I was going to make this into two chapters but decided to finish it in one go.

"All done," said Lucas Wright with false joviality as he slapped Tony on the shoulder where he had just inserted another chip, "don't want to risk losing you again, do we?"

Tony winced but kept silent. Wright and his 'friends' had made short work of overpowering Tony and Ducky. Tony had wondered why they had tossed Ducky's medical bag out but he realised why once they stopped a mile or so out of town to insert the chip: they didn't want to risk any sharp objects being left around.

With Tony chipped, Lucas had Tom take the wheel of Genevieve. They pulled the screen between the driver's area and the living space so Tony and Ducky couldn't see where they were going.

"Shall I make us a nice up of tea?" said Ducky as the van started moving.

"I'll do it," said Tony, "I know where everything is."

"You stay where you are, my boy," said Ducky firmly, "and don't pretend you're not in pain."

"OK, Ducky," said Tony, actually quite relieved to be able to sit as still as possible for a few moments, "I think you'll have to use powdered milk. For some reason I haven't got round to grocery shopping for a few days so the real milk will have gone off."

"Not to worry," said Ducky stoically, "it'll be hot and wet. That's the main thing."

"I'm sorry, Ducky."

"No need to apologise, Anthony. These things happen in the best regulated of households."

"Not for dried milk," said Tony, "for getting you into this mess."

"No need to apologise for that either, Anthony. Nobody expected these rogues to find you so quickly. I wonder how they did?"

"Don't know," said Tony thoughtfully, "but with Abby and McGee there to help, I guess the Boss will find us soon."

"And Mr Palmer," said Ducky, "I'm sure he will wish to help as well." He poked at the teabags discontentedly and grimaced as he added the powdered milk, "here you are. The cup that cheers."

"The what?"

"It's a saying. A cup of tea should cheer you up," said Ducky.

"Might take more than that," said Tony gloomily as he took the mug, "thanks, Ducky. There should be some cookies in the cupboard. I missed breakfast," he added, in case Ducky was going to reprove him for eating too much sugar.

"I'll join you," said Ducky, "sugar is good for cases of shock."

Tony laughed and Ducky looked at him quizzically. "It all seems so normal," said Tony, "here we are drinking tea and eating cookies and making polite conversation and all the time we've been kidnapped."

"It's the sort of attitude which gave Britain an Empire and made America great," said Ducky with a smile, "I would stand up and salute but we seem to going along a rather bumpy road."

"Yeah, it's getting a bit stuffy in here too," said Tony, wiping his forehead.

Ducky looked at him closely, wondering if he was beginning to run a fever. He doubted how hygienically the chips had been inserted/extracted so he wouldn't be surprised if there was some infection. There didn't seem any point in dwelling on that, however, so Ducky turned to another topic of conversation.

"Why use the name Daniel Paddington, Anthony?"

"It is sort of my name," said Tony defensively, "I just left off the beginning and the end."

"I wasn't suggesting anything untoward," said Ducky mildly, "I was just wondering why you decided to use the name."

"It made it easier to leave the country. Meant I could use my British passport."

"Yes, I understand that, but why did you continue to use the name on your return to this country?"

Tony shifted uncomfortably; Ducky couldn't tell if it was a physical discomfort or something else.

"I quite like being Dan Paddington," Tony said finally.

"In what way?"

"Nobody expects anything of Dan. Dan never disappoints anyone by what he does or doesn't do. It's quite relaxing."

"Does Daniel have any friends though?" asked Ducky, "doesn't he get lonely sometimes?"

"I'm not saying I'd want to live this way forever," said Tony, "but it hasn't felt lonely yet. Ducky, do you remember telling us that you went to Europe in the space between leaving school and going to medical school?"

"Why yes, when I had the Eurail pass. I saw many of the great historic and artistic sights of the Continent. Why I remember when …, but you had something you wished to say."

"I've never really done that cutting loose. I know you all turn your noses up at my phys ed degree but playing College sport was hard work. If you didn't keep fit and playing well you could be out and we had to keep our grades up."

