I own nothing from NCIS and make no money from this story! If I did own them there would be some wicked story lines! LOL! But for now I shall merely play with them and return them very sated!
A huge thanks goes to my most excellent Beta-AmyH- without whom this would not be as polished! Kudos to her for her great work and wanting to work with a nut like me! Trust me!
Come by my facebook page- always a riot! Sometimes great eye candy as well! Facebook./gibbsandtonysbabe Always happy to have you drop by!
*****kbotr- Is a shame about the situation McGee and Ziva put themselves in. Hindsights a bitch!
chatnoir- Thank you for the lovely compliment!Thrilled that you're still enjoying the story! More to come ...promise!
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
The nap was too short but heavenly. Tony stirs as the nurse comes in to check the IV. Smiling at Tony she puts a finger to her lips indicating there is no need to wake up Jethro. Checking over all the machines attached to Jethro she makes note of the readings and leaves as quietly as she came in.
Tony looks down at the sleeping man beyond grateful that he was here with him. As horrifying as the whole situation is, a great many good things have come out of it. Dornegat proved what he was made of. He would definitely be an asset to Jethro. It had most certainly opened their eyes. They were unable to deny their feelings and could move forward with greater ease.
Lifting his hand and running it through the silver strands, he watches as Jethro sleeps. He notices the older man's eyes start to open.
"Hey." Tony continues playing with the silver strands.
Jethro sighs and smiles. "That feels nice."
Tony chuckles. "And you call me a hedonist."
Leaning into Tony's touch, he nods. "Well you are."
Just as their lips are ready to meet, they hear a voice in the hall. Jethro has to chuckle as he hears Tony mutter under his breath about lack of privacy, locks on the door and a need to be alone. Sending the blue eyed man a half hearted glare, they wait for the arrival of their guest.
Seeing Agent Dornegat walk through the door Tony gets to his feet and walks over to greet him.
"Ned! Glad to see you're up and about." Pulling up a chair, he gestures to the younger agent. " Please sit down."
Tony walks back towards Jethro and turns back to face the man he considers his personal hero. "I want to thank you again for having Jethro's six. For being there when the others failed the both of you. I don't take that lightly, if there's ever anything you need and I mean anything, please let me know."
Dornegat blushed at Tony's honest and sincere thanks and offer. "Dir- Tony, you've already thanked me enough. I was doing my job. I am just sorry I didn't see him sooner."
A flash of anger crosses Tony's face. "You were where you were supposed to be and reacted to the threat as soon as you were aware. Trust me you did everything you should have."
Ned looks over at Jethro. "Agent Gibbs, how are you doing?"
Jethro smiles at the young agent. "Quite well. Tony's right you did a fine job out there. I'm proud to have you on my team." Jethro takes a deep breath. "You up to helping me find agents to bring to our team?"
Ned astonished at the offer and even more proud to be asked sits up straighter in his chair. "Yes sir. I'm honored that you would trust me to help."
Jethro narrows his eyes a little. "Don't call me sir. Call me Gibbs." Smiling at Tony, "Or what Tony called me, Boss. I trust you with my life; you've proven that you have my six. It may be a while before we get it all worked out, but we've got a good start."
Ned nods, smiles and turns to Tony. "I wanted to thank you for a few things. One for having my back though you're not at NCIS any longer. Director Vance made sure, when he informed me of everything that had transpired, that I also knew you were fighting on my behalf. Thank you. And for everything you did in my apartment." He looks at Tony with wide eyes. "I wasn't even sure I was in the right place, everything is amazing! You didn't need to do any of that, I didn't do anything special."
Tony looks Ned in the eye assuring him of his sincerity of his words. "It may have just been you doing your job and protecting your partner to you. But to me it was special. You were protecting someone that means the world to me and I don't take that lightly. Now when he's back at work with you on his six, I won't have to worry as much. I take comfort in that."
"If I could do more I would. I look after my own and you're a part of team Gibbs now."
Ned blushes. Praise from a man he more than admired was worth more than anything Tony could have given him.
Ned stands and smiles at the two men. "I need to head out for my check up. I wanted to make sure that you were ok Ag- Boss." Ned smiles. "I like Boss, it suits you. It seems I have a lot to look forward to." Walking to the door, he looks over his shoulder. "Thank you again, Tony."
