A/N: Can i just say WOW? What a response this story generates. Yes, Gibbs will appear back on the scene pretty soon. This chapter is setting up some stuff that's needed for the coming chapters.
Someone commented that he/she would let McGee take the fall he deserved. Maybe so, but Tony never was like that. It showed in the way he handled his departure in the canon from Baltimore PD. He would sooner left LE, than give up Danny as dirty. He was a cop, to have your partner's back ALWAYS is pretty much ingrained into his entire personality. Plus, he still deals with a lot of issues (that aren't really diminished by Gibbs' sudden departure) that makes him believe in the credo 'better me than him'.
If you guys want a more detailed psycho-analysis of TOny and how i perceive, fill free to PM me
As last thing: READ ENJOY and don't forget to REVIEW!
Cjb1990
Tony looked from the corner of his eye at the beautiful woman at his side. Any other day, he would've been ecstatic to have her on her arm. But not today, because this day it wasn't Tony DiNozzo that had her on his arm, but professor DiNardo.
It had been two weeks since the start of the operation, and it had been exhausting. He had a full caseload to deal with, complaining SFA's from other teams, the bitching from his own team, the new probie agent Lee and in between all that he was wooing and lying to a very nice and intelligent woman.
He had been in contact with Uncle Tom a lot more these days, mostly texting locations. It made him feel a bit more comfortable that at least he knew where he was.
The two were slowly walking along the sidewalk back to the hospital Jeanne worked at from a little café near it. Tony listened as Jeanne was describing the fall out two nurses had over the same guy. Tony chuckled softly, he really couldn't help but like Jeanne. It left a bitter taste in his mouth, because she had no idea at what level she was getting played here.
"Antonio!" a voice sounded from behind him, that he recognized only too well. Tony stiffened.
Jeanne pulled at his arm to turn him around. There in front of him stood Tobias Fornell. Now, he didn't particularly dislike the FBI agent (although he still had some rancor for him over the whole severed legs and Chuck, being accused for murder debacle).
"Well, would you look at that," he chuckled; firmly believing his cover was about to be blown spectacularly.
"Antonio, nice meeting you outside the workplace," Fornell gave a small smile, looking at Jeanne who was looking on curiously.
"Ah, yes," Tony did a small jump, as if he just realized he should introduce the two.
"Jeanne, this is Toby MacMore," Tony couldn't help but cast a mischievous look at the Fib. "He's teaching an accounting course the university. Toby, this is dr Jeanne Benoit, my-"
"His very attractive partner on this walk," Toby cut in, saving Tony from making his assignment even more uncomfortable."
"Well, aren't you a charmer," Jeanne laughed lightly. "It's nice to meet you, Toby MacMore."
"Likewise," Tobias shook her hand. "You guys busy, or can we continue on with a cup of coffee."
"Actually, I really need to get back to work," Jeanne took a step forward, letting her hand linger in Tony's. "Call me when you're done?"
"Absolutely," Tony smiled at her, giving her a kiss.
"Alright you," Fornell cut in. "Not in front of the elderly."
Tony laughed out loud at hearing that, considering he always called Fornell that as a joke. To hear it come from his mouth, was pretty damn funny.
"You're words, Toby, not mine," Tony grinned.
"Yeah, yeah," Fornell grumbled.
Jeanne smiled and walked away briskly. As soon as she was out of sight, Tony's face turned angry and he turned around to face Fornell.
"What the hell are you doing here?" he grumbled dangerously.
"What?" Fornell snorted. "Well known undercover agent from NCIS is seen cavorting with The Frog's daughter, and you think other agencies are not going to stagger on their hind legs?"
"What?" Tony's frown turned confused.
"You didn't really think NCIS was the only after the guy, were you?" Fornell stared hard at Tony. "DiNutzo, you and your director are kicking a hornest nest that is bigger than either of you can anticipate."
"Fantastic," Tony's hand buried itself in his hair. "I take it that this is a not so much sanctioned op then?"
"I would think not, no," Fornell snorted. "But you already knew that, didn't you? What kind of operation would use pimping out its agents for the cause? So, why did you do it?"
"You do know that McGee has been promoted to be my SFA, right?"
"Oh," Fornell grimaced. "Oh, that's nasty."
"Yeah," Tony snorted. "McProbie may be a guy with a lot of potential, but undercover is not one of them."
"Using your probie against you," Fornell commented. "That's low. No wonder Tom called me."
Tony looked at him with sharp turn of his head. "Tom called you?"
"Tony, I think Gibbs had the right thought with hitting you on the head repeatedly," Fornell commented drily. "You really think Tom wouldn't call in certain markers to cover your ass. Because this thing is going to blow sooner or later. And the director will be caught in the blast wave. Now, who do you think she's going to drag down with her?"
"I hate politics," Tony said with a deep sincere disgust.
"You and me both," Fornell hit his arm in goodbye. As he walked away he turned around. "So, want to play pool with your colleague from accounting next Friday?"
"Sounds a little bit like a cop show," Tony called after him.
"Sure," Fornell shouted back. "There'll be beer, peanuts and I'll even buy your girl a cocktail."
Tony gave him a one-finger salute before walking back to his car.
He stopped his car at the impressive building and showed is credentials. He had had a busy day, but couldn't postpone any longer for his sanity's sake. It took some time, but finally he stood in front of an assistant.
"Sir, there's an agent DiNozzo here to see you," she spoke into the intercom.
"Send him in," the deep voice sounded through the speaker.
He held up his hand. "I can make my way in, thanks."
She smiled and sat back on her chair, while he marched through the door.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he managed to keep his voice at a reasonable level, but couldn't keep the rage out of it.
The woman at the desk looked surprised at the anger, before the door closed behind the handsome agent.
"Sit down Tony," Tom Morrow instructed the younger man.
"The hell I will," Tony seethed. "Fornell, Uncle Tom? You flipped to Fornell?"
"Mind your tone boy," Tom barked. "Of course I did. Do you know how long he and I are working here in DC? He's one of my oldest acquaintances here in Washington. If you think that I won't call in any marker that is necessary to keep your ass alive and ready for action, you have another thing coming!"
Tony sat down in the soft leather chair. "But the FBI?"
Tom sat on the chair next to his. "Listen son. I did some digging. And there is no way that this op is sanctioned. That means that it's your ass on the line when things come to blow. And I'll like it if the blow would only be figuratively. I cannot be your second set eyes 24/7. I needed someone I trusted to look after you when I can't. And right now, the best option for that is Tobias."
Tony sighed and leaned back, massaging his temples with his forefingers. "God, it's just … I really hate owing him a favour."
"Yeah, any outstanding marker always suck and comes up at the most inopportune moments," Tom agreed. "But this won't be a big one. He still owed me pretty big, so-"
The words floated into the silence. In his heart, Tony felt warmed that Tom would use his markers for covering his ass.
"Anything else that's bothering you?" Tom asked shrewdly. He had seen how the double job was wearing the man down. Already he could see the man had lost some weight, and his forehead was creased with stress lines.
"No, yeah. I don't know," Tony sighed and opened his eyes. "It's this last case. It just doesn't sit well with me. There was something there, but everything points to this pretty open and shut ending."
"Too easy?" Tom asked knowingly.
Tony nodded.
"Son, sometimes cases really are that easy. Because of the convoluted lines we have to follow 99% of the time, that last one per cent never sits well with us."
"Yeah, you're probably right," Tony acknowledged reluctantly. If he had been Gibbs, he would have said his gut was churning.
"How's McGee working out for you?" Tom inquired.
"He managed to piss off Margaret," Tony informed him. "It's his own fault really. He has been pretty obnoxious, especially towards the other SFA's."
"So, they weren't inclined to inform him how he should handle Marge," Tom grinned and shook his head.
"Set me back $30 for flowers or we wouldn't have enough mags in our desks," Tony sighed.
"He'll never learn if you keep doing this," Tom warned.
"We will be put off rotation if I wouldn't do so," Tony rebuked. "And who do you think would catch the flock from the director over that one?"
"Resign," Tom offered him, the kid would break down within half a year of this crap.
"I can't," Tony shook his head. "I can't abandon Abby and Ducky, Palmer-"
"The way he did to you, you mean?" Tom finished.
A stubborn look appeared on the Italian's face.
"You're not him, Tony," Tom pressed on. "Even if you'd walk away, you wouldn't be him. Ever."
"Yeah, I'm not Gibbs," Tony spoke scathily. "Trust me you don't have to tell me. Everyone is reminding me often enough."
Tom stood up and walked to his oak liquor cabinet. He poured out two tumblers of expensive amber scotch. Walking back he handed one to the agent.
"Now, I know it isn't dime a dozen bourbon," Tom spoke up. "But it's pretty good."
Tony raised his glass in salute and took a sip. He sighed as the scotch glided smoothly down his throat to warm his stomach.
"By the way," Tom sipped on his own scotch. "It was meant as the highest of compliments. I meant to say that you don't break promises."
Together, the two men sat in a darkening office. The world was closing in on them; chess pieces were put in position to slaughter one of them. But there in the dark office, sitting in brown leather chairs, Tony found a peace he hadn't felt in two months.