He's Good
As always, thanks to my two wonderful betas jake and jordre.
All music mentioned in this story can be found on YouTube at this date. (3-19-14)
Chapter One
Anthony Dominic DiNozzo, Special Agent of NCIS and Navy SEAL eyed the document in his hand with disgust. "Well, shit. This case is going nowhere fast. Tim. See if you can't get a financial for the Petty Officer."
Tim turned to his computer with a sigh. "Probably. But I don't think he's involved."
Gibbs shrugged. "Probably not. But, process of elimination. If his financials are clean, we look somewhere else."
It was unusual for them to hit such a dead end, but the fact was, some cases just didn't get solved, even by them. This one was looking to be such a case. The PO in question looked guilty as hell; things were disappearing on his watch, but he could prove where he'd been almost every time. And his financials were turning out to be what would be expected of a man his age and pay grade.
Tony's computer binged with the sound for a personal email. "Damn. Tim, that house is ... condemned for lack of a better term. No go ... again."
Tim scowled at his phone. "Well, shit."
They'd been searching for a house since their return from that disaster called a workshop; living at GHQ was good, but it was crowded. Everyone was taking it in turn to sleep in the recliner or on the couch, except for Gibbs, but it was wearing on everyone. So far they'd found four places that they agreed on, but each one had fallen through for various reasons. Tony had said that he could get quarters on base at Quantico; Gibbs had smacked him in the head.
Everyone in the bullpen looked up as one of the Personal Contact Specialists from Human Resources entered the area. "Hello. I'm taking volunteers for the Services Auction we're having to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots program. Anyone?"
Tony shrank down into his chair. He hated this sort of thing. When he'd been in the fraternity, they'd called them slave sales; it wasn't PC now, but it was the same deal. Some poor schmuck would offer a service such as a date, or a short day trip somewhere, or some other sort of service; the service was auctioned off, while said idiot stood on a stage. He'd been volunteered by his senior advisor when he was a sophomore. A more miserable day he'd never had, on a date. It hadn't been quite as bad as PT, but nearly. He did not want to spend any time dealing with this; he needed to find a house for Tim and himself. Preferably before Christmas.
Of course this drew the attention of the PCS, who pounced on Tony with a little squeal. "Oh, yes, Agent DiNozzo. I'm sure you'll be able to do something. Perhaps a trip to the opera or something. What should I put you down for?"
Tony eyed her for a moment then said, "Piano concert. Not a date, or anything like that. But you charge forty dollars at the door. I'll give you a play list in five days. Plan on two thirty-minute sets with a fifteen-minute intermission, and not a second more. Take it or leave it."
The PCS wasn't completely stupid and was well aware that that expression really did mean take it or leave it. So, she took it. "I'll have to see when the auditorium is open. We'll need it for a total of two hours?"
Tony thought. "Probably a bit more than that, what with seating and milling to begin and getting everyone out at the end. Better allow three."
She turned to Gibbs, "And Lee-roy what shall I put you down for?"
Gibbs eyed her for a moment then said in a flat, cold tone, "You put me down for anything and I'll shoot you." He got up and headed for the elevator. "Goin' for coffee. Tim? AJ?"
Tim nodded, "Thanks." He eyed the woman for a moment then said, "I'll give one hour of computer maintenance. To be done here, in one of the conference rooms, with escort. You, preferably."
She nodded, scribbled quickly, then looked up to see that everyone else in the vicinity had disappeared like smoke up a flue. She made a face and muttered, "Well, shoot." She scurried off for the Evidence Lockup, hoping to fill her quota there.
.
Ducky eyed Remy with amusement. The SEAL was bitching mightily about having Tim and Tony at GHQ. He wasn't happy that they were sleeping in the living room. His opinion was that they should all take week turns, but neither Tony nor Tim would have it. They would not put someone out of his own bed for that long at a time.
Gibbs was his usual stoic self and said that they'd sleep where they wanted to and everyone else could stuff it. It didn't hurt that they were paying their fair share of utilities and groceries.
Jimmy just listened until Remy ran down, then said, "Really want to go on the mats?"
