In the Presence of Mine Enemies Chapter 20

Pacci's team was waiting for them when they entered the gym. Pacci's SFA, Brian Sanders and his two other agents lounged about patiently. Tony knew Sanders well but was not that familiar with the other Agents on Pacci's team. Vicki Foster and Russ Walker were both probies fresh out of FLETC.

Chris Pacci smiled and nodded to them. Tony returned his smile and said "We'll get changed and be right back."

Tony and McGee entered the men's locker room. They had the place to themselves. They changed in a hurry- Tony into black shorts and an Ohio State t-shirt and McGee into navy blue shorts and a MIT t-shirt.

Lacing up his tennis shoes McGee asked "Why do you think Gibbs isn't back yet?"

"No idea Tim" Tony shrugged "Whatever is happening in MTAC is taking longer than the boss planned."

McGee had looked up somewhat startled when Tony called him Tim. He could tell Tony was concerned about Gibbs absence.

"Ready?" Tony asked

"Let's hit it!" Tim replied

They exited the locker room and met Kate as she was leaving the women's side. Headband secure, hair in a pony –tail, she was dressed all in black. Her tank top and spandex pants accented her lithe body in a modest but perfect way. Tony and Tim couldn't help but appreciate the view. Tim tried to be discreet but failed miserably. Tony was outright demonstrative. He purred deep in his throat and held out his right hand like a claw. He swept his "claw" at her and said with a growl "Looking purrrfect, Katie Kat!"

She made a face, like she was angry at being objectified, but smiled as she turned her back on them.

Being an Agent at NCIS meant you had to maintain a certain level of physical fitness. While most Agents worked at their own pace, running daily or going to a gym, the monthly spar sessions were scheduled to not only maintain fitness but act as a team building exercise.

Kate and McGee alternated with Foster, Walker and Pacci in the boxing ring. Each bout taking about 10 to 15 minutes and then they would change partners. Tony and Brian Sanders worked on the mats engaging in hand to hand fighting and tumbling. They ended up laughing more then they fought.

McGee joined them when he was done in the ring. Sanders and Tim ganged up on Tony. Brian attacked Tony from the left. Tony sidestepped Brian's action but was unable to escape McGee.

McGee had moved to Tony's right. Sweeping his leg behind Tony's knee, he dropped him to the mat with a loud whump knocking the wind out of him. Just like Gibbs had trained them.

Tony and McGee both looked shocked, neither of them really able to register Tim's success as Brian Sanders roared with laughter.

"God, I'm sorry Tony!" Tim said with a worried expression as he extended his hand down to help Tony get up.

Tony tried to laugh but was still somewhat breathless. He took McGee's hand and let Tim pull him up.

"Good job, Probie!" Tony said, huge grin on his face "Gibbs would be so proud!"

Tim beamed at this.

Brian Sanders probies joined him at the mat while Tony and McGee moved over to the ring.

"So, how about I get a chance at revenge!" Tony said climbing through the ropes

McGee joined him on the canvas. They eyeballed each other while putting on their gloves, Kate and Pacci watching from the sidelines.

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Gibbs and Morrow sat quietly in MTAC, sipping their coffees. Most of the MTAC staff had left them alone, heading out to regroup emotionally. One controller sat with headphones on monitoring the Kabul action audibly.

"Why did SecNav even request I sit in on this Tom?" Gibbs asked turning to look the Director in the eyes.

Director Morrow was saddened to see such a defeated look in his top Agents eyes. Gibbs skin was ashen grey. His eyes, usually ice blue and sharp like a hawk, seemed clouded in despair. The Director could plainly see Gibbs was beyond the point of exhaustion. With all that had happened over the past few days Tom Morrow now deeply regretted calling Gibbs back.

"He knows you are the best military trained Agent we have, Jethro."

Gibbs did not appear satisfied by this statement at all. He added bitterly "I might have made a difference if I was in Kabul." He waved his hand about the room and said "But armchair war games can only work if you have a person in charge that isn't so pigheaded and is willing to listen to sound tactical advice!"

Morrow knew Gibbs was referring to Captain Travis Marshall. He nodded his agreement.

Thomas Morrow was not a military man. He was a Harvard Grad who held double majors in Languages and Political Science. His Masters was in International Relations. He was fluent in Russian, Mandarin, Italian and Spanish. He was a skull and bones man who spent two weeks every July at the secretive Bohemian Grove in Northern California. As a skilled politician, he had the unique distinction of ascending the Director's chair through established connections and honest abilities to do the job.

Gibbs was unaware of most of the Director's personal history. The knowledge he had was Tom Morrow was a good man, who kept his word, and did his best to protect his people.

"The mission is over" the MTAC staff member stated, removing his headphones, turning to the two men.

"On screen" Morrow said as he and Gibbs stood up.

The screen came to life with the sound of a small group of men cheering. Captain Travis Marshall's cocky, smiling face filled the screen. His eyes hidden by aviator sunglasses, his handsome face streaked with sweat and dirt. It was not lost on Director Morrow how much Captain Marshall looked like Anthony DiNozzo. They could be brothers.

