"All right, McGee," said Gibbs, "let's find DiNozzo."

"How, Boss?"

"Blanket's a bit warm. I reckon someone was under it until fairly recently."

"Tony?"

"How many people do you think want this blanket, McGee?" Gibbs sniffed it, "Smells like DiNozzo's fancy cologne or whatever it is that he wears. He can't have gone far. Come on"

"Where to, Boss?"

"Gonna practise those woodcraft skills of yours, McGee."

"Uh?"

"Tracking, McGee, tracking."

"Oh. Uh, Boss, I've got the merit badge but I'm not sure it'll help that much."

"Don't worry, McGee, I've got the Marine Corps merit badge."

"Really? I didn't know they did them." said Tim, surprised. Gibbs stared at him incredulously and McGee stammered, "Oh. Oh, I see, Boss." He watched as Gibbs began to examine the ground near where they had found the red blanket and realised that Gibbs looked happier, and more sure of himself, than he had since Tony went missing. McGee felt himself getting more cheerful in response.

"This way," announced Gibbs confidently and made off for the tree line. McGee hurried after him while keeping his own eyes peeled for traces of Tony. As they reached the trees, Gibbs paused,

"He definitely came this way. Call Ducky and tell him to come here."

"Boss?"

"I reckon DiNozzo is going to need some medical attention, don't you, McGee?"

"Yes, Boss. On it, Boss."

While McGee called Ducky, Gibbs took his own phone out and called Detective Balini and asked him to alert any officers he had available that they had a possible location on Tony. With both calls completed, Gibbs and Tim continued through the trees.

"Why do you think he came this way, Boss? Wouldn't it have been easier to go to the church?"

"Don't know, McGee. You can ask him when you see him," said Gibbs.

"Is that Rock Creek Park through there?" asked Tim.

Gibbs nodded.

"Perhaps he thought he could follow the river back to the Navy Yard?" suggested Tim.

Gibbs shrugged, "Bit of a walk. Who knows? This is DiNozzo we're talking about. He wouldn't make it easy."

Gibbs could see Tony's trail quite easily but became concerned when he saw that the steps were uneven suggesting that Tony was finding walking difficult. He said nothing to McGee but picked up speed. They came to the top of the incline and paused for a moment. As they looked round, it was McGee who first spotted some squashed undergrowth suggesting that something, or someone, had crashed through it.

"Boss," he said, pointing to the trampled greenery but Gibbs had already noticed it and was looking down the slope.

"There!" said Gibbs. McGee followed his gaze and saw Tony lying on the bank of the river.

Tim was about to set off at a run but Gibbs grabbed him by the arm, "Gently, McGee. Don't want to startle him so he ends up in the water. Unless you fancy going for a swim?"

McGee nodded and they made their way as noiselessly as possible to where Tony lay.

"DiNozzo, Tony!" said Gibbs, as he knelt down by his agent. Tony's eyes were closed and he was pale and cold to the touch. Gibbs ran his hands down his legs and arms, "Nothing seems to be broken," he said, "guess he wouldn't have made it this far if he had a broken leg." He tapped Tony's cheek gently, "Come on, Sleeping Beauty," he said, "wake up. McGee, call Ducky again. Tell him we've found DiNozzo."

Gibbs took his coat off and laid it over Tony. After a couple of minutes, Tony opened his eyes.

"B-B-Boss?" he mumbled, "what you … here?"

"Looking for you, Bonehead," said Gibbs cheerfully.

Tony's eyes began to close again. "No, no," said Gibbs firmly, "stay with us."

Tony gazed up blearily and then managed a tentative smile. Gibbs could almost see the cogs turning in Tony's brain.

"Carter!" he said suddenly, "what happened to Carter?"

"He's fine," said Gibbs, "or at least he was. Don't what his father will have said to him, though."

This was too puzzling for Tony's tired mind and he didn't reply.

"Attacked," he managed after a few more seconds.

"You think?" said Gibbs.

"Did you see what happened?" asked Tim.

Tony replied automatically, "2010 Chevrolet Camaro, Dark green," he said, "West Virginia plate. Ends 8972."

Gibbs smiled proudly and patted him on the shoulder.

"Uh, thanks, Boss," said a puzzled Tony.

"Ducky's on his way," said Gibbs, "you think you can walk back?"

"Back where?"

"Back to the church yard?"

"I was in a church yard?"

"Yep. Come on. Let's get you up."

McGee and Gibbs hauled Tony to his feet. He swayed for a second and they held on to him.

"Er, Boss," he said.

"Yes?"

"Your 11 o'clock. Two guys. I think they're the ones who drove at us."

"You sure?" asked Gibbs coolly.

"Pretty sure. Although everything's spinning at the moment so it's hard to know."

"McGee," said Gibbs urgently, "we'll take this easy. We'll put Tony back down and then go after them."

They lowered Tony back down and then surreptitiously drew their weapons. As they looked up, they saw the two men start backing away. Gibbs and McGee set off in pursuit.

