Section 19

Gibbs steered DiNozzo to lean against a wall next to a sink. Grabbing a handful of paper towels he ran them under cold water and then made a compress. Tony started when Gibbs took ahold of his chin. "Hold still." Carefully, he cleaned the blood and then pressed his fingers along Tony's nose. "It doesn't seem broken. Can't believe you let him sucker punch you."

Tony shrugged loose. "Assaulting a federal agent, gives us more leverage."

Gibbs looked at him with one brow raised. "You're going with that?" Tony flushed. "Yeah, didn't think so." He watched Tony fuss over his shirt and tie in the mirror. "What got to you?"

"What?"

"You don't let yourself get distracted in those situations. Something he said got to you."

"My father is married to the bitch who tried to frame me for killing her father." Tony glared sideways at Gibbs.

"Thanks for reminding me. 'Been there. Done that', DiNozzo?" Gibbs swatted Tony behind the head. "Rule 52."

"There is no rule 52."

"There is now." Gibbs smirked.

"What is it?"

"Never let them drag you down to their level."

"That's a coffee mug saying, not a rule." Tony protested.

"It was crude." Gibbs retorted.

"Well, yeah." Tony was forced to admit. "I had to improvise quickly."

"You're better than that."

"I got it. One man's trash, another man's bride."

"DiNozzo."

"What about 'Satan called. He wants his bitch back.'?" Tony played up his mockery receiving a head slap for his efforts.

"Tough crowd." Tony rubbed the back of his hand.

"Don't you ever forget it."

As Tony moved to toss the used towels into the trash, he was forced to step closer to Gibbs. As he did he looked directly into his eyes. Tony felt as if Gibbs eyes were forcing their way past his defenses and laying his soul open. He dragged his eyes away lowering his head, but Gibbs took ahold of his upper arms.

"Talk to me." Gibbs tone was almost pleading but Tony simply shook his head. "What did he say that got to you so badly?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It does to me." Shock accomplished what his begging couldn't and Gibbs almost sighed in relief when Tony met his eyes. The relief disappeared when he really looked at him. Years of knowing each other gave Gibbs insight others didn't and he could read the frustration, anger, hurt and weariness. "Let me in, DiNozzo. Let me help. Talk to me."

"Not now." Tony refused. "I can't now. Not here. Not and do what I have to." Tony was afraid that if Gibbs pushed on his defenses they would crumple. He was tired of hiding but even more afraid of not being able to hide.

"Alright." Gibbs capitulated. "But when this is over, we're talking; no joking, no pretenses, no backing out. Understand?"

Tony could feel the trap but was helpless in Gibbs grasp. "Understood."

Gibbs looked at him reading the surrender in his eyes. "Good." Letting go of DiNozzo's upper arms, he straightened Tony's tie for him. "Now, let's go teach the newlyweds not to piss off an NCIS agent." Knowing it would cheer Tony up, he waved his arm allowing Tony to precede him, announcing, "After you."

When the two exited the men's room, they made to exit the bullpen but paused when McGee hailed them. "Keep checking for a trail, McGee. We'll be in interrogation."

"Uh, no, you won't." McGee said rising and heading towards them.

Gibbs looked at McGee with a glare. "I beg your pardon." It wasn't a question, but a demand.

"Director's orders, boss. He said he wants us in his office immediately."

"After we have a little talk with our guests, McGee." Gibbs was stopped by McGee clearing his throat. "What now, McGee?"

"You can't get in to see them. The director put guards on the door." McGee realized it would probably take a platoon of guards to keep Gibbs and Tony out if they decided to disobey; but orders were orders. "He asked me to bring you up, now."

"Excuse me, could you tell me where to find Agent DiNozzo?" A smoothly polished voice interrupted the discussion.

"What?" Gibbs turned in irritation.

Tony had been caught up in the interplay between McGee and Gibbs. His little probie was growing up; he actually told Gibbs no. Well, he relayed the director's no but it still took a pair to say it. In doing so, he hadn't noticed a tall, European sounding man in an expensive business suit approach. He mentally head-slapped himself. "I'm Special Agent DiNozzo.

