Chapter Fourteen

Central Park initially opened in 1857. At one time cows grazed there but now people suntanned and played there during the summer and just played there during the winter. It was also a place where Tony's mother brought him to play during the winter months and where he met Marco Moreno. Marco and he played football, basketball, and baseball with Tony being the better athlete.

Marco was waiting for Tony, though, at boathouse in Central Park. When Tony showed up with Mullen, Marco, who was five foot six inches and brown greased back hair and wearing a black leather coat, stood staring at the manmade pond.

"Marco," Tony called to him.

He turned and waved at Tony and walked over to him and Mullen.

"Time for me to come clean, Tony?" he asked.

"Yeah, Marco, it's time for you to come clean," he said.

"Gentlemen, I recommend we take this to the car and then get him to Fed Plaza," said Mullen. "I don't like being in the open."

"Let's scoot," said Tony.

They exited Central Park and across the street to the Charger. Tony got behind the wheel while Mullen got in the passenger seat and Marco in the back.

"I hope they send me somewhere boring where I'm the only fucking Italian in the town," said Marco.

"The Marshalls should be able to handle that," Tony said.

"I'm thinking Wyoming, or some shithole like that," said Marco.

"You better now call it a shithole if you're going to live there," Mullen pointed out.

"Yeah, good point," Marco agreed.

The cut across town to First Avenue and pointed the car towards downtown. As he did this he picked up a SUV in his rearview mirror following them. It had four men in it.

"I think Genovese men are following us," said Tony.

"Fuck, I'm dead," said Marco.

"No, you're not," Mullen said.

As they went through the cross street at 83rd another SUV gunned into the front of their car. The air bags went off cushioning the two men. Tony and Mullen got their guns out and immediately started firing.

"Stay down, Marco!" yelled Tony.

Mullen opened the passenger's door. Put half a clip into the car that rammed them then fired the rest of the clip in the direction of the SUV behind them. One of the men in the SUV behind them unloaded the forty rounds in its clip into the back window with an MP7. Tony felt the burn of bullet wounds in his left arm and shoulder.

Tony emptied his clip into the man then ejected it and slipped a new clip in and continued firing hoping they could hold out until the police came. He pulled his smart phone and speed dialed Fornell.

"Hello," he answered.

"FUBAR, Fornell. Need help!" yelled Tony.

"We're on our way. Hold out," Fornell screamed.

Mullen by hitting the pavement opened up himself to fire, but it gave him better aim at the men. He emptied another clip, as left a bullet shatter his shoulder blade from behind. Tony saw one of the surviving men in the SUV that rammed them shoot Mullen, so he opened up putting holes in the windshield and into the shooter then he felt another burn through his upper right arm.

In the background police blared and the remaining men in the SUV took off. Tony felt dizzy but he allowed himself to finally exhale. He looked in the back of the car.

"You okay, Marco?" he asked.

"Yeah, Tony, not a scratch," he said. "Fucking idiots. I can't wait to fink now."

"Good," he said.

The police cars started to pull up and surround them. Tony opened his door and got out. He wanted to check on Mullen, but he was feeling dizzy.

"Freeze! Drop your gun!" a cop yelled.

"FBI," he said as darkness started to blur his vision. I refuse to pass out. I am not going to pass out. He looked down at his shirt and saw the expanding field of red in his shirt. I'm passing out.

Tony fell face first into the pavement.

NCIS

Ziva had come to work with Gibbs in order to talk to Jenny, who was able to get her permanent residency. It took calling in a lot of favors, but she managed to do it. Ziva sat in the chair in front of Jenny's desk smiling.

"Tony, really?" Jenny said.

"Yes, Jenny, I love him," she said.

"Wow," Jenny smiled. "So does he live up to his reputation?"

Jenny was surprised to see Ziva actually blush.

"He surpasses it," she said with a big smile.

"I don't know if Gibbs will let you back on the team if you are breaking one of his rules," she said.

"Whatever he thinks is best he will do," Ziva said.

"Hopefully, Tony will be back soon," said Jenny.

Gibbs burst into the office making Jenny raise an eyebrow from exasperation. She stared at him, as did Ziva.

"DiNozzo's been shot. Fornell just called me. He and Mullen were attacked transporting an informant," said Gibbs.

"Gibbs, he is alright, yes?" asked Ziva.

"He is in surgery. According to Fornell he was hit four times and Mullen three," said Gibbs.

"He always has win competitions," fumed Ziva.

She stood up: "I need to go to New York."

"We leave in three hours. Go home and pack a bag," said Gibbs.

Ziva stormed out of the office leaving Gibbs with Jenny.

"How is he Gibbs?" asked Jenny.

"Shot up," he answered.

"Let me know how he is and if there is anything I can do," she said.

"I will, Jen," he replied.

He started to leave when jenny cleared her throat and he turned around and looked at each other.

"They love each other, so let them," she said.

He smiled: "We'll see."

NCIS

Tony woke from his drug induced sleep to see Ziva sitting in a chair beside his bed. His face was badly scraped from his face hitting the pavement, which added to the soreness. She was dozing. Her hair was down and wild. She looked like she was part feral creature and part angel in his eyes. He groaned from pain when he tried to move. She opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Why do you keep getting hurt?" she asked him.

