Section 71

Helen's eyes were still noticeably red when the group returned. Without a word, Vance opened a desk drawer and hander her a bottle of Visine™. "Sorry, sir."

"I totally understand." Vance took in the envelope she was clutching. Looking around, he noticed the others were focusing on Tony. "Last night, I was at their home for dinner. Knowing that regardless of what might happen to me, Kayla and Jared are taken care of…"

"You, too?" Helen was amazed. Tony and her boss' relationship was tentative most of the time.

"Retirement taken care of, kids' education and set up in life. They created a scholarship in Jackie's name." Vance shook his head. "They set up trusts for the whole team and Fornell and his daughter."

Helen chided him softly. "I told you Tony was a good man."

"I'm glad that I started seeing another side before last night. If I hadn't, I'd have wondered what he wanted in return." Vance admitted. "It took a lot of guts to turn Senior over. Just two weeks off the job and the closure rate is down throughout the department. So, go ahead, tell me you told me so."

"He is such a good person. I hate that he has to go through this. One scumbag for a father is bad enough." Helen was irate over the situation.

"You're right about the two of them." Vance volunteered. "Last night, I had the chance to watch them together. They won't be divorcing. They're good for each other. He smooths some of Gibbs hard edges, Gibbs tones downs Tony's personality."

"Told you." Helen smiled as Vance just rolled his eyes.

"Present time." Tony smiled brightly and held up the bag, as he tugged Jethro towards Helen.

Over the next few hours, as Abby wired Tony and they did audio/visual checks, Tony kept the conversations light. They talked about the souvenirs that he and Gibbs brought for Helen and Diana. Abby showed off her own bag to Helen. They talked about Palermo. Zuma was petted and cuddled before he fell asleep in his stroller, totally exhausted. They didn't talk about Mabus.

"Tony." McGee's voice cut through the chatter. "It's time."

Vance watched his agent carefully. Now that Mabus wasn't whispering in his ear, it was easier to see the mask. Those few words had cut straight through the playboy façade and Vance could see the competent, dedicated agent.

"You do not have permission for anything...that includes getting hurt and/or dying." Gibbs stepped in front of his senior agent. "If anything looks or feels strange, you get out. Do you understand?"

"Yes, boss." Tony gave him a smirk. "Any input from the Gibbs' gut?"

"I don't like this."

Tony understood that this was his husband, not his boss, talking. "Jethro, I'll be fine. In just a bit, this will be over."

"I still don't like this. I would feel better if you went in with an earpiece."

"You have expressed your opinion, several times, Gibbs." Vance said dryly. "Shall we do this?"

"Tony…" Abby stood in front of him.

"It's okay, Abs. Watch Zuma for us, Auntie Abby."

"Keep your ears and eyes on, McWatcher."

McGee simply rolled his eyes and refocused on the screen in front of him. He had earwigs and microphones to keep in touch with the FBI's group. "Fornell's team is in place. Bob Mincef and I are on a dedicated, secure connection. We have the greenlight."

"Let's get this done." Tony said and strolled out of the office.

Seemingly, casual, Tony glanced around the third level as he exited the elevator. Mentally he reviewed the placement of the team and moved slowly towards the area that they had outlined as the best area for coverage. The hair on the back of his neck prickled and Tony leaned casually against a column hoping to hear Mabus' footsteps.

"I expected Gibbs to accompany you." Mabus approached from behind another column.

"Sir, you asked me to come alone."

"Let's cut to the chase, DiNozzo or should I say son?"

"Sir?"

"Don't try to fool me, I know Gibbs told you about his little visit to my office this morning and his little ultimatum." Mabus looked at him coldly.

Rather than bluff as Fornell had outlined, Tony realized that Mabus was so confident and arrogant that he needed to come from a place of power; so he attacked. "Jethro is a man of honor. Unlike you, he doesn't believe in lying."

"Saint Gibbs, how touching." Mabus sneered.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Mabus looked a bit off guard.

"Director." McGee said sharply. "Agent Mincef is indicating we have an issue."

"Report." Gibbs said sharply.

