This Town

This town is a lonely town

Not the only town like - a this town

This town is a make you town

Or a break you town and bring you down town

Frank Sinatra

Chapter One

Monday morning. The alarm went off at six o'clock, too bright and too early. The radio began to blare Chris Isaak singing Besame Mucho. With his right hand Tony slapped the clock radio ending the song. He moaned and thought twice about taking a morning jog. I don't want to go to school, mommy.

Throwing his feet over the side of the bed he sat up. His head throbbed from one too many single malt scotch. He went to a bar because he was lonely. The women at the bar were attractive enough, though none of them lived up to Ziva, which meant he went home alone. But wasn't that his problem lately. He wanted a relationship, a real one, but none of the women lived up to Ziva and she was still getting over Ray and unsure if she is willing to break Gibbs' rule twelve.

Getting up he shuffled into the bathroom, ran a hot shower then he stepped under the pelting water. Soon enough his head was returning to normal and his sore muscles stopped aching, well, almost stopped aching. He wasn't ready for a workout but he was ready for work.

Stepping out of the shower, he dried off. Going back into his bedroom, he opened his closet door and picked a Nicoletti brown cashmere and wool three button suit with white dress shirt and a gold and white stripped silk tie and matching pocket square. For shoes he chose the brown oxford and finally since it was a chilly February day he grabbed a London fog raincoat with a fleece lining. Adding his badge, smart phone, and his Sig Sauer on his right hip and he was ready for work.

His smart phone rang. He looked at who it was: it was Gibbs.

"DiNozzo," answered Tony.

"We have a lead on Rizzo. He was staying with a friend in Anacostia near the ball park. I'll have McGee text you the address. Once I pick up Ziva we are on the way," Gibbs told him.

"I'm on my way, boss," said Tony.

"Wait for us and don't do anything stupid," warned Gibbs.

"Not my first rodeo, boss," he said.

"If you don't listen to it will be your last," barked Gibbs then he hung up.

NCIS

Petty officer Alphonso Rizzo raped and assaulted three women then went UA, Unauthorized Absence. Gibbs' MCRT had been on the case for two weeks looking for him and this was there first real sniff of Rizzo they had. Tony arrived in his newest car a 1969 Pontiac GTO replacing his old mustang, which broke down and wasn't worth the money to have fixed again. He parked the car outside of the apartment building. Looking around Ziva and Gibbs were nowhere to be found.

Tony got out of his car, just as Rizzo exited the building. Shit! I can't let him walk away and Gibbs is going to give me shit for not waiting for backup. Tony started to reach for his weapon when Rizzo noticed him out of the corner of his eye and started running. He was twelve years younger than Tony and in excellent physical condition.

"Federal Agent, stop!" Tony yelled then started off after Rizzo.

Ziva and Gibbs pulled up to the apartment in time to see Tony disappeared around the corner.

"Shit, DiNozzo, does he ever listen to me?" said Gibbs.

Ziva bolted out of the passenger door in pursuit of her team member. Running five miles a day meant she had no problem following after him, even if her leather boots had a couple of inches of heel. In the short distance she saw Tony gaining on Rizzo. Even though he didn't stay in shape like he used to, she admired the fact that he was still athletic, still the jock deep down.

She watched as he had just about caught Rizzo when they got to midway across the street. A silver SUV came speeding around the corner as Tony grabbed Rizzo's shoulder. The SUV sent Rizzo down and under the vehicle while Tony went up onto the hood and cracked the windshield with the force of his body before the SUV braked and sent him to the concrete. Stifling a cry of surprise, she slowed down and proceeded calmly to the two bodies.

Ziva arrived and was torn between checking Tony, who was lying still on the cement a few feet from the vehicle, and Rizzo, who bent in an awkward position under the vehicle. Gibbs pulled up in the Dodge Charger. He got out and barked: "Check Rizzo."

Gibbs headed over to DiNozzo. Kneeling down beside him he was about to put his hands on him when Tony spoke up.

"I'm fine, boss," he said.

"I doubt it, DiNozzo. Are you in pain?" Gibbs asked.

