Chapter Twenty-One

We Ain't Got No Badges

The atmosphere in McNally's pub was loud and lively. It was crowded and the nice weather had people in good spirits. Abby insisted that they go out and celebrate the return of Tony and Ziva to the bullpen, even if it wasn't fully back to normal yet. McGee, Jimmy Palmer and the TAD, Laura Cox had also joined them. They'd ordered drinks and appetizers and had claimed a large, circular table toward the back.

Tony told Jeanne that he was heading out with his co-workers while she was taking her first shift back at University hospital. When she'd gone to see if they'd consider taking her back, they happened to be short-staffed since another doctor began her maternity leave unexpectedly early. They were desperate for some added help, so it was a win-win for both the hospital and for Jeanne.

It felt really good to be upfront with her about his work life, and he thought it was a positive step forward. He thought he was getting pretty good at this honesty thing. Then again, he hadn't mentioned the fact that he had an uneasy feeling when he'd returned to his apartment that morning. Nothing was missing or out of place, and his door was securely locked just the way he'd left it, but he couldn't shake the unease. Therefore, he was glad Jeanne wouldn't be coming by his place that night. He needed to identify the cause of his disquiet before he'd be comfortable having Jeanne over again.

It had taken a couple of days to get the outing together, but Abby wasn't to be put off any longer. She sat next to Tony and kept leaning over to hug his good arm. Thankfully, Jimmy Palmer was on his other side, and he was far more aware of avoiding banging into Tony's injured shoulder.

Once the waitress had delivered a round of drinks, McGee held his glass in the air. "To another case solved, even if the outcome was still a tragedy," he said.

They all clinked glasses, and Tony took a sip of his beer. They'd determined Ensign Benedict's death had been due to an accidental overdose, something they'd seen far too much of recently.

"So, how was it working with the full MCRT, Agent Cox?" Tony asked, grinning. He still wasn't able to contain his overwhelming urge to giggle every time he said her name… and she was well aware of it.

"It's been interesting," she said, rolling her eyes. "Is Agent Gibbs always so… abrupt?"

Tony grinned. "I've worked for the man for seven years, and he's yet to say goodbye at the end of a phone call."

"He's not abrupt, just… efficient," Abby said, frowning slightly. She was always willing to play the defender if she thought Gibbs was being slighted in any way.

"No, abrupt is a good word. He's an excellent investigator, but he lacks certain social… niceties," McGee said, quickly turning around and scanning the crowd.

Tony chuckled. "That's another thing. He has impeccable timing and always seems to be standing right behind you when you say something less than flattering."

"Something you have vast experience with – and then he hits you on the back of the head," Ziva said, smirking.

Laura's eyes widened. "He hits you?"

"Not a real hit – more of a wake-up-call tap," Tony said, frowning. "You're right though, he hasn't done that since I've been back."

"That's because he's just happy you're here and recovering. Give him time," Abby replied, grinning

"Yeah, so it's a race between him just losing his temper, or you saying something he can't ignore," McGee said, laughing. "It won't be long now. Anyone care to make a wager?"

"I wouldn't even know where to put my money on that one," Jimmy replied.

Laura looked at them all as if they'd lost their minds. "And this is normal SOP for your group? How is it you have such an excellent solve rate, then?"

"Because for some crazy reason, it all just works," Tony said.

McGee lifted his glass and toasted him. "That, and Gibbs would kill us if we didn't keep up. He expects you to learn as you go and anticipate what he's going to want."

"It saves him having to use words," Tony said. "So, you think you're going to stick around?"

Laura shrugged. "I will as long as that's what my orders tell me to do."

"Do you have family in the area?" Jimmy asked.

You'd have had to be watching closely to see it, but Tony was always observing people – you could learn a lot that folks wanted to keep hidden that way. He liked to know what made people tick. Laura's face closed off slightly before she answered.

