Sorry, for the delay I have re-written this chapter a few times trying to get it right. I hope you enjoy! Thanks again for all the reads/reviews; they really do put a smile on my face, especially that this story is generating discussions! Have a fabulous weekend!
Chapter 8
Tony and Gibbs followed Director Morrow through the office space. Tony was like a five year old at Christmas, his head turning every five seconds taking in all the technology and gadgets around. Gibbs was just waiting for him to start pulling on his shirt with excitement as he remembers his daughter Kelly doing every time they went down the cereal aisle at the grocery store.
They walked into a frosted glass boardroom and Director Morrow indicated for them to take a seat. "We are just waiting for someone to join us and we can begin." He said sitting down on the opposite side of them.
Just as Tony was going to start asking movie trivia questions a man walked through the door carrying a large file. Nodding to Director Morrow he sat down at the end of the table. There was something familiar about this man, but Tony couldn't quite put his finger on it. Looking at him Tony could tell he was in the military; he was wearing all black, so he wasn't able to determine what branch of the military, but he had a feeling he was one of the Special Forces.
"Now I understand that Admiral Evans wished for us to meet and discuss this undercover operation you two are running." Morrow stated looking at both Tony and Gibbs with an amused look on his face.
They both nodded, "He didn't tell us much as to why he wanted us here, but I think I can take a good guess." Gibbs responded.
Morrow nodded, "He asked us to verify your findings, which Lieutenant Commander Evans here has done."
"Evans?" Tony questioned, that was just too much of a coincidence for him.
The man nodded, "Yes, Mathew Evans, the Admiral is my uncle."
"Making Kyle your cousin." Tony stated; everything was staring to make sense.
Mathew nodded.
"Man of few words I see." Tony quipped.
"Yes, well, if we could get back to why you are here." Morrow interjected.
"Sorry." Tony said sheepishly
"The Lieutenant Commander was able to confirm your findings. He also discovered that a fifth crewman was abducted two days ago, same circumstances, same Navy base."
"So why are we here?" Gibbs asked
"The Admiral would like you to continue your investigation, working with the Lieutenant Commander here, as a temporary part of ICED."
Tony and Gibbs looked at each other before turning back to Director Morrow, "How will that work exactly?" Tony asked, "Won't that raise flags if we show up as part of ICED?"
"No one knows of ICED's existence. We are beyond top secret. We report directly to the Admiral and the agencies don't know we exist. If someone were to search us we would show as employees of the Department of Justice." Morrow responded.
"What exactly is the purpose of ICED?" Gibbs asked.
Morrow looked at them, clearly thinking how much information he should share. "ICED takes the best agents from all the agencies in the United States, and uses their skills to find moles, weaknesses, terrorist cells that cross agencies, and on the occasion top secret covert missions." He finally replied.
"So you spy on the spy agencies?" Tony asked humorously.
"I have missed your ability to simplify things Tony." Morrow said.
"What can I say, it' a talent."
Gibbs just shook his head. "So how do you want us to proceed? Tony is right if we start working with it might tip off the wrong people."
"We are way ahead of you Gibbs. Evans here has already covered your tracks in Mexico, you are currently sailing the seas trying to find yourself. Tony, you will be checking into rehab, this will buy us some time and explain why you aren't home. You will need to make the production of going to rehab realistic."
They nodded, seeming to think it was a good start. "Seeing as how this is all happening in Naples, I would like the two of you to partner with Evans and Special Agent Kane, and take a trip to Italy to see what you find there. We will have a safe house set up and a private jet to take you. All under the radar." Morrow added.
"Special Agent Kane?" Gibbs asked.
"She is our former NSA intelligence specialist." Was all Morrow said standing up. "I will leave you all to it, and will send Kane in." Walking to the door, Morrow paused, "I don't need to remind you boys to be smart and stay under the radar?"
Gibbs just smirked, "You know us."
Morrow laughed, "That's what I was afraid of."
