Tony finally has a lesson for Gibbs....

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Chapter 2: Truth and Consequences

"DiNozzo, you got an explanation for that?"

"You know me, Boss, I think it, I say it...not too deep, and really irresponsible, but yet the words came out of my mouth." Tony did his best innocent. "Actually, I have a question...why the hardball? I tease you all the time...like Abby said, and slap on the head...I didn't even get that much when the three harpies were surrounding you discussing their knowledge of all that is Gibbs."

"You got into Rule #12 territory, Tony, with Abby's feelings at stake. Did you think about that? Now every time I come near her she's going to be nervous. Do you think I want a nervous lab rat, Tony? Do you think she'll do her job as well pondering if her boss has the hots for her?"

"Boss, I'd like to take this opportunity to say the first serious thing and the most stupid thing since you employed me."

"DiNozzo, I don't want to hear this. This teasing of yours has got to stop."

"Boss, I'm not teasing anymore. If Abby is pondering whether you have the hots for her, it's because you act like you do. You work with a lot of people who agree with me. We have a pool going...I know how bad that sounds...but the speculation is everywhere. There are three options, and I've put my money on you and Abby getting together when you retire. There's also the option that you forget rule #12 sometime soon because Abby has that much effect on you, and the option that you do nothing. Personally, that option hadn't occurred to me. McGee suggested that."

"DiNozzo, you better not be serious. My agents are betting on Abby and I having sex?" Gibbs was stunned.

"With all due respect, Boss. Not just your agents...and not just NCIS...and not just sex."

"Has ANYONE stopped to consider Abby's feelings if this got to her?"

"She's not as sensitive as you think, you know. Boss..." Tony decided to drop his big bomb. "I would like to point out that you are not denying it. I feel after everything I've recently gone through with Jeanne that I have a right to say this to you. I had to give her up because of the circumstances, but your circumstances are all in your head. I know you've told yourself for years not to break rule #12, but you've done it before, and she's not in the field with us. I know you tell yourself that she's too young for you, too innocent. You've told yourself that you've messed up too many times before. She's not too young because you are too fit to be considered old. She's not as innocent as you tell yourself, and somewhere inside you know that already. You've messed up before, but Abby is different. Don't take this wrong, Boss...but your women I've met are too jaded for you. Abby may not be innocent, but she does know how to keep herself from getting jaded like them. She won't expect more than you can give her. And Boss, you need her."

Gibbs looked as if Tony had hit him in the chest. He opened his mouth to respond, then shut it again. When this happened twice more, Tony finally knew that his words had hit home. Gibbs flicked the switch on the elevator and they rode the rest of the way to the office in silence. When Gibbs exited, Tony was smart enough to lag behind a bit, since they obviously had nothing else to say.

Gibbs walked briskly, obviously agitated to his desk, grabbed his stuff then headed back to the elevator.

"Where you going, Boss?" McGee asked, looking worried.

"I'm going home. The rest of you are not. Mandatory overtime until 9 p.m. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Boss?" McGee asked.

Gibbs went over to McGee's desk. "You should see a counselor about your gambling problem, McGee. Take DiNozzo and David with you."

"I did not have any part in that," Ziva huffed.

"Then Ziva, you take the rest of the day off, too, after you split your paperwork between DiNozzo and McGee." He paused. "And Ziva, tell Abby to go home also. I don't want any of this getting back to her. As a matter of fact, take her home yourself."

"Yes, Sir," Ziva smiled. After Gibbs left, she added, "Busted," and proceeded to divide up her paperwork.