Author's note: Very special thanks go to XX-Samantha-XX for being a wonderful beta again, polishing up my english and giving me free language lessons. Thank you!

Warning: Time-inconsistency This story is set six month before the episode Left for Dead, which makes it pre-series. I am fully aware that Kate and McGee shouldn't be there according to timeline, but I can't be bothered to put Vivian Blackadder into this story and they are just in this to be annoyed by Tony and do not have an influence on the plotline. It is a mistake, it's bending and squishing things the way I want them, and, well, that's just how it's going to be in my fanfiction.

Have Fun!

Chapter 2

When Gibbs came back into the bullpen, only one coffee in his hand, DiNozzo was sitting at his desk. He had changed and was sitting in a demonstrative relaxed position with his feet elevated on his desk.

He also, had obviously managed to piss off Kate and McGee already too. The normally nervous, shy and harmless junior agent McGee now had a look on his face that could have killed by itself. Kate was typing on her computer keyboard so hard, Gibbs was sure that soon either the computer or her hands would break.

DiNozzo seemed completely content with himself, now trying different ring tones for his cell.

Something was seriously off today with his senior field agent.

Gibbs' gut was churning.

Sure, Tony played the fool on day to day basis and managed to get really annoying on some occasions, but he never did it just to be destructive. He would joke or pull pranks to lighten the mood, he would tease McGee to toughen him up, and he would even stand up to Gibbs, if he felt it to be necessary. He actually was sometimes getting a little carried away in doing so. This seemed to be different though. He was acting out, being openly disrespectful, being late and not was affecting his work.

Apart from his antics and deflections DiNozzo was a professional, a really good investigator; it was completely unlike him to disregard the rules like that.

Gibbs would have loved to just smack the back of the younger man's head to get some sense into him. He had a feeling that today he would not get away with that though. Even though he seemed oblivious to everything apart from his cell phone right now, Gibbs could sense the tension that was emanating from him.

"Work!" he bellowed and sat at his desk.

Reluctantly, Tony followed the order, not without complaining loudly though. The case they were working currently was merely routine. A couple of marines had found a lucrative way to earn some money on the side, by stealing exclusive cars, taking them part and selling the parts. Nothing creative there and nothing very subtle. It was just a matter of time before they found everyone involved and nail them with evidence. Still it was a case and DiNozzo sure as hell was not too good to be bothered with it. He was just being a brat all of the day.

They were digging up connections and background stories. The hours passed slowly and tediously. They had one of the perpetrators, a petty officer Brian Paulie. Unfortunately, he was in a coma, their raid had gone bad, there was a car chase and a crash. Tony had noted that it should be a requirement for grand theft auto to actually be able to drive and went off in a rant about The Fast and the Furious. PO Paulie would not be able to tell them about his accomplices. Not even Gibbs could make someone talk, who wasn't conscious. So they were investigating co-workers, friends and everyone who might be connected.

Gibbs had been with the director, when he returned the scene that unfolded itself in front of him caused him to actually wish he could just get rid of his whole team and work completely alone, not bothered with co-workers for the next few years till he could retire and live a peaceful life far away, just with a boat. No luck for him!

McGee was standing in the middle of the bullpen, only wearing his boxers. He was obviously barely able to contain his anger.

Kate was not as successful at controlling her rage; there were actually a couple of agents from other teams holding her back. Tony had at least, lost his relaxed posture and was pushed back into the corner behind his desk, trying to avoid his partner's attacks. Her hair looked different, green actually.

The skilled investigator he was, Gibbs concluded that the paint must have been on the inside of her NCIS cap. Concerning the whereabouts of the pants, he refused to even start wondering about that. There were also some yelling about changed PDA designs and contact information and a load of very unflattering curses.

He whistled and the attention turned to him immediately, a bellowed "What the hell is going on here?" followed and seemed to be a good idea at the moment, but was answered with turmoil and yelled responses, which made a second whistle necessary. "Sush! Actually, I don't wanna hear it. Everybody, everybody" he fixated on his team, "back to work."

The other agents followed orders, actually terrified of the tone Gibbs had used. The members of his team were just staring back at him, Kate and McGee in rage, pleading for justice and vengeance, and Tony with a look in his eyes that troubled Gibbs deeply.

He seemed to be fully aware of the shit he had done, he seemed to be aware that he would not get away with it. But he seemed content, like someone who had just proven a point. He didn't fear the dressing down he would get or possible punishments, for this he could even get fired. He seemed to have accepted it as a given.

Gibbs was at loss of how to rein his Senior Field Agent in. He couldn't even come up with one curse to start his dressing down. That was a first.

"I want a report of your progress and then you can go home. McGee, you should get dressed and Kate, clean up! It's late, we will continue tomorrow morning."

They did as they were told. After finishing, they threw Tony evil glares, harsh gestures, then left.

Tony hadn't moved, he was still watching his boss silently. Gibbs just didn't get it. He was kind of proud to be able to look behind most of the masks the younger man hid behind. He felt honoured to have earned the trust of the other and was glad that he had started to occasionally confide in him.

Where Gibbs had been sure that the man would have his six in all cases pretty much from the very moment they'd met, it had taken him a lot longer to give his agent the security of knowing that it worked in both ways, that he would have his six at all times as well. Eventually, Tony had stopped securing his own back in the field, had stopped looking over his shoulder constantly and had started to rely on him.

Gibbs just had no idea what possessed the younger man to act out like this now. He could not let him continue like this. But what could he do?

"DiNozzo!" again just the name conveyed a lot. "Go home. We will talk about this tomorrow!" If he was surprised that he wasn't yelled at or punished, his face didn't show it, maybe, he even seemed a little disappointed? But he gathered up his things and left without another word.

Author's note: Please review! I'd love to hear your opinion on this, so I can improve, change what needs to be changed and keep what is good.