Note: Whelp, looks like those Ziva supporters who can't tolerate dissenting opinions are back. This one wants us to choke on the spinoff – that may or may not happen. Thousands of pilots are made that never air. Newsflash – since I don't like Ziva, I'm just not going to watch. You have that option with stories you don't like, too. Thought that would be obvious, but I guess not.

Chapter Six

Wicked Game

Tony arrived at NCIS headquarters much later than he'd planned. He bypassed the elevator and bolted up the stairs, hoping to reach the bullpen unannounced. If luck was on his side, he'd slip behind his desk with no one the wiser of when he actually got there. He hadn't returned from Philadelphia until the wee hours of the morning, and he'd stumbled into bed fully-dressed.

He awoke groggy and out of sorts, his dreams plagued with vague shadows of back-stabbing partners. He'd even driven right past his usual coffee stop, lost in his head. Turns out, returning to your old stomping grounds and being forced to face a few past demons took a lot out of you. Gibbs specifically told him to get some shut eye, but that didn't mean the boss wouldn't lose it if he turned around and Tony actually wasn't there. Tony had played this game before.

Luck was a lady, and the bullpen was empty. He strode purposefully to his desk, tossing his bag behind him and sighing as he sank into his chair. He'd made it.

"You're late," Gibbs barked, coming around the back corner of the bullpen without missing a beat.

Tony's shoulders slumped. Luck was a cold-hearted bitch. He put on his best game face and turned towards his boss with a mega-watt smile.

"Well, if you think about the time that I actually got back to my apartment last night – this morning really – and add the mandatory rest period for agents between cases, when you consider all the factors, I'm actually early. I could probably put in for comp time," Tony said.

Gibbs rolled his eyes and took a sip of his coffee. Tony could almost swear he saw the hint of a smile before the cup blocked his view.

"Everything go okay in Philadelphia?" Gibbs asked, standing in front of Tony's desk, pinning him with his laser focus.

"Yeah, I told you everything. What did Lieutenant Montague say?" Tony asked, deflecting.

Gibbs didn't bother to answer, just continued to stare. Tony should've known he wouldn't be able to fool him as easily as he had McGee.

"Didn't run into anyone significant," Tony said, knowing Gibbs would need some morsel of truth.

There was no need to get into all the apprehension Tony felt in the city, it hadn't led to anything. It was nice of Gibbs to let him know that he'd been concerned, particularly after their angry words the last time they were together. Of course, Tony knew Gibbs sent McGee with him as a peace offering, and the new case pushed his concerns about Ziva to the back burner. Still, Gibbs wanted facts, not feelings – Tony didn't much want to discuss feelings, either.

"No problems when you had to go to the police there?" Gibbs asked, pressing.

Tony shook his head. If nothing else, Gibbs knew him well.

"No. It wasn't my old borough, anyway, and they were all too focused on the three bodies. They didn't do anything more than verify my creds. Chico mentioned he'd heard that they cleaned out Precinct Three."

"What made him tell you that?" Gibbs asked sharply.

"Huh?" Tony asked, realizing too late that he'd let some of his own inner musings slip out. He really needed coffee.

"Not the kind of thing that you just blurt out without context," Gibbs said with narrowed eyes.

Tony shrugged, ducking his head. "Wondered about my black eye," he mumbled.

Somehow, without even changing his expression, the fury radiating off Gibbs was palpable. The higher-ups at Tony's old department had been crooked – at best – and their treatment of those who didn't toe the line wasn't something Tony wanted to relive. He'd been a rookie with a big mouth and an expectation of a level playing field. His fellow officers hadn't appreciated the extra attention he usually attracted. Although he'd never spoken about it out aloud, he knew Gibbs would've read about it in the background check that he was sure the older man had run before he brought Tony to NCIS.

Gibbs was always protective of his team. Tony had experienced it first-hand just a few weeks ago when the illustrious FBI had accused him of murder. He knew that Gibbs wouldn't tolerate any of his old co-workers giving him a hard time. He just wished his boss would have that same protective instinct toward his current partner, who he definitely thought he had more to fear.

