Chapter Nine

Tony woke in Ziva's arms on the sofa. He was still dressed in his suit, but he didn't care. For a few hours he slept soundly and in a woman's arms, a woman who he loved and maybe she loved him, though he wasn't willing to contemplate that right now. Maybe she wasn't the woman he had been crying for love, but he still loved her.

He remembered how he used to refuse to admit that simple fact to himself. Even after he went to Somalia on a suicide mission of revenge and ended up finding and saving Ziva from terrorists, he had a hard time admitting his love for her to himself. It was against the rule, Gibbs' rules. No wonder he managed to avoid have too many rules once he was in charge.

He looked at his watch and it was four-thirty in the morning. Soon he'd be on a transport plane to Rota. He tried to move without waking her, but this was Ziva. She had already sensed he was awake, but she wasn't willing to let go of him just yet.

"You have to get ready and leave," she said with disappointment in her voice.

"Yeah, I know. I really don't want to leave, but duty calls," Tony said.

She held on tightly to him for a few moments before letting him go. He sat up and looked at her for a moment then he leaned down and kissed her on her forehead, which drew a smile from Ziva.

"Thank you for last night," he said. "I really needed that."

"I needed it as much as you did," she said.

Tony looked at her and smiled. She was more open to admitting things then in the old days. Gibbs mentioned that she went through hard times once he left. Those times had changed her.

"Abby and I will take care of Lessie while you are gone. You don't need to worry about her," she said.

"Tell her I'll Skype with her later. I'll even put Gibbs on so she can talk to him," Tony said.

"I will tell her," Ziva said. "Now, go pack."

NCIS

He and Gibbs sat in the back of the C-130 buckled up and quiet. Tony was thinking about how Ziva kissed him on the cheek when he left and it didn't feel awkward. He thought it would have felt awkward after everything they had been through, but it didn't. The longer he was around her the more his feelings for her woke up.

He knew one thing he needed to do when he got back to Naples and that was deal with Alessia's parents. He didn't need them interfering with his life. Alessia would be saddened by their behavior.

Tony looked over at Gibbs. The man was asleep. He never understood how he did that. They could be on a case for forty straight hours and Gibbs would always be able to sleep whenever he needed to wherever he needed to for an hour here or there. Tony remembered he was woke up with his face used a corned beef sandwich as a pillow and Gibbs didn't even bother to warn him.

The plane came in for a landing in Rota and they deplaned to see have Special Nikki Jardine waiting for them to drive them to NCIS Field Office Rota. She looked like the same improbably agent he had gone to Baghdad with all those years ago.

"SAC DiNozzo and Agent Gibbs, I'm to drive you to the field office and make sure you have everything you need," she said.

"Nikki," smiled Tony, "it's been a long time."

"Agent Jardine," said Gibbs.

"You are the SFA of the MCRT here, aren't you, Jardine?" said Tony.

"Yes, I wanted to get field experience but somewhere that wasn't too intense. Rota seemed right for me," she said.

"And how has that gone for you so far?" asked Tony.

"Not as well as I thought it would," she admitted.

"Okay, I'd like to shower and change my clothes. I hate traveling in military transports," said Tony.

"You don't complain when it's a Gulfstream," Gibbs chided him.

"Well, I don't travel in Gulfstream planes enough of the time," he smiled.

"I'll take you to the apartment that we have you sharing. It's right on El Puerto de Santa Maria right on the beach. It's a five minute ride to the base," she said.

"Let's go," said Tony.

They were housed in a white three story building on the beach. As they grabbed their bag several bikini clad Spanish woman walked by them and smiled. Tony barely noticed them, which Jardine noticed. The rumor was that marriage changed Tony DiNozzo, but she didn't believe it until now. He was a different man after all.

They dropped their bag each in a separate bedroom. Tony showered and changed into chinos, a chambray shirt and Hugo Boss men's grey linen blazer, as well as a pair of loafers without soaks. He was dressed for the area. Once he attached his Sig Sauer and badge to his pants he was ready to go.

