Storytime with Rachel F Hundred

Tom Morrow checked the address he’d noted on his Blackberry and knocked on the door in front of him. He looked around the neat hallway noting the clean tile on the floor and the period features in the décor. It was a lovely apartment building.

The door in front of him opened, revealing a suddenly very young-looking Tony DiNozzo, bare-footed, dressed in soft sweatpants and t-shirt, hair askew and wearing glasses. There was barely any sign that the young agent had been through a traumatic experience the day before.

DiNozzo stared at Tom with wide-eyed surprise.

Tom cleared his throat. “I apologise for the unexpected visit, Agent DiNozzo, may I come in?”

“Of course, sir,” DiNozzo immediately stepped back. 

Tom waved off his protection detail and motioned for them to stay in the hallway. He entered the warm ambience with an inward sigh. He loved the apartment on sight. It was classy and elegant on the surface with good furnishings in muted styles and colours, but there was personality hidden in the details, such as the dog-eared history books and crime novels, shelves of carefully ordered movies, and kitchen appliances which spoke to a love of cooking. He paused by the piano where sheet music had been laid out along with a glass of deep red wine.

“Would you like a drink, sir?” asked DiNozzo politely, curiosity edging his tone.

“Just a white coffee would be great,” Tom said, ignoring the temptation to ask for a glass of the wine which looked wonderful.  He shrugged off his coat and placed it on the arm of the chair beside him.

DiNozzo hummed a little under his breath and headed into the kitchen. By the time Tom was comfortable in the cosy chair, DiNozzo was back with an authentic Italian latte mug. 

Tom sniffed it appreciatively, swirled it to admire the aroma again, and took a large gulp.  It lived up to its strong nutty bitter scent, he mused, swallowing the smooth hit with a soft murmur of appreciation.  He looked up to see DiNozzo regarding him with wary interest from the sofa.

“Good choice, DiNozzo,” Tom said. “My wife would love it.” Janet was a coffee afficionado. He briefly touched his wedding ring.

“If you’d like you can take the rest of the beans for her. I don’t really drink that much coffee,” DiNozzo offered. “Sir, not that I don’t appreciate the home visit, but…”

“But you’d like to know why I’m here,” Tom completed. “I wish it was just to enjoy your coffee, DiNozzo.” He took another sip and sat forward in his chair.  “Firstly, how are you feeling?  Ducky said you should have gone to the ER straight from the scene with Gunnery Sergeant Atlas.”

“I was fine,” DiNozzo said, defensively.

“Passing out at your desk in the middle of writing a report would indicate otherwise,” Tom answered dryly. 

He’d been notified immediately and had gone down to find a red-faced DiNozzo being examined by a clucking Ducky who was thoroughly dressing-down Gibbs for bringing DiNozzo back to the office rather than sending him onto the hospital with Atlas.

DiNozzo grimaced briefly before pulling out the cocky and charming smile that distracted most people from everything. “I’m fine now.”

Tom hummed around his amusement at the kid’s bravado. “Ducky said it would be beneficial for you to take another day.”

The smile faded as DiNozzo sighed heavily. He rubbed the back of his neck. 

“Don’t worry, DiNozzo. He did acknowledge you’re fit for duty if you would prefer to return to work,” Tom said, registering DiNozzo’s discomfort.    

DiNozzo smiled more genuinely, the corners of his mouth tugging upward. “I definitely prefer it, sir.”

Tom hadn’t really expected anything else. In his first year, DiNozzo had staggered in pale and shaking with a fever. He’d looked crushed when even Gibbs had taken one look at him and sent him home. Tom wondered at DiNozzo’s upbringing which had shaped that kind of behaviour before he shook the thought away. 

Tom sipped his very excellent coffee and contemplated how he was going to tackle the next part of the conversation.  “Has Agent Gibbs been in touch?”

DiNozzo shook his head before he tilted it to the side.  “Is something wrong with Gibbs?”

