Chapter Text
Tony walked with a sort of prideful gleam on his face.
“What’s gotten you so happy this morning?” McGee asked, already behind his computer but not quite ready – or in the mood – to face the day just yet. But considering their luck, he was prepared enough if their boss walked through the elevator doors with a dead body and a new case for them to solve.
“Nothing.” Tony’s voice snapped him back to reality and he watched as the other man walked over to sit parallel to him, behind his desk.
McGee narrowed his eyes, he wouldn’t admit it, but a happy DiNozzo meant either one of two things, and okay maybe he was a little curious.
“Tony?” He spoke up again.
But before Tony could do anything besides turning his head, thundering footsteps brought McGee’s attention to the elevator from which Kate rushed out followed by… Abby??
She walked in, threw a glance at Tony – who was full-on smugly grinning – and seemed to rethink her decision of entering the bullpen. Though, she didn’t get the chance to turn around and walk away since Abby was right behind her, blocking her way and bombarding her with questions McGee was only tuning into now.
“But why Tony ?” The forensic scientist whined.
Kate groaned. “I told you before Abs, I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Yes, but I would've wanted a gift from you too!”
Kate gave Tony a gift? That took his interest. “A gift?” He looked back over to Tony and squinted. Maybe if he tried hard enough, he’d find out what she got the other NCIS agent.
Kate noticed what he was doing and groaned louder, settling herself in her chair. She crossed her arms, glaring at Tony who looked like he was enjoying her suffering but weirdly hasn’t said anything to tease her yet.
“Somebody regretting their decisions?”
… And he spoke too soon.
If it was possible, Kate scowled even deeper. “No.” She spat out.
Tony stood up from behind his desk and walked over to Kate’s. That, and Abby’s look, prompted McGee to leave his own and join the little group.
He got there just in time to hear the small conversation they were now having. Or well, the small snappy exchange.
“I am not taking back a gift, DiNozzo. Unlike you, I have manners.” Kate smiled sweetly, even though she all but hissed her words.
Before Tony could taunt her more, Abby decided to pipe in. “I can have it if you don’t want it, Tony!” She offered.
“No!” Was the simultaneous reply from the bickering agents.
McGee raised an eyebrow; he had a feeling he was the only one who didn’t know what ‘the gift’ actually was. “Why? What is it?”
Of course, he didn’t get an answer as a familiar voice snapped at them. “There better be a reason why all of you are huddled there like a bunch of school kids on recess.”
The group broke off, with the boys skittering back to their desks while Kate attempted to look like she was adjusting papers on her desk.
“Abby?” Gibbs asked the forensic scientist as she stayed where she was beside Kate, all smiles. “What are you doing here?”
Her braids swung around her face as she gasped happily and switched her gaze between Kate, Tony, and Gibbs continuously.
“Gibbs! Gibbs! Do you know what Kate gave Tony-”
There was a flurry of strangled sounding shouts before quiet as Kate wrestled Abby down to her chair – covering her mouth with her hand – ending up with them both lumped awkwardly on top of each other.
Gibbs, of course, was unfazed by all of it and raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I know. And?”
Two pairs of eyes bulged comically, and Tony snapped up from his chair, walking over towards their boss, wiping his hands nervously on the back of his pants.
He chuckled awkwardly. “It- It was just a bet boss.”
Gibbs smiled knowingly. “Sure, it was,” a light smack on the back of the head “If it wasn’t, that would’ve been a harder smack.”
Then the air of seriousness returned as Gibbs announced a case and a dead body – as predicted. Abby went back to her lab and McGee almost missed Tony throwing a small box – not so gently – over to Kate, who glared at him as if saying “I told you so.”
Now he really wanted to know what was in that box.