"I'll just stay here," said Tony, as they ran off. He wrapped Gibbs' jacket a bit tighter round his shoulders and slumped full length on the ground.

As Ducky walked through the church yard he was surprised to see Gibbs and McGee frogmarching two sullen-looking men towards the car.

"What's going on, Jethro?" he enquired.

"These are the two who attacked Tony and Carter," explained Tim, "we just caught them."

"Indeed?" said Ducky, "I must have misunderstood. I thought it was Anthony you had found."

"Did that too," said Gibbs tersely, "he's through those trees, down by the water."

Ducky decided, for once, not to enquire further but simply set off in the direction indicated by Gibbs.

Gibbs and McGee joined Ducky about ten minutes later.

"Where are your guests?" he asked.

"Metro are looking after them for now. Vance is sending a team to pick them up," said Gibbs, "how is he?"

"We need to get him warmed up," said Ducky, "he has the beginnings of hypothermia. As you can see he is pale and somewhat disorientated."

"Mightn't he just be concussed?" asked McGee.

"He may well have a concussion as well," conceded Ducky, "but he certainly is feeling the effects of being out in the cold for a prolonged time. I am guessing that he is also hungry and dehydrated. I can also see extensive bruising beginning to appear. And some red marks. I am not sure what they are."

"Flea bites," said Gibbs, as he slapped his own arm, "damn. I think I've got one too. That blanket was probably crawling with them."

"Indeed," mused Ducky, "that is unfortunate. I remember the first time I was bitten …"

"Uh, Ducky," said McGee tentatively, "do you think we should get Tony in the warm?"

"Quite right, Timothy, quite right," said Ducky penitently, "my reminiscences can wait until a more opportune time. Let's get him up."

Tony seemed to have fallen asleep again and didn't waken so Gibbs and McGee carried him to the ME van. McGee hoped the itching on his own arm was psychosomatic.

NCISNCIS

Pastor Jack looked out over the church yard the next day and was surprised to see a familiar figure examining the area by the trees.

"Agent Gibbs," he said as he approached, "what are you doing here? I thought you found your agent?"

"We did," confirmed Gibbs.

"How is he?"

"Feeling sorry for himself," said Gibbs, "pretty stiff from being tossed by a car. He's got a concussion and the after effects of exposure. He'll be all right though. Not his first rodeo. He should be out of hospital later today."

"I'm pleased," said Grounoski, "I prayed for him. But what are you doing here? Are you after Marty?"

Gibbs shuffled his feet a bit. "No. What's happening to him?"

"He's out on bail. Waiting to see if he's going to be charged."

"What's up with him, anyway?" asked Gibbs, "He went crazy when we put him in the car."

"I don't know," said the pastor, "as far as I can tell, he got a medical discharge from the Corps for some sort of psychiatric disorder. I'm guessing it relates to his terror of being indoors. It makes life difficult for him."

"What does he live on?" asked Gibbs.

Grounoski shrugged, "what he can scavenge," he said.

"He must be entitled to VA benefits," said Gibbs. "Perhaps they could offer some treatment for him as well."

"Collecting benefits, getting treatment: that all usually involves going indoors, Agent Gibbs," said the pastor ruefully.

"I could look into it," said Gibbs, "I'll look up what he's entitled to. There must be some way of helping him."

Grounoski looked surprised, "that would be kind, Agent Gibbs. But why? I mean, why would you do that? Forgive me, but I didn't get the impression that you cared much about Marty."

Gibbs stared over the pastor's shoulder, "Guess I look at Marty and see that I could have turned out like that. I was lucky. Reckon I hope that if I had gone down that road, someone would have looked out for me."

Jack smiled, "I'm sure Marty would be grateful for any help you could give him."

Gibbs raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Well," the pastor amended, "perhaps not! But I'll be grateful on his behalf!"

He turned to go but Gibbs spoke again, "I was thinking."

"Always a good thing," acknowledged Jack, "and I believe it is encouraged by the Marine Corps. I'm guessing you're a Marine, Agent Gibbs?"

Gibbs nodded. "I was thinking that perhaps you could build some shelters out here. You know, pretty basic, and open on one or two sides so people like Marty could sleep in them without feeling shut in."

"Go on," said Jack.

"I don't like to think of DiNozzo lying out on the bare ground all night," he admitted, "but I guess some of these men do that all the time. The type of shelter I have in mind wouldn't be perfect but they'd give them a bit of protection. They'd be easy to knock up."

"I don't suppose you know anyone who could make that sort of thing?" asked Grounoski.

"I work with wood a bit," said Gibbs, "I could make them. What do you think?"

"That sounds interesting," said the pastor, "I would be grateful."

"I'll draw up some plans," said Gibbs, "run them by you."

"Thank you, Agent Gibbs," said Jack, "now, can I offer you a cup of marine style coffee?"

"'Nother time," said Gibbs, "I've got a hospital visit to make. I'll be in touch."

