disclaimer: nothing's mine

warnings: mentioning of kink... nth hardcore though

author's notes: i hope you like this chapter. The case will be finished in the next 2/3 chapters so please bear with me :-)

super-em: another elevator scene in this one.lol. wasn't intentional though, it just wrote itself.. sorta hehe . hope you like the new chapter :-)

schlubbs: thx for the feedback. I hope you like this chapter just as much as the last ones :-) tell me what you think about this one )

Chilled

They didn't have to wait long for their next case. A phone call answered in Gibbs's usual manner "Yeah, Gibbs" had led them to Quantico. A 23-year-old marine had been found dead in his house after an anonymous call had reported an emergency.

The drive was as short as always with Gibbs behind the wheel. Tony and Kate were already used to the reckless manoeuvres Gibbs could pull and weren't phased in the slightest. Only McGee looked a little green around the nose.

"You alright there, Probie?" How Tony even managed to sound concerned when in truth he was grinning and slightly mocking their probationary Agent no one would ever know. Kate only shrugged her head. This day would be just like any other day on Gibbs's team. Or at least the probability was very high.

"DiNozzo, you're with me. McGee, perimeter and Kate? Statements plus possible witnesses."

"Got it Boss."

Upon entering the house Tony immediately noticed the tasteful decoration. He could see himself living in a place like this. The house was nice and airy, no dark wooden furniture but modern and still comfortable.

The body was easily found. It was tied spread eagled to the bed.

"Tony, sketch and take as many pictures as you can. I'll have a look through his personal affects."

"On it, Boss. D'you think… that he as abused?" even without looking, Gibbs could see the wince on his subordinates face. He knew that Tony had a lively imagination and that it often supplied him with unwanted images as to exactly how much a victim had suffered before dying. Gibbs liked Tony's ability to be compassionate but he didn't like this particular trait that came with it.

And what he liked even less was the fact that he couldn't give Tony the answer he wanted to hear. "Maybe. We'll have to wait until Ducky gets here. No use in speculating."

To anybody else the words would have seamed cold and uncaring but Tony knew better. It was reassuring if not uncanny that the older man knew him so well. In not so many words he had told DiNozzo to let his imagination rest until there was proof of any abuse whatsoever.

With a slight smile that disappeared just as quickly as it had come, Tony got back to work. Gibbs would have liked to reassure his Agent but for the life of him, he couldn't. He knew from experience that sexual assault could never be completely ruled out without autopsy and running a rape kit. On top of that he had a very bad feeling about this crime scene and sincerely hoped it would stay only a feeling.

Taking pictures and putting the final touches on his sketch, Tony didn't pay further attention to his Boss who went through the wardrobe and nightstand. He did however look up when he heard Gibbs bagging and tagging. Since it was curiosity that killed the cat he turned around and stopped startled.

What he could make out in the evidence bags were different kinds of sex toys. There was a variety of dildos, cuffs, a blindfold, and the like. He even recognized a whip and a paddle.

"Maybe not rape. Rough sex-play comes to mind."

All DiNozzo could do was shrug his shoulders. Sure, he had heard about stuff like this. He had thought about it too but never had he imagined stumbling over this particular kind of kink in one of their cases.

Gibbs didn't wait for a reply but went back to bagging and tagging what was left. He had almost finished when their ME arrived. Ducky immediately processed the scene and set to work.

"Do we have a name for our body, Jethro?"

"ID tells us this is Petty Officer Robert Sanderson."

"Well, well young boy. Let's free you from you uncomfortable position, shall we? Have you finished Anthony?

Tony didn't exactly like being called by his full name but indulged the older man. "Of course, Ducky. You can go right ahead."

"That I will do. Mr. Palmer, would you mind giving me a hand?" the ME pointed to the other side of the bed and together they started undoing the ties.

"Oh my." was Ducky's only comment when he turned the body onto his side to have a look at his back. Gibbs was standing next to the crouching ME. His face was a thundercloud.

"What is it, Boss?" Tony asked but got no reply. He joined his boss on the other side of the bed and one look at Sanderson's backside was enough. There was no need for further explanations. Welts and bruises covered the flesh. Skin was torn at several places and the dried blood made the sight even more gruesome.

"Rough sex-play AND rape." DiNozzo didn't have to ask how his boss had come to that conclusion. The dried blood around the anus and the torn flesh didn't leave much to the imagination.

"I'm afraid, it does look like it. I will of course run the necessary tests to eliminate any possible doubt but I fear that our young petty officer was in acute and great pain before he died."

"Cause of death?" Gibbs voice was pure steel. He had had a bad feeling but seeing his suspicion confirmed didn't bring any satisfaction. Not in this particular case were a young marine had been beaten, raped and killed.

Tony had seen many reactions to a dead body from his boss but this was slightly unsettling. It wasn't as much as the reaction as the feeling he could read in Gibbs eyes that did it. His Boss seamed angry. Only years after having worked with Gibbs made it possible to read the emotion but it was there nonetheless.

"I'm sorry Jethro but I can't tell you. At least not with absolute certainty. The abuse wasn't cause of death. Also there is no obvious blunt or sharp force trauma as far as I can see. Maybe he was suffocated but I can definitely give you a cause of death after autopsy. As always, I might add." Ducky added with a wistful smile. Gibbs was known for his impatience but having noticed his college's and friend's mood he had let himself speculate aloud. He didn't want to upset Jethro anymore since, even behind the mask, it was obvious to those who cared that he already was.

