I do not own NCIS or any of its characters.

For those who have already read the beginning of this story please read chapter 4 again because I have changed the second half of it.

The next day Gibbs came into work coffee in hand. He looked around the bull pen. There was Timothy McGee rapidly typing at his computer and Ziva David who seemed to be lost in her thoughts. Gibbs was lowering himself into his seat and he saw the blur of his Senior Field Agent rush in and sit down. Tony hung his head low as he put his things in his desk and started writing notes down.

The case was going by very slowly and Gibbs was aggravated, "What do yah got!"

McGee shot out of his seat and grabbed the scroller he began belting out things that made no sense to Tony's groggy head. He tuned to Gibbs face that had no expression and then quickly looked away when Gibbs glanced at him.

Then Ziva took the scroller from McGee and also started saying out things about the deceased Sargent. Tony cocked his head at her. She looked tired ad there were dark circles under her eyes. He wondered why.

"DiNozzo!"

Gibbs's yell brought Tony back down to Earth., "Yeah, boss!"

"What do yah got?"

"Um, I-"

Gibbs stepped up to his desk and when he got one good look at him he grabbed him at the arm, "Follow me,"he said roughly.

Gibbs brought Tony by the side of the stairs for some privacy.

"What?"

"What! Is that blood on your shirt," said Gibbs motioning to the blotch on his collar, caused by Tony's lip that split open again this morning.

"It's an old stain."

Gibbs glared at him.

"Well, no but you see Gibbs. I was on the way home like you told me to."

Glare.

"I was. But you see I got a call and I had to go in," he brought up his hand to rub the back of his neck when Gibbs caught hold of it.

He examined the bruised and cut hand then put it down in disgust. He looked at the poorly disguised bruised and cut face in front of him. It made him angry.

"You know what? Just go see Abby she's worried sick about you."

Tony nodded and quickly headed toward the elevator.

Ding. Tony entered Abby's lab and was not greeted by the usual techno music that he usually was. He walked over to the glass door that was to Abby's office. It was locked.

He knocked on it, "Abby!"

A head popped up from beneath her head. She quickly looked at the glass door and saw Tony's face. She quickly bounded over and opened the door.

"Hi, Tony." Mascara was running down her face smudged all around. He put his arms around her.

"It's tomorrow, you know?"

"Yes, I know."

"You're going to come with me right," she asked burying her face into his shirt.

"Of course."

She sniffled and let go of him, "I'm sorry I don't have anything on the case yet. There's basically nothing. I mean-"

"It's okay Abbs."

"Tony...turn toward me."

Tony had been trying to hide his face from Abby but he reluctantly turned toward her.

She let out a gasp, "What happened?"

"I told you I was mugged."

"No! There are more bruises on you."

"Well-"

"Don't lie to me." She crossed her arms.

"I can't tell you, okay Abby? I can't."

"Can't?...or won't."

"Maybe both."

Abby shook her head and started typing rapidly at her computer, "You've changed."

"No, I haven't. I'm still me. Same old Tony DiNozzo."

"You know, you say your him, but your not. The real Tony DiNozzo wouldn't always ignore everyone's calls. He would care about people's feelings. Make constant movie references, joke around. He'd tell his friends what was the matter. He wouldn't freak his friends out by coming in looking lie he was just in a fight the day before."

"I swear Abby, it will all be over soon."

"How soon is soon?"

"I don't know."

"I have work to do," she turned back to her computer.

"Abbs-"

"I really have a lot of work to do."

Tony opened his mouth to say something but he simply closed his mouth and walked toward the elevator door. He had to admit he wasn't exactly fair to Abby lately. Never going down to see her, never answering her calls. He felt guilty.

Was it still illegal to smoke in a federal building?

The elevator doors opened and Tony looked around none of his team were there. They had probably gone to follow some lead without him. He sat down at hi desk wonderful. He lit a cigarette, like he cared what the people around him thought.

He though about Hue as he smoked his cigarette. Tonight he would try to get some information out of him. Possibly try to follow him home. Maybe he might fish for an invitation, he didn't know. He layed back and took a drag. Who the hell was he kidding? This guy was Untouchable.

The time came in to find Tony working at his computer. Each key that he typed seemed to get louder every time. They sat down siliently at their desks.

The rest of the day went by in tense silence. Until at the end McGee and Ziva had left and Tony went up to Gibbs desk.

"What was that?"

"I need my Senior Field Agent to be alert and completely focused on one job. I wouldn't want to put McGee or Ziva in danger."

Tony shook his head and grabbed his gear, "Fine. So now what?"

"I'm going to come with you there."

"I can handle this, okay?"

"Look at yourself!"

"Yeah, that happens when your a god damned punching bag every fu#$ing night."

"Then don't you want to end it."

"You can't end this in one night, Gibbs."

"Maybe yes, maybe no."

"It's more complicated then it sounds."

Gibbs said nothing he simply gave him a look. Not a smug look, or a glare but a look.

"I'll tell you in the car ride there."

They were riding in Tony's car on the way to the place. Tony was driving.

"You see, boss. If I were to apprehend him then a lot of people would die. I mean a lot of people."

"Tony, who is this man."

"We don't know."

"Then how-"

"This man Gibbs he's everywhere. He never stays put. Different identities, different operations, different places... for the past twenty-five years. His history ranges from many different things. He'll set up clubs or fighting places in areas that he's going to hit. All over the world. Gibbs something very bad is going to happen to Washington D.C. if we don't, if I don't stop him."

What the hell had DiNozzo gotten himself into.

(Dramatic music.) I'm also very excited about this chapter, too. Any comments/ criticism on chapters 4 and 5 would be highly appreciated but is not in any means necessary. I just love to write.