Work Text:
Joint Crossing
It was no laughing matter when the first phone call came in about a Marine Recruiter had been shot. Especially when the incident was inside a Recruiting Office.
You could even call the first one an off chance until it was confirmed to be more of a reoccurring pattern. Which had been confirmed when the seconding shooting of a Marine recruiter happened in Maryland. Likely to be from the same sniper from the first murder. Which couldn’t be confirmed until they had the bullet and had it tested in Abby’s lab back at NCIS.
Though Tony had ignored Kate’s remark of not being able to impress a girl. So what if never got the hang of using chopsticks. It wasn’t like it had mattered much especially when all he was trying to do was eat the damn Chow Mein. You were lucky if you had time to eat when you worked for a federal agency like NCIS.
Then came the call about the second murder.
That was the scene that Tony DiNozzo walked into when they arrived on the second murder scene. It was another Marine Recruiter that had been shot. Though this time, they had to deal with the presence of the FBI. Not something that Tony was looking forward to. His experiences with Agent Fornell weren’t the fondest and it wasn’t like they were the best at inner agency cooperation.
A smirk formed on his face when Gibbs intentionally goaded the FBI agent, Freeman. Who seemed to have a short strand of patience. Though it seemed like Fornell hadn’t forgotten about the little Secret Service switch around. It had been much easier to remove the body that time around.
It wasn’t hard to miss the direct order from Gibbs when he implied to help their good friend, the FBI, to find the bullet. With the scalpel in hand, it wouldn’t be hard to create a mislead for the FBI to think there had been a secondary bullet for the crime scene.
And with Ducky being the bait to distract the FBI’s Medical Examiner, it would be easy for Kate to find the bullet that had passed right through Staff Sergeant Allen.
That was when the arguing started between Gibbs and Agent Freeman’s pissing contest on who should get the bullet for the crime scene. And essentially controlling the current crime scene. Though it was clear how impatient the FBI agent was when he growled for someone to call the damn NCIS director. It hadn’t been the first time he had growled for someone to call him that morning.
Gibbs couldn’t help the smirk on his face as he told him that Director Morrow uses Thursday as his golf day. So, the phone call wouldn’t be doing him much good. Like most, Gibbs was able to get under their skin very easily.
The conversation probably would have gone on further if not for the next interruption. One that had gained Tony’s attention as his green eyes immediately went to the newcomer to the scene.
"I'm no Director of NCIS but I'm sure you'll find I'm more tolerable to deal with. Providing your agents don't piss me off." The new voice said, interrupting the conversation of Agent Gibbs and Agent Freeman
"Ugh, you." Gibbs frowned before stepping aside, hoping that his team had collected everything they needed. It was obvious that he was hoping that he would be able to take the scene and leave the FBI what he wanted them to. That plan was shot out of the window. There went trying to get the bullet and leading the FBI on a fake trail. He doubted Kate had enough time to do so. The FBI would have figured it out eventually… Even if he had sent DiNozzo to create a false trail for the same FBI agents.
Harry raised an eyebrow, "something you like to tell me, Agent Gibbs?"
"Nope, gotta get back to the office and so on." He turned to his team. "Pack up."
Harry smirked, "thought as much. I never pegged you as a man to run and cower, Agent Gibbs, or was I wrong?”
“I am nothing of the sort,” Gibbs growled.
“Then maybe, you would like to hold off until you heard what I've come to say. And I do not like my time wasted. Something that I'm sure you share the sentiment on, Agent Gibbs. Isn’t that right?"
"What is it?" Gibbs grunted.
"After I received the phone call about a great matter of importance, I’m sure that you know what that was about. Since I was privy to the majority of the conversation here. And given that you and the FBI can't come to a consensus on who will be doing this crime scene. Not to count that I would have to be deaf if I didn’t hear that little spat going on there. So, I am going to make that decision for you. This is going to be a shared investigation. I don't give a shit on who's dick is bigger argument. I want this sniper and that means working together as a team! Do I make myself clear?"
"Have I mentioned lately how much I dislike you?" Gibbs grumbled before gesturing for Tony and Kate to approach him. "Share what you found."
"Gibbs?" Kate said, shocked.
"It's been mentioned, and you can deal with it, Agent Gibbs. Keep your priorities and you shouldn't have a problem," Harry told him. That was before he turned his attention to Kate.
"You going to stand there gawking all day?!" Harry growled. “Or are you in the habit of ignoring what you are told?!”
"And just who do you think—" Kate bristled but Tony quickly cut her off.
"Deputy Assistant Director," Tony stepped forward. "What do we owe this pleasure?"
Harry nodded in greeting before it turned into disapproval, "I wouldn’t be so crude to call this a pleasure, Agent DiNozzo. Though you may do well to keep your Probationary Agents in check."
Harry spared a glance towards Gibbs before back to Tony.
"Getting back to the matter at hand, I came here to inform Agent Gibbs that you will be working this with the FBI. And I do expect cooperation from both ends. Am I clear?"
"Sir, yes sir!" Tony smiled cheekily before becoming serious. It wasn’t hard to notice this wasn’t a time for a joke that he may slip in to ease the tension.
