Disclaimer: Okay, so I don't own NCIS, or anything like it (sadly). I didn't invent the characters just enjoy the manipulation! Frankly if I can't have control over my own life, why should anyone else? I am not making any money out of this, it's written purely for entertainment purposes. But if you like, let me know?
Er, I can't think of a good reason why I started this one off - the voices made me do it! Actually I think it was slightly inspired by the Sue Thomas FBEye ep where the guys were being raffled off for Charity and Lucy and Tara "bought" Jack for Sue. I thought then if the FBI can do it, would NCIS?
And when Gibbs and Kate went undercover in the USMC recruiting office, and he scrubbed up so well - plus Tony's comment of Gibbs' entire wardrobe coming en masse from Sears, I wondered would there ever be an occasion that would get Gibbs out of his usual sartorial elegance (t-he!) into something more formal? Hence, a story is born Ladies and Gentlemen...
Plus – Know Your Dog wanted to "see" Tony in a tux!
Reviews are more than welcome, but please make your criticism constructive. Consider this your Advent present guys!
The night was balmy, and the stars twinkled in a sky seemingly made of bluest velvet above Virginia. Soft music could be heard, coming from inside a large red brick building. All the windows were open to let cool air in, and as you came closer to the sound you could see the gentle breeze moving the decorations hanging from the ceiling moving almost in time to the strains from the orchestra.
Tony DiNozzo stepped out of his car and straightened his jacket. Checking that his shoes were still spotless and his hair still swept back from his forehead, he took a minute to take in the scene. Gala Night was the big social event of the calendar; everyone from all the government agencies was encouraged to attend from the highest levels. Somehow Tony had managed to claim "previous engagements" for the proceeding few years, but this year the whole team had decided that they would attend en masse.
Kate had kicked the idea off...
"Hey guys - who else is going to the Gala next month?"
Tony glanced up from his work. "Why? You're not going are you?"
"I am actually, yes! Why - does that surprise you?"
"Kinda. I didn't think it would be your bag..."
Kate raised a sarcastic eyebrow. "Tony, you'll never know what's my bag!"
"Doesn't stop my trying though Kate!"
McGee nervously coughed.
"Yes Proby?" Tony swung his chair round to look at McGee.
"All I was going to say was, it is for charity. I think it sounds like a good occasion to support."
"Well said!" Kate threw him a dazzling smile that made Tony jealous. Why didn't she ever smile like that at him?
"Anyway", continued Kate, "Abby and I have already discussed it and we have decided to go. So, Tim, I imagine you'll be joining us?"
McGee coloured. "Er, well, Abby had mentioned I should dust off my tux"
"You have a tuxedo!" Tony was amazed "Why would you have one in your wardrobe?"
"Tony! That is no business of yours!" Kate scowled at him.
"And is it any worry of yours Kate?" Gibbs suddenly growled from behind them.
"Boss!" Tony instantly jumped up "Kate is trying to persuade us to attend the gala night next month!"
Gibbs turned to Kate who smiled brightly at him. "Yes Gibbs?"
Gibbs looked at her, trying to keep the disapprovingly look on his face, but eventually giving up. Somehow, no matter how hard he tried; he was finding it harder and harder to stay mad for any amount of time with Caitlin Todd.
"So, I suppose this means you and Abby with be raiding town for a new outfit?"
Kate wasn't really that surprised that Gibbs knew both she and Abby were planning on going. It's like he picks up information by osmosis, she thought.
"More than likely!" she replied.
"Humph" Gibbs went to his desk and sat sipping his coffee, switching his computers on and opening up his desk drawers.
"I was just about to say I think it would be good if we all went to the Gala" Kate announced, "Like a team night out?"
"Well, seeing as Abby is going with you, Kate, and Proby is tagging along as the token male, I think we are adequately represented - don't you Boss?" Tony leant back in his chair, secure in the knowledge that any Gala wasn't Gibbs' scene.
Kate turned in her chair and looked expectantly at their boss.
Gibbs found himself feeling slightly uncomfortable at this attention. To cover this, he struck a few keys on his computer and took another drink of his cooling coffee.
"Gibbs?" Kate was now standing up leaning on the filing cabinet that stood between their desks.
He cleared his throat. "What makes you think I keep a dress uniform in my wardrobe Kate?"
"Well, you did manage to fill that Marine Corps Recruiting Sgt's dress uniform well enough." Kate deliberately kept her expression neutral, but inside was grinning.
Tony watched her, and fumed inside. She had never commented on what he wore, not even his Armani suit or hand stitched Italian shoes - and what woman didn't notice shoes!
It was the uniform, he decided. Most women couldn't resist a man in uniform. His brief time in the Police department as a uniformed cop had taught him that. Still, he had to admit Kate had looked particularly good in her USMC uniform...
