AN: this is a Milsom Bay story but I don't think it will matter if you haven't read the others - I'll introduce the characters as I go alone.
Tony is now living in North Carolina and waiting to take up his new job - the CAFALO of the title.
Tony DiNozzo walked away, resolutely promising himself that he would not look back. He successfully got to the end of the path but then found himself unable not to look. He gazed at the shut door and realised that his daughter had disappeared inside and was probably coping better with this momentous day than he was. He allowed himself a rueful smile and then headed towards his new place of work.
Following his 'discovery' of Tali he had, eventually, decided to move to North Carolina where he had had a bolthole for some years on the coast and where he had made close friends in artist John Sutherland and local café owner Millie Lacey. Tony had found a new job as what Jethro Gibbs insisted calling a CafPow with the Raleigh Police Department. In fact, his job title was CAFALO – Community and Federal Agency Liaison Officer. He was due to start in a few days' time and had been spending some weeks finding a new home in Raleigh as well as child care. He hoped that was all done and now, for the first time, he had left Tali at her new playgroup.
Tony's Guide to Childcare for New Parents had advised him this would be good for Tali but that child and father might both suffer separation anxiety. Somehow, he thought Tali was fine while he was suffering enough for both of them. He straightened his shoulders, wiped a sticky hand on one of the hand-wipes which were now his constant accessory and strode confidently into the Raleigh Police Department Headquarters.
"Agent … Lieutenant DiNozzo to see the Chief," said Tony to the officer at the front desk.
The officer looked at him appraisingly and decided to escort him.
"Your first day?" she asked.
"Not till next week," said Tony, "I've just been settling my little girl into playgroup."
Tony was never sure how this information would go down. For some of the women he met, finding out he had a daughter was an attraction while others headed to the hills or sniffed disapprovingly.
"I'm Casey," said his escort, "Casey Phillips," she looked at him from under her eyelashes, "I bet she's cute."
Tony smiled. Casey clearly fell into the attracted camp.
"I've got a little boy. Tomasz," she added, "perhaps we could arrange a playdate for them?"
"Um," said Tony, "well… that's nice of you. I …"
"I'll see you around," said Casey as they arrived at the Chief's door. Tony wasn't sure if that was a threat or a promise.
Tony straightened his already straight tie and walked into the office. Chief Laura Martin was new to the post although she had served her whole career in the North Carolina force. It was she who had created Tony's new post and got funding for the work he would do across the state.
"Lt DiNozzo," she said, "settled in?"
"Getting there," he nodded. "Moved into the new house last week." He resisted the temptation to tell her about Tali's new adventure; he felt he was in danger of becoming a bore on the subject of his daughter.
"And your daughter?" asked the Chief.
"Fine," he said, "Just fine." He stopped himself from looking at his watch to see how long it was since he left Tali.
"I hear you've been looking around," said Laura.
"I've been to some of the stations," said Tony, "gone a couple of rides in patrol cars. Trying to get a feel for how the force works. It'll help when I'm talking to the community groups. And if I have to run interference with any feds - best if the guys know my face before I weigh in."
"Good," said Laura, "I'm excited about this post. I think it will be very helpful. We need to build bridges."
Tony nodded, wondering how much of her time was spent on police work and how much in politics. He tried to think of something polite to say but was interrupted.
"I'd like you to meet your assistant. Henry Mason."
"Assistant?" said Tony in surprise, "I didn't know I had one."
"This is an important job," said Laura, "I found the money in the budget. Henry will be a big help. He'll be able to help set up meetings with community groups, save you some time."
"OK," said Tony cautiously.
"Henry used to be one of our officers," said Laura, "he had a bright future."
"What happened?"
"His father, Henry Senior, was a lieutenant. Very popular, well-liked and respected and then he was accused of corruption. It was a shock. You know, the last person you would have thought would be on the take."
Tony shrugged, all too well aware of 'good' cops who had let their force down.
"He was charged," said the Chief, "but he died before the case could come to trial."
"Suicide?" asked Tony.
"Possibly," said Laura, "he was in a car crash. The circumstances were … unusual but it was decided not to investigate too closely. For the sake of his family. The case wasn't pursued."
"And what happened to Henry Junior?"
"He didn't feel he could stay in the force. He left. Tried a couple of jobs and then went into the Navy for seven years. He came out last year and I offered him a job, a civilian job."
"I see," said Tony, not actually sure that he did.
