Gibbs awoke the next morning with a slight moan and opened his eyes reluctantly. He squinted at his surroundings trying to decide why his hotel room seemed to have changed.
"Morning," came a cheerful but considerately muted voice.
"Uh?"
"Good morning. How do you feel this morning?" asked Tony.
"Ah," said Gibbs as he remembered some of what had happened the night before.
"I've got Aspirin," offered Tony.
"Nah," said Gibbs, "Just coffee."
"Really?" said Tony. "You sure? You put a lot of alcohol away last night."
Gibbs sat up and swung his legs over the side of the couch on which he had been sleeping. He rubbed his face with his hands and then scratched his head vigorously. Seemingly refreshed by this he said, "I'm OK. I don't get hangovers."
"Oh," said Tony, "But I guess that makes sense."
"Excuse me?"
"Well, I wouldn't normally recommend drinking oneself into a stupor as a way of dealing with … you know, but if you don't get hangovers it makes sense."
"Hmm. What would you recommend?" asked Gibbs.
"Good point. I don't know, talking about it perhaps?"
Gibbs laughed.
"Or not," said Tony.
"You moving in … or moving out?" asked Gibbs.
"Pardon?"
Gibbs gestured to the packing cases stacked in a corner of the room and the empty shelves.
"Oh, moving out," said Tony.
"Why? It's a nice place," observed Gibbs as he looked around the elegant room.
"Thank you. Yes, I like it but I'm moving somewhere … more convenient."
Gibbs couldn't remember much about the previous night but didn't think that the drive from the pub had been long enough to make Tony's flat be somewhere inconvenient. He shrugged, it was none of his business.
"Uh, thank you for last night."
"My pleasure," said Tony. "Glad to help."
"You were right. I wouldn't have wanted McGee to see me drunk."
"Is that why you're not on active service?" asked Tony.
"What? What has that got to do with me not wanting McGee to see me drunk?"
"Oh, not that. I meant the shell shock thing."
"Yeah," said Gibbs, "I'm OK most of the time. And back home I can mostly predict what's going to happen, what the triggers might be but those bangs took me by surprise."
"You could talk to Ducky, you know," said Tony tentatively.
"Someone who cuts up dead people?" said Gibbs, "No, thank you. I'll manage."
"He's a good doctor," said Tony defensively. "And being in the RAMC, well, he saw a lot of men suffering. He's interested in potential treatments and he's kept up to date with new advances."
"A cure?" asked Gibbs.
"Not sure about a cure," said Tony, "But treatments are improving. Opinions changing … and Ducky is blessed with an enquiring mind."
"I'll think about it," said Gibbs in a tone which suggested he wouldn't.
"You want breakfast?" asked Tony. "I can't do you a cooked breakfast like Mrs Lafferty would give you but I've got toast and marmalade."
"What's that?"
"Marmalade? You might like it, it's like bitter jam … or you might call it jelly."
"Bitter?" said Gibbs.
"It's made of oranges, with bits of peel in. Or I've got Marmite."
"Is that like marmalade?"
Tony laughed. "No, and you definitely don't spread it thickly. It's sort of gooey brown stuff. You either love it or hate it. Actually, it might be good for you today."
"How so?"
"I like it when I'm feeling nauseous. Sort of clears the taste buds."
"Go for it then," said Gibbs. "Can I wash up somewhere?"
"Sure, the bathroom's down the passage. I'll get to work on the coffee and toast."
XXXXXX
Tony and Gibbs drove to Scotland Yard in Tony's Austin 7 which was clearly a much prized possession. Gibbs found himself pondering his latest culinary experience. Tony had been right to think that the strong taste of both marmalade and Marmite would appeal to Gibbs but he wasn't sure that he'd want to take any back home with him. The fresh air blew away the residue of any aftereffects of the alcohol.
McGee was waiting for them in Tony's office at the Yard.
"Any word on that lead?" he asked hopefully.
"What?" asked Gibbs.
"You know, the lead we were following up on last night," interjected Tony.
"Oh yeah, that lead. No, didn't come to anything. What you doing here, McGee?" said Gibbs.
"Just checking," said McGee. "Jimmy … PC Palmer and I are on the way to the movie theatre to carry on looking at the films. Claude said that the film from Liverpool would be here today."
