Author's Note: Another long one. Forgive any errors or leaps in logic, it's been a long few days and I haven't had as much time to spend on this as I normally would—I thought I'd never get this chapter posted! Hopefully it still holds together alright. After this chapter, things really get intense. As always, I look forward to hearing from you!
Also, if you're interested in attending a convention to meet and mingle with some of your favorite fanfiction authors and other NCIS fans, a convention is being planned for this summer. For more details, check in with xenascully or sparkiebunny, who are organizing the event. It sounds like it will definitely be a fun experience!
TLH
Tony stepped off the elevator into the bullpen. The lights were dim, barely casting an orange glow off the walls. He reached to put his backpack behind his desk, but discovered he didn't have it with him. Had he left it in the car? Before he could consider the question too much, Ziva, McGee, and Gibbs came around the corner; they were laughing, which Tony found odd since Gibbs so rarely laughed at anything.
They stopped when they noticed him. "Where have you been, DiNozzo?" Gibbs demanded, surly and unhappy, which Tony found reassuringly normal. "We've been waiting for you."
"Um, sorry, Boss…..I….I don't know why I'm late." He creased his brow trying to recall what he'd been doing, but everything was hazy. The elevator opened behind him, and he turned to see Palmer, Abby, and Ducky walk out.
"Ah, Anthony, I'm so glad you've finally arrived. Poor Abby was beside herself," Ducky said seriously.
"Yeah, Tony, you know how impatient I am!" the Goth declared with a stamp of her foot.
Vance trotted down the stairs from his office. "Good, everyone's finally here."
Tony was confused; he didn't know what he had missed and why they were all waiting for him. His colleagues crowded around; they smiled and chuckled, staring at him as they formed a tight circle. Abby licked her lips and Ziva sniffed the air. McGee clacked his teeth together and grinned maniacally; Vance switched his toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other.
"What's going on guys?" Tony asked, sensing something was undeniably wrong. "Was I supposed to pick up food or something?"
Vance roared with laughter and patted Gibbs on the back like that was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. "He wants to know if he should've picked up food!" He continued laughing while Gibbs grinned.
"Something like that," Gibbs informed Tony, a predatory look on his face. He shoved close to his nervous field agent, who took a step back, only to find his path blocked by Ducky and Palmer. Tony glanced around, disconcerted by the way everyone was focused intently on him. His heart beat faster and his throat tightened, fear prickling his skin. Gibbs pressed next to him, his lips close to Tony's ear. "The thing is, DiNozzo, you are the food."
Gibbs opened his mouth, fangs like long, sharp, scythes filling his mouth.
The rest of the team laughed again and more fangs glistened in the light.
Tony wanted to run, but he was frozen to the spot. "Gibbs," he whispered, his voice low and pleading. "Boss."
"Don't beg, DiNozzo. Just be quiet for once in your life."
In a split second, Gibbs was on him, teeth biting hard into his neck. Tony screamed and tried to push the silver-haired man's head away, but he wasn't strong enough. Someone else grabbed his arm, a hand wrapped around his ankle; they pushed him to the floor and descended on him….
"Stop!" Tony yelled, and sat up in the bed, knocking the blankets to the floor and striking out at the air ferociously until he became aware he was swinging at empty space.
His mind slowly registered that he was alone. He blinked around the dark room, shaking a little, the remnants of the nightmare clinging to his memory, the house quiet and peaceful around him. The dark blue walls and sparse furniture of Gibbs' spare bedroom were soothing, eventually easing the pounding of his heart.
Swallowing thickly he leaned back against the pillows, feeling the taut pull of the most recent bite Maria had left on his shoulder. The scratches on his neck and arm itched and burned annoyingly.
Running a hand through his hair, Tony looked at the red lights of the alarm clock: 4:12 am. It was still way too early to get up, but he didn't think there was much chance he would go back to sleep tonight. Not after that dream. He'd dated a girl once who interpreted dreams as a hobby; she would have a field day with what his mind was conjuring up.
He guessed the nightmare was inspired by how easy it had been for Gibbs and Ducky to keep their secret all this time and how simple it was for the people he considered family to deceive him. On the surface he was over it, but maybe deep inside he hadn't fully forgiven them—which really was a crock of crap. It wasn't like he'd always been one hundred percent honest himself; his relationship with Jeanne was testimony to that fact. He shook his head to clear it; he believed in Gibbs, trusted the lead agent with his life—vampire or not. Everyone made mistakes, and Gibbs truly believed he had done the right thing by not telling him. Holding onto his residual feelings of betrayal was not an option despite what his subconscious thought about it. He had forgiven Gibbs, and that was that.
Easing from the bed, Tony grabbed the blanket and tossed it over his bare shoulders, deciding to go to the living room and watch television for a few hours until it was time to get ready for work. He could go wake Gibbs, or at least make enough noise to rouse his sleeping boss, but that would just be too damn pathetic. He'd get through the sleepless night on his own. Another thought hit him, and he went to his duffle bag, rummaging inside until he found a book Abby had given him earlier. Clutching the book and blanket, he padded barefoot into the hallway, doing his best to be quiet and let Gibbs get some much needed rest without having to deal with his senior field agent's psychological issues again.
NCISNCISNCIS
Gibbs took a quick shower, brushed his teeth, and dressed quickly and efficiently. He was always ready in less than fifteen minutes, having lost the ability to waste time long ago. When he finished his morning routine it was 0600; he planned on fixing breakfast and then waking DiNozzo to start his morning routine, which usually took at least half an hour. Tony might try to deny it, but Gibbs had let him stay over often enough to know that DiNozzo indulged in his fair share of pampering.
