Section 89

"What's wrong?" Jethro stepped out of the kitchen and gently pulled his husband back against him. He wrapped his arms around Tony's waist and rested his chin on his husband's shoulder. After McGee had left, Tony had laid back in the recliner and pretended to sleep while the two Gibbs men flipped on a sport channel and tried to make small talk. Eventually Tony had excused himself to use the bathroom and hadn't returned. Concerned when he didn't return, Jethro had spotted him out the kitchen window.

"I got a text from Heidi Mabus. She asked if I could meet her at the funeral home." Tony gave a big sigh. He watched the puppy bouncing around the yard. Zuma had been very happy to join him outside.

"Ah…" Jethro said. "What do you want to do?"

"Pretend that I never got the text." Tony sighed. "She said she needs to talk to me and that the funeral home is under protection by the Secret Service so safety isn't a concern with the shooter still out there." Tony laughed. "If she only knew…"

"What are you going to do?" Jethro rephrased his question.

"Want to drive me?" Tony replied.

"I'll be there by your side every step of the way. Got your six. Always."

"Can we take Agent Zuma?" Both men laughed as the pup's ears picked up.

"He is part of your protection detail."

"Help me change." Tony asked. "I should look a bit more…"

"Let's go." Jethro whistled for Zuma who simply looked at him.

"I don't think he likes being whistled at." Tony laughed. "Come on, Zuma. Let's change your socks." Zuma pounced one last clump of grass and then came running.

Jethro just shook his head. "How long until his paws are healed?"

"McGee said they would probably be healed in another week. He's bringing a different salve over. His vet said it would help toughen up Zuma's paws. That will probably be another week. The vet also said that we should take Zuma for a wellness check. That way we can be sure that he's totally healthy. McGee said the doctor has a list of vets he could recommend."

"Why not him?"

"He didn't want us to feel that he was pressuring us in to using him."

"Is he good?"

"Puh-lease," Tony smirked. "Abby lets McGee take Jethro to him."

Jethro rolled his eyes. "Will he take Zuma has a patient?"

"McGee made an appointment in two weeks. That way he can make sure that Zuma's paws are healed and toughened up."

Jethro knelt down and picked Zuma up from where he was pawing his leg. "Are you impatient?"

"Just like daddy."

"I thought I'd been very patient." Jethro smirked. Tony flushed and lead the way into the house.

Section 90

The young officer leaned down to look in Tony's window. "Agent Gibbs, Agent DiNozzo, Director Vance let us know you were coming. You can park right by that door. Is…" The agent flushed a bit before continuing. "Is that Agent Zuma?" He looked at the puppy in the backseat. "My little boy saw him on the internet. Could I…"

Tony poked Jethro who rolled his eyes at his husband. Putting the car in park, Jethro grudgingly got out and opened the back door. He lifted an eager Zuma and Rocky out of the puppy seat and handed him to his husband.

The agent held his hand in the window and Zuma gave him an approving sniff.

"Would you like to hold him? I could take a picture for you to show your son. How old is he?"

"Really? He's two. He's been saying 'Zoom, Zoom' every time he sees Agent Zuma's picture."

"What's his name?"

"Riley." The agent handed Tony his smartphone before taking Zuma gently and cuddling him against his suit, uncaring of puppy hair. "He's wearing his socks." The young man moved his hand near Zuma's paw, which was glad in his black and white trainer socks; afraid to take his paw and hurt the animal. Is he badly injured?"

"Thankfully, no. The vet says he should be all healed in two weeks."

"That's great."

Tony brought up the phone's camera and took a couple stills of the young officer and the puppy. Then he switched to video. "Hey, Zuma. Can you say hello to Riley? He's a fan."

Zuma looked at Tony and cocked his head in confusion. He barked at Tony and Jethro before moving his head back so the nice agent could scratch his ears. The young man was doing a wonderful job. Zuma placed his paw on the agent's other hand.

