Disclaimer – I don't own NCIS

Authors note – I hope that you all enjoy this, sorry for the chapter – it's not a happy one but this is the next story line in it. I hope you all enjoy!

Thank you all for the reviews! You all ROCK!

'can we skip the part where you look in my eyes and tell me you apologise?' - Boys Like Girls, cheated

-A Life Behind Bars-

The next two weeks passed relatively smoothly in DC. There were few new cases for the team to submerge themselves into, so they spent time going over cold cases, helping Abby and Ducky out as well as just generally messing around. By the end of the first week Abby and Ducky had both completed their stock takes, they'd closed all of the active cases, analysed all the evidence they'd had backed up and autopsied all of the bodies. Ducky had brushed up on his psychological profiling and Abby had downloaded over fifty dollars worth of music. Every morning Gibbs would meet up with Jenny for coffee, and most nights she would go back to his house instead of her own. They'd both begun to grow accustomed to sleeping in the same bed every night. And when Fridays came around they'd all headed to the bar, yet without Ali being there, a part of it seemed to be missing.

However, all of this relaxation and having no cases dud have its downsides. It meant that Gibbs' team had nothing to do, and so Gibbs was getting more than a little annoyed with them. And yet, Tony was not quite as bad as Gibbs had anticipated. Whilst he was still being a pain in the backside, he seemed to be hiding in his shell a little more. And then, on the Saturday he had been spending the morning watching Magnum PI when he'd got the call. The whole team who had had the day off came in. They'd investigated and fallen into heir usual positions, yet something was Different. Paula Cassidy and agent they had worked with many times and all liked, along with her team had been killed in an explosion. A woman who Tony had had an affair with a few years ago and still cared about.

The investigation had not been easy. Tony and Gibbs had been hard to deal with, and emotions had run high. However, by Saturday night the whole case had been wrapped up. Those responsible for the explosion had confessed and been handcuffed and taken down to holding. There was enough evidence to prosecute, and all of the team would be buried together. Now, as the sun set over DC, Tony still stood by the window looking out over the Navy yard. It was strange to think that he would never be able to tease her again, never be able to flirt with her in an almost joking way. He remembered when they had been investigation on a ship a few years ago and she had been the agent afloat. He remembered how she had put a case file over her ass because she knew him too well. He remembered how back when they had been together they'd teased and joked. Then his mind fell onto Ali, the girl who he couldn't help but feel like he was falling for. He wondered if Paula would approve, or whether she would tell him to call it off because she was too good for him.

Sighing Tony looked down, the lights were flickering on, casting light into the darkness. He hurt, inside he hurt so much it almost felt like physical pain. He wanted Ali, he wanted someone to hold him, someone to lose himself in – anyone. Running a hand through his hair he carried on staring out the window when e saw the reflection of his bossing the window. "You alright?" he questioned, placing his hand on the younger mans shoulder.

"I'd yes but then I'd be lying." Said Tony not taking his eyes off of whatever it was he was gazing at outside.

"Go home DiNozzo. Said Gibbs before walking off towards the lift. Tony followed his boss with his eyes and saw a familiar red head step off of the lift. Jenny walked over and hugged his, whispering something in his ear that made Gibbs smiled before he took her hand and they disappeared off. She must have let whatever his name is cover her tonight thought Tony. He took out his phone and pressed speed dial #1 which was Ali.

"Yeah?" He heard her slightly distorted voice answer.

"Hey, it's Tony." He said.

"Hey." She replied in a slightly softer voice. She had spent the last two weeks doing up the bar, now it was decorated and had everything getting installed. She was tired and stressed, but the bar was in, and currently the barrels were being installed, and the booths drilled in. Deciding to escape the noise and take a break she walked out the front door and away from the bar to talk to her boyfriend. "What's wrong, you sound upset?"

"You remember I told you about Paula?"

"Cassidy?" She clarified. "Your ex, yeah I remember, why?" she questioned. The sun was warm and Ali was dressed in a pair of acid wash denim shorts which were now covered in paint, and a thin lemon shirt which was tucked in. On her feet was a pair of cheep white pumps. Her hair was tied up and she wore no makeup.

"She was killed this morning in an explosion."

"Oh my god, Tony! Are you alright?" She asked seriously concerned.

"No, Ali I don't know what to do. She's always been there for me you know. No matter what she was a great friend." He sighed, "I . . . I feel as though I've lost a sister."

"Look Tony, I'd come up but I can't, you know I've gotta stay here. Why don't you fly down? I'm sure Jen will convince Gibbs to give you a few days off. You could just come clear your head and I'll be by your side if you need me?" She asked, hoping he'd accept. But she knew she had to be getting back to work, a builder was trying to get her attention. She signalled she'd be two minutes and he disappeared from view.

"No, no Ali. I . . ."

"Look I have to go, I'm so sorry. I'll ring you later I promise. I'm thinking of you Tony, and I love you. I mean that."

"Okay, bye then." He said slightly disheartened. Tony knew he shouldn't hold it against her that she had to work but he did. HE needed her and yet, he could just go down and see her. But he didn't, instead he stayed here. Why? Was it that this was where his memories with Paula were? Or was it that he didn't want consolation from who was technically the woman who had once been Paula. HE needed a drink, and as he closed his phone he decided that was exactly was he was going to do. So he walked over to his desk, placed his badge and gun in his draw, grabbed his coat and left NCIS.