"I hope I have never been disparaging about your academic achievements, Anthony. I understand that it is a very demanding subject to study. I must apologise if I have inadvertently given you reason to believe …"

"No, Ducky," broke in Tony, "I shouldn't have said that. You've never been disparaging about anything. What I mean is that College was tough: fun, but tough. Then I went to Police Academy and then three police forces. That's not exactly laissez-faire, do as you please work. And then to NCIS and we all know that Gibbs isn't very touchy-feely."

"I thought you enjoyed your work," said Ducky.

"I did. But it was all rigorous, demanding, unforgiving. Which is fine when you think you're making a difference or that what you're doing is appreciated …"

"And you didn't think that?" asked Ducky.

"Not so much," admitted Tony, "and when I found out that Gibbs didn't think I was ready to step up. Well, it all seemed to crash down round my ears a bit."

"Did you speak to anyone about this?"

"I tried to talk to Gibbs but he's always so sure he's right and he expects me to know what he's thinking by telepathy. I can't imagine having a conversation with Vance and, anyway, in the end, he'll always do what Gibbs wants."

"You could have come to me, my boy," said Ducky a little sadly.

"Wouldn't have been fair on you, Ducky. You're Gibbs' best friend, you would have had divided loyalties. I didn't want to put you in that position."

"I would have coped," said Ducky, "I don't like to think of you feeling you had nobody to turn to."

"Story of my life," said Tony philosophically, taking a sip of his tea.

"So you went to the UK?" said Ducky sensing that Tony had said as much as he was going to.

"Yes, I had this idea of going to all the places my Mom had told me about. She'd mentioned Cornish beach holidays so I went there first and never really left. Gotta love that clotted cream and those Cornish pasties!"

"Not together, I hope," said Ducky striving for a lighter note.

"No," agreed Tony, "It was beautiful there. And I went to St Ives and saw all these people painting and it sort of inspired me to have a go. I tried the surfing there but was useless at it, so I thought I'd try painting instead."

"And a good try it was too," said Ducky warmly.

"Thanks, Ducky. I know I'm no Winslow Homer or Thomas Cole. I'm not going to be hung in the National Gallery but people like what I paint and I enjoy it. It's relaxing to think the only laws I need worry about are the laws of perspective!"

"Well, I hope you will allow me to purchase one of your paintings," said Ducky.

"I'll give you one," said Tony.

"No, no," insisted Ducky, "I would like to buy one. It will make me feel as if I am a patron of the arts. And it would give me great pleasure to have one of your works on my wall."

"OK," said Tony, "and if you don't like what I've got, I'll paint one to order."

"Excellent," said Ducky, "I have another question. Why didn't you make contact with any of us once you returned to America? I can understand why you were enraged with Jethro, but why not get in touch with Abigail or Timothy or me?"

"Didn't think it would be fair on you, I guess. You would have wanted to tell Gibbs and I didn't want that. I don't think I wanted to hear about McGee's new job either, that was a bit of a sensitive subject."

"You know that the new team was never created?"

"Yes, Gibbs dropped that bombshell."

"So Timothy's new job was actually your old one," said Ducky.

"I expect he's doing it well," said Tony.

"I think he does it to the best of his ability," said Ducky judiciously, "but he doesn't always look happy doing it. I think it weighs heavily on him at times. The team has not been a happy one since you left, Anthony."

Tony didn't answer. Ducky suspected that he was pleased to know that he had been missed; that he had made a difference but he wasn't going to talk anymore about that.

"Why do you think Mr Wright decided to abduct us?" asked Ducky, changing the subject.

"He needs to take me out of the picture," said Tony, "I'm the one who can really make the accusation against him. He may still be holding to the plan of luring Gibbs out: he might not know that the rest of the team have turned up; perhaps he thinks the original plan might still work if we haven't told other people about it. He's an opportunist so he may just be waiting to see what happens. I guess …"

"What do you guess, Anthony?" asked Ducky.

