"Finding Al" for Beckymonster
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ncisficathonTitle: Finding Al.
Author: Keenir.
Recipient: Beckymonster.
Request: Tony didn't go into law enforcement - he studied film (instead of Phys Ed). One day, Tony DiNozzo, Professor in Film @ Georgetown University meets Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. What happens?
Character(s): Anthony DiNozzo, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Kate Todd, Ziva David, Tim McGee, mention of Ari Aswari and Michelle Lee.
Rating: PG-13
Word-count: 4,224 words.
Warnings: A character died in the recentish past. Gibbs roughing up a suspect. Ziva being intimidating.
Summary: Tony DiNozzo is the best suspect Gibbs has regarding a murder aboard a plane.
Beta(s): Antoinette
Author Notes: I’m not sure if there’s a word for when our timeline (OTL)’s events occur so far after the divergence point – but for this story’s narrative, while I’m keeping one event (Agent Lee’s death), I’m going to wrap it in circumstances more fitting the changed events.
Spoilers: Kill Ari 1&2, Cloak, Dagger, various other episodes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
‘Where was the famous gut today?’ was all the note said. But then, it didn’t need to say anything else.
Gibbs scowled, sending several stewardesses scurrying out of his path. “Anything yet, he asked as he returned to standing right behind the hastily-set-up laptops. The same one-part message and one-part taunt that Ari had used ever since I was forced to shoot through Agent Lee.
“Not yet, boss,” McGee said.
“All we can say with any certainty so far,” Kate said, “is that Ari wasn’t on this flight.”
“He was,” Gibbs aid.
“Not according to any of the security cameras here or at the airport you took off from,” McGee said. “Not that I’m stopping my search,” he was quick enough to add. “I mean its possible he had on enough of a disguise to thwart my facial recognition programs.”
Gibbs nodded. Looking into the little camera atop one laptop, he asked, “Anything yet, Abbs?”
“So far,” Abby said over the modem, “its looking like an ordinary death. Nothing hinky’s showing up yet.”
“With the training Ari got,” Gibbs said, “there wouldn’t be anything hinky at first sight.”
Abby nodded.
“And therein lies the conundrum, Jethro,” Ducky said, standing behind Gibbs. “If it is indeed Ari, then we may find no more trace of him here than we would if he was not behind this.”
“I know, Duck, I know,” Gibbs said. “Kate?”
“I’ll go talk to the other passengers again,” Kate said. “Anybody you think I should start with?”
Gibbs nodded. The guy I was stuck in coach with. “DiNozzo.”
.~~~~~~~~~~~~.
“Hey, you’re back!” he said cheerfully when Kate re-entered the temporary waiting room. The airport had done as Gibbs’d asked, sealing off part of the (concourse) to afford an isolatable room with chairs for the passengers as they waited to be questioned.
“Mr. DiNozzo,” Kate said, not looking forward to a second round with him. She nodded to the airport guards and the two NCIS agents standing at intervals around the room. “Could you come with me, please?”
“Gladly,” hopping to his feet, letting Agent Todd lead him back to the room that airport security had loaned NCIS for interrogations. Once there, DiNozzo took a seat, kicking his feet up on the table. “So, miss me already?” he asked her.
“Like the pox,” Kate said. “Just correct me where I’m wrong,” she said, looking from the folder on him, to him, and back.
“If you insist.”
“I do. Your name is Tony DiNozzo?”
“Anthony, actually. It’s a family name.”
“I see. And you work at Georgetown University?”
He nodded. “That’s the day job.”
“And you’re making a movie?”
“Was,” Tony said. “Actually since we’re being candid here, Kate, it’s more of me trying to make a movie – I finally got everyone signed on and on a plane to start filming…” a disgusted sigh escaped his lips. “And Capone offs himself.”
“I’m sorry?” Kate asked. Capone? The victim’s name was Munner.
“I got my inspiration from some late-night tv,” DiNozzo admitted. “That and seeing successes like Fatherland, The Yiddish Policeman’s Union and The Philadelphia Experiment.”
“And your wealthy cousin.”
Tony shrugged. “If my first film’d been a flop, he wouldn’t be helping me now, this is true.”
“So who’s Capone?” Kate asked.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No, Mr DiNozzo, I’m not kidding. There’s no mention of him on the flight manifests.”
“I sure hope not. Okay, here’s how I explained it to your bosses in the Navy suits…we all know that Al Capone grew up to be a vicious Chicago mob boss who could go to the opera one day and have dozens killed the next. But, and this’ a true story, when he was a kid growing up in the Navy Yards, this son of immigrants more often led his fellow children to right wrongs and stop bullies.
“So imagine a world where Capone doesn’t move east to Chicago, where he joins the Navy and uses that brain of his to solve crimes and stop America’s enemies.”
“He’d still have an ego,” Kate pointed out.
“So did MacArthur,” Tony reminded her. “Look what he did.”
“Fine,” Kate said, moving on. “Are you married?”
“Are you curious?”
“Just answer the question.”
Dropping his feet to the floor, Tony leaned towards her. “When you answer mine,” he said.
“Mr DiNozzo -”
“Tony.”
“- I am curious why you’re reluctant to answer my question.”
To that, Tony grinned. “For one, you’re kinda cute. For two, I’m trying to make her jealous.”
“Make who jealous?” Kate asked, the only NCIS agent in the room, and she was positive this guy can’t see through one-way glass.
“That other NCIS chick out there, the one trying to look inconspicuous in the $2.50 sunglasses indoors.”
Ziva, Kate knew. Unless the whole point of being so obvious is so that someone else can stand there for her, and she goes do something – why did I never consider that before? “Since you didn’t say you were trying to make your wife jealous, does that mean you’re single?” Kate asked.
“Maybe I just have a very open-minded wife,” Tony replied easily. “Quite an accommodating little lady,” he said in a vaguely John Wayne drawl.
“Or this is all a big distraction,” Kate said. “Your file says you’re single.”
“Oh well if its on my file, why then it must be true. Tell me, what do you think about crop circles?”
“I said in your file, not on the internet.”
Sitting up, DiNozzo said, “Nice to know you draw the line somewhere.”
“And what are you hiding?” Kate asked him, leaning forward just slightly.
