NB: I do not own anything of NCIS :(
I can't find the right words to thank all of you for your reviews, favorites and alerts! Love you all! :)
A big 'Grazie!' to my BR, USA123. You're great!
I'm sorry for the delay, but the wave of hate and anger that hit NCIS cast, their families and the crew after CdP left the show, blocked me. I even thought about quitting writing and the entire NCIS fandom.
Since I didn't ship Tiva and wasn't a Ziva fan, I was happy to read that the actress won't be back on the show, but I respect all of her fans who are really upset about her choice. Honestly I found some reactions exaggerated and disturbing, but who am I to judge other people's reactions?
What I find unacceptable and extremely nasty are all of those messages that insulted and even threatened the lives of the cast members and their families. People can be sad, upset and even desperate, but no one has the right to bash and threaten other people just because an actress decided to not renew her contract.
CdP decided to not come back and no one forced her to quit the show. Respect her decision and her ex-colleagues.
End of rant... Let's start with a new chapter! :-)
- Small note: if you think that this story is too long or you do not like it anymore, you can stop reading/reviewing whenever you want. I won't hold grudge against you. :-)
"Regrets and..."
Chapter 51.
While Tony was sleeping, Gibbs, McGee and Director Morrow spent the night looking for a safe house that would allow the doctors to take care of Tony and give him a peaceful place to recover.
After eliminating all NCIS safe houses in DC, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, they decided to move their patient to the cabin that Gibbs' uncle owned in Rothrock State Park, where Gibbs and Jack had spent the days after Tony's funeral.
The cabin was on a hill, in the middle of a large meadow and was surrounded by a pine woods. Ten minutes walk from the house, there was a pond full of fish and a sparkling stream of cold, crystal clear water.
The wooden house had a kitchen, a large living room with a fireplace, three bathrooms and three large bedrooms in the back. Upstairs there was an attic that Uncle Bob used as storage but could host four beds.
It was a peaceful but lonely place: only silence, woods, animals, and fresh air that would be good for Tony's scarred lungs.
Despite the cabin being on a hill, it was hidden by the trees and thanks to its position, the neighbors were easy to monitor.
After Tony had been sedated, Brad performed a lung lavage and the surgeon removed the feeding tube in his stomach. Then Dr. Harris proceeded with the surgery on the cheekbone and the nasal septum.
Three hours after he had left his room, DiNozzo was settled back in his bed to sleep off the remaining effects of the anesthesia.
The first thing Tony noticed when consciousness broke through his foggy brain, were whispering voices...three voices.
Tony immediately recognized Ducky's gentle Scottish tone but the other two were indecipherable until one of the other men growled. Gibbs!
So we've Ducky, Gibbs and...
The voices grew louder and it became clear they were arguing. Who has the guts to argue with Gibbs beside me?
"He still needs medical assistance, Gibbs!" the unknown voice said.
Brad?!
"Jethro, Bradley is right. Our dear patient can't leave the hospital in his condition, especially after his surgery," Ducky's calm voice tried to reason.
"Duck..."
"What about his personal needs?" Brad pressed.
"What do you mean?" Gibbs asked.
"Jethro..." There was a pause before Ducky continued, "Bradley, would you mind if I explained this issue?"
"Sure, Dr. Mallard. Maybe you'll have more success than me," Brad's frustrated voice answered.
"Thank you...Jethro, Anthony still wears an adult diaper to prevent an accident if he has a seizure and I'm sure it's embarrassing enough when the nurse has to change it."
Unseen by the other men, Tony squeezed his eyes and blushed.
"He hasn't had a seizure since we brought him home and, if I know him as well as I think, I'm sure he's never used it and calls a nurse every time he needs to hit the head."
"Yeah," Brad softly admitted.
"See?!" Gibbs' annoyed voice exclaimed. "And if he can't can walk to the bathroom, he can use a bedpan or you can cath him 'till he can leave the bed and hit the head on his own," Gibbs replied.
"Who would empty them? You?" Brad raised his voice slightly. "Don't you think it would be extremely embarrassing for Tony?"
"I know Tony and I'm sure he'll recover quicker if he leaves."
"Yes, he'd push himself to his limits and compromise his recovery," Brad scoffed.
"Ducky will be there to stop him if he overdoes," Gibbs replied, completely confident in his friend's abilities.
"Jethro, you know how modest and private dear Anthony is when it comes to his health. He'll never let us help him with such issues and certainly he won't listen to me, if I..." Ducky tried to reason, but the former Marine's glare and stern voice stopped him.
