A/N: Thank you!

Real Anxiety

The next morning saw Gibbs wake up feeling a bit confused about his whereabouts before he realized that he had slept in Tony's guest room. He had been too sleepy the night before to look around when he had dragged himself to bed, but now he had to admit that the man had good taste and possibly an obsession with very large TVs. Grinning to himself, Gibbs reached for his overnight bag and then quickly dressed. When he stepped out of the room, he could already smell coffee and bacon.

"You made breakfast?" he said, his voice still a bit rough from sleep.

"Yup. Not often that I have guests over," Tony gave him a smile. "Plus, we have to eat. It's going to be a long day."

He handed Gibbs the plate with bacon and eggs and then placed a fresh cup of coffee in front of him.

"Thanks."

Tony just gave him another smile as he sat down opposite of him and dug in. For someone who had told Gibbs again and again how much work his body was, he sure ate a lot. No, he didn't eat his breakfast, he wolfed it down. Gibbs grinned once more and then began to eat, idly trying to remember when someone had last made him breakfast.

#

A couple of hours later did Gibbs check the wires for the tenth time. They had just sent Tony into the club. He knew that there was no reason to be nervous and still when they had started their little mission, he wished that they could go in together. Even knowing that he would follow the other man a couple of minutes later didn't do anything to calm his nerves. Something was gnawing at his gut but he couldn't quite place a finger on it. He looked around the surveillance van and saw Kate intently watching the video feed that was livestreaming the club from Tony's collar cam. Despite himself, Gibbs bit back a grin as he saw the women practically swoon over the newest guest and the men watch him with undisguised terror. They probably saw their hopes dashed. If they only knew…

Finally having enough, Gibbs got out of the van and nodded at McGee who was lounging around outside the club. He paid the entrance fee and then he was in, being instantly violated by the loud dance music. Abby would have loved it here that much was for sure. He looked around for a bit until he located Tony who was already surrounded by a couple of women. The younger man was talking to them animatedly but Gibbs could tell that he was keeping a safe distance between him and the women. Gibbs quickly checked out the women himself trying to find some sort of tell if there was a prostitute amongst them, but couldn't find any. So he walked a little closer and then waved at Tony, who did the same in response.

"Charlie," Tony cried out, waving Gibbs over. "Come here," he tilted his head towards a couple of free seats at the bar. "Sorry ladies, I'm here to meet an old friend of mine."

The women looked displeased but one by one they walked away. Gibbs honestly was surprised by that. He had expected it to be much harder. They sat down and ordered a beer each. Gibbs gave the room a cursory inspection and realized that most of the people were still openly staring at them.

"You're quite the attraction."

"Yup, that's me," Tony grinned as he took a sip from his beer. "How long do you think it'll take?"

"Not long, I guess," Gibbs shrugged. "They're mostly straight-forward."

"You got experience?" Tony quipped and Gibbs itched to give him a head slap. He'd save that one for later.

They made meaningless small talk for about half an hour, carefully avoiding talking about anything important because they both knew that Kate and McGee were listening in. Gibbs still stole glances around the club until his eyes stopped at two women who were standing at the far side of the bar, talking to each other animatedly and stealing glances at Tony. For a moment one of them leaned forwards and Gibbs could just make out the trademark tattoo on her shoulder. He elbowed Tony none too gently and then tilted his head towards the two women.

"We're in luck," he whispered.

Tony just nodded and then Gibbs stood up, patting Tony's back as if saying goodbye and then he walked over to the other side, careful about keeping a watchful eye on Tony. The younger man remained alone for another couple of minutes but then, sure enough, one of the women Gibbs had seen earlier approached him and took Gibbs' empty seat. They began to talk but to Gibbs' utter dismay he couldn't hear much of it despite his earplug. The music was just too loud. So he concentrated on trying to read body language.

The woman was soon leaning closer to Tony and while Tony didn't pull away from her, Gibbs could clearly see that he had gotten a little stiff in the way he was sitting there. Gone was the relaxed state of mind, but the woman didn't seem to notice. Gibbs tried to focus on their conversation again, but he just caught tatters here and there - nothing he could go on. Only when the woman rubbed a hand up and down Tony's back, did he know that Tony's acting had apparently worked.

Gibbs felt his heart beat faster in his chest as Tony leaned closer to her, whispering something into her ear as he brought a hand to her thigh. The way he smiled at her seemed genuine in the darkness of the club and Gibbs suddenly itched to go over there and tell him to let go. Tony wasn't hers to take. He belonged to him.

Gibbs stopped at that particular train of thought and shook his head. He had no right to think that way. No right at all. He had after all put an end to Tony's advances. It still bothered him, though, how easily the younger man had gone to touch the girl next to him. Gibbs took a deep breath and then slowly breathed out. Of course, Tony was doing all these things, he was on a mission and Gibbs realized that he would do the same if their roles were reversed. There was no reason for him to be jealous.

Even if it was damn hard to ignore the sinking sensation in his stomach every time the woman touched Tony.

Finally after what seemed like hours to Gibbs, did Tony stand up with the woman following his lead. He took her hand and then walked her out the club. Gibbs trailed them at a reasonable distance. Once outside, he could finally hear them talking again.

"My car's over there," Tony was now saying. "I've got a driver waiting if that's okay for you."

