Found Chap. 6

Gibbs watched as each and every member of his team finished for the day and left. Eventually the only people left in the bullpen were Gibbs himself and Tony, who was still checking and rechecking his report on Max Carelli and all that damn money. As predicted, Tony had been right about the girlfriend. After too many double crosses to count she had finally shot Max before being spooked by what she assumed was someone following her. She had planned to return for the money when she felt safer.

"Bout done?"

Without even looking up from his computer, Tony held up one finger and motioned for quiet. His eyes never left the report. Enough was enough. The damn kid had revised the stupid report seven times already! Why was Tony suddenly so particular about his work? Surely that asinine comment hadn't done that much damage? Had it? According to Ducky, yes it had.

"Tony, the report is fine."

"Yes, but is it as good as McGee's?"

Gibbs let his head fall back so that it rested against his chair. What could he say that would make this okay?

Coming to a conclusion, Gibbs reached for his coat and stood in front of Tony's desk waiting for a response from the kid.

"Grab your stuff, you're done for the night. The report can wait, Tony."

Gibbs saw the exhaustion warring with the want to finish the report and officially close the case. Eventually, closing the case won out. Gibbs simply waited for him to finish. Waited and watched. Had Tony always been so methodical?

"Grab your coat. You're with me."

"I think I'm just going to head to my place. I'm exhausted, Boss."

"That's why you're not driving. We're off rotation tomorrow and the next day. Rest, relax."

"That's why I'm heading out. See you, Boss."

Not deterred, Gibbs followed his SFA to his car where the kid sat for several minutes without moving. If Gibbs gut was correct, and it usually was, Tony wasn't sleeping. Nightmares? Insomnia? Either way, Gibbs was certain he was at least one cause of those sleepless nights.

Reaching for the keys, Tony didn't even protest when Gibbs hefted him out of the car and into his own, handing off Tony's keys to Abby.

"It's a sleepover, Tonyboy!"

Gibbs noted that Tony, as tired as he was, didn't dampen Abby's excitement. Instead he encouraged it all the way to little pizza place both of them loved. Watching Abby dart in to get the food, Gibbs turned to Tony and sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"What?"

"I said I'm sorry."

"I heard you. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. I'm still not 100% sure I'm not. You think apologies are a sign of weakness."

"Not when I screwed up. Tony, I never meant to upset you. I messed up. I never should have said anything like that. I don't even remember saying it. I can't tell you why I said it. I can tell you that I was so afraid we wouldn't find you in time. When we finally did find you, I was just...useless. Tony, I was so damn relieved that you were there goading me I could have said anything."

"But you didn't say anything. You said, "Tony, you're irreplaceable", the you turned to McGee and said, "Forget it McGee, he's still alive", the entire time never even asking if I was okay."

Gibbs had never been so perturbed to see Abby before. He was certain the moment was gone, to be replace by the best smelling pizza in the D.C. area. Hopping in the back, Abby set the pizzas down in the backseat beside her and reached over the head rest to squeeze Tony into an awkward hug.

"I told you not to upset him, Gibbs."

"I tried not to, Abs."

Starting the car, Gibbs drove them to his place, knowing that with Abby as a buffer, he and Tony could work through anything. Tony trusted Abby to keep his secrets and she trusted him not to sugar coat things just for her.

By the time the pizza had been devoured and the beer drank, Gibbs felt ready enough to confront his own stupidity again. He just hoped Tony would be willing to hear him out. As he cleaned up the remnants of the pizza feast, Tony and Abby both showered and changed into something more comfortable. Once they were situated on the couch trying to decide which movie to watch, Gibbs showered and changed as well.

Finding Abby running her fingers through Tony's hair was almost unnerving. He hadn't realized Tony was still so distraught. Tony was pale…and trembling. He had been gone for twenty minutes tops. What had happened to make his Senior Agent behave in such a way?

"Abby, what happened?"

Abby adjusted the blanket that now covered Tony and shook her head.

"Apparently Tony's father saw something on the news about his trek through the sewers. He called while you were in the shower. He was giving Tony hell. He's not a nice person Gibbs."

Gibbs wanted to let instinct take over, but he was unsure if Tony would let him do that. He was amazed that Tony had let Abby see him so troubled. He must really be off his game. Finally giving in to the instincts of the father he once was, Gibbs rubbed Tony's back and asked quiet questions, trying to determine exactly what the conversation entailed. Not getting very far, Gibbs decided to let the subject drop for now and instead focused his energy into getting Tony into bed.

"Abby, I'll stay with him. Why don't you head to bed?"
"No. I'm airing up your air mattress and sleeping at the foot of the bed."

"Abs, Tony wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable just because of him."

"Not because of him, Gibbs, for him. Besides, I slept on this mattress for three nights when I took it camping."

"Hand me the pump. Go grab the sheets and pillows."

As Gibbs pumped, he considered the situation. He had to fix this. He had to find a way to let Tony know that regardless of what transpired between them, Gibbs would always be there, for anything.