Work Text:
Crossing Subs
It wasn’t every day that a case would land one of the Field Teams located in D.C. to be relocated to a Destroyer. Just like it wasn’t everyday that you would get a call that one of the seamen had been found at the bottom of the ocean with weights chained either.
Neither did you find when two offices grouped two MRCT teams either. One of them not being very aware of the other as an argument broke out. Something not unusual to witness back in Washington D.C.
“Just because your so-called theory says he would have done this to himself, doesn’t mean he did, Tony,” Kate huffed.
It was the same argument since they had received the case. The moment she found out that their family was Catholic sealed her opinion.
“It is not theory, Kate. You can’t rely on information given to you by his mother. Not even there are statements given to prove otherwise,” Tony shot back.
"It’s an excellent point especially when it clear that someone is trying to get the upper hand of the other. Now, if someone on my team disrespected a team mate just as a petty admit to get ahead it would be a good way to never work for me again."
"Excuse me?" Kate screeched, causing everyone's hair to stand straight on their necks. "How dare you!" She continued, only for Gibbs to hold a hand up with a muttered shut up.
"Potter?!" Gibbs frowned. "What are you doing here? This isn’t your case."
Tony looked between the two men, both standing tall and holding themselves as they had walked through hell. The agent that had spoken was someone Tony knew, Harry Potter. After all, he should know him, he had been married to him for the past four years. It was obvious that Harry knew the two men with him somehow since he had never really met any of his coworkers. It wasn’t like their jobs crossed very often to encounter a meeting. Though neither said anything yet.
"I wouldn't be too sure about that Jethro. As of right now, they decided that two teams would be best. Though I'm sure that was only a coverup because they forgot they already assigned one of the teams. But I know you, you won't just go home because I said so," Harry grinned.
Gibbs only gave him a look that had Harry cracking a grin.
“I suppose they gave us the call seeing that the USS Foster had departed from Norfolk, despite the victim being found in the Bahamas. And these are my Senior and Junior Agent, Agent Higgs and Agent Zabini,” Harry informed him.
Gibbs gave a brief nod in greeting.
“Probationary agent?” Harry questioned, glancing towards Todd.
“She’s still learning,” Gibbs frowned.
“Obviously learning on how argue about why she’s right. I’d watch that one or it might bite you in the ass later,” Harry warned.
Seeing that Harry Potter was also a Supervisory Agent, he had as much rank as Jethro Gibbs did. And he was a younger agent but with the experience to back up the title. But there was something he didn’t like about the disrespect that she was showing. That was when she was unaware of his presence, already off to a bad start it seemed. But it wasn’t like Agent Gibbs was obligated to listen to him.
“Several of the Petty Officers have been consistent with something troubling Seaman MacDonald before he died. Though one of them do seem like they’re hiding something,” Agent Higgs spoke up.
Tony glanced towards him, “and what gave you that impression?”
The other agent smirked, “obvious to see. Seemed to think he had a higher superiority, also worked in the Combat Information Center.”
The way Tony’s eyes lit up, connecting it together. It was something he had noticed as well, and it had been a pleasure when he admitted that MacDonald was better than him.
“The Corpsmen is not going to say anything discriminatory against her patient,” Agent Zabini commented. “And given her expertise is not in the state of mind, not an opinion I would accurate follow. Though she has mentioned that the Petty Officer appeared disturbed.”
Kate glared at the Italian man, “you eavesdropped on that conversation!”
“Nobody claimed it as a confidential conversation, otherwise it would have been private, agent,” Blaise scowled at her.
“Todd,” Kate growled.
“I never asked for your name, agent,” Blaise smirked.
Tony’s lips twitched; he could see why Harry worked with the pair of them. Especially seeing how close Kate was probably to saying something she’d regret.
“I’m assuming you found his cause of death?” Harry turned the attention back to him.
“Drowning—” Gibbs started to say.
“But was alive when he entered the water,” Harry finished.
Gibbs glared at him.
“Not the only one that can get into contact with your Lab tech and Medical Examiner, Agent Gibbs. I merely wanted to check the facts and get everyone caught up to speed,” Harry told him.
“And what makes you think I’m not already?” Gibbs countered.
“Well even you would have noticed the sword that was with the Petty Officer. Seeing that he’s not an officer… how would you think he managed to get the sword?” Harry questioned.
“Base exchange.”
Harry nodded, “that was my thoughts and already had the forethought to check with the officers. Just to make sure none of them had been stolen.”
“You’ll find that Italian is a bit similar to Spanish, not that it was needed. But we do know that two of our Petty Officers own swords that they shouldn’t have. Given how close the Naval Station was, Roosevelt Roads was a correct assumption,” Blaise answered him.
“Then who was the other Petty Officer?” Gibbs asked.
“That seems to be the answer to the needed question, now, isn’t it?” Harry agreed. “But we are pretty positive on who that is as well.”
Gibbs and Tony were the ones that went to speak to the Petty Officer. Zuger, who went by the name of Kinvaras in the online world. They had already seen the evidence of their little fight in the Maintenance Shop.