“As charming as the sarcasm is, Agent DiNozzo, I do require both you and Agent Gibbs to make sure that the FBI is cooperating. I have no qualms of involving Charlie into this if need be. I will be expecting to hear results from both of you.”
Tony gave a shrug at that but kept the grin.
“Should that be a problem, Agent Gibbs?” Harry questioned when the older agent glowered but didn’t say a word.
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” was the growl.
“Good,” Harry replied before turning to the FBI agent. “Will that be an issue from you, Agent Freeman?”
The FBI agent frowned, “Fornell isn’t going to like this…”
“Tough shit. Fornell can’t ignore a direct order from the Director. And here I thought you wanted someone to talk to the Director, sad luck on that. You get to deal with me and that means you will go through me. Though Director Morrow had been very kind to patch this message to me since I was closest to the area. Though if you have any complaints, I will be happy to hear them.”
“No sir.”
“Good,” Harry grinned. “I have another matter to see to. Have a good day.”
It had only been a few minutes after the NCIS Deputy Assistant Director had left before Kate had started to complain over the order she had been given by not only Gibbs but him as well.
"Kate, do you even know who that was?" Tony asked. His patience was running out.
"Some nobody from the FBI?"
"If he was from the FBI, then why did Agent Freeman complain about Fornell and the fact he mentions the FBI director by his first name?" Tony scowled.
The slight confusion on her face only aided the irritation Tony felt at that moment towards her.
"Never mind, just do your job." He shook his head and headed to the nearest FBI agent to share what he had found and to weasel out of them what they had found in kind. Never said he wasn’t thorough on his methods.
There was a reason why he was a Senior Agent and after that little 'discussion,' he didn't have any issues getting the information he wanted. At least someone of them had some intellect of who that was. Unlike some people...
Even though he wasn't too thrilled with working with the FBI, he could understand the need for it. Even if he would complain to Harry later that he only did this to irritate him. Though him irritating Gibbs was only a plus, something he knew only a select few got away with. Not that Gibbs would be allowed so many snide remarks, that was their boss after all, with the Director following quickly after.
Though you would think that Kate’s complaining would have stopped by the time they reached the office. It hadn’t and it was driving Tony up the wall. And he seriously hoped that Harry was around to hear it. Because frankly, he was getting sick of hearing her rant about it being an abuse of power and that he wasn’t her boss. At least she had wised up some on who that was.
Did she never look at the chain of command for NCIS?! It was mind boggling.
On the other hand, perhaps not. She obviously disliked and usually ignored any order he would give her. When she actually did, it was usually with bemoaning or some complaint or another. Believing that the only one she really needed to listen to was Gibbs.
From there, it was a simple matter of ignoring Kate as submitted the evidence that Kate had managed to gather from the crime scene. Though, the FBI agents weren’t too happy to realize what NCIS had done to make sure they got the bullet, and they didn’t. But it was a joint case, so Tony happily ignored their complaints about the matter. It wasn’t like they wouldn’t have done the same to them.
Abby was testing it right now and it was through her that it was now firmed that it was the same model of rifle from the first murder. Though it did help that the second bullet was in much better condition for testing as well. Not enough to match up that it came from the same exact rifle yet.
Something they were hoping to prevent by their new plan. They knew that their sniper was likely targeting Marine recruiters because it was very possible that they turned him down. There was no chance that this guy had been in the military, but he wanted to be, that much was for certain.
They were going to use the same office as the prior murder, the only difference was. They would be the ones that would pose at the Marine Recruiter, in an effort to draw him out and catch him.
It was during this planning that the Deputy Assistant Director decided to make another stop. Seeing that this assignment did have to be approved by him and Director Morrow.
Harry just happened to stop by while Tony was speaking to Gibbs.
“You sure that is such a good idea to have Kate as your CO, boss? Last I checked, she didn’t know anything about the Marines,” Tony asked.
“She isn’t required to, DiNozzo,” Gibbs answered.
“You do realize that you aren’t the only one that knows how to profile,” Tony remarked, eyes narrowed.
“Not with that haircut,” Kate smirked.
“You do know that it isn’t that hard to get a haircut and look the part?” Tony shot back.
“Do that, Agent DiNozzo, and you’ll be on the couch until it grows back!” Harry threatened, his glare aimed at Tony.
Tony only gave him a grin in return. He knew the threat wasn’t all that serious, but it was good to know that Harry liked his hair. Even if that was only to pull on it when they had sex. There were some benefits to being married to the Deputy Assistant Director of NCIS, not that everyone knew that.
“Had to try,” Tony shrugged.
Harry shared a look with Gibbs after that. He was going to give this a shot to the Probationary Agent, to see if her skills were really up to par. He had heard enough complaints that a cop’s profiling skills outweighed hers significantly. This was a test, so to speak. Something that he already ran through Agent Gibbs, even if he didn’t like it. But he knew there would be no arguments about this. He had legitimate concerns and wanted to know if they were unfounded or not. He wasn’t impressed so far. She seemed to like to do a fair bit of arguing.
The little banter had been enough to draw Kate’s attention to them.