"You are Anthony Dimitri DiNozzo, Jr?" The man walked over to Tony.

Out of the man's line of sight, Tony could see Gibbs' eye roll. They both had him pegged; a lawyer. He'd dealt with being served many times. "Yes, I am Anthony Dimitri DiNozzo, Jr."

"I understand you are now married to a Jethro Gibbs." The stranger's question was more a statement of fact. "Is this correct?"

Gibbs stepped closer to Tony. "It is. I am Special Agent Jethro Gibbs. And you are?"

"You are Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs?"

"Yes."

"Very good." Opening his briefcase, the stranger removed several large manila envelopes, he handed them to Tony. "My client asked that you consider these wedding gifts. May your union be long and happy." The man turned and made his way on to the elevator.

"Wait a minute. What client? Who are…" Tony was unable to stop him from getting on the elevator.

"Gibbs." A bellow from upstairs got their attention. Vance was standing at the top of the stairs. "DiNozzo. McGee. Now."

"Well, you heard the man." Gibbs shepherded his team towards the stairs. McGee grabbed his laptop and a couple files on his way while Tony seemed lost in his own thoughts absently fingering the envelopes.

Section 20

"I half expected to have to call security to drag you out of interrogation, Gibbs." Vance said as the trio entered his office and sat down opposite him.

"After McGee told me you wanted to see us?" Gibbs said innocently.

Vance simply glared at him not buying his innocent act. "Who was the suit?"

"He didn't give a name. Said something about a… uh… wedding present." Gibbs stumbled over the reminder that Tony was his husband. "What do you have, DiNozzo?"

"What the…" At Gibbs' question, Tony had turned the envelopes over and found the top envelope labeled "Cristian Antonio Fabbri" in a bold black. "It's the name the cabin is listed in."

Gibbs felt his gut clench. "Fabbri?" He asked and Tony nodded.

Tony looked at the director reading the tacit approval in his expression. With a steadying breath, he opened the closure and pulled out a stack of papers. On top, someone had paper clipped a piece of blank stationary in the same bold black writing were the words "Citizenship Documentation". Taking the clip off, Tony thumbed through a series of legal documents. "I don't understand."

"What is it, Tony?" Gibbs didn't notice that he had used his SFA's first name.

"It's a birth certificate, passport, application for citizenship all in the name Cristian Antonio Fabbri. I think there's a change of name to Antonio Dimitri DiNozzo but it's all in Italian."

"May I?" Tony handed the papers across the desk to Vance who thumbed through them. "Agent McGee, can you trace these?" Vance handed them to McGee who stole a quick look at Gibbs and DiNozzo before responding.

"Yes, sir."

"Obviously someone is aware of your citizenship issues, Agent DiNozzo. Can you shed any light on this?"

"No, sir. The only ones who know are…well, us, Abby, Ducky, Fornell and Sacks and company. This doesn't make any sense. Who is doing this?"

"It appears that someone else is aware and if I'm interpreting these properly, trying to assist you in documentation."

"But who's Cristian Antonio Fabbri?" McGee asked.

"I suggest you find out." Vance looked at Tony. "What else do you have?"

Tony was half afraid to turn over the next envelope. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Gibbs for strength and flipped it over. It was labeled "Jeanne Benoit DiNozzo" and he carefully opened the envelope. Inside he found another stack of papers including a lot of pictures. As he thumbed through, his sense of shock increased.

Gibbs who was seated next to Tony had seen Jeanne's name and caught glimpses of the pictures. If the information was right, the new Mrs. DiNozzo was a very bad girl. He automatically held his hand out as Tony extended some of the photos towards him.

"Mind sharing?" The director asked sarcastically as the two men thumbed through the information and kept exchanging glances.

With one last look, Gibbs waited for Tony's small nod and then handed his information to Vance. "I think you better call Fornell, Leon."

"Is this…" Vance looked up stunned.

Gibbs nodded grimly. "It seems that Jeanne has decided to follow in her father's footsteps. There are bills of sale, shipment information and pictures of the weapons and of Mrs. DiNozzo meeting with various international weapons dealers."