“You tell me,” Tom stated briskly. 

DiNozzo blinked and a mask slid over his face hiding any thoughts the young agent might have had from Tom’s view.

Tom huffed inwardly. There was a reason DiNozzo was good undercover, and he hated that sometimes the man thought he needed to use his skills with his own chain of command.

“Gibbs’ head hasn’t been in the game since the hostage business in autopsy,” Tom explained simply. “This last case demonstrated that quite aptly.” He held up a hand before DiNozzo jumped in to defend his boss. “You’ve been covering his ass on the paperwork and teaching Todd.”

In Tom’s opinion, Gibbs needed to get his head on straight. Tom sometimes wondered how Gibbs would be if he hadn’t lost his first wife who had clearly been his soulmate. Even on his best days, Gibbs was a hard-ass who regularly trampled over everyone in his pursuit of justice and he hadn’t had many good days since being winged by the autopsy terrorist. Gibbs’ obsession with the hunt had definitely sent him into Javert territory. 

DiNozzo pressed his lips together, his gaze thoughtful. “You didn’t come here just to tell me Gibbs is obsessed with finding his white whale.”

Moby Dick. That worked too, Tom considered, amused that both he and DiNozzo had gone to literary comparisons.

“No,” Tom agreed out loud. “I’ve received an order to provide an agent afloat to McMurdo, or specifically an international research base just outside of McMurdo ASAP.”

DiNozzo frowned. “And you want me to do the assignment.”

“You need time afloat if you want to progress your career,” Tom pointed out.

“There’s no requirement for a team lead to have the experience,” DiNozzo returned easily.

“But there is for Special Agent-In-Charge, Resident Unit Leads, Assistant Director and Director,” Tom said evenly. He watched as stunned amazement washed away DiNozzo’s mask momentarily. He waited a beat. “You’re a very good investigator with good instincts, DiNozzo.  It’s why Gibbs hired you, and he was right; you’re one of the best investigators the agency has ever had.”

DiNozzo smiled again at the quip. “I have to admit I’ve never thought about something beyond Supervisory.”

Tom nodded. “The best field agents usually don’t, but you’re an excellent team player and trainer, DiNozzo. It hasn’t escaped my attention that you’ve played a substantial part in ensuring Agent Todd has settled into her position and that you’re the one putting a bug in Gibbs’ ear about Agent McGee potentially the joining the team.”

DiNozzo’s gaze dropped, his cheeks flushing pink a little.

“And this latest case? Your heroics in saving Atlas have drawn the attention of the Marine Commandant, SECNAV and SECDEF.”

DiNozzo brushed a hand through his hair and glanced up sheepishly. “Would it be wrong if I said that I really would prefer not to have drawn their attention?”

Tom chuckled. “Probably accurate since it’s resulted in General Matheson suggesting you for the afloat position. In his words, he needs someone exactly like you.” He gestured. “I can assure you it is only a temporary position for now. I can assign a TDA while you’re away and you can make your decision on whether you return to Gibbs’ team once the assignment is over.”

DiNozzo rubbed his chin. “You think I should do it.”

“I do,” Tom agreed. “It’s a special assignment, you’ve been asked for by name, and while you may not have expressed an ambition to sit in my chair one day, I can tell you the senior brass are looking at you and seeing the potential.”

“Gibbs won’t be happy with my being reassigned even if it’s temporary,” DiNozzo said seriously.

Tom shrugged. “He’ll get over it.” He raised a hand. “I’ve done you a disservice since you joined us. In my appreciation for the fact that you can wrangle Gibbs, I’ve forgotten to recognise you and your skills bring more to NCIS than just that. The Commandant asking for you was a timely reminder to me, and it will be a good reminder to Gibbs.” He let that sink in for a moment.  “Your loyalty to him is admirable, DiNozzo, but that doesn’t mean he gets to break his own rule and waste good.” 

DiNozzo held his gaze for a long moment before he sighed. “What can you tell me about the assignment?”

