20. Life on Mars? (Mark Watney-the Martian)

Life on Mars 

Tony hated how much he loved Mark. If he was selfish, he would tell Mark that the Mars mission was stupid and too risky and how dare he risk himself?

He wished he could be that guy but he couldn’t. He wasn’t a hypocrite and Mark had put up with his life first as a cop and then a Federal Agent.  Tony tried to be many things but not a hypocrite.  It sucked as to make sure both of their lives weren’t affected by their choice of lover they kept their relationship secret.  It was the weakest cover story but they had been roommates for a long time.

Tony would flirt low key with women to maintain the facade.  It was the funniest and most ironic thing Mark had ever heard - Tony, the player.  The amount of women Tony had been with since he’d met Mark was zero.  Still, if you went to the NCIS office you would think he was the biggest player.  

They did do one thing, and Tony used his favours to do it.  They married before Mark went to Mars and the favours were used to keep it out of the press.  He had one person stand up for him, Gibbs, and Mark had his friend, Beck, who was also going on the Ares Mission.

*****Everything was fine, Tony had used the time Mark was away to study for his doctorate.  It turns out being married to a sexy geek made Tony want to study.  Mark had some wicked incentives for studying but they would probably raise eyebrows at a University.  

The day was standard.  He got to the office, avoided killing his teammates for their unprofessionalism and got on with his tasks. He wanted to get home on time.  It was day five of their mission and it was Mark’s time for a personal call.  Tony couldn’t wait.  He knew this was what Mark needed to do and it would kill him not too.  

“So who has got you so excited?” Ziva sneered.

Tony normally would engage Ziva to annoy her as it was amusing. Not today.  He didn’t have the energy.  

“I was doing my paperwork to get it done on time. You should try it.”McGee looked up in shock, Tony very rarely bit back in that way.  It was noticeable that Ziva had no retort.  He tried to defend Ziva, “There is no need to be like that Tony.”“Oh, there is.  You need to know that as SFA I have every right to remind you when you are not doing your damn job.”

Any other comments stopped when Tony saw the Media Relation head for NASA, Annie Montrose, in the bullpen. He paled on sight because she was too busy a woman to be here for just any reason. “I need to take this conversation.”

McGee wanted to dismiss this as flirting with a hot woman.  He didn’t because of the way Tony reacted to her - he looked shook up.   He couldn’t think of many things that scared him, he’d survived the plague for christ sake.

****

Tony wasn’t going to let anyone see him react to whatever news she had.  It was private, personal business.  He took Annie into the meeting room.  They had already met, they were in love and risk takers but they were not irresponsible.  Annie Montrose’s job was difficult enough as it was, they refused to let her be blindsided should they be discovered.

Tony didn’t bother to make this difficult, “Don’t say it.”Annie did look sad, “They had to scrub, a solar storm hit faster and nastier than anyone could predict.  As they aborted Mark was hit with debris.  His monitor flatlined.  For what it was worth it was quick.”

Tony missed the chair as he collapsed onto the floor.  This was all his worst fears at once.  His chest felt tight and he couldn’t breathe.   “When?”  He wheezed out because this changed everything.“We found out an hour ago.”Tony sighed because he was well aware of how NASA worked. “How long until it is announced and my name is dragged into the press?”“What do you mean?” Annie asked him in confusion.

Tony chuckled but it was hollow and devoid of any humour, “You will feed me to the press and the story to deflect from the failure and play up the heartache angle.”Annie sighed because this sucked and he was right.  It wasn’t personal but this failure could see end of the mars missions.

“I have twenty hours before I have to give a press release.”Tony still was on the floor with his arms hugging his legs. “I see, well, small tiny bright side my bitch of a director can’t force me to go undercover now.  Christ, I will never be able to go undercover again.”

Annie was not the total bitch she portrayed, “What are your degrees?”Tony looked sheepish, and the odd question considering all of his feelings threw him and he answered with honesty.  “Phys. Ed from Ohio State, a Masters in psychology from George Mason and I am ABD in political science from Georgetown.”

“You ever think about Media Relations?”Tony had experienced job offers before but never under such trying circumstances.  Grief was all he could feel and he was numb to anything else but even so, he wasn’t naive.  “I’ll let you know.  When will you want me at NASA?”She chuckled, “What do you mean?”Tony sighed, he still hadn’t got off the floor. He figured his husband was dead so it was allowed.  “You will want to control the media and them having access to me stops that.”She looked sorry knowing it was the last thing Tony wanted or needed.  He would be surrounded by the very place that got his husband killed. “NASA may not be your favourite place but the centre is secure and no press are allowed in living quarters.”Tony nodded, “I will settle my affairs and phone you.”She handed her card over, “I am on the line when you need me.  It is not the best circumstances but we look after our own Tony.”He nodded.

She left having said her piece, she hoped there was someone who knew about Mark.  His boss was standing outside the door.“What did you do to him?”Annie was under no illusion what she was about to say. “I just delivered the worst possible news I could. Look after him.”“Don’t tell me how to watch a man’s six,” was the gruff reply.