"Lt Mason was my mentor," said Laura, "I owe what I am today to him. That's why I was glad to reach out to his son. Lieutenant … Tony … when you have time I'd like you to think about looking into his case again."
"Ma'am?"
"Chief will do," said Laura. "I'd only just earned my detective's badge when the whole case came to light. I wasn't involved but something never sat right with me about the case. I've got no new evidence to offer you. But just, if you can, take another look at what went on. It would be good to have a fresh pair of eyes looking at it."
"Of course," said Tony.
"And no need to make a big thing of it," said Laura.
"OK," said Tony.
"It's probably nothing," she said, "but somehow my gut has never been happy."
Tony stared at her, wondering if it was a good or bad thing to have another Boss with a 'gut'.
There was a tap at the door and Tony's new assistant came in. Henry Mason was about ten years younger than Tony with thinning brown hair and a happy relaxed smile.
The Chief made the introductions and sent them away. She was obviously a busy and practical person working to a schedule and aware of limited resources. Tony wondered again about the working of her gut. Henry led Tony to their office and showed him the office diary which was rather empty.
"Doesn't look as if many groups want me to go talk to them," said Tony a little anxiously.
"It's early days yet," said Henry, "I'm sure things will get busier. Would you like me to show you how the computer system works? What operating system are you used to?"
Tony decided that, while Henry might be fascinated by the office machinery, it was a pleasure which he would defer until his official starting date. He made his way back to collect Tali and experienced mixed feelings when she ran out happily to meet him having clearly had a wonderful time without missing him at all. He tried to be grateful that she had settled in so well rather than the unreasonable thought that she had needed him less than he had needed her.
The next couple of days proved him wrong.
NCISNCIS
"Gibbs."
"Boss … I mean, Gibbs, It's DiNozzo here."
"What you want?" asked Gibbs, "I'll be seeing you in a few hours. Can't you wait?"
"About that," said Tony, "Tali started at playgroup this week. She's picked up some sort of bug."
"It happens," said Gibbs philosophically.
"She's pretty miserable," said Tony, "we're just going to hunker down for the weekend. She just wants her papa at the minute."
"You want to cancel?" said Gibbs.
"No point you coming, Gibbs," said Tony. "Doc says she'll be fine next week. Could you come then? Might be better. John'll be back. He wants to take you out in his new boat."
"OK," said Gibbs. "You going to be all right?"
"Sure. New nanny started this week. Hell of an introduction!"
"'Kay," said Gibbs, "see you next week."
"Was that Tony?" asked Abby making one of her unexpected appearances in the squad room. Gibbs wondered if she had wired the place to make sure she knew what was going on. "You still on for the weekend?" she demanded excitedly.
"Nope."
"No! Why not? Don't tell me you have to work. Because that's not fair. You always have to work. Why can't you go see Tali? I've got this really cool dress I want you to take her."
"The bug has got a bug," said Gibbs with a rare attempt at humour. "DiNozzo thinks its best just to have a few days of quiet. I'll go next weekend instead."
"OK," said Abby reluctantly. "Hey," she said cheering up, "it'll give me more time to go shopping. And the sisters are knitting her a blanket. And I need to find a baby Burt …" her voice trailed off as she went back to her lab.
Gibbs watched her go and reflected that it was probably as well that her work with Habitat with Humanity kept her in DC or else she would spend all her time in North Carolina.
NCISNCIS
The next weekend saw Gibbs sitting contentedly outside Millie's café in Milsom Bay. He was in a good mood: he had hitched a ride on a chopper to Camp Lejeune and borrowed a car from a friend based there; which meant that he had avoided all the traffic and arrived hours ahead of schedule. Millie had provided him with coffee and cake and made the day complete. Millie came and sat with him.
"Poor Tony," she said.
"Why?" asked Gibbs, "thought he liked living closer."
"He does," agreed Millie. "And his new house is lovely. Just round the corner from Kit and Andy. You know, my son and daughter-in-law."
Gibbs nodded. He remembered a time when their son Joe had been helpful.
"And Pippa likes bossing Tali around," said Millie with a smile, "she's not old enough to boss anyone else around."
Gibbs smiled at that. He remembered Pippa as well able to stand her own with her older brother.
"So why 'poor Tony'?" he asked, taking a sip of Millie's perfect coffee.
"Tali just started at playgroup," said Millie.
"I know," said Gibbs, "picked up some sort of bug. Tony cancelled last weekend. It's tough looking after a sick kid."
"It's not that," said Millie with something of a chuckle, "he picked Tali's germs up from her. And you know what that's like."
