Chapter Text
Episode 1: Meet Cute (Or dodging bullets all the way).
Tony was waiting in line for his morning coffee from his favourite vendor. She was awesome and somehow never failed to get the perfect mix of caffeine, taste and foam. The trouble was Tony wasn’t the only one to know this, hence the queue. It was always fun to queue watch and today Tony had the added bonus of a hot guy to ogle. There was a lot to like - power dresser, cute face and oh so passionate about his job.
Tony didn’t recognise him but that was hardly surprising considering he’d just spent six weeks on a boat. Still, he was managing to split his attention between his order and his phone call to who Tony assumed was his assistant.
“No, get me a meeting with Jenkins.” Cute guy ordered.
Tony guessed he’d gotten his way as not a few moments later. There was a polite. “Thank you, Emily.”
Tony could later admit that the next few moments were like a movie script. Another patron dropped their coffee, Tony jumped sideways to avoid getting his shoes splashed, and the cute guy, still focussed on his call, turned into his path. As a result, they landed on the floor in a heap. Tony could also admit that he didn’t mind being under the cute guy but he would have preferred dinner first and a bed to be included.
The bullet missed them both narrowly. Tony’s instincts kicked in and he covered the man, rolling them over. Tony didn’t know if he was the target or the politician but he couldn’t take the chance. The crowd’s panic was both useful and a hindrance at the same time. It provided Tony with cover to grab his gun but made it harder to spot the shooter.
He looked down at the cute guy who looked alarmed but wasn’t panicking. Tony didn’t spare too long as he was focussing on keeping them alive. “Use your phone to call 911 and put me on speaker.”
Tony heard the standard phrases. “Agent Anthony DiNozzo, NCIS. Need immediate backup. Active shooter at my location.”
The sound of sirens let Tony know that backup was already on its way yet he wouldn’t relax. He spoke softly. “Sorry, usually I like to buy dinner first.”
The guy chuckled. “I’m Tom Kirkman. Has the gunman left?”
Tony couldn’t shrug from his position. “Difficult to say, waiting for backup to secure the area.”
FBI swarmed the area and Tony had to chuckle at seeing Fornell leading the team. “DiNozzo, aren’t you supposed to be in the office?”
Tony chuckled. “First of all, is the area secure as I would like to stop doing my secret service impression.”
Fornell chuckled. “The area is secure and I assume Secretary Kirkman would prefer not to be your pillow.”
Tom had a wicked grin on his face. “It’s not the worst way I’ve started a morning.”
Fornell rolled his eyes. “I’m sure. Now, you are both coming back to headquarters. Your children are being picked up and brought to you, Sir.”
Tony could see the concern in his eyes, the guy was obviously a great dad. Damn, that just made him hotter. “Don’t suppose you could phone the office and let them know.”
Fornell snorted. “I already called Gibbs and let him know I’ll be borrowing you for two weeks.”
Tony didn’t remember agreeing to that but quite frankly, with how bitchy the team had been these last few weeks, he’d welcome the respite.
~*~
Tom was sitting in a room with the man who he’d collided with. “Should I be apologising?”
The agent chuckled. “Not at all, Mr Secretary. Your collision probably saved my life given where the bullet hit the stand.”
“Tom, and considering I was your cushion and we talked about dinner I think we should use first names.”
Tony smiled at him. “Well, the good news is that I won’t be part of the investigation so I can go ahead and be familiar with you.”
Any further conversation was halted by Fornell coming back into the room. “So, Secretary Kirkman, this was in fact directed at you.”
The man looked startled. “Whatever for? I wrote history books and am the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.”
Fornell knew that, of all the cabinet, this man was the most squeaky clean of all the politicians. He was mindful this was a cabinet member. “I am aware, Sir, but the contract was on your life.”
Tony went into business mode. “How much?”
“Five, darknet origin... Moscow.”
Tony looked back at the cute guy who seemed pained. “What is it, Tom?”
Fornell did seem surprised by the use of his real name but didn’t reprimand him for it.
Kirkman whispered. “Moscow is where Alex was from.”
Fornell pressed. “As in your wife’s family?”