"McGee's bringing the Lieutenant in, so we can both question him when he gets here," Gibbs said.

"You haven't spoken with him yet?" Tony asked, perplexed. There should've been plenty of time once they'd reached DC yesterday afternoon.

"Montague was too drunk. We have to talk before he begins detox," Gibbs said, sounding like he might enjoy letting the Lieutenant suffer a bit.

"How was he drunk? We picked him up at NSWC. Is he drinking on the job?" Tony asked.

Suddenly, this was getting a whole lot worse. Gibbs shook his head, however. "I don't think so. McGee said he had a full flask once the train was underway. Finished it before they arrived in DC."

"But McGee wasn't drunk?" Tony asked tensely.

He couldn't imagine the Probie getting drunk while on protection detail. He was a rule-follower and too responsible for that. Still, despite all Tony's needling and picking on the kid, he hadn't yet learned to push back and not be intimidated under pressure. He was definitely getting there – but he still had a ways to go.

"McGee was fine, just didn't stop him," Gibbs growled.

"Gibbs! Gibbs! Gibbs!" Abby shouted, hurrying into the bullpen in her clunky, thigh-high boots.

Tony noticed that her skirt was short – very short – and he knew that meant she must be trying to wheedle something out of McGee. He'd observed that the more she wanted information, the shorter her skirts got.

Ziva followed Abby into the bullpen at a more sedate pace. She regarded Tony coolly as she approached her own desk. Ziva wore her usual cargo pants with a long-sleeved top, and he was struck by the fact that Abby, with all her leather, tatts, and chains, was the gentler of the two women.

"What d'you got, Abs?" Gibbs asked, looking up.

"Ziva brought me the preliminary results from the autopsies in Philadelphia. Ducky's friend came through," Abby said, bouncing in excitement.

"Already?" Tony asked, remembering the state of decay on two of the corpses in that building.

His stomach roiled just recalling the gory mess, and suddenly the fact he'd missed breakfast seemed fortunate.

"Just the prelims – which wasn't much, but I have a partial print from one of them, and I was running it through AFIS when I got locked out," she said indignantly.

"What d'you mean you got locked out?" Gibbs asked.

"Just that. It shut down my search, and I wasn't allowed back in. Someone is blocking us," she said.

"Did you get a hit?" Tony asked.

"I must've, but I don't know who. I left it running, and it only alerted me when the search was shut down," Abby said, crossing her arms with a pout.

"Did you happen to catch a name?" Tony asked, turning toward Ziva who'd remained silent but stood beside Abby as she delivered her news.

Ziva stiffened, putting her chin in the air. "It was not my job to watch the screen. I was conferring with Abby on the other results," she replied.

"What other results?" Gibbs asked sharply. "I thought you said Ducky didn't give you much."

"He did not. That is what we were discussing – the lack of useful leads," Ziva replied, looking at Tony. "You failed to bring us back anything helpful."

"Who stopped your search?" Gibbs asked, bellowing before they could begin sniping at one another.

"I don't know, but it had to be someone with a high security clearance. It completely booted me out of the system. Me!" Abby said, outraged.

"That has to mean it triggered something, Boss – someone else looking for one of our vics maybe," Tony said.

"Could it be any of the police from Philadelphia? Perhaps they resented having federal agents intruding on what they see as their investigation," Ziva said. "I have noticed they often resent our expertise."

Abby shook her head. "No. It has to come from higher up. A local PD wouldn't be able to block federal access."

"Boss!" McGee said as he rushed out of the elevator and over to the group in the bullpen. "Security is taking Lieutenant Montague up to a conference room, but I thought you'd want to know – Agents Fornell and Sacks are at the security desk."

"That sounds like higher up," Ziva said.

"Slacks? Here? In my building?" Tony asked.

"Your building? I didn't realize – did you steal it? Is that why the FBI is here? Going to arrest you for Grand Theft Larceny this time?" McGee asked, grinning.

