Inspired by discussion over at NFA.
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"It's a legitimate question." Tony sat on the corner of his desk and glanced back and forth at his teammates.
"I do not want to answer." Ziva shot back, hoping he would let it go.
Tony also noticed that McGee wasn't very talkative. "Come on guys, what of it? Would Gibbs have taken the shot if it were one of us in Lee's place?"
"We shouldn't be talking about this. Gibbs will find out. He always finds out." Tim managed as he peered around; expecting his boss to come in any second.
"The boss is up with Vance; probably getting a lecture or something. Humor me."
Ziva shook her head at his insistence. "Why does discussing this matter?"
"Why does there have to be a reason? The real question is why won't you answer?"
She stood up and approached him. "He would have exhausted every option. And if push came to punch, yes, he would take the shot."
"Um, its push comes to shove…and you just went from not answering to saying the boss would kill one of us."
"If we were guilty of treason, and other lives were in danger, yes, he would have taken the shot."
Tim was still on the look out for Gibbs as he contemplated Ziva's response. Tony on the other hand, wasn't as contemplative.
"So you're saying the boss would kill one of us…just blow us away, just like that."
"I am sure he did not blow Lee away, just…like..that." She snapped her fingers together to emphasize her sarcasm. "We all know that Gibbs will do whatever is necessary to get the job done…if it was one of us, it would not have changed a thing."
Tim chose that time to speak up. "Are you sure you're not saying what you would do?"
"I liked you better when you were quiet McGee." She added, before moving back behind her desk.
"No, the Probie is right. You think the boss would pull the trigger, because you would." Tony placed himself in front of her and awaited her response.
"I said he would pull the trigger because that is what he has been trained to do. He cannot let personal feelings get in the way of his duty. It is that simple."
Tony put his arms out. "So you would kill me?"
She glared up at him. "If it was necessary."
"That easy huh?"
She couldn't help but notice the other set of his eyes burning into her and stood up. "Do not look so shocked."
"Shocked? Shocked? Why would we be shocked? Because you wouldn't think twice about shooting us?" Tony laced his tone with sarcasm along with a hint of resentment.
"I did not say I would not think twice. I would think fifty times over; but if I had no other option, a choice would have to be made."
"Right. The choice to kill us."
"Doesn't sound like a bad idea…" Gibbs strode in and couldn't help but sense the tension. But chose to ignore it for the moment. "Now get to work before I take you up on that offer…"
--
The time to go home came sooner rather than later; and the glares between Tony and Ziva hadn't relented for a moment. So Gibbs stood up and got their attention before dismissing them to go home.
"Go ahead, ask it DiNozzo…"
"Boss?"
"You want to know so bad, then ask."
Tony stood up and with one final glance in Ziva's direction he obliged him. "If the situation was different. If Lee, was one of us…"
"Would I kill you?" He finished for him and stepped around his desk to stand in the middle of the three of them. "The question isn't whether I would take the shot DiNozzo, it's whether you would want me to."
Tony swallowed hard. "I want to believe I would."
"And you want to believe I wouldn't take the shot.." Gibbs took a step towards him. "Well news flash DiNozzo…I don't have all the answers." And with a final stare at each of them, he was gone.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Tim eventually broke the silence. "So do you think he would really do it?"
Tony gave him a trying smile before reaching for his things. "Who do I look like Probie, the Wonderful Wizard?"
Tim shook his head. "No, but this isn't a movie."
Ziva had finished putting on her coat when she stepped in. "Real life does not always have clear cut answers Tony. We can only understand what we know to be true."
Tony nodded slowly, eventually coming to terms with what was said. "That the boss loves us."
Ziva managed a smile as she agreed. "And that Tony; is the only answer that matters..."