READ THIS:I took some good advice this week, so I reviewed *ALL* the previous chapters and made some very necessary changes. We're talking major rewrites, here, not just fixing typos. Hopefully, my Tony is more Tony (I added a few movie references; kudos to you if you can find them), my Abby is less Abby when Tony's life is in danger and more serious, my Gibbs is more Gibbs, etc. Basically, my characters are truer to their television selves.
So, instead of one new chapter, you get four completely revised chapters. The main plot is the same though, but I'd advise rereading.
This will be the only time I will *ever* do this.
I think the new chapters are greatly improved, and hopefully you find the same. I'd love to hear your input!
Even before Mason had hung up the phone, Tony was already moving. He disconnected all the leads and pulled out his IV for the second time in ten minutes, forcing himself to ignore the screeching machine. He stood shakily, listing back and forth uncertainly until Gibbs' hand on his shoulder steadied him.
The nurse hustled into the room not thirty seconds after the alarm sounded.
"You can't be out of bed!" she cried.
Still supporting Tony, Gibbs drew back his coat to reveal his badge. "Official business, ma'am. Is it safe for him to leave?"
The nurse hesitated.
"Please, ma'am. It's very important." Tony almost dropped the shirt he was holding, managing to make a clumsy save before it hit the floor. Had Gibbs just said please? The only other time he had heard his boss use the "magic word" was just after his Mexican sabbatical when he had that dead animal growing on his face. Mike Franks had been involved then as well... He was no Charlie Eppes, but even he, a lowly phys ed major, could see a pattern emerging.
"He'll have to sign the release forms," the nurse said slowly, glancing at Tony's chart, "but he should be fine. I wouldn't advise it though."
"Duly noted," Tony replied, fumbling with the buttons on his shirt before completely giving up the idea of leaving the hospital well-dressed. He could button his shirt in the car, assuming Gibbs ever slowed enough for Tony to be able to focus on one thing for longer than a second… Slinging his jacket over his shoulder, he headed for the door with Gibbs hot on his heels.
Gibbs punched the call button for the elevator, his foot tapping impatiently.
"We don't have time for this. You up for the stairs?" Gibbs asked Tony, spinning around to locate the nearest stairwell.
Tony just nodded, unable to find the air to speak. The short excursion from his hospital room had left him breathing hard already, and that had been only a couple hundred feet. He took a deep breath and summoned his inner energy reserves, ready to do whatever it took to save his former partner and longtime friend.
Grasping the handrail tightly to avoid falling flat on his face, he attempted to conserve energy by taking every other step. Regardless, both he and Gibbs were gasping for breath three floors later. They burst through the door like Superman exiting the phone booth, minus the skintight jumpsuit and tights. Those waiting in the E.R. were less than impressed by their appearance and shot them looks of disgust and irritation by the unwelcome interruption.
"I'll get the car," Gibbs called unnecessarily before sprinting for the parking lot.
"Official business," Tony announced, cutting the extremely long line outside registration. "Paperwork for Anthony DiNozzo," he requested, flashing his most winning smile to the nurse while leaning heavily on the counter and trying to relax his breathing. He held up his badge to the line in an attempt to eliminate any hard feelings from those behind him.
"Sir, you'll have to get in the back of the line. These people were waiting long before you." The nurse pointed at the end of the line without looking up from her current file.
"Ma'am, lives are at stake. It is imperative I leave now," Tony tried being his usual charming self before adopting a more blunt approach when the nurse continued ignoring him. "Will you get my paperwork, or should I get it myself?" The nurse finally looked up from her file, surprised that anyone would speak to her in such a manner. She eyed Tony for a moment, meeting his challenging stare and returning it with one of her own.
"Mary, pull the paperwork for DiNozzo. Now," the nurse ordered after a moment, apparently deciding the agent in front of her was serious.
Tony signed the forms while speed walking to the exit, handing the clipboard to Mary who trailed a few steps behind him.
"Thank you," Tony flashed Mary a genuine smile. When this Mason business was over, he was definitely paying Mary a social call.
A honking noise from the other side of the parking lot drew his attention. The NCIS sedan was speeding toward where he was standing. Just before the car hit him, it slowed to a crawl and the passenger door was flung open. Tony jumped into the car, bracing himself for the whiplash as Gibbs stomped on the gas. He barely managed to pull the door shut and buckle his seatbelt before they hit the service streets.
If Tony had thought Gibbs' driving was bad before, it had nothing on the way they were driving now. Gibbs pulled out into traffic without hesitation, forcing other drivers to slam on their brakes and honk angrily at him. To Tony's surprise, Gibbs was grinning. He apparently enjoyed driving like a maniac.
