Blood Bonds

AN: Hey, everybody. There is a mention of X-Files, aliens, and trailer parks. I think we all know where that is going, so please do not take offense. It is just a bad, worn-out clique I used to get a couple of chuckles. I apologize, in advance, and I hope you enjoy. Jackie

"It's suspected that not all the U-Boat treasure was recovered. Actually, about a third is still missing. Would you know anything about that?" Tony asked Neal over Italian Roast on Neal's patio.

Neal sipped his coffee. "Rumors have circulated like that about every treasure ever found. Why would this one be any different? People always want to think there's more. And they want to be the one to recover it."

Tony nodded. He knew that to be true. It's what drove treasure hunters everywhere. They want to be the one who makes the big score.

Neal looked at his friend. He actually would know a little about that. During his recent Puerto Rican 'vacation' Neal and Mozzie had spent just a little of their proceeds from the U-Boat treasure. They had fenced a couple of items to make sure they had ready cash. And Mozzie had again moved the items, secreting them away in a location even he did not know about.

Neal answered Tony truthfully. "I have no idea where the U-Boat treasure you're talking about is."

Tony studied his friend as he looked over the rim of his coffee cup, ready to take another sip. He knew Neal would not lie to him. And he was sure Neal had told him the truth in what he had said. But he also knew Neal well enough to know that Neal's statement could have omitted other knowledge he very well could have. Tony just needed to figure out the right question.

"I thought you were here on vacation." Neal stated. "What's with all the questions? Did Agent Gibbs send you here to work a case?"

Tony shook his head. "I'm here on vacation. Thank God for paid time off and frequent flyer miles."

"You and Peter working anything interesting?"

Neal shook his head. "Peter gets forced to look into cold cases on occasion. We have two we're working right now. A 1 year old bank fraud and a 3 year old mortgage scam."

"Sounds boring." Tony replied.

"Usually." Neal agreed.

"So, what about these makes them…interesting?"

"I know some of the players." Neal confessed.

"Old partners-in-crime?"

"Something like that." Neal said as he heard his door open.

Peter walked into Neal's apartment and made his way out onto the patio.

"Well, Agent DiNozzo, Tony... Neal never told me…." Peter said looking at Neal.

Neal shrugged.

Tony smiled. "I surprised him. I have a lot of paid time off accumulated and some frequent flyer miles I needed to use. Neal was my first choice. It's nice to be back in New York again. Great place to live."

"Live?" Peter asked. He knew nothing of Tony's family history.

"My dad and I lived here for a couple of years, between marriages." Tony explained. "Great place to grow up. We lived here off and on, in hotels."

"What did your dad do for a living?" Peter asked. He had sat down and helped himself to a cup of coffee.

"International business man…well that's what he claimed to be." Tony said. "He made some bad business decisions and pissed off some very powerful people."

Peter realized he was asking personal questions. He kind of backed off a little. He didn't know Tony that well. And while he did like him, he didn't want to cross any lines.

Tony smiled. "I'ts okay, Peter. I don't mind talking about my father. He was never much of a dad to me. He left me by myself for 3 days in a hotel in Hawaii. He didn't tell me he was leaving. I had no idea where he was. I was scared." Tony paused. "When he got back, he acted as if nothing had happened. He told me he had business to conduct. He said it took longer than he had planned, and that he couldn't take me along."

Peter just shook his head. He couldn't imagine his own father doing that.

"Senior is an ass, Peter." Neal replied. "That's all that needs to be said about him."

"So you're Anthony DiNozzo, Jr." Peter had wondered why the name seemed so familiar to him when he first heard it. "Your dad has had some 'questionable' business deals."

"Doesn't surprise me." Tony replied finishing his coffee. "Anything White Collar would be interested in?"

Peter shook his head. "I don't know. The files are at the office."

Neal and Peter exchanged looks and then looked at Tony.

Peter was the first to try to speak. "Look, Tony…if this…if I find something…."

Tony shook his head. "I don't have the typical relationship most kids have with their dad. I ended up in military school only because dad wanted to be an 'international playboy.' And you can't be that with a kid in tow." Tony paused. "My mom died when I was 8. Dad blamed me. He never really gave me much thought, except to tell me how worthless I was."

"You really don't have to tell me all this." Peter replied. He couldn't imagine how painful it was for him to admit all this. "I know it must be hard…."

Tony shook his head again. "I stopped believing what my father said years ago. He is an extremely selfish, self-centered person, Agent Burke. I have accepted that about him. I have other people in my life, Agent Gibbs and Neal, to name a few, who give a damn. I don't need him."

