If you really want something from someone, make it impossible for them to say "no" when you ask. It wasn't one of his rules, more a piece of advice. He didn't even remember where he had heard it, but it had stuck with him. Maybe it was a little manipulative, but then manipulation was one of his well-worn tools of the trade.
Still, he inhaled slowly-through his nose, so it was less noticeable-and straightened to look at the woman tapping her foot in the elevator beside him.
"Kate, do you have any formal dresses? In blue?" All of his ties were blue, most of them lighter shades. Shannon said the color brought out his eyes.
"One, maybe. Why? Do we have a new case?" She straightened, uncrossed her arms, tilted her head slightly. He could see the emotions play across her face: surprise, confusion, a flicker of excitement.
"Light or dark blue?"
"Uhm, it's kind of a royal blue. What's up, Gibbs?" She bit her lower lip in that way that made him swallow and hope she didn't notice.
He nodded. "Be ready at twenty-hundred hours tomorrow. Wear that, dress up a bit."
"Is that-" She had wrinkled her brow, but her voice had gone a little high, a little hesitant with something he dared call hope. "Is that an invitation?"
He hoped the sound of the elevator doors scraping open would cover the hammering of his heart.
"Marine Ball. You wouldn't want to let me go alone, would you, Katie?"
She let out a choked noise of surprise, and he lengthened his strides to be out of hearing distance before she could reply, unable to keep a slight smile off his face.
Author's Note: Inspired by flootzavut and a tumblr post about matching ties to dresses for prom.