Passing by Tony's room, he noticed the door was ajar; there was a moment of hesitation before he pushed the oak door open and peeked inside, for some reason needing reassurance that the younger man was sleeping safely.
Tony was not in the room. Gibbs panicked briefly, seeing the empty bed and rumpled sheets, quickly glancing at the window, even though he knew no one could have entered the house without his permission.
He stilled himself and listened with all his senses; noticing first the low murmer of the television and then the steady beating of Tony's heart. The rhythm was strong and firm; accompanied by the sound of soft, smooth breathing. It was calming and regular and eased the brief anxiety he had experienced when he first noticed DiNozzo was missing.
Trotting down the stairs, Gibbs followed the sound into the living room and stopped in the doorway. Tony was sleeping on the couch, his too long legs propped on the arm of the sofa. The blanket from the bed was wrapped around his waist and trailing into the floor. A book lay open on his chest with one hand resting lightly on top; his other arm had fallen in the floor next to the remote. A movie played on the television, the volume turned down low. Gibbs paused to watch as George Clooney used a sawed-off shotgun to blast the head off a vampire in a spray of blood and bone.
The older agent gave a small grin, guessing Tony had been unable to sleep and had ventured down here for a distraction. Leaning over, he read the title of the book: The Real History of Vampires. Definitely one of Abby's. Tony looked peaceful, so he decided a few more minutes rest wouldn't be a bad idea for his friend; he slipped the book off Tony's chest and carefully placed the blanket over him.
The bacon was barely sizzling in the pan when a tousle-headed Tony made his way into the kitchen, scratching sleepily behind his ear and yawning wide. His skin wasn't as pale as it had been the day before, but his eyes were ringed with black smudges, a dead giveaway that DiNozzo wasn't fully recovered.
"Coffee's in the pot," Gibbs let him know, pouring pancake batter into a pan.
Silently Tony crossed the tiled floor. He rattled in a cabinet and pulled out a gigantic mug that said "He who laughs last is probably the Boss." Gibbs recognized it as one Tony had given him for Bosses Day several years ago. DiNozzo poured a huge cup of steaming coffee that nearly emptied the pot, then added an obscene amount sugar and milk before grabbing a plate and coming to stand by Gibbs at the stove.
The lead agent piled a generous serving of bacon and several pancakes on the plate, which Tony took to the table and doused in maple syrup before digging into it with gusto.
"Hungry?" Gibbs asked, joining Tony at the table with his own breakfast.
Tony took a big gulp of coffee. "I haven't had much of an appetite lately. I woke up starving."
"That's a good thing. You have trouble sleeping last night?" Gibbs buttered a piece of toast and handed it to DiNozzo, who took it sheepishly and added it to the pile of food.
The younger man poked at his pancakes. "Bad dream," he admitted, before shoveling a forkful into his mouth.
"Well, that horror movie and Abby's book probably helped you relax."
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, Boss," Tony pointed out. "Abby's book is pretty helpful, actually, and it got me thinking. What about werewolves, are they real?"
Gibbs sipped his coffee and crossed his legs. "Of course they are; you know one."
Tony choked on his toast. "I do? Who?"
"Fornell."
"What? Fornell? No way! I knew something was up when he grew that beard! Wow!" Tony shook a piece of bacon at Gibbs. "What about your ex-wife? She was married to a vampire and a werewolf; I mean does she have a kink for supernatural husbands? Does she even know? That's just…."
Gibbs' blue eyes were twinkling, and even then it took Tony a few beats to realize he'd been had.
"You made that up! Come on, Gibbs, don't shit me like that! I haven't even had a full cup of coffee yet."
Gibbs snorted. "Yeah, and that's the biggest damn cup of coffee I've ever seen. No, Fornell is not a werewolf, just a Feeb with a bad beard. Werewolves do exist, but they're very rare. I've never seen one in the US, only in Europe."
"I backpacked through Europe one summer, but I didn't see any werewolves. I don't suppose you've ever watched An American Werewolf in London?" Gibbs responded with a blank look. "Didn't think so."
They ate a while longer in companionable silence. Tony's pace slowed, and eventually he was only nibbling at the remaining food in front of him. Despite his earlier exuberance, he was clearly still troubled.
"Something on your mind?" Gibbs asked.
Tony sighed. "What now, Boss? I'll be honest, I've been going over this in my head, and I can't come up with a way out that doesn't screw either one or both of us. What's the endgame?"
"I've got a meeting tonight with Julian; he's a member of the Conclave. He says that Gabriel wants to mediate our disagreement."
DiNozzo completely lost interest in breakfast. "Will Gabriel and Adrian be there? Is that safe? What if they try to attack you again? I know they aren't supposed to, but they don't seem to be following all the rules anyway."
Gibbs took his plate and moved it to the sink. "They won't try anything with a member of the Conclave around. It should be fine."
"Where are we meeting them?"
"We are not meeting them anywhere," Gibbs corrected. "You aren't going."
Tony stood up. "Of course I am! You can't meet them alone; something might go wrong."
"I won't be alone; they want Mike to go with me. But there's no way I'm letting either Gabriel or Adrian within ten feet of you, so don't even bother trying to argue with me." The blue eyes were firm; Tony could see any wheedling he did would be useless.
"Do you think this meeting will help?"
Gibbs shrugged and refilled his cup. "I seriously doubt it, but I have to go; it isn't good policy to turn down the Conclave. At least I'll get a better sense of where they stand on everything. I certainly don't trust Gabriel; I doubt if his intentions are anywhere near honorable."
