It wasn't until he emerged from the bathroom, carrying his pants and shirt over his arm to find DiNozzo hovering by the bed, still fully clothed, and looking uncharacteristically unsure of himself that the ex-marine realised that his newest Agent might be genuinely nervous about bunking in with his Boss.

Keeping his expression carefully neutral Gibbs took his time folding up his clothes as he pondered this unexpected development. DiNozzo wasn't exactly the shy and retiring type. He had spent enough time in gyms and locker rooms to be more than comfortable with his own body. And it couldn't be his injuries. Gibbs was pretty sure he had seen the full extent of those. So, why was he hovering like a virgin on the wedding night?

"Something bothering you?" He demanded gruffly.

He knew it wasn't the subtlest approach. Some Agents he'd had would jump a mile just at his acerbic tone, before looking at him like a deer caught in the headlights. But in DiNozzo's case the brusqueness always seemed to settle him, it was gentleness that made him twitchy. Sure enough, Tony pressed his lips together, before tilting his head on one side and eying Gibbs with a rueful smile that did not reach his eyes.

"Just wondering if I will still have a job in the morning after I wake up crying like a little girl."

Gibbs' jaw tightened fractionally, the only sign of his surprise at DiNozzo's frankness. Then again, the kid probably thought he had no choice but to get things out in the open. It had been a rough couple of days, on top of a hell of few weeks for him. Hell, he'd probably have more reason to worry if DiNozzo wasn't having nightmares. Still, he knew how much the admission must have cost the younger man. DiNozzo was a lot like him that way.

"It happens."

He met the younger man's gaze, hoping to convey in his expression the support and sympathy he knew the kid wouldn't want to hear. He longed to ask. Was it the beating Matthews had delivered or the death of his partner? Maybe some case that haunted him? Except that, he suspected that it had more to do with his difficult childhood and DiNozzo wouldn't thank him for prying into that. So, he waited until the younger man's taunt expression softened slightly at his calm acceptance and then went to look for his book.

As he searched he could hear the tell tale sounds of DiNozzo gathering his things and using the bathroom and by the time he returned DiNozzo was hovering by the bed again. Gibbs shook his head in exasperation and stepped forward, determined to slap some sense into him, when Tony cast a look over his shoulder and he realised that the kid's eyes were dancing with amusement.

"This reminds me of this movie with Rock Hudson .."

"That so?" Gibbs pretended dis-interest as he walked around the bed, and set his book on the night stand, knowing that the very fact that he had acknowledged the comment would be all Tony needed to keep talking.

"He has to share a bed with Doris Day so they put a line of pillows down the centre to protect her virtue." Tony grinned, as he waggled his eyebrow suggestively.

"Yeah?" Gibbs busied himself with climbing into bed and placing his glasses on his nose as he turned on the bedside lamp and found the right page in his book. He knew he should be relieved that Tony was acting more like himself. But he couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern that the younger man could bury his emotions just like that. "Turn the light out before you come to bed, Doris."

He didn't need to look up to see the pout his teasing put on DiNozzo's face, he could hear it in his voice, as he walked over to the light switch.

"You know, I always thought of myself more as Rock .." He began as he climbed under the covers, trailing off as Gibbs caught his eye with a mildly interrogative look. Tony winced slightly as the realisation dawned that this meant that he was casting his very macho ex-marine Boss in the role of the wholesome blonde and he quickly backtracked. "Never mind."

Gibbs rewarded that with the snort of amusement it deserved, before returning his attention to his book. Beside him, Tony lay quietly, the bed was surprisingly comfortable, the crisp, clean, sheets and big squishy pillows, making it feel like a five star luxury hotel after the flea pit he had been staying in. His stomach was contentedly full and between Gibbs careful ministrations and a decent hot shower the dull throb from his back, which had become his constant companion over recent days had blessedly subsided.

"What?" Gibbs demanded, not taking his eyes off his reading.

Tony pushed himself up onto an elbow to survey his Boss as he wondered how the heck he did that. Outward appearances suggested that Gibbs was still utterly focused on his novel, but somehow his radar had picked up that all was not well with his junior Agent, even before Tony could find the words to express his feelings himself.

"OK, that's just .. creepy." He decided.