Tony looked up at his boss. He was bleeding from a cut along his scalp line and his face was screwed in a grimace of pain. His sea green eyes looked into Gibbs' grey blue eyes. He knew that man read him better than anyone ever had in his life, but not even Gibbs ever read him perfectly.

"Ruined a two thousand dollar suit, boss, yeah, I'm in pain," said Tony.

"Gibbs, Rizzo is dead," said Ziva.

Tony heard the concern in her voice, but she didn't ask about him. She was getting more and more like Gibbs with each passing year. And Ducky says I'm like Gibbs. No wonder he takes her out with him more than he does me now. They've become partners. I never even realized it before. He is her preferred partner.

"Call Ducky and tell him we have a body and call a bus for…," Gibbs was about to say.

"I can drive myself, boss, to the ER. Bruised ribs and a cut on my head. I'm fine," said Tony.

"DiNozzo, you are not fine," Gibbs said as a warning.

"You need to call McGee and work this area. It's a crime scene now," he said then tentatively stood up.

When he was on his feet, he looked over at Ziva. He saw the concern in her eyes and smiled at her. A slight smile cracked her lips.

"Ziva talk to the driver of the SUV. Get a statement. I'll handle the local LEOs when they show," Gibbs said then he looked at Tony. "Call me from the ER."

"Sure will, boss," he said.

Tony started to limp towards his GTO. When did my role in the team change? When did I become leg man Tony? I do SFA paperwork, but I've dropped down to number three on the team depth chart and McGee is rising fast. Gibbs is number one and Ziva is his number two. Have I stayed too long on the team?

NCIS

After he got home he took a warm shower for his aches and pains then put on grey sweatpants and an OSU tee shirt. Bruised ribs, four stitches along his scalp, semi dislocated shoulder, and a bruise from his left ankle all the way up to under his arm, he had gotten off easy. Rizzo was dead. The doctor gave him some painkillers and told him to take a few days off so his body could heal. He called Gibbs and told him he'd be off a few days and got barked at for not being careful and not waiting for backup and told that he was going to be working extra duty for his fuck up. When he hung up, Tony hobbled over to his makeshift bar and poured himself a Glenlivet straight up instead of taking his painkillers.

Instead of a movie he put on a Sinatra CD In the Wee Small Hours. He sat down and lost himself in the elegiac music. Sinatra recorded this after his volatile relationship with Ava Gardner was over. His marriage and love for her colored his music in the fifties. He sang a lot of odes to lost love. Sipping his scotch he listened to the master teach those willing to hear how to deal with lost or unrequited love.

Just as the song I Get Along Without You Very Well started there was a knock at his door. Reluctantly, he placed his drink on the coffee table, got up and opened his apartment door. On the other side of the door was Ziva in her black trench coat, blue dress shirt, and black pants. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail which accentuated her widow's peak.

"I came to check on you," she said.

"I'm fine, Ziva," he said.

"If you were fine then why do you have the next few days off?" she asked.

"Because the doctor recognized an old beat up body when he saw one," he said

Suddenly, he felt all of his forty-one years. He remembered Ziva was born in 1982. She would be thirty November. Thirty. Not only is there rule 12 but I'm too old for her and I'm feeling older all the time.

"No movie?" she asked.

"No. Sinatra and scotch," he said.

"Are you going to invite me in?" she asked.

"You should get going home. I bet you want to decompress after a long day. I'm just going to sit and listen music while sipping mildly expensive scotch," he said.

"You don't want me to come in, Tony," she said with a hint of hurt in her voice.

"Don't you have someplace better to be, Zi?" asked Tony.

"No," she answered softly.

"Okay, come in," he said.

He stepped aside and let Ziva come in. she took off her coat, placed it on the back of a chair then sat down on the sofa. Picking up his scotch she took a sip then placed it back down.

"Didn't they give you painkillers?" she asked.

"Yes, but I'd rather the scotch," he said then gritted his teeth as he sat down in his reclining chair.

"Have I done something wrong, Tony?" she asked suddenly.

"Nothing, Zi," he said. "It's me."

"What is wrong, Tony?" she asked. Her voice showed that she had real feelings for him, but he doubted she knew how deep or strong they were.