“Nothing.”
“Mr -”
“If I was hiding something, and I told you, would it still be hidden? On the other hand, if you lean closer just a little bit more, I can see something you won’t be hiding much longer.”
Kate sat up, eyes narrowed. It’s easier getting Ari to talk, Kate thought to herself, knowing how difficult it was for the right circumstances to arise in which they could talk… usually it involved a scare of some sort.
“You okay?” Tony asked, his voice suggesting mild concern, as if he was slightly alarmed at the idea that he’d distressed her.
“I’m fine,” Kate said just as the door opened.
“I want a word with him,” Ziva said, holding the door open. “And Gibbs wants to know what you’ve learned.”
“I’m almost done in here,” Kate said.
“I only need one minute.”
“You trying for the Guinness Book?” Tony asked Ziva. “Because the shortest audition was done by Peter Boyle – he walked in, and as soon as they saw him, they gave him the role of Ray Barone’s dad.”
“That’s not who holds the record,” Ziva said.
“Should be.”
“Agent Todd?”
“Yes, Officer David?” Kate answered.
“One minute.”
“I’m not leaving the room.”
“Two minutes, then.”
Kate shrugged, standing back.
Ziva smiled at Tony as she shut the door.
Tony smiled back.
Ziva smiled as she walked towards him, her hips swinging just enough to be noticeable.
Kate rolled her eyes, but didn’t look away – she knew Ziva was mercurial on a good day.
Ziva reached out and ran one finger up and down Tony’s nearer arm to distract him, misleading him long enough for her to get close enough to grab him by both shoulders and – since the chairs collapsed easily enough – back against the wall. “So,” Ziva said as she placed one forearm against Tony’s throat.
“Wow,” he said, impressed. “SEAL?”
“No,” she said.
“Strasi?”
“No.”
“Ex-Shining Path?”
“No.”
“Sports Illustrated Swimsuit?”
“No,” Ziva said.
“Did Harvey send you?”
Ziva just looked at him.
“Can you give me a hint?” Tony asked.
In response, she applied a little pressure to his throat.
“Okay, seriously, not helping,” he said.
“Your first movie was To Tell,” Ziva said.
“Based on your reaction here,” Tony said, “I’m guessing you’re not a fan.”
“If I could, I would have you hauled back for treason.”
“Treason?” DiNozzo repeated, incredulous and a little worried – both for himself and for her. And what do you mean ‘hauled back’? We’re still in the States, and Britain wasn’t that pissed about anything I’ve done, so…hell. “You’re Israeli?” he asked Ziva.
“I am.”
The one country to blackball my essays and everything else because of To Tell. “You don’t look it.”
“Good.”
“Good because if you did, you’d be the world’s worst spy?”
“Exactly?”
“Huh,” Tony said.
“What?” Ziva said at the same time.
“Here I thought it was because no nation composed principally of immigrants has ‘a look’.”
“There is that also,” Ziva conceded.
“Look, I know I’m blacklisted in your country,” Tony said, “but getting an entire planeload of people arrested just to get your hands on me…so not helping your national image.” That and the fact that, as I’m not an Israeli citizen, I can’t be tried for treason.
“I’m here as a guest,” Ziva said, backing away slowly.
Tony rubbed tenderly at his sore neck. “Uh-huh.”
“Do you know him?” pulling a photograph from a folder on the table.
“Yeah, he looks familiar,” Tony said.
“When did you see him last?”
“I said he looks familiar,” DiNozzo enunciated.
“Go on.”
“He looks like you,” he told Ziva.
Kate hid her smile. “But you know him,” she said to Tony. “Mr DiNozzo, we know he’s one of your financiers.”
“I get all my money from my cousin,” Tony said. “Where he gets it from, you’d have to ask him…” and soto voiced, “Can’t believe I fell for the ‘are you now or have you ever been…?’” to Ziva. To both women, “Can I go get my puppet out of my luggage?”
“No,” they both said.
“Just checking.”
“Tell us what you know of Ari Aswari,” Ziva said.
“Who?” Tony asked.
“The man in that photograph.”
Tony shrugged.
“Kate,” Ziva said. “Leave the room.”
“Gibbs told me not to,” Kate said. “Especially after what happened in Panama City.”
“That was an accident.”
“Which is why he doesn’t want you left alone anymore.”
“Oooh, good cop bad cop,” Tony said, smiling. “Now all we need are wet t-shirts,” and noticed Kate drawing up and crossing her arms. Huh. Interesting.
“No,” Ziva said. “All we need is for you to answer our questions.”
“Tell you what,” Tony told her, “we’ve got all the roles we need for this movie… Well, except for Capone himself now,” and, under his breath, “obviously, and re-casting that’s going to be a bitch and a half.” Normal-voiced, “But I was thinking that the next movie will be based on The Grasshopper Lies Heavy…how would you like a role in that?”
“No,” Ziva said.
“Huh. No?”
“That’s right. No.”
“Well you seem to be pretty good at this detective stuff. How about we team up?”
“I would sooner eat pigs’ feet.”
“Pickled or fried?”
Ziva stared at him.
“C’mon, we can be a regular Nick and Nora.”
“I am not going to be nicking your nora,” Ziva said, deliberately misunderstanding him.
“Oh I’d pay to see that.”
“Like you pay for everything else, Tony?”
His eyes narrowed and he seemed to be a totally different person, one very dangerous to cross. Gone were the laugh lines which gave him that affable, easy-going, good-to-know face. “Nice stones, David,” deliberately mispronouncing her surname. And, with that, he was back to how he’d been before, appearance-wise.
Ignoring the slight – she’d been called worse - Ziva focused on his change. In her line of work, she knew how changing your expression with tightening or loosening your lips, the apparent height of the brow and forehead, and so on…all those combined to make a person’s face distinct and able to be recounted to the police sketch artists. “What sort of stone, Mr DiNozzo?”
He shrugged. “I’ve decided something just now.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Is that so?”
“Uh-huh. Nu, I want my lawyer. Nu, at least my liaison.”
“And?” Kate asked when Tony wasn’t saying anything else. “Which liaison?”
“The contextually-appropriate one,” Tony said. “Duh!”
“Who?” Ziva asked.
