Chapter 4

Tony slid into the seat of the truck, "Thanks so much for the ride."

Jackson smiled, "Of course… I'll just put it on your tab."

Tony sighed, "Are we really keeping count?"

Jackson shrugged, "I don't see why not… how else am I going to collect?"

Tony thought for a minute, "What are you even going to collect?"

Jackson shrugged again, "I'll figure something out."

Tony laughed as Jackson gunned the engine and shot out of the parking lot. Tony looked back, he had an uneasy feeling someone was watching him. Jackson saw him look, "Something wrong?"

Tony sighed, "I dunno. Just had a weird feeling I was being watched… never mind. I am so glad today's over! I've been having a hard time with Gibbs."

Jackson sighed, "He always hated it here. So it's no wonder he is even grumpier when he has to come back."

Tony shook his head, "He's actually happy to be back for once."

Jackson cocked an eyebrow, "Really? What's he done now?"

Tony sighed, "Apparently he met one of his old marine buddies… one Tray Young. You heard of him?"

Jackson sighed heavily, "And so it begins. That man was one of the worst influences on Leroy."

Tony cocked his head, this was new, "What did he do?"

Jackson chuckled, "What didn't he do? Fights, smoking, drinking, even got arrested one time, something about beating up his girlfriend."

Tony sighed, "Great… I have a criminal working with my boss… just great. Did I mention he doesn't like me?"

Jackson laughed, "I wouldn't take it personally… he really doesn't like anyone."

Tony sighed with relief, "Good for a second there… I thought I should be worried!"

Jackson gave him a mischievous grin, as they pulled into the driveway, "But you do manage to irritate everyone you meet."

Tony glared, "I liked you better about a few seconds ago.

Tray stood in front of his window. Staring out it, he could see the entire office. His team wasn't doing anything but wasting space, useless animals. The other teams were busy working on their reports, and the NCIS team was going through the files they had on the victim. Tray kept his eyes trained on the annoying SFA.

That man was grating on his last nerve, not only was he wasting space, he was stealing time from Gibbs that could be his! Ah, Gibbs. That was a man Tray could appreciate, he just wanted to be his friend and be the person he would go to. Not that sorry excuse of an agent!

Tray though back to the argument he had with Gibbs the previous night.

/FLASHBACK START/

Tray sat across from the man who was once his best friend. The two other agents had already gone to bed. A few hours before they were allowed to leave, Tray had opened his house for the team. Well accept for the annoying SFA, but what Gibbs didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

Gibbs looked at his watch, "Where's DiNozzo?"

Tray shrugged, "I invited him. He just sneered and told me he already had plans with your dad."

Gibbs's eyes narrowed and Tray smirked to himself, this would be too easy, "So Jethro, head of NCIS's MCRT team! That's pretty major."

Gibbs nodded, "I guess it is. What about you? Lead detective of homicide, that's pretty major too."

Tray laughed, "Oh, it's an honor alright! Tell me about your agents."

Gibbs smiled softly, Tray cocked his head. He had never seen Gibbs smile like that, "They are some of the best people I could hope to have in my life."

Tray frowned a bit, "You seem to really like them."

Gibbs nodded, "They're my family. They've helped me through a lot, over the past ten years."

Tray felt a hint of jealousy; he didn't like Gibbs being friendly with anyone but him. He pushed it down, "I can see your two younger agents fit that, but what about the incompetent SFA? I mean… how he still has a job, let alone the senior field agent position is beyond me. Either you felt sorry for him, or he's been around the longest. If you ask me, you should just can him."

Gibbs's eyes narrowed and hardened, "But I didn't ask you. I will not have you talk about my SFA like that."

Tray cocked his head, "Why so defensive? I'm just stating the fact…" Tray started.

Gibbs leaned forward and cut him off with a glare, "That man is one of the best agents I have ever seen. Better than Tim and Ziva combined. He is remarkably kind, and will gladly give his life to protect the ones he loves. He has done so repeatedly, and has always had my six… even when I haven't had his. I won't have him insulted, not even by you."

Tray held up his hands in surrender, "Sounds like you're protective of him."

Gibb smirked, "Like I would admit it."

Tray plastered on a fake smile, trying to hid the internal rage. That stupid brat was taking Gibbs from him! He stood and yawned, he told Gibbs good night, and slipped into his room, seething.

/END FLASHBACK/

Tray started to pace and kept his eyes on DiNozzo, Studying every inch of him. He would make DiNozzo pay for interfering with his and Gibbs friendship… if only he knew how?

Tray grinned wolfishly, the glimpse of a plan coming together.

Tony frowned as he watched Gibbs approach him. He had his interrogation face on.

Tony sighed; well there goes your day DiNozzo! You just got here and you've already ticked him off.

Why are you so mean to me!

You're the one talking to yourself.

How does that make any sense?!

Does it make any more sense then you talking to yourself?

Will you shut up me?!

No. You never shut up… remember all the times Gibbs has told you to?

… Yes.

Then I guess I won't shut up.

Sometimes I hate you… I mean me… no… wait.

Don't hurt yourself.

Tony blinked and didn't realize Gibbs was speaking, "… telling me what you were doing with my dad last night?"

Tony shook his head, "Sleeping with him." Tony's eyes widened with what he just said.

Smooth DiNozzo. Tony shook his head, "That is so not what I meant boss! I swear!"

"So what did you mean DiNozzo?" he growled.

Tony sighed, "I didn't know where you guys were staying so, I called Jackson to ask him to pick me up… seeing as I had no car."

Gibbs narrowed his eyes, "DiNozzo, if you're gonna lie… at least make it convincing."

Tony cocked his head, "I wasn't aware it was lie boss."

"Tray invited us to his house and told me he invited you, but you refused." Gibbs growled again.

Tony grimaced, Tray really was smooth, "Look boss. He never asked me to go to his house."

Gibb shook his head, "Whatever DiNozzo. Just stay away from my dad." With that he turned and stalked off, Tony looked over and found Ziva and McGee snickering at him. He glared at them before turning back to his computer.

He got back to reading the records he was going through before his conversation with Gibbs. He searched through the records of Tray's military history. He didn't know what he was looking for, but something didn't sit right with Tray. Tony was determined to find out why his gut was going haywire.

He reached a file that said classified, he hacked into and his eyes widened at what he found.

"What the…?" Tony whispered, "So this is what he was hiding."