The buzzing sound cut through Tony's brain, bringing him to his senses. He rolled off the couch, calling, "Coming! Coming!" As the bell to his apartment kept ringing.

Throwing open the door, he was surprised to see the boss. Without thinking and still foggy from his dreams he said, "Jethro?"

The look on Gibbs' face was priceless. Tony gave himself a mental shake and then quickly said, "Uh, Boss. Yeah. Come on in." And moved away from the door.

Not knowing what to think of his addled Senior Field Agent, Gibbs entered the apartment. "You okay, DiNozzo?"

"Yes, sir. I'm fine." Again, Jethro quirked an eyebrow at the formal address.

Tony quickly looked down at the wrinkled and stained t-shirt he'd been wearing. He motioned towards himself and then to the bedroom. Gibbs nodded understanding that Tony was going to change shirts. DiNozzo called out, "Any news from Ziva?'

Gibbs walked around the apartment. It was neater than he expected. With his enforced confinement and the difficulties of the last few weeks, Gibbs was uncertain how his Senior Field Agent would react. Tony had apparently just been very sound asleep when he decided to drop by – nothing else, much to Jethro's relief. Gibbs finally responded, "No, and I don't expect anything any time soon."

Tony quickly came back into the main living area, pulling the shirt down gingerly over his injured shoulder. "Well, the one thing I know is that Ziva's a survivor."

Gibbs nodded his agreement and finished, "When she needs us, she'll contact us. Until then, we wait."

Tony nodded. "So, why are you here?"

Gibbs hesitated. He had always liked Anthony DiNozzo. His quick wit and impetuous ways were always a welcome counterbalance to Gibbs seriousness and cautious nature. He got aggravated with the agent but, when the chips were down, he wanted Tony to be the one to have his six.

Tony waited patiently for a response. "It's been a tough couple of weeks on you, DiNozzo. I just felt like I needed to come check on you, okay? Don't read anything into it." Gibbs tried to dismiss how it sounded.

Tony smiled. "Thanks, boss. I appreciate it, but, really, I'm fine. I promise."

"Okay, so I'll just go." And Gibbs started for the door but Tony stopped him.

"Say, Gibbs, have you had dinner? Would you wanna go grab a bite to eat? My treat?"

"What, DiNozzo, you asking me on a date?" was the droll reply.

Tony stepped closer to his boss. "No, sir, not a date. Just an opportunity to thank you. I am where I am; I've accomplished what I've accomplished because of you. Your leadership, encouragement and friendship. And, I've just never said thank you."

"You were never expected to, Tony."

"I know, Boss. But I do have some manners and I know enough to know that I should have, at least once or twice, said it."

And Tony extended his hand to Leroy Jethro Gibbs, "Thank you."

Gibbs returned the handshake, "You're welcome, Anthony." The silence was awkward for a few minutes until Gibbs said, "Are we going or what?"

"Oh, yeah. Okay!" And as they headed out, Tony said, "Man, I was having the weirdest dream. I was this World War II veteran, see, and…" And he closed the door to the apartment.