He walked away, leaving Jack a bit bemused at this unlikely version of a guardian angel.

NCISNCIS

Tony was sleepily looking at his lunch tray and trying to work out if it looked unappetising because of the lingering effects of his concussion, the hypothermia, his medication or because it actually was unappetising. He sighed. He longed to go home, to his comfortable couch and huge TV but, so far, the doctors had insisted on keeping him until they could be sure he wasn't going to develop any infection. He scratched his arm absentmindedly.

"You know Ducky threatened to tie mittens on your hands if you carry on doing that," said Gibbs standing by the door.

"I know," sighed Tony, "I don't have your self-control."

Gibbs smiled complacently and cursed inwardly that he now couldn't scratch in front of Tony

"How did those two goons know where to show up yesterday?" asked Tony.

Gibbs scowled, "they were listening into the police radio. They clocked Balini saying where we thought you were. They came looking in case you were going to identify them."

Tony nodded, "unlucky for them," he said.

"Lucky for us," said Gibbs, "Those two bozos couldn't wait to share the blame once they realised they'd be charged with assaulting a minor and a federal agent. And it was lucky for the Addisons too. Meant that they could come out of the safe house. Speaking of which, got a visitor for you," he announced and beckoned to someone standing in the corridor. Carter came hesitantly into the room and hovered by the door. Tony saw a shadow behind him and guessed that there was someone else there too.

Tony had been told about Carter's delay in reporting the attack. He understood his team's anger but, as he had been unaware of what had been happening, it all felt a bit academic to him although he supposed he should be angry. Gibbs gestured towards Tony's bed and Carter stepped nearer with more than a hint of reluctance. Gibbs looked sternly at the teenager and then left the room.

"Sit down," said Tony tiredly, "it's making my neck ache looking up at you."

Carter sat down warily.

"I'm sorry," he said with a touch of defiance.

"Why?" asked Tony.

"What?"

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because I am?" offered Carter.

"Because Agent Gibbs shouted at you?" asked Tony.

"No."

"Your Dad?"

Carter nodded reluctantly, "he said he might send me to Military Academy instead of the cool school in California."

"Ouch," said Tony sympathetically.

Silence fell and finally Carter started to get up, thinking he had done what he had been told to do.

"Acting out won't make your Dad love you, you know," said Tony conversationally.

Carter froze and then sat back down.

"What?" he said.

"Believe me, I'm the expert," said Tony, "the failed expert."

"Yeah?" said Carter cautiously.

"Yes. I kept playing up in the hope that my Dad would care."

"And did he?"

"Not that you'd notice."

"What happened?"

"I ended up in Military Academy."

"Oh."

"Which wasn't all bad but certainly wasn't in my game plan," said Tony.

Carter seemed struck dumb so Tony continued, "let me guess. Your Dad is always busy? Never seems to have time for you?"

"He doesn't care," said Carter hotly, "he doesn't love me"

Tony shrugged, "perhaps he doesn't."

Carter gasped, "But he's supposed to. That's what Dads are supposed to do."

"I know," agreed Tony, "but sometimes they don't. They're not always perfect. Just like sons aren't always perfect."

"What do I do then?" asked Carter.

"Well, I'm pretty sure being a brat isn't the way to make him love you," observed Tony.

"Oh," said Carter as he digested this.

"He probably does love you," said Tony relenting a little as he saw that Carter looked shaken. "Former marines just aren't always good at showing it."

"You think?" said Carter a bit more hopefully.

"Don't know," said Tony, "why not try to make it easier for him to show it?"

"How?"

"You could try showing him that you love him," suggested Tony.

"And if that doesn't work?"

"Then perhaps he doesn't love you and you have to live with that."

"But, but that's horrible."

"Sometimes that's the cards you get dealt, Carter," said Tony, "you just have to work out to play with what you've got. But believe me, acting like a spoiled brat isn't going to help your cause."

Carter sat thinking.

"Go on," said Tony, "clear off. I need my beauty sleep."

Carter stood up, "thank you, Agent Tony."

"No sweat," said Tony.

Carter walked to the door and then turned back, "Agent Tony. Do you think …?"

"Yeah, kid, when I'm back on my feet we'll work on that elbow pass."

Carter smiled and left. Tony fancied that he saw the shadow lurking outside the door join with that of Carter as he walked down the corridor. He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them when he heard Gibbs come back in.

"His Dad out there?" he asked.

Gibbs nodded. "And heard everything you said. Looked pretty shaken."

"Good," said Tony shortly.

Uncharacteristically, Gibbs hesitated as he remembered Tony's words about emotionally illiterate marines. Then he decided,

"Doctor says you can go home later. I've got steaks in my freezer. You want cowboy steaks tonight?"

Tony grinned with pleasure. He knew that actions spoke louder than words with Gibbs.

AN: I own Carter (although I'm not sure I want to) but not the NCIS characters who I have returned safely, if a little itchy, to their boxes. Thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited or followed the story.