Prompt: 'rage'

From: light within the shadows

Word count: 805

Rating: T

Genre: Friendship/Angst

Characters: Gibbs, Tony, Ziva, McGee, Vance

A/N: Wow, I think this must be the first time that I've had an easier time coming up with an idea for a prompt with NCIS instead of Criminal Minds.

"Rage"

"That's enough Tony." Gibbs snarled. He was standing now, having risen after witnessing his senior agent bawl out a new secretary. The poor thing was near tears, and when she left she was shaking badly.

Tony looked over at his boss, face full of defiance. His dog like loyalty was absent, as it had been since his father had shown up at the agency several weeks ago. He hadn't stayed long, but Tony's foul mood still remained, and pervaded the atmosphere in the building, until everyone was either angry as well or scared.

"Enough of what boss?" he replied coolly, tone remaining calm despite his expression.

"You know damn well what, Tony." Gibbs snapped. "Go to the gym, and get changed. Now, Tony!" he added when it looked like he would argue. Tony sneered, but stalked off to the gym.

McGee and Ziva glanced at their leader, having seen the whole scene. Both hadn't missed Gibbs use of Tony's first name, three times in a row. He jerked his head in the direction of the elevator, indicating that they should follow. They did, McGee with wide eyes and Ziva with her ever emotionless demeanor.

Tony coolly faced Gibbs in one of the rings set up in the Navy Yard gym. They were both dressed in comfortable clothing, but lacked the normal safety gear. They settled into easy stances, balanced and poised.

Ziva and McGee stood on the outside of the ring, with trepidations and weary eyed.

The two contenders waited, neither wanting to make the first move. Finally Tony moved, stepping in with his right and swinging. Gibbs moved to the side as it shot past, grabbing Tony's wrist and using his own momentum to throw him into the elastic lines that cordoned off the ring. Tony kept the kinetic energy, throwing himself back at Gibbs, this time feinting with his left fist. The actual punch landed on Gibbs' shoulder, and from then on Gibbs seemed to be taking many hits and not landing nearly as many.

McGee frowned; though he lacked experience in hand to hand combat, something seemed off.

Ziva, who had several lifetimes' worth of combat experience, muttered several curses in various languages.

"I take it I don't want to know what you just said David." Vance asked quietly. McGee jumped, but Ziva merely nodded. "And is it just me, or does it look like Gibbs needs some help?"

McGee opened his mouth to say something along the lines of 'maybe, he is getting older and Tony's a damn good agent' but Ziva beat him to it. "He is purposely throwing the fight." She hissed quietly, only loud enough for the two men near her to hear. "He is letting Tony pent his vent up rage."

"Vent his pent up rage Ziva." McGee politely corrected her. He was glad that he hadn't had to lie to protect his team mate. He knew damn well that Gibbs could destroy Tony if he wanted to, age notwithstanding.

"I think it's working." Vance noted. All three focused again on the fight, and they noticed that Tony's attacks were more controlled, and fuelled with less emotion. However, they were also slowing, Ziva noted critically. She and Vance knew that he hadn't paced himself in his energy expenditure, and he was now tiring when Gibbs was still going strong. McGee supposed that Gibbs had probably counted on that, as he was stepping up his game, dodging more hits. It wouldn't be long before this fight was over.

Tony paused, panting for breath while Gibbs stared him down. Summoning up his last dregs of energy, he punched again. Gibbs ducked and caught him in the stomach, and his diaphragm squeezed the air from his lungs. Gibbs came up with the other fist and shoved him down, his head falling back to hit the mat.

"Tony, are you okay?" Gibbs asked immediately in concern.

After a few painful seconds all around, Tony responded weakly "Yeah boss, I'm alright. Guess that's why they have these mats here."

"Yeah, that; and your attitude?" he asked, examining his agent.

"Effectively adjusted boss." Tony reported. "I'm still pissed as hell at that dirt bag but…"

"You'll stop taking it out on the rest of us?" McGee filled in helpfully.

"Yes McProbie."

"So your immediate rage is gone, but an undercurrent of anger still lurks beneath the surface…" McGee said, his eyes distant and dreamy. "I can totally use that for my next book!"

"McGee!" Gibbs barked. "You write another book-"

"-and I promise you-" Tony continued.

"-then you will truly know what 'rage' means!" Ziva finished with a menacing glare. Vance smiled, satisfied that the team dynamic was restored to normal. He nodded in approval to Gibbs, content to leave the three people in his care; he obviously knew what he was doing.

~Fin.

A/N: I suck at fight scenes. Please forgive me