For those who complain about Tony and Ziva romance, don't read my work. Unless I specify someone else, if there is going to be a romance, it will be eventually Tony and Ziva. Now time for the story.
Chapter Two
Everyone gathered at Ducky's house. For Gibbs and his people, team meant family and they were a family. Palmer brought Breena; Ziva brought her boyfriend Joe Stanton; McGee brought his latest girlfriend Cheryl; Gibbs brought Leyla and Amira; and Abby brought nobody. Ducky acted as host and grandfather to all. For Gibbs this was as close as he got to a family gathering. After pre-dinner drinks and appetizer, they gathered at the large dining room table. Ducky served everyone a Col Solare 2008 Red Wine, except for Leyla and Amira, who were served sparkling cider.
"This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and Syrah," he started his toast. "It was given to me by Anthony several years ago and he told me to serve on a special occasion. I believe this is a special occasion."
With the mention of Tony, Gibbs felt his stomach knot. He had failed him. Tony expected him to bring him home, but he failed and because of that failure, he never stayed in touch with him. He allowed their friendship, their partnership, to drift apart. It was a regret even to this day.
Instinctively, Ziva reached for Joe's hand when Tony's name for mentioned. She felt a need to overt show him affection because of that named evoked in her. Unlike Tony, Joe wasn't a jock or handsome player charming women. He was good looking, studious, an intellectual, and serious. She used to make fun of Tony, as someone who didn't read or wasn't too bright or wasn't serious enough, though she realized after Tony was gone that he corrected people's grammar because he understood what proper grammar was and he could lecture you on Shakespeare on occasion, if he was in the mood, rather than regale you with a movie quote or plot. Tony was always more than he seemed.
"I want to make a toast for those who came to my home for this lovely Thanksgiving, but especially for those who are missing: my mother and dear Anthony. My mother has moved on and, unfortunately, Anthony has moved away. I shall always miss them both," said Ducky then he raised his glass and drank from it.
Everyone followed suit and drank from their glasses. When he was done, he handed the craving knife to Jimmy.
"Mr. Palmer, please show my guests the mastery of your cutting skills," he said.
"It would be an honor, Dr. Mallard," said Jimmy.
He took the knife and began to expertly crave up the turkey.
Abby looked at Gibbs. He saw that she had tears in her eyes. According to her she lost contact with Tony once he started to do field work in Bahrain. Even to this day, she checked the NCIS announcements every week about fallen agents fearing that she'd find Tony's name on it.
"Who is Anthony?" Cheryl whispered to McGee.
Without realizing it, Abby gave Cheryl a dirty look.
"He was the SFA before me," said McGee.
"So you replaced him," Cheryl said.
"No one replaced Tony. He was the best SFA Gibbs ever had," Abby piped up.
Gibbs tried to hide a smile at Abby's remark.
McGee looked at her, as if his feelings were hurt, but she turned her head away and started to talk to Amira.
Even when you're not here, you can still cause trouble, DiNozzo. Gibbs smiled to himself.
NCISNCIS
The Naval Base San Diego was the homeport for the Pacific Fleet, which consisted of 54 ships and 120 tenant commands. The base had 13 piers with over 20,000 military personnel and 6,000 civilian personnel. The day after Thanksgiving meant the start of the Christmas season, which meant many of the family areas of the Naval Base were crowded with personnel and family. These were soft targets, which meant they were perfect targets for Saleem Ulman and his terrorist group.
The Navy Exchange, or NEX as if was known as, was located on Callagan Highway. It was sort of a military Walmart and all you needed was a military ID to shop there. Not too far from the NEX were Lowry Theatre, the Naval Base Theatre, and Q-Zone Theatre. These were open free to active duty, reservists, retirees, dependents, DOD civilians, contractors and their sponsored guests. The movies were free but the food had to be paid for.
It was a testament to Saleem Ulman's planning and ability to recruit, that five active duty sailors with rucksacks packed by Ulman's bomb maker headed to the locations of the NEX and theatres. Two went to the NEX and one each to the movie theatres. At two o'clock in the afternoon Pacific Time amongst the crowds of movie goers and shoppers, these sailors blew up their rucksacks, themselves, and many of the happy and oblivious active duty personnel and family.
