The next day McGee knocked a little nervously on Tony's door. At least he didn't have to concoct a reason for being there this time: Gibbs had told him about Archie's background check and had ordered him to visit Tony for 'advice' on how to run them in future. Tony opened the door,
"McGoo," he said happily, "come in. It's been at least an hour since I saw anyone."
McGee stared at Tony trying to see if he had worked out his former team's nursemaiding crusade. As always, he couldn't tell – he was met by the blandest of Tony's bland, innocent smiles.
"So, what brings you to Casa DiNozzo today, SFA #2?"
"Background checks," said Tim. Tony winced,
"Oops, sorry about that. I didn't mean to drop you in it?" At McGee's sceptically raised eyebrow, he continued, "I'm not saying I wouldn't have done it in the past, but we don't need to compete for El Jefe's favour any more".
"Well, I've been sent for a master class in background snooping," said Tim, "so I've brought my laptop to show you what I found. You just need to remember that you're still sworn to secrecy about what you've seen."
"OK, grasshopper, let's see what the master can show you," and Tony rubbed his hands together in excitement. Tim groaned; he recognised that mischievous tone.
Two hours later, he reflected that Tony was very good at this. He had showed McGee other sources of information and how he cross referenced bits of data as corroboration or ways of highlighting discrepancies. Things which had looked perfectly sensible to Tim were shown to be slightly suspicious under what he called the 'Tony lens' of life experience, common sense and sheer breadth of general and odd knowledge.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Tim," said Tony, "if you were doing a background check on a computer geek you'd probably spot things I wouldn't. And anyway, I've been a cop a lot longer than you, I've developed a more cynical streak," he saw that Tim was not convinced so added, "it's more of an art than a science."
Tim sighed and thought this might just be another of those things which Tony just did better than other people, "I think I need you as a consultant," he said.
"You'll get there," said Tony, "I have every confidence in you."
"I'm not sure Gibbs has," said Tim.
"Don't beat yourself up, McVictim. Gibbs has more experience than either of us and he didn't spot anything wrong in what you showed him. We all have different experiences, gifts; that's why we work in teams."
"Guess so," said Tim a little doubtfully.
"And now, good team member, how about getting us some refreshments? Being nosy is thirsty work."
McGee agreed, wondering if the team's ministrations had led to Tony forgetting how to use his kitchen and get his own food and drink. Still, he reasoned he owed Tony something for the free lesson. When he came back, bearing hot chocolate and some of Ducky's shortbread, he found Tony sound asleep. Tim felt a bit guilty for having worked him so hard. He quietly shut down his lap top and gathered his papers together. The chocolate and shortbread smelled inviting so he decided to stay and eat his share. He sent a text to Ziva who was the next scheduled visitor to let her know that he was still with Tony so she could calculate when to arrive. Her text reply pinged loudly and jerked Tony awake.
"Rubber helicopters can't fly, they'd melt," he said loudly.
"What?" said McGee
"What?" replied Tony.
"Why are you talking about rubber helicopters?" probed McGee.
"I wasn't," denied Tony, "or perhaps I was. Wow, that was one really weird dream. Are you going?"
"Just going to finish my drink," said Tim, "do you need anything?"
"I'm glad you asked that," said Tony, "there is something you can do for me but you can't tell Abby."
"Okay," said Tim a bit worriedly.
"I want you to find out where Arch's family are and what they're doing."
"But I thought he'd decided not to find out?" said Tim.
"Yeah, he has, sort of," admitted Tony, "but I'm not sure that's the right decision."
"So you're going to contact his family for him?" asked Tim.
"God, no. I think there's a flaw in Arch's logic. I think he needs to know what they are doing so he can make a proper decision."
"I don't follow," said Tim.
"Look, Arch says that if his family is getting on well, his wife is married etc, then he won't make contact and I agree with that. But, and it's a big but, if they're not doing so well, then he might want to make contact and it might be the right thing to do. I think he's second guessing himself at the moment and that's not helping him. There's a saying, "The truth will set you free" and I think that might be true for Arch."
"OK," said Tim.
"And it makes sense," continued Tony, "at the very least if he finds out where they are, he can work out how to leave them his money etc in his will. We can work out a way for them to inherit."
"You've really been thinking about this," said Tim.
"It came to me when he was talking about going on a road-trip. We're talking about making contact with his family but he's got friends from that time as well. If he's not telling his family, he can't risk bumping into old friends either. Imagine he decides to meet up with an old army buddy, what happens if that buddy then tells his wife? Arch is prepared for all the pain of keeping his distance, I just want to be sure that he needs to be."
"OK, I'll get on it," said Tim, "but why can't I tell Abby?"
"You know Abby, she'll be all enthusiastic and start arranging reunions without thinking it through. Her interventions don't always work, you know. I'd like to have the information available if Arch decides he wants it but I want him to be able to make the decision in his own time and without pressure."