Remy got a horrified look in his eyes and yelped, "No!" He calmed at Jimmy's snicker. "No, thank you. Not mats. AJ'll kick my ass."
"And why would I do that?" Tony ambled in, smirking at their flinch.
Ducky shook his head. "Master Chief Petty Officer Devereaux seems to think that you should trade beds with him and someone else on a weekly basis, as should Tim. He's been quite vocal about it."
Remy nodded. "You should. You're not getting rest." He turned to scowl at Ducky. "An' I tol' you ... call me Remy." Ducky just smiled serenely and nodded.
Tony hiked his hip on Ducky's desk and picked up his phone. He dialed, waited a moment then said, "Boss, bring the pod and Tim down to Autopsy; pod meeting."
It wasn't long before everyone showed up.
Gibbs looked around and demanded, "Ok, who shit in whose whiskey?"
Tony grinned. "No one that I'm aware of. We do, however, still have the problem of where Tim and I are going to stay. It's getting more and more obvious that we're not going to find anything anytime soon, so we need to make other arrangements."
Gibbs nodded. "It's been ... three? ... months." He held up a hand. "I don't mind, but I'm sure you'd both like a real bed sometime soon. I can fix up something with cots, but that's not really a solution. So. Anyone?" He looked around at the group. He really didn't mind having a house full of people; he felt alive for the first time in years. His last wife had cleaned the house of any useful furniture when she'd left during their divorce; he'd actually had to go to the Salvation Army for a couch and table. It had made the place feel cold and empty, and he hadn't had the heart to try to fix it. Now, Remy, Dean, and Cosmo just bought what they thought was needed, or nagged him into making it. However, he knew that AJ and Tim were not really happy, not having some private space of their own.
Ducky smirked. "Jimmy and I have been talking. My house isn't the biggest in the world, only four bedrooms, but there's room enough for all of us." He looked at Tony, then Tim. "If you'd like to move in with us, you're welcome. I even have a piano. My town house has a dining room, library, and music room. It was built in the early '20's by an upper-middle-class family, so it has all the amenities." He looked hopeful.
Tim frowned for a moment. "Well ... Jimmy?" Everyone was aware that Ducky had put Jimmy's name on the title and fully expected him to have the house when he 'passed on,' as he put it.
Jimmy smiled easily. "I think it's a good idea. You can stay as long as you like. We'll have house meetings and rules, just like GHQ. Mallard Manor can be home for all of us as long as we like. There's no reason to believe we can't get along just as well as Gibbs, Dean, Cosmo, and Remy do."
Ducky nodded his agreement then added, "Very true. After all, I am the senior statesman of the group." His mock glower made Tony laugh while Tim just chuckled.
Jimmy grinned happily and exclaimed, "Great! Garden help." He flushed, "I mean ... well ... I can do it myself but it's nice to have help. Not that ... seriously, shutting up now."
Everyone laughed. Jimmy had become much more secure, but he did still tend to put his foot in his mouth from time to time. No one did more than laugh at him a bit. He didn't mind, as it wasn't cruel, just amused.
"Well, shit. Okay, okay." Jimmy waved a hand. "What do you want to do?"
Tim frowned at Tony, who just shrugged. Gibbs took pity on them and said, "Move; I won't be offended. We were a bit crowded for space as it was. Just don't drive Ducky nuts."
Ducky shook his head. "A couple of lively young men in my boring old house? Don't think they will. If they do, I'll just give them a shot of something or other." He smiled slyly at Tony, whose near terror of needles was well known
Tony shook his head. "OH, no, Ducky, I'll be good. All you have to say is, 'Go to GHQ.' and I'll head out."
Ducky snorted. "As if. Remember Mother? If I can cope with her, I can cope with you; just don't ask to see my knickers."
Tony's jaw dropped; then he remembered Mrs. Mallard's habit of asking to see everyone's underwear. He started laughing, followed by everyone else in the room. When he finally managed to stop snickering he explained to his team, then he said, "Ok, Ducky. I won't, I promise."