"Anything for Tony DiNozzo," the woman replied and Gibbs realized that she sounded a little daunted. "I just want to get out of here."

"You okay?" Tony checked back and it was clear that he was honestly concerned.

"Yeah."

They stayed silent for a few moments and Gibbs watched them walk towards their agency car. Just when they were almost at the car, there was a man wearing a hoodie crossing their path. He didn't stop them but it was clear that he was scrutinizing them for a moment.

"Night, J-Man," the woman said, sounding light-hearted again.

The man didn't reply and if he had nodded, Gibbs wouldn't have seen it because he was too far away.

"Who's that?" Tony asked curiously and Gibbs felt a little proud at his investigator skills.

"Bartender of the club. Usually goes out to have a smoke. Nice guy."

Again there was silence except for the banging of the car doors as they got in.

"Where are we going?" she asked after they had already started driving and Gibbs had already jumped into the van to follow them.

"To my place," Tony replied, sounding rather confused and Gibbs realized that he hadn't expected a question like that.

"To your house?" she replied. "As much as I'd love that, we can't."

"Wh- Why not?"

"I'm only allowed to go to certain hotels with my clients," she said, sounding uncertain herself. "I mean, I'd love to go to your place, Tony. I'd love to see how the most handsome man on earth lives, but I… I can't do it."

"How would anyone know where we were?"

"Trust me, he'll know."

"Who?" Tony asked and Gibbs couldn't help but grin.

Tony really was good.

"No need for you to know," the woman replied easily, but a bit too fast.

By now they were about two blocks away from the club and the driver of the car had been told to make a stop there in order for them to tell what was really up.

"Why are we stopping?" she asked and now fear was clearly perceivable, even over the speakers.

"I have to tell you something, Mandy," Tony said softly now as if not to rile her up. "We're not really going to my place."

"What are you talking about?" she sounded frantic now and Gibbs hoped that Tony would explain it to her quickly.

"I'm working with NCIS. I'm sure you know about the dead girls."

"I-I don't know what you're talking about, let me out. I've got nothing to say to you."

"No, listen," Tony said now and Gibbs immediately knew that something was wrong because he was almost pleading now. "We're here to help you."

"I don't want your help!" she cried out and there was shuffling to be heard and then a muffled grunt from Tony.

For a second, Gibbs wondered why the driver didn't do anything against whatever was happening but then there was a gunshot to be heard and Gibbs felt his insides clench.

"Tony," he cried out and into the intercom. "Tony!"

There was no answer just more shuffling and then silence.

"Goddamn it," Gibbs swore as they finally rounded the corner to where Tony's car was supposed to stop.

He couldn't see much as he got out of the van. It was too dark out and he couldn't see into the car as it had tinted windows.

"Tony?" he tried again but once more, he didn't get a reply and his instincts told him that something just went terribly wrong.

God…

"NCIS," he shouted, his weapon drawn as he approached the unmoving car, with McGee and Kate doing the same next to him. "Get out of the car."

Gibbs tilted his head to indicate that Kate was supposed to cover for him. She did just that and then Gibbs inched closer and shouted one more time.

"Get out of the car."

Still, there was no movement from inside, so Gibbs took a deep breath, trying to get his nerves in check and then opened the door. He felt his heart miss a beat as he was faced with the barrel of a gun.

"Drop the weapon," he heard McGee shout behind him but he didn't really pay attention because he had just noticed the bloody hands that were holding the gun.

Whose blood was that?

Where had this all gone so wrong? Why hadn't they anticipated that a prostitute carrying a gun was a possibility? Goddamn it, when had he become so sloppy?

"Drop the weapon," he finally found his words again, knowing that time was maybe a matter of life and death. "Drop the weapon and everything will be okay."

The woman's face finally came into his view and there were black streaks on her face from where tears had smeared her make-up. Her hands were slightly shaking and Gibbs realized that maybe, maybe he'd have a chance to get out of this alive.

"Give me the gun and I promise, nothing will happen to you."

"N-No," she stammered. "You'll take me to jail."

"Not if you tell me who you shot," Gibbs said now, almost softly.

"Nobody," she replied and Gibbs let out a shaky breath. "I-I missed."

"Then why is there blood on your hands?"

"I-I," she started, but a sob interrupted her. "I hit Tony with the gun."

"Is he alright?"

"I-I don't know. His nose is bloody and I don't think he's conscious."

"Okay," Gibbs let out a soft sigh. "Okay. Now give me your weapon, so that I can take a look at him, okay?"

Mandy nodded once and then finally handed over the gun. Gibbs took it and then gripped her arm and hauled out of the car, sure that she wouldn't do more harm. She had probably just freaked before. Kate got a hold of her and then Gibbs quickly got into the car.

"You okay, Fred?" Gibbs asked, his eyes glued to Tony's bloody face.

The driver just grunted. "Sorry, before I could see she had a weapon, she had already shot."

Gibbs didn't reply as he took stock of Tony's injuries. His nose seemed to be broken and he was clearly unconscious. Wincing ever so slightly, Gibbs took hold of Tony's face and then softly slapped him.

Tony's eyelids fluttered for a moment or two before he looked up at Gibbs, who let out a relieved sigh as he saw the green orbs.

Thank God, he was alright.

"Can you hear me, Tony?" he whispered, his face only inches away from Tony's.

"Yeah."