Fic: More His Speed (CSI:Miami/NCIS x-over) - DiNozzo/Speedle - NC-17 - Chapter 20/?
Title: More His Speed - Chapter 20
Word Count: ~4,200
Pairing: Tony DiNozzo/Tim Speedle (NCIS/CSI: Miami crossover)
Rating: NC-17
Warnings and/or Spoilers: Hot boy sex isn't really a "warning", but eh.. *shrug*
Author's Notes: This all started with me talking to heartspeedand trying to figure out how to crossover Miami and NCIS... and it all just exploded like WOAH. The fic follows Tony and Speed through their relationship.
Summary: Speed deals with the aftermath of a bad situation.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. *pout* They belong to CBS.
Chapter 20
“Have you heard from Tony?” Ziva asked as she and Speed walked in to the bullpen.
“You came into the office on a Saturday morning because you're worried about Tony?” Speed looked at her, a little confused.
Ziva gestured to the Chinese food on Speed’s desk. “You have been here all night.”
“Is that a question or a statement?” Speed asked warily.
“Question.” Ziva clarified as she moved to her desk.
“Sounded more like a statement.” Speed baited.
“Demands an answer.” Ziva said sharply.
Speed sighed. “Yes. I was here all night.”
“Fragging the computers.” Ziva stepped into Speed’s personal space.
“Defragging.” Speed corrected. “You need to work on those inflections when you're asking a question. For example, why are you worried about Tony?”
Ziva sighed. “Well, he was supposed to meet us at the bar last night. He did not arrive, did not call. He's not answering his home phone or his cell phone.” She paused. “Do you have the number to his second cell phone?”
McGee looked around awkwardly as he turned away. “The one he uses for his private calls?”
“Yes!” Ziva smiled, following.
“No.” McGee replied shortly pursing his lips.
It was then that Ziva looked at Gibbs’ and McGee’s desks. “Gibbs and McGee were here all night, too?” She looked at Speed for an answer. “Are we a team, Timothy?” She asked, stepping close to him.
“Morning, Ziva.” Gibbs greeted as he walked in, McGee right behind him. “Nothing better to do on a Saturday morning?”
“Teams do not have secrets, Gibbs.” Ziva turned to stare at the team leader who looked up from his file curiously. “And if you do not tell me what you were both doing here last night.” She looked back at McGee with a satisfied smile on her face. Gibbs straightened to watch the two. “McGee knows he will.” She turned back to Gibbs “Eventually.” Ziva smiled to herself, missing the glance between McGee and Gibbs.
_+_+_+_+_
The team was gathered by the plasma screen behind Gibbs desk, using it as an excuse for a conference.
“Why would the CIA come after the director?” Ziva asked, confused.
“You tell me.” Gibbs said, prodding his team with his words.
“Protecting their asset.” Ziva realized.
“Does the director know?” Ziva asked.
“Know what?’ Director Shepard walked up behind them.
“That… it's… Saturday and we're all here on our day off because we love our jobs.” McGee supplied awkwardly.
“Except for Tony who is… missing.” Ziva added, taking some focus away from McGee.
“McGee, I want you to triangulate a cell number.” Director Shepard looked at him.
McGee started for his desk. “Sure.”
“202-555-0177.” The Director recited.
“DiNozzo in trouble?” Gibbs asked as he slipped past her and went to hover by McGee.
“I knew it.” Ziva confirmed to herself.
“The woman Tony has been seeing, Jeanne Benoît, is La Grenouille’s daughter.” The Director told them.
“Wait, what?” Speed blinked.
“He’s been on an undercover job for me for the year.”
“He's been on assignment?” McGee and Speed asked incredulously.
“So, all the trips to the hospital?” Speed asked.
“Miss Benoit is a doctor at Monroe University Hospital.” The Director explained
Gibbs stalked over to the Director, a dangerous look in his eyes. “You did plan to tell us at some point?”
“If it led us to her father, yes.” The Director stated, remarkably calm.
