Finally getting around to writing this little fic! I'm actually really excited to see what comes about it. I'm not used to writing case study stories so I apologize if it's not the best. I like it though so I hope you do to!
Warnings: Death, Sexual Fantasy talk, Violence. More things will be added as I write the story. If you think of anything you want warned tell me and I'll add it!
As I write this I realize that there probably won't actually be any sex in it. I know. Odd for one of my stories, but it's just not there. Sorry if that's what you were hoping for!
If you want to be kept up to date with new redos on stories or want to know more about stories to be starting soon please follow me at Facebook under SilverMidnight52! I own nothing.
I think we should all be glad I'm not mean enough to leave this story on this chapter.
Tony ran a hand through his hair trying to resist the urge to bash his head into his desk. It had been three days since he and McGee busted into the warehouse and found all the evidence they needed along with a perfect suspect to boot.
The problem was none of it made sense. There were files filled with names and places that were in some kind of order that none of them could figure out. The worse part was that the team couldn't find any people by those names. There was no reason for the list.
A part of Tony thought that it having no real rhyme or reason meant that they had caught whatever it was before it started. A larger part of him said that they simply didn't understand what it was that the suspects were going to do.
Still, it didn't do anything to help them solve the crime. Something that wasn't just getting to Tony. Both Bishop and Ziva were snapping more often for no reason and Gibbs was on a warpath that had everyone jumping out of his way before they got sucked in.
At the moment in time Team Gibbs was not to be messed with. Which was actually not that uncommon of a thing for them. Though a week was pushing it. Tony knew that the Director wanted this case put behind them before he had anymore complaints about them.
In the end the thing that was getting to Tony though was that Gibbs hadn't talked to McCoy. He knew that going into the interrogation room without at least some of some of the answers than it was over before it even really began, but even that made Tony confused.
By now Gibbs could have made the Marine tell them everything he knew and more. There had to be a good reason for the older man to make McCoy sit in holding and think about what he as going to say Gibbs always had a reason for what he did.
Shaking his head the agent made his way down to grab some coffee for himself. There really was nothing that he could do when he was in the head space he was currently in. He needed a moment to clear his head before he did something to mess up the case.
"Tony," Tim greeted knocking the older man from his thoughts.
Spinning around Tony saw the Marine sitting on one of the benches with his own cup of coffee. Feeling his heart speed up slightly Tony sat next to the other man. It was really the first time he'd seen the blond since he dropped him off at Gibbs place.
It wasn't as if he had been avoiding the younger man, but he was avoiding Abby's lab. Every time Tony was in the same room with McGee he found himself thinking about what they could have instead of the case. He needed to focus.
That need though had caught the attention of his team. Gibbs understood easily enough since it was his rule that Tony was following. Bishop and Ziva, on the other hand, were watching him out of the corner of their eyes.
Which he knew meant that every time they saw Tim they were watching him as well. With that in mind he knew that the other man knew that there was something going on with them. Luckily the man hadn't tried to talk to the agent about it.
"Abby and I figured out..." Tim attempted to start before trailing off, "Absolutely nothing. The rest of Alice's notes were her guesses on what Nicky did. I'm sorry, Tony."
"Don't be sorry, Tim. If there's nothing there than there's nothing's there. Anyway, you're not the only one. There's a lot in those files and somehow absolutely nothing at the same time."
"What did… What did Nicky say?"
Looking over at the younger man Tony opened his mouth before shutting it once more. A confused look came to Tim's face as he waited for the answer. Okay, this was why Tony was happy he wasn't the boss. He hated explaining things.
"Tony?" Tim asked turning fully to the agent, "What is it?"
"We haven't talked to McCoy yet," Tony slowly said looking at his drink.
"Why not? Do you not think he has anything that can help us?"
"Tim, the guy faked his death. We want him to sit there and stew for awhile before we demand answers. That and we want to be able to throw him off his game by already having some of the answers already."
Licking his lips the Marine nodded his head before suddenly standing up. Tony stared after him for a moment wondering what the man was doing. He stood up when the man got halfway to the building still having no idea what he was thinking.
"What are you doing, McGee?" Tony questioned as they climbed into the elevator.
"I need to talk to him," Tim replied his voice completely void of emotion.
"Who?"
"Nicky."
Reaching out Tony shut down the elevator and spun the younger man to face him. McGee looked resolved in what he wanted to do, but that did nothing to make Tony feel better about it. Having the young Marine go talk to his ex would just end badly.
