Tony has always been too forgiving and accepting everything Gibbs said as fact. Tony wasn't the one that had screwed up three years before. It had been McGee, even Gibbs and Vance admitted that very fact after Vance had raked Tony over the coals about the Grant case. But as a true leader, Tony accepted responsibility for his teams actions. It's a real shame that Vance never once saw that the same could never be said of Gibbs, McGee or David. Gibbs always let someone else take the full blame and if it was one of his favorites, which usually meant he shifted the blame to Tony. Funny enough, the things Tony repeated should really have been applied to Gibbs. Because it all really does apply to Gibbs. Tony's is all just at act. The only real thing that they are alike about is their privacy Gibbs refuses to talk, where Tony uses talking to distract, and divert . But in many ways because of what he does, he is actually much more private than Gibbs ever has been. It's just more obvious with Gibbs and his functioning mute attitude.

Poor widdle Tony, like most bullies he can hand it out but gets all self-pity and self-justification when he can't take it... at least the canon Tony had enough decency not to be the total coward and hypocrite you make him out to be.

fabs

I 1st read 'Anthony's Weakness', & then this one. I liked this one so much better. Gibbs was such a bastard in the 1st one, but he had Tony's back in this one. I love Tibbs as good friends.

Yes! A sequel!

Lovedvit! :)

Great job

Enjoyed this one too - you really have a great grasp on these characters.

Man I feel bad for Tony because (on the show) when he dropped the mask both his teammates got mad at him because "Anthony" was so focused and getting so much work done that they only saw how it was affecting themselves "He's making us look bad" and then Ziva had to go and tell him that he was "loved" because he was the class clown - essentially telling him to put the "Tony Mask" back on.
The man can't win for losin': He's "Tony" and they're annoyed with him. He's "Anthony" and they're annoyed with him.

I really do wonder (other than it's written that way) why Tony even wants to stick around. He could still maintain his friendship with Gibbs, Abby, Ducky & Jimmy if he walked but not have to work with 2 people who have little to no respect for him.

BuckeyGirl00000

Ziva is learning faster THAN Tim. HE STILL HAS A WAYS TO GO. BUT Tony and Gibbs got things figured out.

This story just made my year. Thank you so much for writing it! I can't wait to read more of your stories! :D

this is the second read of this story for me, for some reason i don't think i reviewed the first time - i think i wasn't logged in- at any rate, it's a fabulous story, if not a difficult read. The emotions go so deep that it really wrenches your heart. And it goes a long way to explaining Gibb's behavior that season - it'd be nice if it were really the reason..I actually stopped watching for a while because things were so off-balance between them all it was painful for me. This new 9th season is making up for it, though! Thanks for writing and posting this thoughtful and insightful fic!

nice fic. mcgee is still a jerk, but tony and gibbs are fine again - good!

D Nice one.

Wow, EXCELLENT story. Loved it! :D

disreguard my last review. i just looked at the date of the story and realized it was done. this story was great to read