Chapter Eleven:
Gibbs stormed into the bullpen, throwing his bag on the floor next to his desk and ran up the stairs to the Directors Office, without stopping to be acknowledged he plowed his way into the room.
"Where the hell is My Agent?"
"Agent Gibbs, I congratulate you on the excellent work you did in California." Vance had worked with this man for too many years, he had anticipated that this is the way Gibbs would react and was prepared when security called to warn him. Through trial and error he found it best to ignore the outburst and went for diversion. Gibbs had worked hard on this case and he had a soft spot, when kids where involved. Getting him talking about the case would give him a chance to cool off enough that, when the conversation came back to DiNozzo, as it would they could have a reasonability adult discussion.
"You know it went well Director."
"I've read the reports, now I like to hear about all the things that happened that got left out."
"Later Leon, I want to know why you suspended Tony?"
"Might as well take a seat Gibbs."
Reaching into his desk he pulled out a file and handed Gibbs the reports.
Reading through quickly, Gibbs looked up, "Seems to me Tony did a great job on this case."
"Not saying he didn't Gibbs, but look at the tapes from interrogation."
The two men watched in silence as Tony questioned McHale, the tapes cutting off as Ned and Rick Jones came in. "Nothing I see there warrants a suspension Leon."
"That's not all, this is the security tape from the hall cameras. You can see Agent Dorneget and Agent Jones start to leave the room with McHale, you see Tony approach him and show him something. It was a picture of Mary Rice and her partner Sarah in an embrace. Agent DiNozzo knew McHale would react this way and he gambled that he could get a DNA sample if McHale came after him. I suspended him because it was a dangerous stunt and he didn't execute it well, he should have been prepared for McHale to act out, especially if that is what he hoped for. I also wanted him out of here while he recovered."
"You didn't need to do this, I want him re-instated as soon as possible."
"Not going to happen, the two week suspension is going to stick"
"Why Vance, why do you always have it out for Tony."
"I have nothing against Agent DiNozzo, he is not the type of Agent I see as the future of this agency but he has proven his worth, but he is not you and I will not have Agent DiNozzo or anyone else in this agency think they are above the rules, I have a hard enough time with you and while Agent DiNozzo is good, he isn't you."
"Thank God for that Leon, but you are wrong, Tony is much better than I am."
"Funny way of showing it Gibbs, don't think I did notice the tension on your team, the way you ignore Agent DiNozzo, rarely take him into the field with you. You know I wanted to give Agent McGee an opportunity for more experience but you are the one who has made your Agent feel like he has no place on your team."
"Tony and I will work out our issues, I don't want him off my team, there is no one I trust more."
"Gibbs I gave him some breathing room, he's going to be mad at me, along with his two week suspension I demoted him and McGee will take over the position of Senior Field Agent."
Getting on his feet and pounding his hand on the desk, "Leon, you had no right, you can't do that."
"I can and I did, look Gibbs I know I should have spoken with you but this is the last thing you needed while dealing with that undercover case, besides I think this will benefit Agent DiNozzo in the end, he has been stuck in your shadow for too long. If Agent DiNozzo wants to stay at the end of all this and you want him back I will find a position for Agent McGee that will let him continue to grow. You can't keep them with you forever Gibbs. Agent DiNozzo should have left years ago, he was ambitious and pushed to move up quickly, but he got stuck along the away and damn if I'm going to let that happen to McGee."
"Leon, you don't know Tony like I do, this isn't the way to handle him, he's not going to understand what you are doing. He's going to think you are pushing him out. I know the way I've been acting doesn't help and now he'll just think we are working together. Damn it Leon, you should have talked to me first." Gibbs paced around the room, rubbing his hand through his hair, turning he came back to stand in front of Leon. "You better hope we can fix this Leon."
"And maybe its time you started treating him like a seasoned Federal Agent, Gibbs."
"I will Leon, I will, just need to find him first."
"What do you mean find him?"
