"Chicago?" Tony asked as he peeked over Tim's shoulder. "Why are you going to Chicago?"

Tim swatted at Tony the way one would swat at a mosquito. "Would you get out of my personal space, DiNozzo?" He went back to looking at the website of Chicago attractions, making note of those that looked particularly interesting. "I'm going to Chicago because I need a break. It's been a while since I last had a vacation and I think I've earned it," he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

The past few weeks had been stressful for Tim. Jethro (the dog) had been howling every night for the past week. Nothing he did – no amount of food or exercise or love or attention – could placate the poor animal. On top of that, the team had been laden with cases. Every time they closed one case a new case appeared before them and they sprung into action. Tim had considered attaching a caffeine IV to his wrist just to keep him going, but he soon realized how ridiculous that sounded. After all, where was he going to find an IV needle and a bag that could hold a day's worth of coffee?

The icing on the cake, though, was his publisher's constant calls asking about the next book. He was only a month away from his deadline and he was at least six chapters away from the end. At first he had told her that he worked best under pressure and that he would be fine, but that could only appease her for so long. He'd begun screening his calls to avoid the inevitable scolding and reminders of just how much money she had sunk into this book.

"But why Chicago? Why not the Bahamas or something?" Tony asked. "You could lie on a small beach while a coconut-shell bra clad girl brings you Mai Tai after Mai Tai."

"I burn easily, Tony, and I hate the beach." The truth was Tim had thought long and hard about where he wanted to take his much needed vacation. New York had been a thought, but it was so close to D.C. it would barely feel like a vacation. L.A. had been the next thought, but it wasn't Tim's style. Besides, he'd prefer going to a city where he wouldn't require a car to get around. Hawaii was too tropic, New Orleans was too Southern, and Las Vegas was too wild. Chicago was just right. It was a big city, but not too wild. There were buses and trains to get him wherever he needed to go. The museums were interesting, especially the planetarium. He couldn't book the tickets fast enough. "Chicago is a nice place for me to relax."

"What's a vacation without a beach? Are you at least going to go clubbing and sample the night life?"

"Tony, I'm taking a vacation to rest, not to get plastered each night."

"And you plan to pick up girls…how?"

Tim rolled his eyes. "Tony, this isn't a booty call!"

"Booty call? Do people call rear ends often, McGee?" Ziva approached his desk with a perplexed stare.

"No, Ziva, it's a term referring to sex."

"And you are not having sex?"

Tim looked ready to explode. "No! I mean, yes I've been having sex, Ziva, but I'm not taking a vacation to sample the local women. I just need a break from everything." He grabbed his things and readied himself to leave. "I hope you guys enjoy the rest of the week. When I return on Monday I will be far more rested than I have been these past few weeks," he promised, giving the two a wave as he headed to the elevator.

The doors opened and Tim happily stepped inside. In his mind he saw himself lying in a queen-size hotel bed, flipping through 120 channels as he ate from his room service tray. As the elevator doors closed, Tim sighed and leaned back against the wall of the elevator. Everything was set. Abby had agreed to dog-sit Jethro for the weekend. He had a plane ticket for tomorrow morning and three night reservations at one of the Marriott hotels. Friday he would do some sight seeing and spend the night at the LaSalle Bank Theater to see Jersey Boys. On Saturday he would see the intellectual stimulation Chicago had to offer, namely the Field Museum, Art Institute, and, of course, the planetarium. Sunday morning he'd return home, finally rested up for the night. His eyes closed in a bit of ecstasy, just thinking about how glorious the next couple of days would be.

AN: This is actually already finished and I'll probably post one chapter a day (five chapters in all).