Fic - Fate Protects Fools 3/4
Title: Fate Protects Fools (Small Children, and Ships Named Valor)
Author: sunryder
Artist: pyalgroundblz
Crossover: NCIS/Hawaii 5-0 fused with Star Trek
Type: Slash
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 21042
Characters/Pairings: Tony/Gibbs, Steve/Danny, Ducky, Abby, Tim, Jenny, Cait, Ziva, Morrow, Chin, Kono, Gracie, Jameson, Joe, Kamekona, Max
Warnings: I don't particularly like Jenny
Spoilers: None
Summary: The Federation Starship Valor was one of the crowning jewels of the Fleet. Her Tactical Chief was a Bajoran with a penchant for blowing things up and asking questions later, her Security Chief was a human who'd followed his daughter halfway across the galaxy and now was relegated to serving drinks in Ten Forward, her newest officer was a Trill with a bright smile who teased the Captain far too much, and her Captain... well let's just say Gibbs wasn't a happy man.
Author’s Notes: A thousand thanks to ellie_pierson for being my beta, and loving the story even when I decided I didn't like it anymore, which brought me back to the writing. And to beautiful, beautiful, pyalgroundblz who's art powered me through the last week of editing and is better than the fic itself.
Remember the art is HERE
Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Gibbs strode into the main Science lab and called out, "Whatcha got for me, Abs?"
Abby rolled out on her chair and replied, "A ridiculously long list of names Cap-man, and not much else."
He followed her back behind a bank of computer screens to find Chin standing painfully still, as though meditating, and watched as she re-arranged the piles of information back into their original personnel manifests. "Chin and I started with the complete rosters of all three ships, thankfully the Valor is the only one large enough to have a civilian contingent to try and keep track of, so that helped a little. First, we narrowed down the list by people with advanced weapons or technical training; because we can assume that anyone else wouldn't be able to pull of blowing things up or killing a Klingon on the first try. Which narrows us down from our 6,452 original suspects to 3,746." Abby tapped the screen and a bundle of names from each list went zipping off screen as the lists were pruned down.
"From there we assumed that whoever plans on causing the trouble, they intend to actually join the Klingon conference rather than just hang out on the ship." Abby continued.
"Because if they just wanted to cause problem on the ship they could plant a bomb or virus." Gibbs questioned.
"Yup. Also, we figure whoever is doing this doesn't intend to die with the ship. So from here we can pull out people who are unlikely to join the conference party." Abby tapped again and there was a massive expedition of names off the screen. "That narrows us down to higher ranking crewmen, as well as security and tactical officers that might be brought along for the ride. Now we're down to 527 suspects. And this is where Chin and I hit the wall. We could reduce the numbers based on who we think has the training and capability to send a message to the Romulans undetected, but I would assume that if they've gone under the radar this long they're probably likely to be hiding that skill set as well. We also could narrow down the list with people who have any obvious ties to Romulus, but the same problem applies."
Gibbs flicked a look over to Chin and Abby explained, "He's calculating variables about the various search patterns and their benefit to drawback ratios."
"And where's Weston in all this?" Gibbs asked.
"Lori? She's with Steve trying to hunt down more information to help us narrow down the list."
The Science lab door pinged with someone ringing the bell and Abby called out, "Come in!" Danny strode in with a smile and a tray with a large Caff-Pow, coffee, and something that smelled like spiced Vulcan tea. Abby smirked, "Danny, you know you don't need to ring."
"You've got Gibbs in here trying to find a Romulan spy. Today is a day I knock."
Abby laughed and Danny moved to hand out his drinks, setting the tea down beside Chin where he stood in silent contemplation, while Gibbs asked, "When does Chin think he's going to be done figuring out whether or not this list is going to do us any good?"
Abby snorted, "If I ask him that then he's got a whole other set of math to do before he can figure out this one for me."
Danny paused, tucking the tray under his arm before he cocked his head and stepped closer to the screens. "Is this your list of suspects?"
"Possibly." Abby said. “Chin’s trying to figure out the probability of them actually being worthwhile."
Danny 'hmm-ed' for a moment and Gibbs grunted, "Spit it out, Williams."
"It's just, if I'm reading Abby's strange shorthand right, then you're splitting these people up based on whether or not they've got the skill to pull off the potential crime."
"Yup." Abby replied.
"But, you have no idea what the crime is going to be, do you?"
Abby paused, "We know it'll be something disruptive at the meeting."
"Yeah, but what does 'disruptive' mean? Is there a bomb, or a shooting, or someone just making the Klingons thinking we're too dishonorable to talk to? You don't know what the crime is going to be."
Abby stepped closer, looking at Danny while he looked up at the screens. "So you think we're dividing them wrong?"
"I think you're starting from the wrong place. You know the 'when' of the crime, but you don't know the 'who,' or the 'why,' and you don't have the info you need to figure out the 'what'; there are too many options. You can't narrow people down based on a crime that could be committed half a dozen different ways in half a dozen different degrees."
Gibbs leaned back against the counter where Chin was standing and sent a brief and quiet comm to Tony requesting his presence in the Science lab. "But Danny," Abby continued, "It would never be something simple like that; it's got to be something big."
"Nah Abs, the Romulans aren't like the Klingons. Klingons will walk straight up to you and smack you in your face; Romulans will sidle up from the side and somehow talk you into smacking yourself. The Romulans have nothing to gain from plunging the galaxy into war again; they're more scarred from the last war than anyone."
Tony had walked into the room for the last bit of conversation, and added, "Steve's contact said they've been making money off of the Klingons and the Federation not getting along."
"Exactly!" Danny said, "The Romulans don't gain from any of the treaties that come from us at peace, but things only get worse if we're all at war. The Romulans don't make money if the Klingons close their borders and the Federation starts distrusting everyone again."
Tony nodded his agreement, and to prod them both back into thinking Gibbs asked, "So we know the 'why', but if we can't know the 'what', then how do we figure out the 'who'?"
Tony took his spot next to Danny as Abby tapped the screen to restore the crew lists to their original entireties. They both stared at the screen for a moment before Danny declared, "We need a list of people who have clearance to get into the conference. The best way to subtly ruin this thing is to actually be in the room."
Abby tapped out the new parameters on her screen and thinned the herd to 557 people. Tony cocked his head, "It's got to be someone who could actually do irreparable damage to the talks. A trashing talking Security Ensign can be fixed, so it needs to be someone with some weight."
Abby shifted the lists again and a three fourths the names vanished. Tony nodded and said, "That's our list of suspects."
"I'll take the list to Steve and see what he's come up with." Danny offered.
Tony gave Danny a grin while Abby uploaded the list to padds for easy travel, and from his quiet spot behind them Gibbs asked, "Why in the hell did you resign from Starfleet Security, Williams?"
