DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS

Written for the NFA "Win a Date with Thom E Gemcity" Challenge

RETURN TO MY HEART

Ch 1

"Trust me Timothy, this will be great. You have a large fan base that will be thrilled with the possibility of meeting you. Plus people love contests. This novel will sell more copies, just because people will want to win."

"I know what you're saying Lyndi, but what if I get some psycho who wins. Someone that wants to play out my story. I've already had to deal with one on the job," Special Agent Timothy McGee, aka Thom E. Gemcity, author of two novels moaned to his publisher Ms. Crawshaw.

"You'll have to put faith in the screening process. I don't want anything to happen to my favorite author. We can even provide an escort if it'll make you feel better."

"It might. I don't know. How much longer is this going to take?"

"We pick the winner next month. Relax Timothy. It'll be fine," she patted his arm as she picked up their lunch tab, slapping his hand as he tried to take it first. "It's a working lunch," she smiled at him.

*A month later

"So McSet-up do you know who your lucky date is?" senior Special Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo teased his partner.

"No. I'll find out tonight after work. Now will you let it rest? The best part of this whole thing will be its ending," Tim was still none the happier over the whole "Win a Date" contest. He liked his anonymity, hence the pseudonym.

"Maybe your date will be a man," new probationary agent Ziva David commented.

Bobbing his head with his lip out Tim said, "That would be par for the course. At this point I really wouldn't care. It's only dinner and conversation."

Tony's eyebrows raised, "Oh really my little Probie! I didn't realize you wouldn't mind a date with a man."

"Why Tony," Ziva narrowed her eyes, "would you have entered the contest then?"

"No Zi-Va," Tony glared. "I was more interested in the preferences of our partner."

"Would it bother you if he did, how do you say it, swayed both ways?"

"It's swing and no, it wouldn't bother me."

"Alright I am sitting right here," Tim had heard enough. He'd known this had been a bad idea and after months of torment, he just wanted it over.

"Yes you are," lead Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs had come to put an end to the taunting of his young agent. "DiNozzo, you got that report?"

"Yes, Boss. Its right here," Tony pulled a folder from beneath a stack of papers. He got up to walk it over to the team leader's desk, winking at Tim as he passed. Tim simply shook his head.

Before Tony could turn to face his boss, he got a sharp slap to the back of his head. Instinctively he replied, "Thank you, Boss."

"This is a place of work. Leave McGee's private life just that- private!" Gibbs ordered.

"Right Boss," Tony dropped the file on Gibbs' desk and, shoulders hunched, returned to his desk.

Tim gave his boss a thankful look and went back to his computer.

Tim met his publisher at their usual table in the rear of DeLucci's. She was smiling and holding up an envelope.

"Well this is the lucky winner," she tried to enthuse her author.

On his part Tim gave her a smile. Resigning to the inevitable, he vowed to make the most of it and not disappoint a fan of his book.

As he sat down she placed it on his plate. "Open it," she clasped her hands together.

Tim rolled his eyes at her excitement. She was almost like a child on Christmas morning waiting to open her gift from Santa Claus.

He placed his napkin in his lap and scooted in, rather enjoying making her wait. Once he was comfortable, well as comfortable as he was going to be, he picked up the envelope and slit open the sealed flap.

A part of him managed to feel some of Lyndi's excitement as he opened the paper. The winner of the contest was a woman, thank goodness. Tim smiled relieved he wouldn't have to put up with any of DiNozzo's teasing.

"Seems my lucky date is Linda McDermott." Tim recalled a girl he dated years ago with that same name. Wouldn't that be great if it was her? They'd broken up when he went off to John Hopkins. It had been a hard decision, but she had her own career in computer design to follow. They had corresponded for a year or so, before both of them had gotten too busy with life in general.

Ms. Crawshaw saw the look Tim had when he said the name, but since he didn't elaborate she let it go. "Fine she's been mailed all the details. We'll have you ride in the limo to her place where you can meet her before taking her to dinner at Vincenzo's. If you choose to do something after you'll have to direct the driver."

Tim nodded still seeing glimpses of the first girl he ever loved. Maybe the only one he ever truly loved.

The meal over, Lyndi bid her best to him for his date. He shook her hand and walked her out to her car.