Disclaimers disclaimed.
Chapter XXXVIII - Spy Boy
Ziva's desire to have the case wrapped by the time the work day was over was fulfilled. Right after she left interrogation, Yaniv and the other terrorist involved in the case were formally charged and were set to be transported to GTMO to await trial for their terrorist plotting against the US government, the attempt and execution of a terrorist attack on a government building (safehouse), threats to federal agents, kidnapping and torture ... and a few more things to round up the list. In a final 'interview' that Tony did with Amadi, he gave up the location of the rest of his men that were stationed in DC. A separate team was sent to take them down and were successful in capturing all of them. Bishop and McGee, with the bomb squad, went to the storage locker that Yaniv spoke of to retrieve to last of the bombs which were then brought back to headquarters and dismantled by Abby.
By the time 1900 hit, everyone's reports were finished and it was officially time to celebrate the case being closed. And what better way for everyone to celebrate then to go to their respective homes and finally see their families? Not to mention, get some much needed sleep. As a gift for working so hard, and for having his family's back, Tony gave the team the rest of the week off and took them off of weekend duty. They had earned the five days of paid vacation and they were more than eager to take it. Before he could barely get out a proper 'good job' and 'goodnight', they had all rushed out of his office and headed out of the building.
All, except for Ziva, of course. She stood before her husband with a weary smile. Her eyes speaking just how much the day and the entire case had taken a toll on her physically and mentally. Tony pulled her close and kissed her lips softly before speaking, "What do you say we go home, have a glass of wine, and take a nice hot bubble bath sweetcheeks?"
Ziva let out a small giggle, "that sounds wonderful ..."
"But?" Tony raised his eyebrow at her pause.
"But, you made our daughter a promise to do something today which you still have yet to do." She chuckled when he rolled his eyes at the recollection of his promise to Tali. On the plane ride back to DC, he had promised to go talk to Hunter as soon as the case closed. It was a promise he rather hold off on fulfilling until tomorrow. Unfortunately, his wife had other plans to ensure he kept his word. "We wrapped the case Tony. It is time to keep your word. This is really important to Tali and I do believe it can be done, but you have to have a conversation with Hunter so he knows hope is not lost. Plus, besides Tali's request, you need to let him know about us closing the case on his father."
Tony sighed, "Ziiiiii, can't it wait until tomorrow? Visiting hours are almost over anyway and I don't feel like rushing that conversation. Plus, the kids are staying with Grandpa Gibbs tonight. We have the house to ourselves babe. I'd much rather go home with my wife, take a bubble bath, and then maybe we can do that chair thing again you did at the beach house? Along with some other activities." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as she chuckled. "Come on, my arm is feeling much better. And I'm so ready to fully have my way with my little sexy ninja." He kissed her lips again then traveled to leave a trail on her neck which elicited a soft moan from Ziva. The sound drawing a smirk on his lips when he pulled back slightly to look in her eyes again. There, he found what he was looking for— conflicted Ziva. Partly wanting to go home immediately and enjoy her husband; partly wanting to drive to the hospital so he could have the necessary conversation he promised. Naturally, he kissed her again, this time deeply with searing passion. It was always his go to move when he wanted to get his way. A move that usually worked ... usually.
"You are the director of a government agency, since when do visiting hours apply to you?" She spoke in a low tone as the both broke the kiss for air. The few seconds to get their breath back was enough for her to shake her lust and focus on what was more important. "You made a promise, now you will honor our daughter by keeping it."
"Ugh! Come on!" His whining was met with a glare. He put his hand up in surrender, "Fine. But only if you promise to do the chair thing as soon as we get home."
"I will not make promises just so you will keep your promise", she chuckled then pulled away from him to grab her bag and car keys. "Now, let's go DiNozzo!"
An hour later, after making a semi quick stop, Tony found himself walking into Hunter's hospital room and was surprised at how different the young man looked in comparison to how he remembered seeing him that night the safehouse blew up. He looked stronger and much more alert, making the reason for Tony's visit seem much easier.
"Hey spy boy!"
Hunter chuckled at the nickname and sat up to look at Tony. "You know, sir, when Tals told me that you nicknamed me 'spy boy' I partially didn't believe her. But now that you've said it, I think I owe her an apology for doubting her."
Tony let out his own chuckle, "yeah, she hates the nickname, but I think it fits." He smiled then his face turned serious. While it was good to see that the boy had a sense of humor, Tony was here on business. The look he was giving caused Hunter to straighten up more and clear his throat. It was obvious the 19 year old was intimidated. Not in the typical fearful way, but in the way that spoke to just how much respect he had for Tony ... even if they barely knew each other.
