002. [location : park]
Tony was sitting quietly at a bench, staring at a piece of cake in front of him on his lap that he'd bought from the cafe, and the coffee cup in his hand beside it. He should have felt happier than he did right now - but he found it very hard to be. He was thirty-eight today and while Abby and McGee were both here, Gibbs wasn't. Ziva wasn't. His father wasn't. His birthday suddenly felt very empty with so few of the people he considered family around. And, on top of that, with hardly anyone to really call a friend. He was still waiting for birthday wishes from both the people he did have from home, but with the need for McGee to settle in and the length of time Abby had been here, he wouldn't have been surprised if it was forgotten altogether.
Least to say, the normally attention-craving special agent was more than a little down on such a special day.
He had Tali, at least. She seemed to remember. Though he still felt odd spending time with his daughter as she was - well... someone he couldn't remember. He felt bad for her, bad for the fact that he couldn't be the dad she remembered. But dammit, he was trying.
Placing the cup down, he took the fork that was beside the plate with the cake, and bit his lip. Well, at least he could celebrate a little bit, right? Even if he was buying it for himself. So he was sure to sing softly as he cut off a piece; "Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me..." He paused, and decided it was too awkward to call himself 'dear me' and shrugged, taking the first bite out of his cake.
Least to say, the normally attention-craving special agent was more than a little down on such a special day.
He had Tali, at least. She seemed to remember. Though he still felt odd spending time with his daughter as she was - well... someone he couldn't remember. He felt bad for her, bad for the fact that he couldn't be the dad she remembered. But dammit, he was trying.
Placing the cup down, he took the fork that was beside the plate with the cake, and bit his lip. Well, at least he could celebrate a little bit, right? Even if he was buying it for himself. So he was sure to sing softly as he cut off a piece; "Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me..." He paused, and decided it was too awkward to call himself 'dear me' and shrugged, taking the first bite out of his cake.