The bombs went off and people died and were horribly injured, legs and arms damaged beyond salvation, as well as internal and head injuries. First responded did as well as they could, but everyone knew that the death toll would be high and those permanently injured even worse.
NCISNCIS
"Forty-six dead and one hundred and twelve injured and many of those injuries life changing," growled Vance, as he sat at his conference table in his office.
Gibbs along with FBI Special Agent Tobias Fornell, Special Agent Angela Koster of Homeland Security Investigations, Deputy Director of Homeland Security Tom Morrow, and Officer Daniel Madsen of the CIA sat at the conference table. The SecNav and SecDef had empowered Vance to setup and oversee the task force to get Saleem Ulman.
"I want this bastard brought to justice," said Vance.
"We all do, Leon," said Gibbs.
"Who is going to be in charge of this task force, Director?" said Fornell.
"Yeah, Leon, who are you tapping for this job?" Tom Morrow asked. "I hope it someone who plays nice with others."
Morrow looked over at Gibbs, who smirked and rolled his eyes slightly. He and Morrow had a long friendship based on the time Morrow spent as the NCIS Director.
"Someone you know, Tom. He's probably our most top expert on Saleem Ulman, since he's been after him for two and half years," said Vance.
"Two and half years," growled Gibbs, "he should have him by now."
"Mossad has been after him even longer, Gibbs, and all they have to account for it is dead members of the Kidon unit. This Ulman isn't easy to catch," said Vance.
"So, who is going to head this task force, Leon?" asked Morrow.
"He'll be here soon. He just arrived at Edwards from Bahrain and being driven straight here," said Vance.
In the bullpen McGee, Jardine, and Ziva sat around waiting for Gibbs to give them orders. They knew they were going to be part of the task force to capture Ulman, but they had no idea how they were going to be utilized. Ziva got up from her desk and walked over to McGee's.
"So, McGee, do you think Gibbs will be placed in charge of this task force?" she asked him.
"I don't know, Ziva. He's the best investigator there is, but he hasn't a light touch in order to lead a task force. He rumples a lot of feathers," said McGee.
"From what I heard from my friends in intelligence this task force leader is coming from Bahrain. He's an expert in this Saleem Ulman," Jardine spoke up.
Ding, the elevator bell announced an arrival to the floor. The doors opened and two marines in BDU's got off followed by a dark haired man dressed in cargo pants, a bush shirt, and bombers jacket. His hair was a little long and he had the start of a beard. Next one off the elevator was dressed similarly as the dark haired man, except with a black and white Keffiyeh around his neck, and a black bush shirt. It was Tony DiNozzo. He was thinner than Ziva remembered and tanned with a short haircut and several days growth of bread. She was stunned to see him again. After all these years he was back in DC. The spark that existed between them had to have finally died, she told herself. He is now just another agent.
"McGee, look," she said softly.
McGee looked up from his computer and saw Tony and shocked to see him. The marines stood aside and then Tony addressed them.
"Thanks for the escort, Staff Sergeant," he said to the older of the two.
"My pleasure, Agent DiNozzo," he replied.
Tony and the other man then headed towards the stairs. They went up the mezzanine and disappeared.
"Jesus, boss is going to be surprised to see who it is," said McGee.
"You know one of them?" asked Jardine.
"Yeah, Tony DiNozzo. He was the SFA before me," answered McGee.
"Oh, that's him. I heard about him," said Jardine.
"You heard that he was a player and liked to quite movies all the time," said Ziva.
"No, I heard that he was Gibbs' protégé and almost as good as him," said Jardine.
Ziva felt the sting of Jardine's reply. What she had said she said reflexively because she felt something stir inside of her. She didn't underestimate Tony, though she did want to keep him and arms' length away. Things were going too well with Joe to mess them for a man she once had feelings for. All they had shared was one night of passion. She didn't need to jeopardize a relationship that offered her everything she wanted: stability, consistency, and, maybe, a family.