Tim wiped his eyes with his fingers then said, "I don't think either of us will have much time to cause trouble just now. AJ's been shanghai'ed into doing a concert for the Marine toy drive. And I'm on sale to give an hour of computer repair. But I'm not going to anyone's house; they can bring it here."
Jimmy chuckled a bit. "Well, you do know that the chances of someone actually using their service are about sixty-forty against. Don't sweat it until it's time. And, if you need a chaperone, I'll do it."
Gibbs snorted, then said, "Last time he offered anything like this, the woman who won it made such an aggressive pass that he actually had to leave the room. He was red as a tomato. I thought she was gonna tackle him."
Tim groaned at the memory. "Seriously. It was awful. It was that woman from the clerical pool that dyes her hair black. And she practically bathed in cheap perfume. Ugh!"
Gibbs nodded. "I know. She nearly knocks me over every time I get near her. If HR wanted to write someone up for inappropriate behavior, I wish they'd get her. She's made an aggressive pass at nearly every male in the building. Married or not. Talk about sexual harassment."
Ducky sighed. "She actually made a pass at me. Not that it's that unusual for a woman to do that, but I made it clear that I wasn't interested. And Mother was incensed. She didn't even ask to see her knickers."
The whole pod howled with laugher at that. Ducky smiled.
After a bit more conversation, they decided that Tony and Tim should move to Ducky's place, Mallard Manor. It wasn't that far from Gibbs' house, which they now referred to as GHQ, so it was still convenient for them all to get together. Ducky happily observed, "And now, I can host my own garden parties."
.
It didn't take long for the whole group to realize that Ducky and Jimmy weren't going to be put out in the least by the move in. It seemed that Ducky had sold a great deal of the antique furniture that had been in the huge colonial house he'd lived in with his mother. He'd kept what he needed for himself and furnished the house to suit. Jimmy had brought his bedroom furniture and not much else. The master suite was Ducky's, of course, and the next largest bedroom was Jimmy's. This left three more bedrooms completely empty of furniture. And the family room behind the kitchen was empty too. Jimmy sat in what Ducky called the front parlor with Ducky most evenings.
This room had an entertainment center that was very up to date. Ducky admitted that he did love his shows. And movies. Jimmy had helped him pick, with a lot of input from Tim.
This left plenty of room for Tim and Tony's things. They decided to move in the bedrooms on Saturday, as well as Tony's entertainment system and their computers. Ducky cheerfully told them that they could put their connections in the library, where he kept his computer and Jimmy's. Tim said that he'd put in a dedicated wi-fi router to eliminate wired connections to their laptops and tablets. This would get them out of the library for privacy's sake. Ducky didn't care, one way or the other, and said so. He also said that gathering in the library was great fun as they could share face-to-face.
Tim nodded. "And we could play chess."
Jimmy agreed, adding, "And backgammon. I like backgammon."
Tony laughed softly. "I'll play it with you. If you'll play pub games with me."
Jimmy immediately said. "Shove ha' penny, shut the box, and skittles, sure. Darts? No fucking way in hell." He remembered the last time he'd seen Tony play darts. Even Gibbs lost to Tony.
Ducky blinked. "Jimmy!"
Gibbs laughed. "No, Ducky, Jimmy's right. AJ cheats. Weird rules. That sort of thing. Cards are good."
Tony put on a hurt look. "Boss! I don't cheat. I just have inventive rules. But cards are good."
Jimmy nodded, "Bridge."
Tim snorted. "AJ, do you have crazy rules for that?"
Tony shook his head. "No. In fact, I've never played Bridge. Poker, Baccarat ... that sort of thing. But no Bridge. We'll have enough people to make a table. Ducky'll just have to teach us."
Ducky looked very pleased with this. He picked up a pad of paper and started making a list. "I believe that my Bridge deck is worn. New cards. And a couple of poker decks. I know I have chips somewhere. Jimmy, you'll have to look them up."
"Sure. I'll find the cards and the chips. There's a couple of board games somewhere too. Oh ... we'll have to rearrange the schedule a bit. I won't have to get up quite so early anymore. Tony and Tim will help with breakfast and that. We'll still be gone early, PT won't do itself."
