NB: I own nothing of NCIS :(
Thanks for your support, pms, alerts and reviews!
''A Ghost From the Past''
Chapter 3.
A week later. About midday, Friday, at NCIS bullpen.
Tony received a call from his cousin Robert 'Bobby' Parker. He told him he was in town because their Uncle Vincenzo had decided to open a new butcher shop in DC, and he had assigned Bobby as manager of the shop. Uncle Vincenzo was one of the major meat producers of US and he had shops all around the country.
"So you'll live here?" asked Tony.
"Yeah, I will," he answered.
They had always gotten along very well. They were the same age and their friendship had started when Tony went to live with Bobby's family after his mother's death. His father didn't care about him, so Uncle William Parker and his wife, Aunt Louisa DiNozzo, took Tony to live with them. He stayed with them and their 7 children (6 sons and 1 daughter) till his father sent him to the Boarding School in Massachusetts.
"We could meet tomorrow, I'd like to see your son!" proposed Bobby.
"We have other plans, sorry, but ... listen, let me talk with my Boss and then I'll call you back," said Tony.
He asked Gibbs if he could take his cousin with them. Gibbs agreed so Tony invited Bobby and he accepted.
About 05.00 p.m. of Friday .
It was late in the afternoon at the beginning of 'Indian Summer'. A period of sunny, warm weather in Autumn. The leaves were turning yellow, orange, and red and the temperature was above 70°F. They drove along roads lined with 'flaming' trees to get to the starting-point of their boat trip.
The group included:
Gibbs (the captain!), Palmer, Abby (with her black lace parasol!), Ducky, Tim and Mel, Tony, Alice and Michael, Bobby and Ziva.
Uncle Jethro, as any perfect Marine Gunny, has planned every details of their trip perfectly.
- First step: Meeting-point at Washington Marina, at 1300 Maine Av. SW, not far from Tidal Basin, where the "Future" was moored.
- Second step: departure to St. George Island, where they'd spent the night.
- Third step: on Saturday, early in the morning, departure to a secret destination!
He had chosen Tom's Cove, on Chincoteague Island, because it was a special place for him. A place full of happy memories. He had been there with Shannon and Kelly the week right before his departure to Camp Pendleton and then to Iraq. That place represented their last happy moments. Chincoteague was famous for its beaches, but mostly for its feral ponies that lived on the island. If they were lucky, they would see some of them. It would be great for Melanie and Michael!
The navigation was quiet along the Potomac River. The stopped for the night at a Bed and Breakfast on St. George Island.
Saturday and Sunday .
Early in the next morning they re-started the navigation. They had a favourable wind and he 'gang' was happy and care-free, but efficient too!
It seemed a happy beautiful day but, as Hercule Poirot (Agatha Christie's detective) said: "There's also evil under the sun."
When they arrived at Tom's Cove, Gibbs cast the anchor not far from the coast and they reached the beach on a smaller oar-boat, made by the Captain.
There wasn't anybody on the beach, except for some birds, but after ten minutes two beautiful ponies came out from the trees. All of them were astonished, mostly Mel and Michael, and Uncle Jethro was so happy looking at their wide eyes.
Ducky, Bobby, and Jethro started fishing, while Tony and Tim lit the barbecue and the others prepared all the necessary ingredients for their lunch. Mel and Michael couldn't stop running up and down on the beach, laughing and rolling on the sand.
The 'fishermen' fished enough to feed an entire army, however they ate everything. After the meal the rested and chatted.
Gibbs, Ducky, Palmer, and Bobby chatted about boats and fishing.
Ziva sat down near Alice and Abby and they chatted about shopping, travels, and holidays.
Tony was near the barbecue drinking a beer, when he saw McGee not far from him. He was sitting alone staring at the Bay with a sad look. Tony grabbed another bottle of beer and headed to him.
"Hey," said Tim.
"May I?" asked Tony, pointing the place next to him.
"Sure," he smiled.
"Nice day, huh?" asked Tony, giving Tim the beer, who nodded.
"Beautiful day," answered Tim, thoughtfully.
Not far from them, Mel and Michael were playing ball and their fathers looked at them, smiling.
"Daddy look at me!" shouted Michael, kicking the ball.
"Great, Mickey!" smiled Tony, proudly.
