Tony got out of his car on unsteady feet. He looked over to Kate and McGee, sharing a sympathetic look with them. Gibbs had driven back, and Tony had almost killed himself trying to keep up. Gibbs was looking far too smug at the effect he was having on his team. Even Stan was looking a little green around the gills, and he'd brought the SUV back alone. Gibbs swept past everyone to the elevator, and Tony couldn't help marvelling at the prowess of the man. Giving himself a mental shake, Tony caught up at the elevator, just in time for the doors closing. The ride up was quiet, and Tony was overcome with the urge to laugh at how Gibbs was trying not to look at him, and the rest of the team were on best-behaviour because of Gibbs.
When they got to the bullpen, everyone filed out and got straight to work. Tony took the opportunity to look around. The place was huge! Baltimore PD would fit into this one room about five times, Tony guessed. It took a moment to feel it, but soon Tony noticed eyes on him. Looking up, he saw Gibbs all but staring at him. With a smile, Tony moved into the space and stopped in front of Gibbs' desk.
"Where do you want me, Agent Gibbs?" He asked with a smirk; knowing the words would get to Jethro. Gibbs stared for a few seconds before rounding his desk and heading towards the elevator.
"We're going to see Abby," Gibbs mumbled, and Tony hurried to catch up.
The doors to the elevator were barely closed before Gibbs hit the emergency switch. Tony was a little shocked and looked over at Gibbs carefully.
"Stop it." Gibbs said shortly. Tony turned towards Gibbs.
"Stop what?" He asked, genuinely confused.
"The flirting, the smiling, I just…" Gibbs sighed heavily and looked away.
"It's hard for you," Tony supplied. "Having someone from your past reappear like this. Someone you cared about." Gibbs looked up, and Tony's heart stopped at the look in his eyes.
"It's not past tense, Tony. I still…" It wasn't like Gibbs to be so lost for words, and Tony was a little scared by it. Carefully he took a step towards Gibbs.
"I'll stop," He offered. "The smiles, the looks; I promise, I'll be nothing but professional, ok? You won't have to deal with Tony. Just detective DiNozzo." Tony pulled himself up, giving Gibbs his most sincere look. It was a surprise when Gibbs backed him against the wall of the elevator. They stood for a moment; toe to toe with barely a breath separating them. Tony didn't know what to say, and apparently Gibbs didn't want to speak. His eyes closed momentarily, taking in the scent of Tony; sparking off memories long buried.
"Ok," Tony whispered after a moment. "If you want me to stop, you have to stop too." There was a smirk on his lips, but Gibbs could see the desperation in his eyes.
"Not sure I can," Gibbs admitted softly. This caused Tony to smile.
"Well then just kiss me and get it over with." Gibbs pressed closer, one hand moving to Tony's hip. The younger man gasped; eyes falling closed, and Gibbs smirked proudly. After all these years, he still remembered Tony's hotspot. The shrill sound of Gibbs' phone ringing broke the moment, and Tony opened his eyes as Gibbs moved away.
"Yeah, Gibbs," Tony could hear the weariness in his tone. "I'm on my way Abs." Gibbs hung up and turned towards Tony.
"It's ok," Tony spoke before Gibbs, giving the man an easy out. "We have work to do." Gibbs watched Tony for a moment before flipping the emergency stop.
"My place, tonight," Gibbs said softly, still looking at Tony. "Bring beer. We'll talk." Tony nodded, and Gibbs turned back in time for the doors opening.
(~*~*~)
"GibbsGibbsGibbsGibbsGibbs!" The man in question was almost bowled over by a swirl of gothic clothes and nervous energy.
"Abby!" Gibbs grabbed hold of the girl's arms and she smiled up at him. "Take a breath. What is it?" Abby opened her mouth to speak, but stopped when she saw Tony.
"Who's he?" She asked, her voice taking on an icy edge. Gibbs let Abby go and turned to Tony.
"This is Detective DiNozzo of Baltimore P.D"
"Call me Tony," Tony smiled, but Abby was eyeing him suspiciously.
"What, they don't trust us?" She asked to Gibbs, but didn't turn from Tony.
"Actually I brought him here," Gibbs explained, turning Abby back towards her computers. She understood that was all the explanation she would get. "What've you got?"
"Not much," Abby answered with a sigh. "Ducky pulled the bullet. It's a .38, but it's too deformed for me to do anything with it. No gunpowder around the wound. I pulled trace from the lipstick on our Petty Officer's mouth, but there's no DNA on it. Either it just degraded, or there wasn't a woman at the end of that smudge."
"Which means?" Gibbs asked, eyebrow raised a little. Abby just shrugged, but Tony stepped forward.
"May I?" He asked Abby, who smiled and nodded. Gibbs knew what Tony was doing by asking Abby's permission. This was her domain, and Gibbs had no say here; they all knew that.