"I guess we should hope he's hoping to use us as bait as otherwise he's probably just driving us to a killing field."

"And why would he put that tracking chip in you," said Ducky, "unless he had some plan for that?"

"I think he probably went to boarding school," mused Tony.

"What makes you think that?" asked Ducky.

"I think he's obsessed with marking everything he owns. I bet he's got name tapes on his boxers and all his possessions are chipped."

Ducky laughed, "Indeed, an acute psychological insight, Anthony. Now, I think I will make another cup of tea; just to see if it is as nasty as the first one."

"OK, Ducky," said Tony and then, in a lower tone, "we need to be ready for whatever happens. A chance to escape or Gibbs arriving. Stay alert, Ducky."

NCISNCIS

Gibbs swore when he realised that Tony's campervan was missing. Jimmy phoned down to Abby and McGee who came running up when told that Tony and Ducky had disappeared.

"Perhaps they went for breakfast somewhere," said Abby hopefully.

"Or Ducky had to go to the pharmacy?" suggested Tim.

"Dr Mallard would never leave his medical bag behind," said Jimmy worriedly.

"Wright has got them," growled Gibbs, "we've gotta find them."

"We've got some prints off the boat," said McGee, "we'll have to disregard yours and Tony's of course. But you know that. Right. We got some DNA samples, probably. But again we'll have to separate out yours and Tony's."

Gibbs glared at the list of what they hadn't got.

"But what's really interesting," said Abby, "is that there was a chip in the boat."

"A chip?" asked Gibbs, "did it have blood on it? Was it the one from Tony?"

"Nope," said Abby, "I have a theory."

"Well, go on," said Gibbs, "and don't ask me to guess. I'm not in the mood."

"I think the chip was on the boat so that's how Wright knew where you'd driven it. I think he's a bit anal about knowing where his stuff is. That's why he hit on the idea of putting a tracker in DanTony."

"Who's DanTony?" asked Gibbs, distracted despite himself.

"It's my new name for Tony," said Abby, "until he decides who he is. I think it's non-judgemental and affirmative for him. I think …"

"Do you think the chip helps us at all?" demanded Gibbs.

"We could … er … we could use it to find where Wright buys his equipment," said McGee, "or we could find out what frequency the chip transmits on."

"You can do that?" asked Gibbs.

"Yes, I just need to set my laptop up," said McGee.

"What you are waiting for?" asked Gibbs, striding back to the shop.

As they gathered round McGee's laptop, Jimmy gave a nervous chuckle.

"What's funny, Palmer?" growled Gibbs.

"Nothing," gulped Jimmy, "I just had this crazy thought. It's nothing. Really."

"I'll take anything at the minute," said Gibbs, "so what were you thinking?"

"Well. Abby said that Wright might chip everything he has."

"So?"

"So, what if he decides to put another chip in Tony?"

Gibbs stared at him in disbelief and Jimmy hastened, "like I said. It's nothing. Just a crazy idea. Sorry. I mean, not sorry. Obviously. Not sorry. Sorry."

Gibbs clapped him on the back, "Good work, Palmer. Just the sort of thing that creep would do. McGee!"

"Yes, Boss, checking the frequency of the tracker on the boat. Yep, got it. Now checking to see if anything else is transmitting on that frequency."

"Gibbs," said Abby, "even if we pick something up it doesn't necessarily mean that it belongs to Wright."

"Boss," said McGee excitedly, "I'm picking something up. About ten miles north of here."

"That's good enough, McGee," said Gibbs decisively, "we'll go for that."

"It might be a trap," said McGee.

"Got any other suggestions, Tim?" asked Gibbs.

McGee shook his head and they swung into action. Abby put out a BOLO on Tony's campervan as they raced to the police station to get Officer Crosbie to alert the State Police and to borrow an unmarked car, thinking that a police vehicle would be faster than the MCRT van.