Peter still looked unconvinced.

"My dad cut me off, Peter. I had money from my mom's family and some from dad's business deals." Tony paused. "When I was a kid he was doing really, really well. When I told him I was going to be a civil servant and not a business man like him, he got angry. He cut me off from his money and to teach me a lesson he managed to get into my trust and start spending that money. Lucky for me I played football and basketball because I got a free-ride scholarship all 4 years. I worked in the evening and became a police officer to support myself. By the time I had finished my four years, I was already working at the job I really wanted. I got my degree in Physical Education at Ohio State just to piss him off."

Peter was really surprised at Tony's openness with his family issues. He didn't know Tony that well, and he almost felt uncomfortable with all the information. He looked at Neal. Neal mouthed 'We'll talk.'

NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC

"Tony has always been open with me about his past." Neal explained the next day when he and Peter found a private moment. "He's just…so matter of fact about it all. He's dealt with it for so long. He's talked to psychologists and psychiatrists. He's done all he can and should do to deal with it. He's just come to terms with it as a fact of his life."

"It's still so sad." Peter replied.

Neal nodded. "He was so angry as a kid. When he first came to the school, he was…he felt like his dad had just dropped him off. Senior had just abandoned him. He…."

"It's ashamed we can't put Anthony Sr. in jail for being a bad parent." Peter stated.

Neal shook his head. "Senior doesn't get it. He doesn't see what the big deal is. He doesn't get why Tony was so upset when he left him in Hawaii."

"You're right, Senior is an ass." Peter concluded.

NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC

"You sure Peter is okay with this?" Tony asked as he and Neal walked into the bureau on Saturday morning.

Neal nodded. "He knows you're here, obviously. He actually wanted me to bring you along. When I told him you were a police detective…."

Tony nodded. "Another area of expertise, got it."

"Would you mind…helping us, I mean?"

Tony shook his head. "…should be fun."

Both Neal and Tony entered Peter's office. They took seats in the chairs Peter had provided.

"I realize, Agent DiNozzo, that you're here on vacation…."

Tony shook his head. "It's Tony, and I am looking forward to seeing Neal and the White Collar Division in action, again."

"You don't work with D.C. Art Crimes?" Peter asked.

"Rarely…" Tony said, shaking his head. "…art and murdered military usually don't mix."

Peter nodded.

"Neal said you guys were working cold cases."

"Yes, unfortunately, we have to devote a certain amount of time, each year, to them." Peter sighed. "Cold case white collar crimes are so hard to solve."

Tony nodded. "I can see why. Your clues are a lot less…permanent. A body is a body, permanent evidence." Tony paused. "But putting the pieces together, solving the puzzle is always fun."

Peter smiled. He was glad Tony had the same mindset about cases as he did. Peter slid the folder across the table to Neal and Tony. Neal picked it up and opened the folder. He and Tony began to read.

Tony smiled as soon as he saw the guy's name.

"What?" Neal asked, seeing Tony's expression.

"I know this guy, Carl Widner." Tony said, pointing at the picture in the file. "I…when I worked in Peoria. He was a low-level crook then, seems he's moved up in the world. I collared him on some small-time theft. He was selling hot TV's out the back of his car. He got 6 months' probation. I caught him again a month later, same thing, a year's probation that time.

"Well, "Peter said. "…looks like he's gone from a few hundred to a few million."

"I would watch out for this guy, Peter." Tony warned. "He's a live wire, short tempered. He pulled a gun on me for a few hundred. I can't imagine what he would do for a few million."

Peter nodded and made a mental note.

"He's everything Tony said he is." Neal agreed. "He uses the alias Keith Farmer and Kevin Anderson."

"When did you have any dealings with him?" Peter asked, he and Tony listened carefully, very interested.

"He offered to fence an item for me." Neal explained. "I was 5 minutes late for the meet, and he went ballistic. Just ranting and raving about how I was wasting his time. I cut out fast. Since then we've…crossed paths."

NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC

"We really need to se…." Mozzie started as he walked into Neal's apartment. He stopped, mid-word, when he saw Tony sitting at Neal's kitchen table.

"Moz." Neal spoke up. "This is Tony. My friend I told you about from D.C."

"Yes," Mozzie extended his hand. "…Mr. CSI-Suit." Tony stood and they shook.

Tony grinned. He then looked at Neal. "Is he for real?"

"Afraid so." Neal sighed.

"I'm not FBI, Mozzie." Tony explained. "I work for NCIS."

"A fed is a fed, CSI-Suit." Mozzie replied.

