A/N: Thanks so much again to everyone who has read my second story, and especially reviewers/PMers! You guys are wonderful - and reading your reviews has made me better about reviewing stories I like too. We're all passing it on! ;) Have to admit I'm sad my story is ending, but you guys make me want to write more as soon as plot bunny visits; thanks again!

Chapter Eleven

Gibbs pulled at his collar while he and Ziva waited for the Prince's return. His throat hurt. I'm glad Ziva is a witness to me talking for over fifteen minutes straight. While wearing a tie. He thought he heard the click of a camera, but when he looked over at Ziva there was no phone showing and she looked innocent… too innocent. His eyes narrowed as he huffed out a breath.

They, but mostly Gibbs, had taken full advantage of the considerately granted thirty-minute audience they'd managed to secure. He had laid out the entire actions of one Anthony DiNozzo Senior for a very attentive, if wary, Prince Omar ibn Alwaar. In conclusion, Ziva had simply asked if His Excellency could suggest any way to make the situation right. Back in the basement campfire, she and Gibbs had discussed this was the best way to approach the Prince; that she, as a secondary representative, be the one to ask for help. And that Gibbs couldn't directly ask; as the wronged man's de facto father it would be inappropriate.

After thinking quietly for several minutes, the Prince had stood gracefully and announced, "I have contacts I'd like to call upon immediately on this matter. Please do not think it implies disbelief in what you have described to me. Just that I count Mr. DiNozzo as one of my friends, and must find the truth of the matter from as many sources as I can. I will not keep you long. Mr. Fayek will see to any needs you many have."

At least Mr. Fayek was able to produce some truly decent coffee, and not stingy with it either. He pulled at his collar yet again, but he would have to give Tony credit for the gift someday, the shirt was strangely comfortable.

"I do not think His Excellency would mind if you took off your tie Gibbs." Ziva said with a smile.

Shaking his head regretfully, Gibbs answered, "You show respect, you get respect. We may have some reports to show him and a lot of details, but that doesn't entirely prove what we're claiming happened. Need all the help we can get."

On the Prince re-entering the room and taking his seat, Gibbs suspected this look was what passed for deeply troubled on the man.

"I do indeed have a suggestion for making the situation right. The money should never have been taken unwillingly or unknowingly from the son. Many things are expected, absolutely and immediately from one's children, but not that without grievous need. My friend Tony did not truly have that need."

"I will repay all money taken from your agent. He will never owe me anything for that… his father will. I believe my friend Tony would greatly benefit from employment at my investment company here in Riyadh. Full time employment requiring his presence at all times. 80% of his compensation will repay his debt to me. In two years, when the payout is expected from the Excelsior, he will complete paying back his debt, and then work for me another three years. By then I may allow him to travel to my other offices around the world. What is the desire of your Tony? Does he want an apology from his blood father?"

Gibbs was prepared for this question. "In an ideal world he might wish for it. In this one, he never wants to see or hear from him again. My Tony is happy with the restraining order I've placed against his blood father, as well as the removal of any legal relationship between them with the emancipation order that should be finalized in a few months. I'll be the intermediary if any future communications are needed."

"Then that is what shall be. Is this arrangement agreeable to you, and to your satisfaction Special Agent Gibbs?"

"Very much so Your Excellency, in all aspects." Gibbs wished it was jail, but being forced to actually work in an office for a living, while enjoying little to no female companionship, no freedom of movement from this torturously hot climate, and no liquor might just be the elder DiNozzo's version of hell. Close enough to satisfy me at least. Can't wait to tell Tony... he'll laugh his ass off.

The Prince nodded solemnly once, then spoke towards the phone on the desk, "Do you agree to the terms I have called for Anthony? Come in now."

A red-faced, but collected Senior stepped through a side door and walked to the desk the Prince was seated at. He'd changed his flight plans after the… incident the other day at NCIS, covering his bases in case some damage control was necessary. Although he'd never imagined this being the fallout.

With a hand over his heart, Senior said smoothly, "Al, although I'm very happy to visit your homeland and deeply appreciate your hospitality when I'm here; I'm not fond of the idea of living here full time my friend."

Prince Omar ibn Alwaar was the very definition of implacable. "And your son was not fond of loosing his money nor thereby possessions from his home. Remediation must be made. This is how you will make it. Unless you have some other way of paying back this money today, my friend?"

Gibbs saw his SFA's ability to hide his true thoughts behind an affable mask in his father right now. Although Tony's a hell of a lot better at it.

Everyone in the room knew Senior couldn't pay that money back. Gibbs saw the options flying through Mr. DiNozzo's mind, one of them involving a claim to go secure the money and a flight far far away, never to return. Gibbs held the older man's eyes for a moment, his glare intense as he cocked his head slightly, saying clearly without words: try it.

He'd apparently said even more than that, judging by Senior's abrupt backing down, "Al... I happily accept your job offer and the terms you set."

As Senior and "Al" shook hands, Gibbs and Ziva exchanged a satisfied look.

"Boss! You're looking good with that blue shirt there! Is that the Armani I gave you?"

Gibbs glared at Ziva, overhearing the conversation next to him on the Prince's private plane. She continued to practice her innocent look, even adding a wide-eyed blink.

"Good to hear from you Boss, even if it's 03:00 here at work. Man do we need coffee, McGoo. Send Dorneget again. What? So he is, well wake him up!"

The energy and glee in Tony's voice made Gibbs wish he was there, "What do you got DiNozzo?"

"McGee and I got a big present with a bow on it for you when you get back Boss; serial killer neighbor murdered Anderson and at least four others we can prove so far. We've got Callum, aka Multiple-Alias-Man in our custody for now, FBI took over rest of the sites. McGee and I got MAM cold in his creepy stalker room, pictures everywhere, planning out his next victim Boss. And I'll have you know I tackled him onto a couch Boss - soft cushy couch, no concussion at all. He bit me on the forearm and insulted McGee's jacket pretty severely, but in all fairness McNeo - the Matrix look really is over now. Anyway, Ducky says no lasting damage for me or the jacket."

Gibbs could swear Tony paused just for his boss to roll his eyes at that.

"MAM coughed up in interrogation that Anderson came over to retrieve his yard shears, saw something he shouldn't have with formerly missing female victim #4 Lisa Dunston, so he wacked the poor guy with his own shears. Abby got loaded up with evidence from McGee and Dorneget processing MAM's other homes/murder sites while I was still on the Bush... and you know I'm tired if I'm not making a comment about that. Anyway, we'll be turning the non-Anderson evidence over to the FBI... sometime later today, hence the paperwork party. We'll hold onto MAM until we wrap our case completely - Ducky and Palmer should be getting Anderson's body from the FBI excavation team late tomorrow, I mean today. MAM confessed he road-tripped the bodies to a marshy area in Dismal Swamp State Park, North Carolina. Really, with a name like that they were asking for the psychos, right?" Tony's smile came in clearly over the long-distance phone call.

"That's good work from a cold case DiNozzo. Pass it on to McGee and Abby too... and Dorneget if he gets back with the coffee in ten minutes. Get some sleep before you pick us up in fifteen hours." Hanging up, Gibbs looked out the window. Yep, his pup's nose was wet again all right. His smile of pride turned to a quiet snicker as he patted the contents of his jacket's breast pocket; I'll have a present with a bow on it for you too DiNozzo.

- Fin -