“What?” Tony asked. “Don’t you people talk to each other?”
.----------------------------.
“Jardine,” Gibbs said by way of greeting to the ex-agent who was walking into his temporary HQ here in the airport.
“Agent Gibbs,” Jardine said, not offering her hand to shake.
No change there. “I heard you retired,” Gibbs said.
“The rumors are vastly overdone,” she said, also not setting down her briefcase. “I was seconded to serve as a liaison.” Jardine shrugged. “It’s safer.”
“Fewer germs in a college?”
“Nobody’s perfect. Now, perhaps you can tell me what you’re looking for?”
“Ari Aswari,” Gibbs said.
Still? “Based on the fact that you’re holding an entire crew and passengers, I’m going to assume you haven’t found him hiding amongst them.”
“You’d be right.”
“So why are you holding them?”
“Making damned sure none of them know where he is.”
The ‘he’ being Ari. Of course. “Do you have any leads?”
“He’s got a collaborator,” Gibbs said.
“Do you have evidence? Proof of any kind?” Otherwise its not a lead, it’s a hunch. Of course, you’re good at that, aren’t you, Agent Gibbs.
“My gut.”
She sighed. “The SecNav was hoping you wouldn’t say that – he instructed me to tell you that your gut is not sufficient, particularly not now.”
Oh yeah? “And there was a murder on the plane,” Gibbs said.
“And why didn’t you say this before?” Jardine asked, fully expecting Gibbs to give a half-answer if he didn’t simply give a non-answer.
“Because you didn’t ask!”
That’s not why, she knew, but she followed him anyway. And when he led her into the room where her client was being held, “Mr. DiNozzo,” Nikki said.
“Agent Jardine,” Tony said. “Traffic wasn’t too bad, was it?”
“I’ve seen worse.”
“Nikki,” Ziva said.
“Hey,” she said to Ziva and Kate.
“Hi,” Kate said. “You’re his liaison?”
Jardine nodded. “SecNav wants to keep this from getting messy -”
“And they send you?” Ziva jested light-heartedly.
“- and he’s more afraid than ever now that Gibbs is on the case.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kate asked. “DiNozzo here’s making a movie about Capone.” A fantasy movie, by the sound of it.
“A movie,” Jardine said, “in which Capone is working for the Navy, not himself. Even if there’s controversy, the Navy’s ready.”
“Controversy?” Gibbs asked. “Over what, his role in the Valentine Day Massacre?”
DiNozzo made a buzzer sound. “I’m sorry, but while that was in the form of a question, it was too mean-spirited to qualify. As your consolation prize, try ‘What happens on Navy docks’ and ‘the history of NCIS.’”
Gibbs took a step towards him, then paused when his own cell phone rang. “Yeah,” Gibbs said, answering it.
“I finally managed to get ahold of a copy of the script, boss,” McGee said.
“Great, McGee; you want me to get him to autograph it for you?”
“No boss, no autograph necessary. I just thought you’d want to know who the film’s dedicated to. It was down at the bottom of the script, right at the start of the credits. There’s a lot of people involved in this, sir.”
“Yeah, no kidding, I kinda figured that one out on my own. Who’s it for?”
“The dedication? Right… It says ‘to the memory of Michelle Lee, Eric Jardine, and Tali David.’ That’s Ziva’s sister, isn’t it?” Gibbs asked.
“Was,” Gibbs said, using his free hand to pointedly gesture to Ziva and Kate that they should meet him against the wall for a conference.
“Oh.”
Before McGee could say anything else, Gibbs said, “This is useful, McGee. Good work,” and hung up, pocketing his cell. “Congratulations, Mr DiNozzo,” Gibbs said.
“Uh, thank you?”
“You don’t need to re-cast Capone.”
“I don’t?” Tony asked. “And why would that be, I wonder.”
Once more, Gibbs takes point, the most exposed position. “This role, it sounds like something right down your alley, Gibbs,” Ziva said. “You’re both strong, authoritative, clever.”
“Not one to forget slights,” Tony said.
“What makes you say that?”
“Say what?”
“What you just said.”
“What’d I just say?”
“Do we have a deal or not?” Gibbs asked, figuring that he’d be more likely to get an answer if he looked at Jardine.
“It’ll simplify things,” Nikki confided to Tony.
Tony nodded. To Gibbs, “Couldn’t resist the lure of ye ol’ silver screen, eh? Very well, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, consider yourself hired.”
Gibbs pounded the table. “And just how do you know my name?”
DiNozzo raised an eyebrow, looking as English as Ducky. “After 9-11, I like to know who’s going to be on the same flight as me, especially the guy sitting next to me in coach.”
“No,” Kate mock-objected. “A big-name director like you?”
“What can I say?” DiNozzo asked. “I’m humble.”
“So you don’t know who Ari is, is that what you’re saying?” Ziva asked.
“I know an Ari, much as the agent beside you here isn’t the first Kate I‘ve ever met. So to answer your question, no.”
Gibbs took one hand off the table, using it to hold DiNozzo’s throat hostage.
“Hey!” Tony and Nikki both objected, she being slightly more verbose.
“Then tell me why your fingerprints are on a slip of paper tucked under an elastic strap on my rucksack,” Gibbs said.
Based on the look on his face, Kate had a feeling DiNozzo was considering playing dumb and toying with them some more, then he thought better of it.
“It was my co-writer’s idea,” DiNozzo said. “He likes messing with people’s heads – you should’ve seen some of the other pranks he’s pulled,” as Jardine closed her eyes as if she knew what he’s talking about, “but really, he’s harmless.”
“Are you sure?” Kate asked.
“Pft,” Tony said. “Ari David’s never hurt anything bigger than a Porterhouse steak.”
“Ari David?” Gibbs asked, noticing that DiNozzo’d used Ziva’s pronunciation. “Him?” bringing the photo of Ari Aswari to the top of the pile once more.
“Sure, yeah.”
That was fast, Kate noted. What changed, why the sudden willingness to help? Or is it purely because he thinks Gibbs is about to kill him?
“He helped you write the damn thing?” Gibbs asked.
“Yeah,” DiNozzo said. “What of it?”
