3 months later
----------
Tony sits inside a hot tub; he leans against the wall as steam rises around him.
"Aww, god, I so needed this."
Tony grabs a glass of champagne from the rim of the hot tub and takes a drink.
"Oh Tony."...Tony looks to his left to see Kate in a small white bikini.
"Absolutely stunning."...she walks over very seductively, she runs her fingers through Tony's hair, then firmly pulls his head back and kisses him.
"Mmm, strawberries."...Tony grabs her hand and she carefully sits on the edge, putting her feet into the water.
"Nice and hot."...she leans over and kisses Tony again..."Where's Ziva?"
"Heh." ...as Ziva rises from under the water...she throws her head back and pushes her hair back.
"One of these days you're gonna have to reach me how you do that."
"Mossad training."
"Heh. God bless Israel."
Ziva moves swiftly over to Tony and kisses him..."I think you win the scar search challenge."..she chuckled as she runs her fingers over Tony's numerous bullet wound scars.
Tony wraps his hand around Kate's wrist and pulls her into the hot tub.
Kate and Ziva now sit across from Tony..."Have you ladies ever seen the movie, Jaws?"
"Yes."...they say together.
"Heh."...he starts moving slowly towards them..."Da-na-na-na-na-na-na."...Tony slowly lowers his head under water.
Ziva giggles...then her eyes open really wide and she lets out a small moan as she slowly slides down the side of the hot tub.
Tony quickly surfaces...in front of Kate and he kisses her..."What happened to Ziva?"
"Patience. Heh"...Tony slowly disappears under the water.
"Tony...what are...oh my god!"
"Heh."
------------
Tony suddenly wakes, he immediately sits up, he's sweating profusely, his hair drenched. He tosses the covers from his bed aside; it's pitch black. Tony reaches out and turns his clock so the red numbers are showing: 3:17 a.m.
He runs his fingers through his wet hair and swings his legs and sets them on the ground.
He stands and stumbles his way into the bathroom.
"Are you ok?"...A woman's voice came from the bed.
Tony flicks the light-switch and looked at himself in the mirror, he turns the faucet on and splashes cold water onto his face, finally sliding his fingers through his hair.
He leans forward, his forehead touching the mirror...Tony grunts and leaned back leaving a smudged watermark; he tries wiping it away with his hand, but only makes it worse. He turns the faucet off and walks to the shower, he turns on the water and hops in.
"Oh, I so needed that."...The water runs over his head and down his chest as the door opens, a brunette walks in behind him wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I really can't be doing this anymore, Tony."...A woman remarked.
Tony turned around..."What?"
"I love being with you Tony, the sex is amazing and you're fun to be around, but you're not the guy for me."
"I'm not the guy for you, Emma? What does that mean?"
"Don't take it the wrong way, it's just that...you're too much for me."
"You're joking right?"...He lets out a laugh.
She's silent.
"You aren't joking?"...He puts his hand on her shoulders..."Are you breaking up with me...naked?"
"I guess I am."
"Wow...this is awkward. Damn."
"It's not..."...Tony puts his finger on her lips.
"Yeah, yeah...it's not me, I get it."...As he opens the door and gets out.
"Tony...I want to talk about this."...She turns off the water and grabs a towel and wraps it around her body and walks out, Tony is no longer there...she sighs..
--------------
Tony sits at his desk with his head down as the elevator dings and Gibbs walks off..."DiNozzo, what the hell are you doing here? You're not suppose to be back for another 2 weeks."
Tony raises his head...and sighs...then lowers his head again.
Gibbs looks at him...then shrugs...and moves to his desk.
"DiNozzo, you know the drill."
Tony raises his head..."You don't mean the head doctor do ya?"
"You got it."
"Oh crap."...He slams his head into the top of the desk.
"You're going with or without a concussion, Tony."
"Double crap, Boss."
The elevator dings and Kate and Ziva walk out together..."Look what the cat dragged in."...Kate chuckled.
Tony looks up..."Triple...oh never mind."...Tony rises..."Boss?"
"Dr. Gillian, Tony. Room 7."
"Got it."...Tony walks past them.
"What's his problem, Gibbs?"...Kate wondered.
Ziva ran up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder..."It's good to have you back."
Tony stopped..."Thanks."...Then continued on.
------------
Tony leans against the wall next to the room #7 door.
"May I help you?"
Tony looks up as he hears the sound of heels walking towards him.
"I was told to report here."
She unlocks her door and walks in.
"Come in, please."...She moves to her desk and sets her briefcase down...she then walks to her filing cabinet..."Last name?"
"DiNozzo."
She looks through her files..."Hmmm, you've never seen me before?"
"No."
She closes the filing cabinet and moves to her desk and sits down and looks through her papers..."Aww, no wonder, you weren't suppose to see me for another 2 weeks."...She pauses..."Let me put you into the computer, it'll just be a few minutes."
Tony leans against the wall.
"Please, sit down or even lie down."...She points to the couch.
Tony shrugs...then moves to the couch and lies down...he slides his shades on and lays silently
She rises and moves to her chair next to the couch..."Mr. DiNozzo, why do you think you're here?"
"I dunno, why am I here?"
"Your mind has to be clear and be ready to do your job effectively."
"Good answer."
"Thank you, it is my job, after all."
"Doc. I can call you doc, can't I?"
"Yes, of course."
"Well, doc...there's nothing wrong with my mind, other than the fact that I'm, ummm, having a few bad month with women."
"Women?"
Tony sighs..."I don't want to talk about it."
"Ok...how are you feeling physically?"
"I'm fine, everything works, if that's what you're getting at."
"Excuse me?"
"My plumbing works fine, doc."
"Um, I wasn't asking about that, but since you opened that line of questioning; is that why you don't want to talk about women?"
Tony sighs..."Look, I keep getting screwed over and it pisses me off."
"Screwed over?"
Tony swallows hard..."She said she loved me...that she wanted to be with me, but then she said she couldn't, she loved her job more than me."
"How did that make you feel?"
"Are you kidding me, doc?"
"No, how did it make you feel, Mr. DiNozzo?"
"How do you think? Freakin' awful."
"Have you told her that?"
"How? I work with...never mind."
"Oh, I see...well..."
Tony sits up..."There's more. I got dumped this morning, doc...in the shower, no less. We were naked! Naked! She said I was too much for her? Too much for her? What!? Who the hell breaks up with someone naked!?
"Naked?"
"Yeah, no clothes. Birthday suit. Butt ass naked."
"How did that make you feel?"
Tony looks at her and starts laughing uncontrollably…"Are you really a doctor?"
"My job is to get inside your head."
Tony rises..."Believe me, doc...you don't want inside my head."
Tony walks towards the door..."Mr. DiNozzo, every Tuesday at 8 a.m."
Tony stops...then continues on.
----------
Tony walks back into the bullpen.
Gibbs hangs up the phone..."Right on time, DiNozzo, we've got a murder. Grab your gear."
Tony opens his top drawer and takes out his Sig and pops in the clip and pulls back on the slide. He then grabs his bag and joins the others on the elevator.
----------
Tony and Kate stand behind the cash register inside a convenience store. A man lies in middle aisle, he has a circular wound in his chest, a massive blood pool has gathered around him, Gibbs kneels over top of him. Ziva stands next to him as McGee takes pictures.
"Major Neal Quentin."...Gibbs opens his wallet, reading his Military ID.
"Tapes missing from the VCR, Boss."
"Figures."
Tony walks up to the cash register and opens it..."There's money in it, it wasn't a robbery."
"Or they were interrupted."...As Kate moves next to Tony.
"You ok, Tony?"
Tony is silent.
"You're gonna have to talk to me sooner or later, Tony."
She smacks him on the arm..."Quit being a baby!"
Tony turns to her...then walks away.
"What you want me to do, Boss?"
"Look outside for the weapon, DiNozzo...100 meter radius...take Ziva. Kate look inside."
Tony walks out and Ziva follows him.
"I'll go right, you go left, we'll meet in the back."
Ziva nods and walks to the left.
Tony walks around to the back meeting Ziva..."You find anything Tony?"
Tony shakes his head left to right.
"Me either."...She pauses..."You ok?"
Tony shrugs..."Define ok."
"That bad?"
"I just haven't had a good month, that's all."
"Yeah, I heard."
"Heard what?"
"Nothing, sorry."
Tony opens the trash dumpster and looks inside...on the inside cover reads: "What goes up white and comes down yellow and white?"
"What the hell does that mean?" Ziva has an odd look on her face..."Is that blood?"
"It's an egg."
"An egg? Oh, you mean after you crack it, yes?"
Tony nods...they walk back around to the front and walk inside, they head to the refrigerated section and open the door, Tony takes out the top carton of eggs and opens it, inside is a circular knife file, the bottom 4 inches are covered in blood.
"We found it, Boss."
Gibbs walks over..."Nice job, guys."
"It was all Tony, Gibbs."
"Damnedest thing, Boss. There was a damn riddle in the back that told us where it was."
