Disclaimer – If I owned them there would be more Tony centric episodes.
AN – This is a companion piece to "Fruit Basket" – can anyone tell I finally got my Season 2 DVDs?
"A formal reprimand?" Gibbs stared at the Director. "Is that strictly necessary, sir?"
Morrow looked up from behind his desk, with a resigned air.
"Jethro, believe me, I don't like it any more than you do. But DiNozzo opened an undesignated piece of mail, contrary to all published procedure and sparked a full scale decontamination and evacuation of a federal building at the cost of thousands of tax dollars. I can't just let that slide."
"And he almost died, Tom. Don't you think that's punishment enough?"
Gibbs had been told, but he hadn't wanted to think about it. In truth, the helpless look on Ducky's face had scared him more than Kate's tearful proclamation. But nothing had prepared him for the sight of the healthy young man transformed into a shadow of his former self, his lips and nails tinged with a ghostly blue as his breathe rattled sickly in his chest.
"I am well aware of that, Special Agent Gibbs," Morrow's tone held a hint of reprimand. "I'm also aware that DiNozzo has attended all the agency seminars regarding the handling of bio-hazardous materials. A highly trained federal agent does not examine the contents of a suspicious packet by opening it in a public area."
Gibbs' jaw tightened as he recalled the hollow eyes and chalk white expression; DiNozzo was wearing at the moment. The way his dark shirt hung off his thin frame and his breathe wheezed in and out of his lungs as his previously well-honed body continued to betray him.
"I attended those seminars as well, sir. I'll take full responsibility."
"I'm sorry, Jethro. This thing is out of my hands."
Gibbs considered pointing out that DiNozzo hadn't put the dammed power in the envelope. Or that were it not for the lead barrier the disease should have been eradicated by postal screening. They weren't supposed to feel under threat in their own-dammed building. But he knew that in the present political climate those arguments wouldn't cut any ice with Morrow.
"Sir, it was my mistake. Procedure states that all undesignated mail is passed to the team lead. I should have insisted that McGee give the envelope to me."
"Yes, you should have," Morrow wasn't giving an inch. "And I'll expect you to discuss that with Special Agent McGee."
"Yes sir." Gibbs acknowledged. "And with your permission. I'll speak to DiNozzo at the same time."
"Not this time, you'll send DiNozzo to me," Morrow shook his head. "McGee is still a probationary agent. He's expected to make mistakes. DiNozzo is an experienced investigator, who should have known better."
"I realise that, sir," Gibbs agreed stiffly. "His quick thinking saved the lives of my two other agents today."
"And if you want to write him up for a commendation, I'll be happy to sign off on it at a more appropriate time."
"We're talking more than a slap on the wrist." Gibbs realised.
"A formal reprimand in his file, and a week's suspension," Morrow rubbed his face. "I managed to get that to run concurrently with his sick leave. And a point reduction in pay scale."
Gibbs clenched his jaw. It wasn't the money. Tony wouldn't care about that. But it was a serious demotion, one that would have repercussions if the younger agent wanted to be considered for promotion anytime in the near future.
"With all due respect, sir, Tony doesn't deserve that."
"Would you rather I fired him, Special Agent Gibbs?" Morrow asked in a tone that warned Gibbs he had already stuck out his neck quite as far as he was prepared to for DiNozzo. "Its hardly his first formal reprimand. And I very much doubt it will be his last."
"No, sir." Gibbs agreed stiffly.
Except that before DiNozzo had never put anyone other than himself in danger and despite the various disciplinary actions taken against him he had always known that Gibbs had approved, maybe even been a little proud, of his actions. Being held formally accountable for endangering the lives of countless others would hit the younger man hard. Gibbs recalled the puppy dog expression DiNozzo had worn as he had slunk past his desk, hands and hair still dripping from the initial decontamination procedures and the contrite 'sorry boss' he had thrown in his direction.
"Did you know his father didn't even visit with him in the Hospital?" Gibbs spoke softly. "He sent a dammed basket of fruit!"
"I know," Morrow sighed. He had children and grandchildren of his own and was not completely heartless. He had been to visit DiNozzo in the Hospital himself and had been shocked at his condition and impressed by the younger man's sheer guts and determination. "DiNozzo's a good man and a better Agent. This won't harm him in the long run."
"He still has another week of sick leave coming to him," Gibbs argued. "And today's taken a lot out of him. Can it at least wait until he can stand on his own two feet?"
"I'll leave the timing to your judgement." Morrow conceded.
And Gibbs knew that he had been manoeuvred into a corner. Because if this had to happen, then it was better it was now, whilst Tony was still sick and vulnerable enough, to listen, really listen, to what he had to say. If they waited until he was entirely well then DINozzo would close himself back off behind those dammed walls of his and Gibbs would never be entirely sure that he had made any difference.
"I'll send him right up, sir."
"Don't bother, Special Agent Gibbs," Morrow met his eyes. "I'll have my PA make the call."
"Sir, I .."
"No, that's an order and you'll obey it as such. If I hear that you've spoken to DiNozzo about this, I'll have you badge .. and his. Are we clear?"
"Crystal, sir." Gibbs nodded sharply.
Morrow nodded in dismissal and wasn't remotely surprised when Gibbs slammed the door on his way out.
To be continued ..