Gibbs and Jardine were silently waiting for him in the living room sitting in an awkward silence for her but not for him. He looked at them and then said: "Let's go."

They got back into the SUV and drove to the base, passing Spanish police, who guarded the base. Once they got to the building where NCIS field office was housed, Jardine showed them to the MCRT bullpen. The lead agent, Franklin Thomas, was about to introduce himself when Tony jumped into action.

"There is no damned reason for me and Agent Gibbs to be here but for the sake of incompetence. This is supposed to be a MCRT, which means it is supposed to be handle just about anything from murder to terrorism," he growled.

Every agent in the MCRT tensed up. Gibbs stood stoically and watched, though Tony did think he saw a hint of a grin on his face.

"Get the autopsy report and all your individual reports and a desk and have them waiting for Agent Gibbs when he gets back. He is leading this team for the rest of this investigation. I recommend you learn from him. Now I want to see your SAC," he ordered.

"She is in a conference with the local Police captain and can't be disturbed right now. We tend to have a problem with the local LEOs," said Thomas.

"Okay, let's get this straight right here and now. I am SAC of Europe and African not Rota. I outrank her. I wasn't asking you but I was telling you to get her for me," he said. "Get her and send her to MTAC. We will be talking to Assistant Director Albert and Director Vance."

Agent Thomas nodded his head then he left the bullpen like an actor in a bad stage play looking for his exit.

Tony looked at Jardine: "Show me to MTAC."

"Yes, sir," she said then she showed Gibbs and Tony to MTAC.

Jardine escorted them to MTAC. Gibbs continued to try to hide a smile. DiNozzo had learned well from him. There was a time to be a buddy and a time to be a bastard. Once they were out of sight of the bullpen, Tony turned and looked at Jardine.

"I'm sorry about your brother," he said.

"How did you know he died?" she asked him.

"You wouldn't be here unless he died, Nikki. You were close to him," Tony said.

"Thank you, sir," she said.

"Nikki, you and your teammates aren't at fault. You are just missing good leadership," he said. "We are here to give you a lesson in what you're missing."

"Yes, sir," she tried to smile.

They entered MTAC and Tony ordered a hook up with Vance and Albert. Within a few minutes both men appeared on the large plasma.

"Sitrep," said Vance.

"A case of Incompetence because of not enough training and experience, sir. Basically, you don't have to spend a week here to see that a lack of leadership is at fault." said Tony.

"Unfortunately, our better agents refuse to take a position there because they want to take one of the more glamorous positions that lead to advancement. Being in Rota is like being the sheriff of a sleepy town," said Albert.

"I'd rather not be here myself," said Tony. He had almost taken Rota when Jenny was the director but loyalty to Gibbs kept him in DC. EJ Barrett took Rota and she turned it into a place to gain her attention. It wasn't the spot it was the lead agents.

"And I'd rather you not be here," said SAC Rebecca Lorenz, as she entered MTAC.

Tony turned and glared at her. She was five or six years younger than Tony with black hair, an attractive face, and body that could be used to confuse a man. Gibbs sniffed showing his disdain for her. She ran a sloppy command in his opinion.

"The office is temporarily under the supervision of SAC DiNozzo. Any changes he suggests or makes, I'd take seriously if you want to keep your job SAC Lorenz," said Vance. "Now I have to attend to other things."

Vance disappeared after giving his kill gesture.

"Gibbs, the MCRT is yours. I'll help but first I need to check out a few things," Tony said.

"Yes, sir, SAC DiNozzo," Gibbs said.

Tony listened for a hint of sarcasm in his old boss' tone, but there was none there. Gibbs looked at Jardine, who looked frightened. Gibbs was a legend and she had experience with that legend.

"Come on. I'll teach you how to run a murder investigation," he said.