Danny shrugged. "My ex-wife took the kid and Starfleet refused to let me transfer to the Valor as a security officer. So I stopped being a security officer."
XXXXXDanny took the padd to Steve's office with a grin, and strode in without bothering to knock, only to be surprised by Lori bent halfway over Steve's shoulder pointing at something on the computer on his desk. Danny stumbled to an embarrassed stop, "Whoa, sorry guys I-"
Steve looked up at the sound of Danny's voice and his smile brightened as he exclaimed, "Danno!" like the big kid he really was.
"Hey babe, am I interrupting?"
Steve gave him the same look he always did when he thought Danny's question had been ridiculous and replied, "Of course not, what's up?"
"I was just going over the suspect list with Tony and we decided to compare it against your list."
"Excellent." Steve stuck out his hand for the padd to compare the lists while Lori gently, but pointedly asked, "You and the Operations officer went over the list of suspects?"
"Oh no, 'cause you see, somehow retirement means I've forgotten all my practical skills in security so when I saw Chin and Abby trying to apply science to the security list, I said, 'why I don't just play delivery boy with this extra-long list of suspects and hope everything works out."
Lori had enough common sense to know that the only people who could defeat or diffuse Danny in a rant were Steve and Gracie, so she asked, "You were Security?"
Danny rolled his eyes and stepped around the table to help compare lists. "I was Chief of Security on the Jersey before Rachel up and took my kid."
"Rachel? You mean Mrs. Edwards?"
"What do I mean?" Danny scoffed. "Rachel Edwards nee Williams nee Evans, my ex-wife and mother of my child." Danny looked at Steve incredulously, "Don't you people do background checks anymore?"
"Don't look at me Danno; it's my job to stop the guys outside the ship, not inside."
Lori interrupted, "It was my opinion that if Gibbs cleared them to work they belonged here."
Danny snorted, "And look how well that's turning out. We might have a spy running around."
Steve just smirked and handed back his padd with the pertinent names highlighted. Danny put up his hands and stepped back, "Oh no, please, you wouldn't want to contaminate the case file with someone who's not in the Security department anymore."
"You can't be mad at people for what they don't know, Danny." Steve snorted.
"Yes, yes I can. Because Security officers are supposed to know everything that goes on on their ship. That's the point of Security."
"I thought that was the point of Intelligence." Steve asked.
Danny scoffed, and with the sort of viciousness that came from suspecting but not knowing about Steve's background he replied, "Intelligence can't see past their damn noses."
"Intelligence is our most valuable resource, Danny. They're a Security officer's best source of information." Lori interrupted, scolding him for his opinion.
Danny snorted and said, "Good luck with that." and headed for the door.
"Danno," Steve cajoled, and Danny snapped, "What Steven?"
Steve turned back to Lori with a conciliatory smile, "Why don't you run down those names and I'll catch up to you later?"
Lori smiled back at Steve like she was sorry he had to put up with Danny like this, and strutted out of the room.
The second the door sealed shut behind her Danny whirled on Steve and shouted, "Don't even think about it, Steven." Steve leaned back in his chair with his most placid expression and settled in to let Danny rant himself out. "Because, honestly, if you've got me planted in this damn office so you can scold me for telling your girl she's wrong, I will damage you."
Steve's eyebrows shot up but Danny was too busy tossing his hands around to notice. "I mean, I was a Security Officer for a long time Steve. I planned on being one for the rest of my life. I'm a very, very good Security Officer, Steven. Very good. So when I tell your girl she's doing it wrong. She's doing it wrong."
"Wait," Steve held up his hands, "Go back to the beginning, Danny."
"What do you mean go back to the beginning!" Danny shouted. "You mean back to you dragging me in here like you're my superior officer or something? Or the part where I told your girl she was screwing up an investigation!"
"Your girl?" Steve asked.
"No, your girl."
"What girl?"
"Lori."
Steve laughed, "She's not my girl."
Danny just stared at Steve for a moment before he put his hands on his hips and said, “What in the hell are you talking about, Steven?"
Very clearly, which was the only way to talk to Danny when he looked this tense, "I am not dating Lori."
Danny furrowed in confusion, "You called me in here to shout at me on her behalf, Steve."
"Danny, when have I ever shouted at you?"
"Then why in the hell did you make me stay?"
"Because I've been off ship for two weeks, Danno!"
Danny instantly deflated. "Oh."
"Yeah, oh."
The both of them slunk back in their chairs and stared at anything that wasn't the other. But because Danny was never ever meant to be quiet he muttered, "How did it go?"
"Good."
Danny waited a moment before he burst out, "Oh yes Steve, thank you for that stunning recap, lots of useful information there."
Steve slouched deeper into his chair, "Danno."
"Seriously Steve, lots to go on there so I can watch your back."
"Danny you know I can't talk about it."
"I swear to you Steven, I will tear you limb from limb. What in the hell happened?"
"Why are you so riled up about this?"
"Why am I so riled up? You disappeared for two weeks, Steven. Two friggin' weeks of shore leave and I never heard hide nor hair from you. For all I knew you'd gone and gotten yourself shot, or joined one of those monasteries, or- or anything!"
Steve cocked his head to the side and stared at Danny for a long moment, something slotting into place for him. "Danno, did you think I spent my leave running around Bajor with Lori?"
"I don't care what you do with your leave Steve," Danny muttered, very obviously not looking at him.
Steve leaned over on to his desk, "I was on assignment, Danny."
"It's your life Steven, go, run around your home world blowing things into small pieces, it's your call."
Steve just smirked, pleased with the way Danny couldn't quite look him in the eyes. "Hey Danno." Steve sat in silence until Danny finally looked over at him, "If it was your investigation, who would you talk to?"
XXXXX"Hey Danny boy! It ain't time for your weekly delivery!"
Danny's 'source' was a giant Bolian, a surprisingly bright blue for his enormous size. Steve turned to Danny with a grin, "Delivery?"
Danny shrugged, "What, you think I get my own liquor?
Kamekona laughed and waived both the men into the garden he'd made in one of the ship's storage compartments. "What can I do for you fine Federation gentlemen on a day like today?"
"You do realize," Danny couldn't help but interrupt, "that Bolia is a part of the Federation, whether or not you think its existence hampers business."
"Hey I got nothing against the Federation so long as it’s got nothing to say about my freedom of enterprise."
Danny sighed, "So many jokes I could make of that sentence. So many. But instead, I am here to prove to Steve that he is inept and ask you who you've been helping contact the Romulans."
Kamekona shrugged, "Shoot brah, who'd do a thing like that?"
Danny leaned forward, "You and I both know there's someone on this ship who's been talking to the Romulans."
