An Off Day

A/N: Apologies for the unforgivable delay in updating. Sickness and Christmas interfered with my writing plans and I am only finding the time now to get back into the story now that my kids are back at school ... Sorry and I will try harder to update sooner from now on, Real Life permitting. In the meantime I want to thank all those who have read and followed this story so far and a special word of thanks to those who took the time to review. Here finally is the next installment . ;-)

Chapter 10

Tony knew he needed to allow at least fifteen to twenty minutes to pass before he headed back to the bullpen in order for his intended cover story to be remotely plausible so he decided to head outside for a while hoping that some fresh air might help his condition improve enough to allow him to do his job more competently. Rather than stand in the open air where he could possibly be spotted, he headed for the comfort of his car and sitting in, he opened the windows on either side fully and leaning his head back against the headrest he allowed the fresh morning breeze to flow through the car and wash over him. Tony found it did help and as he glanced at his watch for the fifth time he felt reluctant to return to the stuffy, badly air conditioned bullpen and the watchful, unrelenting eyes of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He only hoped he could pull off the ruse and that Gibbs would allow him to go back to the Crime scene. At least then he would get another chance to escape the stuffy office and Gibbs's unending surveillance.

It took him another few minutes to motivate himself to get out of the car but when he did he headed more determinedly back towards the building, forcing himself to ignore the cramps that once more made themselves known as he starting walking again. He steeled himself on the way up in the elevator and when the elevator pinged Tony smiled his widest smile and headed more outwardly confident than he felt inside towards Gibbs's desk. He had seen the older man's eyes alight on him as the doors to the elevator had opened but as always Gibbs's expression was impossible to read. He remained staring at Tony as he approached. Tony clapped his hands together and spoke in his normal upbeat manner.

"Well I told you that would be a waste of time. Ducky couldn't find anything wrong with me. Just a little fatigue that's all ... nothing more. So what do you say Boss, can I go?"

Gibbs turned his head to one side and studied Tony and it took all of Tony's resolve to hold his act together under the intense appraisal.

"You saw Ducky?"

"Of all the questions he could have asked!" Tony thought to himself "that had to be the worst one of all." It required a blatant lie, executed perfectly. Nothing less would suffice and he knew it." But before he answered he wondered did Gibbs know somehow that he hadn't? "Had someone seen him out in his car? Had Ducky found another way to call him? "There were too many questions and right now they were making his head hurt.

For a brief moment of panic his confidence slipped." If he lied now there was no going back! He would have to continue with it until he was found out and he knew that conclusion was inevitable. After all this was Leroy Jethro Gibbs. If anyone was going to find out about his lie it would be him. But he was just biding his time wasn't he? In order to be allowed help solve the case, wasn't it? But why? How did this all end up like this again?" His head swam. He had to stop over thinking everything. Another voice boomed loudly inside his head, drowning out his own thoughts. "JUNIOR! Stop standing there like a blithering idiot. Answer the man! " He looked up and saw Gibbs looking at him strangely and startled, kicking himself for allowing so much thinking time to pass before his answer came."Damn it! That made his answer seem even more contrived at best" but clearing his throat and with as straight a face and as controlled a voice as he could muster he said what he felt he had left himself no other choice but to.

"Yeah Boss. Just like you asked ... "

He watched the Boss for his reaction to his answer. He waited to see would a sharp reprimand follow if he knew that he was lying but none came. Instead Gibbs leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Tony's for a second.

"He gave you the all clear?"

"Damn you Gibbs! Another direct question requiring another lie. What was that saying again he used to know? " Oh what a tangled web we weave when we choose to deceive... " Yeah that was it! A film title came to his mind "True Lies" . Who starred in that again? Arnold Schwarzenegger and ... Oh ... who played the female lead? It was on the tip of his tongue. Jamie Lee Curtis ... That was it! "

Again the overpowering voice cut across his disjointed thoughts as a slight shiver went up his spine. "JUNIOR! You're RAMBLING about those damn movies again ... FOCUS!"

Gibbs watched as Tony seemed very distracted and never answered. His suspicions rose. His Senior Agent was definitely acting very strangely today. He was tempted to administer a head slap but something stopped him. Instead he spoke in a loud clear tone.

"DINOZZO? Did Ducky give you the all clear?"

Tony was still thinking about his father and the loud voice that jolted him back to reality made him answer automatically.

"Yes SIR!"

Gibbs screwed his eyes and his mouth fell slightly open at the regimental and unexpected answer. Tony knew that he hated being called Sir and never used it so what in the hell made him say it now twice in one day? He looked even more curiously at Tony and asked in an incredulous tone.

"What did you just say, DINOZZO?"

