Thanks again for your reviews, guys. This will probably be the last update before xmas, so I hope you like it…

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Chapter 4: Anger

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Gibbs was right; it was only the weight of Fornell's badge that got them into the vast glass and steel skyscraper that housed Dominic DiNozzo's office. Even so, it took a healthy dose of the patented Gibbs glare and several threats as well to get them to his door.

"You can't go in there," the PA protested hysterically. "Mr DiNozzo's in a meeting!" The pair ignored her and strode inside.

A group of several suited, middle aged men all sat around the large, mahogany desk of Tony's father. Gibbs could see the family resemblance in his jawline and facial structure, but the eyes were totally different. Tony's had been a warm, vibrant blue, sparkling with life; his father's were dark, cold and dead.

"What is the meaning of this?" Asked DiNozzo Senior, every syllable tinkling with ice. Fornell and Gibbs pulled their badges yet again as the FBI agent identified them.

"Special Agent Fornell and Special Agent Gibbs."

"I see. And what can I do for you… gentlemen?" The sarcasm was clear.

In reply, Gibbs pulled a photograph out of his pocket and placed it deliberately on the desk before him. It was the one Ducky had taken on Air Force One almost two years before, of Tony grinning from the President's chair. DiNozzo stared at it for a long moment.

"Well, well," he said, almost to himself. "It seems Anthony hasn't changed a bit. Leave us," he told the assembled businessmen, who scrambled to obey. As the door clicked shut behind them, Dominic spoke again, eyes narrowed.

"I should warn you, I have not seen or spoken to my son in some years. Whatever he has done to warrant your attention does not involve or indeed interest me."

Out of the corner of his eye, Fornell watched Gibbs's hand clench into a fist. Oh, boy, he thought.

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Fornell had called in a favour and borrowed the FBI New York office's MTAC. He looked up at the big screen as Director Morrow's face appeared.

"Thank you for taking this meeting, Director," Fornell began. "I know it was short notice."

"When the FBI needs to talk to me, Agent Fornell, it's usually important; particularly when it's you. Although I think you should have stopped to put some ice on that eye before you called."

Fornell grimaced, touching his impressive shiner gingerly. "Haven't had the time. It's not as bad as it looks."

"What's so urgent, then, Fornell? And why are you calling from New York?"

"The NYPD have Gibbs in custody," the FBI agent replied wearily.

"What? What happened?"

"He couldn't get DiNotzo's father on the phone, so we flew out here to talk to him face to face. Trouble was, Daddy Dearest wasn't exactly breaking down at the news. In fact, he didn't give a damn whether his son was alive or dead."

"Tell me Gibbs didn't shoot him."

"He didn't; mostly because I don't think he had enough functioning brain cells to pull his gun. It took the entire building security team and me to drag him off. They had to taser him in the end; I've never seen anything like it."

"Take it that's how you got that shiner. Gibbs has a mean right hook."

"Tell me about it," said Fornell, rolling his undamaged eye.

"How bad are DiNozzo's injuries?"

"Haven't heard yet; they took him straight to the ER."

"And Gibbs?"

"Plenty of bruises and scrapes, badly cracked knuckles and taser burn; nothing too serious, considering that there were eight of us trying to restrain him."

"No; I meant how is he?"

"Honestly, sir?" Fornell sighed deeply. "He's in pieces. That boy really meant the world to him."

"Yeah, he did." Morrow paused for a moment before moving on to the practical. "All right. Considering the circumstances, DiNozzo could probably be persuaded not to press charges, if only to avoid the media attention. Press haven't caught wind yet, have they?"

"Not that I know of, but it can only be a matter of time. DiNozzo Senior is a big cheese and there were plenty of witnesses."

"Just what I need; I've got one man dead, five on compassionate leave and now one in jail. I'll get hold of the NYPD to tell them this is in my jurisdiction and then send in a team to take over."

"Shame having no interest whatsoever in your only child isn't a criminal offence," said Fornell, with feeling.

"It certainly should be," Morrow replied darkly. "Tony was a good kid and a talented investigator; losing him is a real blow for NCIS."

"And after this, you'll most likely lose Gibbs too," said Fornell.

"I'm not sure we didn't lose him the moment the DNA results came back."

" Jethro did make one request, Director. He asked that the others not be told about this; said they had enough to worry about."

"Don't we all; I'll see what I can do. Just make sure the NYPD don't try to do anything stupid like withholding coffee; I'd hate for Gibbs to end up on more than one assault charge."

"I'll take him some as soon as they're done getting his statement," promised Fornell.

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I did try to write the fight scene but I just couldn't make it work; I think this chapter is better for leaving it to the imagination. If anyone else would like to have a go, feel free.