Alison Hart: I know you take any short cut to a conviction.

Gibbs: Really? That doesn't sound like me?

--

The following morning in the bull pen was anything but quiet.

"So you think Bell sick Hart on us to spy on us?" Tony wasn't against theorizing, and neither were his teammates.

"It makes sense, given the gentleman who was following us," Ziva added. "Perhaps they are trying to catch us with a red hand."

"It's handed." Tony quickly corrected.

"Handed me what?"

He didn't respond…to that part at least. "Bell doesn't really think he can take the boss down with a sly foxy lady…the man is solid rock."

"You're right," Tim eventually chimed in. "He should've sent her after you."

Tony scoffed. "Well aren't you the comedian?"

Ziva stopped the bickering before it started. "That is a valid point McGee…it did appear that Miss Hart knew more about us than she was leading us to believe…and you do not get to be a Colonel without some expertise in gathering Intel. There is no doubt he knew that Tony would be the more vulnerable target…"

"Hey!"

She ignored him and continued. "So why would he not send her to him? After all, he is the obvious choice."

"Okay, I get it already."

Tim agreed with her, naturally. "DiNozzo didn't put him in prison, Gibbs did. Rather ruin his career than Tony's."

"True as well." Ziva smiled at him. "You are good at this McGee."

Tony broke in. "Don't mean to interrupt your love fest here, but if Bell is after the boss, then why not just say so? What's with the run around?"

"What is the fun in that?" Ziva responded instantly. "Gibbs has caused him much discomfort; I am sure both physically and mentally…"

"Not to mention financially," Tim added, the two playing well off each other. "If I were the boss, I'd be worried."

"Is that so McGee?"

Tim wasn't sure but he might have just lost the ability to speak. Only before he could find out for sure, his partner rescued him.

"Worried about your car not starting in this cold weather boss…those old…older trucks can sometimes freeze up."

"Have a lot of older trucks growing up DiNozzo?"

"No, uh…well, that's just what I hear."

Gibbs didn't dignify it with a response and slipped behind his desk in silence. The rest of the day was relatively uneventful…that was until it was time to go home. McGee was around a bit later than the rest of his team, as he finalized some paper work. It was only seconds before he reached for his desk light that a shadow cast itself over it.

"Hey boss…need something?"

"An explanation would be nice."

Tim took in a breath. "We were just tossing around theories boss. It was harmless, I swear."

"You think Colonel Bell is harmless, McGee?"

"No…"

"Then tell me your theory."

"Well, it was more of a group theory, but we figured Bell has to be gunning for ya boss, maybe trying to get even."

"Good theory." Gibbs sipped his coffee and let his expression speak for itself.

"But we're aware of it now, so we'll be more careful."

"We?"

"Well yeah boss. He comes after you; he comes after all of us."

Gibbs almost smiled. "Good night McGee."

Tim didn't expect much of a response anyhow. "Night boss." He made his way out of the bull pen before turning back for a moment. "About earlier today, when I said you should be worried if I were you…"

Gibbs cut him short. "You're not me McGee."

Tim nodded with a smile, before turning to leave. "Wouldn't be such a bad thing if I was boss."