Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS. I want to, but I know I never will.
A/N: The wanted chapter of Closer to Collision. I am so sorry that I have never updated. My goal is to update all my stories. I refuse to let a month go by without at least one or two updates for each story – beginning now. Well, I hope you all enjoy. Reviews are keeping me going – and I really mean that.
Two weeks have past since Tony had the case involving the rape victim that the FBI failed to identify. It was the two weeks that Tony couldn't remember. All he knew was that he was so deep into his cover given to him by the CIA that he couldn't function well enough for the NCIS.
He faltered at times; trying not to reveal himself to anyone especially Jeanne, Rene, and Gibbs. He had suspicions in his mind and sometimes felt strange stares on him as if those stares knew what he was hiding.
He was going on a dangerous ride. It could either make or break him. He could either live or die. Yet he couldn't help but have the feeling that he was just closer to a collision. And that collision would be between his life as with La Grenouille and the NCIS with Jeanne unfortunately in-between.
Tony DiNozzo watched Jeanne play with the little children in the park. She was so beautiful when she played with children. He admired the way her hair shined with the sun. He noted the little dimples when she smiled. She was beautiful.
"She's beautiful isn't she?" suddenly asked a very heavily accented voice from behind Tony.
It was La Grenouille also known as Rene Benoit. He was looking quite suave and business like as usual. He had a smile on his face that suggested humor and secret knowledge.
Tony nodded respectfully. "Yes, she is," he replied as he returned his eyes to Jeanne. How could a woman like her be your daughter?
Grenouille nodded too. His eyes also were watching Jeanne. "Have you thought about my offer? I've given you enough time to think it through."
Oh, I've thought about it. I've thought about it a lot.
"Yes, that does sound as the right course goes through and quite clever. He will want to convince you to turn aside your loyalty to the NCIS and America, and set your gaze on being loyal to him and only him."
"So, you are saying to me that… thee La Grenouille wants me to defect and commit treason against my country all because of my feelings for Jeanne?"
"Not treason but real help for this country. You will resist at first. You will play that you don't know what to do for sure. You will emphasize on your love for his daughter and after awhile when the time is right… you will accept him in joining the arms dealing business."
"Great… I will be breaking how many laws by doing this and I will be betraying many people."
I knew my risks and I still chose to take this op. Tony knew all the risks. He describes them to himself every day. He already made the deal with Kort. He was going to go throw with what he chosen. There was no going back.
He did what Kort wanted him to do. He held back from Jeanne's father. He just waited until it was the right time. Today was the right time.
Now's the time. He looked deep into La Grenouille's eyes. It was the time to mix things. He was going to mix lies and truths together.
"I love your daughter, Rene." Tony started. It was the truth. Now into the lie. "I've heard every reason on why you want me in your business, but I still don't understand it. I want to see everything." He gave a short pause for effect. "This isn't a yes – but this isn't a no either." He glanced at Jeanne. "Make of it as you will."
La Grenouille gave Tony a long look. He contemplated on what the younger man said.
Oh, this better work. Tony turned away from the older man. He just looked at the daughter. You've kept this much from Gibbs. Do the same from "The Frog."
After a while, Grenouille spoke, "That is fair… Alright, young DiNardo, you will see more of my business…" He checked his watch. "Yes, you will see it soon."
Look at him! He wants to see your eyes. Tony did just that. His green orbs met La Grenouille's blue ones.
"How soon?" Tony asked.
La Grenouille smiled a bright smile. "Very soon, young man," he replied as he grabbed Tony's shoulder and squeezed. "Very soon."
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"Where's Tony?"
That was the question of the day it seems to everyone in the NCIS especially those associated with Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Tony DiNozzo was no where to be found. It was two in the afternoon and he never showed. It was the strangest and the most worrisome thing that has occurred to the team. They didn't understand. Where was he?
Ziva had tried to call him. McGee emailed him. Abby did both. While the Director, Ducky, and Gibbs didn't do anything. They just waited. But even if they were doing many different things they all had a common thought in mind: where was Tony?
"Maybe he emailed you boss," McGee suggested as he sat behind his desk.
Ziva shook her head. "No, I don't think he did that because if he did then he would have come in earlier," she replied.
