This chapter is all about the deal Secretary Jarvis offered them. It is my favorite chapter so far. I hope you like it.

Chapter 10 Iraq

Tonys POV

Secretary Jarvis gave us the order to vanquish a terroristic organization, which was active in Washington D.C., the Iraq and Syria. If we were able to do that, both Tim and I could keep our jobs at the NCIS. Two of our team had to the Iraq and two had to work in D.C. And I was in denial. I didn't want Tim to go to the Iraq, because there he could get easily hurt or worse… But going to the Iraq would help his career and I knew he wanted to go so badly.

Tim and I went into the Bullpen the next morning. Ziva looked concerned at us.

»Gibbs filled me in. What are we going to do? «

Tim and I exchanged a look. His eyes showed worry, but also a kind of fire. The thirst for action and the urge to prove that he is worth it. With that one look I knew what I had to do. I got up and ran upstairs to Director Vance office. I knocked.

»Come in. «

When I stood in front of his desk, the Director asked:

»Agent DiNozzo, how can I help you? «

»I would like to recommend an agent to go to the Iraq. «

Vance looked curious at me.

»Who? «

I took a breath.

»Special Agent Timothy McGee. «

»May I ask why you recommend him? «

»Even if I don't want him to get hurt, I know he wants to go. He wants to prove himself. Besides he is very capable of doing this. He is an excellent agent and he would deserve it to get chosen for this. «

Director Vance nodded thoughtfully.

»I will consider that while making my decision. «

»Thank you, Director. «

Back in the Bullpen Tim and Ziva eyed me suspiciously and Gibbs smiled at me, which freaked me out. It seemed like he knew what I did. A few minutes later Vance came in.

»Agent DiNozzo. «

I got up.

»Sir. «

»I comply with your recommendation. «

I nodded and sat down, relieved. Vance turned to the others.

»The Agents McGee, David and Gibbs will fly to Bagdad. «

That wasn't what I expected. I figured either Ziva or Gibbs would stay here.

»Leon, DiNozzo can't do the work here o his own. «, Gibbs said.

»He can. Besides he won't be alone. Ms. Sciuto and Dr. Mallard are always a good help. And I am a NCIS Special Agent, too. So I can help him, too. «

I looked surprised at Vance. To be honest this whole 'being supported and accepted' thing freaked me out. I wasn't used to that and I unsure if this were real or an act.

»The plane starts 1 p.m. in Norfolk. Go pack your stuff. «

Tim smiled sadly at me. I knew he wanted to say goodbye in a proper way as much as I, but we had to keep it out of the office. They headed to the elevator.

»What are you doing, Agent DiNozzo? I am pretty sure Agent McGee will need help with packing. «

I smiled at him.

»Thank you, sir. «

I ran towards the elevator, slipping past the elevator door in the last moment.

»Tony, what are you doing? «

»Vance told me to help you packing. «

Tim smiled and it warmed my heart.

»He seems to be very fond of you. «, Ziva observed.

Tim nodded. The elevator doors opened and Tim and I got to my car. While driving home, Tim asked:

»What did Vance mean with your recommendation? «

»I told him I want you to go. «

»Why? «

»Because you want to. «

»You are really fine with me flying? «

I sighed.

»I don't know. I don't want you being in danger. But this makes you happy and that makes me happy. «

»I love you, Tony. «

I blushed.

»I love you, too. «

Up in Tim's apartment, when we packed a bag for him, I told him everything I knew and what I thought could be helpful for him. I knew I was rambling, but I couldn't stop.

»Tony! Tony! «

I stopped and looked at him. His green eyes were reassuring.

»I know you are worried. But Ziva and Gibbs will be with me the whole time and they were there a lot of times. And I am not exactly helpless. «

I sighed.

»I know. I am sorry. «

He hugged me.

»Don't be. It is cute how you are concerned about me. «

I blushed and he pressed a kiss on my temple. We continued to pack. A few minutes later he asked:

»How about we search an apartment or something when I am back? I mean we are practically living together already. We can make it officially. «

I smiled. I knew that was his way to say that he would be back. But I liked the thought of living with him. I didn't even freak out like it did with Jeanne. But like he said we were practically living together. I was prepared for this moment.

»I would love to. «, I replied.

I kissed him. He smiled.

We arrived at the plane at 12.30. Gibbs and Ziva were already there.

»Time to say goodbye. «, Gibbs said.

I turned to Tim.

»Please be careful. «, I said almost audible.

I even had tears in my eyes.

»Of course I am. I promise you to come back and then we will move in together. «

He kissed me. I smiled. I felt a little bit better and to be honest I didn't want to show weakness in front of Gibbs and Ziva. They were part of my family, but it was barely ready to open up to Tim.

»Good. Because I wouldn't like it when I had to fly to the Iraq and hunt some terrorists down.

He smiled. We kissed again and that kiss told me everything I had to know: that he would come back unharmed and that he loved me. Kissing Tim became one of my favorite things to do. Every touch of his lips against mine sent shivers down my spine. He made me feel loved and wanted. He did that with every kiss, touch and look he gave me. I couldn't stand loosing him. After a few minutes we broke apart.