"Where?
"On the inside of the dumpster lid."
"McGee, go get some photos and you two, take that dumpster back to Abby."
"The whole dumpster, Boss?"
"Did I stutter, DiNozzo?"
"On it, Boss."
-----------
Tony stands next to Abby in the garage holding a caf-pow.
"One garbage dumpster and one caf-pow...will there be anything else, Miss?"
Abby takes the caf-pow from Tony and takes a drink..."Thank you, Mr. DiNozzo."
Tony turns and starts to walk away.
"Do you want me to talk to Kate for you Tony?"
Tony stops..."I'd rather piss razor blades, Abs."
"Y'ouch!"
"Exactly."
"What happened between you two?"
Tony sighs..."I don't know, Abby...you'd have to ask her."
Tony leaves.
----------
Later on that day
---
Gibbs walks into Abby's lab..."You got something for me, Abs?"
Gibbs hands her a caf-pow..."Wow, now I have two men bringing me caffeine...YAY!"
"Abby."
"Oh, sorry, Gibbs...the blood from under the lid matches Major Quentin, Gibbs."
"Anything else?"
"Just the usually things found on a dumpster, no other DNA...lots of smudges fingerprints...nothing printable."...Abby pauses..."However, I did find a odd green substance in the bottom on the egg carton Tony found, it's a tiny sucked on jolly rancher...I swabbed it and got some DNA, still waiting on that though, Gibbs."
"Let me know when you get that, Abs."
"Gibbs."
Gibbs stops..."I did find some traces of bleach on the handle of the murder weapon, if that helps."
---------
Gibbs enters autopsy
----
"What ya got Ducky?"
"The file entered his left ventricle, he bled out within seconds after it was pulled out."
"That's it?"
"Yes, I didn't find any bruising or defensive wounds whatsoever. Whoever killed the Major killed him without warning."
Ducky walks over and grabs a chart..."However, I did find some bleach around the wound."
"Abby found traces of bleach on the handle of the murder weapon."
"Bleach would contaminate the DNA."
"Yes, but wouldn't you put bleach on it after you stabbed them, not before?"
"Interesting thought, Jethro."
--------
Tony sits at his desk
"Tony."
Tony is silent.
Kate stands from behind her desk and walks over towards Tony..."TONY!"
Tony remains silent...
"Are you giving everyone the silent treatment or just me?"
Tony doesn't say a word.
"Tim, say something to Tony."
"What?"
"I dunno, something."
"Hey, Tony."
"What's up, Probie?"
McGee looks at Kate...and shrugs.
"Damn you, DiNozzo."...and storms back to her desk and stares at Tony.
"I think she's pissed, Tony."
"Who's pissed, McGee?"
"Kate."
"Who?"
"Me, Tony!" ...as Kate rises and moves back in front of Tony..."Me!"
Tony stands and walks past Kate and into the elevator.
"Man, you really pissed him off, Kate."
Kate sighs..."I know."
"What did you do?"
Kate sighs again then walks back to her desk and sits down.
----------
The doors open and Ziva walks on as Tony steps off..
"I need to talk to you."...Ziva pulls Tony back into the elevator. She pushes Tony all the way to the back and then presses a button and holds him until the doors close, she then flips the emergency stop switch.
"Aww, man, you aren't gonna kill me are ya?"
Ziva turns around...and she laughs..."No...I just wanted to talk to you about something."
"What?"
"This."...as she grabs Tony tie and pulls his head down and kisses him.
She lets go of his tie and takes a step back...Tony steps a step forward, picking her up and pushing her against the doors, his right hand moves to the back of her head, he grips her hair and pulls it back and to the left, he moves his mouth to her exposed neck sucking and kissing on it.
Ziva lets out a soft moan and starts to claw his back with her short fingernails.
He kisses up the side of her neck to her ear, he nibbles on her earlobe then lightly blows on it. He moves her mouth to his, kissing her passionately.
Her hands move to his head, her fingers run through his hair, tightening their embrace.
Tony suddenly stops, pulling his head away from Ziva's eager mouth.
"I'm sorry."...he slowly puts her down, first her left foot hit the floor, then her right.
"Sorry, for what?"...as she runs her hands up and down Tony chest.
"I can't."
"Tony...I want this."
"I just can't."
"Is this because of Kate?"
"No, I dunno, maybe, maybe not...I just don't know."
"Confused?"
"In a big way."
"Well, you'll do what's best for you, yes?"
"Yeah and that right now is...being alone."
Tony flips the switch.
"Wait."...she takes out a tissue from her pocket and licks it and wipes some lipstick from around his lips..."Ok."
The elevator doors open.
"Thank you."...Ziva turns and walks out...he follows closely behind her tightening his tie as he goes.
Kate watches them like a hawk.
Gibbs comes walking down the stairs..."Kate, you're with me."
"Where are we going, Gibbs?"
"Talk to Major Quentin's commanding officer."
Tony is about to sit down..."Don't, DiNozzo...take Ziva and go search his apartment."
Tony takes his Sig from his drawer and grabs his bag..."Let's roll, Z."
"Can I drive, Tony?"
"Sure."...he tosses her the keys...they leave via the elevator.
"What do you want me to do, Boss?"
"I have a special assignment for you, McGee."
"Boss?"
------------
Gibbs and Kate walk up to a desk inside a military facility. A man sits at the desk talking on the phone.
"May I help you?"...as he covers the mouthpiece with his hand.
"Special Agent Gibbs and Todd, NCIS."...they hold up their badges, we'd like to talk to your commanding officers.
"One moment, please."...he clicks a button on his phone..."Ma'am, NCIS is here to see you."
He stands..."Head right in."...he extends his hand towards the door.
They make there way to the door, Gibbs opens it and steps inside.
The Lt. Colonel sits at her desk drinking a cup of coffee..."How may I help you?"
"Gibbs and Todd, NCIS...we're here about the death of Major Quentin."
She quickly stands..."What!? Neal is dead? How!?"
"He was murdered."
She falls back into her chair..."Whatever...whatever I can I do to help, I will."
"Has he been acting strange recently? Like someone was following him?"
"Not that I know."
"Where were last night?"
"Why? Am I a suspect?"
"Everyone a suspect, you know that."
She sighs..."Home."
"Can anyone vouch for that?"
"I was alone."
"Did you have a problem with Major Quentin?"
"Absolutely not. He was a great marine."
Kate steps up..."What do you do here?"
"We're R&D, we're working on anti-IED armor."
"What was Major Quentin's job?"
"He was second in command, he ran day-to-day operations."
"Are you missing any prototypes, designs, data, etc.?"
She picks a phone and dials..."I want a full inventory now, stop everything."...she hangs up..."You'll have your answer within the hour."
Gibbs hands her his card..."We'd like to look around."
"Of course...I'll get someone to escort you around."
"That won't be necessary."...they leave.
------------
McGee walks into Abby's lab carrying a box.
"That's the last one, Abby."
"What...no caf-pow?"
"Sorry, Abby."
Abby frowns.
"Hey, I brought you 17 different bleaches. Who would've thought there'd be 17 different brands of bleach."
"Well, I guess you're not a total waste of time, McGee."
"That kind of hurts, Abby."
"Good! When Gibbs or Tony aren't here, you bring caf-pow, got it? Get it. Good!"
McGee just stares at Abby and sighs.
"Aww, Timmy, I still love ya."...she hugs him..."Just not right now. No caf-pow. No love!"
------------
Tony stands outside the opened passenger side door, bent over at the waste...he spits...
"I'm sorry."
"For the last time, give me the keys."
She extends her hands and Tony grabs the keys from her.
"Now scoot over."
"You always have a weak stomach, yes?"
"No, Ziva you nearly hit every car on the damn road."
"Yes, nearly."
Tony looks at her..."No one likes a smart ass, Ziva."
"No wonder you don't have many friends."
"I swear to god, I will throw up on you."
"Ewww, no thank you...what did you eat this morning anyway?"...as she holds her nose.
"Bacon and eggs."
"Double Ewwww...pork."
"Aww, I forgot, you're one of them."
"What do you mean by that? There's something wrong with being Jewish?"
"Nope, not at all...I have a lot in common with your people, I love hats, I never work on Saturdays, I'm circum...never mind."
"What was that last thing?"
"Never mind."
"You had it snipped, yes?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe?"
"Correct...and maybe one of these days you'll know for sure...but until them, scoot that little ass of yours over!"
"You think I have a little ass?"
"Well...let's just say, those pants do not make your ass look fat."
She lets out a laugh.
--------------
They walk off the elevator..."What was his apartment number again?"
Ziva opens her notes..."3C."
They walk down the hall..."Here it is."...Tony tries the door handle..."Locked."
Tony pats his pants..."Where did I put that key? Damn it, his super just gave me it."...he looks up and the door is open and Ziva stands in the middle of his living room.
"You're gonna have to show me how you do that."...as Tony walks in...Ziva is staring at something.
