Chapter Six: Gone

The next day, they had arrested Private Oliver's killer (his brother due to envy. Fortunately no one had to lose any money) and were on the drive back. It was quiet. It was awkward. Tony had, not only, told Gibbs everything, and he wasn't sure of everything, but he was pretty sure McGee and Kate were somewhat suspicious. I mean, they'd obviously heard Gibbs ask him what was up with his arms. He'd no doubt they'd want answers, not now, but later. Preferably out of Gibbs' earshot.

But, the case was done. One less thing to worry about. One less thing to fret about. Not that he was fretting anything. He wasn't lying to Gibbs about his father only showing up every ten years. He'd shown, he'd done, he'd gone. And Tony knew he wouldn't be seeing him for a while. 'That is really screwed up!' Tony thought as he stared out the window. 'Aw well. You can't have everything, DiNozzo,' part of him thought. The other part finished, 'But, you know, I would settle for something.' And it was true. Tony bragged. About women, about money, about friends, about his abilities, about nearly everything. But, was any of it true? Sure, he wasn't that bad to look at. And, sure, it wasn't that hard for him to pick up a chick. But, nothing was exceptional; it never was. It was always ordinary. Where's the extra-? No, no, Anthony DiNozzo Jr., despite his talk, was anything but extraordinary. He was...well, he didn't really know what he was. He knew he could be annoying and irritating, but was that really his fault? He was impulsive. He was never any good at holding things inside. But, then again, he never told anyone about his father. 'Anyone. Anyone except Gibbs,' Tony thought. 'But that was different. He ordered me to. And, maybe I wanted to? I don't know. It's too complicated! Why, DiNozzo? Why is it so complicated? Because it is! There's no simple answer this time. Then why don't you uncomplicate it? I don't know how, okay? Yeah, I just said that- well, thought that. I'm not actually saying any of this outloud- I, Anthony DiNozzo, admit to not knowing how to do everything. Do you know how to do anything? Is it all a lie? No, no! It's not all a lie! Just some of it. Did you lie to yourself? ...Maybe? Oh, great! Now I'm arguing with myself inside my head! Why is it so quiet in this car?! Literally no one has said anything the whole ride! How long have we even been driving? I don't even remember. Ten minutes? Thirty? An hour? Two?'

Tony eyed the people around him as he thought, 'Why aren't any of them looking at me? Are they mad I didn't tell them anything? Or maybe they're uncomfortable around me? Maybe- maybe it's awkward. Did I make it awkward? Wait- McGee and Kate don't even know about anything! Why are they acting weird? Unless- Did Gibbs tell them!? Oh my God! Why would he do that? Why would he- ?' Tony started to inwardly panic as he psyched himself out. He shook his head quickly and rethought that. 'No. No, Gibbs wouldn't betray my trust like that. He knows me, I think. Knows I don't trust easily...or at least not as easily...not since what happened in Baltimore. Gibbs was there. Somehow he'd known...No, scratch that. He didn't know. He'd followed him. He'd followed his gut. He's got a good gut. Oh...my God! Why is everyone staring at me? What'd I miss? Did someone ask me a question? That's weird. How'd it go from ignoring me to not taking their eyes off me? Seriously, why are they gazing at me? Did I do something stupid again?'

Gibbs looked at Tony for a second before he said, for the third time, "DiNozzo!"

Finally, Tony snapped out of it. "What?"

"We're here," Gibbs said slowly. "Get out of the car, Tony."

It was then that it clicked in Tony's brain that, for the second time in three days, everyone was outside the car except for him. And they were all standing in front of his opened door. "Oh," Tony uttered attempting to stand as he opted to get out of the car as smoothly as possible. He failed quickly as he fell back, not even reaching a standing position. Gibbs grimaced as it dawned on Tony that you have to unbuckle before getting out of the car. Which he did, as quickly as possible, getting out of the car.

