AN – Regarding Sharai who disliked Tony being called "The Italian" but didn't leave an e-mail for me to reply. I can only say I find saying Tony said .. Gibbs said .. kinda flat and repetitive when there are basically only two characters in the scene. I do use other means of address but 'in character' choices are limited – if anyone has any other suggestions as alternatives I'd be happy to hear 'em!
The next morning Gibbs arrived at the office even earlier than usual. After Langer had left he had worked on his boat until almost 2am, hoping that DiNozzo might come by so they could thrash this thing out, whatever it was. Three times he had picked up his cell, to order the ex-detective to get his ass over to his place, but twice he had thrown the phone down in frustration, knowing that if they were going to fix this, it would have to be on the Italian's terms. The third time he had thrown it against the wall.
He had a spare in his desk.
Once it had become obvious that DiNozzo wasn't going to show up bearing Pizza and a sheepish expression, Gibbs had seriously considered going over to Tony's apartment with a six-pack of beer and an apology. That approach had worked a couple of times in the past when his short fuse had rained down underserved fury on the younger man. Trouble was, unless he could work out why DiNozzo had been so pissed in the first place, he didn't think that would cut much ice with his senior field Agent.
And he still didn't have a clue what he'd done.
So, he had gradually drunk the rest of his beer and followed that with a couple of shots of Jack, before falling asleep under his boat. This morning he had a crick in his neck and a tension headache behind his eyes that had nothing to do with the alcohol he'd consumed and was still no closer to knowing what had got DiNozzo all bent out of shape the way he was. Fishing out the computer memory thing that Langer had given him, Gibbs dropped it on his desk and pulled his keyboard towards him.
It had been good to see Langer again. The kid had been straight out of training when he had landed up on Gibbs team. Full of fancy terms and textbook procedures and no clue how things worked in the real world. Gibbs had been at pains to knock that out of him. Kid had been kinda resistant though. He bit back a grin as he remembered one week when Langer had handed over almost his entire pay check in fines, because he just couldn't talk straight.
Coming around from the men's room at 07.55 there was still no sign of DiNozzo. Uncharacteristically unsure of what he would do if DiNozzo was a no-show Gibbs leant against the partition and listened with half an ear to McGee and Ziva's conversation. He and Tony hadn't butted heads like this since those first few weeks after he transferred from Baltimore. Back then Gibbs had never doubted he could get through to DiNozzo. Right now, he was wondering if he hadn't squandered the trust and loyalty Tony gifted him.
"… Langer ?"
Gibbs' mind snapped into focus as he heard McGee's voice and his brain belatedly realised that he and the Israeli was discussing her meeting with the FBI Agent the previous day.
"I was not leering," Ziva was defending herself. "I was simply assessing Agent Langer's capabilities. It is always useful to be aware of the relative strengths and weaknesses of a potential ally."
"And that's why you were looking at his ass?" McGee commented dryly.
Gibbs almost snorted. He wondered if McGee even recognised the way DiNozzo's teasing comments and constant razzing had contributed to building the former MIT graduate a backbone. Four years ago the young man would never have dared bait the Israeli like that.
"No, I was looking at his ass, because I hoped it would infuriate, Tony." Ziva's tone was smug.
"And did it work?"
"Doesn't it always? Although, I cannot claim it was my best work," Ziva sounded disappointed. "Tony was already on edge by having Langer looking for Gibbs. You know how territorial he gets."
"Oh yeah," McGee agreed fervently. "Did he do that whole 'I'm in charge here' thing?"
"He did, except Langer already knew that Gibbs was the one in charge, so he had to back down. I almost felt sorry for him."
"I know what you mean," McGee agreed. "Tony doesn't like to think anyone is closer to Gibbs than him. Well, except Abby, I guess. And Ducky, of course, they go back a long way and then there's the history he has with the Director."
"And do not forget Agent Fornell," Ziva added. "Even Tony has to admit that Gibbs has known him longer. The man actually married one of Gibbs' ex-wives. They must be close. Plus, not even Tony could think he meant the same to Gibbs as those men he served with as a Marine. That is simply how it is in combat."
"You know, I never really thought about it before, but Tony really doesn't have anyone more important than Gibbs in his life," McGee frowned, they all knew he had never had a steady girlfriend, apart from that time he was on assignment, he didn't visit with his family and although he talked a lot about his frat buddies and time on the force he almost never saw anyone from those days. "Its got to be hard for him to know Gibbs doesn't feel the same way."
"If you two don't have any work to do, I'm sure I can find you something," Gibbs interrupted harshly as he came around the partition, taking none of his usual satisfaction in the way his two Agents scurried to their respective desks and did their best not to attract his wrath.
He had been on his way to introduce Langer to his team when Ducky had stopped him. He'd hoped that he and DiNozzo would hit it off. He remembered how quickly Tony had bonded with that Metro cop and how cut up he had been when the guy died in that ally. He knew Tony had nothing but respect for the service men and woman who protected their county but he wasn't Navy or a Marine. The Italian needed a cop friend and Sacks hardly fit the bill.
It had never ever occurred to him that the Italian might be jealous of the FBI Agent. Sure, Tony had bristled some when they'd crossed paths with Steve Burghley but that had been years ago. When Gibbs thought of everything he and DiNozzo had been through since then his hand itched to slap some sense into the younger man. Langer was a good kid, but he couldn't hold a candle to DiNozzo. And no-one in his whole career, not even Burghley with all his experience as a senator's aide, had ever been a better second to Gibbs
He'd thought Tony knew that.
He needed answers and since DiNozzo wasn't here to give them to him he would just have to go to the people who could get them for him. He believed Abby when she told him she hadn't spoken to Tony since yesterday. But he didn't press her on whether they had e-mailed, texted or video conferenced in sign language. If she knew something was hinky she would have found a way to let him know without breaking Tony's trust. That she didn't know anything worried him. When DiNozzo felt slighted as an Agent he whined and bitched to Abby. Which meant it was about something else.
"I don't think Anthony's abilities as an Agent has caused this most recent crisis of confidence," Mallard confirmed, even as he continued working on his cadaver. "Granted our dear boy has not yet appreciated the full extent of his talents but the last seven years have to count for something, not even Stanley could equal his record now, I doubt that "Special Agent DiNozzo" would see young Agent Langer as serious competition."
"But 'Tony' does." Gibbs concluded.
"You like to keep your Agent's on their toes, Jethro. You always say it keeps them sharp and that keeps them alive. You'll recall Agent Burghley's laboured breathing I'm sure. And if there was ever a young man sorely in need of firm direction then it is DiNozzo. That boy has flourished under your guidance but I think sometimes we both loose sight of how far he has had to come."
"I do try, Duck," Gibbs scrubbed at his face. "He doesn't make it easy."
"I am well aware of that Jethro, but Anthony has never had my advantages, I don't think he has ever truly come to terms with why you are more openly demonstrative with myself and Abigail and even Ziva and young Timothy to some extent. It is little wonder that he found your reaction to Agent Langer somewhat disconcerting."
"The Director tell him about that?" Gibbs frowned.
"Actually, she was telling me, Tony was quite some distance away. But then his hearing is rather acute," Mallard fixed him with a steady look. "It seems our Director still holds something of a candle for you. She seemed somewhat jealous. I'm afraid she spared none of the details."
"She made her choice," Gibbs was uncompromising. Right now he was far more worried about DiNozzo. He could only imagine how devastated the Italian must have felt when he heard the way his Boss had greeted the FBI Agent with open arms. "How the hell do I fix this, Duck?"
"Well, my dear," Mallard met his gaze. "You could try telling Anthony the truth."