There were a few people who have reviewed GO SILENTLY IN THE WOODS that liked the character Harry. A couple asks for another story with the big guy. I took their advice and wrote a sequel and I hope you like it? Thanks for your suggestions.
Please note: anything italic will be Harry signing.
Disturbance in the Woods
By Glow60
Chapter 1
It was exactly two weeks after Tony was released from the hospital when Senior finally returned Ducky's phone call. He told the ME that his new wife had taken him to a private retreat to help him get his mind off his son's death. The retreat didn't allow any phone calls or outside contact with anybody. Senior was both surprised and trilled to hear that Junior was alive. Ducky had given him his son's new phone number so he could call him. When Senior finally contacted his son, he wanted to know why Tony hadn't left him any messages. Tony told him he tried to call him on several occasions but kept going into his voice mail. The younger man just didn't think it was right for him to leave a voice message saying, "Hi Dad, I am alive please call me when you get a chance." He decided he would wait until his father called him. Father and son talked for a while. Senior told his son the next time he was in town he would introduce him to his new bride Elizabeth. Maybe they could get together for dinner to celebrate the marriage and Junior's return to the living. Tony told his father he would like it. Deep down inside it bothered him a little that his father called him instead of coming to see him as soon as he heard that he was alive.
Around the middle of April, Tony finally moved out of Gibbs' house and into his new apartment. Gibbs, Ducky, Abby, Ziva, McGee, Breena and Palmer came over to help him to get settled in and make a party out of it. Gibbs had made Tony a beautiful handcrafted wooden entertainment center for his living room. McGee, with the help of Palmer, took care of wiring the home entertainment center. The girls helped with the curtains and did all the shopping for the party and also to stock up on some groceries. Ducky was in charge of getting the food ready for the party. Gibbs and Tony were going through all the boxes and unpacking them. The good thing was, Tony had left Gibbs most of his stuff in his will, Gibbs never did get rid of any of it. He had stored it in his garage until he decided what he was going to do with it. Tony was so glad he did because it meant that he still had his DVD & music collection that he was so proud of.
He's back…
Two weeks later Tony passed both his physical and mental exams to reinstate him as an agent. He also did very well at the firing range. He was now cleared to go back to work. When he first arrived he couldn't walk past someone without them wanting to stop and talk with him. Vance finally had to put a stop to it and order everyone to get back to work.
When Tony sat down at his desk, it was almost like he never left. Everyone had returned his things, with the exception of his Mighty Mouse stapler. It was still missing.
Ziva walked over, "Tony is there a problem?"
"Yes, I can't find my Mighty Mouse stapler. Have you seen it?"
She smiled, "Perhaps someone borrowed it and will return it later?"
Tony still looked a little upset, "Well, if they did they better return it and they better return it soon."
Ziva smiled because everyone knew Ducky had it and wasn't going to give it back to Tony until next week. Ducky was waiting for a package to be delivered. The ME had gone on eBay and found 1979 Mighty Mouse animation Hand Drawn Storyboard. Ducky was going to give Tony his staple along with the storyboard as a welcome back gift. The ME was all excited about it and everyone was keeping the secret.
It was a few seconds later when Gibbs walked in to the bullpen and told them to grab their gear. Two dead sailors' bodies just washed up on the Bethany Beach shore. When they got there Gibbs ordered Tony and McGee to sketch and shoot while he and Ziva went to interview the witnesses. Ziva and McGee just kept smiling every time they walked past Tony.
On their way back to NCIS, Tony rode with Gibbs. "Boss…I was thinking of going to see Harry in two weeks, would you like to come? We can make it a weekend camping trip. We can leave Friday after work and stay up there until Sunday. McGee wants to come this time. I would have invited Ziva but she is going to a friend's wedding in Oceanfront Beach but she does want to come the next time."
Gibbs grinned, "I wouldn't miss seeing the big guy. You know Abby's going to want to come."
"Yah I know. I was going to ask her this afternoon."
Abby's Lab….
"McGee, you are not going to tell him are you?"
"Well technically it was Gibbs who really asked me to see what I could find out about Harry's past. So technically, I really only need to tell him. If Gibbs wants to tell Tony he can tell him himself. There is no way I am going to do it."
Abby started laughing; "You know it would be funny if Gibbs does tell him what Harry's real name is. I would really like to be there when it happens. Can you imagine the looked our silver gray fox's face when Tony starts talking?"
McGee started laughing out loud.
"McGee what did you find on Harry?"
Both Abby and McGee jumped when they heard Gibbs' voice.
Abby spoke first, "Gibbs you got to stop sneaking up on us like that."
Gibbs ignores her and stared at McGee.