"Duck," Gibbs took a deep breath to get his anger under control. "I'm not going to risk his life just to preserve his privacy... look at him!" he exclaimed in low tone but, to Tony, it sounded like a shout. "The men who did that to him are in US and looking to finish the job."
Tony's breath caught in his throat and a shiver ran down his spine. He gasped and the discussion immediately ended as Brad, Ducky and Gibbs rushed to his side.
"Tony?" Brad asked calmly as he checked his patient's vitals on the monitors.
"Anthony?" Ducky said softly as he stopped at the foot of the bed.
"Hey, Tony. Everything okay?" Gibbs' gruff but reassuring voice questioned.
DiNozzo slowly opened his eyes and blinked a few times to clear his vision.
"Welcome back, Buckeye," Brad smiled at his friend but Tony's gaze was fixed on Gibbs.
Tony opened his mouth and grimaced in pain as that action pulled on his stitches. "Anthony, you can't talk. Remember?" Ducky gently reminded him, but Tony didn't even look at him.
"Are you in pain?" Gibbs asked and Tony shook his head no.
They looked at each other for a few seconds before Gibbs understood. "You heard us, didn't you?"
Tony nodded.
"Yes," Gibbs sighed. "They're here and you're the only one who can recognize the man we think is their boss."
Tony gulped and his heartbeat quickened.
"Tony, you need to calm down or I'll have to sedate you," Brad said as he grabbed Tony's wrist to check his heart beat.
Tony jerked his hand away from the doctor's hold and gave him a trademarked Gibbs' glare. Then he turned back to his boss.
"It's too soon! You should have waited for my permission to give him this news!" Brad angrily snapped at Gibbs.
"You're upsetting Anthony, Jethro," Ducky admonished.
Completely ignoring both of them, Gibbs locked eyes with Tony. "I want to get you out of here."
Tony nodded. "I want to take you to a cabin by a lake in Pennsylvania," Gibbs explained and saw a small smirk appear on Tony's face. "What?!" he asked as he looked to Brad for clarification.
The younger doctor was wearing the same grin while shaking his head. "Cabin by the Lake is a horror movie, Gibbs. You've just made a movie refence."
Gibbs glared at the younger men and heard Ducky chuckle.
"Brad and Ducky think you should stay here and..." Gibbs began but was interrupted by Tony forcefully shaking his head. "You've heard that part too, haven't you?" After another nod from his SFA, Gibbs asked Brad and Ducky for a moment alone with his agent.
As soon as the doctors had left, Gibbs fed Tony some ice chips which the younger man greedily swallowed, then he raised Tony's bed a bit so he could sit on it.
"We need to talk," Gibbs began but, when Tony glared at him, he realized his mistake and a small smile appeared on his concerned face. "I need to know what you think about my plan. I'm not going to force you to leave the hospital if you don't feel up to it," the older man raised his eyebrows and added, "If you feel safer and more comfortable here, we'll have an army of agents protecting you and I won't leave this room for any reason."
Tony nodded and a small smirk appeared on his face. He had no doubt Gibbs' would never leave his side if he stayed here.
It was so frustrating to not be able to talk and work out a plan with his boss. Tony sighed in frustration and mimed to Gibbs he wanted to write. Gibbs handed him his pad and a pencil, then stood and moved by Tony's side so he could read what his SFA was writing.
"Who's here?"
"McGee said their names are Dupont and Napier. The first one was with the man who beat you the last time before tying a bomb to your..." Gibbs stopped because Tony was already writing again.
"U think they're here 2 kill me?"
Tony looked at Gibbs who nodded so he wrote, "The personal stuff U were talking about with D."
Gibbs was going to speak but Tony shook his head and kept scribbling.
"Would U help me?" Tony looked at Gibbs again, hope and fear of being rejected clear in green eyes.
Gibbs gently took Tony's face in his hands and said, "You don't need to ask. I'll help you with anything you need," Gibbs smiled softly. "And I'm sure you'd do the same for me."
Tony nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
"But we'll need Ducky's help too," Gibbs continued. He let go of Tony's face and added, "I really hope you can start talking again soon, DiNozzo."
Tony's eyebrows furrowed as he waited for Gibbs to finished.
"Kate was right-your writing looks like hieroglyphics!" he smirked and saw Tony glaring at him and writing furiously.
Gibbs took a look at his pad in Tony's lap and, to his great surprise, he saw that Tony hadn't written any words but had drawn 'a certain finger'. The former Marine couldn't help but give Tony a soft head slap and laugh, "Crude...but effective."