Kamekona roamed off down one of the aisles "Brah, why would someone who wants to talk to the Romulans bother going through me? Wouldn't they have channels for that sort of thing?"
Danny strode around and cut Kamekona off, "Because they're not a spy, they're an idiot. Hey, hey, hey," Danny put up his hands to stop Kamekona, "We just want to talk to them. That's it."
Kamekona heaved a sigh, "You swear you just talk Danno? ’Cause this guy, he's not doing nothing wrong."
"You have my word, nothing but talking."
"There's a guy, he asked me about talking to some Romulan scientists, but it's nothing but talking brah.
“What guy, Kamekona?”
“Max. The pipsqueak doctor who looks like a turtle.”
Steve was out the door before Kamekona even finished his sentence, and Danny offered a hurried thanks to Kamekona before running after him, shouting, "Steven! What are you doing?"
"I'm gonna go talk to this Max."
"No Steve, you don't understand, Max is a good kid, painfully awkward. You go after him guns blazing the kid is gonna cry and you're never gonna get anything out of him."
"Crying people can talk, Danny."
"I'm telling you Steve, Max isn't your spy."
"You heard Kamekona say he's been acting suspicious."
"Yes, because heaven forbid that you actually listen to me when I talk to you Steven. Only horrible things could happen then."
"All I'm saying is we talk to him, Danny."
“And all I'm saying is you're an idiot."
XXXXX
Steve strode into the infirmary with a furious Danny on his heels, only to find Tony there already, chatting with Max. Steve rolled his eyes at Danny for thinking Tony would be a mediating force on him. Danny stepped in front of Steve and strode up to Max with a grin, "Hey Max, how's work?"
Max gave Danny a pleased but restrained smile, "Work continues to exist, and in that it is going well."
Danny just grinned at the Zen-like response and said, "You know that's not what I was asking."
"But Commander, the question you always ask is one based upon the unquantifiable 'good' and 'bad', as such I cannot give you an answer."
Danny rolled his eyes, "I'm not a commander anymore, Max."
Max cocked his head to the side, "I do not understand that either. You still walk as a Commander, you still hold all the knowledge and skill of a Commander, and the other Security personnel on board this vessel concede to your experience. In every way that truly matters, you are still a Commander."
Danny steeled his shoulders in a way Steve knew meant that Danny was about to refuse to give in, and there would be an argument that might go on forever since Max was Rigellian, and thus pre-programmed to debate until truth had been found to aide in his search for enlightenment. Steve stepped around Danny, putting himself in between the discussion of enlightenment and their goal and interrupted, "Max, right? We have a couple of questions for you."
"Questions Commander? Given your reputation I assume they are for something tangible rather than esoteric?"
"Right." Steve slid past all the possible tangents Max's sentence could take them on and stated, "We've received intelligence that you've been talking to the Romulan Star Empire."
"Your intelligence is incorrect."
Steve huffed, "No, I don't think it is. I think-"
Danny put a hand on Steve's shoulder and hauled him back from where he'd been advancing on Max and hissed, "Wrong technique Steven."
Tony laughed at them both from his spot lounging on one of the medical tables, "Sorry Max, Steve doesn't know how to have a conversation with a Rigellian."
Steve twisted on Tony, "Are you apologizing to my suspect?"
Tony rolled his eyes, "You're asking the wrong question, Steve."
Steve tossed his hands in the air, "Seriously, what is with you all questioning my ability to talk to people today? What's the right question!"
Danny held up a hand and turned to Max, "Max, have you been exchanging communications with someone in the Romulan Star Empire?"
"Yes, Danny."
"What the hell, that's what I asked!"
"No, Commander. You inquired as to whether I have been speaking with the Empire, a feat which is theoretically possible because the Empire has an official spokesman, but which is not applicable here because neither have I been in contact with the Empire's spokesperson, nor have I talked to anyone. However, I have communicated with a person inside the Empire."
Steve went to toss his hands in the air and demand more of an explanation, but Danny clamped his hand down on Steve's shoulder and asked, "What did you discuss?"
"I have been doing research comparing and contrasting Romulan meditation techniques against Vulcan techniques."
All three of the men just stared at Max in bafflement before Danny asked, "Why?"
"I have a theory that the evolution of their disparate meditation techniques stems from more than simply the embracement or non-embracement of logic, but to substantiate my theory I need direct information from a first person source."
Danny looked at Steve, "Sadly enough that sounds a lot more plausible than him being a spy."
Steve rolled his eyes and said, "We'll need to see all the messages you sent and received to make sure."
"Of course, Commander." Max stepped over to his desk and grabbed a padd on the top of pile and handed it to Steve. "That's the entirety of my research, including all communications and the contact information for the scientist with whom I was discussing."
"You just had this all on a padd, right there. Convenient."
Max furrowed his already wrinkled brow, "That is the point of research, is it not? To be accessible?"
Steve huffed and headed out of the room, leaving Danny and Tony to give Max bright grins before following after Steve. Danny jogged a little to catch up to Steve's long legs and teased, "You probably want to take that information to Chin, since he's better than you at that whole computer thing."
“I am perfectly capable of operating my own computer, Danny. Besides, I should send this off to my contacts and get their input anyway.”
“Oh, input of your contacts, that doesn't sound dubious.”
Tony laughed, and before the two men could argue too much he said, "I'm gonna go update Gibbs." and got out of the way.
XXXXXGibbs' door rang out with the annoying chime that meant he had company and called out, "If you're coming in then get the hell in and stop pressing the damn button."
The door swished open and Tony stuck his head around the door, "I'm pretty sure shouting at people doesn't make them want to talk to you Cap."
"I can't be yelling loud enough, because you're still here."
"Oh, you're yelling plenty; I'm just good at bobbing and weaving."
Gibbs fought back a smirk and said, "Did you plan on standing in the doorway and watching me do paperwork, or are you here for a reason?"
Tony ducked into the room with a grin and quickly got to his explanation. “We narrowed down the list of suspects and spoke to the most likely of them, but that turned up nothing. We're going over the rest of the list to see if anything pops."
Gibbs nodded, and then sat in quiet for a moment, ignoring the questions he should be asking about the investigation and instead asked, "Can I talk to Gard?"
Tony quirked an eyebrow, "Just my symbiote and not me?"
"Yes."
"What makes you think we can separate like that?"
"I've been thinking about someone the things you said at the meeting this morning, some of it sounded wrong, and that's because it wasn't you."
Tony paused, "Sure it was."
Gibbs didn't bother looking up from his paperwork while he replied, "No, you like to draw fire away from other people, protecting them from their own stupidity."
"And why should I do that for Shepard when she hates me?"
Gibbs set down his stylus and looked at Tony like he was an idiot for asking. "That's not the sort of man you are."