Ducky nodded. "Oh, I do know that. You'll find that ... what did I do with that?" Ducky rummaged in his desk for a moment then produced a map. "Here we are." He showed them the route he'd marked out. "If you follow this route, you'll run exactly three miles, two rounds will get you back home at six miles. Which you run every other day now. And a round of yoga and tai chi every day is very good for you. I might join you for the tai chi. And the days you don't run you go to the gym." He sighed. "I remember, in my salad days, I was very healthy."
Jimmy patted Ducky on the shoulder. "You're still very healthy. Just not as active. Although you're very active for a man your age. So stop that."
Ducky nodded. "Indeed. Well ... Friday?"
Tony looked at Tim. "We should go over and see which rooms we want. With three available that's one each and still leaves one for guests. I think we should invest in twins for the guest room. Our stuff will more than do for us."
Jimmy added, "You won't believe the size of the rooms. I have a full size bed, dresser, highboy, and an easy chair and side table. And there's still a lot of walking-around room."
Tony grinned happily. "That's one of the things I really need. A place to just get away from everyone. Someplace that I can secure." he shrugged. "Sounds stupid."
Ducky shook his head. "Not at all. One of the reasons I took the maid's rooms at the old house was so that I could get away from Mother. I adored her, but in her later days ... well, she could be a bit difficult."
Tony just muttered, "No shit. Italian gigolo furniture mover. Please."
Ducky sighed. "I am sorry about that. But it did keep her easier to manage."
Jimmy agreed then said, "Well, she had senile dementia. I bet she was a real character in her young days too."
Ducky smiled in reminiscence. "Oh, she was. She and Father loved each other desperately. We traveled all over the world when I was young. Then he settled down and began to make money. Mother was the perfect hostess. When he went, she ... broke. We traveled again, I was in my twenties. Then she decided to settle in Dover. And I went on to ... do very classified things. She made a name for herself as a society dame and held parties. Some of my best work was accomplished under cover of one of her dos." He shook himself. "Well, enough of that. Depressing. So. Come over Friday and check things out. Decide what you need and we'll have a moving party on Saturday."
Tim, who'd been making notes, looked up. "What about your internet?"
Ducky laughed at that. "Do whatever you like about it. I'm sure I can trust you to keep me connected and virus-free."
So, the decisions were made and everyone went back to work.
.
Gibbs slipped down to Autopsy just before noon to invite Ducky out to lunch. He was happy to accept the invitation.
"Oh, thank you, Jethro. I do feel a bit peckish today." Ducky went off to change out of his scrubs and tell Jimmy where he was going.
They walked to a small restaurant nearby and settled in.
The waitress brought menus, took their orders and left water, tea, and coffee in her wake.
Gibbs sipped his coffee, then asked, "You sure about this, Ducky? That bunch can be a handful."
Ducky, who had known this was coming, just smiled. "Yes, Jethro, I'm sure. Jimmy needs the company of people his own age. And I do enjoy having the young ones around. Despite the chaos. If I need a break, I can retire to my rooms. I have television and I'll have Timothy set up my wi-fi so I can have my computer. And, if I really need a break ..." he smirked at Gibbs. "I'll just chase them over to your house."
Gibbs grinned. "I keep that bunch of lugnuts of mine in line. They're good guys, but ... well, we both know how it goes. Bad op, bad memories coming to the fore. And they act up a bit. They're not destructive, as a general rule. And, if they do break something, they're quite willing to fix it or pay to get it fixed or replaced. I don't think you'll have any trouble with Tony or Tim getting rowdy in the house. They'll take it outside."
Ducky grimaced at the tea; it was as bad as usual. "Dreadful." He pushed the cup away. "I don't know why I bother." He returned to the conversation at hand. "Jimmy is a calming influence on all of them. As is Timothy. We'll rub along quite well, I think. And this takes care of the problem of AJ living with his subordinates."
Gibbs nodded, smiling easily at his old friend. "Ok. I just wanted to make sure. Sounds like you've got a plan."
