gave him a look that would say otherwise. "Let's go get a drink or something." Tony called the elevator and stepped into it with McGee. The doors closed and the two agents headed back to their cars.

A shadow moved from the squad room and Abby appeared, tears streaking down her face. She had taken the back elevator up to catch up with Tony and saw him and McGee standing there talking. She was about to greet them when McGee had had his outburst. She decided to stay back and hear what they had to say. She hadn't realized it had gotten this bad with the team. There was really only one thing she could do now. She just wasn't sure how.