"Perhaps they are here to arrest someone other than you, Tony, although that does seem unlikely," Ziva added, smirking.

Abby slipped her arm through Tony's and latched on fiercely. "Don't worry, Tony. I found the evidence to get you off before, and I'll do it again. I won't let them take you."

"They're not here to arrest me," Tony yelped before turning to Gibbs, wide-eyed. "Are they, Boss?"

"I'm going to arrest all of you if you don't shut up," Gibbs said, glaring at the elevator.

They all waited with bated breath – some more apprehensive than others – until the doors slid open. FBI Senior Agent Tobias Fornell emerged, followed closely by his junior agent and Tony's nemesis, Ron Sacks. Slacks, as Tony preferred to call him, since he knew it got under the other man's skin. These same two agents stormed into the bullpen less than a month ago with the intention of arresting Tony for butchering a woman and leaving her body parts scattered in the woods.

Gibbs and Abby found the evidence clearing him, but despite his freedom, Tony couldn't help the fact his skin still itched uncontrollably when he thought of being locked up in that tight little box. Locked up physically, locked in his own head, living for several days in the same clothes, all the while hearing Sacks' endless taunting.

Even once the evidence clearing him was found, the junior FBI agent didn't want to let Tony go. He still held onto the belief that NCIS somehow conjured it all to secure his release. Both of them took their frustration from the experience and fixated it on one another. Tony couldn't stand him. To this day, he'd never got an answer to his question on their assumptions – how did one severed leg – not that it wasn't still a tragedy – but how did it equal a serial killer?

"Jethro," Fornell said, nodding as they stopped at the opening to the bullpen. He ignored the rest of them, although his eyes roamed over each dispassionately.

"What are you doing here, Fornell?" Gibbs asked, brusque as ever.

"I believe my director is calling your director as we speak, and it's need to know. I'm sure your director will inform you if you do… need to know that is," Fornell said, smirking.

Fornell loved to wind Gibbs up. Behind him, Sacks wore an equally infuriating smirk. Tony instinctively knew it had something to do with Abby getting shut out of AFIS, but he suspected they didn't know for sure who, or why, someone was looking. Otherwise, they would've gone straight for the Forensic expert.

Still, he thought their little smirks of superiority needed dimming.

"I'd wager its about an AFIS search. Missing one of your operatives again, Fornell?" Tony asked brightly, as if the FBI regularly lost its agents.

NCIS had stumbled across a few.

Sacks scowled, but Fornell gave him a slight nod. "As I said, it's need to know, DiNozzo," he replied, using the traditional Italian pronunciation of Tony's name.

"And what you mean by that, is you think it's your right to know what we know about an AFIS search. Isn't that how you Hoover boys usually work? Let other agencies do the work, then just swoop in to take the credit?" Tony asked.

"Amusing but inaccurate. I do admire your attempt to get us to admit what we know, but your one-man stand-up routine is over. Here's your director now," Fornell said, eyes twinkling.

Jenny Shepherd slowly descended the steps, glancing at all of them coolly.

"Agent Fornell, how nice to see you again," she said with all the false sincerity of a politician. "Since you're here to discuss sensitive material, perhaps we should adjourn this conversation to my office. Jethro, this involves you, too."

Fornell's face pinkened at the soft rebuke. "Of course, Director."

"DiNozzo, too," Gibbs barked as he, Fornell, and Sacks all began climbing the stairs behind the director.

Jenny stopped, turning around with a puzzled frown.

"Fornell has his second," Gibbs said, stubbornly locking eyes with the director.

Jenny's lips pinched, her eyes momentarily straying to Ziva, Abby and McGee, still huddled hopefully in the bullpen. She didn't seem particularly happy about it, but she nodded in acquiesce, and Tony hurriedly joined the group on the stairs. He could feel Ziva's eyes boring holes into his back as he climbed.

Tony suspected the director didn't want to leave Sacks alone in the bullpen with the team, but she knew Gibbs wouldn't tolerate letting Fornell get the upper hand in any way. Whatever her reasoning, Tony counted it as a win.

