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Chapter Four : Fears
"It really doesn't bother you?" Kate asked about halfway through the so far silent drive back to NCIS HQ.
"What?" Tony asked as he looked over at her.
"That Gibbs never told us," Kate said, sounding slightly annoyed.
"Gibbs never talks about himself," Tony said. "Even when I was staying at his house I never found out he had a daughter. He spent all his time working on his boat. You have no idea how happy I was when I found a new apartment."
"Why did you stay with him any ways?" Kate inquired, glancing at him before returning her gaze to the traffic in front of them.
"It was my only choice. I didn't want to sleep in a coffin," Tony relied simply, a pained look on his face at the thought.
"But you never saw or heard anything about her?" Kate asked, wondering how Tony, a former detective and now NCIS agent, had not noticed something in the two years he's spent working with Gibbs.
"If I'd have known about her I would have said something. Plus I would have been much more careful last night," he muttered the last part, more to himself but Kate heard it, a smirk showing on her lips.
"Does she seem to young to be CIA?" Kate inquired, changing the direction of the subject a little, her secret service training kicking in.
"I guess," Tony said, pondering the question. "It does seem strange that she would be working a case like this at twenty-three. I have no reason to doubt her story, after all, Gibbs did not say anything."
Kate nodded, knowing Tony had a good point. "Do you dislike her?" The sound of Tony's voice brought her back to the present.
"What?" Kate asked in confusion.
"This morning," Tony explained, "when she came into the office, you - the way you reacted made it seem as if you disliked her."
Kate stared at Tony. He had a point, when she first met Angela she had not been sure what to make of her. She certainly hadn't liked the way she showed up but actions made much more sense after finding out who she was. And Abbey and Ducky seemed to like her, and, despite their quirks Kate had begun to trust there opinion of people.
Kate still have questions but she would save those until she talked to Gibbs and Ange. "I haven't known her long enough to get a fair opinion of her," Kate finally said, deciding to go the safe route.
Tony screwed up his face a little in confusion, "What does that mean? You're saying you didn't like or dislike her this morning?"
"She was strange this morning. And then the CIA thing," Kate explained, her voice trailing off, "I don't know Tony, I need to have some questions answered."
"Her last name is Gibbs, Kate. Of course there are going to be questions," Tony told her.
"When do you think they'll get back?" Kate asked.
"Who knows, if she's anything like Gibbs at a crime scene, they could be there for days."
o o o o The Crime Scene o o o o
Gibbs and Angela checked the rest of the house for fingerprints or evidence the killer may have left. Neither was surprised when the search had turned up nothing.
"He's good," Gibbs said as he took a final photograph of the carpet near the back door.
"That's what worries me," Ange said a mix of pride and fear in her voice that did not go unnoticed by her father.
"What is it, Ange?" he questioned.
"She's not my only agent," though it was true, she had tried to avoid the real answer to his question.
"And?"
"And the killer is good. Very good. And very upset," she told him, sinking into one of the armchairs they had already photographed. "Whom ever it is knew what Mark and Katrina
did, and that means they knew I was going to be working the case. The killer is good, he shows us that. I haven't heard about work this good in the states for a few years. The killer also has to be CIA or CIA trained-"
"Why?" Gibbs inquired.
"I can't get into that right now." Ange said, her eyes locking with his trying to tell him she really could not discuss certain things with him.
"Angela, do you know who the killer is?" Gibbs asked, their eyes still locked.
Angela shifted and dropped her head into her hands. "I can't be certain," she said, her voice muffled by her hands, "there are only a handful of people that would know about Katrina
and Mark. And from their clothing, the list gets even shorter. It's between six and eight people that have the skills and I hate to say it, the motivation to do this. And I know all of them."
Gibbs leaned his head back and let out a deep breath. He loved his daughter dearly but he hated the baggage her work brought with. "Do you think you could be a target?" To Gibbs immense
relief, Angela shook her head. "No I don't."
She got to her feet and grabbed the bags full over gear they had brought. "If I'm correct about the reason they were killed, and-" she said holding up her hand "before you ask, I can't tell you that either, I only know about it, I had nothing to do with it. Plus, killing me would draw far to much attention right now. I'm not worried, Dad."
"All the same, I'd like you to stay with me for a few days. At least until we find out for sure who is behind this," Gibbs said, in a tone that made it clear that this was not a suggestion to which she could refuse.
"Daddy," she said in an exhausted voice, "I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me."
"Yes, I do. And I'm not asking. I'd like more time with you any ways and I would feel much better this way," Gibbs said, getting annoyed but trying to remain nice to his daughter.
Angela raised an eyebrow, "You'd wouldn't by chance, be wanting to keep a close watch on Tony and I would you?" her voice laced with mirth.
Gibbs groaned and headed for the door. "That thought never crossed my mind."
Angela laughed but agreed to spend a few nights with him. She was having her condo painted any ways so it was not as if she really wanted to stay there. Plus this would be closer to work and she'd been wanting to spend time with her father.
"Who are you calling?" Angela asked as she slammed the trunk and grabbed the car-key out of Gibbs's hand.
"You are not driving!" Gibbs exclaimed, remembering far to well the first year she began to drive.
"That's not a answer to my question," she told him smiling, as she got into the driver seat. "Are you getting in?"
"Yes," Gibbs said submissively, "I'm calling, Abbey. I want to know what she's gotten back."
"I can't believe you actually have a cell phone," Angela joked, remembering how long it had taken Gibbs to learn how to program his car radio.
"Are you planning on driving or providing a commentary?" He asked, more out embarrassment than annoyance.
"Sorry," she said, hiding the grin on her face, "I had no idea you were so eager to see how my driving skills had improved."
Angela started up the car and pulled slowly out of the driveway. Doing just under the speed limit until she got onto the expressway. It was still early enough in the day that rush hour had not begun giving her the chance to slip into the left lane quickly. As soon as she did her foot pressed the accelerator about as hard has her father did when taking his "short cuts". Gibbs closed his eyes, trying not to look at the scenery rushing past them or the grin on his daughter's face.
o o o
(4/?)
Next up, everyone talk to Angela and Gibbs. Also Abbey come back into the plot. And, of course, Tony and Angela have their date. ;)