"Someone embedded a Trojan Horse that acts like a backdoor into Agent Fornell's teams' computers that… Sorry, boss." McGee stopped the technical explanation. "Someone is getting copies of our transmissions. Bob Mincef is trying to shut them down but…"

"Has the mission been compromised?"

McGee was typing frantically. "I'm trying to do a trace."

"Agent, are we compromised?"

"Damn it. I knew we should have had an earpiece." Gibbs snarled.

"McGee, talk to me. Do we shut this down?"

"Sir, if we do, they'll know."

"Gibbs, get back here, Gibbs!" Vance hollered after his MCRT lead agent. Zuma woke and began barking frantically. "Abby, shut him up! Helen, I want Comey now. McGee, I want to know who's getting the link and shut them down now."

"Working on it, sir."

"Director Comey, sir." Helen held the receiver out to Vance.

"I want Palmer on stand-by."

"Yes, sir."

"Comey, we're aborting. Gibbs is on his way to level three." Vance grit his teeth. "Your end of this operation has been compromised. This is my agent who is at risk. I don't care if the risk assessment is low."

"Sir."

"McGee."

"I've traced it."

"Give me a name."

"Sacks, sir. The copies are going to Special Agent Ron Sacks, DHS."

"Find him."

"I did, sir."

"Spit it out."

"He's in the parking garage." McGee was already rising, gun in hand, as Abby slid into his chair to take over monitoring.

Helen handed Vance his own firearm. "Comey, shut it down. Now!" Vance slammed down the phone. "McGee, I've got your six. Move it."

In the confusion, no one noticed a little blur exiting the room.

Sacks tried Mabus' number again. He had been trying to phone and text him for the last hour. He cursed the case that had kept him out of the office this morning. Upon returning, Sacks and Maison had to complete the paperwork and interrogation. By the time Sacks had a chance to check the virus he had paid a hacker to plant and had noticed the information coming from Fornell's team, it was too late for him to stop the investigation. Immediately, he tried to warn Mabus. His secretary had indicated he had taken the day off and couldn't be contacted. Cursing silently, he tried the call again but the stairwell didn't have any service.

"Why Brigida? I know how you operate, but wasn't she a bit old for your taste."

Mabus laughed cruelly. "It was a different world in 1972. The whole free love movement hadn't caught on worldwide. The teens in Italy were monitored more closely. I met Matteo through my work, he was a prominent businessman. I saw his daughter Rosina and immediately set my eyes on her." Mabus leered. "Of course, she was already married to DiNozzo so I had to set my sights lower."

Tony clenched his jaw, which Mabus noticed. "Come on, I know your type and you've met your mother. Tell me you wouldn't have tried to pull her unless you were desperate. Poor Brigida. Now she was desperate, just picked up the bread trail I left for her. Of course, after the fact, she developed a conscious. I called to 'check on her' and she wouldn't even take the call. All the work for a one-nighter." Mabus shook his head in disgust. "I managed to get transferred back to Rome. That's when I found out she was pregnant."

"Never occurred to you to take responsibility?"

"For giving an old maid the night of her life. She should have been more careful. Then she did one smart thing, she gave you to DiNozzo and his wife. They brought you here where I could keep track of you."

Sacks emerged slightly out of breath from the stairwell. "It's a trap. You need to get out of here quick."

"What are you talking about?"

"They are all in on it."

"You're working with Sacks?"

Mabus smirked at Tony. "Working with him? Hardly. But at least I have one child who isn't a horrible waste of DNA."

Tony turned to look at Sacks. "You're his son?"

"Of course. After your mother ruined his marriage, my mother took us away from him. She even changed our names to her maiden name. When I was in my teens, Dad got in touch with me. He couldn't get custody but he's been helping me ever since. We can't announce it yet, but once I'm head of the agency; we won't have to hide anymore."

"Won't work that way," Gibbs drawled coming up behind Sacks. "There'll always be an excuse to not come out won't there, Mabus? I mean, you set Tony up to be killed by René Benoit. Got another little accident planned for Sacks?"

"What is he talking about, Dad?"

"He's just trying to trick you."

"You know me better than that, Sacks. Walk away now, before you get involved."

"It wasn't my mother who broke up his marriage."

"Liar. If it wasn't for you and her, my parents would still be together."

