Gibbs watch Tony come out the elevator looking very pleased with himself. He knew it meant that DiNozzo had a 'talk' with Abby and the outcome was good. Looks like Tony is finally living up to his part of the 'big brother' role, Gibbs thought with a smirk.

Time to get things back to normal. "'Bout time DiNozzo. Did your lead pan out?" Gibbs asked with his most normal annoyed voice.

Tony picked up right away on what Gibbs was doing. "Abby's still working on it." He smiled and winked to Gibbs where McGee wouldn't see.

"Next time, make sure you have something more solid before you go off taking up time."

"Yes, Boss."

"While you were fooling around, McGee was actually getting some work done." Ziva said from behind Tim, in her usual 'fed-up with Tony' voice. She took a moment to smile at McGee before she moved in front of the plasma, with the controller. While Gibbs and DiNozzo came to stand beside her.

McGee smiled at the usual banter, it really helped to know that not everything was spinning out of control. He hit a few more key strokes to send his information. He didn't have the strength to stand and give his report, but no one was going to push him. Ziva also knew everything he did, so she could fill in any gaps if he had any trouble.

McGee took a breath and then started. "We have eliminated one suspect, Greg Stokar." An image appeared of the adult version of the black haired, blue eyed kid, a military picture. "He followed in his dad's footsteps and became Navy. He died in action two years ago."

Roger was watching from his position by Ziva's desk. He wanted to step closer, but he thought better of it this time. He wanted this to be just like any other sit-rep, just like any other case. Although, it was strange hearing about his old classmates. He shook his head slightly to himself. How quickly it all goes, how much time did we all waste by being jerks. If we had been Tim's friends instead … Well, who knows.

McGee's voice brought Roger out of his thoughts. "Next is Mark Sieble, also followed in his father's footsteps and went into the Marines. Was honorably discharged one year ago. The strange thing is that he has fallen off the grid since then. No cards, no cell phone, no rent, nothing. The Corp is still issuing checks, but none are getting cashed."

Ziva had clicked the controller to bring up the image of a very handsome young man with brown hair and eyes. He had lost his pudge and his deep set eyes added to his attractiveness. "This can mean two things. One, that he has died without anyone noticing. Or two, …"

"… he has gone hunting for Timothys." DiNozzo added.

Gibbs gave his customary head slap. "Sorry Boss."

McGee's smiled deepened, until he brought up the information on the last member of the old gang. "Last is Nathaniel Enedy." Instead of a military picture, a prison photo was brought up. "Nate was in and out of juvy until he graduated high school and into regular jails. His crimes kept increasing, until five years ago, then he too fell off the grid."

"So we have two suspects, but no way to track either." Gibbs' annoyance was for real this time.

"I think it's most likely Siebel. He's only been missing for a year. The time frame is better for planning this stuff." DiNozzo mused.

McGee shook his head. "I know its Nate."

Tony looked at him. "How?"

"I don't know … gut feeling." Tim shrugged.

Gibbs smiled at his team. "Ziva, you've been through all of the information, what do you think?"

"I do not know. Both have plenty of opportunity, but motive is missing." Ziva gave a huff. "McGrory has the best motive, but an iron clad alibi."

"Yeah, a little something called maximum security." DiNozzo scoffed.

McGee brought himself back into focus. "Well, lets work on what we've got … or what we don't." His team looked at him. "We don't have a solid motive. Mark was kind of like a foot soldier of the gang. Like Roger, he just participated when Theodore took over. Never taking any initiative." McGee looked over to Roger, "No offense."

"None taken, sir. The truth is the truth."

"Okay, DiNozzo, you work on Siebel. David and McGee, you work on Enedy." Gibbs ordered. He wasn't sure about letting Tim dig deeper into the one other person in the group who had hurt him so badly. However, with Ziva by his side, McGee would be able to handle it. Not just Ziva, but the rest of us as well.

He received a course of "Yes Boss!", and his team scattered to get back to work. Gibbs didn't know how much was going to be found about two people who are off the grid, but if there was anything to find, his team would.

XXXX

As the day drew to a close, McGee's shaking had increased to almost constant. Ziva ended up having to stop making phone calls to give support. She had her arms wrapped around his shoulders and rested her head on his left shoulder.

"Ziva, I'm really sorry about this. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Hush McGee. It is not fun to watch Tony do all the thigh work by himself." Ziva said in a very playful tone.

McGee was sure her mistake was on purpose, but it still worked to bring a smile to his face. "Leg work, Ziva."

"It is all from the same body part, no?"

Tim smiled even more, but the shaking wouldn't stop.

Gibbs and DiNozzo exchanged a look and then glanced over to Roger. Gibbs had a feeling he knew what was wrong. McGee knew that at the end of the day, he was going to be whisked away to some strange safe house with a person he definitely did NOT feel safe with.

Not if I have anything to say about it. Gibbs was reaching for his phone, when it rang. "Gibbs."