"What are you looking at?"...Tony looks up at the wall, there's a message written in blood: "Why is a musician's bandstand like an oven?"
------------
"Why is a musician's bandstand like an oven?"
"Heh."...the sound of latex glove smacking against his hand is heard.
"What?"
Tony walks towards the kitchen..."Ewww, that's gross!"
"What, a body!?"...as Ziva quickly moves towards Tony.
"Naw, just moldy bread."...holding up the moldy loaf of bread.
Ziva rolls her eyes..."Are you hungry or something?"
Tony turns the bread, looking at it from all angles.
"What are you doing?"
"The riddle said: Why is a musician's bandstand like an oven?"
"Yes."
"Because that's where he makes his bread."
"Huh?"
"Bread is a slang term for money."
"Ugh! I HATE riddles."
Tony puts the bread down and leans down..."Give me your flashlight."
"I don't have one."
"Why?"
"It's too heavy. It pulls my pants down!"
"Get a belt, Miss little ass."...as Tony pulls his flashlight out and looks inside the breadbox..."There's something written in the back: 'How do you divide seventeen apples among sixteen people?'"
"Another damn riddle?"
"Heh. I'm beginning to like this guy, minus the whole killing thing."
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"What's the answer?"
"It's quite obvious."
"You don't know, do ya?"
"I know."
"Then what is it?"
Tony walks to the refrigerator and opens the door, he grabs a jar and pulls it out and puts it on the counter.
"Applesauce?"...she pauses..."Look, there's something inside."
Tony opens the lid and pulls out a black cell phone.
Ziva takes it from him and opens it up..."There's a unread text message."
"What does it say?"
Ziva sighs..."It's another damn riddle; 'What begins with B and ends with a blood sucker?'...Huh?"...Ziva throws her hands up in the air in disgust.
------------
"Why are we looking for a bleach bottle, Tony?"
Tony searches under the kitchen sink..."Leeches suck blood, right?"
"Yes."
"Put a B in front of it."
Ziva smacks herself in the forehead..."DUH!"
"Heh. Help me look, look under the bathroom sink."...She leaves.
Tony stands and rubs his chin...then walks over to the trash can and takes the lid off..."I found it."
"Good, his bathroom was putrid."...as Ziva walks back into the kitchen.
Tony cell rings...Tony answers it..."DiNozzo?"
"Where the hell are you guys?"
Tony hands the phone to Ziva..."Here."
"Hello?"
"Where the hell did DiNozzo go?"
"He's picking through garbage."
"Where are you guys?"
"We're in riddle hell, Gibbs."
"More riddles?"
Tony shakes the bleach bottle...it makes a rattling noise..."There's something inside."
"Tony found something, there's something inside it."
"Inside what?"
"A bleach bottle, Gibbs."
"We need a sample of that."
"We need a sample of that, Tony."
"Of the bleach?"
"Of the bleach, Gibbs?"
"Yes."
"He said yes."
"Ok, Boss."
"He said ok."
"When the hell did DiNozzo get a secretary? Or maybe you're his wife now?"
"His wife?"
"My wife?"...Tony looks at Ziva.
Tony quickly grabs the phone..."Mrs. DiNozzo put your husband on the phone."
"Mrs. DiNozzo?"...Tony has a frightened look on his face.
Ziva lets out a huge grin.
"Sorry, Ziva, I'm not ready to give away half of my stuff, yet...I'm definitely not gonna do a Gibbs."
"DiNozzo?"
"Yeah, Boss?"
"Shut up."
"Shutting up, Boss."
"Get your asses back here, ASAP."
click
Tony puts his phone away...then opens the bleach bottle...he moves to the counter and takes a circular jar from a bag and pours some all the liquid into it, he then shakes it until the end of a metal tube pops out. Tony grabs the end and pulls it out.
"What is that?"
"Looks like a single cigar holder."
Tony unscrews it and pulls them apart...inside is a rolled up red substance covered in a ziplock bag.
"Heh. It's a fruit roll-up."...Tony takes it out of the bag and starts to unroll it.
"Get a picture of this and everything else, Ziva."
Tony fully unrolls it and holds it up against the white refrigerator door...there are letters carved out of it.
Ziva takes a picture..."What is black and white and red all over? Umm, a dead zebra?"
Tony chuckles..."A newspaper, Zee-vah!"...Tony pauses..."Go look for one."
Ziva leaves as Tony bags and tags everything.
Ziva takes a picture of the blood riddle on the wall...and looks down and sees a newspaper on the coffee table, she picks it up and a hotel key card falls out..."Tony!"
Tony walks in..."You called, Zi"...Tony stops in mid-sentence noticing the card on the floor...Ziva snaps a shot as Tony takes out his phone.
"We might have a problem, Boss."
---------
"McGee, where the hell is Kate?"
"She's down with Abby, Boss."
"Gear up!"...McGee grabs his gun from his drawer and bag and follows behind Gibbs into the elevator
----------
"It's complicated, Abby."
"What happened between you two, Kate?"
Kate sighs..."Well.."
Abby walks over to her..."It's ok, you can tell me."
"I..."...Gibbs walks in interrupting them..."Hold the door, McGee...Lets go, Kate."
"What is it?"
"Gear up, we're meeting DiNozzo at the Hilton."
Kate just stands there..."Move your ass, Kate!"
------------
Tony and Ziva walk out of the elevator..."11th floor"...Tony looks at the keycard 'ROOM 1105'...Tony stands in the middle of the hall and stretches and lets out a yawn.
"Tired, yes?"
Tony adjusts his NCIS hat..."It's been a lllllllllllllong day."
"Here, I found it."...Tony walks over to Ziva and leans against the door.
"Why don't we just go in?"
"Gibbs wants to be here."
"Why?"
"You'd have to ask him."
Ziva moves to the side of Tony and slides down the wall until she's seated.
"Come...sit next to me."
Tony looks down at her...then slowly slides down the wall.
"You know, there could be dead people in the room were sitting outside of."
"True, but there also could be 3 Japanese business men getting happy endings from a masseuse."
"Happy endings?"
The elevator dings and Gibbs steps out..."Right on time, Boss."...Tony quickly stands.
Kate and McGee follow closely behind Gibbs.
Tony turns and extends his hand, helping Ziva up.
"Toda."
Tony holds up the keycard between his middle and index fingers and Gibbs grabs it and slides it into the door...Gibbs steps into the room...Gibbs takes out his phone and dials..."Ducky, I need you."
-------------
Gibbs hangs up his cell..."Watch your step."
McGee walk into the room, "McGee, I want pictures of everything."
"On it, Boss."
Tony steps towards the door and someone grabs his by the elbow, he looks back to see Kate..."We need to talk."
Tony jerks his arm away...she grabs it again and pulls him out of the doorway.
"Everything ok, Tony?"
Tony looks at Ziva..."Yeah, go on in."
"You sure?"
"He said he's fine, Ziva!"...Kate said angrily...she sighs..."Sorry."...Ziva holds up her hands in a defensive manner and walks into the room.
Kate grabs the door handle and closes the door..."Talk to me, Tony."
Tony looks away...she reaches up grasping his chin with her thumb and index finger and pulls his face down at her..."Look at me!"
"What in the hell do you want from me, Kate!?"
"Talk to me."
"Screw you, Kate."
"Do you want me to tell you I'm sorry again!?"
"I don't want a damn thing from you!"
"Don't you want to know my side of the story?"
"Why, so you can rip my heart again!?"
She sighs..."Tony..."
"What, you didn't damage it enough the first time?"
A man opens a door..."Hey! Some people are trying to sleep here!"
"Shut up!"...Tony and Kate together, holding up their badges.
----------
Gibbs takes a drink of coffee..."Rule #12, boys and girls."
"Rule #12?"
"Don't date a co-worker."
"Oh."
"At least they're talking again, Boss."
-----------
Kate storms into the room..."He is SO stubborn!"...she stops suddenly, she's surprised by the red arched writing on the wall..."Riddle Me This NCIS..."...is written in blood. Underneath it in smaller lettering "When 2 1" is written.
"When 2 1? What does that mean?" Kate pondered.
A body lies under bloodied sheets on the bed..."Did anyone check for a pulse?"
"No, Kate...I've forgotten how do my job after close to 20 years."
Kate sighs..."Sorry, Gibbs."
Kate looks down and sees 3 circular indentations in the rug..."Did you get a photo of this, McGee?"
"Yes."
"Boss, found something."...McGee takes a picture of a post-it note attached to the front of a VCR that reads: "Play Me."
"Should we play it?"
"What's with all the stupid questions today?"
"Bag that note, Kate.."...she sets her kit down and takes out a bag and takes the note off the VCR and places it inside the bag.
Gibbs pushes play on the VCR.
A man's face comes on screen, his upper lip bloody.
"Hey, isn't that Major Quentin?" Kate asked.
"Speak!"...a distorted voice says from off camera.
"I-I'm sorry."
"Read it."...a voice spoke again.
Tears start to flow down the man's face..."My name is Neal Quentin...I have been found guilty and my punishment is death...wait, what!?"
