A/N: In the coming chapters, there is more McGibbs heat, but a surprising amount of Tony. A lot of this story is turning out to be around their friendship. My chapters are always long and I never know if this is a selling point or if it limits the readership. I feel like real movement has to occur with each chapter and it's hard to capture that with only one or two scenes. If you have thoughts on this, let me know. Sheila

The Mistaken Wolf

Chapter 3

Gibbs found Fornell's car in front of his house when he went home to get a shower before work. He frowned and walked up to the passenger door and found the seat back and Tobias asleep. He grinned and knocked loudly right where Fornell's ear was. The agent's head jerked forward and he scrambled for his gun. Gibbs started laughing and waving. Fornell opened his door and glared at him. "I swear to God, Jethro!"

"Come in. I'll make you a cup of coffee."

Fornell stumbled after him.

Gibbs shook his head. "Why are you camped out on my curb? You can't call me on the phone."

"Wanted to talk in person."

Gibbs stopped his search for clean cups and turned to him. "Something go wrong with Lobanoff?"

"No, it went well. His three stooges recanted within minutes of hearing how I was going to dismantle their careers. It turns out that he'd preyed on all three of them, in one way or the other."

"They owe McGee an apology."

"It's in the works."

"And Lobanoff?"

"Duggar and I formally fired him at the end of the day."

"Job well done," Jethro said, handing him a steaming cup.

"I'd never met Lobanoff before. Guy is a frickin' predator."

"You knew that."

"No, when I described him as a predator, I was imagining a garden variety asshole with a overinflated sense of entitlement. The guy I met today is a stone cold predator. The man's eyes were dead when we told him. The look he gave us…I had my hand on my gun until he was out of the building."

"I thought it was awfully damn bold when he came into McGee's hospital room yesterday morning."

"His colleagues are not going to press charges. I could only get bits and pieces. My guess is that McGee's going to be the only one."

"And you think Lobanoff will go after him again."

"The last time I met someone with eyes like that, it was when I was arresting Rollo Obermeier for strangling 27 teen-age girls. I'm just saying."

…

"Come on, McSick. It's off to bed for you." Tony helped him take off his coat, and then went into the kitchen and starting rooting through the refrigerator.

"Tony, I'm not an invalid. If the refrigerator is empty, I'll just go shopping."

"Not on the amount of vicodin you've been prescribed."

McGee didn't argue. His muscles still ached from the punches and kicks Lobanoff landed. He slowly lowered himself onto his couch and sighed. His plan after Tony left was to take his drugs and sleep for at least 12 hours.

Tony came out of the kitchen and dropped a pen and notepad into his lap. "Make a list of what you want. You got nothing to eat in this house."

Before he could protest, Tony disappeared into the bedroom. Tim put the pen and pan on the coffee table and grabbed his laptop. He used an online grocery delivery for most of his food shopping. He pulled up a screen and began absently making choices.

Tony rustled up some clean sheets and began changing McGee's bed. He knew his probie like his things clean, but doubted he had the energy to do this himself. As he was plumping the pillows, he stopped to look out McGee's window. It was a quiet street, and that's why he noticed when a car drove by moving only half the speed the limit allowed. It was a black Mitsubishi SUV, but he wasn't close enough to see the plates.

He dropped the pillow on the bed and picked up his phone. "Ziva, remind me what kind of car Lobanoff drives."

He grimaced. "That's what I thought. I think he's cruising McGee's building."

Then the SUV appeared again, driving slowly past. Tony cursed. "It's a definite. The animal is stalking McGee. I'm going to pack up McGee and get him out of here."

McGee had just finished posting his order when Tony came in. "Sorry Tim, but we need to pack a bag and get you out of here. Lobanoff's cruising the street outside."

McGee narrowed his eyes. "Let him. The door has two locks. I'll be fine."

Tony shook his head. "Staying is not an option."

"I got a gun, Tony."

DiNozzo did a double take. "Because we should let it get to that, right?"

"I'm not running from him. Not going to do it." McGee was quiet but firm, and DiNozzo had some experience with his partner's stubbornness.