“Yeah,did it?” Gibbs asked.
“I don't know.” Director Shepard answered.
“You want to tell us what you do know, Director?” Gibbs growled back.
“Tony just contacted me using his alias's cell.” The Director supplied. “It was a prearranged signal, used only in emergency if he thought his cover had been blown.”
“Triangulating.” McGee straightened and brought the triangulation up on the plasma they had been conferring by earlier.
“Tony DiNardo.” Ziva read. “Cute.”
“I want this fed to MTAC and I want satellite coverage.” Director Shepard told McGee as she headed to the stairs.
“On its way.” McGee went back to his computer, nudging Speed out of his chair before reclaiming it.
_+_+_+_+_
“He's on 22nd street Northwest,” McGee announced as he joined the other in MTAC, “outside Monroe University Hospital.”
“He's on the move.” Director Shepard observed.
“Must be in a car.” McGee frowned.
“How long until we get satellite coverage?’ The Director asked.
“At least 15 minutes.” McGee contributed. “Or we could patch into D.C.'S traffic-cam system.” He suggested as Gibbs walked up behind them. “See if we can locate him on the traffic-cam management.”
“Do it.” Gibbs groused as he stalked back to find a chair to sit in.
“Anything?” The Director asked Ziva.
“Still not answering.” Ziva shook her head as McGee sat next to her. “Shall I try his undercover cell phone?”
“Put it on speaker.” The Director ordered her. The ringing phone was almost immediately streamed into the room. Ziva raised an eyebrow then narrowed her eyes as the 20th Century Fox fanfare played throughout Tony’s voicemail message. Speed allowed himself a ghost of a smirk from where he stood leaned against a railing by the theatre-style seats.
“Hi.” Tony’s voiced wafted through the speakers with a slight tinny quality. “You've reached Professor Tony DiNardo. Leave a message and I will get back to you. I promise.” The message ended with a beep. Ziva hung up.
“His cover is teaching film online at American University.” The Director explained.
“Tony a teacher?” Ziva asked.
“No wonder he's been compromised.” McGee rolled his eyes. “Whose bright idea was that?”
“Mine.” The Director leveled a glare at the back of McGee’s head.
McGee glanced at the Director, before turning back to the computer he was sitting in front of. “We're in.” He said triumphantly.
“Bring it up.”
McGee typed quickly and had the footage up on the giant screen. “Got it.” He pressed a few more buttons. “I'm relaying the cell phone signal.”
“Tony's car.” Ziva said as she watched the classic 1965 Ford convertible.
McGee ran a search on the license plate. “Tony DiNardo's car.” He corrected as the result popped up.
“How deep is this cover?” Gibbs asked from his seat.
“Deep enough to withstand the sort of scrutiny La Grenouille can bring to bear.” The Director answered tersely.
“You better hope so.” Gibbs countered.
“West on M Street.” McGee narrated.
“No one else is in the car with him.” Director Shepard observed. She pulled out a phone and held it to her ear.
“He's turning north onto 29th street.” McGee continued.
“Traffic speed.” Ziva remarked. “No signs of duress.”
The director hung up the cell phone. “Cell phone's still off.” She sighed, annoyed that they could reach the agent.
“No one seems to be tailing him.” Ziva discerned.
“Maybe he's the one doing the tailing.” Gibbs suggested as he stood and approached the screen, Speed following him.
“Still on 29th.” McGee spoke. A flash erupted on the screen and the team watched in horror as Tony’s car exploded in front of them.
“Oh, my God.” Director Shepard gasped. McGee looked over at her as her mouth worked not unlike a fish gasping for water. Gibbs looked back at Speed who had stumbled back until he hit the wall before losing his balance in shock and falling to the floor.
“Tony.” Ziva breathed.
