Thanks again y'all for reading/reviewing, I love hearing your thoughts on the story. I hope you enjoy Chapter 4!
Happy Monday!
Chapter 4
"What's going on Tony?" Kyle asked as she looked at the members of his team.
"It's not what it looks like." Tony started
"Ok good, cause it looks like I am suspect?"
"Officer David thought it would be a good idea to go snooping through my personal life and use NCIS property to do so," he said approaching her.
Kyle smiled softly at him and nodded.
"What are you doing here?" he asked softly.
"You forgot your jacket at the hospital it has your phone in it, I thought you might need it. Gibss rule number three"
He smiled and took his jacket from her, "Never be unreachable." He laughed, "Thanks."
"Why didn't you tell us you had a girlfriend Tony?" McGee asked, standing up from his desk and quickly removing Kyle's information from the display screens.
"It was none of your business." He answered still looking at Kyle.
"Ya right, I don't believe that for a second, usually we can't get you to stop telling us about your latest conquest."
Kyle looked at Tony with an amused expression, "Conquest?"
"It's not what you think" Tony added turning to look at McGee, "Thanks McHelpful."
McGee shrugged.
"It probably had something to do with the fact that he is dating the daughter of his boss', boss', boss." Kyle supplied turning to Ziva.
"Well, since everything is out now, you wouldn't mind telling us about your sealed record?" Ziva asked, with a glint in her eye that Tony didn't quite recognize.
"I don't see how that is any of your business Ziva, she is not a suspect." Tony answered hoping to end this conversation.
"Its fine Tony," Kyle said placing a hand softly on his chest.
"It's none of their business Kyle."
"You know that and I know that, but you also know they will snoop as soon I we leave, so might as well." She offered with a shrug.
Kyle turned to look Ziva straight in the eye. "It was a court case that involved the shooting of my mother's husband." Kyle said.
"My father had the record sealed as I was only ten years old at the time," she paused before taking a calming breath. "My parents divorced when I was only a baby, Dad was deployed more often than not and they drifted apart. My mother had primary custody, and I saw my Dad whenever I could. My mother dated a lot, and had the worst taste in men. When I was eight she remarried. I never liked the guy, gave me the creeps and he had a short temper. Anyways, after a while he started to hit my mother, then me. One night he got blackout drunk, he beat my mother to death," she stated, whipping a stray tear from her cheek.
"Once he was finished with her, he started on me. From what the first respondents told the court, I managed to get away grab his gun and shot him in the chest. Luckily one of the neighbours had heard and called the police. The next thing I remember is waking up in the hospital a few days later, my Dad and step-mother at my side." Kyle paused taking a deep breath, "They told me what happened, but to this day I don't remember, which is just as well. Anyways, I was asked to testify, and my medical records were presented to the court, and my mother's husband was sentenced to life in prison. We requested the details of the case be sealed, but my fingers prints remained in the system."
There was silence in the squad room as they looked at Kyle, Tony providing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I moved in with my dad and his wife, she adopted me, they had two boys, and we all lived happily ever after." Kyle added with a soft smile. "Is that enough for you Officer David?"
Ziva wasn't quite sure what to say, so merely nodded.
"Good, if that is all, I need to get back to the hospital." She said giving Tony a quick kiss before making her exit without acknowledging anyone else.
Abby and McGee turned to look at Tony, "Wow" was all they could say and Tony just smiled, though he lost it as soon as he saw Ziva.
"I need to speak to you. In private. Now Ziva." Tony commanded.
"Who do you think you are, Gibbs?" Ziva said crossing her arms, not moving.
"It wasn't a request Officer David," he said pointing to the elevator on the other side of the squad room.
As the doors closed on Tony and Ziva, Tony took a deep breath before he started. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Ziva shrugged, "I do not see what the big deal is, she seemed fine with it."
"That is not the point Ziva, my relationship with Kyle and her past is none of your business, they sure as shit aren't the business of NCIS. You could have implicated an innocent person in a criminal investigation Ziva." Tony said, his voice getting louder by the second. "You don't think anything through, you just act and to hell with the fallout. There are rules here Ziva and you need to start following them!"
"Or what Tony, you'll fire me? I am too valuable to the Director for her to let you do that."
Tony shook his head, suddenly feeling the urge to punch something.
"Clearly nothing I say is getting through to you, so Officer David, I will be placing a second reprimand on your record, as well as effective immediately you will be on a two week suspension, without pay. If you think the director will back you up on this, I would remind you that the whole squad room is aware of what you did, and the Director is all about saving face, so plan your next move very carefully Ziva."
