24. The good; the bad; and the weird (Sheriff Stlin...

Tony had no idea what he was doing here.  His Dad had asked him to check on a brother and it was news to Tony that he even had an Uncle.  He had tried not to lose his temper.  He valued family above all else, mainly because as a kid he had had so little of it.

He drove into small town Beacon Hills.  It was so quiet compared to Washington and the other cities he was used to.  He could like it here Tony thought.  It was a stray thought.  Crazy too.  He was a Federal Agent and good at his job.  He had no reason to want to give it all up. Well, no that wasn’t strictly true.  He was in a funk and starting to wonder if his job was the cause.

The town was odd.  The vibe from the town was just weird so Tony went to pick up a newspaper to find out what was going on. He also picked up the phone to call his Dad wanting a few more details.

“So this Uncle of mine, does he have a name?”

“Well, hello to you to Junior.”Tony sighed because his Dad knew how much he hated being called that.  Their relationship was slowly being patched up but it was at band-aid level of strength right now.  It could easily blow.  “Senior, I am tired, cranky and I need a name to start somewhere.”“He took his wife’s name, Hale.”Tony chuckled because that was cool.  He could guess why his Dad and his brother had fallen out if that was the case.  Senior was always about image.  He ignored the rant about to start. “What’s my Uncle’s first name?”“Robert.”Tony decided to end the call before his headache could start. “Thanks, I’ll be in touch.”Tony had a name, and he had his hands on a newspaper.  He figured the best thing he could do was find the Diner, grab some food and do some reading.  He had a name at least, Robert Hale.  The trouble was his Dad had not spoken to his brother in twenty years and a lot could happen in twenty years.

The conversation between two kids on the next row shed light on the situation.  “He is a serial killer I am telling you!” The dark haired boy insisted.

The other one rolled his eyes, “You don’t really believe Hale is a killer ... A creep, maybe but not a killer.”

The young teen was not be swayed and Tony was using his skills to avoid notice.  

The teen with the buzz cut was trying to persuade his stubborn friend. “Come on, Derek lost most of his family in that fire. Cut him a break.”

Tony didn’t drop his mug but it was a close thing.  Hale fire, it couldn’t be! Could it? Tony needed more answers and listening to teenagers gossip was not likely to lead to the truth.  What he did think was that he could maybe get some directions.“Hey, excuse me. Can you point me towards the Sheriff’s office?”Buzz-cut narrowed his eyes. “Why?”

Tony wasn’t taken aback because it was a protective question, not a rude one.  “Because I need to talk to the Sheriff, I work for NCIS.”The brunette wrinkled his nose. “Never heard of it.”The other boy did know. “It’s the Navy cops.”

Tony nodded his head. “That’s right. I’m impressed.”Stiles shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.  “It was a research binge.”

Tony didn’t say anything. “It’s all cool, I’m just relieved I don’t have to explain my job.”

Stiles flashed him a quick smile, Tony was guessing the kid didn’t get a lot of easy acceptance.  The boy was quick to recover and shrug it off. “Anyway let’s go take you to see Pops.”The brunette frowned. “I thought we had that other thing to do Stiles.”

“Don’t be rude Scotty and besides, it won’t take long to take this guy down to see Pops.”The friend scowled and stormed away - Stiles sighed. “Sorry about that ... He’s a bit high strung this week.”Tony wasn’t quite sure what to say. “Err I think I should be saying that to you.  Sorry if you had plans.”

“It’s cool - my Dad is the Sheriff so it’s like I’m performing my civic duties.” he smirked.

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

Tony walked into the Sheriff’s office and there was nothing to distinguish it from the other hundred he’d seen. Well, there may be one thing, the hello salty goodness kind.  The Sheriff was hot and looked like he could handle himself so there were two of Tony’s biggest kinks right there.

“Hey Pops.  This Agent would like to talk to you.”

The Sheriff gave his son a fond but exasperated sigh. “Does the Agent have a name, Stiles?”

Stiles looked sheepish. “I’m not too sure, I was trying to convince Scotty that although Derek may have murder eyebrows that doesn’t make him a killer.”

“I appreciate you remembering a little thing like evidence,” John added in a dry voice.

Tony chuckled. “I’m not here in a professional capacity, I am looking for some family history and I was hoping you could help me.”“Step this way then,” the Sheriff said, pointing at his office.  John had noticed his son’s ability to surround himself with beautiful people but they were always ridiculously young.  John was pleased to see whilst a little younger, the Agent was closer to his age with a fantastic ass.  The Agent also had good taste, seeing as he was wearing Armani jeans that emphasised that perfect ass to perfection.