The five minute commute took less than three, since Gibbs had run every light. Vance was not going to be happy with the high fines and multiple tickets that were headed his way… Gibbs abruptly braked, shocking Tony from his revere and throwing him into the dashboard.
"Gibbs, can I have a warning next 'fore you do that again?" Tony complained half-heartedly, rubbing his shoulder where the seatbelt had burned him as he exited the car.
They sprinted down the stairs, pushing people out of the way like professional linesmen.
"Make a hole. Official business. NCIS," Tony shouted in hope that people would understand and get out of the way. Instead the stubborn idiots remained in the way, clumping together even more than before. A few well placed elbows broke up the crowd and allowed Tony and Gibbs to pass.
They jumped the turnstile, which should have an easy task for your athletic, thirty-something man. Then again, this average someone hadn't just been poisoned. Following Gibbs' lead, Tony planted his hands firmly on the posts and swung himself over the turnstile's arms, practically tumbling to the floor when his feet didn't get firmly planted underneath him. Gibbs reached back, grabbing a fistful of Tony's suit jacket, hauling his agent back to his feet before they had another injury about which to worry.
"Hey! You can't do that!" a security guard cried, as the two men ran past him. Tony unclipped his badge and held it up while sprinting for the nearest subway car. He ran along the track, hopping up and down to see around the standing passengers, looking for Mason.
"DiNozzo." Tony turned to see Gibbs pointing through the window. Tony ran unevenly toward Gibbs, who had already entered the subway. Tony grabbed the handrails and hauled himself into the car, fully observing his surroundings in less than a second. Other than the two groups of people sitting on opposite ends of the seat bank, the car was empty. The closest passenger looked up from the newspaper he was reading and smiled at the NCIS agents.
"Agents," Mason nodded curtly, looking at his watch. "You made it with a minute to spare."
"Faster than a speeding bullet, we are," Tony panted, collapsing next to Gibbs in the seat across from Mason as the subway sped away from the station.
At the sound of Tony's voice, the man next to Mason looked up. Tony stifled the urge to gasp as he saw his former partner. Kenzie's face was covered in bruises and dried blood, and one eye was almost swollen closed. His hands were also handcuffed in front of him.
"What did you do to him?" Tony asked, trying to keep his anger out of his tone.
"Let's just say Kenzie didn't come quietly," Mason grinned. "He put up quite the fight."
Tony nodded approvingly at Kenzie. "Good for you, Mike. Glad to see you managed to piss off more people than just me and Captain Franco!"
"It took some work, DiNozzo. This guy's harder to rile than you are. I had to resort to my corny jokes and charming personality."
"And how'd that work out for you?" Tony was glad to see Kenzie seemed mentally fine; he was maintained the witty banter without hesitation. His pupils also followed Tony's slight motions without delay, eliminating the possibility of a concussion.
"Reunion's over," Mason interrupted. He motioned with one hand to the other couple at the end of the car.
"Probie," Mike Franks said as he approached with Mason's henchman following closely behind him.
"Boss," Gibbs replied with the same emotionless tone. "What are you doing here? It's a helluva time to visit D.C."
"Ya, I know, Probie. But this idiot here," Franks thumbed his finger at Mason, "tricked me into believing you were hurt. He did all the computer stuff to convince Layla that the call was from your new director. I was secretly hoping SecNav had fired that lowlife boxer whose in charge and hired someone else…Guess I was wrong."
Gibbs was touched that Franks had come all the way to D.C. for him, even though it was under false pretenses. He and Franks had the same sort of relationship he shared with DiNozzo: it was based on the "tough-love" principle which appeared to be cruel and callous to the casual observer, but those involved knew that the bond they shared was indestructible, no matter what happened. Of the many fleeting relationships he had had with a variety of people, these few were the ones he valued the most.
"I hate to break up this Hallmark moment, but we have some business to attend to," Mason snapped, pretending to wipe a tear from his face.
Mason's henchman grabbed Franks by the shoulder and shoved him in the seat next to Kenzie.
"I have what you want so, you're going to get what I want. I want ten thousand dollars. You bring me that and a few other things in twenty-four hours and I will release your former partners."
"How are we—" Tony began.
"No interruptions please or your partners will pay the price," Mason chided. "It gets so much better. Those 'few other things' I want are the contents of two specific safety deposit boxes. You will rob the United Bank of Baltimore, steal ten thousand dollars from the vault, and break into two safety deposit boxes. Hopefully, you are smart enough to not get caught since your partners' lives depend on it. In this little challenge, I get to prove that I created a flawless plan, and that you two bumbling buffoons caught a lucky break in my arrest. My conviction was a fluke—a very sad and remorseful fluke—but none the less, a fluke. I will prove not only to you, but also to the entire world, that I outsmarted two of the world's 'best' NCIS agents."
