CHAPTER 3
As the NCIS van, driven by Palmer, pulled up to the investigators, Tony hopped out and walked to his boss.
"Ducky's here boss." Tony said.
"I can see that DiNozzo. Come on lets go, we'll be using the police building as a HQ instead." Gibbs said as he pushed passed Tony, and had his other two agents follow him.
"But boss… I was looking forward to staying with Jackson!" Tony complained, as he caught up with the group.
Gibbs rounded on Tony the moment he spoke up, "DiNozzo! I know you didn't have a good father, but that's no excuse to go after mine." he barked and spun back around moving towards the car.
Tony stood there, staring after his boss. Jeez! That was harsh… does he really think that I want to steal his dad? The man's old enough to be my grandpa! He acts like it too!
But he's also your boss's dad, which would make your boss your dad, and you know he would hate that.
I thought I told you to shut up.
DiNozzo you're having an argument with yourself, how do you tell yourself to shut up when you keep talking?
You're annoying when you're right.
Tony sighed, he hated coming to Stillwater with Gibbs. He was always such a grouch.
"Well, well, well. That wasn't very nice now was It." a voice sounded behind Tony. He looked over his shoulder and found Tray staring at him.
"No it wasn't. But I don't see how that concerns you." Tony growled,
"Temper, temper DiNozzo. You never know when it will get you in trouble." Tray grinned evilly.
Tony snorted, "I hope you're not threatening me. It would be a shame to mess up that pretty face of yours. But I could probably only make it better."
Tray's grin turned into a snarl, "I don't like you DiNozzo."
Tony grinned, "You wouldn't be the first, and you certainly won't be the last."
Tray's fist clenched before relaxing, "I wouldn't think so DiNozzo. You seem to be an expert at making people angry. I wonder how Jethro deals with you? I wonder how many times you've screwed up and he was forced to save your sorry life. It's a wonder you haven't been fired yet. Especially with that attitude of yours."
Tony's eyes narrowed, "And I wonder how many lies you've told him. I'm willing to bet you didn't leave the marines voluntary. I'm willing to bet you threatened people to get a job as a detective."
Tray grabbed Tony by the collar and pulled him so their faces were close, "I don't like to be falsely accused." he spat.
Tony only grinned, "I wouldn't either… I know what it feels like. But you… I don't think you've been falsely accused."
Tray raised his fist, and then lowered it. He let go of Tony and stepped back, "Well played DiNozzo. You truly are good with words. Such a shame that I'm good with so much more then words."
Tony scowled, and turned towards Ducky and Palmer. He was about to walk when he heard Tray speak again, "Watch your back DiNozzo. I shouldn't be underestimated."
Tony grinned over his shoulder, "I'll take that into consideration when I form the ability to care what you think."
Tray growled, but Tony walked away leaving a seething Tray. Ducky and Palmer had just finished loading the dead body into the NCIS van when Tony approached them.
"Ready Duck?" Tony asked
"Anthony! I would have thought you would be with Jethro." Ducky stated as he shut the doors.
"Yeah, me too." Tony said under his breath.
` "We're ready to go, Doctor Mallard. Would you like me to drive?" Palmer asked.
Tony snatched the keys out of the air, "that's okay autopsy gremlin, I'll drive. I know the area and we'll get to places a lot faster."
Palmer looked relieved, "Oh, okay."
Tony couldn't help but grin, "I also don't want to get lost and hear another argument!"
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By the time Tony had pulled up to the police department building, Gibbs and the rest of the team were already set up and working.
"DiNozzo! You're late." Gibbs growled.
Tony sighed, "Sorry boss. I was talking to your old marine buddy, Sergeant violent."
Gibbs glared, "Watch how you talk about him, DiNozzo."
"But boss! Something doesn't sit right with him!" Tony argued.
"I don't care. I don't want to hear another word. Clear?" Gibbs barked.'
Tony tried one more time, "Boss I-"
"I said are we clear?!" Gibbs barked again.
Tony glared, "Crystal."
Gibbs nodded, "Now get to work. Tray said we have a serial killer. This is the fifth killing in the past two months. Cross reference everything we have on the victims."
Tony turned and went over to his assigned workplace. It was a desk in a secluded corner of the room. Sitting down, Tony shook his head. Something didn't fit right with Tray, and Gibbs was to happy or to stuck in his head to see it. Tony was taught to follow his gut, and right now… it was screaming Tray wasn't what Gibbs thought he was.
