Hey, guys,
I can't believe it! After almost three solid months of writer's block, I'm actually updating! Whoa!
SO sorry this update took so long. Life has been crazy, and I had this really nasty cold for about a week and a half that I'm still getting over. Hope y'all who celebrate it had a good Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. But rather than burdening you with more excuses, I'm just going to get right to the chapter. Fortunately, your patience is worth it, because it's almost twice as long as usual!
Thanks to Laine3112 for the initial idea and nudge. You rock, hon!
Here is chapter 6. It starts out similar to YourRoyalC-RokHighness' "National Enquirer," chapter 2, "The President," but only because I used her chapter for inspiration. Nothing was reused intentionally. The virus is borrowed from "Transporter 2" and elaborated on by Yours Truly. So if it's lame, I apologize.
A few liberties, one of them giant (by the way, I don't own "National Treasure," hehe), have been taken within the chapter. But oh, you'll enjoy it when you come upon it. Thanks to my friend Jess for the idea! It's brilliant and it turned out so well! :)
Oh... forgive me for borrowing a Twilight (Stephenie Meyer book) quote. I don't own it, it just fit so well into the chapter where I put it, so I couldn't resist. :)
OK, shutting up now, seriously. Enjoy!
Chapter 6
It's 2016 and summer is coming to a close. With the turning of the fall colors came the return to school for the twins. They were seven years old and entering first grade.
But the biggest change of all affected the Major Case Response Team. Gibbs was mandated to retire permanently by the end of September, which brought new responsibilities and pressures to the team, especially Tony and McGee, who would soon become Lead Agent and Senior Field Agent.
Mandatory or not, however, retirement wouldn't come until they closed their current case.
Gibbs had been summoned up to MTAC by Director Vance to speak directly with the President.
"The White House is standing by, Gibbs," said Vance, as Gibbs strode into the room. To the tech, he added, "Put him through." The President's image appeared on the screen. "Mr. President, Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, as you requested."
"Hello, Agent Gibbs," said the President.
"Hello, Mr. President," said Gibbs. "What can I do for you?"
"Well, Agent Gibbs, I don't mean to cause alarm, but as recently as within the past week, six of my Marine guards have come down with a virus and are hospitalized at Bethesda. So I'm short on protection for my upcoming speech at the White House in a week and a half."
"No foul play is suspected," added Vance, standing next to Gibbs.
"I always suspect foul play, sir, when six healthy young Marines collapse and are hospitalized for unknown reasons," said Gibbs. "We'll get you four agents, sir, my entire team."
"Including you, I presume?" the President asked.
"Well, of course, sir, someone has to watch the kids and make sure they behave," said Gibbs, with a grin.
The President smiled; Vance, however, did not seem to appreciate the joke.
"When's the speech, sir?" Gibbs asked.
"Friday, September second, at noon," answered the President.
"We'll be there by seven, sir," said Gibbs. "Meanwhile, if it's possible, we're going to talk to your people to find out more about this... virus... and make sure it's been quarantined. If not, we'll make it happen."
"Very good, Gibbs," said the President. "I'll see you soon."
"You will, sir," said Gibbs, before making the slashing motion against his throat, and the conference call ended.
Gibbs returned to the bullpen a minute later. "Gear up."
"We got a dead body, Boss?" Tony asked, as he grabbed his backpack.
"Nope," said Gibbs.
"A missing child?" Ziva asked.
"Nope."
"Hostage situation?" McGee asked.
"Nope. We've been assigned to protect the President."
All three agents paused in holstering their guns and looked at each other, confused.
"But Boss," Tony said, "isn't that Marine One's and the Secret Service's jobs?"
"Six of his Marine One guards are out sick with a virus," said Gibbs. "He requested us for protection and an investigation into the virus."
Confused but curious, Tony, McGee, and Ziva followed Gibbs to the elevator and took it down to the garage, where they took two cars to the White House.