"Didn't you just say you wanted to talk to my symbiote because you think it controls me?"
"I don't know if it controlled you, or if it was just the symbiote's experience taking over, or if you ceded control."
"Are they all really that different?"
"To me they are, and I'd like to ask the symbiote about it."
Tony looked to the side for a long moment then turned back to Gibbs, his smile smoothing out into a level stare and straightening out his posture. "Tony has a vibrant personality and we have a strong bond. To completely take control would be painful for both of us, but we're still separate enough that we have our own root identities, if that's what you would prefer."
If Gibbs was surprised by how smooth the transition was between man and symbiote, it didn't show. "Why did you take control from Tony this morning?"
"Do you have a best friend, Captain?"
Gibbs quirked an eyebrow, "Of course."
"Doctor Mallard I presume?" Gibbs grunted something indistinct, and Gard gave the slightest of grins, a flash of Tony on his face before going straight back to Gard's placid expression. "Sometimes you protect Doctor Mallard from himself. And sometimes I do the same for Anthony. I never completely take control, or take a decision away from him, just nudge in his defense. We're a partnership, completely. And sometimes the junior partner needs counseling."
"And what makes you so sure your counsel is best?"
Gard looked at him like Gibbs was terribly young, "I have spent thirteen of my fifteen lifetimes as a spy in some capacity. Half of them I spent my whole life as part of the Trill Intelligence Committee, and in the other half it was simply part of my career before I ascended the bureaucratic ranks of my various governments and helped lead my people. I know how to take care of him."
"The other two lifetimes?"
"My first and Anthony."
Gibbs leaned back in his chair, "And what were you then?"
A gentle smile flashed against Gard's face, wholly and entirely Tony's expression, "My first bond was with a man named Logan. He was a sculptor. We were happy together for several years before he was murdered."
"Murdered?"
"It was the early days of Trill bonding, and there were segments of society who though bonding with a symbiote was a curse on their people. They killed him for bonding with me."
"That's what drove you to public service."
Gard couldn't quite meet Gibbs' gaze, the memory too much, "I adored Logan. I swore to myself I would do all in my power to keep such a thing from happening again."
"Why not be a spy with Tony?"
"Because Anthony didn't want to be."
"And your grand plan to protect hosts?"
Gard glowered at him, "Anthony is more important than them."
"More important than the ones you had before?"
"Tony will be my last host. When he dies, I will go with him."
Gibbs was shocked by the statement. A Trill symbiote could live forever, bonded to one Trill host after another, and to willingly lay down their life by refusing to bond again was almost sacrilege to the Trill. Gibbs didn't know quite how to respond, so he grumbled out, "The Trill Symbiosis Commission can't be happy about that."
"Unhappy barely even begins to describe it. They send me lists every few months of all the new students they think I might like to bond with and updates on the old ones, and at least once a year they ask me to come back to the planet so that I'll cave under all the hopeful expressions."
"Is that how you met Tony?"
Gard smirked, "Heavens no. Anthony is far too lively to ever have been considered a suitable host. I met Anthony when we were both on Risa. I was there for a conference, and when I checked in to my hotel I came across Anthony in the hall picking up his room service. His father was off somewhere doing 'business', and let me tell you Antony was not happy to have the memories about what his father was actually up to. I spent the next few days with Antony, taking him to see all the good things on Risa, and by the time we were done, I'd decided that he was who I wanted for my next host."
"But why your last?"
Gard tapped his fingers on the desk a random pattern that Gibbs had caught Tony thrumming when he was thinking, and that more than anything convinced Gibbs that Tony had had some sort of impact on Gard. "It would be cruel to all my future hosts to take another on another after Tony. He is, a light in the darkness, and I feel like for the first time in fifteen hundred years I've been living." Gard smirked at Gibbs like he knew something Gibbs did not, "He has that effect on people."
Tony's comm badge went off, interrupting whatever reply Gibbs might have had, and Gibbs watched, fascinated, as Tony's expression morphed from Gard to entirely Tony. He tapped the badge with a grin and said, "Gard here."
"Tony!" Danny's frazzled voice exclaimed, "Get your ass to Abby's lab, I need you to counteract Steve's crazy."
Tony just laughed back, "I'm on my way," and smirked when Gibbs came along with him.
XXXXX
"Just shut up Steven. Seriously, you're trailing stupid all over the place and it's giving me allergies."
"Danny-"
"No Steven, stop talking! Right now!"
Gibbs and Tony walked into the room to the sound of Danny yelling at Steve, which Tony realized was the usual state of things.
"All I'm saying is-"
Danny whirled to face the door, "Tony! Get in here and save me from Steve's stupidity."
Tony laughed and joined Danny and Steve in front of the list of suspects while Gibbs took his spot at the back of the room. Tony patted Steve on the back and asked Danny, "What's the problem?"
Danny tossed his hands at the screen, "There's nothing here! I've got this list of names and none of them pop. Nothing about any of them stands out to me as someone we should be looking at."
Tony cocked his head and stared at the list for a long moment before something bright and brilliant flashed across his face and suddenly he turned to Danny with a grin. "You ever watch those old school holovids?"
Danny stared at him, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"In those stories all the Security officers say that people only commit crimes for two reasons: love and money."
Danny flicked his hand at Tony, trying to usher him along, "Your point?"
"We've been looking at this like it's about money, like they've been bribed or blackmailed into acting, and what if it's not?"
Danny furrowed his brow, "You think we've got a Federation officer who's doing this for love of the Romulan Star Empire?"
"No, the Romulans don't need to set us to war against the Klingons; the seedy underbelly of the people just wants it. Really, war between the Federation and the Klingons just hurts the whole alpha quadrant. It kills trade, makes us both jumpy enough to attack them for no reason, and sets us right back to the Dominion War when we're still recovering from it. So why do this? What's the point?"
Steve huffed, "Well, what is the point?"
Tony looked excited, "What if they're doing it for love of the Federation?"
Danny caught on instantly, "Or maybe even for hatred of the Klingons."
"What are you both talking about?" Steve interrupted.
Oddly enough, Gibbs was the one to answer, "They think that our spy isn't trying to cause problems in the negotiations to aid the Romulans, but because they think it's best for the Federation not to get in bed with the Klingons."
"But my source said the spy was working for the Romulans." Steve corrected.
"They might be getting support from the Romulans, or they might just be spreading the rumor so we'll be looking in a different place."
Danny went back to the board, "So what we need is someone who'd be likely to make it to the planet, and who's got a reason to hate the Klingons."
Gibbs started for the door before Danny even got the words out, and Danny turned to shout, "Where are you going Gibbs?"
Over his shoulder Gibbs called, "To see someone who's got a reason to hate Klingons."
