Special Thanks to my beta, Gotgoats, who is still working, going to school, and being shamelessly pestered by me to read each chapter heheheh…Thanks!

Author's Note: I'm making my own little AU, so if events (real and fiction) don't seem to be happening in a chronological order that makes sense, that's probably why. Then again, this is me, and everybody knows I like to dink with the timelines.

Hit
Chapter 2

Seven months later…

Special Agent Tony DiNozzo threw his head back and his eyes fluttered shut as his body was filled with his partner, Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He grunted in pleasure, unable to form words and his eyes fluttered shut under his enthusiastic lover's ministrations. His fingers scrabbled for purchase on Jethro's shoulders, but could find no purchase and his hands fell back listlessly to the pillow under his head, framing his face with a picture of wanton lust and adoration for his partner.

They would need to head back to work in a few hours; they'd been working nonstop for days, trying to figure out who was behind the deaths of the agents. Someone was killing agents and Jethro, Tony and their team wanted answers. Several hours earlier, Gibbs finally sent everyone home, telling them to rest up, recharge, and be back at their desks by 0800.

He'd pounced Tony almost the instant they walked in the door, and they'd been engaged in passionate coupling ever since. Their bodies were soaked with sweat, and Tony was fairly certain they'd need to change the bed before they tried to sleep in it.

But as their passion continued, Tony's thoughts started to drift. He loved Jethro, was a passionate lover and an eager participant in any of their carnal activities. But Tony couldn't help but wonder what was happening to the agents who were dying. They'd all been undercover. They were all well known, relatively high profile agents, damn talented and brilliant investigators. There didn't seem to be a particular pattern about the agents, other than the fact they were all undercover. They were being made, and they were being killed, and it bugged Tony tremendously.

They'd been working feverishly for several days now, ever since the body of the latest agent—the seventh agent to die in as many months—was found, left in a public place where they'd be sure to be found. Agent Eric Marcel was a relatively young agent, good young man with a high moral code and a face that blended easily into crowds only to be instantly forgotten. He did impressive undercover work, easily sliding into whatever role was asked of him. People often called him DiNozzo Jr. because of his undercover talents…but he'd been somehow made, brutally murdered, and left for dead. Tony had proudly, though unofficially, mentored the younger agent and was greatly affected by his passing.

Tony didn't think he'd get the image of the beaten and strangled young man out of his head any time soon.

He blinked in surprise when Jethro nipped the skin on his chest a little more sharply than normal. "Hey," Jethro looked up at Tony. He must have seen something on Tony's face or in Tony's eyes, despite his efforts to hide it.

He could never hide anything from Jethro.

"You ok?" Jethro asked, crawling up Tony's body and laying on top of his lover.

Tony forced a smile to his face and ran a hand down the back of Jethro's head. He loved his partner so much. He was so glad they didn't need to keep their relationship a secret anymore. With the fall of Don't Ask Don't Tell and the legalization of same-sex marriage, the two no longer felt it necessary to hide what had been there almost since the beginning. Ducky and Abby both smiled knowingly when they announced it to the team over dinner last year. Tony and Jethro suspected they'd both known for some time, but because they hadn't mentioned it, neither had their friends. Tim and Ellie were both a bit surprised. Palmer had also figured it out, but hadn't mentioned it because he wasn't sure. He was happy to know he was right.

"Hey," Jethro pinched Tony's nipple when he didn't answer. Tony blinked and frowned at him when it hurt a little. "What's going on in that head of yours, Tony?" Jethro murmured, one finger tracing a light pattern over Tony's forehead.

Tony's eyes slid shut in shame. "Sorry Jethro," he murmured. "I just…I can't stop thinking about Eric dying. Can't get it out of my head. I'm sorry," he shook his head and leaned up to kiss Jethro. He blinked in confusion when Jethro pulled back slightly. He didn't want to upset Jethro, knew they both needed to let off steam and outside of sparring in the gym this was the best way to do it, but…

"Why didn't you just say so?" Jethro rolled off of Tony and sat back against the headboard of their bed, tugging on Tony until he moved too, resting his head against Jethro's shoulder, one arm wrapped around the older man's waist.

