Tony boarded the elevator on the main floor of NCIS. He was anxious going down to Miami with Candi. He was also worried about Kate. The fire and rescue had searched that entire warehouse. They found no body and no sign that she was ever there. That meant she was still alive and Campbell had lied. But why? Besides, he knew Kate was alive, he could feel it. Gibbs was interrogating Campbell as he rode this elevator. When it stopped and the doors opened, he found Candi on the phone. She seemed to be arguing. Deciding not to eavesdrop, he went over to McGee.
"What do you want, Tony?" Tim spat. Tony wrinkled his nose.
"Is the boss with Campbell?" he asked. McGee nodded. Tony adjusted his backpack on his shoulder and glanced to Candi. She slammed the phone down and looked at him with a forced smile.
"Ready DiNozzo?" she asked as she reached down and picked up her backpack. He nodded as he studied her. She wasn't ready for this trip, but Gibbs would have none of that.
"Let's go." He placed a hand on her should and lead her to the elevator. They walked quietly to the car.
At first she wasn't very talkative, but after they stopped for coffee, she began to open up. She laughed and told stories the entire way. When they hit the outskirts of Miami, she went quiet and mellow. She had gone on and on about her ex-coworkers. She appeared to think very highly of them. With a few confusing directions, they arrived at the lab.
Tony quietly followed her to the building. It was large and elaborate, much different from NCIS headquarters. People were shuffling everywhere and it was quite noisy. When they approached the reception desk, the lady sitting there gasped.
"Candice!" she squealed and jumped out of her chair. She ran over to the tall brunette and they shared a brief hug. Tony observed as a few others noticed the reunion. Some people came over and said hi. They smiled with delight. Everyone seemed excited to see her, she appeared to be well missed. After everyone left, Candi looked to the woman from the desk and got right to the point.
"What are you doing now? I heard you went back to Virginia?" the receptionist asked. Candi nodded and pulled out her badge.
"I work with my dad at NCIS. Is Horatio around?" The woman shook her head.
"Sorry, he and Eric are out on a call. Calleigh's upstairs," she smiled. "I'm sure she would love to see you." Candi nodded and led Tony to the elevator. As the doors opened, a short woman with long blonde hair stepped off. Tony stared at her, she was pretty.
"Candice?" she asked in shock. Candi smiled and the shared more hugs. "What bring you down here?" she asked as she glanced to Tony. "This your new man?" she smirked. Tony's eyes bulged and he watched Candi's face go red.
"No! No," she laughed. "This is Special agent Dinozzo," she introduced. The woman shook his hand.
"Calleigh Duqense," she said. "What brings you down here?" she asked and looked back to Candi.
"We're tracking down a dangerous man. He kidnapped one of out agents and almost killed two others. He keeps leading us to false clues," Candi explained.
Tony felt awkward. Candi knew all these people and made small talk while Wimble and Morrissey were out there with Kate. Just then a noise behind him caught his attention. He swung around.
While Candi chatted, he watched two men drag in Wimble. A tall Latino man and a red haired man argued with him as he struggled to get free. Tony tapped Candi on the shoulder. She swung around, her long curly hair swaying with her motion. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the men.
"Horatio!" shouted as she ran over to the men. She smiled then looked at Wimble. "Where'd you pick him up?"
"Drug bust," the red haired man answered. Tony joined them. The Latino man stared at him with a wrinkled nose.
"Who's this?" he asked. Candi smiled and looked to Tony.
"This is Special Agent Anthony Dinozzo," she answered. "and Tony, this is Lieutenant Horatio Caine and Detective Eric Delko." Horatio nodded.
"Eric, take Mr. Wimble to interrogation." He looked to Candice. "What brings you here?"
"Wimble," she answered with a smirk. "We're searching for him and his associate Thomas Morrissey."
"You want a joint investigation?" Horatio asked.
"We'd rather bring him back to NCIS," Tony piped in. Candi slapped him on the back of the head.
"We'll watch the interrogation," she replied as she eyed Tony. He frowned.
"OK," Horatio agreed. They followed him through the corridors to the interrogation room.
Candi watched though the glass as Horatio conducted the interview. She seemed so happy down here. Being surrounded by all these people, she seemed really comfortable. Tony groaned.
"This is our suspect and our investigation," he mumbled. She appeared not to hear him. Those piercing blue eyes were fixed on Horatio and Wimble. It was as if he wasn't there. Behind them, the door opened.
Tony turned slightly to see Detective Delko. Candice looked too. Her eyes lit up at the sight of her old colleague and she ran to greet him with a hig. Tony felt a surge of jealousy as he observed them.
"How's the little one?" Eric asked. She smiled at the mention of her son.
"He's a little shaken up, moving really upset him," she responded.
"How's he reacting to his biological father?" Eric asked. Candi's eyes glazed over with anger and what looked like shame. She frowned and looked to her feet, she shifted them uncomfortably. Tony was confused.
"Well…" she groaned. Eric rolled his eyes.
"You haven't told him yet?" he asked with irritation. "Candice, he has a right to know." She looked back up to him.
"Tim was his dad," she argued. "If I introduce them, it will just confuse him."
"Candice," Eric's voice was low and warning. Candi shoved him out of her way and headed for the door.
"I need a coffee," she said as she left the room. Tony followed.
"You OK?" he asked as he gently grabbed her arm. She looked him in the eye. He could see tears welling in the corner of her eyes. Eric had struck a nerve.
"I'm fine," she grumbled as she pulled her arm from his grip.
"Candi-" She cut him off.
"Let's focus on getting Wimble back to NCIS," she said as she took off into the crowd of detectives.
Tony sighed. She was obviously distraught and he wished she would talk to him. There was so much he didn't know about her, and so much he wanted to know… His thoughts were interrupted when his phone went off. He checked it. Gibbs.
"Yah boss?" he answered.
"What's going on?" Gibbs asked. Tony frowned.
"Miami-Dade has Wimble. We're waiting for them to release him into our custody. Then we'll bring him back," he explained. Gibbs groaned.
"Do it quick," he ordered before hanging up. Tony stared at his phone. Gibbs. What would he do about Candi? He seemed to love his daughter, but showed her lots of tough love. Candi. He had to find her.