Chapter 3

Jack watched as Tony strode into the store, removing his suit jacket. "How did it go?"

The younger man shrugged. "Pretty well, I think." He had a surprised smile on his face. "I want the job. I think it would be good for me to get back to the basics of police work."

"We need an outsider here, someone without deep ties to certain people in the town who think they own it."

"You're talking about Winslow?" Tony asked, loosening his tie. "Gotta admit, I was surprised he wasn't one of the city council members."

Jack began pricing a box of canned green beans as they spoke. "He didn't have to be. A word here, a word there, whatever Chuck wanted done simply was. But that whole business with his son-in-law and that poor boy's murder forced him to back off for a while. He's lost some of his power. More so since the mine was cited by the feds for hazardous conditions."

"Can't imagine that he'll be thrilled if one of Gibbs' people becomes the sheriff."

"That's his problem. Why don't you head on back to the house, get changed into more comfortable clothes? Take a look around the town you'll be protecting."

Tony laughed. "If I get the job."

"You'll get it."

With a friendly wave, Tony left, walking to the old white house on the edge of the small town. Changing into a soft grey tee and dark blue jeans, Tony decided to take Jack's advice and explore the town.

The business area of downtown Stillwater was made up of a series of brick and wood buildings that ran parallel to the railroad tracks. Since there were no passenger trains running through Stillwater any longer, the train station had been converted, with some updates, into the police station and mayor's office.

As he strolled past the store fronts, Tony was surprised by the variety of goods sold. Almost everything you could possibly want to buy was available.

Something else that surprised Tony was the number of friendly smiles he received. When he stopped in front of the drugstore, which still had an old-fashioned soda fountain, to look at the plaque and accompanying photographs, he felt a gentle hand on his arm.

"That was the home of the man who started this town originally."

Tony looked at the elderly woman leaning on her cane, smiling up at him. "Where is it?"

"Sadly it burned down ten years ago. After years of neglect and vandalism, one night there was a mysterious fire and by morning, centuries of tangible history were gone."

"Was it arson?"

"No proof."

"I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Tony DiNozzo."

"I know. You're staying with Jackson. I'm Mrs. Agnes Pringle. I used to teach history to Jethro." When Tony looked surprised, the smile turned into a mischievous grin. "Son, the first thing you'll learn about living in a small town is that everyone knows your business. We know who all the strangers are, what you like to eat in the diner, and where you went on your dates. You learn quickly who is having problems with alcohol, whose children could use a strong talking to, and which families are struggling because the mine has shut down."

"Mrs. Pringle, would you join me for a coffee? I'd love to hear more about the town. And maybe about Jethro as a teenager."

"I'd be delighted."

Tony held his arm out, elbow crooked. He was pleased with the tiny statured woman slipped her free arm through it. Walking slowly, he escorted her to the diner.

Walking into the small diner, Tony was well aware that the few customers were watching them select a booth. They weren't as obvious about it as the waitress standing behind the counter.

"Small town, remember?"

"Mrs. Pringle, what can I get you? And your…friend?"

"I'll have my usual pot of Earl Grey and honey. And an English muffin. Tony?"

"That sounds perfect. I'll have the same." Tony peered at the waitress' name tag. "Thank you, Betty," he said with a smile.

Betty leveled an unimpressed glare at him, accompanied by a sniff as she walked off.

"Seems Betty is immune to my world famous charm." Tony turned his warm green gaze back to Mrs. Pringle. "Are you a native of Stillwater?"

"Oh, dear, no. I came here when I was just out of school. This was my first teaching assignment after graduation. I fell in love with my Luther and never left, even after my husband was killed in a mine collapse. I saw how the town rallied to help those of us who lost family members and friends. I had a home here, so I stayed."

Tony gently placed his hand on her much smaller one. A loud humph had him looking up to see Betty standing over them, balancing a tray containing two pots of hot water and two plates of perfectly toasted English muffins.

He had to pull his hand away quickly to avoid scalding by sloshing hot water as the pot was almost dropped directly on it. His plate was slammed into his chest, forcing Tony to jerk back. "Whoa, careful!"

"Elizabeth Jane Dixon," Mrs. Pringle snapped. "Exactly what do you think you're doing?"

"Protecting you from this smarmy Lothario."

Tony recognized the flash in the older woman's golden brown eyes. Scoot his chair away from the table, he began to nibble on the muffin, prepared to watch the fireworks.

"So I'm too senile to take care of myself, Elizabeth Jane?"

"I…I didn't say that, Mrs. Pringle," Betty protested, equally aware that she had poked the bear too hard.

"I'm too old then to have a friend like this young man?"

"Friend?" Betty rallied, secure in her mission. "I've seen his type before. He's sniffing around for money."

"And just how much money does he expect to find in the possession of a retired teacher in a small town like Stillwater?"

"Well, I'm sure he doesn't know that."

"I'm sure he does since I told him exactly who I was and what I did for a living before I retired. Now stop being foolish."

"I'm just trying to protect you, Mrs. Pringle. His kind…"

"His kind, as you call it, is just the kind of man I like to have as a friend. Honorable, gentlemanly, and willing to give an old woman a few moments of his time. Especially when he's waiting to hear whether he'll be our new sheriff."

Betty's mouth fell open. "Wha-what?"

"You really should listen to the gossip that comes through this place, child. This is Tony DiNozzo, a friend of both Jack and Leroy Gibbs."

Tony smiled again, tentatively pointing to the tea pot. "Can I pour myself a drink or are you still planning to kill me?"

Betty's face turned bright red as she stammered out an apology.

Tony took pity on her. "I think it is wonderful that you wanted to protect Mrs. Pringle. You have nothing to apologize for."

Unfortunately his graciousness only seemed to make Betty's embarrassment increase and she hurried off, still stammering broken apologies.

Mrs. Pringle shook her head in wonderment. "I do apologize myself, Tony. I don't know what got into her."

"No harm. Now, I'm beginning to think Gibbs got his stare of death from you. You have got to tell me how many times you had to use it on him."

With a laugh, the retired teacher told some tales of Leroy Jethro Gibbs' school antics as they enjoyed the tea and muffins.

A/N: I've had to go back and rework my plans for this since the death of the man who brought Jackson Gibbs to life, the wonderful Ralph Waite. There will be more chapters as time and real world distractions permit.