"My family and I aren't particularly close, but I have a few friends in town," she said, taking a sip of her drink.

Another piece of the puzzle he was forming about their newest teammate clicked into place.

"Well, I hope you'll count us among that group of friends," he said, turning on the charm.

All week, he and Laura had been flirting in the office, both trying to outdo the other. He was doing it because it came naturally, but also because he was trying to keep his teammates unaware of his changed relationship status. He suspected Laura had similar reasons, because he was certain she wasn't serious, either. He didn't know why she needed a front yet, but he was enjoying getting to do some investigative digging while being banned from field work.

Abby looked at him, a puzzled frown playing upon her face, but both Tim and Ziva smirked.

"Speaking of friends, I hear you went away for a few days before your sick leave ended, Tony. Where did you go?" Ziva asked.

"Boston, and I caught a Sox game while I was there," Tony replied easily.

"Socks? You played a game with your socks?" she asked, frowning.

"Baseball, Ziva."

"What does baseball have to do with socks? Never mind. I did not realize you had friends in Boston," she said, twirling the ice in her drink. "I have not heard you mention them."

"Oh, I have friends everywhere," Tony replied.

"You worked at a few different police stations before coming to NCIS, right? People move around, so you could conceivably have friends in every state," Jimmy said, excited.

Jimmy was always coming to Tony's aid, even when he didn't realize it. "Not the full fifty. I wish I had a friend in Hawaii – I'd love the chance to get to play Magnum," Tony said. "I'd visit that friend a lot."

"Oh, me, too. I've always wanted to see Hawaii, even though the sun isn't good for my skin," Abby said.

"Hawaii is one place I actually do have a friend. She moved there several years ago," Laura said, and Tony smiled at Ziva's frustration. The conversation had not gone in the direction she'd wanted.

The waitress returned with the appetizers, while Laura excused herself to go to the ladies' room. As Tony moved his chair so she could get around, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He surreptitiously looked at the caller ID and saw Jeanne's name.

"I'm going to hit the head, too," he said, moving away from the conversation at the table.

"Hey, everything all right?" he asked when he reached the quieter corridor leading to the restrooms.

"Yes, I just wanted to let you know that we have a multiple vehicle accident coming in, so I won't get out until really late," Jeanne said, sounding slightly harassed.

"All right then. I'll go back to my place rather than yours. We'll have to try again tomorrow," he said.

"Sounds good. I'll look forward to it. Bonne nuit."

"Goodnight, Jeanne," he said before disconnecting the call.

Tony sighed. He'd been looking forward to seeing her, but it was better if he could give his apartment a full sweep first. As he slipped the phone back into his pocket, Laura emerged from the ladies' room and came up beside him.

"Secret phone calls that you don't want the rest of the team to hear. Either you're looking for new employment, or you're keeping secrets from your team," she said huskily, eyebrow raised.

"Personal call," he said.

"Who's Jeanne?" she asked.

"Former girlfriend, but if it's all right with you, I'd rather the rest of the team didn't know we're back together," he said, watching her reaction closely. He was risking exposure if he was wrong, but his instincts told him that he wasn't.

"So… all the office flirting has been an act?" she asked, raising her chin.

"It's what they expect," he said, shrugging.

She narrowed her eyes. "You've been playing a game, and I think you're aware I've been playing one, too," she said.

Tony pressed his lips together – it was time to air his theory. "I knew you weren't serious about the flirting, but I won't ask, and you don't have to tell."

She paused a moment, scrutinizing him before nodding. "I can work with that. Even if policy has changed, hearts and minds don't that easily, and I like to keep my private life private."

"Agreed, so let's play our game. Hmm, I've never been anyone's beard before, but here's a chance for us both to work on our undercover skills. I suggest laughing loudly at some witty remark I make as we approach the table," he said, grinning.

Laura rolled her eyes. "Or you could just watch my ass as I walk away."

Tony shrugged. "I'm going to do that, anyway."