In the Director's office, Vance's smartphone rang. He pulled it out of his suit jacket's pocket and answered it.
"Vance."
Everyone waited for him to finish his call.
"Send him in," said Vance, who then reached under the desk to release the security measures.
He hung up his smartphone and put it away.
"Our task force leader is here," said Vance.
Storming into the room was Tony with Agent James Morse right behind him. They came to a stop beside the conference table.
"I think some of you know ASAC Anthony DiNozzo out of Bahrain. He will be of task force leader," said Vance.
"DiNutso, stepping up in the world," said Fornell with a big smile.
"Tobias, it has to be over three years since I've seen you last. Too soon, if you ask me," he smiled.
Morrow smiled. He liked DiNozzo and always saw potential in him. When he heard that Vance separated him from Gibbs and sent him overseas, he thought that just might be the push to make DiNozzo an even better agent. It seemed to work.
"You are in charge of this task force, DiNozzo," said Vance, "so take charge."
"Yes, Director," said Tony.
Gibbs watched his old protégé and couldn't believe how much he'd change. There was still the smile, but just a quick look into his eyes and he knew that Tony was a tougher, harder man then he used to be. He wasn't certain that he liked that.
"Saleem Ulman," Tony said taking off his bomber jacket and placing it on an empty chair, "is a gold plated bastard. He was educated at Yale and even takes pride in the fact that Yale once upon a time won football national championships. He smokes cigarettes and drinks Caf-Pow, which he is addicted to. From what we can tell he uses prostitutes for sex not wanting to have any attachments. The man is a long term planner, but he isn't a fanatic. This is a war based on civilizations not religions to him, and to win this war he believes in rivers of blood flowing and scaring off the West to the Middle East what it deserves – respect and power."
"Have you met him?" asked Agent Koster.
"He and I have been nipping at each other's heals for almost three years, ever since I transferred to Bahrain. The first case I investigated was the death of five marines. They had been captured, tortured, and beheaded with dull swords by Ulman and his terrorist group, which he calls Al-hurriya. Freedom," answered Tony. "I've been playing cat and mouse ever since with him."
"Are we sure he is behind this bombing in San Diego?" asked Tom Morrow.
"Yes, sir," said Tony. "On the plane to the states I was briefed. He used Muslim sailors to act as suicide bombers. They were probably cultivated over the last two years. Ulman doesn't mind taking his time and he usually has several operations going on at once. If one fails or is discovered, he merely counts on one of the other ones to do damage to his enemy – the West."
Tony stopped for a moment and looked at Fornell and said, "I want each sailor's life turned inside out, Fornell. We need to find those who turned these men. The FBI can take the lead on this with backup from NCIS."
"I'll get a team together to start investigating their every waking moment and everyone they have met the last two years," said Fornell.
"Ulman having spent years in this country would understand the importance of the day after Thanksgiving. He would have chosen Navy personnel and their family because of the adversarial relationship he has with NCIS. He used to call Agent Dunham and myself his two Javerts. We are the authoritarian force pursuing an innocent man," said Tony. "He is not done committing acts of terrorism in this country."
"What else?" asked Vance.
"I believe when forensics is done with the remains of the bombs that they will have the signature of Ulman's bomb maker, Azzam Nazar," stated Tony.
"Do we have photos of this Nazar and Ulman?" asked Gibbs.
Tony smiled. Gibbs was already starting with the basics. He was glad his old mentor was on the job.
"No to Nazar and yes to Ulman," said Tony.
"We are going to need everything on Ulman and his known associates that you have," said Gibbs.
"You'll get it," said Tony then he looked at Vance. "Is Gibbs' MCRT involved in this or just Gibbs?"
"His whole team," said Vance.
"Then I want all forensic evidence we collect to filter through Gibbs and his team. Any bodies we get that are terrorists go to Ducky and Abby Scuito handles the forensics with the help of a FBI forensic scientist," ordered Tony then he looked at Fornell. "Send your best man or woman to Abby's lab."
"Gladly, but you better make her play nice, DiNutso," said Fornell. "To put it nicely, she can be difficult."