"OK," said Gibbs. "Any word from home about the murder?"
"No," said McGee, "There haven't been any sightings of Lambert so it looks as if he's definitely gone somewhere else. There's a wiretap in place with the people we think he was working with in the States so we'll know if he gets in touch with them."
"Right," said Gibbs, "Tell them to let us know if Lambert calls anyone."
"Yes, Boss."
"You still here, McGee?"
"Uh, yes, Boss. But not for much longer. I'll see you later … er, bye."
"What's next?" asked Gibbs once McGee had left, "… seeing as you think you're in charge."
Tony grinned but continued to look at a folder he had picked up from his desk, "Huh," he said, "That's interesting."
"You know," said Gibbs conversationally, "There's people back home who would tell you that I don't play guessing games."
"Why would they tell me that?" asked Tony absently.
"Because I don't play guessing games," said Gibbs.
"What?" asked Tony as he dragged his eyes reluctantly from the report.
Gibbs wondered if the language difference between America and England was bigger than he'd thought so he said loudly and slowly, "What's interesting?"
"Oh," said Tony as the penny finally dropped, "We've identified the man who was murdered at St Katharine's Dock."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. His name is Bernard Sewell. His landlady had reported him missing but it took a while to connect him to the murder."
"Why?"
"He worked at the Western Docks and lived close by."
"Where's the Western Dock?"
"Further down the river from St Katharine's, in Wapping. There wasn't any reason for him to be at St Katharine's."
"What did he do there?"
"He was a ship's carpenter but he also did general repairs for a company that imports wine and coffee. The dock specialises in high end luxury goods."
"You think he was killed there?"
"Possibly," said Tony, "Dumping him elsewhere … or luring him there would throw us off the scent. Huh."
"Huh what?"
"Huh, maybe your idea isn't so crazy after all."
"What idea?"
"You getting a job as a carpenter."
"I thought you didn't like that idea," said Gibbs.
"I didn't but I'm capable of changing my mind."
"Go on," said Gibbs.
"I still don't think you could pass as not being American but I don't think that will matter. You can say that you're out of work in America … you could hint that you haven't been able to settle since the war. You came across to see if you could make some money in. You can turn your hands to most things … you can turn your hand to most things, can't you?"
"Don't worry about that," said Gibbs.
"We know there's probably a job going at the Western Dock … I didn't want you doing it at St Katharine's in case anyone had seen you there but this works better."
"I can dig around, see if anyone knows what … what was his name?"
"Bernard Sewell. You could try his landlady, see if she's still got his room available."
"Sounds good," said Gibbs. "Would people know you down there?"
"They might do," said Tony cautiously, "Why?"
"Oh, just thinking of a way to establish my not so honest credentials," said Gibbs mysteriously. "You can run fast, can't you?"
XXXXXXX
Tony gasped as he ran after Gibbs who turned out to have a fair turn of speed himself which didn't seem to be much affected by the heavy workman's boots he was wearing. Gibbs slowed down slightly as he came to the dockside and allowed Tony to catch up with him. Tony grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him round,
"Got you," he shouted and then, seeing Gibbs raise his arm to punch him, said in a lower voice, "Don't hit me. No one here will believe it if you're back on the streets tomorrow after hitting a bobby."
Gibbs nodded slightly as he acknowledged the fairness of the comment, "It wasn't me," he shouted back, "I'm telling you it wasn't me."
"We'll see about that," said Tony sternly as he slapped handcuffs on to Gibbs' wrists and dragged him off.
"You think they bought it?" asked Gibbs.
"If there was anyone watching," said Tony, "And there usually is. Yeah, I think you'll be accepted as a seedy lowlife bit of nothing."
"Thank you," said Gibbs. "And thank you for the clothes," he gestured towards the rough workman's gear he was wearing.
"Don't thank me, thank the lost property office. It's amazing what people lose," replied Tony.
Gibbs skulked back to the Western Dock later that afternoon having been 'released' pending further enquiries.
Tony waited in his office for Jimmy and McGee to return.
"Any luck?" he asked when they came back shortly after 5pm.
"No, I think we've looked at everything," said McGee, "Although there's something niggling at me."
