Chapter 8
Salvation- Part One
1500 hours, 20 January 2001, Oval Office, White House, Washington D.C.
It was Inauguration Day, and George W. Bush had only hours before been sworn in as The 43rd President of The United States. But as he was about the find out, there is no rest for the weary. Secret Service Agent Caitlin DiNozzo was standing watch just outside the door to Oval Office when she heard a commotion come from inside. It was her 1st day on The President's Secret Service Detail, thanks to glowing letters of recommendation from not only her husband, but also from Tom Colleton, Colonel Barrett, Clayton Webb, and Admiral Chegwidden.
Kate opened the door to make sure the President was ok. "Damn it, get Dick, Rove and Donald in here, on the double" yelled the president to one of his Aides, referring to Vice-President Richard "Dick" Cheney, Republican Political Strategist Karl Rove, and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfield. The aide quickly rushed out of the room, nearly running Kate over in the process.
"Everything ok Mr. President?" Kate asked. The President didn't answer at first as he rubbed his temples with his fingers.
"Yes Agent DiNozzo thank you, just finding out how tough this job really is" he finally replied.
"Anything I can do to help?" she asked, trying to be useful.
"There's been an escape from Leavenworth, a former DSD Agent, named Clark something" President Bush responded. Kate thought about it for a minute.
"That wouldn't be Clark Palmer would it Sir?" she asked. The President's head shot up.
"Yes it would, how did you know that?" he asked her.
"My husband was the one that originally brought him in" she responded.
"FBI?" he asked.
"Delta Force" she replied.
"Wait, your husband is Lieutenant Colonel Anthony DiNozzo, All-American at Ohio State and Medal of Honor winner from The Gulf?" he asked.
"The very same Mr. President" she answered proudly.
"Give your husband a call, I want his six in my office ASAP" instructed the President.
"Yes Sir Mr. President" she replied.
1515 hours, 20 January 2001, Tactical Operations Center, Unit Compound, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
"AHHHHH!" Chester screamed across the T.O.C out of pure frustration. "I am so fucking bored" he complained for the umpteenth time.
"WE KNOW!" Everyone else yelled back at him.
"Chester, you've been complaining how bored you are all day, give it a rest already" order Tony. Chester went to reply, but Tony held up his hand. "Save it Martin, I know you're upset we were taken off security for the inauguration. But honestly, if you don't stop your bitching and moaning, I gonna head slap you so hard, your fuckin grandkids are gonna feel it" Tony threatened. After that, quiet resumed, as everyone went about their normal routine. The silence was suddenly broken when the phone on Tony's desk rang. "Lieutenant Colonel DiNozzo" he said answering.
"Tony, it's Kate" said Tony's wife, Secret Service Agent Kate DiNozzo.
"Hey babe, what's cookin' up in D.C?" he asked as he leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on his desk.
"It's not good, how fast can you get up here?" she asked.
"An hour, if I fly. What's wrong?" he asked.
"Clark Palmer has escaped from Leavenworth" she informed him.
"You're fucking kidding me?" Tony questioned, rather loudly, causing everyone in the room to take notice of him.
"Afraid not, The President wants you up here, NOW!" she informed him.
"Right, I will be there soon" he said as he hung up. He found that everyone was still staring at him, including Colonel Barrett. "EJ, where are Commander parker and Erica Jane?" he asked him.
"My house, why?" he asked.
"Clark Palmer has escaped from Leavenworth, the last time around; he had been targeting Jordan back when she was still with Commander Rabb. We need to move the 3 of you" he paused and pointed to Chester. "And Meg, to a safe location" suggested Tony.
"Where?" Edward James asked. Tony turned toward Tali.
"Hey Tali Girl, you and your Daddy feel like playing 'Inn Keeper' for a few days?" Tony asked with a serious, but still friendly smile. Tali considered it for 1.2 a second.
"As a fine South Carolina Gentlemen, I don't see how my father could refuse" she responded with a smile. In her 4 years living in the Carolinas, the thick drawl had really grown on her. She made South Carolina sound like Sooth Carolina.
"Ok then, Colonel Barrett, Lieutenant Commander Parker, Erica Jane Barrett and Meg with he sequestered at Marshlands under the protection of The Colleton Family, Bravo Team, and Ironman" Tony ordered. "Hitman, Papillion, Red Cap and Sky Train will accompany me to D.C. on the way; I will contact Special Agent Gibbs at NCIS. We are going to sequester Clayton Webb and Commander Rabb at The Gunny's house, under the protection of Hitman and Papillion" Tony instructed. "Sky Train and Red Cap will be with me" said Tony.
1800 hours, 20 January 2001, White House, Washington D.C
It was dark by the time Tony and Three pulled their respective Mustangs into the White House's underground parking structure. They stepped out of their cars, along with Bridget, who had been riding with Tony. They were dressed in their Class A dress uniforms. They were met at the Elevator by Kate, who still dressed in her black suit. "Looking sexy as always" commented Tony, as he grinned his 1000-watt smile. He pulled his into a loving hug as his hands slide down her back to her ass. He cupped her ass his hands and lifted her off the ground. Kate wrapped her legs around her husband's waist as there tongues duel for dominance.