_+_+_+_+_
The sirens wailed as the team pulled up in sedans with Ducky and Palmer behind them in the medical examiner’s van. They walked slowly towards the remains of Tony’s scorched car, as if doing so could delay the inevitable; Speed hung back, a dazed look on his face. The charred body was leaned against the skeletonized steering wheel. Pieces of shattered wind shield were littered about. Gibbs stared sadly at the scene in front of them. The acrid smell of burnt flesh penetrated their nostrils, causing McGee and the Director to wince. Speed just stared, glassy-eyed and unfocused, at nothing in particular.
Gibbs looked back at his team with a sigh. “Speedle.” He stared hard at the agent, who was firmly rooted to the spot. “Speed!” He barked.
Speed finally registered that Gibbs was talking to him and turned his head. Gibbs jerked his own head to tell Speed to do his job. Speed set down his bag and got out his camera. He walked over to the car, the camera in his hands. The rest of the team finally felt the silent permission to circle the car as Speed began taking photos. The body. He wouldn’t call it Tony yet. He couldn’t. The 9 mil still in its holster. He stared the deceased’s face for a second before making his way to the front of the car and around to the passenger side where Director Shepard crouched near the back tire. The two cell phones by what was left of the passenger seat.
“Hey.” The Director beckoned him over. “That some sort of timer device?”
Speed snapped a photo. “Ten bucks at most electrical stores. Probably activated when the ignition turned on.” He explained. “Counts down however long you need it to. When it reaches zero.” He sighed, wiping his forehead on the back of his sleeve. The director stood and walked around the car to approach Ducky.
“Shockwave would've killed him before the fire.” Ducky stated. “Death would've been instantaneous.” He squatted by the car. “Small mercies, my dear boy.” He told the body.
“Identification?” The Director asked.
“General build, height, weight are about right.” Ducky confirmed. “Most of the epidermis and dermis on the hands and fingers have been burned off,” he gently prodded at one of the deceased’s hands, “so no fingerprints.” He straightened. “We'll need to get his dental records for positive identification.” Ducky paused. “And is there any chance that it's not Tony?” He asked the Director.
“None that I can think of.” She said quickly, turning and walking away.
Ducky turned to Gibbs. “She blames herself.” Gibbs gave a nod. “Should she?”
“Let me know when you're finished, Duck.” Gibbs walked away and Ducky looked back at the wrecked car with a sigh.
“You believe in miracles, Ziva?” McGee asked.
“Not part of my training.” She said as she picked up something leather from the car.
“It might not be Tony.” McGee looked down at the item that Ziva held in front of him as she looked away. Speed peeked over McGee’s shoulder. Tony’s NCIS ID. Speed felt the bile rise in his throat and he dashed over to the nearest sidewalk where he proceeded to empty the contents of his stomach.
_+_+_+_+_
“Tony is not dead, Gibbs.” Abby stated as she unloaded the evidence out of the boxes. “Not until Ducky says it's him.” Gibbs stood next to her. “Until then, he's just… he's not here. And I don't care what the evidence says.” She pulled Tony’s charred ID and shield out of its protective canister. “Even if everything here belongs to Tony, it’s still not him until Ducky says that it's him. And don't try to tell anything different because I'm not gonna believe you.” She paused. “Tell me it's not him, Gibbs.” She faced him and hugged him tight. “Tell me it’s not him.
Gibbs rubbed her back comfortingly. “I wish I could, Ab.”
Abby suddenly pulled away and went to her computer. “I need to be alone right now with the gang. I've got work to do.” She clicked the mouse a few times as Gibbs sighed.
_+_+_+_+_
“Must you keep doing that?” Speed asked from where he sat in Tony’s chair, his head in his hands as McGee frame-by-framed the footage of Tony’s car exploding for what felt like the billionth time.
“Just checking something Gibbs said.” He went back to the beginning of the explosion. Again. “Tony wouldn't have carried it with him, you know? His shield and ID, not if he was undercover. And he would've stashed it in the car, maybe under the seat.” He sighed. “Just because we found his ID doesn't mean it's Tony.”
