A/N Thanks to the beautiful Nacole for going through this.
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Amanda and Methos walked in.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"Rivkin called, he has Ellie and wants to meet me."
"Did he challenge you?" Methos demanded.
"No, why?" Tony looked confused.
"If it's a challenge no one can interfere," Amanda explained.
"Why didn't he do that then?" Gibbs wasn't going to risk Tony.
"My guess, if he's working for Mossad, then he might want Tony to work for them. If he says no, then he'll take his head." Methos shook his head.
"I'm not going to agree to that. I guess I'm going to fight him."
"Tony–."
"Gibbs, I'm not going to let Ellie die."
"I don't want you to die." He shouted, it wasn't something he usually did, but this was too important.
Just then his cell went off again, Tony answered it. "Yes, hold on." He mimed that he needed pen and paper. He didn't want to give away any information on the people that were with him. Michael might already know, but he wasn't going to risk it. Amanda walked over and placed a notebook and pen on a table. He smiled and nodded his thanks. "I'm ready." Tony wrote down an address, but before he could confirm the details, Michael had hung up.
"Well?" Methos asked.
"It's the address of where he wants to meet me. As soon as I'm there and he sees me, he'll release Ellie."
"He's not going to do that," Gibbs argued.
"He still hasn't challenged you?" Methos just wanted to make sure.
"No, he hasn't."
"Let's split up I'll go with Tony, Amanda, it's you and Gibbs." He held up his hands to stop any argument. "Look Tony and Gibbs know the area better than we do they're also federal agents. Amanda and I are the older Immortals." He ignored the glare she sent his way. "It makes sense for us to split up."
"Fine," Gibbs answered finally, and the others nodded in agreement.
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"It won't be long Ms Bishop, Mr DiNozzo will be ours, or he'll be dead."
"Look you don't need to do this, no one has to die."
"You are wrong about that, if he does not plan to work with me, well" he shrugged "one more immortal for me to come after later." Michael smiled at her, "a few more years of experience and you might have made a good watcher."
"You said you would let me go."
He laughed. "Did you really believe I would, such naivety, I will deal with you after DiNozzo is with me or dead. I still might need you."
"You seem very confident that you'll come out the winner?"
"Of course I will, my opponent has only just stared to train, he can't beat me." Michael laughed as he walked away.
"Please don't come." She begged and wished she could tell him that. Ellie didn't want anyone to die on her account. She shouldn't have been involved in the first place. All she could do now is to wait and see.
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They had separated and came in from different sides of this large abandoned building. There was a conference room in the centre, which was where Tony and Michael would meet.
"Are you ready?"
"I guess so." Tony looked down at the sword in his hand. It still felt awkward, and all he had were doubts. He was going up against a man who'd been sword fighting for a long time and was also a trained killer.
"I'm sorry Tony."
Tony turned "sorry about–."
Methos raised his sword and with the hilt knocked the younger man out. "'I can't let you go out there, you'll die." He turned and headed towards the rendezvous point "It's all damn your fault Duncan." he mumbled. "You and your bloody boy scout tendencies."
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Michael looked up and frowned, "who are you? Where's DiNozzo?"
"I'm afraid Tony isn't available, it seems like you are stuck will me."
"And you are? Wait, it doesn't matter it's all extra power to me."
"Well, this is disappointing. I thought you would be more excited to meet me."
"Why would I be excited to meet you?" Michael frowned he didn't understand what this man was talking about and it worried him.
The two men circled each other, swords in their hands.
"Oh, I thought you and Director David were looking for me?"
It didn't take Michael long to realise what he was talking about. "You're Methos."
"I would say it's a pleasure to meet you, but..."
"I don't suppose you would just give up and come with me?"
"Sorry I can't do that."
"Why? Are you afraid to get your hands, dirty? You're not good enough or just don't dare to kill people."
Methos couldn't help but laugh. "I've killed more people than you ever will, I was once known as one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Do you want to guess who I was?"
"Death," Michael whispered.
"Yes, l was, and for some people I still am. You searched for me, and here I am. Now it's time to pay that price."
"You haven't fought for year's old man, you're rusty."
"Really, am I?" Methos smirked as Michael came forward to start the attack.
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Gibbs and Amanda slowly pushed open an old creaking door. They could see Ellie alone and tied to a chair. They rushed to her side and released her.
"He wants Tony on his side if that doesn't work; he's going to kill him."
Just then the air crackled with electricity, and then a loud explosion sounded.
"Tony," Gibbs whispered panic on her face. He turned and ran out of the door.
"Gibbs!" Amanda yelled and chased after him, Ellie followed closely behind
"I can't lose him." He shouted back.
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"Oww," Tony muttered as he slowly sat up and rubbed his head.