They returned to the table, both laughing, and Abby's eyes narrowed even further. She looked at Tony questioningly, but he ignored her. Abby loved the team like a family, and she'd hate that he was actively trying to throw Tim and Ziva off the scent of his renewed romance with Jeanne rather than coming clean. He didn't want to put her in that position.

"Has anyone heard anything about Director Shepherd, or when she might be allowed to return?" Ziva asked the table at large.

"I haven't heard a thing, but Assistant Director Vance seems to be settling in as if it will be a long haul," Tim said.

Ziva frowned. "You must know something. We were both confronted on the same day, and I am back. The FBI did not ask me any questions, so they must have been there for the Director, only I do not know why they would be involved on an internal NCIS matter."

Tony sat back, observing. Although he hadn't been present, Gibbs had informed him of everything that had played out. He found it interesting that Ziva was asking questions rather than delivering the information. She had more contacts than any of them, so it was strange that she needed to ask. Perhaps all wasn't as well within Mossad as he'd thought. He also noticed that McGee had suddenly found his appetite and was shoveling nachos in his mouth like a starving man.

"She wasn't only bugging NCIS, though. She was also snooping into an FBI investigation, and they're not going to let that go easily," Abby said, looking uncomfortable and refusing to meet anyone's eyes.

Ziva furrowed her brow. "Why would she do that? She was searching for information about the Benoit woman, yes?" she asked, glancing at Tony. "Do we know if she found whatever she was looking for? What does the FBI plan to do?"

"Gibbs might know, but he hasn't told us," Tony said, ignoring the leading question about Jeanne.

Surprisingly, it was Laura who spoke up next. "I've heard a few things."

"You? How would you have heard anything? You have only just arrived here," Ziva said, affronted that Laura might already have a source.

"My source isn't from this office," Laura replied coolly.

Tony and McGee caught each other's eye, waiting to see how this would play out. Both of them were remembering the time Abby and Ziva had slapped one another during a disagreement and wondering if this would be a repeat.

"Then how would your source know anything about this office," Ziva asked, sneering.

"You were stationed at the San Diego office before coming here, right?" Tony asked. He was guessing where this might be going, but she nodded her response.

"Yes, and I heard some scuttlebutt that Leon Vance had fielded several complaints about the Director. Supposedly, it was SecNav himself that sent him here to tidy the ship," Laura said.

"What sort of complaints?" Ziva asked skeptically.

Laura shrugged. "It was scuttlebutt, not verified intel."

McGee looked down and resumed eating the nachos. Tony knew that one of the complaints was probably the one Ferreira filed against Ziva, and that was what McGee most likely didn't want to bring up. He wondered what the others could be, though. He hadn't filed anything about his unsanctioned op. He'd just wanted to put it all behind him, and at the time, he wasn't really sure if even Gibbs would back him against Jenny. He knew he had that unwavering support now, but he still hadn't filed a complaint. Maybe some of the other teams had noticed what was going on.

"So, that would explain why Leon Vance has an interest, but why is he working with the FBI against NCIS?" Ziva asked, her disdain of the FBI clear.

Tony shrugged. "Not sure if he had a choice. Seems the FBI is running one investigation, and Vance is running another in tandem."

Ziva's eyes narrowed. "And how do you know this? You have been on time out since your injury."

"Time off, Zee-va, and just because I haven't been in the office doesn't mean I haven't kept in touch," Tony said.

The others all giggled, and Tim said, "Sometimes, a time-out might actually do you some good."

"Who have you been in contact with that would have access to that kind of information?" Ziva asked, ignoring the giggles from the others.

Tony suspected she was annoyed that his sources had obviously provided more detail than her own, and she was frustrated by it. Tony's mind flashed on an image of an undulating Cobra coiled and ready to strike.

If that was the case, it was time to play snake charmer.

"You'd be surprised what the invisible people hear and know," he said brightly.