The agent couldn't imagine how Tim was dealing with everything, but he knew it couldn't be a good thing. The idea of having the two Marine's in the same room was just asking for trouble. Something that Gibbs would probably want.
Suddenly it made sense why the silver haired man left McCoy alone for so long. He hadn't been waiting for them to gather evidence to catch the suspect in his lies. No, he had been waiting for McGee to get up the nerve to want to question his ex himself.
If there was one person that would be able to get McCoy to talk it would be Tim. There was one problem with that though. The second Tim walked into that room it wouldn't just be McCoy that was vulnerable to being questioned.
Tim would be completely exposed to his ex too. Gibbs might think that it was a good idea and Tony could see exactly where he'd think that. At the same time though questioning the man could just as easily break Tim as it did McCoy.
That was the last thing that Tony wanted. The younger man was so strong. At least he had been so far. There was only so much a person could take before they broke. Tim had already been through so much. How much more could the man take?
"Tim," Tony tried to start.
"I can do this," Tim interrupted instantly.
"Doesn't mean you have to. This is a horrible idea and you know it."
"I can make him talk. I know how Nicky thinks. I'm the person for this and you know that. Tony, we have nothing so far. Nicky is the only person that can answer those questions."
"You have to be objective and you're still calling the man 'Nicky'. Come on, Tim. You can't tell me you're objective towards that man."
"What do you expect, Tony? I..."
Tim fell silent without finishing the sentence, but it wasn't hard to know where he was going with it. Tony didn't like thinking it, but he had to wonder what it would have been like if McCoy let Tim in on the secret.
There was a chance that Tim would have gone with his lover. If McCoy had just brought the younger man in on his plan there was a chance that things would be different. It actually scared Tony that that chance was there.
"You love him," Tony whispered hating the words, "Would you have gone with him if he had asked?"
"What?"
"You love him. Even now that you know what he did you love him. It's not that crazy to think that you might consider going with him if he had asked you."
Anger appeared in the green eyes as he took a step towards the agent. For a moment Tony was sure that the Marine was going to take a swing at him and he wouldn't have blamed the man. Then the man took a step back his shoulders sagging.
He looked so saddened by the question and Tony wasn't exactly happy about that. It meant that Tim had actually thought about it before and he still wasn't sure about what his answer was. That was the scary thing about love. It gave you the power to do things you never thought possible.
"I love Nicky," Tim sighed shaking his head, "I will always love him, Tony, but I don't think that I'd have gone with him. I'm not that person. I don't… My job is to protect people. My little sister always said that my life goal is to be one big brother to the world. I would never hurt anyone if I had my choice. I just want to protect. That's all."
Staring into the beautiful eyes Tony nodded his head in understanding. The blond was one of those few people that were truly good. It wasn't often that you met a pure soul like Tim. Especially one wearing a military uniform.
"I'm sorry, Tim," Tony offered softly, "I had to ask."
"I know," Tim smiled sadly, "I know you think this is a bad idea and a part of me agrees with you. I can't just leave it like this though. The man that I loved more than anything did these horrible things. He faked so much and I need to know what the truth is if I ever want to more on. Please, Tony, let me question Nicky. Let me put this behind me for good."
A bad feeling sat in Tony's stomach, but he knew exactly what he had to do. Reaching out Tony turned the elevator back on without saying a word. He wanted nothing more than to usher Tim out of the building and away from the situation.
It wasn't often that Tony felt over-protective over someone. Especially someone that could so obviously take care of himself like Tim could. That did nothing to stop Tony though. He wanted Tim to be safe and maybe the safest things was to end it.
The man climbed out of the elevator and into the bullpen. Gibbs looked up from the file on his desk his eyes slowly moving between the men. Standing up the silver haired man motioned with his head for them to follow him.
Walking through the building they ended up in the observation room. Nicholas McCoy was sitting in the interrogation room. He looked like hell and Tony couldn't help just a little better knowing that he was locked up.
Tony was man enough to admit that McCoy was a good looking man. His hair was a salt and pepper and curling around his ears. It obviously had been growing out since he faced his death though. If it was a different situation he would hold no qualm flirting with him.
The thing about the other man that made Tony freeze though was the man's eyes. They were a dark gray color that reminded Tony of the storms that used to have him hiding under the blankets when he was a child. Completely terrifying.
"Nicky?" Tim whispered sounding so lost.
"You don't have to do this," Gibbs reassured calmly, "I can question him."
"But you haven't yet."
"No, I haven't."
"Why not?"
