Chapter 6
The team is back at the NCIS building after a raid on the McCloud residence that came up with nothing. They followed a couple more leads but also turned up with nothing. Tony, Ziva and McGee are all up in the work area doing a couple things and talking about the case, except for Tony because he's in some type of trance. Gibbs walks into the area, immediately walks to his desk and puts his coffee down.
"Gibbs… Can you make Tony stop doing that?" Ziva asked. "It's hard to concentrate with him doing what he's doing."
"Doing what?" Gibbs turns around to see. "Sitting there?"
"He hasn't moved or talked since we got back." Ziva stated.
"Actually… With him not talking it's definitely been a good thing." McGee added.
"True. But it's just creeping me out right now." Ziva said.
"Hasn't moved from that position at all?" Gibbs asked
"Not one bit." Ziva said.
Gibbs walks over to Tony's desk. He walks behind the desk and stands right next to Tony. He waves his hand in front of Tony's face which gets no response. Then, Gibbs smacks Tony on the back of the head and still gets no response. He smacks Tony on the back of the head one more time.
"Interesting…" Gibbs said.
Gibbs walks to his desk and sits down.
"Should I call a shrink?" Ziva asked.
"I'm sure he'll be fine." Gibbs said. "Do we have anything on the where-a-bouts of Peter McCloud or those kids?"
"He's a private person so the neighbors don't even know anything about him. And none of them have seen him for three days. We also looked into family members. He doesn't have much and none of them have seen or heard from Peter in two years. In regards to coworkers, they haven't seen him in two days and really don't know much about him. Finally, as for friends… Well… He doesn't seem to have any." Ziva stated.
"The B.O.L.O. hasn't come up with anything yet. We put out an APB on his car. Credit cards are being carefully monitored for any recent activity. Cell-phone is tapped for a GPS location, but he must not have turned it on cuz we still can't get a fix of where he is." McGee stated.
"All leads at this moment are being followed by Fornell's FBI team, but they must not be coming up with much cuz they haven't called." Ziva added.
"So what you're saying is… We have nothing?" Gibbs asked.
"At this moment… We have absolutely nothing." McGee said.
"This word, nothing, isn't in my vocabulary… So find me something!" Gibbs exclaimed.
Ziva and McGee go back to work. Ducky walks into the area and goes over to Gibbs' desk.
"How are things coming along? Have you found the kids yet?" Ducky asked curiously.
"We're coming up empty here Ducky. With everything we have, all the resources, NCIS and FBI combined, we can't even find one person with 12 kids." Gibbs stated.
"Everyone is trying their hardest to locate them."
"I know Ducky… Well… Except for DiNozzo. He's acting weird."
Ducky looks over at Tony then looks back toward Gibbs.
"So it seems."
"I honestly have no idea what's wrong with him."
Ducky walks behind Gibbs' desk and slightly kneels down to speak to Gibbs' with using quieter voices so the others don't hear the conversation.
"Jethro… Yesterday, when we were across the street walking to the house you assigned to us, Tony got a phone-call…"
"What was it about?"
"I haven't the foggiest. But he seemed to be quite distracted the entire time we were in the house. Maybe it has something to do with his behavior now."
"I don't know what could possibly distract him so much. The only thing I can think is that Jamie dumped him. But I know she didn't."
"Though you wish she would?"
"I don't wish that Ducky… She's happy and… As much as I don't want to admit this, Tony isn't such a bad guy."
"But it still slightly bothers you?"
"I don't understand why."
"Maybe it has nothing to do with Tony. What if it has everything to do with you?"
"What do you mean Ducky?"
"Jethro… You lost her for 15 years. You lost 15 years of being there to protect her. So you're very over-protective of her…"
"Of course I am. I don't wanna lose her again."
"And that's exactly my point. With her dating Tony or anybody else for that matter… You're afraid you'll lose her to him."
Ducky walks away and Gibbs sits there to think about what Ducky said to him. Suddenly, Gibbs' phone rings so he answers it. He listens to what the person has to say then puts the phone down. He stands up and begins grabbing his stuff.
"Grab your gear!" Gibbs exclaimed. "Peter McCloud has been spotted near Norfolk!"
Gibbs walks to Tony's desk as Ziva and McGee are getting ready to leave. Gibbs grabs Tony's cup of water and tosses the contents into his face. Tony comes out of his trance.
"You good to go?" Gibbs asked.
"Yeah." Tony answered as he begins grabbing his stuff.
"Let's go get those kids."
Gibbs and the rest of the team walk to the elevator. Once they're all on the elevator, the door closes.
