Gibbs' phone rang as he and the others trailed back to the zoo. Kate watched a myriad expressions flit across his face as he listened to his caller and she wondered if she should sign up for a refresher profiling course as she found herself completely baffled about what he was thinking.

"We're going back to Washington," he announced as he snapped the phone shut.

"What?" asked McGee. "I mean, why? Aren't we going to carry on looking for Tony here?"

"Yes, why, Jethro?" asked Fornell. "Why the change of plan? Why are we going back to DC?"

"Because that's where Tony is," said Gibbs.

"What?" demanded all three in unison.

Kate wasn't sure if it fitted Gibbs' 'profile' but she rather thought he enjoyed being able to make such dramatic proclamations.

"Because Tony's in Washington," he said.

"Washington DC?" asked McGee incautiously.

"No, Agent McGee. Washington, Tyne and Wear!" snapped Gibbs.

Now, Kate was sure that Gibbs had practised that one. Why should he know that there was a Washington in somewhere called Tyne and Wear? She wisely refrained from asking where that was.

"It's in the North East of England," Fornell whispered in her ear, "It was a question at an inter-agency quiz a while back."

Kate felt this raised more questions than it answered. What on earth was Gibbs doing at an inter-agency quiz night? She decided to save this for future investigation and focussed instead on Gibbs' explanation.

"Um, why's Tony back in Washington DC?" asked Tim.

"Because he lives there, I guess," said Gibbs who definitely seemed to be enjoying himself.

"Jethro?" asked Fornell.

Gibbs relented. "That was the Director. Apparently the truck which we were about to start tracing took Tony back to DC. He turned up at his house about thirty minutes ago."

"Is he all right?" asked Kate.

"All right enough to have refused to have gone to hospital. Ducky is on his way to check him over. He'll send him to the hospital if he needs to go."

"So, that's it?" asked McGee. He was hugely relieved that Tony was safe but was also aware of a sense of anti-climax that, after all the chasing and anxiety, Tony had managed to extricate himself and somehow get a ride home as well.

"That's DiNozzo," shrugged Gibbs with a half-smile. "Come on, let's go home as well."

NCISNCIS

"Dr Mallard," said Faith, as she opened the door to him. "Thank you for coming."

"Faith," said Ducky. "And how is he?"

"Exhausted," said Faith briskly, "I think he has a raised temperature. There is blood on his arm and on his head. His feet are torn up and his …"

"Ears are in perfect working order," said Tony plaintively from his position on the sofa.

"I do apologise, dear boy," said Ducky. "And may I say how gratifying it is to see you once more?"

"Thanks, Ducky," said Tony, "Good to be back. I think this one missed me as well!" He gestured to Tilly who was now sprawled across his chest like a starfish … a soundly sleeping starfish.

Ducky chuckled. "Indeed. I wonder, Faith, if you would mind removing Anthony's attachment for a moment or two to enable me to make my examination?"

Faith nodded and managed to lift Tilly away without waking her up.

Ducky tutted and huffed for several minutes while he listened to Tony's chest, took his temperature, checked the reaction of his pupils and performed every other sort of test he could think of. Finally, he sat back and said,

"Well, you should be in hospital …" Tony sighed and Faith picked up her phone to call an ambulance. "But," continued Ducky with a twinkle in his eye, "I am willing to agree to your staying here …" Tony beamed with pleasure, "So long as you rest and stay in the warm and dry. You should take Advil regularly to help lower your temperature and assist with any pain. I think your concussion has largely resolved itself but you should be alert to any returning symptoms. I will attend to the larger abrasions on your feet but you will need to keep off them as much as possible for a day or two. I will also need to put a couple of stitches in the wound on your arm and I think it would be wise for you to take a broad spectrum antibiotic as I suspect you have picked some infections as a result of your adventures."

"Thanks, Ducky," said Tony. He coughed.

"And I will prescribe a cough suppressant," continued Ducky.

"Can I go take a shower?" asked Tony.

"I would recommend a bath rather than a shower," said Ducky, "You will not be wanting to stand up for too long. And I will attend to those stitches and abrasions first."

Tony sighed as he recognised that Ducky might be micro-managing his life for some time to come.

"And I will arrange for Dr Pitt to make a house call," called Ducky as he watched Tony leave the room."

The slump in Tony's shoulders indicated that he had heard Ducky's promise.

"I made a lemon and thyme drink," came a voice from the kitchen, "I have found it to be very efficacious in the treatment of coughs."