Gibbs remembered something Ducky had once said in an assessment of Ari’s character: that he was cultured and took pleasure in you noticing that fact. “What’d he want in return?”
DiNozzo shrugged. “He’s a writer, of course he’s going to get paid.”
“And a percentage of the profits,” Ziva said, her mind racing with the various possible uses Ari could put that money to.
Gibbs’ cell rang again, and he let go of DiNozzo. Stepping away from the table, “Yeah Duck?”
“I just finished going over Mr Munner, looking for both the obvious as well as anything subtle.”
“And it would appear that the late lamented Mr Munner was one of those people who experience a natural death in airplanes and similar locales, owing to microscopic defects in his heart and the capillaries of his brain. Abby has cross-referenced his medical records with all trips he’s made over the course of his lifetime.”
“And?” Gibbs asked.
“This was Mr Munner’s first airplane.”
“Did he know?”
“Oh it’s very likely that he did.”
“Then why’d he get on board?”
“He wanted to be in the pictures, Jethro. You of all people should know how well one’s doctors are heeded when one’s goal is so very nearly at hand at long last.”
“Understood, Duck.”
When Ducky hung up, Gibbs walked around the table. “Where was he?” Gibbs demanded, shouting in Tony’s face.
“Not here,” DiNozzo said. “Never was.”
“Then why?” holding up the note between two fingers. The how had already been answered.
“He asked me to give you the note, but not to hand it to you.”
“So you put it in my bag,” Gibbs said.
Tony nodded as much as he could, given that his neck was still in Gibbs’ grip.
“Where is he now?”
“Oh like I know?”
“You’re going to know.”
“And how’s that going to work, exactly?” DiNozzo asked. “Is Harvey whispering in your ears?”
“No,” Gibbs said, backing off and holding out a cellphone in one palm. “You’re going to call him.”
“And if I don’t?”
“You don’t want that.”
“I don’t?” DiNozzo asked. “Forgive me, it’s more curiosity than daring you – what would you do, have me kicked out of the country?” and nodded his head, accepting that possible outcome. “I’ve had offers from Parma and County Cork – granted they’re not Georgetown, but then, it’s a job. And if I still didn’t tell you, would you follow me there, tracking me, pretty sure that’d be stalking right there … though I’m curious, if you’re tailing me, how can you be doing your job at the same time?”
“Make the call,” Gibbs said, “and you won’t have to find out.”
DiNozzo smiled, leaning forward just a smidge and setting his hands on the table. “Alrighty-then, I think I can put a few more cards on the table – I’ve heard some stuff about you, Gibbs; this and that, mostly. But I gotta know, and maybe you can put this in your role as Capone, what’s it feel like to have such a reliable prognosticator as your gut fail to tell you that a pretty young lady like Michelle Lee is in trouble -”
Gibbs glared down at him. If Gibbs’ eyes had been lasers, DiNozzo would be smoldering cinders by this point.
“- and it fails so long that Ms. Lee has to turn for help to the man whom you’ve sworn a personal vendetta against.” Ya tosser. Tony frowned. “Though I’m starting to wonder if David was basing the changed Capone on you.”
Gibbs said nothing for a long minute. Then, “Want to find out?” one hand still holding out the cell phone, the other hand reaching toward his sidearm.
DiNozzo shrugged and took the cell easily. Dialed and set it against his ear. “Y’ello,” he said cheerfully. “Sorry, forgot about the time difference.,” smiling at Kate and Ziva.”
Nikki shook her head.
“Yeah, he’s here, not quite Colonel Clink,” Tony said. “You want – really? ‘Cause he’s a lot meaner than you said. Okay,” and held the phone over to Gibbs. “It’s for you,” DiNozzo said in all seriousness.
“Yeah?” Gibbs said once he had his cell phone back, knowing Abby would have started the back-trace and triangulation the moment his cell had been switched on.
“Gibbs, good to hear your voice once again,” Ari said on the other end of the line. “I was beginning to think you’d quit again.”
“After you turn yourself in, sure will,” Gibbs said. ‘How ‘bout it?”
“An interesting proposition to be sure. But one that regretfully could not be honored by either of us, of that I am certain.”
“Try me.”
Ari was silent for a few seconds. “Very well. I have recorded your agreement to play the starring role in Professor DiNozzo’s film. You are, after all, a man of your word.”
Gibbs was silent.
“This is simple, Gibbs,” Ari said. “Play the role, accept any lauding, and deal with it. Or Refuse, and…I’m sure your work would not be impacted in any way…unless you asked someone to trust you.”
Because you’ll release the audio recording if I refuse. “Why are you doing this?” Gibbs asked quietly.
“You would prefer, no doubt, that I have asked for cash as payment for my role in scriptwriting and producing – much safer to track the flow of money than to risk publicity.”
“It came to mind,” Gibbs agreed.
“That it did,” Ari agreed with a chuckle. “But that would not be why I am helping Mr DiNozzo.”
“And why are you helping him?”
“I’m well aware that you’re after me,” Ari said. “Which is why I have taken certain precautions, among them being where I am calling you from. So the length of this call is not material to me.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“That’s right.” The seed of the plan, the underlying idea, had come from watching To Tell the Truth, but it had grown from there. “And you aren’t guessing. You aren’t even stating anything with certainty.”
“I know I’m going to catch you,” Gibbs promised.
A chuckle with, “Ah yes, that famous gut certainty.” Ari’s voice was steel as he said, “What use is that gut of yours when it does not protect one of your own agents – a woman who needed your help.”
“She was working with you,” Gibbs said, the refrain that he had told himself time and again.
“When you demonstrated that you did not even notice anything was amiss or awry. And when she asked someone for help, you killed her: Are you quite certain you and my father are not made from the same mold?”
“I leave this in your hands, Agent Gibbs,” Ari said with finality. “This is one more thing that is on your own hands,” and hung up.
“I finished triangulating his call, Gibbs,” Abby said. “He’s in the Israeli Embassy, in Washington.”
“Well?” Professor DiNozzo asked. “What’ll it be?”
“You want to know?” Gibbs asked him.
He nodded.
Gibbs pulled out his gun and, swinging it up to aim at DiNozzo’s skull, took the safety off.
“Nice,” Tony DiNozzo said. “Already getting into character.”
