Ernie was special.

Just beaitiful.

OMG, Ernie died. I was listening to See You Again while reading this and realized that that song could be the soundtrack to this whole show. I am now going o search the internet for a Kate tribute featuring this song. Just because. Then I'll look for a Ziva one.
Great fic, and I love the way you brought out the emotion in Tony.

It's been a long day without you, my friend. And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again.

One of the best NCIS epis ever,...& you made it even better. Great one-shot...sob

That was amazing! Brought tears to my eyes

I loved this little short story and the closeness between Tony and Ernie. I always found it funny that Abby claims to have such a big loving heart, yet it's Tony that stayed in touch with Erinie and also with Jackson after they met. Just like you just know that a lot of those hot dates Tony would brag about were really taking his elderly neighbors out to eat or to do their shopping. Yet you never hear Tony bragging about these things while Abby constantly brags about things she does for the sisters or friends of hers. I love these kind of stories. It makes it easier to understand why Tony is always doing his pranks and jokes to keep people from getting too close and knowing the real person.

"Call of Silence" was and still is one of the best NCIS episodes ever.
I've just found this story (thanks to a friend) and I really love it. I hope this is what really happened between Tony and Ernie.

Thank you :)

Just found this story and I feel both happy and sad: happy because you created such a plausible series of interactions between Tony and Ernie (and I think any of us who count "Call of Silence" among our favorite episodes has thought about what the friendship that seemed to be building between them would look like) and sad... both for Tony's loss and also the real world loss of Charles Durning. This is a lovely tribute to both the character of Ernie Yost and to Mr. Durning. (I still melt a bit every time I see this episode and watch him dancing with Kate in the bullpen... sigh...) You captured both characters so well here... and I really enjoyed how you wrote Tony; I love it when the show gives up glimpses of the man behind the mask, and your story does that as well.

In keeping with the theme of Ernie, Happy ANZAC Day a few days early. (As I told Laine in my comment on her story, "From Dawn to Setting Sun," a bit of my heart is still in NZ, having lived there for a year as an exchange student from the U.S. many (many, many!) years ago...) Having found your stories, I'm very much looking forward to reading more!

That was wonderful. To bad I don't know who Ernie is. :( It was still great!

A beautiful and touching companion piece to a beautiful and touching episode which was NCIS at its finest. Kate dancing with Ernie brought tears to my eyes and I loved how Tony was with him. And of course just wonderful how Gibbs saved him, so to speak. I saw Charles Durning in an off -Broadway play once and was saddened to hear of his passing. Really an amazing actor! Happy New Year from the USA!

Lovely take on Tony's relationship with Ernie. I always wished they'd bring him back for a follow-up episode. Now that Charles Durning has left us, sadly that's no longer possible. Nice to get a "fix" by reading this beautiful little tribute.

very good and sad that he died

but he died having a good friend/grandson

I think he and Tony would be like this

they seemed to fit together really well

"Call of Silence" is, in my opinion, the best that television has to offer. And your piece has left me with tears in my eyes. I don't know why I haven't read it before, but I am supremely proud to have read it now. It is poignant and moving...I can see the two of them watching movies, laughing, singing and just messing around. Two pals. Sharing deep thoughts without wondering who might suffer - because neither would ever tell. You caught it all in a masterful way.

I've had you on my list of favorite authors for a long time but haven't read all your stories obviously. Well that's about to change. I'm looking forward to reading more. I've just finished reading or re-reading all of Laine's work - you're next. Not a warning, just letting you know.

Thanks very much for writing and posting this. All the best.

Paul

You did a good job. I just found it this morning. Thanks, Tracy

I first read this story not understanding who was being discussed and being thoroughly confused. Then I popped in this episode, and watched it for the first time. Re-reading this story again, I find myself being terribly touched. It was beautiful and my heart went out to Tony the more I read. It was completely plausible and wonderfully touching. Thank you for such a heart-felt story, it was truly amazing.