Revenge
Chapter 4.
The next morning she gives Tony everything that she's got file wise, & everything else that's on the computer, and then they have to wait for everything else to come through. With not having heard what Gibbs said about the twins thing to Tony, she all of a sudden has the idea about it herself, so she goes through news reports & things herself, & also finds out about the missing brother. She then goes down to see Ducky & asks him if it would be possible for one brother to have taken the other ones place without anyone realising it's happened, including the parents of the brothers. He tells her that it could be possible, as long as they covered any distinguishing marks & things up, plus of course change their personality to be more like the other brother, so that friends or family wouldn't be able to tell the difference between them. The only way the truth would get found out would be via finger prints or DNA.
After seeing Ducky she decides she wants to get some air, so she calls Tony & asks him if he fancies going for a walk outside, they meet outside the front, get a coffee & then go for a walk, as they do so
he says "From what I've gone through I think you could be right about him being a rogue agent, or that there is something going on with him."
She then says "I was going through some news reports earlier & have found out that he had a twin brother, who has gone missing, those reports also came out around the time when we just met briefly, so I've been thinking what if they were identical twins & Nick is really his brother Simon, & he did something to the real Nick to take his place. I put the theory to Ducky earlier as I went to see him. He says that it could be possible, if he took on some of his brothers personality & also covered any distinguishing marks up when he was around anyone they both knew, including their parents. The only way that would get found out though if it has happened like that, is if the switch took place after the real Nick joined NCIS, because of his DNA being on record with joining. So the thing is how do we go about finding out the truth, & prove that he could've switched places with his brother."
He replies "I promise we will get the truth for you, so where did the disappearance happen?"
"It was in Baltimore."
He explains to her "That was the force I was on before joining NCIS, I've still got some contacts still on the squad, so I'll see if I can get hold of any of the paperwork & things to do with the case, as you never know we might be able to do our own investigation & get the case closed for them."
"I hope we can, as I would like to get some closure on this for everyone's sake. Not only that I would also like to find out how their parents didn't know about the switch, or why I never even got told anything about the missing brother."
When they head back once again following the walk, they both get working on various things, a little while later E mails her with what he's managed to get so far pertaining to the case, & also with the news that the case files will be coming in later on.
By lunch time she also decides that perhaps she ought to also say something to Gibbs, so while he's at his desk she goes over to him & asks if they can go somewhere to have a private talk, because of suspecting what things could be about he suggests that they go home, & she agrees to it.
Back at home he gets them something to eat, & at first she stays quiet, then all of a sudden
she says "I think that Nick might not be the person I think he is."
He replies "What do you mean?"
She explains to him "Well with going through my old files & things, I've found some big inconsistencies with our reports & things, not only that in his parts of the reports it feels more like it's been written by someone who really doesn't know how they should be writing a report or what to write. So I have a feeling he could be a rogue agent or not even be the person we think he is. I've told Tony about things & he's also gone through things for me, & he thinks the same as well. Anyway this morning I made the discovery that Nick has also got a brother, who has gone missing, this happened around the time when we just met briefly, but I've never known a thing about this missing brother. I have a suspicion that he could've done something to his brother, & that he has possibly taken his place. As the disappearance happened in Baltimore Tony has got in touch with some of his contacts, & we're waiting for the case stuff to come through, so that we can have a look at it."
"I'm sorry this has happened, & if you want me to keep it quiet from the others for now, but we have to use them to help with anything, I will cover for you. As we will need as much evidence as possible to even charge him with anything, & be in with a chance of getting hold of any of his DNA. I'll clear the two of you now, so that you can concentrate on this case, & I will also help you as much as I can with things. We'll then get together here to go through things when you've put the kids to bed, as that way we've got a chance to go through things in a bit of peace. So now be honest with me, by telling me how you feel about things?"
She says "I don't honestly know, as I'm so confused with knowing that my life's been a lie, & confused about what's going to happen next, & even though I know that all this will end in divorce, can I cope with being a single mother, & what am I going to do about the job I really love, & I'm also very angry that I've been played all my life."
The emotions then finally get to her & she bursts into tears & she also starts hitting out, he grabs her into a hug & even though she still keeps punching him, he lets her do it. Once she finally settles down a bit
he says "You needn't worry about divorce, as I will be here to support you through everything. I'm also sure that due to the circumstances you will be able to get a quick one, so things can't be long & drawn out, we may also be able to get things in place so you just have to serve him with the papers when we catch him. I'm your father, & I know that we've only just found each other, but I love you & the kids, & I will be here to help you through everything. You've also got a home here no matter what, so you don't have to be alone. When Vance cleared you as a temporary team member, he said that you could become a permanent team member at anytime you want, so when all of this is over you can do it, & I'm sure that we'll be able to sort things out so that you can get cover for the kids & still do the job, so that you won't have to worry about a thing."
She replies "Thank you, & I love you too, & I'm glad that you said about being together for when I put the kids to bed, as I think I'm going to need you when I've spoken to him on the phone, as I felt sick last night after speaking to him, & that was just after being suspicious of him, & I have a feeling that today will be even more difficult. The only thing I really don't understand with all this though is why he still wants to protect us, when he knows that things could be coming out about him."
