Chapter Twelve
Realignment
Gibbs lay on his couch in the pre-dawn hour listening to the rain pounding against the window and the thunder rolling overhead. The storm was wild and intense, but that wasn't what had him awake so early. He'd tossed and turned most of the night, and from the soft tread he could hear on the floor above him, DiNozzo was having trouble sleeping, as well.
Not surprising considering the confrontation Jenny had caused at their celebratory cookout. What had she been thinking? She'd been pressing him the whole time he'd stayed in isolation that she needed him back at work. Then once he went back, she'd complained about his team being two members down and wanted him to take on a TAD, which always meant more headaches than they were worth.
She'd been prattling on about productivity being down, then right before he was getting his best man back, she threatened to suspend that same agent? For something that had happened before she was even made Director?
Where the hell did she get the stick up her ass about DiNozzo? She barely knew his Senior Field Agent, so it had to have more to do with him than Tony. What though?
A loud crack of thunder boomed overhead, directly above the house, and Gibbs froze for a moment, wondering if the power would stay on. He relaxed into the couch when nothing flickered.
Jenny wasn't a woman scorned, no matter how much she was acting like one. It had been her decision to leave and end their affair. She'd pursued her career, and by all appearances had been very successful in her endeavors. He'd already told her he'd be in her corner. So, what was the craw in her cap about his team?
He was proud of the way they'd all circled the wagon and stood in solidarity with DiNozzo. He knew the younger man was touched by it, even though the guilt over getting them involved in what he saw as his problem was overwhelming him. Gibbs had never worked out the reasons for Tony's penchant for feeling guilty over situations where he had no control. He suspected it had something to do with his questionable upbringing – but that was a whole other can of worms.
He knew he'd have to get Tony back to work sooner rather than later once he became restless. He was too hard to keep down and having him on desk duty where Gibbs could keep an eye on him was better than leaving him on his own to get into trouble. Tony had an uncanny ability to attract trouble.
Lightning flashed through the bay window, briefly illuminating the still room. All was quiet upstairs, so perhaps DiNozzo had managed to fall back to sleep. He hoped so, or Tony's first day back at work was going to be a long one – even if he was stuck at a desk.
Gibbs supposed he'd have to start thinking about replacing Kate, but that was still painful to think about. He needed another field agent, but he wasn't sure he could bear seeing someone else sitting at her desk quite yet. Tony's illness had pushed the guilt he felt over Kate's loss to the side, but it was now creeping back in, and thoughts of simply replacing her with a next-man-up mentality rubbed raw. Still, he'd have to do it before Jenny finally lost her tenuous grip on reality and assigned someone to the team herself.
Another soul-crushing crack of thunder shook the very foundation of his house, making Gibbs wonder if he'd hear sirens outside soon. The storm was right above his neighborhood.
How had everything fallen so far out of control? The past six weeks had been a roller coaster of emotions, and he felt as if he was still reeling from it. He'd always felt that if he were physically present, he could do something to prevent a tragedy. He'd done it so many times over the course of his career. It was what drove him so hard, so uncompromisingly, and it made him expect the same unwavering dedication from his team.
He'd always believed that if he'd just been there, he could've done something to prevent the loss of his wife and daughter.
But he hadn't been there, and they'd been lost to him forever.
He pushed himself relentlessly to ensure other families didn't suffer the same fate as his own. Recently however, the tragedies had happened right up close and personal despite his presence, and it had rocked him to the core. He'd been standing close enough to touch her when Kate had been killed. He'd seen the impact of that Lapua bullet with its full metal jacket as it made that neat, precise little hole in the center of her forehead. He'd known her killer was dangerous and a lethal threat, yet still, he hadn't been able to stop the tragedy from unfolding.
He'd been sitting at his desk, watching when Tony opened that damned letter, secretly amused by the early morning bantering of his team. He'd seen the fine white powder disperse, settling around Tony's hair and face like a porcelain shroud, and he'd been powerless to change a thing.
He'd allowed Tony to return to work early, running on nothing more than adrenaline and his own stubbornness. He'd stood next to that car that eventually exploded, and he'd watched Tony fall down the hill, but he'd never suspected a thing. Where was his famous gut then? He'd actually made some smartass comment rather than immediately sending his ailing agent back to NCIS. He knew Tony never would've fallen like that if he'd been on his game. Yes, Gibbs knew he wasn't up to it – yet he'd left him there. Kate's reverberating shout of Tony's name echoed in his living room as lightning flashed again.
So, perhaps he'd have to re-evaluate his ability to prevent tragedies – but he could certainly ensure the perpetrators of these crimes never committed them again. He needed to have a purpose, and he wasn't going to let Jenny get in the way of his team's abilities to solve these crimes.
