15. A tale of Two Cities (Hank Voight)

Tony hated working undercover sometimes.  He was well aware he was good at it.  He was, it was just sometimes in doing so.  He had to do things he found repugnant like working with dirty cops.   He had read all about Sergeant Hank Voight.

The guy was intriguing on paper.  It was the arrest that put Tony off the guy.  He had to be something though as instead of seeing a hefty prison sentence.  They had taken Voight and put him in charge of Intelligence.

Tony despite several years as an Agent was now back to working his first job, Detective.   He was standing in his new ‘boss’ office as his file was read.

“You took down Mancuso?”

Tony smirked, “I spoke the language and I dated his daughter.  He called me son.”

Hank laughed despite himself.  “So why are you back to being a Detective?”

Tony had to think about which way he played this ... For now, he would go with a close approximation of the truth.  It was the key to being good at undercover.  “I hated being an Agent ... I am a cop who chases down criminals.”

Hank was sure DiNozzo was a rat, meant to cause trouble for him and his department.  The trouble was, the lack of information made him difficult to figure out.  The guy was competent so he would wait and see.  “Just how armed are you?” He asked seeing at least one gun and knife.

Tony smirked, “I will admit to my service weapon. Oh, my backup piece, and my combat folding knife.”

The Sergeant was definitely amused now, “That you will admit to?”

The guy might just fit in around his department after all.

Tony played it off with charm and being a flirt.  “Well, we’ve only just met and you don’t strike me as the type to play for the home team.”

Voight had to shake his head at the sheer boldness of the statement, “Get out of here. Go ask Dawson for your first case file.”

&*&*&*&*&

At the end of the day, Olinsky came into Hank’s office.  His old friend looked aggravated and bemused all at the same time.

Hank pinched his nose, “What is it? Is he a rat? Did you kill him?”

They were not good questions for a by the book cop. They were valid questions for his old friend.   

Alvin looked offended as he protested, “No, I did not.”

Hank let out a relieved smile.  After the crap with Internal Affairs. He could ill-afford for another Detective to die in mysterious circumstances.  “So what is it?”

Alvin was grinning from ear to ear. “Your new boy is close to cracking Chicago’s biggest madam.”

“Come again?”  That was the type of news that bared repeating to check if you were sure.

Alvin smirked and sat back in his chair.  This was the type of story that needed telling right.  “Well, it goes like this...”

“Get on with it,”  Hank wasn't in the mood for this story to be strung out.  He wanted the information yesterday.

Yeah, his friend was enjoying this.   Hank had been determined not to like the guy either.  If he could bring him Emma Tate’s head. Then he might just start to warm to DiNozzo.

“Well, Tony took Jay to get food.  He said it was going to be a proper place.  When they come back ... Jay is blushing like a schoolgirl and Erin can’t stop laughing. So  I ask what is going on.”

Hank was glad to hear Erin was laughing. His adopted daughter didn’t laugh too much these days.  It hurt.  “So what did he do? Offer to sell Jay?”

Alvin shrugged, “Well, pretty much.  I think he talked himself into a business meal tomorrow.  Madame Tate is under the impression Tony has a stable of Male Escorts. He is looking for a merger due to settling down with a sugar daddy.”

Hank had to say he was impressed. Good instincts.  He could think on his feet, “I can see how he took down Mancuso.”

“He is that DiNozzo?”

Hank had to grin because whatever his reason for being there. He was competent. That wasn’t in doubt.  “The one and only. So how was it left?”

Alvin explained it to him, “Well, they are having lunch on Friday.  Jay is his latest ‘acquisition’ and showing him the ropes.  It seems Jay needed a job having left the army.”

Voight rolled his eyes. Well, if you had a cliche you may as well roll with it.  “I suppose I better congratulate him.”

“Is that my cue to beat it?” Alvin asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.

“Yes.”

Alvin got up, “DiNozzo the boss wants you.”

&*&*&*&*&*

Tony walked into the office, he’d lost his suit jacket but still looked put together. “Yes, boss.”

“I hear you did good work today.”

Tony was antsy, “Should I apologise?”

Voight rolled his eyes, “Take a seat and let’s talk.”

It helped that they were the last two in the office.  Hank spoke plainly, never being fond of false words.  “You are here under false pretences. I don’t know why. It bothers me. And yet, you are a good cop. That much is clear. So I don’t know whether I can trust you.”

Tony shrugged as it was not his problem.  He didn't care that Voight was calling him out.  You see whilst Voight had been checking up on him.  He’d been finding out about Hank.   His initial opinions on the guy were changing.  Tony should have known about covers so his own response was just as honest, “You could ask.”

“Would I get a straight answer?”

Tony looked him straight in the eye, “Sure you will. Why would I lie?”

Hank took a deep breath, “Why are you here?”