“Dangerous,” Tom said, “not least because it’s rife with politics, but it needs an agent of your calibre out there.” He sighed. “Beyond that?  If you say yes, then there will be a non-disclosure agreement the width of your thigh to sign.”

“How long do I have to think about it?” asked DiNozzo.

“They need someone out there ASAP but I can give you to first thing tomorrow,” Tom drank down the last gulp of coffee. He got up. “I should leave you to your evening.”

DiNozzo got to his feet.  “Sir.”  He disappeared into the kitchen.

Tom shrugged into his coat and headed for the door. By the time he reached it, DiNozzo had joined him there holding out a small sturdy bag with a brand logo. His eyebrows rose a little as he remembered how much he’d paid for a bag of beans from that particular brand the last time he’d surprised Janet with a present.

“I should really refuse, but I fear Janet will kill me if I admit I didn’t take them,” Tom admitted even as he took the bag from DiNozzo.

DiNozzo smiled. “I hope your wife enjoys the coffee.”

“Have a good evening, DiNozzo,” Tom said and stepped out.

The walk down the parking lot was brisk. His protection detail slowed as they approached his car and Tom grimaced as he saw why.

Gibbs straightened from where he had been leaning against the car door. Harry, the driver, looked repentant as he got out to open the door.

Tom shooed his detail to the side while Harry took possession of the bag of coffee. “Gibbs.”

“Did he take the assignment?” asked Gibbs bluntly.

Tom raised his eyebrows as he braced himself against the chill. “Do I want to know how you know?”

Gibbs grimaced and stayed silent.

“I gave him until tomorrow morning to think about it,” Tom said, adjusting his gloves. “But you and I know he shouldn’t be thinking about it at all.”

Gibbs ran a hand over his Marine haircut. “People join that project and disappear.”

“Maybe they’d disappear less with DiNozzo around to find them,” Tom pointed out.

Gibbs huffed. 

Tom held his gaze. “Rule five, right, Gibbs?  You were right about him and with him rescuing Atlas other people have sat up and noticed.” He waited a beat. “And maybe you’re remembering for the first time in months why you hired him.”

“I’ve never forgotten,” snapped Gibbs.

“Haven’t you?” needled Tom unapologetically. “Honestly, since Todd joined your team, I’ve been wondering if you even remembered how a chain of command works you’ve undermined the kid so much.”

Gibbs had the decency to duck his head at that. 

Tom sighed. “If this was just the brass wanting him because he did a good job, I’d have refused on the basis that he’s needed where he is,” he admitted, “but I think that they really need him and that…that has to be the priority call.” He waved a hand between them. “Not that you have any official knowledge of anything, right, Gibbs.”

Gibbs gave a short laugh. He grimaced and shook his head. He pinned Tom with a frank gaze.  “You think they need him?”

Tom nodded. Attempted murder was a damn good reason in his view for an actual investigator to be assigned. 

Gibbs set his shoulders straight and turned for the apartment building.

“Gibbs,” Tom called out to him, causing the former Marine to turn back and look at him inquisitively. “Don’t break his wings when you push him out of the nest; he doesn’t deserve it and it won’t serve him where he’s headed.”

Gibbs nodded slowly as Tom’s hard stare bore down on him. He turned smartly on his heel and left.

Tom shook his head and sent a silent prayer that Gibbs listened to his plea not to break DiNozzo. He hustled into his car and out of the cold.

As the car began to move, Tom took a moment to consider that with Gibbs’ push DiNozzo was definitely going to take the assignment which meant…

Damn it.

He was going to spend all the time DiNozzo was away wrangling Gibbs himself.

Tom sighed. He really should have had that glass of wine.

fin.

Please like, share, and comment if you enjoyed the story – it helps to support the website.

I’ll never ask you to pay to read my fanfiction – you can subscribe for free to see the subscriber exclusives, but if you would like to support my original writing, you can donate via the website here or buy me a cup of coffee over on ko-fi.