.----------------------------------------------------------------------.
The End
Author: Keenir.
Recipient: Beckymonster.
Request: Tony didn't go into law enforcement - he studied film (instead of Phys Ed). One day, Tony DiNozzo, Professor in Film @ Georgetown University meets Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. What happens?
Character(s): Anthony DiNozzo, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Kate Todd, Ziva David, Tim McGee, mention of Ari Aswari and Michelle Lee.
Rating: PG-13
Word-count: 4,224 words.
Warnings: A character died in the recentish past. Gibbs roughing up a suspect. Ziva being intimidating.
Summary: Tony DiNozzo is the best suspect Gibbs has regarding a murder aboard a plane.
Beta(s): Antoinette
Author Notes: I’m not sure if there’s a word for when our timeline (OTL)’s events occur so far after the divergence point – but for this story’s narrative, while I’m keeping one event (Agent Lee’s death), I’m going to wrap it in circumstances more fitting the changed events.
Spoilers: Kill Ari 1&2, Cloak, Dagger, various other episodes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
‘Where was the famous gut today?’ was all the note said. But then, it didn’t need to say anything else.
Gibbs scowled, sending several stewardesses scurrying out of his path. “Anything yet, he asked as he returned to standing right behind the hastily-set-up laptops. The same one-part message and one-part taunt that Ari had used ever since I was forced to shoot through Agent Lee.
“Not yet, boss,” McGee said.
“All we can say with any certainty so far,” Kate said, “is that Ari wasn’t on this flight.”
“He was,” Gibbs aid.
“Not according to any of the security cameras here or at the airport you took off from,” McGee said. “Not that I’m stopping my search,” he was quick enough to add. “I mean its possible he had on enough of a disguise to thwart my facial recognition programs.”
Gibbs nodded. Looking into the little camera atop one laptop, he asked, “Anything yet, Abbs?”
“So far,” Abby said over the modem, “its looking like an ordinary death. Nothing hinky’s showing up yet.”
“With the training Ari got,” Gibbs said, “there wouldn’t be anything hinky at first sight.”
Abby nodded.
“And therein lies the conundrum, Jethro,” Ducky said, standing behind Gibbs. “If it is indeed Ari, then we may find no more trace of him here than we would if he was not behind this.”
“I know, Duck, I know,” Gibbs said. “Kate?”
“I’ll go talk to the other passengers again,” Kate said. “Anybody you think I should start with?”
Gibbs nodded. The guy I was stuck in coach with. “DiNozzo.”
.~~~~~~~~~~~~.
“Hey, you’re back!” he said cheerfully when Kate re-entered the temporary waiting room. The airport had done as Gibbs’d asked, sealing off part of the (concourse) to afford an isolatable room with chairs for the passengers as they waited to be questioned.
“Mr. DiNozzo,” Kate said, not looking forward to a second round with him. She nodded to the airport guards and the two NCIS agents standing at intervals around the room. “Could you come with me, please?”
“Gladly,” hopping to his feet, letting Agent Todd lead him back to the room that airport security had loaned NCIS for interrogations. Once there, DiNozzo took a seat, kicking his feet up on the table. “So, miss me already?” he asked her.
“Like the pox,” Kate said. “Just correct me where I’m wrong,” she said, looking from the folder on him, to him, and back.
“If you insist.”
“I do. Your name is Tony DiNozzo?”
“Anthony, actually. It’s a family name.”
“I see. And you work at Georgetown University?”
He nodded. “That’s the day job.”
“And you’re making a movie?”
“Was,” Tony said. “Actually since we’re being candid here, Kate, it’s more of me trying to make a movie – I finally got everyone signed on and on a plane to start filming…” a disgusted sigh escaped his lips. “And Capone offs himself.”
“I’m sorry?” Kate asked. Capone? The victim’s name was Munner.
“I got my inspiration from some late-night tv,” DiNozzo admitted. “That and seeing successes like Fatherland, The Yiddish Policeman’s Union and The Philadelphia Experiment.”
“And your wealthy cousin.”
Tony shrugged. “If my first film’d been a flop, he wouldn’t be helping me now, this is true.”
“So who’s Capone?” Kate asked.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“No, Mr DiNozzo, I’m not kidding. There’s no mention of him on the flight manifests.”
“I sure hope not. Okay, here’s how I explained it to your bosses in the Navy suits…we all know that Al Capone grew up to be a vicious Chicago mob boss who could go to the opera one day and have dozens killed the next. But, and this’ a true story, when he was a kid growing up in the Navy Yards, this son of immigrants more often led his fellow children to right wrongs and stop bullies.
“So imagine a world where Capone doesn’t move east to Chicago, where he joins the Navy and uses that brain of his to solve crimes and stop America’s enemies.”
“He’d still have an ego,” Kate pointed out.
“So did MacArthur,” Tony reminded her. “Look what he did.”
“Fine,” Kate said, moving on. “Are you married?”
“Are you curious?”
“Just answer the question.”
Dropping his feet to the floor, Tony leaned towards her. “When you answer mine,” he said.
“Mr DiNozzo -”
“Tony.”
“- I am curious why you’re reluctant to answer my question.”
To that, Tony grinned. “For one, you’re kinda cute. For two, I’m trying to make her jealous.”
“Make who jealous?” Kate asked, the only NCIS agent in the room, and she was positive this guy can’t see through one-way glass.
“That other NCIS chick out there, the one trying to look inconspicuous in the $2.50 sunglasses indoors.”
Ziva, Kate knew. Unless the whole point of being so obvious is so that someone else can stand there for her, and she goes do something – why did I never consider that before? “Since you didn’t say you were trying to make your wife jealous, does that mean you’re single?” Kate asked.
“Maybe I just have a very open-minded wife,” Tony replied easily. “Quite an accommodating little lady,” he said in a vaguely John Wayne drawl.
“Or this is all a big distraction,” Kate said. “Your file says you’re single.”
“Oh well if its on my file, why then it must be true. Tell me, what do you think about crop circles?”
“I said in your file, not on the internet.”
Sitting up, DiNozzo said, “Nice to know you draw the line somewhere.”
“And what are you hiding?” Kate asked him, leaning forward just slightly.
“Nothing.”