Tony could hear the conversation on the way into the office that was going on between the Sheriff’s son and his Deputy.  

“Was my Dad checking out the hot agent?”  

Tony wanted to grin but it was hardly the right setting.  The Sheriff was hot and due to his son’s comment it seemed Tony may be in with a chance.  He may have come to town on what could be a wild goose chase but things were looking up.

The woman chuckled. “Oh yeah but it was not all one way.”

Tony wanted to make a comment like, “ Did they think he was blind?”   The Sheriff was hot and he had to be, not many people could make the Sheriff uniforms attractive.  Well, Tony had always thought that until he met Sheriff Stilinski.

“Sweet.”

Tony knew then that if this was going to go anywhere then he at least appeared to have the son’s approval.  He was not sure what he’d done to deserve such confidence but Tony wasn’t someone to look a gift horse in the mouth.

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

Tony sat down on the chair offered.  “I was asked to research an Uncle for my father.  Sadly, the old man is not too good with details.” Tony’s face managed to convey his frustrations. “All I got was he was my father’s brother, Robert and he took his wife’s name, Hale.”

The sheriff stiffened because he knew that family.  “Yeah son, I know who you are talking about.  I’m sorry to tell you there was a family fire a few years back and nearly everyone died ... In fact, now there is just Derek and Peter left from the Hales.”

Tony was sorry to hear it, he would always hate fires.   “Thank you for telling me.”

John Stilinski was a good man who had a good feeling about the agent in front of him. He looked at Tony consideringly. “The son is in town and he could do with a non-judgemental ear if you can stick around for a bit.”Tony stood up. “I have a week before I have to report back to Washington so I guess I’ll be hanging around ‘till then.”As John shook his hand he was caught unaware by a question from the younger man.  “Your shift is over at eight, right?”John wasn’t following.  “Yeah ... Why?”Tony shrugged but decided to be blunt considering how attracted he was to the Sheriff. “I find you interesting and would love to get to know you better. Besides, I hate to eat alone.”

There was a crash outside the office and Tony knew Stiles was eavesdropping.  Tony whispered sotto voce. “I mean every word, I figure you’re a good guy and if you weren’t interested you would say so, in which case we just have a friendly meal together.  So Eight O’Clock?”

John nodded as he wasn’t sure what was going on but knew he would regret it if he didn’t agree.  There hadn’t been anyone since Claudia died that had even created a spark of interest in him.  

John spluttered. “You are too damn attractive for me but I’d be a fool to say no.”

Tony’s natural confidence came to the fore and he was going to make a graceful exit before the Sheriff talked himself out of what they both wanted.  “Yeah you would be so I am going to find somewhere for our date.”The boy crashed through the door. “I can help with that.”Tony chuckled. “Won’t your friend be upset with you?”Stiles shrugged,  “Meh, it’s cool.  This is my Pops and he is more important.”John pointed at his son. “Don’t break him.”Stiles had his patent shit-eating grin. “I am going to leave that up to you Pops.”  Sensing now was a good time to split, he grabbed Tony’s arm and dragged him out of the office.Tony left the office pleased with himself, he was sorry to hear about the extended family but the news was still abstract in many ways. It sounded harsh but he had never known the family and if there was one thing Tony had learnt in his years on the Force/in the Agency is you can’t change the past.  You can only move forward so he would meet his cousin and uncle.  He would do what he could to help them and he would see where things went with the Sheriff.

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

Tony phoned the only person in DC that knew of his true orientation.  “Hello my dark goddess.”“Tony!” Abby screamed down the phone.

Tony smiled just from the joy down the phone. “It’s good to talk to you too.”“What’s up?”Tony sucked in a breath and figured if he was too nervous to say, then he had no right going on the date.  “I have a date with the local Sheriff.”

Abby snorted. “Weren’t you wanting to escape the toxic bitch and track down missing family?”

Tony had to smile at her nickname for Ziva because try as Gibbs did, Abby would never welcome the person who helped contribute to Kate’s death.  “Well, I multitasked and did both but it wasn’t a great story.”“Oh, I am sorry. I hoped you could find better family to connect with.”Tony smiled because Abby always had a far bigger heart than her body. “Hey, I have my little sister. Who else do I need?”

