When Tony came into work the next day he knew instinctively that McGee wouldn't be at his desk. And he was right.
With a sigh he headed towards Abby's Lab knowing that McGee treated it as his own emotional bomb shelter…..and Abby could be a rather vicious warden. But still he deserved it. All of it. He deserved everything and more Tim was going to throw his way. But he was ready for it. In fact he wanted it. He wanted Tim to hurl venom back at him the way he had hurled it at him.
Perhaps then he would feel better. Tony sighed. Still knowing Tim he wasn't really capable of that sort of vengeance. He wasn't petty and immature. Not like he was.
Tim heard Tony's steps over the angry roar of the music. Abby hadn't asked. She had just taken one look at his eyes and allowed him some space.
"Tim?" Tony queried hesitantly and Tim felt the anger he thought he had managed to control surge fresh and cold through him.
Tim whirled and sarcastically flung up his hands to cover his face "It's the handsome Dark Prince DiNozzo! I shall avert my eyes from his great beauty less I am dazzled and turned crazed. I shall hide my own hideousness from his sight and retreat to live with the Trolls in the slime under bridges as my disgusting visage requires!"
Tony didn't quite know how to respond to that.
"Umm Tim? I… was hoping we could talk? You know I don't find you………. ..disgusting….that's part of the problem. I'm sorry…..about lots of things but mostly what I said to you last night.."
Tim cut Tony off and turned back to his monitor.
"Abby, would you tell Senior Field Agent DiNozzo I am currently not speaking to him, unless it is required by work or Gibbs."
Abby opened her mouth fascinated at the two of them and Tony waived it off.
"I can hear him Abby…
"Abby. Please do as I ask" Tim voice was ice and Abby's eyes grew concerned. What the hell had Tony said to him?
"Special Agent McGee is longer speaking to Senior Field Agent DiNozzo unless it is required by work"
"Or Gibbs." Tim confirmed nodding
"Or Gibbs" Abby repeated.
Tony pleaded with his eyes " I really really would like to talk to you Tim….in private. I'm not proud of what I said…."
Tim cut him off again "Abby would you tell Special Agent DiNozzo that he may talk as much as he likes but since I am not speaking to him then a conversation is going to be impossible. Until I forgive him that is"
Abby started "Special Agent DiNozzo…"
Tony jumped in eager at the gleam of forgiveness he could see offered.
"And when would that be?"
Tim turned back from the monitor his eyes had been boring holes into and faced Tony. He smiled grimly "Abby please tell Special Agent DiNozzo the answer to his question is………………………. When hell freezes over"
Tony just stared at Tim as he stood ridged in front of him, his jaw tight and his fists clenched at his sides.
"Tony …the answer to your question is …when hell freezes over" Abby felt quite pleased that she had managed to get the same cold intonation as Tim had used.
Tim turned and started for the door "I will see you later Abby"
Tony knew in a second he would be gone and suddenly he ran the few steps to the door and turned sideways blocking the doorway with his arm, preventing Tim's escape.
"No! I know I shouldn't have said what I did. We're going to talk about it…"
Tim kept right on coming, squeezing himself into the doorway beside Tony. Tony could feel the heat from Tim's body running from his thighs right up his stomach and chest as their bodies were pressed together in the small space. Hot. Hard. Masculine. Tony's heart hammered as Tim slowly leaned into the space beside Tony's ear and with hard eyes and soft open lips whispered "Arsehole"
And then he was gone.
Leaving Tony sagging, panting in the open doorway. He closed his eyes and banged his head repeatedly on the doorframe.
BANG
BANG
BANG
Abby just stood and watched him with folded arms.
"Tony….what the hell did you say to him? I don't think I have ever seen him so mad! I mean I see what you mean…. Totally hot but still…he's really mad!"
Tony just turned and glared at her. Well that hadn't gone very well. He would have preferred Tim screaming at him to the hard wounded eyes staring into his soul.
"So Tony what did you say to him? Come on spill"
Tony sighed and shuffled over to her workbench and dropped his heated cheek onto the hard cool surface.
"I told him how much I didn't want him. How I hated how much he turned me on. I told him I wanted to be normal."