After Director Morrow left the room Tony and Gibbs turned to look at the Lieutenant Commander waiting for him to begin.
"Kyle mentioned you had a contact inside NCIS that is aware of what is going on?" He asked.
Tony nodded, "Yes. Jimmy Palmer, he is the assistant to the chief medical examiner at NCIS, Dr. Donald Mallard."
He paused for a moment before replying, "And you trust him?"
"Absolutely" Tony said with no hesitation.
"Alright, we will need his help to get you check into rehab. We may also need him at a later date but for now he cannot know about ICED, he isn't cleared."
Gibbs and Tony nodded "Agreed" they both replied.
Just then a young and beautiful woman walked into the room and sat down in the spot Director Morrow has previously occupied. Tony couldn't help but notice how attractive she was, she reminded him of the actress Zoe Saldana only with bright green eyes, the contrast between her darker skin a green eyes were stunning. If this were 7 months earlier, he would have greeted her with a Beam me up Scotty comment.
"This is Special Agent Natasha Kane. Tasha, this is Tony DiNozzo and Leroy Jethro Gibbs."
She gave a friendly smile to both of them, "It's nice to finally meet you, Director Morrow speaks highly of both of you."
They nodded.
"Well let's get down and dirty." She said, and Tony knew they were going to get along just fine.
"So from what Matt here tells me, you guys suspect a mole in NCIS?"
"Yes, there have been several blown ops in Africa and the Middle East. Tony's place being bugged, and more recently we found the four, now five, crewman that went MIA and drugged with ketamine." Gibbs stated.
She nodded, "Admiral Evans seems to think the mole is high up based on the information SECNAV relayed to him, as well as the level of clearance needed to view the details on some of the ops, and also by the fact that we did not detect this."
Gibbs and Tony were surprised, they thought for sure they were here to help an already existing operation. "Seriously? This one got by you guys?" Tony asked
Tasha nodded, "Unfortunately. Whoever this is, they are good. We went over the NCIS files and databases, and they are a ghost, we can't trace who it is, what they are after, or even what files they have altered."
"How is that possible?" Gibbs asked.
"We aren't sure." Matt answered, "Hence why Admiral Evans wanted the two of your here, rather than running your own sanctioned op off the books."
"So what's our first step?" Tony asked, taking all the information in, neither he nor Gibbs ever imagined how big this mole would be.
"After we set up the fake rehab stint, the four of us will be heading to Naples to try and find out what happened there. We have a safe house being set up as we speak with all the equipment we will need. Tony and I will be breaking into the NCIS facility to try and get access to the original files and plant a bug on the server and surveillance so we can monitor more closely what is going on. Tasha and Gibbs, you will be going over all the files to see what leads we should be following. As Director Morrow stressed, we are going to need to be extra diligent in staying under the radar." Matt explained to the group.
While Gibbs wasn't used to not giving the order, the plan, for the moment, seemed like their best course of action.
"We will give you two access to our server as well as all the files you will need. We also have here for each of you the details of your current covers, familiarize yourself with them, then burn the. Tony, make contact with your NCIS friend, you will need to check into rehab by the end of the week. We leave for Naples at 02:00 hours Sunday." Matt added standing up.
"If you two would like to follow me, I will give you the files, access codes and new cell phones that have all the contact information you will need." Tasha said heading to the door.
"Tony, if you can stay for a minute." Matt asked.
Tony turned to Gibbs, "I will meet you at the elevator boss."
Gibbs turned to look at Matt for a minute, judging whether or not her should stay, but decided that this was probably not work related, and with a nod followed Tasha out into the main office.
"Uncle Luke mentioned you had concerns about Kyle." Matt asked looking at Tony with his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.
Turning serious Tony nodded, "Ya, I don't know what is going on, or if Ziva is involved, but I got a bad feeling as soon as she ran her prints, now everyone at NCIS know that she is the Chairman's daughter, it could be dangerous for her, regardless of her attachment to me." He said running a hand through his hair.