“His car, his ID, his weapon… both of his cell phones, McGee?” Ziva asked with a dejected laugh, her chin resting in her hands, elbows propped on her desk as she stared at Speed who was sitting behind Tony’s desk, looking very much like a kicked puppy. McGee sat on the edge of Gibbs’ desk and rewound the footage. Speed whined a little and finally got up and went to his own desk, if only so he wouldn’t have to see the footage again. “What was it that Gibbs said that you thought needed checking?” Ziva asked, as she joined McGee at the plasma screen.
“That he thought Tony might be tailing someone.” McGee said absently and he began frame-by-framing from the beginning.
“Stop it there!” Ziva pointed at the screen. “Take it back.” McGee went back a few frames. “The limousine. It was on the previous camera.” They pulled up all the camera views. “It's on every camera.”
“He was following the limousine.” McGee left the bullpen.
“Where is Gibbs?” Ziva asked, mostly to herself. Speed just sighed and folded his arms on his desk, plopping his head down on them as a tear slipped down his cheek. He flicked a hand at it to wipe it away. He’d be damned if he was going to cry at work.
_+_+_+_+_
“The limousine is leased to a shell company.” Ziva explained to the Director. “The parent company is EuroFreight.”
“Head office is in Luxembourg.” McGee added.
“The principal behind the company is René Benoît.” Ziva informed them as Gibbs walked up.
“Tony could've been following La Grenouille.” McGee suggested with a significant glance at Gibbs.
“I'm sorry to differ, Timothy, but he wasn't.” Ducky announced as he joined them, still in his autopsy scrubs.
“Ducky?” Speed asked finally bringing himself out of his self-induced isolation at his desk to join the others.
Ducky gently turned Gibbs to look at him, even as he cast a glance at Speed. “Look, Tony contracted pneumonic plague, as I'm sure everyone can remember.”
“Before my time.” Ziva spoke up quietly.
“He almost died.” Speed looked at her, the memory playing in his eyes.
“From severe pneumonia.” Ducky told Ziva. “As a result, his lungs would've been extensively scarred.” He gestured to where his own lungs were. “Unlike the almost pristine lung of the man currently in autopsy.” He pointed to indicate the morgue below them. “The body on which I am performing an autopsy… is not Tony's.” The team broke into weary smiles. Speed leaned against the nearest desk, which happened to belong to Gibbs.
“If it's not Tony… then who is it?” Director Shepard asked.
“And where is DiNozzo?” Gibbs looked at the rest of his team.
_+_+_+_+_
“I want to know everything about this company.” Director Shepard demanded. “Bank statements, telephone records, personnel.
“Hard drive's spinning up now.” McGee replied seemingly unaware of Gibbs looming over his shoulder.
“Everything, Tim.” The Director instructed again. “If La Grenouille is in DC, this could lead us to him.”
“Or DiNozzo.” Gibbs prompted as he straightened and walked back to his own desk.
“Well, obviously, DiNozzo is our first priority.” The Director confirmed.
“Ziva, start with the hospital. Find out when DiNozzo left, and with who.” Gibbs sat at his desk and opened a file.
“And who was driving his car. Got it.” Ziva circled her desk and sat down to begin work as a man with a shaved head and wearing a suit rounded the corner of the squad room.
“Director Shepard.” The man walked up to the Director, a man following him.
“Mr. Kort.” The Director replied stiffly. “An unannounced visit by the CIA usually means someone's in trouble.” She stared at him. “I trust it isn't you.”
Trent Kort inhaled, looking around, and sighed. “Where is he?”
“It depends on who he is.” The Director came back with.
“DiNozzo.” Kort ground out.
“I honestly don't know,” Director Shepard responded as McGee stood, “and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you until you explained to me why you're looking for him so urgently.”
“La Grenouille flew to D.C. this morning.” Kort explained as Gibbs stood and joined them. “He didn't arrive at his safe house and his satellite phone has stopped transmitting.”
“Mislaid your arms dealer-- that's got to be embarrassing.” Gibbs supplied.
“I don't know what NCIS is up to, but I want a private briefing in your office now.” Kort demanded.