"Who?"
"An Orion."
Chapter Four
Author: sunryder
Artist: pyalgroundblz
Crossover: NCIS/Hawaii 5-0 fused with Star Trek
Type: Slash
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 21042
Characters/Pairings: Tony/Gibbs, Steve/Danny, Ducky, Abby, Tim, Jenny, Cait, Ziva, Morrow, Chin, Kono, Gracie, Jameson, Joe, Kamekona, Max
Warnings: I don't particularly like Jenny
Spoilers: None
Summary: The Federation Starship Valor was one of the crowning jewels of the Fleet. Her Tactical Chief was a Bajoran with a penchant for blowing things up and asking questions later, her Security Chief was a human who'd followed his daughter halfway across the galaxy and now was relegated to serving drinks in Ten Forward, her newest officer was a Trill with a bright smile who teased the Captain far too much, and her Captain... well let's just say Gibbs wasn't a happy man.
Author’s Notes: A thousand thanks to ellie_pierson for being my beta, and loving the story even when I decided I didn't like it anymore, which brought me back to the writing. And to beautiful, beautiful, pyalgroundblz who's art powered me through the last week of editing and is better than the fic itself.
Remember the art is HERE
Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Gibbs strode into the main Science lab and called out, "Whatcha got for me, Abs?"
Abby rolled out on her chair and replied, "A ridiculously long list of names Cap-man, and not much else."
He followed her back behind a bank of computer screens to find Chin standing painfully still, as though meditating, and watched as she re-arranged the piles of information back into their original personnel manifests. "Chin and I started with the complete rosters of all three ships, thankfully the Valor is the only one large enough to have a civilian contingent to try and keep track of, so that helped a little. First, we narrowed down the list by people with advanced weapons or technical training; because we can assume that anyone else wouldn't be able to pull of blowing things up or killing a Klingon on the first try. Which narrows us down from our 6,452 original suspects to 3,746." Abby tapped the screen and a bundle of names from each list went zipping off screen as the lists were pruned down.
"From there we assumed that whoever plans on causing the trouble, they intend to actually join the Klingon conference rather than just hang out on the ship." Abby continued.
"Because if they just wanted to cause problem on the ship they could plant a bomb or virus." Gibbs questioned.
"Yup. Also, we figure whoever is doing this doesn't intend to die with the ship. So from here we can pull out people who are unlikely to join the conference party." Abby tapped again and there was a massive expedition of names off the screen. "That narrows us down to higher ranking crewmen, as well as security and tactical officers that might be brought along for the ride. Now we're down to 527 suspects. And this is where Chin and I hit the wall. We could reduce the numbers based on who we think has the training and capability to send a message to the Romulans undetected, but I would assume that if they've gone under the radar this long they're probably likely to be hiding that skill set as well. We also could narrow down the list with people who have any obvious ties to Romulus, but the same problem applies."
Gibbs flicked a look over to Chin and Abby explained, "He's calculating variables about the various search patterns and their benefit to drawback ratios."
"And where's Weston in all this?" Gibbs asked.
"Lori? She's with Steve trying to hunt down more information to help us narrow down the list."
The Science lab door pinged with someone ringing the bell and Abby called out, "Come in!" Danny strode in with a smile and a tray with a large Caff-Pow, coffee, and something that smelled like spiced Vulcan tea. Abby smirked, "Danny, you know you don't need to ring."
"You've got Gibbs in here trying to find a Romulan spy. Today is a day I knock."
Abby laughed and Danny moved to hand out his drinks, setting the tea down beside Chin where he stood in silent contemplation, while Gibbs asked, "When does Chin think he's going to be done figuring out whether or not this list is going to do us any good?"
Abby snorted, "If I ask him that then he's got a whole other set of math to do before he can figure out this one for me."
Danny paused, tucking the tray under his arm before he cocked his head and stepped closer to the screens. "Is this your list of suspects?"
"Possibly." Abby said. “Chin’s trying to figure out the probability of them actually being worthwhile."
Danny 'hmm-ed' for a moment and Gibbs grunted, "Spit it out, Williams."
"It's just, if I'm reading Abby's strange shorthand right, then you're splitting these people up based on whether or not they've got the skill to pull off the potential crime."
"Yup." Abby replied.
"But, you have no idea what the crime is going to be, do you?"
Abby paused, "We know it'll be something disruptive at the meeting."
"Yeah, but what does 'disruptive' mean? Is there a bomb, or a shooting, or someone just making the Klingons thinking we're too dishonorable to talk to? You don't know what the crime is going to be."
Abby stepped closer, looking at Danny while he looked up at the screens. "So you think we're dividing them wrong?"
"I think you're starting from the wrong place. You know the 'when' of the crime, but you don't know the 'who,' or the 'why,' and you don't have the info you need to figure out the 'what'; there are too many options. You can't narrow people down based on a crime that could be committed half a dozen different ways in half a dozen different degrees."
Gibbs leaned back against the counter where Chin was standing and sent a brief and quiet comm to Tony requesting his presence in the Science lab. "But Danny," Abby continued, "It would never be something simple like that; it's got to be something big."
"Nah Abs, the Romulans aren't like the Klingons. Klingons will walk straight up to you and smack you in your face; Romulans will sidle up from the side and somehow talk you into smacking yourself. The Romulans have nothing to gain from plunging the galaxy into war again; they're more scarred from the last war than anyone."
Tony had walked into the room for the last bit of conversation, and added, "Steve's contact said they've been making money off of the Klingons and the Federation not getting along."
"Exactly!" Danny said, "The Romulans don't gain from any of the treaties that come from us at peace, but things only get worse if we're all at war. The Romulans don't make money if the Klingons close their borders and the Federation starts distrusting everyone again."
Tony nodded his agreement, and to prod them both back into thinking Gibbs asked, "So we know the 'why', but if we can't know the 'what', then how do we figure out the 'who'?"
Tony took his spot next to Danny as Abby tapped the screen to restore the crew lists to their original entireties. They both stared at the screen for a moment before Danny declared, "We need a list of people who have clearance to get into the conference. The best way to subtly ruin this thing is to actually be in the room."
Abby tapped out the new parameters on her screen and thinned the herd to 557 people. Tony cocked his head, "It's got to be someone who could actually do irreparable damage to the talks. A trashing talking Security Ensign can be fixed, so it needs to be someone with some weight."
Abby shifted the lists again and a three fourths the names vanished. Tony nodded and said, "That's our list of suspects."
"I'll take the list to Steve and see what he's come up with." Danny offered.
Tony gave Danny a grin while Abby uploaded the list to padds for easy travel, and from his quiet spot behind them Gibbs asked, "Why in the hell did you resign from Starfleet Security, Williams?"