He and Jardine marched out of MTAC. Tony faced the image of Assistant Director Albert.

"Director Albert, is Hayes still acting as a bodyguard for my daughter?" he asked.

"He's backing up Agent David," smirked Albert. Albert was amused at the thought of Agent David needing back up. Her reputation was as well-known as Gibbs.

"Thank you, sir," said Tony and the screen went blank.

Now he turned on his heal and he faced Lorenz.

"How is your relationship with the local police?" he asked.

"They resent us. They resent we pay for the base and they resent that they need our money," she said.

"Well, we are going to change that relationship. This office doesn't function well on foreign soil unless we have a good working relationship with the local LEOs," he said.

NCIS

The majority of Navy Station Rota belonged to the Spanish navy, though it was completely funded by the US. Even though a Spanish Vice Admiral ran the station, the US presence worked autonomously. The town of Rota depended on the US generated money, but the citizens weren't always found of the presence of US enlisted men. All this meant was it was important for NCIS to have a good relationship with the local cops.

Because of the narrowness of some of Rota's ancient streets, the company car was a compact Mazda 3. They drove into Rota to meet with the local police captain, Miguel Azul and his lieutenant, Lisa Olvera. Parking the car, they walked down a thin, alleyway like street with a line of two story white buildings with gold trim on one side and a line of two story white buildings with red trim on the other side. Halfway down the street was a restaurant named La Luna which offered Cruzcampo Beer.

They entered the restaurant to see the two local police officers in their uniforms waiting for them. Walking over to the table, Tony introduced himself.

"Captain Azul, I'm Special Agent in Charge Anthony DiNozzo. And Lieutenant Olvera, a pleasure," he said in Spanish.

"Sit," said Azul.

A waitress came by and Tony ordered: "Three café con leche and one mocha matte. And can we also get a seafood paella for the table."

The waitress went away.

"I'm here to ask you to forgive our arrogance," he said. "We need to work in partnership with you. I hope you are willing to listen to me and hear me out"

"We are willing to listen," said Azul.

"Allies should be friends," he said.

"And friends shouldn't act like they are superior to you," added Azul.

"I agree," said Tony.

He looked over to his left at Lorenz. She appeared to be tense, but remained quiet. If they thought she was arrogant, they'd need a UN Peacekeeping unit in Rota to deal with Gibbs.

"Don't you agree, Lorenz?" he said.

"I completely agree," she said.

Azul and Olvera smiled.

NCIS

Captain Edward Hall was killed with a blow to the black of his with a blunt object. He was found near where the USS Bataan was docked. No CCTV and no witnesses. Gibbs shook his head and wondered how there could be no witnesses at all. There had to be witnesses.

"Jardine, tomorrow morning chose whoever you trust and go to where the USS Bataan is docked and re-canvas until you find me something," he ordered.

"Yes, boss," she said.

"Thomas, murder weapon. Find it," he said.

"It's probably been dropped in the water and we'll never see it again," he said.

"Then tell me what it was that was used on his skull," Gibbs said. "Forensics, get them to work the problem."

Reluctantly, Thomas stood up from his desk and took off for forensics. Gibbs looked at the crime scene photos again. He knew his assailant otherwise there would be signs of a struggle. The man was in good physical condition and he was a proud man. He'd want to go out with a fight. No, damn it, he knew who killed him. This isn't a murder, but it's a crime of passion.

Tony walked into the bullpen, sat on an empty desk and looked at Gibbs.

"You ready to call it a night?" he asked.

"I want to reread their reports then right out a response to them so they know what they are doing wrong. The team isn't as bad as I thought and Jardine might just make a SFA," Gibbs said.

"Another DiNozzo," Tony smiled.

"No one will be a better SFA than you, DiNozzo. And you know it. You were a great investigator and you knew how to read the team leader and take the brunt of his bullshit," said Gibbs.

"I wouldn't have done for anyone else, Gibbs, only you. Anyone else and I would have moved on eight years ago, but I always knew you had my six, boss," said Tony.

