Weeks had passed and things were slowly getting back to normal, well as normal as they got. McGee pouted as he went back to his desk in the Cyber Unit. He wasn't even in charge. It was as if he'd been demoted, he hadn't deserved this. People seemed to think that he helped Ziva spy for Mossad. She'd lied to and betrayed him as well. No one trusted him anymore; they definitely didn't like him that was for sure. He felt so alone.
XXXXX
Abby sighed as she looked around her lab. It looked like all the others, it had no personality. All those little touches that made it hers were all gone. Every little procedure had to be followed and it was also checked. They treated her like she was a newbie, an idiot and not one of the best forensic scientists in the country.
She had tried to get Gibbs and Tony to forgive her, especially after Ziva told her she and McGee had lied. She didn't care what people thought. Timmy had made excuses, she had played on that, but nothing worked. All Gibbs cared about was Tony.
"He's the favourite now." Abby droned. It was the first time she had truly thought about leaving NCIS. It had been her home for so long, but now she was being treated like she was the same as everyone else. No one was being extra nice to her, no appearance of her favourite caffeine beverage. She went to Ducky and asked him what had changed. It seemed that they had heard how Tony was treated and his fellow agents didn't like it. Abby missed those days back when she got away with everything.
There could be a company out there where she could set her own rules. The thing that broke her heart was how cold Gibbs acted towards her. She missed those hugs and kisses. It was all gone because Timmy and Ziva had lied to him. It wasn't her fault and she should've forgiven. It was childish that they didn't.
XXXXX
Carrie was going through a case file. It contained everything to do with Tony's mother's death.
"Carrie, what are you doing?" Al asked as soon as he walked over to her.
"I need to get Senior away from Tony. I don't think the abuse evidenced will be enough. There has to be more I can...."
"What is it?" Al leaned over her shoulder to see what was looking at.
"This name Charles Hall, I know that name."
"Okay, can you think of where from? Concentrate on one of the times Tony had been beaten. He was with you and the two of you were both hiding from his father."
Carrie closed her eyes remembered those times. Her and Tony hiding away, she reached out to touch the bruises and there was a knock at the door. Her eyes shot open and then turned to look at her partner. "He used to come to the house. I remember a conversation between him and Senior. A hospital had concerns about how Tony was injured."
Al sat at his desk and started to search on his computer. "Charles Hall, lawyer, deceased."
"Let's talk to Tony and see what he remembers about the man. We'll also talk to the law firm." Carrie really hoped that this would lead somewhere.
XXXXX
Gibbs, Al and Carrie sat down as boxes of files were placed in front of them. It was all the information they had on Mrs DiNozzo.
"How did Tony take being benched?" Al laughed.
"He's not happy, but understands why he can't be here. I want to see everything first, I don't want him to be hurt by anything in here. Normally, I would still let him look, but he's been through so much lately. I don't know how much more he could take."
"You can't protect him from everything." Carrie knew the need to protect him as well.
"I know, but when he's back on an even keel. This is also about the possible murder of his mother, by his father."
They slowly made their way through letter's, memos and notes.
"So, she was going to leave him. It doesn't look like it was passed onto his colleagues." Al read aloud.
"I bet he told Senior though, that's why the original investigation this never came up. It's also a great reason to kill. All the money was hers. If she divorced him he wouldn't have had any of it." Gibbs growled.
Carrie laughed. "It seems as Mr Hall didn't completely trust Senior. All their correspondence, including notes on how to 'deal' with Mrs DiNozzo, thank god for those anal personalities." She looked over at Gibbs. "Do you think Ducky would take a look, there might be something that's been missed? I wouldn't be surprised if he'd bribed others."
"Ducky cares for Tony, he would be happy to help."
"We'll get information on who performed the autopsy. Then we'll go and have a chat." Al looked at the other two. He hoped it would end in the conviction of Tony's father.
XXXXX
Tony stood out in Gibbs' backyard and gazed out into the darkness. A pair of tanned muscular arms wrapped around his waist. He leaned back into the embrace.
"It's been a rollercoaster ride Jethro."
"It certainly has, there are things I regret, but I'm glad where we ended up." He placed a kiss on Tony's neck.
"Me too, I also have Carrie back in my life. I made a new friend in Al and I've got you. Oh Ziva and my father are in prison. The case came together the evidence from Hall, the doctor admitting that he'd been bribed to lie about the autopsy, and the pills he received from another 'friend'. They all gave him up to get better deals."
"I'm sorry about your mother. She tried to get you away from him."
"It still surprises me at what people will do for money." Tony turned around. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"I'm glad that Vance is cool with us. I wouldn't want to be split up because of this."
"I'd retire before either of us was moved. As long as we keep things professional and there's nothing to pull us up on. I think that's why Leon gave us some time off, and that you needed a break with the never ending shocks you received."
"Ah, the honeymoon period."
"He also wants to stay on our good sides." Gibbs laughed at the confused look that was sent his way. "We have to build a new team and train them while still working on cases. It's going to be a nightmare. By the way don't get use to this, me talking about my feelings."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
XXXXX
Carrie joined Tony at the café they decided to meet up at.
"I'm so grateful that day you walked into our offices."
"I'm glad too. I can't get over how long you managed to deal with that crap and let's not get into the whole unresolved sexual tension."
"Me, what about you and Al?"
"It's not the same thing; we've got a long history. We were together, but not being able to let go of my sister's murder drove us apart."
"It looks like your both on the same page now, maybe it's worth taking the risk."
"Carrie, we've got to go." Al called from the door. He'd been standing there chatting to Gibbs.
"You'd better keep in touch, don't make me hunt down that fine ass of yours, DiNozzo."
"It might be worth the chase Well's. I think I could evade you."
"I wouldn't bet on it." They stood and hugged. "Jethro better take care of you."
"Same goes with Al."
The four of them walked into the sunlight and separated off into pairs.
"How about a movie?" Gibbs asked as they walked.
"You want to go to a movie, with me? Be still my heart." Tony batted his eyelashes.
"Don't make me regret getting involved with you." The two men just laughed,
XXXXX
Carrie pulled open her car do. Al turned her around and kissed her.
"Al." She mumbled against his lip.
"I never got over you, we belong together. I'll be by your side every step of the way. We won't give up on finding out who murdered your sister."
She stared at him for a moment. "Are you sure? You did take the case from me. I...can't go through that again. I don't want to have to choose between you and her killer, again."
"I promise I won't do it again. This case with Tony showed me there's always a chance to close a cold case. We'll work on it together."
"Okay, but if you–."
"Shut up Carrie." Al pulled her back into another kiss.
XXXXX
On Gibbs' desk sat two files:
Ellie Bishop
Ned Dorneget.
The End