Ziva's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? No one has the power to be invisible. Are you talking about another one of your movies? An Invisibility Cloak, perhaps?"

"Great story, but no… I don't mean literal invisibility, but a lot of folks treat secretaries, clerks and aids as if they're not there, when in fact they know a lot more than they probably should," Tony said.

"It's true," Jimmy Palmer piped in. "People tend to just look right through me at a crime scene, even back at headquarters. I hear a lot more than people would be comfortable with if they knew. I could probably make a killing if I was any good at blackmail."

Tony ducked his head. Sometimes Jimmy's mouth got ahead of his considerable brain. Tony had always felt him a kindred spirit.

"Best not repeat that at NCIS, Jimmy," McGee said, but he was also smiling.

/* /* /* /*

Gibbs hit the button before the elevator doors had fully closed on his way down to Autopsy. They'd caught a case that morning of a murdered Marine, shot in the head where he sat in his armchair; the morning news programs were still playing on the tv. There was no sign of forced entry, but like Gibbs, the Gunnery Sergeant and his wife tended to leave their door unlocked.

"Hey, Duck. What've you got?" he asked as the doors slid open.

Ducky and his assistant were standing over the body of the victim. Jimmy Palmer looked up, his eyes rounding beneath his equally round spectacles. Kid was always a twitchy thing.

"Uhm… why don't I take what we have so far up to Abby," Jimmy said, grabbing a box and nearly sprinting from the room.

Ducky shook his head. "You make him nervous, Jethro."

"What do we have, Duck? Time of death still the same?" Gibbs asked, hoping to focus the older man before he could begin one of his tangents.

"Yes, somewhere between six and nine this morning based on liver temperature and lividity. Cause of death is a single gunshot wound to the right temporal lobe inflicting catastrophic damage. He died instantly," Ducky said, moving some hair away from the gaping wound on the side of the man's head.

"Any sign of a struggle?" Gibbs asked.

Ducky frowned. "No sign on the body but based on stippling patterns and the amount of gunshot residue, the killer stood about three feet from our victim."

"So, he knew his killer, or the killer was an expert at stealth. Not helping me out much here," Gibbs said, frowning.

"Yes, well, solving the puzzle is your job. I just supply the pieces," Ducky said, far too pleased with himself for Gibbs' liking.

"Anything else?" he asked brusquely.

"Not as yet unless Abigail can pull anything from the clothing and samples Mr. Palmer has just brought up to her. How is Anthony managing being left behind when you go out to the crime scene?" Ducky asked.

"Whines and is a general pain in my ass," Gibbs said shortly. Tony had wheedled and pleaded to be allowed a ride along just as an observer, but Gibbs knew he'd never be able to sit still if it all went sideways, and with his predisposition toward injury, it was best for all involved to leave him behind his desk.

Gibbs couldn't even imagine the amount of paperwork that would be involved if he allowed Tony to break protocol. Assistant Director Vance seemed like a by-the-book sort of man. Gibbs didn't have a good read on him, and he wasn't yet ready to begin pushing the boundaries.

"And Ziva? How is she handling desk duty?" Ducky asked.

Gibbs rolled his eyes impatiently. "She's even worse than DiNozzo. She's still pissed about having to attend FLETC and refuses to understand why she's not allowed in the field until she completes the course. If she were still a Mossad assassin, I'd put a protection detail on Ferreira – even all the way down in Florida," Gibbs said, only half-joking.

"Ah, so she's still blaming him for her situation rather than taking any responsibility?" Ducky asked sadly.

Gibbs sighed. "She's not stepping up like I'd hoped she would. She's been taught a certain way for so long, and it's hard to break old habits."

"You sound pensive," Ducky said, looking over his glasses at his friend.

"Eh, I'm set in my ways, too, Duck. My unevenness in handling the various members of my team has been pointed out. Ziva's overlooking the rules is on me. I'm going to have to change some things to fix it."

