Chapter 10
"He is?" Ziva asked.
"Can I please just say this and then I'll answer your questions, all right?" Tony asked.
"Sorry," Ziva said contritely.
"Okay. So, as Tobias, Gibbs and Jen know, my father is not perfect," Tony said.
Gibbs almost choked on his coffee. Tony turned and gave him a look.
"I'm sorry," Gibbs said. "Go ahead, Tony."
"Thank you, Jet." Tony got up and walked to a cabinet. He took out a bottle of scotch and a glass and he poured himself a large drink. He swallowed it down in one gulp. He turned back to the people in the room and sighed. He wiped his eyes and walked over to the window and looked out, keeping his back to the room as he started his story.
"My father hates me… I don't just mean that he can't stand the sight of me; I mean he hates me with a passion and he always has. I think I was four the first time he hit me, and he carried on with that until he disowned me when I was 12. My mother killed herself when I was 11 and he blamed me. He sent me to the military academy and he didn't talk to me again for years. He asked me to join the family business and I said no. He was angry about that to say the least and he sent some men after me. I spent three days in a coma and then three weeks in the hospital. A man showed up as I was leaving and told me there was no place I could go that he wouldn't find me.
"I moved to another state and worked and saved for college. One week after I graduated, my father came up to me again and threatened me. He told me I had to go with him and I refused again. That time I spent one week in the hospital. I moved again. I couldn't play football because I broke my leg in the final game of the season in my senior year, so I joined the police academy. I made detective and then Sharon's case came along, and you know what happened there, but what you don't know is my partner got a call from my father, who told him some things about me; some true, some not. My old partner and his friends ran me out of the state.
"I got another job and not long after my father intervened again. I stuck it out for 18 months or so, but I was on a call one day and my backup never came. I ended up in the hospital again. I handed in my notice. His friends did something that made me snap. I was so pissed that I went to visit my father and I beat the shit out of him and two of his men. After that he left me alone. I went to Baltimore and started over again. My father didn't surface, but as everyone knows, Gibbs did. I sided with him and that was that, but during my first week at NCIS, I got a call at the office from my father telling me he would some day come after me and I wouldn't come out alive; that he was always watching. And he does watch.
"Every year on my birthday I get a present; sometimes it's a noose, a toy gun or a plastic knife. After four years here, I stopped changing apartments. He could find me anywhere, so I just gave up trying to outrun him. When I got home after being sick with the plague, I found a note telling me it was a shame that I hadn't died. I don't know how he found out, but he did. After a week I decided to come back to work. I couldn't sit around here anymore knowing my father or his friends had been here. He has connections everywhere.
"Someone keeps telling him where I'm working and where I'm living. My phone number and address are almost impossible to get. All my mail is under a different name, as is my lease. Everything I own can't be traced back to me. I think because I've stopped running, he's decided to try another way. He got Gary Brown to do his dirty work so it can't be traced back to him. Like I said, Gary called me Michael, he has my phone number and my address, and he didn't get that information on his own. He couldn't have. He's not smart enough
"Why kill the second Sharon?" Tobias asked.
"To mess with me," Tony replied. My father wants to make me suffer first or there wouldn't be any joy in killing me. The reason I've asked Abby and Ducky to stay at NCIS is because… "
Tony paused in his story and walked over to the cabinet and poured himself another large drink, but he didn't drink it; he just stared into the glass as he continued to talk. "I had a close friend who was special to me. One day he went missing. For three days I looked everywhere for him. I was out of my mind with worry. On the third day he walked in the door. I was so happy to see him, but he turned around and I saw his face. He was white as a sheet, he had two black eyes, a busted lip and he was bleeding from his ear. I asked him what happened, but he didn't answer me. He went into the bedroom, packed his things in a small bag and he went to walk out the door. I grabbed his arm and he screamed. I pulled his sleeve up and he had burns on his arm from a cigarette. I asked him again what happened and he looked at me with tears in his eyes. Then he handed me a note. While I was reading it he slipped out the door and I never saw him again."
Tony gulped his drink and then put the bottle away. He turned back to the people in the room. "I wanted you to know this because you're risking your lives protecting me, not just from Gary, but from my father, too, and you all deserve to know."
"What was in the note, Tony?" Gibbs asked.
