Chapter 10

A/N I should explain that this chapter will be jumping several months ahead to speed up the flow of the story. Please let me know if this is too confusing. Otherwise please read and review.

The team survived their week of sensitivity and sexual harassment training. The next Monday they caught a case involving a marine that was found dead in his backyard with a spear in his back. After three days of investigating and interviewing witnessed, it turned out his friend, a marine sergeant had found out his friend was sleeping with his fiancée. The sergeant flipped out and killed his friend in a jealous rage. It turned out to be a very easy thing to track him down. Arresting him was another matter though. He had a concealed knife and nearly stabbed Mc Gee in the arm. If Tony had not seen it in time, McGee would have been severely injured. He was arrested by a very pissed off Gibbs and was taken back to NCIS headquarters. After a lengthy interrogation and two hours later in the room with Gibbs, he finally confessed. He was then taken down to the holding cell until a JAG lawyer could be assigned and arraignment could be scheduled.

The next six weeks had cases back to back, leaving the team exhausted. Gibbs was watching his Senior Agent very closely looking for any changes in his behavior. Tony had actually seemed happier than he had been in months. When asked about it, he just said that he had met a woman a couple of weeks ago.

When Ziva asked who it was, Tony said. "Her name is Nadine. She just moved into the apartment across from me. I think I'm in love."

Ziva looked incredulously at Tony. "So what happened to April? Wasn't it just last week that you were saying that she was the one?"

Tony smirked. "She was a slob, and besides that she was always making this annoying clicking noise with her tongue. I always knew that it wouldn't work out."

Ziva just gave him a look of disgust. Ziva was happy that Tony was back to his usual self. She did notice that Tony seemed to be tired all the time. This time she was sure he didn't have the plague. He had also become very forgetful. He would leave his badge and cell phone at his desk, apartment and his car. Sometimes he would have to return several times to get all of his things. His performance had not suffered so Gibbs let him continue. Gibbs finally decided that maybe there was nothing going on and decided to let it drop.

Over the next two months Tony had been out with April, Nadine, Diane, Rachel, Ellie, and Anne. Every time Mc Gee or Ziva would ask him why he had broken up with them, Tony would say that it just didn't work out. They would eventually realize that Tony was actually dating just one woman. And also the significance of her name.

Late October 2010 2300

Tony stood by his car waiting. He had only been there for a few minutes, but it seemed like twenty minutes. He thought that he was feeling this way because the long wait for the meeting was finally over. After the meeting tonight he would go straight to Gibbs and request his help. Tony did not want to have to do this alone and needed Gibbs help. He didn't want to be involved. In fact, he had started to make the call to back several times. He would then remind himself about what was at stake and he would put the phone back down.

A dark sedan pulled up next to him. Tony wiped his hands on his jeans and said to himself. "Showtime."

Tony stepped out of his car and shook the man's hand. Tony took a deep breathe, steeling his resolve. Tony stood up straight and spoke up first.

"So I gather everything has come together finally Matt."

"Yes, we've just finished all of the details. Now Tony, I do have to tell you this will not be very difficult under all of the circumstances. Not only will it be dangerous, but you have to make sure that your team is not aware of what will be happening Andrea has been begging me to make sure that you do not go through with this. Also Tony, we have put in place a handler for your protection. This assignment is going to be a long and grueling one. Making it even harder will be continuing your regular duties as if nothing is going on. I know that you will not like who the handler will be. He is new to the team but he has become one of the best that I have available." The man said. "I hope that you choose not to back out when I give you his name. Agent Sacks will be the agent acting as your handler."

Tony laughed. "You've got to be kidding me. You do know that he falsely accused me of murder about five years ago. Since then we haven't been able to be in the same room together."

The agent acknowledged Tony's concerns. "Agent Sacks feels the same way you do. Believe me, he does. In fact he almost flat out refused the assignment. But he said that he had to admit that you are an excellent agent and equally as good as an undercover agent. He also said he would be willing to overcome is feelings to have the chance of working with him."

