Tony: Boss my gut tells me she was having an affair with a married man…

--

"Good work today DiNozzo." Gibbs offered as he passed his Senior Agents desk; hoping he wouldn't come running after him. He was wrong.

"Gee boss, thanks." Tony appeared at Gibbs left only seconds after the compliment and started to walk along side him. "But I was wrong; thought the Admiral was involved, he wasn't…"

"That Admiral's dirty one way or another; your gut wasn't too far off."

Tony agreed, but was still confused. "But you pegged the Senator…"

Gibbs stopped and threw his arms up. "Geez DiNozzo…just take a compliment will ya?" He continued to walk; his stare conveying that Tony not follow. But after all; Tony was a little rusty on reading his stares.

"Sorry boss, I uh, guess I'm just a little…I don't know…"

Gibbs didn't give him a chance to find the right word. "Your gut was right. I should've suspected Pat all along. I didn't. So just take the damn compliment and stop following me…"

Tony stopped for a moment and let Gibbs get a few feet away before responding. "Sometimes deep feelings can cloud our judgment…no shame in that." He watched as Gibbs slowly turned around and remained silent. "And I'm gonna go back to my desk now."

Gibbs contemplated for a few seconds before calling him back. "Except there is shame DiNozzo…we make mistakes like I did and killers go free. Remember that."

"Noted boss." He started back towards his desk a second time, a small smile appearing on his face. Somehow Gibbs is always right; even when he's wrong.