Chapter Five
It was a dull week of recover for Tony. Gibbs worked on his dining room and kitchen, while he watched movies on his Blur-ray player. Although he had brought a nice mix of Orson Welles, John Wayne, and Hitchcock films for him, as well as Disney movies for Amira, his mind was on Cortez. Somewhere out there the bastard was lying in wait for him. He hated the idea of doing nothing while that bastard was free, but he had to wait and be patient.
The only relief from the boredom of waiting for Tony was the visits from Leyla and Amira. Amira liked watching movies on the Blu-ray with Tony, as Leyla other fixed dinner for them or helped Gibbs with his wood working. Today for a Friday night surprise, McGee, Abby, Ducky, and Bishop were coming over for pizza. Gibbs invited Leyla and Amira, who showed up first.
"Tony!" Amira yelled as she came running into the living room.
He was seated on the couch, so she jumped up on the couch and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Besides making him blush, Tony felt a sense of warmth at Amira's acceptance of him. It surprised him how comfortable he felt with the young girl. He knew her from visits here and there to her house as Gibbs' guest, but this was the first time he got to know the young girl. It appeared that children were not as frightening as he thought they were.
"How was your day at school?" he asked her.
"I drew pictures of letters today," she said proudly.
Leyla entered the living and observed her daughter sitting beside Tony sharing her day. For the last five years she had been a devoted mother with most of her male contact coming from Mike and Gibbs. Tony was the first man she had shown any interest in and Gibbs noticed that. Of course, after his long term flirtation and failed love of Ziva, Gibbs liked the idea of seeing DiNozzo show interest in a woman who was not only attainable but probably good for him. He walked up behind Leyla.
"Join your daughter and Tony and relax for now. I'm going to clean up in here then order the pizzas before everyone shows up," Gibbs said to her.
"Thank you, Gibbs," she said.
He smiled the said, "I know cheese pizza and pizza with roasted vegetables for you and Amira."
"What does Tony like?" she asked.
Gibbs grinned at this then answered, "He liked pepperoni and sausage."
"I'll remember that," she said.
Leyla smiled then walked over to the couch and sat down. Amira was now in the middle of Tony and Leyla and looked very happy.
"Hi," Tony greeted Leyla.
"Tony," she smiled.
"Amira was telling me about her day," he said.
"You should feel honored. Amira usually only shares her day with Gibbs and me," said Leyla.
"I am honored," said Tony then he leaned over and kissed Amira on her dark hair.
NCISNCIS
Eight-thirty everybody had arrived, eaten, and were now relaxed enjoying conversation. Leyla sat beside Tony, while Amira fell asleep in Tony's lap.
"She appears to be a sound sleeper," said Ducky.
"Amira is a good girl," smiled Leyla.
"Do you want me to drive you home?" Gibbs asked from the dining room doorway.
"I have my car," Leyla said.
"I'll carry Amira and go with you. Gibbs can follow behind and drive me home," offered Tony. "She is sound asleep in my arms, so let's not wake her."
Leyla looked to Gibbs, who nodded yes, and then she looked at Tony.
"I would like that," said Leyla.
"Good," Tony said.
He stood up with Amira in his arms. She grabbed hold of him not wanting to go anywhere, which made Abby smile. Within ten minutes Tony was in the car with Leyla and Amira in the backseat in a car seat, and Gibbs and one of the marine CID cars were following her to her house. They were getting close when suddenly the screech from a car woke up Tony's instincts. He looked behind him to see the marines hit in the back and spun out. Gibbs stepped on the gas so that he only got clipped slightly.
"Leyla, listen to me and don't argue. Take a left and step on the gas," he ordered.
She did as he said. When they were half way down the street, he saw a car turn to follow them.
"Take the next right," he ordered.
She did it and they were headed down another street. He wanted to make following them as hard as possible.
"Take the next left," he said.
She did it. Amira had awakened. He turned and looked at her then smiled.
"Don't cry sweetheart," he said. "We'll be fine. I'd never let anything happen to you or your mom."
Amira nodded in the positive and stared straight ahead. She was frightened.
"Take the next right?" he told Leyla.
Leyla took the next right. They were near a freeway now, so Tony had her step on the gas and take off towards the freeway. He reached inside his sling to check if service weapon was still there, just as he kept it hid. It was. They had protection, so now all they needed was someplace to stay which was safe and secure.
Tony went over the number of safe houses he knew. He didn't want to go to most of them with Leyla and Amira as part of the package. No – he needed someplace safe and secure and where the bag guys would think of going. Jackson Gibbs hadn't been dead long and he knew that the kind old man wouldn't mind if they used his house. Gibbs had kept the house so far and was working on its upkeep. He let go of his weapon then checked his wallet. There were three useable credit cards in his wallet, though he wouldn't be able to use them more than once.
"Where are we going?" asked Leyla.
"Pennsylvania," he smiled. "We'll be safe."
NCISNCIS
Vance came down from his office. DiNozzo had either gone to ground with Leyla and Amira or they were dead. As he walked down the stairs, he saw Gibbs at his desk staring at DiNozzo' desk, McGee at work, and Bishop at work. He walked over to Gibbs' desk.
