Summary: I'm back with another chapter so I hope you're all ready to read. Since Christmas is right around the corner I know I'm going to be super busy so I don't know when I'll be posting again. Hopefully it will be before Christmas but it might be after New Year's. I hope not but I'm not sure. I hope you don't mind and I promise I will try like hell to get you a new chapter up next week. Until then have a safe and happy holiday season.
Disclaimer: Don't own it.
Chapter Four
"Tony for the last time I'm not in love with Abby." Tim yelled for the third time since arriving back at NCIS. The rest of the team was there using the video footage from the meeting to pull up everything about the members that were there and see who could have killed Corey and Dennis.
Tim was trying his best to keep his focus but he found it difficult with Tony in his ear asking questions about the person he discussed during ULA. While Tim would never admit that, it was actually about Tony but he wasn't going to lie and say it was Abby. That wouldn't be right.
"Come on McLover you said it was someone you worked with."
"I lied Tony." Tim sighed. "That's what you told me to do, remember."
Tony continued to grin as he continued peering over Tim's shoulder. "Yeah I did but we know all lies are based on some truth."
"So-"
"So that means you are in love with someone you just don't want to tell me anything."
"That's because I'm not in love with anyone." hissed Tim, swirling around in his chair so that he was face to face with Tony. "I made it up."
Tony didn't back down, instead he leaned in so close that his nose was slightly touching Tim's. "Really, you made it up." he whispered hoarsely.
Tim blushed uncontrollably. The close proximity made Tim's heart race as it thumped inside his chest. Tony's breath blowing softly across his face made it so he couldn't think straight or remember what the question was. "I'm sorry-"
"You were saying how you made the whole thing up." Tony whispered again. "That you're not really in love with anyone."
"Right…" Tim stuttered nervously, backing his chair up a little. "I did. I made it all up. None of it was true."
"Well okay then." Tony chuckled and backed away from Tim's desk and back to his own. Out of the corner of his eye he watched as Tim squeezed his eyes tightly together and let out short shallow breaths. Tony could also see Tim whispering something to himself. He wouldn't lie and say he wasn't curious about what Tim was saying and he deeply wanted to ask but he knew if he did the younger agent wouldn't tell him anything.
Tony continued to watch Tim until the man let out on final breath before opening his eyes. His cheeks were still flushed with color but not as bright as they once were making Tony even more curious as to what Tim was thinking about. He brought himself out of his thoughts when Gibbs walked by his desk and over to his own. "I want you all to go home."
All three team members looked up shocked and confused. Tony was the first to recover. "But boss we haven't even finished getting backgrounds on everyone at the meetings."
"It's after midnight DiNozzo and you have an early day tomorrow. I need you all to get all the rest you can."
"But Gibbs-"
"What are you waiting for? I'm giving you a chance to go home and sleep, take it."
"Well I'm not tired yet so I will stay for a bit longer." volunteered Ziva as she gave Gibbs a smirk.
Tim didn't want to leave either. "I have a few more things to do and then I'll go home too."
Tony was in the middle of gathering his things when he realized that Ziva and Tim were staying. Letting out a sigh, he turned around and gave Gibbs a big playful smile. "I was just kidding, I'm staying too…at least until I finish my work as well." he replied as he put his things down.
Two hours later they had everyone they needed to start the investigation. Only then they call it a night. Walking down to his car, Tim was shocked when Tony tapped him on the shoulder as soon as he got to his car. "Tony."
"Hey McGee, got a minute."
Tim thought for a second before nodding his head. "Um…yeah, I guess I do."
Tony took a deep breath and sighed. "Look, I just want to apologize for ragging on you and being a total ass."
Tim couldn't believe that Tony was actually apologizing to him. "Tony-"
"You were right. I never think about anyone but myself and I'm sorry if I make you feel like you're not important because you are. Maybe not as important as me but you are." he smirked.
He could feel his stomach turning flips as Tony gave him one of his signature smirks. It took everything he had not to kiss him right there in the parking lot. "Careful Tim."
"McGee you okay."
Snapping out of his daze he threw Tony a weak smile. "Yeah, just thinking."
"Anyways to make up for being a jerk I thought I'd invite you over for dinner tomorrow night if we're not to busy with work."
"You cook."
"I Probie am a man of many talents." smiled Tony, leaning backwards against the car.
"But all you eat is take-out."
"Because that's all I have time for but in my spare time I enjoy a good home cooked meal. Which I can prepare for you if you want."
Now Tim was really speechless. Not only was Tony apologizing for his behavior but was inviting him to dinner at his place as well. Tim couldn't help but wonder if Tony knew about his conversation with Abby. "No," he thought. Abby would never betray his trust like that.
Tony watched for the second time Tim space out while he was talking to him. He wondered what the younger the man was thinking about. "McGee seriously, are you even listening to me."
"Yeah I am." Tim stuttered, coming out of his thoughts. "I just can't believe you actually want to cook for me."
"Well believe it because I am. That is, if you're up for it."
"Yeah absolutely if you're sure."
Tony grinned. "I am."
"Then I guess I'll see you tomorrow for dinner, that is if we're not busy."
Tim smiled happily as watched Tony give him one last grin before walking away to his car. He still couldn't believe what Tony had done and what he was going to do. It was like a dream only he was awake. Tim would still smiling when he got into his car and drove out of the parking lot.
Tony was still in the parking lot when Tim drove off and smiled to himself as he too drove off.