»I love you, Tony. «

»I love you, too, McBeautiful. «, I whispered.

After a last, short, desperate kiss Tim got into the plane. Ziva smiled at me.

»I will bring him back to you. «

I smiled at her and fought the tears.

»Thank you. Be careful, too. «

She nodded.

After the plane started, I looked after it until it disappeared. I finally let a few tears fall.

»I hope you will come back to me. «

Ziva's POV

A few hours after the start somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean McGee fell asleep, his head on my shoulder.

»Why did you promise, Tony to bring McGee back? I don't want any of you getting hurt, but you can't promise something like that. «

»I know. But we are a family. And over the years in your team I learned that the members of a family protect each other. McGee is my brother as well as Tony. And… I saw how they look at each other. They truly love each other, if something happens to one of them, the other would be devastated. Over the last years Tony and Tim felt lonely. In case you didn't notice, they hadn't exactly luck with love until they found to each other. Especially Tony was lost. Even if he tried to hide it. His one night stands never meant something and Jeanne never meant him as much as McGee does. And I know, even if he doesn't speak about it, that Tony had a hard past. Hell, even McGee had some problems in his past. I can feel with them. When Tony watched McGee going into that plane, I could see so many emotions in his eyes. Fear, love, worry. And McGee looked like a lost puppet, when the plane started. They have the big luck to have the strongest and purest form of love. A love which is eternal and untouchable. A love I want to find. «

»It is a lost puppy Ziva. Dog babies. Not puppets «, McGee grumbled and rubbed his eyes.

I smiled. Puppies made more sense.

»I am thankful you said that to Tony, because he won't freak out that much. Hopefully. But I don't want you to put yourself in danger, just because of me. «

»You'd do it for me. «

He just shook his head, sadly and fell asleep again. What he just said encouraged me further. He deserved it to be saved.

Tonys POV

When I was back at the NCIS headquarters, I started to work to distract me. I looked at all the information the SecNav gave us and tried to find something, which would help Tim and the others. But I couldn't do much, when the others were still in the air. So I did the whole old paperwork I never made. I finished it after a few hours. They would still fly for a few hours. I got up and bought some food for now and later when I wouldn't have time for this. And then I let my mind wander. My stupid brain showed me dozens of possibilities how Tim and the others could get hurt or worse… And so I did something unusual I went to the chapel of the Navy Yard.

»I-uh-I know we don't talk much. My fault, I know. There is just one thing I want. Please bring Tim back unharmed. The others of course, too. Bring my McLove back and I swear I will do anything I can to be the best boyfriend. I will tell him everything. I will open up to him. I will do everything to make him happy. Just please bring him home to me. «

When I came back to the Bullpen, Director Vance waited for me.

»Where were you? «

»Uh- I was composing myself. «

He looked at me clearly doesn't believing what I said.

»I got a tip from the Office of Naval Intelligence. Apparently, the leader of the cell we are looking for is Thomas Schumacher a fanatic Islamist from Germany, who lives here in D.C. «

»How good are this information? «

»100% true. «

I nodded.

»I will look through his life. Maybe I find some names for Gibbs to use, before I will get him. «

Vance nodded.

»The SecNav will visit us soon. Be careful. «

When I dug through our terrorist's life I found someone, who was suspicious to me. An Afghan, who lived in Baghdad and spoke almost daily with the suspect from the USA with connections to a lot of possible terrorists. I emailed Tim all the information I found and got up to get the possible leader, after I filled the Director in. The guy didn't pull a fight and cooperated. After I brought him to an interrogation room, I poured myself a cup coffee. I decided to let the guy suffer for a bit and sat down on my desk relaxing a bit. In the morning I got a call.

»DiNozzo. «

»What did you find? «, Gibbs barked.

»We got a tip from the ONI and I got the guy, who is most likely the leader. He is in the Interrogation room. I let him suffer for a bit. Through his cell phone protocols I found an Afghan living in Baghdad. Either they are boyfriends, gossiping about clothes or planning an attack, otherwise the many calls couldn't be explained. I emailed Tim everything. «

»Good. Now- «

He was interrupted by gunshots.

»Boss? Are you okay? Boss! «

I heard an explosion and then the line went dead.

»Fuck! , I shouted and slammed the phone on my desk.

»What happened, DiNozzo? «

After I told him everything I heard he looked concerned.

»I will see what I can do. «

An excruciating hour later Vance and I stood in the MTAC and Gibbs appeared on the large screen.

»Boss! How are you? What happened? «

»We were ambushed. No one was hurt. «

Suddenly Tim appeared next to Gibbs. He looked completely fine, just a little bit shaken. Relief flooded through my veins. He didn't seem to notice us, when he said to Gibbs:

»Boss. I looked through the information Tony mailed me. The guy he found… Well he is laying a few feet away three holes in his chest. «

»That guy was our only connection from D.C. to the Iraq! «, I shouted.