Tears began to flow down Tony's face. "It was a list of things they had done to him. It went from beating to rape, and there was a little message at the bottom it that said, 'I always knew faggot'."
"I'm sorry," Ziva said. "What is a faggot?"
Tony looked at her and smiled, wiping his tears away. "A gay person, Ziva."
"Okay, so the note said 'I always knew gay person'," Ziva clarified.
"Yes, I suppose," Tony stated.
"I'm sorry, what does that have to do with you, Tony?" Ziva asked.
Tony looked at Gibbs. "Jet, would you take Ziva and McGee into the kitchen and explain, please, while I talk to Jenny, Ron and Tobias? Tim looks like he's about to pass out."
"Sure," Gibbs agreed. He got up and waited for Ziva and McGee. He had to slap McGee on the back of his head to get his attention. The two agents finally followed him into the kitchen.
"Tony, I'm sorry I had no idea," Jen said.
"To be honest, Jen, no one was supposed to know," Tony said. "Only Ducky and Abby know and that's just the tip of the iceberg."
"Should we go after your father?" Tobias asked.
"You have no evidence he did anything, Tobias, and he covers his tracks well," Tony stated. "You've read his file. No one's been able to touch him for the past forty years. Anyway, Abby's on it, but she promised she wouldn't talk to anyone. She's just doing computer searches. She needed to help and that'll keep her busy, and she might just find something. She's very good
"When we get this Gary Brown, do you think he'll turn on your father?" Ron asked.
"Not a chance in hell," Tony replied.
"Okay, so we deal with Brown and then see what we can get on your bastard of a father," Ron stated emphatically.
"One of the reasons I'm telling you this is because even if Gary wasn't watching the apartment, someone was. Gary said I've had a lot of visitors. I pressed him on it and he couldn't tell me anything about these visitors. Someone is passing information to him."
"Tony, why didn't you tell me your father could have been involved from the start?" Tobias inquired.
"Tobias, I would've if I'd known, but I didn't," Tony said. "It was only when he called me Michael that I thought about it. My father has always used his employees to get at me. Not once has he used anyone from the outside. I know he checks up on me and almost everything I do. He must've thought this up when he found out Brown was going to be released."
Gibbs, McGee and Ziva walked back into the living room and sat down. Tony didn't look at them as he kept talking to Tobias, Jen and Ron.
"He probably plans to get Brown to kill me in revenge for putting him away, but have some fun with me first," Tony said.
"So, you want us all here because of protection?" Ron asked.
"If someone's been watching my apartment then they've seen all of you leave," Tony explained. "Before when it was just Brown to worry about, then Abby, Ziva and you, Jenny, were in danger, but now I think everyone that's been here is. My father has no problem going after people in my life. Steven and I were together for almost a year, but I never told him the reason I was so private. I used to tell him the reason I put on an act with women was because of my job. A lot of people don't like gay cops, and that was true in a way, but it was also because I didn't want my father to find out. I was terrified of what he'd do. Somehow he did find out and took it out on Steven, not me, which was worse. So, when Gibbs started with the mood swings and the temper tantrums a few months back, I thought my father had called him, but it turns out I was wrong. He was being a grouch."
"Hey," Gibbs said, affronted.
"Oh, you were and you know it," Tony said.
"Okay, fine, I admit it," Gibbs stated. "Are you happy now?"
"Ecstatic, grouchy," Tony said with a smile.
"You're heading for a slap," Gibbs groused.
Tony chuckled. "I'll kick your ass."
"You've punched me enough over the past two days," Gibbs complained.
"Oh, I don't know about that," Jen put in.
"Are you still mad at me?" Gibbs asked her.
"Yes," Jen replied.
"Do you want to tell them?" Tony asked Gibbs.
"That's up to you, Tony."
"Well, I've just told them my life story, which I swore I would never tell anyone. I have very little to hide now," Tony said.
"Okay, go ahead," Gibbs agreed.
"Why me?" Tony asked.
"Because Jen isn't mad at you and Ziva and McGee are so afraid of upsetting you, they'll accept anything you say."
"You're a chicken, you know that?"
"I am not, Tony; I just know when to pick my battles."
"What happened to the fearless leader?"
"He's on a break."
"What are you so afraid of, Jet?"
"Jenny."
"Jen's my friend."
"Yes, and she used to be more than my friend, Tony."