“Couch?” She questioned before her eyes went wide. “You’re sleeping with our boss!?”
It seemed she had at least caught on who exactly Harry was at this point.
“No, obviously I’m at work, working with him,” Tony retorted, rolling his eyes. “And last I checked, I would never sleep with Gibbs.”
Tony gave a shudder at that.
“But… how—"
“If everyone is done being a chatterbox, I would like to see you being somewhat punctual here. And, Gibbs, I better not hear about you taking off or refusing to wear your bulletproof vest,” Harry warned before turning on his heel and leaving them to their operation. He had a camera feed to set up.
"Gibbs wouldn't do that," Kate protested.
Harry turned his glare on her as he stopped in his tracks. "First of all, that is Agent Gibbs to you. He is your superior and not your friend. And obviously you have not worked with him long enough to know the difference or what your superior does if you had to make that comment. And Agent Gibbs, that direct order better not be ignored, or you will be hearing from me!"
Kate turned puce but held her tongue for once.
It wasn’t hard to guess that the FBI didn’t like Leroy Jethro Gibbs, especially after their little stunt in Maryland at the crime scene. But he still followed the orders about working this with NCIS. Though there had been some slight protests about being so visible and in the open for this little operation of theirs.
Even though the plan was to draw the sniper out, this was part of it. With all eyes open to hopefully catch the sniper before he would try to kill another Marine recruiter. But this time, it would be an NCIS agent in their place.
So, while Kate and Gibbs would meet back up at the office where Staff Sergeant Allen had been murdered, Tony was doing a little task for Abby. Setting up the communication links to hardwire the microphone into the DSL line while working the others on a relay.
Once the comm links were established and linked, he took the chance to set up the camera links in the recruiter’s office. Even if Kate was there for observation, it was better to have another looking eye. To spot any details that she may miss. He could already picture her grumbling that she wouldn’t miss such an obvious sign like he would.
From there, Tony would be able to use the communication link through the telephone line and keep an eye on the cameras in the office. The FBI was also set up with the communication link where only him and the Deputy Assistant Director had access to the camera link.
It was actually by using the cameras that Tony caught sight of each potential recruit that walked in that morning. But his attention was diverted to the person that was delivering the water that morning. With his attention to detail, it would be pretty hard to miss the Hitchcock feather that he left.
There was no hesitation as Tony ran in the direction of him, weapon raised.
“Federal Agent, hands in the air!”
The supposed suspect tried to make chase towards the van that straight ahead. That was before Tony slammed him into the side of the van before slapping the cuffs on him. His face had been pressed into the side of the van while placing the cuffs on him. He did not want him to get into that van.
That was when he heard Kate’s voice in his comm link, giving off the wrong description of the sniper. It was enough to ignore at the moment until the suspect was secure in the cuffs.
“Ignore the last transmission, I already got the sniper,” Tony said into his comms. It was after that he started to read him his Miranda rights.
“We’re on it, Agent DiNozzo,” one of the FBI agents replied into the comms.
It wasn’t another minute or two that Tony saw the incoming van heading towards, the FBI hadn’t been too far away after all.
“Agent Freeman,” Tony greeted.
“Agent DiNozzo,” Agent Freeman replied as he got out of the van, his weapon raised at the sniper. “You sure this is him?”
Tony nodded, “I took a glance at the van, unless you leave the same model or rifle with Marine pamphlets, I’m welcome to hear suggestions. Though seeing several Hitchcock feathers definitely sealed it.”
Freeman nodded, “we’ll take it from here.”
Tony nodded as he took a step back and let them takeover. Not that he was surprised. Their job was to stop the sniper and prevent another Marine from being killed.
It took a bit later before Gibbs and Kate showed up to see the FBI shoving the sniper into one of their vehicles. Most likely they would make sure that he was charged for killing two Marine recruiters. But it wouldn’t be until later that they found out who he was, Kyle Hendricks.
That information was given while they were back at the office in D.C., while both the Deputy Assistant Director and Director of NCIS spoke with Kate. There was some curiosity about why that was.
Tony assumed that it was due to the events of today, even though she had gotten the identity wrong for the sniper, they had still caught him. He didn’t expect any congratulations about it.
But it wasn’t hard to hear the aftermath of it when Kate had stormed out of their office and started snarling at Tony about that it was his fault that she was getting kicked back to FLETC and being reevaluated.
The next interruption had never been so thrilling to hear.
"Let me stop you right there, Miss Todd. The reason why you are no longer an agent is because of this right here. You like to place blame on everyone but yourself. So, that window of opportunity that was given to you to correct what happened today has now been revoked. You are no longer employed by NCIS or any federal agency for that matter. You were the reason why we could have lost our sniper today and lost more Marines than we have. Director Morrow and I take this very seriously and I frankly do not trust your profiling skills that you claim to have. So, this picking blame on someone else but yourself... now you have yourself to thank why you no longer have employment here. Security will be here momentarily to see you out of the building," Harry spoke, loud enough for the entire Bullpen to hear.
Director Morrow was standing right behind, just observing as his Deputy Assistant spoke. His expression was tight and unforgiving.