"Mozzie is very anti-establishment, against 'the man.'" Neal explained. "He is also a conspiracy theorist."

"…must make for some very…interesting conversations." Tony mused.

"You have no idea." Neal replied.

"Does the Pentagon have an X-Files division?" Mozzie asked as he poured them all some wine.

Tony picked up his glass and shot a concerned look at Neal. Neal shrugged and sipped his wine.

"Mulder and Scully are not locked up in the basement, made to watch endless UFO abduction footage, if that's what you're asking." Tony replied. "But there is a division that handles…unusual cases."

"Ah, so they do exist." Mozzie replied, triumphantly.

"UFOs, 9 times out of 10, are mistaken weather balloons." Tony replied. "And aliens only abduct those people who live in trailer parks in Georgia. People who have no teeth and pink plastic curlers in their hair. People who are proud of the fact that they did NOT 'gradiate' high school."

Neal ducked his head, trying hard not to laugh.

"I mean, why not abduct the president, a scientist, a congressman? Why abduct this 'Ethel Smith' who was just sitting in her recliner watching 'Wheel of Fortune?'" Tony reasoned.

"Explain Area 51." Mozzie challenged.

"…a top-secret military instillation testing new military weapons and aircraft." Tony stated. "They needed a story to keep people away, and distracted from what they really do out there."

Mozzie asked. "What about the pictures?"

"…U.S. government's money and a Hollywood make-up artist's talent." Tony replied. "I saw a picture of an alien on the front of the Enquirer. I am pretty sure aliens don't have seams. But this one did. A line running up the side of its baby alien body where two halves of a plastic shell were joined together."

"Human cloning…." Mozzie started.

"Is a myth seized upon by Hollywood movie directors and producers who knew a 'cash cow' when they saw one." Tony retorted.

"All responses I would expect from a suit." Mozzie concluded. "They have indoctrinated you well, my friend."

Tony looked at Neal again. "Seriously?"

Neal didn't respond. He just poured himself another glass of wine.

NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC

Tony had brought a nice suit with him. He didn't know what he and Neal might do and he wanted to be prepared. He donned the suit. It was his favorite, gray pinstriped, complete with matching vest, and it really brought out his green eyes.

Neal looked at him. "You're overdressed for the FBI."

Tony looked at Neal and grinned. "You're not?"

"It's expected of me. I'm an internationally renowned art thief." Neal said putting on his hat.

"First of all, never believe your own press. Second of all, don't you mean former…?" Tony asked.

"What?"

"…former, internationally renowned art thief." Tony replied.

"I didn't say that?" Neal asked, feigning innocence.

Tony shook his head and smiled.

NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC

Tony and Neal took the short walk to the FBI complex. Neal looked at his cellphone. He was going to be late. He really, really hated working Sundays, but crime happened 24/7. He and Tony entered the nearly deserted building and headed up to the White Collar offices.

"Tony!" Peter said, in surprise, when he saw Tony enter the office after Neal.

"…decided to stretch my long weekend into a week. I have a theory or two on your case with Widner, too, if you're interested."

Peter nodded and both Tony and Neal sat. "Before I left we got word that Marines were evolved in art crimes. They were hiding away stolen art from Iraq on ships and then selling it when they got back to the states. The Israeli government made a report of loss in the entire region of about 60 billion, it's a rough estimate, and most likely somewhat exaggerated. But still…."

Neal nodded. "For a theft like this you would have to have your buyers already lined up and ready to move the pieces quickly. They would most likely be from outside the U.S. since it seems to be well-known the treasures were coming here. We are talking about a lot of rapid, back-ally transactions. And a couple layers of buffer."

Peter sighed. "Very hard to trace."

"Nearly impossible." Neal agreed.

"Not really," Tony replied. "…every chain has a weak link. I think we can get to Widner. I think I know his Achilles heel."

Peter smiled.

Tony continued. He smiled. "It's gonna sound so…stupid, but here goes. He's claustrophobic and he's afraid of the dark. Plus, he hates prison…"

"Who doesn't?" Neal stated.

Tony shot a glance at Neal before he continued. "…something about watching his dad die in prison as a young child. It was very traumatic for him. He…."

"So you think he's here?" Peter asked.

Tony shrugged. "He loves money, and he doesn't mind traveling to make it. Plus, I think he either spent part of his childhood here or has family here."

Peter nodded. "I'll get Diana and Jones started right away." Peter stood up. "You two sit tight. I'll be right back."

"Where's Peter off to?" Neal asked.

Tony smiled. "I think he has to go get a permission slip signed so that I can play in the 'White Collar' sandbox for a while."