"N.C.I.S., Special Agents Gibbs, DiNozzo, McGee, and David," said Gibbs, flashing his badge and I.D. as they approached the Secret Servicemen at the entrance. "The President requested us as protection detail for his upcoming speech at the White House, and we're investigating the virus."
"Right in here, Agent Gibbs," said the escort, as he led them to a secure conference room. "Mr. President, Special Agents Gibbs, DiNozzo, McGee, and David, as you requested."
"Thank you, Agent Nauta," said the President, and the agent took up his position by the door, next to the President's personal assistant. "Hello, Agent Gibbs. I hope you and your team are well?"
"Yes, sir," said Gibbs. "What are the details?"
"Well, as to your assignment, it's really quite simple. All you have to do is remain in contact with Command Central and make sure the area is secure for my speech. Here are earwigs to wear, already programmed into Command Central. You'll receive your bullet-proof vests tomorrow, after your security tests have been completed. However, I know you'll pass them just fine, because I trust you, Gibbs. Here are your IDs, so you can enter and leave the White House and other secure areas without being stopped and searched. And program my number into your cell phone's speed dials."
"We'll have two agents with you at all times, sir," said Gibbs. "We do, however, need at least two agents to investigate this virus at the same time. We'll trade off every 24 hours, for however long this takes."
The President nodded, then handed them their new IDs.
"My associates will book you a room at the JW Marriott Hotel by the end of business today, so check in by seven," said the President. "It still gives you some time to pack." They nodded. "I think that covers everything, so you're free to go. I'll see you tomorrow at 0700. My thanks to you."
"We'll see you soon, sir," said Gibbs, shaking the President's hand, before they left.
"So Boss, who's gonna be on protection detail and who's gonna investigate first?" Tony asked eagerly.
Gibbs stopped walking and looked between Ziva, McGee, and Tony for a long moment.
"Let's see who the boss likes better," Tony said, grinning.
After a very long pause, Gibbs said, "Ziva, you and McGee are first on protection detail. Tony, with me, at Bethesda."
Ziva and McGee had difficulty hiding their glee at the scowl on Tony's face. Clearly, they knew he thought they would get to see action while on protective detail, rather than while he was interviewing hospitalized Marines.
They had barely left the White House when Ziva's cell phone rang. Abby, of course, had heard about the case from Ducky and was anxious to hear all about it. Ziva promised to update her when next she could.
"Tony, meet me here by 0630, so we can be at Bethesda by 0700," said Gibbs, before they were to leave N.C.I.S. for the day, to begin protection detail for the President.
"You got it, Boss," said Tony.
The next morning, Gibbs and Tony arrived at Bethesda by 0700. They met with Doctor Brad Pitt, who escorted them to the ICU.
"Gibbs, PFC Zachary Harvey, Sergeant Kenny Dean, and Corporal Michael Meyers are available for questioning," said Brad.
Gibbs nodded. "N.C.I.S., Special Agents Gibbs, DiNozzo," he said, flashing his badge and I.D. To Brad, he added, "Give us a minute."
"I'll be right outside," said Brad, before leaving the room.
"When did you start to feel sick?" Gibbs asked the Marines.
"Three days ago," answered Meyers. "We went in to get our annual flu shots. The admitting nurse at the clinic told us our normal doctor was out sick with the flu, and the normal admitting nurse, too, and that we'd be seeing someone else."
"You didn't question that?" Gibbs asked.
The Marines shook their heads.
"What doctor were you going to see?" Gibbs asked.
"Doctor Tanner."
"What was the doctor's name who inoculated you?" Gibbs asked.
"Doctor Vogelsang."
"So you followed through with it," said Gibbs. "What happened next?"
"We all started to get sick within a day," said Dean, looking at Meyers. "We were told it was just a viral infection, combined with the stress of our jobs. That it would pass in a day or two."
"Which clinic did you go to to get vaccinated?" Gibbs asked.
"D.C. V.A. Medical Center," answered Harvey. He looked at the other two Marines, who nodded in agreement.