Ducky chuckled. "Ah, Jethro – I've told you before, you and I are basically old chauvinists, always wanting to aid a lady in distress, even if the distress is of her own making."

Gibbs nodded wryly. "You're right – same goes for Jenny. I've bent over backwards trying to reason with her, whereas if she were a man, I'd give her a powerful dope smack on the back of her head."

'What's she done now?" Ducky asked.

"Came by my place looking for DiNozzo. Wanted me to tell her where he was," Gibbs said, remembering the conversation. "I didn't tell her, but I can't work out what she's after."

"He's back at work now. She could always stop by," Ducky said.

Gibbs shook his head. "I don't think she wants to come into NCIS wearing a Visitor badge, and I can't say I blame her."

"No, I suppose not. Still… she could call and ask him to meet her at a neutral location," Ducky said, his brow furrowed.

"Got the feeling she didn't want him to know she was coming. Whatever she wants, she wants to spring it on him. She's still determined to talk to Jeanne Benoit," Gibbs said.

"I take it Tony is still seeing her?" Ducky asked.

"He's not made it public, but he's… bouncy," Gibbs said, at a loss for a better word.

"Bouncy?" Ducky asked, amused.

"You know how he can never sit still, but he's overly cheerful about it, even when he's tormenting the others," Gibbs replied.

"Sounds to me like he's happy. Don't discourage that. There's been far too little true happiness in that boy's life," Ducky said.

"I know that, but why can't he be happy when he's not at work," Gibbs asked, annoyed.

"Oh, he's not able to focus on a case then?" Ducky asked.

"No, his insight is always above par… he's just so damn sunny-side-up," Gibbs said, realizing he was being unreasonable but unable to help it.

Ducky chuckled. "It sounds to me like the problem is you, not him. Perhaps you should follow his lead and do what he'd crassly refer to as 'get some' of your own."

/* /* /* /*

Gibbs returned to the bullpen in time to find Tony speaking to a tearful woman that he assumed was the Gunnery Sergeant's wife. Ziva was firing up her computer, apparently just arriving after her morning at FLETC. McGee and Cox were at their desks, working – just what he liked to see. They'd all better have some results for him.

"Gibbs, this is Christine Burns. I've booked Conference room three," Tony said, indicating the woman with the tear-stained face standing next to him.

Her mousy brown hair was tied back in a ponytail with several loose strands hanging unrestrained. She looked haggard and had mascara stains running down her wet cheeks.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. Burns. If you'll follow me. Tony," he said, knowing his second would understand he meant him to follow, as well.

He wouldn't have minded getting the entire team's take on Mrs. Burns, but the distraught woman couldn't handle a crowd right then. Despite her obvious distress, she hadn't been ruled out as a suspect, so the interview couldn't be delayed. He led her to the conference room, and Tony filled her a glass of water from the pitcher in the room.

"I don't know why anyone would want to shoot Pete," Mrs. Burns said, sniffling. "Sure, he could be stubborn sometimes but not enough to kill him over."

"What time did you leave for work this morning?" Gibbs asked.

"Usual time – about seven-thirty. In fact, I remember the clock in the car said seven thirty-six, and I was worried I'd be late. I was at my desk when the Marines came in, and I just knew," she said, fresh tears falling.

Gibbs had heard the same statement from service families many times before. "And he was awake when you left?" he asked.

Mrs. Burns nodded. "He was watching Katie Couric and Matt Lauer. I don't think he even heard me say goodbye."

"Did you talk about anything else?" Tony asked.

Gibbs sat back. Usually, he didn't like being interrupted during an interview, but he could see Tony's mind was spinning. He'd spotted something.

"Not a lot. Pete was never a morning person, but we were planning a vacation in the fall. He reminded me since I really didn't want to go to work. I guess that will never happen now," she said, burying her face in her tissue.

