Dead Letter

Due to a quirk in the agency's internal server, it took the electronic message a day and a half to cross from one side of the bullpen to the other, instead of the usual ten seconds. So while the e-mail was sent at two o'clock on Tuesday morning, when all members of the team except one were asleep at their desk, it didn't reach its destination until ten o'clock Wednesday night. Then, with everything going on, it was another day or two before anyone thought about checking e-mail.

And when Agent Timothy McGee saw the sender's name, sitting innocently in his in-box, it was another week before he could bring himself to open it.

From: Special Agent Todd, Caitlin

To: Special Agent McGee, Timothy

Re: Tony

I don't think he really told all the girls you were gay. I mentioned it to Amanda in the evidence garage, and she didn't seem to know what I was talking about. Probably Tony was messing with our minds, which doesn't make him any less immature, but less of a jerk, right?

Don't let him get to you, Tim. I think Tony really does like you.

He clicked on 'Reply,' even though she was dead, even though the message would be bounced back as undeliverable, or sucked into the void of cyberspace. Thanks, Kate, McGee typed. I miss you.