"I understood why you left, Tony, but it hurt. I felt like I lost my son," Gibbs admitted to him.

"I was treading water and then McGee and Ziva did that to me, turned off the link, and I felt like they were moving past me. I was stunk in a rut and I needed to get out of it, so I just cut the umbilical cord and left. Trust me, boss, it hurt me, too. I've always wished you were my father and Abby was like a sister and I had a close relationship with Ducky and Jimmy," he said then he paused.

"McGee will always be your probie," Gibbs said, "and you were in love with Ziva."

"Yeah, I was in love with Ziva and I thought she didn't respect me, so I left. I admit I might have acted like a hurt child, but…," he stopped.

"You met Alessia and had a beautiful daughter. That makes it all worthwhile," said Gibbs.

"You miss them," stated DiNozzo.

"Every damn day," said Gibbs.

"Jenny, you loved her. After Shannon she was the one, wasn't she?" he asked.

"All my ex-wives asked me to marry them. Jenny was the only one I asked and she said no. Her career was too important to her," he laughed bitterly. "You still love Ziva, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do," he admitted.

"Don't wait too long to let your heart heal. Lessie needs a mother and Ziva needs someone to love," advised Gibbs.

"Well, I have to go Skype with my daughter," Tony said.

"Give Lessie my best," Gibbs said.

"She'll miss not getting a chance to talk to Poppi," Tony said.

"Tell her Poppi will bring her back a gift," smiled Gibbs.

"I will."

NCIS

Tony sat in front of his laptop waiting for Abby to set up Skype on her end so that he could talk to Lessie and see her face to face. He stared that his laptop's screen waiting patiently. He looked down at his watch. It was now seven in the evening.

"Papa," he heard Lessie's voice.

He looked up to see Lessie sitting in Ziva's lap. She looked excited and happy to see him with her dark hair wild and her green shining with happiness.

"Luce, are they treating my baby well?" he asked.

"Abby and Zibra promised to spoil me," she giggled.

"Well, you deserve to be spoil. Where are you sleeping?" he asked

"With Zibra," she answered.

"You still having nightmares?" he asked.

"A little," she said softly.

"Well, Ziva is a ninja and can defeat any nightmare there is, so you let her know about them and she'll take care of them, okay?" he said.

"Yes, Papa," she smiled.

"Poppi told him he is bringing a gift home for you," he told her.

Her face broke into a huge smile.

"I love you, Luce," he said.

"Love you, Papa," she said then she got off of Ziva's lap. He heard Abby laughing and Lessie joining in.

For a moment Tony and Ziva just started at each other waiting for the first one to speak.

"Thanks, Zi," Tony said.

"Abby and I love her Tony. She is wonderful," she said. "When will you be back?"

"I have a feeling that we might be here a few days to go here. They just don't know how to investigate a murder," he said. "Gibbs is teaching them."

She smiled: "I would like to see that."

"I should go. I need to grab some food and read some reports before going to sleep," he said.

"Life has changed that Tony DiNozzo is in Spain but he has to read reports before going to bed and not meet pretty women," smiled Ziva.

"Yeah, I guess I have changed," he said. "Plus, I left the most beautiful women in Naples."

Ziva smiled. It was her Mona Lisa, which he loved.

NCIS

Tony woke in the morning to see that Gibbs was already up and gone into NCIS. He got up, dressed in the same clothes as the day before, grabbed a café con leche and churro along with a plain black coffee for Gibbs at a local café and headed off to work. When he walked up to Gibbs' desk, he placed the coffee down on the desk.

"How's it coming?" he asked.

"This was personal," said Gibbs. "Someone he knew killed him. They must have argued and…"

"And smacked him over the head with what?" he asked.

"That is being worked on," said Gibbs, who then tried his coffee. "Not bad."

Tony took a bite from his churro then smiled: "Want a bite?"

