The elevator trip down to the lab was as dead silent as Tony could ever remember. Not even the occasional grunt, sigh or clearing of the throat. Gibbs gut was wrenching on the inside, but on the outside he expressed nothing but full composure and control. Tony's gut was also wrenching but he hadn't quite mastered Gibbs's skills at keeping a straight face. They exited the elevators simultaneously, though Tony did give Gibbs a few feet head start to lead the way. Abby twirled around in her chair to meet them, her mouth half full.
"Aww come on, it's lunch time." Gibbs stared back at her and she swallowed whatever she was chewing. "Uh oh, you look worried."
Tony snapped his head to stare at Gibbs face. He couldn't see any worry. How could Abby read him like that? He thought.
"DiNozzo." Gibbs barked out, ignoring Abby's comment.
Tony reached in his back pocket and took out the sheet of paper. "Found this when I got to my apartment last night, its evidence."
She looked at him confused. "Didn't know we had a case."
Gibbs sighed taking the paper and handing it to her. "We do now."
"This means my Big Mac is gonna get cold isn't it?"
"Not necessarily." Tony reached for it and Gibbs smacked his hand. "Sorry boss."
Abby shrugged. "Think we need to you put you through rookie Agent class Tony; this hasn't been bagged, let alone tagged. Both of your guy's prints are on it."
"Well eliminate ours Abs; I want to know what else is on it." He was borderline rude and Abby knew something was up.
She nodded and opened the letter, reading it quickly. "What's today?" She posed an unexpected question.
"February 11th." Tony offered.
"Not good." She replied.
Gibbs sighed. "Abs…"
"That means this isn't an April fools joke." She motioned towards the paper in her hand.
"I'm afraid not Abs." Gibbs replied. "Listen, I know this was unexpected, but I need you to focus on getting us a lead."
She looked up at him then stood between Tony and Gibbs, placing her arms out.
"You'll have to get through me first Tony."
Tony smiled. "Abs, I'm not going to kill him."
"Yeah well, just letting you know that if you change your mind, you'll have to get past me. I may be small, but I'm feisty." She put her hands up in a boxing pose.
Gibbs grabbed her waist and moved her aside. "Abs, the paper."
She sighed. "Okay, but…"
"No butts…the paper." Gibbs pointed down at it.
"I'll get on it now…" She glared at Tony as an attempt at intimidation. "If there's anything here, you'll be the first to know."
Gibbs tapped Tony's shoulder for them to leave but Abby continued her glare as the two walked out. As the elevator doors closed, Tony turned to Gibbs.
"Is she really as feisty as she says boss?"
Gibbs nodded. "You have no idea."
--- ---
Ziva sat with her elbow buried in an ice pack when Gibbs and Tony entered the bull pen. She stood up quickly and Tony met her with an immediate apology.
"Sorry about that Ziva…" He pointed towards the clear bruise on her right elbow.
She looked him up and down and glared at Gibbs as he passed. "What is going on?"
Tony sighed. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Try me." She shot back.
Gibbs punched at a few keys before he started barking out orders.
"Tim, I need you to compile a list of cases Tony and I worked before you and Kate were on the team, I want to you to find out if any of those detainees have been released within the last year." He stood up. "Ziva, work with Tony, get me a list of any acquaintances connected with Tony's Father that have had any workings in the DC area…"
"Are you going to tell us what this is about?"
He looked at the three of them. "Tony received a threatening letter last night, it gave him till 1:00 today to kill me, or they kill his Father."
McGee sighed. "Who are they boss?"
"I don't know McGee, maybe one the people on the list I just asked you to make?" He shot back with a glare.
Ziva snapped her head in Tony's direction. "He's not kidding."
"Does he look like he's kidding?"
Ziva nodded then went behind her desk. Tony then made his way over towards Gibbs.
"Boss, I know I probably don't have to tell you this, but we only got about 45 minutes, there's no way Abs is gonna get a match by then, let a lone give us enough time to run down any leads."
Gibbs looked back up at him. "Then what do you suggest we do DiNozzo?"
He shrugged. "You're making me call their bluff boss."
Gibbs stood up and looked him straight the eyes. "They want my body dropped off Tony…so that's just what we'll give them."
"I don't follow."
"They gotta have a way to ensure you keep your end. They'll contact you again, and you'll tell them the place…you call the shots."
Tony shot him a worried look.
"Have I ever let you down before Tony?"
Tony sighed. "You know, I haven't seen him in over ten years…funny how a crisis like this will be the reason we see each other."
"Let's just hope it's not a funeral that brings you two together."
--- ---
"Got the list boss."
Gibbs lifted up his watch. "Take it down to Abby, have her narrow her search to what you have…Ziva?" He looked over at the two huddled at her computer.
"Just a handful of names Gibbs."
"Down to Abby, we're running short on time here."
"On it." She replied, grabbing her list and handing to an awaiting McGee.
Tony sighed. "12:58 boss."
"Yeah thanks DiNozzo…" He replied, shifting his weight.
The next two minutes consisted of Tony staring at Gibbs, and Gibbs starting at Tony, until the silence was broken by a ringing phone. Tony reached for it.
"Agent DiNozzo."
"Deadline past thirty seconds ago Anthony."
Tony pointed to notify Gibbs it was them.
"Yeah well, I was waiting for your call, thought we could meet some place."
Gibbs called McGee to have him trace the call as Tony continued.
"Oh sure, why don't we just sit down and have lunch while we're at it… looks like you lost your chance at ever reuniting with your Father. Be a pity, since he's the only parent you got left."
Tony took in a deep breath. "How can you be so sure I haven't killed him?"
"I'm looking at him right now…I'm flattered he's listening in."
Tony snapped his head towards Gibbs who removed his hand from covering the receiver.
"Why don't you just come kill me yourself?" Gibbs added.
"Now that wouldn't be as much fun now would it? Too bad he didn't hold up his end, as usual…would you like to say goodbye to your Father Tony?"
Tony listened to the shuffling on the other end and cringed at the sound of the familiar voice coming from the receiver.
"Anthony?"
He swallowed hard. "Dad…I…"
"It's alright…you must love this man very much?"
Tony peered over at Gibbs then looked towards the floor. "I do…"
"I don't blame you Anthony; I know I've been nothing more to you than a name on your birth certificate…"
He shook his head. "Not just your fault…I left."
"I just as well of held the door open for you…"
Tony slammed his fist on his desk. "God, Dad I'm sorry, I don't know what to do…guess I never did…"
The man placed the weapon on his forehead. "Goodbye Anthony, I'm sorry…for everything."
He held back a sob. "I'm sorry too…I let you down…"
Gibbs stood there dumbfounded, but was momentarily shaken as the sound of gun fire came through the line. He watched as the phone in Tony's hand fell to the ground, and his Senior Agent fall to his knees beside it.