Authors note: Thank you for everyone who has taken the time to review, alert, or favorite my story! It feels like Christmas!
I hope everyone is enjoying the story, cause I don't own crap…lol.

TONY'S POV
After our goodnights in front of our rooms, a short silence, we separately entered into our rooms.

Oh, why you look so sad?
The tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't, be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'Cause I've seen a dark side too

I never have really paid attention until the trip down to Princeton. This song just fit us perfect, it seemed. Still leaning on the inside of my door, I allowed myself to think of Somalia and events directly following. I saw her then as I see her sometimes now, when she slips and thinks about that dark time, I see the tears that she doesn't want to show the world. I try to get her to talk and share, but she just holds it inside. I just want to help her, just as she always has helped me. I saw just a glimpse of that darkness while being held captive in that room. I just couldn't imagine what all she had to endure. I just wish she knew she didn't have to carry the burden alone...I was here, and never going to leave.

When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

Walking over to my bed, I kept thinking back to that dark time. I knew she had nightmares, and I knew when she had them. I could always tell. I just wish she would let me in. She would sometimes slip up and slip something, but then brush it off. Gibbs just told me to keep trying, and it would happen…eventually. Whatever she had been though, would not make me run away with my tail between my legs, I would still love her.

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
I won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

I knew I had failed her when I let my jealousy rule me that night I killed her boyfriend. As good as my intentions were, I actually blamed myself for everything she endured. After we had found her, brought her home, and I knew she was safe, I made a vow, right then and there that I would let nobody hurt her like that again.

So, if you're mad get mad
So Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well, I'm a lot like you

When Gibbs and I had that heart to heart a couple nights after we brought her home, I tried to get his advice to get her to talk to me or someone. He told me that she would talk when she was ready, but according to Vance, she had to talk to the NCIS psychologist. I figured that was better than nothing. We had to work to rebuild what we once had. I always hoped that we could do that and more. Thinking back even more, when I broke up with Jeanne, I was so angry and lost. I could see some of that and obviously more. She made me talk to her about it. I just wish this was something I could make her talk to me about. I doubt she knew I was still hurting from it as well. Gibbs was actually becoming a psychologist without even know it – man, I bet he would not like to hear that. I chuckled.

When you're standin' at the crossroads
And don't know which patch to choose
Let me come along
'Cause even if you're wrong

Still thinking of the past, we were often at the same crossroads, yet we so far away from each other. Maybe if I had confessed my feeling at an earlier time, we would not be here and she would be dead. Maybe time had led us to watching each other in different relationships until we are able to handle everything that life has dealt us both. Whatever the case may be, I would still I could just lay my feeling out there so I could be there with her every step of the way along life's journey.

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
I won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you

Thinking through the time between Somalia and today, I realized that she had slowly broken down some walls that she build since that terrible time. She had willingly showed me some scars when we talked one day, and broke down into tears in front of me when I asked her a question about that time. That broke my heart alone and made me want to kill that man all over again. Gibbs was right, she would talk when she was ready – I just had to be here to support her when she did.

And when, when the night falls on you, baby
You're feelin' all alone
You won't be on your own

I didn't realize until this moment that I was standing out in the hallway, right in front of her door in nothing but my boxers. I had been in deep thought, which I'm sure would get a smirk out of some people, that I had been in a trance basically. I was tempted to knock on her door, but I chickened out at the last minute and quickly entered my room ashamed. I wanted her to feel safe and never have those nightmares. I always wished we could lie together and keep away each other's nightmares and feel complete. I had nightmares that she was truly gone….I never wanted that to happen.

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
I won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you

Oh, I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you

Laying down, I felt sadness overtake me. I wanted to talk to someone, and that someone was Abby. In her own way, it was therapeutic. Same with Gibbs, but I knew he would be working very late tonight. Looking at my phone, it was too late to call anyone. I just hoped that sleep would take me over before the sadness consumed me tonight….

MEANWHILE

A hooded man out in the parking lot, was standing at their car. Looking around, he slid under the car. A few minutes later, he crawled out from under the car. Grabbing his cell phone, he dialed a familiar number and said, "They won't make it very far now." And with that, he closed the phone and walked away.

Well, whatcha think? I LOVE this song too! I think it fits Tiva VERY well? Here is a link to it!
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Now, you all know what to do….review, alert, and favorite and repeat as many times as you want! Also, be sure and tell your friends. Stay tuned for more TIVA fun!