"You never said where this tete-a-tete is taking place."
Gibbs made a rueful noise and picked up his phone, shoving it at Tony. "That's kind of hard for me to do when Julian texted it to me and I can't open the stupid thing."
Tony took the phone and fiddled with it for a short time. "Ok, you're to meet them at Mount Vernon at 8:00 pm. You know, boss, texting is a basic form of communication. You really need to figure out how to use it."
The silver-haired man growled at the suggestion.
"Right. You have your own bête noire to deal with, I see. Just promise me you'll be careful, ok? I've got a bad feeling about tonight."
He gave the meal in front of him a final gaze and shoved the plate away. Suddenly he felt nauseous, his stomach rolling at the thought of Gibbs' meeting. Something bad was coming, he was certain of it.
Gibbs noticed his apprehensive frown. "Nothing will go wrong, DiNozzo. Franks and I have been watching each other's sixes for hundreds of years; you've got nothing to worry about-except maybe pissing off your bastard of a boss by being late for work. Now get upstairs and change and be back down in twenty."
"You do realize that's barely enough time to shower and brush my teeth," Tony grumbled, trying not to focus on the pit that had hollowed out a spot in his gut.
"Then I wouldn't spend any more time down here talking to me," Gibbs responded glibly.
The field agent headed toward the door, pausing hesitantly before trying again. "You know, you could just go ahead and turn me, save yourself a lot of trouble."
"It's not going to happen, DiNozzo, so stop bringing it up. You just wasted three minutes."
Tony gave a small laugh. "Bastard," he said affectionately, and left the kitchen to get ready for whatever this hell of a day had in store. Despite Gibbs' threat to hurry, he walked slowly up the stairs, his mind torn between the idea that the lead agent was adamantly protecting his wishes to not become a vampire and the belief that Gibbs wouldn't turn him anyway because Adrian was right and he didn't want Tony, or anyone for that matter, for a Son.
He would give anything if Adrian hadn't planted that seed of doubt in his mind, since he was finding it impossible to let it go.
NCISNCISNCIS
By mid-morning, Tony had completed his reports and Gibbs had met with the Admiral to update him on the developments in the case. McGee, Ziva, and Franks arrived in the office at around lunchtime. After a brief review, McGee took the laptop they had found and went to Abby's lab so the two of them could hack into any information the device held. Franks and Gibbs left to get coffee and discuss the mediation with Gabriel and Julian.
Ziva and Tony went to work trying to track down Adrian's movements after leaving the warehouse; they quickly discovered tracing a vampire wasn't the easiest thing to do. After several hours Ziva threw her hands up in frustration.
"Nothing!" she exclaimed. "No cell phone use, credit card purchases, traffic tickets. It is like he has disappeared." She drummed her fingers on her desk and rested her chin in her other hand. "Perhaps we should go to his apartment again. Maybe we could find him there."
"I doubt it," Tony offered back. "He would know we'd look there. Besides, I've already killed two vampires in twenty-four hours. I don't know if I'm up for a third."
"Yes, I will admit that you have been quite impressive. However, I am certain that without my instruction on how to use a knife you would not have been able to pull it off." She grinned, a combination of smug arrogance and playful teasing.
"Of course, Ziva, all the credit goes to you my dear. Why, without your wealth of knowledge I probably wouldn't make it through the day. It's a wonder I survived until you joined the team." His statements were laced with mock appreciation.
Zive ignored his light-hearted tone. "This is true. You have been very fortunate to benefit from my training. I am sorry to have to blow my own bugle."
"It's toot your own horn, my lovely Israeli, and I'm sorry to inform you, but I won the gold medal for knife throwing at summer camp three years in a row. I owe my knowledge to Campmaster Daniel Boothe, who also taught me how to make a mean smore."
"He taught you how to make some more?" She shook her head. "I do not understand."
Tony laughed. "Smore, Ziva. Graham crackers, chocolate, with an ooey-gooey marshmallow melted in the middle? You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?"
She tilted her head. "Tony, half of what you say makes no sense to me."
He walked over to his partner and took her chin in his hand. "You are so cute when you're confused," he told her, with a sugary sweet inflection. "Which is a good thing, since you stay that way half the time." Ziva glared at him with little heat in her brown eyes.
They held each other's gazes for a moment, quietly acknowledging the game they played. It was like a well-worn t-shirt that you couldn't throw away because it was so comfortable and brought back pleasant memories. They needed the routine to convince themselves everything in their lives was normal, even when it was obvious the world was absolutely insane. It was what they could give each other without ever having to acknowledge the exchange or say a word about it.
Tony graced Ziva with one of his brilliant smiles that had been missing recently.
"Come on," he said, and grabbed his coat. "Let's go check out Adrian's apartment like you suggested."
The Israeli picked her jacket up off the back of the chair. "Won't Gibbs be mad if we leave without telling him?"
"What's the sense in having Rule Eighteen if we're never going to use it?"
The elevator doors slid open. "Going somewhere?" Gibbs asked as he and Mike Franks peered out.
"Uh," Tony looked at Ziva for help, but his partner had found an interesting speck on the floor. "We just thought we might run out and check Adrian's apartment again. See if he decided to go home yet."
Gibbs stalked out of the elevator, forcing Tony and Ziva to walk backwards towards their desks. "You two are not going anywhere. We stay together until I change my mind. Got that?"
