Tony and Emma said goodbye to McGee and Delilah around eight thirty, then curled up on the couch together.

"Want to watch a movie?" Tony asked Emma.

"Not really," replied Emma with a yawn. "I think I need an early night."

"Okay." Tony wrapped her in his arms. "Want some company?"

"Of course." Emma stood and pulled Tony up with her, making sure he was behind her as she moved to the bedroom.

"Thank you for helping tonight."

"Oh, that's no problem. I figured you probably needed the back up anyway. You seemed like you were getting a little flustered."

"Just a bit. I wanted to explain everything properly, but it's a little hard to explain something you don't understand."

"It happens. It's done with now. Why don't you come and lie down with me." Emma patted the bed next to her, smiling happily when Tony joined her. "That's better."

Tony turned onto his side to face Emma. She had set up his side of the bed when he had come back home so that the pillows were soft enough for him to rest his head on without hurting himself, but Tony had found that the most comfortable way for him to sleep was when he was holding Emma in his arms. It was a comfort to him, but also meant he didn't have to sleep alone.

Tony woke up feeling apprehensive about what he had to do that day. Emma had left early for work and Bishop was coming to pick him up at ten to take him to NCIS. He wasn't going to work, just to meet with the prosecutor in both trials, but he still felt very nervous about stepping foot into the building after more than a month. And the fact that he was going to testify in court didn't help either. After all, Monday was two days away.

Tony got out of bed and showered quickly, putting on one of the suits he usually wore to work. Even that felt odd, but he pushed past it so he could focus. He was walking into the living room when there was a knock on his front door. Tony opened the door and saw Bishop there, smiling at him. He had missed her the most, mainly because he had forgotten her, but also because she liked to help him pick on McGee.

"Hey Tony, are you ready?" she asked.

"Uh, yeah. I think I am. Did Gibbs agree to let me visit for a bit afterwards?"

"He did, as long as you take it easy."

"Okay." Tony let Bishop lead him to her car, still feeling very nervous.

By the time they reached NCIS, Tony was visibly shaking. His nerves had gotten the better of him and he was finding it difficult to calm down.

"Hey, Tony, relax. This is just a quick meeting. Gibbs will be there with you the whole time," said Bishop calmly. "You'll be fine."

Tony nodded. He got out, took a deep breath and then headed into the building slowly. By the time he reached the security checkpoint, Bishop had caught up to him. She showed the guard her ID, but before she could vouch for Tony, the guard broke into a huge smile and reached out to hug Tony.

"Agent DiNozzo!" he exclaimed, his entire face beaming with joy. "Welcome back."

"I'm not here to work Joe," said Tony quietly. "I'm just visiting today."

Joe's smile dropped. "Oh. I miss you, you know?"

"I miss you too," smiled Tony, feeling slightly better now that he was with a friend.

"Let me get you a pass. You can go wherever you want, and you don't need an escort." Joe grabbed a visitor's badge from the desk next to him and handed it to Tony. "Make sure you come and chat before you leave, okay? There's a lot for us to catch up on."

"I'll try." Tony gave him another smile and followed Bishop to the elevator.

"You know what, you have a lot of friends in this building," said Bishop once they were in the elevator. "Everyone misses you."

"Really?" Tony asked, brightening up.

"Yeah. The guards down there, the personnel everywhere. Well, except the ones in the evidence garage. I'm pretty sure they hate you. But even they miss your infectious happiness."

Tony relaxed a little. He hadn't known that he had so many friends at NCIS. "I miss them too, actually."

"Are you interested in coming back yet? I mean, I know you have to wait until the therapist says you're well enough, and for Brad to give you the all clear, but are you ready?"

"Not really. Emma and I were talking about at the start of the week. I don't feel ready just yet."

"That's alright." They stepped out of the elevator when it stopped and headed to the bull pen, ending the conversation.

"Hey Tony," said McGee when Bishop led their friend over to his desk. "Gibbs said he'll be down in a moment if you want to wait for him."

"Thank you." Tony sat on his desk chair, staring at the files that had piled up in his absence. "What are these files for?"

"They need to be filed, some are waiting for reports. Gibbs wants them checked before you come back, so we'll deal with them and just leave the ones that we can't fill out."

"Okay." Tony leaned back in the chair, still looking at the files. He was daydreaming when Gibbs arrived in front of him and broke his concentration.

"DiNozzo. Let's go," said Gibbs. He held out a coffee. "And drink this. You look like you haven't slept in months, maybe years."

"Really? I've been sleeping properly."

"It's an effect of the injuries, Tony," Gibbs said. "When you fully recover, you'll find that you won't look like you've gone ten rounds in a boxing ring."

"Oh, alright." Tony got off the chair and followed Gibbs to the conference room. "Who are we meeting with?"

"Bud Roberts."

"The JAG lawyer?"

"The very same."

Tony immediately felt better. He knew that Bud was a good lawyer and felt that he would give the defence team a run for their money once they actually went to court.

Gibbs opened the conference room door and let Tony pass him. Then he followed his agent in and closed the door behind them. He was glad to see that Bud had brought Harm along for the meeting. He knew that Tony and Harm got along like a house on fire, and knew how good Harm was at getting people to feel calm.

"Rabb? I thought you were a rear admiral now," said Gibbs.

"I am. When Bud caught the case, he mentioned who the victim was, and there was no way I couldn't come out and join in. Tony is my friend, and he helped me when you thought I was a murderer. It's only right that I help now."

"You know he's not accused of murder, don't you?"

"Of course. I read the file." Harm grinned at Gibbs. "Besides, how could I pass up a chance to see what became of you?" he asked cheekily.

Tony was glad to find that Bud and Harm were in the conference room. He trusted Bud, but seeing his old friend too made it even easier for him to talk about what he had been through in court.

"Hi, Harm," said Tony happily.

"Hey Tony," replied Harm just as Gibbs entered the room. "I'm really sorry, by the way."

"Not your fault." Tony grabbed some water and then sat at the table, across from Bud but next to Harm. He noticed that Gibbs sat next to him, which relieved him more.

"Alright, shall we start?" asked Bud once Tony looked like he was somewhat comfortable.