This story is a little bit different than the one I just completed. Also, it is a continuation of "Back to Baltimore," but it doesn't pick up immediately after. There are some details in this first chapter that will only be understood from reading "Back to Baltimore." And I apologize in advance for the cliffhanger at the end of the chapter. I have the pieces in place for the next couple of chapters, just need to get them in order.
Anyways, enjoy and feel free to review to review and criticize. I do not own any characters or settings from NCIS.
Tony DiNozzo gazed into the near clear and dark sky that revealed the millions of stars that lined the galaxy as he walked up the all-too familiar driveway to the porch to his boss' house.
He turned the unlocked door handle and walked into Leroy Jethro Gibbs' home with a six-pack of beer in hand, where the smell of a finely cooked sirloin engulfed his nostrils and immediately made his mouth water.
"Cooking for two or just expecting me to show up," Tony asked, knowing what Gibbs' answer likely would be.
"Hadn't seen you in five weeks, figured you'd show up once you got back in town. Abby called after you dropped her off and said you'd likely be on the way."
"I'll have to thank her for calling since the steaks are ready when I got here."
"Uh huh. Glad you brought the beers since I haven't replaced the bourbon yet," Gibbs shot back at Tony, reminding him of when Tony, Abby and Palmer stayed at his house while Tony was investigating the double murder in Baltimore when everyone else on the Major Case Response Team was either on vacation or out of town.
Tony didn't respond, knowing he'd reply back that it was Abby's responsibility to replace it, since she drank it, and knowing that Gibbs would shoot him a look that he didn't care if Abby drunk it, Tony was going to have to replace it.
The two began cutting into the steaks and savoring the tenderness of the sirloin. A few bites in, Tony finally spoke up. While he had adhered to Rule 11 during his two weeks off, he was curious to figure out what the others thought of what he had done.
"Guessing you read through the file on what happened in Baltimore," Tony asked in a more passive tone instead of inquisitive. He was doing his best not to sound like he was gloating. That would be left for Ziva and McGee when he arrived at work Monday.
"Uh huh," Gibbs replied. "Don't think David or McGee believe you did that all by yourself. I know the director was certainly impressive and that major up in Baltimore certainly talks like you're still a detective up there."
Tony paused for a second with another piece of steak on the fork that was mere inches from his mouth. He wasn't surprised about what Majors said at all, but it was the fact that Leon Vance was still heaping praise on him.
That thought process was quickly stopped by the piece of steak in front of his mouth and Gibbs' next five words.
"That was good work, Tony."
"Thanks boss. I was far from doing it all by myself. The guys up in Baltimore really helped out, plus Abby and Palmer were willing to put their necks on the line to help out. Couldn't have done it without them."
"DiNozzo, when are you going to learn to take full credit when you deserve it?"
"Never been my style Gibbs. I may act cocky when I accept those awards on your behalf, but that's because I can," Tony said, shooting a half smile at Gibbs, who in turn snickered at the comment.
The two, again, began eating and drinking in silence. Tony's mind began wondering to his and Abby's time in Miami. There was something hinky, as Abby put it when he talked to her about it, that kept nagging at him during his week and a half there.
With the steaks done and four more beers left, now was the best time to get his boss' opinion of it.
"While Abby and I were in Miami, I just had this feeling I was being watched," Tony began.
"Knowing you were probably trying to flirt with every woman, I bet you had jealous men, boyfriends and husbands watching you," Gibbs retorted.
"No, I wasn't hitting on anyone. More or less making sure Abby wasn't having the wrong guys eyeing her; but, back to my point. It wasn't a bad feeling of being watched. Just had this feeling someone was keeping an eye on me down there."
"Do you know anyone down there?"
"No, I don't. None of my fraternity brothers from Ohio State ever went to Miami for spring break. Senior is in New York and can't really go anywhere because of his situation and I don't have any distant relatives that far south."
"DiNozzo, you sure it wasn't an involuntary reflex from putting the Rocci's away?"
"That thought did cross my mind. Never knew if Billy Rocci developed any connections that far south. His father never got past D.C. and I doubt Billy was anymore successful."
Gibbs stared at his senior field agent and shrugged his shoulders. If Tony couldn't place who was down there watching him, he probably couldn't think of anyone either. Truth be told, Tony had made many enemies during his time as a detective and special agent, and any of those who held grudges could have been following him.
Though, that contradicted Tony's statement about feeling like someone was keeping an eye on him in Miami.
"That was me watching you in Miami."
The voice startled both Gibbs and Tony out of their thoughts as they jumped off the sofa and both had their hands on their firearms before realizing who was standing in the doorway.
"Dr. Cranston," Tony stated. "I guess I should be thankful for having someone watch over me."
The emergence of Dr. Rachel Cranston into Gibbs' home actually threw both Gibbs and Tony for a loop, but they weren't that surprised, especially after they were the ones who connected the dots to her being Kate Todd's sister.
Rachel vividly remembered how to get to Gibbs' house since the most startling revelation of her discovery into Kate's coworkers had been revealed. The basement in Gibbs' house would always be a place of closure for her.
"I thought I'd run into the two of you here," she said, smiling at the two of them as they retook their seats on the sofa and offered her to sit down on the chair next to them.
She wasn't surprised to find Tony at Gibbs' home, but she was hoping to at least talk to them one at a time like she had prior. DiNozzo and Gibbs had figured out who she really was during her interviews with the team earlier in the year, and she wanted to talk to them specifically because they were on the roof when Kate had been shot.
It was something that had nagged at her following her evaluations with the team. She knew what happened on the rooftop and what Gibbs and Tony did to find Kate's killer. However, she never really got to talk to Gibbs and Tony about how they dealt with her death.
"Is there something we can do for you, Dr. Cranston," Gibbs asked.
"Yes there is Agent Gibbs," Rachel answered.