Disclaimer: I own nothing but a few DVDs.

A/N: A very big Thank You goes to my wonderful beta Arress. She does a really great job. Without her this story would be really awkward to read at times.

A/N 2: Also a great Thank You for your reviews and to everyone who follows or clicked favorite. You are great. To all of you who reviewed anonymous: I really would have loved to say thanks properly and answer you, but I can't. So thanks to you, too.

Warnings: This chapter contains slight character bashing. So if you really love Kate, please skip this and maybe the next two chapters. But bear in mind, this story isn't about bashing Kate but about Tony's confidence, so she will live. Gibbs and Tony are OOC. There will be slash in later chapters, so if this offends you, please don't read any further.

I really like feedback, so please tell me what you think. Thanks ;)

Chapter 6

With ten minutes to spare Kate went to Conference Room One, still very deep in thought about Tony's order and her reaction to it. She actually followed it. How could a dumb jock make her follow orders to begin with? Maybe she should have a talk with Gibbs about how impossible Tony acted towards her. Her thoughts were rudely interrupted by the man himself.

"Hey, Kate, are you going to go in there or just stand in the doorway until Gibbs shows up?" Tony thought of himself as a patient person, but after five minutes he couldn't wait any longer and had to say something.

After Kate's almost inaudible answer, they both went into the room and sat down. Kate was already lost in her thoughts again and didn't see Tony's face.

Tony could barely hide his strain. He didn't believe Kate thought he could hear her, but with his exceptional hearing he could. He actually wished he hadn't. This most recent encounter again revealed just why this week was necessary.

When Gibbs entered the conference room right on time, he discovered the rather dull mood his team was in. After one look at Tony, he didn't have to ask what happened. For just one second he asked himself if it was worth the effort, but he blocked this line of thinking and went on to get a cup of coffee from the coffee maker, which he had set to brew to his taste half an hour earlier.

After he had what he wanted, he sat down and waited. When nothing happen for a few moments, first Tony and then Kate looked up.

Tony was the first to speak. "Boss, what are we waiting for?"

"I asked one more person to join us. He'll be here soon."

"And who would…" The opening door interrupted Tony and a rather frightened McGee entered the room and took a seat on the chair farthest away from Gibbs.

"McGee, what are you doing here?" If Tony had not been so curious about why the agent was there in the first place, he would have thought that the distressed expression he saw on McGee's face was funny.

"I … I don't know, Tony … I mean, Agent DiNozzo … sir."

The last word earned him a disbelieving look from Kate, but he ignored it and tried his best to appear invisible to Gibbs' stern look.

"Well, McGee, maybe I can help with that. We're here to learn about the changes I'm making within the team. You've already worked with us and will probably work with us again, so you need to know about the changes, too."

After hearing that, McGee was very relieved because he realized he hadn't done anything to offend the intimidating man.

Meanwhile, Kate's mind worked on high speed as she processed what she had heard. What changes did Gibbs mean? Was there a chance? Would he really make her his new SFA? Her probation period was over two months ago and she already had a few chances to show Gibbs her superior skills. Maybe he was finally sick of Tony and his obnoxious behavior and planned to get rid of him. Kate was so far gone, she almost didn't hear what Gibbs said next.

"In the last few months I and some other agents have noticed a change in mood and behavior within our team; changes which I especially don't like. It went as far as insubordination, and that's something I can't accept or overlook." He turned his attention to the most junior agent present. "McGee, do you know the chain of command this team has to follow?"

McGee swallowed audibly and went on to explain. "Yes, Agent Gibbs. Well, you are the SSA, Tony … I mean Agent DiNozzo is the SFA and Agent Todd is the junior agent. You don't have a probationary agent." With a slight gesture Gibbs told him to go on.

"You tell your agents what to do and they do it. If you are not present, your SFA is in charge. Agent Todd and every probie or agent-on-loan has to follow your or Agent DiNozzo's orders."

During McGee's explanation, Gibbs observed Kate. Her expression changed from mildly interested to disbelieving to irritated with every word McGee said.

"Kate, you seem to be rather bemused. You had to learn this in your FLETC training. So, why are you so irritated?" Gibbs wanted to know.