"Ducky said that Dorneget and Palmer were helping him out, but after you suspended him he took off."
"Took off where?"
"They don't know, he left his smashed cell phone on his counter, some of his personal items were gone. Ducky thinks he took off and doesn't want to be found."
"Should we be concerned?"
Heading for the door, Gibbs glanced back and said, "Oh yeah, we should be concerned."
NCISNCISNCSNCISNCIS
Tony was beat, after eight hours on the road his leg was killing him, walking into the motel room he threw himself down on the bed.
Sarah walked in after him carrying their bags. "Tony do you have anything for pain?"
"I have a some ibuprofen in my bag, it you can get me two that would be great."
"Ok," pulling out the bottle and bringing him a glass of water, Sarah handed him the pills as she sat down on the bed next to him. "Are you sure you want to share rooms?"
"Not a problem for me Sarah, remember I'm a Special Agent, you don't know how many times I have to share rooms with my co-workers, both male and female."
"I just don't want to put you out, you have already done so much for me."
"Hey, it's not as if we are going to be here long, figure we can get an early start tomorrow, plus as much as I hate to admit I could use some help with this leg."
Plopping herself on her bed, "Before we get too comfortable, I should run out and get us some dinner. Do you have any requests?"
"I think we passed a barbecue place."
"We did, it's about a quarter mile back." Pulling out her phone, "Here I found it they have a menu on line, do you see anything you might want." Handing him her phone so he could see.
"Get me a pulled pork sandwich with slaw and a large coke." Pulling out his wallet he went to hand her some money.
"No, I've got this Tony, you are already doing so much for me. I'm going to head out, I'll leave you to pick a movie for us." She smiled at him as she grabbed the keys. "Call me if you need anything else. OK."
"I'll be fine Sarah and I have my burn phone, I'm going to check in with Sebby while your gone."
"Ok, be back soon." She waved back as she shut the door. Jumping into her SUV she never noticed the man watching her from shadows of the trees.
NCISNCISNCISNCISNCIS
Tony was tired, tired of dragging a heavy cast around, tired of using crutches, tried of hiding who he was, tired of loving someone who did not, could not love him, tired of his life in general. Spending the week with Emma and Brad and now on this little road trip with Sarah, he was free to be himself. He could joke around when he found another man attractive and he wasn't judged.
He was pretty sure that he would not be going back to NCIS after all this was over, he didn't know what he wanted but he it was time he was true to himself. He had build his walls, worn his masks for too many years. They had served him well, protected him, but now he felt imprisoned by them. It took more and more energy to keep the façade in place. He had another week to think before his suspension was up and once he was back in D.C. he planned on spending some time exploring his options.
Not wanting to think about this anymore, he dialed Sebby. Sebby was the only one who knew where he was, he did not have a connection to NCIS and if Gibbs came back and decided to look for him, he wouldn't be putting anyone in a difficult position as Sebby was not on Gibbs radar. The call went to voice mail and Tony left a brief message, letting him know they were just outside of Charlotte, NC and would be outside Americus, GA tomorrow.
A knock on the door had Tony on alert as Sarah had the key but he did not think she was gone long enough. Grabbing his crutches he stood and worked his way to the door, leaning on one crutch he reached for his weapon, but there was nothing where his gun normally sat, as he had to turn in his badge and weapon when Vance suspended him. Calling out through the door, "Who is it?"
"Maintenance, I had gotten a work order to check the water temp in this room there was a compliant that the water was coming out cold."
Not wanting to let anyone in Tony kept the door closed, "It's ok, we'll be gone in the morning and a cool shower won't bother us."
"Listen man, if I don't get this done my boss will be one pissed off guy, he already has it out for me and I can't lose my job. My wife is sick and I really need my job."
Since no one except Sebby, knew where they were, Tony thought maybe he was just being paranoid; he could let the man in, keep the door open. Making a decision he unlocked the door and opened the door.