Anthony DiNozzo Senior sat on the subway, looking lonely and pathetic. His suit was wet, his hair dripping. He had dumped his phone and car, and now he had nothing but his wallet and a small suitcase with a few changes of clothes and a gun.
He was jumpy and nervous, his eyes flicking from passenger to passenger. He was hoping that he wouldn't need to use the gun, that he could just disappear in peace.
The subway slid to a stop and he stood and made his way off. A few other people followed. As he stepped into the station, he looked around and started weaving through the crowd, glancing over his shoulder.
He most definitely had a tail.
He sped up and pushed his way through the thick throng of bodies. The man following him wasn't subtle. Which meant there wasn't much choice but to make a break for it.
He broke into a jog (which was hard in the crowded underground), and sprinted up the stairs, looking over his should to see his follower's progress.
He broke out onto the sidewalk and ran.
The man was faster.
He grabbed Anthony's shoulder. Anthony turned and smashed his suitcase into the man's face.
The man fell to the sidewalk, grabbing Anthony's jacket as he did. Anthony lifted his suitcase again.
"Wait!" the man cried, holding his arm defensively in front of his face. "Hold it! Anthony, it's me!"
Anthony lowered the suitcase, ignoring the stares from people. "Oh. Damn. Sorry, Tim." He reached out a hand, and McGee took it. They started walking.
"What the hell was that all about?" McGee asked. His nose was bleeding and swollen, and he looked more than a little angry.
"I'm just nervous, that's all. So when I saw a mysterious man tailing me, well, I defended myself."
McGee shook his head. "Don't lie to me Anthony. I know all about why you're so paranoid."
"Cautious, not paranoid," Anthony corrected.
McGee exhaled loudly. "We need your help to find Matheson."
"Why? What's so important about Matheson? I'm not stopping. I need to get out of here."
"We'll put you in a witness protection program."
"You said you knew why I was so paranoid. So you know that wouldn't do me much good. Just save your breath and go."
McGee sighed. "They have Tony."
Anthony froze. "They what?"
"I'm sorry, Anthony. But if we're going to get him out of their alive, we need your help finding Matheson."
Anthony paused a moment, shook his head a little. "I can't-I can't." He continued walking.
McGee was enraged. He grabbed Anthony's shoulder. "Damn it, he is your son! You're his father! Now-and I know it's against your nature-quit being a selfish bastard and come in and help us find him!"
Anthony's face broke. It shattered. But he didn't give in. "Just go."
McGee stopped walking, staring after him as he melted into the crowd. "Son of a bitch," he muttered.