Perspiration sprung out on Tony's brow as he realized what his answer had been and who he had said it to! "Nice one Tony ... Pull yourself together man ... " he chastised himself inwardly and then quickly stammered a reply which he knew sounded lame in the extreme.

"Well Boss ... I started to say that ... Yes he CERTAINLY ... did give me the all clear ..."

Gibbs shook his head slightly and Tony knew he wasn't buying his act for a second, not that he could blame him after that shoddy performance. "What the hell was wrong with him today? " Even his normal easy word plays were letting him down. He was a master at disguising things with wit and wordplay but today everything seemed to be defective. He felt the ache grow in his abdomen and the normal stuffy office suddenly felt chilly. He resisted the urge to shiver and instead waited for Gibbs's response. It came within seconds. Gibbs reached out and picked up his phone, checking his screen at the same time for an email response from Ducky and again finding none.

"DiNozzo ... I find it hard to believe that Ducky cleared you as ok. You're acting strange today Tony ..."

Tony's spirits slumped as he heard Gibbs's words and realized that he was trying to ring Ducky. Again the humor surfaced.

"Boss? I act strange everyday. Ask the others. Besides if you're trying to ring Ducky he had to leave just after he cleared me. He got a call about his Mother and said that he'd be gone for an hour at least ..."

Tony saw Gibbs's eyebrows rise and knew that he was even more suspicious now so he quickly countered.

" ... However you can probably get him on his cellphone, if you really think I'm lying Boss ..."

Gibbs heard the hurt tone in Tony's final words but while he did feel slightly bad for checking up on him, his gut was screaming at him that he needed to, so without further hesitation he hung up and then dialed Ducky's cellphone instead, his eyes now locked in a stare down with DiNozzo's as he did. Gibbs's looked frustrated as he hung up.

"His cellphone is turned off. Ducky never turns his cellphone off ..."

"Maybe his battery died OR ... Maybe he turned it off while he looks after his Mother ... you know? Not wanting to be interrupted. Either way he gave me the all clear. Now can I GO?"

Tony was getting angry. He wanted ... No strike that ... He HAD to get out of the office. Before Gibbs could answer the elevator pinged and Kate and McGee exited, their arguing interrupting their conversation much to Tony's annoyance.

"My driving was not THAT bad Kate!"

"OH it wasn't huh? McGee I know snails who travel faster than you. You could have overtaken her and we MIGHT have gotten back here quicker."

"I didn't get a safe opportunity to. I suppose you would have zoomed past her at the speed of light endangering every other road user in the vicinity while I peeled my face back off the passenger window!"

Kate looked affronted.

"For your information McGee I am a SAFE driver. And more people die from people who drive too SLOW than too fast!"

As the two agents stood toe to toe arguing, Tony lost his temper and rounded on his newly returned colleagues

"EXCUSE ME? Could you two keep the arguing down a decibel or two please as SOME of us are trying to WORK here."

Kate and McGee stopped arguing and looked shocked at the uncharacteristic rant from DiNozzo and even Gibbs watched his Senior Agent with even more suspicion.

As silence fell and all eyes alighted on him Tony instantly regretted his outburst. He ignored his colleague's stares and turned towards Gibbs, leaning forward onto his Boss's desk, his tone not improving any as another pain tore through his stomach and he struggled to keep the pain from his voice.

"Are you letting me go or NOT?"

Although Gibbs felt that a head-slap was not only required now, it had been earned, he resisted the urge, deciding in the moment that keeping calm and thwarting Tony's plans whatever they were would be sufficient punishment enough. Looking back at his computer he merely answered nonchalantly instead.

"You can go ... "

Tony finally smiled and breathed easier. He stood back up and muttered more politely.

"Thank you Boss ..."

But just as he turned to head back to his desk, Gibbs's voice continued.

" ... but KATE goes with you DiNozzo ..."

Tony stopped where he stood and closed his eyes briefly. "Oh no not Kate! Kate would see through him in a minute. There would be no fooling Kate. Not when she had that mysterious women's intuition going for her. " He wheeled around to protest but before he had the chance to, Kate unexpectedly joined in the foray.

"Now wait a minute Gibbs. Don't I get a say in this? I mean where are you sending me off to now or am I even allowed to ask and with TONY? I am just back in the door after a half hour's drive which took over an hour due to McGee's slow driving and a morning of interviewing colleagues of Petty Officer Grimshaw who really were not very helpful at all and ... "

"Hey for the last time will you cut that out. My driving is NOT slow!" McGee joined in adding to the ever growing noise in the bullpen as Kate wheeled back around towards him.

"Oh no! Tell that to the cyclists who passed us out."

"It wasn't my fault the elderly lady in front of us was traveling slow and I never got a safe opportunity to pass her by ..."