Jenny watched the banter between Gibbs and Tony with a smile on her face. "So have you two done it yet?"
Unfortunately, Gibbs had just taken a sip from his cup and spit his coffee out all over Tony when he registered what Jen had said.
Tony jumped up in shock. "OH, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, JET!"
"I'm sorry, Tony, she surprised me."
"This shirt is expensive! How the hell am I gonna get this out?"
"Forget about the shirt. Did you hear what Jen said?"
"Yes, I did," Tony stated. "Now I'm gonna change my shirt. Jenny, would you come with me? I need a word."
Tony punched Gibbs in the arm as he walked past him. Jenny smirked as she followed Tony into his bedroom. She closed the door behind them.
Tony took off his soiled shirt and got a clean one from his closet. "Are you all right, Jen?"
"Tony, Gibbs and I were together a long time ago. I'm fine."
"I wanted to tell you about my feelings for him a long time ago, but I never thought they'd become an issue. That's what his behavior the last few months has been about; he was trying to drive me away. He had no idea I was gay."
"Have you forgiven him?"
"No, but I'm working on it, because I want this to work."
"Tony, you're my friend. I'm surprised at Gibbs, but when I was watching him in there, I just knew, even before you were going to tell me."
"Thank you so much, Jen."
"I want you to be happy, Tony. After the story you just told us, you deserve it."
XXXXXXXXXX
After Tony and Jen left the room, Gibbs looked at Tobias and asked, "What?"
"I told you to tell him six months ago, but, no, you decided to be a bastard instead."
"Would you stop? I've told him now, okay.
"Gibbs," Ron said. "I'm not kidding here; I like him and if you hurt him, I'll shoot you myself."
"What is it with you two?" Gibbs asked. "You couldn't stand each other two days ago."
"I read the file on the old case and then checked a couple more," Ron replied. "I saw how good he is and the fact that he cares about the victims. Then I saw him punch you out. That more or less sealed the deal."
"Well, I'm glad me getting my face smashed in got you a new friend," Gibbs said sarcastically.
"One question," Ron stated. "How good is he at basketball?"
"Why?" Gibbs asked.
"We have a game booked for when this is over and I bet him and Abby 50 bucks I could beat him."
Gibbs chuckled. "You're screwed."
"Crap," Ron cursed.
Gibbs and Tobias laughed at Ron. Tony and Jen rejoined the others in the living room and sat down. Jen smiled at Gibbs.
"Jen, are you okay with this?" Gibbs asked.
"You hurt Tony and I'll shoot you," Jen replied.
Gibbs turned to Tony. "Has anyone threatened you if you hurt me?"
"No, why?
"Abby said she'd kill me, Ducky said he'd never speak to me again, Ron said he'd shoot me, and now Jen."
"Think about it this way," Tony said. "If you do hurt me and then die suspiciously, Tobias has a list of five suspects."
"How do you come up with five?"
"You forgot me, Jet. They won't have a chance to kill you, because I'd have gotten there first, and they would never find your body."
"Okay, this isn't fair," Gibbs complained. "What about me?"
"You have Tobias."
"Tony, I think you'll find I'm more likely to shoot him for hurting you," Tobias said.
"Thank you, Tobias," Tony said.
"Why is no one on my side?" Gibbs asked.
"You've had people on your side for months. It's my turn."
"You could hurt me, Tony, you never know."
"The only way I could hurt you is if I broke your stupid boat."
"Hey, my boat isn't stupid," Gibbs protested. "I use it to take away my stress and think."
"Most people read a book."
Everyone in the room laughed at the exchange, but that didn't deter Gibbs and Tony from continuing their conversation.
"Well, you read a book," Gibbs said. "I'll work on my boat."
"At least I can take my book out the basement. Your boat is stuck there."
"Yes, but you can finish your book in a day; my boat takes years to finish."
"And when you do, you still can't take it out the basement."
"I'll find a way, Tony."
"You know, I've wanted to tell you something for seven years."
"What that?"
"Only a lunatic would build a boat in a basement with no way of getting it out and using the damn thing."
"Well, only a lunatic would spend 300 dollars on a shirt."
"Excuse me for liking something other than cotton."
"There's nothing wrong with cotton, Mickey."
"What about the amount of money you spend on coffee every month?"
