The closing of the front door caught Gibbs a little off guard, and he realized that he had been stuck in his thoughts for fifteen minutes. He knew he really should stop trying to analyse every little thing Tony was doing, but his heart refused to let go of what little hope he had.
Tony came down the stairs and held up a paper bag grinning. „I really don’t know how I can help you with your boat, but I did bring Chinese.“
Gibbs grinned as well. He knew Tony knew that he didn’t need help with the boat but simply wanted to talk.
„So, the FBI had a mole. I’m not even surprised,“ Tony said as he sat on the stool taking one of the boxes and a fork. „Did he say why he was doing it?“
„He said he thought he was doing the right thing. Apparently he was contacted some years ago and he’d been dropping off information ever since. The Avenger must have found out that his wife had been killed in a hit and run that never was solved,“ Gibbs answered.
„So the Dark Avenger has been doing this for years?“ Tony asked with a frown. „Why haven’t we heard about him before?“
Gibbs shrugged slightly as he pushed some Chop Suey into his mouth. „Ducky made a profile for me. He said that the Dark Avenger has to have some personal motivation. He doesn’t do it for fame or because he thinks it’s his civil duty. And he probably hasn’t completely lost faith in the system. He doesn’t just kill people he thinks are guilty. He also tips off the police to the whereabouts or to leads. Ducky thinks that murder is the last method for him, if everything fails. He probably never wanted to become known.“
Tony nodded. „What personal motivation could that be?“
Gibbs sighed. „He’s probably been the victim of a crime that’s never been solved. Or someone he loved was the victim.“ Gibbs face showed a pained expression for a second, but it was enough for Tony to see.
The next day, Abby, McGee and Ziva stood in Abby’s lab and were discussing the Dark Avenger.
„What do you think - who it could be?“ Abby asked.
„Well, anyone?!“ McGee answered.
„I don’t think so. I mean, it has to be someone who’s a good investigator with a strong sense of justice. He’s probably a good fighter, too. That one guy the FBI found cuffed was pretty beaten up as I heard,“ Abby mused. „Oh my god, maybe it’s Gibbs!“
„Gibbs is what?“ Tony asked as he moved into the lab and the others turned to him, surprised.
„The Dark Avenger!“ Abby said excitedly. Tony snorted.
„Please, Abby. Gibbs?“
„Well, think about it! Ducky said he has probably lost someone in a crime that never was solved! Gibbs did lose his wife and daughter to some drug dealer who ran off to Mexico. He also has the needed intel. I mean, he could get all the information he needed to find the bastards.“
„Abby, Gibbs is not the Dark Avenger. Gibbs is...Gibbs. If he knows that someone’s guilty, he works the case until it’s solved. He doesn’t need to be a criminal for that,“ Tony argued „And by the way, the last time the Dark Avenger was seen, Gibbs had been in the office, so he has an alibi. I know it might disappoint you, Abs, but Gibbs is really not the Dark Avenger. It’s probably someone you’d never suspect.“
„What the hell are you doing down here? If you don’t have anything to work on, I’ll give you something!“ Gibbs barked from the doorway. He had heard every word of what Tony had said and he was tired of hearing about that damn Dark Avenger. His agents quickly left the lab and went back to their desks.
As Gibbs sat behind his desk he started to wonder himself. Tony was right, it was probably someone they’d never suspect, but then, Abby had a point, too. To get all the intel, even with the FBI mole, wasn’t easy, and somehow he must be an investigator of some kind. He turned to his computer, he had some research to do.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.