Tony smirked, “You make the Commissioner nervous.  And he is friends with Secretary Davenport who chose to loan me out to get answers.”

“And what have you found out?”

Tony stood up, “I like it here and I miss being a cop. As long as you are smart, I won’t find anything and we can both enjoy ourselves.”

Hank let him go thinking about what he said.

&*&*&*&*&

Hank went to Erin’s place.  He needed some time to talk with someone who wouldn’t judge him. It didn't hurt that Erin was a good soundboard to figure out his thoughts.

“Hey.”

Hank took the step to the side as an invitation to enter.  He was glad Halstead wasn’t there.  He was well aware that there was something going on between his two detectives.  He didn’t care as long as Halstead kept Erin happy. “So what’s eating ya?”

Hank snorted, Erin may have come into his life late on but she did know him.  “Newbie.”

“Tony.  Smart guy, sharp dresser. Wants to sell Jay to Madam Tate.” Erin responded.

Hank liked the last thought, not that he would admit it.  “Yeah I heard all about it.”

They sat back on the couch. “So what’s up?”

“He is spying by his own admission,” Hank answered her, he said it without any inflection.  He wanted to see how Erin reacted.

Erin was on alert, ready to hate the guy.  She may like Tony but Hank had given her back her life.  She owed him everything, “For who?”

“The commissioner but he doesn’t want to be doing it.  He is being used as a pawn. He likes being a Detective rather than an Agent.”

Erin smirked, “Is that the only reason you want to keep him?”

Hank frowned, “What are you saying?”

Erin wished she hadn’t said anything.  She loved Hank like her father so it was awkward to talk about his love life.  Still, he’d asked so she gave him an answer, “I loved Camille but she told me all about your differing tastes.”

The mention of his dead wife would always bring a pang to his heart.  He’d loved her a lot and she had dealt with being a cop’s wife.  The worst of it was Erin was right.  Tony would be the type he looked for in a guy.   He was a cop first so he never let himself indulge in those inclinations.  Until recently it just wouldn’t be safe.

He went to sleep in Erin’s room thinking about vivid green eyes. Damn her.

&*&*&*&*&*&*&

If you had been in the 21st district you would have blinked twice at what you saw.  Sergeant Hank Voight cut quite the figure in his custom suit.  Tony was at his side wearing Jeans, and a shirt that had several of the women fanning themselves.  To round off the pretty picture. Detective Halstead was in what amounted to clubbing clothes.

Behind them, the rest of the intelligence division walked out with big fat grins on their faces.

The desk sergeant had to ask, “What fun is in store today?”

Erin smirked, “Voight’s letting the newbie sell Halstead.”

“Of course he is.”

&*&*&*&*&*

The surveillance van was getting a masterclass in watching undercover work.  Tony had exited the car. He looked unabashed and like he belonged in the high-class establishment.  There was no trace of nerves or tugs of his clothes. Voight had stepped up to the plate too, coming in as the one looking to make Tony retire.

Madame Tate pouted upon seeing Hank but brightened seeing Jay.  This was going to be fun.  “So you decided to bring company with you?”

Tony shrugged, and made out like he was aggravated. “What can I say? Some people are just protective.”

Tate gave a conspiratorial grin, “Yeah, but that is how you like it.”

“Tonio is too good to me.  I would hate for anything to happen to him.”

And there was the edge of danger.  She could play this game, nor was she was dumb.  “So you are in love? And now you are making him stop playing the game?”

She couldn’t hide her sneer.  In her business, she had learnt there was no such thing as love.  Hank didn’t blink, “I can keep Tony in style and he is looking to offload his business.  Do you wish to continue the conversation or are you wasting our time?”

“Your boy and his friend are much more fun to talk to,” she said, rolling her eyes.  

Tony went in for the kill, “Look, Emma, I know what you are thinking.  It is a cliche and it is stupid.  I know this.  Look I don’t care what people think, and neither does Harry.  I care for my people and I think you will care for them.  At least that is what your street rep says.”

She was warming to Tony, it was like he was reeling her in.  Ruzek didn’t get it. No one had managed to get close to her.  She was too suspicious and too smart.  “Man, you would believe he was ready to run away with Hank.”

Erin said nothing. She just shared a look with Alvin as it was closer to the truth than any of them realised.  “Stranger things have happened.”

*&*&*&*&*

The business dinner took two hours, and Jay was groped more times than a nightclub session.  He was feeling hunted, which was stupid for a former Army Ranger.  What he would never unsee was his boss being lovey-dovey with the newbie.  No one would ever say shit to Hank Voight about his personal preferences. There were one too many rumours floating around about what happened to those who crossed him.   

Tony had done it.  They watched in disbelief.  Tate agreed to the sale of the fake company.  The recordings from the dinner along with the signatures would be enough to bring her down.

They left the restaurant, Hanks hand on the small of Tony’s back.  Smart operatives knew they were under surveillance at all times and never broke cover.  It was how you got sloppy and burnt.  In their cases, burnt meant dead.