"As I said before, I'm feeling old," he said.

"You are not old," said Ziva.

"Says the spring chicken," he smiled.

"It's more than that," she said.

"Yeah, it is. I guess seeing Wendy on our last case started me thinking. I have been doing the same job for almost twelve years. I've been Gibbs' loyal right hand man, his lapdog, but that is changing isn't it? Now that you are no longer a probie and become an impressive investigator in your own right, he relies on you more than me. I'm not really needed anymore on the team. I've trained McGee and partnered with you and now I don't think I have anything else to give the team," he admitted.

"Tony, was it something Wendy said to get you thinking this way?" she asked.

"No. It's me. Lately, I feel less important to the team. Maybe I need more, maybe it's time I challenge myself and move on," he said. "I'm thinking of talking to Vance about opportunities. I think it's time for my own team, or, at least, to do something different."

"You would leave us?" asked Ziva.

"I think it's for the best," he said softly, not even sure if he meant the words.

Ziva picked up his drink and downed what was left. She then got up and walked to the bottle of Glenlivet and refreshed his glass.

"You would leave the team?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm thinking about it," he said.

Tears started to burn at the corners of her eyes. Tony looked into her dark brown eyes and saw pain and the beginnings of the tears.

"You would leave me?" she asked.

Oh, shit! Now that is a loaded question. Where is Admiral Ackbar when you need him to yell: It's a trap!

"Zi, I…," he paused. "You know I love you, don't you?"

She looked at him but didn't respond. Love? I don't think I can handle love. Not yet. Please, Tony, not yet.

"Tony," she said softly, "I can't. This is too soon after Ray. I need time. You know I care for you, but…"

She let the words painfully dangle. But. What a painful word that can be. I love you but… I care for you but… Thirty years old. Maybe I am too old for? Maybe she really does care for me like a brother?

"Stop, Zi, don't say anymore. Pretend I didn't say anything. Pretend you didn't come here tonight. I've got a bruise that starts at my ankle and covers my whole left side. I just want to wish my drink and crawl into bed. I'm good at pretending, so let's pretend I didn't say anything," said Tony.

"Tony, I am…," Ziva started to speak but then she stopped. Damn, I've hurt him. I didn't want to hurt.

"Please, Zi, I'm fine. You're fine. Everyone is fine. Go home and get some sleep. I'll see you in a few days," he said.

She stood and nodded her head then walked over and grabbed her overcoat.

"We need to talk again," she said facing him.

"Sure. We will."

Ziva left and he sat back down on the sofa.

"Yeah," he said lifting the drink she left behind, "sure we will."

NCIS

Still limping and wearing jeans, a fisherman's sweater, a Donegal tweed overcoat, and Wellington boots and talking on his smart phone to Wendy, Tony limped into bullpen fifteen minutes late.

"Okay, Wendy, I'll help you with the article," he gave in to her.

"Thank you, Tony. When can we meet?" she asked.

"That's up to you. You're the one with the seven year old son," he said, as he dropped his back and began to slide his overcoat off.

"You can come to my place this weekend and meet him," she offered.

"Please, Wendy, I'm not ready to meet your son. Let's take small steps," he said.

Ziva looked up from her desk with concerned in her eyes.

"Okay, Tony. How about Friday after work for dinner. I'll get babysitter," she said.

"Dinner, Friday, tomorrow night. I'll call you tomorrow where to meet me," he said then hung up and sighed.

Ziva stares at him. Dinner with Wendy. Considering what I told him the other night, I have no reason to be jealous.

"DiNozzo," Gibbs barked, "have you been cleared for duty?"

"I'm fine, boss."

"See Ducky?"

"I don't need to see Ducky. My knee is still sore, but otherwise I'm fine," he said.

"DiNozzo. My team, my rules," growled Gibbs glaring at him with his grey blue eyes.

"No, shit," mumbled Tony under his breath then he looked over at Ziva.

To most people they would think she was calm a, unfazed by her surroundings, but Tony saw the slight frown playing on her lips. He knew her too well.