Abby never played fair and she had wanted Tony to settle down and find someone who loved him.  “Someone to love and hold - You know that is what you need.”

Tony smiled.  “I’m working on it.”“I want details on all parts of this trip,” Abby demanded.  “Stop talking to me and go get ready for your date, go for drop dead gorgeous like only you can.”“Yes, ma’am.”

Tony looked at the clothes he’d packed for his little trip.  He had had his black ass hugging jeans, and a black dress shirt.   Yeah. He could make that work without looking like he was trying too hard.  Tony didn’t want to explain to himself why this first date mattered so much but it did.

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

Tony had found a cute restaurant online, based off recommendations and reviews.   It was apparently a good Italian place.  Tony could probably cook the food himself but he was a little lacking in a kitchen with his apartment back in Virginia.  He’d text John the place having grabbed his number from the man’s son.  

He waited outside the place, wanting to enjoy the warm night air.  There was something about this place that set his ‘gut’ off but he didn’t care.

“You are just a little too good looking to be hanging out around here.”Tony whirled around with a massive smile on his face.  “I’m here for you so let’s go inside.”

The inside was perfect, it wasn’t too fancy or too cliched. It was homey and you could get lost there. Tony ordered the food in Italian, it was nice to use his linguistic skills in a way that wouldn’t be judged.  The owners, a pair of aging Italians, were delighted with the handsome young man and told the Sheriff to look after him.

John had to smile at the adorable blush.  “There is nothing to blush about.”Tony smile was sheepish as he tried to explain.  “It’s been awhile since anyone has called me cute and adorable.”

John frowned. “I thought you worked with hotshot investigators?”

Tony snorted. “They like to think so but in reality, I am the investigator on the team.”  He didn’t want to let the toxic duo spoil his evening, it was like Abby said, he should have fun.  John shook his head. “They may not be investigators but they can’t be blind.”

Tony laughed and softened, “You are a flatterer alright.”John took his hand, “No I speak the truth, now we better tuck in because Maria keeps glaring at me.”

Tony twirled his food around his fork and savoured the beautiful cooking.  It was a good evening already; good food, good company - What more could a man ask for?  “You too, now I should warn you I have strict instructions on what you can and can not eat.  Stiles made me repeat them to him to make sure I understood.  He would make a great teacher.”

John’s face fell thinking all his favourite food’s were about to disappear until Tony reassured him,

“Relax John I won’t deny you meat but I will not lie if Stiles asks.”

John let a sigh of relief. “I love him, I do but you shouldn’t mess with a man’s meat.”Tony was proud he was a grown up but he at least showed his sense of humour.  “You should be glad I am a grown Federal Agent or I wouldn’t have been able to resist the innuendo there.”

John chuckled. “Who said I wanted you too?”

Tony smiked. “Touche.”

John asked. “So what do you do when you are not chasing down leads?”Tony’s face lit with enthusiasm. “I watch old movies, play my piano and play as much sport as my lungs will let me.”

John frowned.  “Your lungs?”Tony shrugged it off for now as it was a date and he liked the light-hearted time they were having.  “I may have had a small run in with the pneumonic plague.  Short story - I survived.”  Tony wanting to distract him.  “So what about when you are not running the county?”

John shrugged.  “I like shooting and listening to Jazz music.”

The shooting practice was becoming more and more necessary the longer he stayed in Beacon Hills as the events got stranger and more dangerous.

The conversation kept flowing and at the end of the night Tony found himself not wanting the date to end.  He offered to walk John home, wanting to extend the evening.  John was a widower and this was his first serious date since his wife’s death and Tony wasn’t going to push.  

When he got to the Stilinski door he would have been happy to leave, and text John for a lunch date tomorrow. It was his plan, so he was grinning when John pulled him close and delivered a steamy kiss that had him gasping for breath.  

John recovered first, “See you tomorrow Tony.”“You can count on it.”

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

Tony may have enjoyed his first date with John but his next two dates would ruin him for anyone else.  He doubted anyone could top finding out about what went bump in the night.  The third date involved breaking a massive corruption and murder family, the Argents, that targeted families (werewolves).

The look on his teammates faces when he came to work the next day to a personal handshake by the Director of the FBI.  He just wished he could have taken a photo to message John.  Oh well, he shocked them further when he took up of the offer to run the FBI San-Francisco Office.  He loved the weather and people down in California - both far less toxic. And then there was John.