"Ducky," said Faith, "You haven't met Lysander. He brought Tony home."

Tony's prediction that Lysander and Ducky would be kindred spirits looked shaky for a while. Ducky was inclined to look askance at someone who had driven Tony home rather than to a hospital and who had then supported Tony in his bid to stay home. On the other hand, he approved of the lemon and thyme drink.

"Lysander Brocklehurst," said Tony's Good Samaritan. "Delighted to meet you." He strode towards Ducky with hand outstretched.

"Donald Mallard," said Ducky. "Likewise," he said a little brusquely. He picked up his medical bag in readiness to go and treat Tony's wounds but then turned back. "Good Lord," he said, "Are you Badger's boy?"

Lysander laughed, "No. He's my uncle, not my father."

"How extraordinary," said Ducky excitedly. "Faith," he said, "I was at medical school with this boy's uncle." He turned back to the 'boy', "And how is Badger?"

"Uncle Roger is doing well," said Lysander, "Still climbing the Fells of the Lake District whenever he can."

"Badger?" queried Faith.

"Oh," said Ducky, "Brock is an old name for badger. It didn't take us long to give Roger that as a nickname. Now, tell me, does he still lose his temper if his bridge partner revokes?"

"He's mellowed a little," said Lysander. "He prefers backgammon now and he has even been known to play cribbage."

"Cribbage?" said Ducky. "Well, I hope his mental arithmetic skills have improved. I remember …" He was interrupted by a cough from the door.

"Ducky?" said Tony with the hint of a whine, "I thought you wanted to look at my feet?"

"Dear boy," said Ducky, "I do apologise. I have just discovered that Lysander here is the nephew of one of my oldest friends from Edinburgh Medical College. The stories I could tell you about what we used to get up to. It would make your hair curl. There was a time when …"

"Ducky?" said Faith, looking pointedly towards Tony who was leaning against the door frame.

"Quite right, my dear," said Ducky penitently, "Reminiscences can await a more opportune occasion. Come on, Anthony, I will attend to you directly." He turned back at the door. "Don't run away my boy. There is so much to talk to you about."

NCISNCIS

The DiNozzo doorbell rang at 07.00 the next day.

"Gibbs," said Faith when she opened the door. "And Agents McGee and Todd."

Kate and Tim nodded back somewhat sheepishly.

"They wanted to see for themselves that Tony was OK," said Gibbs.

Tim and Kate exchanged somewhat indignant looks but kept silent.

"Come in," said Faith, "We're all in the kitchen."

The MCRT found their Boss sitting at the kitchen island. He was cocooned in a fleecy robe and nursing a mug of something steaming. The team relaxed at seeing that he was indeed in one piece and tried not to feel irritated that he was cosily at home while they had had days of worry.

"Do you want some breakfast?" offered Faith. "I was about to make some for us."

"That would be gr …" began McGee before catching sight of Gibbs' stern expression. "No. Thank you. I'm fine."

"Have something to eat, Tim," ordered Tony. "Don't let Gibbs put you off. Faith makes the best pancakes ever."

"Well," hesitated Tim.

"Blueberry or maple syrup?" asked Faith. She caught the look of indecision on Tim's face. "Or both? I'll make both," she said when she didn't get an answer, "Agent Todd?"

"Er," said Kate, "Well, they're terribly fattening … but we have been busy … perhaps, just one – or two?"

"Gibbs?" asked Faith.

"Sure," said Gibbs. "I could go for some maple syrup ones."

"'Gee!" gurgled Tilly from where she was sitting on the floor playing with an empty breakfast cereal carton. She got to her feet and ran over to her new hero. "'Gee!"

"When did this happen?" asked Tony as he gazed at his daughter who had wrapped her arms around Tim's legs and was looking up at him with adoration.

Tim shrugged awkwardly as he tentatively patted his new admirer's head.

"There's been a lot of bonding," said Faith drily.

"What?" asked Tony.

"Just how much do you know about the last few days?" asked Gibbs.

"Well …" began Tony.

"We've been looking for you for days," said Kate beginning to feel cross again.

"We got two ransom notes for you," said Tim.

"It was pure luck that we worked out why you'd been taken," said Gibbs, "If it hadn't been for James and Cynthia coming in …"

"Who are James and Cynthia?" asked Tony.

"The Villeneuves," said Kate, "You know, we went to visit them about the financial fraud."

"Oh," said Tony, "Why did they come visit?"

"They brought you some salted caramel cupcakes," said Tim.

