March 1946
United States

Tony bolted upright from the bed. The sheets were wet and tangled from where he had sweated. His clothes were wringing wet with sweat as well. His stomach churned and he had chills. Tony was also shaking uncontrollably.

He looked at his watch. Almost 10:00pm, he thought, Cali might still be downstairs. He had no choice. He half walked – half crawled down the stairs to the restaurant. He got to the kitchen before the nausea made him double over. He heard the door open and looked up into Cali's worried face.

"Tonio?" She started to kneel but he put up a hand to ward her off.

"Cali," he croaked, "Is your dad here?"

She nodded, "He's outside right now."

"Hurry and get him, please? I need…help."

Cali didn't have to be told twice. She flew out of the kitchen and nearly ripped the front door off the hinges. Jethro saw her panicked actions and was out of the car and at the door instantly.

"What's wrong?" His voice held concern.

Cali could only point toward the kitchen. Jethro looked past her to where she had indicated. "Stay here."

As he cautiously walked to the back, he freed his weapon for easy access. A quick glance inside, however, and he saw Tony, huddled against the kitchen wall, his legs pulled tightly to his chest, head resting on his knees, shaking uncontrollably.

Gibbs turned around only to run into Cali who had followed him. "Cali, take the patrol car and go home." He reached in his pocket and handed her the keys.

"But, papa?' she questioned, fear and concern in her voice.

"It's okay," he reassured her, "I'll take care of Tony."

"But," Cali continued to argue.

His voice firm, Jethro said, "Cali, Tonio wouldn't want you to see him like this. Understand?"

She looked again, past her father, at Tony who was still huddled against the wall. Her heart broke and tears filled her eyes. Looking back to her father, she nodded and took the car keys. Cali wanted to help but she knew her dad would make everything better. She turned off the lights in the front of the restaurant and locked the door on her way out.

Gibbs grabbed one of the clean tablecloths from a nearby stack. As he knelt down, he wrapped it around the younger man's shoulders. Tony finally made eye contact.

"I'm…I'm sorry," he stuttered.

"You've been drinking a lot longer than I figured for it to be this bad."

Tony only nodded, the shaking making it hard for him to talk.

"Let's head back upstairs," Jethro reached out to help Tony up but Tony shook his head.

"I…I don't think I can."

"Okay, we'll just sit here until you're ready. I've got as long as you need, understand?" Gibbs tone was comforting not condescending and it cut straight through Tony's muddled mind and broken heart.

In a voice barely above a whisper, Tony said, "She was a woman I was involved with."

Gibbs understood his statement but needed Tony to tell him everything, "Who, Tony?"

"Ziva. The name you asked me about in jail the other day. She was a woman I was with in Europe."

"What about her?"

"She was beautiful and kind and friendly. She was Jewish but I didn't care." He paused as the words came rushing out. He looked directly into Gibbs face as he finished, "And I loved her."

Jethro only nodded his understanding as Tony rushed through the story of their meeting and involvement.

"I'm guessing it didn't end well?" Gibbs prompted.

Tony only shook his head.

"Tell me about the last time you saw her." Gibbs prodded again.

"I'll tell you about the next to the last time I saw her." Tony said.

Gibbs turned and propped himself up against the wall next to Tony and listened as the young soldier unburdened his heart.