Chapter Six

Tony arrived at Pearl at ten to ten. He was dressed in jeans and a chambray shirt. Since it was Saturday, he wanted at least to look as if he was relaxed. Gibbs had arrived at six in the morning at his place to pick up Ziva, so he had time alone to think about what he'd say to Abby. Of course, all he came up with was I'm sorry.

Parking his car, he hustled into the NCIS building. Before heading to MTAC, he stopped by Okika's bullpen. The team was there along with Chin and Dano.

"Okeedokey, any breaks?" he asked.

"Nothing yet, Tony," she said with a frown.

"Turn that frown upside down, Okeedokey. Something always breaks," he said. "DNA back on the evidence yet."

"Yes. It was from a twenty-two year old student. We've already interviewed him. Dead end," she said.

"DiNozzo rule number three: when stuck then start at the beginning. Go back to the first murder and start rechecking everything, including putting our ME together with Five-O's to review everything together. Two eyes are good but four eyes are better," he told her.

"You know that's not a bad idea," said Dano. "Max might like the company."

"If your ME is here I can drive him to Max's to start comparing notes and looking over things," said Chin.

"Supervisory Agent Okika, get started and go back to the first murder," Tony said.

"Yes, sir," said Okika.

"Well, I need to get to MTAC," said Tony.

Tony's next stop was MTAC. He let himself in to find Gibbs already there and telling the technician to connect him with DC. Tony walked up beside him and stood there. Gibbs looked over at him and smiled a self-amused smile. The image of Abby came up on the big screen.

"Hey, Gibbs, you wanted to talk to me," said Abby, who noticed that Tony was standing there next to Gibbs.

Her face went from a smile to snare, as she saw Tony. He knew this was going to be easy.

"What is he doing there?" she asked.

"He works here, Abby. Tony is the Operations Manager in Charge of MCRT and Special Agents," said Gibbs.

"I don't want to talk to him, Gibbs. I haven't forgiven him for running away without saying goodbye," said Abby.

"Abs, I asked you to run a compete and thorough check of Master Chief Allen Yount. I wanted to know where he's been stationed the past ten years to finances to any unsolved murders of navy personnel where he was stationed, do you have it?" Gibbs asked.

"Yes, Gibbs," she answered.

"Send it to McGee in some kind of file or whatever, okay?" he asked.

"Yes, Gibbs."

"Now you and DiNozzo are going to talk, do you understand?" he asked her.

"Why, Gibbs?" she asked.

"Because you are family," he said.

"Yes, Gibbs," she said.

Gibbs smiled, "That's my girl."

He walked down to the technicians and said a few words to them and they filed out of MTAC. Gibbs then walked up to Tony.

"I'll be outside. Talk to her and fix this. Try and make it right," he said then he smacked him on the back of his head and left.

Tony stood there staring at Abby. He took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. Abby waited with her arms crossed for Tony to talk.

"I'm sorry, Abs," he said.

She didn't budge or react. Abby just stared at her computer screen, which meant she stared at him. Tony took a deep breath then he tried again.

"I thought I was never going to see you guys again and," he paused for a moment, "I don't do goodbyes well. I suck at them. I mean you and Gibbs and even McGee were like family to me and I just don't do well with family to begin with, but saying goodbye to family is a whole other hell. Family either dies on me or disappoints me, so this time I thought I wouldn't give it a chance to hurt me. I'd just leave because I had to leave."

"Hurt you, we'd never hurt you. I'd never hurt you. I love you, Tony," Abby said. "That's not good enough, mister. Try again."

"But it true, Abby," said Tony. "But you are right, it's not good enough. I fucked up."

"Try again," she demanded.

"I fucked up really big time. Here I am in Hawaii and it isn't paradise to me. I miss DC and my family. I miss you and Gibbs and McGoo and the Ninja and all the times she's threatened my life. I miss you, but I'm here now. I live here because I needed Brad to help me with my lungs and now I even have a job here. But, Abby, I really do miss you," he said. "I'm sorry. I am really, really sorry. I love you, Abs."

Abby uncrossed her arms. She looked annoyed, so Tony waited for the torrent of disappointment he expected to come out of her.

"This is frustrating. You are in Hawaii, so I can't give you a big hug. I really want to give you a big hug, Tony," she said.

"I really want one of your hugs, Abs," Tony replied.

"Really?" she asked.

"Really," he answered.

"Okay, I've got tons of comp time coming to me, so I'm taking some of it and coming out there for a visit. I really need to hug you and I really want to see you and talk and make up. Can you put me up?" she asked.

"Ziva staying in my spare bedroom right now," he said.

"Oh, good then you can put me up, too," she smiled. "I'll be there in a couple of days. Okay, Tony?"

"Yeah, okay, Abs," he said.

"Oh, now I have to talk to Vance and get a ticket and pack. I've got to go. Give Gibbs a hug for me. I've got lost to do, Tony. See you soon," Abby said.

She turned off the camera on her computer and disappeared. Tony walked over to the equipment and cut the feed then headed up the aisle and out of MTAC. Gibbs was waiting for him.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"She's taking comp time and coming out for a visit," he said then sighed.

