"I'm Special Agent Gibbs. I need to speak to Mr. Caesar Garcia."

"I'm sorry, but Señor Garcia isn't accepting visitors."

Gibbs felt sorry for the maid; probably here illegally and definitely nervous of speaking to the police. He didn't want to make her feel threatened, so he tried his most charming smile. Taking off his ballcap, Gibbs ruffled his hair and looked around.

"Listen, I'm really sorry to bother you miss, but my boss sent me out here – he's not the friendliest of guys. If I go back and tell him I couldn't get any answers, it's my ass. Are you sure there's nobody I could talk to? It won't take a minute."

The maid still seemed reluctant, but Gibbs kept up his most sincere smile while she decided. Just when it seemed she was going to let him in, Gibbs heard another man's voice coming from the hallway.

"Sofia, who's at the door?"

Sofia turned to look at the man who called her. Gibbs saw her smile, and was surprised to note it was genuine. She began speaking softly in Spanish. Gibbs didn't understand, but the man obviously did. He said something that comforted her, and she left with the smile still in place. Mystery man opened the door wider and smiled at Gibbs.

"Agent Gibbs, was it?"

"Yes," Gibbs answered, suspicious despite the man's good looks. He was about the same height at Gibbs, with light brown hair and startling green eyes. He smiled warmly at Gibbs; no hint of fear. "Who are you?"

"Forgive me. I'm Tony DiNozzo. It's nice to meet you." Tony put his hand out to be shaken, and Gibbs took it. He had time to note the softness in the younger man's hand. Tony probably hadn't done a day's hard work in his life.

Trying not to smirk, Gibbs pulled his hand back. "What's your relationship with Mr. Garcia?"

At this, Tony gave a wry smirk of his own. "Wouldn't you like to know."

"Mr. DiNozzo, I don't have time for this," Gibbs almost growled. "I need to speak to Garcia regarding an open investigation. It can't wait."

"I'm sorry, what department do you work for?"

"NCIS."

This seemed to surprise Tony. Maybe he'd been expecting the FBI. Garcia was already under investigation for something Fornell didn't want to talk about, but was more than happy to use as ground to bitch about Gibbs' investigation.

"Come with me," Tony said and turned into the house. Gibbs followed along as Tony led him through to a study. Garcia was sitting at his desk, an armed guard to his right. He looked up when Tony walked in and scowled.

"What are you doing?" He demanded.

"This is Agent Gibbs from NCIS. He wants to talk to you."

"And you just let him in?" Garcia was standing now. For a moment Gibbs feared for Tony, but the young man stood his ground.

"If you didn't do anything, there's no reason to turn him away," Tony stated with an air of arrogance. Garcia looked about to explode with anger, but Tony started speaking in Spanish. Whatever he said made Garcia pause, and the next moment he was smiling towards Gibbs.

"What can I help you with, Agent Gibbs?"

Gibbs took a photo out of his pocket and handed it to Garcia. "We're looking for this man. Lieutenant Charles Whitworth. Do you know him?"

"No. I can't say I've ever seen him before."

"What about your staff? Your… security?"

Garcia's eyes narrowed, but he dutifully showed it to the guard over his shoulder. "You know this man?"

"No."

Garcia handed the photo to Tony next. "How about you?"

Tony took the picture and looked at it. There was a shift in his eyes that made Gibbs pay attention, and his voice was quiet as he mumbled. "No."

Tony handed the picture back to Gibbs; who looked suspiciously around the room for a moment before putting the photo back in his pocket. "Thank you for your time."

"I'll walk you out," Tony offered.

"No," Gibbs shook his head. "I can find my own way."

Gibbs turned and headed out, overhearing one final sentence in Spanish.

"No debería haber tocado lo que es mío."

(~*~)

As soon as he was off the Garcia property, Gibbs put a call into the lab.

"Abby, I need you to run down a name for me. Tony DiNozzo. I wanna know everything." Gibbs listened to Abby as she rambled about how weird it was for an Italian to be hanging out with Cubans. He let her run out of steam before adding. "How's your Spanish?"