Disclaimer: Same as in chapter one, don't own any of the characters from the show, etc.
A/N: Rating is for mild language. If there's any spelling mistakes try to ignore them, this was a quick chapter, and I didn't have time to go over it again and again, I just didn't want to leave my wonderful readers hanging in the air like that for any longer! Oh, and to my wonderful reviewers – thank you! You've all been so good and helped me for inspiration for chapter two! And I know that some people said that Tony isn't acting at all like himself and that he wouldn't have that type of reaction (because he didn't in the episode), but that will be explained later in another chapter. There is a reason for his behavior! And I'm glad that you liked the cliffhanger – so just who is Grace? Just wait and see…
Chapter Two
Tony closed his eyes. Gibbs had left some time ago, figuring Tony might want some time alone to think.
But the truth was he didn't know what to think. Grace, he thought, who is she? Tony needed to know, but what if he was too late? What if this Grace didn't want to know him? He was talking rubbish, he knew that. It was just the alcohol talking.
Tony slowly opened his eyes and opened the document which was still clasped in his hand. He scanned the page for the names of the lawyers but the words all swirled together. He rubbed his eyes, which helped, as the words slowly came into focus. Robinson & Mills, it read, and a phone number. He should call them, he thought; find out what these documents meant. Find out who Grace is.
Tony reached for the cordless phone on his coffee table, and in the process knocked Kate's letter off the table. He lent down to pick it up when he noticed something glistening near the leg of the table. He picked it up and examined it. It was a necklace with a shining silver charm. He examined it more closely, but it wasn't easy as the image blurred once more. Tony rubbed his eyes and held it up to the light. It has a thin silver chain and a delicate charm in the shape of the letter "E".
Where did that come from? Tony thought.
He figured it must have fallen out of the envelope with Kate's letter, which must mean it has some significance. Even in the mottled light and with his blurred vision Tony's investigator skills kicked into action. He examined the back of the charm, making out some initials, but they were too small to see without some kind of magnification. Most likely jeweler's initials, he thought.
He'd get that checked out tomorrow though, Tony thought, as he started dialing the number of Kate's lawyers. He waited a few seconds, only to slam the phone down in frustration when all he got was a recorded message. He doubted they would have been in at this late at night anyway.
Damn it Kate, why'd you have to be so cryptic! He thought, as his eyes drifted shut, the silver necklace entangled in his hand.
----------------------------------
Tony awoke the next morning with a hangover and a major headache. He felt like someone was bashing him over the head with a hammer.
He raised his hand to face when suddenly he noticed something. The necklace, he recalled. Suddenly all the events of last night swarmed in at once, Oh my God, Tony thought.
"Grace" he said out loud.
Tony got up and went into the kitchen, his head thumping in time to each step. He turned on the tap and watched the water rush out, twisting and swirling. That's what he felt like right now. Everything swirling around in a mass of colors and emotions. All mixed up. He took some painkillers for the headache and dragged himself into the shower.
Ten minutes later he was showered and dressed. He'd thrown on a pair of jeans and a grey sweater as he trudged out the door. He figured he'd be better off going to the office, using their resources to dig up any clues.
----------------------------------
Tony arrived in the bullpen at around 10am, heading straight for his desk.
McGee was sitting at his desk and had seen him come out of the elevator. "Uh, boss…" he trailed off as Gibbs turned around to face a groggy and very hungover DiNozzo. Gibbs got up out of his chair and went over to support Tony as he wobbled over to his desk. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Tony sat down, "Relax Gibbs, I'm not here to work."
"Then what the hell are you here for? You look like crap."
Tony chuckled, "Yeah? Well I feel like a million bucks."
"You're hungover," Gibbs looked over to McGee, who's eyes quickly darted back to the paper on the desk, "I'm surprised they even let you into the building."
Tony gave an odd chuckle, "I flashed 'em my gun, they seemed to see it my way."
Gibbs sighed and rolled his eyes, "Sit down then DiNozzo." But Tony quickly shook his head then quickly realized his headache hadn't fully gone. "Ow." He said as he clasped his head in the palms of his hands.
McGee noticed Tony's distress and frowned with concern, "Tony are you feeling okay?"
"Shut up probie." Tony hissed angrily, not at all feeling in the mood for his concern. They didn't understand. How could they?
McGee looked hurt and uncomfortable. The phone rang and he quickly answered it, glad to have something else to think about.
Gibbs was still hovering above him, showing an odd amount of concern. Kate was like a daughter to him, and he understood Tony's pain. He was acting very un-DiNozzo-like, but Gibbs figured that he was only coming to terms with his relationship with Kate, And now that she's gone he felt kind of lost. How can anyone comprehend what it feels like to experience the feeling of losing someone you've only just realized you loved?
