Memories And Red Bull

062908

Disclaimer: If you recognize it, I don't own it.

Summary: Tony remembers their last meeting, Grant meets Abby.

Reviews: Yes please. Readers Rock but Reviewers RULE!

A/N: Thank you to those who took the time to review. It's a warm fuzzy to get those lovely compliments in the email. This chapter ends awkwardly but the story gets a little more background detail.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Chapter 3

The first thing Tony DiNozzo did when he got to his desk was to reach into the bottom drawer and pull out the very large bottle of superglue he kept on hand. He glared meaningfully at McGee and waggled it slightly before prominently placing it next to his own keyboard. Ziva watched the Senior Field Agent with calm curiosity. But the elevator doors opening behind them forestalled any observation she might have made.

Grant Mars followed Gibbs into the bullpen with no small amount of trepidation. It had been over six years since he'd worked with Tony and the last time they'd seen each other they had argued viciously and violently. Grant rubbed a slender finger over his nose in remembered pain. Tony noted the movement his ex-partner made from the corner of his eye. He closed his green eyes briefly as the memory of that last argument drifted through his mind.

"What do you mean you can't tell me what you're doing? We're partners! Are you working a case without me?" Grant's suspicions were beginning to put him in danger. They'd been quarreling for days over Tony's secrecy and now things were coming to a head and Tony had to get Grant out of his way so he could finish the case and be free to tell his partner everything. But until that happened Grant had to be kept out of the loop and in the clear. There was no way Tony would be able to tell him what was going on and still keep them both alive. So he lied.

With a snort, Tony dismissed his partner's accusation. "Of course I'm not working a case. What's wrong with me having a life? Why? Are you jealous?" He knew that wasn't true. Grant was secure in his own identity and purpose in life. Just like Tony, he was a cop, through and through. Both of them were dedicated to their jobs. They worked hard and played hard, usually together as their private lives were remarkably similar both in interests and pastimes. They were both avid athletes and enjoyed nothing more than catching a pick up game of football or basketball at the park. The biggest difference in their interests was Tony obsession with old movies. Grant couldn't see the point in sitting for hours watching something that had been filmed before either of them had been born. The shorter man had diversely different taste in movies and now Tony was willing to use that to his advantage. In fact, he was willing to go to any lengths to get his partner to just go away.

"Ok. I'm sorry. I just thought..." Grant began but Tony interrupted, his tone derisive.

"You just thought what? That just because we're partners we have to live in each other's pockets? That I don't need or want a little space? Maybe I'm just tired of always having to hang out with you. I do meet other people you know. I'd like to have a few more dates and a lot less guy time. I like you and all, just not that way." Tony internally winced at the last comment but he knew it would be the one thing to get Mars to back off. Being slight in build with pretty, rather than masculine, features had caused Grant a lot of teasing throughout his life. Tony knew that Grant was as straight as they come but was choosier about his dating habits than Tony was. While he'd been expecting the hurt that flashed through Grant's dark blue eyes, he wasn't prepared for the guilt he felt at putting it there. They'd both moved to Baltimore from different cities, although a year apart, and had been assigned together from the day Grant had arrived. With his year of seniority, Tony had been the one to befriend the lonely newcomer. He'd been delighted to discover that the Grant who showed up for work early every day was not what he seemed. But now, with lives at stake, Tony was forcing an argument with his best friend, pushing him away and possibly destroying their partnership. He silently cursed himself for accepting the assignment but had been virtually blackmailed into it by their asshole of a captain.

Tony slung his arm over Grant's shoulders and steered him towards his front door. "Why don't you go and rent one of those travesties you call a movie and go home? If I get desperate enough in a couple of days I'll give you a call. But in the mean time why don't we just keep this a working relationship?" The Italian silently prayed his partner would just go already, the longer he stayed the worse it would be.

The sudden temper that replaced the hurt and confusion made Grant shrug Tony's arm off. "Fine. I'm out of here. If you don't want to tell me what's going on why don't I just go in and ask the captain?"

