Notes: Spoilers for Episode 13.21 Return to Sender. Written for the challenge 'pledge' at ncis_drabble on livejournal.
"That's why I put the piano over there. It was Gibbs' idea." Tony DiNozzo, 13.21 Return to Sender
Son, Can You Play Me a Memory?
2001
Gibbs came out of the bedroom in the victim's apartment to see Tony sitting at the piano, gloved hands raised above the keys while he studied the sheet music. He had a look of concentration as his fingers moved up and down without touching the keys. Tony looked up at Gibbs watching him. "There's something wrong about this music," he said.
Gibbs immediately moved behind Tony, leaning over his shoulder to look at the page. "You play?" he asked Tony.
"A bit," Tony answered.
"Bag it," Gibbs ordered. "We'll have Abby take a look. Maybe Cryptography, too."
Gibbs made a mental note to ask Chris Pacci if he knew how much 'a bit' was.
That night when Gibbs went home, instead of heading directly to the basement, he went into the living room. He slowly approached the sheet-covered instrument in the corner. Usually Gibbs did not even look at that corner. Now he stood staring at the shroud. His hand twitched, but he did not raise it. After another moment, Gibbs turned away and headed to the basement.
As Gibbs sanded his boat, his mind traveled back.
"Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs, this piano is for making music, not for home decor," the elderly lady from across the street told the young couple. "It is meant to be played."
Gibbs had pledged to her that they would honor that intent, and the piano had been moved into their house before the neighbor herself moved into a small apartment. For several years, the piano was joyfully played by a young musician.
Then the cold day came when the house was silent beyond simply a lack of music. Gibbs put a sheet over the instrument. The broken pledge to his former neighbor paled in comparison to his broken promise to keep Shannon and Kelly safe.
His next wife, Diane, talked about taking lessons after she uncovered the piano. Gibbs carefully showed no reaction to this idea and she lost interest. She didn't even try to take the piano during the divorce. The sheet went back on and stayed there throughout two more marriages.
Abby and Cryptography also found the sheet music suspicious. Tony worked with them as they decoded details about on-base drug dealing. He then tracked down evidence implicating one of the dealers in the murder they were investigating.
Pacci verified that Tony had more than a passing acquaintance with pianos.
Then Gibbs and Tony had to handle a case of triple homicide. After it was over, Tony became the owner of a spacious, if bloody, apartment. Not long afterward Gibbs showed up there with a moving van and a piano. Together, the two men positioned the piano in front of the double doors over the bloodstained floorboards.
"Impressive housewarming gift," Tony said, grinning. "I'd love to see what you give for a wedding present," he added, the grin disappearing as he finished.
Gibbs gave him only a mild glare, grateful that Tony had helped him redeem an old promise.