Leveling the Score | By : shikiblade Category: M through R > NCIS Views: 10354 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
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Chapter Two: Truthful Thoughts
“...and I just lost my temper. I know he normally doesn’t get the better of me, or I can control my anger when I do get riled up, but this time he just pushed me too far.” McGee finished, emotion evident in his voice but not flowing out of him like they did when he had punched Tony out, or even on the trip home. “I see. You have clearly wanted to hit him for some time, but I am not surprised you channelled it out. It is healthier. He is your friend, but he still does not respect you. It is not healthy.” Razu answered while scratching his chin. “He needs to find within himself a balance between where he knows he stands and the power he pushes on others. You say he doesn’t try these things as much with Ziva?” “No, because he knows she will punch him harder than I will. So I usually end up the butt of his humour.” “But you need to find ways of showing him you are open to who he is. You close off the friendly part of you to keep him at a certain distance.” Razu replied. “I do?” Tim asked back. “Yes, you must put it all aside and be friendly with him.” “But I tried that when we first met, and all it seemed to do was aggravate the situation.” “Then you must prove your worth to him.” Razu continued. “How?” Tim asked. “He sees you as little more than a computer person, not much on the physical and because you don’t measure up to his idea of what a man should be, he takes every chance to demoralize you. Challenge him in training and show him you are more than what he thinks.” Razu stopped and looked at Tim as he thought this over. Finally, a smile came to his face. “I think I know how.” “A fighter is brave person, but is also underhanded when the opponent is a difficult one. Cruel and immoral; maybe, but not an outright liar or murderer.” He bowed slightly to Tim from his position and Tim bowed back lower. Razu poured some green tea and they both drank. NCIS Headquarters, Director’s Office “Therefore Tony, I don’t want to hear of this sort of thing happening again. Do I make myself plain?” Jenny asked Tony, who sat across from her looking somewhat ashamed. “Yes Ma’am.” he answered quietly. “Now, in the meantime, give me an update on this investigation,” Jenny continued, taking up a pen and continuing to sign some documents. “Petty Officer Byrnes was found tortured and filled with Heroine beyond what is a fatal dose for a human. No one followed him from the party he was attending on the night of his abduction, and all have alibis. We have isolated the crime scene and found tire tracks and a few empty needles.” “I see. Well, you better get back to work and let me continue with mine. Let Gibbs know you have updated me on the situation.” “Thank you Ma’am.” Tony stood and walked out. “Before you go Tony, make sure when Timothy returns to extend a full apology. I want no more arguments within teams.” Jenny put on what could only be described as her knowing smile and then turned back to her work. Tony left without another word and went back downstairs. “Director updated?” Gibbs asked. “How did you know boss?” Tony replied. “You were up there too long to be getting reprimanded. We have talked to a few of Petty Officer Byrnes’ friends and the only lead is this, his Martial Arts trainer.” That evening, Kung Fu camp Tim sat quietly, the smells of incense and the heat of coals around him focused his mind. He saw deeply into his mind, looking for an answer to his problem. Telling the truth? There were a lot of those to come out. How he felt about Tony as a person and what he would like them to be. But there were other truths as well. He never told the team, the people as close to him as any friends had been, the truth about him. Yes he did share some truths with them, like his knowledge for Navy ins and outs, computer smarts and capability to be a Special Field Agent, but there was so much they didn’t know, like his martial arts training and his sexuality. No, he wasn’t gay, but neither was he straight. He was truthfully bisexual. There were many times he had been able to dance around the point. His mind flashed to a time a few years ago when Kate was still alive. Arriving at a crime scene, Tony was bullying Kate on who she had spent the night with. After Gibbs rocked up with the mystery date at the time, Tony had stated that it was evident that only Tim and he had been masturbating that night. After telling Tony to speak for himself, he had left it to Tony’s imagination. In truth he had been with a guy that night. There was the time Tony had questioned him about his sexuality. He had been truly