"Oh, come on, Gibbs. I know you call the shots and we have to follow your orders, but Tony in charge? That's a disaster waiting to happen. You can't expect me to do anything he says. No offence, Tony, but you are not a decent enough agent to know what the right thing to do is at times."

The silence was deafening following Kate's words. The feelings of the other agents went from over-impressed fascination from McGee because of the courage it took to speak to Gibbs like that, to disbelieving hurt from Tony, to barely contained anger from Gibbs.

Seeing the looks on the men's faces, Kate continued, "What? Gibbs, you can't possibly think he does a good job. You have to reprimand him every day just to get him to do his job, so you certainly can't expect us to follow his orders. We would end up in the gutter."

When he heard Kate's words, Tony became almost as white as a ghost. He stood suddenly and left the room. By the time he was gone, Gibbs really wanted to throttle Kate for the things she had said, but the need to make sure Tony was alright took precedence.

"Of all the stupid things you could have said, it had to be that. We'll speak about it, Kate. You two stay right here." With that, Gibbs went to search for Tony.

When the door closed, McGee looked at Kate and pondered over his wish to say something. The slight anger he felt ever since Kate told Tony he wasn't a good agent won.

"You know, Kate, you shouldn't have said that. Maybe I don't work regularly with this team, but on the occasions I have, Tony showed that he's very good at what he does." The annoyed look he got for his words angered him more, and he began to wonder just why Kate was on the team in the first place.

"What do you know about the daily things that happen on the team? You aren't even a probie yet. Do you really think you have the right to say anything?" With that, Kate got up to grab a cup of coffee for herself.

McGee, however, was shocked about the tongue lashing he got from her. He wouldn't have thought Kate capable of such unfair behavior. He almost regretted his decision to say something, but he just couldn't forget the look on Tony's face as he left the room.

Meanwhile, Gibbs didn't have to search long. He found Tony a few feet away from the conference room door slumped down against the wall.

"Tony?" When he didn't get a response, he tried again. "Hey, Tony! Come on, speak to me!"

After a moment Tony looked up. For the first time in a very long time Gibbs had to try not to cringe. Tony's gaze was murderous. Where Gibbs thought he would find unbearable hurt, he found impotent anger.

"Tell me, Gibbs, what did I do to that person to deserve such treatment? Has she spoken with my father? He said the exact same thing the day he disowned me. How dare she speak to me like that! I didn't get this far in life just so Todd can ruin it. No way in hell will I let that happen!"

Almost as if he was trying to force Gibbs to understand him, Tony looked him straight in the eyes.

"When we go back in there again, I have to speak, Gibbs. I won't tolerate it any longer. She'll get one last chance and if she doesn't use it wisely, she has to go. You have to decide if you want this, Gibbs. I will not get overruled again. For you, that means no more head slaps in front of subordinate agents. Do you understand me? You'll have to treat me as your SFA at all times when we are on the clock."

For just one small moment, Gibbs looked at Tony. Never in all the time they'd known each other had he seen such determination in his friend. He almost regretted that this hadn't happened sooner. Kate didn't know it yet, but she was in for a hell of a ride. With that in mind, he answered in the most honest way he could muster.

"I'll have your six as you always have mine, Tony. We'll go through this shit together. If I have to let the head slaps go, then so be it."

For a moment he let it sink into Tony that he would stand behind him. Then he continued.

"Let's talk about how to handle the situation at hand. I know you want to speak up and I promise you that you'll get your chance, but first I'd like to hear what else Kate has to say. I think her angry thoughts have been simmering for a long time and now she can't contain them any longer. If there's more, we have to know it now, otherwise this whole shebang will be for nothing. Can you stay calm in there, or do you want half an hour before you join us again? I can give you a heads up afterwards, if you decide to wait."

Tony thought about it for a few seconds. He did know it would hurt like hell if Kate had more to say, and he had to face it, there had to be more. On the other hand, would he want to wait and show weakness again? Could he stay calm? He didn't think so, but he had to try.

"I'll come with you right now. If I can't take it any longer, I'll leave to keep myself from shooting her. Is that okay?"

Gibbs was really glad to hear that. He didn't want to exclude Tony in the first place and now he didn't have to.

"That's more than okay, Tony. So, let's get over with it."

With that they went back into the conference room to get started on making things right again.

TBC