Disclaimer—Not mine.

A/N: So, so, so sorry for the really long delay in getting this chapter out to you! I don't really have a good excuse except that RL has been a major issue lately and hasn't left me with any time or mental resources to get this out to you. I will try and do better next time. This chapter is shorter than normal so sorry about that. So please read and leave me a review! I'd really appreciate it.

Chapter 13

Revelations.

Tony sat on the couch, starring numbly at his drink. He was long past drunk and well on his way to alcohol poisoning. He was in a pleasantly numb state of being. Allowing him a brief respite from the never-ending 'wheel of guilt' game that constantly plagued his mind.

The not so nice hotel room that he had rented was almost pitch black, thanks to the light blocking curtains that hung from the grungy walls. It was an out of the way, hole in the wall that rarely asked questions and told no secrets (without a court order). And that was exactly why he had chosen the place. He knew that it would take his team (new and old) longer to find him this way.

On his way out of the Navy yard he had tossed his phone, taken a cab, and dug out one of his lesser-known aliases that he had with him. All of this was so that he could acquire a few hours of peace and quiet. He didn't figure that it would take Gibbs much longer than that to suss him out. They never were very far behind him, his team.

At least this way he might make it until morning before they were hauling his ass back to the hospital despite his ever-persistent protests. Even though, he realized, his protesting was just a formality. It was expected of him and he was more than happy to oblige in order to keep the status quo. He still hated all things medical if he was on the receiving end and did his best to not be there, and IF he were; on the off chance, to actually comply they were sure to think that something was truly and horribly wrong with him and then he'd never have a moments peace. No it just wouldn't do.

But oh, he was so tired! So, so tired. It was a tiredness that seeped into the very marrow of his bones and numbed his heart. It was a weariness that plagued him constantly and dragged him into a depression so deep that most days he couldn't see the end. Slowly, slowly he replayed the interrogation through his mind, trying so hard to make sense of it all.

"It is good to see you again Anthony."

Tony had only had eyes for Franklynns. He had taken a good long look at the man and what he had seen surprised him. Life on the run had not been easy for the man and it was obvious from his appearance.

He had looked older than his years, and more worn. His once carefully maintained jet-black hair had become completely gray and quite unkempt. His flawless complexion was now ruff and leathery as if he had spent too many hours baking under the sun and it had turned sallow looking.

"I want to know why the hell you're back."

Tony shook his head at that particular memory. He had demanded it. Expecting for some odd reason to get an honest answer. He should have known better. The man was a criminal. He lied, cheated, and stole for a living. What he had not been expecting was what he got.

~~Flash Back~~

"Ah but you see I never truly left. I simply shifted my base of operations."

Tony was confused. He had been assured that the operation had been successful. He had seen all of the evidence that they had collected. He knew they had frozen all of the man's accounts. He didn't like the feeling he was starting to get, his gut was doing back-flips and if there was one thing that he had learned from Gibbs over the years was to never ignore your gut.

He leaned over the table and menacingly said, "I want to know what the hell happened eleven years ago! And I want to know now!"

Franklynns leaned back in his chair seemingly unperturbed by the display of power. He took a deep breath then said, "Fine, fine. I will tell you what you want to know. I am tired of playing these games. Yes I was the one who ordered your family killed when I discovered that you were an undercover agent. They were supposed to kill you as well but your team was able to get to you before my men. And yes I ordered the hit on you this time as well. You see I am dying. It was my last attempt at tying up loose ends. But as you are still alive none of those orders has been successful. But I see now that that was foolish of me. You see I have recently come into some information about your family. And well I think that being able to see your face as I tell you this information will be infinitely more satisfying than killing you."

"SHUT UP!"

"Oh so passionate!" Laughed Franklynns. "I wonder what your wife would say when she finds out that you have been living the life of a bachelor all these years. Hmm? What do you think she would say if she knew about all of your lady friends? The one you almost married? And that other one what was her name? Oh yes Jeanne. You know I did business with her father before he was tragically murdered."

Blackness seeped out of Tony's being as he tightly said, "My wife is dead! And you killed her!"

"Still so gullible. Fine do not believe me. Go on believing everything they tell you."

"You're lying!"

"Am I? Why would I? I have nothing to gain by telling you this other than to see you realize that you have spent the last eleven years cheating on your wife and living a lie."

~~End Flash Back~~

Tony's mind had been reeling. He sat there in shock, the man's words flying around in his head. Everything had suddenly changed. Years of guilt and self-recrimination bombarded him. He couldn't breathe; it suddenly felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. He was having trouble seeing; everything appeared in tunnel vision. All he could think about was getting as far away from there as he could. He couldn't stop. He knew that to stop would have been disastrous. It would have meant that there would be time to think and process and to feel. To feel every ounce of hatred, loneliness and regret was something that he didn't think he could stand to bear. He was sure it would have been the end of him. He bolted when he felt Gibbs hand come to rest on his shoulder. He didn't wait for an explanation. He had pushed his way out of the room as fast as he could.

Tony sighed heavily one more time and then slowly closed his eyes, allowing the alcohol to finally pull him into a restless sleep

TBC