A/N: I wrote this story because I re-watched the first episode of season 9, 'Nature of the Best' and realized just how many loose ends the episode left us with. I wrote this as my take on the conclusion :)

There may be little hints of McAbby and Tiva, but it's mainly just family comforting each other. Nothing major. It's not the focus of the story :)

Sadly, I don't own NCIS... or Tony. I know, bummer!

Warning: T – For Torture.

Other than that enjoy and please review!

Chapter 1:

"McGee, just shut up and listen to me. You're a damn good agent. Just keep an eye on the team, ok? I trust you, Tim. I know Gibbs is in charge but I want you to prove to him that you can be his right hand man, his senior field agent, ok?"

Tim just looked, stunned, at the serious face of his friend.

"Tony, I don't know what you're on about! You're Gibbs' senior field agent, not me. Where are you coming from?"

"Look." Tony said. He stared straight into McGee's confusion filled eyes. He put his hand on Tim's shoulder and shook it. "It's not important why, just remember what I said, ok?"

McGee continued to look at him, bewildered. He sighed, hopelessly. "Ok, Tony. I will."

"Good"

And with that Tony left McGee's apartment as quickly and quietly as he had entered it, only minutes ago. One thought ran free inside his mind. What have you gotten into now, Tony?"

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"McGee" Came the gruff call from across the bullpen.

Tim didn't hear his boss calling him and continued to re-play the memory of their final meeting in his mind. The last time they spoke before Tony had disappeared almost a week ago.

"McGee!" This time it was a loud yell and it threw Tim from the thoughts roaming free inside his head.

He had told Gibbs what Tony had said to him that night, though it didn't make much difference. Tony was still missing, and they had nothing.

"Yes, Boss?" McGee questioned cautiously.

"What have you got?" The gruff words came from the desk opposite McGee's, where his boss sat, black coffee in hand. Black to match his personality, bold, strong and an 'acquired taste' as some had put it.

McGee hesitated, he didn't have anything. That wasn't something he wanted to tell Gibbs. He shot a desperate look at Ziva for back up, but she just shook her head, she didn't have anything to offer Gibbs either.

Gibbs saw the silent conversation between his agents and understood the conclusion they had come to.

"You'd better have something by the time I get back!" He barked.

"Yes, Gibbs.", "Right away, Boss." They both called after him as he stormed off towards the elevator to get his sixth cup of coffee for the day.

After he had left, Tim sighed and looked blankly at his computer screen. Ziva looked at him, concern sparkling in her enchanting eyes.

"McGee, why don't you see if Abby has anything new?" She suggested gently.

"Yeah good idea Ziva, thanks." Tim answered, his voice deflated. He stood up and made his way towards the elevator, leaving Ziva lost in her own thoughts, the main one being. Where are you, Tony? We need you! I need you! Please be ok, Tony! Please!

"Abby, anything new?" McGee questioned the funky Goth who was staring at her computer screen.

"Hi, Timmy." She greeted him quietly, though he could hear every word she said, as the room was silent. Strangely silent. Her usually loud music couldn't be heard. She was obviously worried, that's the only time her lab went silent.

His thoughts were interrupted as she continued, still not looking away from the screen in front of her. "I don't have anything for you yet, except, well..."

Her voice trailed off until she stopped talking completely. Her voice had slowly melted into the silence of the room around them. Tim walked over to her main bench, where she stood. He gently turned her to face him. Their eyes met and he saw that hers were filled with tears.

"Timmy, I can't bear to lose anyone else! I can't lose, Tony! It's been a week and I'm so worried!" She started to sob as tears rolled freely down her cheeks. He pulled her into his arms and held her there as she sobbed into his shirt, her head resting on his chest.

When she had calmed down a little and felt that she could cry no more tears, she looked up at his face.

"Please find him, Timmy!" She whispered desperately.

"I will, Abs, I promise!" He breathed into her ear.

She pulled herself away from his embrace and said as strongly as she could, "I know."

He suddenly remembered the sentence she had started, but not finished, "Abs, you said that you might have found something."

"Yes, there was something."

"And...?" Tim prompted her gently.

"And I finally got into Tony's phone, it seems that he was in contact with another number a lot before he disappeared."

"Whose number was it?"

"Director Vance's cell phone number" She confirmed softly.

"That can only mean one thing..." He started.

Abby finished his train of thought. "Yes, another deep cover assignment."

Tim sighed and shook his head, thinking one single thought. Damn, Tony! What have you been roped into now?

A/N: Please review :), I love reading your comments :)

I've already written the next chapter :) Promise it's longer!

Just wanted to see what you thought first :)

Thanks everyone!