Tony grunted something that sounded like a nice invitation to go to an unpleasant place.
Gibbs glared at his SFA good-naturedly and asked, "Ready for your doctors' lecture?" At Tony's thumb up, he opened the door and announced, "He's made a decision."
"So, you finally listened to your doc and you're going to stay here in the hospital," Brad confident said as he approached his patient's bed.
"I'm afraid you are wrong, my dear colleague," Ducky calmly stated. "Anthony is going to follow his boss to Pennsylvania and there is nothing you can do or say to make him change his mind." The ME looked at Tony and a soft smile appeared on his face.
"No way!" Brad exclaimed. "DiNozzo, you've always been a stubborn and pigheaded, but this time you've got to listen to me. You can't leave this hospital," he looked straight into Tony's eyes and, realizing that his words weren't have any effect on his friend, he added, "Who's going to clean your wounds and bandage them?"
Tony's eyes shifted towards Ducky and the older man nodded.
"I thought you were my ally, Dr. Mallard!" Pitt exclaimed.
"I am and that is why I won't take my eyes off Anthony for even a minute and why I will make him follow all your instructions without exception," the ME answered with a sly grin on his face.
"But Doctor, I..."
"I am sorry Brad but I know Jethro and his protective nature, especially when it comes to Anthony," Ducky shot Gibbs a knowing look and the Marine wisely didn't argue. "Pit yourself against Jethro and Anthony together and you will never win."
"So?" Gibbs and Brad asked, while Tony growled.
"Chose the battles you can win and find a way to trick your enemies in all of the other moments of the war," the wise doctor explained. "We may have lost this battle but we can still win the war."
Gibbs and Tony rolled their eyes and sighed, realizing that Ducky would be fussing over every little thing they'd do in the next weeks.
Brad asked, "Sun Tzu?"
"No, my mother," Ducky smiled while Tony and Gibbs chuckled.
"Your mother was very wise, Duck!" Gibbs exclaimed.
"Yes, Jethro, yes she was. And she loved both of you so I can't disappoint her by not taking care of her favorite gigolo-furniture mover and her charming Gibbs with blue eyes," he smirked.
Tony drew their attention by raising a hand. Then wrote something on the pad and showed it to Ducky. The older man nodded slowly touched by Tony's words. "Thank you, my dear lad," he whispered as he squeezed the younger man's shoulder.
"Okay," Brad finally agreed. "Dr. Mallard, please follow me. You'll need quite a few items to properly care for Tony," he said as they both left the room.
Gibbs dragged over a chair and, when his friend closed his eyes, read what Tony had"told" Ducky. "I'm sure your mom is proud of you. Thanks for understanding and taking care of me."
You're something else, DiNozzo.
Tony's soft snores filled the room as he fell asleep, exhausted but with a smile on his battered face.
Sleep. You-we-are going to have an exciting day tomorrow...I just hope I'm doing the right thing...
Tony slept the whole night and woke up at the crack of dawn. Gibbs was sleeping on the recliner next to his bed and the younger man couldn't be more grateful to have the former Marine in his life. No one, except his mother, had ever been so deeply concerned with his welfare and safety.
Lori silently entered the room and Tony greeted her with a smile.
"I've heard you're going to leave us," she whispered to not disturb Gibbs.
Tony nodded as his smile grew wider.
"We'll miss you," she joked and started their morning routine. "As soon as your boss will leave the room, we'll get rid of that," she reassured her patient, gesturing with her head towards the adult diaper. A sweet smile graced her face when she heard Tony's sign of relief.
Lori proceeded to give her patient a bed bath and cleaned his wounds. "They're healing very well. Do they still hurt?"
Tony whispered a soft 'no'. "No talking," she scolded him good-naturedly as she bandaged his deeper wounds. "Your doctors would like you to try to walk before leaving the hospital," Lori informed him.
Tony looked at his favorite nurse as if she had two heads, so she added, "The sprain on your ankle was mild, so they think you can walk a bit with some help."
The nurse put her equipment on her cart, helped Tony to drink some water and checked his NG tube. "So you'll be able to go to the bathroom," she winked.
Tony's smile reached his ears and he pointed to the NG tube.
"You want to get rid of this too, don't you?" she asked and, when DiNozzo nodded vehemently, she said, "I know that Dr. Harris wanted to remove the stitches in your mouth before removing the NG tube, but now that you're going to leave the hospital maybe he'll change his plans."
