A/N: The computer gremlins have had their little fun.... We now return you to the regularly scheduled story!

Tony cringed at Gibbs's comment, knowing full well that it meant that he was about to become a little less fine.

He probably should be glad that it was finally going to be over, he thought. It had been a very long day, waiting for Gibbs to get back. Ducky had insisted on keeping him in Autopsy, where he'd had nothing to distract him from the fact that he was going to be spanked. He'd argued that a sprained wrist wasn't so serious that he couldn't go back to work, but Ducky had not relented.

But even after a couple of hours of Ducky's reminders about how irresponsible his actions had been, and how much trouble he was now in, he didn't really want to get his punishment over with. Unless, that is, he could figure out a way to have it be over with, without it actually happening.

'Tony, what were you thinking?'

He was already tired of being asked that question, having heard several variations on the theme from Ducky. But he didn't think that refusing to answer would be such a good idea.

'That it would be funny to see McGee jump and scream like a little girl.'

'Tony...'

'Hey! You asked!' he huffed, somewhat indignantly. Gibbs couldn't have expected a profound explanation. He didn't need to sound so put out by the one he got.

'You know better than to screw around at a crime scene.'

'It's not like I contaminated evidence, or anything!' he protested, even though he knew it was futile. Of course Gibbs would consider it a serious breach of protocol, rather than the harmless prank that he'd had in mind at the time.

'I shouldn't have to babysit you to make sure that you behave like a field agent.'

'I didn't mean...'

'And I left you in charge, DiNozzo.'

'I know, Boss.'

'That means I trusted you to act responsibly.'

'I... I know.'

Tony was hanging his head now, shuffling his feet uncertainly. He had to admit that he never would have done something like that while he was team leader, during what the Director liked to call Gibbs's 'margarita safari'. And he probably should have fallen back into that mindset today, instead of reacting like a mischievous school-boy whose teacher had been unexpectedly called from the room.

'Torturing the people under your command is not good leadership.'

Flushing furiously, he didn't even bother to reply, this time.

'And you're damn lucky that all McGee did was put you on your ass. For God's sake, Tony, he could have shot you!'

Tony's indignation returned. Ducky's earlier comments to the same effect still rankled, and he did not appreciate the reprise from Gibbs.

'C'mon, Boss... we're talking about Probie! I still can't believe he managed to...'

'He has the same training you do, Tony. Do you really think that grabbing an armed federal agent from behind, at a crime scene, is a particularly good idea?!'

'No, I guess not. But...'

Gibbs abruptly turned away from him.

'You still got that old ruler around somewhere, Duck?'

Ducky seemed momentarily taken aback, but he recovered quickly, moving towards his desk and pulling open the top drawer. He rummaged for a few seconds before pulling out a heavy wooden ruler that, to Tony's practised eye, looked like it would carry quite a sting when applied to his backside.

'Here you are, Jethro,' he said, holding it out to Gibbs before continuing. 'Why don't I bring those samples up to Abby now, and give you two some privacy?'

Tony shot him a quick, grateful look as he passed him on the way to the door. He was relieved that he wasn't going to have an audience for his spanking. From the way that Ducky had been whole-heartedly endorsing Gibbs's usual discipline methods all afternoon, he hadn't been entirely sure if the irritated ME was planning to watch, or to help.

Just before the sliding glass doors closed on him, Ducky stuck out a hand to stop them and called back, 'Oh, and Jethro... before you leave, would you please have a word with Timothy? I'm afraid the lad hasn't figured out that he isn't the one in trouble for today's events.'

Out of the corner of his eye, Tony saw Gibbs nod.

His relief about Ducky's departure quickly turned to dismay when he found himself seized by the arm and propelled across the room. Before he even realised what Gibbs intended, the older man had propped one foot up on the cross-bar of one of Ducky's tall stools and pushed him effortlessly over his upraised leg. Dismay turned to indignation.

'What the hell? Boss? You've got to be kidding me!'

'You got a better idea, Tony? You can't brace yourself on anything, with that wrist.'

'It's not that bad...'

'Tony...'

'So, I can just lay over the desk or something! I don't need both hands for that!'

'Tony...'

'C'mon, Gibbs... over your knee? Like a kid?'

'Considering how you acted, Tony, I'd say it was pretty appropriate!'

Tony felt Gibbs's arm tighten around his waist. He was still protesting when the ruler landed on his ass with a loud crack. He jerked forward under the force. The next stroke landed immediately, and he grunted loudly despite his efforts to stay silent. He'd definitely been right about the ruler looking painful. Two more strokes and he was actually yelping, and it wasn't long after that when he lost track of the number of times the solid strip of wood had been applied to his aching butt. By the time he felt Gibbs tipping him back onto his feet, his face was wet with tears and he was sobbing openly.

He was no longer surprised that Gibbs pulled him into a tight hug after a spanking, but he still wasn't entirely comfortable with it. And now, after a more intimate spanking than what he usually received at his boss's hands, he was less sure than usual that he wanted the comfort of an embrace. But, knowing that there was no point struggling, he tried to relax into the strong arms circling him.

To his relief, it was only a few moments before Gibbs released him.

'Tony, I wish you'd start thinking before you follow through on one of your brainwaves.'

'I know you're disappointed in me, Boss,' he sniffled.

'No, I'm worried about you, Tony. I'm worried that, despite my best efforts to get through to that stubborn head of yours, you're going to get yourself killed doing something that you think will be funny.'

Tony looked up in surprise, recognising genuine concern behind his boss's words.

'Boss... I...'

He trailed off, unsure what to say. Fortunately, Gibbs wasn't the type to want a long, emotional conversation, either.

'Go on, go get cleaned up, then meet me in the squad room. I want you to apologise to McGee before...'

'I already did, Boss.'

'Well, you can do it again.'

'Gibbs! C'mon...'

'Tony, do I need to get Ducky to drag you up there by your ear?'

Tony glared at him, refusing to return the smirk.

Gibbs headed for the door, clearly expecting him to retreat to the men's room to splash water on his face in a vain attempt to erase the effects of his punishment before facing Tim.

'You have five minutes, Tony. Do not keep me waiting.'