Tony entered the bullpen with Abby just after Gibbs left. McGee was working at his computer, but looked up when the elevator doors opened. He stood, and Tony knew that an apology was coming.
"Tony, I am so sorry," said McGee apprehensively. "I shouldn't have deleted that report, even if you had saved it somewhere else. And I shouldn't have thrown the map in your face while you were driving. I should have taken some of the blame for that accident instead of letting you get into trouble. And I really shouldn't have let the dog out of the cage. That was reckless and dangerous. I am so sorry."
Tony opened his mouth, but Abby got there first. "You did what?!" she shouted. "How the hell can you be so stupid? How can you put my Tony in so much danger? How could you have let a dog out to attack Tony after what you went through? What is the matter with you?!"
"Abby," said Tony quietly, "don't get upset. I'm sure he's already been suitably chastised for this. If you want to get angry with someone, get angry with Ziva. Who, by the way, I don't see anywhere."
"She stormed out when Gibbs told her that she had to cut out her attitude and be more responsible or she was suspended. I don't think she'll be back before next Friday," said McGee.
Tony's eyes widened, and he noticed Abby running off too late. She was already in the elevator before he could call her back. "I guess that Abby wants to put Ziva in her place." Tony sighed and turned back to McGee. "I accept your apology, but do not think I have forgiven you. All the teasing was easy to ignore and didn't faze me. I could have dealt with the deleted report, and I was willing to take the blame for the truck. But you hurt me when you let that dog out yesterday. You knew it was angry, and I was the only one in its sights. That could have left me in the hospital." Tony sighed again. "Why did you do it?"
"Honestly? I don't know. I wasn't really thinking when I opened the cage. Ziva and I were trying to find another prank, and it seemed like a good one. It was the stupidest thing I've ever done, considering I've been in your position before."
Tony shook his head. "I don't know why you thought that was a prank, and I really don't want to know. I can't forgive you yet, and I'm not really sure that I'll go into the field with you just now."
"I understand." McGee sighed sadly. "Oh, Gibbs said he wants to speak to you when he comes back in."
"Okay." Tony sat at his desk and pulled a file towards him. It was a cold case, and wasn't the least bit interesting, but it gave him something to focus on so he wouldn't yell at McGee.
Gibbs smiled when he saw Abby coming towards him, but the smile disappeared quickly when he realised she was angry.
"Hey, Abbs, what's the matter?" he asked.
"I'm going to kill her!" Abby exclaimed as she passed by him.
"Abby! This is something Tony needs to deal with, not you."
"I don't care. How could she just let McGee free an angry dog to attack Tony?"
"Trust me, Abbs, that's the least of my concerns towards Ziva right now. Where's Tony?"
"At his desk. At least, that's where I left him."
"Come back up with me. Tony probably needs a hug after talking to McGee."
Abby frowned, but agreed. She softened, knowing that Tony needed her right then. "Okay," she agreed reluctantly. "But you better deal with Ziva!"
"I will, Abby. I promise she won't get away with what she's done."
Tony was surprised to see Abby coming into the bullpen with Gibbs just a mere ten minutes after leaving. He could see that she was still pissed, but it looked as though Gibbs had managed to calm her down slightly.
"McGee said you wanted to talk to me, boss?" Tony asked after giving Abby a smile.
"Yes. Firstly, I'm sure you noticed that Ziva is gone. She's been suspended. I'll file the paperwork on Monday when Vance is in. Secondly, I've spoken with McGee..." said Gibbs.
"I know. He's apologised. Like I told McGee, I accept the apology, but I haven't forgiven him, and I'm not sure when I will forgive him. I don't wish to be a pain, but I will refuse to go into the field with him for the time being. I hope you understand that, Gibbs."
Gibbs smiled a little, quickly hiding it. "I get it. That's fine, you don't have to partner with him. You can take turns partnering with me for a while."
"Thank you, boss."
Gibbs smiled openly this time. "Now, how is your cold case search going?"
"It's not. There's nothing to find."
"Get with Abby, see if she can help."
"On it, boss." Tony gladly stood and followed his best friend to the elevator.
Abby smiled as she and Tony began working in her lab. She was one of the only people that knew how smart Tony really was, and knew that he was excellent with computers. She understood why he hid his talents, and, after what she had just heard, she couldn't blame him. Abby loved when Tony helped her, because it gave her a chance to relax a little while she worked. His talent with computers was a secret she kept for him, and always warned him when someone was coming so he could slip back into the clown mask he always wore.
"Abbs, look at this," said Tony. He pointed to the computer screen he was staring at. "I'm not sure what that is, but it looks strange."
Abby glanced at the screen, and her eyes immediately widened. "That's the components of a nuclear bomb," she gasped. "We need to call Gibbs!"
"You can do that," said Tony.
"Don't be silly. You found it, Gibbs will want to hear it from you."
Tony smiled a little. "Thanks Abby." He picked up her desk phone and pressed Gibbs' speed dial number. "Boss, we found something. You need to get down here."