AN – And the prize for guessing what Tony was going to do with the paper .. goes to .. well, you'll see. I wouldn't want to spoil it for you.
At 19.30 hours exactly Gibbs wandered into the small dining room to find two of his Agents already seated. Sitting himself down, he looked pointedly at the remaining empty place as he asked the obvious question.
"Where's DiNozzo?"
"I don't know," Kate looked around. "I thought he was with you?"
"He was in the bar," McGee piped up. "He bought me a drink. But that was about four hours ago."
Gibbs frowned. DiNozzo had known they were eating at 19.30 hours and there were only a few reasons he would be a no show and none of them boded well for his senior field Agent. Gibbs actually hoped it was a woman, because the alternative meant that either Tony had found trouble, or it had found him. Fishing out his cell he prepared to make a call, only to see a familiar figure, carrying a small bag, hastening across the restaurant.
"You're late, DiNozzo." Gibbs greeted him.
"Sorry, Boss. Lost track of the time," Tony brushed it off. "Have you guys ordered?"
"Not yet." McGee spoke up.
"Shall we eat or open our presents first?" Kate wondered, eying the small bag with open curiosity.
"Eat," Tony was already reaching for the menu. "I'm starving."
"Presents," McGee chimed in, after what Tony had been saying earlier, he was also eager to see what was in the bag.
"We'll order now," Gibbs took charge. "And do the gifts while we wait for the food to arrive."
It only took a few minutes to take care of their order. Both Gibbs and Tony decided to forgo the festive fare and have steaks. For form's sake Tony made a good enough show of flirting with the waitress for Kate to roll he eyes and McGee to look slightly envious. In truth, he felt sick to his stomach and he really hoped Gibbs couldn't tell how nervous he was about this whole gift giving thing.
He was genuinely pleased that McGee's lap top web cam link up was such a success. Kate laughed and cried at seeing her family and McGee went pink with pleasure at her effusive thanks. In return, she gave him a slightly predicable portrait of him with Abby. Although, the adoring look she had drawn on Abby's face was more than enough to satisfy McGee.
"Your turn, Gibbs." Kate encouraged.
"Can't," Gibbs shook his head. "Its not here yet."
"Not here?" McGee queried.
"You were supposed to make it, Gibbs." Kate pointed out.
"What I made was a call," Gibbs' shrugged. "Buddy of mine is going to drop DiNozzo's present off in a few."
"Please tell me you didn't get me a puppy." Tony worried.
"Not a chance. Haven't got you fully house broken yet." Gibbs smirked.
"That's cheating." Kate spluttered.
"Nope," Gibbs took a long draw of his coffee. "That's using your initiative."
"Fine," Kate huffed slightly. "Tony, that just leaves you."
"It's nothing really," Tony excused his gift, making no effort to nudge it across the table towards the ex-marine. "You should probably just wait until we get back to DC, Boss and I can give you your real present. You don't want this."
Gibbs sighed. He supposed he should have seen this coming. DiNozzo was always worrying too much about repaying him for noticing he was alive. Over the last two years he'd thought he'd managed to cure him of trying so hard but the Holidays still brought out his insecurities.
"You let me be the judge of that." Gibbs reached over and picked up the bag.
It was lighter then he expected. Curious now, he prised open the top, acutely aware of the twin looks of anticipation on Kate and McGee's faces and the far too casual way DiNozzo was sitting, his eyes sharp with anxiety as they followed his every move, his fingers drumming silently on his thigh, as he sat absolutely still in his chair. Reaching carefully in with finger and thumb Gibbs, very gently, lifted out the fragile little item and placed it carefully on the table.
"Is that a .. swan?" McGee guessed.
The little origami bird was not exactly a work of art. One wing was slightly higher than the other. The neck was decidedly skewed to the left, giving the whole thing a rather lop-sided appearance and the tail feathers were a little ragged.
"You made that?" Kate sounded very much like she was trying not to laugh.
"Yeah," Tony's defeated tone earned him a sharp look from Gibbs and a sympathetic glance from McGee. "Obviously, not very well."
"Oh, I don't know," McGee tried to be encouraging. "It's very .. unique."
As they watched the little cream paper swan wobbled and tipped over onto its side, resting precariously on one slightly dented wing. McGee bit his lip worriedly. He knew how anxious Tony had been about this gift. Now Kate was laughing openly and Gibbs had yet to say a word. Beside him, Tony made a guttural noise of disgust, half rising out of his chair, as he reached out an open hand obviously intending to crush the little swan in his fist, only to have Gibbs hand flash out and catch his wrist before he could touch it.