Gibbs was impressed with young Officer Crosbie. He looked at the route the chip seemed to be taking and suggested putting traffic alerts out advising that certain routes were blocked. This would mean that Wright and his men would be forced to backtrack towards Pinnington and they could be apprehended sooner.

Thirty minutes of Gibbs' driving brought the small police convoy to within a mile or so of where McGee was tracking Genevieve. One of the police cars took a detour to come out the other side of the campervan, thus cutting off any potential escape route.

Fortunately, the route they were travelling along was a quiet one. Team Gibbs in one car and two police officers in another got within sight of Genevieve and a blue car which they assumed held the rest of Wright's crew. They got closer and closer and, when they saw the other police car in positon behind, sped up and blocked the road in front of Genevieve. The driver of the campervan swung the steering wheel violently to pull it round while the blue car tried to do the same but crashed into one of the police cars.

The campervan managed to evade Gibbs' car but only by taking a path off the road. As it hit the shoulder of the road it wobbled and then tipped over on to its side with a crash. Gibbs and the team jumped from their car and run towards the stricken campervan.

"Tony! Ducky!" they shouted.

NCISNCIS

"Anthony had just advised me to move to one of the seats with a safety belt," said Ducky to Jimmy as he waited in the emergency room of Pinnington's small hospital, "that was really most fortunate as it meant that I was not unduly incommoded by Genevieve's rather abrupt half somersault. It was a little uncomfortable dangling from the seat belt but you all acted most expeditiously to extract me." Ducky beamed in appreciation.

"Pity DiNozzo didn't take his own advice," said Gibbs.

"He was moving towards the other seat," said Ducky, "when the vehicle toppled over. But he was lucky, I don't think the blow to his head was too severe."

"Yeah, I'm not sure 'luck' is the right word," said Gibbs.

"The doctor believes there is only a slight concussion," said Ducky, "and once the tracking chip has been removed and both incisions have been sutured, Anthony will be free to go. He has also been given some antibiotics to help combat the infection."

"All done," said Tony emerging from the cubicle, "and he used local anaesthetic. Gotta love those drugs. No offence, Gibbs, but I didn't feel a thing this time."

"None taken, DiNozzo," said Gibbs, "come on. Let's go."

"Mr Palmer," said Ducky urgently, "why don't you take Anthony to the vending machine? I think it would be a good idea to get him a candy bar to boost his sugar levels."

"Uh, of course, Dr Mallard," said Jimmy in a puzzled voice, "come on, Tony. It's down this way," and he led a docile Tony down the corridor.

"Jethro, do you really think this is a good idea?" asked Ducky as soon as the other two were out of earshot, "I think you should let Tony rest before you have 'your big conversation'. Surely it can wait."

"Need to get it done, Ducky. Don't want him slipping away. I've booked us a cabin just out of town. It'll be fine."

"Jethro," said Ducky crossly, "you need to tread carefully with Anthony. You can see that he is slightly under the influence of the various drugs which have been administered and is more amenable than usual."

"Perfect opportunity, Duck," said Gibbs calmly.

"I fear he will not think so," said Ducky, "I strongly advise …"

But what he was about to say was interrupted by the return of Jimmy and Tony.

"Come on," said Gibbs, "need to get you somewhere comfortable, DiNozzo."

"Don't forget the concussion checks," called Ducky as they left.

Ducky might have been relieved to know that Gibbs' plan didn't work completely. DiNozzo went passively enough to the cabin but turned out to be too weary for Gibbs' proposed conversation. He had dozed off and on for the rest of the day, and the only answers he gave were to Gibbs' concussion checks.

"You look better today, DiNozzo," said Gibbs the next day when he got up to find Tony eating a bowl of cereal in the kitchen.

"Feel better too," said Tony, "there's coffee in the pot."

"Thanks," said Gibbs, "appreciate it."

"I think it's probably a record," said Tony reflectively.

"What is?"

"Being kidnapped four times in as many days."

"Four?"

"Wright kidnapped me, you kidnapped me and then Wright kidnapped me and Ducky."

"That's only three.

