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First Assumptions
When you worked on Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ team, you could never expect what each case was going to be about. Most of the time, it was because someone was murdered. But usually, they had some skin to them. The woman they were looking at was a skeleton, all bone.
“Someone had issues about letting go,” Tony murmured as he took the picture of the chain.
It was bolted to the wall by nails, they definitely didn’t want the bride to run away. She was currently wearing a wedding dress with a train. You could see the bones on every part of her body.
While Tony was still taking pictures of the dead bride, Kate picked up something on the side table.
“What is it?” he asked.
She flipped it so the title could be read.
“Good Wife’s Guide?”
“Sounds like your own reading material, don’t it, Tony?”
Tony scoffed, “maybe if I was born a few decades ago.”
“Well… she seems to have enjoyed it, the guide’s pages look worn,” Kate said as she thumbed through some of the pages.
“Won’t tell us on who did this,” Tony replied as he got the pictures of dresser, filled with make-up, hairbrushes, combs, perfume, even a landline. It was right beside a sink with the toilet being on the other side.
“They seemed to like things from decades ago, though,” Tony noted. “This all has to be around the fifties, maybe sixties.”
“Maybe he has a fixation around that time,” Kate brought up.
“Makes sense.”
“You would think that,” Kate muttered.
Tony glanced back at her, “want to elaborate on that?”
“Women seemed to think the men were always in the right. Probably even think that she would be the perfect obedient wife, don’t you think so, Tony?”
Tony looked insulted at the thought. He had a look of disgruntlement on his face.
"Would be a nightmare..."
"So... a wife that basically would listen to your every word and never question you... would be a nightmare?" Kate raised an eyebrow.
Tony looked at her in disgust. "Yes! It would be creepy for one, and who wants to be married to someone who can't form their own opinions?"
Kate looked at him in disbelief.
Tony crossed his arms, "I just don't date people for what their ass looks like. Not every man wants a woman to obey his every word and command. So, that statement doesn’t make that true for this day and time,” Tony said, making the sketches to recreate later.
Kate snorted but didn’t say another word. It was obvious that she didn’t believe a word he said.
Tony wanted to be done with the crime scene so he could get back to the office and then back home. He didn’t want to hear Kate’s self-righteous comments on how she perceived him. It was obvious that she thought he believed the ways from the 50s. He didn’t want some woman that would never question him. He liked having the arguments and the discussions, it made the relationship worth it. Though he knew Kate would scoff at his words.
Though he didn’t hesitate to correct McGee when he mentioned that he had read Redbook.
“Do you really think that you will learn more about a woman by a book, McGee?” he asked.
Tony watched the probationary agent hesitate.
“Some things, maybe, but never every woman will be the same, Probie,” he advised.
“You know you can be wrong,” Kate mentioned as she took the seat at her desk.
“I think that Tony could be right, though,” McGee mentioned.
“Tony? About relationship advice?” Kate snorted. “
“He can… give good advice sometimes…” McGee mumbled.
“Like about his next conquest,” she muttered.
“Uhhh… I don’t think his wife would actually appreciate that…” McGee mumbled.
“What?! Wife!?” Kate repeated, unable to believe what she was hearing.
“That so hard to believe Kate?” Tony smirked, “that I actually would be married.”
“Did you just hook up with her and decide that you had to marry her?” Kate lifted an eyebrow at him.
“No, actually. I dated for several years before proposing and I will have you know. They loved the ring.”
Kate was slack jaw.
“She’s actually pretty nice,” McGee brought up.
Tony’s lips twitched when he said she.
"Nice?" Kate repeated.
"Uhhh... yeah... didn't seem half bad to me," McGee stuttered.
Kate scoffed.
Tony arched an eyebrow, "what don't believe that I could have someone fall for me?"
"Knowing you, DiNozzo... she had to have two big assets to get you to even look at her."
Tony scowled, “for your information, Agent Todd, they didn’t have none of those assets. I noticed because they saved my life.”
McGee kept his mouth shut, unsure if he had made the situation worse by mentioning that the Senior Field Agent was actually married. He wondered if Gibbs knew…
Tony had a satisfied grin on his face as Kate muttered underneath her breath.
That was when they got their next breakthrough.
Abby had already run her tests on the beetle that had been found at their first crime scene. It was starting to tie together when McGee mentioned that there was a Petty Officer, Second Class that had gone missing from her duty station in Florida. One of the two places that the beetle originated.
Their next destination was the Jacksonville Naval Air Station.
Even after their plane ride, Tony wasn’t expecting for what met him on base when they went to meet with the reporting NCIS agent, Jane Melankovic.
He paid no mind to the woman that was talking to an older male, they looked to be into deep conversation.
“Harry?!”
Kate looked at Tony in confusion as McGee had a secret smile on his lips.
It broke the conversation as the older male turned to the voice and almost fell in surprise.
"Tony? What are you doing here?!"
Tony shrugged with a grin, “same as you, I suppose.”
"Dr. DiNozzo—" the NCIS agent woman tried to gain his attention once more. It wasn’t too successful.
"Dr?" Kate repeated, puzzled. "You never said you had a Doctorates degree?"
