Vacation is over and here's your extra long post. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who is reading this story and especially to those who are submitting the wonderful reviews. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful readers.
McGee hung up the phone and looked up at the two men in dark suits standing over his desk. He had thought he had taken extra measures to cover his tracks while he hacked into SecNav's and Vance's perspective computers, but now he wasn't so sure.
"Uh…can I help you?" he asked.
The first man pulled out his identification. "My name is Agent Lawson and this is Agent Jeffries. We were sent on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy to escort you to his office."
"The….the Secretary of the Navy?" McGee stammered. He felt like he was going to throw up, but the thought of Tony never letting him forget that he threw up in front of two other federal agents was more than enough incentive to tamp down the nausea. "What does he want with me?"
"You'll just have to go with us and find out," Jeffries informed him.
"Oh, well. All right, just give me a minute and I'll meet you outside," McGee suggested.
"We'll wait. We wouldn't you to get lost or anything."
McGee blew out a breath that he had been inadvertently holding. "Okay, so just let me shut down my computer and grab my jacket."
"Go ahead," Lawson urged. "But I wouldn't worry too much about your computer; it's being confiscated along with Agent DiNozzo's."
"Confiscated?" McGee asked. This was not good. "Why?"
Lawson grinned. "SecNav's orders. Now, let's go, Agent McGee. You don't want to keep the Secretary of the Navy waiting."
"Of course not, but can I go to the bathroom before I go?"
"Sure, we'll be waiting right outside the door."
McGee nodded and quickly made his way to the bathroom. He locked himself in a stall and pulled out his phone and sent a text to Ziva. The young agent wasn't sure what else to do, but he had to let Gibbs know what was going on, that much was for certain.
He put the phone back in his pocket, flushed the toilet for effect and went over to the sink and washed his hands. McGee opened the door and nodded at the two agents. "I'm ready when you are. Like you said, we shouldn't keep Mr. Secretary waiting."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Gibbs pulled up in front of his father's store and parked the car, his mind still reeling from his conversation with McGee. He was having a difficult time understanding why Eli David would put a contract out on DiNozzo, but what bothered him more was the fact that the SecNav had actually known about the contract and condoned it. What could DiNozzo have done to tick off these men? He needed to talk to Tony, about a lot of things, but right now, the contract on DiNozzo's life was taking precedence over the other unresolved issues between them.
Without sparing a glance at either Ziva or Vance, he took the key out of the ignition and opened his door. "I need to talk to DiNozzo." He slammed his door shut. "Alone," he quickly added.
"I'm not staying in this car one minute longer," Vance declared.
"I didn't say you had to, Leon. You're just not talking to DiNozzo yet."
"I don't need your permission, Agent Gibbs."
A smirk danced across the team leader's lips. "You're right, Leon. You don't need my permission, but you'll need his. This is after all his property and I don't believe that you bought a warrant with you."
He nodded towards the door as his father stepped onto the sidewalk. Gibbs had to smile at the annoyed expression that Vance now wore. There was no doubt in his mind that his dad could handle the likes of Director Leon Vance. If the need to talk to DiNozzo hadn't been so great, he would have enjoyed watching his dad take down Vance a notch or two. He would have to make sure to get a full sitrep from Ziva.
Gibbs walked over to his dad as Ziva and Vance got out of the car. "Tony inside?" he inquired.
"He's in the back with Abby," Jack replied.
"How's he doing?" Once he asked the question, Gibbs wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer.
"He's doing about as well as can be expected."
"Meaning what?"
"Just what I said; for someone who should be in the hospital, I'd say that he's doing pretty well," Jack said.
"I need to talk to him."
"I think that you need to do more than talk, Leroy. You need to do some listening."
He knew his dad was right, but at the moment his main priority was trying to sort out this mess DiNozzo was in. The ex-Marine merely nodded as he opened the door. "Do me a favor?"
"If I can."
"Help Ziva keep the Director…entertained."
"So that's Director Vance?" Jack asked.
"Yeah."