"Funny, we were having a little talk before you arrived. It wasn't my mother who chased him, he was the seducer."

"Don't listen to him, Ron. He's trying to distract you."

"You're right, Sacks. I am wired and I have it all on tape."

"Dad?"

Mabus pulled a gun and aimed it at Tony. "I should have taken care of you years ago."

Gibbs and Sacks drew their guns, too. They were arranged in a semi-circle around Tony. Mabus focused on Tony, but Sacks alternated between Gibbs and Tony. Gibbs took a couple steps edging closer to Tony.

"Freeze, Gibbs, or he dies right here."

"Don't be a fool, Mabus. You'll go down for murder."

"I had it all planned," Mabus pointed the gun at Gibbs. "You think you caught me off guard this morning? I've been planning for this ever since that idiot arrested DiNozzo."

"My mother told me he wasn't a legal citizen."

"Your mother is a bitch that should have been put down years ago."

"No. You love my mother." Sacks shook his head in disbelief.

"I married your mother because she said she was politically connected. What did I get? A junior internship? And your mother popping out kids like a rabbit. Too stupid to take the contraceptive." Mabus shook his head. "Then she thought I would fight for custody? I told her to take the lot of you. You're all weak, just like her."

"No… You told me how much you loved her. How much you missed raising me."

"Oh, please. I've watched you versus DiNozzo for years. He's outshone you every step of the way. You can't even handle a simple murder case."

"It's you." Mabus turned back to Tony when he spoke. "You're the one that's kept the feud between Sacks and NCIS going."

"All I had to do was point the fool at you and tell him how you and your mother ruined his life." Mabus laughed. "He licked it up like an animal."

"Why send me afloat?"

"Where's a terrorist attack when you need one?" Mabus shrugged. "Figured you would get so desperate for a bitch that you would either screw around on the ship and I could can you or you'd resign and move on. I told Shepherd to put you undercover. Then I contacted Benoit. The fool didn't want to hurt his daughter."

"So you did plan my death?"

"So many times. Then you come down with the plague. I mean, it was a gift and then you survived. Who survives the plague?"

"What was this, then? Why the meeting charade?"

"Why, I called DiNozzo and asked to talk to him about a case. While we were meeting, you burst in, in a jealous rage. You hit DiNozzo and I pulled my gun but couldn't stop you pulling yours. You were unreasonable and shot DiNozzo in cold blood. I had to shoot you in self-defense. My problems would be all wrapped up."

"They wouldn't have bought that." Tony said definitely. "They know Gibbs."

"They knew Gibbs the marine, not Gibbs the homo."

"You are a complete asshole." Tony stared at him unbelieving the depths of the man's depravity. "What about Sacks?"

"He's useful."

A brown blur caught Tony's eye and he let out a cry. "Zuma."

Startled Mabus tried to grab Tony but missed when he leaned over to grab a dog. His gun cocked, "Drop it, Gibbs." Mabus said as he was in arm's reach of Tony. "Back up or I kill him now."

"Dad?"

"Shut up, you moron." Mabus snarled at Sacks. "You ruined everything."

"I was trying to save you from a trap."

"I gave you the money to have that program installed. All you had to do was monitor it. You couldn't even do that right. You're as useless as your mother."

"Secretary Mabus, drop the gun." McGee called out exiting the stairwell with Vance right behind him. "You're under arrest."

Vance was aggravated that Fornell's team had not moved in. What was Comey waiting for? Vance pointed his gun at Mabus. "Jarvis, you are surrounded. Drop your weapon." Disgruntled, FBI agents emerged, guns drawn.

"I am Secretary of the Navy. I am your supervisor. You will drop your weapon." Mabus was arrogant and confident. Who did they think they were talking to?

"Not going to happen, Jarvis. This goes over your head. Hegal himself is overseeing this case."

"Hegal? He couldn't find his ass in a breeze. I run the department. I control it. Now drop your weapons. And shut that damned dog up." Mabus swung his gun erratically. "I will put a bullet right through both of you."

Tony whispered to Zuma trying to calm the pup down. Zuma was frantically emitting whines and small barks. "Let me try." Gibbs used the excuse to try moving closer to Tony.

"I said stay where you are or I will kill him, Gibbs. Do you want me to put a bullet in his brain?"