"It's probably because he does love you & the kids, but always thought that he could live with this lie, & you probably would've done, if it hadn't bee for Stefan's revenge on you. I'll also make sure that I keep you updated with everything that's going on there, & will ask if we need help with anything with it. Anyway if you want to get freshened up go & do so, as we ought to head back again."
She gets up & gives him another hug & says "Thanks dad for being here, as I don't think I could get through all this without you."
He gives her a peck on the cheek & says to her "I will always be here for you, whenever you need me."
When the case files come in, Tony E mails her to say they've come in, so they then go down for them together, they also get a surprise as there is about four large boxes of stuff for the case. As they start to struggle with getting everything upstairs Gibbs sees them, & he tells them to hang on, as he will go & see if he can find somewhere bigger & more private for them to go. When he comes back he's found them an unused office they can use, & says he'll get computers & phones sorted for them as well, so that they only have to go upstairs if they really have too. After he leaves them
Tony says "So how are we going to do this?"
She replies "I think it might be easiest to have a big table in the middle & unpack everything onto it, then hopefully it will make it easier to sort everything out, as we've also got the room, let's get this sorted out into an incident room, & use the walls to put pics & anything else like that up."
He says "Are you sure it's ok to put pics & things up, as won't it be a bit difficult for you to have them up?"
She replies "It probably would be, but I have a feeling that it might be a good thing to have them up, as I'm putting things behind me by thinking that he could really be Simon & the suspect in our case."
By the end of the day they've managed to get quite a bit sorted out between them, as well as getting maps up on the wall, along with some CCTV pics. After putting a final pic up, she steps back & starts to massage her neck,
so Tony says "Here let me." He does so & then adds "I think we should call it a day, you're getting tired & very tense."
She says "I'm not surprised with everything that's going on at the moment, but hopefully working this will help, as I know that I will be putting the past behind me."
"& the start of a new life, that's if you're going to come & live here of course."
"If I'm putting the past behind me, then I probably will be."
When they get home later on the kids aren't home yet, but they do find some flowers & card waiting on the doorstep,
Gibbs says "I think he must've had a chance of delivering them after we left this afternoon, what do you want to do with them?"
She replies "I know what I'd love to do with them, but I've got to keep the pretence up, so we've got to put them somewhere in sight, just in case he does look in the window or something. The main thing is that at least they only need to be in sight for a couple of days or so."
As she then starts to sort them out, without looking or opening the cards that's come with them,
he then adds "Well I do hopefully have some good news for you, & I hope you don't mind being on your own for a while Tony? We're going to be slightly late in the morning, because I've got an appointment sorted out with a lawyer first thing, so we can at least get some things straight & know where we're going with it."
She says "Thanks Dad."
Tony replies "It's ok with me; I can just catch you up with what I've done when you get in."
The door then opens & its Bishop with the kids, who come running straight to Charlie & give her a hug, when she notices some papers in their hands
she asks what they are, Rosie tells her that it's a present for Tony, so he then joins them & asks "What is it?"
Andrew says "its mummy giving you the black eye."
Charlie & Tony look at each other & smile, then she says "You two are terrible. Tony then adds "I don't mind, at least I'll get a reminder of it."
Later on as she gets the kids ready for bed, Tony helps her, then when the call comes in she hands the phone straight over to them & once they finish she takes it off them & goes into her bedroom, as she goes to sit down he sits with her & holds her hand, which she finds does help her get through it.
When the call ends she breathes a great big sigh of relief, then says "Thanks for that, as it helped to keep me going, I just hope that I sounded convincing."
He replies "I think it did, if you want me to do this each night until it's all over, then I will do, as it will then give you something to focus on."
"Thanks because it did help tonight, although I was concentrating as well on not squeezing too hard or too tight on your hand & giving you another bruise for the kids to tease you about."
"I don't mind really, just remember I love you as a friend, not just as work colleagues, & you can turn to me at anytime you want too, if I'm not here in the early hours, then please just call me."
She gives him a peck on the cheek kiss & says "I love you too, as a friend, thanks Tony, but now I think I need a drink, so let's go down."
They go back downstairs again & get a drink,
when Gibbs joins them he says "So how did you two get on with sorting out the case?"
Tony replies "OK, we got about two boxes of stuff done, just have a couple more too do."
Charlie says "We got the maps up & the CCTV pics up, then once we've got the final boxes done, we can then start going through all the paperwork."
"Hopefully you'll have something by this time tomorrow night, but I will try & pop down during the day as well if I can."
Charlie replies "I think we should do, & I'll be glad when we do. Anyway I'm going to go & have a soak, so I'll see you later." She heads off upstairs with both Gibbs & Tony watching her.
A/N: I hope that you all enjoy the new chapter! I quite enjoyed writing this one, especially as things keep taking me in a different direction than I thought it would! But of course the question is, will there be anything more between Tony & Charlie, plus what will Gibbs make of things? I promise you will find out soon! Thank you all once again for reading & following as well as reviewing & I hope you keep enjoying things! xxx.