#20

AU stories for NCIS episodes. Each is independent from all the others since this is based on the possibility of parallel universes and multiple timelines…. many, many of them. Later on some may seem to follow something that happened in an earlier AU episode story but it's probably coincidence unless I say otherwise in the beginning. Again, these are AU scenes/stories which means a character may die in one story and be alive in the next one.

This is #20 - a short alternate universe story/scene for season 1, episode 20 - Missing (EOD techs are missing or dead)

The original episode aired on May 4, 2004.
The dialogue in some of this is from the episode.
Rating: K+
Category: general
Warnings: Can't think of any
Disclaimer: Borrowing characters. Just borrowing. No profit.
And finally, all mistakes are mine.

"Give me something I can nail him with, and I will."

"I'll get it for you, Gibbs," Tony promised.

"Yeah? How?"

"Let me shadow him for a couple of days," Tony suggested. "If he's got a screw loose, I'll know. It might lead us to Atlas."

Gibbs looked thoughtful. They could use a break.

All right," he told Tony.

Tony was so sure Gibbs would say no that he didn't hear him say yes.

"Listen, boss. I'm telling you, it beats sitting here doing nothing." He barely took a breath before continuing. " If I'm out there trying to find him.."

"He said okay, Tony," Kate interrupted.

Tony stopped, looking surprised. "Oh," he quipped before diagnosing himself. " I'm telling you, that explosion really messed my hearing up."

"I'll go with him," Kate volunteered.
Gibbs was quick to shoot that down. "No, no, I need you here. DiNozzo, you call in every hour."

Tony nodded.

"Don't be late. Thirty minutes."

"Yes, boss."

DiNozzo was gathering his things when Kate added. "If we're right about Sacco, he's got more than a screw loose. He's capable of anything."

"DiNozzo, wait!" Gibbs came running over.

"Keep your distance. Don't get out to go in anywhere. Just keep tabs on him."

"What if he leads Tony to Atlas? He won't know."

"No. Tony, stay in your vehicle. You get the slightest inkling Sacco is leading you to Atlas, you call and we'll come right away. Don't take any chances."

Tony decided to get cheeky. "What about a bathroom, boss? What if I get thirsty?"

"Go to the head now before you leave."

"Aren't we being a bit too cautious here? I'm a seasoned investigator and master at undercover," Tony tried to convince his boss.

"I have two words, DiNozzo."

Kate and Tony looked at him expectantly.

"Chris Pacci." Nobody would be tailing alone on foot for a long time.

Kate recovered first. "Atlas WAS drugged."

"So I won't drink anything not in a sealed bottle or can."

"You'll do as I say or you're not going," Gibbs ordered.

Tony sighed. "Okay, boss. I'll follow and report and that's all I'll do."

Sacco led Tony to an entrance in the sewer system. He notified Gibbs and Kate and then he went in looking for Atlas. He was surprised to find Sacco freeing Atlas but recovered quickly when the waitress from the bar showed up and started shooting. When it was over, Sacco and Vanessa were wounded but Atlas was okay. And Tony wasn't injured.

End

Thanks for reading.