Danny shrugged. "My ex-wife took the kid and Starfleet refused to let me transfer to the Valor as a security officer. So I stopped being a security officer."
XXXXXDanny took the padd to Steve's office with a grin, and strode in without bothering to knock, only to be surprised by Lori bent halfway over Steve's shoulder pointing at something on the computer on his desk. Danny stumbled to an embarrassed stop, "Whoa, sorry guys I-"
Steve looked up at the sound of Danny's voice and his smile brightened as he exclaimed, "Danno!" like the big kid he really was.
"Hey babe, am I interrupting?"
Steve gave him the same look he always did when he thought Danny's question had been ridiculous and replied, "Of course not, what's up?"
"I was just going over the suspect list with Tony and we decided to compare it against your list."
"Excellent." Steve stuck out his hand for the padd to compare the lists while Lori gently, but pointedly asked, "You and the Operations officer went over the list of suspects?"
"Oh no, 'cause you see, somehow retirement means I've forgotten all my practical skills in security so when I saw Chin and Abby trying to apply science to the security list, I said, 'why I don't just play delivery boy with this extra-long list of suspects and hope everything works out."
Lori had enough common sense to know that the only people who could defeat or diffuse Danny in a rant were Steve and Gracie, so she asked, "You were Security?"
Danny rolled his eyes and stepped around the table to help compare lists. "I was Chief of Security on the Jersey before Rachel up and took my kid."
"Rachel? You mean Mrs. Edwards?"
"What do I mean?" Danny scoffed. "Rachel Edwards nee Williams nee Evans, my ex-wife and mother of my child." Danny looked at Steve incredulously, "Don't you people do background checks anymore?"
"Don't look at me Danno; it's my job to stop the guys outside the ship, not inside."
Lori interrupted, "It was my opinion that if Gibbs cleared them to work they belonged here."
Danny snorted, "And look how well that's turning out. We might have a spy running around."
Steve just smirked and handed back his padd with the pertinent names highlighted. Danny put up his hands and stepped back, "Oh no, please, you wouldn't want to contaminate the case file with someone who's not in the Security department anymore."
"You can't be mad at people for what they don't know, Danny." Steve snorted.
"Yes, yes I can. Because Security officers are supposed to know everything that goes on on their ship. That's the point of Security."
"I thought that was the point of Intelligence." Steve asked.
Danny scoffed, and with the sort of viciousness that came from suspecting but not knowing about Steve's background he replied, "Intelligence can't see past their damn noses."
"Intelligence is our most valuable resource, Danny. They're a Security officer's best source of information." Lori interrupted, scolding him for his opinion.
Danny snorted and said, "Good luck with that." and headed for the door.
"Danno," Steve cajoled, and Danny snapped, "What Steven?"
Steve turned back to Lori with a conciliatory smile, "Why don't you run down those names and I'll catch up to you later?"
Lori smiled back at Steve like she was sorry he had to put up with Danny like this, and strutted out of the room.
The second the door sealed shut behind her Danny whirled on Steve and shouted, "Don't even think about it, Steven." Steve leaned back in his chair with his most placid expression and settled in to let Danny rant himself out. "Because, honestly, if you've got me planted in this damn office so you can scold me for telling your girl she's wrong, I will damage you."
Steve's eyebrows shot up but Danny was too busy tossing his hands around to notice. "I mean, I was a Security Officer for a long time Steve. I planned on being one for the rest of my life. I'm a very, very good Security Officer, Steven. Very good. So when I tell your girl she's doing it wrong. She's doing it wrong."
"Wait," Steve held up his hands, "Go back to the beginning, Danny."
"What do you mean go back to the beginning!" Danny shouted. "You mean back to you dragging me in here like you're my superior officer or something? Or the part where I told your girl she was screwing up an investigation!"
"Your girl?" Steve asked.
"No, your girl."
"What girl?"
"Lori."
Steve laughed, "She's not my girl."
Danny just stared at Steve for a moment before he put his hands on his hips and said, “What in the hell are you talking about, Steven?"
Very clearly, which was the only way to talk to Danny when he looked this tense, "I am not dating Lori."
Danny furrowed in confusion, "You called me in here to shout at me on her behalf, Steve."
"Danny, when have I ever shouted at you?"
"Then why in the hell did you make me stay?"
"Because I've been off ship for two weeks, Danno!"
Danny instantly deflated. "Oh."
"Yeah, oh."
The both of them slunk back in their chairs and stared at anything that wasn't the other. But because Danny was never ever meant to be quiet he muttered, "How did it go?"
"Good."
Danny waited a moment before he burst out, "Oh yes Steve, thank you for that stunning recap, lots of useful information there."
Steve slouched deeper into his chair, "Danno."
"Seriously Steve, lots to go on there so I can watch your back."
"Danny you know I can't talk about it."
"I swear to you Steven, I will tear you limb from limb. What in the hell happened?"
"Why are you so riled up about this?"
"Why am I so riled up? You disappeared for two weeks, Steven. Two friggin' weeks of shore leave and I never heard hide nor hair from you. For all I knew you'd gone and gotten yourself shot, or joined one of those monasteries, or- or anything!"
Steve cocked his head to the side and stared at Danny for a long moment, something slotting into place for him. "Danno, did you think I spent my leave running around Bajor with Lori?"
"I don't care what you do with your leave Steve," Danny muttered, very obviously not looking at him.
Steve leaned over on to his desk, "I was on assignment, Danny."
"It's your life Steven, go, run around your home world blowing things into small pieces, it's your call."
Steve just smirked, pleased with the way Danny couldn't quite look him in the eyes. "Hey Danno." Steve sat in silence until Danny finally looked over at him, "If it was your investigation, who would you talk to?"
XXXXX"Hey Danny boy! It ain't time for your weekly delivery!"
Danny's 'source' was a giant Bolian, a surprisingly bright blue for his enormous size. Steve turned to Danny with a grin, "Delivery?"
Danny shrugged, "What, you think I get my own liquor?
Kamekona laughed and waived both the men into the garden he'd made in one of the ship's storage compartments. "What can I do for you fine Federation gentlemen on a day like today?"
"You do realize," Danny couldn't help but interrupt, "that Bolia is a part of the Federation, whether or not you think its existence hampers business."
"Hey I got nothing against the Federation so long as it’s got nothing to say about my freedom of enterprise."
Danny sighed, "So many jokes I could make of that sentence. So many. But instead, I am here to prove to Steve that he is inept and ask you who you've been helping contact the Romulans."
Kamekona shrugged, "Shoot brah, who'd do a thing like that?"
Danny leaned forward, "You and I both know there's someone on this ship who's been talking to the Romulans."
Kamekona roamed off down one of the aisles "Brah, why would someone who wants to talk to the Romulans bother going through me? Wouldn't they have channels for that sort of thing?"