Tony shook his head, "wrong DiNozzo. Never went for my Doctorates, unlike some people..."
Harry rolled his eyes, "unlike you... my profession requires much more than a simple Masters... or two..."
Kate turned, "wait you have two Masters?!"
"Not the only one, Katie... McGee can tell you that much," Tony replied.
"I am Harry DiNozzo," Harry's hand was outstretched.
"Kate Todd. How are you--?"
Harry smirked, "I happen to be his husband. Though next time warn me when my work will interfere with yours? Hmm..."
"Would prefer the warning myself," Tony grinned.
"So... the married comment was true? And the perfect wife..."
"All true," Tony confirmed. "Though I wouldn't be able to deal with that kind of a perfect wife. Harry keeps me on my toes."
“Damn right,” Harry muttered.
Kate turned to McGee, “you knew about this!?”
McGee didn’t have a chance to answer before Harry did it for him.
“Timothy, it’s good to see you again. I hope Tony isn’t working you too hard,” Harry said with a pointed look to his husband.
Tony gave a shrug at that, “I have reasons…”
Harry rolled his eyes.
“Why did you say that DiNozzo had a wife?” Kate wanted to know.
“Might want to be more specific when you use last names, Agent Todd, since we do share the same last name,” Harry reminded, his voice slightly cold.
McGee got a little defensive, "I didn't say that Harry was a woman... you drew that conclusion."
“You said she,” Kate reminded.
“Only after you thought Harry was a woman, its not my job to remind you that Tony could have been married to a man or woman.”
Kate looked at them, for once, she was at a loss for words.
“You got called in for the Petty Officer?” Tony directed his question at Harry.
Harry nodded, “since the call from D.C. that the Petty Officer Swain could be found alive, I was called.”
“Why?” Kate asked.
Harry carefully observed her for a moment, “I specialize in PTSD, can almost be considered a Psychologist. Four months in captivity can cause a lot of damage, Agent Todd. Especially regarding what her current mental state would be.”
“Ohhh…”
Tony snickered.
Harry turned back to the NCIS agent, Jane Melankovic, who happened to be the same one that called him there.
“Agent Melankovic, is the helo ready?” Harry asked.
The agent had her tied into a bun as she dressed in a grey suit.
“Of course, Dr. DiNozzo.”
“Let’s get started, then,” Harry remarked, his eyes up on the screen.
The screen was filled with red, blue, and greens. The reds weren’t the correct shade as he zoomed inch by inch across the base.
“Let’s hope your idea works,” Agent Melankovic murmured.
Tony gave his husband a contemplative look.
The only response Harry gave him was a grin with a soft whisper, “watch…”
“You are much more patient than me?” Tony whispered.
“Comes with the territory,” Harry laughed.
McGee snickered as Tony grumbled under his breath.
“What exactly are we looking for on here?” Kate asked.
“Dark spots of red, it would indicate something further underground. The lighter shades of red signify that its on ground surface. I am looking for something that will tell us where Petty Officer Swain may be located. I am thinking something underground, considering where the last victim was found,” Harry answered for her.
Minutes passed before anyone said anything.
“Agent Melankovic, hover over there to the far right,” Harry ordered.
His eyes narrowed; the signature wasn’t as dark as he would like.
“What’s there?” Gibbs asked.
Harry turned around to see there was a new person in the room.
“Agent Gibbs I presume?” Harry asked.
The older man only gave him a nod.
“Weren’t kidding that he doesn’t speak much. Man of not many words, I can respect that,” Harry noted with a smile.
Tony exchanged a glance with Harry.
“But to answer your question, Agent Gibbs. It’s an abandoned ammo bunk, one of several,” Harry replied. “Most of them are probably locked, I can’t guarantee that your missing Petty Officer is there. But right now, it’s the only lead that we got.”
“Let’s go,” Gibbs ordered.
Harry kept pace with Tony with McGee and Kate following quickly after. Though he took his own car and followed after the other agents. He may not be authorized to use a gun but that didn’t mean anything.
Harry handed Gibbs over a map of the bunkers, “its not going to be very detailed as this was abandoned years ago. You got six bunkers.”
“DiNozzo, you’re with Kate and McGee,” Gibbs ordered.
“I got bunker 2,” Tony replied.
“Melankovic and I will do bunker 3. You find nothing, go to bunk 4 and then 6.”
“I’ll be going with Tony, Agent Gibbs,” Harry said.
Gibbs lips twitched, “I’m sure he would be in trouble if you didn’t.”
Harry laughed, “something like that.”
“Stand back,” Kate said as Tony used the bolt cutters.
Harry was unimpressed, “my husband has been in law enforcement for years, Agent Todd. I am fully aware of the procedures when he has to clear the room first. I’m not some newbie. Just like this isn’t the first time I’ve been called in on the same case as him.”
Tony gave him a smirk as he opened the bunker, quickly clearing the room as Kate and McGee followed. He pointed towards the right corridor; he had the left.
Harry didn’t say a word, a silencing charm had already been cast on his shoes. He stayed behind, he wasn’t the special agent or the one with the gun. He was only here in case Tony was one of the ones that found Swain first.
