Chapter 6

Gibbs and Tony leave the NCIS building in order to make their way to Baltimore. Once in Baltimore, they're sitting in the car outside Larry Dermont's apartment and are waiting for him to come out. Gibbs notices Tony is anxious and slightly depressed and just staring down at his empty hands.

"You've been awfully quiet the entire ride. I know you're hurting right now Tony, but you need to be focused on this." Gibbs stated.

"What's the point? This guy will do anything to ruin my life. And he's doing a good job at it. I lost Jamie… And I'm starting to lose my mind." Tony said.

"You didn't lose Jamie."

"You heard what she said. Didn't you hear my heart breaking into a million pieces?"

"I'm sure she didn't mean what she said. And once this thing is taken care of, just talk to her. She'll understand."

"I wish it was that easy. But this case will never be over. It'll haunt me til the end."

Gibbs smacks Tony on the back of the head. Tony turns his head to look at Gibbs.

"What was that for?!" Tony exclaimed.

"You remember when we first met?" Gibbs asked.

"Oh God… Don't remind me." Tony puts his hand on his face in embarrassment.

"You spilled my coffee cuz your eyes were fixated on the girl across the street. I wanted to smack you so badly right then and there."

"That was kinda funny, wasn't it?" Tony laughs.

"It was even funnier when we were in the kitchen area at the police station and you didn't even bother asking my name."

"You have to admit… What a great first impression I made that day."

"If anyone asks me if I ever experienced a complete disaster… I'd be able to say I survived one."

"It wasn't that bad."

Tony looks at the expression on Gibbs' face.

"Ok… Maybe it was." Tony corrects himself.

"Whatever happened to hating Federal agents?" Gibbs asked. "Look what you are now."

"I only said yes cuz you… Umm…"

"One, you were looking for a new job… But mainly, cuz when we were in the Navy Yard, once again, your eyes were fixated on a girl and you had no idea what I was actually saying when you said, yes."

"If I didn't mean yes, then why did I show up for work the next day?"

"And what was the first thing you did when you showed up for work?"

Tony remains quiet and tries to hold his laughter in.

"Exactly." Gibbs said in order to comment on remembering the reason.

"That was the first time you smacked the back of my head." Tony laughs.

"And you really had no idea what you were getting yourself into with this job."

"At least it turned out much better then I thought."

"Don't forget to add the fact that you actually kept this job longer then all of your previous jobs."

"True… Though, you can always fire me… Again."

"Five weeks after hiring you, I should've fired you after that first incident."

"I almost completely forgot about that. Now talk about embarrassing… Well… For you, not me."

"You were standing on top of your desk pretending to be a stripper."

Tony laughs.

"At the time, how on earth did you explain that to the director?" Tony asked.

"You don't wanna know." Gibbs said.

"Seriously, I do. What'd you say?"

"I told the director you were practicing for undercover work as a male stripper."

"What'd the director say about that explanation?"

"That your pole dance could use some work."

Suddenly, Gibbs notices Larry Dermont coming out of the apartment building. He brings it to Tony's attention as Larry walks toward the alley where his car is parked. Gibbs and Tony get out of the car and follow Larry into the alley. As Larry is placing his keys into the door of the car, Gibbs and Tony approach. Larry lifts his head and turns around to address them.

"Welcome home Anthony. How have you been my old friend?" Larry asked.

"I'm not your friend. And don't call me Anthony." Tony stated.

"Then what should I call you? Kermit the Frog?"

"How about you just cut the crap and tell me where the bodies are."

"I would but… I seem to recall not being guilty of murder… And when I think about it, a murder charge was never brought up in court."

"Don't get too comfortable out here, cuz you're gonna be back in prison real soon." Gibbs stated.

"And who are you? Anthony's boyfriend?"

"The only reason those bodies were never found is cuz I wasn't working the case." Gibbs said. "But now I am, so you're screwed."

"Yeah… Good luck with finding the bodies that I have nothing to do with. Well… I shouldn't say that. I should probably reword that to; Good luck trying to find them or any evidence to link me to the disappearance of those women… And also Danny." Larry said. "By the way Anthony… How's Jamie?"

Tony grabs Larry and rams him against the car. He punches Larry in the face. Tony begins pounding on Larry. After a minute, Gibbs immediately grabs Tony and Larry. He holds each of them by the shoulder in order to keep them separated.

"You fucker!" Tony yelled at Larry.

"You mean to tell me you don't like playing my game Anthony?" Larry asked. "And here I thought we were having fun."

"The only fun I'm gonna have is watching your sorry ass being fried in the electric chair!"

"I should have you arrested for assault. I don't need to put up with this abuse of being accused of murder when I'm a rehabilitated man." Larry said. "I see I may need to file a restraining order against you Anthony, cuz I'm in fear for my life right now."

Gibbs looks at Larry.

"If you file a restraining order against him, you might as well add my name." Gibbs stated.

"But you didn't assault me." Larry said.

Gibbs takes his hand off Tony and punches Larry in the stomach. Larry drops to the ground and gasps for breath while laughing evilly. Gibbs leans down and grabs Larry by the hair and forces him to look up.

"I'm gonna personally dig your grave and bury you." Gibbs said in a strong firm voice. "You think this is all fun n games... Well I got news for you Larry… I'm the new player and I don't play fair."

Gibbs and Tony walk away, leaving Larry gasping for breath on the ground. Larry just smiles in an evil manner.