Spoilers for season 11 episode 'Better Angels'.
"So," said Tony DiNozzo as he paused at the top of the stairs.
"What?" demanded Gibbs looking up briefly from the piece of wood on his workbench.
Tony took a deep breath and trotted lightly down the stairs,
"So," he repeated, "How's your Dad?"
Gibbs squinted briefly as he recalled the last couple of days. Jackson had set Gibbs and himself off on a chase to find the pilot who had saved his life during the war. Actually Gibbs acknowledged that it hadn't been so much of a chase as a gentle game of tag which had ended in a bittersweet reunion.
"Fine," said Gibbs. "He's fine. Took the bus back to Stillwater. He's going to send for the truck later."
"Good," said Tony, "That's good to know." He looked around the basement and beat a rhythm on the bench.
"DiNozzo!" snapped Gibbs.
"Oh, sorry, Boss," said Tony. "Um … I guess it was weird for you having your Dad show up like that …" he paused as he encountered Gibbs' bland stare, "I mean, I know what I'm like when Senior shows up. So, was it?"
"Was what what?" asked Gibbs.
"You know, was it weird having your Dad show up?"
"Nope," said Gibbs.
"You mean it didn't throw you off your game? Throw you for a loop? Discombobulate you? Make you …"
"I said no," said Gibbs interrupting Tony's litany of weirdnesses.
"Oh," said Tony, "'cos I thought it might have done."
"No," said Gibbs.
"Oh," said Tony, "Then I guess it was a joke?"
"What?"
"Although it's unlike you to make a joke. Not that you haven't got a sense of humour … I'm sure you must have, buried deep down somewhere … ready to burst out when you least expect it."
"What you talking about, DiNozzo?"
"Well, you know …"
"If I knew, I'd have said so," said Gibbs.
"Of course, Boss. And I guess it was kinda funny …"
"What was?"
"… to some people. McGee thought it was a hoot."
"What did McGee think was a hoot?"
"You know, you giving McJuniorAgent point on the investigation. While you were away?"
"You thought that was a joke?"
"Well, sure … actually, not so sure but I figure it had to be something like that."
"Nope. It wasn't a joke," said Gibbs flatly.
"Oh," said Tony. He drummed his fingers again. "Oh, so it was some sort of developmental thing?"
"A what?"
"You know, trying to boost McTremulous's confidence?"
"McGee seems confident enough to me," said Gibbs.
"So it's a sort of mentoring thing?"
"A what thing?"
"You know, wise older agent … not old, just older, Boss – I wouldn't insinuate that you're old. No, it's where the father figure takes the younger person under their wing, helps them out …"
"I haven't taken McGee under my wing," said Gibbs.
"Then why?" asked Tony.
"Why what?"
Tony sighed, wishing that Gibbs didn't keep asking the same question. "Why did you give McGee point on the investigation while you were out of the office?"
Gibbs shrugged, "Because I could," he said simply.
"Because you could?" repeated Tony.
"Yup."
"It wasn't because you were put off your stride?"
"Nope."
"It wasn't a joke?"
"Nah."
"It wasn't because you thought it would be good for Tim?"
"I said so, didn't I?"
"But, Boss …"
"What, DiNozzo?"
"I'm Senior Field Agent."
"I know that."
"Do you? Because when you're not in the office, I'm in charge."
"You are?"
"Sure. It goes with being the whole Senior Field Agent. I mean, I understood when we had that jetpack case. That made sense: McGee's the jetpack nerd and it was a good use of resources …"
"A what?"
"You know, efficient. It made sense. But this time, McGee didn't have any particular knowledge …"
"Don't get your panties in a twist, DiNozzo, I made a decision. That's all that matters," interrupted Gibbs.
"I'm not so sure about …" began Tony.
"What does it matter, DiNozzo? One of you had to take the lead. I chose McGee. Another time I'd have chosen you."
"But I'm Senior Field Agent," said Tony.
"So?"
"So, point goes to me."
"My team, my rules," said Gibbs.
"Actually Boss, it's NCIS's team, NCIS rules," said Tony.
"Why does this worry you all of a sudden, DiNozzo? You and McGee are buddies, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"Then it doesn't matter if I decide to mix things up a bit sometimes."
"That's what you were doing? Mixing things up a bit?"
Gibbs shrugged, "The case got solved, didn't it?"
"Yes."
"You and McGee worked together?"
"Of course. I'm a professional."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I get the job done."
"I would hope so."
"What did you mean when you said that me and McGee are buddies?"
"What's with you tonight, DiNozzo?" asked Gibbs in exasperation.
"Just the way you said buddies. As if it wasn't something you approve of," said Tony.
"Not sure you can be friends with co-workers," said Gibbs.
"Didn't you say that you almost became brothers with soldiers when you were under fire?" asked Tony.
"You saying that NCIS is like serving in the Marine Corps?" demanded Gibbs.
"Not to you, maybe," conceded Tony.
"And anyways, you don't necessarily like your brothers," said Gibbs with bleak humour.
"So, you saying that you don't want your team to be friends?"
"It can mess things up," said Gibbs.
Tony was silent, digesting what he had learned.
"You finished your report?" asked Gibbs.
"Printed off and waiting on your desk," said Tony.
"Go on then," said Gibbs. "I'll see you in the morning."
Tony hesitated.
"I'm done talking, DiNozzo," said Gibbs not unkindly. "Go home, tomorrow's another day."
"I guess so, Gibbs," said Tony before climbing the stairs heavily.
Gibbs watched him go. He wondered if DiNozzo was right and, unsettled by Jackson's arrival, he had wanted to assert his authority and show he was in control of something. He shrugged. DiNozzo would get over it … whatever it was.