chapter 11

Disclaimer: Do not own characters.

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spoilers for Driven.

Gibbs sighed as he stared for the umpteenth time at his watch. It was after midnight. Where the hell was DiNozzo? Gibbs wrapped his scarf around him a bit tighter and hunched further onto the stoop outside Tony's apartment. After his talk with Ziva, he couldn't get the unsettling fear that lingered in his gut to go away. He was heading toward his own home when he thought a quick "Aw, hell, " and found himself here , in the cold, shivering like an idiot, waiting for a wayward son. DiNozzo wasn't answering his cell: First mistake. Now he was MIA. Gibbs growled and was about to try calling agin when a familiar car's headlights made their way to his side. Gibbs concern was turning to anger and he prayed for his agent's sake that he had one hell of a good excuse.

Tony found himself smiling, lost in the current song on the radio and whistling along. He really wanted to stay all night in Jeanne's arms, but she was called in . Ah well, he thought, the life of a doctor and federal agent...no, wait, a film professor. Right... Tony swallowed and looked at the keys in his hand. He was getting too close. There was no way out of this. If only he could fall asleep and wake up in her world then maybe....

BANG! BANG! BANG!

He was startled from his thoughts from the persistent banging on his window and the angry eyes of his Boss.

Shit.

Tony rolled down his window and tried smiling, " In the neighborhood, Boss..?."

"Get out of the car, NOW!"

Tony flinched and did as he was told. Maybe there's a case. I did have the cell phone off....

"Where the hell were you? I've been trying to call you for the past hour?"

Tony shrunk back a a bit. "Ah...I was out? Why do we have a case?"

Gibbs ran a shaky hand through his hair.

"What?!? No."

Now it was Tony's turn to feel the heat rise. "So, why are you here then?"

Gibbs's eyes turned cold. "It's after midnight and I've been trying to reach you."

Tony feeling a bit confused opted to walk by his mentor ignoring any threat that may exist.

"Gee, DAD, didn't know I had a curfew. "

Gibbs grabbed the lapels of his agent's jacket and slammed him against his car.

"Do ya think this is funny, DiNozzo?"

Tony pushed Gibbs off of him.

"Maybe if someone let me in on the joke."

Gibbs sighed and jammed his shaking hands into his pocket and stared at Tony.

Tony stared back neither one saying a word.

"Are you feeling OK?"

Tony blinked once , twice.

"Feeling Ok? Well, I was until you decided to slam me against my car!"

He couldn't help but shout the last part.

Gibbs let out a low breath.

"What's with the hospital bracelet?"

Tony gazed down at the red bracelet adorning his wrist and an involuntary smile came to his lips.

"Now who thinks this is funny?"

Tony 's face fell as reality of what Gibbs was implying set in.

"It's about this?", he said pointing to the bracelet.

"Gee, Boss, didn't even think you noticed."

Gibbs cleared his throat and met his second's eyes.

"Didn't. Ziva did."

For a moment Tony thought that maybe , just maybe Gibbs cared, cared enough so that Tony could let his guard down for just a bit, until those words were out of his mouth. Nothing had changed. Nothing will change.

"Ziva, huh?"

Gibbs heard the disappointment and felt a hint of shame at not being the one to notice, but there was no time to linger on that now.

"So?"

Tony was rubbing the bracelet around his wrist and with a reluctant grin replied, "I'm fine, Boss, honest."

Gibbs looked deeply into his friend's eyes. He knew Tony was telling the truth about this, but something still felt...wrong.

"If you don't mind, Gibbs, it's been a long day and I need some sleep, so..."

He train of thought lost along the bitter chill of the air.

Gibbs stood gazing at Tony's profile. Hunched shoulders, weary and somewhat lost. Why hadn't he seen it before?

Tony realized Gibbs wasn't going to move until he got something for his trouble...anything.

"I promise, if something comes up...you'll be the first to know."

Gibbs took that into consideration.

"Fair enough."

Tony turned with his back to Gibbs. A coward's way, but it's the only way I can say it right now without him knowing the truth.

"Sorry, Boss."

With that, Tony entered his apartment building leaving Gibbs behind with more questions than answers and a gut feeling that something awful was about to pass.

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