"You really care for the old guy, don't you?" said Tim.
"Like I was saying to Gibbs, I think he's probably the bravest person I know. We can understand split second decisions of bravery but to have carried what he did all those years and not be able to talk about it, well, that's pretty heavy stuff, Tim."
Tim nodded, "Yeah, I guess there are all types of bravery and some don't hit the headlines."
Tony slapped him on the shoulder,
"Sounds like something to tell your wee Webelos. Hey, when you get the stuff, put it in a sealed envelope will you? I don't want Arch to think I know something that he doesn't."
"You got it," said Tim and got up to go. At the door he remembered something else and turned, "we're not on duty this weekend. D'you want me to run you down to Seymour Boulevard?"
"Why does everyone want to get me down there?" complained Tony. He saw a look of surprise on McGee's face, "sorry, Tim. There's no rush to get there, is there? Like I say, Arch is thinking of going on a road-trip. Radhika might be going to India for a vacation so there's not going to be anyone around to get it up and running."
"OK," said Tim obligingly, "whatever you say. I'll let you know when I've got the information."
"Thanks, Tim," said Tony as he rested his head on the back of the couch and went to sleep.
NCISNCIS
"How did you get on, McGee?" asked Gibbs when he returned to the Navy Yard.
"I've had what Tony called a master class on background checks," said McGee.
"And what do you call it?" asked Ziva. Tim thought about it for a moment and then decided on honesty,
"I'd call it a master class as well. It was pretty impressive, Boss. All those years and I never quite realised what he was doing at this desk. Ziva, he was having a nap when I left so don't startle him when you go in."
Ziva smiled a little wickedly as if she would quite like to see Tony jump but she just nodded in agreement and left shortly afterwards. When he and Gibbs were alone, Tim broached a subject which had been bothering him,
"Er, Boss."
"Hmmm?"
"I offered to take Tony to the movie theater this weekend. I mean his movie theater, not any old movie theater." That seemed to get Gibbs' attention,
"What did he say?"
"He got a bit cross about it, asked why everyone wanted him to go there. Boss, I thought he'd be itching to get there and start setting everything to rights".
The elevator dinged at that moment, signalling the arrival of Ducky and Jimmy.
"Ah, Jethro, Mr Palmer and I wanted to check the progress of the DiNozzo Daily Recovery plan so we can see when our services are next required".
"Help yourselves," said Gibbs, "Duck, can we run something by you?"
"Assuredly, Jethro, you know I am always delighted to give an opinion – I have so many!"
Gibbs grinned and continued, "McGee and I have both offered to take DiNozzo to Seymour Boulevard but he's turned us down flat. Can you think of any reason?"
"Well, he's trying to hide it but I don't think he's feeling quite up to par yet. He may not feel up to the visit", suggested Ducky.
Gibbs shook his head, "Don't think it's that. Have you ever known DiNozzo not do something just because he's feeling a bit off-colour?"
"It was a severe concussion, Jethro, rather more than simply feeling a bit unwell".
"You know what I mean, Duck. Doesn't ring true to me."
"Well, what excuse does Anthony give for refusing your offers?" asked Ducky.
"He said that Archie might not be around for a while and Radhika might be going to India for a vacation," replied McGee.
"Both very reasonable explanations," said Ducky.
"Perhaps he's afraid," said Jimmy and then faltered when three pairs of eyes swivelled in his direction.
"Afraid?" said Gibbs, "Tony, afraid?"
"Tony's had worse things happen than this," pointed out Tim, "and he never had any problems coming back to work."
"I believe Mr Palmer may be on to something here," said Ducky excitedly.
"I don't buy it, Duck," said Gibbs, "McGee's right. This is small beer to Tony."
"It was small beer when Anthony was a federal agent with violence happening to him as a result of his job. This was something which happened quite randomly to him as a civilian, if you will, and in a place which was very special to him. He was also defenceless in the face of extreme violence. This may well have been more traumatic for him then we, and he, realised".
"Do you think he has PTSD?" asked McGee.
"Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? No, no, no," said Ducky, "I don't believe he is showing any symptoms of that. He is sleeping well, engages emotionally with others and does not seem to be depressed".
"What do you suggest, Duck? Assuming you're right?" asked Gibbs.
"I doubt if there is any point in confronting him about it," said Ducky, "if my conjecture is right, he may be embarrassed about his feelings. It may also simply be that time will heal this; a return to physical health and energy may sweep aside any reluctance to engage with any residual feelings about the incident with Smith".
"So, do nothing?" said Gibbs, obviously not entirely on-board with a wait-and-see policy.