They spent ten minutes questioning the three female Marines who had also gotten sick. When they confirmed the clinic's name, Gibbs and Tony turned and went to the car.
They made it to the D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center within minutes. Gibbs and Tony burst through the front doors and strode purposefully up to the admittance desk.
"May I help you?" asked the nurse behind the desk.
"N.C.I.S., Special Agents Gibbs, DiNozzo. We need to speak with Doctor Tanner."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Doctor Tanner's out sick today," said the nurse, whose name tag said 'Lola'. "You'll be speaking with Doctor Vogelsang."
Gibbs and Tony glanced at each other, then Gibbs looked back at Lola and nodded.
"Follow me, please. Doctor's got a busy day," said Lola, smiling brightly, before turning around and leading them down a short hallway.
Just before they entered the office, the doctor opened the door and met them in the hallway.
"I'm Doctor Vogelsang," he said, with a strong Russian accent. "Lola said you wished to speak with me?"
"We just have a few questions," said Gibbs.
"Let's step into my office, shall we?" Doctor Vogelsang asked.
Gibbs nodded. When Tony tried to follow him inside, he held up his arm. "Wait here."
Tony nodded and waited, watching Gibbs' six.
"Three Marine Security Guards were inoculated here recently with the flu vaccine. They became ill within a day after you inoculated them. You injected them with a virus," said Gibbs, not bothering to sit down.
"I'm impressed. Your compassion is touching," said Doctor Vogelsang.
"My patience is about to run out," Gibbs warned.
Gibbs and the doctor locked eyes for a long moment, then the doctor attempted to flee the room. Without looking, Gibbs shot him in the leg. Doctor Vogelsang staggered, cursing in pain.
"OK, alright, yes. What do you want to know about it?" asked Doctor Vogelsang, panting and sweating from the pain.
Gibbs raised his gun and pointed it at Doctor Vogelsang's face. "Everything. For starters, what is it?"
"It's a recombinant retro-immune double-polymorphing effluent," said Doctor Vogelsang. "Once incubated, the virus becomes airborne. The Marines will die. Anyone they breathe on will die. And then it's over."
"What do you mean, 'it's over'?" Gibbs asked.
"The virus is designed to go inert after twenty-four hours," said Doctor Vogelsang. "However, the damage will have been done."
"Why kill the Marines?" Gibbs asked.
"Oh, it's quite simple," said Doctor Vogelsang. "I was hired by the highest bidder. In this case, it was the assassin who needed a way to get live ammunition infiltrated within the Marine Security Guards, to carry out the mission: kill the President. Whether this meant on the way to the speech or before or during it, it didn't matter. However, it's not me who will be assassinating him, so killing me won't do you any good."
"Thanks for the lesson," said Gibbs, cocking his gun. "Now give me the antidote vials."
Outside the office, Tony noticed blood seeping out from the broom closet he stood next to. He pulled out his gun, just as Lola came around the corner, two modified automatic handguns pointed straight at him. Tony knew his Sig Sauer and back-up nine-millimeter handgun, both holding six rounds, didn't stand a chance against automatic weapons.
Tony dove out of the way, into a nearby exam room, just as Lola aimed, then fired. Tony waited until the hailstorm of bullets stopped, then peered out of the room for a split second. Another hail of bullets ensued, then Tony took a chance and fired two rapid-fire rounds in Lola's direction, before ducking back into the room again, as the sound of more bullets rang in his ears.
Suddenly, Tony heard three more shots ring out, one after another, then everything went quiet.
The exam room door swung open and Tony brought his gun up in front of him. He sighed in relief.
"Jeez, Boss, I could have killed you."
Gibbs smirked.
"What are we gonna do, Boss? We have nothing," said Tony, lowering his gun, then holstering it. "This isn't exactly your favorite type of investigation."
"Not nothing. I got the name of who's responsible. There's more of this antidote, for the Marines and everyone else affected. Then we wait."
"Wait for what?" Tony asked.