Gibbs placed a hand on Tony's shoulder as the other two shuffled into the elevator. As it closed behind them, Gibbs said, "DiNozzo- ?"

"'m fine!" Tony busted out strongly, louder than he meant. He blushed and quickly apologized.

"No, you're not."

"I am, boss, I swear! I'm so sorry! And I know saying you're sorry is a sign of weakness, but that was a little outrageous! I know. It was- It was really loud, wasn't it? I mean, you know, sometimes you think you're speaking like a normal person, then kapow! and you're screaming!" Tony silenced as Gibbs held a finger to his lips.

"I was talkin' about when you said you were fine," Gibbs cleared up.

"Oh. Right. I don't know why I did that. Uh, I am fine though, boss. Really," Tony explained.

"You're not fine," Gibbs summed up.

"I am though!" Tony all but whined a little, trying not to sound like a child, but also a little upset at Gibbs for not believing him.

Gibbs just narrowed his eyes at him for a moment.

"I'm sorry- again. But, I am fine, boss," Tony fixed himself, putting on his normal voice.

Gibbs nodded, but said, "You're not. Go see Ducky."

Tony couldn't help his confusion.

"I wanna know every single injury you have. And, I wanna hear it from Ducky 'cause I know you'll lie to me," Gibbs clarified.

"Boss, I wouldn't- !" Tony began.

"Yeah. Right. Go," was all Gibbs said before leading Tony to the elevator.


Tony, too tired to argue with Gibbs, made his way to autopsy quietly. As he walked in, he called, "Hey, Ducky! What's up, man? Oh, you're busy? That's cool. I'll come back later, man." He turned on his heel.

Then, Ducky said, "Not at all, my dear boy! Jethro told me you were coming! Come in, come in!"

Tony closed his eyes as he hadn't thought about that. Then, having no other choice, shuffled into the room. "Alright, Ducky. But I'm gonna let you know, you aren't going to find anything. I'm cool."

Ducky nodded with a patient smile. "Perhaps I should examine you first."

"Eh, we could do that too, I guess," Tony offered.

"Excellent! Anthony, hop up on that table, if you would," Ducky said, pointing to one near the door. Tony nodded as Ducky called, "Just call me if you need assistance!" as he disappeared in his office for a minute.

He disappeared just long enough for Tony to mumble, "Assistance? I don't need assistance! I'm a DiNozzo. DiNozzos don't need assistance!"

"Or perhaps," Ducky said, walking back in, "it's that they never ask."

"Maybe," Tony muttered, slightly embarrassed that Ducky had heard him.

Ducky placed the end of a stethoscope against his chest, attempting to hear the thump-thump thump-thump of Tony's heartbeat, as he instructed him to "Take a deep breath for me?"

Ducky nodded, placing the stethoscope lower on Tony's abdomen, to auscultate for bowel sounds. He nodded again as he moved the stethoscope to Tony's back. "Okay, another deep breath?" As Tony complied, Ducky removed the stethoscope and said, "Good. Your breathing sounds okay, but, Anthony, I did notice that you seemed to wince a bit as you took deep breaths. Does it hurt when you breath?"

Tony shrugged, answering, "A little, I guess."

"Where?" Ducky asked.

"I don't know- In the breathing area," Tony answered.

"What about here?" Ducky asked applying pressure to Tony's right side, just under his chest.

"Ow!" Tony cried out painfully. "Yeah."

"It's tender?" Ducky's asked again, feeling for a break.

"Ow!" Tony nodded. "Is that bad?"

Ducky looked at the young man before him before he answered. "I don't know yet. I wanna take some abdominal x-rays."

"So, it's bad!" Tony worried.

"Now, don't fret, Anthony. We don't know yet. It could be serious or it could just be a superficial abrasion. Just try to relax. Nothing's certain yet."

"Yeah," Tony said. 'But if I've learned anything in my life, it's that one thing...can change everything.'