Chapter 2

"Oh my God." McGee said in shock.

"Did that just really happen?" Ziva asked.

"Either that or we both imagined it." McGee answered.

"I have never seen Gibbs do that before." Ziva pointed out.

"That is because it has never happened before." McGee said. "That was not on purpose. Gibbs only gives head slaps on the back of the head."

"Apparently, he does not always." Ziva said. "I cannot believe how they reacted, though. They reacted as if nothing was unusual McGee."

"No, that had to be an accident, Ziva." McGee said.

"I am not so sure, McGee. You saw it. Tell me that you saw the way that they looked at each other like there was nothing wrong with that. . .It makes me think that Gibbs has done it before." Ziva said.

"No." McGee said shaking his head in disbelief.

"That is not right." Ziva said. "He hit him hard too."

"I am going to talk to Ducky." Ziva said.

~STILL~

Autopsy

"Hello there Ziva." Ducky said as she entered.

"Ducky." Ziva said.

"I won't have anything to report for some time. I just started." He said.

From the look on her face, Ducky could quickly see that not all was well with her.

"Did something happen. . .?" Ducky asked.

"I have a question. Are there any Gibbs' rules regarding head slapping?" She asked.

"Hah, well not that I am aware of anyway. Why do you ask?" Ducky said laughing.

"Just a few minutes ago, in the squad room. . .I witnessed a Gibbs' slap that did not strike the back of the head."

"O-kay, I am confused." Ducky said.

"Ugh, Gibbs just gave someone a slap. Only it was not on the back of the head." She repeated.

"Alright. . ." Ducky said, after hearing her repeat the statement. "So where did Gibbs slap this person?"

"Gibbs slapped him in the face." Ziva added.

"Who did he slap then, Timothy or Anthony?" Ducky asked, looking not amused.

"Anthony. . .I mean Tony." Ziva answered.

"Gibbs slapped Anthony in the face?" Ducky asked. "Oh my, he has never done that before. Oh, it had to be an accident, Ziva."

"There was no apology." Ziva said.

"Jethro does not give apologies." Ducky said in consideration.

"Oh well wa. . .well this is different." Ducky added all flustered and his voice began to rise. He now stood up and began to pace the room. "This is definitely different. I hope all is okay with them after this."

"Tony left the building." Ziva added.

~STILL~

Squad Room

McGee sat at his desk. He typed two words into the computer. Then he looked to the elevator door for DiNozzo's return. Then he looked over at Ziva's desk, seeing that she had not returned. Then he looked behind himself to see if Gibbs was coming. Gibbs was headed in the direction of the squad room, but he made a sharp turn and headed up the stairs to talk with Vance. McGee jumped up and headed to Abby's lab.

Abby's Lab

"Abby" McGee said out of breath when he entered her lab.

"McGee?" She looked to him in concern. McGee tried to close her lab door, which caused a strong reaction from Abby.

"McGee? What are you doing? I don't close that door – ever. It can't close anymore." She said pulling him away. "Here, let's go in my office."

"I have to tell you what just happened in the squad room." McGee said catching his breath finally after running from the squad room.

"Okay, what?" She said with her normal big smile and bounce in her step.

"Gibbs and Tony." McGee said, trying to put his words together.

"Yeah?" She said.

"Gibbs tried to head slap Tony." McGee said.

"Yeah, . . .nothing unusual there." She responded. "Are you jealous?"

"No. Gibbs slapped him on the cheek really hard." McGee said.

"Gibbs wouldn't do that." Abby said.

"Has Gibbs every slapped Tony on the face before?" McGee asked.

"No. . .wait what? You are serious?" Abby said losing the bounce in her step. She stood in shock after hearing this and seeing his concerned face. "Are you serious about this? Gibbs really hit our Tony on the face?"

"Yes, and the strangest part was that nothing was said. Tony didn't look mad or surprised. Gibbs didn't apologize or admit that it was an accident." McGee said in concern.

"This was real? This really happened?" Abby said, she sat down in her chair her body literally collapsing. McGee stood over her, letting her process the information.

They were soon joined by Ducky and Ziva.

"I guess. . .you have heard, Abby." Ziva said softly. "We have to say something. This was not right."

"Not only that. . .this means that there are no limitations or restrictions for head slapping." McGee added, looking concerned.

"Now, that is not true, Timothy. I had a talk about head slapping with Jethro many years ago. He told me that he would never slap on the face because a slap on the face is humiliating. A slap on the back of the head is simply a wake-up call." Ducky explained.

"So there is a rule then?" Ziva asked but did not get an answer.

"You should have seen it Ducky. Neither of them acted like it was something strange. It was just dismissed as quickly as it happened." McGee said. Ducky looked over McGee, surprised by his words.

"We need to speak to them." Ziva asked. "Both of them."

After hearing Ziva's words, they nodded in agreement.

"I will have a talk with Jethro, when he comes down later." Ducky said.

"I will try to talk to Tony." McGee said.

~STILL~