Tony thanked Brad for bringing him home and then made his way up to his apartment. He was a little late, and had spotted Rachel's car in the visitor lot at the side of the building, so he hoped she hadn't been waiting long.

"Hey, Rachel, sorry I'm late," said Tony, unlocking his door to let her in.

"No problem. How was court this morning?" Rachel asked. She sat on Tony's couch and waited for him to get some water for the both of them.

"Good. They managed to get the neurologist and Adam done. Detective Deeks and McGee are there now. Bud wasn't sure if they would get to McGee, but he didn't want to have to wait if he finished with Deeks quickly."

"So how many people are left after these two?"

"I think Harm said there were four more. And then there's the two defendants that are going to talk as well."

"Just them and no witnesses?"

"I know, I was confused too. But Harm's right: if they don't want anyone else, then bad luck for them."

Rachel took the water Tony passed her. "Better for you if there's less people to go through."

"Definitely." Tony sat down across from Rachel. "I know I made this appointment to talk things through, but I don't really feel like I have much to deal with now. Can we just discuss some other things that have come up?"

"We can talk about whatever you want to talk about, Tony."

Smiling, and feeling completely at ease, Tony thanked his friend. "I found out on Friday that I don't have to do anymore therapy sessions."

"That's wonderful! I'm happy for you."

"And that means that I can go back to work too soon. I have a checkup on Thursday morning with Brad, and then I find out if I can go back early or not."

"Are you ready to go back?"

"I am. I'm getting sick of these four walls in here. And going to court each day just to get out of this place isn't the greatest idea I've ever had."

"No, probably not. Why don't you go visit your friends?"

"They are all in court."

"Really?"

"Well, not all of them. Bishop is already done with her testimony. But she's been busy at work, going through everything to make sure I don't have any work to catch up on when I go back. I don't want to distract her, because I know she won't stop until she's done."

"So you don't want to distract her because it'll make her work day longer?"

"Longer, yeah, but also so I don't make her work on the weekends as well."

"Does she not go home?"

"Lately, no. She just got divorced, and I think she's still processing it. Home isn't her favourite place right now."

"That's fair enough. So, Bishop is busy. What about Abby?"

"She comes over quite a lot, actually. And I just saw her last week. But I know she's got a new boyfriend that she hasn't said anything about yet, so I want to give her some space to see how that relationship goes."

"Okay. But, you know it's okay to hang out with her, right? I don't think Abby minds spending time with you. Aren't the two of you best friends?"

"We are."

"So what's the problem?"

"There's no problem. Why would you think there is?" Tony asked with a frown.

"It sounds to me like you don't want to hang out with Abby anymore."

"Of course I do. That's ridiculous."

"I know it is, but I just had to mention it. So, what was the reason you wanted a session for?"

"Oh, uh, because I was really hurt by something one of the defence lawyers said to me last week."

"What did they say?"

"That I was making everything up. Or, well, their words were that the story I was telling was sad."

"And that hurt you?"

"Yes. It's not a story, Rachel. I wouldn't make something like this up. What do I have to gain from it? Zoe was going back to prison the moment she got caught, and I don't even know the other two. In fact, Zoe having a sister was completely new to me when I found out."

"Did the judge deal with it?"

"She told the lawyer off and threatened to hold her in contempt."

"Did it work?"

"I guess. She hasn't done anything since then to get her into trouble, although, come to think of it, she hasn't even been asking questions."

"Why not?"

"I think it's because her client is not the one that actually attacked me. And the last few people on the stand were my doctors. Maybe now that Deeks and McGee are going up, she'll have questions."

"Maybe. Who is the second lawyer?"

"The same guy that defended Zoe. He doesn't even try to get his client off."

"Maybe he thinks the guy is guilty?"

"Possibly. He heard what Zoe said, so I guess he could think that."

Rachel laughed. "Great lawyer. What a shame he isn't representing the both of them."

"I know. Actually, it would be so funny if he did represent both. The trial would be over in a matter of hours with the way he works."

Rachel smiled. "I think you're going to be fine, Tony. I'm here if you need to talk, but I think you are good to go."

That got a genuine smile out of Tony. "Thank you Rachel. For everything. For listening, for not pushing me, everything."

"That's my job, Tony. If I was to push you, how would I get you to trust me?"

"You wouldn't. I would just kick you out, or walk out, depending on the setting, like I did with the psychologist at NCIS."

"You walked out?"

"I did. She wasn't even trying to help. She just liked to push our buttons and see if we would get angry with her."

"How does she still have a job?"

"I don't think she does. I haven't seen her around in a while, unless she just avoids our team now."

"That would be her own fault."

Tony shrugged. "It doesn't bother me. I never liked her in the first place."