The words were muffled, but the anger in the voices was unmistakable. Tony and Kate stood at the door, barely breathing while they eavesdropped. After a couple of minutes, they caught each other's eye. Tony tipped his head in the direction of the bullpen, Kate nodded in response and they moved quietly away from the room. When they were far enough down the hall Tony grinned down at Kate and spoke softly.

Whatever they're keeping from each other, it certainly isn't passion. They have plenty of that.No kidding! Too bad it's all anger. Kate nodded her head in agreement.

Can you imagine if... Tony paused and looked back at the briefing room. Kate caught his eyes and a very knowing look passed between the couple.

Kate cleared her throat. Listen, something Leah said is bugging me.Just one thing? I found the whole thing disturbing. He looked over at his partner and waited for her to elaborate.

No, something about the day they lost the hostages. It was the way she talked about the FBI team. Kate tried to put her intuitions into words. I know this sounds vague, but I think we should consider checking out that team, Tony.Fine by me. Do we want to tell Gibbs, or should we do this on the sly? They stopped in front of her desk.

I don't know. She sighed, already hating the way this case was fragmenting the team. I would say tell him, because he's our boss, but he was Leah's partner on that case. He was there fifteen years ago, and maybe he should be kept out of the loop for that reason. She turned a confused gaze upward, hoping for his input.

There's the fact that they were both there and could actually help, too. Tony glanced over at McGee as he walked up carrying a laptop and a medium sized case. Think about it. It's not like we're going to get to it for a few hours anyway.

Kate! Good, I'm ready. It didn't take as long to get this stuff as I thought. McGee grabbed up the car keys from his desk and picked up his equipment.

Listen, you two, watch your six. Whoever's been watching Leah will be out there watching you today. Tony spoke to both of them, but his eyes were on Kate. She nodded in response and then followed McGee to the elevator.

He had just sunk into his chair when Gibbs stalked up to his desk. Didn't I give you an assignment, DiNozzo? he snapped.

Guess they didn't resolve anything,' Tony thought. Yeah, Boss. I wanted to ask Leah a couple of questions before I went over to Arlington. I have a plan to finesse the evidence into our hands.

Gibbs' blue eyes bored into the younger man. Last I saw Detective Hecht, she was in the briefing room.Okay, then, I'll just go see if I can find her. Tony slid out from behind his desk and pretended he could not feel the piercing stare following him out of the bullpen.

Gibbs watched Tony leave then looked around at the empty desks. Grateful for the silence, he let out a sigh and tried not to think about the infuriating redhead. After a few futile minutes of work he threw down his pen in disgust and ran a hand over his face. Why did every conversation with her turn into an argument? And to make matters worse, not only did he let his physical attraction to her get out of control, he actually tried to intimidate her with it! What on earth was wrong with him? Realizing how unprofessional his behavior had been, no matter what provocation she gave him, he needed to apologize. They still had to find a way to work together; all the anger between them wouldn't help.

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Tony reached the briefing room to find the door ajar. Peering in, he saw Leah leaning on the table in a posture of defeat. He rapped gently on the door and she jerked her head up, showing reddened eyes.

Wanna talk about it? He came into the room and perched on the table near her.

He's a jackass, I'm an idiot, and life goes on. What can I do for you? She straightened and shook her hair back, blinking several times.

Tony nodded slowly, considering. I came down here because I have an idea on how to get the evidence from Arlington without a fight. I need to know who the smarmiest cop on the case is.Excuse me?Trust me. Who's Detective Disgusting? The one the ladies especially love to hate? Tony grinned at her while she thought.

That would have to be Bronski. She gave a mock shudder of distaste.

he repeated and gave a short nod. Time for a little male bonding. Thanks, Leah. He rose and headed for the door. Before he left he turned back to the redhead. You know, it's none of my business, but if you two ever figured out how to stop yelling at each other, you might get along better. He left without waiting for an answer, missing the stunned expression on Leah's face.