Tony restarted the elevator and pressed the button to exit onto the third floor. Tony guided Ziva back to her desk and asked for her credentials and gun. "You will get these back when you return. If I were you I would take these next two weeks to think long and hard about your place on this team Officer David."
And with that Tony turned to look at Tim, hoping to make the same point silently to him as well.
"Balboa" Tonny yelled.
"Yo" was the answer.
"I won't have a full team for the next two weeks, think McGee and Lee can help you out on any cases you catch?"
Balboa nodded, "Sure, no problem Tony."
Tony smiled, "Thanks man."
Tony was going to take the next two weeks to focus on his surveillance for the Director and hopefully get this file off his plate sooner rather than later.
A couple of days later Tony was helping Agent Lee with a case she was working on for Balboa. "Take your time Michelle, really think it through, you need to see the bug picture, it will come to you" Tony offered encouragingly.
Michelle nodded and went back to looking through all the evidence that they collected. Tony turned his attention to McGee, "Need any help Probie?" Tony asked pushing his chair away from Agent Lee and twirling a bit before landing in front of McGee's desk.
"I am fine Tony, this computer program is having a bit of difficulty searching." McGee said
"I know you get a big old happy with computers, but you may want to try every now and then doing it the old fashioned way, cause one of these days you may be stuck with no power and you will be up a creek without a paddle." Tony offered.
McGee shook his head, "I don't think so Tony, this is a much more efficient way to do things."
Tony sighed, "Not the point Probie."
"Tony, as your Senior Field Agent I am not the probie any more."
"You'll always be Probie to me McGee" Tony said returning his chair back to his desk
He must admit, things have been a bit better without Ziva there, he wanted them to work with another team leader so they understood that it's not just him, it is how things are done. Walking over to the stair Tony saw Balboa head over to the interrogation rooms.
"Hey Balboa, got a sec?" he asked.
"Sure Tony" he said.
"How are Lee and McGee doing?" he asked.
Balboa shrugged, "Lee has potential, still very green though. McGee knows his stuff technology wise, but basic detective work, he still needs improvement, if he stops and listens and works with others rather than rushing, he would make a great agent one day."
Tony nodded, "Thanks man, I will try and work with him on that."
"No worries man, we all know him and Ziva have been bringing you down, if they know what is good for them they would listen."
Tony nodded. Just as Tony was about to respond, Ducky and Palmer approached them, "Gentlemen, how are you doing this fine afternoon?" Ducky asked.
"Keeping out of trouble Ducky, how are things down in autopsy?" Tony asked.
"Busy as ever, there never seems to be a shortage of bodies to examine. Which is a sad statement indeed."
They all nodded, "How is your profiling class going Doc?" Balboa asked.
"Quite well actually, it brings me back to me younger days studying at Edinburgh, I am quite enjoying myself, and Mr. Palmer has proved to be an excellent study partner."
Jimmy smiled shyly, "I just ask the questions."
"Don't discount your work my autopsy gremlin, with no one to ask the questions, how do we get to the right answers." Tony smiled
"Agent DiNozzo, my office please" Director Shepard called from the second level.
Tony sighed, "Coming" he called out in response. "I will see you gentlemen later."
Tony made quick work of the stairs, nodding at the Director's assistant as he entered her office. "What can I do for you today Madam Director?"
"I have been going over your notes and surveillance, you are making great headway."
"Thanks" Tony said, a sinking feeling growing in his gut.
"I think it is time we step things up. I would like for you to go undercover."
"As who? Who is the mark?" Tony asked.
"We will work on your cover, but your mark will be La Grenouille's daughter Jeanne. I would like you to get close to her Tony. Do you understand what I am saying?"
Tony did not like this at all, "I am sorry Jenny, but I can't do that."
"And why not?" she asked.
"I am with someone, I can't very well in good conscious do what you are asking me to do, I won't do it."
"I am well aware you are involved with someone Tony, but I don't think you understand, you really don't have a choice here."
"So what are you saying?"
"I am saying Agent DiNozzo, as long as you work here you will follow orders, and I am ordering you to get close to Jeanne Benoit by any means necessary."
Tony stood, "Then I am sorry to say Director that I quit."
"What!" the Director yelled, "You can't quit, I won't allow it."
Tony smirked and said, "I am afraid you don't have a choice Madam Director, you will have my resignation on your desk within an hour, Balboa is already working with my team, he can continue to do so until a replacement can be found."
Tony made his way to the door and opened it before turning to look at the Director, "You mentioned you were aware I was seeing someone, did you know that she is Mikayla Evans, daughter of Admiral Luke Evans." Tony smiled with satisfaction as he saw the look of recognition on her face. "I will be sure to let the Admiral know that you were perfectly fine with ordering me to cheat on his daughter." And with that Tony slammed the door behind him.