honest in that conversation. Tony had asked if he was gay, and he had said no. But tony had then jumped the middle rung of the ladder and gone down to bi-curious. Maybe once upon a time, but they were talking present, not past, so the answer was still no. For the few times he had seen Tony less than decent, it was a difficulty not to look down. Like when Tony and Kate contracted the Plague, their time in the shower was such a strain not to get sexually aroused. Both Kate and Tony were a turn on for him. But he had controlled himself well enough, only stealing one glance of both Gibbs and Tony. Kate was not going to give Tony the satisfaction, but he didn’t care. The few times where he and Tony had been caught in difficult positions where people had insinuated their sexuality, he really had to act that up. It was tough in more recent times when Tony was saying they were a couple, not to grab him and french him just to make him put a sock in it. In the distance, a gong rang, and Tony was brought back to earth for a minute. The visitors gong was a way of calling attention. He ignored it and let his mind float off into more contemplation and recollection. At the front of the School Gibbs, Tony and Ziva looked at the small school. It was hard to describe. Run down wasn’t exactly the best term to describe it, but it looked like a Handy Man’s field day. As they looked, a lone figure came out of the larger building and walked towards them. “Can I help you?” asked Razu. “Yeah. Agent Gibbs, NCIS. This is Special Agents Dinozzo and David. We want to talk to you about Petty Officer Byrnes. We understand he was under your tutelage for the past few years.” Gibbs flashed his badge and then put it back in his pocket. “Yes, I know Mr.Byrnes. He’s a fine student in martial arts. Why do you wish to know?” “He was found dead recently, and we are looking into his death.” Tony explained. Razu looked at Tony a little longer than what was expected. “I can’t help you on that one. I only know he was here last week and then left to go to a dinner. That is all.” “Well, that seems to be all anyone knows. There wasn’t a specific relationship between you two, was there?” Ziva asked. “No, I was simply his teacher and confidant at times. But even that will not be much use. All I know is he was planning on proposing to his girlfriend in the near future.” Razu turned back to Gibbs. “He never spoke of anything out of the ordinary. But if I think of something...” “You can call me here,” Gibbs said, handing him a card. “Thank you. Good luck on your search.” Razu pocketed the card and watched as they drove away. He now had a good look at the people Tim so often spoke highly of. But he decided not to tell him about their visit. It would be better this way. Meanwhile, in the Shrine Tim continued to meditate on his problem. He had thought up a few ideas, but none of them seemed to be the right answer. Each one seemed only to lead to more problems. He knew Ziva, Abbey and maybe even Gibbs would understand, but the major problem was working through Tony and his approach to the situation. He knew how Tony was most likely to react. It wasn’t that Tony hated Homosexuals; it was simply that he looked down his nose at them. And just because Bisexuality was borderline wouldn’t change a thing. He had to find a way to get Tony to understand and be sure there would be no consequences. Something came into his mind that was not expected. Something else he knew he had to deal with. It was another working relationship, but not one he was prepared to face simply because it worked good enough the way it did. Abbey. Yes, he had loved her, but it had become evident that they weren’t going to get anywhere. But their relationship always got rocky whenever one or the other got involved with someone else, or there was another person of interest present with them when they worked together. Like the guy from IT who had been the business partner of a dead marine they had investigated recently. Abbey ran to him for help, but when she discovered the two of them could be friendly, he was given the cold response from her. He could think of several other people she had been involved with and had given him a meaner or colder reception than usual. True, he got a bit jealous, but he worked around it. But when he had a woman that he liked, it was almost worse, because Abbey would display her jealousy and never let up. It really hurt him that she had to go in knives and all, or even threaten him simply because he wasn’t as interested in her anymore. She wouldn’t let him have her, but she wouldn’t let anyone else have him either. It was usually best when any girl he had was kept quiet. But there were other times. Like recently with the dog attack. He had shot it