Author's Note: Hello! So sorry for the long hiatus - I'm back with a different story, but don't worry, I have not forgotten about adding tags to "When He Bled Scarlet and Gray". Still looking for inspiration on that, but maybe this will get me going.
So this is (obviously) a "Five Times" fic - it will consist of a prologue and 6 one-shots; however, they will show a progression in the Tony/McGee relationship, and I may reference previous one-shots. Other than that, they can stand alone. The first one shot is close to being finished and I will write the other chapters whenever I have time. Usually I don't post until I have finished a story, but as these are really just a collection of one-shots, I decided to go ahead and do it since I won't be leaving you with any cliffhangers.
This is told through the eyes of McGee, but, as the title indicates, it concentrates on Tony - or more, McGee's relationship with Tony. There is no character-bashing, no pairings, and it's not a death fic. Also, none of these events happened in canon, but other than that, I try to remain in character and consistent with the show.
This is un-betaed, so all mistakes are mine. I hope you enjoy!
Prologue
Anyone who had known Timothy McGee as a child would never have guessed "federal agent" as one of his career options.
It wasn't for any lack of perceived bravery or strength. In fact, despite Tim's shy demeanor, those that took the time to get to know him over the years knew well that it took a lot of heart and courage to stand up to those that had doubted him.
But it was also always abundantly clear to those who knew him well that Tim was a peaceful child. He solved problems with words, not violence. He always made sure to think before he spoke his mind. He cared deeply about the well-being of his friends and family.
He wasn't a "tough-guy" by any means – he was shocked by harsh words or hostile situations. He was deeply affected by the suffering of his loved ones – and deeply troubled by the harsher realities of the world. It wasn't that he was weak, or too innocent to face the "real world". No, Timothy McGee just cared – sometimes too deeply for his own good.
It was this sentiment that led him to NCIS in the first place. He could use his computer skills to solve crimes, to assess terrorist threats, even to prevent tragedies from happening. He began as a low-level computer geek at Norfolk, mostly doing administrative IT work, but occasionally getting called in for a consult on actual cases that needed a little MIT-magic.
It was probably the lowest paying job he could have accepted with his qualifications, but for once, he felt enriched. Like he was making a difference. Even if it was just streamlining the work of the "real agents".
When he'd gotten called into consult for the famed 'MCRT' it had been a dream come true. He'd been eager to prove himself and make an impression on his new temporary teammates.
First, there was Special Agent Gibbs, the ex-marine gunnery sergeant with the legendary temper. McGee had heard the stories. It was rare that an agent lasted longer than two weeks with him. The former sniper was an extremely capable agent, with the highest solve-rate in NCIS history, but also a bastard that worked his agents into the ground and rarely said a word unless it was to tear into an underling. He'd heard rumors that he only still had a job because he had dirt on the Director, but McGee was too smart to believe those – most of the time.
Then there was former Secret Service Agent Caitlin Todd, who'd been hand-picked to protect the President, and also hand-picked for Gibbs' team. She had an analytical mind and a sharp tongue, not to mention a great shot. An expert profiler, she was able to read people easily, giving her an insider look into the minds of the criminals they chased.
And finally, there was Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, former Baltimore Homicide Detective, and Gibbs' right hand man. He was a legend among the FLETC classes just for the fact that he'd survived being on Gibbs' team for over two years. But it wasn't just that he had survived – he'd excelled. In fact, rumor had it that Gibbs was so protective of his second-in-command that he'd knocked out the last agent who'd tried to recruit DiNozzo for his team. Apparently Agent Fornell was allowed to have his wife, but not his agent.
Tim had desperately wanted to be a part of this elite team of agents, and he made the most of his first case with them, coming through with his computer skills every time he was called upon. Apparently someone had been impressed, as he was asked to come back again…and again.
McGee's primary weapon was his keyboard, but he'd also scored well in his FLETC classes, and he knew he could handle a gun. The problem was, he was green - really green. He had absolutely no experience in the field, so when he was called upon to leave the office and accompany an agent in the field, he felt out of his element and surprisingly inadequate.
It didn't help that Agent DiNozzo seemed to always be there to watch – and comment on – his every move. Of course he wanted to impress Gibbs, since he had the ultimate decision in whether or not he might become the fourth member of the MCRT, but for some reason, he also wanted DiNozzo's approval.
Tony was everything he'd wanted to be. He was confident, he was charming, and he was good at his job. He was a sharp investigator and he had the street smarts to get out of the stickiest situations. McGee couldn't even count all of the times in which Tony had smoothly talked his way into or out of something. He had a carelessness about him that McGee would kill for – he was so confident he was doing the right thing, it was as if he never had to think about the consequences.
He'd also heard stories about Tony. About his misadventures with Gibbs. About how he'd saved Gibbs and how Gibbs had saved him. About how, as a two man team, they'd taken down murderers and terrorists, and saved dozens of lives. About Tony's propensity for getting into trouble – and then getting out of it. Word around the yard was that Tony had nine lives, and with Gibbs, he'd already used up almost half of them. But he always came out of it alive - banged up - but alive.
So while Gibbs was the gruff, enigmatic, but distant leader, Tony was the agent that McGee had always dreamed he'd grow up to be like. The suave but dangerous character that threw himself in danger to save lives, and somehow always got the girl. McGee had hoped to learn as much as he could from his experiences with DiNozzo.
The problem was, Tony didn't act like the hero he'd heard so much about. He was the class clown, the guy that never took his work seriously, the guy that never minded his own business, the guy that teased him on a daily basis, the guy that purposefully baited his boss, just to get a headslap. It was hard for McGee to see how the goofball in the squadroom was the same guy he'd heard the stories about.
The man that glued his fingers to his keyboard was also the man who had thrown himself in front of a bullet for his boss?
The man that bombarded them with movie trivia was also the man that had thrown himself into an explosion to protect a little girl?
The man that teased him every day was also the man that ran toward the danger, not away from it?
It didn't make sense. But with DiNozzo, it hardly ever did.
So far on the job, McGee hadn't experienced a situation even close to the ones he'd heard about. He'd also never seen Anthony DiNozzo at any less than 100%. He was always poised and composed, in an expensive suit, with an impish grin on his face. He couldn't even imagine a scenario in which Tony didn't bounce back up with a quick comeback, looking no worse for wear than a few wrinkles in his perfect suit.
He honestly thought he'd never be able to reconcile the two Tony's, and he was content to have it that way. McGee would continue to see Tony as the capable but annoying agent that was always goofing off, and he would leave the other Tony – the one that had been blown up and shot and who knows what else – to the gossips and the FLETC trainees.
It was easier that way.
But, little did Special Agent Timothy McGee know, in the following years, he would come to witness the Tony he'd heard so many stories about. He would be there to watch Tony use up the rest of his remaining nine lives. And he would come to count on the fact that when Tony went down, he always found a way back up – until the one time he didn't.
Hope you liked! This is just the Prologue. Chapter 1 should be up on the weekend at the latest. Reviews are welcome and appreciated, I would love to hear your thoughts!
Peas,
Stephanie