Rule 12

Gibbs' office

Gibb’s Office

Tony’s PoV

Following Gibbs as he stalked towards the elevator was not something that I particularly wanted to do with him in this mood but I had no choice. The look on his face told me everything I needed to know about his current mood and the way he had spoken to me suggested that the elevator was about to be used as a conference room again. To be completely honest I’m not even sure why we even had a conference room when the elevator worked just fine and Gibbs seemed to prefer it anyway. This elevator definitely got used more than what was expected when it was installed and one day soon I was sure it would just give up and refuse to work anymore.

A loud clanging made me emerge from the mindless rambling my mind had started as I realised that we had made it to the elevator and that the clanging was Gibbs whacking the button as hard as he could. Yup, definitely not in a good mood I thought as the elevator arrived and I followed him inside, making sure to stand as far away as was possible in such a small space. True to his nature we made it all of two feet down before Gibbs flicked the emergency switch with such force that I was sure it was about to fly off making me stuck in an elevator with and angry Gibbs.

Thankfully the switch stayed where it was meant to be preventing me from being stuck but as Gibbs turned to me, I half-wished it had flown off due to the ferocity of the glare I was getting. If it wasn’t for the fact that I had grown semi-accustomed to Gibbs’ glares I would have been a quivering wreck on the floor, as it was I gulped and attempted to take a step back to try and increase the distance between us. Note to self: backing away when in a confined space does not work when already at the edge of said space. This did not work and I realised two things; 1) I was well and truly cornered and 2) I finally knew why Gibbs held his meetings in here- there was nowhere for the victim to run.

“DiNozzo,” he growled while fixing those steely eyes on me, demanding an answer.

Gulping again I just about managed a coherent answer, “Yes boss.” Thankfully he understood what I meant.

“Would you care to tell me what exactly is going on,”

This had me confused as I had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. Well, I did have an inkling but I really hoped that this wasn’t the case as I would be seriously screwed if he had found out. Judging by the expression on his face however, it wasn’t as serious as Gibbs simply finding out what I had asked McGee to do as I had a feeling I would already have been head slapped to my grave if that was the case. Thinking before I opened my mouth I decided to go with the good old, “I’m not sure what you’re talking about boss.”

“Don’t play that with me DiNozzo I thought I taught you better than that. I’m telling you to inform me exactly what is going on between you and Agent David.”

Oops, maybe he had found out. Just in case I still went with denying everything, “Nothing’s going on boss. We’re both fine.”

“I thought I told you not to play that game with me,” Gibbs almost spat at me.

“Seriously boss. I have no idea what you’re talking about,” please believe me, please believe me, please believe me. I set up a silent mantra in my head.

“I’m on about the way you two have been acting. It is clear that there is something going on between you two.”

“What exactly do you mean by something going on boss?” I asked him, hoping against hope that it wasn’t anything romantic related otherwise I may as well shoot myself now. Wait! Did Gibbs bring his gun in here? If he did I’m screwed. And there was so much I still wanted to do, was the sudden thought I had.

“DiNozzo stop it!” he followed this statement with a headslap. 1 slap down about 50 to go I thought.

“Boss, I’m being completely serious here. I do not know what you are talking about,” I told him hoping that he would believe I was being sincere otherwise he would not be the only one who was angry.

“Like hell you don’t DiNozzo. What was all that about at the crime scene eh? You and I both know that that was not nothing!” Gibbs was getting seriously angry now.

“Oh you mean me and Ziva boss? That was a complete accident, it was nothing,” I told him having realised exactly what he was on about.

“Once maybe, but twice? That’s one hell of a coincidence DiNozzo and you and I both know what I think about them.” Shit!

“I swear it was nothing boss. We were mucking around a little yes but no more than normal.”

“I know you two ‘muck around’ DiNozzo but this was definitely not your normal standards and I can see it’s interfering with your work.” Wait. Back up a minute.

“It’s interfering with my work? What is?” I asked seriously confused now.

“Your relationship with Agent David. I was hoping I was wrong but after your tomfoolery at the scene today I am not so sure. How long?” I was getting more confused by the second.

“How long for what boss?”

“How long have you and David been breaking my rules and when exactly were you planning on telling me?” Aah so he thinks we’re going out.

“We’re not together boss. I swear!” the look he was giving me told me he definitely didn’t buy it, “Look you can go ask her and she’ll probably laugh at the mere thought. Or if you want ask Abby? I know she can’t lie to you and she knows just about everything that’s going on round here.” I tried, desperate for him to believe me.

“If that’s the case what is going on between you?”

“Absolutely nothing boss, we’re just friends.”

“Not what I meant DiNozzo,” he growled at me showing that nothing good was about to happen to me if I didn’t tell him the truth, “Why are you two avoiding each other?”

“I wasn’t aware that we were boss.” I told him, thinking that that would explain a lot in terms of Ziva’s behaviour recently. “I mean we can talk more than we do but today there was nothing abnormal, in fact I would say we were definitely acting like our normal juvenile selves today.”

“I don’t think so DiNozzo. Not if what you say is true.”

“Why would I lie to you boss?”

“Hmmph,” Gibbs snorted. “Now you listen to me Tony, you listen good and proper. I don’t know or care why you and David are avoiding each other but I do care about your performance and the team’s performance. We have a murderer to catch so I could do without the distractions. Now get your butt out of this elevator and go and fix it!” He finished while flicking the emergency stop switch again.

When the doors opened I could see several pairs of eyes staring at us, all apart from Ziva’s making me think that maybe Gibbs had been on to something. As he stalked out without so much as a backward glance I answered him under my breath, “On it boss.”

Now all I have to do is figure out how.