Chapter 2

AN: You guys are just awesome! I've had an over whelming amount of alerts and reviews so far, thank you guys, so much. And this is just the first chapter. I'm not sure I'll be able to reply to all you guys personally, if not, just know your support and your comments really do mean a lot. Also, I'm not sure when, in the storyline, Vance told Gibbs the truth about Ziva. But, for the sake of my story, it has not happened yet.

To say that FBI Agent Tobias Fornell was surprised to get a call from former NCIS Agent Anthony DiNozzo would probably be the understatement of the year. He was not sure what to say at first. He had heard of no case collaboration. He was contacted by Gibbs for those, not DiNoteso.

Fornell was ready to leave for the day. He had pulled his jacket off the back of his chair and was headed out his door, actually, when his phone rang. He was very glad he answered. He sat back down at his desk. He could tell he was in for a long discussion. Tony spilled his guts. He had told Fornell all about the Rivkin and the trip to Israel. Tobias contributed Tony's honesty to the medication he was taking for his injury. But, whatever it was, Fornell was very glad Tony felt that he had him to turn to. Tony even told him about the conversation in the Directors office after their return.

Tobias wanted Anthony DiNozzo at the FBI. That was probably the worst kept secret ever. And he had called the various directors about every 6 months or so, wanting to see if DiNozzo was still satisfied with his job. Vance had laughed and hung up the first time Fornell had called, thinking it preposterous that anyone would actually be calling, wanting to know if Tony DiNozzo, of all people, was happy. Names of about a dozen qualified agents ran through his head, none of which was DiNozzo's.

Tobias had not been happy at the news of what his old friend; Gibbs had done to the young man. Fornell had actually been in shock and very angry by the time Tony had finished tale. And still, as much as he wanted DiNozzo as his second, he cautioned the young man. Tobias told him to give himself a few days, let things cool down. He wanted Tony's carefully thought out, carefully weighted decision. Not a decision made in anger or because he was heavily medicated. Tobias told Tony he would be glad, more than glad; to talk to him, just give it time. Fornell gave Tony a time and a place to meet. He was not expecting Tony to show, but he decided to go anyway. He liked their menu.

Tobias had taken a bite of his sandwich when a tall shadow moved over his table.

"You didn't think I was coming." Tony stated as he took the chair across from Fornell.

Tobias put his sandwich down and wiped his mouth. "I had my doubts."

Tony leaned back. "So, are you still interested?"

Tobias studied Tony for just a moment, "You know why I was giving you time, Tony. I don't want you to…change your mind in a week, decide the FBI is not for you…whatever. I need a commitment."

"I understand, Tobias." Tony stated. "After what I told you, after everything…I just. I'm done."

Tobias looked at his new team member. He was thrilled to have the young agent at the FBI. HeE had already sent his recommendation to his director. The director had gone over Tony's file, at length. He had agreed, with Tobias, that Agent DiNozzo would be a fine addition to the FBI family. The director, would, of course, have to talk to the DiNozzo. But that was just a formality.

"You're ready to go, DiNoteso, all you have left to do is fill out the paperwork and talk to the director, all formalities really." Fornell stated. He had also talked to his director about all the charges Director Vance had against Tony. Fornell had planned to help Tony fight the charges. As it turned out, there were no charges on the shooting. JAG, in their independent investigation, determined it justified. The other charges, though minor and not criminal, were enough for the director to be able to get rid of Tony.

"Good, I'm ready." Tony replied. He had heard about the shooting charge being dropped from a friend he had at JAG.

"But there one thing that I need for you to do, Tony," Fornell stated. "…I need to make sure of everything you told me. I know you were angry…and I know that you were on painkillers, DiNoteso. I just…."

Tony nodded. He understood completely. Tobias wanted Tony to verify what he had told him a few days ago. "It's all true, Tobias."

Tobias nodded and stuck out his hand, and they shook. "Well, welcome aboard then. Go ahead and order, and I'll set up a time for you to meet with the director."

NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS

Tony was grateful to Fornell for understanding that he was in a delicate situation. But he knew, for the most part, that his teammates…no, his former teammates' loyalties would lie with Gibbs. Ziva and Gibbs were as thick as thieves these days, for some unknown reason. Tim would side with Gibbs and say that Tony was just jealous of all the attention Gibbs was showering on Ziva. Abby could or would see no faults in her silver-haired fox. That left Ducky, and he was the most level-headed one of them all. Ducky would be able to see what the others couldn't. But even he was still not a sure bet.

Tony kept going back over the scene in Vance's office in his mind. He had been told to come in and take a seat. They all sit down at the table with him.

"You killed an Israeli operative, Agent DiNozzo." Vance stated.

Tony nodded. He was not sure why they were going back over this. Hadn't that been what the whole trip to Israel had been about?

"Yes, I acted in self-defense. Rivkin had…." Toy began.

"Why were you at my apartment?" Ziva asked.

"To talk to you about Rivkin, I felt that you needed to be warned." Tony replied.

"I never gave you an order to go to Ziva's place." Gibbs stated.

"No," Tony admitted. "…but I…she's my partner…." He was not liking the direction this was taking.

"So, you felt terminal force was necessary?" Vance asked.

Tony was feeling cornered. He lashed out verbally. "Yes, the man had a piece of glass in his hand. I thought that if I didn't do something, very quickly, it was going to end up in my chest!" He said, with a hint of sarcasm. "We were taught to shoot to kill." Tony reminded the director. "I have no doubt that if I had just wounded him, he would have come after me again."

"There were other ways, DiNozzo." Gibbs spoke up.

"This…coming from you?" Tony asked. "If I remember correctly, you said shoot first, ask questions later. And did you, or did you not, voice concern about Rivkin also?

"We cannot interrogate a dead man." Gibbs replied.

"My life was in the balance." Tony implored them to see his reasoning. "It was me or him. One of us was going to die. I know he should have won. This is no logical way I could have beaten as assassin. But I didn't drug him, and I don't know who did!" He insisted.

The three of them seemed to be considering what Tony had said.

"Look, didn't we hash this all out in Israel?" Tony asked.

"Yes, we did. But as an NCIS agent, there are certain rules of conduct that we…." Vance started.

"Look, I know you've been trying to get me out of here since you first started, Director. Tony stated. But that kill was justified, it was self-defense."

Michael should have won that fight, Tony." Ziva stated.

Tony looked at her. "And I guess you're sorry that he didn't"

"What did you do to him?" Ziva demanded, jumping up from the table.

I didn't do anything to him, Officer David! I didn't drug him." Tony protested. "Whatever happened to him happened before I got there!"

"You are lying!" Ziva protested and lunged at Tony. Gibbs stopped her. "You were jealous!"

"Come on! Get over yourself, Ziva! Gibbs, I…!" Tony said, looking at the man who was so uncharacteristically quiet. "I've explained this to you…to everybody." He said, pleading for someone to be on his side.

Tony looked at Gibbs, not believing what he was seeing. Gibbs was actually siding with Ziva. "You know me, Gibbs! We've…we've worked together for a long, long time. I've made history being on your team for so long. I just…. Back me up on this!" Tony pleaded.

Gibbs didn't say a word.

Tony felt his heart shatter. He looked at Gibbs. "I don't know what this weird little…thing is that you two have going. I just…I don't get it." Tony shook his head. "I don't know what happened to turn you against me, Agent Gibbs." He stood up and started to leave. "She's not Kelly, and she never will be. And just so you don't forget…your little girl, there, is lethal."

Director Vance stood up. "Your actions show gross misconduct, just for starters. You have two choices, Agent DiNozzo, quit or I'll fire you!"

Tony stopped remembering right there. That was enough. He didn't want to have to remember any of it. The betrayal, it hurt much, much too deeply. It still shocked him that the incident had happened at all.

TBC