He switched his attention back to the woman who prayed on his mind and her current attentions to their boss.
"Hi Guys!" Abby came striding into the office, pigtails bouncing as she came down the corridor. "Hey Kate - you still up for that dress fitting tonight?"
Gibbs, Tony and McGee all spun in their chairs to look at their colleague who had the grace to blush.
"S-s-sure Abby - how's your outfit coming along?"
"Sweet! Just got the corset to arrive and I'm there!"
"Corset!" All three men nearly fell off their respective chairs.
"And why not?" Abby fluttered hey eyelashes coquettishly at the men waggled her fingertips at Kate and walked back the way she had come.
"So, guys - you made up your minds yet?" Kate asked.
"Hmm, well, it could be fun I guess - when's the date?" Tony tried to make it sound as casual as he could as he tapped at his Palm Pilot. Kate told them the date - a Saturday night three weekends away.
"Well, right now my schedule seems to be open - barring better offers." Tony mused.
Kate's desk phone went off, and she hurried to answer it.
"Abby? Hi!" she paused, "Okay, I'll ask, standby"
She turned to the men.
"Guys - anyone mind if we include Ducky and Jimmy Palmer in this?"
"No, the more the merrier!" McGee grinned.
"It'd be worth it to see Ducky cut a rug!" Tony grinned, "Sure!"
"Gibbs?" Kate asked.
"Makes no odds to me, I won't be there." Gibbs shrugged and returned to his screen.
Kate was disappointed, but resolved to have both Abby and Ducky work on him later.
"Abby - you still there? Uh-huh - no problem!"
Downstairs, Abby grinned.
"Cool! Hey, did I hear Gibbs say he wasn't in?"
Kate sighed down the line, "He did." Her voice dropped several decibels "Can you and Ducky work your magic?"
"Leave it to the Dream Team!" Abby promised.
She rung off and hurried through to Autopsy, Ducky's domain. The doors slid open to show Jimmy Palmer taking hurried notes as Ducky performed a physical exam on the team's current case.
"You see how the lungs are filled with liquid?" Ducky was saying, but his eye was caught by Abby's frantic waving, "Ah, Abigail, my dear. How can we assist you?"
"Ducky? Jimmy? I come bearing an invitation! How would you both like to come to the Gala next month with the rest of the team?"
Jimmy looked crestfallen, "Oh, I can't! I'm away on vacation!"
Ducky stripped off his gloves and went to look in his diary. "Well," he said, leafing through the pages, "I think I can! Is it a black tie affair?"
"Yes!" Abby cried, "There's a full orchestra and dancing - it sounds great!"
"I positively look forward to it!" the M.E. smiled, "Will you save me a dance?"
Abby grinned at him; "You are so sweet Ducky! Of course - do you waltz?"
"My dear - I am known for it!" and without preamble, Ducky bowed to Abby and held out his hand.
She giggled and took his outstretched fingers, curtseying as she did. Ducky drew her into a Waltz hold and hummed a tune as they spun round the lab.
"I didn't realise this was a dance studio!" Kate was also smiling as she walked through the doors.
"Caitlin - I hope you will reserve an old man a dance?" Ducky said as Abby performed a complex spin out of their dance embrace.
"Sure! Ducky, I need a favour"
"If I can, of course."
"It's Gibbs."
"Ah. Well, that may be difficult - what is the problem?"
"The whole team are coming to the Gala now - I take it you and Jimmy are involved now?"
"I can't, but Ducky can" Jimmy said.
"Oh, that's a shame. Still, Ducky, if you can that's great. Trouble is, Gibbs is saying he won't join in."
"Well, Jethro isn't known for his fancy footwork you know Kate. You know he'd much rather spend time working on his boat?"
"He got every other damn day for that! Would you and Abby work your charms on him? Please?"
"Why so intent on his attendance Caitlin?" Ducky looked at her.
"Well, it's a team thing, and I really think it would do him good. Besides, we all need to kick back, and who knows, he might enjoy himself" Kate fought not to blush. What she wanted to say was, "I really would like to see Gibbs in a tux, see how he scrubs up, and I want to dance with him. I want him to ask me to dance and be spun round the room in his arms while music plays and the stars shine down on us" - but its hardly the sort of thing you say to your colleagues!
Ducky raised a disbelieving eyebrow at Abby who grinned back at him.
"Kate, leave it with us. I'm sure we can persuade him. As you say, it would be shame for the team as a whole group not to attend."
Kate smiled brightly at the older man. "Ducky, thank you!" She breezed out of the lab, a spring in her step.
Abby and Ducky smiled at each other as they watched her go.
TBC