a/n - A short chapter, but again, it needed to stand alone. I may get the next chapter up today, we'll see. It's a rather major chapter (read, you'll really like it) and I will need both the grandbabies to go down for naps at the same time. Cross your fingers for synchronized nappage.

Since the two women were deep in conversation as they unpacked the kitchen, Tony began taking more books out of the boxes and handing them to Tim. Gibbs asked for a quick run down on where he wanted the wall mounted shelves and speakers before he, too, got to work. Working together, they had a great deal of the apartment set up when the truck from the furniture store arrived. Under Tim's supervision the second bedroom was set up, while Tony watched over the placement of the new living room set and dining table. Adopting the voice and mannerisms of a flamboyant designer, he had Gibbs rolling his eyes and Sarah giggling before the baffled and slightly embarrassed delivery men made their escape.

"Tim, it would have taken us days to get this much done. The least we can do is feed them." Sarah's proclamation surprised Tim, but then he realized that although she was staying very close to Ziva, she didn't seem nearly as jumpy around Tony and Gibbs as she had when they first arrived.

Not only that, but she was right. Just not having to go up and down while unpacking all the books had saved not only time but probably his knees as well. "Sure, why don't I order some pizza?" Gibbs and Ziva seemed pleased with the invitation, but Tony seemed nervous.

"Before you do, I need to talk to Sarah first. She may not want me to stay." Tony held his hand out towards one of the new overstuffed chairs now angled off to the side of the sofa. Now unsure of herself, Sarah sat down, pulling her knees up under her chin and watching him closely.

Gibbs and McGee both knew what was coming, but were concerned it was too soon.

"DiNozzo, this might not be the best time."

"Tony..."

"No, I did something stupid and Sarah has the right to know. I don't want her to feel like anyone's lied to her or tried to cover up my mistake."

Sarah's arms tightened around her legs, but her voice was steady. "All right, I'm listening."

Now that he'd committed himself, DiNozzo wasn't quite sure where to start. He sat across from Sarah, his arms resting on his knees, and his hands twisting together in front of him. As was his norm, he started talking with the hope that his brain would catch up at some point. "Ever since the first case we worked together, your brother has put up with a lot of crap from me, and half the time I don't even know why I do it. He's the only person that really puts up with me, more than anybody that I've ever called a friend, more than my dad, heck even more than Gibbs, and I've never told him how much that means to me, how important he is to me."

Gibbs carefully watched all of his 'kids'. Ziva was observing as closely as he was, as Tim shifted nervously, watching both Tony and Sarah. The young man's insecurities had been brought to the forefront by the events of the last few weeks and he seemed stunned by Tony's admissions. If Tony were to look around, he would have seen how much his words were affecting Tim, but Tony's attention was solely on Sarah, who had yet to even blink.

"I've never been able to tell him, so I try to take care of him, but he's pretty independent and he's always got be the strong one." Tony hesitated as Sarah gave a quiet sob, but she nodded her agreement as she wiped her eyes with the sleeve of the oversized sweatshirt of her brother's that she was wearing. "I go behind his back sometimes to make sure he's okay, and that's what I did the other day. I knew something was really tearing him apart, but he wouldn't tell me what was wrong, so I broke into his place to try and figure out what was wrong."

"It was you that I heard."

Tony hung his head at Sarah's whispered realization. "Yeah, it was me. God, Sarah, I'm so, so sorry. I saw the pregnancy test box and all I could think was that he was in trouble and he didn't come to me or to the Boss and I just lost it. I was trying to do the right thing to help my friend, and instead I almost killed you and I destroyed the best friendship I'll ever have." He scrubbed at his eyes and took a deep breath before finishing. "I'll understand if you don't want me around, because right now you need people around you that you trust and feel safe with and I probably don't exactly fit the bill anymore."

Sarah bowed her head, resting her forehead on her knees and Tony climbed to his feet, preparing to leave. He stopped when she started to speak. "There is absolutely no way," Tony winced and made no effort to wipe at the tear forming in the corner of his eye, "that they are going to have the pizza toppings I like and I think my brother should get us all Chinese food." She looked up at Tony and smiled even though her bottom lip was trembling. "But I think you should pitch in and order egg rolls."

"Yeah? Yeah, I can do that. I'd like to do that."