Chapter 3

"Have you located DiNozzo yet?" growled Gibbs as he directed his question at McGee.

"He's not at home…the GSP in his cellphone shows him to be in New York City. That was from the last time you tried to call him. He turned off his phone as soon as he saw it was you but it gave me time to get a fix," replied McGee.

"New York City? What is he doing there?" muttered Gibbs puzzled and then more angrily, "he's decided to use this as a play day and his butt is going to pay the price…" but before he could say more his cellphone rang and he answered with his customary,

"GIBBS!"

It was Peter Burke calling to inform him of their recovery of Tony's ID just outside of the FBI building in Manhattan. "Gibbs it looks like Tony was part of an incident that took place here not more than fifteen minutes ago…there was a shootout between a known criminal, Rico Martinez and our FBI agents and from witnesses here it looks like your agent shot back at our agents. Neal Caffrey was also reported as being in the group although he wasn't doing any shooting. I will soon be reviewing all of the security cameras footage to discover what exactly happened, but you should be here as well."

"We'll be there as soon as possible and if you capture DiNozzo sit on him for me…we will have a lot to discuss about his behavior today," replied Gibbs.

"What was he doing here…was he on some assignment?" Peter asked curiously.

"He was playing hooky, but don't worry I plan on addressing that as well," replied Gibbs just before hanging up.

As soon as he hung up Gibbs turned to his team and barked, "grab your gear we are going to New York City and pack a toothbrush, we may be there for a few days…we are going to retrieve DiNozzo after we clear him of the trouble he's in," then he turned and bounded up the stairs to Director Shepherd's office to inform her of their current status leaving McGee and Ziva to wonder what happened to put Tony in such dire circumstances.

It had taken them only Gibbs three hours to get to New York City although he had been a haring trip for Ziva and McGee to experience with their lights flashing to whole way. The highway police just seemed to know that it was an emergency and not a one stopped them to inquire.

"What have you discovered?" asked Gibbs as he walked into Burke's office.

"As far as we can see it seems that we fired upon your agent and he was only trying to defend himself. It was obvious that he was intentionally missing so as not to actually hit anyone. Agent Ruiz was the one that started the whole thing when he recognized Rico Martinez as he and Caffrey were talking and assumed that Caffrey had joined Rico. If Neal was there he had to coerce into doing so; I know Neal and he wouldn't join Rico in any enterprise, since he doesn't use violence and Rico deals in nothing else. I think your agent was trying to help Neal," explained Peter.

"You haven't hard from either?" asked Gibbs.

"No…and Neal's anklet has been cut so we have no idea where he is. His last GSP location placed him down by the waterfront. My people have searched high and low and have found nothing….I'm getting concerned for him just like I can see you are for your agent."

Tony and Neal had taken shelter at an abandoned building several blocks away to talk over their options. "You could call your boss and tell him what happened?" suggested Neal as he kept a look out for police.

Tony could just imagine how mad Gibbs would be when he learned what happened today and shuddered. "I think I had rather wait until he cools down a bit; but you could call your partner and have him come and get you."

"No…Ruiz would have told Peter by now of my association with a known felon; an escapee…he won't be able to save me from going back; especially now that my anklet has been cut. I have no choice but to run," replied Neal sadly.

"No…Agent Burke would fight for you," insisted Tony. "He cares for you."

"I know but it might not be enough this time to save me and I can't go back," argued Neal.

"You could get out of town and then contact Agent Burke and tell him your side of the story; then he could work on it while you are safely out of the way. I know we could go to Stillwater; no one would even think of looking for us there," insisted Tony.

"Stillwater…where is that?"

"In Pennsylvania…Stillwater is where my kind of grandfather lives. We can hide with him and get in touch with Peter and Gibbs after things have cooled down a bit," replied Tony as he pulled his wallet out to see how much cash he had. "Do you have any money?" Tony asked Neal.

After the two pooled their resources they found that they had enough to buy to one way tickets to Benton, PA which was about four miles from Stillwater.

Tony and Neal had no trouble in getting out of town and soon were on their way. While they were traveling they started to talk.

"You said that Jack was your grandfather, kind of and that you would explain later," remarked Neal as he watched the countryside roll past.

"Well, in reality Jack is Gibbs' father; but since we all consider Gibbs to be a surrogate father that makes his father our grandfather…understand," explained Tony quickly. "You see we, McGee, Ziva and Abby, and me consider ourselves as siblings with Gibbs as the father figure. Ducky is the doting Uncle and Palmer the pesky cousin…a dysfunctional family but a family nonetheless. Don't you have similar feelings for Peter and his wife?" asked Tony.

"Yeah," admitted Neal sheepishly, "only with me Peter is the big brother I never had and El is my big sister and they treat me as their kid brother… they show me the love I've never really had with the exception of what I feel for Kate and Mozzie. June is the grandmother-figure in my life…I never knew my grandmother," confessed Neal and he chatted with Tony for the remainder of the journey to Benton.

"Let me warn you about Jack; he doesn't take lying well, so if I were you I wouldn't even consider trying to con him because when he discovers the truth you won't be happy," warned Tony.

Neal's smile didn't assure Tony but he knew that Neal would just have to experience Jack for himself to truly understand so he stopped trying to dissuade him from trying anything.

The bus came to a stop at a small bus depot and Tony and Neal disembarked and wandered into the bus station to see just how much farther they needed to go. It as there that Tony learned that Stillwater was only a few miles down the road and checking with his finances came to the conclusion that they would have to ride unless they could find a ride with someone on the way. He passed on his information to Neal under agreed and started off walking they had only gone a mile when a car pulled up in front of them and Neal ran to get in. Tony froze as soon as the car stopped; he knew that Jack had some how found them and most likely had already called his son.

"Hello Jack," greeted Tony as he got into the back seat alerting Neal to who their good Samaritan was. "This is my friend, Neal Caffrey; Neal this is my boss' father, my surrogate grandfather, Jackson Gibbs."

Jack nodded his greeting before beginning his inquires. "What are your boys doing in my neck of the woods?

Tony was torn between lying, knowing what the consequences of that lie would cost him or telling Jack the truth but before he could say something Neal jumped right on in. "I don't know what Tony is doing but we meet on the bus and started talking. He told me about Stillwater and it sounded so picturesque and peaceful that I thought I would like to visit. You see I live in the bustle of New York City and every once and the while try to go somewhere that I can just relax and get away from the fast life. Tony description of Stillwater seemed to me just the place so I changed my bus ticket to here," Neal lied.

"Why did you take the bus; I would have thought you that you could have driven here instead. New York City isn't that far from Stillwater…only about three or four hours depending on traffic," Jack continued to ask.

"The bus is so much more scenic," Neal was quick to reply.

Jack nodded and then turned back to Tony, "Neal has explained his reasoning now what is yours."

Neal explanation had given Tony time enough to think and he thought to tell only part of the truth. "We've been reviewing cold cases for the last few weeks and I got bored, so I thought I would take a small trip…you know to get away so I thought a trip to see you would be nice," explained Tony throwing a small lie in with his explanation.

"Well, you boys are in for a treat tonight, I was in Benton doing some grocery shopping and picked up some steaks and thought a good steak with baked potatoes and salad would just about hit the spot…and a peach cobbler for dessert. I insist you stay with me; I've plenty of room," invited the older man.

Tony reluctantly nodded even though Neal's loud "I accept your hospitality," filled the car. He knew that something was up and he just bet the real surprise was going to be a visit from his boss, Leroy Jethro Gibbs and it wasn't going to be pleasant. He was already sorry that he had included the small "white lie" in with his explanation.

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