"For him to take a chance."
Tony sighed. It was going to be a long two days.
Finally, the time of the President's speech arrived. The team had arrived at the White House by 0700. Gibbs and Tony, donning their Kevlar vests, stood onstage with the other Secret Service agents and Marine Security Guards, waiting for Ziva and McGee, who were accompanying the President.
Tony glanced anxiously at Gibbs, who stood stone-fox still next to him. They listened to the comm chatter in their ears, the Secret Service and Marine Security Guards clearing off various areas, as they waited for the President to arrive. Tony looked down and checked his watch: exactly 1200.
"President en route. Make sure all areas around the President are secure," Tony's comm cackled into his ear. With these words, Tony's heartbeat sped up considerably and his blood pressure rose with anticipation. He tried to calm himself, feeling Gibbs calm but focused next to him.
The President walked onstage, smiling and waving at the enthusiastic audience in front of him. He stood behind the podium and made his speech without incident.
Just as the President stepped from the podium was when Gibbs caught sight of the red dot centered over the President's chest.
"SHOOTER!" Gibbs shouted, and he lunged in front of the President, just as a shot was fired. Gibbs and the President fell to the ground, hard, groaning from the impact. Tony and McGee caught sight of a figure fleeing the scene and they bolted after the shooter as quickly as they could.
After checking that the President was stunned, however unharmed, Ziva turned her attention to Gibbs, ignoring the irritating camera flashes, the annoying fury of questions from reporters, and the general panic of the civilian attendees.
He lay motionless.
"Gibbs," she said, before unzipping Gibbs' jacket. The golden bullet had lodged halfway into the vest. "Are you alright?"
To Ziva's immense relief, Gibbs groaned, then stirred and nodded. When he tried to get up, Ziva pushed him back down.
"Stay still, Gibbs," she said, "at least until the paramedics check you over. Tony and McGee are going after the shooter."
Gibbs nodded and, to Ziva's surprise, stayed down. A few minutes later, Tony and McGee came back to a flurry of paramedics, agents, reporters, and civilians.
"The President?" Gibbs asked, after he had been given a clean bill of health.
"Will probably be pretty sore and bruised tomorrow, from when you tackled him," said Tony, as he came over, "but he's fine. Placed in another ambulance for security reasons."
Gibbs nodded. "The shooter?"
"It was one of the Marine Security Guards, First Sergeant Jordan Bowen. His body's being transferred to N.C.I.S. morgue now."
Tony bagged and tagged the bullet, then helped Gibbs stand up and sit down on a chair. After bagging and tagging Gibbs' jacket, the paramedics checked him out, and, after a few minutes, gave him a clean bill of health. Tony and Ziva worked with the other Marine Security Guards to evacuate the civilians and remove the reporters.
Eventually, the team arrived back at N.C.I.S., protection detail over and case closed. Abby, of course, had been worried sick.
"Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs, Gibbs!" Abby exclaimed, before Gibbs was engulfed in a bear hug of white lab coat and flurry of pigtails. "Ducky told me what happened! Are you OK?"
"I'm fine, Abbs," said Gibbs.
Abby narrowed her eyes. "You're not fine, Gibbs," she said suspiciously. "I can feel your bandages through your suit. Broken rib?" Gibbs narrowed her eyes back at her. He knew he didn't need to affirm it. "You're not young anymore, Gibbs."
"So they tell me, Abbs," said Gibbs, sighing wearily.
Abby's expression suddenly fell a hundred percent.
"Abbs, you knew this day would come," Gibbs said softly, standing close from his beloved forensic scientist.
Gibbs went over to Tony's desk. Tony was silent, as Gibbs handed over his gun and badge.
"You'll do. It's your team now. You're irreplaceable, Tony," said Gibbs.
Tony, whose stomach dropped, could do nothing but nod.
Abby looked on helplessly, as Gibbs went over to McGee's desk.
"Tim, you're a good agent. Don't let him tell you otherwise."
