Every Rose Has Its Thorn

Part 5 – An Ending and a Beginning

Gibbs yanked the door of the interrogation room open and was met with the sight of an extremely pissed off JAG lawyer.

"What is the matter with you Gibbs? You summon me down here in the middle of the night, and when I do arrive, I'm taken to Interrogation. What point are you trying to make this time?"

Gibbs slammed the folders he carried onto the table and leaned over it to face her.

"Sit. Down."

She held his gaze for several moments before finally lowering herself to a sitting position. She took a deep breath and spoke in a much calmer voice.

"Would you please tell me what this is about, Special Agent Gibbs?"

"Lieutenant Pratchett."

She blinked. "I was under the impression that you had a suspect in custody. My office has already provided a lawyer."

"We've charged O'Neill with his murder. We still haven't finished the case."

"And why is that?"

"Because someone else tried to kill him. Slowly."

A flicker of fear crossed her face. "Why would someone do that?"

"You tell me."

"Agent Gibbs, I assure you—"

Gibbs opened the file on Pratchett and slammed it down in front of her. "He was poisoned for four weeks, the same amount of time he was 'casually dating' you. I don't believe in coincidences, Faith."

"Perhaps you should, Jethro. I am sure I was not the only person who had contact with him during that time."

"No, but you did have contact with both Pratchett and DiNozzo."

Genuine confusion appeared in her expression. "I am not following, Agent Gibbs."

"Pratchett was poisoned with arsenic. The anti-freeze O'Neill gave him killed him, but if it hadn't he would have been dead soon enough."

"And what does this have to do with—?"

"Agent DiNozzo was also poisoned with arsenic."

All of the color drained from her face as she stared at him, wide-eyed. "What?"

"They figure he's been getting dosed for a couple of weeks, too. He same amount of time he's been in contact with you."

She continued to stare at him in shock. Finally, after several moments, she spoke.

"Is…is he…?"

"He's alive. We caught it in time."

"When…?"

"McGee found him in his apartment a few hours ago."

"Oh my God…I saw him, but I had to leave for an emergency meeting, and…" Suddenly she looked up at Gibbs with anger. "You think that I-?"

"No."

"What?"

"Liars can't pale on cue. You didn't have anything to do with what happened to Tony. But I think you know who did."

"Someone who saw both Trey and Tony with me? And attacked them because of it?"

"Think, Faith. Two men who have nothing in common, both taken down with identical poisons, and the only link between the two is you. So who could it have been? An old boyfriend? Jealous ex? Or maybe a recent case?"

Gibbs could practically hear the gears grinding as she sorted through information in her mind.

"Do they know…how often they received a dose?"

"Pratchett was almost daily. They don't know about Tony yet."

"I wasn't…with Trey every day. Maybe two or three times a week at most, but…I do know he was a regular at the pub where we would meet. The same pub where I met with Tony."

"Did anyone there confront you or either of them? Or maybe show some special interest in any of you?"

"No…wait. There was something. It's probably nothing, but one of the bartenders, she said that she didn't understand why I would want to meet men in a bar, that none of them were good enough for me. I thought it was just a random compliment, but I do remember that she did seem to pay quite a bit of attention to me and with whom I interacted."

"Her name?"

"I was only aware of her first name: Melanie."

Gibbs turned to the mirror. "Ziva, go back to the hospital to stay with Tony and send McGee here. I need him to run the computer searches."

"Yes, Gibbs."

"Agent Gibbs, how is Tony? What's his prognosis?"

"He doesn't have permission to die, but he's going to be sick for awhile. Maybe for good." He studied her for a moment. "Are you ready to deal with that?"

She remained silent. Gibbs pulled out his phone as he exited Interrogation, leaving the woman alone with her thoughts.

XXX

McGee heard a soft groan and leaned forward to study the man lying in the hospital bed. Tony's eyes slowly opened and he groaned again.

"This brings back…really bad memories. At least…the lights aren't blue."

"Yeah, there's that."

He turned his head and gave the man next him a weak grin. "Hey, Probie…what happened?"

"What do you remember?"

"I…damn. Someone slipped me a mickie, didn't they?"

"Looks like it."

"We have to…"

"Gibbs is handling it."

"Boss…crap. He's going to kill me."

"Tony," McGee began and allowed the concern and worry he felt to show. "What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't…apparently. Rule #10, broke that one again. Hey, that rhymed…"

"Cute, Tony. Who were you going to see at the pub?"

"Gibbs didn't tell you?"

"No, he…wait. He knew? How did he know?"

"She came to see us. Pratchett's case. Part of the investigation."

"Wait. Commander Coleman? That's who you've been seeing?"

"Yep. Hate to break it to you Probie, but she is definitely the dating type."

"I'll have to wrap my mind around that one, later. So she…she's not the one who…?"