"Don't you worry about a thing, son. I'll take good care of your Director," the elder Gibbs promised.
"Thanks, Dad."
"You're welcome, Leroy."
Jethro entered the store and closed the door behind him. He could hear Abby begging Tony to eat something, but DiNozzo was adamantly refusing her pleas. Whenever Tony was sick, it usually took a while before the agent's appetite returned to normal; apparently this time was no exception.
He knocked on the door frame and walked into the room. Tony was sitting on the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table, and his head was lying back against the cushion. Abby was sitting beside him, holding his hand, her head resting against DiNozzo's shoulder.
"Hey, Boss," Tony wearily greeted.
"DiNozzo."
"Nice trip?"
Gibbs shook his head. "No, not really."
Gibbs signed to Abby, silently asking how Tony was doing. She replied in the same manner and the team leader nodded his understanding. He then instructed her to leave them alone. He was aware of the fact that she didn't want to leave Tony, but he needed to talk to DiNozzo alone. The Goth kissed Tony on the cheek, reminding the agent that she wouldn't be far away if he needed her.
"Thanks, Abs," the team leader said.
"You know I really hate it when you do that," Tony mumbled.
"Do what?"
"The whole talking with you hands thing. It creeps me out because usually you're talking about me."
"Looks like after all these years, you would have picked up a least a few words by now," Gibbs purposefully teased, hoping to put Tony at ease.
"You would think that I would have picked up on a lot of things over the years," Tony countered. "My father always said I was a slow learner."
Gibbs wondered what he would do if he ever met Tony's father. He had a feeling that the confrontation would not be a pleasant one for DiNozzo, Sr. Quelling his anger, the team leader sat down on the coffee table so he could talk to Tony face to face. "Care to explain what you mean?"
"About what?"
"You're not a slow leaner and you're not stupid, so don't try and play the fool Tony," Gibbs warned.
Tony smiled at him, but Gibbs knew it wasn't genuine; it was the grin that DiNozzo often hid behind to disguise his true feelings. Tony was a master at hiding his emotions and Gibbs figured that he had his father to thank for that as well.
"It's a part I play so well, Boss," Tony quipped.
"You're nobody's fool, DiNozzo."
"Except the Director's."
"No, especially not his," Gibbs assured him.
"How do you figure that?" Tony wanted to know. "I mean ever since I've been back from the Seahawk, all I've done is let him control me like a puppet. He's doing the same thing to me that I accused you of letting him do to you."
"Different circumstances."
"Maybe, but the principle's the same."
Gibbs mentally cursed the Director. Vance had shredded DiNozzo's confidence and self-worth. It had taken the former Marine years to make Tony believe that his life was worth something and Leon had managed to destroy his work in a matter of months. This was just something else that they were going to have to work through.
"If there's anyone having their strings pulled, it's SecNav and Vance," the ex-Marine informed the younger man.
Tony sat up and leaned forward. Gibbs couldn't help but notice the fine lines of exhaustion around DiNozzo's eyes. He was forced to tamp down the guilt that threatened to overwhelm him; Gibbs had realized a while ago that he was partly to blame for Tony's deteriorating health, but visibly seeing the toll that this situation was taking on his agent only served as a reminder of his failure as a team leader and as a friend.
"What do you mean Vance and SecNav are having their strings pulled?" DiNozzo asked.
"Eli David."
"Ziva's father?" Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. "What does he have to do with all this?"
"That's what I intend to find out. McGee hacked into the SecNav's computer and discovered that a contract had been placed on your life."
"Abby told me that much."
"McGee was also able to find out who put the contract out on you."
"Eli David," Tony stated.
"Yeah." Gibbs cleared his throat. "I've got to ask you this, Tony."
"What?"
"Do you have any idea why Eli David would put a contract out on you?"
The ailing man shook his head. "No. I've never even met the man," Tony pointed out. "I don't understand why he'd want me dead."
"SecNav condoned it. I have a feeling that's why you were being sent on these undercover missions," Gibbs mused. "If you got killed during an operation, there would be no questions asked. It would look like you died in the line of duty and the contract would have been fulfilled."