"Agent Zuma says 'Hi', Riley. He was really happy to meet your dad today." Tony turned the video off and went to hand the phone back. By this time two other agents had moved to the car. Tony bit his lip to keep from laughing at Jethro's grimace as he watched the pup handed to the other officers in turn. Tony obligingly snapped pictures and video for them.

Eventually, Zuma was handed carefully back to Tony who slipped the pup into his NCIS carrier. Jethro slipped the car in gear and moved to park while Tony and Zuma waved good-bye to the secret agents. "About time they got back to work."

"Ooo, Zuma. I think Daddy's jealous." Tony teased. "They didn't ask for a photo with Agent Gibbs."

Jethro grimaced as he parked the car. "Don't move, until I come around." As Jethro opened Tony's door, the funeral home door opened and a man appeared with a wheelchair.

"Good-afternoon, Agent DiNozzo, Agent Gibbs. Director Vance let us know that you were coming and were injured."

"How did Vance know?" Tony said.

"I texted him." Jethro said as he helped his husband into the wheelchair ignoring Tony's protests.

"You texted?" Tony acted shocked and received a gentle slap as Jethro took the wheelchair and guided him through the door the other gentleman was holding.

"Director Vance informed us that due to your injuries, you will not be able to attend the services. Mr. Sacks is in the room at the end of this hall. Secretary Mabus is in the room to your right. I am sorry for your loss. I know who hard it is to lose a colleague. Please feel free to spend however long you wish."

"Thank-you." Tony struggled to keep his face blank. Part of him kept whispering, not colleagues, father… brother… "Mrs. Mabus contacted me…"

"Of course. Mrs. Mabus is in with Secretary Mabus. We just finished the final details." The funeral director stepped back and left Jethro push Tony towards the room. Just outside, Jethro leaned down and whispered in Tony's ear. "You don't have to do this."

"Yes. I do." Tony replied quietly. "Let's get it over." He took a deep breath and pushed the door open so Jethro could wheel him in. Near the casket stood Heidi Mabus. She was a young, tall, slim blonde dressed in a tasteful navy dress. When the door opened, she turned to face them.

"Agent Gibbs, Agent DiNozzo. I'm pleased to meet you although the circumstances could be better."

"It's Tony, ma'am."

"Oh, please. Don't call me ma'am. I may be your stepmother but I'm hardly old enough to be your mother." Tony ducked his head at her words as Mrs. Mabus looked a bit flustered. "I didn't mean to say it that way. Please, I would like you to call me, Heidi. Hopefully, we can salvage some relationship from this mess."

"I'm sorry for your loss." Tony was at a loss of what else to say.

Heidi moved gracefully to the small grouping of chairs. "I asked the secret service to let us have some privacy." She picked up a computer bag sitting next to the chairs before sitting down and motioning Jethro to join her. "When I left Jarvis… I guess I should go further back."

Jethro reach out to take Tony's hand and Zuma popped his head out of his carrier sensing Tony's distress. Seeing this Heidi smiled. "You must be the famous Agent Zuma I've been hearing about. I understand you took a bit out of Jarvis. There were many times that I would have paid you to bite it off." Her tone was a bit bitter.

"Jarvis and I were only married for seven years. I didn't find out about you until about two years ago." Heidi glanced towards the open casket. "I loved him when I married him. He really knew how to sweep a girl off her feet. We'd only known each other three months when he proposed… My family has been in politics for years. I'd heard the rumors but I was convinced that I was his first and only love."

"Seems he used that a lot." Jethro stated.

"He did." She laughed ruefully. "We'd been married for five months when I realized he was having an affair… Of course, I confronted him. I was too young, he had more in common with her. They stopped for drinks after work and would just talk. She seduced him, but it was a one-time thing. He'd never see her anymore. I don't think he did honestly." She scoffed. "He went looking for something new. I knew by the time we'd been married for a year; it was a mistake. I was too embarrassed to admit it. To admit how stupid I was."