"Take a seat, gentlemen," Jenny said, indicating the conference table on the side of her lush office. "I've been informed by your director that one of our investigations has crossed paths with one of yours."

"Why are you searching for Michael Barrington?" Fornell asked without preamble.

"Who?" Gibbs asked.

"Don't play coy. AFIS registered a search conducted here for Michael Barrington, who is a person of interest in a classified FBI investigation. DiNozzo confirmed he knew about the AFIS search downstairs," Fornell said aggressively.

"He figured that's what you were butting in about since you locked my people out of AFIS," Gibbs said, growling right back.

"Your search triggered an FBI watchlist, and we followed the trail," Fornell said.

Gibbs threw his arms in the air. "You don't even know what you're looking for. This is a fishing expedition."

"Gentlemen, please. We're all on the same side," Jenny said, attempting to regain control over the unruly agents. "Agent Fornell, since you came to us, why don't you tell us what this is about."

"I already did. The FBI wants to know why you're searching for Michael Barrington," Fornell replied.

Typically, Gibbs remained stoically silent, so Tony answered for him. "Well, I assume you don't mean the British actor most known for his work in television. Other than that, the name is unfamiliar. Maybe if you give us more context."

"You searched AFIS for his prints," Fornell said, exasperated.

Tony kept his temper in check. He was going to enjoy knocking the arrogant SOB down a peg or two.

"No, we searched an unidentified John Doe's print. Guess we know who he is now… or was," he said, eyebrows raised.

"He's dead? Where did you find him?" Fornell asked quickly.

"You tell us what you know about our vic first," Gibbs said.

Tony knew Gibbs was stretching the truth on that one. Technically, he was the Philly PD's vic, but Fornell didn't need to know that yet.

The FBI agent hesitated a moment, clearly hedging his bets. Tony could see the moment he decided to fold.

"He's a missing person of particular interest to the Bureau. He and several other political targets have disappeared from the Philadelphia area. Their loved ones have been unable to meet the kidnappers demands," Fornell said.

"They want more than ransom," Gibbs speculated.

"How would you know that?" Fornell asked sharply.

"Because cash is cheap, and if the FBI is involved, you'd have come up with some," Gibbs replied.

Fornell narrowed his eyes. Much like Gibbs, he was a seasoned agent and knew when he wasn't being told the whole story.

"What does this have to do with your case, and where did you find the body? I need to figure out how it got here, and if any of our other victims are also in DC," he said.

Tony met Gibbs eyes, each knowing the ploy was up. They'd have to admit the case wasn't focused in DC.

"DiNozzo found the bodies in Philadelphia," Gibbs said.

"What were you doing in Philly?" Sacks asked incredulously.

"What do you mean bodies? You found more than one?" Fornell asked, paling slightly.

"Agent DiNozzo went to Philadelphia on my command to investigate a missing engineer from the Naval Surface Warfare Center there. He located the bodies while he was conducting his search," Jenny said, letting both Gibbs and Tony know that she didn't want the Admiral involved… yet.

"He just happened to stumble across the bodies? It seems to be quite a pattern with him. Come on, Fornell, you can't be buying this. This clown is always full of ridiculous stories," Sacks said, a tic working on the side of his jaw.

"I'm not buying it – you're holding something back, Director," Fornell said.

Jenny quirked an eyebrow. "And you're not, Agent Fornell? Your director and I already agreed that we'll share jurisdiction since our cases overlap. From what he told me, your missing victims also have ties to NSWC."

"Kidnapping is FBI jurisdiction," Fornell insisted.

"And Military espionage is ours. You're going to work the case together, and I'd better see more cooperation between both parties than I've witnessed here today," Jenny said, eyes flashing.

"Have you identified the other bodies?" Fornell asked.

Gibbs shook her head. "Not yet. Too badly decomposed."

"Perhaps if you'd share the names of your other missing persons, we could see if we get a match," Tony said, rolling his eyes.

