And, frankly, Gibbs didn't think about it again for the next few weeks. It took a double homicide involving a married and male non-com and the non- com's male lover to bring the conversation with the ME back to the forefront.

Even then it wasn't so much the facts of the case but the fact that DiNozzo was back working it, albeit stiffly and with a lot of silent grimacing over the still tender deep bruises.

"Hey, boss."

Gibbs lifted his head with a "hmm?" and gazed in the direction of Tony's old desk only to see McGee bending over his keyboard, his lips moving as he typed.

"Boss?"

"Yeah?" answered Gibbs, swinging around to see Tony wiggling his fingers at him. He got up to answer the 'come-here' gesture, a concession he was sure Kate was taking in with watchful eyes.

Tony's screen, though it allowed Tony to slowly read the gigantically zoomed print, was a nightmare for anyone else and, leaning over DiNozzo's shoulder, Gibbs squinted at the one-and-a-half letters on the monitor.

"You got something?"

"It seems that Cole and his – other – significant other got charged with disorderly outside The Purple Onion last year."

"The 'Purple Onion'?"

"Oooo," a passing Abby leaned against the front of desk. "Best gay bar in the city."

"You been?" queried Gibbs.

Abby grinned, undeterred as ever, her jet-black hair shining in the reflected light. "You bet. Got fabulous fruity punch drinks."

Tony grinned back at the 'fruity-drinks' line. "I think we should take a look around."

"All right." Gibbs straightened, leaving a hand on Tony's shoulder. "McGee."

His voice carried clear and strong and he wasn't dissatisfied when McGee jumped in his seat.

"McGee?" hissed DiNozzo quietly. "You've got to be kidding. You can't send McGee in there."

"He's got a tatt –"began Gibbs.

"—that says Mother," finished Tony in a whisper.

"Okay ..." he gestured McGee back down and scowled at Abby who was clearly enjoying herself more than she should. "Kate?"

"Kate?" echoed DiNozzo, still sounding skeptical.

"I'm running out of staff here, Tony."

DiNozzo leaned back, his gaze fixing on him, although Gibbs really didn't know how well he could see at this point. Well enough to get around without bumping into things but not well enough to read anything smaller than the pop-art "r" currently filling his screen. "Send me."

"Field staff go into the field."

"I can handle myself." Tony paused meaningfully. "And of everyone I'll have the best chance of fitting in."

Abby pushed herself off the desktop. "TMI. I think this is where I leave."

DiNozzo graced her with a laid-back, open-palmed wave. "Take it easy, Abs."

Gibbs was graced with a kind of "go-on" nod from his lab tech. When he just continued to scowl at her she mouthed "let him" in overly distinct syllables and brought her hands up like she was about to sign but Gibbs shook his head warningly at her. She shrugged, her twin ponytails bobbing glossily and retreated, stopping to smile encouragingly at an unsure- looking McGee on her way out.

Watching her, Gibbs sighed. "You want to go question possible witnesses."

"Yep," answered DiNozzo easily.

"You know, you never quite answer this question. Exactly how much can you see?"

"Well, you're wearing blue, Gibbs. Good color on you, by the way. Contrasts nicely with your hair, which I can still see is gray."

If he could have made out the resulting glare, Gibbs knew Tony's smile would have broadened.

"Kate, however," Tony squinted down the line of desks. "Is just kind of a red ... blob."

A threatening-sounding "I heard that, Tony" wafted back across the aisle.

"I can see enough not to bump into any furniture as long as everything is well-lit. Faces are a bit of a problem, unless I get really, really close. And details are pretty much still shot to hell."

"Then you're not going alone into the field."

"Who said anything about alone, boss?"

(tbc)