Agent Zabini was there with them, just listening in on the sidelines while Agent Higgs was there with him. On his way back to the XO’s private quarters that had been offered to them.
All Harry caught were the words, “I’ll do it” and that was enough for him to step in.
Far as he was aware, she was only supposed to be getting updates from Forensics or Autopsy. Not handling any part of the case by herself. It didn’t matter on the reason why, even if that was to help out Forensics.
“No, she won’t,” Harry ordered. “She is not to touch anything unless ordered to!”
Kate whipped around to see who it was before scowling. It was the agents that they had met earlier. Meddling with their case, she knew it. She already had confirmation that one of them had been eavesdropping. But had nothing to say but it had been hard. These were the type of men that she despised. Knowing that they looked down on her because she was a woman.
“Excuse me?!” Kate narrowed her eyes.
“Ma’am, if I have to repeat myself, neither of us will be very happy,” Harry told her.
“I heard you the first time,” Kate muttered.
“Good, then I will only say this once. It is obvious that you have forgotten or maybe I will allow the mistake that you may have never been told. You are only a Probationary Agent for NCIS. As such, you do not get to assign yourself a task that has not already been preapproved by a superior NCIS Agent. Which means that a superior will decide from here.”
“But I was just—”
“And neither do Lab Technicians either,” Harry cut through. “I was already informed that she was assigned to find the information we needed. No further instructions had been directed to her either. What you should have done is relay this information to one of your superiors, which is obvious that you didn’t do. So, no, you will not be taking this task upon yourself. I will direct one of my own agents to do so while you can report this to your immediate supervisor. And I’ll know if you followed that order, am I clear?”
“You’re not my boss,” Kate huffed while Abby just stayed silent.
“Umm… Kate…” Abby chimed in.
“What?!”
Harry smirked.
“He kind of is,” she told her.
“He doesn’t work for D.C.,” Kate protested.
“No, but I am a higher rank that is attached to this case, and you will do what I say, or you will be subjected to a write up. You will be lucky if you aren’t. And as a Probationary Agent, it does not look good for you right now,” Harry warned her.
Kate wisely stayed quiet, for now long was unknown.
“Ma’am, I want this sent to Agent Gibbs and DiNozzo immediately,” Harry ordered.
Abby gave a quick nod and turned away from them.
“We are going to have a chat about your impulse of arguing and following direction,” Harry commented.
“Agent, that means you’re to follow,” Agent Higgs chimed in. “Without complaint.”
Terence’s grin only got wider when she noticed she was about to say something but huffed instead.
It was easy enough to track down where Gibbs and Tony were. Even if Harry had a smile while approaching them.
“I do love being right,” Harry grinned.
Tony only raised an eyebrow at him, something Harry crossed his arms in return.
“So, it seems that your Probationary Agent has some information for you,” Harry informed them.
He turned a steel eye on here as if reminding, “all of it as well.”
“Right… Umm, Abby was able to get in and found a diary. It’s pretty long,” Kate reported.
“Which should be sent to your computer, given Gibbs little phobia of technology and track record of breaking it. I would suggest that it be Agent DiNozzo prints it out,” Harry commented.
Gibbs nodded.
“And that wasn’t all, Todd, was it?” Harry said.
Gibbs turned around to look at Kate.
“Seems your agent, was going to take it upon herself to go through. As admirable as it may seem. You also do not have the authority to do so,” Harry glared at her.
"Todd?" Gibbs glared at her.
"I'm the one that has experience with profiling!" She tried to explain herself.
"Only in profiling threats against the president." Tony pointed out. "That doesn't really apply to much else. In case you have forgotten, you’re not the only one that knows how to profile."
"So, I will be designating this task to one of my own agents. Agent Higgs can team up with Agent DiNozzo. Unless he is otherwise preoccupied, " Harry ordered.
“No sir,” Tony replied.
"I am presuming you're done questioning Zuger here?" Harry turned his attention back to Gibbs.
"He's all yours, Agent Potter."
Harry smirked, "excellent. Zabini, you're with me."
"Might want to ask him more of this sword fight game of his." Gibbs grumbled as Harry and Blaise walked past him to question the man himself.
"I think I have it handled, Agent Gibbs. But I’ll keep that under advisement."
Harry's smirk was terrifying. And Tony wasn't sure who he would rather be stuck in a room with less. Harry or Gibbs? And he was married to the first.
Granted, in any other setting, Tony would find it hot and attractive, especially when it was aimed at him. In a work setting… it was terrifying to have it aimed at him. Though as entertaining as it would be to watch, he still had an order to follow. And he wasn’t like Todd, he actually did follow what he was told.
"You're not going to help him?" Kate wanted to know.
Tony raised an eyebrow, "what do you think I'm doing? I'll be aiding Agent Higgs."
"With the suspect," Kate corrected.
"I already did that with Gibbs. Agent Potter does not need my help."
"But he's your husband..." She trailed off.
"And is a higher rank than me and definitely does not need nor want me holding his hand while he works. He is not some probationary agent, Agent Todd. And if you haven't noticed. I was already given a direct order."
It wasn’t hard to notice that Kate was going to say something or rather argue.
"And so were you,” he reminded her.