McGee turned to face his boss, "Sorry…Boss, Tony had already told us most of it. Harry was born in the Blue Ridge Mountains on May 23, 1962. His mot…mother ran off and left him with his grandparents. They raised him until they both died in a fire in 1977. He was burnt badly when he tried to save his grandparents. The authorities tried to put him in an institution but he ran away. He was never seen again."
Gibbs stared at both McGee and Abby. He could tell they were up to no good, "Okay, now tell me what the big guy's real name is?"
Abby smiled but didn't say anything as she watches McGee squirm.
"Boss?"
"You heard me what is his name?"
"He name is Jedidiah Clampett. His grandparents call him Jed."
Gibbs just shook his head. He could just imagine what Tony is going to do once he finds out Harry's real name is Jed Clampett and then makes the connection to his name. Gibbs looked at both Abby who was trying not to laugh out loud and McGee who wish he were somewhere else. The ex marine warned them if either of them tells Tony about their big friend's name they both will be fired on the spot.
Abby decided it was best to change the subject, "Gibbs do you realize Harry's birthday is coming up. We could throw him a birthday party when we see him in two weeks?"
Harry's cave…
Two weeks later, McGee and Abby were hanging around the entrance to the cave while Gibbs and Tony went to look for Harry. Tony figured their friend might be down by the river fishing. Abby was getting bored waiting outside so she decided to start bringing some of the things they had brought with them inside the cave. McGee wanted to wait like Gibbs had told them to but Abby didn't want to listen. When the Goth went into the cave, McGee decided he was going to stay outside. He just thought it was not right entering someone place without being asked to. While he was standing there he got the strange feeling he was being watched. A few seconds later, he found himself being lifted off the ground. He yelled out.
Abby came running out, "Harry, you better put McGee down before Gibbs sees you. You do remember what he said about us are not your playthings?"
McGee felt himself being lowered. He turned around to face the big man who had just picked him up like he was just a rag doll. If McGee hadn't been warned about him he would probably had gone in his pants. Harry looked very intimidating because of his height and the scars on his face and neck.
"Abby, you and Gibbs take all the fun greeting new people."
Abby ran over and hugged her big friend and then stepped back and pointed to McGee. "Harry this is McGee. He is one of the people in the picture I gave you. McGee this is my very dear friend Harry."
McGee went to shake the large hand but Abby stopped him. "Timothy, if you still want to be able to use your keyboard you better not do that. Sometimes Harry doesn't know his own strength." McGee pulled his hand back real quick.
Harry just grinned. He knew Abby was just teasing McGee, "Are Gibbs and Tony here?"
"Yes, they went to look for you at the river."
Harry smiled, "I better go find them before they both fall in. I have already taken my bath. I don't want to have to take another so soon."
McGee watched as the big guy left and then turned to look at Abby, "You never told me he had a sense of humor."
Abby looked at McGee seriously, "McGee, don't forget Tony was living with him for almost three months. Our boy has corrupted him."
Autumn in the Blue Ridge Mountains…
It had been an unseasonably dry and hot summer in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The weathermen were forecasting no rain for the next few days. There was now a banned on any outdoor fires. The local authorities and the forest rangers were worried that if a fire does break out there would be no stopping it.
Friday in DC…
Gibbs' team was looking forward to a very long weekend. Vance had given them the next four days off. They had been working twelve days straight investigating the death of two navy captains. SecNav was worried because these two men were involved with some very highly classified information. If the information got out it could jeopardize the safety of our nation's security. The case was finally closed when Gibbs' team figured out it was a case of mistaken identity. One of the captains had the same name as the man the hit men were hired to kill. Everyone involved with the killings were finally arrested.
It was early Friday; everyone was looking forward to the long weekend. Tony walked into the bullpen. He noticed Abby, McGee and Ziva were staring at the big screen. The news channel was reporting on a huge forest fire. Tony walked up behind them.
"What's going on?"
It was Abby who turned and looked at him, the Goth looked like she was getting ready to cry. "Last night, there was a very bad lightning storm in the Blue Ridge Mountains and it started a fire. It looks like it is in the same area where Harry lives."
Tony just stared at the screen for a few seconds. He then looked at them, "Tell Gibbs I need to leave now." He grabbed his bag and ran toward the elevator and then to his car. He opened the door and got into the driver's seat and started the car up. Just as he was getting ready to pull out Gibbs banged on the window. Tony lowered the window.
"Tony, you're not going alone." Once Gibbs was in the car he called Vance and explained to him where they were going. Vance didn't argue about it because he knew there was no stopping them. He just told them he hopes everything is okay with their friend. Before they left Washington DC, Gibbs had Tony stop by his house. Gibbs thought it would be better if they took his truck instead of Tony's car. He didn't think Tony's Mustang could handle the road up to the cabin. They also took some of Gibbs' camping gear and his rifle just incase they were going to be needed. Tony grabbed his carry bag from the car and put it in the back of the truck. They then headed toward the Blue Ridge Mountains.