“Mr -”
“If I was hiding something, and I told you, would it still be hidden? On the other hand, if you lean closer just a little bit more, I can see something you won’t be hiding much longer.”
Kate sat up, eyes narrowed. It’s easier getting Ari to talk, Kate thought to herself, knowing how difficult it was for the right circumstances to arise in which they could talk… usually it involved a scare of some sort.
“You okay?” Tony asked, his voice suggesting mild concern, as if he was slightly alarmed at the idea that he’d distressed her.
“I’m fine,” Kate said just as the door opened.
“I want a word with him,” Ziva said, holding the door open. “And Gibbs wants to know what you’ve learned.”
“I’m almost done in here,” Kate said.
“I only need one minute.”
“You trying for the Guinness Book?” Tony asked Ziva. “Because the shortest audition was done by Peter Boyle – he walked in, and as soon as they saw him, they gave him the role of Ray Barone’s dad.”
“That’s not who holds the record,” Ziva said.
“Should be.”
“Agent Todd?”
“Yes, Officer David?” Kate answered.
“One minute.”
“I’m not leaving the room.”
“Two minutes, then.”
Kate shrugged, standing back.
Ziva smiled at Tony as she shut the door.
Tony smiled back.
Ziva smiled as she walked towards him, her hips swinging just enough to be noticeable.
Kate rolled her eyes, but didn’t look away – she knew Ziva was mercurial on a good day.
Ziva reached out and ran one finger up and down Tony’s nearer arm to distract him, misleading him long enough for her to get close enough to grab him by both shoulders and – since the chairs collapsed easily enough – back against the wall. “So,” Ziva said as she placed one forearm against Tony’s throat.
“Wow,” he said, impressed. “SEAL?”
“No,” she said.
“Strasi?”
“No.”
“Ex-Shining Path?”
“No.”
“Sports Illustrated Swimsuit?”
“No,” Ziva said.
“Did Harvey send you?”
Ziva just looked at him.
“Can you give me a hint?” Tony asked.
In response, she applied a little pressure to his throat.
“Okay, seriously, not helping,” he said.
“Your first movie was To Tell,” Ziva said.
“Based on your reaction here,” Tony said, “I’m guessing you’re not a fan.”
“If I could, I would have you hauled back for treason.”
“Treason?” DiNozzo repeated, incredulous and a little worried – both for himself and for her. And what do you mean ‘hauled back’? We’re still in the States, and Britain wasn’t that pissed about anything I’ve done, so…hell. “You’re Israeli?” he asked Ziva.
“I am.”
The one country to blackball my essays and everything else because of To Tell. “You don’t look it.”
“Good.”
“Good because if you did, you’d be the world’s worst spy?”
“Exactly?”
“Huh,” Tony said.
“What?” Ziva said at the same time.
“Here I thought it was because no nation composed principally of immigrants has ‘a look’.”
“There is that also,” Ziva conceded.
“Look, I know I’m blacklisted in your country,” Tony said, “but getting an entire planeload of people arrested just to get your hands on me…so not helping your national image.” That and the fact that, as I’m not an Israeli citizen, I can’t be tried for treason.
“I’m here as a guest,” Ziva said, backing away slowly.
Tony rubbed tenderly at his sore neck. “Uh-huh.”
“Do you know him?” pulling a photograph from a folder on the table.
“Yeah, he looks familiar,” Tony said.
“When did you see him last?”
“I said he looks familiar,” DiNozzo enunciated.
“Go on.”
“He looks like you,” he told Ziva.
Kate hid her smile. “But you know him,” she said to Tony. “Mr DiNozzo, we know he’s one of your financiers.”
“I get all my money from my cousin,” Tony said. “Where he gets it from, you’d have to ask him…” and soto voiced, “Can’t believe I fell for the ‘are you now or have you ever been…?’” to Ziva. To both women, “Can I go get my puppet out of my luggage?”
“No,” they both said.
“Just checking.”
“Tell us what you know of Ari Aswari,” Ziva said.
“Who?” Tony asked.
“The man in that photograph.”
Tony shrugged.
“Kate,” Ziva said. “Leave the room.”
“Gibbs told me not to,” Kate said. “Especially after what happened in Panama City.”
“That was an accident.”
“Which is why he doesn’t want you left alone anymore.”
“Oooh, good cop bad cop,” Tony said, smiling. “Now all we need are wet t-shirts,” and noticed Kate drawing up and crossing her arms. Huh. Interesting.
“No,” Ziva said. “All we need is for you to answer our questions.”
“Tell you what,” Tony told her, “we’ve got all the roles we need for this movie… Well, except for Capone himself now,” and, under his breath, “obviously, and re-casting that’s going to be a bitch and a half.” Normal-voiced, “But I was thinking that the next movie will be based on The Grasshopper Lies Heavy…how would you like a role in that?”
“No,” Ziva said.
“Huh. No?”
“That’s right. No.”
“Well you seem to be pretty good at this detective stuff. How about we team up?”
“I would sooner eat pigs’ feet.”
“Pickled or fried?”
Ziva stared at him.
“C’mon, we can be a regular Nick and Nora.”
“I am not going to be nicking your nora,” Ziva said, deliberately misunderstanding him.
“Oh I’d pay to see that.”
“Like you pay for everything else, Tony?”
His eyes narrowed and he seemed to be a totally different person, one very dangerous to cross. Gone were the laugh lines which gave him that affable, easy-going, good-to-know face. “Nice stones, David,” deliberately mispronouncing her surname. And, with that, he was back to how he’d been before, appearance-wise.
Ignoring the slight – she’d been called worse - Ziva focused on his change. In her line of work, she knew how changing your expression with tightening or loosening your lips, the apparent height of the brow and forehead, and so on…all those combined to make a person’s face distinct and able to be recounted to the police sketch artists. “What sort of stone, Mr DiNozzo?”
He shrugged. “I’ve decided something just now.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Is that so?”
“Uh-huh. Nu, I want my lawyer. Nu, at least my liaison.”
“And?” Kate asked when Tony wasn’t saying anything else. “Which liaison?”
“The contextually-appropriate one,” Tony said. “Duh!”
“Who?” Ziva asked.
“What?” Tony asked. “Don’t you people talk to each other?”
