11.

Teasdale watched as the NCIS agents worked on their computers, their cell phones, and desperately sought a clue as to the whereabouts of their agent and his daughter. "Agent Gibbs, tell me about him."

The other man took a seat next to Teasdale, smiling at Clarissa as she smiled at him. "Tony? Anthony DiNozzo, good man, good agent. He'll take care of your daughter, trust me. Trust him."

"Yeah, I think I do, but it would be easier if I knew something about him. I know he has…strange taste in women for a grown man." He nodded at Kathy Lee, currently trying to engage FBI agent Hawkins' attention without much success.

"Yeah, well," Gibbs grinned. "Tony does like a good time. But he really is a good man. He has a way about him. I don't quite know how to explain him. But I understand him."

"And like him?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say so."

"DiNozzo? I know a DiNozzo, but he's a millionaire. Not that uncommon a name, I imagine."

Gibbs grimaced. "Yeah, well, that's probably Tony's father."

"Frank DiNozzo is your agent's father? How would a son of his ever get to be a NCIS agent? Nothing personal, but Frank is a snob. Even a federal agency would be beneath him."

"Well, Tony went his own way. I gather his dad isn't inclined to accept that decision."

"Have you ever met him?" Teasdale asked.

"Nope. Don't expect to. Can't say I approve of a man who would disown his son simply because he wasn't interested in going into the family business."

"And Tony is a good agent?"

"The best."

"How'd he get into NCIS?"

Gibbs realized that the questions were honest and that Teasdale needed something to reassure him regarding his daughter's safety. "I recruited him. Tony was a cop in Baltimore when we first ran into each other. We both worked on a case from slightly different angles, then started working together. He was good, has some fantastic instincts."

"Indeed, our young friend is a natural." Ducky brought Gibbs a coffee, earning a grateful look after the first sip. "I made it, Jethro. I knew no one else could make it as strong as you might like. There are some sandwiches and soup, if you're interested."

"Not right now, Duck. Thanks."

"What did you mean, Doctor? A natural?"

"Anthony has a way of knowing just the right way to question a witness or a suspect to get the most information out of them. At times he won't even speak to them, just sit in a corner and play video games on his telephone."

Gibbs laughed, his eyes betraying his fondness for the missing agent. "The first time I saw him doing that, I was ready to pitch him off the team."

"Off the building was more like it. But it worked." Ducky smiled in remembrance.

"That it did. The suspect was insulted, began bragging to get Tony's attention and, in the process, spilling all the dirt we needed to convict him."

"He has an extraordinarily keen sense of smell. Helped save the team's life once, if I remember right."

Gibbs' eyebrow lifted. "As if you've ever forgotten anything in your life, Ducky."

"Anthony will give his life to save your daughter, Thomas, have no fears about that. Laurel couldn't be in better hands."

"Doctor Mallard, I hope it doesn't come to that," the father commented.

The telephone rang again, causing Teasdale to jump. He took a deep breath, then moved to pick up the receiver. "Where's my daughter? I have the money you want."

"You didn't tell me that the man was a federal agent! I should just leave you wondering where the brat is."

"I thought you knew. He has nothing to do with this. Just tell me where to take the money and give me back my daughter. And let the agent go as well."

"Your precious princess may be let go. The agent is staying with us. Now, listen carefully. I'll only give you these directions once. The FBI tape should help if you can't remember something." Still using a disguised voice, the kidnapper gave precise instructions as to where to transfer the money. "Once we've been notified of the transfer completion, we'll call you with the location of your daughter." The kidnapper hung up.

Teasdale pulled his cell phone out and gave the instructions to his bank. "No arguments, Henry. Just do it. Liquidate whatever you need to get the cash for transfer. Call me as soon as you're done."

Gibbs slammed his own phone closed. "Dammit, they're going to try and kill Tony."

"Sir?" Jennifer Slocum looked from her employer to the two senior federal agents. "I think…I think I know who that might be."

/Might have to stop and cook dinner. TBC.../