Lori looked straight into Tony eyes and grinned. "Especially if you promise to behave and not talk."
Tony raised his hand made the 'scout's honor' sign.
"Good boy," she laughed softly before leaving the room.
"So, you're going to walk a bit today," Gibbs' groggy voice made Tony jump in the bed. He turned and glared at his boss.
Gibbs grinning back at him as he stood up and stretched. "Good morning, DiNozzo!"
Tony nodded his 'good morning' at Gibbs' big yawn.
"I've talked to McGee and Director Morrow last night," he started. "Early this afternoon, we're going to fly on a Navy Medical Helo to St. Margaret Memorial Hospital Heliport, in Pittsburg, and from there an ambulance, masked as an anonymous van, will take us to my Uncle Bob's cabin," he explained as he entered the bathroom to take care of his business. "McGee, Ducky, Abby and my dad will come with us," he added as flushed the toilet, washed his hands and he looked at his tired face in the mirror. "Three NCIS Agents and three FBI Agents are already there to secure the area."
The team leader walked back into the room where he found Tony writing something on his pad. He approached the bed and read the note.
"Rosa, Amira, Leyla and Mike?" Tony looked up at Gibbs.
"FBI safe house."
"R U sure?"
"Yes," he nodded.
"U and Mike?"
Gibbs gave Tony a deadly look and walked away from the bed. "Leave it alone, DiNozzo," he growled.
Tony wrote something quickly and held up the pad so Gibbs could read.
Squinting, the older man read, "He's UR friend."
"You're in that bed because of him! You died...I thought you were dead because of his recklessness," Gibbs stopped at the foot of the bed. "He left you dying in that damn house, Tony!" he shouted.
"I told him to." Tony widened his eye and growled.
"Bullsh*t! He shouldn't listen to you! It's Mike's fault you were captured. He didn't listen to you when you tried to stop him...he," Gibbs was so frustrated that he lacked the breath to express his feelings. "Mike followed those bastards without you...he went on mission without back-up!"
Tony huffed and rolled his eyes. "You do the same all the time," he hissed through clenched teeth and regretted it immediately as the motion of talking yanked on his stitches and hurt like hell. He did his best to not show his pain.
Gibbs was too pi**ed off with his SFA and also knew that, in the moment, Tony was too angry and didn't want his concern, so the former Marine pretended he hadn't seen Tony grimace and asked, "What do ya want me to do? Forgive him?!"
Tony answered with a firm nod.
"The hell I will!"
Tony threw the pad against the wall and mumbled something that sounded like an insult.
"I need a coffee," Gibbs sighed as he headed to the door and jerked it open, almost running into Abby. "Hi, Gibbs!" she happily greeted him.
"Hi," he muttered and headed towards the elevator.
"Trouble in paradise?" Abby asked, entering the room.
Tony grunted as Abby picked up the pad and placed it on his lap.
"Tell Abby," she winked and Tony started immediately writing.
Men! Abby thought, smirking.
Gibbs entered Tony's room just in time to see his friend trying to stand with the help of two nurses (a man and a woman).
"Come on! You can do it!" the older nurse encouraged him.
"I know it's hard after being in bed for so long and with all of your injuries, but you can do it, sweetheart," the second nurse coached.
Tony was panting like he had run ten miles without stopping. Behind them Abby was pushing Tony's IV pole and suffering with her friend.
When she saw Gibbs enter the room, the sweet Goth signed Do something! Help him! The Boss just nodded and moved in front of Tony who hadn't taken a step yet.
The younger man's eyes lifted to meet his and Gibbs' heart broke. Though he was pleased to see that the swelling around Tony's eye had subsided a bit, that he could catch a glimpse of green, and that the NG tube had been removed, the plea for help in Tony's eyes was physically painful to watch. Tony's face was wet with sweat, but Gibbs was sure there were some tears among the drops rolling down on his SFA's cheeks.
"No," Tony whispered barely audible as he leaned forward. "Can't!" If he nurses hadn't kept him upright, he would have fallen flat on his face.
At that moment, Brad and Ducky entered the room and instantly noticed Abby's watering eyes.
"How's he doing?" Brad whispered.
"He's not ready," Abby answered in low tone. "Stop it, please."
"Let Jethro try," Ducky adviced as he gestured with his head.
The three of them looked at the team leader who was still standing in front of Tony. "Could you help him sit on the bed, please?" he asked the nurses.
"No, sir. He needs to..." the older nurse answered but was interrupted by Dr. Pitt's voice.