"DiNozzo, give me the papers, I'll talk to the lawyers. You go get a coffee or something. A strong one." Gibbs said as he received the papers from Tony and held them out in front of him, squinting to see the numbers.
"9456-8445," Tony said, almost robotic-like, "I've dialed it enough times to remember it boss," Gibbs frowned and McGee's jaw involuntarily dropped, "Photographic memory probie."
Gibbs chuckled, "I knew there was a reason I hired you…" He scooped up the papers and headed for the stairs.
"Boss?" Tony called out. "MTAC," Gibbs replied ad he headed to the door with the words "MTAC – Restricted Area" printed on the side.
Tony glanced at McGee, who shrugged, "Guess he wanted to call in privacy." McGee said.
Tony raised his hands in protest, "Privacy? Why do I bother…" Causing McGee to give him a confused look, but Tony refused to elaborate.
----------------------------------
In the MTAC room Gibbs had dialed the number for Kate's lawyers and tapped his fresh cup of coffee impatiently on the desk as he waited for someone to answer. Finally they did, and Gibbs told them who he was and about the papers he had in his hands. They knew what he meant immediately, and transferred him over to a man called Thomas Knight.
Mr. Knight tried to explain the situation to Gibbs, who was getting antsy. "Look," he said, "I hope you understand I'm a busy man Mr. Gibbs…"
Gibbs cut him off, "Special Agent Gibbs. And no, I don't understand. One of my best agents is dead! Now I want you to find out what the hell these damn papers mean, is that clear?"
Mr. Knight cleared his throat awkwardly, "Sir, I…" But Gibbs wasn't hearing any of it, "Don't you sir me you bastard now you either tell me now or I'll be talking to your superiors." Gibbs heard the other man muttering colorful words to himself as he shuffled papers. "Ah, Special Agent DiNozzo, is he there with you? I can't talk to anyone else but him… protocol, you know."
Gibbs sighed, "Screw protocol, you tell me who Grace is, now."
----------------------------------
In the other room McGee had gone off for a coffee break, leaving Tony to pace up and down awkwardly in the hall. Finally after what seemed like hours Gibbs came out of the conference room and headed towards an expectant DiNozzo. "Well?" he asked.
Gibbs shook him head, "I talked to Kate's lawyers."
Tony shuffled awkwardly, "And?"
Gibbs hesitated, "And nothing," he looked down, "It was a screw up, nothing to tell…"
Tony laughed awkwardly, "Nothing to tell, ha! Funny boss, real funny." Gibbs just shook his head, refusing to go into it anymore. He knew Tony didn't believe him, but after what the lawyers said, and with Tony's condition, he didn't see it in DiNozzo's best interests to learn the truth.
"You're bluffing." Tony said.
Gibbs sat down at his desk. "The secret of a good bluff -"
"- is not to bluff. Yeah boss, I know."
Gibbs nodded, "I know you do DiNozzo, that's why I'm telling you now, there's nothing to tell."
Tony laughed awkwardly, trying to make eye contact with Gibbs, who refused to look at him. "C'mon boss -"
Gibbs bashed his fist against the desk, making Tony jump, "Damn it DiNozzo I am ordering you to leave this alone."
Tony scoffed, "Ordering me? C'mon boss, I know you're not telling me the whole story," he lowered his voice, "I thought you at least would understand how I feel!"
"Understand? No, DiNozzo, I don't think I do. Maybe you should enlighten me." Gibbs said sarcastically, watching the expression on the younger man's face. Tony just shook his head.
"Maybe I was wrong to come here," Tony said as he got up from the desk, "I thought you'd understand, I thought I could trust you!" Tony grabbed his jacket off the back of his chair and headed for the elevator. Gibbs watched him go, wondering whether to follow him or let him be. He was worried about Tony. He was getting too involved in all of this, and he looked like he hadn't slept in a week. Gibbs wanted to know about Grace almost as much as Tony did, but he understood when to let go.
Gibbs got up, "DiNozzo!" Tony turned around as he neared the elevator. Gibbs headed over to him and held out a small business card. "I can't tell you any more, but the lawyers gave me a number. I thought it might be a combination to a locker or something. I mean it could be anything, it might even mean nothing. Now you know we can't investigate this, but the lawyers thought you might know what it means." He handed it to Tony who looked at the number.
Tony closed his eyes tightly and gasped inwardly.
"Oh my god."
A/N: What could the numbers mean? I promise you it's not going to be another numbers thing like in Lost… LOL! Thanks so much for all your reviews for the first chapter, they helped a lot! More reviews please!