Memories returned to Gibbs. When Kelly had first started 'mixing' with other children she had brought back innumerable germs which had caused her twenty-four hour illnesses but which had laid Shannon low for days. Gibbs, with his famous immunity to all germs, had been untouched but his wife had sometimes been quite ill. And now it seemed that Tony had succumbed.
"And his first week of work," said Millie. "He felt he had to stick it out but it was tough."
"Why didn't he stay in Raleigh this weekend?" said Gibbs, "rather than drive all the way out here?"
"It's only a couple of hours," said Millie, "And the nanny is off this weekend. He figured it would be better to come here and let us take care of Tali."
"How's he getting here?"
"Mac - the nanny is driving him then taking the rest of the weekend off. And don't forget, Dr Mallard is here at the moment. Giving Doc Murray a break. He's enjoying having live patients for a change."
"Guess they don't get much of a chance to get a word in edgeways," said Gibbs wondering if Ducky's new patients got to say any more than the previous occupants of his examining table.
"is Ruskin here or at the new place?" asked Gibbs referring to the dog who was nominally Tony's but who enjoyed a happy life on the coast with Millie and her customers.
"Couldn't tear him away from his fans here," said Millie, "although Tali might have something to say about that when she gets older."
Gibbs nodded at the thought of the battles which lay ahead of Tony.
"What's the nanny like?" he asked.
"You're about to find out," said Millie as she nodded towards a large SUV pulling up outside the café. Gibbs smiled at this additional proof of how DiNozzo's life had changed: he now owned a sensible family car rather than some sort of muscle car. He considered pulling Tony's leg about this but was momentarily silenced by the appearance of the nanny who sprang out of the car.
"Nanny?" queried Gibbs of Millie.
"I don't think it's a gender specific term anymore," she said innocently. "Mac," she said, "meet Special Agent Jethro Gibbs, a friend of Tony's. Agent Gibbs, this is Frazer McKenzie."
"Hi," said 'Mac' enthusiastically, "nice to meet you. Call me Mac."
"Hi," said Gibbs cautiously, "call me Agent Gibbs."
Mac faltered for a moment. A tired voice came from the back of the car. "Don't worry, Mac, that's Gibbs being friendly. If he didn't like you he'd have told you to call him Special Agent Gibbs."
"What?" said Mac. "Excuse me, Sir. I'll just get Tali out of the car."
"Don't call me Sir," said Gibbs.
"Don't confuse him," came Tony's voice again. "Don't forget. We're used to you but that icy blue stare is intimidating to newbies. Take it easy."
Gibbs stared at Mac but had to approve the gentle but firm grip he had on Tali and the fact that she looked happy and healthy. Which was more than could be said when Tony eased himself out of the car.
"Don't laugh," he ordered.
"Jeez, DiNozzo," said Gibbs, "you look like you did when you had the plague!"
"The what?" asked Millie.
Tony waved his hand wearily. "Story for another time. Millie, you sure about this? I can take her tomorrow, you know."
"We'll see," said Millie placidly, "you know she likes me. And you look as if you're about to drop."
"Damn childhood bugs," muttered Tony. "Is it too late to put her up for adoption?" He belied his words by reaching out to kiss his daughter goodbye. "Stay with Millie," he said, "be good."
Tali proved once more that she was more easily detached than her father and allowed Millie to lead her into the house.
"You sure you're all right?" said Mac earnestly but hopeful, he was already halfway into the car.
"Yeah," said Tony, "you go on. What is it you're doing?"
"Training for the Iron Man challenge," said Mac happily, "gotta to get some serious running in this weekend."
"Pick us up Sunday night," said Tony looking tired at the very thought of training for Iron Man.
"Will do," said Mac getting back behind the wheel of the car. He waved cheerily and sped out of the carpark.
"He taking your car?" asked Gibbs with a hint of disapproval.
"Sure," said Tony, "it was either that or drive down in his beat-up heap of rust."
"How tall is he?" asked Gibbs.
"Six six," said Tony, "don't know how he keeps bending down to pick her up."
"It's called being young," said Gibbs unkindly.
"Thanks, Gibbs," said Tony. "I'd argue the point but as all I want at the moment is my bed I won't waste my energy."
"And he's your nanny?"
"Sure. Or parent's help if you prefer. Or manny. Despite equality it seems most of the words are female," said Tony. "And he's good."
"I guess," said Gibbs broodingly.