"That's fine," said the doctor. "Let him catch his breath."
Both nurses followed the doctor's orders and then left the room. "We'll be in the hallway," Ducky said as he followed Brad out the door.
Abby stopped to pick her bag up but, when she was about to leave, Gibbs asked her to stay. "May I, Tony?" she asked and was happy when Tony nodded.
Gibbs sat down in front of Tony. "You don't think you can do it?" he asked, but it was more of a statement than a question.
Tony's shoulders slumped forward in defeat as he shook his head. "Tony, you can do this," Gibbs said softly.
DiNozzo looked at him, frowned, and shook his head again. "Yes!" Gibbs raised his voice. "You can."
Abby sat next to Tony and draped one arm over his shoulders. "You're the man who beat the plague," she whispered as she kissed his head. "This is a walk into the park in comparison," she added and felt Tony lean in her embrace.
"Abs is right," Gibbs agreed but, when he saw doubts in Tony's expression, he added. "Do you wanna leave this hospital?"
Tony nodded, a small spark of determination shining in his green eyes.
"You need to walk a bit or Brad won't let you leave this bed," Abby said.
"In a few hours we can be in a large cabin in the woods. No antiseptic smell or nurses that bathe you," Gibbs smirked and saw Tony doing the same. "Think about it, Tony. A real bed, fresh air, your own bathroom and a real shower."
"And we'll all be there to help you heal," Abby added.
Tony sighed heavily but a smile told Gibbs that he had hit the nail on the head.
"I've heard Jack and Ducky planning many soft but very tasty dishes and..." Abby gave her friend a mischievous grin. "I've called my Aunt Rosemary and she gave me the recipe of her special custard."
Tony's eyes widened and his once-forced smile stretched to his ears.
Seeing Gibbs' puzzled look, she explained, "It's the custard that my Aunt made for my birthday and Mr. DiNozzo here, ate the entire bowl."
Tony growled and glared at her. "Yeah, you're right. Not the entire bowl. He left me two spoonfuls: very small spoonfuls."
"Tell me about this custard," Gibbs winked at Abby as he slowly wrapped his right arm around Tony's waist and put his left hand under Tony's elbow. He felt his friend tense and whispered, "Let us do all the work. Lean on me and just think about putting one foot in front of the other."
The SFA grunted but did as Gibbs had told him, allowing his friends to help him stand. On his right, Abby had a hand under his elbow and was pushing the IV pole. "Ya know, Gibbs. My Aunt Rose's custard is just normal custard until she add her secret ingredients."
"I'm sure Tony knows them," Gibbs teased the younger man as he took his first step. "Good," he praised.
Tony was too focused on walking to acknowledge Gibbs' compliment. He felt stronger with both of his best friends by his side but... Damn! It's so hard!
"Yes, Tony knows so I guess I've got to share with you too, Boss."
"You guessed right!" Gibbs glared at her good-naturedly. Come Tony! You can do it! As soon as you can eat real food, we'll eat steak and pizza until you're stuffed. You're too thin... Geez! I can feel your ribs on your back!
"She adds cinnamon and drops of lime and tangerine juice. It's delicious, Gibbs!"
"I'm sure it is!" Gibbs smiled and felt Tony leaning on him a bit more. "Do you wanna stop?" he asked, concerned.
Tony shook his head and kept walking. "Okay, we walk to the bathroom and back. Deal?" Gibbs asked and Tony agreed.
"So, Gibbs. How is this cabin by the lake? Dead women in the water and other nice things?" Abby teased as she followed the men.
"What?!" Gibbs looked at her as if she was completely crazy.
Tony abruptly stopped and, despite Gibbs' efforts to keep them both upright, he crashed into his SFA, who groaned as his shoulder collided with his boss'. "If you wanted to stop DiNozzo, all you had to do was say something," Gibbs growled, glaring at his friend.
"Movie," Tony explained, hissing through clenched teeth.
"Oh."
"Yeah," Abby grinned.
Behind them, McGee opened the door and entered the room unnoticed.
"No, no drowned women. Just trees, meadows, animals, a stream that flows into a big lake and lots of fresh air," Gibbs described as they stopped in front of the bathroom door.
"Do you need to hit the head?" he asked Tony who nodded.
Gibbs opened the door and helped Tony to enter. "I think I'm going to see if Ducky needs me to buy some medical stuff," Abby said as she turned to give Tony some privacy. "Ya know, I don't like to look at men attending their business."
"Because you're not Ziva," McGee calmly said as he approached his friends.
