Chapter 25

A/n I just wanted to explain that most of this chapter is in flashback. The reason is because the story is being brought back to present day where the story started at. And also thanks for the reviews and story alerts. And as always please read and review!!

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April 9 2011

MTAC Present Day

Gibbs was still standing up in MTAC watching the video of Tony. He hoped that Ziva and McGee would eventually get a hit on the Bolo for Tony's car, bank account, or at least his credit card. Gibbs was so desperate that he started the footage again looking for some kind of sign from Tony. He also hoped that Abby would get a match on the identities of the two persons with Tony. His wish was that this would produce the lead that would take them to Tony.

Flash Back (Earlier today)

Squad Room

The whole team had been working night and day since their visit to Tony's apartment. McGee and Ziva had spent their days contacting Tony's friends. They were even checking with Tony's friends and contacts with Baltimore and Metro PD's with no luck whatsoever. There was not a single hit on any of the Bolos that they had put out in regards to Tony. Then about an hour later Gibbs received a call asking him to come up to the director's office.

Director Vance's Office

One hour later

Gibbs hurried up the stairs to Vance's office. He was hoping that it had something to do with Tony's whereabouts. Cynthia motioned for Gibbs to come on through. Gibbs knocked on the closed door and Vance called him inside. He was shocked to see FBI Agent Mathew Thompson sitting opposite him.

"What in the hell is he doing here Leon?" Gibbs demanded "You better have some information about my agent."

"Agent Gibbs" Vance demanded back "I think that you need to hear what Agent Thompson has to say!"

Agent Thompson hesitated before speaking. But the glare from Agent Gibbs told him that he better start talking right away.

"Agent Gibbs, Agent DiNozzo has been involved in an undercover operation with the FBI since last October. Now, I can't give you any details expect that Agent DiNozzo approached us last August to offer his services to me. He came to me after the murder of that marine that was found at that bar in Manassas. As you know, the place was one of the many businesses owned by Ivan Rustav."

"Why in the hell are you just informing me of this now?" Gibbs yelled.

"The reason why we didn't come to you was because Agent DiNozzo specifically asked that you or NCIS not be brought into this. He said that it was personal and that he would come to you when he was ready. He said that he was handling this himself." Agent Thompson answered.

"Leon" Gibbs insisted "So why is the FBI here today?"

"Agent Gibbs" Vance answered "Agent Thompson is here because the FBI had lost contact with Agent DiNozzo two days ago."

"How in the hell could you have lost a federal agent" Gibbs yelled getting up to approach Agent Thompson "And why did you wait until now to inform us of this?"

"Agent Gibbs" Agent Thompson answered backing away from him a few steps "I didn't say anything yet was because I had just learned we lost the GPS that was planted on his car and in his cell phone last night. I apologize, Agent Gibbs for not coming to you sooner but I was accommodating Agent DiNozzo's request to not talk to you. I was under the assumption that you were aware of what was going on Agent Gibbs."

"No" Gibbs replied "DiNozzo had not made me aware of what he was doing. In fact no one has told me anything. Leon, did you know anything about this?"

"I didn't Agent Gibbs. As a matter of fact, I just learned about all of this now. Do you have anything else Agent Thompson? Vance asked.

"That's all the information that I can give you. This operation is still going on and there are more lives that are at stake here. One of them is very personal to Agent DiNozzo and myself. The other one is still in hiding at the moment. He is safe for the time being, but I can't say for how long. He is coming out of hiding in hopes of finishing the operation and guaranteeing the safety of everyone involved. We have agents searching for Agent DiNozzo as we speak. And we could certainly use your help at the moment."Agent Thompson replied.

"Just be sure keep us in the loop. And I want to know anything and everything that you have first" Gibbs replied "I need to let me team know what is going on so we can start the search for him. And I want the video feed sent up to MTAC now!"

Gibbs was about to leave the room when a voice from behind him caused him to turn around.

"Agent Gibbs, there is the strong possibility that he has gone into hiding like I advised him to. Of course, when I initially made the offer to him he immediately refused it. But he almost actually backed out until he mentioned that he was going to go you for help. I'm actually surprised that he didn't."

"That was my fault Agent Thompson." Gibbs answered "My phone was off so I never received the call."

Gibbs walked out the door without saying a word leaving Vance and Agent Thompson surprised.

"I'll call you when and if I hear anything Leon. I am going to check on a few leads myself and I'll get back to you and Agent Gibbs either this afternoon or by 0700 in the morning. My contact is very hard to get a hold of. She's undercover herself."

"Do whatever you can Matt. Don't take anything Agent Gibbs the wrong way. He's just very worried about his agent. Just do whatever you can. Let me know who I can help you." Vance picked up his phone as he watched his old friend leave. He sent the feed up to MTAC with the request that the control officer contact Gibbs when the feed is ready.

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Squad Room

Gibbs walked down to the Squad Room. He'd just told his team that Tony had just admitted guilt to several serious crimes. Now he had to tell them that Tony was missing and possibly dead. He silently slipped down the steps where his team was desperately searching for any clue. He took several deep breaths and called to his team. But before he could say anything Abby voiced her concern.

