The man sat silently, staring almost reverently at the silver framed photograph in front of him. A single tear trickled down his cheek, but he violently swiped it away with the back of his hand, his expression changing from one of sadness to extreme anger. He had shed a seemingly endless amount of tears for his daughter, but it was no longer a time for tears. It was now time for action. His finger lightly traced the smooth glass covering the laughing girl in the photograph. "He's going to pay for what he did to you, Lizzie...I promise you, Special Agent Gibbs is going to pay..."

*****

Jethro Gibbs stepped into dimly lit bullpen area. It was late and most of the desks were deserted including Ziva's and McGee's. Gibbs had sent them home about an hour earlier. He only hoped Dinozzo had finished his report so he could dismiss him as well. He turned towards the younger agent's desk and found Tony sleeping soundly, his head tilted back in an awkward-looking position. Gibbs opened his mouth to awaken his agent but then paused instead to study his sleeping form. Dinozzo had been working undercover for the past few days and he looked exhausted. His face was pale and the dark circles under his eyes provided evidence of the past few sleepless nights. Gibbs couldn't help but wonder when Dinozzo had last had a good meal.

"Dinozzo?" Gibbs called softly as he shook his agent's shoulder. "Come on, Tony, wake up."

"Hey boss." Tony was barely able to stifle a yawn as he opened his eyes. "What are you still doing here?"

"Waiting for your report, Dinozzo," Gibbs replied, a look of amusement in his eyes. "How's that coming by the way?"

"Finished." Tony indicated the neatly stacked papers on his desk.

"Good work, Tony." He wasn't really talking about the report, but rather the work Dinozzo had done over the past few days. It hadn't been a particularly easy case, but Dinozzo had worked hard and had succeeded in solving it. "Now come on. Get your jacket and let's go."

Tony stood up quickly, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair. "Go? Uh, where are we going? We have another case?"

"No, we don't have another case, Dinozzo. You're coming over to my place for dinner."

"Yeah?" Tony couldn't help the feeling of relief that swept over him. As much as he didn't like to admit it, he had been run ragged over the past few days and was bone tired. A dinner with Gibbs was definitely more appealing than running off to start a new case would be. He needed the chance to recharge his batteries.

The two men left the building and headed to the parking area. "I'll see you soon, boss," Tony stated as he turned to head in the direction of his own car.

"Just where do you think you're going?" Gibbs asked.

Tony halted and turned his attention back towards Gibbs. "I was just going to get my car..." he trailed off uncertainly.

"Wrong."

"Wrong?" Tony echoed.

"I don't need my senior field agent getting into an accident because he's too tired to drive."

"Aww, I'm not too tired, I'm fine," Tony protested.

Gibbs slapped the back of Tony's head. His touch was lighter than usual but he still got his point across. "You're coming with me, Dinozzo." Gibbs' tone left no room for argument.

"Coming with you, boss." Tony nodded obediently as he fell in step with the older man. "So you driving me home after dinner?"

"Nope, you can just stay over," Gibbs replied.

"You mean we're having a sleepover?" Tony asked grinning at Gibbs.

Gibbs shot an exasperated look at the younger man. "Don't make me sorry I invited you."

"Okay, shutting up now."

Tony's self-imposed silence only lasted until they arrived at Gibbs' car and had seatbelted themselves inside the vehicle. "So what are we having for dinner?" Tony asked as Gibbs started the engine and pulled his car out of his parking space. "I'm starved."

"Yeah I kind of figured that was the case. When's the last time you've eaten?"

Tony pretended to ponder Gibbs' question before answering with a smirk. "Ummm... I've been eating...here and there...a little of this...a little of that..."

Gibbs rolled his eyes and the tone of his voice was much sharper than he meant it to be when he spoke. "Tony, how many times do I have to tell you...you can't just stop eating when you're on a case. You need to take better care of yourself."

"Oh come on...like eating is the first thing on your mind when you're on a big case?" Not really in the mood to argue over his eating habits, Tony slouched down in his seat and turned his attention to the passing scenery. He was beginning to wish he'd passed on Gibbs' dinner invite. "Anyhow, I had pizza last night," he muttered, .

Gibbs noted Tony's change in demeanor and decided to forgo his comments on the nutritional value of pizza. After all, his intent on inviting Tony to his house had not been to lecture him. "So I guess you won't be wanting pizza again tonight?" he asked as a faint smile touched his lips.

"Well, boss, you know I'm never one to turn down pizza, but somehow I don't really think you were planning on that." Tony realized that Gibbs had decided to drop the nagging, at least for now, and his features visibly relaxed.

"No, you've got that right...there's not going to be any pizza on the menu tonight. Hell, I might even try to get something in from all four food groups."

"You always do like to live dangerously." Tony chuckled softly as he settled back against his seat and allowed himself to drift off into a light slumber.

*****

Charles Bellingham sat in a white panel van across from Agent Gibbs' house, watching and waiting. The van had an electrician's logo on the side but so far he hadn't seemed to attract the slightest bit of notice from anyone. His men were already hidden on the grounds of Gibbs' house, waiting for the agent to arrive. Charles licked his lips in anticipation, hoping it wouldn't be much longer, He hoped and prayed that Gibbs hadn't been called out on some mission, He was tired of waiting and needed to carry out his plan of revenge once and for all. His eyes widened as he spotted an oncoming vehicle that appeared to be slowing. "Can it be?" he wondered out loud, his mouth curling into an evil smile as he watched the car begin to turn into Gibbs' driveway. He pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dial button. The phone was answered instantly on the other end and Charles barked out his command. "Ready your positions...the target has arrived." He placed the phone down on the seat beside him and replaced it with a compact pistol which he cradled lovingly in his hand. Finally...it was time for the fun to begin...