"I guess that makes sense, but it still doesn't answer the question as to why the Director of Mossad would want me dead," DiNozzo exclaimed.
"No, it doesn't," the former Marine agreed.
Gibbs watched as Tony picked up a glass and took a sip of water, grimacing as he swallowed. "Something wrong with the water?"
DiNozzo shrugged. "Not really. Nothing really tastes as it should right now and everything that I think would taste good isn't on the list."
"What list?"
"The list of foods that Kate gave Abby; it tells me what I can eat and what I can't. Damn ulcer," he muttered. "As soon as it's healed up, I'm getting a pizza."
"As soon as you're better, the first pizza's on me."
Tony grinned. "Thanks, Boss."
Gibbs took the glass from Tony and set it back on the table. DiNozzo nodded his thanks to him and then stood up. The team leader stood up as well and held onto Tony until he got his balance.
"Thanks again," DiNozzo whispered.
"Any time. Are you sure you should be on your feet?"
"No, but I really don't have a choice."
He watched Tony walk over to the window and lean against the wall. The younger man's gaze was fixed on the shed out back. Gibbs wondered what was going through DiNozzo's mind; he used to be able to read his senior field agent so well, but that was not the case any longer. "Tony?"
"Does Ziva know about her father?" Tony quietly inquired.
"No, I haven't said anything."
"Good. Don't tell her. She doesn't need to know."
"I'm not sure how you're going to keep it from her," Gibbs said.
"I'm not either, but I've got to try."
"Don't you think you've kept enough secrets?"
As soon as the words escaped his lips, Gibbs instantly regretted saying them. He saw Tony visibly tense at the unintentional barb. "That didn't come out right, Tony," Gibbs quickly added. "What I meant was…"
"When have you ever said something that you didn't mean, Gibbs? You don't waste words, not like me. The sad thing is that you're right," Tony admitted. "I've been keeping a lot of secrets and you would think that I would be tired of it, but truth is, I'm kind of used to it."
"Tony, I…"
"It's all right, Gibbs. I've been keeping secrets ever since I was a little boy; why should I stop now? Anyway," Tony continued, purposefully changing the direction of the conversation, "back to the matter at hand. Do you think Vance knows why Director David put the contract out on me?"
"There's a good chance that he does. He wasn't surprised to learn that there was a contract," Gibbs replied.
"Well, I guess I better talk to Vance. We have a lot to discuss."
"Care to let me in on what you're going to say to him?"
"No, but you're welcome to stay. It might be a good idea to have a witness in case things turn ugly." Tony paused. "Well, uglier than they already are."
Gibbs put his hand on Tony's shoulder and gently squeezed. "We'll figure this out, Tony. I promise."
"I hope so," DiNozzo said.
"Trust me. You're not going down for this," Gibbs pledged.
"I trust you with my life, Boss."
"Do you?"
Tony continued to stare out the window. "Yeah, I do."
"We're not finished with this conversation, DiNozzo."
DiNozzo merely nodded his understanding. Gibbs wasn't sure how to take the silence of his senior agent. A quiet, reflective DiNozzo was not something that he was used to, although since Tony's return from the Seahawk, the agent had become more contemplative. Gibbs had wanted to believe that it was a sign of maturity, but now he wasn't so sure. Looking back, he wondered if DiNozzo had silently been crying out for someone to help him and everyone, including himself had ignored his pleas.
"Did you hear me, Tony?" the team leader asked.
"Yeah, Boss. I heard you," Tony softly answered. "You better go and get Vance. I'm sure he's chomping at the bit."
Without a word, Gibbs squeezed Tony's shoulder once again and turned to leave. He wasn't convinced that Tony was ready to face the Director, but as DiNozzo had reminded him, he really had no choice. Thanks to Vance and the SecNav, Tony had been robbed of the ability to make his own choices. That was about to change and Leroy Jethro Gibbs vowed that his agent would no longer be the pawn in whatever sick game Vance and the SecNav was playing.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Jackson Gibbs watched as his son entered the store and closed the door behind him. Leroy had asked him for a favor and he intended to honor the request. He walked over and greeted Ziva and pulled her into a hug.
