Title: To Open Your Heart

Pairing: Gibbs/Dinozzo; McGee/Dinozzo (friendship)

Rating: M

Warning: angst, hurt/comfort; angst!Tony; first time; virgin!Tony, insecure!Tony, OOC moments.

Characters: Dinozzo, Gibbs, McGee, Maxine (girl from Kill Screen), McGee's parents, team

Spoilers: False Witness, A Man Walked Into a Bar, Restless, Kill Screen, AU of course

Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS; it belongs to TPTB

Beta: batina35

Summary: Coda to 'A Man Walked Into a Bar'

Chapter 1

Gibbs grimaced as he sipped at his too cold coffee. It was a late night and the group was nearly finished. They had worked tirelessly to find the murderer of a Naval Commander's wife. As he watched his team put the last touches on their reports, he glanced at his senior agent.

It had been a few weeks since Dr. Rachel Cranston had completed their mandatory evaluations. Gibbs had known she was Kate's sister from the beginning, a revelation that neither Gibbs nor Rachel shared with Vance. Knowing the Director, he would have realized the conflict of interest and asked for an alternate psychiatrist. But Gibbs knew how much his team and the doctor herself needed the closure.

Even though Rachel could not go against doctor/patient confidentiality and discuss specifics, he was given a copy of her final report. The insights into his team were spot on. The warning that the reason why the team did so well could also be the impetus for its downfall was concerning to him.

Gibbs wanted so much to ask the doctor what she discussed with Dinozzo. He watched Tony's behavior throughout her visit. He saw how his SFA avoided her at all costs. He wondered if she was able to get Tony to open up. Gibbs knew Tony had issues: his mother's death, his father's behavior, and surviving the Plague to name a few. Tony bounced from job to job before seemingly settling at the Navy Yard ten years ago. Gibbs wondered what it was about NCIS that made Tony stay so long. Certainly his tenure has been fraught with difficulty and hardship. There were so many things over the years that Gibbs wanted to understand about Tony, but he did not feel like it was his place to ask. Plus, Jethro was not known for his conversation ability; it would probably freak Tony out if he did.

What got his gut churning lately was Tony's behavior. During the case with Jerry Neisler, Tony's serious demeanor led to an even more focused work ethic that Gibbs found impressive. He had always found Tony to be an excellent agent, albeit his methods were at times unconventional. But when the humor went away, Gibbs found that he was quite concerned. Luckily, whatever was bothering him seemed to work itself out. The prank he pulled at Christmas was therapeutic of sorts because Dinozzo was back to his humorous, at times irritating behavior in no time.

Gibbs felt like they dodged a bullet, but ever since Rachel's visit, Tony has not been right once again. He was not his robotic serious again, but there was an underlying sadness about him right now. He normally joined McGee, Ziva, Abby, and Palmer for dinner or drinks once a week, work permitting. Gibbs overheard his team talking the other day how Tony was withdrawing from them. And this time, they felt like it was more serious than before.

For having an aggressive personality, Jethro found himself paralyzed when he thought of confronting Tony. He mentally berated himself and encouraged himself to grow a pair. The team was off rotation for the weekend; maybe he would bring a pizza over to Tony's this weekend and try to get to the bottom of his troubles.

"All right, people. Go home. See you Monday." After the rough case they just had, none of the three agents had to be told twice. Ziva left immediately followed by Tony and McGee. Gibbs lingered behind and wanted some time to think. He decided to head to the lounge to grab a cup of coffee.

As Ziva tore away in her Mini Cooper, Tim took a deep breath as he watched the Senior Agent walking to his car.

"Tony!" McGee ran to catch up with his friend.

Tony stopped and sighed. He really was not in the mood to talk right now. "Yeah, Tim?" He said softly, causing the younger man to worry even more.

"You okay?"

Tony couldn't help but try to put a lighter tone on the serious moment. "Ah. McWorry…"

McGee's eyes narrowed; Tony saw this and immediately stopped talking. Tim began. "Hey, why don't we grab a pizza and watch a movie tonight? We haven't done that in a while." He said in an encouraging tone. Tim could feel Tony slowly backing away from them as time went on. What most people did not realize that Tim and Tony were very close. When McGee first started at NCIS, Tony felt insecure about his position on the team. The younger man was Ivy League educated and was an expert in computers. Tony knew this was the kind of new agent the federal agencies were looking for. He felt unsure of his future with NCIS. Tim, on his part, initially felt superior secondary to his education background; but, he felt uneasy about his lack of field knowledge. At the beginning, he was jealous of Tony's apparent ease in investigations and also how good looking the SFA was. Guys like that he felt always had a leg up on computer types like him.

Once they moved beyond their issues, they became great friends; best friends. They snipped and snapped at each other, but they were like brothers. They would often meet and watch movies and just talk. McGee liked to think he had seen through Tony's layers, but he knew there was so much more to the man than he let on.

For the last five years, their relationship had strengthened to the point where Tony was practically a part of his own family. His parents thought of Tony as a surrogate son.

"No plans with Maxine tonight, Probie?" Tony tried to keep the jealously from his voice. He was so happy that Tim had found a nice girl to be with, but it served to highlight his own loneliness.

Tim shrugged. "We did...but since we worked so late, I told her to go on to bed and I would see her tomorrow."

Tony couldn't help but smile slightly at his friend. "Ah, geek love..."

Tim blushed slightly. "Shut up, Tony."

Tony placed a hand on McGee's shoulder. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm really tired and I think I am going to head home. Rain check, okay?"

"My mom is starting to ask why you haven't come over lately."