"Guess I'm staying too then."

McGee winced. "Come on, man. I just want to go to bed. He can drive around all he wants. There is no way in hell he'd be dumb enough to try anything."

"Fornell told Gibbs that Loganoff really scares him. You ever hear Fornell be afraid of someone?"

Tim shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not around him that much."

"You going make me pull out the big guns?"

McGee leaned toward him. "If this were you, Tony, you'd want to handle it all by yourself. Well, I got my pride too, and I'm not going anywhere."

"Alright, then we better find a decent movie on this TV 'cause I'm not playing your idiot video games."

DiNozzo pulled his weapon when he heard pounding on the door. McGee had fallen asleep within minutes after Tony found "Bridge on the River Kwai" on the TV. He sidled up against the door and called. "Who is it?"

"Gibbs!"

Tony relaxed, checked the peephole, and opened the door. Gibbs came in followed by Fornell and Ziva. "Don't tell me. He was gone by the time you all got here."

Gibbs nodded.

"I'd accuse you of overreacting, but the doorman across the street was watching the same car. He saw it pass 5 times and took down a license plate. It was Lobanoff," Fornell said.

There was movement behind them and a skinny kid with grocery bags appeared.

Tony nodded. "McGee's groceries."

Gibbs frowned. "You can get them delivered to your door?"

"Welcome to the 21st century."

The grocery kid saw the gun in DiNozzo's hand and froze. "You cops?"

"Yeah."

The kid nodded and went into the kitchen. Something about the the kid was definitely off and Tony looked at Gibbs. "You think the kid has some kind of warrant or something?"

Gibbs brushed past Tony and went into the kitchen. "What's your name, kid?"

The young man jumped. "Listen man, I didn't know cops were involved."

"What did you do?"

"A guy stopped me downstairs. He paid me $50 to put something in the groceries."

Gibbs turned his head. "He's downstairs."

DiNozzo and Ziva took off running.

Gibbs turned back to the kid. "Show me what he did."

The kid started to unpack one of the bags. "I made sure he didn't take anything. I think all he did was put something in."

Then the kid picked up a box of cereal. "This looks like it was opened."

Gibbs grabbed it from him and looked inside. He pulled out a photo. It was a hastily taken photo of a flushed, angry McGee with his shirt unbuttoned and his hair disheveled. There was a large stain at the groin of his pants. He turned it over and it said, "Destroying you is all I care about now."

"What are you guys doing here?" McGee was awake, blinking at the people at the door. He saw the grocery boy, and he dug in his pockets for a tip.

Gibbs shook his head, grabbing the kid by the shirt and pushing him out the door. "Put your money away. That kid wasn't doing you any favors."

Fornell reached for the photo, but Gibbs jerked it away, shaking his head. "This isn't going into evidence."

McGee was awake now. "What do you got there, Boss?"

Gibbs handed it to him. McGee looked at it and sucked in breath. He tore it into small bits and threw it away.

"Pack up, Tim. You're not staying here."

McGee looked up, his eyes red and angry. "I'm not going anywhere. Not running from him anymore. Sorry you had to come out. I'm going back to bed now."

Fornell looked from Gibbs to McGee. "I'll go downstairs and check on Tony and Ziva."

"I'm not afraid of him. I've been wishing he'd show up all day. I'm not backing down."

Gibbs nodded slowly. "I believe you, Tim, but he's not going to be satisfied with a fistfight anymore. You have to think about the people in this building. Lobanoff is going for broke. A little collateral damage isn't going to bother him."

"I'm not going to a safehouse."

"You're going to my house."

"Boss," he shook his head. "I know how you feel about your privacy. Can't do that to you."

"I have plenty of space. You'll do your thing and I'll do mine. There's even a room upstairs you can use for any Elf lording you need to do."

McGee closed his eyes and blushed. "I appreciate it, Boss."

"Get some things together. I'll wait here."

"About that photo you saw, I feel like I should—"

"McGee, I didn't really get a good look. Don't have my glasses with me. Do me a favor and get a bag packed, okay?"