Tom nodded still lost. “She’s been dead two years though so what could it be? She was a human rights lawyer.”
Fornell didn’t have all the answers. “I couldn’t say, Sir. Yet. However, I have had the President on the phone demanding you be taken to a safe house. Agent DiNozzo will be going with you, he can help you blend.”
“Blend?”
Tony took over. “You know that dinner? It may happen sooner than you think.” He looked over at Fornell. “Where?”
Fornell sighed as he should have figured that Tony would figure it out so quickly. “You’ll be heading to St Michael's.”
Tony rolled his eyes. “Great, we’ll go sailing.”
Tom had been following to a certain extent but he wanted things in black and white. “Explain it to me and where the hell are my kids?”
Fornell took the explanation. “You are going to be in protective custody, the easiest way to hide is to stay in the open and control the narrative. Say a gay couple moving to the coast for the sake of their children wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. It certainly wouldn't be something that people would question.”
Kirkman rubbed his hands in front of his face as he absorbed all the things that were happening at once. Plus, he would be blind not to notice the agent and how cute he was. It was honestly the first time since Alex’s death he’d even considered another person like that. “So we skipped right past dinner and straight to marriage.”
Tony had a good-natured grin. “When you just know, you know, right?”
Tom shook his head. “I've no doubt I fell for your smooth lines. What will our cover be?”
Fornell handed over the passports. “You’re just holidaying for the summer before returning to academia in the fall. Will your children be able to handle this?”
Tom sucked in a breath as that was the million dollar question, wasn’t it? “They’ll be able to handle it. Leo is old enough and for Penny, we can sell it as an adventure.”
Tony said nothing as, although he was the best at undercover operations, he knew nothing about kids. He did get a ringside seat though to what a loving father was like having a reunion with his kids after a scare.
~*~
The Kirkman kids engulfed their dad as soon as he made it through the door. Blocking the light was who Tony assumed was the Secretary’s permanent agent. “Agent Anthony DiNozzo, NCIS.”
“Agent Mike Ritter.” He paused for a second. “I’m told there is a plan?”
Tony was impressed by the level of sarcasm he managed to inflect into that statement. “There is, we’re just hearing the pitch right now.”
Fornell relayed the whole plan and the kids were silent as they absorbed what had happened. Fornell didn’t share the specifics of the threat with the children, especially if there was a familial connection. They didn’t need to know the dirty details.
“So Agent Tony is coming with us?”
Tony nodded bending down to the little girl’s height. “That’s right, your Dad’s pretty cool since he saved my life today.”
Kirkman flushed and Tony thought it was adorable but he wasn’t going to let him forget that his morning tackling skills probably saved his life. He did mentally wonder what it was about the MCRT that his life expectancy always seemed to be challenged. “He returned the favour.”
The Kirkman kids looked at Tony with appreciation. Tony didn’t know how he was going to handle that but he could adapt. If there was one thing he’d learned in life, it was that adaption was the key to survival.
~*~
The undercover family rocked up to the house. Leo looked it up and down as he took his headphones off. “There are worse places to be, I guess.”
Tony chuckled. “There sure are. We might have to wait to play ball though.”
Leo looked over the ocean. “Yeah, sailing might be a better option.”
Tony smirked. “I never tell anyone this but I grew up on Long Island so I know my way around a boat. If your Dad is cool with it we’ll find a way to take one out.”
Leo nodded, privileged to be told the fact. “I guess we’re getting the suitcases as Dad has Penny.”
Tony smirked. “Sure, looks that way.”
The makeshift family made their way into their ‘holiday’ home. Leo used the cover of emptying the car to ask Tony a question. “Why a place like this?”
“People who don’t belong stick out and local gossip will do the rest.” Tony explained.
Funnily enough, Leo going to high school meant that his explanation made sense. “Should I watch out for the school bully?”
Tony didn’t want to alarm the kid any more than he already was. “Maybe point him out to me.”
“I can do that.”
~*~
That first day was odd but Penny was, thankfully, used to Agent Ritter being around so it wasn’t too strange to have another agent around as well. She never thought as to why he was in the house and eating food with them. She was just glad to have another ear to ask all of her questions to about whatever was on her mind.