"What do you call what you did last night?" asked Tony.

"I brought you here to keep an eye on you," said Gibbs defensively.

"You were trying to pump me last night. You knew I was doped up and you hoped to take advantage of that. Sounds a bit like abduction to me. And it nearly worked too."

"We need to talk," said Gibbs.

"So you've said. But, as always, things have to be on your terms, don't they?"

"Vance didn't accept your resignation," said Gibbs.

"What?"

"I persuaded him to change it into a request for indefinite leave," said Gibbs.

"Why did you do that?"

"I didn't want you to throw your career away."

"It was my decision to make, Gibbs."

"You're too good at what you do to toss it all away."

"To 'go bumming round the country'? I think that's what you called it."

"DiNozzo, Tony, we worked well the last couple of days, didn't we?"

"What are you talking about, Gibbs?"

"Working out what to do, rowing back to Pinnington, you leading Wright away. We didn't have to think things through, we instinctively knew what the other one would do. It just worked." Gibbs saw Tony open his mouth and said hastily, "and don't deny it. I saw the look on your face."

Tony put his head in his hands for a few seconds. "You're not wrong. We did work well together out there. We always have."

"Then come back," urged Gibbs.

"Yeah," said Tony, "I could dump all McGee's stuff out of his desk and reclaim my old place."

"McGee didn't switch desks," said Gibbs, "you wouldn't have to unpack anything."

"That's not the point, Gibbs, and you know it!" said Tony wearily, "although you probably don't. After all, you didn't think twice about turfing all my stuff out."

"You're not still mad about that, are you? That was years ago," said Gibbs.

"Why wouldn't I still be mad, Gibbs? I don't remember you explaining why you did it."

"I know I could have handled it better, DiNozzo. I thought you knew that."

"How was I meant to know, Gibbs?" said Tony heatedly. Then he stopped and tried to speak more calmly, "Gibbs. I know I call you a functional mute in a sort of affectionate way but that doesn't mean that I like it. Look, you're right. In the field we work together brilliantly. I feel completely safe when I'm with you, I know you'll have my six. I've never had that with anyone else and I don't think I ever will."

"So come back," said Gibbs.

"But Gibbs, we're not in the field all the time. And when we're in the office, I have to say, you really suck sometimes. I don't understand why everything has to be so secretive, why you play everything so close to your vest. If anyone else behaved like you did, I'd suspect they were gunning for the Director's job."

"I don't want Vance's job," protested Gibbs.

"I believe you," said Tony, "I think you just need to be in control of everything. You're like a spider in the centre of a web."

"You haven't minded up till now," observed Gibbs.

"No. Actually, that's not true. I minded for a long time but somehow I always thought you respected me, that you thought I was good at the job."

"I did, I do," said Gibbs.

"Then why didn't you want me to take the other job?"

"What does it matter? The new job never happened anyway."

"It does matter, because now I know."

There was a silence. Gibbs turned away to look through the window and for a long moment Tony thought he wasn't going to get an answer. He got up to go but stopped when Gibbs spoke again,

"I didn't want you to leave," admitted Gibbs, "I didn't trust anyone else to have your six. I've lost too many people, Tony, I didn't want you to be another."

"Gibbs …" said Tony.

"I told Ziva once that the team were like my family. I meant that. You're part of my family, Tony and I didn't want to lose you."

"Gibbs, I'm not an expert on families but I think part of it is knowing when to let people walk away, to let them grow, to let them make their own mistakes. Gibbs, if Kelly had lived, you'd have had to let her go too."

"Shannon always said I'd be dreadful at that," said Gibbs huskily.

"Your wife was a smart woman," said Tony gently. "Gibbs, if you hold something too tightly, you crush it, you destroy it. Gibbs … Jethro, you have been a huge part of my life. I told you once that I owe you everything for the way you taught me to do the job. That's still true but things can't always stay the same. You have to let things change. You have to accept you can't always be in control."

"I know. And I know that Vance will make me retire soon. He'd let you come back; then you can take over from me. Think about it."

