Title: Poker Game
Author: Shannon/Raindrops on Roses
Rating: PG-13
Category: Humor
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They belong to DPB, CBS, Paramount, et al.
Spoilers: None.
Author's Notes: This is in response to the 11/16/03 challenge on the LiveJournal community 15minuteficlets. The challenge word was "chicken".
"You want to play what?!" Caitlin Todd shrieked.
"You heard me," Tony Dinozzo smirked.
"There is no way in hell I'm playing strip poker with you, Dinozzo."
"Aw, come on, Kate," Tony pouted.
"You think you're so cute, don't you?"
Tony nodded, grinning. "Yep."
Jethro Gibbs entered the hotel room. "What are you two arguing about now?" he asked, sighing.
"Idiot over there wants to play strip poker," Kate said, rolling her eyes at the still-grinning NCIS agent.
"Strip poker?" Gibbs repeated. Tony nodded.
"I think Agent Todd is chicken..." Tony started flapping his arms and making clucking noises.
Kate glared. "Will you shut up already? Gibbs, help me out here."
"Sorry, Katie--you're on your own this time." He sat on the sofa and pulled out a folder.
"Thank you so much," Kate said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
"No problem," Gibbs said distractedly.
"Shut up, Tony!" Tony kept clucking and circling her. "Fine. I'll play. If only to shut you up."
"Works every time," Tony said, smiling in satisfaction.
Kate shook her head. "Do you always act like a five-year-old, or is it only when I'm around?" she asked in exasperation.
"No, he's always like that," Gibbs volunteered.
"There's nothing wrong with being in touch with your inner child," Tony protested.
"There's being in touch with your inner child, then there's actually being your inner child. Do you have a deck of cards with you?"
"Right here," Tony said cheerfully. "You know, I've been waiting a long time for this, Kate," he leered.
"Deal the damn cards before I shoot you," Kate snapped.
An hour later, the tables had turned.
"I thought you said you didn't know how to play!" Tony whined.
"I never said that. I said that I didn't want to play. You know, Tony, red is really your color," Kate smirked as Tony removed his jeans to reveal a pair of red boxers.
"I think it's time that this game is concluded," Gibbs said, frowning.
"Oh, do we have to?" Kate mock-pouted.
"Thank you," Tony breathed, clasping his hands together as if in prayer.
"Don't thank me, Dinozzo. I just think seeing you in your skivvies is enough for one day." Kate laughed at Gibbs' dry pronouncement.
"Hey!" Tony exclaimed.
"And next time, Tony, you might want to do your homework before challenging a former Vegas poker dealer."
Tony gaped at Kate. "You never said..."
She smiled in satisfaction. "You never asked."