Neal just looked at Tony and laughed.

NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC

Peter returned to the office, followed by Diana and Jones.

"…Vance and Gibbs sign my permission slip?" Tony asked.

Peter smiled and nodded. "I liked the sandbox comment, by the way."

"Excellent hearing there, Agent Burke." Tony replied. "I'll have to remember that." He said, under his breath, to Neal.

Jones and Diana extended their hands and welcomed him onboard.

"You can call me, Tony." Tony replied. "And I'm looking forward to it."

"Well, Boss…" Diana started as everyone took a seat around the conference table. "…Widner's alias, Keith Farmer has been busy. Word on the street is he killed a fence for stiffing him on a deal. The piece of art, an Egyptian scarab, didn't bring as much money has Widner thought is should have. He killed the fence and took the money anyway."

"Brutal." Tony replied.

Jones nodded. "His rep here is pretty bad. After this he is going to find it hard to work in this city. Nobody will want to take him on."

"Then he'll be leaving town soon." Neal stated.

"If he leaves the city…." Peter started.

"He's gone." Tony said. "We've lost him." He smiled. "I could make a call. Get the word out that I'm looking for him in D.C. in connection with the case I told you about."

Peter nodded. "That'll buy us some time…make him think he's safe in New York."

"A very small amount of time…." Neal reminded them all. "If he can't make any money, he won't stay around long. He'll chance it."

They all agreed. Tony made his call, and the word soon reached Widner that he was wanted for questioning in connection with stolen art aboard US Naval ships. Widner decided he would fly under the radar in the Big Apple for a little longer.

"He's staying put. Our eyes on-the-street tell us he's staying with a cousin a few blocks away." Jones reported.

"He really must think he's safe, staying with family." Tony observed. "But this is not the bank fraud or the mortgage scam Neal told me you guys were handling." Tony looked at Neal than at Peter.

"Thank god." Diana said, breathing a sigh of relief. She and Jones, and the rest of the White Collar division hated those types of cases. They were all paperwork, no action.

"No." Peter shook his head. "It's not. This case came across my desk earlier and because of the danger this guy poses, it takes precedent."

Tony nodded. "What's the plan?"

NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC

Everything was turned on its ear in a second. Tony had become a human shield between Widner and the bureau. Tony gave Neal the signal, a barely detectable nod of his head. Neal raised Tony's weapon and pulled the trigger. The round hit Tony in the shoulder. It exited Tony's body and entered Widner's. Widner was dead before he hit the ground. Tony fell to his knees, and then collapsed onto the sidewalk, unconscious.

Peter and the rest of the White Collar division stood stunned for a moment. They had all missed Tony's signal to Neal. Neal immediately dropped the gun and ran to help his friend. He fell to his knees beside Tony and pulled off his jacket. He then balled it up and applied pressure to Tony's chest wound.

The plan had been fairly straight forward. Neal was to go and talk Widner up on the treasure.

"Come on, man. Everybody knows you hit the mother load with that stuff. Right?" Neal probed. "The talk is all over the place. I'm just trying to make a living. Get in on some of the good stuff."

"Nobody knows what was on those ships." Widner replied.

"No." Neal agreed. "But given where it's from and the history…. You've got lots of people willing to take a gamble. I'm willing to take the gamble." Neal replied. "For less than my usual…come on, man. You're not going to get a better deal."

Widner seemed to be considering it. But then he and Neal were both distracted by a drunk, dirty man pounding on the door of the FBI surveillance van. He proceeded to tell them, very loudly, that they were blocking his street corner. And that they needed to move their vehicle.

Tony elected to leave the van and deal with the man. He was strictly there to observe anyway. He got out and closed the doors.

Widner only took a moment to recognize Tony. "I know that guy. He's a cop." Widner looked at Neal. "You're a cop too, right?" He said as he took out his own gun and pressed it to Neal's ribs. He whispered in Neal's ear. "You're gonna walk with me, and you are not going to make a scene."

Neal didn't move immediately. Widner jammed the gun in his side. "We are going to walk away, no scene." Widner repeated.

"Neal?" Tony asked as he and Widner started walk away. Tony could not see the gun from his view point. But he knew Neal was in great danger. "Hey…!" Tony said.

Widner turned around.

Tony put his arms up. "You recognized me. I get it. Let him go. See, I'm not armed. Just let him go." Tony was armed, but Widner did not need to know that.

Wider looked at Tony as he thrust his gun harder into Neal's side. "No! That's not what's going to happen. I'm gonna kill him, then I kill you!"