"No."

"But how-?"

"My gut, Tim. Gibbs', too."

"Right…"

"Gibbs will figure it out. Always does."

McGee didn't say anything and Tony's gaze wandered.

"So…how bad off am I?"

"They think you'll make it."

"Good to know…you know, I guess I should have expected this…"

"How?"

"Plague…a bomb…framed for murder…twice…poison just had to fit in there somewhere."

Tim just shook his head. "Only you, Tony."

"Wouldn't wish it on anyone else."

They were interrupted by Ziva, who gave McGee Gibbs' instructions.

"Guess that's my cue. I'll be back later, Tony."

"See ya, Probie."

McGee left and Ziva took his place in the chair next to Tony's bed.

"Alright, let me have it."

"Have what?"

"Whatever it is you're waiting to tell me: I'm an idiot. I was careless. I—" She put a finger to his lips and shushed him.

"I am glad you are not dead, Tony. Get some rest."

"You're saving it for later, aren't you?" She just gave him a half-smile and winked. He leaned back on his pillow and closed his eyes, taking comfort that at least his team would be there for him…

XXX

Faith opened the door of Billy Bones and stepped inside. She carefully surveyed the place before selecting a booth and seating herself so she faced the door. A few moments later, the bartender came over and handed her a menu which she placed on the table.

"Your usual?"

"Yes, thank you, Melanie."

"One glass or two?"

"One, to start. I don't know what my date will be drinking."

"Oh? A new guy? What happened to…Tony, was it?"

"He…it didn't work out."

"Sorry to hear that, but you know, I've been telling you: men you meet in bars? Not good enough for you, hon."

Faith managed a smile. "So you say. I'm afraid I don't have much luck otherwise."

"What about this new guy?"

"Blind date. Someone at work set us up."

"Ouch. Well, I hope he's a good one."

"Me, too." Faith looked down at her hands and Melanie took the hint.

"I'll be right back with your wine." She headed back to the bar and Faith turned her attention to the front door. She had been waiting for about five minutes when the door opened and a rather rough-looking man walked in. His gaze locked with hers and he smiled before walking towards her.

"You must be Faith," he said, his thick Boston accent grating her nerves. "I'm Jake."

"Pleased to meet you," she murmured with forced good humor.

"Nice place. Classy. Hey honey!" He yelled to Melanie, who gave him a quick once over and plastered on a fake smile.

"Yes, sir? How may I help you?"

"A beer for me and one for the lady." Faith cringed. Melanie sent her a look of understanding and got to work.

"Right away, sir."

Jake turned his attention to Faith. "So, my buddy tells me you're a lawyer. Don't think I believe him. You're much too pretty."

Faith could only nod as she prayed the night would be over with quickly. Melanie soon brought Jake's beer and handed him a menu.

"Something to start off?" she asked.

"I'll have to think about that. First I got a trick I want to show ya. Watch." He pulled a bottle out of his pocket. It contained a small amount of liquid and had an eyedropper for a cap. He used the eyedropper to remove some of the beer from his glass and then added it to the bottle. After a few second it turned blue-green.

"There we go: all ready for St. Paddy's Day."

"That's, uh, nice, sir. Can I get you something-."

"I think you'll have to bring me another beer, though. This one's a bit heavy for me." Suddenly Melanie found herself staring into a pair of cold blue eyes as the man leaned closer. "Must be all the metal in it. Arsenic's a metal, right?"

She started to back away and ran into someone. She turned her head to see, a tall, thin man with bright green eyes, who immediately grabbed her arms and held them behind her back. He was soon joined by a dark-haired woman whose brown eyes showed only contempt. The man in the booth slowly stood and opened his wallet to reveal his badge as he removed his disguise.

"Special Agent Gibbs. You're under arrest for the attempted murder of NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo."

"You have the right to remain silent," the man behind her began. "If you give up the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney…"

"But not this one," Faith added as she faced the agitated woman. "Why? Why would you do this?"

Melanie sputtered in anger. "I did it for you! None of them were good enough!"

"You're wrong."

The woman started screaming and the two agents dragged out the door to their waiting sedan. Gibbs watched them leave with a faint smirk before turning to Faith.

"You OK?"

"Fine."

"You believe what you said? She was wrong?"

"Yes…yes, I do."

"Then you should make sure he knows it, Commander."

XXX

McGee and Ziva stood in Observation, watching Gibbs attempt to interrogate their suspect, Melanie Gaines. She sat in stony silence while he explained the evidence against her and then began ranting. The two agents listened for about half a minute before shaking their heads and asking the technician to cut the sound.

"She has…quite a vocabulary," observed Ziva.

"Yeah."

"So why does she harbor such hatred towards…?"