After silence had blanketed the room for a few minutes, Tony finally expressed the need for his visit. "So, my daughter tells me you don't want to go back to SASS. That you'd rather stay here as a liaison at NCIS. While I'm grateful of how cooperative you've been in helping us close out this case, I'm still just as reluctant to have you working with my agency as I was before all this started. Obviously, you are a good soldier and a skilled operative, but you're still very young. And given the circumstances with your fathe ..."
"Mohammed Amadi is not my father anymore, Sir. He's nothing more than a sperm donor to me now. I do not want to be associated with a liar and a terrorist. If you came here just to tell me that you do no want me at your agency because I had the misfortune of being conceived by such a disgusting excuse for a human, then there's really no need for us to talk. You can tell Tals you came and, in a few days, you gain tell her that SASS didn't approve. I know you only came because she asked you to, not because you really wanted to. It's okay, really Sir, I don't blame you for whatever ill feelings you may have of me now. Guess that comes with the territory now of being labeled the son of a terrorist."
Tony looked at him curiously and pondered the words of his abrupt interruption. His mind went back to the night at the safehouse again, when Hunter had asked we he should do if his father was really behind everything. It seemed he figured out his answer and dropped the man from his life. The hate in Hunter's eyes making it evident that there would never be any sort of forgiveness in the years to come. It also showed his determination to get as far away from the stigma as possible. Shockingly, it made Tony start to change his mind about why he was there.
"Listen", Tony sighed, "To be honest, despite my reservations, I came here tonight to tell you that I would try to see what I could do about allowing you at NCIS as a liaison for a little while once you get out of the hospital. The position would strictly be a desk job. Meaning no field work or interacting with suspects in interrogation, but I don't think that's fair to you." Hunter's eyes softened and Tony could see that the young officer really was hopefully he could stay, despite his angered protest that he'd figure comething out. It was clear that , behind the anger towards his father, he was a lost little boy again that needed help to find his way.
Tony knew this wasn't a time to be Director of NCIS. He needed to speak the truth, as only a real father could. So he continued, "You are not Mohammed. You are Hunter. And have no right to hinder your progression because of someone else's poor judgment and life choices. My old boss, the man that shaped me into being the man I am today, has these rules to live by and I think rule number five falls into play here."
"What's rule number five, Sir?"
"That would be, 'you don't waste good'. Given your short military background and work as an operative, I know you are highly skilled and still young enough to be trained towards be even better. I'd be an idiot not to teach you how to be the best you can possibly be. And I believe you would be an even greater asset to NCIS if you worked with us ... not just behind a desk, but also in the field and other areas of our agency. However, I also believe deserve a chance at having the life you want. You're only nineteen and spent your whole life following orders from a man who only cared about himself. He never stopped to ask you what you wanted or even needed. But, now he's going away for the rest of his life and you have to opportunity to start over. This is a clean slate for you. It's solely your choice. If you want, I can call the acting director of SASS in the morning and have your paperwork squared away by the afternoon to stay on with me at NCIS. Or, you can choose to do something else with your life. The decision is yours. So, tell me, what is it you truly want? Who do you want to be?"
Hunter only took a few seconds before he answered with a smile, "I don't want my good to go to waste Sir. I want to stay here and work with you and NCIS. I want to be a better man, a better soldier, a better spy boy."
Both men laughed at the nickname again then Tony nodded, "okay spy boy, you're unofficial officially back on a Officer Amadi, liaison at NCIS! I'll make the necessary calls tomorrow and come back to see you in the afternoon to have you sign your renewed orders. Sound good?"
"Yes Sir, thank you ... oh, and can you tell Tals I said 'thank you too'?"
Tony smirked as he pulled a phone out of his blazer pocket, "you can tell her yourself. I programmed her number and mine in there."
Hunter took the phone confused, "Wait, this is for me to keep Sir?"
"Yup! I was indecisive at first but I figured since we got blown up together, and I needed a new phone, that you probably needed a new phone too. Picked it up on my way here. Almost forgot about it", Tony chuckled. "That will also count as your official work phone so, after you get released, make sure Agent McGee and Agent Bishop get that number. I'm putting you on McGee's team as soon as you're cleared for work."
"Yes Sir. Thank you again. This means a lot to me. Not just the phone, but everything you've done and you're going to do to help me." A few tears fells from his eyes before he even realized his emotions shifting. "I promise I won't let you down."
Tony smiled and shook his hand. "I know you won't. I'm going to go now but I'll see you tomorrow. Make sure you rest up, alright? Goodnight spy boy!"
Much needed moment of filler here.
Thought Hunter deserved to know his fate.
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Anyhoo, 2 more left! How y'all feeling?
Me? I'm tired. LoL ... school's got my time jacked.
Next chapter soon come though!
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Later!
- Chide