Shattered Ties

Part 25

The Cop and The Con

AN: This story follows Gibbs and Tony after Gibbs is shot at the end of Season 12.

"There's no information available?" Neal asked Peter as he paced the floor of the agent's office. "There was an op in Shanghai. That was one of the places. Tony mentioned several. He was looking forward to taking in the sights in his 'off time' if he had any, that was."

Peter was beginning to think even telling Neal about the report was a mistake. The report had been sent out to all the offices, as a matter of courtesy. But since it was an international incident, the D.C. office could be in need of help. And every field office in the United States would be ready, if or when they were called. All bets were off when a federal agent was shot.

"The news report is just saying a U.S. federal agent, with NCIS, was shot." Peter knew he really shouldn't be sharing this at all. But keeping such information from the conman had been as agonizing as the look he was seeing on Neal's face.

Neal nodded. He had tried sitting, but he popped up out of the chair a few minutes later. He began to pace the floor again.

Neal was well aware that it may not be Tony. He knew Gibbs was going on the op also. He didn't want it to be Gibbs, or any other NCIS agent. But, the not knowing was killing him.

"Neal…Neal." Peter repeated to bring the conman back to the present. "Go ahead to your desk, Neal. I'll call you when I find out anything else."

Peter really was worried when the young man didn't even try to argue. He left Peter's office and headed down. He first stopped by Diana's desk to get a few case files to work on. Neal then sat down at his desk. But he could not concentrate. It bothered him that no more news was coming in about the NCIS agents. And the fact he knew that Tony was in the same location as the communique, it just drove him to distraction, not knowing how Tony was.

Neal found himself looking up to Peter's office every few minutes, hoping Peter would call him up and give him more news.

A couple of hours later Peter had news. It wasn't good news, but it least he now knew who had been shot from NCIS. Peter left his office and beckoned Neal up to his office. Neal left his desk reluctantly. He could tell by the look on Peter's face that he didn't have good news.

Neal took the stairs, two at a time. He hurried into Peter's office. "What…what's going on?"

Peter looked at the young man for a moment. The agent liked Tony very well. And he also liked Gibbs. He had only been to New York a handful of times with Tony. But Peter liked his no-nonsense attitude.

"Tony is okay, Neal." Peter stated.

Neal breathed a visible sigh of relief. He then looked at Peter.

"What?" The conman was almost afraid to ask. Somebody else he knew had been shot. He braced himself.

"Gibbs." Peter sighed. "He was shot in the chest. He's on a naval ship as we speak, in surgery."

"The guy who did this, his days are numbered." Neal said with confidence.

"How do you know that?" Peter asked.

"Tony will kill him." Neal replied. "And he'll stay there until he finds the guy, no matter how long it takes."

Peter looked at Neal, somewhat surprised by the statement. He knew he was missing something somewhere in Tony's and Jethro's relationship.

"Tony thinks of Gibbs as almost like his father, besides the fact Tony probably saw it happen. He's gonna be angry at himself for not having Gibbs' six. And I can't imagine what that scene was like for him. The pain he felt seeing Jethro shot like that, it's…." Neal shook his head. "Tony's stayed at Jethro's house when he's needed a place to stay. He goes to Gibbs house and they discuss cases and talk over problems."

"His dad's still alive, right?" The agent was sure he had heard either Tony or Neal say that.

Neal nodded. "He is. But he was an absentee father, even more so, after Tony's mother died. He left Tony alone in a hotel room in Hawaii for days. Tony had no idea where his dad was. The hotel personnel ended up taking care of the, then, 12 year old." He paused. "It turns out Senior was out having business meetings and sleeping with women."

"Bastard!" Peter stated.

"Yeah." Neal agreed.

Peter and Neal sat in his office for a few moments. Neal was very glad that Tony had not been shot. But he worried about his friend, the closeness of his and Gibbs' friendship.

Neal left Tony a message on his cell phone. Unsure if Tony would get it while he was abroad.

Hey Tony,

It's your little bro here. I know you're not home, not in the U.S. But I just wanted you to know I heard what happened to Jethro. All the FBI offices in the U.S. got the news. I was so glad it wasn't you. But then I felt bad when I found out it was Jethro. I…I really like the man. I'm sure he'll be fine. He's too stubborn to die. I…whatever I can do…. Whatever Peter can do…just ask. Take care, Tony. Have a safe trip home. And call me as soon as you can.

Neal hung up. He just hoped he wouldn't a have to wait too long.

THE END

More Tony and Neal Adventures to Come!