Taking Cover

Chris lasted the day under Gibbs' stare, which seemed like a miracle to most agents who had been on the receiving end of it before, and most surprisingly Gibbs lasted a day without disobeying Director Morrow. Neither talked about Tony for the rest of the day but after a while Kate, who was still confused about what was happening especially with Pacci and Gibbs' silent conversations exchanging glares, so she decided to speak up.

"So what is going on?" Kate asked "And where is Tony?"

"Gone apparently", Gibbs replied issuing Chris with another icy glare.

"What! Where? Why?" Kate asked shocked that Tony would actually leave.

"I don't know where or why because no one will tell me or let me go and ask him and make him come back." Gibbs growled annoyed at the questioning.

"Well at least we have some peace and quiet from Tony's constant jokes and movie references. I mean they were really annoying, no wonder you wouldn't let Tony stay with you!"

Gibbs' glare was redirected at Kate even with the snort that came from the other side of the bullpen for Chris who was shamelessly eavesdropping with great amusement.

"Got something you'd like to share with us Pacci", Gibbs retorted. "Anyway that wasn't the reason and before you ask it was none of your business so stop asking question or I'll head slap you as well."

Annoyed at not getting her answer but worried enough by the threat to stop Kate continued to work but carried on watching Gibbs carefully to see if he would be more willing to share any information.

Time seemed to drag on for everyone in the bullpen under the weight of the heavy atmosphere, glares and awkward silence but eventually it was time to leave and go home much to the relief of the whole bullpen. Gibbs, forgetting about Chris momentarily hurried out of the bullpen and towards the elevator with Kate following trying to keep up, to see if she could find out anything else about the situation.

Chris waited until he was sure Gibbs had left and followed the directions sent to him on his phone to a nice restaurant situated in a nice part of the city. Inside he could see Tony waiting for him and when he entered they were escorted to a private table out of the way which couldn't be seen from the window just in case Gibbs decided to come looking for him. Once inside and seated Chris relaxed having had to check all the way that he wasn't being followed by Gibbs.

"So let me guess", Tony said "You've been engaged in a glaring contest with Gibbs all day to try and get the other one to back off but reached a stalemate."

"How did you guess?!" Chris exclaimed sarcastically

"Well normally I would just say that I am psychic but, when you and Gibbs strongly disagree on something you are very predictable!"

"Yes well we only had two arguments so that's good I guess. At least he didn't chew me out in front of the entire bullpen. I realised that he just pushes people around and I decided that I wasn't going to let him do that to me so I stood up to him. I think most of the bullpen were shocked, I don't think Kate even knew who I was."

"I know, she thinks she's better than everyone else because she has been with the secret service but she's not. She always gets too emotionally attached to the cases and lets it influence her judgement. I heard her refer to you as just the guy that sits at the desk behind mine."

Just at that moment their meals arrived and Tony and Chris continued to talk over their meal about films and sports, with Chris promising to take good care of the DVDs that Tony was leaving behind in his apartment for him. At the end of the evening they stood up and stared at each other, neither willing to say goodbye to their friend just yet. Walking out of the restaurant together and making sure there was no sign of Gibbs, they made their way to Chris' car as Tony had caught a cab to the restaurant. Once in the car Chris drove them to Tony's hotel where he was staying his final night in D.C. and both headed towards the bar for a final drink.

After Gibbs stormed out of the bullpen followed by Kate he headed over to Tony's apartment with Kate in tow. He didn't have a key to get in so if Dinozzo didn't know what was good for him and didn't open the door, Gibbs decided he would just have to pick the lock. After speeding over to Tony's he knocked on the door loudly and shouted "Dinozzo let me in, we need to talk." Silence followed as Gibbs waited. Kate caught up with him just as he was about to pick the lock.

"Are you sure that is such a good idea", she asked. "I mean, we wouldn't want to walk in on him and some girl would we."

"Shut up Todd. If you don't agree you can leave."

Kate, wanting to find out what was going on, stayed quiet begrudgingly and watched on as Gibbs picked the lock. The door swung open as Gibbs was successful as both agents stepped inside and closed the door behind them. Both were shocked to see the apartment was empty of anything other than furniture.

"Where is he?" Gibbs questioned "He doesn't leave until tomorrow, I checked!"

"Well maybe he left early. He really doesn't want to talk to us", Kate replied.

"He's not brave enough to face us but I want answers."

"So do I but if he's not here we won't be able to find him will we."

"Pacci!" Gibbs exclaimed. "He knows where Dinozzo is staying and I know where he lives." Gibbs and Kate hurried out of Tony's apartment, Kate remembering to shut the door behind them and lock it, and sped over Chris's apartment. At Chris's apartment they knocked on the door only to have a stranger open the door and inform them that the previous occupant's lease had been up and they had found themselves new accommodation. Growling at another dead end to Dinozzo, Gibbs stormed out. Thanking the helpful stranger Kate left and headed home as it was getting late and Gibbs was becoming less welcome to company. Gibbs spent the rest of the evening driving around trying to spot Tony to no avail.

Chris and Tony had a drink in the bar where Chris informed Tony that he had moved out of his apartment that day and was planning on spending the night in the hotel and then moving in to Tony's apartment the next day when Gibbs had calmed down. Both men retreated to their rooms for the night with the promise of saying goodbye the next day before Tony left.