Talk drifted to other things: an old case, an op from years ago that had wound up ridiculous, other things of no consequence.
The food came and the waitress asked what was wrong with the tea. This resulted in Ducky explaining about warming the cup and pot and making sure the water was boiling. The waitress listened with interest then said, "I always like to make sure my customers like what they ordered. I'll bring you another cup, on the house. See if it's better." She trotted off.
When she returned, she had a whole new setup. The pot was hot, as was the cup. Ducky opened the pot and eyed the tea bag. "Looks nice," he nodded to the waitress. "I'll let it steep the proper time. A suggestion: don't put the bag in the pot. Let the customer do that. Some people like their tea disgracefully weak." He checked the pot again, decided that it was steeped enough and poured out. He sniffed the cup. "Smells nice." He took a sip. "It's much, much better. Very drinkable." He took another sip. "Yes, quite nice, in fact."
The waitress smiled and trotted off to check her tables. She'd remember Ducky's instructions, to the delight of tea drinkers, and the ten dollar tip Gibbs left.
They finished eating their food, paid, and left.
The walk back was occupied with a rather spirited discussion of the proper way to handle obstructive relatives. Gibbs was of the opinion that you ignored them until they went away. Ducky observed, "Right to the Director."
Ducky said that you placated them, stuffed them into a conference room, and put a guard on the door. Gibbs allowed that that did seem to work.
They separated at the rear entrance and went back to their stations.
.
Tony, meanwhile, was trying to fix his performance list. He quickly dropped several very good pieces, such as Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin, Rachmaninov's no. 2, several of Tchaikovsky's pieces and some Beethoven as they required an orchestra, which he couldn't get.
He'd already checked with all the services, but they were booked up solid for months. The local DC Orchestra was also booked. He sighed. That put several of his favorites out of reach. He practiced to recorded orchestral tracks but he wasn't about to insult an audience with that sort of thing. This meant that he could only play things that required just his piano.
"Excuse me."
Tony looked up; it was the PCS again. "What do you need?"
The woman cleared her throat and actually managed to look embarrassed. "The venue says that they won't clear time for less than an hour and a half or so for a concert. That includes the intermission, or intermissions. They say that cleaning up between activities is just not viable otherwise."
Tony nodded. "Ok. I can manage an hour and about fifteen minutes or so, not including two intermissions. I could go longer, but most audiences will be bored out of their skulls at an hour and a half. And, if we're going to go that long, you charge at least forty dollars, and it's full formal. Tux, or Best Dress. I'm wearing Full Dress."
The PCS, who announced that her name was Shirley, returned, "Well, I've set up the announcement." She showed him the broadsheet. It gave the date and time and the ticket price. She was charging $50 for advance reservations and $75 at the door. "I just hope you're worth it." She scowled at him and scurried away before Tony could answer her.
Gibbs said softly, "AJ." then reached over Tony's shoulder to take the paper. "Ok, she's got everything right. Looks good. You want your rank on this?"
Tony thought for a moment then said, "Yeah, put that on."
"How do you want it?" Gibbs picked up a pen and let his hand hover over the paper, ready to make additions or changes.
"I usually go with LtCmdr. Anthony D. DiNozzo, NCIS, (Navy). I don't use 'junior' or 'Dominic.' It just adds to the confusion. I swear, I'm gonna change my name just to get rid of 'junior.'" Tony made a face.
Gibbs was well aware that Tony resented being called Junior and that his, Tony's, father had managed to clean out his accounts more than once. It always took months to get the money back, and the excuse was always, 'My aide did it.' Gibbs wasn't too sure but what that was true.
"Okay. I think you should get programs made up too." Gibbs knew that program folders were handed out at most concerts; he'd attended his fair share.
"I will. As soon as I settle on a list, I'll give it to Shirley. She's dealing with all the paper stuff. She has a ... deal with a printer. NCIS could do it just as easily, but she'll have her boyfriend's shop do it. Bet it costs twice as much and is half as nice." He stretched. "I really don't care one way or the other. I'm more concerned with getting moved."
