Yes, that's Tony. Thanks for the story!

This is absolutely perfect! I love it. Original and something that I think should have had more attention drawn to it now that it's been mentioned. (: Favorite!

That was really nice. D

Great insight into Tony here!

And I have to admit, he does have good gut instinct!

What can I say besides that I simply loved it? 3

OH! A story about the shoulder holster! I adore Tony in it, I'm so glad it's made a return this season! About the only thing I'm glad for this season, but I'll take what I can get...Thanks!

Terrific story, I've been watching Season 1 and 2 again and I LOVE Tony's shoulder holster, I always though it suited him, being an ex-cop.

And this story showed that even more, like everyone else said, it gave a good insight to his background and who he is.

Another great story!

Wow, what great writing. The idle inside the head chatter is great-you add so much that absolutely makes sense. It's calm, careful, and then, the last few words-"smiling when he's sad" SO captures Tony-and it's like a physical punch, how it's written. Great job

Thank you

Linda

I was browsing through my Favorite Authors list, and rereading some of your stories and I never reviewed this one ( ~ fortunately, since ff only allows us one go).

"when split-second timing matters, his hand automatically goes to the weapon at his side."

That's a breathtaking sentence, when you consider the morgue scene in Angel of Death a year later.

Great story.

another great story! very nice really enjoyed it.

Great story. Nice background info and nice insight into Tony's charcter.

*adds to favs*

Just starting to catch up on a lot of the old stories from authors on my alert list.

I love this look in to Tony. You've expanded very nicely on what we know, and I hadn't thought about the fact that we don't see him with the shoulder holster any more.

I loved this.

Really moving. A great insight into Tony's character.

The last line nearly made me cry.

Great job.

Gah! I'm behind again but oh, the Shoulder Holster Story! I've been waiting... :D

Love it, love it, love it!

(Isn't that articulate?)

I'm really looking forward to seeing the first season episodes, especially since they're obviously inspiring you to write some wonderful stories - and lots of Tony ones at that. :)

The reasons you give for Tony having the holster - sentimental, instinctive, habitual - all fit with the character as I understand him, though I'm missing pieces coming late to the show. I get the impression that Season One doesn't give Tony as much depth as it could - and as he deserves. I haven't seen the episode with the serial killer and I *still* enjoyed this story. You provide enough information that the reader doesn't have to have seen all the episodes to understand that you're referencing a case and that through it all, the holster was returned to him.

(That is a very long paragraph...)

The way Tony chose to become a cop was very interesting. Sad about Betsy but an inspiration for him to decide he was going to make a difference. Like the way he had to act quickly or he might not have applied for the academy. Good to see you linking his athletic background with helping him survive the training - along with being stubborn, of course.

Favourite parts? I could go on and on, but you know that... ;)

Lacking both the patience to teach, and the willingness to live on a teacher’s salary, Tony ricocheted around the Midwest for a few years after graduation.

(I love this sentence. It sums up how many folks feel when they graduate, uncertain how to proceed and looking for something that is often elusive: a purpose in life.)

No one would remember the Tony DiNozzo that once was, the hot jock who turned all the girls’ heads, and that made him just a little sad.

(You've made him very aware of his looks - which I think he is - and how they will fade and he'll become part of the background. This is a nice lead in to the next part where he decides to try to make the world a better place, almost in spite of himself. Great moment of clarity for him.)

It made him so mad. Someone had broken her spirit, some creep, just to satisfy a cheap thrill. Just because he could. Tony applied for the Police Academy before this rare humanistic zeal had worn off.

(Sometimes that's all it takes. I can see Tony processing this and not necessarily realizing how it will change his life, define who he is, and certainly not have him be at all forgettable.)

He liked what he saw so much that he filed it away in his memory, to be replayed the next time Dad got drunk and called him up to tell Tony what a disappointment he was.

(His relationship with his father is an established theme for Tony's character but not one that the show harps upon. It would be nice if they explored that further and I'm glad you referenced it here. Nice memory for Tony to replay whenever he's feeling low.

I want to cut and paste the rest of the story now but I'm restraining myself.)

He had worked with enough local LEO’s to cast an entire season of Cops

(LOL!)

Maybe it was instinct, or maybe the kid had a gut of his own, but Gibbs recognized the talent right off the bat. DiNozzo could pick up on the most arcane details, could make the most obscure connections from seemingly trivial facts.

Tony himself never pondered this conundrum.

(Super description of Tony's skills and so apt that he doesn't think about it very much at all.)

He had an interesting job, attractive female coworkers, and a salary sufficient to buy a really nice car.

(LOL! Good to see he has his priorities straight! Love it!)

He doesn’t need it anymore; it’s become a habit, just like quoting movies in stressful situations, or smiling when he’s sad.

(I think you're onto something here. Very nice summary of his habits aka 'coping mechanisms' for getting through the tough times. I want to hug him now and make it all batter.)

Looking forward to more from you, as usual.

Thank you for writing the Holster Story. Have I mentioned that I love it? ;)

Cheers!

Mouse :P

wow, loved it - some great insights into Tony's character and you've really got his character down! i always knew the shoulder holster had more sentimental value than anything else - have you noticed that he didn't wear it at all in season 3? maybe in the homicide cop in him has dissapeared and he's now completely federal agent (does that make sense?) anyway - can't wait to see what you write next

My God, I cannot get enough of these Tony fics. This is such a great great character study, and mm, I am loving it. (Wow, that really sounded like a McDonald's ad. Sorry.) I love Tony so much...I'm working on a fic right now, and while it's a ship/slash fic, I am focusing on Tony so much, just because he's such an interesting character. Damn, I love this show. *favoriting*