"Now that hurts," Tony spoke up, pretending to look wounded. "I know I'm no Agent K, but a 'bumbling buffoon'? I have been known to close a case or two all by my lonesome."
Mason turned to Franks, either ignoring Tony or not caring about what was said. "I am sorry you were dragged into this, but Jethro here has such a hard time forming meaningful relationships. I mean, his ex-wives as leverage? He'd walk away without a second thought. But, you! His former boss! You're one of the most important people in his life, one of the few he trusts with his life. Am I right, Jethro?"
"Glad I could be of assistance," Franks muttered in the background. Mason shot Franks a piercing glare before returning his stare to Gibbs.
"We're going to need more people," Gibbs stated, not letting Mason know how much he hated being on a first-name basis with criminals. "As you said yourself, it can't be done with two healthy people, let alone with one who just poisoned."
"I guess I should thank you for that, by the way," Tony spoke directly to Mason, his tone dripping with venom. "How 'bout a subscription to How to Successfully Murder your Enemies for Dummies? That do?"
"Ah. That mouth again," Mason rose without warning and backhanded Tony viciously across the mouth.
Tony grimaced as he tasted the metallic liquid on his tongue and felt it dribble out of the corner of his mouth. Dammit! Would it be so hard for him to not say anything? Actually…yes, it would. His mouth was his defense mechanism, probably stemming from lack of a stable father figure in his childhood or some other Freudian nonsense. But there was time for reminiscing about his wonderful childhood later. Right now, he was forced to listen to Mason's instructions and figure out a way to save the day, superhero style.
Tony righted himself and wiped the blood from his mouth while continuing to stare defiantly at Mason. Kenzie shot Tony a concerned look, but the Senior Field Agent shrugged lightly. Mason was even crazier than Tony had originally thought; on the DiNozzo Psycho Criminal scale, Mason had surpassed the Joker (the Jim Carrey portrayal, of course) and was quickly approaching Norman Bates caliber.
"Anything else, Agent DiNozzo?" Mason sneered.
"No, that'll do for now," Tony deadpanned. Mason rose again, ready to hit Tony again, but Gibbs sprang to his feet and caught Mason's arm.
"I need him," Gibbs stated, stared menacingly at Mason. Mason held Gibbs' glare for a long moment before lowering his arm and taking his seat.
"Fine. Have it your way," Mason sighed heavily and sat down. "I personally think you'd be better off without him. Now, to answer your question; you may consult only two other people: a Timothy McGee and the lovely Miss Ziva David. Anyone else and I shoot Kenzie and Franks. You will also take Ricky along with you. He will be an active psart of your plan and will be reporting to me every few hours. If anything is awry, it only takes one phone call, and I will shoot Kenzie and Franks. You call the police and…" Mason paused, waiting for an answer.
"You shoot Kenzie and Franks," Tony and Gibbs unenthusiastically recited in unison.
"Good," Mason nodded affirmatively. "Any more questions? No? Good. This is our stop." He stood up as the subway coasted to a stop.
"One more thing," Mason turned to face the agents. "Your guns, badges and government IDs, and cell phones please. In the bag."
The NCIS agents reluctantly parted with their belongings, shoving them into the bag Ricky has provided. The thug proceeded to hand the bag to Mason, who casually slung it over his shoulder.
"Now you are naturalized citizens, not under federal orders, able to be tried and found guilty if the situation arises. I wish you all the best. Happy bank robbing!"
Mason motioned to a lump in his jacket pocket. "Kenzie and Franks are leaving with me. If you resist, you know what happens."
As Kenzie and Franks got up, Kenzie pretended to stumble, falling heavily into Tony.
"Call Bill at HQ. He'll give you a hand," Kenzie whispered softly into Tony's ear.
"Enough stalling," Mason grabbed the back of Kenzie's suit, pulling him off Tony and practically throwing him off the train. Mason poked the gun into Franks, who ambled slowly behind Kenzie as if he had nothing better to do.
Tony and Gibbs were forced to watch their former partners and close friends walk away with an armed psychopath, wondering just how they were going to pull off this near impossible task.
On a lighter note, we've reached Mason's demands. How are Tony and Gibbs going to pull off a bank robbery without NCIS authority? Will they succeed in time to save Kenzie and Franks?
Drop me a line! Let me know what you think! I look forward to hearing from you!