DiNozzo took a deep breath. "Listen, Boss, it's like being in a fishbowl. You can't keep us cooped up all the time. Ziva and I can take care of ourselves."
The lead agent didn't answer, but continued to stare at Tony who eventually sighed and put his backpack behind his desk again. "Alright. We'll stay here." He watched Mike Franks sit down behind McGee's desk and prop his feet on the corner and close his eyes before trying another angle. "Maybe I'll just go down the street and get Abby a Caf-Pow…."
Gibbs held up a drink and shook it at his senior field agent.
Ziva had gone back to work at her computer. Tony slumped and finally gave up, doing the same. Half an hour later he was glad he had stayed and continued researching.
"Hey, Boss, I think I've got something."
Gibbs looked over and Ziva raised her head. Franks didn't move, but let out a loud snore. His head was tipped back and his mouth hung open. Tony ignored the oldest vampire in the room.
"Did you know that Gabriel owns a private jet?"
"So?" Gibbs replied.
"He's filed a flight manifest for tonight. He's heading to Albania."
Franks stopped snoring. "Gabriel must be going back to the old stomping grounds. He's got a pretty impressive castle there."
"What do you think it means? Is he planning to skip town after the meeting with you?" Tony asked.
Gibbs rubbed his chin. "It's hard to say. But it is good to know what his next move might be." His blue eyes fell on Franks, who had taken his feet down and was watching Gibbs impassively. Neither man gave away what they thought about the information.
The telephone on Gibbs' desk rang. After a brief conversation, he stood. "Abby and McGee have something. I'm going down to the lab." He grabbed the Caf-Pow and took it with him.
Tony turned to face Mike Franks. "So tell me," he said. "If all these other vampires are loaded, why do you and Gibbs live like modern day paupers? Hell, Gibbs can barely pay his alimonies and you live in a glorified shack."
The grizzled vampire laughed. "Money's not that important, DiNozzo. I don't give a shit about it, and Gibbs would never use his abilities to take advantage of unsuspecting humans. Vampires like Gabriel and Adrian, they don't give a damn." Franks pursed his lips. "I figured you would get that, DiNozzo. If you had cared about the number of zeros in your bank account you wouldn't have majored in Phys. Ed. and become a cop, now would you?"
Tony turned a little pink and shifted uncomfortably. "I guess not."
"It's one of the things Gibbs likes about you. You grew up with a silver spoon but it wasn't what really mattered to you. Adrian never understood that; it was just one more thing he and Gibbs disagreed about."
Ziva gave Tony a small smile of encouragement when he caught her eye. She knew how much it embarrassed him when anyone looked under the self-centered playboy mask he wore.
"Now don't get me wrong," Franks continued. "If the need for cash arises, it's not like Gibbs and I don't have our resources. You can't live as long as we have and not squirrel away a penny or two."
"Squirrel away?" Ziva repeated.
"Let's just say we have a nice nest egg if we need it," Franks added.
Ziva looked at Tony again and mouthed, "Nest egg?"
DiNozzo shook his head at his partner and smiled before trying to refocus on work. It was always nice to find out that Gibbs thought highly of him; and he had to admit that for some reason every time it took him by surprise.
He had never been able to figure out why Gibbs would care about him in any way beyond professionally. The lead agent was the toughest, most uncompromising individual he had ever known, and he seemed an unlikely candidate to put up with Tony's complex personality of strengths and weaknesses.
Most people he'd met didn't even bother to try. Somehow Gibbs had always been able to see to his core, past all the smoke and mirrors and bullshit, and understood him on a fundamental level no one else even cared about.
Even so, the doubts lingered.
Now that the initial shock and anger had ebbed some, it occurred to him that for ten years the man had watched over him when Gibbs had been under no obligation to take on his bellus problem. As a result, Gibbs was faced with the possibility of dealing with him for much, much longer. Not even his own father had been able to put up with him for more than twelve years until he'd been sent away to boarding school. It wasn't fair to expect Gibbs to tolerate what his own flesh and blood had been incapable of enduring.
He didn't want to believe Adrian, but some of what the vampire said sounded like the truth. He definitely had the lead agent nailed; Gibbs gave a little and expected a lot. But that was just Gibbs. Tony knew the older man cared about him, but maybe he was asking for more than the taciturn ex-marine was capable of providing. He didn't want to be a vampire; he just wanted the acknowledgement that Gibbs would do it if he asked.
God, he was pitiful. He didn't want this, he did want that. It would be nice if he could manage not to wrap up his entire self-worth in what Gibbs thought about him, but he hadn't managed that in years. So Gibbs didn't want him to be his vampire Son. He could deal with that. Ultimately, it didn't matter to him if Gibbs was a vampire, a three-headed monster, or an alien from another planet, the lead agent had-for the most part-accepted him unconditionally and Tony was going to give him the same gift in return.
He would accept Gibbs for what he had already done for him and nothing else was important. It was with that belief he promised to do everything possible to find a resolution that would get Gibbs out of this mess without any harm coming to his friend and mentor.
Even if he had to give away his soul to do it.
NCISNCISNCIS
Abby and McGee linked web searches on the dead navy men to the computer seized from Maria and Adrian's home, which went a long way in bolstering their case. That information, along with the dossiers the agent's found, was enough to procure an arrest warrant for Adrian. The entire team had gathered in the lab to discuss their next steps.
McGee swallowed nervously at the thought of bringing in the vampire. "Does it do any good to cuff him? Can't he just break loose?"
"Only if he's fed recently; otherwise his strength is well above-average but not super-human. It would take some effort for him to get away," Gibbs explained.