He wanted to make up with Abby, but having her and Ziva living with him, especially since he hadn't come straight with Ziva yet. Gibbs smiled. It didn't help that he preferred to live alone and was fairly set in his ways and he knew it.

"Good job, DiNozzo. Now you get another houseguest to keep you on the straight and narrow," said Gibbs.

"I'm on the straight and narrow already, Gibbs. I couldn't be any straighter or anymore narrow," he said.

"Yeah, well, now you'll really be on it," chuckled Gibbs. "Teach you a lesson about not saying goodbye, Tony."

"I didn't want to say goodbye," said Tony.

"I understand," said Gibbs softly.

"Abby told me to give you a hug," said Tony.

Gibbs glared at him and then said, "You do that and more than your lungs will need to be fixed."

"Yeah, I thought so," smiled Tony.

"Now, I have to get back to work. We have a smuggling ring to break up," said Gibbs.

"Need any help?" asked Tony.

"I'll let you know if I do," said Gibbs. "You help that team find the killer for now."

Gibbs walked away. Tony looked at his watch. He could go home and find something to do or maybe spend some time bikini watching on the beach, or he could help one of his team.

"Oh, hell, let me see how things are coming with the serial murder case," he said.

Tony headed towards the elevator to check on his number one MCRT.

NCIS

"This isn't going anywhere," Dano said as he tossed down the file he was reading.

Okika, Frost, Dano, Kono, Philips, and Tony were sitting in the bullpen. The rest of the team had joined McGarrett's team at the Palace working on their end of the case.

"We work the profile, check out the persons of interest who match it, and hope for the best, while some of us go back to the beginning," Tony said then yawned.

"Do you really think we are going to catch this fruitcake this way?" Dano asked.

"What sort of evidence do we have to work with?" asked Tony.

"Not much," answered Dano.

"Work the profile then. It is all we have," sighed Tony.

Kono laughed at this. Gibbs and Ziva came into the bullpen as Kono laughed. Ziva stared at her with daggers in her eyes. Tony noticed, but thankfully, Kono didn't.

"DiNozzo, you done here?" asked Gibbs.

"No, I'll be another hour or so," he replied.

"I'll drive Ziva back to your place then," Gibbs said.

"Okay," smiled Tony.

The worked and worked their persons of interests list based on the profile until everyone was fighting yawns. Tony thought if he were Gibbs he get everyone coffee and keep going, but he wasn't Gibbs. A good night of sleep would do everyone a benefit. They needed smart minds at the moment.

"Okay, let's put this puppy to bed," Tony said.

Dano looked up at him with relief. He knew the futility of working when you mind was falling asleep.

"Tomorrow is Sunday, so work at home. If anyone gets a brainstorm, call me. Otherwise, Monday morning bright and early," he said.

Tony drove home at a reduced speed. Allowing the air to wake him up, he pulled onto the estate to see Gibbs, McGee, and Ziva were sitting on his patio outside of his kitchen having a beer and enjoying the view of the ocean. He parked the car and got out then walked over to them.

"You've made yourself comfortable," he said.

"It's a nice view you got here, DiNozzo," said Gibbs. "Peaceful."

"Yeah, it is," agreed Tony.

"This place is amazing, Tony," said McGee. "How the hell did you ever end up here?"

"The Paddington side of the family was always wealthier than the DiNozzo side, though the DiNozzo side wasn't that bad until my father sold the trucking company and become a business con man," smirked Tony.

"We had ordered pizza, if you're hungry. There might be a few slices leftover if you check the kitchen," said Gibbs.

"Thanks, Gibbs," said, "I grabbed some food before I came home."

"Tony, it's pizza," said McGee. "You never refuse pizza."

"Sorry, McPizzeria, but my doctor has pretty much cleaned up my bad eating habits, except for Hula Dogs, once a month cheeseburgers, and bi-monthly pizzas. I'm a changed man," he said.

Ziva snorted, but Tony managed to look as if he didn't notice.

"You're not Tony; you're a pod person," said McGee.

"Invasion of the Body Snatchers reference, good one, Tim," said Tony.

"Then grab a beer and join us," said Gibbs. "You are allowed beer?"

"I am, I just don't drink as many as I used to," said Tony.

"Sit then," said Gibbs.

Tony said down on a straight back non-lounge chair and semi-faced his former team. They seemed almost anesthetized by the view of the water. Gibbs was more relaxed then he'd seen him in a long time and McGee was chilling. Ziva even looked comfortable, though she still avoided eye contact with Tony.

"Al least it went well with Abby today," said Gibbs.

"She is taking some comp time and flying out for a visit," he said.

Gibbs grinned. He knew that Abby would want to jump on a plane to see DiNozzo, which was why he made him talk to her. It had been almost a year.

"Staying here, right?" Gibbs asked.

"Yeah," answered Tony.

"I can find somewhere else to stay," said Ziva.

"Don't worry about it. I can either stay on my sofa or I'll ask Oliver to put one of you up in the main house," said Tony.

"Sound settled," said Gibbs.

"Hey, Tony, I heard you swim laps now for your lungs. How many?" McGee asked.