Matt sighed, "She will always be a target because of who her father is. Which is why she has 2 undercover bodyguards and why she has been heavily trained to defend herself."
Tony nodded, "Rationally I know that, but I can't help but feel that she is still in danger."
"I'll recommend to Uncle Luke to maybe up her security detail or try and have her stay at their place, especially while we are out of town."
Tony nodded his agreement, "She should also arm herself. I know she hates guns, but I would feel better."
Matt laughed, "Oh I can see that going over well with her. I remember when Uncle Luke was teaching us to shoot, she refused to pick it up and threw the bullets in the pool."
Tony couldn't help but laugh at the visual, "Sounds like her. Stubborn as hell."
"Where do you think she gets it from?" Matt asked quirking his eyebrow.
"I have a feeling from the Evan's side of the family."
Matt nodded, "Damn straight." Matt pushed himself off the wall, "In all seriousness Tony, Kyle's a big girl and she knows how to protect herself better than most. You've taken the rights steps to distance yourself from her. All we can hope is that we solve this quickly."
"That's the plan, 'cause she is definitely not happy with me about the separation."
Matt laughed, "Oh I know all to well. She calls my wife often enough."
"You're married?" Tony asked.
Matt nodded, "Four years, you met her earlier."
Tony's face clearly showed his surprise, "Tasha?"
Matt smiled, "Yes. We never thought we would be able to work together, her being NSA and me a SEAL, but when Uncle Luke came up with ICED he didn't even blink before recommending both of us to the division."
Tony congratulated himself on being correct in his assessment of Matt. "And you don't mind not being out in the action anymore with your fellow SEALs?"
Matt shook his head, "No, at first it was hard at first, but I was quickly thrust it to one undercover op after another, so it's very similar work, just a different end game. And this way I get to be near my wife and son on a more regular basis."
Tony smiled, "I get that. Kyle's never mentioned you before."
"I'm not surprised. She got so used to not being able to talk about me, I was always away on a top-secret mission, so it was just easier for her to not talk about me. I'm sure she would have brought me up sooner or later."
"Alright." Tony said.
"I really wouldn't take offense to it Tony. Even though we were close as kids, I have been absent for a lot of her life. I am sure there are things you still haven't told her, so don't be too hard on her." He offered with a smile. "When all of this is over I look forward to getting to know you."
Tony smiled and nodded, "Same here."
"Now lets get you suited up."
Tony laughed, "Avenger style?"
"Almost, just no cool super powers."
They both laughed and made their way out of the room.
The week was flying by for both Tony and Gibbs. They had been busy setting everything up with Jimmy and go over all the new information they had access to. Tasha had set up a key word search to analyze the content of the emails throughout the agencies, hoping to maybe come across any clue to point them in the right direction. She was also working on a way to analyze the voice recordings of all telephone conversations, as most people didn't realize that all federal departments recorded their phone conversations and kept them for a two-year period.
Tony also hadn't seen or spoken to Kyle, save for a few texts, since the previous week and he was missing her. He was trying to think of some way to see her before he left for Naples, as he wasn't sure how long he was going to be gone for.
His phone rang disturbing him from his thoughts.
"DiNozzo" he answered.
"Tony, it's Tasha, we need you to come in. We have the sign off for your weapons, and you need to come pick out what you want so we can be sure to pack them for the trip."
Tony sighed and nodded, "Alright, give me an hour to make my way there."
"Great, see you soon" she said hanging up.
He really couldn't wait until he could come and go as he pleased. No more pretending he was drinking is life away, no more trying to sneak around town without raising suspicions, but more than anything he just wanted to be able to go over to his girlfriends place or have her come here whenever they wanted.
An hour later Tony pulled into the underground parking garage and made his way to the ICED headquarters. Getting off the elevator, Tasha was there to greet him, "Ready to get armed?"
He nodded and followed her to the armory, "Take your time and just mark down on this piece of paper your preferences and we will be sure they get on the plane. The Director also asked that you choose a weapon and a back up to carry with you when you leave."
It didn't take long for Tony to write down all he thought he would need, despite his love for James Bond films, having a lot of different weapons just wasn't realistic, so instead he picked out a few hand pistols and knives to bring with him. Walking out of the armory with his new Glock 30 and holster he made his way to Tasha's office to give her his list. Not seeing her, Tony left the list on her chair upside down.
"DiNozzo, my office." Director Morrow called.
Quickly making his way up the stairs to the Director's office, the door was open so Tony entered, "Director Morrow?" He called out.
Tony noticed that Director Morrow was not alone, "I'll give you two some time." He said giving Tony and smile before leaving his office and closing the door."
"Hi stranger." Kyle said with a smile.
"How did you...?" Tony stuttered surprised to see her standing in front of him.
"Called in a few favours." she shrugged.
Tony made his way to her, "Who do I have to kiss?" he joked
Kyle threw her head back in laughter, "Well I don't know how Tasha will feel about you kissing her husband."
"That and the fact that Matt is probably able to kill me with a look." He added.
Kyle nodded, "Probably."
"Come here" He said opening his arms to her.
That was all it took for Kyle to launch herself into his arms and sighed. "I've missed you." She whispered.
Tony kissed the top of her head, "Me too."
After a few minutes Tony pulled back and looked around the room. Seeing the couch, he took her hand and lead her towards it. Sitting down, he pulled Kyle to sit on his lap. Her legs thrown over his lap and her head resting gently on his shoulder, as he wrapped one arm around her and rested the other on her legs, gently running his hand up and down.
"Not that I am not extremely happy to see you, but what are you doing here?" He questioned.
"Matt told me that you guys would be going out of town for a while, and that you have been worried about me, and he wanted to help us find a way to find a few minutes together."
"You know about what they do here?" he asked carefully.
She nodded, "Whose idea do you think it was?"
"What?" Tony exclaimed completely caught off guard by that statement.
"I came up with the idea of ICED with Dad, when he was having trouble one day. You aren't the first person I have been a sounding board to."
"You really are something else."
She smiled and paused, pushing away slightly so she could look him in the eyes, "I am sorry I didn't tell you about him, but half the time I never know if I can."
Tony shook his head, "Hey don't worry about it. Matt already explained, and he brought up a good point, that there are still things I haven't shared with you."
She nodded
"I want to share those things with you, as soon as this is all over."
Kyle smiled, "I'd like that."
"I don't know if you have noticed, but I am crazy about you Mikayla Evans." Tony said leaning towards her to kiss her softly.
Pulling away Kyle whispered softly against his lips, "I'm kinda crazy about you too."
Tony and Kyle spent the next twenty minutes catching up. Looking at his watch Tony knew they had to give the room back to the Director.
Kyle clung to him a little tighter as if reading Tony's mind that it was time to say goodbye.
"Is it going to be dangerous where you are going?" she asked softly.
"I hope not, but you never know. I have Matt and Gibbs with me, can't ask for better backup than a Navy SEAL and a Marine sniper."
She nodded, "You better come back to me in one piece Tony."
"Hey look at me." He said cupping her face, "I am going to do everything in my power to make sue I come back to you ok?"
"You better."
"I need you to be safe for me too Kyle. I don't want anything happening to you while I am away."
She nodded and sighed, "Dad has already increased my security detail, and Matt instructed me that I have to sleep with that damn gun near by."
Kissing her forehand, Tony nodded "Good."
Getting off the couch, Tony took Kyle back into his arms and kissed her, putting everything he was feeling into it. They both pulled away breathless.
"I can't wait for this to be over, we have a lot time to make up for." Kyle said.
Tony smiled and nodded, "When this is all over, we are going away for a whole weekend, where clothing is not optional."
"Deal."