"Have you got anything?" he asked.
"McGee checked DiNozzo's and Leyla's cellphones but they are both dead. No GPS. We have a bolo out on her car with no hits so far," stated Gibbs.
"What do you think DiNozzo has done?" asked Vance.
"Got rid of cellphones, changed cars, and went to find somewhere safe to hide before he could contact me," said Gibbs.
"You were in the cars that crashed into you and the marines?" asked Vance.
"McGee," barked Gibbs.
McGee looked up from his computer and explained, "They were from a DC Latino gang called AK 47."
"Cortez is sticking to his MO. He must have been watching and new that Leyla and Amira was close to me. The bastard was going to use them to get Tony. I want him, Leon; I want him. He uses Latino gang who are beholden to his cousin for their drugs," said Gibbs.
"Let me know if you hear anything," said Vance.
"I will," replied Gibbs.
Vance walked away and headed back up to his office. Gibbs went back to staring at DiNozzo's desk. His gut told him that they were so far safe, but he wouldn't feel right until he heard from DiNozzo and knew that Leyla and Amira were unharmed.
NCISNCIS
Tony pulled the SUV he procured from a used car lot up in front of Jackson Gibbs in Stillwater, PA. Once he had stolen it, he put Leyla's car plates on it then left her car somewhere where it wouldn't be found for days. Before they got to Jackson's house, they stopped at a CostCo. Leyla was a member so they took advantage of it buying enough food from about a month, as well as clothes and hiking boots. Tony also picked up six burner cellphones.
"We're here," he said softly, as Amira was asleep in the back.
Leyla looked him. He could see the concern in her eyes, so he placed his right hand on her left hand and squeezed.
"I'll protect and take care of the two of you, Leyla, and if anything should happen, I'll give me life to protect you," he said softly to her.
Her eyes filled up with tears.
"No one has spoken to me like that since Liam," she said.
"I mean it," Tony replied.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek then pulled back.
"Thank you," she said.
"Now let's get inside. Remember, we are related to Gibbs. We are a married couple, the Franks, and we are going to be living here," said Tony.
"I will tell Amira to call you baba," she said.
"Baba?" he asked.
"Daddy," smiled Leyla.
Tony looked at the young beautiful woman in the passenger seat and chuckled.
"Gibbs is going to kill me," said Tony.
Leyla smiled slyly then said, "Tony, Gibbs has brought you too many of our family gatherings because he always hoped you and I would get along. He has tried to play matchmaker in his way."
"Really?" he said in surprise.
"Really," she replied.
"He is a sneaky son of…"
"He is a good man," Leyla stopped him.
"Okay, he's that, too. Let's get in the house and unpacked. I have to call Leroy Jethro Gibbs," he said.
NCISNCIS
Bishop was eating her lunch of some sort of soup and McGee was down in Abby's lab. Gibbs was still at his desk waiting like a caged animal for anything, something, to pounce on. His cellphone rang. He pulled it out and answered it.
"Gibbs."
"Hey, boss," said Tony.
Gibbs got up from his desk and walked away to a far corner so he could speak without anyone hearing him.
"Where are you and is everyone safe?" he asked.
"Stillwater at Jackson's place and everyone is safe," he said.
"Well done, Tony. Catch me up," said Gibbs.
"Well, I've broken some laws. I stole an SUV and put Leyla's plates on it. We then headed off to lovely Stillwater. Right before we got here, we stopped at a CostCo where we bought enough food and drink for a month, as well as some clothes. Boss, I bought clothes at CostCo. I'm almost afraid to put them on," he explained.
"DiNozzo, get back on track," growled Gibbs.
"I bought some burner phones, too. I got rid of my smart phone and Leyla's. We are going to be staying here as a married couple related to you. We are the Franks," he said.
Gibbs smiled.
"It sounds like you are safer there than here. If any strangers come into town you'll know. As a matter of fact you'll probably be getting visits today from neighbors and the sheriff," said Gibbs.
"I'll handle it," said Tony.
"Jackson's Henry rifle is in the hall closet. You'll find ammo, too. It's old fashion but effective," said Gibbs.
"I need some ammo for my Sig when you come to visit," said Tony.
"I'll be up there on Saturday. Don't worry because no one will follow me and I'll make sure McGee checks my out my car to make sure no one has attached a GPS to it," said Gibbs. "Should I bring something other than clips?"
"Blu-ray player, movies, clothes for all of us," he said. "How long do you think we'll be staying here?"
"Until we find and kill Cortez," said Gibbs.
"You mean find and arrest, right, boss?" chuckled Tony.
"Whatever you say, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.
"You know that I'll give my life to protect them, boss," said Tony. "They are more important than me."
"I know you would, Tony. And you are all important to me, so stay safe. I'll be up there on Saturday," said Gibbs.
Gibbs hung up. He grinned. DiNozzo had them safe and hidden. He needed to keep this information to few people, but Vance had to be one of them, so he headed towards the staircase to go visit the director.