McGee nodded, tears shining in his eyes, threatening to well up and fall. "I won't, Boss."
Gibbs went over to Abby. "Gibbs..." she whispered, tears immediately welling up in her eyes. Gibbs placed a calloused finger on her lips, then silently, softly kissed her on the cheek.
"You can always call," he whispered softly into her ear. "You know where I'll be."
Abby nodded. "Stillwater."
Gibbs smiled. He knew how much Abby adored Jackson; he already expected frequent visits.
Suddenly, Abby threw her arms around Gibbs' neck and broke down into gut-wrenching sobs.
"Gibbs, it's never gonna be the same without you!"
Ignoring the twinge of pain, Gibbs wrapped his arms around his beloved Abby in a hug, then kissed her on the cheek again, before walking over to Ziva.
Ziva looked away from him for only a moment, getting a hold on her emotions. Neither agent said a word, but they exchanged a simple nod of understanding.
"Give me a ride home, Duck," Gibbs said, clapping Ducky on the shoulder.
"Of course," said Ducky, going with Gibbs to the elevator.
As they reached it, Gibbs turned to face them. For a moment, the team hoped Gibbs had changed his mind in those mere seconds and was going to return to them.
"Semper Fi."
As he turned to leave, Abby called up to him, "Hey, Gibbs?" Gibbs turned. "Happy Birthday."
Gibbs smiled at her, then left the bullpen for the last time.
The following weekend brought the arrival of Gibbs' retirement party. The weekend prior had been spent moving Gibbs to Stillwater, Pennsylvania. It hadn't been easy for the team, helping Gibbs move. Helping Gibbs move to Pennsylvania made his retirement real, more permanent.
But the horizon still had a glimmer of excitement remaining, in that the team, as well as the twins, looked forward to Gibbs' retirement party. September 10 dawned bright, clear, and warm, 69 degrees, the perfect day for a retirement party.
"Uncle Gibbs!" the twins greeted him happily, as Gibbs, the guest of honor, arrived at their house.
"Hey," Gibbs said, grinning as he picked them up and hugged them. "Are you two ready to party?"
"We sure are," they chorused, smiling brightly.
"Dad said we're gonna roast hot dogs over the fire," said Sean.
"Can we make s'mores later, Uncle Gibbs?" Lily asked eagerly.
"Of course, s'mores are a given," said Gibbs, grinning, as he followed them to the backyard.
Coffee was flowing, hot and strong. Abby showed up a few minutes later, laden with a massive yellow cake with chocolate frosting, decorated like an NCIS badge and Gibbs' I.D.
"Wow, Abby, you're truly outdone yourself this time," said Tony. Abby smiled appreciatively.
After Gibbs had started the fire, Sean and Lily went over to it and started roasting their hot dogs. Sean accidentally got a bunch of dirt on his hot dog. In an attempt to burn it off, his entire hot dog was suddenly engulfed in flames and quickly burned.
"Sean!" McGee exclaimed, chuckling, and he rushed over to him and blew out the flaming hot dog. "You turn it slowly over the coals on the bottom, not the flames. If you do it like this," McGee added, showing Sean how to properly roast the hot dog, "you'll roast all sides evenly and won't burn it. Let me get another one and you can try."
"OK, Daddy," said Sean.
McGee went to the table and got another hot dog out of the package. Suddenly, when Sean wasn't looking, Jethro the German Shepard came rushing up and stole the burnt hot dog right off his roasting stick.
"Hey, Jethro!" Sean yelled. "Jethro! Jethro, no!"
McGee was laughing as he returned to his son with another hot dog.
"No one else would have wanted it anyway, right?" McGee asked Sean.
Sean shrugged.
"I would've eaten it," said Tony proudly, as he came over to start roasting his own hot dogs.
"Of course you would've, Tony, because you're disgusting," said McGee, rolling his eyes.