"Gibbs, will you drive me down to the cabin?" asked Tony as Gibbs continued to stare down the road after Mac.
"You not staying here?" asked Gibbs.
"I want to be on my own. In my own bed," said Tony firmly, "a bed I don't have to share with a toddler with pointy feet that she keeps poking in my … favourite places. I'll be fine." He spoiled the effect by coughing. "Henry collected my prescription for me," said Tony cutting off further comments, "Mac made sure it was in my bag. And Ducky is on hand if I need him. I'll be fine."
"You want me to stay with you?" asked Gibbs, "you know. Mop your fevered brow. Heat up the chicken soup?"
"No. And I wouldn't be able to taste it or smell it anyway so it would be a waste of your time," said Tony, "just take me home," he looked up and glimpsed concern on Gibbs' face. "I'm fine, Gibbs. Or I will be. I just need some sleep and once I take my medicine I'll stop coughing and I'll be golden … or pale orange anyway."
Gibbs was never ill but he decided that if he ever was he would want to suffer alone so he put Tony in his borrowed car and drove him the short distance to his beachside cabin. He shepherded him inside and then decided to go visit John Sutherland who lived next door.
"Just delivered DiNozzo," said Gibbs briefly. "He's feeling sorry for himself."
John smiled reminiscently, "I remember the first germs that my son Douglas brought home. He was right as rain in a day and my wife and I took it in turns to collapse for a week! Happy days!"
Gibbs nodded. "I'll let Ducky know," he said.
"I'll keep an eye on him," promised John. "You on for fishing tomorrow?"
"Sure," said Gibbs. "I'm going back to the café. You want a ride?"
"Thanks," said John, "save my old bones."
Gibbs didn't reply. John might be getting older but the air on the North Carolina coast seemed to agree with him.
"Small world," said John as they drove along. Gibbs grunted, he didn't understand the need for small talk to while away time, "my son Douglas was at school with Tony's new assistant, you know. Course he hated being at school here but he was friends with Henry." Gibbs made a noise which could be taken as encouragement to continue; he knew that John's son had hated having to come to live in North Carolina when Sutherland had given up his lucrative portrait painting business. "Although it was probably Henry's father who was the draw," mused John, "he was everything a father should have been. Everything I wasn't. Doesn't matter now but it brought back memories when Tony mentioned Henry."
Gibbs was saved from having to say anything as they'd reached the café. Gibbs hurried inside to get more coffee. He also wanted to find out where Tony had found the unlikely nanny and deliver Abby's latest gift to Tali.
"Ah, Jethro," said Ducky when he saw Gibbs arrive. "You see me resting from my medical toils. I have to say that the good folk of Milsom Bay are presenting me with symptoms which I have not seen for many years. If it were not for the laws of medical confidentiality I would be able to regale you with many interesting stories." He paused to look at his audience, "although I would hazard a guess that there are not many secrets in this fine place! I suspect that you, Mrs Lacey and you, Mr Sutherland, know all there is to know about the health of your fellow residents."
Millie and John nodded but kept their counsel.
"And young Tali looks very well, does she not?" continued Ducky as he smiled at the little girl who was gently stroking a tolerant Ruskin.
"Better than DiNozzo," said Gibbs.
"Indeed," said Ducky, "childhood germs can often wreak havoc to the adult immune system. I am sure Anthony will recover soon but I will be sure to make a house call later in the day. It makes me quite nostalgic you know, I don't know how many years it has been since I engaged in this sort of health care. Why, I remember …"
Gibbs tuned out as Ducky continued his reminiscences but he reminded himself to ensure that Ducky paid the visit. For the moment he allowed himself to enjoy the unwonted sociability.
NCISNCIS
Gibbs, Ducky and John decided on a leisurely stroll back to the cabins following one of Millie's wonderful suppers.
"Doctor calling!" said Ducky jovially as he opened the door to Tony's cabin. "Anthony! Where are you?" he called as he saw the bed in the main living room empty.
Gibbs' quick hearing picked up sounds from the bathroom and he hurried in.
"Duck!" he called, "in here!"
Ducky poked his head through the door, "Jethro! Let me see what's happening. Go get my bag!"
He bent over Tony who was leaning miserably on the toilet. He was clearly exhausted but was still clutching his bottle of medicine like a lifeline. Even as Gibbs and Ducky watched he struggled to straighten himself so he could throw up.
"Dear boy," said Ducky as he pushed the damp hair off Tony's forehead, "what's happened to you?"
