Author's Note: This is just a tad bit shorter than my previous story but I will add to it. Actually I had a pretty good roll on it but at the last second it was scraped and I kept what I had liked most. I will post more to continue this. So here it is =)

Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or it's characters (obviously) just borrowing for a short time. lol

Tony motions to the bartender for two more shots of tequila as he downed his previous two. Mike just shook his head but filled the glasses none the less. Thinking to himself that the man in front of him is usually accompanied by friends or at least one other person.

"You know, some people might get a bad idea about a man drinking alone."

Mike collects the empty shot glasses and cleans them up.

"Normally I would agree with you there but given the night and the things that are going on up here, I'm letting it slide for tonight." Tony states as he taps his finger along his temple. Reaching down for his phone, he checks the time then shakes his head, thinking to himself that the night is still young. He takes out twenty dollars and pays Mike before heading off with a friendly wave. As the wind hits Tony, he smiles and starts to walk with thoughts of home but instead grabs his phone and searches through his contacts then his smile widens when he comes across the name he was looking for. This just might be fun night after all. Tony thinks to himself as he gets into his car and dials the number.

Timothy sits at his desk and stares at his type writer like if he was locked in a staring contest with it. Chewing lightly on his pipe in hopes of a random idea would come to mind but it would not happen. Sighing in defeat, he leans back to stretch only to be surprised at the upside down sight of the ever cheerful goth and his Israeli partner, surprising him as he leans too far back off the chair and lands with a thud.

"Oh my God! Are you okay Timmy?" Abby rushes to Tim as he sits up looking at her confused.

"Abby you scared the life out of me! What are you doing here? Not that I'm not glad to see you." Rubbing the back of his head and smiles at her while she sits by him.

"You don't remember? I told you that we were going to come by so we could go out for a drink or two-"

"Uh huh. When did you ever want to go out for just a drink or two?"

"Careful, I have my own secret ninja with me that could kill you ten different ways with a paper clip-"

"Correction, that's eighteen different ways Abby." Ziva walks into the apartment and shuts the door behind her.

"Oh yeah." Abby giggles "So like I was saying, we are going out for a few drinks and knowing you, you can't get anywhere on that type writer of yours. So that means your evening is free and are going to join us for the night!" Ziva and Abby help Tim off the floor while he looks at Ziva curiously.

"I picked your lock when you would not answer the door." She answers as if she were reading his mind.

Just as Tim was about to say something, his phone started to ring and looks at the screen. Why is Tony calling me? Curiosity getting the better of him, he answers the phone with slight hesitance.

"McGee! What are you doing right now? Wait, hold that thought. Drop whatever you are doing because it's going to be you, me and this case I just picked up." In the background, Tim was able to tell that Tony was driving with a destination in mind.

"As odd and interesting as sharing a drink sounds, I have my hands tied at the moment."

"What does having his hands tied relevant to drinking? Obviously he has the use of them." Ziva looks at Tim while Abby shakes her and laughs.

"Is that Ziva and Abby there with you? Wow, I must say that I'm impressed! I'm guessing that it's Abby's idea for your hands to be tied. Way to go probie!" Tony chuckles.

"We should totally take the drinks to Tony's! I'll buy the food and we'll have a small party!" Abby exclaims excitedly with a smile as well as drawing a small smile from Ziva before it fades quickly. Abby grabs Ziva's arm and starts to make their way back to the car.

"I guess I'll be expecting all of you here soon. I just hope that Ziva isn't driving." Tony laughs and hangs up before Tim could respond.

Thinking about his options, he then grabs his keys and heads down to meet up with Abby and Ziva. Just a few drinks at Tony's with his team mates wouldn't be a bad thing…would it?

1 Hour Later

Making their way up the stairs to Tony's apartment, McGee looks over at both women while keeping an eye on Abby to make sure she doesn't pick at the food. Again. Upon reaching his floor, Ziva goes onward to knock on Tony's door only to be met with the sound of music coming from the other side. The other two come towards Ziva and stand behind her, just as puzzled as their friend.

"Abby, isn't this the kind of music that you usually listen to in your lab?" Ziva questions, listening to the familiar rhythms and beats. Abby and Tim both listen intently to the muffled music, getting closer to the door.

I hear the sound of a heartFrom the shadow in the darkWaiting for the poison to hit its mark

(Listen-My son)I see the darkness surround The shape on the ground The killer straight up and a body face down

(Firstborn-Last one) I hear theDin of the screams, Sorrow in streams The smell of farewell and gasoline

(Listen-My son)I see a heart set free and my legacy Hear a voice from a shadow That is beckoning me

(Firstborn-Last one)

The music starts to lead into the interlude when the three of them hear sounds of a struggle, leaving each of them confused and worried. All was quiet with the exception of the music still playing through the background. That ended when they heard a thud and someone groaning as they hit the floor. Tim looks then nods to Ziva, she reaches for her gun and he throws his weight against the door. Abby steps back and watches as the door flings open, Ziva going in first while Tim grabs his gun and they both point it to the attacker who was kneeling over Tony. His hand on his chest and a knife his other, Ziva notices how tightly the young man was clutching on the weapon.

"Don't move! Federal agents! Drop the knife now!" Tim yells while Ziva sets her sights at the man.

"I would not think of trying anything. It would be best if you do what the he says." Ziva states as she glances at her partner laying on the floor. Tense as the situation has become, they all notice that Tony had rolled over on to his stomach, grinning and slowly standing up. Placing his hand on the younger man's shoulder while putting up another to his friends.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Put the weapons down, I just got the place cleaned up for tonight and really not in the mood for cleaning up blood off the floor. By the way, you owe me a new door McRam, though that was pretty cool entrance." He looks over at the door way at Abby who was peaking from behind the door frame.

"So I'm guessing that they are your friends that you've been telling me all about? I wonder how they show up to holiday gatherings." Dropping the knife slowly then stands up, smiling at the two people in front of him. "I'm Daniel Maldonado. I live one apartment over from Tony." Daniel keeps his hands up, still smiling even with guns aimed at him.

Author's note: One other thing I forgot to mention, I don't own Celldweller or his song "The Last First Born" Only one that I do own is Daniel and the constant ideas that I've been getting to work into the story. Please read and review. If you have ideas of your own or suggestions, feel free to share.