Tony shrugged. "I dunno. Guess I thought if we…well I thought it'd get my mind off of it. Screwed that up," he said sheepishly.

Jethro ran his fingers through Tony's hair. "Just glad it's not something I did," he glanced down at Tony and winked when their gazes met. "You tired?"

"Not…really," Tony smiled and blinked owlishly as his words were broken by a yawn.

"We're going to find whoever's responsible for this. We're going to find them and we're going to nail 'em to the wall."

"I just…I can't help but think…maybe it's someone on the inside," Tony murmured. So far none of the evidence pointed to that. In fact, what little evidence they ever found, didn't really suggest anything at all. "And if it is someone on the inside, it'd have to be someone who has access to all of the records—how else would the killer or killers know which agents are undercover and where they are?" Tony yawned again. They'd been going for days. He settled a little heavier against Jethro and let his eyes slide shut. He was so tired.

Jethro tightened his arms around his partner slightly. "You think it's someone higher up and on the inside?"

"Mmmm," Tony hummed, now mostly asleep.

Something inside of Jethro loosened a bit and he hugged his partner tighter as Tony slid into sleep. Tony hadn't suggested his theory about a mole or about someone higher up being behind these deaths in the office. Jethro wondered at that, and wondered too, if that had anything to do with him being unsure of who might be listening. Director Sheppard was very interested in the investigation, but it was her agents who were dying—she should be interested. But could there be more? Could she know something? Surely not, Jethro thought. Surely the Director of the agency wouldn't have any information on why her agents kept dying. Surely she wouldn't neglect to share if she did.

He had to have faith that they were missing something. The pieces weren't fitting together. There was one big piece in the center and it held the key to the whole case.

Jethro shifted down in the bed a bit and Tony raised his head and looked around curiously. He was so tired; dammit, he just wanted to sleep! Once Jethro was settled, he quickly pulled Tony back down into the embrace. "Shhhh," he breathed, "go back to sleep, it's ok. I was just shifting us a bit."

"Gotta keep working…" Tony mumbled, mostly asleep. "Gotta find 'em, Gibbs."

"We will," Jethro promised. "For now, we need sleep. Just rest."

Tony hugged Jethro a little tighter, not letting go as he finally drifted off. Jethro brushed a kiss against the top of Tony's head and let himself drift away also. Moments later, they were both sound asleep.

xxx

They'd barely been asleep for an hour when the call came in on Tony's phone. He groaned and rolled over, slapping blindly at the bedside table, looking for the phone without opening his eyes. Finally retrieving it, he flipped it open and pressed it to his ear, still not opening his eyes.

"D'n'zo," he mumbled. Beside him Jethro rolled over, spooning up behind him, and let out a long, sleepy sigh.

Tony was almost asleep again when the urgent words from the dispatcher broke through his fog and his brain snapped instantly awake and threw his body into motion. "What?! Where?! What time did they—we're on our way!" He snapped the phone shut and fairly bounded out of bed. "JETHRO GET UP! We've got another dead agent!" Tony was already half dressed.

Gibbs was dressed moments later and they quickly gathered their wallets, badges and guns before racing out the door. Tony paused briefly when his lungs caught the cold morning air and he felt the familiar tightening that occurred in cold weather ever since he'd had the plague. He didn't let it stop him though, hurried on to the car and whipped around when a hand suddenly grabbed his arm.

"Break it down for me Tony," Gibbs' voice was calm but urgent. Tony didn't know how he managed to pull that off. "What's going on? Where are we headed?" he handed Tony his NCIS windbreaker and the younger man slid it on without speaking of it.

"It's…c'mon we have to move! I'll tell you in the car! Oh God," Tony ran his hands through his hair, car door open, but his body not completing the motion of getting in the car.

