Chapter Two:

The team dragged themselves back into the bullpen late that evening, the case successfully wrapped up. Dead marine identified, motive established, bad guy caught. Ziva, McGee and Tony plopped themselves in their desk chairs and looked at Gibbs for orders. “Go home people, reports can wait till tomorrow morning.” Gibbs said. Ziva and McGee didn’t need to be told twice. Saying goodnight to everyone they both high tailed it to the elevator before Gibbs could change his mind. Turning away from them with his signature half smile on his face, Gibbs was surprised to see Tony powering up his computer.

“What in the hell are you doing DiNozzo?”

“Sorry boss, I’m not done with the report on cold cases yet. I still have a just a few more to summarize. I’ll have it waiting for you in the morning.”

“What have I told you about apologizing? Go home DiNozzo. It’s been a long day and I’m not going to review those cases tonight anyway.” Gibbs watched his senior agent, not liking the look he couldn’t identify that briefly flashed across Tony’s face before Tony schooled his expression and plastered on a carefree grin. “You look tired and I need my agents 100%” he said, waiting to see how Tony would react when he suddenly realized that Tony might think he was implying that Tony was not up to form.

“Never been better Boss. Running at 125% here.” Looking up a Gibbs, and not liking the close scrutiny, he said “But since you insist, I guess this can all wait until tomorrow.” Turning off his computer and grabbing his backpack Tony swiftly made to leave. “Catch you in the morning Boss. Don’t work too late on the boat” and before Gibbs could even reply, Tony was out the door that led to the stairs.

Now that he was alone in the office Gibbs decided that he would look into what Ducky had claimed earlier. Sitting at his computer, smiling slightly to himself as he thought about how surprised McGee would be if he could see him, Gibbs called up Tony’s time sheets for the last six months, and was stunned to see that Tony was averaging over eighty hours a week. Everyone at NCIS put in long hours, but that was excessive. Gibbs knew that no one could sustain those kinds of hours. He found himself getting angry and he wasn’t sure whether he was mad at Tony for risking his own health or at himself for being so oblivious. Something was up and he was going to get to the bottom of it. Gibbs next pulled up Tony’s personnel records. He had read them carefully before hiring the younger man, but had not reviewed them since. Reading through the letters from Tony’s previous supervisors Gibbs started to discern a disturbing pattern. All of the recommendations lauded Tony for his exemplary work. They spoke of his ability to think outside the box and his untiring determination to close every case that came his way. They spoke of the exceptionally long hours Tony worked and all seemed very surprised that Tony was leaving and stated how his contributions would be missed. Gibbs wondered how all these supervisors could have been unaware of the fact that Tony was miserable enough to seek another job. Surely there had to have been signs. Tony had been with him for several years now and he felt sure that he would know if Tony was unhappy. Tony was there, every day, watching his six and knowing that Gibbs had his. Gibbs relied on Tony’s investigative abilities and his ability to provide balance for the team. Gibbs remembered the tension and unease that lurked beneath the surface during the time that Tony was still assigned as an agent afloat. Hard to believe that had only been seven months ago, Gibbs thought. “Well shit!” Gibbs suddenly exclaimed. “Seven months ago, just before Tony apparently decided that he had to be at NCIS 24 hours a day, every day.” Realizing he had spoken out loud and not knowing what to do with this revelation, Gibbs decided he was going to have to talk to Ducky about it in the morning.

The next morning Tony was already at his desk when Gibbs arrived, typing away at something. “Morning Boss, report and cold case summaries are on your desk”. Gibbs wondered how Tony could be done already but before he could ask Vance’s secretary called and requested his presence in MTAC.

“Gibbs, SecNav has requested your help on a case that has gone bad in NY. Grab your kit, I’ve got you booked on the first flight out” Vance said as Gibbs walked into MTAC. “Agent Jensen will brief you when you get there. Keep me informed. DiNozzo can run the show here while you’re gone.”

Walking back into the bullpen Gibbs told Tony where he was going and that he was lead while Gibbs was in NY. “Try to keep yourself and the team out of trouble while I’m gone DiNozzo. Keep me updated on what is going on. Tell Abby I’ll call her when I get a chance.” And with that, he was out the door.