Gibbs glared at him with his grey blue eyes: "I'm not above giving you a slap to the back of your head."

Tony smirked: "But I'm your boss, boss, so you're not allowed to do that."

"Don't push it, DiNozzo," growled Gibbs.

"So what's the plan for today?" Tony asked.

"A pain in the ass SAC I know has the shore leave of everyone on the USS Bataan recalled then he and I start interviewing them to establish timelines, stories, and…" Gibbs was about to finished his sentence.

"Alibis," Tony smiled.

It had been a long time since he and Gibbs worked as a two man team. Tom Morrow was the director back then and Tony had never met Kate or Paula or Jeanne Benoit or Ziva. He didn't know how many twists and turns and losses he suffered through. There were times he viewed his life through the spectrum of those he had loved and lost. He took another bit of his churro.

"Let's get to work," he said.

"Gear up, DiNozzo," smiled Gibbs.

They set up shop in the captain's cabin and started interviewing sailors and marines one by one. Recording each interview and taking notes they push through as quickly as possible as many bodies as they could. As the day progressed Tony started to feel like he was running a verbal marathon, especially when Gibbs slipped into laconic stretches of word parsimony.

Ten straight hours they interviewed crew until finally deciding to call it a day. There were still so many more that needed to be interview. When they returned to the NCIS building, Jardine and Agent Bryan and Marine Lt. George Shade had arguments over what Shade thought was Hall's disdain for Marines. Shade was loved by his men because he stood up for them no matter who it was.

Gibbs knew the type of officer Shade was. He was a great battlefield officer but a lousy politician. Some of his favorite officers he served with were like Shade.

"Check to see if Hall filed any complaints about Shade. Let's see to what extent he disliked the lieutenant," said Gibbs.

Thomas was finally able to tell Gibbs that Hall was killed with an expandable baton. The forensic scientists finally matched the wound to the weapon. Gibbs looked at Tony.

"Marines use those batons," he said.

"Well that cuts our list of suspects to 1800 with Lt. Shade at the head of the list," said Tony. "Our life has gotten so much easier."

"Better than a suspect list of 3,000 with no one at the head of the list," said Gibbs.

"What do you want me to do?" asked Jardine which brought a smile to Tony's face.

All she needed was good leadership to follow, which she was getting right now.

"You and Bryan will come onboard the Bataan with DiNozzo and me tomorrow and help with the questioning of marines," said Gibbs. "Good job."

Jardine beamed from ear to ear.

"Okay," Tony looked at his watch and six that it was eight o'clock. "I have to back to the apartment and Skype and hope my daughter is still awake."

"Give Lessie my love," said Gibbs.

"With pleasure, Gibbs," said Tony.

NCIS

"Hello," Tony said getting no response, though he had an image of an empty sofa. "Anybody there?"

He was about to close his laptop when Ziva slipped into the picture. She looked tired with her hair pulled.

"Hey, Zi, where's Lessie?" he asked.

"Asleep."

"You look like you could use some sleep, too," he said.

"I must admit taking care of child is a handful," she admitted to being exhausted in her own fashion.

"You could let someone else babysit Lessie, he said.

"No," she said quickly. "I would not have anyone else take care of her. She is attached to Abby and I and that is fine with me," she said.

"You know, Zi, I'm glad to hear that. I don't want anyone else taking care of my girl," he said. "Where's Abby?"

"She went out on a date with McGee. Don't let Gibbs know, but Tim really needed it," Ziva said.

"You two are good partners," he said.

"Yes, of course, we are," she said.

Tony remembered when he was part of the team. He could never go back to being senior field agent but he could see him and Lessie being part of the family.

"Tell Abby her secret is safe with me," Tony said. "You should get some sleep."

"We miss you," she said.

"I can't wait to be home with my girls," he said. "Good night."

He closed his laptop and realized what he had just said: be home with my girls. He had to be more careful of what he was saying. It just that it felt right to say.