not out of malice but because if he hadn’t, he would be dead. What would she think then? And then dumping the dog in his lap to look after because she couldn’t wasn’t fair either. He had found a good home for the dog and told Abbey, who was somewhat annoyed but didn’t give him any grief. But why did she have to bully him so much? He knew he had some tendencies that were a pain in her arse, but she was the same and it made their working relationship fun in its own way. The answer was simple; he’d have to talk with her until she got the point, no matter how much he had to put on a display of anger or disappointment he had to give her. “Timothy, dinner is ready,” Razu said form just within the doorway. Tim pulled himself back to earth and opened his eyes slowly. Moving his fingers and toes to get some sensation back, he got up and turned to Razu and followed him to the mess hall. That evening Tim continued his physical training. He was proud of all his efforts over the past years. He knew a few fighting styles but also how to use several weapons effectively. Tonight’s training involved the short sword. He was still learning some of its finer details and moves, but he was sure he could get them right. “You have an opportunity coming up in a few weeks Timothy.” Razu said as he watched Tim wield the wooden sword around. “There is a tournament in the city that grants the winner and runners up an identified certificate in their chosen style of weapon or fighting style. Are you interested?” “I am,” Tim answered as he turned and struck out with the small sword, “but it depends on work, as always. In all these years I have been learning under you, I have only earned one certificate.” “It is from your work, but also a lack of balance in your life.” Razu replied. “I know, but it is one of the situations in life I accept because I cannot change.” Tim finished the movements and took a drink of water from a bottle. “But have you worked out what to do about your work situation? Change it so it is acceptable, or accept it because it isn’t changeable?” Razu rubbed his chin, thinking on his advanced knowledge. “I think I can change it, but there are still a few things to work out.” “Then perhaps you should go to the upcoming challenge and invite your colleagues to see what you can do.” Razu suggested. Tim stopped in his thoughts as he took in this information. His train of thought went in a different direction. “Can you repeat that?” He asked. “Invite your colleagues to the tournament to show them what you can do. I have no doubts you could win in your category.” Razu replied. “No, you said challenge, not tournament. What if I find a challenge for me and Tony to engage in to prove I am a better man in his world than where he places me?” Tim thought it over and over as he continued his training. Razu had said nothing in response. After another hour, Razu told Tim to finish and sent him off to rest. It was getting late and Tim wanted to be up early to start helping with the people coming in the next day. NCIS Headquarters; The Following Afternoon “Razu Chi’en, also known as the Red Phoenix in the underground markets for drugs. Arrested twice for dealing, has been silent for a while.” Tony looked at the license appear on the screen. “Call McGee, tell him to meet us there, we will need his help.” Gibbs said. “I’ll do it,” Ziva said looking at Tony. He nodded his agreement as Ziva dialled the phone. “Come on McGee, pick up.” she said after only two rings. “He is lost in the worlds of Elf Lords.” Tony muttered to himself. “They don’t have cell towers.” “Tim, finally,” Ziva said. “Ziva, wat’s up?” Tim asked. “We need your help to arrest a man who is considered dangerous. Where are you?” Ziva explained in a hurry. “I’m out of town at the Red Phoenix Kung Fu School” Tim admitted. “He’s already there,” Ziva said to Gibbs. Gibbs and Tony looked at her in disbelief. “Where do you need me?” Tim asked down the phone. “We need to have a talk,” Ziva said as Gibbs walked over to the phone and pressed the button for the loud speaker. “McGee, Razu is the drug dealer behind our most recent case that we haven’t needed you for.”While AFF and its agents attempt to remove all illegal works from the site as quickly and thoroughly as possible, there is always the possibility that some submissions may be overlooked or dismissed in error. The AFF system includes a rigorous and complex abuse control system in order to prevent improper use of the AFF service, and we hope that its deployment indicates a good-faith effort to eliminate any illegal material on the site in a fair and unbiased manner. This abuse control system is run in accordance with the strict guidelines specified above.
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