"Not stupid. Young." Tony said. "That seems to be his MO. Not your fault."

"Thanks for saying it, but the fact is I stayed."

"You left in the end."

"We'd been married a little over two years when I knew that he was hiding something. Well, something more than usual. I'd never really paid much attention to our finances. He set up a separate account for me. For all his faults, he was very generous. Then the bank called, there was an issue with a funds transfer. I called Jarvis. He was livid with me. After that, I started paying attention. There were calls from a man. I never got his name. He would just tell me to warn Jarvis that he wasn't playing games."

"Jarvis would get irate and threaten to divorce me if I didn't stay out of his business. I knew he was bluffing. With his aspirations, he needed me."

"Aspirations?"

"Jarvis wanted to be president. He had planned to run in the next election. It was all he talked about." Heidi smiled sadly. "It was all he really wanted."

"What happened?" Tony asked quietly. He cuddled Zuma closer.

"Shortly over a year and a half ago, I came home early from a ski trip. Jarvis was in his office on the phone. He was yelling at the person on the phone; telling him that he was tired of being blackmailed. Then Jarvis told him that he could end it that day. He said he could call you up and tell you that he was your father. He told him that he would assure you that he just found out and wanted to be a family. Jarvis said having you for a son would only be an asset to his campaign."

"Did he use my name?"

"Just your first name, Tony."

"How did you know it was me? Tony is a common name."

"He called the person on the other end, Mr. DiNozzo."

"Well, damn." Jethro uttered the words without meaning to do so. "Forgive me."

"Oh, please. Let's mild to what I said. Of course, I didn't let on that I'd heard what was said. After that, I began watching more closely. I tried to be careful but…"

"He caught you." Jethro said flatly.

"About six months ago, I was going through his office. He was supposed to be on his way to Phoenix for a meeting. His flight was cancelled and he came home. I'd never see Jarvis that angry."

"Why take the risk?" Jethro was puzzled.

"I had decided to leave. I wanted some security, some leverage to protect myself and …" Heidi looked down for a moment. "Anyway, I was looking in his files, when he walked in. He slapped me and then … he picked me up and threw me onto a low table and I rolled off onto the floor. I remember looking up at him and hearing him tell me that he could kill me and no one would know. His voice was so cold. Jarvis told me if I ever said a word, he would see to it that I disappeared."

"I'm so sorry." Tony reach his hand out to her. He placed his hand on hers. "I'm surprised you still had the courage to leave."

"I couldn't stay. Once he left, I panicked. I grabbed everything I could. A portable hard drive. His laptop. It's all in there. When I got to New York, I filed for divorce and I told him that if he contested it I would take this bag and my medical reports straight to the press."

"Oh, my god. You were pregnant. That's why you decided to leave." Tony's gut clenched. "He caused a miscarriage, didn't he?"

"Yes." Heidi sighed. "No one knows. I didn't tell anyone what happened. I laid low till the bruises on my face and arms went away. When the call from Director Hagel came, I felt this overwhelming sense of … relief."

"I'm so sorry."

Heidi swallowed hard and struggled not to cry. "When I heard that you and Ron were involved, I knew I was being given a 'cover story.' It's alright, I don't have to know the truth. If I had had the guts to go to the press, maybe at least Ron would still be alive."

"It wasn't your fault." Jethro also reach out. He slid his hand under hers and linked fingers between with Tony; squeezing her hand between theirs. "What happened was Mabus' doing." He could feel her hand tremble at his tacit confirmation of a cover story. "You are not to blame."

"Thank-you, Agent Gibbs."

"Jethro."

"Jethro." She gave him a sad smile. "I can't change what's happened but I want you to take this. It's probably too late to do much good…"

"It may be quite the opposite." Jethro reassured her. "I'm sure you are aware that Tony's adopted father is awaiting trial. We knew that Mabus was aware of his dealings. What you have there may be enough to prove Senior's involvement."