"What about it?"
"You have a go at me for buying decent clothes, but you spend hundreds of bucks every month on coffee."
"I need coffee keep myself awake."
"That's because you spend all night working on your boat, Jet."
"Okay."
"Okay."
Gibbs and Tony turned and looked at everyone, who were all still very amused. Simultaneously they asked, "What?"
"That was the best thing I've ever seen," Tobias commented.
"Ten out of ten," Ron said.
"Highly entertaining," Jenny added.
Gibbs and Tony looked at McGee and Ziva, who looked back at them and nodded.
"Well, I'm glad we entertained you all," Tony said.
"I forgot they were here for a minute," Gibbs commented.
Tony laughed. "Anything else, Tobias?"
"I think you're right about keeping everyone here, Tony, but I'm gonna look into your father," Tobias stated. "I don't like him and I wanna see if he's involved. I'll call you if I find anything."
"Okay, but you won't get anyone to talk," Tony warned him.
"Still, hopefully he'll make a mistake," Tobias said. "I also wanna put a couple of agents outside, if that's okay."
"Outside the door?" Tony asked.
"No, on the street in a car," Tobias replied.
"Sure, that's okay."
"Can you tell me anything about your father's friends that keep paying you visits?" Tobias asked.
"No, I can't. They're different every time. There are always two or more and they always wear black suits. That's about it."
"Okay, so do you think Brown will come after you soon?" Tobias inquired.
"Yeah, he was pissed on the phone. I took his focus off any more girls and put it on me. The only way he goes after a girl now is if someone talks to him and wants him to."
"Oh, I have something for you." Tobias took a little black box out of his pocket and handed it to Tony. "All you have to do is press the button if anything happens. It'll alert all the agents on this case that you're in trouble. They all have one. It also has a tracker on it just in case."
"Cool," Tony said.
There was a knock on the door and Ziva and McGee got up to answer it.
"Who is it?" McGee asked.
"Agents Jones and Green, FBI. We came with Agent Fornell."
McGee opened the door and the two agents came in.
"Guys, do you want some coffee?" Tony asked.
"Thanks," Agent Green said.
"Okay, Tony has agreed to the stake out, so after your coffee, take your stations," Tobias ordered his two agents. "Davis and Wilson will take over at 2200."
"I better go," Jen announced. "I have that call in MTAC."
"Is your driver outside, Jen?" Tony asked.
"Yes, Tony, don't worry."
"That's not gonna happen, and remember, don't go anywhere alone and take your gun."
Jen laughed and kissed Tony on the cheek. "I'll call later."
"Hold up, Director," Tobias said. "I'll walk you and your agent out. I have to go anyway."
"Watch your back, Tobias," Tony advised.
"I will," Tobias stated. "I'll call if anything comes up. We'll still be recording your incoming calls as well as tracing them.
"Tobias, I think it goes without saying, but there are some parts of that story that I don't want to be made common knowledge," Tony said.
"Not a word, Tony, promise."
"Thank you."
Jen and Tobias left. Tony took the two FBI agents to the kitchen and invited them to sit down at the table.
"What are your names, guys?" Tony asked them.
"Thomas Green."
"Rodger Jones."
"Well, guys, I'm sorry you've been stuck with this detail. I know it can be boring. Do you have any coffee and anything to eat for your stake out?"
"No," Thomas answered. "We'll be fine. Another two agents are coming on at ten.
"You guys need something. I have a couple of thermoses and I'll make you some snacks to take."
"Thanks, man," Rodger said. "That's nice of you."
"No problem, it's the least I can do. You'll be out there because of me."
"It's our job, Tony," Rodger stated. "Is it okay if I call you Tony?"
"Sure."
"You can call me Rodger and like he said, that's Tom," Rodger said.
"Thanks."
Ron walked into the kitchen, leaving Gibbs, McGee and Ziva talking in the living room.
"You all right, Tony?" Ron asked.
"I'm making friends with Rodger and Tom and fixing them something to eat."
"Don't you have enough friends?" Ron asked.
"You can never have too many friends, Ron. Well, maybe you can."
"You're just a barrel of laughs today."
"You're just moody because I got Gibbs to call you and you had to get out of bed."
"I told you I was looking for an Italian Santa."
"You said black Santa when you came in."