"Tony." Gibbs called out as he pushed the door open "Tony." He collapsed to his knees, ignoring the pain and pulled the younger man into his arms. "What happened?"
"Adam knocked me out." Tony was aware enough to see Ellie, and only a few knew who Methos truly was. He then looked and saw the lost look on Amanda's face. "What have I missed?"
''We felt the quickening Tony," Amanda replied softly. "An immortal lost his head."
Before Tony could say anything in walked Methos, he got to his feet and hugged the oldest immortal. "Why did you do that?"
"You wouldn't have beaten him, Tony. I had a much better chance."
"Wait, you're an immortal?" Ellie asked, and realised what they had done for her. "Sorry my mistake you're not one, he got away."
"You are learning my dear if you need to talk to someone who understands talk to Joe." Amanda smiled happily.
"Thank you, I couldn't lose someone else, not after I just found him." Gibbs knew that eventually, he would lose everyone he cared about, everyone but Tony. It was something that eased the ache in his chest. At some point, they would need to sit down and discuss when they would need to leave and create a new life. At least now there were people, friends they could turn too.
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Ziva stood there and took a deep breath. There was one person that could help her. She raised her hand and knocked on the door.
"What do you…?" Abby's voiced faded after she opened the door and saw who it was. "Not you as well."
Ziva pushed past and walked into the apartment, and there was Tim.
"Abby, you have to help me," Tim begged.
"Help us," Ziva added and glared at him. It didn't matter she had initially come here only caring about her own interests.
"l don't think Gibbs will help. Tony was in trouble, he could've died."
"I do not understand why this bothers him so much, it is only Tony: I believe things would be better without him around." Ziva smiled as she spoke.
Abby stared at her in horror; she'd believed it was an accident. They couldn't really want Tony dead, but now as Ziva spoke so coldly she felt sick to her stomach. She turned to Tim expecting him to argue at how Ziva was wrong, but instead, he nodded and looked thoughtful. How could she have been so wrong about them?
"Please leave."
"But Abby you have to–."
''McGee I asked you to leave and take Ziva with you. Even if Gibbs listened to me about this, I wouldn't ask him. The two of you didn't provide back up, and for that, you have to be punished." She felt like such an idiot and a truly horrible person. All she had cared about was how she didn't want things to change. It had been all about her. Abby would say sorry to them both, they may never forgive her; the relationship she has with them would never be the same. Why would they want her back, like that, her feelings had been more important than someone's life and not just anyone, a man she loved dearly.
Ziva and Tim glanced at each other once then back to Abby. It was clear she wasn't going to be any help. They both turned and left a little confused at why Abby was suddenly crying.
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"Has a decision been made?" Gibbs asked as soon as he walked into the Director's office.
"Yes. McGee is going to be fired, and Ziva is being to be sent back to Israel. This is not the kind of thing that gets you a slap on the wrist."
"I'll let Tony know. I guess I'll be looking for new team members." Gibbs paused, "will there be any problems because of this?"
"I've already had their fathers on the phone before the final decision was made. When I explained what happened, they were embarrassed, apologised and hung up. It doesn't matter what they thought. This was not an acceptable way to act. Agents need to know that your team has your back, that if you're in danger, other NCIS agents will be there. If not then I, as the Director will make sure those responsible will be punished."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"You had doubts?" Vance asked.
"It wouldn't be the first time an agent was sacrificed for what someone else would consider the greater good."
"Very true, but that isn't me."
Gibbs nodded, turned and left. He didn't like leaving Tony alone at the moment, not after thinking he'd lost him
Vance smiled slightly he hoped that now Gibbs knew what kind of man and director he was things might be a little smoother. They would still argue and disagree, that's just who they were and how they both saw things. The most important thing now was they both knew that the agents of NCIS came first.
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Tony looked up and smiled as Gibbs walked down the stairs. He was so glad to see his immortal because Abby had just turned up and he wasn't in the mood for her and the ', but we're family it doesn't matter if you nearly died' talk.
"Abby, what are you doing here?" Gibbs asked
"I, uh…" Her voice faded as she looked down at the floor.
The two men threw confused looks at each other.
"What is it, Abby?" Tony asked.
"I'm sorry." She blurted out.
"What exactly are you sorry about?" Gibbs wanted to make sure she truly understood.
"I'm sorry I was being so selfish and just thinking about my own feelings. I didn't believe Ziva and Tim could truly mean to hurt you because we're a family." She sniffed still not able to look at them.
"What brought this on Abs?" Tony asked softly.