He's shot between the eyes and falls backwards..."HEHAHEHAHEHAHE...are we having fun yet NCIS?"
"Riddle me this...Riddle me that...The bathroom is where your next clues at...HEHAHEHAHEHAHE!"
Kate covers her mouth with her hand..."Who could do something like that!?"
"A crazy bastard, that's who."
-----------
"If that's Neal Quentin, who the hell was at the convenience store!?"...as he turns toward the bed.
"What do you mean, Gibbs?"
Gibbs rewinds the tape..."My name is Neal Quentin."...he pauses it.
"Abby matched Major Quentin's DNA already, Gibbs."
Tony opens the door...Ducky and Palmer follow right behind.
"Sorry we're late, Jethro."
"Let me guess, Palmer got you lost?"
Ducky chuckles..."Lets see what we have here."...as he makes his way over to the body.
He pulls back on the sheet..."Mr. Palmer, if you would."
"Yes, Doctor."...Palmer moves to the other side of the bed.
"On three now, lad...1-2-3!"...they lift him up...through-and-through, Jethro...did you find the bullet?"
"We've been waiting for you...but we've seen the murder on video, should be easy enough to find it."
"You have video of it?"
Gibbs nods as he takes a drink of his coffee..."TOD, Duck?"
Ducky reaches into his bag and pulls out a liver probe and slides it in..."He's already started to go into rigamortis."...he pulls the probe out..."87.2...10-12 hours, Jethro...so, I'd say around midnight."
"That guy looks just like the guy from the convenience store, Boss."
"Ya think, DiNozzo?"
Gibbs rewinds the tape again and re-plays it.
-----------
"Ducky, don't identical twins share the same DNA?"
"They do indeed, Anthony."
"How the hell did you know that, Tony?"...McGee shockingly said.
"How do you think, Probie?"
"Must've been a movie.."...said by everyone.
Tony takes out his phone and dials..."Abby, does Major Quentin have a brother?"
Tony closes his phone and raises both hands in the air..."Touchdown, Boss!"...he pauses..."His brother Nathaniel was pulled over for a DUI in college. Abby said they're identical."
"Good job, DiNozzo."
"Kate, you're on sheet duty."
"Aww, no fair, Gibbs."
"Collect everything in this room."...as Gibbs walks into the bathroom.
"Why do I have to do all the crap jobs?"
"I'll help you, Kate...just as long as it's not riddles. Ugh."...as Ziva moved next to her pulling the UV light out of kit.
Tony walks into the bathroom..."So the next clue is in here?"
Gibbs stands in front of the mirror drinking his coffee.
"Figure anything out yet?"
"Only that he's pissing me off."
"Hmmm, I wonder?"
"What?"
Tony walks to the shower and turns on the hot water..."We need steam, Boss."...as Tony closes the bathroom door..."I saw this in a movie, too."
The bathroom slowly starts to fill with steam...and all of sudden, the mirror starts to fog up and letters appears.
"I'll be damned, DiNozzo."
"Heh."
The message on the mirror reads: "I go north and south, I'm in the middle. Look under your shoe, you'll find the riddle."
---------------
"Enough of this crap."...Gibbs turns and walks out of the bathroom.
Gibbs ejects the tape from the VCR...he hands to McGee..."Bag this."
"Got it, Boss."
"DiNozzo!"
"Yeah, Boss?"...as he walks out of the bathroom.
"You and Kate work this riddle thing to the end."
"Boss?"
"You heard me."
"Ziva...help McGee, grab one of those kits."
"Fine with me, I hate riddles."
--------------
Tony and Kate stand in bathroom..."Any idea what it means, Tony?"
"Come on."...Tony leaves the bathroom.
"What? Where?"...as Kate follows him.
Tony opens the door and walks down the hallway.
"Tony, where are you going!?"
"I go north and south."...Tony pauses..."What does mean to you, Kate?"
"Up and down?"
"Heh."...as Tony stops in front of elevators..."How many elevators are there Kate?"
"Three."
"I'm in the middle."...Tony clicks the middle elevator's button...the doors open...Tony takes a step in..."Look under your shoe, you'll find the riddle."
"Kate, hold the door open."...as Tony kneels
"Looks like the carpet is coming up in the corner, Tony."
Tony grabs the corner of carpet and pulls...words appears in red writing.
Kate takes a picture..."burcs yeht erofeb ,yrruh retteb ay ,burhs eht raen ,ned s'noil eht ta kool"
--------------
Tony writes something on a pad.
Kate looks over his shoulder and reads: "Look at the lion's den, near the shrub..."
Tony pauses...then starts to write again and Kate starts reading again..."...ya better hurry, before they scrub...and that Kate, damn, what a bit...HEY! What was that for!?"
Tony stands..."Why do you think?"
"TONY!!!"
"Get a sample of that substance for Abby."
"Why me?"
"Me equals Senior Field Agent, therefor, I'm the boss when Gibbs isn't around, do you get me?"
"Why are you being an ass!?"
Tony grabs her by the arm..."I'm an ass...I'M AN ASS!?"
"Fine, let's do this, Tony...it wasn't your call."
Tony shakes his head..."Not my call? Not my freakin' call!? How can you say that!?"
"Tony...I got scared!"
Tony sighs..."I'm right here, Kate...I'm not going anywhere."
Tony kneels and takes a q-tip out of his kit and scrapes a little of the red onto it, then closes the cap and puts it back in his bag.
Kate puts her hands on Tony's shoulders and leans down and kisses him on the top of the head and whispers..."I'm sorry."
----------------
Gibbs walks into autopsy, the brothers lay next to each other…
-----
"Believe it or not, Jethro, this is the third time I've had twins on my tables next to each other."
Gibbs stands next to Ducky..."You wanted to see me?"
"Oh yes, I got the toxicology report on...Neal...no I guess it was Nathaniel, he was legally drunk, 3 times the legal limit."
"Meaning?"
"There's no way he could've driven or even walked to the convenience store...the killer brought him there for a reason."
Gibbs turns and leaves.
-------------
Tony and Kate pull up to the front entrance of the National Zoo.
They get out and walk towards the gate.
"Sir, you can't park there."
"NCIS."...he shows his badge.
"Which way to the Lion's den?"
"I know the way, Kate...follow me."
Tony starts to jogs...Kate follows closely behind.
"You come to the Zoo a lot?"
"Enough."
"When's the last time you came here?"
"About a month ago, I brought Ziva here."
"You slept with her, didn't you!?"
"Jealous much?"
"NO!"...she pauses..."So, did you!?"
"That's none of your damn business, Kate...and why do you even care?"
Kate stops...Tony runs up a little more than stops and turns around..."Did...you...sleep...with...her?"
Tony starts walking towards her..."No, Kate...I didn't sleep with her. I still love you Kate...is that what you wanted to hear!?"...Tony walks away from Kate..."I LOVE YOU, KATE!!"...yelling at the top of his lungs...he stops and turns around..."Are you happy now?"
Tony starts running again.
Kate lets out a smile as a tear escapes from her left eye..."Yes."...she whispered.
Tony stops and runs back to Kate grabbing her arm..."Lets move, Kate."...they both run towards the lion's den.
---------------
Gibbs walks into Abby's lab…
"What you got for me, Abs?"...handing her a caf-pow.
"I got 2 DNA samples from the sheets on the bed...one of them was from Neal Quentin."
"And the other Abs?"
"I'm getting to it, Gibbs."
"Abby!"
"Aww, you're no fun, Gibbs...Marine Lieutenant Colonel.."...Abby looks up and Gibbs is gone...she shrugs..
----------
Tony and Kate stand just outside the lion's den...Kate is bent over at the waist..."I...need...a...breather...Tony."
Tony puts his hand on the middle of her back and rubs it..."You ok?"
"Yeah."...Kate still breaths hard..."Go...look for it.."
Tony pats her back...then moves into the lion's den area of the zoo. Tony starts searching through the foliage near the thick metal bars that separate the lions from the visitors.
Kate walks in..."Did you find it?"
"Nope and I've looked under every damn shrub...nothing."
"What about the shrubs along the inside of the enclosure?"
"What?"...as Tony moves to the bar, wrapping his hands around them...Tony extends his hand, "It's right there...it looks like a echo-sketch! Heh."
"Can you reach it?"
"I dunno, let me try."...Tony moves to his left and extends his arm..."Nope."...Tony looks up and looks around then runs off to a food vendor's area.
"It's no time to be eating, Tony!"
Tony looks at everything, then grabs a long metal handle that connected to a freezer and starts shaking it and pulling as hard as he can until it breaks off.
Tony runs back over and extends his arm as far as he can through the bars and snags the corner of the echo-sketch with the bar and pulls on it until it's within arms reach. He grabs and pulls it through the bars...just then a lion appears out of nowhere, just feet from Tony's face and roars...Tony falls backwards..."Holy..."
"Tony!"...she moves to him quickly..."Are you ok!?"