Tony smiles as he heads back over to the bed. "He's a good guy Jethro. Might make a nice SFA for you. Definitely has proven he has the mettle for it."
Jethro nods thoughtfully. "I think so. Gonna be rough rebuilding a team. But we'll get through it." Jethro nudges Tony's shoulder. "Has some big shoes to fill being my SFA."
Leaning down and placing a sweet kiss on the older man's lips before commenting. "But at least I'll know he's watching your back."
Jethro chuckles as they hear Abby's voice in the hall.
'I'm telling you right now Jethro, your damn door will be getting a lock when we get home and we'll be using it." Smiling, Jethro wonders if Tony was even aware that he used the word home.
Abby and Ducky walk in the room as Tony notices the smell of Italian food wafting from the bags they were carrying, his irritation at being interrupted forgotten.
"Is that dinner?" Tony asks hopefully.
Ducky smiling at the excitement on the young man's face laughs. "Yes my dear boy. We brought Italian from Mama Leon's." Winking at Tony, he continues. "It's a compromise for my desire to get you to eat healthier, Eggplant Parmesan and Italian Wedding Soup for your dining pleasure." Looking over at Jethro, "I called your doctor and he said you were allowed soup and some of the lighter Italian fare. That being said, you also have Italian Wedding Soup and a light Pasta Primavera."
Tony grins. "Sound great. Let's set up and I'll fill you both in on what's happened since the last time."
As they readied everything to eat and enjoyed the company, Tony made sure that they were up to date filling them in on the lawsuit, the charges being brought against Ziva and McGee and Ziva's revocation of citizenship and deportation. Both Ducky and Abby's eyes got wide as they heard about Eli's visit and the part he played.
Ducky shaking his head in amazement speaks first. "Anthony, you are a credit to all you hold dear. I'm proud to be among that honored group. I'm amazed at everything you have managed to accomplish. Understand my dear boy that I do not mean that as I doubted your skill or finesse, but by the fact that you have not exited this hospital since it all began."
Tony smirks and shrugs. "I know people."
Ducky lowers his head and peers at him from over his glasses. "That my dear boy is an understatement of infinite proportions. I doubt many people would have been able to have Director David in the same corner against his own flesh and blood. Nor other Agencies spreading the word about those two's misdeeds so fast that if no other repercussions would have befallen them, I doubt they'd even be able to obtain employment in a fast food establishment . You know people indeed."
Jethro chuckles "Have to agree with Ducky on that one Tony."
Abby smiling stands up and walks over to Jethro. He looks at her and smiles. "You know Bossman, I was really worried about you. You scared me and I don't like that. And normally Tony would calm me down, but he was worried and angry at the same time. So you can't do that anymore. It's not nice to scare Abby."
Jethro looks at her worried face. "I'll do my best Abs. Didn't plan this one, but I will always try to be careful."
Leaning down to give him a gentle Abby hug, she pulls back and asks. "Is this your good arm?"
Puzzled he nods.
Smirking but her green eyes alight with a feral gleam she punches him in the arm.
"Ow! Abs, what was that for?" Ducky and Tony just sit watching in stunned silence.
Abby points her finger at Jethro tells him. "That was for hurting Tony, Mister. I don't like seeing Tony all sad. It's not normal and it disrupts my Chi. So no more. Don't make me remind you that I can-"
Jethro gently places a finger on her lips and smile. "I get it Abs. And I don't plan on hurting him or letting him go ever again. But if I do, you and Ducky can do whatever you need to because I'll deserve it. Ok?"
Abby nods and Jethro pulls her down placing a kiss on her temple as he whispers in her ear. "Thank you for watching out for him." She smiles sweetly at Jethro and nods.
She turns and casts a worried look at Tony.
Puzzled Abby's change in demeanor, he asks. "What' wrong Abs?"
She lowers her head. "You're going to be mad at me."
Tony shakes his head. "Never."
She starts pacing back and forth wringing her hands together. "I went to see McGee at the holding center. I'm so angry and upset at everything that happened that I had to tell him that and ask him why."
Tony nods in understanding. "I'm not angry Abs; I understand why you did that. Did it help?"
Abby shakes her head. "Not really, it made me angrier and more hurt."
Tony stands up and goes over to her, pulling her against him. "Tell me what happened."
