I hope that everyone had a good start into 2014 :)

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

Chapter 9

Tony had no idea how long he and Tyson stared at each other, but his colleagues showed no indication that they noticed their strange behavior. They continued speaking about the Team Manager, through Tony didn't hear what they say. He directed his full concentration on the man who was staring down at him.

When he had got to know Tyson, he found him interesting. He didn't let others command him around and he always seemed to know what was right and what was wrong. Tony had learnt fast that he could count on Tyson in bad situations. But after two years of partnership, everything has changed.

Flashback

At the time, they worked on a highly complicated case. A politician, Matt Duncan, who was still rather unknown but had big chances of a quick rise, got threatening letters. It wasn't Tony's and Tyson's case in the beginning, since they worked homicide cases, but the case was quickly assigned to them when a body got involved. Someone found the dead body of Matt Duncan's brother with a new thread carved on his chest. Though it was a rather slow process, they eventually found a suspect who fitted perfectly in their criminal profile and every evidence they had seemed to fit perfectly too. Everything, but the motive. Tony didn't know why, but at that time he couldn't get rid of the feeling that something was not right. However, Tyson told him over and over again that he only imagined it. They had their killer, Mason Golder. A witness had seen Golder at the murder scene at the time of death. The small apartment of Golder had been full with pictures of Matt Duncan. But the missing motive still disturbed Tony.

Since Tony wasn't sure why exactly he felt uneasy about this thing, he asked a friend at the FBI for a consult. He wanted a second opinion and he hadn't regretted it. His friend at the FBI checked the suspect again and landed a hit. Tony had already known the most of the results from his own research, but what he didn't know then was that Golder was an assassin. And this meant that somebody hired him to kill Matt Duncan.

Two days later, he and Tyson got an anonymous tip of the whereabouts of Golder. Before they had left the precinct to get their killer, Tony told Tyson about his discovery and that they needed him alive, because he was the only one who could identify the person who hired him to kill Duncan.

When they entered the old warehouse, Golder tried to flee. Tony ran after him when he heard a shot and saw, how Golder slumped to the ground. Tyson had shot Golder, although Tony had explicitly told him that they needed him alive. Tony approached Golder slowly and pushed with his foot Golder's weapon out of his reach. He knelt beside Golder. This was the last chance to get some information out of him, since the wound was too fatal and he wouldn't make it to the hospital. He will never forget the words, Golder said next. „If you trust somebody, you're as good as dead. That's life and it will always be like that. Your partners will always betray you." He died not even a minute later.

Because the killer was caught, or to be more specific was killed, the safety precautions for Duncan was reduced again. In Tony's eyes a mistake, because the person who hired Golder was still out there and he certainly would try again, but he couldn't do anything. When he was once again meeting Duncan to announce his concerns and to say goodbye, Duncan told him that this was a normal thing. When you're a politician, someone would always wish to see you gone. However, he'd take Tony's advice about his security by heart and increase his safety measures. They bid goodbye and Duncan got into the car, in which his wife and his two children already waited for him. But when the driver started the engine, the car suddenly exploded and Tony was thrown back by the blast and hit the wall of the building. It didn't take long for Tony to lose consciousness, but it was long enough to see a car leaving the accidental side. A car which he very well knew. Tyson's car. The last thing he remembered at that time were Golder's words. If you trust somebody, you're as good as dead. That's life and it will always be like that. Your partners will always betray you.

End of Flashback

Since the moment he woke up in a hospital bed, he looked for proof that Tyson has something to do with the death of Duncan and his family. But he has never found something. During his stay at the hospital, Tyson transferred to another precinct. Tony knew that Tyson knew he suspected something. Till the present time, Tyson had never done something to stop Tony's secret investigation, which was why Tony was worried that he'll try it now. But then why should he accept a job at NCIS? Does he want to prevent him to find some proof in the end?

Tyson descanted the stairs and made his way to the bullpen, never ending the eye contact with Tony. Tony prepared himself for the meeting with Tyson. He didn't know how he should behave and decided to remain silent for the time being and to let Tyson make the first move. Everybody fell silent too, when Tyson arrived in the bullpen.

„Director Vance."

„Team Manager Cole, I would like to introduce you to the team with which you will work with. This are Agents Gibbs, McGee, DiNozzo and David." Cole shook hands with everybody except Tony. Tony was the last one he offered his hand.

