A/N. This is starts around the time of the season 8 episode Dead Reflection after Tim finds out about E.J.
As McGee and DiNozzo work at their desks in the darkening squad room Tim darts the occasional not-too-furtive glances at his colleague.
"Spit it out McQuisitive." Tony stops typing and turns towards Tim.
"Huh?" Tim stops typing and tries but totally fails to look confused by Tony's comment.
"I'm a very special agent and I know you want to say something so, what is it?"
"You're really sleeping with agent Barrett?" McGee refocuses on his computer screen.
"Haven't we already discussed this enough?"
Tim turns to face him. "Actually, no. You announced it, said Gibbs was giving you grief and then we entered the building. That is nowhere near enough of a discussion of you breaking one of Gibbs' rules and dating a colleague especially since..."
"Take a breath McHet-up. Especially since what?"
"Ah. Nothing."
"That is not a nothing face probie. It is a something face. Come on, tell me."
"I don't think anyone is meant to know. Although I guess Gibbs does becuase he knows everything and it would explain his attitude."
"If no-one is meant to know then how come you do?"
"I did a little digging when E.J. started here. Gibbs was acting kinda strange, Ziva's ninja senses were tingling, you seemed interested and well...I like to know who I'm working with." He looks a little shamefaced to have been caught digging into a colleague's life.
"It's okay Tim. That curiosity is what makes you such a good agent. What did you find?"
"If you're dating her you probably already know and if you don't then you should know that she's SecNav's niece."
"Oh. No, I didn't know."
"Oh."
Tony smiles. "I can understand why she'd want it kept secret..nepotism claims.. and we haven't been dating that long..." He stops speaking as another thought occurs to him. "But Gibbs...why wouldn't he..."
"He didn't tell you this when he talked to you about her?"
"No. Just did the whole my team my rules routine." DiNozzo sighs.
"You are his senior field agent. He should not be keeping things from you."
"Looks like I'm going back to the basement."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"Probably not but...a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do right?" DiNozzo grins but it is clear his heart's not in it.
"Yeah."
With that they return to their work.