"One is the nephew of a high-ranking member of Congress, another is the father of a bio-hazard scientist. Michael Barrington previously worked at NSWC, but he retired. The ransom was demanded from his wife, who still works there. I want to see the bodies. I've studied their faces. I might be able to confirm their identity," Fornell said.

"They're not here – they're still in Philadelphia, but their coroner is working closely with ours. Agent DiNozzo was previously a member of the Philadelphia PD, so he has relationships with people there," Jenny said.

Tony kept his face impassive, thinking the director's words were beyond a stretch, but he let it go. He didn't want the FBI getting their way on this one, even if it meant dealing with some of his past in Philadelphia. The FBIs recent accusations against him and his subsequent arrest were fresher in his mind. He wanted to get one over on them this time.

"What? They just directed you to the bodies?" Sacks asked skeptically.

"No – a former informant did, actually, but he didn't know the bodies were there. Our missing person is recent, so I knew he couldn't be one of the juicy corpses I found," Tony replied.

"You think this is funny, DiNozzo?" Sacks asked, steam nearly escaping from his ears.

He clearly hadn't let their past altercation go any more than Tony had.

"I think it's funny how worked up you are that I managed to do what you haven't been able to in… I don't know. How long have you been on this case?" Tony asked, relishing winding the FBI preener up.

"I can't work with this joker, Fornell. I want to request he be removed from this investigation," Sacks said, folding his arms across his chest.

"If you can't work with my agent, then it's you who can go. Your target fixation is now jeopardizing a second case," Gibbs said.

"My what? I don't have target fixation – the evidence all pointed to him, and I'm still not sure he didn't do it," Sacks said hotly.

"That's enough. Agent DiNozzo was cleared, and the true culprit put away. That case is over. They're right that we didn't actively look at other leads, so let's not make that mistake again. This is now a joint investigation," Fornell said firmly, his eyes boring into Agent Sacks to let it go.

"Yeah, so lighten up, Francis," Tony couldn't resist adding.

"Agent DiNozzo, that's enough," the director said warningly.

"It's all right – that was Stripes, right? Good movie. The military didn't come out looking so hot though, as I recall," Fornell said, looking pointedly at Gibbs.

Tony grudgingly gave Fornell credit for catching the movie reference, but his mouth nearly dropped open when Gibbs answered, deadpan.

"That was the Army."

"Can we get back to the case?" Sacks asked testily.

"We have an agent in the Philadelphia office who's been working closely with Ron on this case," Fornell said, glancing at Tony, who thought he'd covered how his body stiffened at the mention of the Philadelphia field office.

"She's been there for several years, and she's very good. If you worked in Philly, you know there was some agents who didn't meet the Bureau's high standards. They've all been let go," Fornell said, meeting Tony's eye.

Tony suspected the other man hadn't seen his tell, but instead might know more about his trouble with the Philadelphia office. Either way, Tony hoped Fornell would keep it to himself.

"Tell her that Precinct Fifteen removed the remains. She'll want to let the victims' families know once positive ID is established," Tony said.

"Where did you find them? We've been searching every inch of that city," Fornell said.

"Not every inch, apparently. They were in an alley not far from NSWC," Tony said evasively.

Neither Gibbs or the director had brought up The Vault Tavern, so he wasn't about to, either.

"Did any of the families have contact with the kidnappers before their loved one went missing?" Gibbs asked.

"Why would you ask that?" Sacks asked, eyes narrowing.

"Was the family of your missing engineer already contacted? What did they want?" Fornell asked quickly.

"No. No one has contacted the family yet," Gibbs said.

Technically, it was true. Lieutenant Montague wasn't Paul Bergmann's family.

"You said you're searching for an engineer, not a sailor, so what's the Navy connection?" Fornell asked astutely.

"Um, NSWC, remember? They employ both military and civilian personnel, but they work on Navy ships," Tony said.

"Once positive ID is made, this investigation will most likely move to Philadelphia. I know NCIS doesn't have a field office there," Fornell said, smirking.

