A/N-Thanks to everyone who has cast a fave, follow or review. It has really been exhilarating to get such a response. I have had a few requests to hurry the story along and I promise I will. Please be patient. I actually dreamed the first 3 chapters of this story and am now left to my own conscious creative devices. I will do my best not to disappoint. Any feedback is appreciated!

In the Presence of Mine Enemies Chapter 3

Tony took Gibbs absence as an opportunity to get a much needed cup of coffee and cool down.

Gibbs was in full bastard mode and Tony racked his brain as to why. Granted the last three weeks were just hell on all of them but they had experienced this before. Tony knew something was troubling his bastard boss but he knew Gibbs would not be forthcoming.

At the coffee kiosk Tony ordered his usual then decided to purchase coffees for Kate & McGee as well. The expressions on their faces at Gibbs outburst played in Tony's mind. Poor McGee looked like a deer in the headlights. Mouth opened in a stunned expression and those wide eyes. Tony chuckled to himself.

Kate didn't fare any better. Her realization when she spoke aloud to her error of deleting the report would have been amusing if not for the tyrant they worked for. He had tried to tell Gibbs it was an easy fix to recover the data but Gibbs would hear none of it. Tony shook his head at that exasperated.

He decided at the last minute to get Gibbs a coffee. Make a peace offering to the beast within the bastard. Tony doubted the gesture would warrant a response but he did it anyway.

He made his way back to the bullpen balancing four coffees in a fragile carrier with a handful of creamers & sugars stuffed in his pocket.

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"Grab your gear!" Gibbs said as he came down the stairs from the Directors office. He eyed Tony's empty desk and yelled "McGee! Where in the hell is DiNozzo?"

"Uh..Uh..He went for coffee Boss." McGee stammered

Gibbs said nothing as he went to his desk and pulled out his gun & badge. McGee could see he was fuming. McGee then shot a glance to Kate who looked shell shocked. Gibbs was in rare form today.

Just then Tony walked off the elevator. He did not look up as he carefully removed a coffee from the carrier and placed it on Kate's desk. He cut across to McGee and placed a coffee on his desk then turned to Gibbs. Gibbs just stared at him. Tony placed a coffee in front of Gibbs and then looked from Gibbs to Kate to McGee.

"What?" he asked sheepishly

Gibbs reached out and grabbed the carrier containing Tony's coffee and threw it in the neighboring garbage can. "Waitressing is over DiNozzo! GRAB YOUR GEAR! Dead petty officer in Rock Creek Park."

Gibbs picked up the coffee Tony had delivered him, took a sip, smirked somewhat cruelly at Tony and stormed past him.

What the fuck? Tony looked around stunned.

He went to his desk and grabbed his gear and headed towards the elevator. McGee & Kate looked at each other, looked at the coffee they had been given and left them where they were in an act of solidarity with Tony.

They grabbed their gear and headed to the elevator both wondering if this day could get any worse.