Tony thought for a minute before he spoke. "I guess that I don't have a choice but to trust you and agent Sacks. I'll do it as long as there is a way that Agent Gibbs can be involved in some way. I trust him with my life. I was planning to go to Agent Gibbs in the morning to ask him for help. The rest of the team does not need to be involved. This is the only way that I will feel confident in the operation. Also, Andrea seems to be agreeable to this. So is okay if I include Agent Gibbs."

The other man replied. "If you feel so strongly, I encourage you to go ahead and do so. I would rather you have your head in the game. So if having Gibbs there helps, yes do so. Agent Sacks is coming so we can get you prepped."

Just then a man in a dark suit pulled up beside them in another dark sedan.

"I suppose that we should get started now Agent Sacks." Said the other agent.

For the next hour the two agents briefed Tony on the whole operation and what it would entail. Most of the details he was okay with because it was normal for any other undercover operation. Then they got to the part he didn't like. He never had been asked to do anything like this before. Tony almost changed his mind and said that he wouldn't be willing to give up this much. He reminded himself that Gibbs would be there and that he would have Tony's six like always. In the end Tony agreed and made his commitment to the operation. After they were finished and pretty much worked through all of the details, Tony got into his mustang. He had somewhere else to be tonight. Tony turned on his car and pressed the speed dial on his cell. He hoped to talk to one of the people he trusted most in the world.

The two months had multiple cases. The most notable being a joint case with the FBI that was brought to them by Agent Fornell. McGee was set up to be in charge of surveillance, Tony being the undercover gun buyer and Ziva for backup. NCIS was primarily in charge due to Gibb's insistence. His concern was for DiNozzo because for the first time Tony had asked not to be involved. Gibbs was concerned and attempted to find out why. Tony avoided all of his questions in his usual manner. Gibbs was very busy and did not realize that Tony, in his own way was trying to tell Gibbs why. Later Gibbs realized Tony was asking for help. But by the time he realized, it was too late. It was an action that he would always regret.

In the end Tony agreed. Over the next few days, he tried to approach Gibbs but he was always to busy and would brush Tony off. The operation went off without a hitch. Thankfully there were no casualties. The three marines involved were arrested and so were the buyers. A few weeks later after sentences were handed down the case was wrapped up and the case was closed. Finally Gibbs tried to approach Tony to talk but Tony said it was too late and walked away. After the case ended they were given a long weekend followed by a slow week after being put back on rotation.

Late January 2011

The team had finally settled back into their old routine. To everyone there seemed to be some relief. Finally a week later a calming sense of normalness settled through the squad room. The next morning, Tony, Ziva, and McGee arrived together as usual. They were bringing in breakfast, coffee, and a Caf Pow for Abby. After breakfast was distributed and Abby's Caf Pow delivered, they all powered up their computers for the day. Gibbs walked in a few minutes later. His team was eating and talking while finishing up on well past due paperwork. About thirty minutes later McGee suddenly jumped up.

"Uh Boss, we just got a hit on a Bolo. It looks like the Norfolk PD may have found the bodies of Marcos Valenci and Alex Kroychev at the Norfolk Port Authority near the Northern Expansion. Their bodies were under the pier. The local Leos believe that their bodies here hidden because of the heavy snow we've had this winter. Then, when the snow finished melting they were able to see the bodies."

Everyone stopped what they were doing. All eyes were on McGee as though they couldn't believe what they had heard.

"McGee." Gibbs yelled. "How old is the damn Bolo?"

McGee clicked a few keys then read to himself what it said on the screen. "It looks like the Bolo was put out at 0630 this morning."

Gibbs barked. "Mc Gee, I need you to call the Norfolk PD. Have the local Leos meet us there in an hour. Ziva, call Duck and Palmer and have them meet us there. Tony, grab the gear and go and gas the truck. Damn it, I need a coffee."

Well another chapter finished. The big plot twist I promised will happen in the next chapter. A lot more trouble for Tony is coming. As always please read and review. Pm's emails, and all review are welcomed. Please click on the big green button below.

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