With Christmas over, Gibbs woke happy to be getting back to work
today. He was also keen to see Tony and apologise for ruining his
Christmas. Gibbs had kicked himself repeatedly since the night in
Tony's apartment. What the hell had he been thinking that he could
just take over Tony's apartment and force him to have dinner with
Jenny and him? He rubbed his hands over his face. He had tried to
ring Tony countless times with no answer.

Jenny hadn't helped his guilt by telling him that she was none to
happy with DiNozzo's attitude when they were only trying to help him
and that he was nothing more than a spoilt brat. Gibbs had wanted to
argue saying Tony was more than a spoilt brat but decided against
it. Jenny didn't understand Tony and appeared to have no intention
of trying either.

Gibbs looked down at Jenny, fast asleep. He smiled to himself as he
walked to the shower. Whatever had happened with Tony he needed to
smooth it out. He had lost one agent; he couldn't afford to lose
Tony too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tony on the other hand, groaned at the thought of returning to work.
Having drunk himself into a stupor since Christmas Eve he was feeling
less than wonderful and the thought of dealing with Gibbs and Jenny
may him sick. He could leave. `No way. I like my job' he told
himself as he rolled out of bed, but he knew he would leave.

Tony made sure he was he was on time, even sitting in his car for
five minutes until McGee and Abby arrived so he could arrive with
them. He was at costs going to keep the distance between him and
Gibbs today.

Arriving in the bullpen, Tony breathed a sign of relief, as Gibbs was
not at his desk. He had tuned out what McGee was saying to him.
Thankfully the younger man hadn't really noticed. Tony sat down and
powered up. He was going keep his head down and act like nothing had
happened. He laughed under this breath. `Sure Tony nothing
happened. Your boss and his lover turned up at your apartment to
look after you at Christmas because you are incapable of doing it
yourself'.

"Morning Boss", Tony heard McGee call as he felt Gibbs' presence in
the bullpen.

"McGee. Good Christmas?"

Yes thank you it was".

"DiNozzo? How was yours?"

"Sorry Boss? Oh my Christmas. Quiet".

McGee decided something was definitely off between his colleagues but
he was sensible enough to leave well alone. It was times like these
that he both missed Cait and was also pleased she was not here. He
missed because she could usually figure out what was wrong. The
reasons for being glad she was not here was that she would keep on at
Tony constantly until he cracked or lost his temper.

The day yet again was dragging. It did seem at times like crime did
take a holiday, although Gibbs knew it wasn't true, right now he
would have believed it. He kept casting glances at Tony. His agent
was deeply involved with background checks and finishing off
paperwork. McGee and him were working well together and had become
closer since Cait's death. He now knew how McGee had felt when he
first arrived and was on the outside looking in at Tony and Cait's
friendship. Now he was on the outside of McGee and Tony's friendship.

Gibbs knew Tony was avoiding moving from his desk. He chuckled to
himself as he thought how hungry Tony must be without his usual dash
to the vending machine. Then he realised that Tony was probably
going to the head and the machine when he was off getting coffee. He
decided to test the theory. He walked to the restroom. Not closing
the door completely he saw Tony make a dash for the break room.
Gibbs smiled sadly as he walked out of the restroom straight after
Tony.

Tony sighed with delight as he took a sip of his coffee. He thought
Gibbs was never gonna leave his desk. He was out of his seat like a
scalded cat as soon as the restroom door closed. He didn't care how
it looked, he was not going to get trapped by Gibbs today.

Tony turned to go back to the bullpen when he heard a quiet noise
behind. Tony nearly jumped out of his skin as he saw Gibbs locking
the door and placing the key in his pocket.

Gibbs just started intently at the young man before him. He could
see that Tony just wanted to run away. He had to tread carefully.

"Boss? Why have you locked the door?" it sounded pathetic, as it was
obvious he wanted to talk.

"DiNozzo, Tony. I am so sorry about what Jen and I did over
Christmas. We really wanted to help you. I am worried about you
and….."

Tony raised his hand. "I am fine Boss. I am a big boy. I admit I
am still getting used to Cait being gone but I am OK."

"No you are not Tony. You are running from me and I want to know
why?" Gibbs asked firmly as he walked into Tony's personal space.
Tony swallowed hard as the blue eyes bore into his soul.

"I am not running away from anything Boss", Tony said laughing hoping
his Boss would buy the bravado. He should have known it wouldn't
work.

"So why have you not moved from your desk all morning until I have
moved from mine? Tony this is something more than the dinner the
other night. Please tell me?" Gibbs' voice was so soft, Tony almost
didn't hear him and certainly hadn't realised that Gibbs was right in
front of him.

"I am fine Boss OK? Christmas is a bad time for me you know that. I
just want to get on my job and get home. I have a date tonight and
believe me she will make me feel better. Can you unlock the door now
or McGee will be thinking we are up to something in here", Tony
blushed as he finished the sentence and quickly turned away.

Gibbs frowned but did as Tony asked. `I am gonna lose him' Gibbs
told himself.


TBC