"Yeah...Jeez...if I was wearing underwear, I might've had to change them!"...Kate takes the echo-sketch from Tony, he just sits there looking at the lion..."Nice kitty! Good kitty!"...the lion roars again..."I get it, I get it...get out of my yard! No problemo!"
Kate reads it out-loud: "What has yellow skin and writes?"
"What?"
"What has yellow skin and writes?"
"Heh...what a bastard."
"What?"
"He's playing the Riddler."
"You mean Jim Carrey?"
"Bite your tongue, woman!"
Tony gets up and looks around..."Look, chocolate covered frozen bananas."
"You are hungry, aren't you?"
"No, it's the clue...it's from the Batman television series, the one with Adam West. The TRUE Riddler was played amazingly by Frank Gorshin in the 1966 movie and TV series thereafter. One of his riddles in the movie was..."What has yellow skin and writes?"...and the answer to that is..."A ballpoint banana."
"What?"
"Just come on."...as Tony moves over to vendor's area again...he opens the freezer and takes out a frozen yellow banana.
Kate looks on..."What the hell?"
Tony puts on a pair of latex gloves and starts to un-peel it. There's a ballpoint pen stuck inside it...Tony breaks up the banana and retrieves the pen.
"You're scary me, Tony...honestly, you watch too much TV."
"Heh." Tony unscrews the pen and pulls them apart...a rolled up piece of paper is inside.
Tony carefully unrolls it...it reads: "When is a man drowned, but still not wet?"
-------------
Gibbs walks through an office and past a secretary into another office..."Sir, you can't go in there!"
Gibbs moves to the desk..."You lied to me, Lt. Colonel Penelope Mendoza."
"I had, too...I'm married with kids."
"You have one chance and only one chance to save your ass."
"I didn't kill him...I just slept with him...I swear!"
"Do you have alibi?"
"Yes, my husband...but...please don't...we've bee married for 22 years."
"You should've thought of that before you slept with another man."
"You've never did anything you shouldn't have?"
"You're preaching to the wrong person, lady."
-------------
Tony rushes over to a zoo worker..."Do you have quicksand here?"
"Sir?"
"Quicksand, you know...you step in it, you start to sink...quicksand!"
"I'm not sure, sir."
"Can you call someone and find out!?"
"One second, sir."...as he walks inside a information hut.
"Quicksand is the answer to the riddle, I take it?"
"Indeed."...as Tony sits on a bench and sighs.
"Are you ok, Tony?'
"I'm...no, I'm not...I'm pissed and beyond sad."
She kneels in front of Tony, she takes his hands into hers.
Tony lowers his head..."When did you start wearing a necklace, Tony?"
"What?"...she reaches for his neck, sliding a finger under the gold chain and starts to pull on it.
Tony hand moves to her hand stopping it..."Please don't."
"What is it, Tony?"
Tony lets go of her hand...she pulls the necklace from under his shirt, a ring hangs from it.
Kate just stares at it..."You...you...you...no...no!...really?"...she raises his chin with hand..."Please, tell me that isn't what I think it is!?"
"I can't...I just can't...after what you did...I can't."...Tony wraps his right hand around the ring and brings it up and places it back under his shirt and stands up and move to the entrance to the hut.
Kate remains still...she slides her head to the right looking at Tony, as he leans against the hut with his head against his forearm..."My sweet, sweet Tony."
---------------
NCIS - squad-room
---
"Boss, Lt. Colonel's Mendoza's husband is in interrogation #1."
Gibbs stands and leaves.
Ziva walks to the middle of the bullpen..."Have you heard from Tony or Kate, McGee?"
"Nope."
Ziva moves to Tony desk and sits in his chair.
"You worried about Tony?"
"Yeah, I am."
"He's tough, he'll be ok...remember, he survived the plague."
"I hope you're right, Tim."
----------
Gibbs sits across from Mr. Mendoza
"What am I doing here?"
Gibbs takes a drink of coffee..."Where were you last night?"
"Why?"
"I can sit here all day...how about you?"
"What? What did I do?"
"I dunno, you tell me...where were you last night?"
"I was home watching Titanic with my daughter for the 20th time."
"And your wife?"
"She was working late last night."
"No, she wasn't...she was at the Hilton with this man."...Gibbs places a photo of Neal Quentin in front of him."
"What!?"
"Did you kill him!?"
"Who? Him!? No...NO!"
"Come on, he was banging your wife, I understand, happened to me...I wanted to kill the bitch."
"I..I...I have no idea what you're talking about."...he lowers his head.
"You're gonna need a good divorce attorney."
"I can't believe it."
-----------
Back at the National Zoo
---
"Sir, there's quicksand in the tropical forest exhibit."
"Isn't that under construction?"
"Yes, it is."
"Kate, round up all the employees, check the security cams, etc."...as Tony runs off.
"Where's the security room?"
"Follow me, ma'am."...She follows him.
---------
A door opens and Tony comes into view.
"Hello! Is anyone there!? Help me!"
Tony rushes over...a man is half way down inside the quicksand, a rope is under his arms..."Are you ok!?"
"Oh thank God, please help me!"
Leaning against the clear wall is a long stick with a hook on it with a note that says: "Use me."
Tony grabs it and pulls the rope to him...he then pulls the guy out of the quicksand.
"What happened, man? Who did this to you?"
"I have no idea, I was emptying trash cans near the lion's den and the next thing I know, I woke up and I was in here and this person told me to give the person who saved me this."...He opens his hand and hands Tony a small black case.
"Are you sure you're ok?"
"Yeah, just a headache."
"Come on, let's go you checked out."
----------
Tony walks into the security area.
"Find anything out, Kate?"
"Whoever did this, hacked the zoo's security and deleted every aspect of them being there."
"Are the cameras working in the rainforest exhibit?"
"No, they were shut off, sir."
"Ok, so were looking for a riddle freak, a computer hacker and a murderer. What an A-hole."
"I'm totally stumped, Tony."
"Yeah, it's definitely an enigma that's wrapped in bacon, battered then deep fried, then dipped in a mystery sauce."...Tony pauses..."Enigma? Naw, it wouldn't be that easy, would it?"
"What Tony?"
"Just a hunch."...Tony takes out his phone...
----------
"Let me know if you find anything out, Abs."...as Tony walks back towards Kate.
click
"What's that in your hand?"...Kate points to Tony's left hand.
"It's one of those puzzle boxes, I haven't figured it out yet...you want to give it a try?"...Tony offers it to her.
Kate takes it from him..."I'll give it a shot."
She fusses with it for a bit as Tony walks over and uses the computer.
"What are you doing, Tony?"
"Never hurts to cheat once in awhile, Kate."...Tony pauses..."It's a 18 step puzzle box, Kate...could you bring me it."
Kate walks over and hands it to him...he looks at it, then at the screen and then starts moving things..."15...16...17...18...it should open, I guess." Tony pulls on the top and it pops off, inside is a key and a folded up piece of paper.
"Looks like a safe deposit key to me, Tony."
Tony unfolds the note...on one side it's a deposit slip for First National Bank and on the other there is a hand written message, that reads: "Thou shalt not commit adultery."
"Thou shalt not commit adultery? What the hell?"
"It's one of the ten commandments, but which one?"
"Exodus 20:14. It's number 7. I cheated on my wife about 5 years ago, I heard that all the time from her, how I broke number 7."...the man sitting at security desk spoke.
"Lets move, Kate!"
--------------
Tony and Kate arrive at First National Bank and walk in the front door.
"Special Agent DiNozzo and Todd, NCIS"...they show their badges.
"Yes, how may I help you?"
"Are you the manager?"
"Yes."
"We need to get in to see a safe deposit box."
"I'm sorry, sir, but it's our policy."
Tony interrupts him..."We have the key."...he holds it out in front of him.
"Of course...right this way."...he leads them into the vault area..."What number is it, sir?"
"#7."
"Aww, yes...here it is...your key, sir?"
Tony hands it to him and he slides it into the hole...but it doesn't work.
"Are you sure it was #7, sir?"
Tony looks at Kate..."Don't look at me."
Tony rubs his head..."What was that number he said, Exodus something."
"20 something?"
"Let's try 20, I guess."
The man moves to box #20 and again, it doesn't work.
"Damn...how many boxes do you have here?"
"It's actually the largest safe deposit bank in the eastern part of the United States, sir...over 2500 safe deposit boxes."
"Oh great...I'm telling you, Kate...when we catch this guy, I'm shooting his ass, yeah, more paperwork, but I don't care."
"20:14?"
"What's that Kate?"
"Exodus 20:14."
Tony shrugs..."How about 2014?"
"Right this way, sir."...he leans them to the new area and slides the key in and it turns.
"Way to go, KATE!!"...Tony grabs Kate and kisses her...the man looks on with a shocked looked on his face as she starts to kiss him back, they continue kissing until the bank manager coughs.
Tony pulls away as Kate leans against a wall of safe deposit boxes, her eyes close.