Tony made his way to his desk and quickly wrote up his letter of resignation, sending it to the Director and human resources. Without a word, Tony found a box and packed up his belongings, all eyes were on him as he took out his gun and badge he turned to Agent Lee.
"Michelle, you have great potential as a special agent, just remember to stand up for your views, they matter too." He offered.
Agent Lee rushed over to Tony and gave him a hug. "Thanks boss" she said,
He nodded, turning to McGee, he handed him his gun and badge, "You had potential McGee, but you seem to have gotten a little lost, you need to listen to your own voice, but you also need to learn to work with others, you don't always know the answer. It has been swell working with you Probie. I wish you luck."
"I don't understand?" McGee stated.
Tony nodded, picking up his box, "You will one day." Was all he offered as he made his way to the elevator. He turned to take one final look at the squad room before smiling and saying "I'm Tony DiNozzo. You stay classy, NCIS."
Tony sat in his car staring at the steering wheel, not quite believing what just happened. The more he started to think about it, the more angry and frustrated.
Starting his car, he made his way home, what he needed was a drink and fast. Before Tony knew it he was unlocking the door to his apartment, not even remembering the drive home. Heading straight for the fridge he pulled out a beer and drank half the bottle in one gulp. Finishing it off before grabbing another Tony made his way out of the kitchen and taking a look around, know what was he supposed to do now.
Hearing his phone ring, Tony pulled it out, "DiNozzo" he answered automatically.
"Tony, what is this I hear about your quiting? What is going on?" Abby asked.
"Abs, not now please, I just need some time."
"But Tony..."
"Not now Abby!" He yelled, hanging up the phone throwing it against the wall.
"Fuck!"
Gibbs was going to be so disappointed when he found out, he tried so hard to make it work, why had Gibbs put him in charge? Why did Jenny have to select him for the undercover op? Finishing his beer, Tony went to grab another. He continued to simmer. He knew why Jenny had picked him, his reputation as a ladies man, she knew from the very beginning she was going to ask him to basically whore himself out. Who did she think she was!
Tony was going round and round inside his head that he didn't hear the front door open.
"Tony?" Kyle called out.
Tony didn't answer, not really hearing her. She made her way through the apartment till she saw him in the kitchen.
"Hey you!" she smiled at him.
"Hey" he said finally noticing her.
Kyle took in his appearance and the empty beer bottles, "What's wrong, did something happen at work?" she said approaching him.
"Don't." he said moving away from her.
"Tony?"
"You want to know how my day was, well I will tell you. I quit my fucking job today Kyle. Because of you!" he yelled
"I don't understand?"
"Of course you don't, well you see it's like this, my Director has had me working on an top secret undercover operation, and today she basically ordered me to sleep with our marks daughter to get close to him, and I couldn't go through with it! I couldn't do my job and it was because of you!"
"Tony... I don't know what to say."
"Don't bother, everything is messed up! Gibbs left and everything turned to shit. And you, you are turning my world on its head." He said going to grab another beer.
"I think you've had enough Tony." Kyle said softly.
"Enough, who are you to tell me enough!"
Kyle couldn't help the tears as they started to fall freely from her eyes, "What are you saying Tony?" she asked whipping her eyes, but the tears kept falling.
"I am saying you should go home, I don't need you here." His voice was cold and distant.
Kyle nodded, "I'm sorry you feel that way," she said making her way to the door. "I don't know why you are mad at me Tony, but I don't deserve it. I hope everything works out for you," she gave him a sad smile and closed the door behind her.
Tony didn't know why he was mad at her either, but he couldn't help himself. Throwing the beer against the wall Tony started to destroy anything and everything he could get his hands on.
On the other side of the door, Kyle was still at a lost for what happened, everything was falling apart. Sliding down the wall, Kyle silently cried as she listened to Tony destroy his apartment. After a few minutes, she tried to calm herself enough to go home; hoping things would make more sense in the morning.
The next morning Tony woke up, passed out on the floor and took in the state of his apartment. "Shit" he said slowly getting up, his body cracking in protest.
As Tony made his way through the apartment, pieces of the previous night started to come back to him. Slowly he started remembering his conversation with Kyle, Tony's stomach dropped. Seeing that his land line was still connected, Tony made a phone call.
"Hello?" the voice asked.
"Jimmy, I fucked up huge." he sighed.
"What happened?" Jimmy asked.
"Can you come over?" he asked hopefully.
"Sure, I am on my way." Jimmy hung up.
"Ya I fucked up big time." Tony said to himself, not knowing where to start to fix things.