"Oh PLEASE! ... " Kate scoffed as the two agents squared up again in front of Gibbs's desk.

Tony stood enjoying not being the center of attention for the first time that morning and smiled as he saw Gibbs's expression and knew two head-slaps were imminent. He watched as Gibbs rose from his seat, his face clearly not impressed with the current behavior of his two agents. Reaching out he head-slapped both of them and roared.

"ENOUGH!"

Kate and McGee rubbed the back of their heads and looked suitably admonished and embarrassed.

"Sorry Boss ..." McGee muttered apologetically followed by an equally contrite apology from Todd.

"Sorry Gibbs ..."

Tony had almost laughed out loud at the sight of the deftly delivered wake up call his two colleagues had received but instead decided to turn the situation to his advantage.

"BOSS? If I may be bold enough to suggest ... Kate IS right. She looks stressed and I can attest to the fact that McGee's driving can cause severe traumatic stress so if it's alright with you why don't I take McGee with me instead? I mean he's always saying he wants more field experience and Kate can unwind a little and fill you in on what they found out this morning. What do you say? Can I take the Probie as back up seeing as you're insisting I have to take someone to watch my back?"

McGee looked amazed at Tony's offer. Normally he would always choose Kate over him if he had the choice and Kate looked equally confused at Tony's defense of her but Gibbs was the main one eyeing up his Senior Agent at that moment. Gibbs was sure the young man would have insisted on going on his own so he was decidedly taken aback that he was agreeing to taking Tim with him. He couldn't think of a valid reason not to grant his request so after a few seconds passed he answered in his usual brief manner.

"Ok ... Take McGee ..."

Tony beamed from ear to ear. "Yes! Victory ... Ideally he would have preferred go alone but McGee was a good second choice. He could always ... Well nearly always anyway talk his way out of anything with the Probie and anyway he would be so delighted to have been invited along that he hoped he wouldn't pay too much attention to him along the way." Turning to return to his desk to gather his gear he spoke to McGee.

"Ok Probie, you're up. Don't get comfortable. Let's GO! Now you'll get to learn from a pro ..."

McGee rolled his eyes to heaven and exchanged a pained glance at Kate at Tony's last words and she patted him on the back as he passed her by before returning to sit at her desk.

"Good luck McGee. I think you're going to need it. Oh and Tony? DON'T let him drive!" she called out to DiNozzo as she saw the Senior Agent reach the elevator and stepping in he held it open for McGee.

"Come on McSlowcoach. Time's a wasting ..."

But Tony's smile faded as he watched Gibbs call out to McGee as he followed.

"Hold on a second McGee. Tony, McGee will follow you down to the car in a minute ... I just want to have a word with him about this morning's interviews first."

Tony swallowed hard and frowned, knowing exactly what words he wanted to have with McGee so he continued holding the elevator doors open and spoke defiantly.

"Oh that's ok Boss. I can wait ..."

Gibbs however left no room for defiance and stared him down from the bullpen.

"I SAID he'll follow you down Tony!"

Knowing that he was fighting a losing battle, Tony gave up and thumped at the ground floor button, shouting out before the doors closed fully.

"Ok Boss but don't keep him long. The car leaves in ten minutes WITH or WITHOUT him ..."

With that last parting shot, the doors shut and Gibbs frowned as he then beckoned to a confused looking McGee. Tim made his way back to Gibbs's desk and asked.

"Boss? What's going on? Kate can fill you in on everyone we spoke to ..."

Kate was also looking curiously at Gibbs so the older man stood up and leaned closer to McGee and spoke so quietly that McGee had to strain to hear.

"I want you to keep a close eye on Tony, you got that McGee? Don't let him out of your sight. "

McGee could see Kate's curiosity growing from her position behind her desk and whispered back.

"What EXACTLY am I looking for Boss?"

The conversation continued in hushed tones much to Kate's annoyance as she couldn't make out anything that was being discussed only she was sure she heard Tony's name mentioned at least once.

"I think he's sick but trying to deny it. "

McGee looked concerned.

"Why would he deny it if he was?"

"Well now that's the million dollar question isn't it McGee? Don't let on to him. Just keep your eyes peeled and report back to me. Can you handle that ... Probie?"

"Absolutely Boss ... you can count on me ..."

Gibbs nodded and sat back down at his desk but then frowned as he saw McGee still standing in front of his desk unsure of what to do next.

"Well GO McGee! " Gibbs stated with frustration in his voice which resulted in Tim hurrying away towards the elevator at high speed answering his Boss as he went.

"Of course ... On my way Boss ..."

Gibbs shook his head in frustration as he watched McGee enter the elevator and saw the doors close before he picked up his phone and dialed Ducky's number again.

"Come on Ducky" he muttered under his breath. "Answer the damn phone!"