"You won't leave here alive." Gibbs said firmly. "I will end you."

"You can't do a thing to me. I am the Secretary of the Navy. I have autonomy and immunity."

"No, you don't, Jarvis. You kill an NCIS agent, you will spend the rest of your life in jail or die. No court will let you off." Vance said calmly.

Mabus screamed and turned the gun on Vance. "You can't touch me."

"Jarvis, warrants for your arrest have already been issued. Everyone knows about the reports showing the dealings of DiNozzo and Benoit. They know you were involved in the Benoit operation. You are going down. Don't add murder to that charge. They will give you the death penalty. Don't let that ruin your legacy." Vance tried to persuade the now irrational man to give up.

Mabus' face twisted in anger and his gun moved erratically. "Well, if I go down, I won't be going down alone."

Later, it would take the video review to really put the next few seconds into perspective. At the time, those involved were too busy reacting. There was the high pitched squeal from Zuma, several cries of pain and multiple gunshots. When it ended, McGee was on his earpiece immediately. "Agents down, we need medical now. Roll ambulances. I repeat we have agents down."

Section 72

Gibbs holstered his gun and rushed to Tony's side. Blood was spreading across his shirt and Tony was gasping for air. "No… respect… for… the… suit…"

Gibbs was busy trying to bare the area. "Don't try to talk. Let me see."

"Zuma?"

"On it, Tony. Just lie still." McGee called.

Vance was at Mabus' side and had kicked away his gun. McGee knelt down next to the puppy and winced. "Come on, Zuma. Come to Uncle McGee." Zuma whined. "Drop it, Zuma." McGee used the same tone and technique that Gibbs used. "Come on, drop it." McGee tapped Zuma's nose finally getting the pup to release the death grip he had on Mabus' privates. "Shame on you. You don't know where that's been." Picking up the pup he carried him to Tony's side where Zuma struggled to get down.

Then, Palmer was there. "Hey, Tony. Just relax."

Tony was getting his breath back. "Relax, Autopsy Gremlin. Just a through and through. One of those FBI idiots hit me from behind. It clipped the vest. How's Zuma?"

"He's fine. You may have to disinfect him though."

"Why?"

Gibbs smirked. He had seen Zuma's lunge from Tony's arms. The pup had earned him a lifetime of the best dog food money could buy. When he was a little older, there was a steak with his name on it. "It appears that Zuma decided to assist in the take down. He latched on to Mabus and wouldn't let go."

"He bit him?"

"Oh, yeah." Gibbs and McGee exchanged smirks.

"Did he draw blood?"

"I'm not checking." McGee shook his head.

"It appears that Zuma tried to take revenge for his grandmother and latched on to the instrument for revenge."

Tony's eyes widened. "He bit his…"

"Yep." Gibbs smirked. "Latched on and held on tight."

Palmer chortled. "I am not treating that."

"Poor Zuma." Tony held him awkwardly. "Help me up."

Palmer started to dissent. "Hey, Black Lung, I've had a lot worse. Help me up."

Managing to make it to his feet, Tony leaned heavily on Gibbs while Palmer moved to check Mabus. Ducky was kneeling by another body as the sound of approaching ambulances could be heard.

"Who is it?" Tony looked around for the team members.

"It's Sacks."

Tony started staggering forward. Ducky was holding gauze to the wound and speaking softly. When he looked up at Tony's approach he gave a slight shake of his head. Tony sank down next to his longtime nemesis. "Hey, Sacks." Taking a pad of gauze, Tony wiped away a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. "So, you're my big brother. I have to say you haven't really done a good job to this point. When you get better, I expect you to take me to a Nationals' game. I want a pennant, popcorn, peanuts, a hotdog, beer and a pretzel. They better be good seats, too."

Sacks tried to talk and more blood bubbled out. Tony just casually wiped it, "No arguments, I think you owe me. Let's see forty-four years of birthday and Christmas gifts and a wedding present. I expect a really good birthday gift this year." Tony could feel Gibbs hand on his shoulder. "Oh, and hey, this is your nephew. Ron, meet Zuma. Zuma, this is your Uncle Ron." Zuma squirmed out of Tony's arm and snuggled against Sack's side. The pup cocked his head looking at him inquisitively.