Vance picked up his phone immediately. "Fornell, Vance. We have received some important information. How soon can you be in my office? I'll see you then." He hung up saying, "He was actually on his way here. Should be here within fifteen minutes." He looked at Gibbs. "Are you sure you want to give up this case?"

Gibbs looked from Tony to McGee before looking at Vance. "We have more important issues right now. We need to find out who's after Tony. Let Fornell handle Benoit." McGee nodded in agreement.

"DiNozzo?"

Tony slipped the rest of the evidence back into the envelope and handed it to the director. "We don't need accusations of a personal vendetta."

"Do I even want to know what else you have?" Vance said.

As Tony went to flip the next envelope, Gibbs felt a shiver in his spine and shifted his chair closer to Tony. It was almost anti-climactic for him, when the front of the next envelope showed Anthony Dimitri DiNozzo, Senior. "Tony, let me open it."

Tony's gut was clenched and the hair on his neck felt like it was standing on end. Somehow he knew that whatever was in the envelope would change his world forever. "I got it." His fingers were slightly shaky as he opened it finding a stack of papers similar to the stack on Jeanne. It took him two tries to remove the paper clip and started through the file. He held it together through the first two pictures but the third made him freeze. He stared at it with disbelieving eyes. Finally the need to breath forced him to take a shuddering breath.

"Tony." Gibbs placed his hand on Tony's knee. He also found it hard to believe what he saw in the photo. He reach for the stack with his other hand, not wanting Tony to go any further but Tony stubbornly flipped to the next photo.

Tony felt his stomach turn and in the next instant he was on his feet, the file spilling onto Vance's desk and the floor as he headed for the door desperate to get out. Without regard for the file, Gibbs followed him to find him in the hallway being sick in a trashcan. Vance's secretary was standing be her desk watching him in worry. She came to Gibbs immediately and after a quick conversation, she headed for the nearest restroom.

Gibbs walked up to Tony and began to rub his back comfortingly. His own stomach ached in sympathy for Tony's painful vomiting. When Tony appeared to be down to dry retching, Gibbs pulled him to the side and helped him to slide down the wall till he was sitting with his back against it. Gibbs put one hand behind his head cupping his nape. "It's okay, Tony, I got you."

"Agent Gibbs."

Gibbs looked up and took the damp paper towels and cup of water from Vance's secretary as she knelt next to them. They spoke briefly before she rose, retrieved her purse from her desk and left the area.

Back in Vance's office, McGee looked after his team but then turned back and picked up the papers. He stood and found Vance standing near him. Both men looked at the photos they held and then looked at each other. McGee found his stomach rolling in sympathy as the sound of Tony being sick reach his ears. "Director…" McGee was at a loss for words.

Vance found his own stomach unsettled. The pictures were graphic and based on what he could see the accompanied documentation seemed as complete and iron tight as Benoit's file. He held his hand out for McGee's pictures and then stuffed them into the manila envelope. He had seen enough to know he didn't want to see the rest and could tell by the look on McGee's face that he felt the same.

Tim was torn between staying in the office and following Tony. Gratefully, the decision was taken from him when Vance motioned McGee to sit. He placed the unopened envelope on the corner of Vance's desk but not before thankfully noting that the remaining envelope did not have a name but just the word personal.

"Normally, Agent McGee, I would ask you and Ms. Scuito to see if you could confirm those accusations to be certain that they were not an attempt to attack the family member of one of our team. However, given the … subject … of those photos and the completeness of the file on Ms. Benoit; I am satisfied in taking them at face value. I don't think it is necessary to expose Ms. Scuito or yourself to that. Do you agree?"

McGee did so thankfully. He was also thankful that Tony appeared to have finished throwing up. He could hear the low timber of Gibbs' voice as he spoke to Tony. "How could he?" McGee flushed at the naive question. "I mean, Tony is in law enforcement. Didn't he realize what this would do to him?"

Vance shook his head. "It's obvious he didn't care."

"Is DiNozzo okay?" Fornell asked from the door looking over his shoulder at the two agents in concern.

Section 21

Back in the hall, Gibbs was wiping Tony's face with the damp towels. He kept repeating in a low voice, "It's okay, Tony, I got you. We're going to get through this. Come on, Tony." He was slowly getting Tony to focus.