Blue eyes looked over at the young Marine without saying a word. After a moment of silence Tim nodded his head quietly before leaving the room. It seemed the man was as ready to question his ex as he would ever be.
Groaning softly Tony leaned against the wall. A hand came to rest on his shoulder causing him to look up at his boss. The man had the same resolved look in his eyes that McGee did, but with the added look of trepidation.
"I wouldn't be doing this if I thought there was a better way," Gibbs assured Tony.
"That doesn't actually make me feel better right now," Tony muttered to him.
"I didn't think it would. He has to do this though."
"Face the guy that broke his heart? There's no outcome of this where he doesn't end up even more hurt than he already is, Boss!"
"No, but there is an outcome where he doesn't end up giving up hole in the world."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Just watch him."
Turning his eyes towards the two-way mirror Tony watched as McCoy looked over at the door. Dark gray eyes widened in surprise as Tim walked through the door. It looked like the last thing he was expecting was the man he left behind.
No words were spoken as Tim sat across from the suspect. Tony watched as McCoy's breathing picked up slightly. It made no sense to the agent. McCoy already knew that Tim was part of the case. Hell, he had taken shots at him. Why did he look so shocked?
"I didn't think you'd come to see me," McCoy spoke his voice soft yet deep, "At least not without a weapon."
"You know I don't need a weapon to harm you," Tim said back with a smirk.
"I would hope so. I am the one that taught you how to fight."
Shaking his head Tim looked over at the window unknowingly meeting Tony's eyes. Tony shifted slightly where he was wishing he was in the room with Tim. Groaning he rested his head on the wall his eyes slipping shut. There was nothing he could do but wait and listen.
"A year ago we were in Sudan," Tim said turning back to McCoy, "You disappeared during a gun fight. Your body was never found. For a year you were considered an M.I.A. Marine. Everyone thought you were dead."
"Seems they jumped to conclusion," McCoy replied motioning to himself, "I'm quite alive."
"So I can see. Though I doubt many others will be seeing you again."
"And why's that, Tim?"
"Because nothing you say after this moment matters. You're a traitor. You're going to be charged with that and there's nothing that will change that."
"So why are you here if you have all the answers?"
"The answers are to what you did."
"And what answers do you have?"
Opening the file in front of him Tim began to place photo after photo on the table. A sarcastic smile to McCoy's lips as he picked up the evidence and began to read them. He made a handful of thoughtful noises before placing them down.
This was the guy that McGee was in love with? He might have been attractive, but Tony didn't believe for one second that the younger man was that shallow. No, there was more to McCoy. There had to be more to him.
At least that was what Tony was hoping for. He still didn't know much about Tim so it was completely possible that McCoy was exactly the type of person that the man would normally date. What did that say about Tony?
The agent knew that he wasn't exactly the best person. He was loud and brash and really only cared for himself in a lot of situations. At least that's the way he was with people that he didn't know. They acted the same way towards him.
Tony made sure that the people he dated knew that he wasn't in for the long haul. He liked to have fun and that was perfectly fine. As long as everyone knew what was going on than there was no problem.
Tim was different though. For Tony he wasn't a one and done type of deal and he had thought that the younger man wanted it that way too. Now that Tony saw how different he was from McCoy he began to question if he was reading things wrong.
"Is this supposed to mean something to me?" McCoy asked with a cock of his eyebrow.
"You were trying to bring people into the country illegally and set them up in small towns where it would be difficult for them to be found," Tim lied artfully, "From what we can tell you were bringing those men in the warehouse to the names so they could buy the names that you had collected."
"And why would I collect names? They're easy enough to come up with."
"It's not easy to come up with names that have no connection to anything. Those are the important thing. If the police or long lost family members came looking for one of your people then your entire plan would be blown."
"My plans? Since when am I the one in control of the operation?"
"Since you're the one that's going to take the fall for it all."
"Don't threaten me, Timothy."
"We both know it's not a threat. You got yourself into this situation and there's nothing you can do about it."
"Then why are you even… Wait… You didn't know what the names were for did you?"
A smirk came to the blond's lips as the suspect figured his lie out. Tony expected McCoy to be angry but he surprised them by laughing. He throw his head back his whole body shaking so hard Tony thought the man would fall over.
"You've gotten better at lying," McCoy said still chuckling, "Do you remember our four year anniversary? You had gotten me those beautiful cufflinks and tried to keep it a secret."
"You knew as soon as I got back home from picking them up."
"And you walked into our place and I couldn't help teasing you by asking what color they were. You sounded so adorable stuttering."
