People who didn't know Anthony DiNozzo very well often accused him of running off at the mouth. They saw the incessant thirst he had for information about their lives as the trait of a shallow gossip monger, rather than a natural born investigater, a man not to be trusted with personal details, much less their intimate secrets. But his friends soon learnt differently. The young man talked a great deal about not very much, but he never betrayed a confidence and would keep their secrets to the grave.

That a man as intensely private as Gibbs would confess his own estrangement from his father to make Tony feel better about his non-existent relationship with his Dad meant a whole lot to him. Even so, he couldn't quite hide his surprise when, instead of taking his leave, his Boss settled himself back into the hard plastic chair, toed off his shoes and propped his stocking feet up on Tony's bed, before tilting his head back and closing his eyes, in apparent preparation for sleep. Tony watched him silently for a minute or two before speaking.

"Um, Boss?"

"Uh huh?" Gibbs didn't open his eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting some shut eye," Gibbs informed him. "You should try it."

"O-kay," Tony hesitated, but it had to be said. "You do know that the Hospital only has vending machine coffee, right?"

"DiNozzo, not even I can drink coffee when I'm actually asleep," Gibbs informed him. "Now, shut up and get some rest."

Despite his bemusement at this unexpected turn of events Tony found sleep came easier, knowing the ex-marine was close at hand. In the days that followed, Gibbs was never far away. From dropping by on his physical therapy sessions, a lightening fast visit to drop off some case files, or a slightly longer stay as they shared Chinese take-out, his Boss' steady support became a constant in his recovery, so that when the day of his release finally arrived, Tony felt awkward even broaching the topic.

"I'm just saying, you didn't sign up to be my nursemaid, when you offered me your spare room," He shrugged. "I don't want to take advantage."

"You're not."

"Well, that's real nice of you, Boss, but we did agree I would pay my way by helping out around the place, so now the Doc has me on light duties, I figure the least I can do is front up with some rent."

"Really?" Gibbs raised a brow. "And just how are you going to do that? You still haven't been paid. Metro has your car in evidence and you're in no fit shape to do a paper route never mind any other kind of emplyment."

"I haven't actually thought that part through yet," Tony admitted. "But hey, there's always E-bay."

"Damn it, DiNozzo, haven't you learnt anything from what landed you into this mess in the first place?" Gibbs' tone was suddenly sharp.

"Boss?" Tony was confused.

"Pack a bag, DiNozzo and be out front in ten minutes. Do not keep me waiting," Gibbs snapped. He was already striding away, when he tossed over his shoulder. "And use the dammed wheelchair."

The ride home was made in stony silence. Tony cast a speculative glance or two at his Boss, but the set of his jaw and the glint in his eye, discouraged any and all attempts at conversation. As soon as they pulled up in his driveway, Gibbs pulled Tony's bag from the trunk, giiving him a look which promised permanent injury if he even thought about offering to carry it, and strode into the house, pausing only to deposit the bag in the spare room before disappearing into the basement.

Tony watched his retreating back.

He was no stranger to being in trouble. Never let it be said that Antony DiNozzo cared more about being a suck up than doing the right thing. His file was littered with reprimands because he had refused to simply toe the official line. And he was okay with that, because that was the only way he could sleep at night. It was hardly the first time he had managed to royally piss off his CO. But generally, he had a really clear idea why they were pissed.

Gibbs was different. The guy was infinately patience about things Tony knew were annoying. But then he would get all riled up about stuff that the younger man genuinely thought was no big deal. He sighed, considering his options. The smart money would proabably go for leaving Gibbs to cool off. But to DiNozzo that seemed like the cowards way out. After everything the man had done for him, he at least owed it to him, to be the one to try and make this right.

"Coffee first," He decided. "Cos, I forgot that last time and that didn't turn out so well."

Making his way into the kitchen, Tony began setting up the machine, adding the water and pulling the filters out of the cupboard, only to discover that the canister was empty. Scanning the shelves, he finally spotted a couple of refill bags sitting on the top shelf of the cabinet. He gave a pained smile. Of course that's where it would be. Bracing himself, he reached up carefully, only to gasp sharply as the movement pulled at his still healing wounds. Knowing Gibbs would definitely kill him if he busted any of his stitches, Tony moved a chair across, and slowly climbed up. Now he only had to raise his arm a little. It wouldn't hurt .. much.

"Argh!"

The guttural cry of pain was ripped from his throat as a totally unexpected, hot needle of pain raced down his arm and burned through his half healed muscles. Closing his eyes against the wave of agony and nausea, he realised, too late, that he was off balance, groping blindly for any kind of purchase to grab hold off, even as he felt his body begin its unavoidable decent towards the hard, stone tiled, floor.

"DiNozzo!"

He barely registered the word, or the feet that had come runing as soon as Gibbs had heard his first gasp of pain, before he was caught, hissing out a breath as the sudden halt jarred his body, a scent of sawdust and old spice, before he was lowered carefully to rest on the floor, moving to bat weakly at the urgent hands pulling his shirt out of his pants and exposing his torso to the afternoon chill.

"Hold still!"

Tony's eyes snapped open as he registered the anger in Gibbs' tone. One glance at his Boss' body language told him that now was not a good time to be a smart ass. He didn't think he had ever seen the ex-marine look quite so furious. Scrunching up his face, he hissed a little as Gibbs probed a particularly tender spot. The ex-marine shot him a look, as if he had almost forgotton he was still attached to his body.