Tony leaned his head back against the wall trapping Gibb's hand against his neck. He drew strength from the contact. Grimacing from the sour taste in his mouth, Tony took the cup of water Gibbs' handed him.

"With me now?"

"Gibbs…" Tony sounded broken.

"It's okay, Tony. We'll get through this. Come on, let's get you up." Gibbs helped Tony to his feet; steadying him when the younger man swayed a bit. He slid his arm around Tony's waist for support and guided him back into Vance's office.

McGee jumped to his feet and pulled Tony's chair out a bit further; hovering as Gibbs helped him sit. "At ease, Probie." Tony gave him a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I'm okay."

"Agent DiNozzo, if you want to take the afternoon off…"

Tony cut off Vance. "Director, I'd just as soon that we get this over." Tony's left hand moved on its own and slipped under Gibbs hand where it rested on his leg seeking comfort.

Vance nodded. "I understand." Movement by the door drew his attention and he saw his secretary approaching with beverage carriers. He waited while she handed cups out to McGee, Fornell and himself before stepping up beside Gibbs and handing him a taller cup which Gibbs pressed into Tony's hand and began to urge him to drink. The beverage carrier with two other drinks was placed next to Gibbs. "Thank you, Helen."

She nodded at him before turning to leave. She touched Tony gently on the shoulder and then walked to the door. "I'll tell everyone you are in a meeting and cannot be disturbed. If SecNav calls?" she queried.

"Tell him I'll call him back." Vance took a sip of the strong black coffee and looked at the shocked expressions on his team and the concern on Fornell's face. Sitting it down deliberately, he reach for the bottom drawer. He pulled out a bottle of bourbon from behind the hanging files and poured some into his cup before passing the bottle to Fornell. It was quiet as the bottle made its way from Fornell to McGee who poured a portion into the cups in front of Gibbs, who nodded his thanks, skipping Tony and then pausing for a moment before adding it to his own and then handing it back to Vance.

At Gibbs urging, Tony finally took a sip of his coffee. He was surprised to find that instead of coffee, Vance's secretary had gotten him a large cup of rich, creamy hot chocolate with plenty of chocolate and sugar. He looked at Gibbs in pleased surprise.

"I told her coffee would probably just upset your stomach more." Gibbs finally took a cup of coffee for himself and took a long drink enjoying the burn of the bourbon.

"I don't think I was invited here for tea and crumpets," Fornell said finally. "What's up?"

Vance looked at his MCRT team before taking the lead. "As I'm sure that you aware, earlier this afternoon, Jeanne Benoit and Senior arrived. They are currently in interrogation under guard." At Fornell's nod, he continued. "Shortly thereafter this," Vance picked up Jeanne's envelope and leaned forward handing it to Fornell before continuing, "was delivered to DiNozzo." He left out the wedding present comment.

Curious at what could shake the team so badly, Fornell sat down and opened the envelope. Inside he noted the thorough documentation. The case was a slam duck. "You want me to take this?" Fornell was surprised.

"Agent Fornell, when Jeanne and Senior arrived; it was announced that Ms. Benoit is now married to Mr. DiNozzo, Sr. Given her history with Agent DiNozzo, it seems prudent to have this handled outside of our agency."

"You okay with this, Gibbs?" Fornell looked at his old friend for confirmation who nodded at him. "I'll get a warrant." He figured that DiNozzo had had a surprise but it didn't seem to warrant the shock he was seeing. He became aware of an unspoken conversation going on around him. He watched Gibbs as he looked from Tony to Vance and McGee and then back to Tony. He settled back to wait taking note of the fresh bruise DiNozzo was sporting.

Finally, Tony held out his hand and McGee gave him a second envelope. For a moment, he simply held it before passing it down to Fornell. This time, Fornell looked at the name on the front and hesitated. "You sure you want me to open this, DiNozzo?"

"Want you to?" Tony laughed bitterly. "No." He looked around at the others again. "But you need to."

Aware that everyone was watching, Fornell deliberately took a long drink of coffee. He didn't know what the envelope contained but it must be bad. Unable to stall any longer, he opened the envelope.