Finally, the kids were in bed and Tony and Tom were downstairs alone. Tony could see his mind whirring. “Ask whatever questions you want.”
Tom sighed as he truly didn’t know where to begin. “I accepted HUD as it was a good position but not high profile enough to warrant a threat to my family.”
Tony understood why he was worried and handed him a beer. “You know, no one plans for a hit being put on them. It’s often because the person putting the hit out is crazy.”
“I can’t leave my kids alone.”
Tony put his hand on Tom’s needing him to look up and see his face. “Hey, we won’t let that happen and those kids are awesome. You’ve done a great job on your own.”
Tom had a soft smile. “They’re the best of me and Alex. Penny adores you, you know. You should be flattered as she’s usually shy around strangers.”
Tony looked sheepish as he couldn’t explain that one. “I’ll say it again, you’ve raised great kids. Usually, kids hate me.”
Tom rolled his eyes. “Shall we watch the game?”
Tony smirked and started to tease his roommate. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.”
Tony had to admire the way Tom didn’t miss a beat with his response of. “I sure do, darling.”
Tony, who’d made the mistake of taking a swig of his beer, only just managed not to miss his mouth, which wasn’t his smoothest moment.
~*~
Tony had slept on the couch. One for the reason was for security, and if anyone questioned why Tony wasn’t sleeping with Tom he could use the excuse he’d slept on the couch as he’d fallen asleep watching tv.
He woke up hearing twin groans. “No, dad, please no eggs. We have cereal, right?”
Wow. Tony guessed that cooking eggs, at least, might not be Tom’s strongest point. He stood up, thankfully in joggers and a tee-shirt he’d pulled over his head. It was weird sleeping with nightclothes on but there were little people around. “You know, one of my skills is eggs. Mind if I take over?”
Tom pouted but surrendered the skillet “I see where this is going so please - if only to stop the whining.”
Penny hugged Tom, peppering him with kisses. Tony and Leo though hadn’t missed the way she did it for just long enough for Tony to finish the breakfast.
Tony slid them along the breakfast bar. “Breakfast is served, milady.”
Penny grinned at him. “Thank you, Tony.”
“You’re welcome. So what’s the plan for the day?” Tom asked, deferring to Tony as he was the one aware of the security consequences.
Tony wanted to make this as pain-free for the family as possible. “Well, Leo was asking about sailing, so if you’re feeling adventurous I’d say let’s hire a boat.”
Penny nodded and Tom looked thoughtful. “The museum here has some interesting collections I’d like to see.”
Leo groaned. “Can I take my music?”
Tom snorted at his son. “You mean your headphones aren’t surgically attached?”
~*~
St Michael’s was like a bubble and Tony treated it like a holiday. Well, as close as to one as he could get. He never forgot about the contracts but Fornell had sent them to the perfect place to blend. The boat had been great fun and Tom had taken pictures of his sweet pea learning to sail. She’d looked adorable in the little captain hat and lifejacket, listening to the instructions.
Leo was watching with him and his son surprised him. “He’s good with Penny.”
Tom didn’t bite his lip or blush because he was a grown ass man but it was a close thing.
“Yeah, he is a good man. I’m sorry we had to leave town.”
Leo rolled his eyes at his Dad. “Hey, someone took a pop at you. I’m okay with not seeing my friends if it saves your life. So at least I can learn some new skills ... and Tony promised to show me a few tricks with the ball.”
“Oh yeah?”
Leo nodded, excited as football was one of his favourite topics at the moment. “Yeah, Dad, he nearly went big in both football and basketball. Sorry, he went to OSU though.”
Tom snorted. “He’s a Buckeye?”
Leo nodded. “Sorry.” His Dad would always be Cornell through and through. Although, he’d seen the looks his Dad had been throwing at the agent and suspected his alma-mater wouldn’t be the sticking point it might have been. He’d just have to keep watch and give his Dad the nudge if needed.
~*~
A week later, and Tom had steadily fallen into an easy friendship. Although, he hadn’t flirted with a friend as much as he had with Tony since Alex. It was big and scary and yet somehow - Tony made it easy. They were sitting on the chair that made up part of the deck in the backyard, staring out over the sea. Tom gratefully accepted the beer Tony handed him.