"Umm, sorry about that."...as Tony puts on a new pair of latex gloves and grabs the box and pulls it out and follows the man to the privacy rooms..."Damn, what is this, the 7th new pair of gloves I've put on today, Kate?"...Tony turns around..."Kate?"
Kate continues to lean against the wall...she opens her eyes..."Wow."...just then Tony comes back around the corner.
"You coming?"
"What?"
"Catching the A-hole, dirtbag, bastard...ya know, the bad guy?"
She runs her hands down her body, straightening her clothes...then wipes her mouth with her hand..."Yeah, coming, baby."
"Baby?"
"Shut up, DiNozzo."
"Heh. There's the Kate I know and love."...as he disappears back around the corner.
"He loves me?"...she lets out a smile.
"Move your ass, Kate!"
"Coming!"...she moves quickly.
Kate arrives in the privacy room, next to Tony...he opens it...inside is an envelope with a "?" on it.
"Heh."
"What?"
"He sure loves the riddles...I can't wait to riddle him with bullets!"
"Tony."
"Joking, Kate. Well, maybe."
Tony picks up the envelope.
"Give me that."...Kate yanks it from him.
"What?"
"The last time you opened up a letter, you gave yourself the plague."
"Heh. Oh yeah."...he laughed.
"It wasn't funny, Tony."
"Yeah, I know...blue was totally not my color."
She looks at him..."Tell me again why I slept with you?"
"Well, it probably has to do with the size."
Kate interrupts him..."Never mind, you're a pig!"
"Heh. Oink, Oink!"
Kate laughs and opens the letter..."What can make your right hand, your left?"
"That's easy."
"It is?"
"Heh."...as Tony walks away.
She sighs..."Wait for me, DiNozzo."...she follows him.
---------
"The bathrooms."...as Tony walks towards Kate.
"The bathrooms?"
"It's the only place in the bank they have mirrors."
"Why do we need a mir...oh, the reflection is the complete opposite."
"This guy wants us to find the clues."
Tony walks into the men's room...then examines the mirror...it seems to be bolted down...he leans in and breaths on it...nothing.
"Got it, Tony."
Tony moves to the ladies room...Kate has taken the mirror off the wall and behind it in red writing reads: "Right again! Go back to where it all started, be sure to look where the minors will be carded."
Tony shakes his head...then his cell rings...he brings it up to face...it's from Abby.
"Hey, Abs."
"Your hunch paid off, Tony. A warehouse was rented in the name of Edward Nigma, it's at U-Store Rentals, 1724 N. Michigan Rd."
"What's the number?"
"34"
"You're the bestest, Abby."
"I know!"...she chuckled.
click
"Kate, we got a lead."...as Tony clicks a picture of the writing with his cell phone.
----------
Tony walks out of the manager's office at U-Store Rental
"It was paid in cash."
"Of course...did you get a key?"
"Nope...got something better."
"What's that?"
Tony moves to his trunk and pulls out bolt cutters..."It's been awhile Sesame."...He grips the handles.
"You named your bolt cutters!?"
"Heh. Well, yeah."
Tony moves over to #34 and moves the bolt cutters around the lock's arm..."Open Sesame!"...And he cuts it.
Kate laughs..."You're a goofball!"
Tony kneels and unlatches the door and pulls it up.
A workshop is inside, a worktable sits near the back, it has a light bulb hanging over it.
"MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
"What was that for?"
"Heh. Nothing, I just found his...lair."
"Paper, rock and scissors to who dusts for prints?"
"Sure...ly not, Junior field agent...get to work!"
Kate sighs..."Are you always gonna hold that over my head?"
"What do you think!?"...Tony chuckled.
------------
"You need to tell him, Kate."
"I know...it's just that."
Tony walks through the sliding doors into Abby's lab..."Tell him what?"
"Nothing."...as Kate leaves.
"What was that about?"...as Tony hands Abby a caf-pow.
"I can't say, Tony."
"Huh? Is it about me?"
"I'm sworn to secrecy."
"I won't push it, Abs."
"Thank you."
"You get anything from those fingerprints from the rental place?"
"They're not in AFIS."
"Is Alfred Mendoza in AFIS?"
"Yes, he is...he was cited for public intoxication in college."
"Damn it!"
"Sorry, Tony."
"It's not your fault, Abs."
Abby quickly hugs him..."What is it, Abs?"
"Nothing."...as she pulls away and turns around.
"Abby?"
"You need to talk to Kate."
"About what?"
"Just talk to her."
"Ok, Abs."
Tony leaves.
Abby picks up her phone..."Kate, tell him...or I will."
-----------
Tony steps off the elevator into the squad room...he walks towards his desk.
Kate hangs up her phone..."We need to talk, Tony."
"I know, Abby made that abundantly clear."
"Breaking news from ZNN news, hello, I'm Robert Johnson, moments ago, ZNN received a letter from a person going by the symbol of a question mark...'?'.."...the anchor pauses..."In this letter, it goes into great detail about the murder of identical twins, Neal and Nathaniel Quentin and the reason why they were killed. According to the letter a Lt. Colonel Penelope Mendoza was having an affair with one, if not both of them and they were killed because of it...in their own words and I apologize for harsh words ladies and gentlemen...'The bitch ruined everything...if NCIS doesn't get back on the case, the bitch'll be dead soon. Save the bitch if you can.'...it then ends with HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"...he looks to the side..."Is this real? What a wacko!"
"Also, inside the letter is a photograph of what seems to be two NCIS officers."...It shows Tony and Kate inside the bank wearing NCIS jackets and hats.
The anchor puts his finger to his ear..."I believe Stacey Ferguson is down in the Washington, D.C. Shipyards at NCIS headquarters. Yes, she is...can you hear me, Stacey?"
"Yes, go ahead Robert."
"Has NCIS made a statement as of yet?"
"Not yet, Robert...they're tight lipped, but we'll let you know if anything breaks."
"Thank you, Stacey."
Gibbs stands..."How the hell could we have made a statement, we just freakin' heard about it."
"If they want a statement, I'll give them a statement."...Tony starts towards the elevator.
"Tony...we need to talk...now!"
"What is it, Kate!?"
"I lied to you!"
"What? Lied to me about what!?"
"Tony, I didn't...I didn't..."
"What is it, Kate!?"
"I didn't have an abortion!"
The room goes completely silent.
Kate brings her hands up to her face and completely covers it.
Tony puts his head down as the elevator beeps...he takes a huge step back, then hits 1 and the doors slowly close.
Everyone is staring at Kate..."What the hell are you waiting for, go get him Kate!"...Gibbs said like he was ordering her.
----------
Ziva walks up to the front door of NCIS with a jamba juice cup in hand, she takes a drink from the straw and pushes the button for the elevator.
The door dings and Tony walks out. Ziva looks up at him..."Tony? Are you ok?"...she grabs his arm, which stops him.
Her hand slides down to his hand, which becomes wet...she moves her hand up..."Tony, you're bleeding."
"I don't have time to bleed."...as Tony squirms away from her.
Ziva steps onto elevator and then turns around, the doors slowly start to close..."Tony!?"
The inside of the doors are severely dented, bloody overlapping right-handed prints litter the doors. A bloody smear runs along the door to the control panel and over the emergency switch. There's a small blood pool just under Ziva's feet.
The elevator dings and the doors open..."What in the hell is going on!?"...as Ziva moves in-between the doors, so they can't close..."Tony beat the living hell out of the elevator doors!"
"What!?"...Gibbs stands and walks over..."Kate!"
"I'm going...I'm going!"...as she walk towards Gibbs and Ziva.
"Breaking News from NCIS head quarters, here once again is Stacey Ferguson."
Tony is shown standing next to her.
"Uh, Boss, you should really look at this!"
"What is it McGee..."...he turns seeing Tony on TV...
"I'd like to make a statement."
"Sir, you're bleeding."
"I know."
Tony coughs..."In regards to the question mark boy."...Tony makes quotes with his fingers. Blood runs down his arm, his white cuff completely drenched in blood.
"Oh my god, he is bleeding!"...Kate yelled.
"Riddle me this...riddle me that...you're a coward and that's that. You want to be the Riddler, that's fine with me, then I'm Bat on your TV. Now here's a riddle for you, so listen close. What is 6 foot 2 and coming for you!?"
Tony turns and walks away.
The camera pans back to Stacey Ferguson..."Back to you at the studio...I guess."
Everyone just stares at the TV.
"Jethro!" Jenny yelled from the balcony.
-------------
Gibbs walks into Jenny's office..."If you can't control your team, I will."
"Don't give me that crap, Jen."
"He gave an unauthorized statement, Jethro!"
"It was more like a rhyme, I thought."
"Not funny, Jethro."
"I'll find him."
"What is with this riddle case anyway?"
"He was running the field work on it."
"And this case is worthy of committing career suicide?"
"You aren't gonna fire him for that."
"That was idiotic and you know it."
"First you pushed Ziva onto me, now you're gonna fire one of MY team members? Not this time, Jenny. Not this time."