"There's nothing going on so it wouldn't do you any good now, would it, Rookie?" The use of the nickname Tony'd dispensed with after only a month infuriated Grant.

"Rookie? After all this time that's all I am to you?" He yelled.

"Yeah, just a rookie, so why don't you get out of here and let me do what I want to do for a change." Tony shot back as his fists clenched. 'Just go already.' He thought. 'I don't know how much longer I can hold out on you.'

"You son of a bitch!" Grant's punch caught Tony by surprise, in the stomach, and was full of pained rage.

"That's the way you want to play it? Fine!" Tony growled as his own fist connected with Grant's nose. The shorter man went down like a ton of bricks, unconscious before he hit the floor.

The nausea Tony felt deep in the pit of his stomach had nothing to do with the punch Grant had connected. Tony squatted down and eased his partner upright enough to pick him up. Being several inches shorter and a good thirty pounds lighter made it easy for Tony to lift Grant into his arms. With only a little difficulty, he got the door open and carried his unconscious partner down to the street. Once outside, Tony hailed a cab and carefully placed Grant into the back seat. He flashed his badge at the driver and made it obvious that he was making note of the name on the license displayed.

"Now, Manny. This man is a detective with the Baltimore PD. I need you to get him to the hospital, make sure he's taken care of and that nothing happens to him on the way." Tony fished out a fifty dollar bill and his card. "I find out anything different and there won't be anywhere you can hide from me. Understand?"

"Yeah, I understand. Why ain't you goin with?" The cabbie flipped down the flag on the meter.

"I have work to do." Tony made sure the seatbelt was fastened around Grant's slender waist. Green eyes scanned the slack features of his best friend. Grant's nose was obviously broken, blood trickled out of the nostrils and his eyes were beginning to blacken. Tony took a handkerchief out of his pocket and pressed it gently to the sluggish stream. His voice lowered so the driver wouldn't overhear. "I'm sorry, Marvin. You'll understand later. At least this way one of us stays alive."

Three days later, with the case wrapped up and his skin intact - although it had been a very close call - Tony had returned to work ready and able to tell his partner everything but Grant's desk had been cleaned out. The Duty Officer had informed Tony that Grant had been placed on medical leave after an off duty mugging and had requested a transfer to the Boston PD effective as soon as he was medically cleared to return to work. As soon as he'd been able, Tony had made a beeline for Grant's apartment, only to find it empty. Tony had never been able to explain himself to his friend and the guilt he'd felt over the entire debacle had led him to make the decision to never again allow himself to become close to the people he worked with. For six months that policy had worked... then he'd gone to work for NCIS and had found Abby.

A headslap brought Tony back to the present. "Don't you have work to do, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked as he passed, Grant trailing uncertainly in his wake. The FBI agent carefully avoided looking at anything for longer than a few seconds before deciding the floor was a safe bet.

"Yes, Boss." Tony turned resolutely around and switched his computer on. There wasn't much he could do until Abby had performed her magic and he was certain Gibbs knew that but there was no further comment.

"McGee, did you get everything Abby needed?" Gibbs turned his attention to the computer tech.

"Um... no, Boss. I thought you were..." Tim broke off when Gibbs glared.

"If I had, would I be asking you?" Jethro internally smirked when McGee wavered. "Take Mars with you."

Grant's head shot up at the statement, his contemplation of the floor successfully diverted. He'd been studiously trying to remain unobserved and out of the way, his self-esteem had been destroyed after the disastrous collaboration with the New York office and subsequent transfer to DC. Before that ego-shattering experience he would have walked into the NCIS office with more than his fair share of confidence and belief in his abilities. Deep down he still knew he was a good agent but the ball-busting Agent Johnson had done her best to crush that knowledge. In just a few weeks she had taken over a case he'd devoted more than three years to and had virtually kicked him to the curb. Not only that but they'd had the guy and she'd let NYPD cut him loose. He was still technically on the case but all his evidence and original case files had remained in New York with her task force. He'd been very thankful he'd thought to copy all the files before his trip to New York. Suddenly he was happy that Romar had screwed up as he had. Maybe NCIS could help him finally catch the bastard. Still, his feelings of inadequacy would take a long time to disperse. So he obediently turned back towards the elevator when Tim motioned for him to follow.

