Tim wasted no time, not wishing to show any more weakness when it came to DiNozzo.

"Bobbi, call Security again," Tim once again summoned security for one of his staff. "Have them escort Agent DiNozzo to lock up, to be held until I order his release. Have someone clear his desk and have it all locked up as well. Any deviation from these orders while result in similar orders for those individuals, yourself included. No one is to speak to Agent DiNozzo at any time." Turning around, Tim walked back into his office.

"Tim, please…" Tim ignored the older agent. He would not have him now ask for forgiveness.

"You couldn't do it, could you, DiNozzo? Do what you were asked? Follow orders? Obey the chain of command? Or rather, do what your former "Probie" ordered? Well, because of whatever issues you have, you no longer have a career, as far as I am concerned. Deputy Director Vance will receive a written report from myself by the end of the day. He will take care of it from there." Tim was doing his best not to lose it. He really did not need DiNozzos attitude after the start of his day. "Did you really believe I would just let you walk all over me? Treat me the way you did in Washington? Well, that ship has sailed, and will never come home to port. Now, shut up. I've had enough." Tim turned away from him, walking to the window, knowing if he said any more, he would ending up getting angry, and he had to avoid that today.

KNOCK KNOCK

"Come in." Tim turned around, seeing Special Agent Murray, head of NCIS Security at Camp Pendleton.

"Sir." Tim had told him time and again, it was McGee or Tim, but no joy.

"Please escort Agent DiNozzo to lock up, to be released on my orders only. No communications with anyone, not even the Director or Deputy Directors. He wants to speak to a lawyer, he can wait. Understood?" Tim wasted no time here.

"Understood, Sir. Agent DiNozzo, come with us please." Murray had been escorted by three further agents, all of whom were armed. DiNozzo was looking at McGee, McGee was looking out onto the office floor. He had work to do. DiNozzo knew his career was over, he had pushed McGee too far. DiNozzo left the office, looking at the floor, not wanting to see the looks on everyones faces. Tim followed them out, stopping at Bobbis desk.

"His desk?" Tim asked.

"Being cleared," Bobbi responded quietly, not knowing why he had been put into lock up.

"Thank you. If you need me, I will be with Agent Maddens team."

Tim walked over to Cameron, hoping the younger man would have good news.

"Anything?"

"Not yet, we are looking at Malcolm Walker. We decided not to investigate people we know well. Won't make it better, but maybe a bit easier."

"Thanks. I need a desk, I need to conduct my own investigation into some people. You got a spare desk?"

"Yeah. Take mine, I'm working off my laptop on the middle desk, easier to be got to there." Cameron was worried about his friend. The orders he had given so far today were not easy. "You need anything? Vodka, for instance?" Cam knew Tim would need some support later on.

"I'm thinking nutter butters today and a lot of white wine tomorrow, don't wanna come in stinking like a drunk in the morning." Cam smiled at his little joke, knowing Tim was not a big drinker.

"You need me, yell, I'll hear you," Cam said, moving off to the centre of his section.

Tim settled into Cams desk, bringing up three search engines, into the first he entered details for Lance Hardy, the journalist with the Arizona Star. The second he put in Gerald Morse, knowing the FBI might investigate their lead agent, but better to never assume. Into the last, he entered the name of an additional suspect who was not in the conference room, in the FBI or in lock up. He hoped he was wrong about his extra suspect, but better to clear all bases.

Two hours later, Tim was speaking to the FBI, with Agent Morse, and with Deputy Director Robert Weston, head of FBI Operations, West Coast Division.

"Agent McGee, we have ruled out all of our agents at this time, including Agent Morse. What results have NCIS come up with?" Weston did not appreciate the insinuation that one of his agents was a traitor.

"So far, none, Deputy Director. The Arizona Star has too much information for everyones liking, meaning there is a leak somewhere. I have begun investigations into all those involved from NCIS. The only people not being investigated are Deputy Director Vance and Director Shepard. I have instructed Deputy Director Vance to have someone investigate myself as well."

"What happens if there is no leak found?" This was Agent Morse.

"We have to assume we either missed something, or the leak has better access than first thought. I would have to expand the scope of the investigation to the entire Special Operations branch, before the leak gets any bigger. I have to go now, my time is running short. Thank you for updating me." Tim ended the call, knowing he had to focus on SpecOps. He needed to find the leak, and so far, he was coming up empty. Search number three was looking like the most probable, mainly due to the access granted to this suspect. Tim wondered how long it had been going on.

He expanded his search, to cover previous SpecOps leaks, as well as previous assignments held by the suspect. Locking his computer, Tim went to get coffee. Passing through the floor, Tim stopped by Cams desk.

"Getting coffee, join me?" It was framed as a question, but meant as an order. Cam obeyed, standing up and following his acting boss.

"Listen, something will happen later. I need to know whether or not I can trust you, and do what I ask of you. Cam, will you trust me with your career?" Tim felt this might be one of the most important questions he had ever asked someone in his life.

"Tim, what kind of question is that to ask?" Cameron didn't have a clue what he was going on about.

"The kind I can't give any more details about. Will you trust me?" Tim needed an answer, hoping the man would say yes. He would have asked Karl, but he was one of the six official suspects.

Cameron knew he wasn't the leak, nor did think that about Karl Livingstone or Malcolm Walker. He answered the question the best way he knew how.

"Tim, only do this if you are sure. I'll do it, but I will write this up."

