Chapter 5

Tony decided to take a quick shower to wash off the scent of booze before Jimmy arrived hoping the shower help. It wasn't long before he heard a knock at his door, there on the other side was Jimmy holding two cups of coffee.

"Sounded like you needed it," he said walking into Tony's apartment.

Jimmy took in the mess, "Maybe I should have brought more than one cup of coffee."

Tony nodded, "It was a bad night."

Moving to the living room, Jimmy sat down, "Alright, break it down for me."

Tony sat down taking a deep breath, "Well it all started a few weeks ago..." he started, then went on in great detail the events of the past few weeks leading up to the moment Jimmy walked through the front door.

Once Tony was done, he gave Jimmy a moment to absorb all the information.

"You weren't kidding when you said you fucked up," Jimmy offered.

All Tony could do was nod.

"So what happens now?" Jimmy asked.

Tony shrugged, "I don't know, I doubt she will forgive me, I am sure you heard through the grapevine about her and her step-father."

Jimmy nodded.

"I crossed the line, and I don't think there is any coming back from it."

Jimmy sighed, "Are you going to try and fix things with Kyle?"

Tony shrugged, "What would be the point."

"That doesn't sound like you Tony."

"What do you expect? I got pushed into an impossible situation with the team and then with the Director, everything is falling apart and I feel like I am drowning. She deserves better then me." Tiny whispered.

"You can't believe that!"

"What do you want me to say Palmer."

"This is not the Tony DiNozzo I know and respect."

"I don't think that Tony exists anymore." Tony said, looking Jimmy in the eye.

"I thought you wanted me to come over to help you fix things."

"I thought so to, but there more I think about it, the better off she is without me."

"So I guess there is no point in me trying to take you into talking to her?" he questioned.

Tony just shook his head.

Jimmy stood up and made his way to the door. "I don't know what brought on this new attitude, but I don't like it."

Tony didn't reply as Jimmy shut the door behind me. Looking around his apartment he decided to get some more sleep before figuring out his next move.

A few hours later Tony was sitting in a familiar basement, staring at Gibbs' half built boat.

"Is that a boat?" a voice asked from the stairs.

Tony smiled looking up, "Yes."

"Why?"

"I really don't know, it's Gibbs thing" Tony laughed.

"Do you think it worked?"

Tony nodded, "You and Jimmy were very convincing."

Kyle made her way down the stairs and in front of Tony, "You were pretty convincing yourself."

Tony leaned down and kissed Kyle softy, "Hi."

"Hi" she said back.

"Umm if you two need to be alone I can wait upstairs." Jimmy stuttered.

Tony laughed, "It's fine Jimmy,"

Jimmy joined Tony and Kyle downstairs. "You wanted to meet?" Kyle asked.

"Ya, we need to plan out the next phase." Tony said, making his way over to his backpack.

"Are you sure it is safe to talk here?" Jimmy asked.

"Of course it's safe, Palmer. I swept for bugs before you got here." A voice came from the top of the stairs.

"Gibbs?" Jimmy asked confused. "But, but, aren't you in Mexico?"

Gibbs smirked, "Well no Palmer, I am standing at the top of my stairs talking to you."

Jimmy blushed, "I meant, aren't you supposed to be in Mexico?"

Gibbs walked down the stairs, "Yes, and as far as everyone else is concerned I am still there."

Gibbs turned to Tony, "Looking good DiNozzo."

"Thanks Boss." Tony said shaking his hand. "Boss, I'd like to introduce you to Mikayla Evans. Kyle, Leroy Jethro Gibbs."

Gibbs stuck his hand out but Kyle ignored it as she pulled him into a hug. "It's so nice to meet you." Kyle said pulling away, "Tony speaks so highly of you."

"Wait, I'm confused." Jimmy said with his hand up.

"Put your hand down Palmer, this isn't kindergarten." Gibbs said.

"What has you confused Jimmy?" Tony asked.

"Well...everything."

They all laughed, "Sorry Jimmy."

"As you know, not long after Gibbs left, I had a feeling there was a mole in NCIS." Jimmy nodded, "And you know around the time Jenny asked me to investigate La Grenouille I found some listening devices and cameras around my apartment. Well I called Gibbs as soon as I discovered them. He flew down and we met discuss what was going on. Between the two of us we have been working under the radar to see if we could prove there was a mole, and with everyone thinking Gibbs was in Mexico, we were making good progress. When Ziva ran Kyle's prints I got a bad feeling in my gut and called Gibbs, that is where we came up with the idea to try and stage a believable breakup I, I am hoping that" Tony paused to make sure Jimmy was following him.

