AN: I suspect this is going to be pure fluff with no angst: I just like the idea of Tony liking to ride the bus.

Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo swung his pack on to his back and, slightly furtively, set out down the street until he reached the Metro bus stop. An elderly man arrived at the same time and smiled at him.

"Morning," said the man, "beautiful day, isn't it?"

Tony nodded distractedly as he wondered if he had time to grab a cup of coffee before his ride arrived.

"Waiting for the bus?" asked his new friend.

Tony bit back a sarcastic comment and nodded.

"Bus system in DC is marvellous," said the old man who didn't seem to need any input from Tony.

Tony nodded hopefully.

"So many places to go and places to see. My wife and I used to go everywhere," he said reminiscently, "Joe, she would say. It's a lovely day and we live in the best place in the world, let's go out and enjoy it."

"That's nice," said Tony as he began to realise that all his fears about public transport were coming true.

"That was Daisy," said Joe, "always optimistic, looking for the good in people. She's been gone nearly two years now. I still miss her. But I always feel her with me when I ride the bus. She always liked to sit by the window, you know."

Tony wondered if it would best to hail a cab. Sitting with real people would be bad enough but he drew the line at ghosts.

"That's sad," he said.

"Yes," agreed Joe, "but we had five and a half good years together. Should have been more. We were childhood sweethearts, you know."

Tony looked sceptically at the man who looked as if he must be in his late 70s. How long had his childhood been? Perhaps he had wandered away from some facility for senile seniors. Joe chuckled,

"Don't worry, Son. Daisy and me, well, we had a stupid argument when we were teenagers. Went our separate ways. Both got married. Daisy got divorced and I was widowed. We both moved to DC but didn't know we were both here and 'available'." He prodded Tony in the ribs, "if you know what I mean?"

Tony looked at him in something approaching horror.

"And then we met up again," said Joe apparently ignorant of the effect he was having on Tony, "guess where!"

Tony had an epiphany as he found himself empathising with Gibbs' dislike of Abby's penchant for guessing games.

"I don't know," he said weakly. Joe gazed at him expectantly and DiNozzo used his detective skills, "on a bus?"

"On a bus!" agreed Joe, "we could never agree which one it was. I think it was the 90 but she always said it was the 92."

"Oh," said Tony.

"We loved to argue," said Joe, "kept the blood flowing."

"Ah," said Tony.

"So I ride the bus in honour of Daisy," said Joe, "and, well, in the winter it's cheaper than staying at home and putting the heating on."

Tony felt as if he had walked into some daytime soap but was saved from replying by the sight of the bus arriving. Joe jumped on with surprising agility and Tony followed. Joe flashed a card at the driver and Tony stood there with his wallet out.

"Where you going?" asked the driver.

"Uh, Navy Yard."

The driver stared at Tony, waiting for something to happen. Joe nudged Tony,

"Have you got a SmartTrip card?" Tony's blank expression was answer enough. "It's $1.75," he said.

Tony fished out a ten dollar bill and held it out to the driver.

"Exact money only," said the driver.

Tony began to fish in his pockets for change and the driver tapped the steering wheel impatiently.

"Here," said Joe, "have this," and he held out the change.

"I can't take your money," protested Tony.

Sensing an argument about to brew, the driver snatched the money out of Joe's hand and put it in the fare box before shutting the doors and continuing the journey. Joe grabbed Tony's arm and pulled him down the bus.

"Hey, everyone," he called, "beautiful morning, isn't it?"

The passengers seemed to know Joe and many nodded and smiled back.

"Here," said Joe, "take the seat by the window there."

Tony squashed the worry that he might be sitting on Daisy and obeyed.

"Takes a bit of getting used to," said Joe cheerfully, "you going to be taking the bus often?"

"Probably," said Tony, "but I'm looking for a car."

"You need to get a card first," chuckled Joe, "you don't want to be looking for change all the time. Any it would be a crime to carry too much money around."

Tony looked puzzled.

"Too many coins would ruin the line of that nice suit. Some tailor took a lot of time making that for you."

Tony still looked puzzled.

"I was a tailor," said Joe, "I know clothes."

"Look, Joe," said Tony.

"How did you know my name?" asked Joe.

"You said your wife called you Joe," replied Tony.

"I did? Hey, you're sharp, aren't you?"

"My Boss doesn't always think so," said Tony, "here, take this … for the fare."

"That's ten dollars," said Joe, "that's too much."

"That's OK," said Tony, "thank you for helping me out."

"You need to look after your money, kid. You've got a serious clothing habit to feed, you know. Tell you what, I'll get off at the Navy Yard with you. Show you where to get a card."

"I can't ask you to do that."

"You didn't. I'm volunteering. Hey, why don't you check your emails or something? It's one of the wonders of bus travel. Gives you time back."

Tony realised that he had about twenty minutes before they reached the Navy Yard so decided to take Joe's advice. Joe turned to the woman sitting behind him and greeted her like a long lost friend. Joe was true to his word and shepherded Tony off the bus at the end of the journey and supervised his purchase of a smartcard. He allowed Tony to buy him a coffee and muffin and then waved goodbye happily when Tony went into work.

And so it began …

Sometime later …

"Gibbs," said Special Agent Jethro Gibbs as he answered the phone on his desk.

"Front gate here, Special Agent Gibbs. Trevor Webb."

"Trev."

"Uh, something odd here."

Gibbs stood up and prepared to get his weapon out of the drawer. McGee mirrored his actions as he waited to see what was happening.

"What?" asked Gibbs.

"Bus just showed up. Load of passengers got off."

"So? That's normal isn't it?"

"Agent Gibbs. They all want to see Special Agent DiNozzo. They're worried about him. Saying something about giving him an alibi."

"On my way. Keep'em there," ordered Gibbs. "Come on, McGee."

"Where we going, Boss?"

"Front gate. Seems like …"

"Like what, Boss?"

"No idea. It involves DiNozzo, so who knows?"

Tim nodded the wise nod of someone who knew DiNozzo and knew to expect the unexpected.