.----------------------------.
“Jardine,” Gibbs said by way of greeting to the ex-agent who was walking into his temporary HQ here in the airport.
“Agent Gibbs,” Jardine said, not offering her hand to shake.
No change there. “I heard you retired,” Gibbs said.
“The rumors are vastly overdone,” she said, also not setting down her briefcase. “I was seconded to serve as a liaison.” Jardine shrugged. “It’s safer.”
“Fewer germs in a college?”
“Nobody’s perfect. Now, perhaps you can tell me what you’re looking for?”
“Ari Aswari,” Gibbs said.
Still? “Based on the fact that you’re holding an entire crew and passengers, I’m going to assume you haven’t found him hiding amongst them.”
“You’d be right.”
“So why are you holding them?”
“Making damned sure none of them know where he is.”
The ‘he’ being Ari. Of course. “Do you have any leads?”
“He’s got a collaborator,” Gibbs said.
“Do you have evidence? Proof of any kind?” Otherwise its not a lead, it’s a hunch. Of course, you’re good at that, aren’t you, Agent Gibbs.
“My gut.”
She sighed. “The SecNav was hoping you wouldn’t say that – he instructed me to tell you that your gut is not sufficient, particularly not now.”
Oh yeah? “And there was a murder on the plane,” Gibbs said.
“And why didn’t you say this before?” Jardine asked, fully expecting Gibbs to give a half-answer if he didn’t simply give a non-answer.
“Because you didn’t ask!”
That’s not why, she knew, but she followed him anyway. And when he led her into the room where her client was being held, “Mr. DiNozzo,” Nikki said.
“Agent Jardine,” Tony said. “Traffic wasn’t too bad, was it?”
“I’ve seen worse.”
“Nikki,” Ziva said.
“Hey,” she said to Ziva and Kate.
“Hi,” Kate said. “You’re his liaison?”
Jardine nodded. “SecNav wants to keep this from getting messy -”
“And they send you?” Ziva jested light-heartedly.
“- and he’s more afraid than ever now that Gibbs is on the case.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kate asked. “DiNozzo here’s making a movie about Capone.” A fantasy movie, by the sound of it.
“A movie,” Jardine said, “in which Capone is working for the Navy, not himself. Even if there’s controversy, the Navy’s ready.”
“Controversy?” Gibbs asked. “Over what, his role in the Valentine Day Massacre?”
DiNozzo made a buzzer sound. “I’m sorry, but while that was in the form of a question, it was too mean-spirited to qualify. As your consolation prize, try ‘What happens on Navy docks’ and ‘the history of NCIS.’”
Gibbs took a step towards him, then paused when his own cell phone rang. “Yeah,” Gibbs said, answering it.
“I finally managed to get ahold of a copy of the script, boss,” McGee said.
“Great, McGee; you want me to get him to autograph it for you?”
“No boss, no autograph necessary. I just thought you’d want to know who the film’s dedicated to. It was down at the bottom of the script, right at the start of the credits. There’s a lot of people involved in this, sir.”
“Yeah, no kidding, I kinda figured that one out on my own. Who’s it for?”
“The dedication? Right… It says ‘to the memory of Michelle Lee, Eric Jardine, and Tali David.’ That’s Ziva’s sister, isn’t it?” Gibbs asked.
“Was,” Gibbs said, using his free hand to pointedly gesture to Ziva and Kate that they should meet him against the wall for a conference.
“Oh.”
Before McGee could say anything else, Gibbs said, “This is useful, McGee. Good work,” and hung up, pocketing his cell. “Congratulations, Mr DiNozzo,” Gibbs said.
“Uh, thank you?”
“You don’t need to re-cast Capone.”
“I don’t?” Tony asked. “And why would that be, I wonder.”
Once more, Gibbs takes point, the most exposed position. “This role, it sounds like something right down your alley, Gibbs,” Ziva said. “You’re both strong, authoritative, clever.”
“Not one to forget slights,” Tony said.
“What makes you say that?”
“Say what?”
“What you just said.”
“What’d I just say?”
“Do we have a deal or not?” Gibbs asked, figuring that he’d be more likely to get an answer if he looked at Jardine.
“It’ll simplify things,” Nikki confided to Tony.
Tony nodded. To Gibbs, “Couldn’t resist the lure of ye ol’ silver screen, eh? Very well, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, consider yourself hired.”
Gibbs pounded the table. “And just how do you know my name?”
DiNozzo raised an eyebrow, looking as English as Ducky. “After 9-11, I like to know who’s going to be on the same flight as me, especially the guy sitting next to me in coach.”
“No,” Kate mock-objected. “A big-name director like you?”
“What can I say?” DiNozzo asked. “I’m humble.”
“So you don’t know who Ari is, is that what you’re saying?” Ziva asked.
“I know an Ari, much as the agent beside you here isn’t the first Kate I‘ve ever met. So to answer your question, no.”
Gibbs took one hand off the table, using it to hold DiNozzo’s throat hostage.
“Hey!” Tony and Nikki both objected, she being slightly more verbose.
“Then tell me why your fingerprints are on a slip of paper tucked under an elastic strap on my rucksack,” Gibbs said.
Based on the look on his face, Kate had a feeling DiNozzo was considering playing dumb and toying with them some more, then he thought better of it.
“It was my co-writer’s idea,” DiNozzo said. “He likes messing with people’s heads – you should’ve seen some of the other pranks he’s pulled,” as Jardine closed her eyes as if she knew what he’s talking about, “but really, he’s harmless.”
“Are you sure?” Kate asked.
“Pft,” Tony said. “Ari David’s never hurt anything bigger than a Porterhouse steak.”
“Ari David?” Gibbs asked, noticing that DiNozzo’d used Ziva’s pronunciation. “Him?” bringing the photo of Ari Aswari to the top of the pile once more.
“Sure, yeah.”
That was fast, Kate noted. What changed, why the sudden willingness to help? Or is it purely because he thinks Gibbs is about to kill him?
“He helped you write the damn thing?” Gibbs asked.
“Yeah,” DiNozzo said. “What of it?”
Gibbs remembered something Ducky had once said in an assessment of Ari’s character: that he was cultured and took pleasure in you noticing that fact. “What’d he want in return?”