"Don't." His tone brooked no argument as he used his other hand to set the little swan carefully back upright.
"Gibbs." Tony argued anyway.
Gibbs opened his mouth to say something but before the ex-marine could respond, his cell started to ring. His expression darkened visibly at the unwanted interruption, but his sense of duty won out and he let go of DiNozzo's wrist and reached into his pocket for his cell.
"Gibbs."
He listened for a few moments with an unreadable expression, whilst his team watched anxiously, all hoping that whatever else the call might be, it wasn't a case. Only, to exchange even more mystified glances, when Gibbs face broke into a broad grin.
"That's good work, Abs."
Snapping his phone shut, he didn't keep his Agent's in suspense as he pocketed his cell. "Kate, McGee. Grab you gear. You're going home."
"What!" Kate looked ecstatic, before jumping to her feet and grabbing her handbag, dinner completely forgotten.
"Really? That's terrific," McGee beamed, then frowned. "Um, what about you guys?"
"There's only three seats." Gibbs began. "I thought we could .."
"That's OK. We don't have to draw straws or anything. You take it, Boss," Tony heard himself saying. His was pretty pleased at how normal his voice sounded. Most people didn't realise how much good undercover work relied on smoke and mirrors. Most of the time all you had to do was reflect what the other person was expecting to see anyway. It was easy with strangers. It was almost impossible with a man who knew him as well as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Often, the best trick was to just keep talking. "I know how much Abby wanted you to get back for her Christmas party. Think of it as your real present."
"DiNozzo," For a moment, Gibbs looked like he was about to say something, then he changed his mind and turned his attention back to the rest of his team. "Abby's found a cab heading for the Airport. It's leaving in ten." When Kate and McGee continued to hesitate looking between him and Tony with anxious expressions he raised his voice slightly. "Well? What are you waiting for? Go!"
"Merry Christmas, Tony," Kate didn't need telling twice, with a quick kiss on his cheek, she was already heading off to collect her luggage, pulling out her cell to call her family as she went. "Hey, Mom, it's me. You'll never guess what .."
"Tony." McGee hovered.
"Don't sweat it, Probie," Tony brushed off his concern. "Maybe, I'll make a date with that blonde after all. Go home. Spend time with your family."
"Right," McGee nodded, still not convinced but at a loss to know what else to say. "Merry Christmas, Tony."
He stuck out his hand, a little awkwardly. Would Tony ridicule him for the formal gesture? Would he turn it into some kind of Fraternity secret handshake? Even after months of working with him McGee found Tony impossible to predict. The man could be beyond annoying, juvenile, petty and very occasionally, dark with a soft menace that genuinely scared him. Then there were the times when he deliberately stepped up to protect one of his team mates from Gibbs, wrath, shared his knowledge and experience like he wasn't doing McGee a favour, or like now, used the grip to pull McGee into a hug, patting his back twice, before letting go.
"Merry Christmas, Tim," Tony hesitated, casting a quick half-glance in the direction of the ex-marine. "Boss."
Before Gibbs could respond the former homicide detective had already turned sharply on his heel, not sure that he could bear to hear anything that Gibbs might have to say. Knowing that the ex-marine would have to head to their room to pick up his bags, he decided to make himself scare until they had all left for the airport. Following the signs for the tiny ands ill-equipped gym he wasn't surprised to find the place deserted. Most people had better things to do with their time on Christmas Eve. Deciding he would rather die than run the risk of running into Gibbs by going to pick up his workout clothes, he stripped off shoes, socks, tie and jacket, before rolling up his sleeves and un-tucking his shirt.
He'd prefer a punching bag, but given the fog and the freezing temperatures the single running machine would just have to do. Dialling up its most strenuous programme, he started to run and run, feeling the sweat build up between his shoulder blades and under his armpits, running down his brow until his eyes stung with tears and his muscles protested.
God, he hated Christmas and Halloween and Thanksgiving and pretty much any holiday really where you were supposed to play happy families. That thought pushed him onwards, willing his body into ever-greater exertions as he forced his mind to forget, deliberately trying to lose himself in the relentless, repetitive, effort. Shoulders aching now, legs burning, back and chest soaked with sweat and still he could remember every single moment of every Christmas he wanted to forget. Striding forward with renewed effort he tried to force himself into oblivion.
"DiNozzo!" Gibbs best parade ground bellow jerked him back to awareness. "I said that's enough!"
