Punishment

"That's it!" Gibbs strode purposefully into the living room, yanked the remote control from Abby's hand, and clicked off the television.

Wails of protest followed from both Abby and Tony, but he held his hand up as a signal for them to get quiet.

They did, watching him with pleading, remorseful eyes.

Swallowing, Gibbs addressed Tony, "Did I or did I not tell you that you two would lose the television for the night if you didn't stop fighting over the shows to watch?"

Tony stammered reluctantly, "Yes, you did say that, Boss, but..."

Jethro cut off any further words. "I also alerted you two that this would happen more than an hour ago if you continued to fight. Is that not correct?"

This time, his steely blue gaze targeted Abby, who had followed the loss of the remote by squirming unhappily on the sofa.

She twirled a pigtail and replied appealingly, "We didn't know you were serious, though Gibbs, when you said that. We would have stopped fussing at each other if you had simply made that clear."

"What was that, Abbs?" Gibbs shook his head at her reasoning. "Why would you- by any stretch of the imagination- think that what I threatened should be taken as a joke and dismissed by you and Tony?"

Tony, thinking there might be an opening there, seized the opportunity and added, "You didn't even count to three or anything, Boss. Therefore, Baby Girl and I had no idea that you meant business about the television. Had you conveyed that emotion, we could have responded in a manner of your liking and of your complete satisfaction."

Abby joined him, nodding enthusiastically, "So right, you never prepared us that we were driving you over the edge."

Gibbs looked from one to the other in exasperation. Despite the fact that they had no chance of seeing the television reinstated that evening, their clever arguments highlighted their ability to work together cooperatively on any occasion when they needed to do so.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled a deep breath.

"The two of you have fought and argued all day long over the most ridiculous issues in the universe. That conduct never works out well for you, and somebody always ends up getting into trouble. However, you exceeded your own personal limits tonight. So in this situation, both of you get to reap the punishment, because I have grown tired of hearing and witnessing the battles that you wage with each other."

"Gibbs, we can count this as two. Earlier when you told us to stop fussing, then that was one. Just now with the remote made two. So we deserve to get to three before you respond in an ugly way. Please, give us one more chance," Abby clasped her hands together during her plea and gave him her best expression designed to melt his resolve.

"I have already counted to three- in my head," Gibbs dismissed her and turned to leave.

Tony puffed out his lip in a pout. "Boss, that hurt."

"You'll recover. Now, I'm headed to the basement. Let me remind you that no television means no video disky movie things either."

With that he left, confident that they would obey him, no matter how much they didn't want to acquiesce.

Abby threw her head back against the sofa cushion and regarded Tony. "Hmmm... how are we going to amuse ourselves now? We can't go outside 'cause it's like a typhoon out there. Rain's just pouring. I so hoped he'd have mercy and give the remote and tv back."

Tony crossed his arms behind his head and propped his feet on the coffee table. "Boss is Boss. I learned long ago that when he puts on his daddy cloak and mulls upon a discipline issue, I will always lose- every single time."

They laughed conspiratorially together. They had managed to construct a family unit between the three of them, despite the obvious hesitation and understandable reluctance from one Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Not only did they usually stay in the House of Gibbs thirteen out of fourteen days per fortnight, but they all worked together at NCIS. They thrived with those family ties and their bond with each other.

Abby curled her legs under her and leaned forward. "Ok, confession time, Anthony-"

Tony kicked off his shoes and curled up on the sofa as well. "What deep, dark secret do you want to know, my Goth sister?"

"Tell me about the first time you ever, ever, ever stayed with Gibbs," she ordered. "Don't try to give a skimpy account, either. I want to hear delicious details."

"Actually, Baby Girl, I don't mind sharing that story in the least."

Tony settled himself and started the tale. "Once upon a time, it had been a really long, hard case, and I hadn't worked for NCIS or for Gibbs too long. I just had figured out that his bark and his bite, at least when they concerned me, always meant something unpleasant for me and to attempt to avoid them, along with making him angry, at all costs."

Abby giggled, and Tony smiled, too. He loved seeing Abby happy, and reached over to pull one of her pigtails.