"Whoa, no need to see that" said Bridget as she put her hand over Three's eyes. No need to scar him for life she thought. "Really Top?" Bridget asked. Tony reluctantly placed his wife back down.
"You're a real mood killer, ya know that Brig?" Tony asked rhetorically. Three stepped forward and gave his mother a hug.
"Hi Mom" he said as he broke the hug.
"Hi honey" she replied. With that, they all stepped into the elevator. Kate noticed just how many medals were on her husband's chest. She didn't know where and for what reason he had received them.
But Tony did. He had received The Congressional Medal of Honor for saving the life of USMC Force Recon Scout Sniper, Gunnery Sergeant Leroy Jeathro Gibbs, back in The Gulf War. He had carried the Gunny on his back for 75 miles across the Iraqi Desert. A year later in February of 92', he received The Distinguished Service Cross, for his handling of The JFK Hostage Crisis. In Somalia, The Delta Force as a whole received The Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation. Tony had also personally received The Silver Star for his actions at crash site #1. In March of 94', he received another Silver Star for when he knocked the plane carrying nerve gas out of the sky. For his actions in Haiti that September, he received The Bronze Star. It was a medal he would have preferred to never have received. John Hirsch had posthumously been awarded The Silver Star for his actions in saving Ironman's life. In October of 95', Tony received his 1st of many purple hearts for when he was shot in the left arm. In January of 96', Tony, Malachi and Chester all received Silver Stars for rescuing that Marine from Iraqi jail. A month later, Tony and Harm had parachuted deep behind enemy lines in Bosnia to rescue a down flier. Harm had received The Silver Star, despite Tony playing a much larger part. Tony had received a commendation medal. In March of that year, Tony and Malachi had both received The Russian Legion of Merit for saving the life of Russian President Boris Yeltsin. In April he received another commendation medal for saving Commander Rabb from a Chinese Prison. In February of 1997, Tony received his 2nd Purple Heart, after he was shot in the chest and was nearly killed saving The Life of King Josef and Princes Alexi of Romania. Along with the Purple Heart, he received his 2nd Distinguish Service Cross, and he became the 1st non-Romanian to received The Romanian Cross of Honor, Romania's highest Military decoration. In March of 98', Tony and Billy Hazard had received Bronze Stars for rescuing the crew of The U.S.S Thomas Custer, who were being held captive in Cuba. Tali had also received the Silver Star on that mission. A few days later, Tony received his 3rd Purple Heart after his back has horribly burned after Clark Palmer blew up The Bradenhurst Corporation HQ. In June, Tony received his 4th Purple Heart after he was shot in the left side by a Canadian soldier in Quebec. In September 98', Tony, Captain Jack Bauer, Cole, Mal, Chester and Billy all received commendation medals for their rescue of the hostages at The Sudanese Embassy. In May of 99' he received his 5th Purple Heart after a grenade nearly blew half of his face off. In June of 2000, several members of The Delta Force were decorated with The Russian Legion of Merit for saving the life of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was the 2nd time Tony and Malachi had received this medal.
"Until now, I don't think I realized just how many medals you actually had" observed Kate. Besides the Medals on his Chest, Tony also had his sharpshooter's medal, his Paratrooper jump wings, his Ranger and Special Forces tabs, as well as all of the battle ribbons he had attained in the past 10 years.
Three's Chest was far barer. The only things he had on his uniform were his jump wings, his Ranger and Special Forces tabs, and his good conduct medal.
Both Tony and Three were jarred from their thoughts as the elevator came to an abrupt stop. Kate led them out and down the hallway towards the Oval Office. "Wait here" she said when they got to the door. She opened the door slightly as she slipped in.
Three started whistling "Hail to The Chief". "Stop whistling" Tony ordered. Three obey.
"What do think he's gonna?" say Bridget asked.
"As long as he doesn't order me not to do anything, then whatever he's says is fine, as long as it ends with me either killing or capturing Palmer" said Tony.
"What if he does?" she asked. "Order you to do nothing?" Bridget clarified.
"If he does, I will say 'Yes Sir', salute him, and walk out" he said.
"Really?" Three asked, stunned.
"Then, exactly 7 seconds later, I will storm back in there and punch him in the head" said Tony, still maintaining a straight face.
"That's more like it" Three commented with a smile.
"Tony, please don't" Bridget begged. Before Tony could reply, Kate appeared in the doorway.
"The President will see you now" she said as she moved back into the room. The 3 Unit Members silently walked into the room. President George W. Bush was seated behind his desk as the 3 of them approached they stopped in front of it. Tony was in front, with Bridget and Three to his sides, about a food back. They instantly snapped to attention and saluted.
"Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Dominick DiNozzo Jr, Captain Bridget Nicole Sullivan and Sergeant Anthony Dominick DiNozzo III reporting as ordered Mr. President" said Tony firmly, as the 3 of them still held their salutes.
"Be seat" said The President. Tony sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk, Bridget and Three sat down on one of the couches in the middle of the room. "Lieutenant Colonel DiNozzo, Agent Caitlin DiNozzo is your wife correct?" asked President Bush. Tony sat perfectly erect in the chair, not leaning back and enjoying its full comforts for which the chair was intended.
"Yes Sir, she is. Come September we while have been married for 18 years" he said Proudly.
"And I take it that Sergeant DiNozzo is your son?" he asked.
"Yes Sir, he is" replied Tony.
"Your wife speaks very highly of both of you. And from the medals on your chest, it's clear that you have served for quite sometime" The President observed.
"I've been with The Delta Force since 1990 Mr. President" replied Tony.
"You received The Medal of Honor in The Gulf" observed President Bush, who was pointing to the medal that hung around Tony's neck.
"Yes Sir, I did Sir" replied Tony. Bridget and Three were absolutely shocked by Tony's super serious, all business attitude. Kate, who was standing in the back of the room near the door, wasn't surprised at all. Yes, he husband had a massive sense of humor, and he loved to make comments about everything, but she also knew he could be all business when he needed to be.
"Agent DiNozzo also informs me, and I have confirmed this with NCIS Director Tom Morrow, that you were one of the men who originally captured Clark Palmer 2 years ago" said President Bush.
"Yes Sir, along with my former Commanding Officer, retired Colonel Thomas Colleton and Leroy Jeathro Gibbs, a former USMC Force Recon Scout Sniper, who is currently an NCIS Special Agent" said Tony. Again Bridget and Three were shocked, and Kate was not at all surprised. Kate knew of her husband's massive ego, but she also knew he would never, ever take credit for something he hadn't done. Not to mention, Tom Colleton, despite being only a few years older than Tony, was like a father figure to Tony, more so than ever Colonel Barrett, who was far older; and especially much more so that Tony biological father, with whom Tony had not spoken with in 17 years.
"And you have been made aware that Clark Palmer has escaped from Leavenworth Prison in Kansas?" asked The President.
"Yes Sir, Agent DiNozzo also informed me of such" replied Tony. He felt awkward referring to his wife of 18 years as "Agent DiNozzo", but he knew that he had to refer to her by her professional title.
"How did you catch him last time?" asked President Bush.
"Clark Palmer and several other former DSD Agents had targeted 2 friends of mine for assassination: Then Lieutenant Commander Harmon Rabb Jr. of The US Navy Judge Advocate General's Corp, and a C.I.A Operative named Clayton Webb" said Tony.
"Just to clarify, Mr. President, this was before Colonel Barrett took command of the Unit. Lieutenant Colonel DiNozzo was still in command" Bridget informed the group.
"Thank you Captain Sullivan, its mighty fine to hear the accent of a fellow Texan; especially one as pretty as you" said The President with a smile. Bridget's face brushed bright red. Three held his breath, trying not to burst out laughing. Bridget rose to her feet and curtsied.
"Thank you Mr. President" she said.
"Your very welcome my dear" replied Bush.
"Angling for a promotion Red Cap?" Tony asked without turning around. It was obvious to him that the thick Long Island accent that both he and Kate spoke with, probably weren't very soothing to The President's Texan ears. And he had no idea how Three's hybrid Long Island/North Carolina accent' which truly had to be one of a kind in its nature, would affect the President's mood.
"No Sir" Bridget replied unsure of what the Lieutenant Colonel was getting at.
"Then sit down, and shut up" Tony said forcefully. "And that's and order' said Tony.
"Yes Sir" replied Bridget, who now, if it was even possible, was even more stunned by The Unit XO's behavior. He was a business, no joking, no 1000-watt grin, he was 100% serious.
"Ass Kisser" mouthed Three as Bridget sat back down. Bridget responded by flipping him off.
"One moment Mr. President" said Tony as he rose to his feet. He walked up behind Captain Sullivan and gave her a forceful head slap. He then walked over to his son and did the same thing. "Shut. Up" he ordered to both of them, who were now rubbing the back of their heads. With that, Tony sat back down on the chair in front of the President's desk, resuming the perfectly erect posture he had previously exhibited.
"DiNozzo, can you catch this Clark Palmer character again?" President Bush asked him.
"Yes Sir I can Mr. President" Tony replied confidently and without hesitation. President Bush nodded as he reached into his desk and pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Tony. "Lieutenant Colonel DiNozzo, you are hereby ordered to track down and locate former Special Agent Clark Palmer… and terminate him with extreme prejudice" ordered The President. Termination Warrant in hand, Tony quickly jumped to his feet and snapped to attention. Bridget and Three quickly followed suit.
"Yes Sir Mr. President" said Tony. He saluted The Commander-in-Chief and quickly turned on his heal as he walked out.
TO BE CONTINUED
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