"Agent DiNozzo," Vance said stopping the argument between lead agent and his senior field agent before it had a chance to grow.

"Yes, Director," he said. If they ever make a movie about my life I wonder if Don Cheadle will play Vance.

"Will you please join me in my office," ordered Vance, even though it sounded like a question.

"Yes, sir."

"What's this about, Leon?" asked Gibbs.

"I know he's your agent, Gibbs, but he's not yours alone. I'll discuss it with you after I discuss it with Agent DiNozzo," said Vance.

Tony got up and followed Vance up the stairs to the mezzanine and into his office. Vance motioned towards his conference table.

"Take a seat, Tony," said Vance.

He used my Christian name. He's either going to fire me or send me away.

"Secretary Jarvis has had a request from Deputy Director Tom Morrow of Department of Homeland Security for you to be temporarily assigned to HIS, Homeland Security Investigations," said Vance as he sat down at the head of the table. "Morrow knows you and your background well and he believes you'll be able to accomplish what he needs."

"What would I be doing?" Tony asked.

"He wants you to head and train his first newly formed Rapid Response Team. It appears that DHS is looking to expand its investigative powers and he wants you to help shape his special agents. It's quite the honor," said Vance.

"How long?" asked Tony.

"Minimum of six months," Vance answered. "What should I tell him?"

A chance to get some space between me and Ziva right now and a chance to get out from under Gibbs' shadow, I'd be a fool to say no and I'm sick of being a fool.

"I say yes," he said.

Vance got up and walked over to his desk and pressed his intercom button.

"Cynthia, get me Agent Gibbs," said Vance.

"Yes, sir," Cynthia's voice replied.

"He's not going to like it," said Tony.

"Tell me about it," Vance sighed.

Within a few moments the door opened and Gibbs came striding in. He looked at Tony then at Vance, who was now seated behind his desk.

"Gibbs, Agent DiNozzo has been requested by Tom Morrow to work for him temporarily at DHS. DiNozzo has agreed," Vance said.

"How long am I losing my senior field agent for?" asked Gibbs.

"Minimum of six months," answered Vance.

Gibbs inhaled and then slowly exhaled before looking back at Tony: "Tonight, my place."

"Sure, boss," said Tony.

Gibbs turned on his heel and marched out of the office leaving Vance Tony behind. Slowly, Tony stood up and shrugged his shoulders then followed Gibbs out of the office. From the mezzanine he watched as Gibbs grabbed his overcoat barked something to McGee and Ziva and walked to the elevator.

Gingerly, Tony made his way down the stairs and back to his desk. Opening his file cabinet he grabbed his inventory reports and SWOT analysis. He put the inventory reports on McGee's desk then placed the SWOT analysis on Ziva's desk.

"What are you doing?" asked Ziva.

"Yeah, what's this for, Tony?" asked Tim.

"I'll be gone as of Friday end of the work day for six months. If I know Gibbs, he'll have you split my work," he said.

"Where are you going?" asked Ziva. Her calm cracked slightly.

"DHS."

"Homeland Security," McGee said.

"What are you doing there?" asked Ziva.

"Deputy Director Tom Morrow requested me," he answered.

"He was the director here before Jenny," Ziva said.

"Director Morrow loved you and Gibbs," said McGee.

"Yeah, he did, didn't he?" smiled Tony.

"So you are leaving us," said Ziva.

She stared at him. Her chocolate brown eyes smoldered as she made contact with his green eyes. She saw remnants of hurt from the other night still in his eyes. I have to fix this.

"Six months minimum. Gibbs wants to talk to me at his house tonight after work. Just what I need a lecture," he growled with his voice lowering an octave.

"Does Gibbs like Morrow?" asked Ziva.

"Yeah. He was close to him, so close that Morrow let me go from probie to senior field agent in record time. I was made SFA over Blackadder, which kind of pissed her off," said Tony.

Ziva put two and two together. Morrow couldn't ever entice Gibbs away from NCIS so why not go for the second best agent he had, which was Tony. The SecNav and Vance either didn't see this or didn't mind losing Tony to DHS. I bet Gibbs saw through this the moment he heard about it.