Tony smiled then chuckled to himself, "I think Gibbs can make her behave, especially since he'll act as my number two on this. He'll be in charge of the hub of this task force, which will be here at NCIS in DC. We'll run all communications of importance through MTAC. I'll be putting together a team of six or eight to be mobile to follow leads throughout the country. Tobias, I'd like you as my number two in the field."
Gibbs wanted to protest, but he knew it would look like petulance. Though, he wondered if DiNozzo no longer trusted him to have his six, so he had picked Fornell instead.
"Sounds like fun," said Fornell.
"What do you expect from Homeland Security?" asked Morrow.
"I need HIS to ride roughshod over the TSA, ICE, and Coast Guard," said Tony. "We need to set up a web to catch Ulman and Homeland Security has the assets to do this, if we can get them acting in unison and sharing intel."
Morrow smiled and then said, "If you succeed in getting this Ulman, DiNozzo, I just might have a place for you at Homeland Security."
"We'll succeed, Deputy Director, but let's hope we can do it before it causes too much damage and kills too many people," said Tony. "Ohm by the way, this is Task Force: Yale."
"Sounds like Agent DiNozzo has a good handle on the situation already. It appears we are up and running already," said Vance. "Until further notice, Agent DiNozzo is promoted to special agent in charge. SAC DiNozzo, where do you want to start?"
"Fornell, get that team put together to stat investigating the sailor. Also, get your forensic person set her," said Tony. "Once you're done then meet me and Agent Morse in MTAC."
"You got it," said Fornell, who then stood up.
Vance released the security measure, which unlocked the door. Fornell headed out of the office.
"Gibbs, I'd get your team and Abby ready for what's to come. Plus, get all forensics shipped here ASAP for Abby and whoever the FBI sends to work on."
"I'd like a member of my team on your mobile team to act as liaison with the hub," said Gibbs.
"I'll think about it," said Tony.
Gibbs glared at Tony for a moment then decided to wait to talk to him when they were alone. He got up and headed out of the office.
"What do you need from the CIA?" asked Madsen.
"All the intel you have on Ulman and can get. Just because he is here it doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to hunt his group overseas. His number two is a Fawad Al-Sistani. I know that he is either in Afghanistan or Pakistan," said Tony.
"I have all intel sent through your MTAC," Madsen said then he got up and left.
"That leaves Homeland Security," said Morrow.
"It sure does, Tom," said Vance.
"We need that web and it needs to be working," said Tony.
Morrow looked at Koster then said, "You heard the man. Get those pains in the ass working with each other and sharing everything. We won't be the agency to drop the ball on this."
"Yes, sir," she said then looked at Tony. "I need pics and intel."
"You'll get it," said Tony.
"I'll have our MTAC link up with yours then," said Koster.
Tony smiled. Morrow and Koster stood up.
"I knew you were another Gibbs in the making, DiNozzo," smiled Morrow. "Leon, good choice."
Morrow and Koster left the office leaving Morse, Tony, and Vance behind. Tony sat down exhausted. He hadn't slept since he heard about the task force and his role in it. Vance looked at him and grinned.
"Well done," he said.
"Thank you, sir," said Tony.
"I know that you think I sent you away to punish you, DiNozzo, but I didn't. I sent you away to leave Gibbs shadow. You're not my type of agent, but I knew you were a good one. Now you are your own man standing in no one's shadow, you have the chance to be a great one. Succeed with this task force and you can write your own ticket. If you want back to DC then you'll have it. If you want a job anywhere else in the system, it'll be yours," said Vance.
"All I want right now, sir, is Ulman, and I don't want him alive," said Tony.
"I have no problem with that," said Vance. "Do I need to set up rooms for you two at the Navy Lodge?"
"I need one," said Morse.
"I don't. I've been subletting my place. It is open right now, so I'll stay there."
"You'll need a detail outside of the building. You could become a target," said Vance.
"I'm not one right now," said Tony. "Anyway, after I get a good night's sleep tonight, I doubt I'll see another good night's sleep until this over."
