Psychological Autopsy

Summary: What if Tony has overheard what Gibbs and Ducky said about him in "murder 2.0." Spoilers for murder 2.0.

Thoughts and direct quotes from episode are in Italics.

First fic, reviews and comments are most welcome.

Disclaimer: the characters and the show are the property of CBS, I will return them once I'm done.

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Chapter One

McGee has just told him about the phone call Gibbs has received from the killer—the creepy, taunting and untraceable call. Instead of waiting for Gibbs to come back, Tony decided to track him in autopsy. He admitted to himself that he was getting a bit more worried with each development, and for pretty good reasons too, if there is something worse then a killer, then it is a killer obsessed with Gibbs.

Still immersed in those slightly depressing thoughts, Tony quietly walked to autopsy, and stumbled on this less than stellar evaluation of his character:

"Well, the precise term is Narcissistic Personality Disorder.."

"Oh Yeah well, I'm familiar with that too.."

"Yes, but while Agent DiNozzo has an excessive need for admiration, he has empathy as well, something that our killer lacks.."

His eyes widening in dismay, he blurted the first thing that came to his mind, "you're actually comparing me to a serial killer?!" Gibbs turned around sharply when he heard Tony's exclamation, focused as he was on trying to make some sense of what little they knew, he has failed to notice DiNozzo coming into the room. Ducky was equally caught off guard, and before any of them could answer, a visibly affronted DiNozzo went on, "and you think I'm the poster boy for Narcissism, boss!"

Gibbs saw DiNozzo drawing a breath to continue, so he interrupted quickly "Was there something urgent about the case, DiNozzo?"

Tony closed his month, and stared at him silently. Did he really expect Gibbs to acknowledge what he said? What options are there for someone who is well used to stepping on toes, who abhors talking, and believes apologies are a sign of weakness? Not many options there..

"DiNozzo!!…

except for barking, he thought ironically.

He looked at his boss expecting and finding the glare that can still stop him in his tracks. He sighed, and answered curtly, "Nothing urgent, and it wasn't just about the case." He turned to go without waiting for Gibbs' answer, but noticing that Ducky, who has stayed unusually silent during that brief exchange, was about to say something, he threw over his shoulder,

"I thought you were supposed to wait till I'm actually dead before you can start on that psychological autopsy thing, Ducky!"

Ducky winced visibly, but Tony was already gone before he had the chance to respond, turning to look at Gibbs, he wasn't surprised to find him still somehow glaring at Tony's back.

"Jethro.."

But then Gibbs was already moving back to the photos on the wall, wearing an intent look on his face, one that Ducky was very familiar with. He knew only too well how his friend usually acts when he is being accused of failing or hurting someone he cares for.. Unfortunately, in many cases, he ended up failing them, and himself, even more..

"Ducky!!"

Gibbs' impatient tone interrupted his musings, and he decided to let the matter rest for the time being.

"Yes, Jethro, as I was saying.."

Tony was still replaying the words he overheard in his mind as he walked back to the bullpen. He hadn't failed to notice that Both Gibbs and Ducky were smiling when they were talking about him, and he knew, without a doubt, that there was no malice behind the words.. Nonetheless, they still stung badly.. Before you get all affronted, may be you should look for the definition of narcissism, but then, may be not, perhaps it will be much worse then you suspect, whoever said that ignorance is bliss could well have a point!

He was so lost in thought that it took him a while to realize that Ziva has been calling him, and an irritated "DiNozzo" finally got his attention. He plastered a smile on his face, and resolutely brought his thoughts back to the present, and to the case.

He has learned form painful experience that it is best not to linger on thoughts of hurt and disappointment. Over-thinking, over-analyzing and generally dwelling on unpleasant things is liable to bring one a headache, on top of the heartache, not to mention fiery glares from annoyed co-workers, like the one he was just getting from Ziva, and potentially, head slaps from an irate boss who seems to be able to read his mind, or so he thought.

Tbc.