Tony chuckled while Gibbs and Abby exclaimed, "WHAT?!" and looked back and forth between him and McGee.
That afternoon a Navy Helo flew from Bethesda Hospital to St. Margaret Memorial Hospital in Pittsburgh, where a fake van and an SUV were waiting for Tony, Gibbs, McGee, Ducky, Jack and Abby.
McGee drove the SUV with Abby, Ducky and Jack, while Gibbs got into the ambulance (masked as a van) with Tony.
Dr. Pitt had given his patient a sedative so Tony slept for the entire flight and woke only after the landing, when they were about to leave the hospital helipad.
Three hours after the landing in Pennsylvania, while the others were getting settled, Gibbs helped Tony take his first shower since his abduction before Ducky disinfected and dressed his wounds. Gibbs did a d*mn good job of distracting him throughout the process by making plans to take him fishing after he'd healed so, taking a shower with his best friend's help, wasn't as embarrassing as Tony had originally thought.
By the end of Ducky's ministrations, Tony was so exhausted that he collapsed onto the real bed and slept for three hours, waking just in time for a dinner of mashed potatoes and a thick shake that smelled suspiciously like grilled chicken.
"Yuck!" Tony exclaimed in disgust, just before receiving a (soft) head slap and a strict "Eat! Don't talk!" from his boss.
"If you eat all of your baby food, you can have some apple sauce with ice cream," Jack offered. Tony finished his meal without further complaints.
The older Gibbs knew that apple sauce with ice cream was one of his son's favorite desserts since he was a child, so he teased, "It's just for Tony."
Leroy's blue eyes widened and he glared at his dad. "Why?! I..."
"I told you to buy more ice cream, but you never listen to me, Leroy. Tony can eat only soft food. He needs to put some meat on his bones and Ducky, Abby and I have decided to spoil him to death."
"As if he needs it!" Gibbs scoffed.
"And speed his recovery," Jack raised his voice slightly, giving his son a strict "don't argue" look.
Gibbs turned to Tony who was sitting next to him and was regaled with one of the brightest DiNozzo grins ever. He looked around the room and saw everyone else grinning. He made eye contact with Abby, who immediately burst out laughing, and everyone else soon followed suit.
It was their first real laugh in a very long time.
Everything is gonna be okay, they thought in unison.
Motel on I-81 near Tennessee-Virginia state border.
"WHAT?!" Portman barked into his cell. "What do ya mean she's not here?"
Dupont and Napier shot up in bed before exchanging a dark glance.
"That's what I thought...and the woman and her daughter?" Portman asked, still fuming. "Yeah...Great!" he exclaimed sarcastically as he angrily knocked over the chair next to him. "Did you at least find DiNozzo?"
Dupont stood up and picked up the chair while Napier lay back down.
"He's the only one who...exactly...I still can't believe he survived," he exhaled loudly. "Yes...Okay," Portman hung up.
"So?" Dupont asked as he sat on his bed.
"Morales talked to Rivera who said DiNozzo was admitted to Bethesda Naval Hospital," Portman answered as he spread a map over the small table that sat in right corner of their room and examined it.
"How far?" Napier asked.
"Less than 400 miles," his boss answered. "Tomorrow, we drive there and kill him," he hissed.
"Is it that easy?" Napier asked and exchanged a doubtful look with Dupont.
Portman just glared at both of them, causing shivers to run down their spines.
"What if he's not there?" the French man asked.
"Why wouldn't he be there?" Portman asked, a bit surprised by the question.
"His people risked their lives to save him. Rivera said his Boss is a former Gunnery Sergeant, that he fought in Desert Storm and in Panama, and that he views DiNozzo as a son...What's his boss' name?"
"Gibbs," Napier replied.
"Yeah. Gibbs will keep him safe at all costs."
"So your point is..." Portman trailed off.
"They're Feds. They work for the Navy and they certainly know FBI and CIA Agents. If we know where he is, it's very likely they know about the incident at the border. They could even have photos of us all."
"So you think they moved DiNozzo to a safer place?" Napier asked and received a nod.
Portman stood up and started pacing the small room. Suddenly he stopped and growled, "I don't care where they hid him! I want him dead! I'll search for him for the rest of my life, even if it is the last thing I do."
You'll die, DiNozzo. I'll kill you with my own two hands.
TBC
Please let me know what you think. Reviews make me happy! Thank you. :)
Notes:
- Cabin by the Lake is a horror movie starring Michael Weatherly.
- Sun Tzu was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher.
