Tony followed Gibbs into the bull pen and took a seat at his desk. It wasn't being used at the moment, so Tony felt comfortable to sit there.
"Alright, guys, what have you got?" Gibbs asked.
"We've got a BOLO out on Jolt, but nothing has come through so far," said McGee. "We did get a hit on the DNA that Abby found on the car's interior. It belongs to a Joel Stines. He's a sanitation worker from Canada."
"What's he doing in DC?"
"He's on a holiday visa," answered Bishop. "We called but didn't get an answer. Immigration is looking for him as well as us. And Abby is searching through her many databases to find out if we missed anything."
"Background on this guy?"
"We've been having trouble finding anything."
"Did you try going through the Canadian databases?" asked Tony.
"Tony, you are here as a visitor, not to work," said Gibbs, though it wasn't a reprimand, merely a gentle reminder.
"I know boss. I thought I would just let them know. I don't want them to spend all night working."
Gibbs softened and smiled. "Thank you Tony. Guys, check it out."
Bishop and McGee began typing and searching, and Tony went back to the Tetris game he had been playing on his phone. It wasn't long before he stopped playing again, an idea forming in his mind.
"McGee, can you access old police files?" Tony asked.
"Of course. As long as it's on computer and not just a hard copy. Why?"
"That name, Stines? It sounded familiar earlier, but I just remembered where I heard it."
"Tony?" asked Gibbs. "What's going on?"
"I worked this case when I was in Philly, just after I met Zoe." Gibbs looked at him, but he avoided the eye contact. "In fact, it was the first time we actually had a case together too. We were chasing this woman after she had broken into her boyfriend's parents' house and stolen twenty grand. Eventually, she stopped at a factory, and we went in after her. She was meeting a guy that we later identified as a minor drug dealer named Joe Stines, but that wasn't his real name. We never did find out who he really was."
"McGee, find that case," said Gibbs. "Tony, what year was that?"
"Uh, 1998, boss."
"Were your notes on computer?" asked McGee.
"Yes." Tony looked to Gibbs. "Boss, if it's the same person, I can guarantee you that he'll be the murderer you're looking for. I caught the case, but it had already been a case in other jurisdictions before that."
"Okay. McGee, Bishop, go. Tony, I want you to stop helping on the case and go visit Ducky and Palmer." Gibbs waited for Tony to get up. "Thank you for your insight."
"Always boss," smiled Tony before he headed to the elevator.
Abby grinned as she got into the elevator with Tony on the second floor. She gave him one of her 'Abby hugs'.
"I've missed you so much Tony," she said.
"Missed you too Abbs. How come you haven't come over for dinner yet?"
"I've been busy. We've had case after case after case this month, and it's getting to the point that I barely go home anymore."
"Sorry, that's partly my fault."
"No it isn't. It's the faults of those that commit the crimes. You being here isn't going to change that."
Tony gave her a smile. He loved having her around, especially when she was in a good mood. "How's Kyle?"
"He's great. We're having dinner this weekend before he and his family go away for the next month. Now, where are you heading?"
"To see Ducky and Palmer. I haven't seen them since before I left the hospital."
"They miss you. Palmer really misses you, though I think he's enjoying not being called an autopsy gremlin."
Tony laughed. "Thanks for the reminder. It's been a while since I've used that nickname."
Tony said goodbye to his friends before stepping into the elevator with Emma. He had spent the entire day at NCIS without noticing the time passing by until an agent had come to Gibbs with Emma behind him. Tony had been really happy to see her, but also sad to leave his friends again.
"Hey, want to stop for pizza on the way home?" Emma asked when they reached her car.
"Yeah, sure. I haven't had anything except for a sandwich at lunch. I'm starving."
"Of course you are," laughed Emma. "I'll stop at Luigi's."
"Sounds great," said Tony. "Maybe we can watch a movie too?"
"If you want to."
"I do." Tony gave her a smile as they drove, feeling warm and content inside.
When they got back to Tony's apartment, Emma went to the kitchen and started gathering up what they needed to be able to eat in front of the TV while Tony went into the bedroom to make a phone call. She had feeling she knew exactly who he was calling, but he hadn't wanted to talk about it just yet. She understood, of course, and wouldn't pry. She had told him she was there when he was ready to talk, and that would always be the case.
Tony dialed Rachel's number, but hesitated before hitting the call button. Gibbs was right that he was going to need the support in the coming weeks, but it was still difficult for him to admit that he needed the help. Emma could only do so much, and it wasn't fair to always lump his problems on her.
"Hello? Tony, is that you?"
Without realising it, Tony had pushed the call button. Maybe his brain knew him better than he thought.
"Yeah, Rachel, it's me."
"Is something wrong? You never call my work phone."
"I... I need your help..."
"With the trials, right?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Whenever you're ready, I'm here. Even if it's just on the phone, you can call me and talk anytime."
"Thank you."
"Tony, I'm always here. I know it's not easy to admit that you need the help, but there's nothing wrong with asking. Everyone in your life cares about you. They don't want to see you hurting. Nobody would ever judge you for asking for help."
"I know." Tony smiled a little. "Thank you Dr Kate's Sister."
"You're welcome Tony. Call me when you're ready to talk and we can set up an appointment."
"Everything okay?" Emma asked when Tony joined her on the couch.
"Yeah. Actually, I'm glad I called Rachel."
Emma smiled. "Me too. I know you don't want to tell it to me, but you have to talk to someone."
"Trust me, you don't want to know."
"I probably don't, but I'll listen anyway."