Abby's mouth dropped open as she glared at Tony
"And what the hell brought that on?"
Tony sighed and rubbed his eyes
"He brought me a gift"
Abby frowned and Gibbs slapped the back of his head. Hard.
"You Idiot! He buys you a gift and you lash out at him? What is wrong with you?"
"It wasn't like that…. I…..…and then …….. Actually it was worse." Tony sighed and started banging his head on the counter.
BANG
BANG
BANG
Abby just watched, her arms folded across her chest.
Tony looked up pathetically "Aren't you going to stop me?"
"Nope. You deserve it"
"Abby please?" Tony looked up at her and she found herself relenting as she saw the real remorse and hurt in his eyes. She sat down beside him and patted his back as Tony continued to slouch face down onto the workbench.
"Well Tony, you've done it now. I do believe I did say something along the lines of if you're not careful you will loose him anyway….. so……. I told you so. There I have got that out of the way. Now what are you going to do?"
Tony sat up and looked at her sadly "I don't know Abby. I really screwed up this time and I don't know if he will forgive me"
Abby gave him a doubtful look "You don't know McGee that well do you? Don't worry he might be mad now but well ….eventually he will forgive you. It's McGee, he's a really nice guy and he wont be able to stay mad at you forever….anyway it's too tiring being that mad all the time. He would have to take naps during the day and Gibbs wouldn't allow that."
Tony perked up a bit "Really? You think he would forgive me?"
Abby nodded and then looked thoughtful
"Still I have never seen him so mad that he .."
Abby threw her hands up in front of her face and slowly dramatically turned her face away mimicking the gesture Tim had used earlier
"turned to interpretive dance moves to express himself. He's getting all creative…which could be a bad thing for you."
Tony looked crestfallen again.
"Tony! Do you mind telling me why McGee can't even bring himself to say your name when I spoke to him just now?"
"Gibbs!" Tony and Abby jumped in alarm as Gibbs swept into the lab like a summer storm.
Abby bit her lip. This could be bad….
Tony tried to grin disarmingly "umm Probie and I are having…..a couple of issues at the moment?"
"What did you do Tony?" Gibbs glared at Tony and he winced.
"Ahhh what makes you think I did something to him and not the other way around?" Tony tried to sound defensive…and failed.
"Because I know you Tony… and I know McGee and if anyone is going to screw up a relationship around here it's going to be you."
"Wait….wait…. Probie and I aren't having a relationship!" Tony defended nervously.
Gibbs just rolled his eyes "Please the way you two have been carrying on…what the last couple of months now? Get serious Tony."
Tony just looked at Gibbs amazed " No I am serious Gibbs…..not a date…not a grope……not so much as a kiss. Honestly! I mean I know how you feel about Rule Twelve and all"
Gibbs just frowned at Tony, staring at him for a moment…and then he laughed.
Abby looked at Tony who shrugged. A laughing Gibbs was much better than an angry one but still …..sort of disturbing.
Gibbs looked at Tony who was looking confused and laughed harder, finally wiping tears from his eyes.
"Tony, Tony, Tony……. I created Rule Twelve to make sure the team didn't suffer when a relationship broke down. Only you could have created a situation where we get to experience the fallout without actually having a relationship in the first place."
Gibbs smirked to himself before continuing
"So what are you going to do about it?"
"ahhh about what?" Tony felt like he was having an argument on shifting sands as everything kept changing direction unexpectedly on him.
"McGee? Any idiot can see you have feelings for him and he wouldn't be so mad if he didn't care for you …so what are you going to do about it?"
"ahhhhhh fix it?" Tony said hopefully
"That a boy. I can't have half my team not talking to the other half……by the way Ziva will be taking McGee's side on this whatever you have done as well so you won't get any sympathy from her."
Gibbs gave Tony a gentle pat on the head "You know Tony I think you might just be growing up"
And with that Gibbs promptly left,leaving a vacuum of fierce silence in his wake.
Abby stared at Tony who was still trying to process the conversation. Everyone knew? And they didn't care?
Abby suddenly leapt off her chair and clapped her hands.
"Do you know what this means Tony? I think Gibbs just gave you and McGee his blessing!"
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