Thank you to those who reviewed - this is for you! I don't know if there will be more chapters, but I did so enjoy writing this one! If you like it, then post a review, and who knows what might happen!
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He wasn't the best choice for the undercover operation, but the suspects expected to meet a man in his mid 50s and no amount of hair dye and makeup could guarantee that DiNozzo would pass inspection.
So it fell to Gibbs to infiltrate the dark and dangerous world of the spring/summer haute couture menswear collections.
The navy had developed a superlight, super tough fabric of manmade spider silk, remarkable for its toughness, strength, lightness and biodegradability. Quantities of the valuable material were going missing and NCIS suspected that it was being sold to clothing manufacturers.
Gibbs was going undercover as an executive from a high end men's suit emporium. He had arranged a meeting with a possible supplier that night. It would be their first face to face meeting.
"But Director," DiNozzo protested, one hand waving vaguely in the team leader's direction, "he can't meet them in that ..."
DiNozzo's voice trailed off in the face of Gibbs' glare, but he was right. There was no way in hell Gibbs' Sears 06/07 ensemble was going to pass muster.
"I never thought I'd say this," Jenny conceded, pulling a credit card out of her pocket, "but Tony, take him shopping."
As she turned on her Jimmy Choo heel, DiNozzo silently pumped a fist into the air.
"And Tony," she continued without turning, as the pump was quickly converted into a stretch, "you're going to the meet as his assistant." She didn't need to look back to know how Tony would react to that news, but there was more to come. "One new shirt and one new tie - that's all you get."
"Yes Ma'am!" he promised her retreating figure, his grin growing ever wider.
Gibbs was still glaring at him, but nothing could wipe the smile from the young man's face. "Boss," he said, stepping forward and wrapping an arm around the team leader's shoulders, "we're going shopping!"
Gibbs continued to glare. "It's a mission, Tony! Not a bad reality tv show!"
"Right Boss, right," Tony reassured him, winding back his smile a notch and dropping his arm.
Grabbing their gear, they headed from the bullpen. Just as the lift doors closed, Tony's voice floated back to the rest of the team.
"Boss, have you ever heard of "manscaping"?
***
It was 4 hours before they returned and McGee and Ziva were checking their watches. The meet was in less than 2 hours, and the only contact they had had with Tony and Gibbs was when Tony phoned and asked Ziva to bring the free-standing full length mirror from the women's locker room to the bullpen. She did not even ask how he knew there was a free-standing full length mirror in the women's locker room.
When they returned, each man carried a suitbag and Tony literally bounced with excitement.
"Ziva, McGee," he called on setting foot in the bullpen, "do you want to see what we bought? Of course you do. Gibbs, go put the suit on. Go on, go on."
To the amazement of the other team members, Gibbs simply chuckled, turned on his heel and headed to the men's room.
McGee and Ziva exchanged a glance and McGee immediately despatched a coded email. Tony occupied himself by removing a plain white shirt and pale green tie from his bag and hanging them on a wooden hangar in his cupboard.
Abby and Ducky arrived at the bullpen before Gibbs did.
"We ... um , we...," Abby stumbled to explain their presence, but was saved by the director descending majestically down the stairs.
"I see you're back, DiNozzo," she commented. "Where is Agent Gibbs?"
And, suddenly, there was Agent Gibbs.
He stood silent at the entrance to the bullpen, resplendent in a black suit with a thin, barely visible black-on-black stripe, a white shirt and silver tie. It was just a suit, but what a suit.
Abby gasped, clapping her hands over her mouth. Ziva growled and licked her lips. Jenny just stared, mouth slightly open, eyes wide. And McGee was hit by an explosion of jealousy so powerful that it left spots dancing before his eyes.
After a moment Gibbs strode across the bullpen, Tony at his side. He stood silently before the mirror, his hands clasped before him, gazing critically at his reflection.
"Will it do?" he asked, his eyes flicking towards Tony.
"Oh yes," Jenny murmured. "It'll do."
Tony shot her a sideways glance, one eyebrow momentarily lifting.
"Obviously," Tony responded, "bespoke would be best, but we didn't have the time." His tone was not accusing, just a little regretful. "So we tried European, British and American styling. In the end we went for a British cut."
"Good choice," Ducky commented approvingly.
"Thanks Ducky," Tony acknowledged. "We chose one with very little shoulder padding. After all, its not like he needs any help there." He ran his eyes across Gibbs' form and smiled appreciatively before continuing.
"So we have a nipped waist, a single vent – a more American touch - and flapped pockets. But the fabric is pure Italian. We've gone for the highest quality, a Super 200 worsted wool. It has the most luxurious feel and it's so light, it's like being naked." His eyes softened dreamily, before he blinked. "But naked in a good way. Not in a naked away." He moved on. "And obviously, we have gone for full canvas."
He looked around, expecting a response, and the team nodded and murmured as if they understood.
Tony stepped up to stand behind Gibbs, who rolled his shoulders slightly and turned his head, feeling the stretch of the fabric.
By this time, every agent on the floor and every woman in the building had assembled in or near the bullpen.
"Look at the fit of these trousers," Tony enthused. "The waistline is perfect." To his audience's alarm he stepped closer behind Gibbs, slid a hand around his waist and stuck two fingers inside the trouser's waistband. But Gibbs simply shot Tony a brief look over his shoulder and smirked. "And no pleats – not needed when you're in such good shape, Boss." He withdrew the offending fingers and gestured downwards. "And the trouser breaks perfectly over the laces of his Tanino Crisco shoes. We could have gone for cuffed trousers, because he's tall enough, but I thought it might be gilding the lily."