"It's good to see you again, Ziva," he greeted.
"It's good to see you too," she replied. "You're looking well."
He winked at the agent. The last time that she was in Stillwater, Jack had enjoyed the innocent flirtation between them and it was a pattern that they seemed to be able to fall back into rather easily. "It's in the genes," he quipped.
"So, I've noticed," Ziva teased.
"I'm sure you have. I have a feeling that very little escapes your attention."
"That is a correct assumption. I am trained to be aware of my surroundings at all times and to be especially cautious of charming men who try and sweet talk their way into my good graces."
Jack grinned, shaking his head in amusement. "Now who would be foolish enough to try that?"
"Many have tried."
"But few have succeeded," he finished.
They both laughed and hugged once again. He then turned his attention to the Director, who was leaning against Leroy's car. The Director radiated an exaggerated sense of self importance and Jack could tell that this man was use to getting his own way; he was driven but yet patient, which in Jack's opinion was a deadly combination.
He walked around the car and stood in front of Vance. He stuck his hand out and introduced himself. "Jackson Gibbs."
The Director reciprocated the handshake. "Leon Vance, Director of NCIS."
"I've heard some interesting things about you, Director Vance."
"Really? Such as?"
"Nothing worth repeating," Jack assured him. "I usually don't rely too much on other people's opinions; I like to form my own."
"An admirable trait," Vance declared.
"Thank you. It's the way I was raised and hopefully, I've passed that characteristic on to Leroy."
"Believe me, you have."
"That's good to know. A father likes to hear those things."
"What's the old saying? Like father, like son?"
"That's even more of a compliment," Jack said, knowing that Vance was attempting to throw slurs at Leroy. "I'd like to think that the apple didn't fall far from the tree."
Jack watched as the Director gingerly placed a toothpick in his mouth. "So, how long have you been harboring a fugitive?" Vance wanted to know.
"A fugitive?" Jack snorted. "I'm not harboring a fugitive."
"Anthony DiNozzo is wanted by the F.B.I. and NCIS for questioning," Vance informed him.
"Well, I don't see how I can be harboring a fugitive when he's been in the hospital. As far as I know, he came here to wait so he could turn himself in."
"I see where Agent Gibbs gets his ability to rationalize any situation to his advantage."
Jack crossed his arms and stared disapprovingly at the Director. "It seems to me that as the Director of NCIS, you would be more concerned about the welfare of your agents. I get the feeling that you could care less about Agent DiNozzo's well being. That boy in there can barely stand because of what you've put him through and you show no sympathy or compassion. He's gotten caught up in something that he doesn't even fully understand and you haven't helped him at all."
"I'm not here to receive a lecture from you on how to handle my agents. The only reason that I haven't barged in there is because I don't have a warrant, but in the next little bit, I'll be taking Agent DiNozzo into custody and neither you nor your son will be able to stop me. DiNozzo has a lot to answer for and I'm going to make sure that he is held accountable for his actions."
"And what actions are those?" Jack pressed. "He was just following your instructions."
"No, he wasn't," Vance argued. "DiNozzo doesn't know how to follow anyone's directions but those of Jethro Gibbs and clearly, I'm not Jethro Gibbs."
"You can say that again."
Jack was beginning to wonder how Leroy managed to work for this man. He had only known him for a few minutes and as far as he was concerned, Leon Vance had presented himself as a very unlikable individual. The Director's arrogance would be his undoing; that much was for certain.
"You know, Director Vance," Jack continued. "I've never been one to mince words and I'm sure that's a…trait that you can appreciate. So, I just have to say that as a veteran of the armed forces and as a tax paying citizen of the United States, I find it appalling that the Director of a federal agency would make it his personal crusade to destroy another man's life."
"Is that what Agent DiNozzo told you? That I've destroyed his life?" Vance shook his head in disgust. "DiNozzo has always been one for dramatics."