"Well, not exactly nothing," said Ducky, "it would be good to continue our supportive strategy and be ready to assist if needed. I also think it would be a good idea for Anthony to have a change of scenery. He has been cooped up in his apartment for nearly a week, perhaps a nice drive out to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Gazing on some peaceful beauty spot might soothe his soul."
"Why, that's quite poetic, Dr Mallard," said an admiring Jimmy.
"Thank you, Mr Palmer. One of my ancestors, Byron Makepeace Mallard, was a great friend of Alfred, Lord Tennyson and, under his influence, filled many notebooks with epic poems about chivalry and derring-do."
"Really?" said an interested Jimmy.
"Yes, the collection is quite impressive. Unfortunately it is all complete drivel; calling it doggerel would be an insult to doggerel. I am just grateful that my cousin Jeremiah Colquhoun Mallard inherited the archive rather than me".
"So," said Gibbs interrupting this literary reminiscence, "a drive in the country will fix this?"
"Now, Jethro, why, after all these years of knowing me, do you insist on expecting simple answers?" complained Ducky, "I think a pleasant, gentle drive in beautiful surroundings may have a beneficial, healing effect."
"OK, a drive in the country it is," said Gibbs decisively.
"Er, Boss, do you think that's a good idea?" stammered Tim. Gibbs glared at him and Tim hastened to explain, "It's just that Ducky suggested a peaceful, gentle drive ... um, you don't usually ... er ..."
"I think what Timothy is trying to say, Jethro, is that, to quote Byron Makepeace Mallard, 'you drive like a loon in June.'"
"I said I'll take care of it," said Gibbs, "and I'll drive ... like McGee." And with that the others had to be content.
NCISNCIS
As good as his word, Gibbs arrived at Tony's apartment at 9.00am on Saturday morning and invited him out for a drive.
"I've just had some work done on the Challenger," he said, "thought I'd take it out for a good run."
"And we're not going to go by Seymour Boulevard?" said Tony warily.
"Nope, it's too nice a day to stay cooped up in the city. We'll go out towards the Blue Ridge Mountains and perhaps stop off to eat somewhere along the way."
"Sounds good," said Tony wistfully, "it'll be good to get out of here. I'll make some coffee to take with us. Don't want to risk you being un-caffeinated."
Gibbs smiled but thought he should add something, "I won't drive too fast, I know your head is still a bit tender."
Tony poked his head back out from the kitchen,
"Hey, I trust you. Anyway, I've always half thought that the mad driving is mostly for effect." He saw Gibbs glare and opened his mouth to backtrack but closed it again when Gibbs chuckled and gave a wry shrug.
NCISNCIS
Ducky and Tim would have been amazed to see Gibbs' impeccable driving. He kept to the speed limit, allowed drivers to pass in front of him and stopped to let little old ladies cross the road. He drove so smoothly that Tony dozed off sometimes. They didn't talk much; Gibbs was content to let the beauty of the surroundings have a chance to weave their magic.
After a few hours Gibbs stopped the car and they went for a short walk before sitting by a noted vantage point and enjoying the view. As the afternoon went on, they somewhat reluctantly went back to the car to return to the city. About an hour out from Washington, Gibbs pulled the car into the car park of a diner.
"Fancy something to eat? Old marine buddy of mine runs this place. Serves some pretty good chow."
"You know me, notBoss, always ready to eat," said Tony.
They found a table in a corner and both chose a steak from the menu, "Doubt it'll be as good as yours, Boss," said Tony, "unless it's a marine thing."
Gibbs just smiled and took a sip from his mug of coffee.
"Thanks, Jethro. It's been a great day, sort of soothing to get out of the city. Relaxing, that's the word."
Gibbs once again marvelled at Ducky's wisdom. He wondered whether to talk to Tony about how he felt but decided to follow Ducky's instructions and let Tony take the initiative.
"I've asked McGee to do some research into Arch's family," Tony said, "I think he needs to have all the information before he makes any decision."
"Makes sense," said Gibbs approvingly. "I'm guessing you told McGee not to let Abby know?"
"That's right. I love Abby but she's too much of a romantic. You know, notBoss, I think I'll do this driving out in the country more often. It's made me feel a new person".
"No problem, Tony, I enjoyed it. It's good to relax sometimes".
"Even if there's no wood or sanding involved?" teased Tony.
"Hey, I'm not narrow minded – I can relax in other ways."
"Well, I certainly feel better, sort of unwound, if you know what I mean," he looked up as the door opened, "er, Boss, you know that relaxed feeling we were talking about?"
"Hmmm," said Gibbs.
"Well, if I'm not mistaken, Carey Lincoln has just walked in."
"Who's Carey Lincoln?" asked Gibbs.
"The suspect in that armed raid on the Navy wages convoy five years ago. The suspect we thought had got away to Mexico. I don't suppose you've got your weapon with you?".
Gibbs shook his head. "Damn," said Tony, "it's déjà-vu all over again."