"Ah, that's right, a black Italian Santa."
Tony laughed and threw a tomato at him. "Shut up and sit down." Tony started to leave the room.
"Where you going?" Ron asked.
"Relax, Mommy, I'm going to the hall closet the find a couple of thermoses for Tom and Rodger."
"Okay, you may go."
"Well, thank you, Mommy." Tony left the room to find the thermoses.
"I like him," Rodger said.
"Me, too," Ron stated. "He's a great agent."
"Didn't you try and get him for murder?" Tom asked.
"Yeah, I was an asshole," Ron replied.
Tony walked back into the kitchen with the two thermoses. "Not really, Ron, I was hardly what you would call cooperative."
"That's right," Ron agreed. "It was all your fault."
"I'd say it was fifty-fifty."
"More like twenty-eighty."
"Would you like me to sneeze on your sandwich?" Tony asked.
"Okay, fine, it was fifty-fifty."
"That's better." Tony wrapped up the sandwiches he made and got some chips and snack cakes from the cupboard. He filled the thermoses with coffee and then put everything in a bag and put it on the table.
"Thanks," Tom said.
"Not a problem, Tom." Tony passed Ron a sandwich.
"What is it?" Ron asked.
"It's a sandwich, Ron."
"Yes, Tony, I get that. What kind?"
"Reindeer," Tony deadpanned. "Just eat it, will you?"
"Touchy."
"Eat it or I'll invite these guys to come and watch me beat your ass at basketball."
"Okay, okay." Ron took a bite and smiled at Tony.
"Does it taste good?" Tony asked.
"It tastes good."
"It doesn't taste funny then?"
"No, why?"
"The meat went bad last week."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY, TONY?"
Tony laughed. "You're so easy. It's very sad."
"I'll get you for that, DiNozzo!"
Tony and the other two FBI agents laughed at Ron. Gibbs, McGee and Ziva look in from the living room.
"You guys want a sandwich or something?" Tony called to them.
"Thanks, Tony," McGee answered.
"Yes, please, but could I just have one with no meat?" Ziva requested.
"What are you having?" Gibbs asked.
"Nothing, I'm fine," Tony answered.
"I'll have something later with you then," Gibbs said. "I'm okay for now. Thanks."
"Okay," Tony stated.
"We better go, Tony," Tom said. "Thanks for the coffee and everything."
"Not a problem."
"You have your button," Rodger stated. "Anything happens, we'll be here in a minute, all right?"
"Thanks, guys."
"Gibbs, the guys are going," Ron said as he went into the living room. "Can you help me cover the door?"
"Sure," Gibbs said agreeably.
"You know I have a gun, too," Tony pointed out.
"You just stay here and play with your veg," Ron said.
"Tomato is a fruit, Ron."
"Shut up."
Tony smiled as he turned and sliced the tomato. Ziva came into the kitchen, and McGee stood at the doorway.
"Do you need help, Tony?" Ziva asked.
Tony continued to slice the tomato. "No, I'm fine."
"Is there anything you need then?" Ziva inquired.
"Nope."
"How about if I get the drinks?"
"Sure."
Ziva opened the refrigerator and got herself and McGee drinks. Ron sat back down at the table and Gibbs joined him.
"Tony, can I ask you a question?" Ziva asked.
"What about?
"About you being gay."
"That's not something I normally talk about, Ziva."
"I know, but I was wondering about the women."
"When I said that's not something I normally talk about, what made you think I wanted you to ask the question anyway?"
"I was just wondering, Tony, I have known you for two years and it turns out I know nothing about you."
"You never bothered to ask."
"That's not true," Ziva said.
"Really? Okay, well, let's see; your favorite flower is the lily, you love classical music, you would love to have a Voltzwagen Beetle, your favorite color is blue and not sky blue, dark blue, you hate models, you're 32 years old, your favorite show is 'Bones', you hate men in shorts and your pet peeve is me. If you know any of those things about me, I'll buy you that Beetle." Tony handed her the sandwich and waited for her to reply.
"Your favorite color is black?"
"No, it's blue."
"Your favorite car is a Ferrari?"
"No, a Jag."
"Your favorite show is 'Magnum, PI'?"
"I love 'Magnum', but it's not my favorite."
"What then?"
"Ziva, have a look around."
Ziva looked around and then looked back at Tony.