"…men in bars?" McGee opened the folder he had in his hands and held out a sheet of paper for Ziva to read. "Turns out she had a sister – Heather Gaines. Looked quite a bit like Commander Coleman. Poisoned by her boyfriend who-"

"Let me guess: she met in a bar."

"Yep. I guess she fixated on the Commander and decided that she had to protect her from everyone she felt wasn't worthy."

"Poor Tony."

McGee sent her a puzzled look. "Because he got poisoned?"

"Well that, and…some woman found him unworthy." She smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. McGee could tell she was still worried about their partner.

"And some woman did find him worthy…at least for a little while," he added, trying to lighten the mood a little.

"Let us hope it continues."

Tim allowed a small smile to cross his lips. "Are you saying we should have faith, Ziva? OW!" He rubbed his arm and winced as she lowered her fist and smiled at him.

"Perhaps someone should."

XXX

Tony closed the door to his apartment after his last guest had left and sighed in relief. His 'Welcome Home' party had been exhausting, but he could help but grin as he remembered the enthusiastic greeting he had received from Abby when he had entered his wildly decorated apartment just couple of hours ago.

It had been nearly two weeks since he had last set foot in his apartment. The first week in the hospital was an unpleasant blur, as the poison had worked its way out of his system, leaving him weak and vulnerable to infection and a host of other maladies. His team had been there as often as they could, but there was one person who was conspicuously absent, and whose presence he missed more than he would admit.

The rest of his time had prepared him for what was to be his immediate future: blood work, screening tests, and daily checkups for evidence of what the effects of the poison ultimately would be. Ducky and Palmer had promised to keep a close eye on him, and Abby had once again brought out her holistic remedies to help him cope with his new situation. Gibbs had told him he always had a place, both on the team and as part of the strange dysfunctional family in which he had found himself for so many years. McGee and Ziva gallantly suffered through many a movie marathon with him, ignoring his commentary as best they could and offering silent support as he tried, in his own way, to deal with an uncertain future.

He brushed aside one of the many balloons that had started to sink down from the ceiling and headed for the kitchen for a glass of water. He was almost to the sink when the doorbell rang.

"Aw come on, Abby, enough. I need my beauty sleep," he called out as he walked to the front door of his apartment and opened it. He let out a short huff of surprise when he saw who was standing there.

"Faith? What…what are you doing here?"

"May I come in?"

"Oh, sure, yeah, come in…" He opened the door and allowed her to slip past him into the apartment. She looked around at the array of decorations and he thought he saw the faintest trace of a smile.

"So, it's, uh…good to see you."

"You, too. I came by the hospital a couple of times, but…you were asleep."

"Yeah. Turns out being poisoned really messes with your sleep cycles. Who knew?" He grinned, but the gesture didn't have its usual vigor.

"Tony, I…I am sorry this happened to you. I really am. I had no idea—"

"I know you didn't. It's not your fault, Faith. If anyone is to blame, it's me. I broke one of Gibbs rules. Actually I think I broke several of them, but the point is…I'm not sorry I got to know you better."

"I'm not sorry, either. I am sorry I didn't visit you more often in the hospital. I…I really hate them."

"Yeah, me too."

Both were silent for several moments before Faith cleared her throat. "I must confess: I have missed you. I know our…relationship got off to bit of a bad start…"

"Oh hey, this isn't bad. You haven't accused me of murder yet."

She laughed. "No, it was my turn for that distinction."

Tony's smile disappeared. "Did Gibbs actually accuse—?"

"No! No. He was actually quite civil."

"Gibbs? Civil?"

"Well, that might be stretching it."

"Just a bit."

"Tony, I…I was hoping that maybe we could…"

"Try again?"

"If you're willing."

His grin returned. "I'm willing. Maybe not particularly able at the moment…" She let out a soft snort. "But yes, I am willing." He nodded towards the set-up in his living room. "Would you care to join me for a movie, Commander?"

"That sounds…perfect. I have to warn you, though. I'm not really in the mood for a loud, action-packed film."

"That's OK. I have the perfect one for you. You'll love it. It's a classic."

She followed him to the living room and settled onto the sofa as he selected the movie and put it into the DVD player. He turned the lights down low and sat next to her before turning on the TV, which soon displayed the title card for the movie. She read it and started to laugh.

Tony turned to her and exclaimed, in his best Cary Grant impression, "I'm not a Brewster, I'm the son of a sea cook!"

Faith gave him a mock glare before laughing again. "You're incorrigible."

"It's part of my charm. A part, Commander, I believe you will soon learn to appreciate."

She leaned back, met his gaze and smiled.

"We'll see."

The end.

Author's Notes:

The title comes from a song by the heavy metal group Poison. ;)

The movie Pratchett is watching in Part 1 is Snakehead Terror, a (horrifyingly bad) SyFy Channel original movie.

The movie Tony and Faith are watching in Part 5 is Arsenic and Old Lace.