"I remember. It was one of the best nights of my life."
An awkward silence came over the interrogation room. That was when Tony saw what Tim had seen in the other Marine. He was actually a sweet guy when he wanted to be. It seemed as if he was not all that easy to read after all.
"I'm sorry, Tim," McCoy whispered reaching out to place a hand on Tim's.
Instantly Tim flipped his hand over letting their fingers link. For a moment they looked exactly like the couple they used to be. It broke Tony's heart seeing just how far they had fallen in such a short time.
Tim obviously loved the other man from everything that Tony had seen. The thing that surprised the agent was McCoy. The dark gray eyes had softened so much. The man loved Tim as much as Tim loved him. That much Tony knew now.
Tony had known that their relationship wasn't fake, but to see it with his own eyes was something else. He hated the man for all the pain that he put Tim through and he had thought that maybe it had been like what he and Jeanne had had.
Not that he wished that situation on anyone, but he had truly thought that McCoy was lying to Tim about loving him. Seeing how wrong he was made Tony even more confused. Why would he leave Tim if he loved him?
"I'm sorry, Tim," McCoy whispered looking away from the blond, "I… I know I hurt you."
"Hurt me?" Tim asked a sad laugh escaping his lips, "You broke my heart, Nicky. I thought that you and I would spend the rest of our lives together. I wanted to marry you. I was looking at rings!"
Tim pulled his hands away from McCoy's and stood up. Tony watched the beautiful green eyes fill with tears. He wanted to go into the room and pull the younger man into a hug, but before he could do anything though McCoy was up and wrapping Tim in his arms.
The Marine stiffened long enough that Tony was sure that he was going to pull away. Instead Tim turned around letting the arms hold him closely. They looked so comfortable together. Like they belonged.
"I love you, Timothy McGee," McCoy said his voice firm and filled with truth, "God, I love you, but I'm not like you. I'm not the good guy."
"It really was all you? You did this by yourself?" Tim questioned his voice breaking.
"Every last detail. I found names that had no attachments and I gave them to people that I knew would pay a good price."
"And you didn't care what type of people they were bringing in? What if they were terrorists, Nicky?"
"Terrorists pay the best."
Pulling away from McCoy Tim stared at his ex for a moment before his hand came out to punch McCoy in the face. That had Gibbs moving into the room without a word to stop Tim if he decided to do anymore damage.
Gibbs took Tim by the arm and pulled him out of the room before turning to the two-way mirror and motioning with his head to Tony. Taking the hint the agent stood up and went into the hallway. Tim was standing at the now closed door of the interrogation room looking lost.
"Hey," Tony spoke resting a hand on the back of the younger man's back, "Come on."
Tim was completely quiet as the older man lead him to the elevator and down to the morgue. It might not be a normal place to talk, but it had tea so it worked for Tony and he had a feeling that the Marine was not in the mood to fight.
"Ah, Mr. DiNozzo and Mr. McGee," Ducky greeted with a smile, "How can I help you today?"
"Tea?" Tony requested softly.
Understanding come into the older man's eyes before he lead Tony and Tim into his office and left them alone. After the door closed Tony went about making them both a cup of tea leaving McGee to sit on the couch in silence.
"How did I not know who he was?" Tim asked sounding lost, "He and I were together for years. I wanted to marry him. Didn't he..."
Tim trailed off tears finally spilling over. Placing the cups down Tony moved to the younger man's side and pulled him into a hug. The blond curled into him his tears soaking into the agents jacket. This was not how Tony dreamed of having the man in his arms.
"He loved you, Tim," Tony soothed rubbing his back.
"He choose to fake his death over staying with me," Tim muttered against his shoulder.
"I know, but that doesn't change that he loved you."
The man fell silent Tony had no idea what else he was supposed to say to make the other man feel better. Instead he let himself relax into the couch and hold the man. Hopefully Tim would ask if he needed anything.
Tony had no idea how long they were sitting there before the man pulled away. The man stood up and moved to the other side of the office before turning back. His hand came up to wipe away the last of his tears.
"Sorry about that," Tim sighed shaking his head, "Guess it finally caught up to me."
"It's alright," Tony shrugged, "Lasted longer than I would have."
"I'm going to… I'm going to go. I need to think."
"Yeah. Of course. I'll see you tomorrow?"
Tim offered the agent a sad smile before turning and leaving the room. Sighing Tony ran a hand through his hair not knowing if he was ever going to see the younger man again or if he was just going to disappear now that he had his answers.