"We had been looking for a way to do so as well as to through whoever off my trail, Jenny ordering me to seduce Benoit's daughter was the opportunity we were waiting for. That is where yours and Kyle master performances were requested."

"Ok, I think I get it." Jimmy answered.

"You think Palmer?" Gibbs asked

"Sorry, I get it." Jimmy scrambled. "I just have one question?"

"What's that Jimmy?"

"Why me?"

"Cause I trust you Jimmy." Tony said and Jimmy smiled.

Turning to Gibbs, Tony asked "So what's the plan boss?"

"Well DiNozzo that is what we are here to figure out."

The group spent the next hour going over what their game plan was going to be for the next few weeks. It was decided that Palmer would keep his ears and eyes open at NCIS, as no one would suspect him of all people; Tony would continue his downward spiral as he "searched" for new employment, while now being able helping Gibbs with their search.

Kyle and Tony knew that there time together would be few and far between, but it was worth it if they could find out who the mole, as they weren't aware just yet how deep the mole was in.

Gibbs made his way upstairs to start the BBQ, with Jimmy following behind him, in order to give Kyle and Tony a moment together.

"Can I say sorry for bringing you into this mess?" he said pressing his forehead against hers while wrapping his arms around her.

"Tony, you never have to apologize to me for doing your job. You wouldn't be the man you are, a man I care for deeply, if you didn't follow your gut on this."

"Have I told you how amazing your are?"

"Hmmm, not lately."

"Well you are." He said, kissing her softly.

"It is going to really suck not being able to kiss you every day." Kyle said, resting her head gently on his chest, listening to his heart beat.

"I know, but I got the burner phones today, so we can at least stay in contact. Just make sure to keep it hidden and only use it in public places."

"Just try and catch the bastard soon." she whispered.

Tony was goofing off with Palmer in the kitchen as Kyle made her way out to keep Gibbs company as he prepared dinner.

"Thought you might like some company" she said, sitting in one of the chairs on the back deck.

"So you're Admiral Evans daughter."

She nodded, "Yup, his one and only. Did you know my dad?"

"Not well, but I have run into him over the years, he is a good man." Kyle smiled and nodded, "He thinks highly of you" she added.

"Oh?"

"When I told him I was dating an NCIS agent, your name came up."

Gibbs nodded, "How did your old man take the news you were dating DiNozzo?"

Kyle laughed, "Like any father would, he wasn't happy I was dating at all, let alone a navy cop."

Gibbs laughed.

"Tony didn't tell me he had been talking to you."

"We thought it best to keep it quiet for the moment, didn't know who was listening and when." Gibbs said.

"I get it. How are you doing? I assume you have recovered from all your injuries?"

Gibbs nodded, "For the most part. There re still some things I don't quite remember, but most of it is there."

"Does that mean once this is all over you will be back for good?"

"I don't know, it depends on how this plays out. After this I don't know if Tony or I will be able to go back to NCIS."

"He missed you, you know. He wouldn't come out and say it, but I knew. Logically he understood that you needed time and space to deal with your memories and memory lost, but when you didn't remember him and then left, he was hurt. He wanted to be there for you."

Gibbs sighed, "I know, but at the time I didn't know what else to do. Even though I didn't have all my memories, I knew I cared for Tony, knew I could count on him. Just didn't know I couldn't count on Tim and Ziva to back him up."

"He tried, he so wanted to make you proud." Kyle said.

"He doesn't have to try, I am proud of Tony. He has come a long way since that cocky Baltimore cop walked into the squad room. He's more than my partner, he's family."

Kyle smiled, "You should tell him that. He sees you as the father he always wanted."

Gibbs just nodded.

Tony came outside and looked at Kyle, "Can you help Jimmy in the kitchen, I am afraid what Gibbs will do to him if he burns the place down." he joked.

Kyle nodded, going over and giving Gibbs a kiss on the cheek "Let him in." she whispered before going back inside.

"Everything OK boss?" Tony asked.

Gibbs nodded, "You got a keeper there."

"Tell me about it. She is something special."

"Leave it to you to date the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs daughter." Gibbs laughed.

"What can I say, I am sucker for a girl in scrubs. It's good to have you home boss."

"It's good to be home, wish it were under different circumstances."

Tony nodded, "Me too. I am just glad you are here, I don't think I could get through it alone."

"Tony, you don't give yourself enough credit. You made amazing strides without me, you would have done just fine, but as long as I am alive, you are never alone."

Tony looked at Gibbs, "Thanks Jethro."

Hey all, hope this chapter helps explain what happened it chapter 4 and why. As always love to hear your thoughts and thanks again for reading/reviewing!

Happy Tuesday!