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When the knocking first began, Tony ignored the pounding on his door. The noise finally stopped, but then it began again with his name also being called, he determinedly disregarded it.
It eventually ceased and the silence returned in force, leaving the agent to return to staring into the semi-darkness and the important task of ignoring everything, especially the small box, he was staring at so intently.
The sound of the door swinging open drew his attention and the man standing framed by the lights from the hall. Looking up, he asked. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in New York.”
“Change of plans. Figured you could use a little company.” Tim gestured to the bag he was carrying, “And food.”
“Not hungry.”
“Tough. You have to eat.” Stepping in, the door was closed firmly. “Everything looks better with a full stomach. Advancing, the bag was placed on the table next to the box. “Kung Pao Shrimp; Chicken with Broccoli; miscellaneous fried rice; Sweet and Sour Pork; Beef Szechuan; Lo Mein. And utensils.”
“Whoa. Did you buy out the menu? We’ll never eat all this.”
“We have all night to nibble.”
“You should be with your dad. You're family,” Tony said firmly.
“I am. Brother.” Tim sat down next to him and jokingly bumped shoulders. Forcing a container into the other man’s hand, he looked at The Box. His mind automatically capitalized the words. “Still haven’t opened it?”
Tony pulled his gaze away from the small cardboard box that had appeared on his desk, the day before. “Nope.”
“It’s not dangerous. They screened it when it came.” Tim said softly.
Tony glanced back at the box. “Can’t screen for everything.”
“Eat up. We’ve got a lot to do.”
“Like what?”
“Well, we can’t have Christmas like this…” Tim gestured around the apartment with his chopsticks.
Tony sighed. “Not really in the mood. You should go to New York. Spend Christmas with your family.”
“Not really in the mood.” Tim parroted. “You know how things have been. I called Penny and Sarah to tell them I wasn’t going. They decided to hit Aspen for a while.”
“Your mom…”
“Mom is supporting him. Always has, always will. I’m tired of him making me justify my life.”
“I know the feeling.”
Tim sat his carton on the coffee table. “Tony, opening The Box won’t change the outcome.”
“I know.” Tony sat his carton down, too. “It’s just that… It will make it final. I’m used to him not being around but this will make it permanent.” Reluctantly he picked up the cardboard container. The older agent’s fingers traced the foreign stamps.
It had been over two years since Senior had disappeared while “eloping” with one of Prince Ali’s cousins. No amount of searching by the princess’ furious father or other family had turned up any sign of the two. Used to a lack of paternal contact, Tony hadn’t initially been concerned about his father but as the months turned into years, he had become more and more fatalistic.
Earlier in the week this box had arrived preceded by a call from the US embassy in Saudi Arabia. A small plane had been found buried by the desert sands, with what were the presumed remains of Senior and his fiancée. The box contained personal effects that had been located in the burned wreckage.
“Have you heard from Prince Ali?”/p>
Tony shook his head. “Last I tried to talk to him he was still incensed that Senior had taken Jaleena. Blamed him for bringing shame down on the family.”
“He knew what kind of a man Senior was, Tony.”
The other man laughed. “Yeah, but it’s different because Senior targeted HIS family this time.”
The doorbell broke the moment. “Our delivery is here.” Tim headed for the door. “Right on time. Right over in front of the windows, please.”
“McGee.” Tony stared at the huge tree in a pot being dragged across his floor.
“It isn’t Christmas without a tree. Got decorations in the car, so hurry up and eat.” Tim tipped the delivery men and closed the door behind them before coming back to pick up his food. “Eat. We have decorating to do.”
Putting down the box, Tony started back in on his dinner.
A couple hours later, the two boys were back on the sofa eating leftover Chinese and looking at the tree. The lamps in the apartment had been mostly turned off and they were eating by the lights on the tree. “You’re kidding!” Tim almost choked.
“Seriously. I had stopped to pick up my order and there they were at the table next to me. They didn’t see me because of the cloth partition. Evidently, Diane had manipulated them into coming without letting either know she had asked them both. In fact, Gibbs didn’t have his car. She had picked him up.”
“What was she thinking?”
“That’s the best part. I got there just as she laid out her proposal. Seems she isn’t happy being divorced. She misses Gibbs’ strength and power, and Fornell’s sweetness and creativity.” Tony and Trim both shuddered at the thought. “So she wanted the three of them to get together.”
“I’m surprised Gibbs’ didn’t shoot her.”
“I think he was too shocked at first. Then he stood and told her she was a bitch and an idiot and there was no one he was ever going back to her bed with or without Fornell and he stormed out.”
Tim was anxious for the conclusion of the story. “And Fornell?”
“Stood up told her she was delusional and he was done with her. Not even Gibbs could lure him into that bed and he stormed out.”
Tim broke down laughing. He had to put his container of food on the table. “Oh, God. How have you kept this to yourself?”
“Well, actually. I decided to stop by Gibbs’ place on the way to work the next morning to let him know that I had been there but when I got there, Fornell’s car was still in the driveway. Figured I’d let them both know at once.” Tony put his own food down. “So I went in and there was an empty bottle on the coffee table and a trail of clothes up the stairs. So, I called both of them in sick. Left a note that said they both had the flu and got out fast. I didn’t want to hear the noises.”
