TONY

Tony wriggled his shoulders around in yet another uncomfortable waiter's uniform, wondering how he'd ended up getting the short end of the stick on this particular undercover op. Sure, he hadn't minded being the senior agent in the office, and while he'd been careful to stick to the letter of the law concerning not making McGee call him boss, he'd flouted the spirit of it with impunity, and he'd certainly enjoyed exercising this little piece of authority. He denied it whenever Abby accused him of turning into Gibbs, but secretly he kinda enjoyed swilling coffee, thwacking heads and demanding answers now and then. Becoming more like Gibbs might not do wonders for his social life, but there were worse things that could happen to a Special Agent.

Being disguised as a waiter, though? That really sucked. Especially when Gibbs got to be the rich playboy, wining and dining Kate, who'd looked progressively more stunning in a succession of spectacular outfits. He'd happily leer at Kate in NCIS overalls or rappelling gear, it wasn't as if she exactly looked bad on a day to day basis, but wrapped in designer silk? Mm-mm-mm. He'd seen a whole new side to his partner, and he'd enjoyed it. A lot.

Almost as if he'd conjured her up, Kate appeared round the corner in a dress that made him choke on his coffee. They were spending a few days at the swanky mansion their mark called home, having secured a last minute invite, and he'd expected her to be in something a little more casual than the evening wear she'd been sporting to the balls and parties she and Gibbs had been frequenting, but he'd never thought to see the buttoned up Caitlin Todd in the kind of black spaghetti strap minidress that should surely be borderline illegal.

He'd always suspected she had great legs, even though she always wore such disappointingly modest outfits to work, but the reality was a hundred times better than he'd imagined. He silently blessed Cassie for her excellent taste in clothes, and Abby for her magic powers of persuasion.

"Wrrrowl, Kitty Kat, looking hawt!"

Unexpectedly, Kate rewarded him with a smile, even giving him a little-girl twirl to show off her dress, but he had only moments to enjoy it before a hand connected with the back of his head hard enough he felt like there should be cartoon birds circling him and tweeting.

"DiNozzo!" Gibbs' bark was so forceful and so menacing, his expression so dark, that Tony backed away three steps without even thinking about it. He'd never seen the boss look quite this angry, even when he'd teased Kate about her wet t shirt win, and it was a little like suddenly finding himself face to face with a hungry and extremely pissed off Siberian tiger.

He steeled himself for the inevitable explosion, but then had the satisfaction of seeing his boss catch sight of Kate and lose his power of speech. He swallowed the cheeky grin and off colour comment that would most likely earn him another head slap, but he threw a wink Kate's way and enjoyed the pink that flushed her cheeks even as her smile widened.

Kate's expression was equal parts pleased and embarrassed, with the tiniest splash of smug thrown in. She usually kept her playful side under wraps, but today it was at full throttle. When McGee rounded the corner and stopped dead, his eyes bugging out to practically twice their usual size, the shy smile turned full on triumphant.

Gibbs cleared his throat but his voice definitely sounded a little strained. "Uh, yeah, so Kate, all your... stuff... is sorted?"

Kate nodded, still blushing a little and still grinning a lot. "Yup. Abby packed me a couple of cases, and there are a few evening dresses in garment bags." She giggled. "I have everything I need and probably a few things I don't need..."

It was Gibbs' turn to choke on his coffee, and Tony stifled a snigger. He was pretty jealous that Gibbs was gonna spend three days and nights with Kate, but given her former life as a presidential bodyguard, and Abby's... interesting notions as to what Kate might require... Well, maybe he was safer as a waiter.

"So, I'm going to go and sort out a few things before we head out, I'll be back in 30," Kate announced, and walked off towards the elevator. Well actually, Tony thought, strutted might be a better word, especially given the coquettish glance she threw over her shoulder. Leaving three federal agents drooling had obviously given her a much deserved confidence boost. The fact they all stood there gawping like idiots till the doors swooshed closed on her laughter probably didn't hurt, either. Once she'd disappeared and he was able to actually notice his surroundings, he realised it was by no means only their team who'd had their heads turned.

"Looks like being an interesting few days, Boss," he said with a grin, then flinched as Gibbs glared at him, ducking away from the expected headslap.

Gibbs just glowered, and Tony decided that rediscovering his professional side would be a good survival trait at this point.

"We have surveillance set up just in case anything goes, you know, hinky, there are bugs for you guys to place, and we'll be recording all your conversations just in case one of the guests mentions anything they shouldn't." He smiled as winningly as he knew how.

Gibbs nodded curtly, and turned to McGee, who'd apparently taken a little longer to recover from the sight of Kate's legs.

He had to repeat Tim's name twice before he got a response, and then McGee fell over himself explaining and apologising.

Eventually he cut the probie off, grabbed his sidearm from his desk, and growled "Just do your damn jobs."

"Yes Boss."

"Absolutely, Boss."

"We won't let you down."

"I know you won't, 'cause if you do, I'll shoot you."

McGee looked genuinely scared, and Tony laughed, only to be jolted back into silence seconds later when Gibbs clapped him round the back of the head once more.

"It's no fun if you see it coming," he said with a grin as he strode away.