"So here the list of everyone at the meeting last night." Tim stated as he passed out the papers to his teammates and Gibbs. "I ran their pictures through the database and got names and background checks. Most of everyone is clean, no criminal records except for a few."
"What about the leader of the group?"
"Samuel is completely clean." Tim replied, answering Ziva's question. "Moved here from Raleigh, North Carolina two years ago and works at a construction firm."
Tony shrugged. "Just because he doesn't have a criminal record doesn't mean he can't be capable of murder."
Gibbs nodded as he stared down at the list. "Alright, I want him brought him and as for the rest of this list we'll split this up. I want everyone on this list checked out. That means statements, alibis, everything they got I want to know."
"Sounds like a good start, can I help."
The team turned around to see Melina standing behind them with a friendly smile on her face. Tony jumped out of his chair and ran over to the police detective, a charming smile on his face. "Detective Warren, so nice to see you."
"Nice to see you to Agent DiNozzo." Melina smiled back. "All of you."
"What are you doing here?"
"I called her." Gibbs replied, looking up. "Problem with that DiNozzo."
"Not at all." Tony smiled as he continued smiling at the female detective.
Gibbs smirked and stood up from his seat. Opening his drawer, he pulled out his weapon and placed it in his holster. "Well then, lets go." he barked, walking around his desk. "McGee, Ziva with me. DiNozzo you can go with Detective Warren and pick up Samuel Walters and after that check the other names on the list, that is if the detective doesn't mind."
"Not at all." Melina smiled and nodded her head. She didn't care who came with her as long as she was working on the case.
"Okay then move out."
Samuel Walters sat nervously in the small room as he waited for someone to come back in and talk to him. He was enjoying his day off when a police officer and a NCIS agent showed up at his doorstep wanting to talk. That was almost an hour a go and no one had been in the room since.
Finally the same people that brought him to the room came inside the room and closed the door behind them. He looked up to see the police detective holding a folder in her hand.
"Special Agent DiNozzo and Detective Warren, can one of you tell me why I'm here?"
"Sure we can but we're not going to." Tony said as he sat down across from Samuel, Melina sitting beside him. "Not until you tell us what you know."
"Maybe." Samuel growled slightly. "I could if I knew what you were talking about."
"Corey Miles and Petty Officer Dennis Quaver, you know those names."
"Yes I do."
"Mind telling us from where." This time Melina asked the question.
"If you must know I know them from my therapy group that I hold every Tuesday night. It's called ULA and it's for people who are having relationship problems and before you ask no I am not a doctor. I'm just a man who wants to help other people who felt like me."
"Corey and Dennis, you helped them."
"Yeah I was trying to. I've been helping Corey for about six weeks now and Dennis for only about four but Corey was murdered last week and I haven't seen Dennis since last Tuesday."
"Maybe that's because Dennis was found yesterday by his roommate dead on the living room floor." Tony and Melina watched as Samuel's eyes widen and his mouth dropped open.
"Dennis…Dennis is dead."
"Yes and from what we know he was killed the same way Corey Miles was." Melina replied as she slid the folder across the table and over to Samuel.
Samuel hesitantly opened the folder only to discover photographs of Corey and Dennis's dead bodies. This time he didn't try and stop the tears that fell from his eyes. "Oh my God."
"That's how both Miss Miles and Mr. Quaver were found. Stabbed to death with the word "FREE" written across their chest and we have reason to believe that your therapy group is being targeted." stated Melina softly.
"You know why?" asked Tony
"No. If you think I had anything to do with this you're wrong. I would never do like this."
Tony continued to glare at the construction worker. "Then you wouldn't mind telling us where you were Monday night around ten o'clock."
"I was with my girlfriend Stephanie Novak. We went out for dinner and I spent the night at her place. She'll tell you that."
"And she wouldn't lie for you."
Samuel smirked and shook his head at the detective. "She an A.D.A so I would hope not."
"Okay, then where were you Thursday night."
"A dinner party that my boss threw at his house. There were at least ten other people there that can vouch for me. I did not do this."
"Give us their names."
"Certainly." He took the paper and pen that Tony gave to him and started scribbling on it. Once he was done he handed the paper back to Tony and watched as the agent stared at him. "Anything else."
"Yes we're going to need the names of everyone who that comes to your little therapy group." replied Tony as he handed Samuel the paper back.
"I want you to find the person or persons that did this so I am willing to do anything I have to do to help." He said nothing and wrote down the names of everyone in the therapy. It took him a while to finish that list but just like last time once he was finished he gave it back to Tony. "Is there anything else you need."
"No Mr. Walters but we may want to question you again so stay close by."
"Of course Detective Warren, anything you or Agent DiNozzo need."
"Thank-you."
Melina stood up first and Tony followed as they both made their way to the door.
"Officers wait."
They turned around back to Samuel. "Yeah."
"I don't know if this means anything but last night we had someone new come to the meeting. His name was Timothy Maseson and I spoke with during and after the meeting." Samuel replied. "He said that he was friend's with Dennis but something about him seemed off. Just thought you should know."
Tony gave the man a nod before he walked out of the room, Melina right behind him. "Well that was a waste."
"Not really." disagreed Melina. "Once we check Samuel alibi's out we can cross him off the list not to mention we have a name, Timothy Maseson. We should seriously look into that."
"No need to, I already know Timothy Maseson. You do too."
"No I don't."
"You do except you know him as Special Agent Tim McGee."
Tony invited Tim over for dinner. Looks like our couple may finally be moving in the right direction. I said might so don't get your hopes up (but you totally should). Happy Holidays.