I know I said the story would focus on Tony and it will! I just HAD to write this, I couldn't get anything else through my head before I got this down on paper and I think it makes a good addition.
He was lost, completely lost. Wanting to send his fist through a wall, he stomped around Abby's lab. Vespers of the goth forensic scientist surrounded him in all her pigtailed glory. She waved her hands around illustrating a point that he could just barely understand, slurped a cafpow, accepted a kiss on the cheek. He had let the lives of two of his valued employees slip through his fingers like grains of sand. A desire to simply liquidate into somebody's arms filled him, yet he couldn't. Involuntarily, his feet carried him through the automatic door, and into the elevator, he was too absorbed with memories to really direct his feet. Despite his strong façade, tears prickled at his eyes. Would not, could not cry. Blindly he walked into Director Shepard's office and stood without a word before her. The face he wore showed hardened pain and anger, confusion even. This was a side of Gibbs the new director had never seen. They kept eye contact for a very long moment. The man who she had just met again for the first time in a very long time had just stormed into her office stone faced and teary eyed, though he tried to hide it. Working with Gibbs had given Jenny Shepard a good sense of his moods, actions and tactics.
"Gibbs." Her voice was soft and reassuring, as if saying 'talk to me'
"You heard?" There was a certain scratch to his voice as if he had not spoken in some time,
"Of course," fluidly she rose from her chair. "I am so sorry Jethro." She consoled sidling towards him.
"Yeah, me too." He also walked in her direction. "Jen," There was a long pause and only the sound of the two old friend's breathing permeated the air. "They're really gone.' Jenny didn't know what to do our how to respond so she did the only failsafe thing that came to mind, she simply reached up and hugged the man she knew so well. At first his body was rigid and tense in her arms but after a matter of seconds he hugged her back. He felt himself becoming worm and re-accustomed to this woman's embrace. Then the tears began to fall. One ragged sob he let slip was her clue.
"Shh." She consoled, pulling back from the embrace. Softly she brushed a shock of silver hair off of Gibbs' damp face. He shook slightly with the sobs. She'd never seen Gibbs cry before, how was she supposed to react? At a loss for all other means of reassurance she continued to comfort him until his sobs subsided and all his tears dried. Without another word he nodded as if to thank her and walked out of her office.
Jenny had no idea what to make of this encounter. This was by far the most vulnerable side of Gibbs she had ever seen. Losing to agents in one day would certainly cause repercussions for all involved. Jenny did not feel what Jethro did but she most certainly did not like losing agents. But Gibbs, well those women had also been his friends.
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Next up is Ziva!!! and some real Tony time.