"Just lucky, I guess," he said in a hoarse voice.

She put some ice chips up to his lips so he could chew on a few to lubricate his throat.

"If we are going to get married you have to stop this habit," she said.

"I'll try, sweet cheeks," he said then grimaced. "Do you want to tell me what is wrong with him?"

"Through and through in the left shoulder, a bullet through the left bicep, bullet grazed your right arm and a bullet went thought your left side," she said trying to sound matter of fact.

"Okay, not too bad, nothing major," he said trying to sound happy that nothing too bad had happened to him.

"Except blood loss which is why you feel so weak," she told him.

"How about Mullen?" asked Tony.

"Shattered right shoulder blade, through and through in his left shoulder, and a bullet in his left thigh. He is lucky, also," she said.

"Sounds pleasant. Marco is alive," he said.

"He was untouched. The Marshalls have him according to Fornell. He is fuming because he believes the FBI has a mole," she said.

"I'd say he's right about that," yawned Tony. "I love you, Zi."

"I love you, too," she said. "Now go to sleep."

"You'll be here when I wake up," he said.

"If anyone tries to remove me I will hurt them," she smiled.

"Hey," he said as his eyelids started to become heavy, "are you okay? Should we get married right away?"

"Don't worry, Ahuvi, I am good now and we will marry in good time," she smiled.

"I'll marry you right now if you want," he said sleepily. "I want to marry you."

Ziva got up and took the painkiller tripper and pressed it and released a good dosage.

"Sleep, we will talk later," she said then kissed his forehead.

NCIS

Ziva was asleep in a comfortable chair looking out for the sleeping Tony when the door opened and Malachi slipped into the room. She immediately woke up and pointed her Sig Sauer at him.

"I am not here to hurt him Ziva but check on him," Malachi said.

"Why?" she asked with venom.

"Because he has helped me to my task in order to protect you. He is a good man," Malachi said.

"What do you mean he has protected me?" she asked.

"Your father has in a sense cut a deal with him: he leaves you alone for Tony's assistance. He told me where to find Scalia and he killed Notaro himself. Now your father can blackmail anytime he wishes to work for Mossad again, but you are safe and I will make sure of it. I thought you should know what he has done for you," said Malachi.

"No," she said and tears burned her eyes.

"I will try and make sure that your father doesn't misuse him, Ziva. I like him. Under different circumstances he and I could have be friends," said Malachi.

"My father cannot destroy him. We have to stop him," she said trying to contain her emotions.

"Ziva, trust me. I will do my best to protect him and you," Malachi said.

"This is… I love him and my father has to dirty it," she said.

"Do not do that. He is sacrificing something important for you, his ethics, so you support him. If you father asks too much of him, I will let you know and we will find a way to stop him," Malachi said.

"Can I trust you?" she asked him.

"You have to, Ziva," he said then left.

NCIS

It was a week of lying in bed being bored and waiting for updates from Fornell, while Ziva babysat him. She had moved into his hotel room, but spent most of her time with him in the room. All Tony wanted, though, was release from the hospital.

As Ziva sat in the corner reading a book, Tony watched the TV. He everything seemed good he was getting his release tomorrow. This meant he had the choice between going home to recuperate or hoping Fornell allowed him to stay and continue with the Task Force. The door opened and Gibbs and Fornell walked into the room. Ziva closed the book.

"Marco has given us more than we could hope for," Fornell said. "He can tie your father into the order to kill DA Michael Foley. It seems our friend Mikey was the hitter and he told us where to find the body."

"You putting in for an arrest warrant for him, Fornell?" asked Tony.

Fornell nodded his head in the affirmative.

"Can you wait until tomorrow to pick him up? I get released tomorrow and I'd like to go along for the ride," said Tony.

"DiNozzo, you're still injured," said Gibbs.

"I'll be an observer with a ninja by my side to protect him," he said then nodded over to Ziva, who smiled.

"You want to be there when he is arrested?" asked Fornell.

"If I had two good hands I'd insist on putting the cuffs on him myself," said Tony.

"None of this would have happened without you, Tony. We are going with about ten cop cars and four FBI cars to his home in Long Island. You'll be in one of the cars with Ziva," said Fornell.

"You will stay out of the way until everything is safe," ordered Gibbs.

"My father won't put up a fight. He'll expect his lawyers to win the battle for him," Tony said. "I just want to see him in cuffs just once."

"He will be ready in the morning in a nice suit," said Ziva.

"Did anything get back to Vincent?" asked Tony.

"Nothing," said Fornell. "He can't be touched still. Maybe once a few more dominoes fall, though."

"Don't count on it Fornell Vincent is smarter than my father," said Tony. "He is really his own consigliere."

"I'm starting to see that, kid," Fornell said and then smiled. "And he thinks you would have made a great Don. That's kind of scary DiNozzo, do you know that?"

"I know it. It scares me, too," said Tony.

"Well, he plays on the side of the angels which I'm glad for," said Gibbs.