"Your husband was murdered not long after you left. You might've just escaped yourself. Did you see anyone, or another car as you drove away?" Tony asked.

Mrs. Burns' eyes widened as if she hadn't even considered this. "I didn't see anyone. Do you think I'm in danger?" she asked breathlessly.

"I don't think so, but you'll need to stay somewhere else since your home is still considered a crime scene. Do you have somewhere else to go?" Gibbs asked.

She nodded. "My sister isn't far. I gave the number to Agent DiNozzo."

"Tony," he said. "Did your husband have any enemies that you know of? Anyone he's had a disagreement with recently?"

She shook her head. "I don't… well, he did have an argument with his CO not too long ago. Apparently, Pete was late for work one morning, but I don't think he'd kill him over it," she said, sniffling.

"Anyone else?" Gibbs asked, growing impatient. He wanted to get down to the lab and see if Abby had anything.

"Did he mention anything out of the usual happening recently?" DiNozzo asked.

Mrs. Burns shook her head, flustered and rapidly losing control of her composure. "Nothing I can think of. Nothing that would lead to murder," she said, her lower lip trembling. "I really need a break."

"We'll call if we have any more questions, Mrs. Burns, and we'll let you know when we know something," Tony said, opening the door.

"You'll let me know when you find whoever did this?" she asked, tears running freely.

Tony nodded. "I assure you; you'll know."

They led the woman to the elevators, and Tony escorted her down. Gibbs returned to the squad room to see if Abby had left a message. He was disappointed to realize he hadn't been gone long enough for her to find anything.

"How'd it go with the wife? She looked pretty upset," Tim said, wincing.

"She didn't say much except he'd argued with his CO about being late, but even I haven't shot any of you for that," Gibbs said. "She says she was at work. Did you check her alibi?"

"Yes. The same neighbor who reported hearing the shots saw her leave in her car earlier that morning," Ziva said, reading the report.

"What was he doing outside that early?" Gibbs asked.

"Gardening. He's retired and seemed quite proud of his lawn. I got a lecture on azalea care" Laura answered, grimacing. "I spoke with him about the Burnes, and he said the wife was very friendly, but our victim was not."

Ziva scowled, and Gibbs knew she was frustrated that she hadn't been at the crime scene to interview the witness herself. Neither she nor Tony liked working all the angles secondhand, and he couldn't blame them.

"I'll look into the CO," McGee said.

"You do that, McEagerbeaver, but even Gibbs hasn't shot us for being late yet," DiNozzo said, returning to the squad room.

Gibbs had to fight a smirk that he was echoing Gibbs' same thought. "What did you see that I didn't during the interview?" he asked, recalling how Tony had taken over the questioning.

DiNozzo sat behind his desk, staring absently at his computer for a moment pensively. "She seemed very particular about some details and very vague about others. It didn't sit right with me," he said at last.

"You always think the wife did it, Tony," Ziva said, exasperated.

"What do you mean about the details?" Laura asked.

"She could remember seeing the exact time she left in the car, but not if she passed anyone else. Didn't you say a neighbor saw her leave? Why didn't she see the neighbor? She knew exactly what her husband was watching on tv but not what they talked about," Tony replied.

"The neighbor could've been behind a bush, or she might've had an obstructive view," Laura said, theorizing.

"And perhaps she and her husband did not talk about anything important before she left. Not all women hang on the words of their man like most of the women you are drawn to, yes," Ziva said, smirking.

"Enough," Gibbs barked. "DiNozzo, Laura – you two look into the wife's background. McGee and Ziva, check the CO."

"On it, Boss," Tony said, and Gibbs was pleased to hear those words again. While he wouldn't admit it out loud, he'd missed Tony's presence in the squad room.

"I'm going to Abby's lab. It looks like it might be a long night," he said, leaving the others to get busy.

Author's Note:

Please take a moment and share your thoughts. It's very much appreciated. For those in the US like me, Happy and Safe Independence Day to you and yours.