Disclaimer: See Chapter One. I'm running out of witty things to put here.

Authors Note: I'm enjoying this. That said, after I finish I think I'm going to give it a rest. Writing funny is hard. Besides, I owe somebody a Mike story.

Spoilers: There are none. However there is a MAJOR MARY SUE ALERT. If that's not your thing leave now. No one will think ill of you.

Fishing Pier, Lynn Hall Memorial Park, Ft Myers Beach, FL Friday 1030hrs

The pier stuck out about a quarter of a mile into the Gulf of Mexico. The land end started at "Times Square", the center of Ft Myers Beach. There was a Dairy Queen, The Pier Bar and Restaurant, a Greek restaurant called "The Plaka" and several other eating establishments and retail stores.

LT sat at a table in the DQ nursing a cup of coffee. He was meeting the Chief at 1045 out at the end of the pier. LT had arrived at 1015 and walked the area checking things out. An eight month stint undercover at the beginning of his police career made him cautious. He had the same niggling feeling today he'd had all those years ago. The feeling that someone was out there.

You're losin' your marbles there Sparky.

To try and allay the feeling LT sat so he'd be able to watch Chief pass and not be seen.

At about 1040 Chief passed carrying a cardboard holder containing two coffees from the 7 Eleven on the other side of the park. Standing 6' 1" about 225, Chief looked exactly like what he was. A retired senior NCO. His khaki pants were sharply creased, shoes polished to a high gloss, and his air force blue polo shirt was immaculate. No one seemed the least bit interested in the Chief, nor was anyone trailing him that LT could see.

Getting paranoid in my dotage. But even paranoids have enemies.

LT got up and ambled out towards the end of the pier. Chief was at the rail staring out over the Gulf, coffee tray beside him. LT smirked.

Condition White.

"Hey, Chief."

The other man started.

"Damn LT. Are you tryin' to give me a heart attack?"

"Sorry about that Chief."

"Very funny, wiseass."

"Couldn't resist. Is one of those for me?"

"Could be. Tho after trying to send me into cardiac arrest, I don't know."

LT looked hurt, with his best "puppy dog" eyes.

"I've got my CPR cert. I'd bring ya back."

The Chief laughed.

"Don't know if I'd want ya kissin' me. But thanks. Go ahead take your pick. Didn't know how you took it. They're both black.

"Black is good. How'd the flight down go?"

"Good. I sat two rows back. They spent the first part of the flight talking and laughing. Then they fell asleep leaning on each other. Once we got here they walked hand in hand to get the car. They drove to your place and fifteen minutes after they got in the lights went out."

"Sounds like a promising start."

Chief looked a little hesitant.

"Something on your mind, Chief?"

"Yeah. Do you think M E is just gonna sit home and let you handle this?"

"Hell no. She'll be along. Don't sweat it. I've got it covered."

"Care to share?"

"No. On a different topic, did you have to use 'Laverne'?"

Chief guffawed.

"Seemed like a good idea at the time. Not sore are you?"

"Nah. It's kinda funny actually. To prove I'm not sore, here."

LT dug into the thigh pocket of his cargo shorts and brought forth a short silver colored tube, which he offered to the Chief. On the side of the tube in big green letters was "H Upmann". In smaller letters, the words "Product of Cuba".

"Should be better than those Honduran ropes you smoke."

"Hey, those are fine cigars."

"Oh, okay. I'll just…."

LT made a grab for the tube and the Chief pulled it out of reach.

"No, no. I'll try it."

LT grinned.

"Thought so."

Pool, LT's Condo complex, Friday 1100hrs

Tony DiNozzo was a happy man. Back in DC it was low thirties and crappy. Here in Florida it was eighty and sunny. To make matters better, lying next to him in a very sexy looking white one piece swim suit was his partner Ziva David. The plane ride down had been great. They'd talked and joshed each other like they did before. Ziva had fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder. Upon arrival her hand had found his as they walked thru the terminal to pick up the car. By the time they got to LT's condo, tiredness hit them like a hammer. No fighting about who was sleeping where. After changing they fell onto the bed in the master bedroom and were instantly asleep. Around 0330 Tony woke to Ziva whimpering. Nightmare. Tony wrapped her in his arms. She sighed and snuggled closer.

When they got up, Ziva made breakfast and they decided to spend the day at the pool. Later they were going out for dinner. LT had supplied a list of local restaurants. Tony decided on Doc Ford's Ft Myers Beach Rum Bar & Grille. Ziva loved mojitos. They'd eat and drink and see what developed.

LT's Condo complex, Friday 2120hrs

LT sat in the bedroom of a condo across the parking lot from his. He sat far enough back in the room to remain unseen from the outside. While waiting and watching he'd played about seventy hands of solitaire. LT knew that if M E was going to make a move, it would be while Tony and Ziva were out. A car came into the parking lot and slowly passed LT's condo. The car pulled into a spot facing LT. There was a white blob behind the wheel.

Gotcha

LT's cell started to vibrate. He glanced at the screen and flipped open the phone.

"Whatta ya got George."

"That person you asked me to watch for…."

"…landed about forty five minutes ago."

"Jeez, how'd you know?"

"Because I'm watching her get out of a car right now."

"Listen LT, I can't keep a constant watch ya know."

"No problem George."

"So we're good?"

"Sure, but you're still on the hook. I wanted to know before I saw her she was here."

"But…."

"Thanks for the call George. We'll talk again."

LT snapped his cell closed and walked out of the condo. He stood in the shadows until ME walked up to the doorway of his condo on the second floor. He made his way swiftly across the parking lot to the stairs. He ghosted up the stairway and moved behind M E. She was bent over studying the lock.

"Works better if you actually have a key."

M E gave a strangled cry and whirled around.

"Jesus, Seamus, you scared the crap out of me."

M E took in her friend. He was wearing boat shoes, cargo shorts and a black t-shirt that said "RUNS WITH SCISSORS" in block white letters.

"I thought you were stayin' home."

"Well, I was going to….."

"……but you couldn't leave well enough alone."

M E gave him a puppy dog look.

"Something like that."

"Well, you're not going in there. Come on, you can watch from across the parking lot. I've got the use of a condo that-a-way."

M E glared and stuck out her chin.

"You can walk or I'll carry you."

"I'll scream bloody murder if you try and pick me up."

"Not if I coldcock you beforehand."

M E smirked.

"You'd never hit a woman."

LT stepped right into her personal space looking up at her.

"Care to try me out?"

M E looked at her hole card and didn't like what she saw.

"I'll walk."

LT grinned and offered his arm.

"Right this way m'lady."

A/N: One more chapter to go. How're you liking it so far? Well, hit the green button and register your pleasure or displeasure.