"Daddy look!" shouted Mel throwing the ball with her little hands. Tim just smiled.
"She's very pretty and sweet," said Tony, looking at her. Tim nodded and Tony whispered, "She needs you."
"What?"
"Do not avoid your daughter, Tim. Trust me, you'd regret it bitterly."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm an ignored son. My father has avoided me through all my childhood... and adult life, actually. Trust me, if your parents didn't care about you... you'll never completely recover. Never."
"Yeah," sighed Tim, "But I'm... I don't know... I feel blocked... I'm scared of the future."
"But you're the adult and she's the child, your child... and she'll be your child just once."
"I know," he sighed.
Tony turned and looked him, "Listen, you're not alone. We're here for you... I'm here for you."
"I know Tony," said Tim, moved, "I never thought I would say it, but you're a good friend DiNozzo," smiled McGee. Tony smiled back, moved as well and Tim said, "Ok! I need a favor."
"Sure. Spit it out!"
"Don't be so gentle with me, please. It's kind of weird when you're nice."
Tony smiled. Those words reminded him the words that he had told Gibbs when Ari killed Kate.
Tim even had same reaction with Tony. "Not that you're not nice. I mean..." Tim quickly added.
"I know what you meant,'' Tony grinned. ''So what do you want?" smiled Tony.
"Behave as you've always done. Do not treat me like a frail baby."
"Deal, McFriend," smiled Tony, but Tim looked askance at him. Tony asked, "Too sweet?"
"Yep."
"Let me think... what do think about... McGloominess?"
"Much better." smiled Tim then stopped as he looked at their children. "Hey, who's that man?" he asked seriously.
Tony turned and saw an unknown man with Michael and Mel, "Don't know," he said standing up and going to them with Tim.
The man had long black beard sprinkled with grey. He had long black hair gathered into a pony tail and he wore a peaked hat. He held the reins of a beautiful white and brown pony.
"Michael, what are you doing?" asked Tony.
"Good morning," said the man. "I've found their ball in the water," he smiled.
"Thanks," said Tim, seriously.
"Daddy, look at the pony!" said Michael, caressing the animal.
"Yes, it's beautiful," smiled Tony.
"Its name is Ho... Ho-smi-ya," said Melanie.
"Nice name," smiled Tim, frowning. Where have I heard that name? he thought, looking at Tony. His friend was thinking the same thing.
"Now it's better if you go back playing ball and we let him to go on with his walk," smiled Tony, "Thanks for the ball,'' he added as he studied the man in front of them. I don't like him. Why?
"Yes, thanks," said Tim. Mel and Michael said thanks as well, and ran to start playing again. The man went away.
Tim and Tony followed their children. "McGee, that man..." said Tony, seriously.
"Yes. He looked familiar, but..."
"Right, but I don't remember where I've seen him."
"Me either. His eyes..."
"And his smile too."
They didn't tell anybody anything about their doubts. They wanted just spend a quiet and happy day with their families and friends, but...
During the afternoon they went to see the ponies not far from the beach.
Ziva was unusually silent and Alice noticed it. While they were walking she asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, why do you ask?"
"You're so silent."
"I'm relaxing."
"You don't seem so relaxed."
"Are you analyzing me?" smiled Ziva.
"No," smiled Alice, "I just wanna talk, but if you don't..."
"No, I was joking!"
Tony and Bobby passed close to them. Tony's cousin winked at Ziva.
"He's nice, huh?" asked Alice.
"Yes," answered Ziva, a little uncomfortable.
"He likes you."
"I know... oh, I mean..."
"You know?" said Alice surprised, "Wait... you already knew him?" she asked in a low voice. Ziva nodded and Alice said, "That's why you were so uncomfortable when you've met him this morning! You didn't know he was coming with us, right ?" she was all smiles.
"No I didn't. Please, do not tell Tony... please, I'm begging you!"
"Why?" laughed Alice.
"Because he'd tease me..."
"Sometimes he's a little annoying, isn't he?" winked Alice "I know, but he's so sweet too," she smiled looking at him. He had Michael in his arms. "Ok, I'll be as silent as the grave."
" know, I really like Bobby."
"I've always thought that Bobby and Tony were pretty much alike."
"Yep... ehm..." said Ziva looking at Alice.
"Oh... so you and Tony..."
"No! Nothing... it's never happened."