“I'll decide what briefing you get, and where you get it, Mr. Kort.” The Director replied shortly with a smirk. “And if you have a problem with that, why don't you have your director give me a call.” Gibbs shifted a little.
Kort didn’t even bat an eye. “You're jeopardizing one of the most important long-term covert operations the agency has ever conducted.” He said seriously.
“Operation Lodestone.” Gibbs glared.
Kort turned his attention to Gibbs. “You're not read-in on Lodestone.”
Gibbs shrugged. “Okay, so read us in.” He replied simply.
“Unless the CIA just believes in one-way traffic.” The Director vindicated sourly.
Kort leaned closer to Director Shepard. “This is not going end well for you.” He whispered as he and his lackey headed back for the elevator.
Gibbs followed, the Director and the rest of his team behind him, Speed bringing up the rear. “Special Agent DiNozzo's car was bombed this morning, but I guess you knew that.”
Kort turned. “He wasn't in it.” He defended.
“Thanks for sharing.” The Director said tightly.
“The agency had nothing to do with it.” Kort retorted.
“Is that when you mislaid your frog in all that confusion?” Gibbs snarled as Kort turned to the elevator when it dinged. The doors opened to reveal Tony who laughed upon seeing the CIA agents.
“Hey, my car blew up this morning.” Tony pointed at Kort. “Did you do that?” He joked. Speed turned to head back to his desk, not ready to deal with Tony yet. Not at work. Not when he could potentially be fired for punching him or sucking his face off. He wasn’t sure which he’d do right then. Tony saw Speed walking away and tried to step out of the elevator, only to be pinned against the open door by Kort’s forearms across his chest.
“Where did you go with La Grenouille?” Kort demanded. Tony cleared his throat and turned his head toward his team who all, including Speed who and turned back around at the first sign of trouble, had guns trained on Kort. Kort followed Tony’s line of vision and then let him go.
Tony adjusted his tie. “Actually, he prefers René.” He pointed out as Gibbs holstered his weapon. “Arms dealers get very touchy about their code names. The Frog has a kind of slimy overtone to it. Maybe you should keep that in mind for next time. You could use it yourself.” Tony smarmed.
Kort stepped into Tony’s personal space. “We will find him, DiNozzo.”
Tony leaned forward. “You might want to take the stairs.” He whispered. “I had a little upset tummy this morning. P.U.” He made a face and turned away from the elevator as Kort stepped in. “Happy Frog hunting.” He approached his team with a broad grin. Speed glared at him. “What? No balloons?” He asked innocently.
_+_+_+_+_
“What time?” Ziva asked the person on the other end of the phone. “Did she say how long she would be gone?” She gestured a thank you at McGee who set a cup of coffee on her desk. “No, no. No, no, I understand. Thank you.”
McGee perched on the corner of Ziva’s desk just before Tony walked past and slapped him upside the head. “What was that for?” McGee looked over at the Senior Agent.
“Believing I was dead.” Tony admonished as he sat down.
“Hey, I never believed that you were dead.” McGee defended with a frown. “Ziva was the one that gave up on you.”
Ziva punched McGee in the shoulder before looking at Tony. “Don't even think about the head slap.” She warned. “Is everything cool with the Director and Gibbs?” She asked as Tony picked up his desk phone.
“Beyond cool.” He confirmed as he started dialing a number. “Almost icy.”
“You seem anxious.” Ziva stated calmly.
“I'm fine.” Tony placated. “Anyone call for me?”
McGee sighed. “No.”
“If you're calling the hospital, she's not there.” Ziva told Tony. “She called the ER to let them know she was going away for a few days.”
Tony hung up the phone and narrowed his eyes. “Going where?”
“She did not tell them.” Ziva paused and watched Tony’s gaze fall. “She knows?”
Tony sighed. “She knows.”
“What are you going to do?” Ziva asked with a quick glance at McGee.
Tony looked at Ziva. “I am going to wait until the morning and then talk to her.”