Jenny sighs..."Clean this up, Jethro...pronto."
------------
Gibbs walks back into the bullpen..."Kate, where the hell is Tony?"
"I...I don't know, Gibbs."
"Does anyone know where the hell DiNozzo went?"
Everyone is silent.
"Find his ass!"
-------------
Tony ducks under the police tape and heads back into the convenience store.
Tony sighs..."Here we go again."
------
Tony stands in front of the counter inside the convenience store..."Go back to where it all started, be sure to look where the minors will be carded."
Tony moves behind the counter and starts looking through the cigarettes on the back wall...he stops..."Carded?"
Tony turns around and grabs the "We Card" sign and starts to examine it...he notices a corner starting to peel, he grabs a hold of it and pulls...a rectangle piece of paper calls to the ground. Tony picks it up..."Georgetown University Library."...just under that the name of the book..."Adultery."
Tony flips over the card..."You've found the clue! You better hurry and return this card before you have pay the book due!"
"What an A-hole."...Tony leaves.
----------------
Kate and Ziva arrive at the convenience store..."Tony!?"...Kate yelled out the window.
Ziva gets out and quickly moves under the police tape...she returns seconds later..."He's not here."
"Damn it! Get in."
Ziva gets back in the car.
"Where in the hell are you, Tony?"...Kate slams on the gas.
Ziva takes out her phone and dials..."Nope, it's going directly to voice mail."
Kate sighs...
Ziva looks at her..."Can I ask you a question?"
Kate sighs again..."I guess."
"Why didn't you tell him?"
"It's complicated."
"Not really...it's just a yes or no answer, yes?"
Kate sighs once again..."You slept with him, didn't you?"
"No, I didn't...but I tried...many times."...Ziva sighs.
"Tony...turned you down!?"
"Yes, but..."
"But?"
"Well, I admit, my timing wasn't good, he had just broken up with Navy nurse Lt. Emma Ingham."...she pauses..."He did have sex with her, by the way."
"What!?"
"After you, before I tried...well, the last time."
"The last time?"
"I've stroked out a few times actually."
"Struck out."
"Yes, that, too."
"Wait, how do you know he was sleeping with that nurse?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Ummm, never mind."
"Oh, we did kiss in the elevator once...he even went after my neck."
"He did the DiNozzo maneuver on you!?"
Ziva laughs..."He has a name for it?"
"He has a name for everything, Ziva...EVERYTHING!"...she chuckled.
"Even one for his...ummm, zayin?"
"His what?"
"Oh sorry...his manhood, his penis his package..."
Kate interrupts her..."Stop! I get it. I get it!"
After a few seconds..."Well?"
"Well what?"
"You know, his thing."
"Oh."...she laughs..."Well..."...Kate's phone rings...its Abby, she answers it.
"Kate, I just got a call from Tony, he's at the Georgetown University Library."
Click
"Hold on, Ziva."...as Kate does a hard 180 and slams on the gas.
----------
5 minutes earlier
---
Abby works on her computer in her lab, her phone rings.
"Tony!"
"No time to talk now, Abs...can you see if there's anyone named Mendoza enrolled at Georgetown?"
"What's this about Tony?"
"Just another one of my world famous hunches...Gibbs has his gut, I have my hunches."
Abby clicks a button and puts the phone down..."Still there?"
"Yes, Dark Mistress."
"Heh."...Abby clicks away at her computer..."Umm, hmmm...there's a Eduardo Mendoza, he's a junior."
"Sir, I found the book."
"One sec, Abs."...The woman hands Tony a book named: Adultery..."Thank you."
"Who's that Tony?'
"Librarian, Abby."
"Sir, you're bleeding."...As she walks towards him with a box of tissues.
"I know."...he mouths the words, "I'm fine."
"You're bleeding Tony?"
"Got an address for Eduardo Mendoza, Abs?"
"Tony!"
"I'm fine, Abby."
"Don't make me kick your ass, Tony."
"I'm fine, Abs...I swear. I probably just need 10-12 stitches, maybe more depending on how good the doctor."
"Tony!"
"Heh. I'm kidding."...Tony holds up his right hand and removes his makeship bandage from his knuckles, blood still flows freely. Tony grits his teeth and breaths in through his teeth.
"What was that!?"
"Breathing, everyone does it, Abs."...he pauses..."Got that address?"
"New South Dorms, room #17."
"Grazie!"
"I'll send..."...click..."back-up...Tony?"
---------
Tony stands outside room #17, he's about to knock..."Oh the hell with it."...he kicks the door in.
Tony takes a step inside and the room is covered in papers covered with green question marks.
Tony makes like a phone with his left hand and brings it to his face..."Calling Arkham, you're missing an A-hole!"...Tony sighs..."Yes, I'll hold."...Tony shakes his head.
"Oh, dude...what are you doing here, man?"
Tony quickly turns around..."Who the hell are you?"
"Pete Mitchell, dude."
"Are you a little...high, maybe?"
"Heh. Dude...I'm beyond high...I'm like clouding, dude."
"Am I back in the 70s?"
"Whaaaat?"
"Never mind...do you know Eduardo Mendoza?"
"You mean Eddie? Yeah, he's pretty quiet...I think he's at some...damn, I lost it."
"Well, find it, dude!"
"Find what?"
"Eduardo Mendoza?"
"OOOOOH YEAH! Now I remember, he works at Comic 'N Card."
"Where is it!?"
"Over there, dude."...he points one way with his left hand and another with his right.
Tony lifts his hands in frustration.
"Dude, you're bleeding!"
"Awww, the hell with this, I'll find it myself."...Tony starts to leave.
"Behind Chuck E. Cheese, dude! Yeah, that's it, man."
"Thanks!"...as Tony runs down the hallway..."Damn, now I have the munchies!"
----------
Tony arrives at Comic 'N Card and moves up to the front door with weapon drawn...he tries the door and it's locked. Blood drips form the bandage onto the handle of his Sig.
Tony moves quickly around to the back, a large garage door is open. He walks through it and the door slams down behind him.
Tony quickly turns around..."That can't be good."
"You're finally here, allow me to cheer!"...He claps loudly.
"Eduardo Mendoza!"
"I know not that name, but I'm glad you came!"
"Ugh, do I have to talk in rhymes, too?"
"HAHAHAHA! No, not at all...lets have a ball!"
Just then a dark green spotlight comes on in the corner...Penelope Mendoza is standing on the gallows with a noose around her neck, blindfolded with duct tape across her mouth, she struggles to get loose.
"Wow, you've really overdone yourself."
"HEHEHEHEHE!"
"What...no rhyme? You're slipping, Ed!"
"We're gonna play a game, you and I...get one wrong and she's gonna die!"
"She's your own mother, you crazy bastard!"...Tony flips open his phone and uses it as a flashlight.
"I'll ask questions of four, miss one and that's all for the whore!"
"And to think, I thought I didn't like my mother."
"Weight in my belly, trees are my back, nails in my ribs, feet I do lack."
"What!?"
"If you don't want her to die, what am I?"
"Can you repeat the question?"
"This is a game of death, you only have one guess left."
"It's a boat."
"Question number two is on its way, get it right, or she'll pay."
"Can we hurry this up? I'm bleeding here."
"Which president wears the largest hat?"
"Ab...wait...the one with the largest head."
"I'll give it to you, then there were two."
"Eduardo...you're 20 years old...you're throwing away your life!"
"Two to go, how would you know?"
"Believe me, you aren't the only one who's had a crappy life."
"What people are always in a hurry?"
"Russians...this is getting stupid, Eduardo."
A spotlight comes up on the floor 5 feet in front of Tony..."The last question has a twist...stand in the middle of this."
--------
Tony takes a step forward, then stops...then starts laughing...
"Stop it!"
Tony continues laughing.
"I said stop it!"
"Show yourself!"
A white spotlight hits the side of a wall and a young man jumps in the middle wearing a green suit, a purple dress shirt, a green tie with a big black question mark on it, green gloves, a green hat and a purple mask, holding a cane.
Tony starts laughing again.
He lifts his hand..."This is suicide switch, if I die, she dies...not so funny now, huh?"
"What are you...El Acertijo?" Tony starts laughing again.
"Step right up, the end is near, unless you're afraid, show your fear?"
"Great, you're rhyming again."...Tony pauses..."I have a rhyme for you, if you don't mind...if you don't stop this nonsense I'll have to kick your green behind!"
"Afraid?"...he starts tapping his cane against the floor.
"I'm not afraid of anything...well, maybe Gibbs, then there's my ex's who have gun permits and bigfoot, yeah...bigfoot."...Tony shudders.
"Do you always joke?"
"Yeah..I do. Here let me tell you a story...the person who told me this is the same person I hate, but love...see, she told me I joke to disguise my fears and worries. I suppose she rights...laughter is the best medicine they say? But will it mend a broken heart? I know not. BUT! Listen, let's try?" Tony starts laughing and then stops. "Nope. It doesn't. Eddie, can I call you Eddie? Life is a big ol' hairy bitch and it keeps knocking you down and you get up and she knocks you down again, but you know what...you keep getting up and up and up... do you know why?"...Tony pauses..."Because you HAVE to. Life is FREAKIN' HARD."