"What?" asked Tony.
"Don't know. If I knew it wouldn't be niggling, would it?" snapped Tim before flushing red with embarrassment at having talked back to a superior officer. "I … I didn't … I mean …"
"Don't worry, Tim," said Tony, "You've had a long day. Come fresh to it tomorrow."
"Yes, thank you. I will. Er … where's Gibbs?"
"Oh, he got a new job."
"Excuse me?"
"He got bored, decided to get a job until you break the case."
"Really?" asked Tim.
"Yep. I had to arrest him as well," said Tony with relish.
"What!" exclaimed Jimmy.
"Or not," conceded Tony. "We found out that the man killed at the docks actually lived and worked down at Western Dock. Gibbs has gone to get a job down there. We added a bit of authenticity by me arresting him down there. Should make him interesting to the lowlife down there."
"Is it safe?" asked McGee anxiously.
Tony thought for a moment, "Not completely, of course. But Gibbs gives me the impression of being someone who can take care of himself. And the beat constables are going to keep an eye on him. We've set up some places he can drop messages to us. He'll be all right."
"Are you sure?" asked McGee.
"No, I'm not sure," said Tony with a hint of impatience, "But sometimes in this job we have to take risks."
"Oh, all right," said McGee. "Is there anything else I can do?"
"No," said Tony, feeling ashamed of his spurt of temper. "Go home. Rest your eyes. Have you got plans for tonight?"
Tim brightened, "A friend of mine is lecturing at Imperial College. He's arranged for us to go to the Science Museum and look at the Babbage archive."
"Yes?" said Tony.
"Yes. It's fascinating. He tried to build a calculating machine … it could change the way we do everything," said Tim. In a burst of generosity, he added, "Do you want to come too? I'm sure Henry wouldn't mind."
"No … thank you," said Tony. "I've got plans."
"Oh, if you're sure," said McGee. "I'll see you in the morning then. Or I may go straight to the movie house. It'll be quicker."
"All right," said Tony, "Have a good evening."
Tim left and Ducky came in shortly afterwards.
"I was passing when I happened to hear you talking about Gibbs," he said.
Tony raised an eyebrow, "Happened"? he asked.
"Well," said Ducky, "I dropped a pile of papers and had to stop and pick them up."
"Was that before or after you happened to hear me talking?" asked Tony.
"After," admitted Ducky. "You're worried, aren't you?"
"You know me too well," said Tony. "I shouldn't be worried, should I? After all, Gibbs is an experienced operative. He knows not to do anything stupid. He'd call for help, wouldn't he?"
"I'm sure he would," said Ducky soothingly.
"Of course he would," said Tony.
"Just as you would," said Ducky blandly.
"I wouldn't do anything foolhardy," said Tony.
"No?" queried Ducky.
"Perhaps once," conceded Tony, "But I've learned that going off on your own tends to cause more problems than it solves."
"And you're concerned that Gibbs hasn't learned that lesson?"
"It's just a feeling," said Tony, "He wants to get things moving. It worries me. And I'm not sure he's got a high opinion of the British police."
"And so?" asked Ducky.
"And so what?" replied Tony.
"And so, what are you going to do about it?"
"I guess I may be spending some time in the Western Dock this evening, keeping an eye on him," admitted Tony.
"And me," said Jimmy firmly. "Two sets of eyes are better than one!"
"We may be spending time in the Western Dock tonight," amended Tony.
XXXXXX
As it turned out, however, Tony and Palmer spent a fairly uneventful night. They saw Gibbs leaving a pub at closing time and going to his new lodgings where he stayed all night.
It was not long after they got to Scotland yard the next morning that Jimmy answered the telephone in their office,
"No. I don't know. I see, thank you. Goodbye."
"What?" asked Tony when Jimmy put the receiver down.
"That was the cinema. It seems that Tim hasn't shown up to look at the films this morning."
"Maybe he overslept," said Tony, "You know, worn out by the excitement of going to the Science Museum?"
"Maybe," said Palmer but he and Tony were already both putting their overcoats on in preparation for going to McGee's guesthouse to try and find out what had happened to their American visitor.
AN: Tony chasing Gibbs is a reference back (forwards?) to the Baltimore episode where something similar happened.