"Do you really plan on arresting him?" Ziva asked. "That could get quite complicated."
"A few hours in lock-up might do him some good. After that, we could possibly broker a deal." Gibbs was thoughtfully silent for a few minutes. "The Conclave won't risk him exposing us to the world; they'll step in and handle the situation before it gets to that."
"What about tonight?" Tony asked. "He should be at your mediation with Gabriel and Julian. Will you arrest him then?"
"He can't," Franks answered. "It will be neutral ground. Neither side can do anything to harm the other."
"Based on Gabriel's flight plan, there's a good chance they'll both leave the country tonight," Tony pointed out. "Then we lose our chance to do anything."
"Even if they do leave, they'll be back eventually, and we'll be waiting." Gibbs checked his watch. It was nearly five o'clock. He wanted to get everyone safely squared away prior to the meeting and still leave time to travel to their rendezvous. "Let's call it a day. We'll pick up dinner and then all of you are to go to Ducky's for the night. It'll be a squeeze, but his house should be big enough for the whole team to bunk down.
Tony ran up behind Ziva and put his arm around her as they walked toward the elevator. "Wanna be my roomie?" he asked slyly, waggling his eyebrows.
Ziva punched his arm and shook loose of his embrace. "Not in a million years, Tony. The night we spent in Paris was more than enough."
"And don't forget our night undercover; this could be fun."
Ziva grunted. "Obviously our definitions of fun are not the same. I would rather sleep with Palmer."
Tony gave the autopsy assistant a raised eyebrow and Jimmy blushed.
"Stop that!" Ziva said indignantly. "You know what I mean!" Tony laughed in response to her outrage.
Gibbs followed behind ignoring the banter, mouth turned down in a tight frown and gut churning with concern about events that were suddenly too far out of his control. He would be glad when this night was over.
NCISNCISNCIS
A quick stop for Chinese was all they needed before arriving at Ducky's. Abby giggled when she snagged a chopstick full of Orange Chicken. It dangled precariously before she popped it in her mouth. "We finally get to have our movie night, Tony! This is going to be so much fun!"
Ducky smiled. "I actually have a sophisticated entertainment system that was recommended by McGee. Victoria loved to watch old movies, but her hearing wasn't very good toward the end, so I invested in high-quality surround sound as well. I'd say you'll both enjoy it."
"Too bad you won't be around tonight, Gibbs. You're going to miss a great time!" Abby teased the lead agent.
"Yeah, too bad," Gibbs said around a mouthful of General Tso's.
"So what's first on the playbill?" Tony asked the Goth, ignoring Gibbs' less than enthusiastic reaction.
"I was thinking we'd start with a little Nosferatu. It should really get us in the right mood."
Ziva looked at Gibbs imploringly. "Are you sure you do not need protection? Please take me with you."
"Sorry, Ziva, it's up to you to keep these two in line. I can only imagine what they'd get into without you and Ducky around to supervise."
"I resent that," Abby declared sullenly.
Tony just laughed. "He's probably right, Abs."
A big grin broke across her face. "Yeah, we do require constant supervision. Remember the first time I took you clubbing?"
"Don't even bring that up," Tony agreed remorsefully.
Gibbs checked his watch and looked at Franks. "We better get going if we want to make it in time." He couldn't shake the feeling he and Mike were walking into a trap, but the Conclave had given them no choice but to attend.
The ex-NIS agent stood. "Let's get this over with. Mediation is a damn waste of time anyway."
Gibbs placed a stern expression on his face. "None of you are to leave this house until we get back. I'll call as soon as we're done and make sure everything's ok."
"We'll be fine, Jethro." Ducky steered his friend toward the front door. "The only worry we have here is overdosing on horror movies and popcorn."
Gibbs hesitated, listening to his team talking in the living room. "I don't like leaving him here, Ducky."
The ME patted his shoulder, not needing to ask who Gibbs was referring to. "This is much safer than taking him with you. My home is very well protected and as long as we stay inside all should be well. Take care of what you need to and get back quickly."
Tony appeared behind the ME in the foyer. "Boss, could I have a word before you go?"
The physician smiled and excused himself. Mike mumbled that he'd wait in the car. "What is it, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked. The older man tried to interpret what Tony was feeling, concentrating on the emotions he could sense emanating from his agent. The main thing he could identify was anxiety, but there was something else mixed in that he couldn't quite figure out. He wasn't very good at this whole connection thing, since he'd always believed it was an invasion of Tony's privacy. But recent events had convinced him there might be some use in being able to read the man's emotional state. Hell, it could probably help eliminate some arguments.
However, it didn't take an emotional bond to figure out Tony was nervous. Anyone with eyes could see that by the way he shuffled his feet and rubbed the back of his hair repeatedly. Gibbs didn't want to rush whatever his agent had to say, but they were on a time schedule.
Suddenly, Tony plunged in. "I don't mean to hold you guys up, but I've been thinking about this whole turning thing and I don't want you to get the wrong idea. You know, why I didn't want to do it to begin with. Because the way you've explained it, the whole part about getting to be like your son, that's…." Tony paused and inhaled deeply. "That would be great. Even though my own father and I have been getting along better than we have in decades, it still doesn't change what you've done for me the last ten years. I'd almost take being a vampire to have that kind of relationship with you, but I know that's asking for a lot." He stopped again and grinned, managing to look Gibbs in the eye. "I wouldn't force anyone to put up with me for eternity; that would be above and beyond the call of duty."