Everyone sat down together at the picnic table and enjoyed good food, drink, and conversation. Last to come was the massive cake. Everyone had their own piece. Then Tony discreetly went over to the cake, checked to make sure no one was looking, then snatched a handful of cake and, before Abby could react, brought up his hand and swiped the cake across her face.
It was worth the shocked look on Abby's face, until suddenly, her hands went up to her pigtails, felt around her hair, then her eyes narrowed.
"You. Got. Cake. In. My. Hair!"
Tony grinned maliciously, then ran as Abby began to chase him.
"Want me to wash it off, Abbs?" Tony teased, as Abby pursued him.
"And how do you plan on doing that, DiNozzo?" Abby demanded, although it was blatantly obvious she was trying not to laugh.
"Oh, I don't know. Water balloon fight, maybe? If you stop chasing me," suggested Tony.
Abby, still looking suspicious, stopped chasing him and, instead, walked away from him. Her retreating back was met by a water balloon suddenly exploding on the back of her head. She turned and stared at Tony.
"Hey, you said it was OK if I washed you off," Tony teased.
Abby slowly turned around.
"Alright, DiNozzo, you asked for it!"
Tony took off and Abby chased after him. Although Tony's legs were longer, he let her catch up to him and she wrestled him to the ground. Once on the ground, they both fought with each other, trying to get to the bucket filled with empty balloons by the faucet attached to the house.
Seeing both of them heavily involved in the wrestling match, McGee, Sean, Lily, and Gibbs filled the water balloons and began the fight, lobbing them at Tony and Abby.
Sean and Lily both threw balloons at Gibbs, laughing gleefully.
The water balloon fight continued. One moment, Abby and McGee fought against each other. The next, Sean and Lily threw balloons at each other, then ganged up on their father, before turning on Tony and ganging up on him. McGee and Tony exchanged several soaking throws, before Ziva and Abby ganged up on Tony.
At last, everyone ganged up on Gibbs, hitting him from all directions and soaking him to the bone, as he grinned happily, eyes squeezed shut against the balloons and water.
"Alright," said McGee, laughing as the barrage of balloons stopped and Gibbs stood there, dripping wet and grinning, "who's up for getting dried off and opening gifts?"
"Me, me, me, me, me!" Lily and Abby chimed in eagerly.
Gibbs laughed and followed them into the house, closely trailed by everyone else. Everyone changed into dry clothes, then gathered in a circle in the living room, and Gibbs opened his gifts.
From Tony, Gibbs received Pilsners, monogrammed with "NCIS" on one side and "LJG" on the other side, with "Boss" monogrammed below it.
"No more mason jars in your basement, Boss," said Tony softly.
Gibbs smiled fondly at his Senior Field Agent, soon to be lead agent.
"I appreciate it, Tony," he said softly.
From McGee, Sean and Lily, Gibbs received a picture of the twins, in a boat-shaped frame. The stand even had an anchor on it.
Gibbs chuckled. "This is great, you three. Thanks."
Ziva gave Gibbs a wall-sized map of the world, with specific places already marked by a push pin — the United States; Paris; Mexico; Israel.
"This is great, Ziver," he said, smiling. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Ziva said, smiling and nodding.
From Abby, Gibbs received an exact replica of Bert, complete with farting ability, and a dozen black roses. Gibbs' gave her a gentle, fond kiss on the cheek.
"You're the best, Abbs."
And finally, from Ducky, Gibbs received a model train car, an English Mallard A-Four steam locomotive.
Gibbs smiled at the memory and chuckled. "Thanks, Duck."
"Of course," said Ducky, smiling back.
"So what do we do now?" Ziva asked.
Suddenly, Abby, McGee, and Tony exchanged mischievous looks.
"Oh, I think we have an idea," said Abby mischievously.
At Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport...
"Silver Fox and Thing 2 to Command Central. In position at the gate," cackled Gibbs' voice into McGee and Ziva's ears.
"DeNiro?" McGee's voice cackled into Tony's ear.
"In position, Geek. Thing 1 riding shotgun."