Tim straightened from his hunch over his keyboard and popped his back. "I've made a list of the things I think we'll need. I emailed it to you. Go over it and see what you think. If there's anything you want that I didn't get, add it."
"Ok. I'll give it a run-through on break." Tony went back to reading a report from someone about something. There were times now that he was reading reports for all sorts of SEAL-related things that were actually so classified that no one else could even see the cover. He locked them in a small safe that now resided between his desk and Tim's.
When he finished the last report and had locked it up securely, Tony turned to the task of deciding on his play list. He wasn't sure exactly what he wanted to play, but he was determined to put on a show worth the money. Besides that, he wasn't about to insult his audience by slacking. They were paying good money for a concert and they were going to get their money's worth. That didn't mean he wasn't going to have some fun. He knew both he and Gibbs were high enough on the food chain to get away with his plans. He just had to find out if Gibbs would cooperate.
.
Friday morning dawned cold and clear. Tony grumbled while Tim swore softly. It was crappy weather to be running in and out, but they were determined to get the job done.
The first thing they did was head over to Ducky's with breakfast burritos, coffee, and danishes.
Ducky smiled at the group. "Welcome, welcome. And bearing gifts." He led the way into his kitchen where Jimmy was making morning tea.
Tony put the box of pastries on the counter and got out of Remy's way. Remy added his burden of burritos.
"Got coffee too. I know you and Jimmy both have tea for breakfast." Gibbs put his contribution down and helped himself to a burrito, danish, and coffee.
Tony was already well acquainted with Ducky's big farm-style kitchen. His old house had had a formal kitchen, the kind that was dominated by a Cook. This kitchen was obviously meant for informal dining, as it had a huge slab table surrounded by six ladder-back chairs in one corner. The chairs were surprisingly comfortable.
Remy grabbed a danish and his coffee. "Watch it!" He dodged Dean's grab for his food. "Get your own. You won't like my coffee anyway."
Dean blocked the counter while he searched for his coffee and got a burrito and a handful of napkins. Cosmo took offense at this and gave him a half-hearted shove.
That resulted in Dean bumping Jimmy, who shoved him off with a grumbled, "Take it easy."
They were about to wind up in a shoving match when Ducky said, in a tone of voice that only Gibbs and Jimmy had heard before, "That is quite enough from all of you. Get your food and sit. Now." The scramble to get to the table was more reminiscent of naughty ten-year-olds, than twenty- and thirty-something SEALS. Once they were all seated, Ducky beamed at them. "Excellent." He settled at the head of the table, teacup in hand. "Now. What are we doing?"
Tony produced a tablet from his thigh pocket, plunked it on the table, and said, "We're going to bring all our stuff from storage except my piano. If I keep it, I'll have to find a place for it. If your piano is acceptable ... sorry, but I'm really picky about pianos ... I might sell it."
Ducky couldn't help his smirk, which he hid from everyone except Gibbs, in his teacup. "As soon as you're done eating, we'll go take a look. And, if it's acceptable, I'll ask Jimmy to give it to you ... eventually."
"Ducky! Damn it!" Tony looked indignant.
"Now, now, my dear boy. I have every intention of making you toe the line for many years." Ducky finished his tea. "Eat." Ducky thought while he poured another cup. "There is a solution. We could put your piano in the front parlor. There's room, if we give up one seating arrangement. And that would give us a bit more furniture for the back lounge."
Tony allowed, "It's an idea," then he returned to his food, as did the others. They all sat properly and ate like, as Ducky remarked, humans. When they were done and had cleaned up the kitchen to Tony's demanding standards, Ducky led the way to the music room on the second floor.
Tony walked one step into the room and froze. His hands dropped to his sides as his jaw just dropped. Ducky gently nudged him out of the doorway so everyone else could come in.
Jimmy smiled and said, "I just finished tuning it. Go give it a touch."
Tony blinked, then blinked again. "It's a Bösendorfer. It's ... wonderful."
Ducky just sighed. "It was Mother's. She played wonderfully. Until she started having trouble with her memory." he nudged Tony again. "Go ahead. Play it."
