Tony began writing a letter to his boss. He found the beginning easy.

Hey Boss,

How are you? I suppose that's the proper way to start this letter. How is your new team? I'm okay. Well, not really okay, but surviving. I don't like living on a boat. I bet as a Marine you never had to live on a boat. Is that why you chose the Marines instead of the Navy? Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks for the note.

Tony's pen paused on the paper as he considered what to say next. He wasn't the type to share his feelings, especially on paper where there would be proof of what he had said. However, he was very thankful for the note he had received. The fact that his boss had written 'Forever' on the back of the picture meant a lot to him. As he considered what to write next, Tony remembered the conversation Gibbs was alluding to.

Two weeks after he had saved Gibbs and Maddie from drowning, Gibbs had been to visit Tony in the hospital. It was ironic that after nearly drowning Gibbs had been released from hospital, and Tony was still tied to a hospital bed. The dive had been bad on his plague-damaged lungs, and hospitalization was the only way to make him rest while they healed. When Tony felt well, Gibbs visiting cheered him up. However, when Tony felt really sick, Gibbs visiting made him feel useless and worthless. What good was a sickly Federal Agent to a boss who demanded perfection? That day, Tony had felt horrible. However, he still put on a happy show for his boss. Of course, Gibbs saw right through his act. Tony plastered a grin on his face anyway and forced a jolly tone into his voice.

"So Boss, are you keeping the kids in line with me gone?"

"They're too busy to get into trouble." Gibbs replied. "When you going to get your ass out of here so we can catch up?"

Gibbs meant to push, but he didn't realise he had pushed just the topic Tony had been worrying about.

"When you going to kick this invalid off your team and get an agent who can keep up with you?" Tony's response was defensive.

Gibbs became serious and he moved into Tony's personal space.

"You are mine forever Tony…whether or not you can keep up with me."

Tony responded, again in the forced jovial tone. "I don't know Boss, you shouldn't make promises you can't keep."

Gibbs moved his hand onto Tony's chin, forcing their eyes to meet. "Forever."

The tone of Gibbs voice was stern but the strength behind the statement took Tony's breath away. Before that moment in time he had never believed anyone would be there for him forever.

"Got it Boss." Tony replied honestly.

As the memory washed over him, he turned back to the letter at hand and continued writing. Tony had been wary of sharing his feelings with his boss, but his boss had promised him more than anyone else ever had. And Tony wanted Gibbs to understand what the promise had meant to him.

Thank you for the memory, I'll write again soon.

Keeping up with you,

Tony

Tony knew Gibbs, and he knew Gibbs would understand the meaning behind the words in his letter; just as Tony had understood the meaning behind his bosses note.

He grabbed a postcard and started a message to Abby. The letter he had received had been pure Gibbs, but he knew Abby had been involved in giving his boss a little shove. Behind every good man is a young Goth girl reminding him of what is important.