"And that helped you work out why I'd been kidnapped?" asked Tony. "They must have been some cupcakes!"

"No," said Gibbs, "No. There was a picture up on the plasma of the guy we thought had taken you. They identified him."

"They knew who kidnapped me?"

"They recognised the guy in the picture as the one who had defrauded them," said Tim.

"You mean I was snatched because of the Villeneuve case?" asked Tony.

"Yep. Seems that Colin Maxon was in the neighbourhood when you and Kate went to interview the Villeneuves," said Gibbs. "He recognised you."

"From where?" said Tony, "Oh … wait, was there a link to that old case in Baltimore?"

"Yes," said Tim. "He was worried that you would crack the case – said you were close before. He didn't want to take the risk of losing out on a couple of big scams so he decided to get you out of the way before you could."

"I remember we'd been following up on some good leads all those years ago," remembered Tony. "I was going to check with Baltimore PD the next day. See if there was any connection."

"Turns out that Maxon was buddies of a sort with Harry East," continued Kate.

"Who's Harry East?" asked Tony.

"Someone you put away in Baltimore," said Gibbs. "Had a grudge against you. Seems he was easy to recruit. He was the one who kidnapped you. Maxon got him om board."

Tony shook his head. "I don't remember arresting him. And he made sure to keep his face covered and he wasn't around much so I didn't get a chance to recognise him. Did you find him?"

"We knew he was driving a white van. Got the registration," said Tim, "But he crashed before we could catch up with him."

"How is he?" asked Faith.

"Still unconscious the last I heard," said Gibbs. "The police are waiting by his bedside. He's in trouble when he wakes up."

"So, Faith mentioned that you found out that I was being held in a zoo?" asked Tony.

"Abby traced some poo on the van," explained Tim proudly, "It was old poo. Exotic animals and we found there was an abandoned zoo near to the place that the van crashed."

"But when we got there, you were gone," said Kate trying, and failing, to keep a note of accusation out of her voice.

"Hey," said Tony, "I couldn't hang around waiting for you, you know. I didn't care much for East … there was definitely a failure to communicate there," he chuckled.

Faith sighed, "It's a movie reference. 'Cool Hand Luke'."

"Of course it is," said Gibbs."

"Gibbs tracked you," said Tim admiringly. "It was cool."

"Until we lost you," said Gibbs. "Figured you'd got into a truck somehow."

"That was Lysander Brocklehurst," said Tony with relish.

"Lysander Brocklehurst?" asked Kate. "Who's he?"

"He's a forager," said Tony. "And the nephew of Ducky's best friend from medical school."

Gibbs shook his head. "Typical DiNozzo," he said with a smile.

"Enough talking," said Faith, "There are pancakes to eat and coffee to drink. Then Tony is going to rest."

"Yes, Dear," said Tony meekly. A few minutes later as he ate his way through a pancake, he asked, "Why two ransom notes?"

"One to me," said Faith. "And the other to … oh …"

"To who?" asked Tony.

"To whom," corrected Ducky as he came in through the back door. "Whom is the correct grammatical form."

"To whom?" said Tony correcting his grammar.

"To your father," said Faith.

"Oh," said Tony. He put the pancake back half eaten on his plate, an odd expression on his face as he suddenly felt very weary. "Surprised he didn't tear it up."

"He came to DC," said Faith. She tried to be fair, "He seemed concerned."

"Oh well," said Tony philosophically, "I guess that's good. So, why did you say oh?"

"I've just remembered," said Faith, "We left him at the Navy Yard. Do you think he's still there?"

"We'll go and find out," said Gibbs, wiping his mouth and standing up.

"And I will check you over, Anthony," said Ducky.

"Hey, guys," said Tony as his co-workers prepared to go. "Thanks. You did well."

"Fornell will be around some time to take your statement. FBI has jurisdiction," said Gibbs as a parting shot.

In the interests of setting a good example to his team, Tony refrained from groaning.

Kate, Tim and Gibbs left leaving an assortment of good wishes in their wake. Tim was slightly relieved to go; he hadn't found his appetite improved by the sight of Tilly tucking into her pancakes with DiNozzo-like enthusiasm.

"I wasn't surprised to see them all here," said Ducky, "I knew Gibbs wouldn't be able to stay away."

"He tried to make me believe it was Kate and Tim who insisted on coming," said Faith.

"Ah, well, that's Jethro for you," said Ducky. "Now, Anthony, how are we feeling today?"