"Most of it I figured out by listening," Jack said. "I just want to make sure that you understand something, Director Vance. If you plan on taking that boy into your custody, you're going to have to go through me."
"And me," Ziva added as she moved to stand beside him.
"Officer David, I would be careful if I were you," Vance warned. "It would be in your best interest not to get involved in this."
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked.
"You'll find out soon enough," the Director promised.
Jack stepped in front of Ziva, his chivalrous nature taking precedence over the knowledge that the Mossad officer didn't need his protection. "You better watch your step, Director Vance. People in Stillwater don't take kindly to troublemakers. If you don't believe me, ask Jethro. You better keep that in mind during your stay."
"And I suggest that you cease your threats against a federal officer," Vance tersely demanded.
"I'm not threatening anyone, Leon. I don't make threats. That's counterproductive." Jack grinned. "Just consider it an exercise in freedom of speech."
"Which you seem to do without any difficulty."
"Thank you," Jack replied. "Now that we understand each other, would you like a cup of coffee? The diner across the street keeps a fresh pot brewing."
"No, thank you. I'll just wait right here," Vance said.
"Suit yourself. How about you, Ziva?"
"I'm fine, thank you," she assured him.
"Well, I guess we'll just wait until Leroy says you can come in. I'd let you come inside and peruse my store, Director Vance, but I'm afraid that sour look on your face would scare away my customers," Jack taunted.
"I wouldn't want that," Leon retorted.
"I would like to go inside and use your restroom," Ziva requested.
"Go ahead," Jack said. "I'll be happy to keep the Director company."
The two men watched Ziva as she entered the store. "So," Jack began. "Since you don't want any coffee, how about a little tour around town? It'll help pass the time. Leroy and Tony have a lot to talk about; who knows how long they'll be?"
"No. I'll stay right here," Vance insisted.
"All right, but it could be a mighty long wait."
"I'm a very patient man."
"I bet you are."
Jack began to ramble on about his early days and about raising his son. He realized that Director Leon Vance could probably care less about his past, but that wasn't the point. A promise had been made to his son and he intended to keep it. He would continue to keep the Director occupied for as long as Leroy needed him to, giving his son and DiNozzo ample opportunity to talk. He took great pleasure in the fact that Vance was fuming, which only encouraged him to continue telling his life's story in great detail.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ziva closed the door behind her and pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. She had felt it vibrate that she had a text message and had elected not to read it in front of the Director. Jackson seemed to be handling the Director and so she had excused herself under the guise of using the restroom.
Flipping open her phone, she noticed that the text was from McGee. She quickly read it and then promptly erased it. Ziva heard voices coming from the other room and she instantly recognized them as belonging to Tony and Gibbs; she needed to talk to the team leader about the text, but was reluctant to interrupt their conversation.
"Ziva!"
She turned and was nearly plowed over when Abby ran up to her and hugged her. "I'm so glad to see you," the Goth excitedly proclaimed.
Ziva pulled back and smiled at her friend. "I'm glad to see you too, Abby."
"So, how was your trip?"
"Interesting and quite long actually," Ziva answered. "What are you doing?"
"I'm getting stuff to make Tony something to eat," Abby informed her. "He's not eating properly and unfortunately, he's kind of limited in what he can have right now because of the ulcer."
"I see. So, other than the ulcer, how is Tony doing?" Ziva wanted to know.
Abby shrugged. "I don't know. He says he's fine, but he's not. I've never seen him look so tired and sad. Jack told me that Tony actually cried and I've never ever seen Tony cry. I've seen him angry, I've seen him drunk, I've seen him depressed, but I've never seen him cry. I'm scared for him."
"I'm sure things will get better," Ziva said unconvincingly.
"I don't see how they can get much worse."
"Actually, they just did. I need to talk to Gibbs."
Abby nervously licked her lips. "What's wrong?"
Ziva took a deep breath and blew it out. "I just got a text from McGee. He's being taken to see the SecNav. His computer and Tony's computer have been confiscated."
"This is not good."
"Tell me about it."