"Fifteen in the morning and fifteen at night. I'm going to start doing seventeen soon," said Tony. "I also drink eucalyptus tea. Yum, yum."

"If it is keeping you healthy, you shouldn't complain," snapped Ziva.

Gibbs chuckled then said, "She has a point, DiNozzo. You haven't looked this good since I hired you."

"Yeah, you're right I have nothing to complain about, nothing at all," he said then he stood up.

"Where are you going?" asked Gibbs.

"Make my nighttime cup of tea," said Tony. "I'll be back."

Tony walked away. They were still his team and his surrogate family, but it didn't feel right yet. Too much was still left unsaid and he knew it. Gibbs could get over it easy enough but there was still issues to work out.

He entered the kitchen and turned on the stove then filled the kettle with water and placed it on the burner. As he pulled out a tea mug, McGee came into the kitchen.

"Can I get a tea?" he asked. "I'm driving."

"Gibbs is letting you drive?" Tony asked.

"Only because he is having a few beers with Ziva. It's been a tough six or seven months and even though this case isn't easy, it is a nice change of pace compared to what we've been through," explained McGee.

"Earl Grey?" he asked McGee.

"Sure."

"What happened with EJ?" asked Tony.

"Most of that case has been marked top secret, but I can tell you that EJ is fine and she's taken a leave of absence," said McGee.

"I see," sighed Tony.

He was there to help or them. Tony knew that feeling guilty about that was silly since he was no longer capable of being a field agent, that he needed to follow Brad's directions, but there was some lingering guilt there, and lingering guilt was a bitch to deal with.

"It has been an especially tough time for Ziva and Gibbs," said McGee.

"How so?" Tony asked.

"I can't speak for Ziva because it's personal, but I can tell you that Gibbs missed his SFA. I may hold the position now, but you are his SFA. You will always be his SFA, Tony," said McGee.

"He was just used to me."

"It is so much more than that," smiled McGee.

"If you say so, Tim," said Tony.

The kettle started to whistle. Tony poured them each a mug of tea. McGee took his Earl Grey, while Tony let his eucalyptus steep. He finally took a sip. It was amazing that he grown used to the taste.

"Let's rejoin them," said Tony.

He walked over and slid the door. Both him and McGee could hear Ziva's voice.

"I do not hate him, Gibbs, but I am not sure that I can like him again. It is very, very difficult for me. I know he left for his health, and I am glad he is better, but the way he did leave, it felt like he deserted us," she said. "It hurt and… I cannot trust him; no matter how much I want to and how much I try, I cannot trust him. He deserted me, us."

Tony closed his eyes. He slid the door shut. Yeah, he knew he hurt her, but he had hoped that it wouldn't be forgiven in time. She didn't sound like she was in a forgiving mood. McGee looked at him with an expression of understanding.

"Tony, she's hurt and she doesn't really mean it," said McGee.

"I know, Tim. Tell them I got called and had to leave. I'm going to sleep on my couch at work. I've got to be their early tomorrow anyway," Tony told him.

"Tony, she is upset with you. No one was more depressed with your leaving then her," McGee said.

"Tim, before you leave, let's have dinner," said Tony. "Thanks."

With that, he put down his tea and headed to the front door. He got into his MG and started it up. As he backed it up and then straightened out his car, he drove off. In his rearview mirror, he saw Gibbs standing outside his front door.

NCIS

Tony smelled coffee. It was tempting and made his mouth salivate. He slowly opened his eyes and saw Gibbs sitting at his desk with a cup of coffee in his hand and another one on the desk waiting for him. There was also a croissant sausage and egg sandwich waiting for him.

"Morning, Gibbs," said Tony.

"You left last night," said Gibbs.

"Yeah."

"You heard what Ziver said," he said.

"Yeah."

"She is still hurting over the fact you not only had to leave the team, but you dropped out of her life completely. Think about it, DiNozzo, you've risked your life for her more than once, but suddenly, you just up and leave without a proper goodbye or saying you'd keep in touch," said Gibbs. "You hurt her."

"I hurt Abby, too," said Tony, as he sat up.

His body felt sore and achy from sleeping on the lumpy sofa.

"Abby loves you, DiNozzo. You are like a brother to her, but Ziva is in love with you, just like you are in love with her," said Gibbs.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Gibbs," said Tony.

Tony sat down in the chair in front of his desk and sampled the coffee. It was light and sweet the way he liked it and the way Gibbs hated it.

"I watched you two dance around each other for years. You two have been coming close to breaking rule 12 for years," Gibbs said. "You dated other people, but the attraction between the two of you didn't go away. You handled this badly and you hurt her."

"I know, Gibbs, but I really don't know how to make this one better," he admitted.

"Talk to her," Gibbs said. "Maybe you should even tell her how you really feel about her."

"Can you guarantee that she won't be armed?" asked Tony.

"Drink your coffee and eat your sandwich," chuckled Gibbs.

"Okay, Gibbs," said Tony.

"I mean it, Tony. Before this is over, you have to talk to her. She deserves it and you need to say something to her, too," said Gibbs.

"Yes, Boss," smiled Tony.

Gibbs grinned then sipped his coffee.