Tony stepped back slightly. "Shoot your cuffs for me, Boss," he requested with a smug grin.
Gibbs rolled his eyes, but he did as ordered, giving each white shirt cuff a quick tug.
"A plain white Edward Stripe shirt," Tony commented, "and one for me too." His eyes flicked towards the director, teasing. "You can never go wrong with a good quality white shirt."
"The sleeve length on the jacket is perfect," Tony pointed out. "The cuff just reaches the base of the thumb, so you can see around half an inch of shirt sleeve. So classy. So Bond."
Ziva glanced around and realised that the young agent beside her was taking notes.
Tony again stepped up behind Gibbs, gently resting his hands on his waist. After a moment, he slid his hands forward, wrapping the team leader in a loose embrace. McGee's eyes widened and he glanced at the director, whose mouth was set in a firm, closed line. Her eyes were fixed on Tony, her nostrils flaring.
But if he was aware of the ice cracking beneath his feet, Tony ignored it. He moved his hands lightly as they did up the middle button on the jacket, appearing for a moment to caress Gibbs' Super 200, before floating back to rest again on Gibbs' waist. There were those present who, discussing the incident later in the cafeteria, claimed that Gibbs leant slightly back to touch against Tony's broad chest, but Ziva and McGee vehemently denied it, as did the director.
"Of course, its single breasted, 3 buttoned jacket," Tony continued, "double breasted would be over the top and only too skinny guys wear 4 buttoned. This is a classic, and you're a classic guy Boss." Gibbs did not respond, but the corner of his mouth twitched in another slight smile. "The jacket fits really well across your stomach, and it has a nice curve on the waist to give a good body shape, making the shoulders look even wider. And the vent makes it sit perfectly over the butt."
Tony breathed out a satisfied sigh. "It's perfect," he purred.
The assembled crowd shared a moment of silent appreciation of the beauty of Gibbs and the suit.
"What do you think of this tie, Tony?" Gibbs asked calmly. "Should I wear this silver Charvet, or the patterned Zegna?"
Tony paused and stepped back. Reaching into the suit bag he withdrew another tie, a pale blue background with an occasional darker blue paisley randomly placed down its length. He reached around from behind Gibbs, and held it up so it hung from Gibbs' collar over the existing tie. Then he dropped his wrist, moving the tie away to expose the silver tie. Then he put it back. Then he took it away. Gibbs stood motionless and silent, allowing the maestro to work his magic.
"The Charvet," Tony announced decided. "Powerful. Confident. And it makes your eyes really pop."
"Oh yeah," Abby breathed. "It so does."
"Whatever you say, Tony," Gibbs acquiesced, glancing over his shoulder at the younger man and giving him a small smile. Tony returned the smile, his arms still encircling the team leader's shoulders.
"Ready, Boss?" he asked softly.
"Never been more ready, Tony."
I think we're all pretty much ready, Ziva thought weakly.
Tony stepped back towards his desk, but Gibbs remained standing in front of the mirror.
"Do you remember the spiel, Boss?" Tony asked, stripping off his shirt and reaching for the new one on the hanger.
Gibbs was silent, and whether he was looking at his own reflection or that of his senior agent, no-one could say.
"Gibbs?" Tony prompted.
Gibbs started, turned and began to speak. "This season we are looking at hyper-tailored jackets, nipped at the waist, and narrow trousers with small cuffs. As for fabrics, we're moving from a sober gray-flannel to a celebration of sheen and colour, mainly monochromes but ranging from pale pastels to purple, teal, and a fiery, orangey red."
Ziva's mouth dropped open.
"And?" Tony pressed.
"And I'm thinking white for summer – a fresh change after those autumnal shades of rust and burgundy."
"Atta boy," Tony said warmly.
****
The mission was a success. There were a few tense moments but Gibbs passed muster. They inspected the material and were able to get the suppliers talking, finally extracting enough information to confirm that they were looking at the stolen navy supplies. The arrests were trouble-free – the suppliers were so taken aback by the fact that their spectacularly dressed new customer was a federal agent that they put up little resistance.
Back at headquarters, Tony and Gibbs spent a few minutes updating the director. As they descended to the bullpen, Tony's voice could be heard.
"But Boss, I can't believe I did that. We could have been killed. All because of my stupid mistake. I mean, Boss, if they had seen those balls....."
"They didn't see the balls, Tony. Stop harping on about it."
There was a moment silence as both men settled at their desks.
McGee closed his eyes before speaking. "I know I am going to regret asking this, but...."
"When Gibbs bent down to look at the material," Tony explained, "his trouser leg rode up and you could see his socks. And they had those balls on them. Those nasty balls that cheap socks get after a few wears. No man in that suit would wear socks with balls; it could have blown our cover. I didn't think of it. I forgot to buy him socks and...."
"Tony!" Gibbs interrupted. "You were the only person who saw the balls. Forget the balls!"
Tony was silent for a moment. Then he stood and walked over to Gibbs' desk. "I can't Boss, I just can't," he confessed. "But I know what I need to do. I need to make it right."
Gibbs stood up from his desk and moved to stand directly in front of his senior agent. "How are you going to do that, Tony?" he asked calmly.
"It's obvious," Tony announced. "Tomorrow. You and me. And socks."
"Socks?" Gibbs asked. "You and me?"
"Yeah, Boss," Tony replied firmly, tapping a gentle finger against Gibbs' chest. "Tomorrow. You and me," he promised. "And mind blowingly good socks."