"Thank goodness I managed to copy Tony's hard drive when I was going through his computer," Abby said.
"Yeah, but McGee was hacking into SecNav's and Vance's computers. That's how he found out about the contract on Tony."
"Gibbs needs to know about this."
"I know, but you know how he feels about being interrupted."
"I'll do it," Abby said. "He won't get mad at me."
Abby had a point. "True. I'll wait right here," Ziva said.
She watched as Abby opened the door to the back room and motioned for Gibbs to come over to the door. Ziva saw the Goth whisper something into the team leader's ear and he curtly nodded and went back into the room. Within a minute, Gibbs came out of the room and closed the door behind him.
"How long ago did you receive the text?" he wanted to know.
"About five minutes ago," Ziva replied.
"All right. I'm going to get Vance. Ziva, go and stay with Tony for a few minutes; Abby, you make sure he eats something," Gibbs instructed.
"What about McGee?" Abby inquired.
"I'll take care of it as soon as I can, but for now, I have every confidence that McGee can handle the situation."
Ziva nodded in agreement. "He seems to have gotten tougher over the years," she agreed. "Of course, he has Tony to thank for that."
"Yeah," Gibbs grunted.
She headed towards the back room as Gibbs made his way towards the front door. "Hey," he called out.
Ziva turned around and arched her brow. "Yes?"
"How was my dad doing with Director Vance?" he asked.
"You would be proud. As we speak, I believe that he regaling him with the story of how he came to Stillwater."
The team leader grinned. "I can't wait to hear the details."
She nodded and opened the door to the room where Tony was staying. He was leaning against the wall, staring out the window. The man standing before her did not even look like her friend. He had lost weight and the paleness of his face told of the exhaustion that seemed to consume his soul. But it was the sadness in his eyes that disturbed her. The eyes that used to hold a mischievous glint were now dull and lifeless, making Tony seem older than his actual years.
Clearing her throat, she slowly approached him. "Tony?" she softly called to him.
He didn't answer her; he just continued to stare out the window. The closer she got to him, the more she realized that Tony was struggling to keep his emotions in check. She said his name again, this time her tone was a little stronger. "Tony? Are you all right?"
"No, Ziva, I'm not," he whispered. "I'm far from all right."
"I am here if you want to talk," she gently reminded him.
"No. Not now."
Ziva nodded her understanding. For the time being, she would honor Tony's wishes. He was about to face Vance and he needed to conserve what little strength he had. Ziva silently vowed that when he was ready, she would still be willing to listen; she just hoped that it wouldn't be too late.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Gibbs joined his father and Director Vance outside the store. They were still standing by his car and his father was telling about how he gave the team leader his name. He grinned when he saw the irritated expression on Leon's face; Gibbs knew that his father could outtalk Abby and subjecting Vance to his dad's infamous storytelling was a fitting punishment for the Director of NCIS.
He nodded to his dad, who abruptly excused himself in order to get a cup of coffee at the diner. The former Marine glared at the Director. "DiNozzo's waiting."
"It's about time," Vance growled.
"You mean you didn't enjoy talking with my dad?" Gibbs asked.
"Don't you mean listening?"
The agent smiled. "Now you see why I'm a man of few words."
"No, but I do see where you get your persistence from," Leon stated.
"I consider that a compliment."
"You would."
Gibbs motioned for Vance to follow him. "Let's not keep DiNozzo waiting."
"Of course not. I wouldn't want to inconvenience your golden boy," Vance seethed. "I mean after all, let's not even consider the fact that he's now wanted by the F.B.I. and NCIS for questioning. I simply must do a better job of arranging my schedule around DiNozzo's pathetic excuse of a life."
The team leader swallowed hard. He knew that Vance was trying to provoke him, but he couldn't allow that to happen. Tony was relying on him to stay focused and strong during the upcoming confrontation and he was not about to disappoint DiNozzo. Gibbs was not about to let Tony down again; he had been doing that far too much recently. No, he would not give Vance the satisfaction of seeing him resort to violence; however, when all this was over, no one would stop him from giving the bastard what he deserved.