"Gibbs, what did Vance want? Does he know where Tony is? Is he okay? Please tell us what is going on."

"Abby" Gibbs exclaimed "I was just up in the director's office with Special Agent Thompson from the FBI. I have some news. McGee, is Ducky on his way?"

"I am here Jethro. What do you need Jethro?" Ducky asked.

"Like I was saying, I have some news about DiNozzo. Now listen to me before anyone says anything. I've just learned that Tony has been working undercover with an undercover unit of the FBI since last October. He actually volunteered for the assignment last August. He's been working under the supervision of Agent Thompson since then. And the reason why we were never made aware of this is because Tony asked for us to not be involved. Apparently there was a personal reason for this that I was not made aware of. I guess also that he had gotten worried about following through with the plan because the night before he was arrested he had repeatedly tried to contact me. But my phone was off and I hadn't realized that he had called until that morning. But the reason why Agent Thompson was here is because Tony has gone missing."

Unable to wait any longer Abby started talking again. "What do you mean Gibbs? Tony is undercover? But I thought that…." Abby suddenly covered her mouth. She had forgotten about their conversation. Now she almost broke his confidence.

"Abby" Gibbs asked "But you thought what?"

"Nothing Gibbs. Never mind what I just said. I was thinking about something else." Abby stammered.

"Abby" Gibbs asked again "You need to tell me what you were about to say. It might help us find Tony. So you need to tell us now!"

"Well, after you asked me to talk to Tony a month or so back he called me and said he needed to talk. He kinda told me that he was working undercover. It had something to do with Ivan Rustav and Elena Korovsky. But he didn't tell me any more than that. I swear that's all I know."

"That's okay Abby" Gibbs said consolingly "I just wish you would have come to me sooner. But I am sure there was a reason. Now like I said, Tony's gone missing. Apparently the FBI lost the GPS tracker on his phone and on his car. We need to focus on doing everything we can to find him."

"Jethro" Ducky asked "Why were we not that Tony was missing earlier."

"Because they just realized late last night the both GPS's were dead." Gibbs answered "All I know is that the FBI is searching for him using all of their resources. Now what it could be is that Tony has gone into hiding like one of the other agents involved in the operation has had to. And he very well could have disabled the GPS so he couldn't be found right now. But now McGee and Ziva, I need you to update the Bolo on Tony's car and put out a missing person Bolo on Tony. Ducky, any help you and Palmer can provide is needed. I'll be up in MTAC waiting for a video feed of Tony. If I find anything I'll let you know."

Gibbs walked away leaving everyone in shock. Ducky nodded at everyone to get back to work as he excused himself to head back to Autopsy.

End Flashback

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MTAC

Gibbs was about ready to leave MTAC. He was determined to find out who the two other people in the video feed were. It had been over an hour since Ziva had left with the instructions to have Abby find out who the two people were so Gibbs decided to go and check for himself. Gibbs stormed out of MTAC and rushed down to Abby's lab. When he got there Abby was busy watching her computers waiting for a match. Ziva and McGee were also busy at work sitting at Abby's desk. Gibbs walked over to Abby and put his arms around her comfortingly. Abby turned around and started to talk again before he could.

"Gibbs, I just got the photos uploaded so I have nothing new for you. But I'm sure we'll get a lead soon."

"Good work all of you. Give yourselves a couple more hours then head home. I don't need to see any of you until 0700 tomorrow. Come back fresh in the morning." Gibbs said as he left the room. He was going to go home to put a few hours into his boat but decided to take a detour at the last minute. He waved goodbye as he walked out of the lab.

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A park in Georgetown

A young woman was sitting anxiously on a park bench waiting for a friend to arrive. She'd just gotten the news about Tony and had been in a panic. If Rustav had taken him, he was sure doing a good job at keeping it from her. He was hoping that Matt would be bringing Tony back to her. In fact she had herself almost convinced that that was going to happen until he pulled up in a car alone. He got out and rushed over to her.

"Have you found him Matt? I can't get a hold of him anywhere. I've even been to his apartment. He hasn't answered any of my messages because I've checked already. But the papers are in his safe. He hid it really well because I almost couldn't find it."

"I am so sorry!" Matt exclaimed "I don't have anything new. I left NCIS several hours ago. They know about the operation but your cover is still intact. Have you heard from Mike yet?"

"I did" Andrea said "I finally got a hold of him. He was a little worried about coming out of hiding but he's going to check with his contacts first thing tomorrow. He is also going to keep watch on Tony's apartment. If I know Rustav, Tony probably is dead with a bullet in his back. Damn it Matt, I warned him. But if we get him back alive he won't here the end of it from me. Just find him please."

"Don't worry Andrea" Matt assured "We'll find him. Just keep a low profile and like Tony always says watch your six. Oh and have Mike call me when he comes back. Go and get some sleep or you won't be any good to anyone."

"I will." She said as she walked away. She hopped into the car not realizing that Matt had not moved from his spot. If she had, it would seem like he was waiting in hopes that Tony would just show up.

To be continued