Gibbs silently watched them converse about Tony. He too didn't know where the senior agent was. He didn't like the fact that wherever Tony was seemed far more important to the younger man. But then an underlining worry was also there. What if Tony was hurt? What if he got himself into trouble again?
For all of them there were more questions than answers.
Ding!
Everyone's head looked towards the elevator. Everyone stood up except for Gibbs.
And lo! and behold, out comes Tony from that very elevator. He was wearing very casual clothes; clothes too casual even for Tony. He had a wide smile on his face as he walked towards the bullpen; it wasn't a content or comforting smile. It was a smile that he wore when he was hiding something, but then again, to everyone in the bullpen Tony was always hiding something.
Why is everyone looking at me strange? Tony didn't show that he was paying attention to their stares. He just walked toward his desk like nothing happened; as if he didn't come in late.
Tony turned on everything and put his gun away. He felt the stares and heard the questions but he wouldn't give any of them any attention. His mind was too busy on what La Grenouille just showed him.
When Rene said he would show him around soon, Tony didn't know it would be so soon. After they had their talk, La Grenouille told Jeanne that they both would be going for a ride.
I'm surprised that Jeanne wasn't even suspicious, but then again, she doesn't know what he and I do. They were both expert liars when it comes to Jeanne. Tony hated lying to her, but then again, that was how they met. His name wasn't really Tony DiNardo and he wasn't really a film professor just a film buff.
"I've giving you just a little preview…" That was how the "Frog" introduced to him. Some preview… He saw a lot of things. He saw so man things that if that was just a preview then he couldn't help but wonder and worry over what the whole thing would be.
"Special agent DiNozzo the Director would like to see you."
Tony looked up.
It was Cynthia. She was standing in front of him with a folder in her arms.
"MTAC," she continued.
Tony glanced at the others and lingered it on Gibbs. Great… He would talk to Gibbs later. He stood up with a nod.
"Alright," he replied. Let's hope it's not about La Grenouille. I don't need to converse about him with you. That conversation is with Kort.
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Gibbs watched Tony follow Cynthia climb the stairs and all the way to the Director's office. He wasn't sure that he liked that the Director was always calling on Tony. Tony was his agent not the Director's.
He looked at Ziva and McGee. "You said that he's been doing ops for the Director."
Ziva and McGee nodded.
"Yes, ever since you left." McGee replied.
Gibbs let the subject rest. His returned to his work, but he didn't stop thinking. His curiosity was growing. He wanted to know exactly what Tony was doing for the Director.
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Tony looked long at Tony. He remembered the conversation he had with Jen at midnight two weeks ago.
"Ops… too many ops… I'm sorry, Tony." Jen said.
"Don't be. I chose to do them."
"I can't give you anymore."
"Why?"
"It will be better. You belong with your team, with Gibbs."
"I don't belong with Gibbs."
"You know what I mean."
"Just tell me what you want me to do."
Jen sighed.
"Well?"
"I need you to establish a relationship with the FBI."
"What kind of relationship?"
Jen smiled. "A working relationship…"
A working relationship… The duty that Jen gave him wasn't exactly an op, but it still held the same rules of one. No one is supposed to find out.
Jen smiled at Tony. "I've seen that you've come in late."
"Yes…" he replied.
"Why's that?"
Well… I've been hanging around with a certain frog… "I'm sorry."
"Is that all you can say?"
Tony smiled softly. "Since when can you doubt me?"
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Trent Kort stood in front of the Washington Memorial. He was in Washington D.C. This was the city of politics and monuments. This was America's center. It was the perfect place to have a meeting.
"You are quiet. Gibbs has taught you well." Kort said without turning around.
Damn you, CIA guy! Tony nodded as he moved to stand between him and the Central Intelligence agent.
"Yeah, and I've got more to learn." Tony replied.
It wasn't a lie. He admired Gibbs. His team leader was a man he admired most in the world. Gibbs was like a father he never truly had.
Trent smiled. "What have you got?" he asked.
"He showed everything…" Tony started. He shrugged. "Not everything, of course, but he's begun the course."
Trent laughed. "Yes." He gave Tony a look. "Now it's time for you to succeed."
"To do what?" Tony replied although he knew the answer.
"Become the lie that can never be seen."
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TBC
End-note: I'm sorry this is so short, but I hope you enjoyed it. I hope to have another chapter up soon.