McGee nodded and headed off to his bedroom. Gibbs leaned against the wall and steadied his breathing. The image of McGee in a state of sexual undress was now imprinted on his brain forever. The thought of sleeping just a room away from him left him a little lightheaded.

….

Gibbs led him to a spare bedroom. It was fairly utilitarian as Gibbs didn't bother with much with pictures on the wall or such. McGee didn't pay attention. Pain medication and the stress of his first day home left him exhausted and he let Gibbs fold him in under the bed covers.

He slept long and hard. The medication brought vivid dreams, and he moaned and mumbled his way through one surreal dream to another. At one point, he woke to voices downstairs. He recognized Fornell's voice and Gibbs. He struggled onto his elbows with the intention of getting up and joining them, but his eyes betrayed him and he dropped back to sleep.

The dreams left him restless, and he found himself tossing and turning on bruised muscle and bone. He felt a hand on his arm and he jerked away, sending his other hand fisted at the intruder. The hand was captured, and then strong arms gripped him around the torso and he woke with a yell.

"Hey McGee, it's just me."

He turned to find his face just inches from Gibbs. "Callout?"

Gibbs grinned. "Not hardly. You're jumping around in your sleep too much. Making a lot of noise."

Tim winced. "Sorry Boss."

"I called Ducky and he reminded me that you should've taken your pain meds a few hours ago." He let go of McGee and reached over for a glass of water and two vicodin.

McGee took them and then the water.

"You need food."

"Not hungry, Boss."

Gibbs reached for a plate. "Crackers with peanut butter."

McGee smiled. "Mom used to make these for me when I was a kid."

"Well, don't get used to it."

McGee munched on a couple of crackers and then lost interest. He looked up. "It doesn't seem right; you looking after me like this."

"Would you do it for me if the situation was reversed?"

McGee closed his eyes and nodded.

"Enough said about it then. We're a team. It's what we do."

"What time is it?"

"It's about 2 .m. Eat another cracker 'cause I need to get back to bed."

"Thanks for everything."

McGee was done fussing about the boss' sacrifice. He ate another cracker as ordered and then shuffled to the bathroom. Gibbs reflected on the few moments he held McGee in his arms. Then his cock twitched and he jumped up, aware that he wouldn't last another minute sitting on McGee's bed. He slipped out of the room.

When McGee got back, Gibbs was gone. He turned off the light and lay down quietly. The old home's walls were thin, and he waited for the sound of Gibbs snoring but it never came. McGee contemplated the last few days; amazed at the gentle support he got from the usually reserved and impatient man. It was as if Gibbs knew exactly what he was experiencing.

….

"McGee, what are you doing here? I thought you were still out of the office for a few days."

McGee looked up from his computer. "I must be protected from Lobanoff at all times. I think you've been assigned to accompany me to the restroom for the day."

DiNozzo's eyebrows rose. "Sarcasm isn't a good color on you."

"My life is ridiculous right now."

Tony heard a beep and looked at his email. He saw something from Vance with the subject line "McGee". He frowned and opened it. The text read, "The truth about Timothy McGee". There was an attachment. Tony didn't open it. He could tell already that Vance had nothing to do with whatever it was. He glanced over at McGee and saw him buried in his email. Then he jerked up and out of his chair, cursing. People around the bullpen looked at him. Embarrassment flooded into his face and he started toward the elevators.

Tony got up and followed. He didn't know what the attachment was, but he suspected it was another attempt by Lobanoff to humiliate McGee. By this time, most of the room was standing and watching McGee at the elevator. Tony turned to them and snapped. "What the hell are you all looking at?"

The elevator opened and Tony followed McGee inside. McGee put his phone to his ear and waited. "Lobanoff, you better pick up, you bastard! I'm coming for you. You just tell me when and where."

McGee clicked the phone shut and looked down at the floor, breathing hard.

"I didn't open it," DiNozzo murmured.

"It's a picture of me, but it's not a good picture. He put the same one in my groceries yesterday."

Tony nodded.

"He sent it to everyone in this building. I can't live with that."

