Ducky hung up the phone and sighed. He looked up at his young apprentice.
"Anything wrong Dr. Mallard?" Palmer asked sincerely.
"Many, many things Mr. Palmer but nothing for you to worry about," Ducky glanced down at his watch "Why don't you have a break Mr. Palmer," Palmer frowned, Dr Mallard had never offered him a break at this time before. "Don't worry, our John Doe will still be here when you get back," Palmer smiled and nodded. He pulled off his rubber gloves and threw them into the trashcan. Ducky watched as the young student whistled happily to himself as the autopsy doors opened and closed behind him with a whoosh. Ducky turned back to the phone and picked it back up, phoning the number for the squad room.
"Jethro," He greeted the man on the other end. "Do you think we could have a little talk… no, no not about the case but just as important… great, see you soon," Ducky hung up the phone and waited patiently for Gibbs to arrive. Less than a minute later Ducky heard the ding of the elevator and Gibbs stepped through.
"What can I do for you Duck?" Gibbs asked.
"Why don't you sit?" Ducky answered, motioning to the empty seat.
"Ookay," Gibbs sat down, now very curious "What's this about?"
"It's about Tony."
"Aww come on Duck! Not you too!" Gibbs stood up ready to leave
"Yes me too!" Ducky said sternly. Gibbs stopped and turned back to Ducky "Tony's a dear friend of mine and a good agent. You can't let him throw his career away over a silly fight."
"A silly fight?"
"It came out of nowhere Jethro, did you not stop to think that maybe Tony was having a bad week and that having you in his face was the last thing he needed?" Gibbs didn't know whether to tell Ducky the truth or carry on lying. Ducky could keep a secret Gibbs decided, and he needed someone on his side. He was getting fed up with the frowns everyone was sending his when they thought he wasn't looking.
"Okay Duck, there's something you should know."
"Yes Jethro?"
"You have to keep it to yourself Duck, Tony's life depends on it," Ducky's eyes widened at Gibbs' words.
"Tell me Jethro."
Gibbs sighed and sat back down "The fight was staged, we had to make it look like Tony quit and we needed witnesses."
"I don't understand," Ducky shook his head.
"Tony's working for the FBI on an undercover assignment. His father's the target. They think he's been selling weapons to terrorists and Tony's their only chance of proving it."
"My God Jethro, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Everyone needed to believe that Tony quit, I couldn't risk anyone finding out the truth."
Ducky nodded "When was the last time you spoke to Tony?"
"Just before he got on the plane," Gibbs answered.
"I don't know a lot about his father, he never talked about him. I wouldn't know how to handle finding out my father was in league with terrorists. How did Tony handle the news?"
"Not well," Gibbs replied grimly, remembering the look on Tony's face as the elevator doors opened, the way he brushed past Gibbs and ran for the nearest exit. "I don't like the sound of his father one bit," Gibbs growled, clenching his fist. "Too damn self absorbed with his wives and his drink."
"It's a wonder Tony turned out such a bright young man."
"We're lucky that his father never actually spent any time with Tony."
"I'll always be amazed at the way parents treat their children Jethro," Gibbs still couldn't believe how much Tony had defended his father. Gibbs had first thought it was some kind of off-shoot of Stockholm syndrome, live with the guy long enough and you end up sympathising with him, but then Gibbs realised it ran far deeper than that. With his mother dead, his father was all Tony had. Without his father, he had nothing. It's hard to hate you're only living blood relative and Gibbs had to admit there were worse parents in the world who did a lot more damage. "When will you let the rest of the team in on the situation?"
"I don't know Duck, when the situation calls for it. They don't need to know."
Ducky raised an eyebrow "Neither did I."
Gibbs smiled at his old friend "I needed you to know"
Ducky smiled back "Very well," Gibbs stood up and began to leave "You will tell me when Tony rings again?" Gibbs stopped and turned around.
"I promise," Gibbs replied before leaving the room. Ducky only had five minutes to digest the new information before Jimmy Palmer walked back into the room.
"Anything wrong Dr Mallard?" Palmer asked as he noticed the look on Ducky's face.
Ducky sighed "Many, many things Mr Palmer but nothing for you to worry about" Ducky repeated.
After taking a nap and freshening up, Tony dressed in a pair of smart trousers, a plain white crisp shirt and matching tailored jacket. Dinner times were always a smart affair in the DiNozzo house and Tony still remembered all the little suits his nanny dressed him up in for dinner nearly thirty years ago. After checking himself in the mirror, he left his bedroom and made his way back down the stairs and into the large dining room. A long table filled the length of the room which was adorned with gold plated candlesticks and over-the-top flower arrangements. The table was set for two, one at each end and Tony wondered where the latest wife was.
"She's holidaying in the south of France, can't stand the cold weather," Anthony said, reading Tony's mind as he entered the room. Anthony walked passed Tony and to the chair at the far end and sat himself down. He watched Tony and sighed. "Sit down Anthony, you've always been one to dither," He admonished with a shake of his head. Tony did as he was told without retort and almost instantly, a maid brought out the first course. "So" Anthony began, just as Tony was about to devour a mouthful. "Are you seeing anyone?"
Tony put his fork down and looked up as his father. "No sir, I haven't really been dating seriously"
"Well don't wait too long Anthony, you're not getting any younger," Neither are you dad but that hasn't stopped you Tony thought. "Your step-sister is pregnant with her second child already and she's younger than you."
"I have a step-sister?" Tony blurted out.
Anthony pursed his lips. He put his knife and fork down with a loud clatter "Maybe if you'd bothered to visit or keep in contact you'd know Anthony," Anthony spoke harshly.
"I'm sorry," Tony apologised. "I was so busy being a cop that I forgot about my family. That's one of the reasons I came here," Tony added to appease his father.
"Well, better late than never I suppose," Anthony continued eating. The pair ate in silence and Tony began to wonder how well everything was going. He decided that if his father did not want him here he would already be gone. He put those thoughts to one side and enjoyed the gourmet food. "Be ready at seven o'clock tomorrow morning Anthony," Anthony said, catching Tony off guard again.
"Excuse me?"
"I leave for work at seven am exactly. We'll see you how manage tomorrow."
Tony smiled "I appreciate the offer."
"But?" His father asked, sensing a but.
Tony shook his head "No but. I'd be honoured to work for you father."
"You have a lot to learn Anthony."
"I'm a fast learner."
"It's not an easy job."
"I'm a hard worker." Tony countered, keeping eye contact with his father.
Anthony cocked his head to one side and stared at his son. He raised one eyebrow and then spoke "Prove it."