"But... it could have happened..." said Alice.
"No, there was someone else in his heart," smiled Ziva.
"Who?"
"You... you've always been in his heart and in his mind. Always... even when you weren't together."
Alice smiled, nodding, "So... when did you meet Bobby?"
"Five months ago at a party in DC. I was there with a girl friend and he was there with a boy friend. He offered me a drink and..."
"And when did he tell you that he's Tony's cousin?"
"Two weeks later, when I told him that I worked at NCIS. You can't even image my reaction!"
"Despair?" winked Alice.
"Yes, that's the right word to describe my mood!"
"Has it been love at the first sight?"
"I'm not sure if it's love... maybe... But I'm sure that I like very much and I care about him a lot,"
"And he feels the same way," Sandy whispered in her ear .
They spent all morning and half afternoon at Tom's Cove. Then they went to Oyster Bay to spend the night at Miss Sissy's B&B.
On Saturday morning, they visited 'The Chincoteague National Widlife Refuge', and Melanie and Michael were really happy when they saw "Bambi".
Unfortunately, they had to leave to go to the Washington Marina, where they arrived at dinner time, just in time for a pizza near the port and then they went home. Gibbs told all of them that the next day they would meet at NCIS, at 0900 a.m.
They were really tired, but very happy too.
Sadly, they didn't know, but there were dark clouds in their future...
Two weeks later .
Abby was in her lab working on some bood samples and the 'BrainMatter' was shouting something from the hi-fi.
A very worried Palmer entered.
"Hi, Jimmy!" she exclaimed, but looking at him she added, "WOW! You look like your about to pass out! What's going on? Have you seen the devil?"
"More or less. Maybe I will... Abby, I'm in trouble... Big! Huge trouble," sighed Palmer, walking up and down.
"Ok, Jimmy. calm down, sit and tell me everything," she said, giving him a chair.
"Do you remember when someone stole my car?" he asked.
"Yes, I remember, but where's the problem? You or better, Tony, found it for you!"
"Yep. in my baggage car I had all the evidence of the case 99875."
"I remember Jimmy! They're still investigating it! We can't find a good lead. I've checked and re-checked all the evidence, but..."
"Yeah... the evidence..." he sighed.
"You've found everything in your car. Nothing was lost, so..." said Abby, but he stared at her. "Or not?" she asked, in a low voice, widening her green eyes.
Palmer lowered his eyes.
"Have you lost an evidence?" she asked.
"I don't know. I mean, this morning Dr. Mallard told me to re-check everything about the case. Gibbs was tormenting him because they couldn't go on with the investigation."
"And?" asked her.
"I've gone to the evidence locker and... there's a missing item."
"What?"
"It was on the evidence list, but I didn't find it in the boxes."
"What's that?"
"A credit card," sighed Palmer.
"But that night... I was with you, when you checked your car. You said that everything was in it!"
"Yeah, I know, but I was so upset and confused. It seemed to me that..."
"It seemed? Jimmy! This is serious! It's a really bad!"
"What?" asked Tony, going into the lab.
"What?" she asked, surprised.
"No Abs. I ask 'what' so the you answer me," Tony smiled one of his charming smiles.
"Nothing," she said, looking down.
"Ok," sighed Tony, "I don't know what you were talking about, but it was not nothing. Come on, Abs. What is it?" he asked again, staring at both of them.
A very good Gibbs' stare impression! thought Abby. Then she locked the door and said, "He... we've got a problem Tony."
''I'm agoodlistener. Youcantellmeeverything!"joked Tony.
"I'm not sure," doubted Abby.
"I think you'll kill me, Tony," sighed Palmer.
"Don't worry, I'm very happy today. I couldn't kill anyone,'' Tony winked. ''Anyway, why should I kill ya'?" He laughed.
"He has lost evidence,"Abby whispered.
"I didn't lose..." started Palmer, but he stopped immediately and said, "When my car was stolen..."
"Quick version, Jimmy!" said Tony, snapping his fingers.
"On the evidence list there's an item, but it isn't in the boxes," said Abby.
"What?" shouted Tony, "Why didn't you tell me that night? I've assured Gibbs that everything was ok and we've covered you up with Vance! I've risked my job to help you! We've risked our careers!" Abby had known DiNozzo for more than 10 years, but she'd never seen him so angry at a co-worker.