Alvin was the first to comment, “I thought you were selling Halstead?”

“She didn’t want to fight Erin for him,” was Tony’s quick witted response.

The team sucked in a breath.  All were aware of the feelings on all three sides.  The sides being Erin, Jay, and Hank.  The trouble for the potential couple was their boss cast a long shadow.  Still, Hank was in a good mood and debating his rules.  He was many things but he wouldn’t be a hypocrite.   “Well, I wouldn’t want to fight Erin for who she wants.”

He saw Erin spin around to look in his eyes.  He nodded and the blinding smile that lasted for a split second made it all worthwhile.

Erin snickered, “Can we go to Molly’s and make a promise not to sell anyone?”

Tony sighed, “You guys have fun.  I need to unwind, I hear my piano and Macallan calling me.”

The team split as there wasn’t much more they could do until Tate signed the business forms.  Hank watched as all the team split from the scene quickly.  Tony turned around, “If you can put up with some jazz piano ... I can offer the good whiskey.”

Hank shrugged, “Sure, why not?”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*

The apartment was nice.  Too nice for a cop’s salary.  Tony saw the question and answered the unspoken question.  “My mother’s side of the family, are old money English rose types.”

Hank snorted, “No comment.”

Tony rolled his eyes, “You made no verbal comment but your eyes spoke volumes.”

Hank chuckled, it came out raspy thanks to the whisky. “You know not too many speak to me the way you do.”

Tony did smirk, “I worked under Leroy Jethro Gibbs for ten years.  You don’t scare me.”

Hank looked at Tony, and could see the truth in his words.  He didn’t scare him, that was true.  The atmosphere between them was charged with something more.  All it would take was for Hank to break eye contact. The moment would pass and nothing would change.  

He didn’t.  His eyes kept focusing on those damn kissable lips.  He could kill Erin for putting the idea in his head.  “If you are not scared of me ... What do you feel?”

Tony slid around on the piano stool.  “Too many things that confuse me.”

Hank didn’t agree.  “No, I am not, Anthony. What is it?”

Tony looked up at him,  “You know I usually hate when people call me Anthony.”

Hank smirked, “You shiver when I say it.”

“Damn observation skills,”  Tony sighed with feigned exasperation.

Hanks shrugged, “You have them too.  What do they tell you?”

Tony was shy all of a sudden which was stupid.  He knew this dance, he played it one too many times.  The difference was there were never serious feelings involved with most of the people.   “You like what you see ... And you are trying to feel out how receptive I am.”

Hank shrugged, “Your skills haven’t failed you. So what’s the answer?”

Tony looked at his boss and took a deep breath.  There was no easy answer here.  If he spoke the truth about how much he wanted to explore the connection between them. Then, he was admitting that his life in Washington was over.  Tony bit back his vicious inside voice that said apart from the job what did he have?

If he spoke a lie, then he would always regret it.   He’d gone through too much of life regretting what might have been.  He swore to himself to never let a moment pass him by.  

“I am glad you are not as you seemed,” Tony spoke with rare honesty.  At the start of this, he’d listened to the rumours about him being dirty.  Tony hated dirty cops after his partner,  Danny, and Baltimore.

Hank laughed as that was the kindest thing someone had said about him.  “So do I apply leverage to the Commissioner and make your switch a permanent thing?”

Wow.  No dating or easing him into the idea.  Tony had to play the cautious one. “I will drive you nuts.”

Hank grinned at him, “Probably but I don’t mind.”  

Tony huffed, “And if I talk too much or tell you every movie quote?”

Hank moved closer and Tony sucked in a breath.  This was not how he imagined things going in Chicago.  Hank spoke softly,

“Then I will just distract you.”

Tony didn’t whimper, it was a novel experience.  He was usually doing the seducing, not being the seduced.  He was okay with the switch up.  “How will you do that?”

Tony didn’t get a verbal answer.  He was blown away by the kiss.  It was dominating and a battle, of epic fun, promising so many things.  Tony didn’t think, he gave himself over to the emotions.  The kiss broke and he couldn’t help but be disappointed,

“I have too many suits.”

Hank smirked, “Why would you need suits with me?”

Tony’s mind wandered to a fun, sinful place.  “On a first date?”

“I will still respect you in the morning,”  Hank promised him and there was no more talking.

&*&*&*&*&

Tony did have respect and a new job.  It seemed the Commissioner had the burning desire to create a liaison between Intelligence and the rest of the city.  He felt that Voight didn’t have the right people skills to be effective.  Tony with his people skills was such a guy.  The change in role was perfect.  Tony excelled and flourished going back to a role he loved.  Hank didn’t want to kill as many people as he didn’t have to speak to them

Win, win.

Oh, and at the end of the day, they went home and distracted each other.