Tony gave a half glance to Agent Higgs when he said this.
"I'm waiting on you." Higgs said with a shrug. "Can we get a move on?"
"Now I know why Harry likes you," Tony remarked with a grin.
"I'm efficient." He smirked as they both left the room to do their jobs, leaving Kate standing there like a loose end.
And seeing that Abby was more familiar on who Tony was. After all, he did work with her on most cases since there was always evidence that needed to be analyzed.
But it was the only reason Harry probably didn't have it sent to himself in the first place. Not to mention he knew how much Gibbs hated technology.
And it helped that Tony was probably the one agent that Terence wouldn't threaten to shoot.
They already knew that Petty Officer Zuger knew Seaman MacDonald. Already confirmed with him on their real life fight.
Though it would be Harry and Terence that would learn that it had been Zuger that told MacDonald to put chains on his waist and walk to shore. It was a testament on how far the line of virtual and reality had dimmed for them.
While Tony and Terence would shove their way through reading the diary written by MacDonald.
“Element of surprise… final triumph…” Tony muttered under his breath. He already didn’t like the sound of that. Something was planned and further read on to get any hint of what it was.
“You got something?” Agent Higgs looked over at him.
“Something…” Tony muttered. Which he then found in the final entry, which you would think it would have been furthered hidden in the entries previous.
“Says that he’s going to release a great plague against the realm as the sun sets beneath the next full moon to destroy his enemies,” Tony told him.
“Let me see it,” Terence said, holding out a hand.
Tony wordlessly handed over the papers he had printed earlier.
Steel blue eyes scanned the words quickly, needing to know the exact words that was written.
Terence let out a sarcastic laugh, “I need to get Blaise, now!”
“I know enough of that lingo that he’s going to set something off,” Tony commented.
“What do you think it means when he says a great plague,” Terence muttered.
“A bomb?! He’s going to set off a bomb!?” Tony’s eyebrows shot up.
“It’s why I need Blaise,” Terence’s pace picked up slightly.
“We need to let the crew, Skipper, and company XO know,” Tony protested.
“And we will,” Terence told him.
“And to cut off the head, he’s talking about the Skipper,” Tony told him.
“I know…” Terence muttered. “But his cabin is empty at the moment and I rather have Blaise take a look before causing panic.”
“What? Agent Zabini? What can he possibly do?!” Tony scrunched his eyebrows together.
“For one, he can eliminate the risk entirely.”
“He can disable a bomb?” Tony felt his jaw fell open.
“Something like that…” Terence muttered.
"No wonder Harry picked him for his team. He would definitely be someone I'd pick if roles were reversed. Must be handy to have someone that has the skills and wits about them to defuse a bomb."
Terence wisely didn’t say a word, there wasn’t a point since all that was needed to be said had already been. But he didn’t feel too bothered when he interrupted Harry and his interrogation.
“Agent Potter, a word, if you don’t mind,” Terence had crossed his arms.
Tony didn’t make a remark, Harry, at that moment reminded him of Gibbs. And his rule. You don’t ever interrupt an interrogation.
“I need Blaise,” Terence told him. “A warning was left in Seaman MacDonald’s diary and it requires his expertise.”
Harry’s frown didn’t change as he gave a brief nod. He glanced over to Blaise before motioning him over.
“I want your report of everything later,” Harry ordered. That was before he motioned Tony over to him while Terence and Blaise left them.
“You have someone that can defuse a bomb,” Tony commented, impressed.
Harry chuckled, “among other things. What else was in that diary of his?”
“Besides being mentally deranged and thinking that everyone is set out to kill him. Seemed intent of taking out the ship. Which if Agent Zabini is as good as Agent Higgs has implied, I better not have to worry about anything. I still disagree with him that the Skipper and Company XO needs to be informed,” Tony informed him.
“I can understand why since his motivation is to prevent less panic and they would just get in the way since we are trying to prevent something here. I’ll make sure that both of them are informed of the matter. The very least they should be informed of the potential danger on their ship,” Harry replied.
Tony had gone with when Harry went to inform the pair of them of the dangers that could befall on their ship. Which he made sure that they knew they had the situation under control and had someone defusing the bomb after the threat was known.
Which they hadn’t been happy to not been informed once the threat was made aware. It was soothed over once Blaise had returned from the Skipper’s office with the defused bomb. It wouldn’t be going off anytime soon and so, Seaman MacDonald’s plan didn’t go through.
“Who would have thought that a suicidal death investigation would have led to a bomb attempt,” Tony shook his head.
“It wasn’t a suicide, Tony,” Kate narrowed her eyes at him. She hadn’t yet gotten over the fact that she wasn’t able to read over that diary. Basically, told to just sit and watch while everyone was working on the case.
“Did I say it was? But those were the facts when the case started, Agent Todd,” he reminded her.
Harry shook his head before muttering, “so glad I don’t have to work in D.C.”
“No, you just have to hear about it later,” Tony reminded with a grin.
Harry snorted at that. They were waiting on their ride back to Norfolk and he was already counting the time for when they landed. Tony had a lot more patience than he did, because she would already been reassigned to another team. If that happened, he pitied the team that got her.