Last one, he mouthed.
Harry nodded; his eyes observed as his husband cut off the lock. The door scraped against the floor. A hand reached out and grasped at Tony’s sleeve.
His green eyes looked back, a questioning look.
Harry shook his head.
“Petty Officer Swain?” Tony called out.
“Don’t get too close,” Harry murmured.
Her eyes flickered to them, brief recognition at the name.
“Call it in,” Harry whispered.
Tony backed up a few steps, grabbing his radio from his belt.
“Gibbs,” was the responding bark.
“Bunker 2 in Corridor C,” Tony spoke into the radio.
A good job, DiNozzo, could be heard through the radio.
Tony didn’t dare get closer to her but watched his husband. He knew he had a good reason for what he said.
“Barbara Swain?” Harry’s voice was soft.
Her eyes flickered to Tony and Harry.
“Who are you? Where is Brett?” she wanted to know.
“Brett?” Tony repeated.
Harry’s eyes glanced over to Tony, “later.”
“He’s not here,” Harry kept his voice low.
“Is he coming?”
Harry gulped as he heard footsteps behind him. He slowly shook his head, holding a hand up behind his back.
“But if you are patient, we can help you find him. Would that be okay?”
The Petty Officer nodded.
“Slow movements,” Harry whispered, “she doesn’t know if you are an enemy to her or not.”
Harry watched with careful eyes as they broke up the lock that was attached to her wrist.
“We need to get her out of here,” Gibbs whispered.
There were nods after everyone walked down the same corridors to get back outside.
“She will need a hospital,” Harry murmured. “She looks malnourished and being locked down there for months hasn’t helped. She will no doubt form PTSD and have nightmares about her experience when what happen finally sinks down. She has Stockholm Syndrome, she obviously doesn’t see her captor as an enemy to her.”
“She asked for Brett?” Tony asked, “who is that?”
Harry looked over at his husband, “I have an idea… but I would suggest to look at their personnel records. You may be luckier with this scene to see if he got sloppy and left prints behind.”
“You got this?” Tony asked.
Harry grinned, “when have I not. I’ll meet up with you later. Narrow down the name and go from there.”
“Thought I was the Special Agent?” Tony teased.
Harry laughed, “so maybe I pick up something from your ranting.”
Tony shook his head as he took the passenger seat up front, Gibbs taking the driver’s seat.
Even when they were back and search through personnel files, it wasn’t Tony that figured out who was responsible for all those two Petty Officers kidnapped. It was McGee.
“Boss…”
Gibbs eyes went to McGee… the file was open.
Kate looked down, “Brett Evans, he was the Chaplain.”
The file was shut, “we got our guy.”
“The purple fibers,” McGee realized.
Tony had a determined look in his eyes as he followed his boss’ lead. That didn’t stop him from sending a text to Harry.
Chaplain.
He knew that he was probably still be busy at the hospital, that would include filling out the paperwork for counselling. He would also be the one that would be informing her CO that Swain had been found. It would take some time before she could return to duty but eventually.
Tony would watch from afar as Kate and Gibbs went to talk to the Chaplain, getting information from him before he would realize what was happening. The moment it turned into a slight struggle was obvious as Gibbs finally slapped the cuffs on him. His eyes glanced back as the doors opened and Harry walked in. He looked tired but strode to Tony’s side.
Kate was walking behind Gibbs as they headed out of the chapel.
“So?” Tony asked.
Harry sighed, “she doesn’t want to believe any of it. Still wants to think that she is going to be married and not that she was next on Chaplain Evans murder list. She already has some sessions scheduled with me later. But that will be after the hospital releases her and that she won’t be a danger to herself.”
“You think maybe she would take her life?” Tony asked, knowing that McGee was behind him, probably listening.
“Its probable. The attachment was formed over months, and she may not see the point in going on. His hold over her will lessen in time but for now she will be under observation.”
“Do you see things like this often?” McGee asked.
Harry turned and gave a grim nod, “unfortunately. Stockholm Syndrome is different for every person. It affects a person in their own way, some shorter, some longer, and some never recover from it. Usually those have no idea how to continue in life. Those typically do end in suicides. I cannot save every person and that is something I had to live with. Tony knows this from being a cop and federal agent, something you will learn as well. My wish is that I can give them a reason why living is better.”
McGee nodded before extending a hand, “I’m glad I got to work with you.”
“Same here, Timothy,” Harry grinned.
Tony gulped when Harry turned his attention to him, he didn’t like that look.
Harry had a sweet tone, “I hope I don’t have to text or call to remind you to be on time?”
Tony gave his husband a nervous grin.
Harry’s lips twitched as his eyes glimmered in humor before placing a peck on Tony’s check.
Tony gave out a slow exhale, his heart was pumping fast. Harry’s temper could be quite volatile at times. But it was one of the things he loved about him.
McGee shook his head as he headed towards the door. There was still paperwork to be done back at the office. And that included the sentencing, he just hoped that Tony could actually make Harry’s deadline. As nice as he seemed, he could start to see how he kept his partner in line. It was almost amusing to see his partner nervous.
Gibbs and Kate were waiting for them.