"I don't know how we are feeling," said Tony, "But I'm feeling a lot better for being home."

"Indeed," said Ducky. "I believe you simply have a feverish cold and you certainly look better for a night's sleep in your own bed. Just keep taking the Advil, keep well hydrated and rest for today – at least!"

"I'm working from home today," said Faith, "I'll be able to keep an eye on him."

"Excellent," said Ducky, "Call me if you need me. And one good thing has arisen out of your unfortunate experience."

"What's that?" asked Tony.

"Meeting up with Badger's nephew. He is very like his uncle, you know. He has promised to give me lunch at his restaurant. Nettle soup and snail porridge. Delicious!"

NCISNCIS

Faith closed the door as Agent Fornell left after having taken Tony's statement and then went back to where Tony was sitting on the sofa.

"You look tired," she said.

"It felt odd being on the other end of a statement being taken," joked Tony.

"Were you frightened?" she asked, as she sat next to him.

"Of Fornell?"

"No. When you were being held captive?"

"I guess," he admitted. "And I was bored, hungry and cold. But, you know what I remember most?"

"No."

"I was sad. And angry. And that was different."

"In what way?"

"I was sad that I might be leaving you. And Tilly. That I might not see her grow up. That you might be left alone. Although I knew you would cope. But I was pissed that you might have to. I've faced death before but for the first time I knew that I had a lot to lose."

Faith squeezed his hand.

"So," he continued, "Who did you have the conversation with?"

"What?"

"Was it Gibbs or Kate? I'm guessing it wasn't Tim."

"What conversation?" asked Faith.

"The conversation to check that I wasn't staging my own disappearance. At least, I hope someone had it with you. They'd be slipping if they hadn't thought of that possibility."

"Oh," said Faith. "It was Kate. And she was uncomfortable about doing it."

"Poor Kate," said Tony. "Pacci was right when he said that she's blinkered sometimes. Assumes she knows what's going on. She likes having boxes to think inside."

Faith frowned, "Isn't it good that she didn't think it was possible that you were bailing on us?"

"I guess," agreed Tony. "And they seem to have been motivated to find me. So, how did the conversation go?"

"Is this because you're checking up on Kate or want to know if I thought you were abandoning us?" asked Faith.

"I'm sorry," said Tony, "Perhaps I shouldn't have asked. But I wanted to know how Kate handled it."

"She was tactful but firm," said Faith. "She did all right. And I told her that while it was possible that you would leave me, you would never leave Tilly."

Tony turned to look at his wife. "Still?" he said, "You still think I'm going to leave you one day?"

"You have to admit," said Faith stoically, "That people were surprised when we got together."

"Then people were wrong," said Tony firmly. "I would never leave you. You should know that when I commit to someone, I'm committed for good. Faith, you complete me. When I said that I was sad when I thought I might die, it wasn't just because of missing Tilly but because I wouldn't be with you. You believe that, don't you?"

"Yes," said Faith, "Of course. Ignore me, I'm just tired."

Tony continued to gaze at Faith, "I'm telling you the truth. And one day, you'll believe me."

"I do believe you," said Faith, "I guess I just find it hard sometimes to understand why you think that way. And don't forget, you were the one who said you thought I'd manage without you. Perhaps we're each as bad as the other."

The phone rang before Tony could reply. Faith answered the call,

"Hello … yes … I see … oh, they told you? He's here … do you want to talk to … oh, OK … yes … bye …" She put the phone down.

"Let me guess?" said Tony, "Senior."

"Yes," said Faith. "Gibbs told him that you were safe."

"And he's flying back to New York," said Tony bleakly, "And didn't have time to drop by?"

"Pretty much," said Faith. "Darling, I'm sorry."

"Don't be," said Tony, "I'm used to it."

There was much that Faith would have liked to say about that but she settled for gently stroking his hair. "It's time for another dose of Advil," she said. As she walked into the kitchen to get the tablets and some water, she turned and said,

"I'll have to go out tomorrow. Tilly's got a play date."

"I can come too," protested Tony, "I'm feeling a lot better already."

"It's too early," said Faith. "You're not well enough. You'll get too tired."

"I'll be fine," said Tony. "How tiring can a kid's outing be?"

"I don't think you're ready for this one," said Faith.

"When I have ever not been ready for a trip?" asked Tony with perfect truth.

"I'm really not sure you're ready for this one," said Faith trying to keep a straight face.

"Why not?" asked Tony crossly.

"Because they're going to the zoo," said Faith.

"Oh!"