The lightening fast grin that Gibbs gave him in return, warmed him right down to his toes. Unlike his previous commanding officers Gibbs actually seemed to enjoy it when Tony voiced his opinions and pushed the boundaries a little. It had become something of a goal of his to get the stoic ex-marine to crack a genuine smile but this was the first time he had hit the full on jackpot. Still, he quickly tried to damp down on his feelings, as he felt his face blush with pleasure.

"Keep the place tidy, don't bring your dates back here and write down anything you finish on the list in the kitchen, we'll work something out that covers groceries." Gibbs' attention had already returned to his book.

"What about utilities?" Tony wanted to know.

"You give me a hand around the place, that should cover it." Gibbs allowed.

"And I should pay you rent or something?"

"You make a habit of charging your guests rent?" Gibbs wanted to know. "I invited you, remember?"

"Right," Tony bit his lip. It certainly sounded like Gibbs was happy to have him stay for a while. Even so, Tony wasn't at all sure this was a good idea. It had been a long time since there had been anyone to take care of him but himself. Even longer since he had enjoyed the level of comfort and security that Gibbs modest home offered. And that was the root of his fears. He knew he could get far too used to this. Which would make it all the harder when he had to leave. "So, how long ..?"

"DiNozzo, quit worrying and get some shut eye," Gibbs ordered firmly. "You wear out your welcome, you'll be the first to know."

"Right," Tony nodded. If he was honest, he needed the helping hand right now. What with his suspension and all it had been a long time between pay checks and moving jobs had incurred a whole lot of expenses he didn't usually have to budget for. And it wasn't like he ever had any savings. Every spare penny he had went to fighting his father's lawyers. Not to mention, he could really use a friend about now and whilst Gibbs wasn't anything like his usual buddies, he couldn't deny that he felt an undeniable connection with this man. "Thank you, Boss. I really mean that, because not many people would .."

"DiNozzo."

"Shutting up now, Boss," Tony turned on his side, snuggling a little under the covers, his smile still lingering on his face. He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing, feeling his body relax as it moved gratefully towards sleep. Except, for the thin tendril of fear in the back of his mind, that forced his heavily lidded eyes open, his pupils wide with an anxiety that on the cusp of sleep unwittingly crept into his voice. "Boss?"

Gibbs felt his chest constrict at that note of fear. In the field DiNozzo was as brave as they came. And in the bullpen he faced down Gibbs' wrath and unpredictable moods with a cheerful disregard that bordered on the suicidal. To hear the kid sound so dammed lost made the blood in his veins boil with fury at an upbringing that obviously made him think that he would be abandoned to his nightmares.

"Go to sleep, Tony," He said quietly. "I've got your six."

"M'humph."

That appeared to be all the reassurance DiNozzo needed as he wrapped his arms around his pillow and immediately fell asleep. Pulling off his glasses, Gibbs turned his head to watch the rise and fall of his back as Tony snuffled softly in his sleep. He smiled, a little sadly, as he remembered all those nights he would steal into Kelly's room, her face open and peaceful as she dreamed. Her loss would never leave him, but at least he knew he had been a good father to her.

Fleetingly he thought of his own upbringing, when all was said and done the man had been a good father to him when he was growing up and he would always be grateful for that. Maybe, one day he would see his way to forgiving him for the more recent hurts. He couldn't imagine what it must have been like for DiNozzo being raised without a mother and with an uncaring bastard for a father. He felt a surge of admiration that the younger man had turned out as well as he had.

When his cell trilled for attention checking the caller ID was only a formality, he hadn't actually expected her to hold off this long.

"He's fine, Abs."

"Is he really?" Abby demanded. "Because you know Tony he says he's fine, but that usually doesn't mean fine at all, mostly it means really, really, a long way from fine, like a whole other continent. He was really scared he hurt your feelings."

"Yeah, I got that."

"But you guys talked, right? I mean, really talked? About actual stuff not just guns and evidence and bad guys?"

"Abby .." Gibbs frowned as he felt movement to his left, glancing across his eyes narrowed as he saw a grimace flash across Tony's features, even as his eyes remained tightly shut. As he watched, Tony began to writhe in the bed, his expression growing darker and his movements more urgent. "I have to go."