A few days later: Tony rubbed his temple with his left hand. He had been fighting a headache since he had gotten up that morning. It wasn't one of his bad ones though, he just needed some sleep. He dialed Emily's number and she answered. He said "Hey Em, I was wondering if I could get a rain check for tonight? I've been fighting a headache all day and I wouldn't be good company."

She said "Sure but when you feel better I don't know if I will be in town. I'll come over to your place and make you something to eat."

He replied "Thanks. "

"I'll see you later", she said. "Get some rest ok?"

He said "I'd like to do that." Then he hung up the phone and rubbed his temples again with his head in his hands.

There were footsteps approaching his desk then and Gibbs said "Thought you might want a ride home. "

Tony said "It's not that bad, a four on the scale of one to ten." He stood up and picked up his gear then.
Gibbs replied. "So you look paler than that paper because you're going for a new look?"

Tony sighed. "It's just a day that I should have stayed curled up in bed boss."

He said "You could have called in sick. I won't shoot you over the phone Dinozzo."

Tony cracked a smile. "Good to know you care boss." Then he walked to the elevator and pushed the button.

Gibbs followed him when it opened and watched as he leaned his head against the back. He said "Really how bad do you feel Tony?"

Tony said "I need a few Excedrin and to be flat on my back. My friend is in town and I don't want to miss a day with her since she travels a lot with her FBI job."

He nodded. "Serious friend?"

Tony shrugged one shoulder. "Could be, it's still in the getting to know each other stage. Another friend introduced us that works with her."

Gibbs said "Good for you. "

Later at Tony's apartment: Tony had gone to change into some sweats and a t shirt since he was at home and not in the office. Gibbs was sitting on his couch and waited for him to come out. Tony came out with some Excedrin Tension Headache pills in his hand. "Just need a few of these boss and then a nap and I'm good."

Gibbs said "Let me get you some water." Then there was a knock on the door and Tony said "Mind getting that boss, I'm just getting comfy."

Gibbs said "Sure "and opened the door. Emily walked in and saw Tony sprawled out on his couch under a blanket.

Tony said "Emily Prentiss this is Agent Gibbs, my boss who drove me home."

Gibbs said "Well good to see you again Em, you look good."

Emily replied "Well I did have braces and teenage acne the last time you saw me, my mother wouldn't call you Gibbs when you were on her guard detail in Positano , she insisted on calling you Leroy."

He smirked. "And how is the ambassador doing?"

Emily said "Better when she's in Rome than here."

He nodded. "You were closer to your father back then."

She sighed. "The life was too much for him, wore his heart out. Had him on a transplant list but he didn't make it to get one."

Gibbs touched her arm. "I'm sorry Em."

She said "Thank you it's been a while now. He asked her to slow down and she wouldn't, that's on her."

He said "Well I'll let you and Tony enjoy some time together. "

She said "We'll have to get coffee and catch up sometime."

He handed her his card. "Well when you're free and not seeing Tony that would be nice." Then he said "Dinozzo, take another day if you need it tomorrow I know you get wiped out when you take any kind of painkiller."

Tony said "I'll let you know boss." Then Gibbs left.

Tony opened the bottle of water and took a drink. Then he said "So you knew my boss before he was with NCIS?"

Emily replied "He had just come out of the marines and it was after Kelly and Shannon were killed. He didn't know what he wanted to do so he agreed to be on my mother's security detail until he figured it out and a lot of other things. He had just been in an explosion and coma and was getting his head back together then."

Tony said "And you were a teenager then?"

She said "I was eleven or so. Had acne and braces that much was true. And my hair used to be red... I changed it when I was fifteen."

Tony looked at her and said "I can see a few highlights in there of that."

Then he yawned a little. "Sorry I need to shut off for a while honey."

She replied "It's ok why don't I make you some soup while you rest. "

He smiled. "That would be sweet of you bella."

She smiled. "Someone is a charmer."