"You haven't been listening. I loved the job for a long time and perhaps I left before I was ready. Or perhaps I didn't leave soon enough. Who knows? We can't go back and rewrite what we did. But, now, for the moment, I'm happy to do what I'm doing."

"Just think about it," asked Gibbs.

"OK," said Tony, "but Gibbs, I like you. Like I said, a lot of your idiosyncrasies are quite endearing. But they're more endearing in a friend than a boss. I think you need to accept a change of role: friend, not Boss."

Gibbs opened his mouth to reply but Tony held up a hand to silence him, "No more, Gibbs. I'm going to be the functional mute now. I need to go and see the damage to Genevieve. Will you give me a ride?

NCISNCIS

Ducky, Abby, McGee, Palmer and Gibbs were gathered outside Tony's shop a couple of days later.

"What did Tony want?" asked Abby, "is he coming back to DC?"

"Don't know, Abs," said Gibbs, "we'll have to wait and see."

At that moment, Tony pulled up in a Genevieve which had had the dents knocked out of her.

"DanTony!" said Abby happily.

"DanTony?" queried Tony.

"It's a combination of your names," explained Abby, "I wanted you to know that it's OK whichever one you choose."

"Abs, you can call me Tony, that's fine."

"What did you want to tell us, Tony?" asked McGee.

"I'm letting the lease of the shop go," said Tony.

"So, you're coming back to DC?" said Jimmy.

Five pairs of eyes looked hopefully towards Tony. He shook his head, "No. I'm moving on. Call me a wimp, but Pinnington doesn't feel very safe."

"Where you going, Tony?" asked Gibbs.

"I thought I'd try California. Warmer there. Or perhaps Hawaii. Got to love those shirts and it would be good to make some good memories of the place."

"Tony …" began Abby.

"I'll keep in touch," promised Tony, "with all of you," he smiled at Gibbs, "and perhaps you can come visit sometimes. I'll let you know where I am … so, Abby, don't take a leaf out of Wright's book and plant a chip on me."

"I won't," said Abby tearfully as she hugged him, "but you'd better write, Mister, or … or …, well, I don't know what, but I'll think of something."

"McSeniorFieldAgent," said Tony, "look after the grumpy old …"

"Tony, you know I'll always look after the Director," joked Tim.

"Nice one, Tim," approved Tony as he gave McGee a quick embrace and kiss to the side of his head.

"Told you never to do that again," grumbled McGee happily.

"Jimmy," said Tony, "thank you for figuring out about the chip. Who knows where the Duckman and I would be without you. Take care of yourself. Thanks for everything, Black Lung."

"Thanks, Tony. I'll miss you. We all will."

They did one of their complicated handshake rituals and then gave each other a quick hug.

"Ducky, thank you … well, for everything."

"It was entirely my pleasure, Anthony. And remember, you owe me a painting."

"I won't forget," and he enfolded Ducky into an embrace longer than the others.

Finally he turned to Gibbs,

"Not too late, DiNozzo," said Gibbs, "you can still come back. Still just a leave of absence, you know."

"Never give up, do you?" said Tony, "I'll keep in touch. Get McGee to show you how to write emails longer than a hundred characters."

"I'll try," said Gibbs, "don't just stick to seascapes, Tony. Blue Ridge Mountains could do with having a few more paintings of them."

"I'll bear it in mind," said Tony. He stood with a hand outstretched but Gibbs ignored it and drew him into a hug.

"You better come back, Tony," he said, "or I might have to kidnap you again!"

Tony laughed and pulled out of the embrace. He jumped into Genevieve, leaned out of the driver's window and gave them one last wave. Then with a sound of the horn, he was gone.

His former co-workers watched him go and then stared down the road for a long time, hoping he might come back. Finally Gibbs put his arm round Abby and said,

"He's gone. Let's go home."

AN: thank you to everyone who's been following this story. Obviously I don't own the characters - and I don't know if the thing with the tracker chips would work!