“Tony!” Abby shrieked as she ran over and plastered Tony in a hug, nearly bowling him over. “I knew you'd be all right! I knew it! Everybody else gave u up for dead-- even Ziva.” She straightened and stared at the aforementioned agent.
“Okay.” Ziva held up a gold plated letter opener that resembled a dagger. “So I may have acted a little hastily.”
“That's my letter opener.” Tony accused.
“Excellent balance and weight.” Ziva smiled. “The edge is a little dull, but I have always admired it.”
Tony opened his desk drawer. “Where's my American Pie coffee mug?”
“Palmer.” Abby stated.
“Mighty Mouse stapler?” Tony whimpered a little.
Abby smiled. “Ducky.” She looked behind them to find Ducky leaning over the partition. “Hey, Ducky.” She chirped.
Ducky held the Mighty Mouse stapler out to Tony. “My dear fellow, I never believed it for a moment.” He said as Tony took the stapler back. “Welcome home.”
“It's not every day people think you're dead, DiNozzo.” Gibbs stated as he walked into the bullpen and to his desk.
“Gibbs, I know who blew up Tony's car.” Abby scampered over to Gibb’s desk. “Well, not Tony's car, but his alias's car.” She elaborated. “And not exactly who, but more like how and why.”
“Do you have a motive?” McGee asked.
Abby looked a little confused. “Me? No.” She smiled. “But they do.” She motioned for them to follow her and led them out of the bullpen, past Speed’s desk.
Tony opened his mouth to say something but found the desk empty. “Where’s Speed?” He asked.
“He went home.” Gibbs told him as they walked. “He’s been on edge all day on account of the fact that he thought you were dead.”
Tony frowned. ‘Why didn’t he say anything?’He wondered.
_+_+_+_+_
Tony walked into the apartment, through the front door that had been left open. “Speed?” He called. Not getting a response, he wandering toward the bedroom where he had heard a scuff sound. “Babe?” He stepped into the bedroom and stopped upon seeing the backpack in the middle of the bed, one of Speed’s shirts spilling out of it. A noise came from the bathroom and Speed emerged with his toothbrush and deodorant in hand. Speed stopped and stared at Tony. “What’s going on?” He asked. “You haven’t said anything since I came into work this afternoon.”
“The fuck?!” Speed cursed as he shoved the stuff into the backpack. “You’ve been lying to me for almost a year, DiNozzo!” He looked up at Tony.
“I-“ Tony sighed. “I was on assignment, Speed! I couldn’t risk my cover being blown!”
“You couldn’t trust me enough to actually tell me?! You couldn’t trust that I could maintain that cover?!” Speed yelled, his eyes narrowed.
“I wanted to tell you, Speed! I really did, but -”
“But you were too occupied with your new girlfriend!”
“Damn it, Speed, that was part of the op!”
“Not from what I’ve heard!” Speed bit back, shoving the tee shirt back into the backpack.
“Speed…”
“Why the fuck didn’t you call?!” Speed growled. Tony blinked. “After your fucking car blew up, Tony! Why didn’t you call me?!”
“Because I had to explain things to Jeanne! I needed time to think! My car had just exploded!” Tony held up his hands in defense. “Forgive me for being freaked the Hell out!”
“Yeah?! How long did you need to think?!” Speed paced. “I thought you were dead, Tony! Dead! I’d come to terms with the fact that I wasn’t seeing you again, and then you just waltz into the building like nothing ever happened! You couldn’t have taken five minutes to let me know that you weren’t?!” He snatched up the backpack and headed for the door, shouldering his way past Tony.
Tony put a hand on Speed’s shoulder. “Speed, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t touch me!” Speed spat back, pulling his shoulder out of Tony’s grip and walking away.
“Speed!” Tony followed as Speed grabbed his helmet and the keys to his bike on his way out the door. Speed slapped the helmet on his head and walked up to his Ducati. “Speed...” Tony followed watching as Speed got on the yellow bike, backpack secured to his shoulders.
“Save it, Anthony.” Speed turned the key in the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot.