A/N: I apologize that it's been 2 weeks since I updated... I had wicked writer's block, and to be honest, it's not completely resolved. See the first chapter for the disclaimer. I hope you enjoy this one, and please review. :D
Chapter 3: Two Down, One to Go
Gibbs walked into the sub-basement, watching as McGee's team left for the night. "Boss?" Gibbs asked, slightly amused. McGee looked up from his computer screen.
"They call me that because I've actually been out in the field," the junior agent replied.
"What do you got for me, McGee?"
McGee looked confused as Vance appeared beside Gibbs. "Uh…"
"Let him in, McGee," Vance said.
"Yes, sir," McGee replied. "I've been working through the levels of encryption, and have found out a few things. First, this is some of the toughest encryption this side of the browser wars."
"You've been getting through it."
"But you might not like what I've found…"
*~*~*~*
The more the pieces started to fall together, the more it looked like Agent Lee was the mole. At least, until McGee dug up more evidence that proved her side of the story.
"Looks like Lee's in the clear," Vance said, looking over at the screen. "One down, two to go."
*~*~*~*
McGee was in the sub-basement, still working on Vargo's laptop, when the alert started clamoring for his attention. He looked over at the screen, mouth agape at what he saw. He jumped up, running up the stairs into the observation room. "Director Vance, you need to hear this," he interrupted. He watched as Gibbs and Vance glanced at one another before walking out of interrogation into observation.
"This better be damn good, McGee," Gibbs said.
"We set up a system to track Vargo's movements- credit cards, bank accounts, ID cards. The system just alerted us. Someone's using Vargo's ID to get into the computer office in Building 3, right next door."
Gibbs' phone rang before anyone could say anything, and he heard Lee's frantic voice cry out, "Gibbs?" As gunshots rang out in the background, he sighed.
"It's Langer," he said, snapping his phone shut. "McGee, you keep an eye on Keating."
McGee nodded, watching as Vance and Gibbs ran out of the room.
*~*~*~*
With Langer dead, the mole problem was finished, thereby ending Vance's need for Ziva and McGee to be away. Both of them returned to Gibbs' team, at their usual desks in the squad room.
Yet something was missing. Or, rather, someone.
As they sat there for the third time since they had come back, they knew exactly who needed to be there. The one who had threatened to throw himself overboard last time they talked to him. And yet, he was still Agent Afloat for the Seahawk.
*~*~*~*
"Is he ever coming back?" Abby said, looking at Gibbs.
Gibbs just looked at her.
"You said you'd get him back."
"Still working on that, Abs," he said as his phone rang. "Yeah, Gibbs."
"Agent Gibbs," a tech said. "Agent DiNozzo's online for you in MTAC."
*~*~*~*
"Hey Boss," Tony said softly, the time at sea clearly taking its toll on him. "Got a problem. More like, got a case."
"What's that?" Gibbs replied, trying to settle the churning in his gut. Seeing Tony like this was hard, even on the normally unemotional Gibbs.
"Guy took a nosedive off the fantail. Lieutenant Chad Evans, home address in DC."
Gibbs scribbled down the address Tony gave him. "We'll talk to his wife."
"Thanks. I'll get back to you when I have more details."
*~*~*~*
Gibbs walked into Vance's office, standing before him at the desk. "We got our mole," he said.
"And Agent DiNozzo has a case on the Seahawk," Vance replied, looking up from the computer screen.
"After this, he comes back."
Vance put two folders in front of Gibbs. "Look them over."
Gibbs practically glared at him. "I'm not playing this game, Leon."
"I said we would talk about it."
Gibbs glared. "You had no intention of that, did ya, Leon? Just used DiNozzo as a bargaining chip to get me to play your game?"
Vance half-smirked. "Just did what you would do."
"I wouldn't dangle an agent's employment like that."
"Why are you so invested in Agent DiNozzo's placement?"
"He needs to be here, Leon."
"Your boy can't stand on his own?" Vance challenged.
"That's not it at all," Gibbs said darkly.
"I know full well that Agent DiNozzo has suffered hardship this year. He was kidnapped and extensively tortured. Maybe the time away from DC will actually do him some good."
Gibbs glared.
"You pick one, or if you'd like, I will," Vance said.
Gibbs took the folders, walking out of the office without another word.
*~*~*~*
"It's not fair," Abby said, looking at McGee. "You guys got to come back. Why not Tony?"
"I don't know, Abby," McGee replied, typing.
"I mean, it's really, really not fair."
"I know."
"Because one of these days, he really will throw himself overboard."
"He wouldn't."
"Have you seen him lately, McGee?"
McGee stopped typing and looked over at her. "No," he said. "Well, actually, yes, the other day, but I wasn't really looking."
"He's not doing well, McGee," Abby said with a frown.
"He's going to be fine, Abby."
"You don't want him back, do you?"
"Of course I do. It's weird being in the squad room without him."
Abby made a noise, frowning. "He needs to be home, McGee," she said softly.
"Yeah," he agreed. "I know."