** Flashback**
Tim is told he has a visitor but no name is provided. When Abby walks through the door, he smiles. "I'm so glad to see you. I knew that you would want to hear my side. You would never turn your back on a friend."
Abby looks at Tim. "That's not quite true Tim. I want to understand what happened and I want to hear it from you."
Tim shrugs. "It was an accident. Ziva and I were trying to decide which way we needed to go and who should be in the lead. We were just trying to make sure everyone was covered. Just like Tony always covered us." He says that last part in a strained tone.
Abby shakes her head disgustedly. "No. Not like Tony. He would have never argued over who went where or who was in front. He would have made sure that everyone was covered and in position. You and Ziva were only worried about a power play, not covering your team's backs. You know better than that. You were taught better than that. You and Ziva nearly got Gibbs killed! Killed over a power struggle."
McGee shakes his head. "You don't even have to say his name. Tony, Tony, Tony! There I said it for you. He's not perfect Abby. The great one makes mistakes. He is not better than me!"
Abby is first shocked at the words coming out of McGee's mouth and then pissed.
"You arrogant ass! Tony has never ever said or intimated that he's perfect. He'll be the first in line to point out his own faults. He does however take his job seriously as well as the lives of those around him."
Taking a deep breath, her green eyes shooting fire at the man in front of her, she continues her voice taking on an edge. "As for being better than you? He is by leaps and bounds and not because of a fucking education you fucking moron."
McGee is stunned by the venom and words being spewed by Abby.
"But because he's a better man, he'd give his life to save another. He's risked his life for you! Remember the car explosion when he came back to work after the plague? Do you remember that he made you and Kate get to safety before he followed? He felt like crap and still had both his partner's sixes. What about when he helped you after you shot the police officer? He was there for you."
"It's what he does and who Tony is, he simply does it and never thinks twice about it. He doesn't do it to laud in people's faces or for the accolades. Now you have made me more upset than before."
"You made me use swear words McGee. I'm bowling with the Sisters tonight and I'll have to face them and tell them about everything." She wipes the tears that are trailing down her face away with her shaking hand.
"What happened to the nice guy that you used to be?" She looks at him and shakes her head. "I know what happened. His head became too big after he wrote his book, a book that he based on his 'friends' and then he had success in dollars. Which you did laud over everyone and you forgot to be human. So you see Tony is a better man in every way." She walks out the door leaving McGee silenced.
** End Flashback**
Tearfully she looks at Tony who's still holding her tightly. "I hate them both. They deserve more than what you have done to them. I understand that there is evil in the world and bad things happen. I get that, I see it at work. But I didn't expect it to come from family…not my family."
"I'm going to see Ziva, Tony. I need to do the same thing I did with McGee. I know I won't like her answers or excuses any more than his, but I have to say my piece. They could have gotten Gibbs killed and Dornegat twice."
"How do I tell the Sisters this? I brought McGee into their fold, I tainted them. And I swore! How can I look at the Sisters now?"
Tony kisses the top of her forehead as Ducky and Jethro watch, their own faces expressing their sorrow at all Abby had truly lost.
"You didn't do anything wrong. You are the most wonderful, big hearted woman that I know. Talk to Sister Rosita, she'll understand and trust me, she's not going to whack your knuckles with a ruler." He chuckles as Abby's eyes grow wide.
"She'll understand your hurt and anger and the betrayal you feel." Pulling back and taking her face in his hands, he smiles. "And I am certain that just this once she will make an exception to the swearing as long as you don't do it again."
"It will be fine Abby. Jethro is getting better, Dornegat is fine, and McGee and Ziva will be paying for their actions."
Ducky smiles at the two of them. "Anthony is quite right my dear. Everything will different, but in this case, that is a very good thing. Everything coming to light before even more serious results happen is something we can be thankful for."
"Would you mind if an old man accompanied you to bowl with the lovely Sisters?"
Abby smiles at Ducky. "You're not old, merely seasoned. You don't have to come. I'll be alright."
"I'm sure you will my dear, but I shall accompany you because I want to."
Letting go of Tony she walks over to Ducky, leans down to hug him and quietly speaks. "Thank you."
Standing she looks at Tony. "Is it ok to visit Ziva?"
Tony shrugs. "If you need to, do it. Do you want someone to go with you?"
She narrows her eyes and smirks. "No need. I'll just channel my inner Tony!"
The laughter of the four of them fills the room.