"I'm..." sighed Jimmy.
"Do not say a word! What have you lost?" asked Tony.
"A credit card."
"Do you remember anything about this card? Color? Bank? Society? Numbers?"
"It was blue... that's all."
"Blue? Nothing else?"
"No, sorry."
"Stay here!" Tony ordered, going out and then upstairs to the Squadroom.
"Gibbs," said Tony, going to his Boss' desk. He turned and Tony said sottovoce, "We've got a problem. I need to talk with you."
Gibbs was impressed by his expression and the tone of his voice, "With me," he said, going to the elevator. Tony followed him. McGee and Ziva looked each other in shock.
As usual Gibbs stopped the elevator and looked at his Senior Field Agent, "Tell me."
Tony told him what Palmer had told him just few minutes earlier. Gibbs didn't say anything. He just rubbed his face, trying to control his anger. When Tony finished he said, "It could compromise the case and we could lose our job, Tony."
"I know and it would be terrible timing," sighed Tony.
"Why?"
"Alice is pregnant again," sighed Tony.
"Congratulations!" smiled Gibbs, "How old is Michael?" he grinned.
"He's almost 3 years... 2 years and 10 months, actually," smiled Tony, proudly.
"How many months has she been pregnant?"
"Weeks, actually. 7 weeks."
"Morning sickness?" asked Gibbs. He sounded like a caring 'father-in-law' more than Tony's boss.
"Just a little. This time she's better the first one,'' Tony answered. ''Boss, the evidence?" Tony nervously remined his boss.
"Now we keep it just between the two of us. Take Palmer in Abby's lab."
"I've already ordered him to stay there."
"Ok," said Gibbs, releasing the elevator.
Gibbs and Tony stormed into Abby's lab. When Palmer saw their faces, he jumped on the chair. He was terrified. "Sit down!" ordered Gibbs. "Tell me everything," Palmer repeated his story and concluded with, "I'm so sorry, agent Gibbs... Tony."
"I don't care about your apologies, Palmer!" roared Gibbs, "You could have compromised a crucial investigation."
"We're looking for terrorists that could attack our Navy in the Gulf and even here, on American soil," said Tony, seriously.
"What can I do?" asked Jimmy.
"You've already done enough," said Tony, frustrated.
"We'll find something," said Gibbs, "Do not talk to anyone." Gibbs ordered as he left the Lab with Tony.
In the elevator. "Gibbs, it's my fault. I should have checked personally all the evidence or asked for your help, but I trusted him..."
"You didn't do anything wrong that night. It's not your fault, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.
"Ya' think?" asked Tony, doubtfully, "I'll take all the responsability with Vance," said Tony.
"Vance? I'm not going to talk to him."
"You don't..."
"No, these are the team problems, not the Director's problems. Tell Ziva and McGee everything. I need a coffee," he said, going out the elevator.
About 1 hour later all team members were at their desks working on case 99875, when Tony's cell rang.
"DiNozzo," he answered. The team could only hear one side of the conversation: "Alice? What's going on, honey?" he asked frightened, "What? Are you ok?... Michael?... And the baby?" Ziva and Tim exchanged a suprised glances. "Where are you?... I'm coming! ...No ... Do not move!" he closed his cell and jumping up he grabbed his gun and coat.
"What's happened?" asked Ziva, worried.
"Alice has been in a car crash and Michael was with her!"
"How is she?" asked Tim.
"She's fine."
"And Michael?" asked Ziva.
"He's fine too."
"And the baby?" asked Gibbs.
"She doesn't know yet."
"Go!" said Gibbs.
"I'm driving!" said Tim, surprising all of them. He hasn't forgotten what Tony's done for him, when Ally died.
Luckily Alice and Michael were really fine. It scared them all, but no wounds. Actually, Michael more than scared, was excited for the 'adventure'.
After an ultrasound, Alice's gynecologist told them also the baby was fine, but she needed at least two weeks of rest.
On the way home, while Tim was driving, Tony asked his wife what's happened.
"I don't know... I tried to brake, but I couldn't... Luckily I was driving slowly... but I don't understand."
"Me either," said Tony, thoughtfully.
McGee was absorbed in his thoughts... He had a strange feeling, but he didn't understand why...