Another crack of thunder echoed through the house, and sure enough, he heard quiet movements from above once the thunder receded. Tony was still awake, just like Gibbs. They'd probably be better off just getting up and heading into the office rather than lying awake torturing themselves over things that couldn't be changed.
Gibbs tossed the sheet covering him aside and padded into the kitchen to start making coffee. He was sure once the intoxicating aroma drifted up the stairs that DiNozzo would join him. He opened the refrigerator to take out that Hazelnut creamer the younger man favored. He paused a moment, staring at the full contents on all the shelves. No one had been in much of a mood for a cookout after Jenny's furious exit.
Gibbs had no doubt there would be some sort of retaliation for their insubordination, but he couldn't bring himself to care. It was Jenny's problem – whatever it was – not his. And he'd be damned if he let her try and make it Tony's.
Sure enough, Tony appeared in the kitchen the moment the percolator started to drip its heavenly brew.
"Morning, Boss," he said, his hair standing up at all angles indicating he'd tossed and turned as much as Gibbs had.
"Sleep well?" Gibbs asked sardonically.
"Never better," Tony lied easily.
Yep, things were back to normal. Gibbs slid a cup of coffee and the Hazelnut creamer towards him and poured a cup of his own.
The two men sat in silence for a moment, each savoring their own drink of choice and fully awakening.
"What are you going to eat?" Gibbs asked, leaving no room for evasion. If Tony was determined to go back to work, he wasn't going on an empty stomach.
Tony seemed to realize it, too, so he said, "Eggs?"
"That a question?" Gibbs asked.
Tony shook his head, moving over to the stove and reaching for a fry pan. "No. Is scrambled okay with you?"
"I was going to make 'em," Gibbs said.
"No need," Tony replied, turning on the stove. "You've catered to me enough. It's my turn."
Tony made the eggs, adding some of the cheese left over from the day before and even bringing the fruit salad to the table. Gibbs wondered if he was having doubts about Gibbs letting him return to work after yesterday.
Gibbs didn't say anything, just dug into his plate. The eggs were really good. He surreptiously watched his subordinate, pleased to see him take a healthy serving of the eggs and eating most of it. He even ate some of the fruit salad. He supposed Tony was ready not only to go back to work, but also to return to his own apartment. Even his nighttime coughing episodes were under control. Gibbs hadn't had to rush into Tony's room and see his panic-filled eyes as he struggled for air in days.
Still, Tony hadn't pushed to go home, so Gibbs hadn't mentioned it, surprising himself with how much he enjoyed the company. It had been a long time since these walls had housed a family.
"You want the first shower, or should I?" Gibbs asked, once he'd finished his breakfast.
"You go. I don't want to use up all your hot water again," Tony said sheepishly, his cheeks pinkening.
Gibbs had had to lay down the law about appropriate showering times on more than one occasion.
Smirking, Gibbs rinsed his plate and put it in the dishwasher. "Nice job on the eggs," he said, climbing the stairs up to the only bathroom.
"Thanks," Tony said, and Gibbs could hear the pleasure in his voice. Handing out praise didn't come naturally to Gibbs, although he always enjoyed the reaction Tony gave when he did. He really should work on that, but knew he'd forget again once the pressure of their next case wore him down.
They arrived at the office earlier than most, and the bullpen was empty as they placed their things at their respective desks and shook the rain from their heads. There was a large stack of files sitting on Tony's desk, and Gibbs watched as Tony warily picked up the top one.
"Cold cases," Gibbs said. "Unless we get a case, that's the agenda for today. If we do get a case, you're to keep working on that stack until we return. Then you can work on a current case, but only from here."
He knew he had to state the directions specifically, or Tony would find a way around them, and Ducky would have Gibbs' head. He also knew how difficult it would be for Tony to remain once they did leave him behind. He was a field agent, and he thrived being out in the middle of the action rather than doing paperwork. Gibbs also knew that Tony didn't trust anyone else to have Gibbs back as well as he could do it. Gibbs couldn't argue with that, still, DiNozzo was just going to have to come to terms with it until his body was completely recuperated. They'd deal with that situation once it came.
"Tony!" Agent Balboa said when he came out of the elevator. "Nice to have you back, man. How are you feeling?"
"I'm good – much better, but they're making me stick to desk duty," Tony replied, standing, and shaking Balboa's hand.
"Damn straight," Gibbs said, loud enough to be overheard.
"Hopefully that won't last long. Gibbs has been a bear without you," Balboa said, grinning when Gibbs glared. "He's had that poor Probie of yours nearly shaking beneath his desk."
