"You think you're worthy of this food Tony?" Daniel asked.

"No Sir," Tony replied weakly, kneeling on his already tired knees. He was so sick of this, having to beg for food every time he was hungry, having to ask Daniel for everything, for money, for food, for rest. He hadn't been allowed to rest properly for a year and always been told to work harder at NCIS, that Dan wasn't happy about his rate of arrests lately. Dan had gotten worse lately as well, but now the lack of food and sleep were taking it's toll on Tony. The fact that he wasn't allowed to eat when Dan wasn't around didn't help the matter. Ducky had eyed him suspiciously and snuck him an apple, but Gibbs Kate and McGee hadn't noticed he wasn't eating. Ducky and Abby had always coaxed him into eating something.

"...you're not listening to me!" Dan growled and shoved his chair back, making Tony jump bakwards. "I'm the only one that loves you Tony. No one else even asks how your day was, no one asks where you are, no one cares! Only me!" Dan growled, advancing on Tony who dragged himself akwardly across the floor.

"Sir, please. Please Dan, I'm sorry for not listening! I know it's true!" Tony said, his entire being protesting what he was saying, but at the same time, he knew what would happen if he said no.

"You've done this crap for five years Tony, you're so fucking fat, ugly, and disrespectful, I don't know why I even want you here! Get out! NOW!" Dan yelled. "Don't come back! EVER!" Dan yelled again. Tony got up on shaky legs and moved to the exit when Dan slammed him against the wall. "Those clothes are mine. You can have the sweatpants, I don't want them," Dan growled as he ripped Tony's shirt off. He slammed Tony into the wall again and then punched him. "Look what you're making me do Tony! LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE MAKING ME DO!" Dan yelled as he continued to brutally assault Tony with kicks and punches. He removed his belt and hit with the beltbuckle over Tony's naked back, making blood ooze slowly from the lashes.

"PLEASE DAN I'M SORRY PLEASE!" Tony screamed. Dan ripped off his socks and beat and kicked him under his feet and then worked his head over as well as his legs. "Please," Tony whispered.

"Get out and stay out," Dan hissed as he dragged Tony after his hair to the exit and threw him out. "Run! Run or I will kill you," Dan growled. So Tony got up on his painful legs and ran as fast as he could. He ran faster than he ever had run before . The rain was pouring down on him but he ran on naked feet, not bothering that small stones ripped his skin, not taking in the empty streets and dark windows. It was, after all, the middle of the night.

After running for God knows how long, he finally saw it. The house. His safety. Then he heard it, a familiar car behind him, so he ran faster. Safety was so damn close! So close he could smell it.

"Get in the car!" Dan ordered.

"NO!" Tony yelled. "GIBBS! GIBBS HELP!" Tony shrieked with all his might. Dan stopped the car and Tony ran faster to get to Gibbs's door.

"GET IN THE CAR!" Dan yelled angrily as he ran after Tony and tackled him to the ground. They started fighting, Dan, to get control, Tony, to live. "BITCH! AFTER ALL I'VE DONE FOR YOU!" Dan roared and punched Tony in the face.

"HEEEEEELP! GIBBS HEEEELP!" Tony yelled with all his might. Dan looked up and ran back to the car while Tony remained laying on the ground with his arms covering his head, waiting for more abuse.

"Tony? Jesus!" Gibbs's voice said. Tony ventured a swollen eye open and peeked out at Gibbs. "Come on, hold on to me and I'll carry you inside," Gibbs continued. Tony put his arms around Gibbs's neck and Gibbs lifted him as promised, carrying him into the house. He put him down on the sofa where Tony started shivering hard. Gibbs had his phone out, calling 911 and then the team, at the same time as he was tucking several large blankets around Tony. When he hung up, he looked at Tony. "What happened Tony? Someone try to kidnap you?" Gibbs asked with worry. Tony shook his head slightly, chewing on his nails while shivering. Gibbs rubbed his leg making Tony jump. "Easy," Gibbs said. "An Ambulance is on the way Tony, everything's going to be okay," Gibbs said. Tony shook his head.

"No," Tony said. "I couldn't take it anymore...don't you get it? He'll find me, just like he found me three years ago," Tony said with a half choked sob. "He always finds me...I can't get away...I'll never get away," Tony said and started sobbing. Gibbs embraced him and Tony leaned into the embrace, clinging to Gibbs. "Please don't hate me...please," Tony sobbed.

"Ssssh, ssssh, I don't hate you Tony, take it easy, I have your six," Gibbs said.

"Promise?" Tony whispered, his voice shaking badly.

"I promise," Gibbs said. Tony continued to sob as Gibbs held him. There was a slight knock on the door and Tony jumped with a squeal of fright. "Easy, I'm just go-"

"NO! No please don't leave me! Please!" Tony begged. Gibbs continued to hold him as the door opened and Kate came inside.

"Oh my God," Kate said and covered her mouth with her hand, staring at Tony and Gibbs.

"Lead the EMT's here when they come," Gibbs said to Kate. She nodded and went back into the hallway as McGee passed her and came into the livingroom. "McGee, I'm going to go with Tony, I found him fighting with another man who jumped into Tony's car and sped off like the devil was at his tail. Put out a BOLO on the car and get to Tony's apartement. Get his clothes and anything you can think of that he'll be needing."

"It's not mine, none of it is...it's all his, I don't want it, please don't make me," Tony hiccupped. Gibbs frowned.

"Shut all his bankaccounts and use the money in the jar over there to buy him something loose fitting," Gibbs said and jerked his head in the direction of the jar. McGee nodded and walked over to the jar. "I'm going to be with you the entire way Tony, I promise they can't make me let go of your hand even if they try with a crowbar," Gibbs comforted Tony who nodded into his shoulder. "McGee, make sure you go over his place with a fine toothcomb, I think Tony ran all the way here barefoot," Gibbs finished.

"He made me run," Tony whispered, his strength ebbing out.

"I know Tony, just rest," Gibbs said.

"He'll come back! He'll find me!" Tony said, starting to panic again.

"I have a gun, and I'll use it," Gibbs said.

"So does he," Tony argued, panicking.

"Tony, listen to me. Have I let you down before?" Gibbs asked.

"No," Tony replied.

"I'm not about to start now," Gibbs said, "I have your six," Gibbs repeated his earlier statement to try to calm Tony down.

"I don't think I can stay awake," Tony whispered before falling unconcious. Gibbs eased him back on the sofa. Tony looked horrible, fingershaped bruises around his neck, bleeding gashes in his face, on his entire body, his feet black and purple and bleeding.

"What are you thinking Boss?" McGee asked.

"I think we're not as good investigators as we think we are," Gibbs sighed and took Tony's hand.

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AN: What an action filled start ey? Exciting? I know I felt excited writing this. Lol. R&R :D