Gibbs started to interrupt but Tony cut him off. "It's ok, Gibbs, I can admit it. I just didn't want you to think I was rejecting the chance to be your Son, because I really would like that more than anything in the world." Tony's voice had gone soft and quiet.
The lead agent supposed he never would be good with displays of emotion, regardless of how many centuries he lived. Watching Tony shift anxiously, Gibbs wasn't sure how to respond to the younger man's honesty. "I know how you feel about becoming a vampire, Tony, and I respect that. I never felt rejected, so don't worry about it. You will never be a vampire if I can help it."
Tony wasn't exactly sure how to take that, but they didn't have time to discuss it further. "Thanks, Boss," he eventually said. "But if Mike is right, turning me might be the only way to give you an advantage with those guys. Maybe that's what you should tell them you plan to do."
"Never, Tony. Now get in there with Abby before she spontaneously combusts. I'll give you a call in a few hours with a Sit Rep."
DiNozzo didn't move as Gibbs opened the door. "Watch your six, Boss," he said, unable to hide his somber mood.
"I always do, DiNozzo."
Tony stood in the foyer until he heard the car drive away. Even then he didn't turn to leave, haunted by the inexplicable feeling that he wasn't going to see Gibbs again for a very long time.
Raised voices drew his attention and he walked back to the living room; Jimmy Palmer was holding his cell phone and heatedly addressing Ducky.
"But I have to go and re-take this test or I'll fail the course, Dr. Mallard-which would affect my scholarship and my graduation date. I don't have a choice!"
The ME shook his head. "It's too dangerous, Mr. Palmer, and Gibbs expressly said do not leave."
"Dr. Mallard, you have to understand how important this is; my professor didn't even have to ask me to re-take the test after they lost my scores. It's my only chance to pass the class. Please!"
McGee stepped forward. "I'll take Jimmy to the college and back. It shouldn't take more than an hour and Gabriel and Adrian should be at the mediation anyway."
Ducky sighed. "I can't prevent you from going, but let me state again this is not a good idea."
Jimmy grabbed his jacket and followed McGee to the door. "No one is after me anyway, Dr. Mallard, its Tony they want. Don't worry, we'll be right back."
Tony watched them leave and felt his entire body fill with apprehension. This was not going to be a good night at all.
NCISNCISNCIS
McGee stood in the hallway of the university reading the bulletin board. He was seriously considering adopting a puppy he saw listed and the recruitment flyer for "Guys and Dolls" had him wondering why he had never taken any acting classes while he was in college. Then again, acting wasn't exactly highly regarded at MIT.
He turned his head as students started filtering out into the hall. He found Jimmy among the throng and pushed his way through until he was at the younger man's side. "How'd you do?" he asked.
Palmer grinned. "I'm pretty sure I aced it. Pharmacology is one of my favorite classes."
McGee nodded. "I always loved how it felt to get an A. It was like a nice pat on the back."
"Better than a headslap!" Palmer joked.
"I'm pretty sure that a headslap doesn't equate to a passing grade," McGee pointed out.
"Tony doesn't seem to mind." The two men walked out of the busy building into the cool night air. "I think he kind of likes it."
McGee huffed at that. "Of course he does; it means Gibbs is paying attention to him. He really doesn't care if it's good attention or bad attention as long as he's getting noticed. Tony's like the quintessential kid in class who's in trouble half the time and the teacher's pet the other half. Regardless, he's always in the middle of the action."
The car beeped as McGee unlocked the doors and they got inside. "Sometimes I don't think you like Tony very much," Palmer said unexpectedly.
McGee shot him a glare. "I like Tony. Heck, I used to hero-worship him almost as much as you do."
"What changed?"
"I don't know, I guess I realized there wasn't anything special about him. We're equals and partners, not senior field agent and probie anymore." The conversation was making Tim uncomfortable.
"He is the senior field agent, McGee."
"Trust me, I know that, he reminds me often enough." Tim tried to keep the nasty edge out of his voice.
Palmer sighed. "Tony was the first person who really treated me like I was important at NCIS, like my contribution matters. He teases me a lot, but that's just part of his act; he only does that to people he likes, you know."
Tim stared straight out at the road. "I know," he said softly. Sometimes, Tony was so much to be around, he was so there; big personality, big smile, big ego, big heart, big everything. It made McGee feel small in comparison, and he found himself enjoying the opportunity to take his teammate down to size.
But he had to admit Tony had done the same thing for him that he had done for Palmer. He was the first person to act like Tim was a truly competent field agent. Sure, there had been the practical jokes and relentless mockery, but Jimmy was right, DiNozzo only did that when he liked someone.
Tony didn't tease him nearly as much as he used to.
McGee was so lost in thought he didn't notice the headlights speeding up behind them until it was too late. There was a split second of awareness when he focused on the pinpoints of light in the rear-view mirror, and in the next second a car was ramming them from behind.
The impact knocked their heads back violently and thrust them forward against the seatbelts. "Someone hit us!" Palmer yelled, stating the obvious.
"Brace yourself, Jimmy, they're coming back again!"
The next collision sent the car spinning, turning the vehicle round and round in tight circles before coming to rest against a guard rail. McGee's head continued to spin even after the car stopped, and it took precious moments for his brain to settle down enough to evaluate what was happening. He put a hand to his forehead and winced at the pain; his fingers were wet with tacky red blood.
"They're coming!" Palmer unbuckled his seatbelt and McGee followed suit. They could see five or six dark figures walking steadily toward their now useless car. Tim realized they were close to Ducky's house; safety was less than a mile away.