The Washington PD report said that the Alice's car brakes didn't work because they were frosty due to the too low temperature that day. When she tried to brake, the brake line snapped.
Two evenings later.
Ziva, Gibbs, Ducky, Abby, and Tim with Mel came unexpectedly for dinner at DiNozzo's house.
"You need some rest, so we've cooked for you... and for us too!" exclamed Abby, when Alice opened the door.
"For two armies, actually!" smiled Ziva, going in.
All of them were carrying something to eat!
It was a very nice dinner. They ate and chatted, relaxing.
"You could have died," said Abby to Alice, after the dinner. All of them were still sitting at the table, while Mel and Michael had gone upstairs into Michael's bedroom.
"Yes and I still don't understand what's really happened," she answered.
"But the PD report said..." started Ziva.
"She's right. I don't understand either,'' Tony said. ''Our mechanic made a complete check up on our cars, three days before the accident and they were ok.''
"We have very bad luck with cars," sighed Tim, thoughtfully.
"Yep," said Tony.
"But your case is different. It wasn't a mechanical problem, McGee," said Ducky.
"Yeah," sighed Tim, "A drunk bastard didn't respect a stop sign and Ally..."
"Timmy..." said Abby, sadly.
"McGee..." started Ziva.
"He wasn't drunk," Alice said, drinking some water.
"What?" asked Tim, really surprised.
"The man that hit your car. He wasn't drunk," answered Alice, surprised by their looks.
"What do you mean?" asked her husband.
"I mean that he was totally sober. Why are looking at me that way?" she asked, looking all of them. "Tony, you told me you read the PD report."
"Yes, but they didn't give us the tox-screen," said Gibbs.
"Well, if he wasn't drunk, he was a junkie, definitely!" said Abby.
"No, he was as pure as a baby," said Alice, "I saw his tox-screen after the autopsy. He was clean."
"So..." said Abby.
"I don't understand," Ziva said frowning.
"There was just one strange thing, actually," said Alice.
"Such as?" asked Tony.
"In his blood there was an unusually high level of adrenaline, but he hadn't taken anything that could increase the adrenaline levels by that much."
"What could have caused that increase?" asked Gibbs.
"Stress," said Ducky.
"Right... when he saw my car on his way," said Tim.
Ducky and Alice exchanged a serious glance. She said, "No. You have to be exposed stress for a very long period of time to register those adrenaline levels."
"Like a victim of an plane accident, after an air jacking. Or a fear of a permanent threat," said Ducky.
"Or of torture," Ziva added.
"Or fear because someone is tailling you,"said Tony.
"Or suicide," said Alice, looking at Ducky, who nodded.
"You mean that he could have done it on purpose?" asked Tim, upset. She nodded.
"His road ended at a wall. He had to turn right or left if he wanted to survive, but he didn't," said Gibbs.
"So my wife... Ally is dead, because we were in the way of a suicidal, imbalanced man?" shouted Tim, angrily.
"Daddy!" a small, weak voice cried. All of them turned and at the dining-room door they saw Melanie and Michael. She was astonished and pale, "Mommy is on a tip! She is not dead!" shouted Mel.
Michael ran to his father and he took him in his arms.
"Mel, listen," Tim said as he stood up and headed to his daughter. Tim crouched down in front of Mel and put his hands on her shoulders, but she pulled away.
"Mommy is not dead! She is comin' back! Say it!" she shouted, crying.
"Daddy," whispered Michael, hugging his father and hiding his face on Tony's shoulder. Tony stood up as he kissed his son's hair and brought him into the kitchen.
"Mel, baby... I'm sorry..." Tim sniffling.
"No! She's comin' back!" she cried, slapping him on the chest.
Tim hugged his daughter. "I'm sorry, Mel. Baby, listen... mommy... mommy... will never come back. Mommy's an angel now and she's in heaven."
''No! I want her... I want my mommy wit me!" Mel cried harder.
All of them were crying silently. Alice couldn't stand to see Mel and Tim suffer so much, so she went to the kitchen too. She needed her son and her husband.
Gibbs went out in the garden. He couldn't breathe.
Ziva and Ducky stayed sat on their chair petrified as tears filled their eyes.
Abby went to Tim and Melanie. She knelt down and hugged them both.
TBC
CU on the next chapter.
Reviews! Thank you :)))
