Hey y'all! Yes, I'm finally posting again. I know its been too damn long since I last posted anything. Sorry about that. Life…just got in the way.

Leroy Jethro Gibbs was not a patient man by any stretch of the imagination. He wanted things done when he wanted them done. On his time table, no one else's. That was just the way he was. Changing now seemed futile. Besides, everyone knew he was a bastard on his best days and an even bigger asshole on his bad days. His conversation with Ducky had opened his eyes to some truths though. If he was honest with himself, they were truths he'd known all along. Admitting them now brought out the bear in him.

Seeing the dark circles that still rimmed his Senior Field Agents eyes didn't help his patience and noticing the weight loss did nothing for his already sour mood. What the hell did Tony want from him? He had apologized, several times, in fact and Tony had said nothing. He had just sighed patiently and assured his grizzly bear of a boss that everything was fine. It wasn't. Nothing about this whole mess was fine. Tony was quietly falling apart right in front of them and he said nothing.

Finally catching a break when Tony headed for the head, Gibbs felt two sets of worried eyes on him. Realizing they were looking to him for guidance as to how to proceed with the situation, he looked at them and opened his mouth to speak. Nothing was forthcoming, though. They knew what he knew. Tony was not alright, and it was partially his fault.

Kate, trained as she was, picked up on the tension with not only Tony, but the entire situation. McGee, never what one would call a slacker, quickly followed. They might give each other hell most of the time, but when one of them was in trouble, the others always stepped up.

"Its been almost two weeks, Gibbs. He isn't eating. He sure isn't sleeping. He's working himself into the ground. Something must be done. We've all tried to talk to him. He listens to you, Gibbs."

Neither one of them added that they were all worried because Tony had listened to him so well that evening after he'd been found. Damn it! He still couldn't recall saying that. He remembered returning to HQ with Tony, then putting the finishing touches on the case. Forget it McGee, he's still alive. What kind of person said those things? He knew Tony was insecure on his good days. Speaking of Tony, where the hell was he?

Rising from his seat, Gibbs turned toward the bathroom, in search of his best agent. What a clusterfuck! Pushing the door open, Gibbs found who he had been looking for, sitting on the hard tile floor, head thrown back against the wall, breaths coming in short, quick bursts as he clenched and unclenched his hands. Tony DiNozzo was having an anxiety attack.

Reaching for his phone, he quickly dialed Ducky and knelt in front of Tony. Placing his hands on either side of the younger man's face, Gibbs tilted the chestnut head downward, so their eyes met. The moment blue connected to that magnificent green, he started talking.

"Breath, Tony. Deep breaths."

It wasn't working, Tony was still too pale and clammy. His breaths to choppy. Finally deciding to change positions, Jethro maneuvered himself behind his Senior Agent, wrapping his arms around the distraught kid, Gibbs pulled himself up, so he was flush against Tony's quacking back.

"Match my breathing, kiddo. Slow and steady. That's it, son. You're doing great."

The wheezing was almost under control by the time Ducky arrived. Tony was still sweaty and shaky, though. His entire body trembled with the effort it took to hold himself together while Ducky examined him, finally proclaiming him physically healthy.

"Anthony, I'm quite certain you experienced a mild anxiety attack. Have you ever experienced anything like this before?"

The affirmative nod confirmed Ducky's suspicions. The boy had known enough to get away from prying eyes the moment he felt himself losing his composure. The fact that he didn't feel comfortable enough to let his team know of his predicament spoke volumes about his lack of trust in them.

"Jethro, take him home, get him settled."

"No, I'm fine now. Just a minor setback."

Rising to his feet, Tony splashed cold water on his gaunt face and prepared himself to face the world again. It wouldn't do for Kate and McGee to see him like this. Hell, he was worried about Gibbs and Ducky seeing him like this. What would they think of him? Would they wonder about his sanity? Would Gibbs deem him unfit for duty? God, the world was spinning again. The darkness was closing in now.

"Tony! Duck grab him. Come on, Tony, easy does it. Just lean on me."

Gibbs didn't know how long he sat there, with Tony's back pressed against his chest, the kids head tilted back on his shoulder and he didn't care. Finally, when Tony's breathing came to a manageable level, he breathed a sigh of relief himself. Rubbing his up and down Tony's chest, Gibbs quietly laid out his plan to Tony.

"First, we're going to get us both off the floor, then we're going to get you steady on your feet. Once I'm sure you're good to go, I'm taking you home. You're going to rest, eat, and when you're ready, we're going to talk about this."

"Didn't think you were much of a talker, Boss."

Ducky eyed him knowingly.

"I am when its important. Now, are you ready to stand?"

The nod was all Ducky needed to bounce into action. Taking Tony's arm, he gently helped the younger agent stand, never letting go of him.

"Jethro go get your car. I'll get Anthony sorted and ready to go."

Gibbs started to protest but thought better of it when he saw Tony flagging. The boy needed to be home, where he could rest, where Gibbs could keep an eye on him.

"Now, young man, tell me, what brought this on?"

Tony shook his head and shoved his hands through his hair. Ducky would think he was a basket case if he knew the truth.

"Anthony, you can tell me. I'm sure, I have some idea, but I would like to hear it from you."

Tony leaned against the sink and hung his head.

"I don't sleep anymore, Ducky. When I do manage to fall asleep, I have nightmares about being in that damn sewer. Sometimes I can still smell it. I can't eat. I'm just too exhausted to even think about eating. I get to work and its like finally a break. I can concentrate on something other than that damn sewer."

"What happened today?"

"I looked at Gibbs and heard him tell McGee to forget it, again. I hear that in my dreams all the time, Ducky. I just thought maybe he was different."

Ducky, for his part, considered homicide. Oh, it would be completely justifiable, no doubt. Leroy Jethro Gibbs should have his backside handed to him for this. He knew of the boy's numerous insecurities and he'd played on them. Not intentionally, Ducky was sure, still though, the cruelty was there.

"He is different, lad. You and I both know he doesn't handle fear and worry very well. He's like a bear with a thorn in his paw. Give him a chance to make this right."

Tony wasn't sure anything could make this right. What could Gibbs do or say that would make up for the horrible things he'd said? Besides, growing up with Anthony Sr. had given him a resiliency not many people had. It had also given him major insecurities and terrible nightmares, but no one needed to know that. No one needed to know that Gibbs was the only steady male figure he had ever had in his life. Nope, time to grow a set, Tony and deal with this like a man.

"Sure Ducky."