A Dare, Or Something More Sinister?
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS... I'm just taking the characters for a spin!
Author's Notes: Thank-you all for the reviews, I'm glad you all like it... as always a few more wouldn't go unnoticed! Please!
And of course, again a gigantic thank-you to Kate for her terrific work and inspiration!
Gibbs stood with his back to Tony and the car. Tony walked up to him and faced him.
"You okay?" he asked
Gibbs lowered his hand from his face and looked at Tony, blinking a few times, trying to hold back the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. "I'm fine, DiNozzo" he replied softly. Then threw his hands in the air, and saying louder, "Why wouldn't I be? There is nothing left of the team, you, McGee and Kate are leaving. Forever. You're not coming back. And I'll be left on my own; to try to replace three of the best agents I've ever had and ever will have" he sighed, "And I haven't even started on Kate. But then, there's not much to say, she hates me!"
"She doesn't hate you, boss" Tony responded
"Yeah? You don't sound very convincing. Can't blame her though, I mean for starters, I punched her" he breathed out deeply and blinked furiously, "Can't believe I did that." He paused for a moment, "Oh, and not to mention I'm twice her age…"
"Age has nothing to do with it" Tony responded, only getting a humph sound from Gibbs. "You're like a fine wine, boss. As you get older, you get better"
Gibbs looked at him, frowning slightly "Are you flirting with me, DiNozzo?"
"No, boss. You'd know if I was, but personally I wouldn't flirt with you" Tony replied
"Right" Gibbs responded, pausing for a moment, "Don't know whether to take that as a relief or an insult"
Tony smiled, "Well, don't get me wrong, Gibbs. I can definitely see where the attraction is, I can see why Kate likes you. You're good-looking, attractive, strong," he paused, considering his boss, "Dead sexy! But you're not my type"
"What I'm straight? Too old for you, perhaps?" Gibbs asked
"Well, it is a well known fact that I date women," he corrected himself, "ah, people, younger than me. But straight's not a problem, I could convert you"
"Is that right?"
"That a challenge, boss?" Tony asked, when he got no response from the older man, he added, "Nah, you're not my type. Don't think I could get over the whole 'boss' thing"
Gibbs raised his eyebrows, "You mean to say you've never dated a boss before? Now, that surprises me"
"Hey, I didn't say that. I've dated my boss before" Tony responded, "She wasn't my type either"
Gibbs sighed and rubbed his eyes, "Yeah, well we going to the hospital or not?"
"Yeah," Tony replied, unlocking the car, "Should get them to have a look at you" he said getting into the car. Gibbs grumbled and slid into the passenger seat. "Don't worry, boss, she'll come 'round"
Gibbs looked hopefully at Tony, "Let's hope so. If not for her sake, then for mine"
Tony and Gibbs waited in the waiting room with McGee for Kate to come out. Tony smiled as he though of how McGee had almost collided with him and Gibbs as they walked into the hospital. He looked to McGee and was about to comment about him being afraid of Kate, when the younger agent's cell rang, McGee excused himself and left. Tony sighed and turned to Gibbs who was sitting in the chair with his head leaned against the wall, with his eyes closed. Cocking his head, Tony regarded the older man, his thoughts wondering to their discussion before they got in the car.
"What you dreaming about, boss?" Tony asked
"In order to dream, DiNozzo, I have to be asleep" Gibbs replied
Tony nodded, watching a group of doctors making their rounds, "The team isn't falling apart, Gibbs. I will only leave if you make it impossible to stay"
Gibbs raised his head from the wall and narrowed his eyes at Tony for a moment, hope flashing across his eyes "You would stay?"
Tony thought for a moment "If you let me, you know, ah, try something with Agent Smith?"
"Tony, I told you that if I had to change a rule or two for you to stay, I would." Gibbs replied
Tony gave him a charming smile, "Thanks, boss." Tony paused to gather his thoughts, "Now go in there and see her and convince her to stay"
"I don't think so" Gibbs responded, leaning his head against the wall again
"Why not? She's in love with you" Tony told him
"Tony, drop it!" Gibbs responded as Tony's cell rang
Tony frowned and flipped it open, listening for a moment, then holding it to Gibbs, "It's for you, it's Ducky"
Gibbs groaned as he took the cell, walking outside before answering. "Gibbs"
"Jethro, how are you feeling?"
He sighed, "I'd rather not get into that right now. Kate was shot in a shoot-out with Brown"
"Oh my, how is she?"
"She was shot in the shoulder, she'll probably be out before the end of today" Gibbs replied
"Have you talked to her, Jethro?"
"Yeah. That was before I smacked her across her mouth" he replied, feeling more than a bit disappointed with himself, "Now she won't let me anywhere near her, and I don't blame her."
Ducky sighed, "I think she was just a bit shocked, she doesn't blame you for your actions…"
"Well, she should, I should be held accountable for my actions" Gibbs interrupted
"…She knows there were extending circumstances and that you wouldn't in your normal frame of mind, do anything like that" Ducky continued, ignoring Gibbs' interruption
"Still doesn't excuse it, Duck" Gibbs said, exasperated
"You can't blame yourself for this. Maybe for not looking after yourself better, but…"
"Ducky!" Gibbs snapped, pausing for good measure, "Look, I can't deal with this now. I'll talk to you later." he hung up and leaned against the wall, momentarily closing his eyes. Sighing, he walked back to the waiting room, where Kate had come out with her shoulder bandaged and her arm in a sling. Stopping at the entrance to the room, he leaned against the wall and watched her for a moment. She looked happy, telling Tony that the doctor had discharged her after her protests, but to see Ducky when she got back. Tony grinned, remembering the feeling of needing to get out of a hospital. They began chatting animatedly about something, Gibbs watched as Kate smiled brightly at something Tony had said. It had been a while since he'd seen that smile and God, how he'd missed it. Something caught Kate's eye, causing her to turn, she saw Gibbs leaning against the wall with a strange smile on his face. Her smile disappeared to be replaced with a glare. Gibbs' own smile disappeared when he saw the expression on her face; he mentally reassembled his walls, and walked into the room.
"They discharged you" Gibbs stated
Kate rolled her eyes and looked at Tony, "Tell that bastard that he knows I was discharged, he watched the whole thing"
Tony looked slightly out of place, looking up at Gibbs, "Ah, boss…"
"I heard her Tony". Gibbs sighed, looking at Kate as he told Tony, "Tell her…tell her I'm glad she's gonna be okay". He turned around, "I'm gonna find McGee, I want you at the car in 10. Deakin is sending us his reports once he's done, they'll send Brown's body to us later."
That's it for chapter 36... I hope you like it! Please review, please!