Split Decision

Split Decision

"I gotta go." I told Kate before turning to collect my things. I grabbed my backpack and swung it over my shoulder on my way to the elevator, accidentally hitting Gibbs with it on my way past. Any other time I would have stopped to apologise to my boss and then received a head-slap for breaking rule 6 but today I was upset and angry and, surprisingly, pleasing Gibbs was quite low on my list of priorities at the moment. I walked briskly to the elevator and stood impatiently while the elevator made it's way this floor. I could hear brief conversation in the bullpen somewhere behind me since the rest of the floor was so quiet, most people had probably gone home already considering the late hour but Gibbs' team rarely went home at the normal finishing time.

Just as the elevator arrived and the doors opened, I felt someone stand next to me and I turned to see who it was although I already had a fairly good idea. Gibbs could creep up and surprise anyone but his presence was distinctive in a way that I could easily recognise after working with him for 4 years; he exuded an air of confidence and power. I only glanced at him before turning and stepping into the elevator. I didn't want to start a conversation with him right now but he was the most perceptive man I had ever met so I was sure that he knew something was bothering me. Of course, the fact that I had been his partner for about 4 years now meant he could read me better than anyone else.

He stepped into the elevator and stood next to me as the doors closed. We had barely moved when Gibbs reached across me and flicked the emergency stop switch. I had been expecting it but that hadn't stopped me from hoping that he would just let it go. Clearly, that was not going to happen. I sighed and resigned myself to the fact that I would have to have this conversation; that did not, however, mean that I was going to make it easy for him. He turned to face me and just looked at me, the expression told me that he obviously expected me to start talking but I just stared back at him, refusing to look away even when the silence and prolonged eye contact became awkward and I had to force myself to stay still; not break eye contact or start to fidget. Gibbs seemed to have figured out that I was going to be difficult and not just give in to his stare so he ended the strange kind of staring contest we had been engaged in and looked around the, for all intents and purposes, metal box they were standing in. I knew the scan of the surroundings was only an attempt to diffuse the tension that had built up in the short time since they had stepped into the elevator.

"So? What's going on Dinozzo?" The boss said. To anyone who did not know Gibbs well, it would have sounded cold and like he didn't care but I knew better. His tone sounded indifferent but to those who were close to the man, a hint of concern was detectable and it was spoken slightly more softly than usual.

"Nothing. Just a little tired boss." I lied, really wanting to get out of the elevator so that I could go back to my apartment and just let myself be upset without having to stay strong in front of everyone. I wanted to go home, crack open a beer and watch a movie to take my mind off of things and by tomorrow i'd either be over it or be able to pretend to have forgotten but now, it was still too fresh in my mind.

"Don't lie to me Dinozzo." Gibbs growled. "What did Kate do?"

"Who said Kate did anything?!" I answered, raising my voice a little without meaning to and it wavered a little. 'Damn it! I can't deal with this! Why couldn't he just leave it alone? I can't afford to start crying, especially in front of Leroy Jethro Gibbs of all people...'

"I'm not stupid Dinozzo. I know that Kate said something that has clearly upset you. What I don't know is what she said and why you refuse to tell me, even feeling the need to lie to me about it." The trace of disappointment in Gibbs' eyes was enough to make me reconsider my approach to this conversation. 'Always have to please him, don't you Dinozzo?'