'They both turned up at my place last night. They thought I could talk Gibbs into sorting things out so nothing would happen to them, at least I think that's what it was. It never got as far as them telling me exactly what they wanted me to say. Ziva went on about it shouldn't matter because it was just Tony and if he died it would be better. I felt so sick that I completely misread her. I turned to Tim thinking he would say it was horrible and tell her she was wrong."
"He didn't though, did he?" Gibbs sighed.
"No, he just nodded in agreement. I told them they had to leave. I knew I knew I needed to say sorry, I really am. I also get it may take time for you to trust me again or it may never happen. Even if our relationship is not going to be the same, I still need to prove I will have your back."
"I appreciate that, and at the moment I don't know where we go from here. I just need to deal with Ziva and Tim first. I need to get my head around that, accept it and move on afterwards who knows." Tony knew he wasn't in the right frame of mind.
"I understand," she smiled sadly and never attempted to try and hug them or push the relationship into what she wanted, "I'll be in my lab if you need me for a case or anything."
Gibbs watched her leave. He wanted to hug her, but just like Tony, there were things he needed to go through.
"At least she understands now Gibbs. Hopefully, Abby can move forward and be a better person for it."
"You don't have to worry about Ziva and McGee. Vance has said what they did was unacceptable and there was only one punishment that was going to happen."
"So they no longer work at NCIS."
"No, they don't, no one would ever trust them to watch anyone's back, once it got around and it would. Tony promise to come to me next time?"
"I promise. I can't let things go that far again. I think I'll cut down on the clown act too."
"You don't have too it wasn't a problem."
"I know Gibbs, I'll still use it so people will underestimate me, and to help relax people.
I am going to tone it down."
"Okay, if you're doing it for you. I have no problem."
"Thank you for believing in me."
"Thank you, Tony, for staying, when most people would have given up because I'm too difficult to work for. I'll think of a more personal thank you later."
Tony laughed "I look forward to it."
"This is your entire fault," Ziva shouted as she made her way over to Tony.
Gibbs stepped forward to stop her. "The only people to blame are yourselves. You and McGee didn't do your job. It's as simple as that." He leaned forward so he could whisper in her ear. "Your father is waiting for you, oh and let them know that some out of town friends dealt with Michael."
Before anything else could be said security took had her arms to escort her out. She knew that if she tried anything else, it would cause her a lot more trouble.
"I..." Tim shivered as he tried to explain.
"Stop Tim, there is no way out. The minute you decided my life was worth nothing is the day you should no longer work with teams in dangerous situations."
Tim's goes to leave, but here's a beep he has a message on his cell, he reads the text, his father has heard all about it and is livid. He's become an embarrassment to the family.
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Eli couldn't believe that she'd been so stupid. When Ziva was back at Mossad, she would be sent for retraining, one day in the far future she may be given an important assignment, but that is only if she has learnt her lesson.
He was worried that he couldn't contact Michael. Had his immortal finally lost his head? If he did not hear soon, it would be noted down that Michael Rivkin is dead. It would be a shame he was an excellent resource.
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Tony and Gibbs walked into Amanda's hotel room. She was still packing, and Methos was sat down on a couch, his case on the floor next to him.
"Tony, my darling. We have to go, a friend of ours is in trouble." She walked over and hugged him. "Do keep in touch."
"I will, I promise." Tony held her tightly. "I'm going to miss you."
Amanda pulled back and smiled. "Of course you will." She pulled away and moved to hug Gibbs. "You'd better take care of him."
"I will." Gibbs hugged her, "I'm sure you will check up on me?"
"You bet you pinchable behind I will."
"Tony, there is an expert swordsman here, he doesn't take students usually, but Trevor is an old friend. As a favour to me, he'll continue to train you and Gibbs." Methos pulled a card out of his pocket and held it out.
''Why me?"
"Gibbs you haven't been an immortal long. You both need to be trained; it's for your safety."
"Fine." He reached over and took the card. If it meant he could help protect Tony, then he would do it.
Methos finally got to his feet after Amanda threw a glare in his direction. He pulled Tony into a quick hug and then shook hands with Gibbs.
"If you need me, you have my number, but please–."
"Don't tell anyone who you really are, we got it." Tony smiled.
"If we can do anything to help with your friend, just call." Gibbs offered.
"You might regret that Duncan's a regular Boy Scout. He's always in trouble."
"Methos!" She warned, but there was a smile on her face.
"You know it's true."
"We'll let you carry on." Tony winked, and then as he and Gibbs left.
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Tony cuddled onto Gibbs side as they sat on his couch.
"So we need to start looking for new team member's boss."
"Yeah, how do you think Ellie Bishop would fit in?"
"We'd have to look into her file and see if it would work. Having someone who knew about immortals would be a good thing."
"Exactly, but we'll deal with that tomorrow." Gibbs turned, leaned in and kissed him.
The End