"People will know—"

McGee hit emergency stop on the elevator. "Tony, I appreciate you. I don't have a better friend in this world. I know you intend to stick with me, but you gotta' think about this. I plan to hurt him. I plan to break both local and possibly, federal laws. My career is over. Where this lands me is of little concern to me right now."

DiNozzo shrugged. "I'm going where you're going, and I'm doing what you're doing. It's how we roll, Probie."

McGee stared at him for a long time. Then he released the emergency stop, but instead of hitting the first floor, he hit the button that took them back upstairs.

Tim—"

"I can't let you get hurt, Tony. This is my fight."

When the elevator doors opened, they found themselves both staring into Gibbs' steely blue eyes. "You two done with the heroics?"

McGee looked at Tony and nodded. He stepped into the room and found everyone on their feet looking at him. Shame flooded his gut and he couldn't meet their eyes.

Swenson from Balboa's team stepped forward. "McGee, there isn't a person in this room that doesn't know you to be a decent person. Whatever it was has been deleted from all systems on this floor. Abby sent out an email warning that it contains a virus, and Vance just let us know that all department heads will make sure it's gone by the end of the day."

McGee looked up. "Thank you. All of you."

Tony threw up his hands. "We were gone for less than 5 minutes. How did you mobilize so quickly?"

"It was McGee. Easy decision," Swenson said. "If it had been you on the other hand…"

Tony rolled his eyes. "Good to know, Swenson."

….

Vance pointed a finger. "I wanted him in custody! He hacked my secured account, and attempted to malign one of my best agents! Take him down!"

Fornell nodded and looked at Gibbs. "He's going to get bail, but I agree with the director here. I'm tired of his antics."

"Well, if I find him first, it's guaranteed that he's going to have a little accident," Gibbs growled.

Vance shook his head. "He's a menace, and I worry that it's going to get much worse. Find him and put him away."

Fornell nodded. "There's no doubt that he's escalating."

Vance turned to a pale McGee. "You don't look like you should be here, but I don't have another person that can track an email trail like you can. Can you find the evidence that will tie this incident to Lobanoff?"

"If it's there, I'll find it."

"Alright, let's do it."

…..

DiNozzo walked into the seedy bar. He had spent the last few days waiting for an opportunity to go after Lobanoff. In anticipation, he greased every bartender and server he ever saw Lobanoff talk to, and when it was time to collect, he started texting. It only took an hour to find out that Lobanoff had changed his drinking hole to an old waterfront bar named Cubby's.

He stayed loose as he sauntered into long dimly lighted room. He immediately zoned in on Lobanoff sitting alone at the end of the bar drinking whiskey. Lobanoff looked up when DiNozzo approached, but he did nothing other than lift his whiskey glass and drain it. Then he tapped the bar for another.

DiNozzo leaned against the bar and watched him. "You're spending the night in a cell, Mitch."

Lobanoff shook his head. "Ain't got any evidence, DiNozzo."

"Using a geek trick against a supergeek is not a smart move. McGee traced your work to an FBI agent named Watson. I figure he's another person you're blackmailing. Fornell and Gibbs worked him over. We know everything."

The bartender approached with another whiskey. "I don't want no trouble in here."

"That's up to Mr. Lobanoff here."

Lobanoff chortled. "Don't worry, Cubby. DiNozzo is all bluster. Give him a whiskey on my tab."

DiNozzo put a hand up. "Save it. We're done drinking."

"I can't figure out why you treat him like he's your best friend. He's got no personality. All he has is a big brain. It's pathetic."

Tony shook his head. "You want me to pound you into the ground, don't you? That's the only explanation for saying stupid shit like that."

"He's not worth all this energy."

"It doesn't surprise me that you can't see the worth of a decent human being."

Lobanoff scraped his chair back. "Let's see what you got, Tony, 'cause I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Come on, Guys!" Cubby said. "Not in my place!"

Tony grew a smile as Ziva snuck up behind him and buried her gun in his neck. Lobanoff cursed and put his hands up. "Good choice! The Israeli will kill you as soon as look at you. Nobody messes with her McGee."