As soon as the doors closed behind the two men, Gibbs turned his attention back to Tony. "Are you going to be ok with this?" The question was too quiet for Ziva to hear properly.

To his credit, Tony seriously considered the question knowing he'd be in for another smack if he answered too quickly. "I'll do my best, Boss." He answered honestly.

Downstairs...

Grant followed McGee as they exited elevator and left the building with a confused frown on his face. "Um... excuse me." He ventured quietly.

Tim turned slightly with a smile but continued on his way into the convenience store three buildings over. "Yeah?" He asked.

"What are we doing?" Grant asked as he watched Tim buy a gigantic drink.

"Getting something for Abby. Did you want anything?" McGee accepted the cup and turned back to Grant, who spared a longing thought to the Red Bull he'd left in his car.

"Yeah, I think I do." The FBI agent mused as he went over to the cooler, pulled out one of the new extra large cans of the drink and carried it to the register.

"Here. It's on us." Tim handed the huge cup to Grant and pulled his wallet out of his pocket again.

"No, its fine, I've got it." Grant protested.

"Gibbs gives us an allowance for Abby's supplies." McGee told him cheerfully as he paid for Grant's drink. "Here, trade." He handed the can to Grant and regained custody of Abby's cup. It was a very bemused FBI agent who followed Tim back to the NCIS building.

Nearly thirty minutes after they'd left the bullpen, Tim and Grant walked out of the elevator into a cacophony of music. The sound of it made Grant long for his stereo and CDs all of which were still packed away in his miniscule apartment. The sign on the door read "Forensics" but there was nothing that Grant recognized as a lab. The FBI agent hung back as McGee walked fearlessly into the din and flipped a switch on the stereo, silencing the music.

"Hey!" An angry female voice yelped in the sudden calm. Grant blinked as she moved into view. His dark blue gaze started at the top - which was at least two inches higher than his own - of her head full of black hair, past the double ponytails, over the crystal blue eyes highlighted by straight black bangs, onto the dark red lips, down the black suspenders that draped over a snug red T-shirt and supported the black pleated miniskirt before ending at the bottom of her platform boots. He gulped and popped the top of his Red Bull.

"Hey, Timmy." She smiled brightly as she accepted the cup and took a long drink. "Tell Gibbs I haven't had time to get any tests done, my babies need more time considering the teeny, tiny amount of evidence you brought back. Who's that?"

Grant blinked again at the rapid-fire delivery. Tim grinned at the bemusement on the shorter man's face. "Abby, this is Grant Mars, FBI, Missing Persons Unit. He's been tracking the guy we think is responsible for Petty Officer Parker's disappearance. Grant, this is Abigail Sciuto, Forensic Scientist Extraordinaire."

Abby's crystalline gaze swept over the gelled medium brown curls, sapphire eyes surrounded by thick dark lashes, straight nose, neatly knotted tie, spotless suit and ended at the highly polished dark brown shoes. Her smile would have terrified everyone who knew her well. Tim's grin evaporated at the sight.

"No, Abby. You can't. Fornell would kill us all." Tim warned her fearfully.

She pouted as she watched Grant glance nervously back and forth between them. Apprehension darkened the sapphire gaze. "But Timmy, he's cute."

Grant smiled then and relaxed a bit. "Thank you." He murmured. "Did you know that they just released an anthology?" He motioned towards the stereo with the hand that held the Red Bull.

Abby's smile returned. "Hidden depths. I like that." She purred.

"Plumb them later, what do you have for me?" Gibbs startled them all when he spoke from behind McGee.

"Nothing yet." Abby snapped back to business with a swiftness that should have left them all in the dust but Gibbs and McGee were used to it. Grant hid a grin as he recognized the trait. "You have to give me more stuff and more time if you want results." She paused to slurp some more of her drink. "But..." She continued confidently. "If there's anything to find, my babies and I will find it."

TBC