"Copy that. Ninja, Vampire, and I are in. Turning off entrance gate security cameras and panning in five, four, three... Now."
There was a flicker, then the cameras continued rolling, showing views of all the gates, however the two NCIS cars were currently invisible to the cameras' eyes.
"Silver Fox, DeNiro, you are now the Invisible Men," said McGee.
"What did you call me?" shrieked Lily unexpectedly.
McGee rolled his eyes. "Focus, Thing 2, you're killing me here. Turning off security cameras to all gates to transfer to gate nine, ready?"
"Copy."
"In five, four, three... Now. Transfer to gate nine."
"Copy that. Transferring..." McGee heard the rumble of the two NCIS cars over the comm in his ear. "In position at gate nine."
"Silver Fox, Ninja. Vampire and I will be right down."
"Copy that."
"Well, naturally Ziva wants to drive..."
"Shut up, DiNiro."
"Sorry, Boss."
Ziva left the command center and quickly made her way to the large open airstrip, which was lit up by large airport flood lamps, where the two NCIS cars and their drivers and passengers waited. As Gibbs and Tony were racing first, with Sean and Lily in tow, Ziva would be the flag girl.
Ziva took her position in front of the two cars, in the middle, and raised the two flags she held in her hands. Gibbs and Tony revved the engines, waiting for the flags to drop.
Ziva waited several more long, anxious seconds, letting the excitement and tension heighten, then plunged her hands earthward.
It was insanity. The two engines roared to life and the race was on. Both men put pedal to the metal and, neck in neck, applied more pressure to the gas pedals, urging his car to beat the other man's. The two men looked across at each other and exchanged determined smiles, enjoying the race just as much as everyone else watching it.
One second, Gibbs took the lead by a neck; the next, Tony lurched ahead. They only had three hundred feet to go.
At the last second, Tony's car inched its way in front of Gibbs', as they flew past the finish line, where Abby waited excitedly between the lanes. The two cars had come so close, it was difficult to tell who won.
Difficult, but not impossible.
Tony's car spun in a J-turn before coming screaming to a stop, before Gibbs' car pulled up, also screeching to a halt.
A few seconds later, Tony and Sean got out of the car.
"Woo!" Tony hollered, elated, as he gave Sean a high-five. "Yeah! I could do that all day!"
"Better luck next time, Jethro!" Ducky said, walking up next to Abby.
Gibbs smiled at Ducky, then at Tony. "Congratulations, DiNozzo."
"Thanks, Boss," said Tony, grinning. "So how much did you lose off Abby?"
"Me? Why, nothing. I just won fifty off McGee here," said Gibbs, grinning, as Abby handed him fifty dollars in McGee's stead, as McGee was still up in the control booth.
Tony laughed. "Good work, Boss. And Happy Retirement."
Gibbs smiled and tipped an imaginary cap toward Tony in acknowledgement.
Word spread quickly of quality time, conversation, and drinks at McGee's house, which led to McGee and Abby heading back up to the command center to reset the surveillance cameras and gate locks, before making his way out with Ziva and the team left together.
Sorry this took sooooo long to post up. It took positively forever for the car race scene to present itself in my head, then be set in stone. But it was so worth your patience! Thank you all for being so patient and bearing with me all this way. I appreciate it so much.
Can't you just imagine the closed-eyed grin look on Mark Harmon's face, as he gets soaked by water balloons? And racing the cars? Oh, I can... :)
Ever had an experience where you know you put an episode reference into a chapter, but weeks later, you can't remember it? A long while ago, I put in a "Twilight" or "SWAK" reference, and now, can I remember what it is? No! My poor brain is so fried and tired from college and work and both physical and mental illness... Virtual cookies to those who can figure out what it is (because I can't! Haha.)
More virtual cookies to who guesses who Sebastian Capra is named after! Hint: it's a Tony reference (and I know what this one is, I promise, lol.) :)
Please R&R! Reviews are greatly appreciated as well. Thanks!