Life wasn't fair. Tony had decided this within the first twenty minutes of mud slogging through the mud and rain.
McGee was warm and toasty with the GPS coordination for the bull pen while he and Xena here marched through the mud to the abandoned cabin. He sighed as he surveyed the ruined shoes on his feet and wished for a warmer coat. the one he was wearing wasn't quite up the wind.
"Tony, the cabin should be in sight." McGee's voice flew over the headset.
"Just spotted it." Tony said pulling out his gun. Ziva had hers out and had lowered into a crouch.
Tony signaled for Ziva to sneak around back while he covered the front. Luckily the bad guy wasn't expecting anyone to find him in the rainy weather in the abandoned cabin. He was sleeping when they burst through the door.
"NCIS." Tony shouted his gun leveled at the man's chest. The man shot him a murderous glance and was about to act when little Ziva clicked the gun at his head.
"Try it I dare you." her voice could freeze fire.
"Nice work Ziva. You watch him I'll find the girl." Tony ordered.
The tiny three year old was easy to locate. She was stashed in the only room in the house and shivering. Without thinking Tony pulled off his warm jacket and secured it around her.
"Hey Annabelle. My name is Tony. You mom and dad sent me to find you." he said keeping his voice warm and comforting as he kneeled in front of her.
Carefully he picked the crying girl up and carried to her Ziva.
"Is the girl ok?" Ziva said her eyes not leaving the man kneeling in front of her.
"She's cold and tired." Tony said. "But fine."
"Good."
"I'll carry her. You keep Jack in check." Tony said before clicking on his radio.
"Tell the parents we got her Tim. We'll be in in a few hours."
"Alright Tony. Boss wants to know if anyone is hurt."
"Nope. The bad guy was sleeping on the job." Tony laughed. By the time they got back to the waiting car however he wasn't laughing at all. His arms ached from carrying the sleeping girl and he was soaked through to the bones. He tossed the keys to Ziva and settled into the front seat with the girl allowing Ziva to secure Jack O'Reilly. He shoved the keys into the ignition and fired up the car turning the heaters on full blast.
Arriving at NCIS Tony was glad to be alive. Ziva was grinning.
"Ziva remind me to never get into a car with you again." Tony said then frowned. Talking had taken more air than it should have and he found himself panting a little. He shrugged it off and carefully stood the girl still out in his arms. The parents were wiping tears from their eyes and thanking him as they reached him. The mother had her little girl in her arms before Tony could blink.
"You did good." Gibbs said coming to stand next to Tony.
"Thanks boss." Tony was pleased that his breath was working again.
"GO home and get some sleep. The paperwork can wait until tomorrow."
"Boss…."
"Tony you gave the little girl your coat. your covered in mud and look like crap." Gibbs said trying to hide his smile.
"Well boss when you put it that way…." Gibbs noticed Tony was starting to shiver again in the rain. He shrugged off his jacket.
"I'm fine boss." Tony said turning and walking away before Gibbs could force the issue. A couple minutes later Gibbs watched as DiNozzo's car pulled out of the garage and into the quiet traffic.
Tony ignored the cough he had woken up with as he got ready for his day. He took another extra long hot shower and dressed. Carefully arranging his hair he left the house and locked up. Gibbs was already in the bull pen when he arrived. Tony smiled at the steaming hot cup of coffee on the desk in front of his computer. He took an appreciative sip and felt the warmth spread through his bones.
"Thanks boss." Tony said taking another sip. Gibbs just smiled discreetly into his own cup.
The day started slow as first Ziva then McGee showed up. They worked in quiet until Gibbs got another call.
The case was pretty open and shut, the bad guy showing himself quickly.
"Tony, you and McGee are with me. Ziva stay here and get me a warrant. I want it by the time I get to the house."
"Yes sir." She picked up the phone and dialed while McGee and Tony followed him through the door grabbing their bag as they left.
"Hey McGee did you get a chance to watch that movie?" Tony began chattering as soon as they had buckled the seatbelts and pulled into traffic. Gibbs smiled as he listened to his agents bickering and talking.
As soon as they pulled into the driveway however his agents were all business.
"Tony take McGee and go around back I'll take the front." Gibbs ordered pulling out his gun. The man startled them all by crawling out a side window and all three agents gave chase at once. Gibbs, as usual, pulled out in front and took down the guy. He was cuffing the man on the ground when he heard it. The quiet almost fearful word that slipped through his junior agents mouth.
"Tony."