"Sorry." Tony apologised.

Gibbs didn't ask if he meant for wincing, or for being up there in the first place and Tony didn't volunteer anything. Even though his ass was starting to feel a bit numb from lying on the cold floor, not to mention he felt like an idiot just lying here whilst his Boss played Florence Nightingale. He endured it for a few moments longer, before he couldn't bear it any more. Easing himself up onto one elbow, he peered over his chest, trying to get a look at his wounds.

"Did I give you permission to move?" Gibbs demanded.

"No sir," Tony flopped back down. He considered pointing out that since he was on sick leave technically Gibbs was in no position to give him orders. But he didn't think that argument would cut any ice with the ex-marine and frankly he didn't think he would want things any other way. It was kind of nice the way the man always had hs six. He lay in silence for a few moments. "Permission to speak?"

That got him an unreadable look. It wasn't as if he had ever felt the need to ask permission to voice his feelings before. It was usually something he just did, loudly and sometimes at length, even after Gibbs had warned him to knock it off. Gibbs took his time responding, pulling down his shirt, apparently satisfied that he hadn't done any significant damage, and taking his arm helping him to sit up, before he responded.

"Permission denied." Gibbs responded flatly, but Tony could swear he saw a hint of something not quite amusement in his eyes.

Well, two could play at that game, Tony decided. He simply nodded and held his peace as Gibbs hauled him up and placed him in a chair. Glancing around the kitchen, the ex-marine tilted his head slightly as he realised what DiNozzo had been trying to do. Huffing out a small breath he retrieved a bag of coffee and went through the motions to set the machine going. Then he reached into another cupboard and pulled out a packet of cookies, which he emptied onto a plate. Then they waited until the coffee was ready before Gibbs placed two steaming mugs and the plate of cookies on the table between them.

"How long do you think you can keep this up?" Gibbs attempted to prod him out of his silence.

Tony was glad to hear that now the ex-marine sounded simply curious, rather than royally pissedl. Still, he didn't want to take any chances, so he simply hitched a shoulder, conceding nothing and giving nothing away. Gibbs still hadn't given him permisson to speak. He wasn't going to be caught out that easily.

"Not bad," Gibbs rewarded him with a lighting fast grin for not taking the bait. "You plan on waiting me out? Could be a pretty long wait"

Inwardly, Tony winced at that. He liked to talk, he enjoyed it. Gibbs on the other hand, was a sparse conversationalist at the best of times. The bastard would probably enjoy making him keep it zipped for as long as possible. Then inspiration struck. Pulling his notebook out of his pocket his swiftly wrote and thrust the pad in his Boss's face.

"You only denied me permission to speak. I can still communicate."

Gibbs smiled approvingly, tipping his head in acknowledgement of a point well made, before he simply reached out and plucked the pad and pen out of Tony's hands and threw them across the room, before raising his brow in challenge. Tony smiled. Never let it be said a DiNozzo ran from a challenge. Putting his hand in his pants pocket, he pulled out his cell and deftly tapped on the keypad. In his jacket pocket, Gibbs' phone trilled for his attention.

"Technology huh." The ex-marine shook his head. "That's not too shabby."

Hiding a smile Gibbs pulled out his phone, holding it out a little as he squinted at the small text. "I can text you. And I can still speak to other people. So, I can call Abby or Ducky or the entire cheerleading squad of the Washington Redskins if I want to." He had to admit the younger man had a point. But there was a flaw in his arguement. And Gibbs had never been the type of CO to let sloppy thinking go unpunished, if this had been a real operation that kind of unfounded provocation could get the younger man killed.

"Ya think, DiNozzo?"

Tony watched frozen with an air of disbelief as his Boss, calmly reached over, took the back off his cell, removed the battery, before he popped out the SIM card, and very deliberately put in his mouth, followed by a bite of cookie, swallowing them both down, taking a large gulp of coffee to chase it down. It took all of Tony's self-control not to erupt in spluttered protests as his Boss slowly and deliberately opened his mouth and raised his tongue to prove the SIM card was really gone. Scowling his defiance Tony decided it was time to raise the odds.

"I c-a-n s-i-g-n."

Tony spelled the letters out laboriously on his fingers, only realising that using his precious digits might have been a mistake when he caught the predatory look in Gibbs' eyes. Even as he watched the ex=marine pulled out his knife and flicked it opened, letting the obvious threat hang between them. Visibly gulping, Tony sat firmly on his hands.

"You still have something you want to say, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked dangerously, as he tucked the knife away.

He watched as Tony gave a dangerous smile, checking the knife was out of immediate reach, before extracting one of his hands and making a sign towards his Boss, which left no doubt of his feelings. Gibbs grinned ferally, he had to admire the kid's spirit, but that level of insubordination was just asking to be slapped back down. Rising slowly out of his chair, he circled around back of his Agent, much like he would when attempting to intimidate a suspect, noting with approval the way Tony was warily tracked his movements with his eyes, before he reached out, to slap the back of his head.

His hand never even touched a hair on DiNozzo's head.

Suddenly, Tony was moving, ignoring searing pain and healing injuries, to seize Gibbs' wrist and twist hard. His greater body mass, plus the fact that Gibbs was caught entirely off guard, allowed him to put the ex-marine on the ground, before either of them quite realised what was happening. His own eyes wide with surprise, Gibbs looked up into the face of his newest Agent, just as the full realisattion of what he had done spread across Tony's face.