"You're probably right," said Vance.
NCISNCIS
Gibbs entered the bullpen and looked at his team. They stared back at him waiting for orders.
"Abby's lab now," he ordered.
They got up and followed him to the elevator. No one spoke as they made their way to Abby's. They knew Gibbs well enough to know that he didn't want to speak or even hear their voices. After exiting the elevator, they entered Abby's lab. Dressed like a lab technician mixed with a Goth wearing the shortest kilt ever, she was dancing to some music that made Gibbs' ears hurt. Gibbs nodded to McGee, who made his way to the stereo and turned off the music.
"Gibbs, guys," Abby said in surprise.
"I need to talk to everyone here," said Gibbs.
"What about Ducky and Jimmy?" asked Ziva.
"I'll handle them afterwards," he said then looked over his team. "We are part of Task Force: Yale. SAC DiNozzo…"
"SAC DiNozzo," said McGee in surprise.
"He is the special agent in charge on this, McGee," said Gibbs.
"Tony is here?" Abby asked excitedly.
"Yes, Abs."
"I want to see him," she said.
"Later, Abs. Listen to me now. This is important. We are after Saleem Ulman," said Gibbs.
The name made Ziva angry. He was the suicide mission Michael was sent on. Ulman tortured and killed Michael. She would be glad to see him dead.
"SAC DiNozzo has made us the hub with me in charge of the hub. All communications of importance will be routed through MTAC, as well as all intel sent to MTAC. I want you and Jardine to work with MTAC, McGee. This is going to be a twenty-four seven operation."
"Yes, boss," said McGee.
"Yes, Gibbs," added Jardine.
"All forensic evidence is coming here for you, Abs," he said.
"Cool," she smiled.
"Not that cool, Abs. The FBI is sending over a forensic scientist to work with you," he said.
"No, Gibbs. You know I work best alone," she said.
"That is an order, Abs. We need to work with other agency on this one," he said then walked over to her and kissed her cheek. "I know you can do this for me."
"Under protest, but I'll do it. He better not be another hinky one," she said.
"We are being underutilized," said Ziva.
"I'm going to try and get one of you one DiNozzo's mobile team as a liaison for the hub. It's between you and McGee, Ziva," said Gibbs.
Ziva wanted to be part of the mobile team, yet she wanted to keep her distance from Tony. She didn't say a word.
"It doesn't matter which one of us is on the team just that one of us is on the team," said McGee.
Gibbs nodded.
"We better make sure that Tony doesn't screw the pooch on this, right, Gibbs?" said Abby.
"I don't think we have to worry about that, Abs. Now I should go talk to Duck," said Gibbs.
NCISNCIS
Gibbs entered the autopsy to hear laughter. In the corner by Ducky's little desk, Ducky and Tony sat sharing a glass of Dalmore 12 Scotch along with Jimmy and Morse, who stood near them.
"Anthony, it is good to have you home," said Ducky.
"Nice to be here, though, I wish it were under better circumstances and that I could see your mother one last time," he said.
"She did enjoy visits from her Italian gigolo," Ducky said.
"Hmmm hm," Gibbs cleared his throat.
Ducky looked back at Gibbs.
"Jethro, join us. We were sharing a libation," said Ducky.
"I was just going to tell you that DiNozzo was here," said Gibbs.
"I have been given my marching orders in person," said Ducky.
Gibbs looked at Tony, who was stifling a yawn.
"Can we talk in private?" he asked him.
"Tomorrow, Gibbs. I need sleep," said Tony.
"Not before you get the doc here to check your stitches and put on a new bandage. You can't afford an infection," said Morse.
Tony glared at his permanent bodyguard.
"You have a wound," said Ducky.
"Upper left arm," said Morse. "He was grazed by a bullet."
"I shall take a look at it now," said Ducky.
"I'm fine, Ducky."
"Did you receive a medical degree that I am unaware of?" asked Ducky sarcastically.
Gibbs grinned. Tony noticed this and glowered at him.
"Tomorrow, DiNozzo," he said then exited as he came. For a moment there, it almost seemed like the old days.