Ziva leaned into his ear. "I do not like manipulative bullies who hurt my friends. I would enjoy shooting you."

"Get her away from me, DiNozzo."

Tony shook his head. "This is too much fun. Ziva, cuff this fool."

Ziva cuffed him and pulled him to his feet. Tony got nose to nose with him. "I almost wish Ziva hadn't been here. It would have been worth it just to beat you to a bloody pulp."

Lobanoff started to respond, but Ziva pushed him past DiNozzo and out the door.

…

McGee sat in Abby's lab staring at the computer screen. The two of them had tracked Lobanoff's email trail and put Gibbs on an FBI agent named Watson. It took only an hour to break him. It was another disaster averted, but McGee hadn't recovered from the humiliation of the photo sent to all NCIS employees. Abby had sent out a snooper that alerted department heads to which computers still held the image, but it was a visceral attack on the privacy of a very sensitive man and McGee felt it keenly.

Abby had urged him to go home hours ago, but he felt paralyzed from both exhaustion and humiliation. She wrapped her arms around him from behind and rested her chin on his shoulder. "Timmy, you have to go home."

He tried to shrug her off, but she held on. "Gibbs won't let me go to my apartment. Says Lobanoff will probably be out on bail tomorrow."

"It's not bad at his house."

McGee sighed. "I just want my life back."

She kissed his temple. "I know."

Tony and Ziva came in followed by Gibbs.

"We put him away for the night, McGee," Tony announced.

McGee nodded. "Thanks Tony."

Gibbs frowned. "Abby, I thought you were going to send him back to my place."

"He didn't want to go."

McGee straightened up. "Sorry Boss, I just feel a little lost right now."

Tony slapped him on the back. "You need something to get this off your mind and I know just the thing."

McGee winced. "Going out to the clubs is not the solution to every problem, Tony."

"Nope. I'm thinking of about how you've wanted to take me camping forever."

"What?"

"You know! I've never been camping and you're always saying how we should go camping."

McGee frowned. "And you're always telling me you won't go until they come up with a tent with an indoor toilet."

"Come on, McGrouchy! We'll go this weekend. Get out of town for a few days. No Lobanoff. No work. You'll come back with a million 'DiNozzo out of his element' stories."

"It's a good idea, Tim."

McGee turned to Gibbs, surprised to hear from him. "Do you like to camp, Boss?"

"Perfect!" Tony turned to Gibbs. "You'll come too. You like to fish. It'll be an all guys weekend."

"Oh, I don't know," Gibbs said.

"I have a four man tent, Boss."

Gibbs looked at McGee. It was the only enthusiasm he'd seen in his agent in a week, and there was something about the look on his face that made him want to please him. "Alright, let's do it."

"I want to go! I want to go!" Abby jumped up and down.

"Abby, this is the weekend you were going to take me to your church," Ziva said quickly. She knew that a tactile and excitable Abby was going to be too much for her three male teammates in a four-man tent.

"We could do that any weekend," Abby responded.

"But I have changed all of my plans for this. Abby, you can go camping with McGee another time."

There was a finality in Ziva's voice that Abby understood, and so she sighed. "Please take pictures. I can't wait to see Tony in the wild."

…

"He's out on bail, but I sat him down and we had a little talk. Because we still have an open investigation on him, I let Lobanoff know just how closely we're watching him. He knows that one more mis-step, and he's back in jail. The judge told him that he won't get bail if he gets anywhere near McGee."

"Mis-step! Fornell, he sent a very…personal picture of McGee to the entire agency!" Gibbs yelled into the phone.

"Jethro, I'm doing everything I can."

"Make him disappear! McGee doesn't deserve this." Ziva and Tony looked up from their work.

"Right, I'll go out and shoot him as soon as I finish my coffee."

"Tobias!"

"Believe me. He has a very clear understanding of the consequences coming his way if he steps out of line."

"I'm underwhelmed."

"Big surprise. I gotta' go."

Gibbs cursed when Fornell hung up on him.

Tony cocked his head. "You really have a way with people, Boss."

….

TBC