This is a tag for the season 1 episode Missing ... how things might have gone ...

Tony DiNozzo stood in the showers at NCIS and let the hot water pour over his skin and hair and tried to picture the anxiety and (yes, he'd admit it) the fear being washed away along with the dirt and the sweat.

Tony finally brought himself to turn the shower off and it was then that he heard voices outside the shower cubicle,

"You hear what happened?"

"No, I just clocked on."

"Gibbs' team, they found that mass murderer they'd been after."

"It's Gibbs' team, of course they did." Tony could picture the shrug.

"Yeah, I know. But wait till I tell you what DiNozzo did …"

"Go on, then."

"He got trapped in the sewers with this guy they'd been looking for. Bill … Globe I think his name was."

Tony mentally corrected globe to atlas and continued to eavesdrop.

"… and he – DiNozzo – had a knife hidden in his belt. And he used it to get him and Globe out of a cell they'd been locked in."

"Gibbs'll be pleased. Isn't that one of his rules? Always have a knife?"

"Yeah, yeah. But that's not all. It seems that Globe …"

"Atlas," Tony mentally insisted.

"… was half dead. DiNozzo dragged them both through the sewers even though the murderer was after them. And then he managed to capture her."

"Her?"

"Yeah, turned out that the mass murderer was a woman. Guess that's where equality gets you."

"And DiNozzo did all that?"

"Yeah. Sure did …"

Tony braced himself for the snide comment.

"… Todd and Gibbs were there but DiNozzo was the one who finished it off."

"Good."

Tony tensed himself for the next words but all he heard was the sound of feet walking away. He stood there stunned for a moment or two before realising that he was becoming chilled and resumed drying himself. A few minutes later he was sitting at his desk in the squad room.

"You OK, DiNozzo?" asked Gibbs.

"Er, yes, Boss. I'm fine," said Tony.

"You can do your report tomorrow," said Gibbs. "No rush."

"It's OK, Boss. I'll do it now. Where are the others?"

"Kate's gone home. I'm guessing McGee's on his way back to Norfolk."

Tony thought it was more likely he was on his way to Abby's; perhaps to show her his Mom tattoo again but he decided not to put this idea into Gibbs' head. He was beginning to be fond of McGee and didn't want to see him squished by Gibbs.

Tony switched on his computer and brought up the template for his report but he found he was reliving the overheard conversation in the showers. The two unknown agents hadn't been shocked that he, Tony DiNozzo, had been the … yes, hero of the hour. They didn't seem to have thought that he was more likely to trip up or have to joke or charm himself out of the situation. No, they had obviously thought that he was a highly capable agent who could be expected to acquit himself well.

"Huh!"

"What's that, DiNozzo?" asked Gibbs.

Oops, he didn't realise he'd said that out loud, "Nothing, Boss."

"You sure you're OK?" asked Gibbs.

"Sure, I'm fine. Just finishing up."

Tony returned his attention to his computer screen and, being tired and in a hurry, decided to type at his preferred rapid rate. The report was soon written and he sent it to print before emailing a copy to Gibbs although he wondered how long it would languish unread in the Boss's inbox.

Tony lingered at his desk although his work was done and returned to contemplate what he had learned that day and he realised with a shock that it was a long time since he had thought of himself as competent. Logically he had always known that he was: Gibbs had actively recruited him and he knew that Gibbs' standards were of the highest but somehow, with an alpha male in charge, the picture of himself as a skilled agent had blurred … until today when the image had come sharply into focus once more.

"Huh!"

"What?"

Oh, it had slipped out again, he must be more tired than he thought. "Sorry, Boss."

"Go home, DiNozzo," said Gibbs with a half-smile.

"In a minute," said DiNozzo. He might be tired but he thought there was something else he needed to do. He searched on his desktop and grinned when he saw that McGee had pasted an HR icon there. Looked as if the McNewbie was looking for a new opening …

A few minutes later, Tony shut down his computer and went to stand in front of Gibbs' desk.

"Um, I'm off now, Boss."

"OK. That was good work today, Tony."

The unexpected praise warmed Tony's heart.

"Thanks, Boss."

"Go on then. I'll see you in the morning."

"Yes, Boss. Night, Boss." Tony turned to go but then turned back, "Er, Boss …"

"What?"

"Um …"

"Spit it out, DiNozzo!"

"Yes, Boss. I-I-I've applied for Liam's old job."

"McKenzie?"

"Yes."

"You applying to be agent-in-charge?"

"Yes, Boss."

Gibbs stared at Tony.

"It's time, Boss," said Tony.

"Yes, it is," said Gibbs and this time it was a full grin on his face. He stood up and stretched out his hand for Tony to shake. "And if Morrow doesn't give you the job, he'll have me on his case."

"Yes, Boss. Thank you, Boss," said Tony.

"Now, get out of here," said Gibbs.

"Yes … Jethro. I mean, Boss."

AN: I don't often write a supportive Gibbs but, in season 1, perhaps it was more likely.