NCIS: Roam

[triskellion]

Another piece for the prompt table I posted HERE. Check it out. I'm still accepting suggestions.

The prompt from [Bad username or site: kaylashay81'/ @ livejournal.com] was Roam, with Tony from NCIS

Title: Roam
Author: [Bad username or site: triskellion'/ @ livejournal.com]
Rating: G
Warning: None
Word Count: 513
Summary: When it comes to Gibbs, Tony has to re-asses his goals and plans.


He was never going to stay in one place too long. Tony promised himself that when he went away to college. What exactly “too long” meant was never detailed, even in the depths of his own mind, so it was free to shift as the situation warranted.

Back when his dreams of the future included a position in professional sports, his goal seemed easy to attain. He could travel wherever he wanted in the off season and keep a small home near the training camp. That he would be traveling extensively during the playing season was a given. It seemed a perfect solution.

Unfortunately, four years in college proved to be at least six months too long. However real or illusory his dreams of professional sports were, they were completely shattered when he broke his leg. Traveling on a sports salary was no longer an option.

So he chose to become a cop. On the surface, that might seem a foolish choice, but Tony thought he had it all figured out. Once he had some experience under his belt, surely most police forces would welcome an experienced cop coming in. He could bring in a bit of a different perspective, teach the locals a few new tricks, then move on. If he started in the Midwest, it probably wouldn't take more than two or three moves to get somewhere big like New York to hire him. Except he never intended to go back to New York. Maybe DC.

Yeah, and after DC he could probably head to LA, hit a few cities on the west coast, then maybe cycle to the plains states for a bit. The possibilities seemed endless.

It all seemed to be working, too, until and NCIS agent took over his crime scene in Baltimore. After that, everything just went wrong.

Well, not wrong, but definitely not to plan. Tony netted that job offer in DC he'd hoped for, and the timing was about right, but the law enforcement agency wasn't one he'd expected. But it had potential. NCIS had offices all over the world. Heck, he could stay with the same agency and still keep traveling. That looked perfect.

The problem was Gibbs. Or rather, the problem was Tony's reaction to Gibbs. He found he wanted to please the cranky, older ex-marine, wanted to impress him. Instead of teaching Gibbs a few tricks, Tony found himself absorbing Gibbs'. It wasn't long before he simply didn't want to move on, not unless Gibbs was doing the same. Though he didn't realize that until Gibbs walked out, walked back in, and Tony was offered a team of his own in Rota, Spain.

He turned it down. Oh, he thought about it long and hard, weighed the pros and cons for days, and never came up with an answer. But when he stood before Director Shepard's office, he knew he didn't want to leave. It was time to tweak the definition of “too long.”

It didn't matter how long he worked for Gibbs, it would never be “too long.”

Comments

[kaylashay81]

*bounces*

That *fit* Tony perfectly! Love how he planned it all, then it got screwed up. Then he planned it all again. Then Gibbs came along and screwed it up.

And you are right on the whole NCIS being a perfect option for Tony's job hopping when he first started. He could stay with the same agency and just move around the world. But Gibbs. Gibbs wasn't moving, so he had to stay.

Love it!

[triskellion.livejournal.com]

Oh good. I'm glad you liked it. It all fell into place so nicely. I did want to include what triggered this goal in life, but I'm never quite sure what I think his home life was like. Maybe next time.

Since you like, feel free to ask for more. It was nice to feel so quickly inspired.

[kaylashay81]

I can see his home life going two ways. I love stories that deal with an abusive home life (physical and/or mental) when they are well done. I can also see his home life as just being lonely when it comes to parental/family love. I don't think he received any of that as a child. There may or may not have been abusive, but it wasn't a 'happy' home on the inside. I mean, what kind of father makes his son pour his drink while giving his daily report?

I may browse the prompts more tonight and see what other ones could work for certain characters.

[triskellion.livejournal.com]

Exactly. I've considered both, and never quiet decided. It was definitely a not happy home life one way or the other.

Please feel free. One of these days I'll fill the entire table.

[auroradream.livejournal.com]

...and then he realized he was in love with Gibbs so it was bonus to stick around even longer... :)

a perfect glimpse into Tony's mind.

[triskellion.livejournal.com]

The way i tend to write it, quite probably.

Thank you. It was a fun place to delve.

[lyonza.livejournal.com]

Nice snippet from Tony's life, dear. Lovely ;)

[triskellion.livejournal.com]

Thank you, my dear.

[xanthelj.livejournal.com]

Oh yes - I can totally believe that the best laid plans of mice and Tonys are derailed completely by one silver haired ex marine *g*. Good to know that Tony realises it too - and why!

[triskellion.livejournal.com]

*Giggles* Exactly. Well, the why may be forthcoming, but I couldn't help but lay the foundation. Gen is getting harder and harder to write in this fandom.