A/N: I'm back! I know I haven't written anything in a while, but I have lots of new plot bunnies to explore. So this story is under the premise that Gibbs actually has PTSD and the show just hasn't bothered to acknowledge it. I'm also posting under ShadowWolfsDen on Ao3 so check it out.

June was a hard month for the members of the MCRT. Hostage situations, explosions, you name it, it happened. Now they were sitting in the bullpen finishing up paperwork. They had just received word that they had gotten the next few days off for the Fourth of July. Balboa's team was going to pick up the slack for once.

McGee was ready for a break. The last few weeks had left him drained. The computer work was nonstop central and now he was finally free to rest his brain for a while.

Bishop was happy to get a few days off. Her relationship with her husband Jake was on the rocks at the moment. Well, not the rocks per say, but it was getting to that point. A few days in each others' arms would hopefully fix that.

Ducky was also happy to be free from the arms of death for a little while. Mr. Palmer had already taken the week off to be with his family. The good doctor was hoping to tour the Botanical Gardens this summer but never had the time to do it.

Abby had been swamped also from the trace evidence that had come in. She was kinda sorta thinking that she should bring in an assistant for a while to help out.

Tony was relieved to be free from the office for a few days. He missed his time with his man, just cuddling in his arms with an ear to the deep chest listening to his strong heart beating. Jethro's scent would surround him in a cloud of safety and protection, enabling him to sleep comfortably. Tony wondered what they were going to do for the Fourth. Jethro never said. It wouldn't hurt to create a little fireworks show of their own under the covers.

The only one who wasn't showing any enthusiasm for the upcoming holiday was Gibbs. Of course he was okay with the days off, but he knew his boy wanted to do something for the holiday. He just didn't have the heart to tell him that he couldn't celebrate this particular holiday along with New Year's.

As he was trying to come up with a good excuse while typing up his final reports, the elevator dinged. The clomping of three inch platforms gave away who the newest arrival to the floor was.

"Gibbs! Gibbs! Gibbs! Gibbs!" was heard before a black whirlwind plowed into Gibbs's workspace. He felt the bear hug rub his ribs together. He was irritated that he couldn't breathe, but he would never tell the lab rat that.

"Hey Abs."

She let go of him and plopped down on his desk, right on top of some much required paperwork. "Whatcha doing?" she drawled.

"Working." he rebuffed.

She looked around the bullpen, her pigtails bopping back and forth. "So what are you guys doing for the holiday?"

"I'm going to stay home and sleep," said McGee as he was typing at his regular break-knuckle speed.

"Jake and I are going camping this weekend."

Abby saw where Tony hadn't replied. "And what are you doing for the holiday, Tony?" She sidled over to his corner of the bullpen where he was steadfastly reading part of a partially completed report from a fellow agent that needed to go in the casefile.

Tony looked up with a devilish smirk on his face. "I will be saluting the men and women of the armed forces down at the pub on 8th all night long. Maybe find some hot chick to create some sparks."

Jethro inwardly smirked. He knew Tony was creative with his escapades while hiding their relationship. They weren't hiding per say, just when you've been in a relationship for so long it's just normal for them to not show their feelings in public, especially in public. It made Jethro feel a little more guilt at not telling his partner of eight years about his problem.

"Anyone want to see the fireworks show tomorrow night?" Abby asked.

There were agreements all around, but a definite no from Gibbs.

"Gibbs!" she complained. "Why won't you go with us? You have to get out of your basement more..."

At that moment something snapped in Gibbs. His eyes narrowed, revealing more of his irritation and anger than he should have. Abby sounded just like his exes, all harsh and demanding. He was thankful Tony didn't complain much, but when he did it was always playful, not cold or mean. He didn't want to hurt Abby's feelings, but God forbid, there was no other way to get through to her.

"Abigail!" he barked, making several heads turn towards the main bullpen. That was the tone of voice that raw Marine recruits trembled from. Tony, McGee, and Bishop unconsciously turned towards their boss at attention while sitting.

Abby turned to him with the puppy eyes that everyone claimed he always fell for. It was all part of the act. He wasn't falling for it this time.

"No, I will not go and you will not say anything more." He gave her the stare.

"Yes, Gibbs." She turned her head away so she wouldn't have to look into the ice blue eyes of a man she swore could see into someone's soul.

Tony looked at his partner in silent confusion. Sure Jethro wasn't for going out with the team sometimes, it was only the more extreme outings he objected to. What was different about this one? He'd ask Jethro about it later when they were alone.

Gibbs looked at the clock. 1500. That was a good time as any considering all the work they had done.

"Reports better be finished before you leave," he said as he got up to stretch his legs.

All three team members including Abby watched as he walked to the elevator. They assumed he went for his last fix of the day.

Abby got this worried look on her face. "Guys, what just happened? He's never like that with me." She wrapped her arms around
herself in a self hug.

"Don't worry Abby, maybe he's just in a bad mood," suggested McGee.

"I wouldn't call it a bad mood." Bishop mused.

Abby looked confused. "What else could it be?"

Bishop chewed on that thought while munching on some new curly fry Cheetos. "He's been mostly mellow all day today, even though we are working on paperwork."

"Your point being?"

"All I'm saying is that his attitude turned from mellow to sour when you came up Abby."

"But I didn't do anything wrong! I just asked about going out as a team when we don't do it very often..."

"Abby, I think that's the point."

Until then Tony had been following the conversation silently. For all the years he had been Gibbs's SFA then lover, he had learned how to read the subliminal messages that Gibbs gave off. For a man who doesn't talk much, it was pretty much the only way he could communicate without starting a full blown fight. So Tony had been the only one to notice when Jethro's shoulders tensed and his breathing got deeper. Signs of anger or a fleeting thought of frustration. He saw how Jethro drew himself back from the brink without going into a full blown rage. Something triggered it. But what?

"Tony?" The team turned to look at him.

Used to being in the spotlight, Tony said, "Abs, I hate to burst your little Goth bubble, but I believe you were pressuring him to do something that he didn't want to do."

Abby looked down right contrite. "But..."

Tony held up a finger. "I'm not finished. Something you said made him angry. I don't know why. I don't know how, but you better think about what you said before you see Gibbs again. Understand?"

Abby looked down. She really didn't mean to. She just wanted to spend time with the team out of the office. She had to make it up to Gibbs somehow. "Yes Tony."

"Good. Now go back to your lab and see you tomorrow Abby."

"Bye guys." She walked back to the elevator with her tail between her legs.

McGee and Bishop went back to their work. They knew when to pick their battles and this wasn't one of them.

About an hour later, the team finished the paperwork required and packed up to go home. Tony slipped a post-it note on his paperwork for Jethro to let him know he was going to the apartment for the evening and that he would see him later. The team left just before the Beta shift came on duty for the night.