Tim's eyes darted to the screen.

»Oh, hey Tony. «

»Hey. «, I replied softly.

»That guy had his phone and laptop with him. Maybe I will find something. «

I nodded.

»And I will talk to the leader. «

The connection was gone.

»Everyone is fine. «, the director said.

»Director, why are you beyond all measure supportive of us? Not that we would mind, we are just curious. «

He looked sad,

»My cousin was gay and he had a really hard time. And… In the end he killed himself, because he couldn't handle it anymore. «

For a moment I didn't know what to say.

»I am sorry. «

»It is fine. Now go to work. «

I nodded and got to my desk, my mind still processing what the director told me. An hour later, when I tried to think about a strategy to break the guy, which wouldn't be easy, I got an Email.

'Found this information on his laptop. They were encrypted three times. Be careful with that guy. Love you.'

I smiled and looked at the things Tim sent. It wasn't much, but it gave me a starting point. But the guy didn't say a word no matter what I told him he didn't open his mouth. After two hours I was fed up with that guy.

»Okay fine. I hope you have fun in Guantanamo. «

He laughed.

»You can't send me to Guantanamo. «

»Finally! I started to worry that you aren't even able to speak. I can send you to Guantanamo and I will. «

He scoffed.

»I don't fear you or your threats. I hate you and all Americans. You think you can do what you want. You think you can tell everyone what they have to do! But in fact you are just warmongers and defilers of culture and morals! «

I ignored his insults. He tried obviously to provoke me, but that wont work. Later I wished I had Ziva's Mossad ninja interrogation skills. But then finally after a 10 hour interrogation he made a mistake. He slipped a name and after he realized he failed he was easy to break. I mailed Tim everything the douche bag said and went to the Directors office. The SecNav was there, too.

»Good work, Agent DiNozzo. We watched the interrogation from here. «

I nodded.

»I mailed Agent McGee the information. Now they have to finish the mission. «

It felt weird to call Tim 'Agent McGee', but the SecNav was not a friend of our relationship, so I figured it would be better to be professional. But he thought differently.

»You mailed the information your boyfriend? Why not the others? That doesn't seem professional to me. «

I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

»Well, I am not sure if Gibbs is able to open an Email. And Ziva almost killed the photocopier downstairs once. Agent McGee was the safest decision. «

The SecNav shot me a dirty glare and sent me back to the Bullpen to work on cold cases until the others would be back. I think I sat there for at least six hours until I fell asleep.

When I opened my eyes again, I stood on a plain surface covered with a lot of yellow sand and a hot bright sun burned my skin. I started to walk. After a few minutes I spotted something red on the ground. I kneeled down to examine it and saw it was dried blood. I saw more and followed the trace of blood. Then I saw a corps lying in the sand on his stomach. I flipped the body over and gasped and jumped away when I saw it was Palmer. I turned around and ran away. But there were more corpses: Vance, Jenny, Ducky, Abby, my mom. And I could hear them whisper:

»You killed me! You killed me! «

At some point I couldn't handle it anymore and broke down. I sobbed and tried to block those voices, when I noticed I was in a puddle of fresh blood. I looked up and saw bodies tangled in each other, the red liquid dripping out of them. Ziva and on top of her Gibbs. It looked like Gibbs tried to protect her.

'Wait! When Gibbs and Ziva are here…'

I jumped up and shouted:

»Tim! «

I let out a small cry when I saw another body just a few feet away. Tim was still alive. Barely. He gasped and looked at me.

»Tony… I…love…you. «

And with that last words his breathing stopped and his eyes went dull and lifeless.

I woke up with a start.

»No! Tim! «

I gasped and panted until I felt a familiar pair of arms wrapping from behind around me. I leaned back into his warm body, my head resting on his chest.

»Tim, aren't you supposed to be in the Iraq? «

He chuckled.

»It didn't take long to get the bad guys, once we had their names. And then we got the first flight home. «

»Besides, you slept almost twelve hours, Agent DiNozzo. Understandable. «

I looked up and the Director smiled at me.

»The SecNav was really impressed. Kind of. He isn't happy, but everyone keeps his job. «

He didn't speak out what we all thought. For now.

»Until Monday I don't want to see any of you here. «, Vance said and left.

I looked at my watch. 10 a.m., Wednesday. I heard a quick, hasty steps coming closer.

»Tim, you should let go of me now. Abby is coming. «

He chuckled and did what I said.

»You are back! You are back! «

Abby tackled Tim and gave him a bear hug. Ziva laughed, but she quickly stopped when Abby squeezed her like a stuffed animal. After she let go, Abby asked:

»Who wants to go drink something? «

Tim yawned and he looked so cute doing that.

»Tomorrow, Abby, okay? McSleepyhead here needs sleep. «

He blushed and Abby nodded.

»Tomorrow 8 p.m. our usual bar. «

I nodded and got up.

»Let's get you into a bed, Tim «

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