Disclaimer: Not mine.
Notes: Thanks for the reviews. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Tony stared in the mirror surveying his reflection from multiple angles. He could only smile at his latest achievement. He picked up his razor and started shaving careful to avoid the strip of hair above his lip. He was proud of his moustache and thought he looked good. His experiment was going well. This week off had been brilliant. He had noticed people looking at him when he was out shopping and he'd noticed particular interest from the ladies. He stopped shaving momentarily to look proudly at his moustache. It was like he had become a father to the most beautiful thing on Earth. He finished his shave and made himself a cup of coffee. He sat down at the kitchen table with a newspaper and started to read an article about Iraq. He could see Kate looking at him with a grin on her face.
"Say it." He prompted her.
"I'm don't think I have to." He hadn't thought it was possible for her grin to grow. "It's very..." She struggled for a word, "Manly." She fought to hold in the laughter.
"I know. I didn't understand why Gibbs grew one but I get it now." Tony really did get it now. He still thought Gibbs should never grow a moustache but for him it was a positive thing. "It gives me power. I get now why all the really important men in history had facial hair. Abe Lincoln, Charles Darwin, Sam Elliot, Tom Selleck."
"Hitler, Franco, Manson." Kate added.
Tony rolled his eyes, "You just don't understand the relationship a person can have with their facial hair. You'd probably understand a little more if you didn't wax." He revelled in his insult. He took a mouthful of coffee as he stared at the expression on Kate's face.
"What does Ziva make of it?"
Tony looked a little uncomfortable. "She hasn't seen it."
The grin returned to Kate's face, "Really."
"Yes. Really."
"Oh I'll so be around to see that argument."
"It's my face and I'll do what I want with it. Ziva will understand that this wasn't a spur of the moment decision and that I put a lot of research into this moustache. I even looked up styles on the internet. This one is called 'Trucker'." He knew he'd have to get rid of it before Ziva saw it but luckily she was still away visiting friends in Tel Aviv. He was nervously stroking his moustache. The thought of Ziva's face if she ever saw the moustache haunted him. She had ranted for nearly 35 minutes about moustaches when Gibbs had grown his.
"Has McGee seen it?"
"No."
"Ducky or Abby?"
"No."
"Gibbs?"
"Actually he has seen it. He says I look very dapper."
"Dapper? Gibbs used the word dapper." Kate looked a little skeptical.
"He actually gave me some tips on growing it." Tony announced proudly. He'd never thought it would be something Gibbs would be enthusiastic about but Gibbs had been very supportive. They had even gone out for a few beers to discuss it.
"You realise he is just messing with your mind."
"Kate, why are you so jealous of my moustache?"
"I'm not jealous. I'm horrified."
"This thing is a chick magnet." He said confidently pointing at it.
"Obviously. Look at all the chicks around you." She said sarcastically.
"Whatever." Tony finished his coffee and folded his paper over. "The ladies go mad about it." His apartment phone had started to ring. "If you'll excuse me I think one of those ladies wants me." He picked up the ringing phone. His face dropped. "Yes... But I like it... It looks really cool..." He moaned.
"Gibbs said that?... But you'll really like it once you see it... A picture message? I didn't think he even knew how... Ok... Yeah I'll do it now... Ok. Bye." He slammed the phone down. Tony slumped back into his chair.
"Ziva?" Kate asked, grinning madly again.
"She doesn't like the moustache. Gibbs took a picture and sent it to her. It didn't help I was passed out and the waitress from the bar was propping me up. She says I've got to shave it off."
"Well you can still keep it for a few days." Kate soothed.
"She's only moaning about my moustache." Tony's face looked evil. "I'm going to grow a beard!"