A/N: I know, last chapter seemed a bit repetitive, with the blowing-up-of-Tony again, but trust me, it's not what it seems. Just read, yes?

So yesterday I decided to try and work out some more of the plot, and you know what I did? I made one of those idea-web-things they teach you how to make in school, with boxes and words connect with lines and stuff. I even outlined some in colorful markers. I just had to tape on a second sheet of paper, so now it's really big. It was so fun. And it's kind of hard to read. Hey, maybe I'll scan it and post it in my profile when this story is over… We'll see. Anyway, let's just say that I know what's going to happen now, at least somewhat. Still have a ton to work through.

A Rose in the Night pointed out not long ago that I have this thing where I always capitalize pronouns after a quote. Yeah, sorry about that! Punctuation rules and grammar and such have never been my strong point, so if sometimes it turns out a little hinky, sorry. I just added "hinky" to my dictionary. Yesss. Anyway, the pronoun thing will get better in a few chapters, cause I started to fix it on page 35 out of 37, and you guys are only on page 15 right now, so yeah… Sorry. : )

Today's chapter is short, but the next chapter is pretty major, so stick with me, alright?

Don't forget to review, dear ones.

Tony found himself sitting in the back of an ambulance thirty minutes later. His hands, arms and the side of his face were scrapped and red, a sour looking bump and bruise on his head, and he had a raging headache, but no real damage had been done.

"I'm surprised you don't have a concussion. With hit to the head like that, you should still be unconscious," A female EMT told him, handing him an ice pack.

"Guess it just wasn't my time," He said, wincing as he placed the ice pack just to the right of his forehead.

She pulled out some rubbing alcohol, a cotton ball, and a friendly-looking syringe. She sterilized his arm and picked up the syringe. "This is just a mild-painkiller," She explained. "You really are lucky, Mr. DiNozzo. A blast like that could have, well…"

Tony chuckled. "Trust me, I know. This isn't the first time my car has blown up," Her eyes widened. Gibbs came up to him after having a just as explosive argument with Metro PD to determine jurisdiction. The EMT walked away, shaking her head.

"There goes any chance of getting her number," Not that I really want it…

"We got the case," He said, sitting down beside him.

Tony held an ice pack to his head. "That's great, Boss," He grunted.

"Guess it's time to pull out that list again," Tony commented.

Gibbs waited a moment before speaking again. "Any idea who would do this?"

"Nah, no one specifically. Not on the list anyway. They'd probably take it a little more personally. Maybe a stabbing or a little torture or something. But I don't think any of them really have the skills to pull off something like this,"

"Never underestimate your opponent," Gibbs said. Tony shrugged in compliance. "Did anyone else know you were gonna be here?"

"Only you, Boss,"

"You didn't talk to anyone? Not a neighbor on your way out or the doorman…?"

"Nope. Don't feel much like chit-chat these days," He mused looking out to the scene. Yellow tape marked off the entire shopping complex. McGee was taking witness statements, aided by a temporary Special Agent Jane Levin that Vance had ordered Gibbs to take, who was busy photographing the scene. Forty feet off stood what was left of Tony's car. "Can't even go a year without having to get a new one," Tony commented with a bit of a chuckle.

"He missed. You're still alive," Gibbs mused after a moment.

"Yeah," Tony said, though it was obvious. "You think he'll try again?"

Gibbs shrugged. "Probably,"

Tony grinned. "Great," He said sarcastically.

"You're coming back to NCIS until we figure this out,"

"So much for vacation,"

"Don't blame me. You just attract enemies," Gibbs said with a humorous tone in his voice. Tony grinned and held up his free hand.

"Guess it's just the DiNozzo charm," He said as Gibbs walked away.

McGee joined Tony, pad of paper in hand. "You okay?"

"Yeah. I'll be on painkillers for a week but I'll live,"

"Good… I gotta take your statement,"

"You know, our system is all about overkill. I give you an informal statement here, then we do a formal one at headquarters, then I write up an incident report," Tony said with a grin.

"Glad to see you're in such a humorous mood," McGee commented.

"Yeah, well, I guess the painkillers already kicked in," McGee smiled, but gave him an expectant look. Tony took a big breath. "I walked out of the movie store at seven thirty-four. Unlocked my car, got in. Before I could start the engine I heard a faint beeping and I figured it was a bomb, so I got out of the car and ran four, maybe five feet before it exploded. I was knocked to the ground and went unconscious a second later,"

"Sounds exciting," McGee said dryly.

"Oh, it was. You should try it sometime. I'd be glad to share my bad luck with anyone. Really, anyone else. I've had my share and I think I should pass it on,"

McGee raised his eyebrows in amusement as he finished writing on the notepad. Tony was right. Born into a wealthy family on Long Island, then disowned at twelve? That sucks enough. But then having your partner killed beside you, her blood on your face? Then butchering your undercover assignment? Then watching your friend sacrifice her life to a terrorist? Then failing your protection detail and getting the director of an armed federal agency killed? Then getting sent to sea for four months? Then knowing that your new partner was dead but never finding her body? His life had sucked beyond all imagining. It might make for a good book…

"Bad idea, McGee," Gibbs said as he walked past them.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about, Boss," Gibbs looked at him from over his shoulder. Tim knew that look. "I'm gonna go see if Levin is ready to collect the evidence,"

And so there he sat, alone on the ambulance. His outward appearance finally matched his inward appearance: broken, bruised, raw.

And so there he sat.