DiNozzo shrugged. “He’s a writer, of course he’s going to get paid.”
“And a percentage of the profits,” Ziva said, her mind racing with the various possible uses Ari could put that money to.
Gibbs’ cell rang again, and he let go of DiNozzo. Stepping away from the table, “Yeah Duck?”
“I just finished going over Mr Munner, looking for both the obvious as well as anything subtle.”
“And it would appear that the late lamented Mr Munner was one of those people who experience a natural death in airplanes and similar locales, owing to microscopic defects in his heart and the capillaries of his brain. Abby has cross-referenced his medical records with all trips he’s made over the course of his lifetime.”
“And?” Gibbs asked.
“This was Mr Munner’s first airplane.”
“Did he know?”
“Oh it’s very likely that he did.”
“Then why’d he get on board?”
“He wanted to be in the pictures, Jethro. You of all people should know how well one’s doctors are heeded when one’s goal is so very nearly at hand at long last.”
“Understood, Duck.”
When Ducky hung up, Gibbs walked around the table. “Where was he?” Gibbs demanded, shouting in Tony’s face.
“Not here,” DiNozzo said. “Never was.”
“Then why?” holding up the note between two fingers. The how had already been answered.
“He asked me to give you the note, but not to hand it to you.”
“So you put it in my bag,” Gibbs said.
Tony nodded as much as he could, given that his neck was still in Gibbs’ grip.
“Where is he now?”
“Oh like I know?”
“You’re going to know.”
“And how’s that going to work, exactly?” DiNozzo asked. “Is Harvey whispering in your ears?”
“No,” Gibbs said, backing off and holding out a cellphone in one palm. “You’re going to call him.”
“And if I don’t?”
“You don’t want that.”
“I don’t?” DiNozzo asked. “Forgive me, it’s more curiosity than daring you – what would you do, have me kicked out of the country?” and nodded his head, accepting that possible outcome. “I’ve had offers from Parma and County Cork – granted they’re not Georgetown, but then, it’s a job. And if I still didn’t tell you, would you follow me there, tracking me, pretty sure that’d be stalking right there … though I’m curious, if you’re tailing me, how can you be doing your job at the same time?”
“Make the call,” Gibbs said, “and you won’t have to find out.”
DiNozzo smiled, leaning forward just a smidge and setting his hands on the table. “Alrighty-then, I think I can put a few more cards on the table – I’ve heard some stuff about you, Gibbs; this and that, mostly. But I gotta know, and maybe you can put this in your role as Capone, what’s it feel like to have such a reliable prognosticator as your gut fail to tell you that a pretty young lady like Michelle Lee is in trouble -”
Gibbs glared down at him. If Gibbs’ eyes had been lasers, DiNozzo would be smoldering cinders by this point.
“- and it fails so long that Ms. Lee has to turn for help to the man whom you’ve sworn a personal vendetta against.” Ya tosser. Tony frowned. “Though I’m starting to wonder if David was basing the changed Capone on you.”
Gibbs said nothing for a long minute. Then, “Want to find out?” one hand still holding out the cell phone, the other hand reaching toward his sidearm.
DiNozzo shrugged and took the cell easily. Dialed and set it against his ear. “Y’ello,” he said cheerfully. “Sorry, forgot about the time difference.,” smiling at Kate and Ziva.”
Nikki shook her head.
“Yeah, he’s here, not quite Colonel Clink,” Tony said. “You want – really? ‘Cause he’s a lot meaner than you said. Okay,” and held the phone over to Gibbs. “It’s for you,” DiNozzo said in all seriousness.
“Yeah?” Gibbs said once he had his cell phone back, knowing Abby would have started the back-trace and triangulation the moment his cell had been switched on.
“Gibbs, good to hear your voice once again,” Ari said on the other end of the line. “I was beginning to think you’d quit again.”
“After you turn yourself in, sure will,” Gibbs said. ‘How ‘bout it?”
“An interesting proposition to be sure. But one that regretfully could not be honored by either of us, of that I am certain.”
“Try me.”
Ari was silent for a few seconds. “Very well. I have recorded your agreement to play the starring role in Professor DiNozzo’s film. You are, after all, a man of your word.”
Gibbs was silent.
“This is simple, Gibbs,” Ari said. “Play the role, accept any lauding, and deal with it. Or Refuse, and…I’m sure your work would not be impacted in any way…unless you asked someone to trust you.”
Because you’ll release the audio recording if I refuse. “Why are you doing this?” Gibbs asked quietly.
“You would prefer, no doubt, that I have asked for cash as payment for my role in scriptwriting and producing – much safer to track the flow of money than to risk publicity.”
“It came to mind,” Gibbs agreed.
“That it did,” Ari agreed with a chuckle. “But that would not be why I am helping Mr DiNozzo.”
“And why are you helping him?”
“I’m well aware that you’re after me,” Ari said. “Which is why I have taken certain precautions, among them being where I am calling you from. So the length of this call is not material to me.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“That’s right.” The seed of the plan, the underlying idea, had come from watching To Tell the Truth, but it had grown from there. “And you aren’t guessing. You aren’t even stating anything with certainty.”
“I know I’m going to catch you,” Gibbs promised.
A chuckle with, “Ah yes, that famous gut certainty.” Ari’s voice was steel as he said, “What use is that gut of yours when it does not protect one of your own agents – a woman who needed your help.”
“She was working with you,” Gibbs said, the refrain that he had told himself time and again.
“When you demonstrated that you did not even notice anything was amiss or awry. And when she asked someone for help, you killed her: Are you quite certain you and my father are not made from the same mold?”
“I leave this in your hands, Agent Gibbs,” Ari said with finality. “This is one more thing that is on your own hands,” and hung up.
“I finished triangulating his call, Gibbs,” Abby said. “He’s in the Israeli Embassy, in Washington.”
“Well?” Professor DiNozzo asked. “What’ll it be?”
“You want to know?” Gibbs asked him.
He nodded.
Gibbs pulled out his gun and, swinging it up to aim at DiNozzo’s skull, took the safety off.
“Nice,” Tony DiNozzo said. “Already getting into character.”
.----------------------------------------------------------------------.
The End
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