"Get out of the car, Palmer. We're going to have to run for it!" Once outside they headed for a cluster of trees. McGee glanced back as they ran; the pursuers were racing after them and closing the distance with astonishing speed.
"Go faster, Jimmy! They're gaining on us!" The autopsy assistant was a few feet behind Tim; there was a grunt and the sound of a body hitting the ground. Another look over his shoulder and McGee saw Palmer flat on his back with several dark shadows looming over him.
The NCIS agent fumbled his gun from the holster and turned, intending to take out as many of the vampires who were wrestling the struggling young man upright as possible. One of the shadows saw him, and before he could take aim leapt in his direction, mouth wide and teeth gleaming. Tim could feel the creature's hot breath on his face before he managed to refocus his weapon and fire at point blank range directly into what he prayed was the heart. The vampire's eyes widened and he exhaled a sickly sour smelling odor before crashing into the federal agent, knocking them both to the earth.
When McGee caught his breath he pushed the lifeless body off him, not wanting the vampire's skin touching his own. "Jimmy!" he yelled, standing up and looking around. There was no one there; the night was unnaturally quiet.
He reached in his pocket for his phone but found it empty, cursing when he realized it must have fallen out in the car. With no other alternative, he turned in the direction of Ducky's house and began jogging, picking up speed as fear for the youngest member of his team pushed him forward.
NCISNCISNCIS
Gibbs and Franks walked across the grounds of the estate; it was well past visiting hours and security was light at the far reaches of the five hundred acre expanse that had been George Washington's home.
"I don't know why they picked this place to meet; Washington was an asshole who couldn't lead a campaign if someone drew him a map," Franks complained.
"Gabriel admired him, thought the way Washington maneuvered himself into becoming the first President was genius."
"Yeah? Since Gabriel's an asshole, too, I guess that makes sense." Franks stopped at the top of the hill and looked around with his arms out. "So where the hell are they? I didn't come out here for a leisurely stroll."
A small-framed man moved away from the trunk of a tree and stepped into the dim moonlight. "You haven't changed at all, Michael."
Franks snorted. "And I don't ever plan to. Good to see you again, Julian."
The short man bowed slightly. He was wearing dark pants and a zipped-up sweater. The simplicity of the outfit matched the guileless appearance of his youthful features; he looked more like a grad student than a centuries old vampire.
"Where are Gabriel and Adrian?" Gibbs asked, never one for tact. "I want to get this over with."
"I believe that is Gabriel approaching now." Julian tilted his head, acknowledging the tall figure who was striding over the hill.
"Fashionably late, as usual," Franks pointed out when the vampire joined them.
"I can always forgive Gibbs his bad manners when I remember it was you who raised him." Gabriel smiled amiably at his foe.
"Where's your lapdog?" Gibbs asked gruffly.
Gabriel shrugged. "On his way. He should be here shortly; he knows the importance of this meeting and would never offend the Conclave deliberately."
Julian stepped forward, exuding a regal air despite the difference in size between him and the other vampires.
"Let us see if we can bring a resolution to some of your animosity, gentlemen." He faced Gibbs. "Leroy, you are well aware the Conclave is disappointed that you have yet to create an heir and pass on your bloodline. It is our belief that your Agent DiNozzo is the most logical choice for this role, and not only because he is a bellus. In our observations, you have already established the type of relationship with him that is necessary for the turning to work; it would be easy for him to accept you as a Father. Is there some reason you resist fulfilling your obligation to our kind?"
Gibbs pressed his lips into a flat line. "DiNozzo doesn't want to be a vampire, and I'm not sure I ever want to be responsible for bringing someone else into this way of life. I have no desire to turn him or anyone else."
Gabriel scoffed. "I am so weary of your stubborn self-righteousness, Leroy."
Julian held up a hand in warning. "You have not been given leave to speak, Gabriel, so I would advise you to hold your tongue."
The blonde vampire narrowed his eyes but acquiesced to the command.
Julian shifted his attention back to Gibbs. "It is obvious to the Conclave that the only way to settle the issues between your families is to allow you to fight. However, we cannot sanction any encounter until you have an heir, Leroy. Gabriel's line has already been eliminated with the death of Maria, which none of our members was pleased to hear. I do not know how long we can continue to give you leeway in this matter."
Gibbs set his jaw. "Then let me fight anyway, without an heir. I want to put an end to this just as much as they do."
The elder vampire creased his brow in frustration. "Gabriel is right about one thing, Leroy, you are an obstinate bastard. You know as well as anyone that you will never be granted that request; our bloodlines are too important. Either you create a Child or their will be no fighting."
Gabriel's deep blue eyes followed the exchange. When Gibbs refused to say anything further, he seized the opportunity to press his advantage. "May I speak, Julian?"
The elder vampire gave Gibbs an almost pitying look, and nodded his approval to the other participant.
"Since Leroy is unwilling to meet the conditions of our confrontation, I request to be compensated for the loss of my bloodline and my family's honor in another way. Give me ownership of the bellus; it is little reward for what we have suffered, but having such a prize will restore some dignity to my family following Maria's death at the hands of the young man in question."
"No!" Gibbs shouted, taken off guard by the request. "Tony is a human being, not a thing to be traded like chattel!" He surged toward Gabriel, his pale blue eyes scorching with rage at the idea. "I should kill you now and get it over with!"
"Control yourself, Gunny!" Franks grabbed Gibbs around the arms and held him; Gabriel took a step away from the seething vampire.