When they were within twenty miles of the ranger station, they could see the smoke off in the distances. As they got nearer they could see what looked like a small orange glow on top of two of the mountains. As they tried to enter the road leading to the safe house a roadblock stopped them. The deputies would not allow them into the burnt area. They told them that it was too dangerous. Gibbs makes a phone call to Ranger Mark Adams. Gibbs was in luck because Adams was at the ranger station taking a much needed break. He told him to come to the station and they could talk. Gibbs and Tony had to sit in the truck until Adams called the deputies and told them the two agents were cleared to enter. Gibbs drove to the station.
Ranger Station…
Gibbs and Tony walked into the crowded noisy ranger station. They could see several rangers and firemen sleeping on a floor in the back. It didn't take Gibbs long to find Adams. He was busy talking to one of his men. He waved to them to come over to where he was. He shook Gibbs' hand. Gibbs introduced Adams and Tony.
"So, this is your dead agent who returned from the dead?"
Gibbs just nodded.
Let's get some coffee and go outside. It's too noisy and crowded in here to talk."
Once they were outside they headed to one of the few empty picnic tables. "Well Gibbs, I was a little surprise when you called me. I was wondering why you came back here since you found your agent. What can I do for you?"
Back when Tony was missing, Gibbs had done a background check on this man and knew he was one of the good guys. "We came up here to check on someone to make sure he was okay but the deputies would not let us by."
Adams looked a little surprised, "Well…as far as I know everyone is out of the danger zone. We did announce that to the news media and posted the names of all the people who had to be relocated until this is over. We also checked the area to make sure everyone left."
Gibbs looked at Tony and then back at the ranger, "This person would not be on your list. He is a hermit and has been living in a cave in the woods for a very long time."
Adams smiled as he looked at Tony, "So, that is how your agent survived. I never really bought that story you told everyone. Why does this man live in the cave? He must have told you something?"
"This man does not like to be around people because he is uncomfortable around people because of his looks."
"What's wrong with his looks?"
"He is not the average person you would meet on the street. He is very tall and cannot speak a word. Many years ago he was in a fire and he has scars from it."
Adams looked shocked as he asked, "Don't tell me you guys found Jedidiah Clampett?"
"Jedidiah Clampett?" Tony looked at Gibbs and then to the ranger.
Adams smiled as he looked at the younger man, "Jedidiah is one of the local folklores. I have heard so many different stories about him. Some people claimed a bear killed him and his ghost is haunting his grandparents' land for the past thirty-five years. Folks here believe he is still trying to save them. Others claim he ran off to join some freak show in a foreign country. He used to live about maybe twenty or twenty-five miles north of here."
Tony was a little angry, "He is not a ghost or a freak. He is our friend and we need to find him to make sure he is okay."
"Look son, don't get me wrong. I want what is best for Jedidiah because you see he is my half brother. I have been looking for him for almost thirty years now."
Adams could see the surprised look on the two agents faces.
"My mother died when I was about five years old and my Dad was left with three small children to take care of. He worked for the forest service. We were always moving from park to park. When I was twelve years old, my dad was transferred here to the Blue Ridge Mountains National Park. He met a woman and had an affair with her. He wanted to marry her but she didn't want to marry him because he worked for the government. She wanted him to quit his job. My Dad loved his job too much and refused to do it. So, they parted ways. A little later we moved to a national park out west."
"When I was twenty-eight years old I was on my second tour in Vietnam. My dad transferred back to the Blue Ridge Mountains because he always loved it here. It was then he found out that he had another son. There was nothing he could do about it because Jedidiah had disappeared by then. My Dad never stopped looking for him. My Dad always believed Jedidiah was still alive and he was living somewhere in these mountains. On his deathbed he made us kids all promise to continue looking for our brother. When I got out of the service I became a ranger and got transferred here so I can continue searching for him."
Adams looked at the two agents, "My dad was a good man and he loved his children. He did everything he could take care of us. I can only imagine what was going on in his mind when he found out he had a son he never got to meet and love. I know it had to have broken his heart."
Both Gibbs and Tony just stared at the man. Talk about a small world. Who would have ever imagined that they would bump into a relative of Harry's? Adams wanted to go with them but he was still in charge of the command center and was badly needed. There were still several huge fires that needed to be put out. The ranger gave the two agents a map of the area and circle where Harry's grandparents use to live. He gave them a radio so they could keep in contact with him. Before they left, Adams told Gibbs to leave his truck at the station and he would give them a lift to the road closest to the cave. Adams wanted them to call him once they reach the cave…