With still shaky hands, she held out the bag and Jethro took it. "Well, I need to check with the funeral director. Since the news about Ron being Jarvis' son, a lot of plans for the service had to be reworked."

"Why?" Tony looked confused.

"Dual memorial service followed by private burials. Neither Mrs. Sacks or I are in favor of it, but that's the how the upper echelon wants it. Show of unity." Heidi shook her head. "Please stay as long as you like, Agen… Tony. I'm sure you have a few things you'd like to say to him." Standing she leaned down and gave Zuma a good scratch on his ears. "Thank-you, Agent Zuma." Without another word, she walked away in search of the funeral director.

"Damn."

"You can say that again."

"Da… Nope, don't feel like the joke." Tony sighed. "Just when I think he couldn't be a bigger bastard; he proves me wrong."

"You read to go?"

"Could I have a minute?"

"You sure?"

"Yeah." Tony sighed. "I … uh… "

Jethro nodded in understanding. "I'll take Zuma here out for a quick pit stop and then I'll be back."

"Thanks." As the man and pup left the room, Tony wheeled himself towards the open casket stopping beside it. The funeral director had done an excellent job of covering the surgery scar. He didn't look any different than he had in the parking garage. Then Tony realized he did. The hatred and arrogance were gone.

Section 91

"Guess you couldn't hold on to that in death." Tony said not realizing he was speaking aloud. "You just had to go and die, didn't you? You just die and leave the rest of us to clean up your mess. If it weren't for your wife and Ron's family; I'd blow your reputation to bits. I'd let the whole word see how big a bastard you really were. How many more secrets have you tried to take to the grave? How many lives have you just destroyed or stood by and watched be destroyed? Why? Damn you, why?"

"He was an immoral, sadistic bastard. I'm sorry for startling you, Agent DiNozzo."

Tony had jumped and almost upset the chair trying to turn to face the person speaking. He was surprised to see Ron's mother standing inside the door. He was even more surprised when she walked up to stand by the casket.

"I owe you an apology for yesterday morning. I had no need to be so rude."

"No apologies are needed. I understand."

"You're a forgiving man; unlike him. I think that's one reason I was so rude. Please, let me explain," Mrs. Sacks insisted. "When I see you, I see what my son should have been. I raised four loving, respectable daughters, but I couldn't do the same for Ron. He poisoned Ron's soul. When he was smaller, I believed that he would grow up to be loving and giving, but as he grew older; I saw him in my son. Ron's attitude, his arrogance. I couldn't change him."

Tony didn't know what to say so he stayed silent.

"I hated you." Mrs. Sacks looked at him briefly. "Not for your birth. That wasn't your fault. But, from the moment that man told Ron about you, I hated you. You were all my son talked about. How perfect you were. How you used your influence to get into NCIS." She wiped away a stray tear. "But I saw you. I saw how you faded in the background when the press was around while my son tried to take the limelight. My son had become his father and you hadn't."

"Ron was a good agent."

"But not a good person." Mrs. Sacks admitted. "Not like you. I saw your adopted father arrested after you turned him in and I despised you for being everything Ron should have been. If he had lived, you would have arrested him, wouldn't you? You would have seen that he paid for everything he'd done."

"I'm no saint, Mrs. Sacks." Tony said firmly. "I would have offered him the chance to take a plea deal."

"On the condition that he not involve Ron in the situation?" She smiled wryly. "Agent Fornell told me. I think that made me hate you even more. I know that's not rational but it just showed how good a person you really are. Even after everything Ron did, you would protect my son."

"My brother."

"Yes. Your brother. Dr. Mallard told me what you said to Ron, but after seeing you this morning, Director Vance told me he had something I needed to hear. Did you know every word you said to Ron was captured by the wire you were wearing?"

"I'm sorry. Director Vance had no right…"

"Yes, he did. You are his agent and I did not show you the respect you deserve. You really meant it."

