Watering Your Plants
- Part 2: Fornell Plants a Seed -
It was nearly four weeks later that Gibbs had finally managed to shake his gut feeling of dread. He had been surprised when it hadn't left right away, but he figured a bottle of bourbon and he'd be fine. It was many bottles of bourbon and beer later that he could finally feel free of the dread and worry. His work on his boat had resumed and it was somewhat therapeutic. He did some odd jobs for Mike, keeping the place in order but other then that he drank. His nights kept his mind occupied as every time he closed his eyes a woman with long flowing red hair came before him. Her hair grew shorter as she reached out to him but she was still the same and he awoke each and every morning as the same name passed his lips, Jen. This particular morning had come with heavy rain showers and so he and Mike had abandon the work and made for the cantina. They joined the other loyal patrons in drinking. Maria, the bar tender came over middle of the morning phone in hand.
"Senor Gibbs, phone from America, claims he's a friend."
"Yea Gibbs," he answered.
"Jethro, I hear your paradise is a little soggy."
"Laugh it up Tobias. I can at least drink while having this conversation."
"Oh I'm already drinking."
"Diane piss you off?"
"Wrong red head. You got any advice on reeling in your old partner?"
"Reeling Jen in? You can't be serious," Gibbs remarked surprised with the jealousy that flowed through him.
"Your director is getting herself in trouble more and more these days."
"I never controlled her," Gibbs pointed out.
"You were usually worse, but she's taking pages out of your book," Fornell explained. "Her agency has got some serious missions and…"
"She's the Director," Gibbs reminded. "You just wanted to rain on my retirement, this has nothing to do with Jen."
"It has everything to do with her, she's a loose cannon," Tobias protested.
"She never could pace herself," Gibbs muttered.
"Jethro I know you two don't discuss, hell you don't talk period anymore, but you do know better then anyone else does around here and I'm worried about her."
"You got a crush on her, Tobias?" Gibbs taunted.
"No actually, but I know you aren't over her and trust me when I say she's losing it," Fornell shot back.
"Tobias I retired."
"I know but…tell me Jethro, she ever carry a flask?"
"Not Jen, trust me."
"She drink three glasses of bourbon before noon?"
"She'd have two and be out like a light."
"Well then perhaps she's learned to hold her liquor."
"Tobias, if you're so worried about her, you tell her."
"I've tried, she has a temper!"
"She's a red head," Gibbs replied sarcastically. He heard Fornell's heavy sigh.
"Look a couple of trees came down in your neighborhood, maybe you should check on the house," Tobias suggested with a hinting tone. "And maybe you should call your son, Tony, he seems to have a problem staying till the end of an investigation."
"Tobias…"
"Goodbye Jethro." The phone went dead and Gibbs shut it off. He would not admit that Fornell had worried him, but his nagging gut was back. He dialed another number.
"DiNozzo."
"DiNozzo why are you answering your phone at work?" Gibbs demanded. He could almost hear Tony straightening up.
"Uh Bo…Bruce, how are you?"
"You have friends, DiNozzo?"
"Uh…now's really not a good time."
"And why not?" All of a sudden Gibbs could hear the loud voices, one he clearly recognized as his former partners and judging by the tone she was livid.
"This agency is not a puppet! You will let my agents do their job or I'll…"
"See why it's a bad time," Tony whispered.
"If she's not yelling at you, leave and use the conference room. If she is yelling at you tell her I said she could slap you." He heard silence for a minute before Tony returned.
"She wasn't yelling at me, at least not today."
"Good to know."
"So what's up Boss?" He asked hesitantly. "I mean you just left and…"
"DiNozzo, I know you're pissed."
"Not me Boss," came the denial.
"Tony, I know. I'm sure you're doing fine with everything."
"Everyone's getting along, big happy family," Tony agreed sarcastically.
"I'm sure. Fornell called, said he'd run into the team, but you weren't around. Did she take you off the team?"
"No."
"Put someone else in charge?"
"No."
"Then why exactly were you not with your team?" Gibbs demanded.
"Gibbs it's not your team!"
"Tony I left you in charge because I knew you could handle it, so why aren't you?"
"Things are different now, I have other…"
"Other what? DiNozzo nothing is more important then the team." The younger man was silent and the silence bugged Gibbs, he began to think the worse. "Tony are you sick again?"
"Course not Boss!" Tony protested.
"Then what is it?"
"I can't…Rule number four Boss."
"DiNozzo do you even know rule number four?"
"Best way to keep a secret, Jenny…uh the Director told me. She told Ziva rule twenty, never slow down."
"She sent you undercover," Gibbs guessed, it was the only logical explanation.
"I gotta go Boss, Abby is going to be looking for me."
"Tell Abby I said hello."
"Anyone else?"
"No, matter of fact, we never spoke."
"Got it Boss." Gibbs heard the click of the phone and sat back on the stool. Things were certainly getting interesting.
"Maria?"
"Si, Senor Gibbs?"
"There any planes leaving for DC?"
"I can get you one for early tomorrow," She answered.
"You going back, Probie," Mike slurred.
"Just checking on the house," Gibbs replied.
"Probie, you need another drink." As Mike poured him another bourbon, he felt his stomach contract. He couldn't drink the amber liquid; it was a solid reminder of her.