"Zu..ma." Sacks coughed and Tony patiently cleaned his face, taking the fresh gauze Ducky handed him.

"Yep, and he expects presents, too."

"I…did..n't…"

"Hey, don't worry about it. I know how bad parents can screw you up. He lied to you, to me, to everyone."

Sacks struggled to lift his hand and Tony immediately took it. "Mom… didn't…"

"Your mom only knew what he said. Since he was a lying, cheating bastard; we'll start over."

"Tell…mom…"

"Hey, just relax. The ambulances are coming. You can tell her yourself." Tony felt Gibbs'

hand tighten.

"Li..ar.." Sacks coughed again, the blood becoming more of a stream.

Grabbing more gauze, he tried to stem the flow of the blood. "That's not nice. You're acting just like a brother. Minute you get out we are so doing a bar night. Give Abby a shot at you." The blood stopped and Tony focused on his face. "Sacks, hold on. Sacks? Ron?"

"I'm sorry, Anthony." Ducky reached forward and closed Sacks' eyes.

"Who?"

Gibbs helped Tony to stand and picked up Zuma. Tony tried to rub the blood off his hands. "Mabus."

Tony's face contorted in anger and he turned towards his biological father. Fornell came to Tony's side. Tony looked towards Mabus in anger. He could see the paramedics working on his wounds. "Will he live?"

Fornell shrugged. "He took a couple bullets. They're trying to stabilize him to get him to surgery. They've called for a helicopter."

"I want to talk to him."

Without a word, Fornell cleared a path. The paramedics raised the gurney in preparation for taking the elevator to the roof to meet the helicopter. When a paramedic went to protest, Fornell stated decisively. "This is his son. He deserves the chance to say good-bye in the case…"

The paramedic let Tony slide in beside him. "Helicopter's ten out."

"This won't take long." Tony looked down at Mabus. He was on oxygen, obviously in pain but most important, he was conscious. "You killed him. You killed your son. Do you even care? You shot him in cold blood. Like he was nothing. You murdered your own son." Tony leaned closer. "When you go on trial, I will be there. Every second. Every day. I will testify and I will help put you on death row. When they execute you, I will be there. Looking in your eyes as you die. If, for some ungodly reason, they let you go, I will be there waiting… Do you understand me? You are going to die and I will be there. Get him out of here."

Gibbs put his arm around Tony as a paramedic stepped up. "Agent DiNozzo, we need to examine you. If you'll come with me."

Palmer diverted the paramedic and sent him on his way, assuring him that he would handle the wounded man's treatment. Tony smiled at him in gratitude. It lasted until Palmer produced a wheelchair for the trip to autopsy. When Tony frowned, Palmer simply pointed at the ambulance and then the wheelchair.

Fornell shook his head. "Tony, this whole thing went FUBAR. They had a program that copied the server. Comey put finding a mole ahead of the op."

"Sacks… His mother…"

"I've already told Comey I will be informing her personally."

"I want to meet her."

"Tony…"

"Jethro, I have to. I held his hand as he bled out. I want to meet her."

"I'll do the best I can." Fornell promised. "Formally, Agent Patterson will also be on desk duty until he completes another cycle of gun safety and target acquisition. He clipped you aiming for Sacks."

"Sacks? He wasn't…"

"If I have my way, he'll be riding a desk till I retire. This job is hard enough without the good guys shooting you from behind. I better head over to Clarissa Morgan's and tell her about Ron before it leaks to the press. I'll stop by later to check on you. Gibbs." The two men nodded and then Fornell walked away.

McGee stepped up to take Zuma while Gibbs and Palmer assisted Tony into his chair.

Tony looked at Vance and held out a hand to shake. "So McGee, you managed to get the Director to watch your six. Good backup. Thanks, Director."

"Have to look out for my best team." Vance turned to lead the team back to his office.

"So McWatcher, want to explain how my little angel ended up on the third floor of the garage?"

McGee looked at Tony and then the pup. "No." He walked off, following Vance.

"He's learning." Gibbs smirked. He smiled at Zuma laying up over McGee's shoulder watching to be sure his humans were following.