Annie chose not to say anything and left the building.  When she reached her car, which she knew was bug free she phoned Teddy, the Director of the Agency.  “It’s done.”“What did you do?”Annie rolled her eyes, “I offered him a job as my Deputy.”“Why?” Teddy asked her in blatant curiosity.  

Annie snorted, “The guy is gorgeous, great to put in front of the cameras.  He hides his intelligence and is according to Mark the best undercover operative ever.  Oh, and his education isn’t lacking either.”

***

Back inside NCIS, Tony had no idea about people’s plans.  He was a man adrift and for once, all his masks were down.  This was him and it hurt.  He didn’t know what to say, or how to act.  It was scary in a way Tony hadn’t felt since his had Dad had left him alone in a hotel room as a kid.

Gibbs stormed into the room and froze for a second seeing Tony crumpled on the floor.  He could hear the musketeers outside, trying to get in. Idiots. Gibbs had locked the door so they should have caught a clue.

Tony didn’t need the hyenas, he needed a friend.  “Let it hurt, grieve and I will be here for you.”Tony chuckled weakly because damn, it must be bad. Gibbs was being nice to him and it was first time since he’d come back from his siesta.  “Mark’s dead.”Gibbs had to think. His memories were not as they should be.  It was a good thing too, christ, he’d got it so wrong.  He didn’t care about how it looked to anyone else, he slid down next to Tony and hugged him.   “I’m so sorry Tony, I never wanted you to know how it feels.”Tony let the tears fall but he didn’t acknowledge them.  “The press is going to have my name by the end of the day as they sensationalise the story.  It won’t matter he was a human being with a family.  All they will care about is the story ... Gibbs it will take away my work not that they will think about that.”Gibbs just gave him a one-armed hug, “We will go talk to Jenny and then I am taking you home.”Tony sighed as right now, staying on the floor and ignoring the world sounded good.  “On the bright side... I don’t have to seduce Benoit’s daughter.”“You what!”Tony didn’t think about it he explained all about what Jenny had demanded he do.  It didn’t sit right with Mark away on Mars.  Gibbs rubbed his face, “Oh, we’re all going to have a “clear the air” meeting.”

It was at that point that McGee and David fell through the door they’d been listening at so closely.  They got up without an ounce of shame. Gibbs was the one to bark first, “What do you think you are doing?”“We wanted to know if Tony was okay,” McGee tried.

Tony didn’t care anymore, he decided venting was cathartic.  He may be lost right now but he could tell his time at NCIS was at an end so there was no point in holding back.  “No, you just hoped I was in trouble, well news flash dumbasses, I am not as stupid or as promiscuous as you were led to believe.”Ziva and Tim stood there with gaping mouths, outrage clear on their faces.  Gibbs found himself smiling.  He was ready to have Tony’s back like he should have all along.  He got it wrong but he would make it right.  He’d been ready to jump in but in this case, he didn’t need to.  

“Gibbs aren’t you going to say something?” David demanded.

“It’s about time you go and write your damn reports.  Tony and I need to talk to Jenny”*****

The conversation did not go how they expected.  “You are married and you didn’t inform the agency?”Tony shook his head, “That is incorrect Madam Director.”

She pursed her lips, “So who knew?”“Well I did,” Gibbs had to say, “I did stand up for him at his wedding.”

Jenny pursed her lips, “Your name is about to be splashed all over the media and you will be expected to be the grieving spouse.”Tony looked at her sharply, “That is exactly what I am.”“You will be ruined for undercover work.”

Tony snorted knowing the angle she was most pissed about, her precious unsanctioned op.  “You know what? I am sorry if I cannot help you with your vendetta with Benoit but I have other priorities.”“Like what?”

Tony growled, “My husband is dead Madam Director.”

She rolled her eyes, “You are fired, you will be no use to the agency.”Tony snorted, “Actually I will save you the trouble. I quit as NASA offered me a job.  I was dead set on hating their guts but they do show loyalty to their own at least.”

Gibbs had never been so proud of Tony.  “You know what Tony, I think I am going to talk to Davenport and then retire.  I am done with this crazy.”

Jenny was seeing her whole world crumble beneath her feet.  She wouldn’t survive the fallout with her job.  

****

Tony had taken the role at NASA. He’d delivered a simple but heartfelt eulogy for Mark as was his right as his husband. The fact that it gave a layer of protection to Teddy Sanders, the Director of NASA - well all the better.

The big honchos were all in a meeting. It was crazy how quickly Tony had become one of them.  Teddy offered a simple, “It was a good eulogy.”Tony wasn’t sure what he could say, “Thank you.”

Working on the problems was a good way to distract himself and it helped that it was Mark’s agency.  It allowed him to stay close.

A young blonde raced into the meeting and stood to attention.  It wasn’t difficult to understand when faced with the Head of the Agency; the Head of the Mars missions, the Flight Director; the Head of Media Relations and her Deputy.

“You need to see this.”

Tony nearly fell over but it was brilliant.  He had hope once again after seeing the photo.  Written in the red dust was the message “I  [3  ya T and I am comin’ home.”  There was only one person who would write that message. Mark was alive and coming back to him.

Tony would do everything in his power to make that happen.