Tim rubbed his neck in pain, tired. Coffee would do him some good, for once. He pressed his last shirt buttons between fingers and put on his jacket. He could still remember it, that heavy smell coming from the previous explosion. He'd change it, later. Now was time to work.

''McGee ? How are you feeling ?'' Ziva asked, entering the hospital room.

''Better'' he said, smiling. ''Doctor just told me I could go. They didn't find anything to worry about last night, hopefully I wasn't too close from the vehicle.''

''Hopefully you weren't.'' Ziva patted him on the shoulder and smiled at him, holding him his watch. ''Here, let me help.''

Tim discreetly stare at the scratch on the thin circle.

''Did Gibbs find John Fedler ? Is he still our suspect number one ?''

''Fedler wasn't found at his place, but Gibbs got a warrant, they're currently going over the house inch by inch.''

''Good. Did they already trace his phone ?''

''Rowanson tried a few hours ago, but phone was off.''

''I'll try to do something about that. Can you drive me to NCIS ?''

''Of course.''

— — — — — — — — — —

...Tim entered the bullpen, glad to face again a place he knew, that same ugly, orange wallpaper giving him back some confidence. He walked to his desk, Ziva imitating him, and let his body fall in the seat, already logging in.

''Just sent you the number'' Ziva said and smile, noticing Tim, ready to speak. ''Yeah, I can be quick, too.''

''Someone practiced while I was taking a nap in Bethesda...''

''Maybe I did.''

They both quickly smiled at each other before Tim finally typed John Fedler's number in the system.

''Is Mrs Swanson under our protection ?'' he asked, still focused on his screen and keypad.

''She is, McGee.''

''Good.''

Tim double clicked and brusquely raised his eyes in Ziva's direction, wondering.

''Her phone.''

''Slow down, McGee. Which phone are you talking about ?''

''Mrs Swanson's phone. Did they analyze hers ?'' he kept questioning her, standing up from his seat.

''No, Tim. I mean...I don't know.''

''Well, is it a yes or a no ?''

Ziva manipulated a dozen of papers, trying to answer that new question, disconcerted.

''Uh, it hasn't been reported that... You know, Mrs Swanson was quite grouchy when we found her, she couldn't remember...''

''Groggy, Ziva'' he instantly corrected her, quickly heading to the woman's desk, almost flying. ''Bower had it with him during the explosion, he took it from her before we left the house. They had created a link, she gave it to him before we went outside.''

Ziva stood up as well, approaching him.

''So what, do you think we can still get a chance to find it ? Still, it must be shred into pieces...''

Tim pointed a finger at her, his legs suddenly moving to the elevator. ''There's one hope. If the SIM card is still analyzable, I'll be able to access the data. If not, maybe I can work on the phone's circuit board and get some more infos about which model it is exactly, what kind of power it can support and which kind of software can be put on that type of model.''

''Can I help ?'' Ziva almost shouted, a bit taken aback.

Tim entered the elevator for the second time of the day and immediately pressed the button leading to a deeper place, thinking clearer than ever.

''Mrs Swanson spoke about multiple investors trying to buy back the company. Try them all, if you didn't already do so, otherwise try finding the ones she's already met in person, and the ones her husband and her contacted, emails, phone calls...''

''No less...!'' she exclaimed, regretting her previous question, her colleague disappearing behind both doors of the silver cage. She quickly rubbed her face, silencing a raging sigh coming, and took a large look at the space she was now standing in alone. ''Mark ?'' she suddenly called a young man, approaching. ''Feeling busy ?''

''Nope. Can I do something for you, Ziva ?''

''Actually...there might be a little something'' she strangely answered, softly stroking her hair.

— — — — — — — — — —

Gibbs entered the bullpen and faced his agent, visibly angry.

''Why...!''

''What's wrong, Ziva ? You just realized the world was unfair ?''

She raised her eyes and slammed the phone on the desk, now cursing in Hebrew.

''They're all damn hiding behind confidentiality ! Isn't there a prescription when it comes to someone's death ? He was supposed to be their boss !''

''Why are you looking for the investors ? John Fedler is the priority.''

''I know'' she said, nodding. ''I just thought I might help Tim while the other team was taking care of Fedler's house. I'm not very good at puzzles. ''

''Tim's out ?''

''A couple hours ago, yes. He must be with Rowanson, or Ducky, maybe...he didn't tell. I just know he was looking for our woman's phone.''

''Phone's been found ?''

''Pieces of it, potentially.''

''Good'' Gibbs finally commented, taking a sip of his coffee. ''Keep contacting the investors while we keep an eye of Fedler's place, we can't say no to a few extra hands.''

''Less and less in the team, and still I feel we're not thinking by ourselves anymore...'' Ziva said and sighed.

''Don't give up, Agent David !'' he comforted her his own way, ready to leave. He pressed the button of the elevator and turned back for a second, noticing the man coming. ''You can ask Mark to give you a hand with this.''

Ziva immediately ran in order to join him and started whispering, scratching her ear.

''Well, I...''

His blue eyes stared suspiciously at the woman, as if to hypnotize her.

''A problem, Ziva ?''

''Hmm, it seems that men do not really appreciate women...''

''Yes, Ziva...?'' Gibbs insisted, sighing.

''Well, using their charm for men to buy them coffee, and do some other...minor duties.''

Gibbs instantly smiled and took a new sip of his drink, the silver cage finally opening in front of him.

''Won't deny that...'' he chuckled. ''Hello, Mark'' he suddenly added, Ziva jumping as she faced the angry man walk nearby.

"Gibbs, wait...''

Ziva clenched a fist and took a step backward, feeling a bit embarrassed.

''Hi, Mark. Sorry about...earlier.''