"We'll manage," Gibbs replied.

Jenny stood up, indicating the meeting was over. "All right, gentlemen. Now that we're all playing nicely, why don't you exchange cell numbers and agree to share any new information uncovered on these victims, and who might be behind the kidnappings. Both your director and I expect to be kept in the loop."

/* /* /* /*

Gibbs sat at his desk beneath the dimmed, low-wattage overhead lights that kicked on at NCIS after hours. The lamp on his desk burned bright, however as he drummed a pencil up and down repeatedly. He really hated shared jurisdiction. He was tired, and his bones were trying to remind him that he wasn't as young as he once was.

Like most things he didn't want to deal with – he ignored their protests.

He finished off the last of his now-cooled coffee and rubbed tiredly at his eyes. He should probably go home and tackle the case fresh in the morning.

"Where's the rest of your team, Jethro? Did you actually give them an early night for once?" Jenny asked, appearing in front of him with her winter coat carried over one arm.

The many sparkling lights reflecting on the icy river outside, and the fact she was obviously heading home belied her words about it being an early night.

"Sent 'em home," Gibbs said, remembering how weary and burnt out each member of his team looked.

The bags beneath DiNozzo's eyes had their own zip code, and McGee was too tired to keep his eyes from straying to Abby's short skirt. He briefly wondered if she got whatever she wanted from him. They'd all be useless if they didn't get some shut-eye, and he had a feeling sleep would be in short supply over the next few days.

"Who's on guard duty, then?" Jenny asked.

"Admiral Montague took his son home with him. I have an agent posted at their house, but I reckon they're safe enough on base," Gibbs said.

"Did the Lieutenant give you anything more?" she asked.

"Said he lost the money at a card game in a private room in the back of The Vault, but he couldn't give me any names. Players were different every time," Gibbs said.

"So, we're back to the nightclub. We can't hold that information from the FBI any longer," she said, sighing.

"I'll deal with the FBI, you deal with the Admiral," Gibbs said, not sure which one was getting the worse end of that bargain. "He's not going to be happy."

Jenny winced. "I know, but it's not like we brought them in. They were already on the case, and we haven't yet revealed his son's connection. He has to know we're trying to keep things confidential."

"That's going to change if the people that have Bergmann demand the military warship designs they want from Montague as ransom," Gibbs said, irritation clawing at his insides. She was still more concerned with keeping the Admiral happy than solving the case.

"You think I don't know that?" she asked, worrying her lip. "Are you sure they're connected? Was positive identification made on the other victims?"

"Yeah, dental records confirmed it," Gibbs replied.

"So, they all have a connection to NSWC?" Jenny asked.

Gibbs nodded. "Even the politician with the missing son spearheads several committees raising military funding for their projects."

"I'll arrange travel accommodations. Are you going to be able to work with the FBI considering the distrust they still feel for Agent DiNozzo? I had the impression not everyone is convinced that he wasn't involved with that dismembered leg."

"That's their problem. Evidence was clear, we have a confession – and you hired the actual perpetrator. I think you owe DiNozzo your backing on this one," Gibbs said firmly.

It wasn't up for negotiation. DiNozzo had connections in Philadelphia – even if they were tenuous. Although she hadn't come right out and said so, his gut was screaming that Jenny wanted him to leave DiNozzo out of this investigation. He didn't know exactly what she was up to, but he was sure it somehow involved Ziva and the tension between his agents. While it was true that he'd come to care for Ziva and wanted to protect her, he wouldn't put his feelings for anyone above what was necessary to solve a case. DiNozzo was necessary, he always had been, and it was time Gibbs let the director know he had his partner's six.

DiNozzo's involvement was a given. He wasn't about to lose him. She could pull Ziva if she felt they truly couldn't function as a unit.

"Understood," Jenny said, although she didn't sound like she understood at all.

Note: Thanks for all the support for my son who Graduated last weekend. It was fantastic. He'll begin work once his license is finalized. There are so many clinics looking for vets, but his class graduated 88 more of them.