"I understand, but do so on paper, not on the computer, hand write it, sign it and date it. Understood?" Tim didn't want to take any chances with this one.

"Understood. I take it you can't tell me your plan?"

"No one knows it, and hopefully no one will until it is too late. It might get a little rough, and for that I'm sorry. Thank you." Tim walked back to his computer, bringing up the search engine. The things he suspected were true, it was time to expand the search, and gather more evidence.


Tim looked at the clock, 1642 hours, local time. He knew he was ready, time to bring in the cavalry. Tim opened up the program he hoped never to use again. Entering the sixteen digit command number, he lifted the lockdown on SpecOps. Tim stood up from his desk, and made his way out of the office.

"Bobbi, I need Deputy Director Vance and Security up here now. I will be with our suspect." The older woman began making the calls, the Deputy Director first. She watched as SAC McGee made his way over to Cameron Madden. She thought all the suspects were in the conference room.

"Cam," Tim called across the floor, "wanna come with me?" Tim moved away, heading to the conference room. Tim planned to have the whole floor witness this. On his way to the conference room, he got his cell phone out, making one last call before he began his performance.

Tim slowed to wait for Cameron, whispering to him, "Game on." Cameron understood this reference, knowing Tims plan was in action. Walking into the conference room, Tim stood in front of his former suspects.

"None of you is our leak. I'm sorry for doubting you, but this was the easiest way, rather than have each of you investigated by external agencies, who would snoop around every aspect of your life, including your family and friends." Tim looked at each of them, none of them looked very friendly right now. "I know all of you want to tell me what you really think about me, but lets go clear your names." Turning around, Tim left the room, everyone following him. Tim saw Deputy Director Vance enter the floor, followed by Security escorting DiNozzo back.

"Deputy Director, we have ruled out all of our initial suspects. But my investigation turned up an new suspect. I have collected evidence and with your authority I would like to place them under arrest."

"Of course, Agent McGee." Tim turned to address the floor.

"Thank you all for your hard work today. You have done something we never wish to do, investigate one of our own. I am pleased to announce that none of the people you have been invstigating are the leak." This was met by cheers and applause. "However, the leak did come from this department, how this person got access, I do not know. Security, please place Agent Madden under arrest. Place him in solitary confinement, suicide watch."

"What? No! Tim, I've been framed, please! Tim! Get your hands off me! I'm innocent! I'm not the leak!" Tim watched as Cameron played his part to perfection, and felt guilty he had to do this.

"Get him out of here!" Ordered Vance. "We'll be over in a while to interrogate the prisoner."

Tim waited while Cameron was escorted out, Security half carrying, half dragging him out. Once the floor was silent, Tim turned to address his staff.

"As you can see, he had covered his tracks well. Now, please, I know its a lot to ask, but we still have a job to do." Turning to Karl, he spoke quietly. "I need a plan of operation to bring in Marcus Temple, along with as many of his associates within twenty four hours. He already knows we are coming for him. I want him in custody by the weekend. Get to it." Tim turned to Vance, now. "Sir, I need to get the office up and running before I do anything else. I can join you in interrogation in fifteen minutes."

"Thats fine, Tim, I'll be waiting for you." Vance suspected something else was up, but at the moment, he let his temporary department head run the show. "And Agent DiNozzo?"

"Someone I need to deal with right now.." Tim moved away quickly, heading over to Karl and Louise, needing to delegate certain responsibilities, as well as discuss another issue with them. "Karl, Louise, my office, now." Turning around, he said, "Escort him to my office, please."

Tim headed for his office, getting this out of the way right now. He saw his computer and telephone flashing, showing emails and voicemails that had built up over the last few hours. Tim waited until everyone arrived. Karl closed the door without being asked.

"DiNozzo, one last chance," Tim said without preamble, "Resign or be sacked. You will not be transferred. I am not letting another agent go through that farce you tried to put me through earlier. You have five seconds, starting now."

Tony didn't even think, before speaking.

"You can't sack me, you need good reason, McPowerhungry. You think I don't have friends in NCIS. Trust me, I will always be here."

"Wrong, getting sacked it is. You are suspended, pending an investigation into your professional conduct. You are forbidden from contacting any NCIS agent or employee, you are forbidden to contact their families or homes. Should you attempt to contact them in any way, I will ask for a further investigation into your behaviour while on suspension, you will also be suspended for a second investigation." Tim looked at Louise and Karl, both wondering what had happened while they were being accused of leaking secrets. "You still don't get it, Tony. I'm your boss. I'm in charge. Not you. Go home. I will have security escort you off base, and take your base pass and credentials. You are forbidden to enter this base until called for. I would ask if you understand this, but knowing you, you will ignore me anyway. If you do ignore me, God help you, DiNozzo, because I won't." Tim gestured to the security men standing outside.

Everyone turned as they entered the room.

"Special Agent McGee." Tim didn't know the mans name.

"Please escort Agent DiNozzo to his car and ensure he leaves the base. Also, remove him of his base pass and NCIS credentials. They are to be held pending an official investigation. Thank you." Tim watched as Tony looked around, his face looking like a lost little boy. Tim had no sympathy for him, he had watched Tony do all this to himself. Tim had to act in the best interests of the agency, not for a single individual. The security men gestured for DiNozzo, who went with them, quietly, his head down, once again.

"Louise, Karl, I need to tell the both of you something."