"Attacking Gabriel will solve nothing, Leroy. It will only force the Conclave to punish you for the act, and that is not something I want to do." Julian maintained his air of unruffled calm in the face of Gibbs' outburst.
Gibbs stood stiffly, coiled and ready to strike out at his enemy if given the slightest opening. If Mike hadn't been there, he would've torn into Gabriel's flesh using nothing but his nails.
Julian sighed. "We do not own the bellus and I cannot give him to you, Gabriel. But should you acquire the boy on your own, we will not interfere with adding him to your household. It is just compensation for your loss."
Gibbs jerked in Franks' tight grip. "You'd better not touch him, Gabriel! I don't give a shit what the Conclave says, I'll rip your heart out with my bare hands!"
Gabriel smiled tightly, displaying no fear, only anticipation. "I welcome the day."
Franks pulled Gibbs farther back. "If you don't want it to be right now, I suggest you leave, Gabriel."
The other vampire straightened his shirt and laced his fingers together innocently. "It's a shame Adrian didn't make it in time to share in our little conversation. He is so overtaken with grief at losing his Mate; I do hope he isn't out doing anything foolish."
Gibbs went rigid in Franks' grip as silence descended. His fists clenched helplessly when he realized the implication of Gabriel's words.
Julian shook his head. "Leroy, I had no idea or I would have never insisted you both come here tonight. I am so sorry. The Conclave will deal with this disobedience."
The lead agent's voice was laced with venom when he spoke. "If anything has happened to my…" He had no clue what to call Tony that adequately fit DiNozzo's role in his life. "My agent, I will hunt you to the end of the earth, Gabriel. God himself won't be able to stop me from destroying you." Gibbs broke free from Franks' hold and raced across the open field, his Maker a few steps behind.
In the distance, Gabriel laughed.
NCISNCISNCIS
"Tony, if you do not sit down I am going to have to shoot you," Ziva said sternly.
DiNozzo pursed his lips and peered out the curtains again. "I'm telling you, something is wrong."
Abby moved behind him and circled her arms around his waist, settling her head on his back. "You really are getting to be too much like Gibbs; he has the copyright on the gut Tony, you just get indigestion."
The green eyed man didn't break a smile. "I hope you're right, Abs. I won't believe it until everyone gets back, though."
Ducky entered the room carrying a silver serving tray. "Since you've delayed the start of your movie, I thought some tea might help us all relax."
"Good idea," Ziva agreed, helping the ME situate the tray on the table. She looked over at Tony, holding a sugar cube in a pair of tongs. "One lump or two?"
"No thanks, Ziva, I don't want any." Abby gave him a squeeze then walked over to take the cup Ziva offered. Tony cracked his knuckles and paced the room.
"Anthony, you really should calm down. Getting so worked up isn't doing any good," Ducky admonished. "If I had my way you'd be back in bed resting."
DiNozzo scowled and got his phone out of his pocket, punching McGee's number for the tenth time; he growled when it went to voicemail again. Dialing Palmer's number got him the same result.
"This is ridiculous," he snapped. "They know how worried we'll be if they don't answer. Something's definitely…oh my God."
His gaze was focused out the window; he rushed to the door and yanked it open without an explanation. Seconds later he reappeared, his arms wrapped around a stumbling McGee who was gasping for breath.
"Timothy!" Ducky cried. "Hurry, Anthony, get him on the couch." The doctor pulled out a handkerchief and held it to the gash on the agent's forehead.
Ziva and Abby stood to make room for the panting man. "Palmer," he choked out. "They got Palmer."
"Who did?" Ziva asked.
McGee shook his head, causing Ducky to put a firm grip on his jaw to hold him still, and struggled to speak. "Vampires." He sucked in another lungful of air. "They wrecked our car and grabbed Jimmy. I ran here."
"Why would they want Palmer?" Abby asked in a fear-tinged voice.
"I don't know," McGee responded, his breathing slowing down to a more normal pace. "I think he was just easier to catch."
There was a strangled cry from outside. "What was that?" Ducky asked, not sure he wanted to know the answer.
Tony had been kneeling by McGee on the couch. He stood and approached the patio doors leading into the backyard. It was full dark and difficult to see, but Ducky had invested in garden lighting so there was a dim illumination several feet from the house.
Shadowy figures approached, growing closer. Several vampires slowly walked up to stand at the edge of the yard; the tallest one held Tony's attention.
Adrian fixed his gaze right at Tony; he held Palmer firmly against his chest, his grip biting harshly into the younger man's thin arms.
With a wicked smile he lifted his lips and exposed his teeth, before burying them in the soft flesh of Jimmy Palmer's neck. The autopsy assistant screamed uncontrollably and writhed in the vampire's clutch.
Tony clenched his fists as he sensed his friends walk up behind him to observe the macabre scene.
After several minutes Adrian lifted his dripping red mouth from the abused flesh; Jimmy sagged in the vampire's arms.
"I am here for you Anthony!" Adrian yelled. "If you give yourself to me, I will release your friend relatively unharmed. If you choose the coward's way and do not come with me, you can watch this young man die for your transgressions." He paused, taking his teeth and raking them across Palmer's neck, ripping another cry from the boy's lips.
Tony's eyes narrowed in impotent rage.
Adrian stared back before yelling, "You have five minutes to decide before I tear him apart in front of you. What will it be—your friend's life or your own?"
The only thing that held Tony back from bursting out of the room and onto the patio were the various hands gripping his arms. He surged forward, trying to break free, unable to think about anything except Palmer's increasingly frantic screams.
There was no doubt in his mind what he had to do and he didn't plan on letting anyone stop him.