DiNozzo watched Gibbs' face go from a scowl to a grin to amused and wondered what was being said on the other side of the phone.

When Gibbs hung up, he had a most satisfied look. "Alright people, let's call it a day." He stood and waited for McGee's reaction.

Tim closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. When he reopened his eyes he turned to look at Roger, he didn't realize that he had reached up and grabbed onto one of Ziva's arms. "We … I need to stop home first before going to the s-s-s." He paused. Damn it! I don't want to stutter! "The safe house. Not only do I need clothes, but I need to take care of my dog."

Roger nodded. "Of course, Agent McGee. Whatever you need. If you wish, you can bring your dog with you." He turned to look at the rest of the team. "I'm sure you understand that I cannot disclose the location of one of our safe houses. Agent McGee can be in contact by phone only."

Gibbs knew he was dead on when McGee stuttered. This was going to feel good. DiNozzo had started to object when Gibbs let them in on what his phone call had been about. "No need to worry about that Staff Sergeant, everyone knows where my house is."

McGee's head snapped around, relief played in his eyes, but still had a worry. "Are you sure, Boss?"

"Do you even have to ask Tim?"

"I just … it's going to be a pain … you don't have to put yourself out for me. I'll be ok at the Air Force's safe house." Tim really wanted to be somewhere where his team knew his location, but to have Gibbs offer his own house was overwhelming.

Roger was stunned at even the suggestion. "Sir, with all due respect, Agent McGee needs to be somewhere the suspect doesn't know about. He could very well know where all of Agent McGee's co-workers live. For his safety, I cannot authorize such a change." After everything he saw today, Roger couldn't believe that they would risk Tim in such away.

"Trust me Staff Sergeant, my house is far safer than any safe house could possibly be." Gibbs turned to McGee and pointed a finger at him. "And you, you should know better!"

DiNozzo smiled, "That's right McGee, you're the only one who's never had to take refuge at Gibbs'. Think of it as initiation."

Tim and Roger started with other objections when Vance came down the stairs. "I have spent all day talking with SecNav and SecAF, and have assured them that Gibbs' is the safest place for my Agent right now." He gave a hard look to Roger. "If you have any objections, please come to my office, now."

Roger nodded curtly, motioned to his men to stay with McGee, and went upstairs with Vance. Vance looked over the MCRT and gave a sly smile.

When Vance and Roger disappeared, Tony went over to McGee's desk. Ziva and Tim were still in the same position. "Ok you two love birds, let's not forget Rule 12." Tony wagged his eyebrows conspiratorially.

McGee blushed when he realized what he and Ziva must look like and removed his hand. "Tony …"

"Jealous?" Ziva gave a wicked grin and gently tightened her arms around McGee. "But of which one of us?"

It was Tony's turn to blush, "What! I don't swing that way! I would never … not there is anything wrong with … but with Tim?… not that there's anything wrong with Tim … I've always wondered if he would … not for myself …"

"Did I not tell you, McGee?" Her smile became down right ruthless.

"Tell him what?" DiNozzo looked at them confused. "Come on now, let me in on it."

McGee was almost beaming at the normalcy of it all. "Definitely not into threesomes. You Ziva?"

Ziva's smile soften as Tim joined in the teasing. "I do not know McGee, it can be quite fun with the right partners."

Now both Tim and Tony blushed.

Gibbs smirked at the banter. He knew what he was going to say next would add to it. "You three better not do that all night or else, I'll have you doing laps around my neighborhood!"

It was comical as his three agents turned to Gibbs in unison.

"Alright! Sleepover! I'll bring the movies!" DiNozzo practically jumped with enthusiasm.

"Why you?" Ziva scowled.

"Who else better!" Tony went over and pulled McGee out of Ziva's embrace and noticed that the shaking did not return. "What are you in the mood for, I've got anything you can want. Well, almost anything. No geek movies." He threw an arm around Tim's shoulders.

McGee had a lighthearted face as he replied. "What constitutes a 'geek' move per say?"

Ziva frowned a little, but caught up to DiNozzo and McGee, with Gibbs bringing up the rear.

"You know Probie! Sci-Fi epics or beat-you-over-the-head to think movies."

"Sci-Fi epics? Come on Tony, you like Star Wars, too."

"What celebrities would be fighting?" Ziva asked with a quirk to her head.

Tony and Tim looked at each other. "Star Wars it is!" They replied in unison.

Gibbs herded them all, including the two airmen, into the elevator when the doors opened. His two 'boys' were still arguing the merits of the original three vs. the recent three sets of Star Wars movies when the doors closed.

At the top of the stairs, Vance and Roger had looked on in amusement. "Now do you understand Staff Sergeant?"

Roger looked over to the Director. "Yes, sir!" A smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He nodded and left to report to his superiors the events of the day. What a report this is going to make! Roger thought as he left NCIS.