Tony sighed and began working on the victim's information. Each victim seemed to be in the marines at some point in their lives. The first and second victims were both medically discharged from service before they were murdered. The first victim had taken a bullet to the knee and lost function of it. The second victim witnessed a slaughter of his team and developed caught a severe case of PSTD, and was recommended a psych evaluation, and failed it.
The third and fourth victim's were both still in service. The third victim was an officer working in a special branch of the marines, while the fourth victim was a pilot. They both were visiting family before being murdered
The last victim was on shore leave after serving on the S.S. Colorado. He was visiting his wife and child before he too was killed.
Each of the victims had nothing in common, other than serving in the marines. They weren't even in the same base at the same time. Growling in frustration, he stood out of his chair and turned around. He was face to face with Tray, "What do you want?"
Tray smirked, "Just wanted to see how my favorite agent was doing."
Tony rolled his eyes, "Look, I have real work to do instead of sitting around pretending to do something and make other people do it for me."
Tray's eyes narrowed, "Watch what you say boy."
Tony waved off the threat, "Please… my boss scares me more than you do." Tony heard then felt the hand to the back of his head.
"That had better be the case DiNozzo. But that doesn't give you the right to be rude." Gibbs growled, "Now, sit rep."
Tony sighed and ignored the snigger from Tray, "I ran everything boss. There was nothing that tied any of the victims together. The only thing remotely close was that they were all marines at some point. But they were never together. The first two were both medically discharged; the next two both had family here, but different posts. The latest victim was actually from here. But other than that, there is no common factor for all five."
Gibbs growled in frustration, "Check each history individually. Make notes, I want to know everything about their lives since they joined the marines!"
"Yes boss." Tony stated before sitting down.
He spent the rest of the day working on each individual profile. When he finally finished he realized that his team had already left, and hadn't even bother to tell him. Sighing softly, he reached for his backpack, and looked for his clean shirt and sweat pants he always had stored in case he needed to get comfortable at the office.
What he found instead was a bag that contained the bloody knife he found.
Great work DiNozzo. You truly are worthy of the SFA position.
Seriously… you're a bigger critic then Ziva.
That's cause I'm you.
How many times do I have to tell you to shut up me!
As many times as it'll take you to listen to yourself.
Tony sighed; he really hated his conscious right now. He stood and picked up the bag containing the knife. He took the steps down a few levels to the forensic lab that Abby was to reside in. Tony didn't think Abby would be there, especially at 11:00. He was surprised to not only find her there, but also awake.
"Hey Abs!" Tony greeted as he walked into the lab.
Abby spun around with a huge grin on her face, "Tony! What are you doing here? Not that I don't mind, because you're amazing company! You're funny and charming and know how to make everything better with a word! Plus you're not that bad to look at so that's a bonus!" Abby ranted while she raced towards Tony enveloping him in a hug.
Tony laughed, "I know. I am pretty amazing aren't I?" Abby giggled, then released him, "I lost track of time doing some individual dossiers for Gibbs on some of the past victims. This was the first navy killing and wasn't our jurisdiction. I'm surprised the FBI isn't here."
Abby sighed, "I wouldn't jinx it Tony. You know how Fornell LOVES to make a dramatic entrance."
Tony laughed, "Too true. So anyway, what were you still doing here?"
Abby shrugged, "These aren't my babies. They don't work right if you don't give them a proper hello! They must feel loved, and it is my goal to make them my babies as well as my babies at home!"
Tony grinned, "I'm sure if any one could it's you. Can I ask you a favor?"
Abby sighed dramatically, "I know I know. You just want to bask in my awesome glory. You have permission."
Tony laughed, "Oh, my humble queen, and mistress of the dark! I bask in your perfection!" Tony chanted as he pretended to bow.
Abby giggled, "So what's the favor?"
Tony handed her the bag that had the weapon, "Can you run this for me? Prints, blood sample, you know the drill."
Abby smiled, "Anything for you! Now go… you need your beauty sleep."
Tony yawned, "I guess it has been an interesting day. See ya tomorrow Abs!"
"Bye Tony!" Abby shouted as he left. Tony made his way back to the computer and powered it down before leaving the building. As he left, he just remembered he had forgotten to ask where the team was staying.
Shaking his head he pulled out his cell and was about to call Gibbs. When he stopped, he really didn't feel like being chewed out by Gibbs. So instead he called the next best thing.
The phone rang before a gruff voice answered.
"Hey… its Tony. I'm really sorry to bother you, but could you pick me up? I don't know where the others are at." Tony informed.
Tony grinned, "Thanks Jackson! I owe you one."
Not long after Jackson pulled up, Tony hopped in. He didn't notice he was being watched.
Tray smiled evilly as he turned the corner
Soon Tony… you will know what pain is.