"I read, Ziva. You've never asked me anything about myself. You did that dossier and you just assumed you knew everything about me, but I'll answer your original question. All the women were fiction, Ziva. A few are friends."
"What about Paula Cassidy?"
Tony slammed the knife he was still holding down on the table, but he didn't look at her. "Paula was my friend. I told her I was gay and she helped me with my cover. When she died, I lost one of my best friends, not my lover. The same goes for Kate."
"And Jeanne?"
Tony turned and glared at her.
"Back off, Ziva," Ron warned.
"Its okay, Ron," Tony said. "Go back to eating your veg. I'm fine."
"Tomato is a fruit, Tony," Ron stated.
"Shut up or I'll make you eat your plate, Santa."
"You're so violent."
Tony and Gibbs smiled at him. Ron smiled back and took a bite of his sandwich.
Tony turned back to Ziva. "Jeanne was an undercover operation, but I did have feelings for her. She was safe, comfortable, but she wasn't what I wanted, so I let her go."
"Gibbs?" Ziva asked.
"Yes, and now that you're done sticking your nose into my business, you can go."
"Tony, I thought that's what you wanted, for me to take an interest."
"There's a difference between taking an interest and being rude, Ziva. Taking an interest is asking a question, like 'how are you, Tony' or 'are you okay with someone wanting to kill you, Tony'. Being nosey is asking if I slept with Paula or if I had real feelings for Jeanne."
"I'm sorry, Tony," Ziva apologized. "I'm not very good at this."
Tony sighed and faced her. He crossed his arms and leaned against the counter. "Ziva, it's not all your fault, or McGee's, that you don't know me. I kept the act up and hid because of my past, but you have to understand, the people who are my real friends saw through that; Abby, Ducky, even Ron knew I was putting on an act, and he only started liking me yesterday and now I would take a bullet for him, because he took an interest, wanted to be my friend and he listened to me. You and McGee didn't even try. I know about your favorite flower and the Beetle as well as 'Bones' because I listened to you, but you never listened to me. You had that dinner party last year and everyone was invited, even Jimmy, and the only person that wasn't was me. I wasn't mad; I was disappointed because I've always listened to what you had to say and you couldn't even invite me to dinner.
"I don't know what I've ever done to you. As far as I know, I haven't hurt you in any way, but you still decided to treat me like an outsider, and that's fine, but don't just turn around and ask me if I had sex with Paula or if I had feelings for Jeanne, when you haven't invited me to dinner or tried to be any kind of friend to me. I just made dinner and coffee for two people I just met today. I'm not saying I'm better than you, but I do look out for other people, but maybe I should stop doing that because it keeps coming back to bite me on the ass. And to finish; yes, I'm gay. I always have been, and I love Jet. If you and McGee have a problem with any of that, then you can both leave. If not, you're welcome in my home. Now, excuse me, I'm gonna go take a shower."
Tony picked up McGee's sandwich and handed to him on his way out of the kitchen.
"Oh, thanks, Tony," McGee said.
"No problem." Tony started to walk away.
"Tony, are you all right?" McGee asked.
"No, Tim. but a shower should fix it," Tony answered. "Enjoy your sandwich. Ziva has your drink. I'll see you later."
"Do you wanna play cards after you finish your shower?"
"Yeah, why not."
"Great." McGee smiled at Tony.
Tony couldn't help but smile back a little. He left and went into his bedroom. Gibbs followed him and closed the door behind them. Tony took his shirt off and Gibbs sat on the bed and watched him.
"What?" Tony asked.
"You just astonish me."
"How?"
"You tell the most difficult story ever, you tell everyone you're gay and that you're in love with me of all people, you make friends with two people you've never met before, you make them coffee and sandwiches so they don't get hungry, you tell Ziva something that I know was difficult for you, and she had no right to ask about, then after everything McGee did, you made him a sandwich and agreed to play cards with him to make him feel better. You're the finest person I've ever known and I love you." Gibbs got up and went to Tony and kissed him on the cheek. Then he walked out, leaving Tony standing there looking stunned.
Thank you to everyone that's reviewed, clicked on favorite.
The next chapter is setting the scene for the up and coming angst the chapter after that is nasty and a little disturbing. We get a few unwelcome visitors and Tony's tested to his limits.