"Is it possible your marine was at a party?" Gibbs looked confused, but Abby seemed to be cottoning on. "A few months ago a buddy of mine got married. We threw him a bachelor party; took him to this club downtown. They have a drink called the Maiden's Kiss. Terrible drink; tequila mixed with something and a side of death." Abby laughed at this, and Tony couldn't help smiling. Gibbs' 'get on with it' look made him focus.
"The point is, they rim the glasses with lipstick. It's part of the gimmick."
"So you're thinking he was at that club last night, and that's where he picked up the lipstick?" Abby asked. Tony shrugged.
"Could be."
"Nice work Detective DiNozzo," Abby said appreciatively, and even Gibbs was hiding a smile.
"Abby, get me the address and owner's information on that bar. DiNozzo, you're with me." Gibbs swept out of the lab, Abby calling behind him.
"Hey! Where's my Caf-Pow?" Gibbs stopped and looked back at her.
"Looks like you've had enough for one day Abs," He offered a small smile. "I'll get you a double tomorrow." Abby pouted, but Gibbs just smirked and walked away. Tony followed along, shooting a sympathetic look towards Abby.
Inside the elevator, Tony couldn't help fidgeting. He wanted to stop the car and finish what Jethro had started, but he knew better. Now was the time to be professional, they could talk later. As soon as the elevator stopped, Tony stepped out. He couldn't wait for Gibbs to go first like a guest really should and, looking back at the older man, he seemed to understand this.
"Sit-Rep!" Gibbs all but shouted as soon as they got to the bullpen. Stan and Kate both stood immediately, rounding their desks and stopping in front of the plasma. Gibbs looked over to McGee's desk, where the young man was still typing furiously.
"McGee!" Tim looked up with a start. "Sometime today?" McGee nodded jerkily and stood to follow the others. With everyone assembled, Stan started the presentation.
"Petty Officer Bill Weathers," He started, pressing the remote in his hand. The man's whole file began to appear on the screen in front of them. "Age: 32. Been in the Marine Corps since he was 18, career military. His father was Navy, uncle was Army. Mother died last year from cancer. He didn't take the bereavement leave." Kate took the clicker at this point and read from her own case file.
"Weathers just finished up a tour. He was on a week's leave before shipping out again as a weapon's consultant. The man has more weapons medals than he does uniform to pin them on. The Eisenhower was going to be his last ship-out. According to his CO he was being poached."
"Poached?" Tony asked. Kate turned to him to explain.
"The naval base is always looking for enlisted men who are good enough to teach. Weathers was, by all accounts, the best active serviceman with a weapon. Any weapon. It was his specialty." Tony nodded his understanding and they both turned back to the screen. Gibbs now looked expectantly at McGee.
"Uh, I've been looking through his financial records, and there's nothing suspect in them. Steady incomings and outgoings. There was a large withdrawal earlier this month, but that's to be expected." Everyone nodded, except for Gibbs who looked confused. Tony almost laughed out loud.
"Gibbs, it's February." He explained, but Gibbs was still looking at him stupid.
"Valentines day, Gibbs," Kate cut in, before mumbling under her breath. "No wonder you were divorced 3 times." Both Gibbs and Tony caught this and, while Gibbs was glaring at an abashed Kate, Tony was looking at Gibbs with shock. Gibbs caught the look and turned his warning glare on Tony.
"Sooo," Tony continued, pretending he hadn't seen the look. "If there's nothing funny in the money, and there's nobody at work who had a grudge, what did your Marine do to get himself dead?"
"That's a good question DiNozzo," Gibbs said, looking deliberately around the faces of his team. They immediately jumped to find out, and Gibbs was left with Tony looking at him. Silently, he led Tony to a desk at the far side of the room; the one reserved for temporary team members.
"Why don't you help us find out?" He asked, leaning just a little closer than he needed to. Tony couldn't stop the smirk that surfaced.
"Sure thing Boss." Tony could've sworn he heard Gibbs growl under his breath before turning and leaving. Smiling to himself, Tony stepped away from the desk. Wandering around the room, Tony watched Gibbs' team work. Making a quick decision, Tony stepped over to Kate's desk and waited for her to look up.
"Come with me," He smirked. Kate looked at her computer screen before looking back at Tony.
"I can't. Gibbs wants this done…"
"Work smarter, not harder, Katie," Tony smiled widely and put his hand out to her. "Come with me. If I'm right we'll blow this case wide open." Kate hesitated for a second before taking the hand and standing.
"And if you're wrong?" She asked carefully.
"Then I'll sacrifice myself before the altar of Gibbs and you'll be fine." Kate couldn't help smiling and she rounded her desk and followed Tony to the elevators.