Disclaimer: {This space intentionally left blank}
Authors Note: Hello Mike Franks fans. I'm finally updating 'El Viejo'. Just got done with a story arc from 'A Man Walks Into A Bar'. This story is a little short. I'm still feeling my way back to Mike. I watched 'Two-Faced' the other day and this story is what resulted. Several readers of 'El Viejo' have said I made the connection between Mike, Gibbs and Tony. Back when Jenny was the Director, Abby equated Gibbs to the Daddy and Jenny to the Mommy of the dysfunctional family that is Team Gibbs. That would make Mike Franks the Grandpa. That's where the title of this story comes from. Hope you enjoy it.
Spoilers: For 'Two-Faced' and there is going to be a character death spoken of. So if you're a fan of Special Agent Barrett, sin loi GI.
Rudy's, Georgetown, Friday, Present Day, 2315hrs.
It's been three weeks since the 'Port to Port Killer' was put down by NCIS. It's been two weeks since the funeral of Special Agent E J Barrett. C I Ray is back in Miami. Special Agent Anthony 'Tony' DiNozzo is sitting at the bar in Rudy's drinking Glenlivet on the rocks. Normally he'd be drinking at Charlie's Bar, but E J's picture was already on the memorial wall and Tony was not up to seeing that sight just yet. The thought of her picture brought thoughts of her death. E J haunted Abby's lab all during the investigation. So when the Goth scientist came up with findings linking one of their suspects to the crimes followed by the location of the suspect E J'd been right there. She tossed a 'Thanks Abby' over her shoulder and went wildcatting off on her own. She only had a ten minute head start, but it was enough to get her killed. She went in without backup and the killer ambushed her and cut her throat. E J's sudden arrival spooked the killer. This caused him to panic, abandoning his usual caution. He ran right into the team, being shot dead by Gibbs. In the aftermath, Tony went on autopilot. Gibbs had McGee keep Tony out of the crime scene. Knowing instinctively what was inside Tony did not object.
After the funeral, everybody from the team came up to Tony and said a few words of condolence. Except Gibbs. He came up, gave Tony' shoulder a hard squeeze and walked away. In a way DiNozzo was glad. He knew Gibbs hadn't particularly cared for E J. As a matter of fact Gibbs told E J in no uncertain terms to stay away from Tony. Not that E J listened.
It's all water under the bridge now.
Tony downed the remaining scotch in his glass and motioned to the bartender for another. As he sipped his newly arrived drink, he felt the presence of another person to his right.
I'm really not in the mood to be sociable.
"Drinkin' by yourself is a bad sign DiNozzo."
Recognizing the cigarette and alcohol tinged voice, Tony turned his head slowly to the right. Mike Franks' scruffy weather-beaten face looked back at him impassively.
"What're you doing here Mike?"
"Talkin' to you."
"Let me rephrase. What are you doing in DC?"
Franks smiled.
"I was up in New York City takin' care of some personal business and got a call from Gibbs. So here I am."
"How did you find me?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Tony raised his hand.
"Don't bother to answer. I know, it was McGee."
Franks smiled again.
"See that, you're not just another pretty face."
While they were talking the bartender arrived.
"What can I get you sir?"
"Corona with a wedge of lime."
"Coming right up."
Tony looked at Franks.
"So the Boss called you and you're supposed to do what exactly?"
"Well, based on what Probie said, probably grab your ears and pull your head outta your ass."
"He said that?"
"Not in those words exactly, but he said you were just goin' through the motions and unless you got yourself back on track you'd get yourself or somebody else killed."
"How come he's not here making this speech?"
Mike gave the younger man a 'are you really that dense' look.
"Because he knows how much Agent Barrett meant to you. He also knows that you know he wasn't overly fond of Agent Barrett. Gibbs figured that I could talk to ya better, me being an uninterested party sorta."
Tony didn't say anything right away. The bartender returned with Mike's beer. Tony looked down at his hands wrapped around the glass of scotch. His voice was almost inaudible.
"I think she may have been the one."
Mike took a sip of beer and sighed.
"Listen Tony, I'm gonna tell you something. Everybody thinks Gibbs came up with Rule 12 because of what happened between him and Jenny."
"Well, didn't he?"
"No he did not. Back when we worked together, women were just coming into the agency. Before I retired I told Probie to never become romantically involved with a female agent. Leaving aside the fact that you'd be dealing with an armed individual who becomes emotionally unstable once a month. It's tough enough to lose your partner. But losing your partner and your lover, man that has to be devastating."
"She wasn't my partner."
Mike cocked an eyebrow.
"Outcome looks the same to me DiNozzo. Look, you wanta drink 'til your liver gets to be the size of a truck tire go ahead. But it's not gonna bring her back."
Tony looked into the older man's eyes.
"What would you do?"
"Me? I'd probably get good and drunk. Then I'd sober up and drive on. I couldn't build a boat if my life depended on it."
Tony laughed, the first one in about two weeks.
"I don't even have a basement!"
Mike put his hand on Tony's shoulder.
"Listen, why don't you put in for a week's vacation. Come down to Baja. We'll do some fishin', drink at Carlos'; you can go to the beach with Hope and build sandcastles. Clear your head."
"You serious Mike?"
Franks gave the younger man 'the look'.
"No DiNozzo, I'm blowin' smoke up your ass. 'Course I'm serious."
"Will Gibbs go for it?"
"You leave Probie to me. Put the paperwork in."
"Thanks Mike."
"Da nada. Come on, I'll ride ya home. I really need a cigarette."
As the two men left the bar, Tony felt better than he had in a month.
A/N: I've heard that there is speculation on the Web that there's going to be a death or deaths during this serial killer arc. Far as I'm concerned if anybody has to get clipped (a little Mob lingo there. Don't anybody get their panties in a bunch, I'm part Italian), Agent Barrett is a good candidate. I'm not too fond of her. Hope you enjoyed my first Mike story in a while. If so, kindly drop a review.