"The van behind me is full of FBI agents. You MIGHT get off one shot." Tony stated. "You want me. Let him go, a trade…me for him."

Neal shook his head in a silent plea. And Peter, Diana and Jones began to slowly exit the van, their guns drawn.

"Do what I tell you to do when I tell you to do it." Tony said.

Neal was not sure he could do what Tony was asking of him. He needed Tony's gun. Tony had pointed to his side, and Neal nodded his understanding.

"You shoot me. I shoot him." Widner told the other agents as he made the exchange.

Neal moved away from Widner as Tony allowed himself to be taken hostage. There were still too many people around to chance an altercation. On Tony's signal Neal took Tony's gun from his holster. Neal slipped it into his jacket pocket. Widner didn't notice the exchange. He was too busy watching the other agents' movements.

"DiNozzo and I are leaving. And you're going to let us go." Widner said, as he began to walk backwards, away from the agents. More and more people on the street were realizing what was happening. They were giving Widner and the agents a wide berth.

The agents were unable to shoot Widner. There was too much pedestrian traffic, and he had made very effective use of his human shield. Peter, Jones and Diana all stood at the ready, waiting for a clear shot.

Tony gave Neal the signal and seconds later, it was all over. Widner was dead.

NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC

Peter just stood staring at his CI, on his knees, pressing his expensive tailored jacket against the wound in Agent DiNozzo's chest.

"What the…?!" Peter asked, astonished, shaking his head. "What was that? What did you do, Neal!? What the hell did you do?" Peter asked, pacing.

Diana and Jones also stood, staring at Neal, just as confused.

Peter looked at Tony, unconscious and immobile, lying on the side walk. "Diana, call NCIS Headquarters, D.C. ask to speak to Director Leon Vance. Tell him what happened here."

"Neal, I…! What…?" Peter tried to speak, but words failed him.

"He told me to." Neal replied.

"WHAT?"

Neal stood, and both he and Peter stepped back as the paramedics arrived and took over.

Neal sighed. "He told me to. Tony knew Widner would find that gun on him. He didn't know what the guy would do then." Neal paused. "We've had those discussions before…those 'what to do…just in case' type things. Tony told me that as good a shot as I was, it would not be hard for me. But…but it was. I had to shoot my friend to save his life." Neal paused again. He looked at Peter. "Widner was going to kill Tony. I didn't have a choice."

NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC

Neal looked up when he felt someone place a cup of coffee in his hands.

Gibbs sat down beside him. "You know…usually when somebody hurts one of my agents I hand them their head on a platter."

Neal didn't speak. and he continued to stare at a spot on the floor.

Gibbs sighed. "I know what you did, and I know why you did it, Neal."

Neal looked at Gibbs, but still didn't speak.

"He's got an almost suicidal need to protect the people he cares about." Gibbs explained about Tony. "Asking you to do something like that…he trusts you. He trusts you a lot."

Gibbs smiled at Neal as they sat in the waiting room of an O.R. in New York City.

"Thank you, Agent Gibbs. I just hope I get to stick around long enough to see him once he leaves surgery." Neal said, getting up and walking to the OR doors.

"Where are you going?" Gibbs asked.

"I shot a federal agent, Agent Gibbs." Neal stated.

"You killed a wanted, dangerous, felon." Gibbs reminded him.

"I still shot a federal agent." Neal replied.

"I understand. Tony understands."

"Peter doesn't." Neal told him.

"I'll talk to him." Gibbs offered.

"…don't think it'll help." Neal replied. "Why would you…from what Tony says…."

"Tony says a lot, Neal. I'm sure he's told you all about me. I told him something when I first got to know him. Rule number 5…You don't waste good." Gibbs stated. "He was leaving Baltimore and didn't know what he was going to do after that. He…I told him he was too good to waste. I'll tell you the same. Agent Burke would be crazy to send you back to prison. You're doing good things. I see somebody with a good heart, maybe a little too impulsive for his own good…but a good heart."

NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC NCIS/WC

Tony opened his eyes. He knew where he was from the smell of antiseptic.

"Hey." Tony said, turning his head and seeing Neal sitting beside him.

"Hey." Neal replied, getting up from the chair and taking Tony's hand.

"…did good…." Tony replied. He was still a little drowsy from all the meds. "…Bossman rip you a new one?"

Neal shook his head and smiled. "He told me about rule number 5."

Tony smiled. "The old man has his moments."

"The old man also has excellent hearing." Gibbs said, going over to the other side of Tony's bed.

"I knew you were here the whole time, Boss." Tony back tracked.

"Uh, huh." Gibbs replied, smiling.

THE END