He didn't know why, but tonight he did not go to DC's Duke Bar. Instead he went to the end of town that was furthest away. He went into a cheap bar where the women wore pretty much nothing and sat down on a stool. He ordered a shot of vodka and a bottle of bear. After downing the shot, relishing in the burning as it went down his throat he sat there drinking his bear. The bar was dark and dingy, a stereo typical American bar. The wood and floors were sticky and the music was too tinny to be classed as good. As he sat there drinking, it was not long before a woman sat down next to him. They didn't talk for the first four bears, but then once their blood had a high enough concentration of alcohol in it, and their thoughts were not quite so rational they began to make idle chitchat. "You look like a man wanting to forget." She said, he head resting on her hand. She wore a black skirt that was a little too tight and short to be considered recent, wore a blouse so pink it matched her blusher and had one to many buttons undone.

"And you look like a woman who wants to forget." He replied.

"What do you do?" She asked as she placed her hand on his bicep, feeling the muscles. She was impressed, and quickly and discretely looked t his left ring finger and was pleased to find it empty.

"Cop, you?"

"Finance." She said. "You know, the best forgetting drink is vodka." She said and ordered them two shots. They arrived and both of them downed the liquid. HE then ordered them tequila and within fifteen minutes both were sitting a little closer together.

"You know, we really shouldn't be doing this." He stated as he looked into her eyes, realising just how close together their faces were.

"No, we shouldn't." She stated before sending her lisp crashing down onto his. After that first kiss it was not long before they left the bar, hands roaming urgently.

-A Life Behind Bars-

Jenny and Jethro sat on her sofa, both with glasses of wine in their hands. Neither of them spoke, neither of them needed to. She was almost on his knee, and that was his doing. He wanted her close, and after what he had gone through today she didn't blame him. Looking up at him she smiled, but the moment was shot at the shrill of her phone ringing. She looked down and saw that it was her niece, smiling she looked at Jethro who nodded saying it was fine to take it, but he kept his arm around her telling her not to move. "Hey Ali." Said Jenny with a smile.

"Hey." The younger girl replied. She sat on the sofa of the flat above the bar, wrapped up in a blanket watching a film. "I was just wondering if you'd seen Tony, he isn't answering his phone."

"No darling I haven't, I met Jethro at NCIS and took the night off. I'm sure he's probably watching a film."

"Is Gibbs there?"

"Yeah, hand on I'll put him on." She then turned to Jethro. "It's Ali; she wants to speak to you." He nodded and Jenny softly kissed his cheek with a smile before placing her head in the crook of his neck.

"Hi." He said, not much liking phone calls.

"Hey Gibbs, is Tony aright?"

"He'll manage, it's just a shock, and they were close."

"I know, he's not answering his phone though."

"Look Ali, don't worry, he's probably got drunk and passed out on the floor."

"And I shouldn't worry about that?"

"No, because I did it every night before I met your aunt."

"Okay, will you look out for him? Please."

"Yeah, yeah I will do."

And with that he hung up, he kissed Jenny head and they stayed like that for a few more hours before making their way up to bed. Neither of them needed to ask how the other was, because that night was one when words were not enough.

-A Life Behind Bars-

Tony DiNozzo awakened, and realised that it felt like a herd of elephants were sat on his head. Almost hesitantly he opened his eyes, only to close them again as he realised that it was too light outside. After a few moment though, he braved it. Only what he saw was almost worse. HE was in a room that was not his or Ali's. It was a motel room; he was in a motel bed. Then he realised it: he was naked. Turning his head to the side he saw a woman, someone who he did not recognise.

He felt like he could cry. He'd cheated on Ali.

Resisting the urge to scream he silently got out of bed, got dressed and left the room. Then, he left the motel and hailed a cab home. When he got to his house he opened the door and slammed it closed. Then, he dug in his pocket to find his phone. IT was dead, after shoving it on charge it finally turned on.

15 missed calls

5 SMS's

He opened them to find that every one of them was from Ali. He seriously did not know what to do, yet after a cold shower and a strong coffee which would rival even Gibbs he left for work, getting a cab as he was no sure how sober he still was, on his way he decided for now he would tell her that he'd passed out last night after getting drunk – not a complete lie – and then decide what to do.

"Hey." HE said as she answered the phone.

"Hey, I was worried when you didn't answer my calls."

"Sorry about that, I got a little drunk, passed out."

"Gibbs thought you might have, how are you holding up?"

"Not great, but I'm getting there." HE answered, blatantly lying, in fact he felt worse than he had yesterday, and knowing that he was lying to Ali made things worse – especially when he knew that Paula would have given him a slap across the knuckles after what eh had done.

"Well just remember my offer still stands. I should be back next weekend though, so I'll see you then."

"Good, I've missed you."

"You too Tony."

"I have to go, I'm at work, see you soon Ali."

"Bye Tony." And with that he hung up the phone and walked into NCIS, head pounding and conscience blackened. Tony DiNozzo was not sure what would happen, only he was sure of one thing and one thing only: he was a dead man walking.

Dun, Dun, Duuuunnn

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