a/n - Well, now that I'm done with Shattered, I'm back on this one. This is a short chapter, but it was the only place to break it. I'm going to try to blast this one out as quickly as possible, as I am, once again, fighting a deadline. Yeah, story of my life. I've got some other big stories in the works, too, so you'll never be rid of me. Enjoy.
It was almost daybreak when the team was reunited at the motel in Barstow, after a long flight and a several hour layover for Vance to oversee an operation in New Orleans. Tony and Ziva seemed glad to have the rest of the team there, hoping that the presence of more agents from NCIS would tip the developing power struggle in their favor.
They were especially glad to see their friend, even if he looked ready to drop. "Hey, Buddy, didn't you sleep on the plane?"
"Indeed, McGee, you look like you have not slept since Tony and I left."
"I'm all right, guys. It was just a long flight and it was too hot in New Orleans to even try to sleep."
Gibbs wanted to take the attention off McGee, who was beginning to look overwhelmed. "Update, DiNozzo."
Tony watched McGee out of the corner of his eye as he reported. "The evidence should be with Abby in a few hours. We're going to the prison today to interview Kehoe and check his visitor log."
Gibbs nodded, it sounded like a good next step. Vance wanted more. "I want his cell searched while he's in the interrogation room."
"Yes, Sir, I've already notified the warden."
"Good job DiNozzo. Gibbs, you go with them. McGee, you're going to rest today." Vance looked around, neither of the two FBI agents were around.
Tim managed to not roll his eyes. "Who's turn is it to tuck me in?"
"I believe it is my turn." McGee blushed at the predatory gleam in Ziva's eye.
"Umm, guys..."
"Goodnight, McGee, have a good nap." DiNozzo managed to keep a straight face at Gibbs' comment as he picked up McGee's bag and guided him to the room, but it was a near thing.
---NCIS---
To Tobias Fornell, the worst part of having the rest of the NCIS team arrive was that it meant that he would have to share a room with Mink. He stood in front of the door to to room seven, waiting for Mink to let him in. If he'd be stuck sharing a room, he'd hoped to share with Gibbs. At least they were friends. Unfortunately, the small motel didn't have any extra rooms, so Director Vance would be rooming with Gibbs and he was stuck with Mink. Only Officer David would have a private room, being the only woman in the group. He knocked again as he watched DiNozzo steer an obviously exhausted McGee into the room they would be sharing. The third time he banged on the door, Mink finally opened it, nowhere near ready to leave.
Fornell glared at him and muscled past, dropping his suitcases on the unused bed. "Are you coming with us or not, Mink?"
"I'm not feeling so hot after that march through the desert yesterday, Fornell." To prove his point, Mink mopped at his sweaty face with a tissue before dropping it on the table and returning to the bathroom.
"Great, just great." Fornell picked up a magazine and used it to brush the used tissue into the trash before heading out the door.
Vance, Gibbs and DiNozzo were waiting in the parking lot for him. Vance was watching behind Fornell as he threaded his way through the cars. "Where's Mink?"
"Staying here, says he's sick."
Gibbs was immediately on the phone. "Ziva, Mink is staying behind. Make sure he doesn't bother McGee while we're gone."
Can I shoot him?
"Only if he causes a problem."
Define problem.
"Play nice, Officer David." He closed the phone without listening to her objections. DiNozzo had been close enough to hear both sides of the conversation and was grinning at his boss. Vance narrowed his eyes as he watched them.
"Do I want to know?"
"No, Sir."
Vance continued to watch Gibbs. "I didn't think so." He lowered his voice and stepped closer to his two agents. "While you're at the prison, I'm going to rattle some cages and get some more details about what our old friend, Mink, has been up to all these years." He spoke up so Fornell could hear him too. "You'll be dropping me off at the Marine Base, I need to video conference with DC." If Fornell questioned his plans, he didn't say anything.
---NCIS---
"Umm, Ziva, I was kinda joking about tucking me in." McGee was a little surprised to come out of the cramped motel bathroom, in just his boxers, to find her sitting on the bed.
She smiled as she stood and folded the covers back. "I was not. Now, I have promised Gibbs that you would rest while they were gone." When McGee stayed in the bathroom doorway, she patted the bed. "In you go."
He detoured to pull a t-shirt out of his suitcase, still watching her every move.
"I do not bite, McGee. Agent Mink has chosen to stay in the motel instead of going to the prison with the others. I am under orders from Gibbs to protect you from him." She paced as she explained, and at the furthest point of her circuit around the room, McGee scooted under the covers and pulled them up.
"I'm pretty sure he's not going to climb in the window and attack me in my sleep, Ziva. I may not like the man, but he is on the same side of the law." Tim ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "I should just answer all of his questions and be done with it."
"And you will, McGee." Ziva sat on the other side of the bed and shifted around to lean against the headboard. "But when the rest of the team is here also. If Agent Mink disagrees, he may take it up with me."