Tony walks towards the spotlight on the floor..."See, Eddie, the person I mentioned told me she was pregnant. I was happy for once, happier than I've ever been in my life...but she crush my heart with 4 simple words, just 4 little words...I'm having an abortion."...Tony holds up 4 fingers on his left hand..."4."
Tears fall from Tony's eyes..."Your mom is a bitch, we get that...and she cheated on your dad...but have you thought about what this'll do to your dad? Your sister!?"
"She deserves to die for what she did! It's one of the ten commandments!"...his hand begins to open.
"Wait! Eddie, don't do this! God will punish her for that...not you!"
"I am God's judge, jury and executioner!"
Eduardo opens his hand...Tony quickly aims and fires his above Penelope Mendoza, striking the rope multiple times before snapping off, she falls all the way to the floor.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"...he brings his cane up to his chest and pulls on the handle, separating them, pulling a blade out..."You must die!"...he heads towards his mother.
"Stop! I will shoot you!"
Eduardo stops..."You will negate me my happiness!?"
Eduardo lifts the sword over his head and charges at Tony. Tony fires once in the air, but he doesn't stop...he steps onto the spotlight and the ground gives way, he drops the sword as Tony dives to the edge and catches him with his right hand..."Hold on, Eddie!"
Tony looks down..."What's down there!?"
Eddie starts laughing..."Death."
"Give me your other hand...you're slipping!"...the bandage slowly starts to come off...as blood begins to flow down his hand onto Eduardo's hand and face.
"Is that you, Jesus? Your holy blood!? Sent from Heaven!?"
Eduardo wiggles away his hand and starts to fall...Tony grabs him by his tie and wraps his around fist and pulls with all his might. Pulling him out of the hole.
"Why?"...he coughs..
"I'll give you guess...then it's GTS!"
"What?"
Tony punches him in the face knocking him out...just then the garage door opens as Tony lies back.
"Check on her."...McGee rushes over to her.
Gibbs walks up to Tony..."GTS?"
"Go to sleep, Boss."...Tony lays back hitting the back of his against the floor making a thud...he starts laughing..."Ow."
"We need a paramedic in here!"
--------
Tony sits in a emergency room..."Here's the x-ray doctor."...the orderly hangs it up.
The doc walks over and looks at it..."Hmm, looks like you've cracked 2 knuckles, Mr. DiNozzo."...He pulls the x-ray off and hands it back to the orderly.
"Hey, can I get a copy of that x-ray?"
The orderly looks confused..."It's for a friend."
"Sure, I guess."...he hands him the x-ray.
"Thanks."
The doctor puts in the last stitch..."Looks like 15 stitches were needed...Nurse Lynn, if you would."
"Yes, doctor."...she puts some gauze over the stitches and tapes it up.
"Absolutely no use of that hand for a week, Mr. DiNozzo."
"Great! There goes my daily self massages."
"I beg your pardon!?"
"Oh, sorry...it's the drugs talking."
"We haven't given you anything, except a local."
"The pain talking?"
The nurse chuckles..."That excuse makes more sense...at least."
"Heh."
"Hey, Tony."...as Kate walks into the room, Ziva stands at the doorway.
"Where the hell were you guys? Partners back-up their partners don't they?"
"You left!"
"No excuse, you should've followed me!"
"We didn't know where you were going!"
"You should've followed the blood trail!"
Kate sighs..."What are we gonna do with you Tony?"
Kate walks over and pokes him in the hand with her finger.
"Ow! What the hell did you do that for, Kate!?"
Ziva quickly moves in, grabbing Kate by the shoulder..."May I have a word with you!?"
"I'm busy."
Ziva grabs her arm..."Now!"...pulling her into the hallway.
"What is it, Ziva!?"
Ziva smacks her in the face..."You've lost your mind, yes?"
She looks up at Ziva lifts her arm...Ziva grabs it..."Kate, what are you doing!?"
"What!?"
"Do you...or do you not want to be with him!?"
"Why did you slap me!?"
"Answer the question or I'll slap you again!"
"Yes...I want to be with him."
"Then stop acting like a kalba!"
Kate sighs..."I really screwed up, didn't I?"
"There's still time to fix this. Go talk to him...don't yell, don't fight...TALK to him."
Ziva lets go of Kate's arm..."Ok...be cool, Kate...be cool."
She runs her hands down her shirt, straightening it..."How do I look?"
"Fat."
"You bitch!"
Ziva chuckles..."Get in there and get your man!"
Kate turns and walks back into the room and Tony is gone..."Excuse me?"
"Yes?"...a nurse answered.
"Where did the guy who was in here go?"
"He was released...he went out that way."...point to opposite way Kate came in.
"You can probably still catch him if you hurry."
Kate quickly hurries out the door and goes to the ER entrance, but Tony is nowhere in sight.
Ziva comes up behind her.
"Now what?"...Kate sighs.
----------
Kate and Ziva step off the elevator into the squad room.
"Tim, have you seen Tony?" Kate asked.
"Yeah, he was just here, I think he went down to see Abby."
Ziva continues to her desk as Kate steps back onto the elevator and rides it down to Abby's lab. She steps off the elevator and walks through the sliding doors..."Tony!?"
"Just missed him by about 5 minutes, Kate."
Kate sighs...she runs her fingers through her hair..."Do you know where he went?"
"I'm sorry, I don't."...as she picks up a larger image of Tony's x-ray.
"What's that?"
"A gift from Tony."
"He gave you an x-ray as a gift?"
She smiles..."He sure did...and a caf-pow!"
"Here, let me help you put it up."
"It's cool, I got it...you need to be out looking for Tony anyway."
Kate sighs..."I don't even know where to start."
The elevator dings and they both move to the door and look, but no one is there.
"That was odd."
---------
Tony sits alone in the middle of a darkened theater, a small tub of popcorn is held tightly by his right thumb, he takes a handful with his left and shakes them then tosses a few into his mouth.
A man comes up behind him and smacks him in the back of the head.
"Eeek!"...Tony winches..."How'd you find me, Boss?"
Gibbs steps over the chair onto the seat, then onto the floor, he brushes his footprint off then sit..."I know you, DiNozzo."
"Heh. I guess you do."
"Now, am I gonna have to smack me again or are you going to give me some popcorn?"
Tony slides the tub to his right as Gibbs grabs himself a handful..."Goldfinger, huh?"
"It was the very best James Bond, ever."...Tony says impersonating Sean Connery.
Tony tosses a couple more kernels of popcorn into his mouth..."What are you doing here, DiNozzo?"
"Boss?"
"We both know you've seen Goldfinger over 20 freakin' times."
"I'm...tired, Boss...so damn tired."
"DiNozzo...my wife..."
"Which one, 7 iron or baseball bat?"
"My first wife actually...Shannon and our daughter Kelly."
Tony turns his head..."You have a kid, Boss!?"
"She died, Tony...they both did."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Gibbs."
"Look, I'm not good at this whole relationship thing."...he pauses..."Don't say it, DiNozzo."
"Heh."...he holds his left hand up in a defensive manner.
"I do know what it's like to lose something, though...and you really need to talk to Kate, Tony."
"How, Boss? She lied to my face and this wasn't just a little white lie...it was freakin' HUGE!"
"Here's the question you need to be asking yourself, Tony...do you love her?"
Gibbs stands..."What about rule #12, Boss?"
Gibbs laughs and grabs the popcorn tub from Tony..."Thanks for the popcorn, DiNozzo."...Gibbs slowly walks out of the theater.
----------
Later that night
----
Kate sits on the couch, covered in a blanket, snuggled up with a half-gallon of double chocolate chip mint ice cream, with each and every spoonful she eats, she cries a little more.
Kate sits with her back to the window, it's pouring, rain pounds the roof of her townhouse.
"Lying besides you...here in the dark...feeling your heart with mine...softly you whisper...you're so sincere...how could our love be so blind...we sailed on together...we drifted apart...and here you are by my side."...is sung from outside.
Kate stands and moves to the door, she opens it...Tony stands in the middle of the pathway to Kate's door, complete drenched.
"So now I come to you...with open arms."...Tony opens his arms..."Nothing to hide...believe what I say...so here I am...with open arms."...Tony opens his arms wider..."Hoping you'll see...what your love means to me."
Tony takes a step forward...his arms still open..."Open arms."
Tears flow from Kate's eye.
"Do you want me to sing the second verse, because I will?"
Kate drops the ice cream and runs to him, jumping into his arms kissing him.
"I'll take that as no."
"Tony..."
"Yeah, baby?"
"Shut up and kiss me."
Tony kisses her and carries her into the house, kicking the door closed with his foot...seconds later...Tony opens the door, kneels down with her in his arm, grabs the ice cream then closes the door.