Danny strode around and cut Kamekona off, "Because they're not a spy, they're an idiot. Hey, hey, hey," Danny put up his hands to stop Kamekona, "We just want to talk to them. That's it."
Kamekona heaved a sigh, "You swear you just talk Danno? ’Cause this guy, he's not doing nothing wrong."
"You have my word, nothing but talking."
"There's a guy, he asked me about talking to some Romulan scientists, but it's nothing but talking brah.
“What guy, Kamekona?”
“Max. The pipsqueak doctor who looks like a turtle.”
Steve was out the door before Kamekona even finished his sentence, and Danny offered a hurried thanks to Kamekona before running after him, shouting, "Steven! What are you doing?"
"I'm gonna go talk to this Max."
"No Steve, you don't understand, Max is a good kid, painfully awkward. You go after him guns blazing the kid is gonna cry and you're never gonna get anything out of him."
"Crying people can talk, Danny."
"I'm telling you Steve, Max isn't your spy."
"You heard Kamekona say he's been acting suspicious."
"Yes, because heaven forbid that you actually listen to me when I talk to you Steven. Only horrible things could happen then."
"All I'm saying is we talk to him, Danny."
“And all I'm saying is you're an idiot."
XXXXX
Steve strode into the infirmary with a furious Danny on his heels, only to find Tony there already, chatting with Max. Steve rolled his eyes at Danny for thinking Tony would be a mediating force on him. Danny stepped in front of Steve and strode up to Max with a grin, "Hey Max, how's work?"
Max gave Danny a pleased but restrained smile, "Work continues to exist, and in that it is going well."
Danny just grinned at the Zen-like response and said, "You know that's not what I was asking."
"But Commander, the question you always ask is one based upon the unquantifiable 'good' and 'bad', as such I cannot give you an answer."
Danny rolled his eyes, "I'm not a commander anymore, Max."
Max cocked his head to the side, "I do not understand that either. You still walk as a Commander, you still hold all the knowledge and skill of a Commander, and the other Security personnel on board this vessel concede to your experience. In every way that truly matters, you are still a Commander."
Danny steeled his shoulders in a way Steve knew meant that Danny was about to refuse to give in, and there would be an argument that might go on forever since Max was Rigellian, and thus pre-programmed to debate until truth had been found to aide in his search for enlightenment. Steve stepped around Danny, putting himself in between the discussion of enlightenment and their goal and interrupted, "Max, right? We have a couple of questions for you."
"Questions Commander? Given your reputation I assume they are for something tangible rather than esoteric?"
"Right." Steve slid past all the possible tangents Max's sentence could take them on and stated, "We've received intelligence that you've been talking to the Romulan Star Empire."
"Your intelligence is incorrect."
Steve huffed, "No, I don't think it is. I think-"
Danny put a hand on Steve's shoulder and hauled him back from where he'd been advancing on Max and hissed, "Wrong technique Steven."
Tony laughed at them both from his spot lounging on one of the medical tables, "Sorry Max, Steve doesn't know how to have a conversation with a Rigellian."
Steve twisted on Tony, "Are you apologizing to my suspect?"
Tony rolled his eyes, "You're asking the wrong question, Steve."
Steve tossed his hands in the air, "Seriously, what is with you all questioning my ability to talk to people today? What's the right question!"
Danny held up a hand and turned to Max, "Max, have you been exchanging communications with someone in the Romulan Star Empire?"
"Yes, Danny."
"What the hell, that's what I asked!"
"No, Commander. You inquired as to whether I have been speaking with the Empire, a feat which is theoretically possible because the Empire has an official spokesman, but which is not applicable here because neither have I been in contact with the Empire's spokesperson, nor have I talked to anyone. However, I have communicated with a person inside the Empire."
Steve went to toss his hands in the air and demand more of an explanation, but Danny clamped his hand down on Steve's shoulder and asked, "What did you discuss?"
"I have been doing research comparing and contrasting Romulan meditation techniques against Vulcan techniques."
All three of the men just stared at Max in bafflement before Danny asked, "Why?"
"I have a theory that the evolution of their disparate meditation techniques stems from more than simply the embracement or non-embracement of logic, but to substantiate my theory I need direct information from a first person source."
Danny looked at Steve, "Sadly enough that sounds a lot more plausible than him being a spy."
Steve rolled his eyes and said, "We'll need to see all the messages you sent and received to make sure."
"Of course, Commander." Max stepped over to his desk and grabbed a padd on the top of pile and handed it to Steve. "That's the entirety of my research, including all communications and the contact information for the scientist with whom I was discussing."
"You just had this all on a padd, right there. Convenient."
Max furrowed his already wrinkled brow, "That is the point of research, is it not? To be accessible?"
Steve huffed and headed out of the room, leaving Danny and Tony to give Max bright grins before following after Steve. Danny jogged a little to catch up to Steve's long legs and teased, "You probably want to take that information to Chin, since he's better than you at that whole computer thing."
“I am perfectly capable of operating my own computer, Danny. Besides, I should send this off to my contacts and get their input anyway.”
“Oh, input of your contacts, that doesn't sound dubious.”
Tony laughed, and before the two men could argue too much he said, "I'm gonna go update Gibbs." and got out of the way.
XXXXXGibbs' door rang out with the annoying chime that meant he had company and called out, "If you're coming in then get the hell in and stop pressing the damn button."
The door swished open and Tony stuck his head around the door, "I'm pretty sure shouting at people doesn't make them want to talk to you Cap."
"I can't be yelling loud enough, because you're still here."
"Oh, you're yelling plenty; I'm just good at bobbing and weaving."
Gibbs fought back a smirk and said, "Did you plan on standing in the doorway and watching me do paperwork, or are you here for a reason?"
Tony ducked into the room with a grin and quickly got to his explanation. “We narrowed down the list of suspects and spoke to the most likely of them, but that turned up nothing. We're going over the rest of the list to see if anything pops."
Gibbs nodded, and then sat in quiet for a moment, ignoring the questions he should be asking about the investigation and instead asked, "Can I talk to Gard?"
Tony quirked an eyebrow, "Just my symbiote and not me?"
"Yes."
"What makes you think we can separate like that?"
"I've been thinking about someone the things you said at the meeting this morning, some of it sounded wrong, and that's because it wasn't you."
Tony paused, "Sure it was."
Gibbs didn't bother looking up from his paperwork while he replied, "No, you like to draw fire away from other people, protecting them from their own stupidity."
"And why should I do that for Shepard when she hates me?"
Gibbs set down his stylus and looked at Tony like he was an idiot for asking. "That's not the sort of man you are."
"Didn't you just say you wanted to talk to my symbiote because you think it controls me?"