Jimmy explained as Tony approached the piano. "This is a Bösendorfer 290 Imperial. Ninety-seven keys, mahogany veneer; it's nine feet six inches long and five and a half wide. It actually has extra strings. The extra bass strings of the sub-contra octave extend the tonal range and create additional harmonic resonance throughout the whole instrument. It's a full-size concert grand. And it's worth ..." he paused, glancing at Ducky, who nodded his permission, "about one hundred and fifty-six thousand dollars, rounded down."
Ducky just added, "It's old. The serial number shows that it was made around 1930; the first prototype was built in 1909 for Busoni," he glanced at the group, "but you're not interested in that." He looked at Tony. "Ah! He's about to play."
Tony ran a few scales to warm up then started to play. He played Bach's Prelude and Fugue No. 21 in B-flat Major. He ran a scale, then played Scott Joplin's The Cascades. He finally just sat at the keyboard for a moment then turned to Ducky. "If you're sure?"
"After that, I am most assuredly sure. If you wish to keep your Steinway, we'll put it in the front parlor for casual entertainment." Ducky really didn't want Tony to give up his personal instrument.
"Okay, thanks. I'll call the movers after we're done here and set up a delivery time." Tony caressed the keyboard one more time then shut the piano. "I do like to open the top when I practice. That be a problem?"
"Oh, no. Just shut the doors if we're watching television. The room is soundproofed."
Gibbs decided they needed to move on for now and took charge. "Okay, men, we need to get a move on. Abby's coming to make us lunch, so, Ducky, if you'd stay here to let her in?" Ducky just nodded. There was no way he was going to get involved in the actual physical move; he'd just be in their way.
Gibbs smiled at his old friend. "Good. Tim, Tony, you got the list?"
Tim waved a tablet at him. "Right here. I've got it arranged by room. My idea was, we sort at the storage, get it on the truck in room order, and then all we have to do is take it off and set it up. Leaves all the sorting inside, instead of trying to do it on the fly, or leaving something in the yard."
Remy nodded. "Good thinking."
Gibbs checked his watch. "We better get a move on. We're supposed to pick up the truck in thirty minutes. Remy, with me."
Remy joined Gibbs. He was their designated driver, as he had a CDL. Tony gathered up the rest of the group with a glance, They were going to meet Gibbs, Remy, and the truck at the storage. Since they were going in Tony's SUV, he was driving that.
As they headed out, Abby was headed in. She grinned at the group, arms full of bags. "Hey. Shrimp gumbo, French baguettes, dirty rice, and trifle okay?"
Dean sighed. "Will you marry me?" Gibbs bopped him on the shoulder. "Okay, okay. Damn, Jet, mean."
Gibbs just gave him a poke. "Move it."
Dean laughed. "Sorry, Miss Abby; seems Grumpy Gibbs has cancelled our engagement."
Abby just dimpled. "Do you really think I'd marry a squid? Seriously?"
Cosmo grumbled, "Knew you were smarter than that. Dean, move it." He shoved Dean out of the door. "And let the lady in. Jerk. Born in a barn, I swear."
Dean laughed then replied, "Born in a barn, raised in a cave, huntin' and fishin' is all I crave."
Abby shook her head as she trotted down the hall, calling for Ducky.
Gibbs and Remy climbed into Gibbs' old truck, while Tony, Dean, Cosmo, Jimmy, and Tim ambled to Tony's SUV. Gibbs would follow Remy in the U-Haul to the storage.
Suddenly the truck slammed to a stop, reversed and backed up. Remy jumped out and ran to the SUV.
"Cos, you're drivin' the truck. I don't know what I was thinkin'. Sure as I'm ten feet away from AJ, he'll get his dumb ass hurt. Move it." Remy nearly dragged Cosmo out of the SUV.
Cosmo gave Remy a wide-eyed look then realized what was going on. "Okay, okay. Stand down. I'm goin'. I'm goin'." He patted Remy on the shoulder and trotted to Gibbs' truck, got in, and they were off again.
Tony just put the SUV in gear and headed for the storage compound.