Disclaimer: Just the usual, don't own them, make no money from them, promise to bring them back when I'm done.

A/N: So this is a departure from my usual style but we'll see how it goes...it may or may not work. You know how it is with plot bunnies, especially those with teeth.

At first glance, there is no mother hen in the relationship. Hell, at first glance there is no relationship. But then you look closer. Special Agent Gibbs has a formidable reputation for being a hard ass; he can be heard all over the bull pen yelling at his team. However, put any member of his team in jeopardy, undercover or in the line of fire and another side of his personality comes to the fore. Especially if the team member in question is one Anthony DiNozzo. With DiNozzo undercover, injured or ill, all Gibbs' infamous drive and focus concentrates itself on one target and one mission – keeping Tony safe. His already high caffeine intake increases, he gets impossibly more impatient with the remaining members of his team and all notions of food and rest leave his mind. As an outside observer, you begin to notice this. After a while, you begin to notice other things.

You begin to notice how Tony is constantly aware of Gibbs' location, his mood and caffination levels. Tony deliberately puts himself in the line of Gibbs' wrath to deflect it away from others less able to shake it off. You also notice the worried look that crosses Tony's face when he thinks no-one can see. It may seem to be merely a subordinate's concern for his superior, however you know it goes deeper than that.

It was late one night, most people had gone home, but you had paperwork to finish up. Gibbs' team trooped in looking haggard, exhausted.

"Preliminary's on my desk, do your reports in the morning. Go on, go home."

The sound of people following orders preceded the team leaving for home. Silence once again descended over the bull pen and you assumed everyone had left, until a soft voice murmured,

"It wasn't your fault you know."

"Yeah"

A second voice, somewhat dejected and unconvinced. You looked up from your reports to confirm with your eyes what your ears did not believe. The second voice was Gibbs as you never imagined he could sound. The normally brash and confident man was perched on the end of Tony's desk, head hanging, arms tightly wrapped around his body. Tony was stood directly in front of him.

"It wasn't Boss, you did all you could."

"But she still died Tony."

"I know."

Peering over the top of your computer you were completely hidden from their sight, however they were so absorbed in one another you could dance a jig on your desk and neither of them would have noticed.

You watched as Tony took a step forward, all but closing the distance between them. Gibbs leant forward and rested his forehead on Tony's shoulder. You watched in amazement as they remained in that position for several minutes, close enough to see their breathing synchronised and tension begin to drain away from both of them. Tony sighed and gently squeezed Gibbs' forearm.

"C'mon, let's get you home."

He took a step back and tugged on Gibbs' arms, encouraging him to stand.

As they made their way to the elevator you duck back down behind your monitor and observe them in the reflection on the window. As they waited for the elevator, you saw Gibbs lean into Tony, Tony resting his arm across Gibbs' shoulder in a loose embrace. Once they board the elevator and the doors slide shut, you blink in astonishment. The events you witnessed turn the perception of their relationship upside down. Seems that even frat boys can have mother hen tendencies and hard nosed ex-gunnys need a little TLC every once in a while.