As people were wandering through the ballroom at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, more than one NCIS agent thought how fun it was to see their fellow agents in such fancy clothes. Although he frequented his tailor on a semi-regular basis, this was the first time in many years that Tony had rented a tuxedo, and he had needed to consult Ducky for assistance in tying his bow tie (swearing the ME to secrecy lest he ruin DiNozzo's reputation).
Tony looked around and smiled when he saw his team, this was the one time a year when you saw Gibbs smile openly and be willing to attend a party. Gibbs bitterly regretted not attending the Ball the year Ducky had escorted Jenny in her first appearance as Madam Director, and had made a point of going every year since then, even though he found engaging in the obligatory small-talk to be beyond painful.
Gibbs saw Tony, and made his way to him thinking he'd be a welcome respite from Gibbs having to talk as Tony would do most of it himself, but he did start the conversation: "Your bow tie's crooked, DiNozzo."
"Boss, it's gotta be a little crooked so that the ladies know it isn't a clip-on, it's all about the look," Tony explained while grabbing a drink off the tray passing by them. Gibbs didn't quite understand the reasoning behind that one, but according to what he was half-listening to there was some kind of movie somethingorother to back up the premise, which seemed to be good enough for Tony.
Just then, a shot rang out; the waiter passing by flung his tray (loaded with glasses of red wine) into the air, and dove to the ground.
Guns drawn, the team assesses the situation, red wine is everywhere (at least they hope it's just wine) and people are panicking and fleeing out the exits.
"Everyone Okay?" and then after all members of his team reply in the affirmative Gibbs inquires "Did anyone see where the shots came from?"
Ziva pointed upwards and said "they came from that balcony, Gibbs, and I believe the shooter is now headed for the outer balcony on the east side of the building."
"Ziva your with me; DiNozzo, McGee start getting the civilians out of here" With that order Gibbs and Ziva head after the shooter.
As she entered the stairwell, Ziva caught a glimpse of the shooter rounding a corner several floors below them.
"Gibbs" Ziva calls to get his attention, points down the stairs and then starts after the shooter.
Meanwhile, Tony and McGee had begun the evacuation of the ballroom, only to discover that the shooter had, in fact, hit his target...
After checking the unidentified person's pulse, DiNozzo turns to McGee and says "Better get Ducky in here," he is assuming this will be an NCIS Case based on the uniform the person is wearing.
A few minutes later, Ziva and Gibbs returned to the Ballroom, with their suspect, Winston Arbuckle, in cuffs; he confessed that he'd shot the victim, Lt. Cmdr. Charles Turner, for having an affair with his wife Charlene.
(Word Count: 523)