Jethro took a step closer. Tony was beginning to panic. "Tony," he called out to him, hoping to pull him out of his headspace. "Tony!" When his partner still didn't answer him, Jethro whacked him firmly over the back of the head. "DINOZZO!"

Tony blinked and looked up at him. Jethro framed Tony's face with his sawdust roughened hands. "What is it Tony? Who died?"

"It's…oh God Jethro," Tony's eyes suddenly swam with tears and the expression on his face struck real, true fear in Jethro.

"Tony. Talk to me. Who is it? What happened?"

"It's Paula, Jethro. They found Paula Cassidy this morning. She's…she's been working undercover. She's…oh God—they found her…she's been beaten…strangled…just like—"

Just like all the others were.

Jethro pulled Tony into a tight embrace, knowing Tony was good friends with Paula. They'd always had the type of friendship that made all of their friends question whether they were screwing or not. Jethro knew they actually hadn't, but knew that Tony always enjoyed making people wonder. He also knew that he and Paula spoke on the phone every week.

"I talked to her last week," Tony breathed shakily. Jethro opened the car door and forced his partner to sit down before he fell down. "She said she was going undercover. I told her to be careful, what with all of the shit that's been happening here."

"What'd she say Tony?" Jethro asked.

Tony snorted and leaned forward, putting his head in his hands. "She said she was working in Gitmo, not in DC, and that I worry too much." Tony dragged his fingers roughly over his face. "Oh God. Oh Jethro oh God. Oh God, why does this keep happening?"

"Hey. Shhhh," Gibbs leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the top of Tony's head. "Gotta keep your wits Tony. We're going to find the person responsible. You can't panic. Paula needs us. She needs us to have our shit together and she needs us to find out who did this. She needs us to solve this for her. And we will. Now let's get in the car and head out. C'mon. I've got your six."

Tony suddenly hugged Jethro. "We have to watch each other Gibbs," he choked out. "I can't…we can't…we can't be next," Tony said. "We have to find who did this."

Jethro pulled back and looked at him. "Do you think we're targets?"

"They keep killing our friends…agents we're close to…agents we work with or mentor…agents we know…yeah I think we could be targets. I think any of us could be targets. Please, watch your six Jethro," Tony held onto the lapels of Gibbs's sport coat now, shaking him slightly. "Please be careful. I just…I have a feeling. I just want you to be careful."

Gibbs gently took Tony's hands and kissed him sweetly. "I will. And you will. And we're both gonna be fine. Now let's go. Call Ellie and Tim and wake their asses up and tell 'em where to go."

Tony swung his legs in the car as Gibbs ran around to the driver side and climbed in. Tony rattled off the address and moments later they were roaring down the road.

As they drove, Gibbs anger began to brew. Someone was targeting agents. They were doing it on purpose and with each new murder, it was becoming increasingly clear that it had to be the work of a mole, just as Tony thought but hadn't vocalized until only a short time earlier. Someone at NCIS had to be spilling secrets. Someone they worked with, someone they trusted was setting agents up to die. His fingers gripped tighter on the steering wheel and a short glance to his right showed the grim line Tony's mouth had settled into and the anger that made his eyes flash like molten emeralds. Tony looked slightly ill and angrier than Jethro had ever seen.

This death, in particular, was especially personal. Tony and Paula were good friends.

Jethro knew he'd have to keep an eye on Tony. Have to watch his six even closer than normal, because this death had the potential to drive his partner to distraction. He'd either be entirely focused or entirely shattered as their well of information grew.

This was not a good situation. Gibbs' gut was roaring, and if he admitted it to himself, had been for quite some time. He had a horrible feeling that something wasn't right. They were missing something. They'd been looking in the wrong direction for all this time. Someone was trying to throw them off, but that was done now.

Gibbs wanted answers. And he wouldn't stop until he had them.

TBC…