A/N: Written for the NFA Under McCover Challenge. This is a very long story. 43 chapters in all. It's very Tim-centered with the team, Ducky and a bit of Vance, plus some of my OCs. As usual, I've done too much research for this and it probably still hasn't been enough. If I get something wrong, let me know. :) Otherwise, enjoy the very long road. Some small spoilers for season 7, but nothing detailed.
Disclaimer: Not mine! Not mine! I do not own NCIS, nor do I own the characters, nor am I making any money off this story. Any recognizable dialogue belongs to DPB.
Schism
by Enthusiastic Fish
Chapter 1
"This isn't going to be a piece of cake, McGee."
"I didn't expect it to be."
"It will be very dangerous. You can never let your guard down. Not ever."
"I know."
"When you're going undercover, you aren't acting like the person...you have to be that person."
"Can I ask you one question?"
"Shoot."
"Do you trust me?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you trust me? Do you trust that I have the skills, the ability and the knowhow to pull this off?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Then, let's not waste time on this. If I'm going to get in there, track down these guys, and get you any information...let's focus on that...not on what you're afraid of."
"Tough talk."
"If you keep harping on it, I'm going to freak out. All right? Does that make you feel any better?"
"Of course it does, Probie. You're being way too calm about it."
"I'm being who I have to be. Why not start now?"
"That's the other thing."
"What?"
"Don't forget that you're not really this guy."
"You just said I have to be him. Which is it?"
"It's both. That's why going deep undercover is so hard. You have be your created identity, but you also can't forget that you're someone else. Otherwise, you'll get lost."
"How do you do it?"
"I wish I could tell you. You just have to find a way."
x.x.x.x.x.x.x
Thomas Allen MacKay smiled as he stepped out of his new apartment. It wasn't much. In fact it was crap, but that didn't matter so much because he wasn't in this place for its cushy residential offerings. He was here on business...the kind of business that takes time.
"Don't overdo it, McGee. This is just the beginning. Take your time."
Tim winced. It was jarring to hear his name. "Please, stop calling me that when I'm going out. This is hard enough as it is. Let me be my identity, okay?"
"Yes, sir. Don't mind me trying to help you out."
"I appreciate the help, not the interference."
"Cut the chatter. Get going."
"Yes, Boss," Tim said. He took a deep breath and gathered all the information about his created identity that he could recall at the moment and draped it over himself, like a second skin. He didn't fit easily in it at the moment, but this was to be long term, deep undercover...if he could get in. He had to start somewhere.
Straightening his shoulders, Thomas headed out of the building, down the sidewalk...to the club.
"Haven't seen you around here before," the bartender remarked over the music.
"I just moved into the neighborhood, checking out the scene," Thomas said. He scanned the club. "Not bad."
"You're not drinking much."
"Too much would cloud my thinking. I think deep thoughts," Thomas said with a hint of a smile. "Don't worry. I'll give you business. How are the chicks in this place?"
"Paying or free?"
"Either," Thomas said with a negligent shrug. "I'm not too picky." He looked around the crowded space. "How about her?" He pointed to a blonde...or rather part of her hair was blonde. She also had streaks of red, bright fire-engine red.
"She's free...if you can get her. I haven't seen too many successful attempts."
Thomas looked at her again, more appraisingly. "She takes work, then?"
"Lots of it."
"Expensive?"
"You could probably get a hooker more easily."
"Easy doesn't mean better."
"True enough."
"Does she mind the attention?"
"Not so far as I've noticed. Why you pumping me for information?"
Tim had a moment of panic...and then remembered Thomas again.
"Bartenders are supposed to know everything, right? You noticed me being new. I figured you might have an in on the chicks...keeping things friendly around here."
He chuckled...and Tim relaxed, eased back into Thomas' persona.
"As long as you don't treat her like a broad, she'll keep things friendly...but a word to the wise?"
"I'm open to suggestions."
"She says no...take her at her word. She don't fool around. You act too pushy and she'll mop your pretty face on the floor."
Thomas grinned. "Advice taken and filed away as valuable. I think I'll give her a try."
"Aiming high?"
"I don't know where else to aim."
The bartender rolled his eyes but gave him an encouraging gesture. Thomas leaned away from the bar and headed to the blonde.
"Hey," he said over the music. "You willing to...take a chance?"
The blonde turned and looked him up and down. "Why should I?"
"Any reason you see why you shouldn't?"
"How much of a chance are you asking for?"
Thomas smiled, enjoying the exchange. "How much are you willing to risk? A name? A drink? ...more?"
"How about we start with the name and go from there?"
"Thomas MacKay."
"Julia."
"A last name to go with that?"
"Yes, but not for you to know. Not yet."
"Are you willing to go farther?"
"Give me money and I'll buy my own drink. Girl can't be too careful these days."
"True enough."
"You looking for a score or something else?"
"I'm testing the waters. You looked like the best of the lot."
"And you deserve the best?"
"Trying to get less than the best means that I'm settling. I don't settle."
Julia reached out and patted Thomas on the cheek. "I don't, either." She stood up and then leaned over and whispered in his ear. "But feel free to try again tomorrow, Mac."
She wove through the crowd and disappeared.
Thomas stayed for a while longer, mingling, chatting up a few other girls. Then, after midnight, he headed for his apartment.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x
Tim walked in the door and breathed heavily. He'd never felt so tense in his life.
"Wow, Probie. Very not bad. Why is it that you never act like this when I drag you out places?"
"Because that's not me, Tony," Tim said.
"Very smooth. I approve. I think I like Thomas."
Tim rolled his eyes. "Great. How do you think it went?"
"You got people's attention but didn't push anything. It was excellent."
"Not bad, McGee."
Tim smiled wearily. It was about time they had something positive to say about what he was doing. "Thanks, Boss. When will I have to start worrying about the merchandise?"
"Wait until you get more established. We don't want to make it look like you're trying to move in on their territory."
"Well, I'm going to be doing a lot more than that if we can get in."
"If you can get in, Probie."
"Right. If I can get in." He looked around the apartment. "Everything transmitting all right?"
"Clear as a bale, McGee."
Tim gave an exhausted laugh. "I don't think I've ever been more tired."
"Hard work is good for you. It'll get easier."
Tim sat up and looked over at the video camera. "I'm glad...but is it okay that it also worries me a bit?"
"As long as it doesn't make you screw up, McGee."
"It won't, Boss. I promise. Anything on the bartender?"
"Don't you worry about that for now. We have a lot of work to do on our end. You just be MacKay."
"Is it all right if Thomas goes to bed now?"
"Sweet dreams, McGee."
Tim laughed and got off the moth-eaten couch. He kicked off his shoes and fell onto the bed, asleep almost instantly.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x
"He really got into it, Boss," Tony said. "Except for one little waver, McGee might as well have been MacKay."
"Good."
"I must admit that I was surprised," Ziva said. "He did much better than I expected." She laughed. "He has never been so suave."
Gibbs stared at the camera on Tim sleeping.
"Tony?"
"Yeah, Boss?"
"You make sure that you keep McGee connected with us. Don't let him get in too deep."
Tony followed Gibbs' gaze and nodded. "Will do, Boss."
"I want to take down this drug ring as much as the Navy does, but I don't want to sacrifice McGee to do it."