In the Presence of Mine Enemies Chapter 38

Stiles turned from the stove and looked at Tony. He could tell Tony's mind was trying to make sense of what was happening. Stiles didn't doubt Tony was already thinking of a way to escape.

He pointed the spatula towards a bar stool across from the sink and in a commanding voice said "Sit."

Tony hesitated but his sense of self-preservation kicked in. He moved and sat down as ordered.

He at least felt safe having the kitchen island between them. Stiles continued cooking. He cracked several eggs and scrambled them in a bowl. He then poured the mixture in the sauté pan.

"Do you have any food allergies?" Stiles asked

It took a minute for Tony to find his voice. Stiles waited him out.

"No"

Stiles grabbed a handful of shredded cheese and added that to the eggs.

"Good! One thing I don't have to worry about while you are in my care." Stiles said turning around from the stove to smile at him.

Tony cleared his throat and asked "In your care?"

What the hell is Stiles playing at? He thought

"Yes, in my care. I have saved your life twice in the last 18 hours. So I feel bound to care for you."

"How is it that you "saved" my life?" Tony inquired.

"Well, I may have overdone it with the tranquilizer darts. Used too many…sorry about that. You almost choked to death on your own puke. Twice."

Well that explains the clothes Tony guessed.

"You made a mess in the back of my truck."

Tony felt pretty good physically so he wondered if Stiles was lying.

If he did stink up Stiles truck he was glad. Fucking nut job had it coming!

Tony didn't say anything. He didn't know how to respond. Tony knew Stiles was mind fucking him but since he didn't really know Stiles, he wasn't sure how he played. He opted for silence as safety.

Stiles was done with the eggs. He took down two plates and doled out the meal. He carried the plates over to the table and said to Tony:

"Would you grab the silverware? It is in the top drawer to the left of the stove."

Tony walked opposite of Stiles to keep some distance between them. He watched Stiles over his shoulder as he dug out the silver ware. Stiles sat down at the table waiting for Tony. Tony turned towards the drawer and noticed the block of butcher knives. There must have been 20 huge blades right there. He wondered if he should….

"Don't even think about it, Tony. Bring the silverware and eat. You can contemplate trying to kill me later." Stiles said it calmly, like he was casually telling a stranger the time of day. It gave Tony the creeps. And that mind reading thing…shit…just like Gibbs. Tony wondered if it was part of Marine training.

Tony moved towards the table with caution. Stiles had set Tony's plate across from him. He sat down on the bench across from Stiles and handed Stiles some silverware. Stiles reached out and accepted it with a smile.

"Thank you, Tony. Bon appetit." Stiles began to eat.

Tony watched Stiles for a moment and then joined him in the meal. The food was excellent. Tony couldn't help himself he actually said "MMMMM"

Stiles looked surprised and actually pleased. Stiles simple reaction gave Tony an angle he could use.

Tony had worked undercover many times and had worked with many types of people and personalities. He prided himself in being able to mold his personality to match the target.

Tony feared Stiles. He would not be ashamed to admit it. But Stiles had just shown his hand and Tony now had an ace up his sleeve. He would cater to Stiles pride and vanity.

He looked Stiles in the eye and gave him that DiNozzo mega -watt smile.

"These eggs are fantastic! Thanks Brick!" he said

Stiles beamed at him and then Stiles laughed. It was a carefree laugh like one you would share with a friend.

Tony laughed with him. He took another bite of his meal and stroked Stiles ego with additional praise.

But Tony's only thought was "Fuck you Stiles, it is SO on!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

By the time Gibbs had returned to the bullpen, McGee had reached Stiles landlord.

The landlord agreed to fax over a copy of Stiles lease Tuesday morning.

McGee had put out a BOLO on Stiles vehicle. He could not find any records for a cell phone for Stiles, just a land line that he didn't seem to use much. He may have a burn phone but that was not traceable. There wasn't much on Stiles laptop either. The FBI reported that they found no paperwork or address book that would bring to light any friends or family Stiles may have. The man seemed like an enigma.

Kate had returned from O'Malley's with the tapes Gibbs had requested.

While Kate was gone, Gibbs thought about how close Arlington Cemetery was to Stiles home and he thought about the dropped sword. He wondered if whatever had transpired between Stiles and DiNozzo had carried on over the wall that night. He sent Kate and McGee over to Arlington to check on that hunch.

While they were gone Gibbs took the tapes from O'Malley's and set them up to watch in a conference room. McGee would be shocked at Gibbs capability in accomplishing this. Gibbs was actually very proficient with modern office equipment. He was just really good at delegating.

There was no sound track for the O'Malley's tapes. He watched the various tapes from different angles. When he saw Abby strike Tony he himself flinched. Abby had not held back. He watched Tony catch her arm and then saw Kate get involved. It was an ugly exchange.

He thought he recognized a man behind them. He stopped the tape and zoomed in. He hit rewind and played it forward again in slow motion. Sure enough he saw Stiles move near his team. He watched Stiles watch Tony walk past him and saw him looking around before he followed him.

Stiles had targeted Tony.

Gibbs put in the tapes from the back parking lot.

Again there was no sound. He saw Tony hit the top of his car. He was obviously upset. Gibbs saw Stiles come out of the shadows. He engaged Tony in conversation. Damn! Gibbs wished he could hear what Stiles was saying to sway Tony to meet him. He could tell Tony was hesitant but then he was shaking Stiles hand. He saw Stiles begin to leave but Tony called him back. They spoke for a few more minutes and then they left separately.

Gibbs sat back and thought about everything he had seen.

There was a knock on the door. It was Kate and McGee back from Arlington.

"Boss!" McGee said "You were right. We have taped evidenced that Stiles chased Tony in the Cemetery."

McGee put the tape in and hit play. They watched Tony running across the cemetery at a break neck speed. He hid behind a tombstone. Gibbs thought of the nightmare he had had. It was an eerie feeling knowing he had dreamed almost exactly what he was seeing on this tape.

Tony had kept in the dark but there was Stiles frantically searching for him.

Kate shuddered and said "Tony must have been really freaked out."

"I am freaked out for him just watching this." McGee added

They saw Tony dart past the Kennedy grave and a few minutes later there was Stiles.

There was footage of Stiles doubling back. No further footage existed of DiNozzo.

"Security staff did a thorough search of all the tombs, Arlington House, the grounds and all buildings looking for Tony. Thankfully they found nothing."

Gibbs said "I think Tony must have doubled back, possibly along the wall behind Arlington House. Stiles must have been waiting for him when he got back to their starting point."

"The dart had Tony's DNA on it. Let's say Stiles got him with the dart, Tony pulled it out but he succumbed to the drug and Stiles kidnapped him." Kate surmised

Gibbs nodded and said "It is a good theory. We have the evidence he was after Tony. The big question we need to answer is where are they now?"