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Engaging, Part 1

"So, Probie, do we get to meet the new girlfriend?" Earlier, he had overheard Tim talking to someone on the phone. He had immediately begun to tease the younger agent about his 'secret love'.

"No," Tim replied firmly, shocking everyone with his response.

"Why not?"

"Because I really like her."

Eyes narrowed, "If it gets serious, we'll have to meet her sometime," Tony commented as he walked to stand in front of Tim's desk.

Tim blinked, "It's already serious."

Tony waived his hand dismissively, no doubt to McGeek, a second date was serious. "I mean, serious, serious. You know, marriage. Not serious, it's been a month should I give her a key to my apartment serious."

Tim just looked at Tony not saying anything, before his gaze flitted back to his desk.

"Probie?" Tony asked, his voice filled with questions. When Tim didn't respond, he asked, "Did you give her a key to your apartment?"

"No," Tim admitted, much to Tony's relief. That feeling didn't last as Tim added, "It seemed superfluous since I'm in the process of movin-"

"You're moving?" Tony questioned automatically, "Why? You love your apartment."

Tim smiled fondly, "I do, it's been great," he agreed.

"Then why move?" Tony asked seriously. "Was it her idea? Probie, if she doesn't like your apartment as is…"

"It's not that," Tim tried to explain, "And it was my idea."

"Uh-huh, sure it was," came the skeptical reply from the older agent, "And who picked out your new place? You or her?"

"It was a combined effort, bec-"

"No. No because. Probie, you shouldn't have to move to keep a girlfriend."

"I'm not moving to keep a girlfriend," Tim snapped.

"Then why are you moving?"

Tim remained silent.

"Probie, it's not right," Tony tried again. Tim still silent. "Do I have to get Gibbs involved?"

"Involved in what?" Gibbs asked as he entered the bullpen.

"Probie's moving."

"Okay. Does he need a truck?"

"No," Tony began.

"Don't see why else I need to be involved," Gibbs observed.

"His new girlfriend is making him move!" Tony explained. "He loves that apartment. He shouldn't have to give it up just to keep a girlfriend."

Gibbs's eyes traveled to Tim, "McGee?"

Tim just shrugged and tried to go back to work.

"See! He's not denying it," Tony crowed.

Tim remained silent, Gibbs watching.

"Boss, I think we need an intervention," Tony stated softly.

"I don't need an intervention," Tim retorted.

"Then you need a straight jacket," Tony snapped. "You don't need to move to keep a girlfriend."

Tim snorted, "No, but I would like to live with my wife," he muttered.

"What?!" Tony responded automatically, sure he misheard.

"McGee?" Gibbs questioned.

Tony overcame his shock and responded before Tim could, "You're married? To someone we haven't met?"

"No, not yet," Tim admitted.

"Engaged?"

"Kinda," Tim honestly replied, thinking about it.

"Kind of? What does that mean?"

Tim shook his head, hoping to keep the details to himself.

"C'mon, Probie, you can't say something like that and not explain."

"Tony, it's not any of your business."

"Of course it's my business. Who else is gonna be the best man at your wedding?

"Don't answer that," Tony ordered when Tim opened his mouth to respond. "Seriously, how can you get engaged to a woman none of us have met?" Tony asked. "Don't answer that," he repeated, preventing Tim from speaking again. "What do you really know about her? Not what she told you, but what you know. I'm assuming you did a full background check."

"Tony!"

"C'mon Probie, you're not known for making smart decisions when it comes to girlfriends. Do you really think you're ready for marriage? Especially to a girl you just met?" Tony added, staring at Tim waiting for a response.

"We didn't just meet."

"Talking on the internet for a few months doesn't count," Tony retorted dryly.

"I've known her for years, we've been dating for awhile now," Tim admitted.

Tony straightened up at that news, "And you've never mentioned her to us? Why? What's wrong with her?"

"Nothing, it's what's wrong with you," Tim snapped before moving his gaze to Gibbs. "Can we get back to work now?"

Gibbs nodded and continued to his desk, "DiNozzo, what you got?"

"A probie about to make the biggest mistake of his life," Tony muttered before retrieving his notes on what he found.

Tim has a girlfriend, and apparently the relationship has been going on for a while. Who is she? and what will Tony do to make sure his probie isn't making a mistake?

11-3-18