Title: Just the Son
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Own nothing other than the storyline.
Spoilers: Various things up to and including 2.22 (SWAK).
Comments: Betaed by Cha Oseye Tempest Thrain. Part of a challenge on Livejournal at NCISflashfic for the word "Marriage". Slightly links in with White Noise.
The office was quiet, it always was that late at night. Or, more correctly, that early in the morning. It was shortly after midnight, and Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo was investigating the background of a Petty Officer who'd disappeared. Kate would be surprised in the morning when Tony gave Gibbs the background, without appearing to have done any work. Actually, the more likely scenario would be that she'd be annoyed. She'd been trying to get him to tell her how he managed to pull that off, but there was no way in hell that he was going to let her know. He suspected that Gibbs might have guessed how he managed to be so industrious, but Gibbs being Gibbs, he was not going to let on unless it served a purpose.
Tony finished following one lead on the Petty Officer, and started checking into his schooling. If the PD taught him one thing, it was that you could never be too thorough.
Ten minutes later his computer beeped, announcing a new email. He fully expected to be able to ignore it, and deal with whatever it was in the morning – replying might give away how he stayed ahead of the game – but the sender's name caught his eye.
Bite Me.
The message had the incredibly helpful subject "Da dum da dum", and no body to the email. A file, "Openme", was attached. He clicked on the attachment, and played it after it downloaded. The strains of "The Wedding March" filled the office.
Tony shook his head and rested his face in his hands, his elbows on the table. He laughed quietly for a few seconds before replying to the email.
When?
21st. Thought you'd be pleased.
Why do you always find out before me?
You're just the son, darling.
Tony laughed without humour. The statement was too true.
Have we met this one?
Yes, at Christmas. Think young, blonde and attractive.
That really does not help. They all were. Incredibly skinny?
That was number 4. I think she kept on going on about how she hadn't had cosmetic surgery.
No, that was number 9, Miss-two-for-one.
Ah yes, I remember now. What was your opinion?
Definitely fake.
I knew it! I told him he was an idiot for marrying that one. You just had to look at her to know that she wasn't going to be content just going after him.
So, you don't remember what she looked like?
Young and attractive, dear. That's all we need to know. It's not like it's going to last long.
You're right. What color are you going to wear?
What color haven't I worn?
Tony grabbed his PDA and opened a file entitled "Dianne's colors".
Black, pink and brown.
I think black then, for this one.
Tony thought for a few seconds before replying. Why don't you just remarry him?
Because I have a brain, Tony.
Tony waited.
It wouldn't work. Nobody is ever going to live up to your mother, in your father's eyes. I came close, I think, but not close enough. I'm just glad that I was there for you. And how many former wives can say that they're best friends with their ex-husbands?
Tony rubbed his eyes.
Do you think I could get away with not going this time?
Of course you could. Good night, Darling.
She knew, just as well as he did, that he would go, and he would get drunk, and do something to embarrass his father at some point.
And she would be there as a silent support throughout, but not just for him.
Tony sighed and returned to his investigation. He might as well work for a while longer, because if he slept, his dreams would be full of a woman calling out his name with fear in her voice.
And there was no longer somebody to hold him when he woke.