Tony nodded too enthusiastically as he went towards his car. "I'll go over soon! Don't worry, Timmy! Thanks, Probie!" He said as he got in and drove away.

Tim watched the retreating car for a moment and slowly turned towards his own with a worried look on his face.

A few hours later, Gibbs startled awake when his phone rang. He must have been more tired than he thought because he had fallen asleep at his desk in the deserted bullpen.

"Yeah, Gibbs." He croaked, still trying to wake up.

"Jethro, it's Sarge."

"Yes, Sir." Jethro grinned at his mock salute. "What can I do for you?" He glanced at his watch that read 1:05 am.

"Smart ass." The voice laughed. "Got one of yours down here."

"Which one?" Gibbs replied but he thought he already knew the answer.

"Pretty boy. He's doing a great job working his way through a bottle of Jack."

Jethro sighed, stood, and grabbed his keys and gun. "I'll be there in a few. Thanks, Sarge."

"Gunny." The voice answered and hung up.

Gibbs shook his head briefly and chuckled at his friend: retired Sergeant Major Thomas O'Malley, USMC. He fought in Vietnam and had received a Bronze Star Medal for his bravery and heroics during battle. They had met when Jethro was in boot camp and the older man was in the twilight of his military career and they had struck a friendship after Gibbs' return from Iraq. He owned a bar that was frequented by military personnel, federal agencies, and local law enforcement.

As Gibbs drove through the streets toward O'Malley's Bar, he felt a rush of relief that Tommy was there to watch Dinozzo's six. The younger man had a self-destructive streak but at least he had the sense to get drunk at a bar they frequented.

Gibbs stepped into the still busy establishment and made his way to the bar. He nodded his head at his friend who was wiping down his work area. Tommy looked at his watch and snorted. "Still driving like a maniac I see, Gunny." Gibbs ignored the insult as he tried to glance around the crowded bar. "He's in the back." He held his hand up when he saw Gibbs reach into his wallet. "Bill's already settled." He reached into his pocket and handed Jethro a set of keys. "When I saw how fast he was shooting for alcohol poisoning I made him hand them over. Boy, the kid can talk."

Gibbs palmed the keys and nodded his head in appreciation. "Thanks, Sarge. I really appreciate it."

"Not a problem, Gunny. Take care of your boy."

"Hoorah." Gibbs answered as he walked away.

When Gibbs slid into the booth opposite his agent, at first he said nothing. Tony looked up at his Boss with bleary eyes and shook his head. "Shit, I knew I shouldn't have come here. Shoulda known…" His speech slurred. Gibbs saw that Tony had finished nearly half the bottle.

Gibbs wanted to grab Tony and shake him for being so stupid and force him to talk, but he knew he needed a gentler touch. He stood and softly grabbed at Tony's arm to help him stand. "Come on, Dinozzo." His voice held no ire, just concern.

Tony had difficulty focusing when he stood; he swayed as he tried to get his bearings. He found himself leaning against his Boss; even in the state of inebriation he was in, he felt a sense of calm as he breathed in the unique scent that was associated with Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Jethro worried slightly when Tony did not protest leaving the bar. Perhaps he was more intoxicated than the lead agent first realized. His SFA was easily led to his car. There was an eerie silence surrounding them. Normally Tony's incessant chatter filled the air but not at this time. Gibbs' gut churned even more.

It appeared Tony fell asleep en route to Gibbs' house. Once again, he led his agent without resistance. He sat Tony down on his worn couch. The younger man let his eyes drift closed as Gibbs went into the kitchen.

After a few minutes, the silver haired agent returned with a glass. "Dinozzo," he said quietly. When that did not rouse the intoxicated man, he spoke in a more harsh tone. "Dinozzo!"

"Wha..." Tony startled awake. He looked bleary eyed at his surroundings; as if he finally realized he was not at the bar. "When we'd get here, Boss..." He slurred as he tried to focus on Gibbs' face.

"About twenty minutes ago, Dinozzo."

Tony stood abruptly and the world tilted momentarily. "My car!" He felt around for his keys. "Where my keys, Boss..." He said slowly as he was trying to fight off the nausea that was clamoring to be released.

"I got 'em, Tony. Now, sit down." Gibbs couldn't help the smile he repressed as Tony immediately obeyed his command. My loyal St. Bernard. He thought to himself. He reached out and handed Tony a glass.

"Don' thin' can drink an'more, Gibbs..." Tony replied, not taking the beverage offered.

"It's not alcohol, Dinozzo. Now drink. It'll help your hangover in the morning." He watched how his agent tentatively grabbed the glass and inspected it; he also sniffed it a few times. He was acting like a child not wanting to take their medicine. "Oh for god sakes, Dinozzo. Drink it!"

"Fine..." Tony huffed. "Bossy marines..." He muttered to himself and slowly drank the concoction.

When he was done, Gibbs placed the glass on the coffee table and led Tony upstairs to the guest bedroom. He helped the younger man change into a pair of his sweats and placed him under the covers. A small smile traversed the face of the sleepy man.

"What, Tony?" Jethro asked, curious at the expression on his face.

"'s nothin...just...never been tucked in 'fore..." He said in a small voice and then turned to his side and muttered, "Thanks, Boss..." and quickly fell asleep. Gibbs then heard a quiet snore.

Jethro stood by Tony's still body for some time. The words he had said tore at his heart. Tony was hurting and he vowed to get to the bottom of it. He stroked the baby soft hair of the sleeping agent and all he wanted to do was hold him in his arms and take away all the hurt. The feelings Gibbs was having in that moment were overwhelming and he nearly gasped as he felt hit by a ton of bricks. He ran a hand through his gray, cropped hair and left the room.

TBC...