The case in NY proved to be very bad. An Al-Qaida terrorist had been identified and it looked as if he had a informant who was a high ranking Navy officer. The NY NCIS team had not been successful in determining who he was and the SecNav had insisted that the top agents be brought in to help with the case before there was a leak to the press and the traitor got away. The case consumed almost all of his time and Gibbs had little opportunity to speak with his agents in D.C. Tony called each night and gave Gibbs a brief update on the cases they were working. Everything seemed to be going fine and Gibbs had little time to worry about his team. Tuesday turned into Friday before Gibbs knew it. When he spoke to Tony on Friday afternoon, Tony told him they were still working on a case involving possible embezzlement at one of the bases outside of the city. Tony said they had hit a brick wall and that the team was tired and frustrated. They had a bolo out on a possible informant, had gotten a couple of dead end hits off of it earlier, but had gotten nothing new in the past two days. “Give them the weekend off DiNozzo and come back on Monday with fresh eyes.”

“Will do Boss. How’s it going there?“

“Caught a lead today. If it pans out we may get this wrapped up over the weekend and I’ll be home by Monday.”

“Be careful Boss, I’m not there to watch your six.”

Tired and not really thinking about what he said, Gibbs replied “I’m a big boy DiNozzo. Been doing this long before you came along.”

“Yeah, you’re right Boss. Probably be doing it long after I’m gone too.” DiNozzo said with a laugh that sounded just a little off, causing Gibbs to silently kick himself.

“Make sure you take some down time too, DiNozzo.“ Gibbs grunted, not trusting himself to say anything more right then.

“You know me Boss, always up for a little recreational time” and for the first time Gibbs heard a little trace of self deprecation in Tony’s voice. Knowing he couldn’t deal with it right then he merely said, “See that you do.” And he hung up before Tony could reply. Looking at the closed phone Gibbs realized how much he missed Tony. Not even wanting to think about what that meant right then, Gibbs stalked back into the task force room and concentrating on finding the information that would help them close the case.

On Sunday the task force caught the break they had been hoping for. Perhaps sensing the attention of NCIS the terrorist had gotten nervous and had called his contact in the Navy. Listening in on the tapped phone line, the task force had heard the terrorist threaten the naval officer’s family, demanding that he help the terrorist meet with him and help him flee the country. After arresting the officer, and arranging for protection for his family, the agents had intercepted the terrorist at the arranged rendezvous place. When Gibbs left to catch a plane back to Washington, the terrorist was being interrogated by the NY NCIS team.

Gibbs spent the flight back home thinking about the situation with Tony. “Probably be doing it long after I’m gone” kept playing over and over in his head. Gibbs didn’t want to think about Tony being gone. He didn’t want a team that didn’t include Tony DiNozzo. Thinking about the way Tony made him laugh and the way Tony’s eyes shone when he was happy Gibbs realized that he didn’t want a life that didn’t include Tony DiNozzo, and he wasn’t thinking about work. Not prepared to explore the ramifications of that realization, Gibbs concentrated on how he was going to find out what was wrong with Tony and how he was going to prove to Tony that he was irreplaceable. Maybe Abby would know what was bothering Tony. Did he want to admit to her that he had not been paying close attention to his team? Even more importantly, did he want her to know how desperate he was becoming to insure that DiNozzo stayed put? Abby had a scary ability to zoom in on those things which Gibbs was the least comfortable talking about or even acknowledging. She would demand he explore his feelings, and Gibbs wasn’t prepared to admit he had any that involved his very heterosexual lead agent. “Damn it” he cursed out loud, causing the woman in the plane seat next to him to jump and then glare in his direction. This is getting ridiculous Gibbs thought as he silently signaled his apologizes to the woman. I’m starting to talk out loud to myself. Only DiNozzo can make me this crazy. Gibbs knew he couldn’t just ignore this, however. Just before Stan Burley had left Gibbs had realized that he was unhappy. He knew that Stan wanted to talk to him about what was bothering him, but Gibbs had kept him at arm’s length. Before he knew what had happened, Stan had put in for a transfer and Gibbs was looking for a new senior agent. Letting that happen with Tony was unacceptable, Gibbs admitted to himself. He would have to find a way to talk to Tony. Maybe he could invite him over for a beer and pizza after work Monday. A little alcohol might help him ease into the conversation. With that plan in place, he closed his eyes and slept the rest of the way back.