"Time of death?"

"Well, considering liver temp and ambient temperature he died between 20h and 21h."

"Thanks Duck. You finished DiNozzo?" the chilled voice did wonders cutting through Tony's jumbled thoughts.

"Yeah. On your six, boss." He smiled to lighten the mood however without success if Gibbs's grim expression was anything to go by. Tony's shoulders slumped slightly. He knew his boss had something on his mind and that his attitude didn't have anything to do with him.

However that didn't mean that it didn't hurt slightly. It was obvious that their feelings couldn't allow any change in their efficient work as NCIS Special Agents but he had hoped he could draw his boss at least a little out of his mood.

"Great. He's going to ride all our asses. Hard." he thought defeated. Well he couldn't just ask as to what had crawled up Gibbs's ass and died. But that didn't mean he had to like it. He would wait for more hints an see what they would tell him. That was all he could he do. For now.

Kate and McGee waited for them near the car and discussed what they had found.

"Kate?"

"Neighbours didn't see or hear a thing, Gibbs. They said Sanderson was a nice guy, kept a lot to himself even though he was popular and had lots of friends over. The woman living next to him liked him especially. He sometimes helped her carry her bags when she went grocery shopping. The Lady's 70 years old."

One court nod was all Kate got as answer. Not a surprise in itself but she recognized the unusual tension in her boss's body immediately. She wondered what had caused it. "Maybe caffeine withdrawal." She joked and laughed.

"Is there something you want to share with us Special Agent Caitlin Todd?"

It took her less that a second to sober completely. "I'm sorry; it was nothing Special Agent Gibbs." He reply was as cold as his answer. "See that you stay focused. Wouldn't want you to become a second DiNozzo."

What was normally a running gag on his team seamed so much more cutting without the smile and open eyes. Today there was no smile and Gibbs's eyes were cold and shuttered.

Tony's eyes bore hurt. He knew that he shouldn't take it personal but his own feelings were still in turmoil about all that had happened in the last 24 hours. He didn't need his boss's snide remarks when he had no clue as to whether they were jokes or meant seriously.

"McGee. Tell me what you got."

"Uuhm… I didn't find much. Nothing actually. Only a piece of paper. I think it could help us. It looks like it has been torn out of an agenda."

He handed the evidence bag over so Gibbs could see for himself what his probationary agent had found.

"W047 and K295. The date's yesterday. Any idea what this could mean?"

"No, nothing comes to mind immediately. I'll process it at HQ. May be Abby has an idea how to decrypt this."

"Ok let's head home. Ducky takes care of the body."

The ride back was just as short if not a little shorter. Maybe it was just Tony's imagination but the tension in the car was almost palpable and it made him uncomfortable. Gibbs tense shoulders only confirmed his suspicions: Something bothered his boss! Big time!

Arriving at the Navy Yard he immediately went to work on Sanderson's military records. After years as Gibbs senior field agent he sure as hell had learned to anticipate.

"DiNozzo, m-"

"Military records. On it boss.!" Came the sharp answer

"Kate, Financial records and the like. You find something hinky? You tell me ASAP."

"McGee, grab a Caf!Pow, go down to Abby and you better find a way to decrypt these entries. I want a lead and I want it fast! While you're at it take a look at the other evidence. There has to be the agenda where the page was torn out from."

"Yeah boss!"

Working military records wasn't the most exciting thing on the planet. Tony knew that already from ample experience and Sanderson's file was exemplary. No misbehaviour, always in line, no disobedience, great physical form. He was basically the poster boy for the Marine Corps. Only was he dead now.

His musings were interrupted by Gibbs phone. He watched him listen, bark a short reply and throw the receiver down.

"DiNozzo!Autopsy!Now!" the subordinate knew better than to let his boss wait. He left everything were it was and went to follow Gibbs. He never tolerated tardiness and with this mood? Nope, he wouldn't push his luck. As soon as the elevator doors closed Tony pushed the emergency switch.

Maybe he didn't want to push my luck but he definitely had a death wish one would think. Tony just knew that he had to do something. There was no way that anything Ducky had to say would lighten his Boss's mood. He knew with certainty that anything the ME was going to say would worsen his lover's mood.

"DiNozzo, what the h-"

"One minute boss. Nothing more, nothing less. Just let me do this."

Tentatively he put my hands on Gibbs's shoulders as he stood behind him. Tony could feel the tension radiating off him in waves. Taking time he gently caressed his shoulder blades and massaged them ever so slightly. He didn't knead out any knots even though he could feel plenty. This was about relaxing his Boss. Maybe it was ironic but somehow it fit. The first time he would touch Gibbs and it wasn't meant to arouse but to soothe.

Gradually he let his shoulders drop and his head fell forward. It was then that Tony knew, taking the initiative had been the right choice. Sure this was about relaxing but not only. This was also about showing his support and they both knew it.

Tony could also be a shoulder to lean on and the moment Gibbs had relaxed to give him free reign showed that he had realized it too.

TBC

So? what do u think:-)

I'm curious lol