"We win!" Marshall laughed looking back at the men standing around him.

Gibbs was not impressed. He found himself preoccupied with the bodies and body parts scattered around the men claiming victory. Gibbs saw nothing victorious in any of it. Any despair he had allowed himself to feel was swallowed by a volcanic rage.

"You stupid son of a bitch!" he seethed at the screen

Marshal seemed taken aback by that "What's your problem old man? The objective has been met."

"Captain Marshall!" Morrow interjected abruptly

"What?!" Marshall sneered

Morrow was shocked and wondered how this young man had ever climbed to the ranks of Captain. He clearly had little regard for human life. His disregard for his own men was especially disturbing.

"Casualties!" Morrow demanded

"Still counting" Marshall said looking around "SecNav will get all the info in my report."

"You will report the information immediately!" Gibbs stepped closer to the screen

Captain Marshall lost his smile and spoke directly to Gibbs "I do not answer to you Gibbs. I am not sure why SecNav decided to include you in this mission. As far as I am concerned you were nothing but a thorn in my side. Why don't you go back to playing Fed? I assume you know what you are doing in that area."

Morrow and Gibbs stood in shocked silence when Marshall added:

"I take full responsibility for MY actions. Your concerns are better served elsewhere!"

With that, Marshall cut the MTAC connection.

Gibbs and Morrow just looked at each other in disbelief.

Exiting MTAC, Gibbs followed Morrow into his office. They were both angry. The Director poured them both a bourbon. They slammed it down and Tom refilled their glasses. They then moved over to the conference table.

"Jethro, you look beyond beat. I want you to take tomorrow off and don't come back until Monday morning."

Gibbs began to protest but Tom held up his hand. "Reports can be completed next week. I need to have a very long conversation with Davenport regarding this bullshit!"

Gibbs let his face break into a smile as he watched a pissed Morrow drain his bourbon.

The Director's phone rang. He moved to his desk to answer. He looked at his caller ID and said to Gibbs "Speak of the devil….."

As Morrow talked with SecNav, Gibbs sipped his drink and let his mind drift. He brain felt like mush. He re-played the events of the mission over and over again in his mind. His final assessment was that it was just fucked. He laughed out loud. It was not a cheerful laugh.

His experience with Captain Marshall actually had him doubting himself for the first time in years. He got up and went to the Director's bar. He held up the bourbon bottle towards Tom who raised his glass in response. Gibbs carried the bottle over to Morrow and refilled his glass with the dark amber liquid. Gibbs refilled his glass and drank it down. If Gibbs was well rested and in control of his faculties he would have stopped at one drink.

Gibbs tuned into Morrow's conversation when he heard him say "Captain Marshall is what?! Your nephew? I see…" Morrow looked at Gibbs, wide eyed.

Gibbs would have thrown the glass he held in his hand, if it was his, and he was in his basement. It would have been rude to display such behavior in the Director's office. He tried to still himself by sitting down. So that was it…SecNav had wanted a babysitter for his fucking nephew! Gibbs wondered if SecNav even had a clue what a disrespectful little prick his nephew was. Gibbs felt his rage begin to rise. It didn't help that the alcohol was feeding the fire.

"Can't this wait until Monday, Phillip? Great, then we will expect Lt. Colonel Peters in the office Monday morning. Will you be accompanying her?"

Morrow looked up at Gibbs when he said "No, we have not discussed the situation with Agent DiNozzo yet…with all due respect Mr. Secretary, Agent Gibbs and I are only now finding time to…"

Gibbs watched the Director's face darken and his eyes narrowed. Gibbs could tell that Morrow was mentally circling the wagons. He watched Morrow pull himself up to his full height.

"I insist that Agent Gibbs handle any and all disciplinary actions pertaining to his team of agents, Mr. Secretary. I will take your recommendation into consideration and I will discuss it with Agent…"

Gibbs watched as Morrow pulled the phone from his ear and looked at it before putting it down.

"The bastard hung up on me!"

They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes.

Gibbs took a deep breath and asked "What does he recommend we do with DiNozzo?"

"He wants his badge…"

Gibbs jumped to his feet "LIKE HELL!"

Morrow smiled at Gibbs defensive stance and said "Sit down, Jethro, before you fall down!"

The Director then said "Agent DiNozzo isn't going to lose his job over this as long as I sit in this chair."

Gibbs sat, relief evident on his flushed face.

"Before you leave for the day why don't you review the Peters case reports, talk to your team and fill me in on Monday. We don't have all the facts yet."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Gibbs hit the head to splash water on his face. He should not have had those drinks on an empty stomach. He made his way to his desk. He read the note Tony left him. He picked up the Peters report and scanned it quickly. By the time he was through, he felt his head was going to explode. Tony had gone to the hospital and apologized for this fuck up. What! RULE 6 DINOZZO!

Gibbs slammed his fist down on his desk. The embers of his rage ignited. He strode to the elevator seeing red.