As the morning hour grew later, a steady stream of agents, secretaries and other staff members came by Tony's desk to welcome him back. Gibbs was astounded by how many people seemed to be on a first name basis with his agent. Gibbs didn't even know who half of them were.
He was happy when McGee arrived to take more of the pressure of small talk off of him. He'd already left to get coffee twice to get away from the well-wishers.
"McGee – where've you been?" he asked, barking.
McGee's eyes widened in terror as his head swung from side to side realizing both his teammates had arrived before him. He looked at his watch before he started sputtering, noticing he wasn't late.
"Er… home," he said tentatively.
"Help DiNozzo with those cold cases," Gibbs said, glancing uneasily at Kate's empty desk.
When they did catch a case, he'd have to borrow an agent from one of the other teams to come along and process the scene. He really did need to think about filling the empty spot – particularly with Tony's participation so limited. He felt as if Kate's ghost still occupied that desk, scowling and disappointed in him.
He'd really let her down, after all.
"So Probie, did you finish up all the reports last week for the Gavin case or were you too lost without me?" DiNozzo asked.
"Yeah, they're all done. Now that you're back, do you want to look them over before I hand them off to Gibbs?" McGee asked.
As the day rolled on without a new case, Gibbs felt his frustration growing. He hated inaction. McGee and DiNozzo were squabbling back and forth over nonsense, and Abby had visited several times just to beam at DiNozzo sitting back at his desk. It wasn't until afternoon that an odd hush swept across the office. Voices dulled and expectation was ripe in the air.
Gibbs looked up to see Director Shepherd walking past, head held high, business suit pressed and immaculate. Her eyes locked on DiNozzo, and Gibbs watched as his second stared right back unflinchingly and uncowed. Atta boy!
Jenny's cool gaze turned and caught Gibbs' observation. They stared at one another for a moment, but she didn't say a word, continuing toward the stairs to her office. Gibbs knew she expected him to follow, but he remained seated. He wasn't a dog that was going to jump at her glare. She could call and summon him like any other Director would.
She kept complaining that others didn't see her as qualified. If that's what she wanted, she was going to have to start acting the part rather than the one of a tyrant that she'd been trying on for size recently.
He knew by the buzz of conversation that had started up again as soon as she passed that word of the confrontation at Gibbs' house yesterday had spread like wildfire amongst the NCIS staff. She'd have to deal with that, too.
His phone rang, and he waited until the third ring to pick it up. "Yeah, Gibbs," he said, disinterested. He knew who it would be.
He felt both DiNozzo's and McGee's eyes studying him intently. His team obviously knew, as well.
"I'll be up in a minute," he said, hanging up.
"Boss?" Tony asked warily.
"Keep working. I'm just going to see if we have a case," he said, climbing the stairs. He knew Dispatch would've called had there been a case, but there was no sense worrying the team unnecessarily. It would only distract them.
He didn't wait for Cynthia to tell him to go in, but instead pushed open the door and walked over to Jenny's desk. She looked up at him coolly.
He waited a moment, letting the silence fill the room before finally having enough. "Did you call me up here just to stare at me? If that's the case, I have work to do," he said.
"I don't appreciate the tone, Agent Gibbs. That said, I think we all got off to a bad start on our working relationship," she said.
Gibbs narrowed his eyes. "That mean you're going to stop going after my team?"
"It means that we're going to start over. Agent DiNozzo is back, and I'm not going to make any objections. How long do you think it'll take before he's ready for requalification?" she asked.
"What?" Gibbs asked, thrown – and it usually took a lot to throw him. "Yesterday you wanted to suspend him, and now you want to know how long it'll take to get him back to active duty?"
She pursed her lips and shifted in her chair, the only tell that she was uncomfortable. "I hadn't realized how strongly you and the rest of your team felt about Agent DiNozzo, and I'm capable of admitting that I misjudged the situation. You obviously feel he's up to the task of being your second."
"He's the best partner I've ever known," Gibbs said.
Jenny was unsuccessful at masking her wince. "Noted. How long did the doctors estimate he'll need to remain on desk duty?"
Gibbs honestly hadn't meant it as a dig, but he wasn't going to take it back. Still, he felt himself softening. They'd shared a powerful connection once. Her words were hard, but his mind and his libido stirred up memories of another time and place.
"Depends on how his lungs handle an increase in activity. He's working on it," he said.
"I see. And you'll keep me updated on his progress?" she asked.
"Ducky is monitoring it, so I'm sure you'll be informed," he said, knowing Ducky wouldn't release any medical information that DiNozzo didn't agree to being shared.
Jenny sighed "I don't want us to be at odds, Jethro. We were a good team once," she said, her doe eyes softening.
