What did you say your name was ?

Chapter Three:

"Hey, Boss" said Tony cheerily, "what are you doing here? We didn't get a case, did we? I'm sure my phone's on. I didn't think I'd missed a call."

"Relax, DiNozzo, we didn't get a case. Can I come in?"

"Ah, sure, knock yourself out. Do you want something to drink? Coffee, beer, bourbon?"

Gibbs would have liked a gallon of the hard stuff but thought he'd need a clear head for the difficult conversation ahead so he opted for coffee. Tony disappeared into his kitchen to do battle with his fiendishly complicated coffee maker. He hummed happily to himself as the coffee brewed. Gibbs was puzzled, this didn't seem to be an antsy Tony.

Tony emerged with two mugs. He handed one to Gibbs, "better drink it fast, Boss, before it eats away the China."

Gibbs nodded appreciatively and took a sip of the potent brew. He wondered how to broach the subject but Tony lived up to his tribal name and spoke first.

"Gothic Wildflower called me just now. She sounded happier: do you think she'll make it down to Autopsy now?"

Gibbs grunted in reply and Tony continued, "Not sure how I'd cope with finding out I had a brother or sister. Although with Senior, I guess it would be a total surprise" he shuddered at the thought, "Still" he went on a bit more cheerfully, "I'm pretty sure I'm not adopted. Senior would've sent me back for a refund now."

Gibbs thought that was rather sad but it seemed to make Tony happy so he decided not to pursue that line of thought. Tony continued to think aloud,

"Dr.Cranston nailed us, I think although Spirited Warrior looked a bit put out and I thought Pensive Academic was going to hit someone with his motherboard. Might be better if Dr.Kate's Sister keeps her distance for a while." He took a gulp of his watered down coffee. Gibbs seized his opportunity.

"And what about 'Brilliant Chatterbox'?" he asked.

"Well the Warrior and the Academic thought it was a hoot" Tony said, "also Vance wasn't a fan."

"What did you think, Tony?" asked Gibbs in one of his gentle voices.

"I'm not going to lie to you, Boss, I struggled with it at first."

"Yeah, until I had a heart to heart with our  esteemed Director."

"With Vance?" Gibbs said incredulously.

"Yeah, it surprised me too ..." and Tony went on to describe what happened earlier that evening.
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