"I don't know if it controlled you, or if it was just the symbiote's experience taking over, or if you ceded control."
"Are they all really that different?"
"To me they are, and I'd like to ask the symbiote about it."
Tony looked to the side for a long moment then turned back to Gibbs, his smile smoothing out into a level stare and straightening out his posture. "Tony has a vibrant personality and we have a strong bond. To completely take control would be painful for both of us, but we're still separate enough that we have our own root identities, if that's what you would prefer."
If Gibbs was surprised by how smooth the transition was between man and symbiote, it didn't show. "Why did you take control from Tony this morning?"
"Do you have a best friend, Captain?"
Gibbs quirked an eyebrow, "Of course."
"Doctor Mallard I presume?" Gibbs grunted something indistinct, and Gard gave the slightest of grins, a flash of Tony on his face before going straight back to Gard's placid expression. "Sometimes you protect Doctor Mallard from himself. And sometimes I do the same for Anthony. I never completely take control, or take a decision away from him, just nudge in his defense. We're a partnership, completely. And sometimes the junior partner needs counseling."
"And what makes you so sure your counsel is best?"
Gard looked at him like Gibbs was terribly young, "I have spent thirteen of my fifteen lifetimes as a spy in some capacity. Half of them I spent my whole life as part of the Trill Intelligence Committee, and in the other half it was simply part of my career before I ascended the bureaucratic ranks of my various governments and helped lead my people. I know how to take care of him."
"The other two lifetimes?"
"My first and Anthony."
Gibbs leaned back in his chair, "And what were you then?"
A gentle smile flashed against Gard's face, wholly and entirely Tony's expression, "My first bond was with a man named Logan. He was a sculptor. We were happy together for several years before he was murdered."
"Murdered?"
"It was the early days of Trill bonding, and there were segments of society who though bonding with a symbiote was a curse on their people. They killed him for bonding with me."
"That's what drove you to public service."
Gard couldn't quite meet Gibbs' gaze, the memory too much, "I adored Logan. I swore to myself I would do all in my power to keep such a thing from happening again."
"Why not be a spy with Tony?"
"Because Anthony didn't want to be."
"And your grand plan to protect hosts?"
Gard glowered at him, "Anthony is more important than them."
"More important than the ones you had before?"
"Tony will be my last host. When he dies, I will go with him."
Gibbs was shocked by the statement. A Trill symbiote could live forever, bonded to one Trill host after another, and to willingly lay down their life by refusing to bond again was almost sacrilege to the Trill. Gibbs didn't know quite how to respond, so he grumbled out, "The Trill Symbiosis Commission can't be happy about that."
"Unhappy barely even begins to describe it. They send me lists every few months of all the new students they think I might like to bond with and updates on the old ones, and at least once a year they ask me to come back to the planet so that I'll cave under all the hopeful expressions."
"Is that how you met Tony?"
Gard smirked, "Heavens no. Anthony is far too lively to ever have been considered a suitable host. I met Anthony when we were both on Risa. I was there for a conference, and when I checked in to my hotel I came across Anthony in the hall picking up his room service. His father was off somewhere doing 'business', and let me tell you Antony was not happy to have the memories about what his father was actually up to. I spent the next few days with Antony, taking him to see all the good things on Risa, and by the time we were done, I'd decided that he was who I wanted for my next host."
"But why your last?"
Gard tapped his fingers on the desk a random pattern that Gibbs had caught Tony thrumming when he was thinking, and that more than anything convinced Gibbs that Tony had had some sort of impact on Gard. "It would be cruel to all my future hosts to take another on another after Tony. He is, a light in the darkness, and I feel like for the first time in fifteen hundred years I've been living." Gard smirked at Gibbs like he knew something Gibbs did not, "He has that effect on people."
Tony's comm badge went off, interrupting whatever reply Gibbs might have had, and Gibbs watched, fascinated, as Tony's expression morphed from Gard to entirely Tony. He tapped the badge with a grin and said, "Gard here."
"Tony!" Danny's frazzled voice exclaimed, "Get your ass to Abby's lab, I need you to counteract Steve's crazy."
Tony just laughed back, "I'm on my way," and smirked when Gibbs came along with him.
XXXXX
"Just shut up Steven. Seriously, you're trailing stupid all over the place and it's giving me allergies."
"Danny-"
"No Steven, stop talking! Right now!"
Gibbs and Tony walked into the room to the sound of Danny yelling at Steve, which Tony realized was the usual state of things.
"All I'm saying is-"
Danny whirled to face the door, "Tony! Get in here and save me from Steve's stupidity."
Tony laughed and joined Danny and Steve in front of the list of suspects while Gibbs took his spot at the back of the room. Tony patted Steve on the back and asked Danny, "What's the problem?"
Danny tossed his hands at the screen, "There's nothing here! I've got this list of names and none of them pop. Nothing about any of them stands out to me as someone we should be looking at."
Tony cocked his head and stared at the list for a long moment before something bright and brilliant flashed across his face and suddenly he turned to Danny with a grin. "You ever watch those old school holovids?"
Danny stared at him, "What does that have to do with anything?"
"In those stories all the Security officers say that people only commit crimes for two reasons: love and money."
Danny flicked his hand at Tony, trying to usher him along, "Your point?"
"We've been looking at this like it's about money, like they've been bribed or blackmailed into acting, and what if it's not?"
Danny furrowed his brow, "You think we've got a Federation officer who's doing this for love of the Romulan Star Empire?"
"No, the Romulans don't need to set us to war against the Klingons; the seedy underbelly of the people just wants it. Really, war between the Federation and the Klingons just hurts the whole alpha quadrant. It kills trade, makes us both jumpy enough to attack them for no reason, and sets us right back to the Dominion War when we're still recovering from it. So why do this? What's the point?"
Steve huffed, "Well, what is the point?"
Tony looked excited, "What if they're doing it for love of the Federation?"
Danny caught on instantly, "Or maybe even for hatred of the Klingons."
"What are you both talking about?" Steve interrupted.
Oddly enough, Gibbs was the one to answer, "They think that our spy isn't trying to cause problems in the negotiations to aid the Romulans, but because they think it's best for the Federation not to get in bed with the Klingons."
"But my source said the spy was working for the Romulans." Steve corrected.
"They might be getting support from the Romulans, or they might just be spreading the rumor so we'll be looking in a different place."
Danny went back to the board, "So what we need is someone who'd be likely to make it to the planet, and who's got a reason to hate the Klingons."
Gibbs started for the door before Danny even got the words out, and Danny turned to shout, "Where are you going Gibbs?"
Over his shoulder Gibbs called, "To see someone who's got a reason to hate Klingons."
"Who?"
"An Orion."
Chapter Four