“You okay?” Tony asked him with concern as he sat down.
Tom nodded and chuckled ruefully. “Yeah, I was just thinking about how much I’ve adored the break. Too bad it came at the expense of contract hit.”
Tony did laugh then, it was said with such irony that it couldn’t be helped. “I won’t say it hasn’t been good for me too. Plus, your kids are made of win.”
“Yeah, they are. You know, after Alex died, if it hadn’t been for them I think I would have curled up and just tried to forget about the world.” Tom confessed.
Tony couldn’t say he understood fully so he didn’t offer an empty platitude. “Hey, you didn’t and that is what matters.”
Tom clinked his bottle. “So how long do you think it will take before we’re dragged back to Washington?”
Tony laughed softly. “You make it sound like a terrible fate.”
Tom shook his head. “Not terrible, we both do good there. I know that but here is so simple .”
Tony smiled fondly and raised his bottle in a toast. “To enjoying simple whilst we have the chance.”
If Tom was braver he would’ve leant forward and kissed him but now was not the time. For now, the family unit was makeshift and for protective reasons. “Whilst we have the chance.”
The pair sat watching the sunset, not saying a word, just enjoying the tranquillity. It was the end to a perfect day. Tony found himself wishing for more of the same and for once, the idea of being ‘out’ at work didn’t scare him.
~*~
Leo woke the next day curious as neither his Dad not Tony were in the bedroom. He couldn’t hear any noise in the kitchen and there was no sound in the bathroom. So where were they? What he saw surprised him; his Dad and Tony had fallen asleep on the outside chair. His Dad had slumped sidewards onto Tony’s shoulder.
The only thing he could think was - they fit. Penny nearly ran into him. “What are they doing?”
“Sleeping,” Leo whispered, hoping his little sister would catch the hint. He may be a teenager but even he could see how tired and weary both men were. It wouldn’t hurt them to sleep a bit more and the garden was secure. At least that was what Tony had said the day before.
“Why on the seat? It can’t be comfy.”
Leo chuckled. “You might be right. Let’s go find the cereal.”
~*~
A phone call broke their afternoon reading. Tony and Tom were doing their best to make sure that the children completed all their summer work. Tony answered. “DiNozzo.”
He paused looking at the Kirkmans. “Confirmed?”
Tony closed the phone call as the children were present all he said was. “The threat has passed.”
Leo perked up. “We can go home?”
“You can indeed, buddy.” Tony smirked, knowing that Leo wanted to go home, not because he hated St Michaels but because his girlfriend was in DC.
Penny groaned. “That means Daddy will cook eggs.”
Tony chuckled. “Hey, your dad has many talents.”
Tom snorted. “Just not cooking eggs, apparently.”
Tony sighed. “I guess we gotta go pack. I hear the office wants me back tomorrow.”
Tom knew he needed to get back to work too, he loved his Deputy but give someone too long in Washington and they would usurp you. “Yeah, I guess the President will want me back as well.”
Tony chuckled ruefully. “Sucks to be an adult sometimes.”
~*~
Tom was home, Tony had insisted on driving the family back. “Home, sweet home.”
Tom nodded and he was feeling a bit sad, he would greatly miss the place in St Michaels. Oh, who was he kidding? He’d miss Tony. The last two weeks living in the bubble were a balm to his soul that he didn’t know he even needed.
He walked up the steps of the townhouse and the kids waved just as much as he did. Leo was the one to whisper to him. “Mom would kick your ass if you didn’t ask him out.”
It was a good job that he’d fixed that step as he would have fallen flat on his ass. The only thing had stopped him pursuing Tony was the idea that the kids might not approve. Now, he pretty much had explicit permission. It was further compounded by his sweet daughter. “Yeah, Daddy. Tony makes you smile more so you need him in your life. Plus we need him ‘cause he makes great eggs.”
“He sure does.” Tom picked his daughter up. “You make me smile, sweet pea.”
“Not the same way Tony does, Daddy.” She replied with the innocence of a six-year-old.
Tom made a resolution - within the next 24 hours he would phone and ask Tony on a date.