"What?" Tony was confused.

"When you called him your big brother. You would have made him take you to a ballgame and you would have just accepted him."

"I'd have badgered him until he took me to shut me up." Tony admitted.

"I heard the sincerity in your voice and I heard my son. Maybe if he had lived, maybe you could have made a difference. The one that I couldn't."

"I'm so very sorry. If I could…"

"Don't. We can't turn back time. We have to play the cards we're given. They are holding a joint service for Ron and him."

"Heidi told us."

"She's a good person. He used her, too. Married her for her political connections, just like me." Mrs. Sacks turned to him. "You are welcome to attend. You can sit with the family."

"No." Tony said softly with a trace of sadness. "It's better that I don't. If I sat with your family, the press would wonder and only dig up things best left buried."

"You've earned the right."

Tony swallowed hard. "I appreciate that. I don't want to make this harder for you or your daughters. It's best that I miss the service due to my injuries."

"Director Vance told me about your kidney."

"Wow, he's becoming a regular Chatty Cathy." Tony grumbled.

Mrs. Sacks broke into a real smile. "He wanted me to know how you suffered. I know how difficult bone chips are to heal. Your sister, Jocelyn is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the spinal column. That is, if you don't already have a specialist."

"I actually don't. Dr. Pitt and Dr. Mallard have been overseeing my recovery." Tony couldn't help his curiosity. "Is she the youngest?"

"No," Mrs. Sacks saw the longing hidden in Tony's eyes. "Actually, Lucinda is the oldest. She went into criminal law. She's been well-known for freeing several innocent men. Works with Project innocence pro bono. Lucinda is now a prominent defense lawyer. Jocelyn is the second oldest. From the time she could talk she was focused on being a doctor. She's making quite a name for herself in the field. Now, my third daughter, Camilla also went into law. She worked her way up from prosecutor. She's not a court judge. Makes for some interesting discussions around the holidays. The youngest is Madeleine. She has a doctorate in the classics and is considered an authority on national and international cinema. She does seminars for various universities. She is also founded a charity for children."

Tony laughed slightly. "I'm a big cinema buff. I have a huge collection. Jethro and I are setting up a charity for children ourselves, AZ3G."

"Unusual name."

"Stands for Agent Zuma and the three Gibbs."

"Things are hard right now. Emotions too raw." Mrs. Sacks showed vulnerability for the first time since Tony had met her. "Maybe once things have settled down… I think maybe… maybe the girls… maybe your sisters… would like the opportunity to meet you."

"I'd like that."

"Well, I guess I should get to my meeting. Mrs. Mabus and I need to finalize the details. Get this farce over and take my son home." Turning on her heel, she headed for the door.

"Mrs. Sacks."

She turned slowly. "I think, given the circumstances… Call me Clarissa, Tony."

"Thank-you, Clarissa."

Nodding, she left the room. Tony felt the tension drain and he slumped in his wheelchair. He turned to look at Mabus for one last time. "You tried to destroy everything you touched but you didn't. You failed. I won't let your shadow darken my life. You can't destroy me. I have a new life now. I have something you never cared about. Love. I have Jethro and he loves me. I have Jackson who is more of a father than you could ever hope to be. And I have my NCIS family. I hope God has mercy on your soul." He left the 'I don't' unspoken.

Tony was grateful to Jethro for not trying to start a conversation on the way home. After Mrs. Sacks, Clarissa he corrected mentally, had left, Jethro had quietly entered the room. Taking hold of the chair, he had wheeled Tony out to the car where a secret service agent had helped Jethro get him in the car. The secret service man had taken the wheelchair and left the two men drive off in silence. Even Zuma was quiet. Getting fawned over was evidently exhausting, Tony thought looking into the backseat where the pup had curled up around Rocky. It was over. Tony took a deep breath and let it out slowly. No more living in the past. Just the future. As if Jethro read his mind, he held his hand out and linked fingers with his husband. Just the future.