“Gibbs… and Fornell?” Tim froze in shock.
“Yup. They took the next day off, too. When Gibbs called out, I checked and Fornell had as well. When Gibbs came in the next day, he was limping but in a much better mood.”
In shock, Tim spoke up. “I remember that. When I asked about the limp, he said he pulled a muscle in his back moving wrong.”
“At least it made them more mellow when working together.” Tony added.
“How did you face Gibbs?”
“Remember he called me into his office for a coffee run?”
“Yes. You were a little pale, I thought he was going to chew you out. What did you say?”
“I played Sergeant Schultz… “I see nothing. I know nothing.”” Tony imitated the soldier from Hogan’s Heroes and it was a credible imitation.
“Are they… I mean, was it only…”
“I see nothing. I know nothing.” Tony parroted and adding, “Except there have been a few nights, I headed for a beer at Gibbs’ and a familiar Feebmobile was parked in the driveway.”
“They still…” Tim looked shocked.
“Hey,” Tony smirked. “They were both married to Diane. That’s enough to turn a man away from women.”
“Point.”
“Plus, they are good for one another. They rub each other’s sharp edges off.” Tony laughed when Tim did a spit take of the drink he had just taken.
“You did that on purpose.” Tim sputtered but Tony only laughed.
“Seriously, they are good for one another. Fornell mellows him out and Gibbs gives him more inner strength. I decided it was the best for both of them.” Tony picked up his food and started eating again. “How about a movie? I’ve got every version of ‘A Christmas Carol’?
Tim countered. “How about ‘'It's a Wonderful Life'?”
“Really?”
“It’s part of our family tradition. Fire it up.”
Tony’s eyes moistened but he did get up to find the movie. At first they watched in silence but gradually with a few questions from Tim, Tony loosened up and began sharing movie trivia. He knew the behind the scenes stories about the director, the actors, the film itself. It was very therapeutic, as Tim had known it would be.
By the end of the movie, the two men had drifted together on the large comfortable couch sharing a bowl of popcorn. When the bell rang, they joined Zuzu Bailey in saying, “Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.” The two men sat quietly watching the credits, then Tony spoke up. “I used to watch ‘A Christmas Carol’ when I was little and wish that the ghosts of Christmas would visit Senior but they never did. Do you think…” Tony paused to clear the lump from his throat. “Do you think Senior will ever earn his wings?”
Tim thought for a moment knowing his brother’s need for reassurance and he answered very sincerely. “I think God is a forgiving God and that He believes in second chances. Senior wasn’t truly evil, Tony. He was very misguided. He didn’t realize the worth of what he had.” Tim placed his hand on Tony’s knee. “I think he will be given that second chance. Maybe a chance to earn wings or a chance at a do-over.”
Tony thought for a minute. “You believe in reincarnation?”
“I think God forgives and if that is what needs to be done to give it to Senior, I think it will happen.”
Tony reached forward and picked up the box. Leaning back against McGee, he struggled for a moment with the tape but Tim silently handed him a knife letting him slit the tape. Tony took a deep breath, and then opened the box. His breath was almost a sob. In the box were a few bits and pieces. A tie tack. A couple of pairs and some single cufflinks. But it was the last item that Tony shakingly picked up, a pocket watch slightly scratched but mostly whole. The plane’s fire hadn’t badly damaged it, though the chain had been broken. Tony pressed it to his ear but it wasn’t running.
“Is that…”
“It’s my grandfather’s pocket watch. He gave it to Senior when I was born. Senior was to pass it to me. I used to ask about it then Senior quit wearing it and it disappeared. I thought he sold it, he must have carried it with him.” Tim watched as Tony wound it. “It doesn’t run.”
“It can be fixed. We will find a Clarence Odbody to work on it and he will get it running just like new.” Tony nodded through his tears.
“For now.” Tim reach over and picked up one of the ornate hooks they had been using. Taking the watch he hooked it through the loop at the top of the watch. “What's to say we invite the rest of the family to join us for Christmas.” Taking Tony’s hand, he led him to the tree and then gave him the watch.”
Taking the pocket watch, Tony studied the tree and then removed an ornament near the top. He put the watch in the place of honor, a place he could see it throughout the apartment. He tweaked a light to shine down on it while Tim hung the displaced bauble on a lower branch. Inside, Tony could feel a margin of hope start to grow.
“Thank you.” Tony whispered to Tim. “I was dreading today so badly. I couldn’t face Christmas Eve knowing I was all alone. Then, you showed up. You gave up a chance to be with your family to be with me.”
Tim stepped up beside him and put his arm around his partner’s waist. “Told you I am with my family. I’m spending it with my brother. You know that family isn’t just about blood. It’s being there, caring for one another. There’s no place on earth I’d rather be.” The clock began to chime the midnight hour. “Merry Christmas, my brother.”
Tony leaned his head on his brother’s shoulder accepting comfort that he’d never known before. As the last chime of the bell sounded, the pocket watch swayed gently as if by an unseen hand. Together, they intoned. “Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.”