"Thanks, boss," said Tony.

"I hope I am still your boss, DiNozzo," said Gibbs. "We haven't talked yet about you coming back to NCIS."

"I know, boss. I haven't made up my mind yet," said Tony.

"Why?" asked Gibbs.

"Vincent is too powerful. I don't like that," Tony said.

"Not your fault," Gibbs said.

"Feels like it's my fault," Tony said.

"Well, I've been told by Mullen that if you go back to NCIS he wants to join you. He said that you two are meant to be partners," said Fornell. "I don't want to lose you two."

"You don't want me as an enemy, Fornell," warned Gibbs.

"I know. It's tough enough having you as a friend," smiled Fornell.

"I'll tell PJ if he needs to requisition transfer papers," Tony said.

"Okay, see in the morning, kid," said Fornell.

"Get some rest, DiNozzo," said Gibbs.

NCIS

Ziva got his charcoal grey Zegna suit along with a white shirt and black tie. She knew he'd want to look good for today. Helping him to dress himself, Ziva suddenly felt oddly happy to be helping him in this way. She knew that today was important to Tony and wanted to show him nothing but support.

"How do I look?" he asked Ziva as he tried to act calm even though his stomach was doing flips.

"You look handsome," she said. "Fornell is picking us up with Gibbs in a SUV."

The drive out to Long Island was quiet. For Fornell, Ziva and Gibbs this was nothing unusual, but for Tony this was a sign of his uneasiness. He knew this was something he had to do. His father and he had a relationship based on hate by this time, yet it was still his father they were going to arrest. Grey clouds hung in the air threatening rain.

If his uncle lived in a mansion then his father lived in the steroid enhanced version of a mansion. The police cars drove along with this lights flashing but their sirens off. As they headed down the driveway to the front door, Tony felt a twist in his gut. The SUV in was in stopped right in front of the house.

Ziva got out then helped him out. Fornell, who had the arrest warrant, and Gibbs strode to the front door and knocked. It was answered by one of Anthony DiNozzo, Snr men.

"I see company has come," he said.

"You were expecting us," Fornell remarked.

"Your office leaks like a sieve," he said to Fornell.

"We can talk about that later," said Fornell. "Where is Anthony Dinozzo, Snr."

Tony walked past the man. Even with his arm in a sling he held himself like a prince of the Family.

"Daddy, I'm home," he yelled.

Gibbs, Fornell, and Ziva along with several armed men followed him. The place was huge.

Walking down the main staircase, Anthony, Snr. looked like a million dollars. His suit was freshly pressed as was his linen shirt. He had gold cufflinks and a gold tie pin in his grey silk tie.

"You don't belong here. I threw you out years ago," he said.

"Oh, pops, can't we just get along?" smiled Tony.

"You are nothing, no one," said Anthony.

"Daddy, such harsh words for your only son," said Tony, who stood at the bottom of the staircase.

"You were never good enough to be my son," said Anthony.

Tony blessed himself and smiled: "I thank God every day for that."

He came to the bottom of the staircase and glared into his son's eyes.

"I'm not done," he said.

"Maybe you are or maybe you're not," Tony said.

Fornell came over and handcuffed Anthony DiNozzo, Snr.

"When I get clear of this you are going to regret it," said Anthony to his son.

"Father, I've been regretting knowing you my whole life," he said.

"Take him away," Fornell said.

His father was escorted to the nearest police car. Tony felt Ziva come up beside him and take his left hand in her right hand.

"We both have trouble with fathers," she said.

"You can say that again," he smiled.

Tony watched as his father sat stoically in the back of the police cruiser ignoring him.

Epilogue

Two months had past and Tony had been part of the task Force in DC preparing for the trials that were coming up. He and Ziva had moved into a new bigger apartment and were talking about marriage. He was due back to NCIS in a week, a week before he had to make up his mind between FBI and NCIS.

Vincent had sent him a card with the words Babbo. He was now considered useless and dead. His uncle had to do this. It was the end of his grace period with the family. Next time in New York they would try and kill him.

"Tony, have you decided about returning to NCIS yet?" Ziva asked him.

"No, Zi, why?" he asked, as they sat on their sofa watching a movie.

"Gibbs wants you back. He is willing to overlook rule 12 for us," she said.

"PJ is waiting for me to decide to. He says I shouldn't return unless they make me a team leader and he can be part of my team," he told her.

"I thought I like Mullen, but now I'm not too sure," she said.

"Zi, he just wants to stay partner. He thinks we work well together. He's right. We do," said Tony.

"You work better with me," she smiled.

"I can't argue with that," he returned the smile.

"So you are returning?" she said.

"You won't give up, huh?" he said.

"Why should I. I like working with you," she said.

His smart phone rang. Tony got up and grabbed the phone off the breakfast nook and answered it.

"DiNozzo," he said.

"Anthony," the accented voice of Eli David said, "I have no forgotten about you. It is time that you do another job for us."

"Now is not a good time," said Tony.

"It never is a good time," chuckled Eli. "You belong to me, Anthony. You are one of mine now."