A/N: Ok, I have to admit- blowing up Keating was so much fun. Hope I'm forgiven for blowing up Tony too after this chapter. More tomorrow! F.
Tony lay flat on his back where the explosion had knocked him, watching as fragments of wood and brick fell around him. He reflected that this was the second time in a week that someone had tried to blow up the team. Turning his head, he located Keating. The younger agent lay a few feet away, groaning. First things first, he told himself. Hauling himself to his feet with a considerable effort, he made his way over to Keating. The junior agent wasn't injured, just winded from the impact with the ground. Good. That way Gibbs could kill him instead. The house leaned on a crazy angle, part of the rear having collapsed into the basement that they hadn't even discovered. Wincing a little, Tony pulled out his cell phone. He had to call the Boss. He hit the speed dial button for Gibbs' cell.
"Yeah, Gibbs."
"Boss, we've got a problem" he began.
...
By the time Gibbs and Ziva returned to the scene, Keating had recovered and was sitting on the kerb with his head in his hands. He stood quickly as the sedan pulled up. Tony stood watching from a short distance away. The fury practically radiated off Gibbs, and for a moment Tony almost felt sorry for the hapless junior agent. Almost. Gibbs stalked past Keating without a glance in his direction, heading towards Tony instead.
"What in the hell happened, DiNozzo?"
"Tripwire, Boss. We were taking the evidence back to the truck; don't know how he found it. I was ahead of him. I heard him say something and I turned around to see him tugging on this wire. Next thing I know, we're on the ground and the house looks like that." He gestured in the general direction of the partially demolished house.
"He pulled on the wire?"
"Yeah, Boss."
Gibbs mumbled something under his breath that sounded distinctly like a curse. Tony recoiled a little; he'd rarely seen Gibbs this angry, and he was glad it wasn't directed at him.
"Either of you hurt?"
"Few cuts and bruises."
Gibbs nodded, then turned his head slightly towards Ziva, standing a little way behind him.
"Ziva, you and Tony take him and process the scene. Or what's left of it."
The last was said just loud enough for Keating to hear it. Tony saw him cringe at the words. Still without looking at Keating, Gibbs got back in the sedan and drove away.
...
On his return to Headquarters, Gibbs headed straight to the Director's office, barging past the secretary in the outer office and storming through the steel clad door.
"Agent Gibbs. What can I do for you?" Vance responded calmly.
"Get Keating off my team" Gibbs ground out.
"He's a little green-" Vance began.
"Damn it Leon! He's useless as an investigator and downright dangerous in the field!" Planting his hands on the Director's desk, he leaned over his boss. "His actions today damn near cost me a member of my team."
Vance favoured him with a look, requesting explanation.
"He pulled on a tripwire, triggering a bomb in our suspect's house. He almost killed himself and DiNozzo. And destroyed evidence."
For the first time, Vance displayed alarm.
"Anyone injured?"
Gibbs shook his head. "Few scratches."
"Get rid of him."
Gibbs nodded, heading for the door. Vance stopped him.
"Your recommendation?"
"Same as last time, Leon. Stick him in Cybercrimes."
With that, he exited the room, shutting the door behind him.