A/N This is a first real attempt at a story not centered around humor. This is a tag to the Season 3 episode Silver War.
"Aw doesn't he look cute all sleepy, he's like a cute little puppy!"
"Abby! Don't! You'll wake him! He's a Federal Agent, not a dog! We've all had a pretty rough day, especially him." Gibbs whispered firmly.
Tony DiNozzo had stayed on at NCIS headquarters long into the night to finish off some paper work and avoid going home to a cold empty house and even colder memories. The day's events at the re-enactment ground had set his mind on edge and although he had laughed his way through it as usual, Gibbs could sense that it had un-nerved his senior field agent.
Ziva and McGee had gone home a couple of hours earlier leaving Tony and Gibbs in the bullpen alone. As the night had turned into the early hours of the next day, they had gotten Chinese take out and invited Abby up to the bullpen to eat with them. They had talked a little about the case and as Abby returned to her lab Gibbs had settled down to work away quietly on his paperwork. In the darkened room, Tony had eventually succumbed to his tiredness and put his head in his arms and gone to sleep.
Abby arrived back up from her lab, ready to leave and let Gibbs know she was going home when she noticed the sleeping DiNozzo lying with his head to the side on his folded arms.
"He's dreaming Gibbs…look!" Abby whispered excitedly, noticing Tony's eyelids dancing rapidly.
They were not prepared for what happened next.
Tony started to moan softly, mumbling incoherently. He then started to sob, all the while still sleeping, his brow perspiring.
"He must be having some dream." Gibbs said quietly as he got up from his desk and moved closer to Tony, putting his hand gently on his back in an attempt to ease his sobbing.
"DAD!...NO!...PLEASE!" Tony yelled, waking and spluttering, totally disoriented.
Without hesitation, and with the instinct of the father he once was, Gibbs sat on the edge of the desk and scooped Tony in his arms. Tony struggled, still disoriented, sobbing uncontrollably, but Gibbs held him fast. Abby stood frozen to the spot, her wide eyes filling up with sympathy.
"Sshhh Tony, it's ok, it was just a dream, sshh, it's ok, its ok." Gibbs said gently as he held Tony close, holding his head, which was burrowed in his neck.
"What were you dreaming about Tony, sometimes, it helps to talk about it." Abby said gently.
Tony gulped for air as he calmed down and went red in the face with embarrassment as he came to his senses and began to breathe normally. Gibbs let him go from his grasp, but remained close as he settled himself back in his chair.
"I...uh...I dreamed I was a kid again and uh...my old man...uh."
Tony's eyes filled up with tears again and he swallowed hard and bit his lip to retain his composure.
Gibbs put his hand to Tony's shoulder and squeezed it gently and leaned in to whisper softly,
"It was only a dream Tony. He's not going to hurt you again. It's not going to happen. I promise you that. No-one hurts my team...no-one hurts my family...not any more."
Abby bit her lip, suddenly realizing, how poignant Tony's dream had been.
"Thanks boss," Tony managed a smile as Gibbs let go of his shoulder.
"I'm going to the bathroom...freshen up." he added with a yawn.
Gibbs smiled and returned to his desk.
Out of Tony's earshot Abby followed Gibbs and croaked in a whisper, "Tony never really talks about his father."
Gibbs heavy heart let out a sigh as he gently took Abby's face in his hand and with his thumb, lightly brushed away the tear which had started to escape from her eye.
"That's because the bastard doesn't deserve the title."
Abby smiled.
"Go home Abbs, I'll take care of him."