„Tony, my old friend! Long time no see. How are you doing?" Tyson's handshake was a little bit harder then it needed to be, but Tony thought that this was the intention. Right at the first minute, Tyson wanted to show that he was in a better position than Tony and he should rather make no wrong moves. Tyson behaved friendly, so he would also remain civil and put on a fake smile. The others were surprised that the two knew each other.

„Tyson! Who'd have thought that you'd be our newest thorn in our eye." Through Tony's voice is friendly, you can see the apprehension in Tony's eyes. If Tyson wanted to show him through his handshake that he is the boss, then Tony can show it through his look and his words. As long as the others wouldn't notice something, everything was good. The last thing he needed was that the team interfered with his case against Cole. This was his fight, his case. And as long as he had no proof, they won't be of any help. He'd just get them worked up and worried.

„Well, Rick has offered this position to me and when I have heard that you are on this team, I just thought ‚why not?'." Tony was sure that Cole knew already beforehand that he was on this team. The friendship to Parsons was also no surprise. Two rats who found each other.

„I'm on the team for more than ten years now."

„Wow! This isn't something I'm accustomed at all in regards of you. Normally you quit and moved away after two years in one precinct. I mean, it's how it was with your last four jobs." Got you! Tony and Tyson were partners when he has started his second job in his career. Tyson could only know about the other two jobs if he monitored his moves and changes.

„Well, what can I say? I liked the color of wall. Very monotonously."

„How is your daughter doing? Amelia, isn't it?"

Damn. He has forgotten that Tyson knew about her. Thank God he eventually has told the team about her, otherwise, this would be an uncomfortable situation. But he didn't like the thought that Tyson was back in his life and knew about Jo. Not when he didn't know what Cole exactly wanted. At least now he knew where Parsons got his information about his daughter. He got help from Cole.

Gibbs noticed how Tony tensed slightly and intervened. Tony was never so glad to have been interrupted.

„You know each other?"

„We do, Agent Gibbs. Tony and I were partners once."

„Then I suppose that there'll be no problems. If you would excuse me now, I have to sort out a few more things." Vance didn't wait for an answer and left for his office.

„You have to excuse me too, but I am sure that we will see us soon again."

Everybody stared at Tony with curious looks after Cole left the bullpen. He expected no less from his colleagues, after all they are all trained investigators. Before anyone could ask a question, he spoke. „Yes, Cole and I were partners. Any problems?"

„That doesn't sound like you're happy to see him again. " stated McGee.

„I'm simply still shocked to see him again. It just has been a long time in which we had no contact, that's all."

„How long were you partners?" He wasn't sure whether it was good or bad when your current partner asked you something about your old partner.

„Two years."

According to Ziva's expression it was definitive bad. „You have worked with him for two years and never have seen him after that and he knows about Amelia, while you worked with me for eight years and I heard not a word about her? "

He wasn't keen to continue this conversation and especially not in front of the others. „We were partners when Amelia was born."

Before she could reply, Gibbs gave the order to go back to work. After all, there was still a murder to solve.

The day ran without any further problems. He hasn't seen Cole for the rest of the day and he'd prefer it if it would remain like that. But sooner or later, Cole will appear again and then he has to be ready to assert himself if necessary.

The team hasn't bombed him with further questions, but Ziva has looked curiously at him throughout the day but he ignored her. Just because they had breakfast together this morning didn't mean that everything was alright again. No, they have to talk it all out first and Tony stood by what he has said. Only a professional partnership and Ziva's interest in his partnership with Cole is none of her concerns. If this had happened one month ago, he probably would have answered her. Besides, he wanted to keep his assumptions and investigation against Cole to himself for the time being.

When he finally shut down his computer in the evening, he considered the things he could do. Jo and Lu were out purchasing groceries; at least he got a message from Jo stating that they would go shopping. He didn't feel like sitting alone in his apartment. Maybe he could make a quick stop at the bar. But drinking alone didn't really appeal to him too. He could ask McGee, but he surely would have plans with his new girlfriend already. He cannot ask Ziva, because this would go against his new boundaries he has set. He could get a free beer at Gibbs', but Tony was sure that Gibbs will use the situation to get more information about Cole out of him.

When Tony considered further about what to do, he suddenly remembered Elena. District. He wouldn't feel lonely and he could get a chance to get to know her better. He packed his bag and said goodbye to the others. He had to take a cap, because his rental car still won't work. This afternoon it was picked up by the rental car company. He put it on his priority list to search for a new car.

