"Dinozzo?"
Tony didn't look up. He was standing at the edge of scene, feeling sick of explosions, and holding what was left of his NCIS cap in both hands. The fire had eaten away most of the polyester and scorched the metal grommets.
"Tony?"
"I've been breaking that cap in for two years."
"About time you got a new one," said Gibbs. Ziva or McGee wouldn't have heard the confusion in his voice. Kate wouldn't have either. She was a profiler, but she'd never figured Gibbs out.
Tony wasn't sure if she'd figured him out or not. He thought she probably had, since she'd died laughing at him.
"I loved that cap," he said.
If he'd shot it, like he'd shot his old hat, then at least it would still be wearable. He tried to remember what Kate had said when she'd handed it to him. Something like, "Better start breaking it in now." Or else she'd reminded him to bring the lighter fluid. He'd already forgotten.
He saw Gibbs frown. "The one Kate gave you."
Tony dropped the hat on the ground, with the rest of the debris. He turned to walk away.
"Forget it," he said.