"We're not at odds. Let me do my job, and our solve rate will reflect well on your leadership," he said, thinking it's what she needed to hear. He was therefore surprised to see her back stiffen.
"In other words, stay out of the way?" she asked archly.
"I didn't say that," Gibbs replied, even if it was true.
"You might've won this battle, Jethro, but I'm in this for the long haul," she said, narrowing her eyes.
"We're not at war. As long as we're all working towards the same goal – helping Military families – we're all on the same team, Director."
/* /* /* /*
Jenny Shepherd sat pensively at her desk for a long time after Gibbs had left to return to the bullpen. The rain pelted against the window, reflecting her darkening mood. Nothing had gone right since she'd taken over the Director position at NCIS. Although the terrorist Ari Haswari had been taken out with no additional American bloodshed, the other agencies weren't happy that she hadn't let them handle it. They'd believed Haswari was under their control, and they didn't appreciate being shown up – particularly by an upstart woman and a brand-new addition to their ranks. They were concerned that she wasn't a team player.
Nothing at NCIS had gone as she'd expected. She'd counted Jethro as an ally prematurely, but she wasn't ready to give up that possibility. There was too much history between them, and she could see the conflict in his eyes when he looked at her. What she hadn't counted on was Gibbs obvious attachment to his second. She'd also been taken aback by Anthony DiNozzo's popularity amongst the staff, and quite frankly, she was astounded by it. All her sources had said he was nothing more than a playboy jokester. The class clown who was tolerated rather than an asset. Both she and her reliable sources had obviously misjudged him in a massive way.
To add insult to injury, she'd been made aware that the entirety of NCIS had contributed to a soup train while DiNozzo was on sick leave, and she suspected more than a few would've followed Gibbs mutiny if she hadn't backed off. That wouldn't do. She wanted both men's loyalty to be to her, not to each other. She had things she wanted to put in place now that she was here. Things that had waited entirely too long.
She'd had to retreat and formulate a new plan, and she'd always hated being on the losing side of a battle. She preferred to be in charge of all the variables in any given plan. Jethro obviously wasn't going to let DiNozzo go without a fight, so her best option was getting him back to work posthaste. Gibbs wouldn't be so concerned about his second's health once a tough case took precedence in his mind. She knew how Gibbs focus on a case meant his team took the brunt of his anger. She needed to make DiNozzo more of a target rather than someone who needed Gibbs' protection.
As for DiNozzo, she hadn't really planned on suspending him. She'd hoped to make him concerned and worried about the possibility then grateful to her when she'd worked a way around it. He'd feel as if he owed her one. That obviously wasn't going to work, so DiNozzo wasn't to be counted on as an ally for now.
She'd worked too hard, sacrificed too much in her drive to rise through the ranks. She'd made deals with less than savory characters, even slept with unsavory characters in order to achieve her goals. She wasn't going to lose sight of the prize now. Self-preservation had always been her specialty, so if she needed to wear kid gloves around Jethro's team for the moment, that's what she would do.
The position as Director of NCIS was only a stepping stone on her path to the top if she proceeded carefully.
She'd assumed that she'd have to do very little to have Jethro in her corner from the start. He was still attracted to her, that wasn't hard to miss, and she knew the fact she'd left him with nothing but a 'Dear John' letter cut into his ego. He'd want to regain the upper hand. It was supposed to be simple, but now she was worried about his attachment to his team. It was stronger than she'd expected, and she hadn't counted on that. Jethro usually kept everyone at a distance, so she wasn't sure what had changed.
Before she'd arrived to see the situation for herself, she'd thought she might even convince DiNozzo to keep her informed of the team's activities. Having a reliable source in the thick of things was always a safe bet. That obviously wasn't an option. DiNozzo was as loyal to Jethro as Jethro was to his subordinate.
The MCRT was the shining star of NCIS and her ticket to ensuring the old boys club wouldn't be able to shut her out. She'd seen it happen to many a female in a leadership position before. She needed ears on the ground if she was going to make sure whatever the MCRT did, she came out looking as if she was in control of it – as if she was the one pulling the strings. She needed ears on the team, and she knew just who that person could be. Someone Jethro would also trust implicitly.
She picked up her phone, "Cynthia, get me Eli David."
Fin.
Author's Note:
Huge thanks to my pre-reader, Sueducksfoot. Some of her comments are even incorporated into this chapter. Her thoughts and enthusiasm always pushes me along as I'm writing, and she's appreciated very much.
I'd also like to thank all the folks who took the time to comment and share their thoughts. I love to read what you're thinking. If you're reading this in the future now that it's complete, I'd still love to hear from you.
I've already begun work on a new story, the one that refuses to get out of my head, so look for that coming in the New Year if you're interested. Thanks very much.