The bar looked very good from the outside. It was a greenish brick wall building which owned a few brown highlights. When you wanted to go to the bar, you'd have to go down the stairs. The only thing that pointed to the bar was a big sign with the name on it. Tony looked through the windows on the ground floor by the street and noticed that the room was empty. He recognized some tables and chairs, but otherwise nothing special.

Small dark green lanterns were provided by the stairs, so that you have an unlimited view for the stairs at night. The door to the bar was also dark green and you could already hear piano music from the inside of the bar. Tony already felt comfortable and welcome. He opened the door and entered the bar.

On the right and on the left side stood tables. It had to be five tables on each side. Still, you didn't feel too cramped. Even when all chairs were taken, you could still walk through the bar without any problems. On the right side, beside the bar stood the black piano on which a piano player played a slow but cheerfully song. At the bar were ten bar chairs. The lights over the bar were on but they weren't too bright, so that they gave the ambience a warm touch. A few pictures were hanging on the walls. Tony assumed that these were pictures of the staff with some of the regular guests. All in all, it was decorated a little bit Spartan but still lovely.

There were a few people spread around the bar, but it wasn't too much. Tony hasn't really thought that it would be packed. At least not yet, after all it was just 17:30pm. Most people will arrive later tonight. At the bar he saw how a woman put glasses in different shelves. She had her back to him, but he already recognized her by her figure and her long blond hair. He has to grin when he mused about what she'd say when she saw him. He walked over to the bar and put on his best DiNozzo smile. But because he was glad to see her again, he didn't have to force a smile, it was a natural one.

„Do I also need a special license to order a beer?"

She turned around with a wide grin. „Tony! Wouldn't have thought that you'd come to my bar."

„I felt like having a beer and then I thought I'd try out a new bar, so here I am. "

„Sure." She smiled at him. „You don't need a special license for a beer, but if you want I can check your ID."

„I feel flattered, but I think we can agree on the fact that I'm over 21."

"You're right." She gave him a bottle of beer.

„Ouch." Tony drank his beer, while Elena took up an order of someone else and prepared those drinks. When the man returned to his table with his drinks in hand, Elena turned to Tony again.

„What's the room over your bar for? Does it belong to you, too?" asked Tony.

„Yes, it belongs to the ‚District', too. Now and then I organize a special event. I invite a band which comes and plays on the stage that's in the room above. The entry costs a little bit extra, but not much. And these events take place in the room above."

„Is there an event planned in the near future?"

„Though I have contact with a band which would like to come and play in front of the audience, but I still have nothing concrete. I don't think that an event will take place this month. But if you want I can give you a notification as soon as I know when the next event will take place. "

„That'd be nice. Is the bar visited a lot?"

„I cannot complain. The tables are completely booked every evening and there are generous tips."

„And you, Ms Elena Warren, are you still single or has a man already captured your heart?" asked Tony and hoped he wasn't too curious.

„Wow, straight to the point, aren't you?"

„Why talk around the bush?"

„Well, Mr.?"

„DiNozzo."

„Mr. DiNozzo, no man has managed to capture my heart yet."

„But surely some have tried, haven't they? Please say yes, otherwise I will forever be disappointing by the currently man's world!" She started to laugh out loud at that.

„There were some who thought they'd be my knight in shining armor. Some of them were even married."

„Who could blame them." replied Tony.

„As soon as I see a ring on the finger, my interest disappears. I don't want to get involved with men who already belong to another woman. "

„How do you know that they're not simply taking the ring off before they walk into your bar? " asked Tony and supported his head on his hand. Elena remained leaned on the shelve behind her.

„Then the marriage is as good as over. What gets you to this idea? Did you take of a ring before you came into my bar?"

„No, I am still single. Word of honour. No ring."

„Good to know."

Tony looked at his clock. Jo and Lu should be home soon. He drank the last gulp of his beer and put some money on the bar. „I have to go." He couldn't keep his disappointment out of his voice. „But would you be interested in a date with me?"

Before there'll be too many questions about Tony/Elena, let me tell you that I have already written chapters 10-13. I played with the idea about a romantic relationship, but I dismissed it quickly. They will be on a date, but that will be all. This will be (eventually) TIVA and I promise that things will be soon getting better for our favourite couple.