A/N: Thank you again for all of the reviews, PMs and alerts. I appreciate everyone hanging in there with this story, which has gone on far longer than I originally intended.

This chapter deals with more case-related stuff, but it will be over soon!

Warning: There is some serious loving in this chapter, so if you don't like that kind of thing or you are under age 18, please do not read it!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and I am making no money from this. No copyright infringement intended.


Ch 29

"So, uh, how did you like being in charge, McGee," Tony asked curiously as he drove to McAvoy's last known address. Tim had seemed happy and more than a little relieved when Tony announced that he had been fully cleared for duty. Tony had expected Tim to be at least somewhat disappointed about giving up the reigns after getting his first taste at being team leader. He remembered how it felt when Gibbs returned from Mexico and just took over like nothing had ever happened or changed; it was business as usual. Of course, this was a different situation as there had never been any doubt that Tony would be back.

Tony chanced a quick glance at Tim, who shrugged in response. "I guess it was kinda cool, but … I dunno." Tim paused for a moment then took a deep breath before looking over at Tony, who had turned his attention back to the road. "It just didn't feel right, you know? Every time Ryan or Ziva asked me a question, I had to stop and think how you or Gibbs would have answered it. I realized that even though I have been a field agent for eight years, I still have a lot to learn. I'm nowhere near ready to lead a team, Tony. I hope I will be someday, maybe, but right now … I'm just not. Does that make any sense?"

Tony barked out a laugh. "Hell yeah it does! I was Gibbs' SFA for a long, long time. You know, when he first told me that I was taking over his job this time, I had a panic attack. I was kind of scared that it would be like when I took over when he went to Mexico. I knew I was ready to lead; maybe just not this team. Hell, I still run stuff by Gibbs, and probably always will. You've been a great SFA to me, so far, but you're right, there is still a lot to learn. You'll be ready someday, McGee, and when you are I will be there to help you. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I know. Hey Tony, there's McAvoy's building," Tim pointed and exclaimed as they approached the rundown apartment building. The numbers on the old brick building were so faded that they almost drove past it.

They were met by the building superintendent as they entered the building, which had apparently at one time been a hotel. Satisfied after seeing the signed search warrant Tim held up in his face, the superintendent led them up to apartment 2C. He stated that he hadn't seen McAvoy for a week or so and had no idea where he could be. Tony knocked and announced, "NCIS! Open the door, McAvoy." When they didn't get an answer, the super unlocked the door for them then stepped aside as Tony and Tim drew their Sigs and entered the apartment and quickly cleared each small room.

From the appearance of the apartment, McAvoy had not been there for some time. They did a thorough search of all drawers and closets looking for anything that might help them locate their suspect or see if there was any connection to Downes. Tony bagged a crusty toothbrush from the filthy bathroom so that Abby could try and pull DNA from it. He visibly shuddered with disgust as he dropped it into an evidence bag.

An hour later they repeated the same process at Mueller's apartment four blocks away, again coming up with very little by way of evidence. Tony went through a stack of mail while Tim searched the rest of the apartment, bagging only Mueller's toothbrush. Tony found a letter from a Becky Mueller that had a recent Baltimore postmark on the envelope. He carefully pulled out and unfolded the single sheet of paper and began reading. The letter, handwritten in a style that Ducky would surely admire, was from a concerned sister to her younger brother pleading for him to come home and get help. She included a new cell phone number for her brother to call, so Tony jotted down the number as he made a mental note to call her as soon as they got back to the office. Once he finished reading, Tony placed the letter back into the envelope then sealed both in an evidence bag.

While Tony and Tim were conducting their searches for the two suspects, Ryan and Ziva had returned to the initial crime scene to do an even more thorough search of the area. They checked on, under, around, and inside of each and every trash-filled Dumpster within a three block radius. After two and a half hours Ryan came across a tire iron covered in what appeared to be dried blood lying on top of a discarded box at the far end of an alley. Ziva pulled a field test kit from her bag and confirmed the presence of human blood on it. Ryan theorized that when the suspects fled the scene they meant to toss it into the nearby Dumpster but missed. Ziva called Tony to report that they had found their murder weapon and were heading back to the Navy Yard.

When they returned to the office, Tim took the tire iron, letter, and the suspects' toothbrushes down to Abby after Tony ordered Ziva and Ryan to the showers after their foray into Dumpster diving. "You two stink to high heaven! Go shower and change before we all gag," he demanded while wrinkling up his nose at the stench that permeated the air.

Tony plopped down in his chair and dialed Becky Mueller's cell phone number. He anxiously tapped his pencil on the desk while waiting for her to answer. When she finally answered on the fourth ring Tony identified himself as a federal agent and explained that it was extremely urgent they locate her brother, Terrance. When Tony told her that they needed to question him about a murder she gasped in shocked then broke down and cried. Tony's innate empathy kicked in and he talked to her for several minutes until she calmed down a bit. After getting Tony's assurance that they just needed to talk to him, Becky reluctantly gave him a possible location where her brother might be.

According to Becky her brother worked at a body shop a couple of miles from his apartment. All she knew was that he worked for a guy named Mick who owned the shop and that her brother worked part-time sweeping the shop and putting tools away. Before the call ended, Rebecca told Tony that her brother had called her the night before and that he sounded scared and desperate. "Agent DiNozzo, I don't know what's going on with Terry anymore. He just keeps getting into trouble. God, if he is involved it's because that idiot Darren put him up to it."

When Tim returned to the bullpen a short time later, Tony had him call up street view maps of the neighborhood area where the garage was located. Tony had searched for mechanics and body shops in the general area and found one possibility: Mick's Custom Cars in Dupont Park, not far from Mueller's apartment. The business took up the entire lower level of the building, and there appeared to be one or two apartments above the garage. The two-story building was located in the middle of a block in a heavy commercial area. Michael "Mick" Diaz was listed in the county property records as the owner of the building, and the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth records indicated that he also the sole owner and operator of the business.


When they arrived at the garage, it was decided that Tony and Ryan would approach from the front, Tim would enter from the rear, and Ziva would cover the fire escape up to the second floor. Not wanting to take any chances, Tony ordered the team to wear bullet proof vests.

Two hours later the team pulled up on a side street in order to approach the garage unseen. While Tim and Ziva got into position Tony and Ryan entered the front door of the business and simply asked a young blonde kid working the front counter if they could talk to Mick. A big, broad, dark haired man, who was also behind the counter, turned toward Tony and introduced himself as Mick Diaz.

Tony flashed his badge and ID then produced photographs of McAvoy and Mueller, which he laid out on the counter. "Have you seen these two?" It didn't go unnoticed to Tony or Ryan that the kid working the counter recognized them immediately; his eyes had gone wide and his mouth hung open.

"I know this dude. Name's Terry. He works odd jobs around here sometimes," Mick said pointing to the picture of Terrance Mueller, "but I never met this dude until yesterday. Whadya want 'em for?"

"Suspicion of murdering a U.S. Marine," Tony said flatly, his eyes flashing that he was in no mood to play games. "This guy, in fact," Tony continued as he tossed a crime scene photo down on top of the other pictures. The young kid gagged at the sight of Downes' beaten and bloody body, and Mick's eyes went wide with shock.

"Jesus fucking Christ," Mick muttered into his hand. "You sure these two did this?"

Ryan chimed in as Tony stared down Mick. "Hell yeah we're sure! We got video of these two dumb shits following him outside right before he was beat to death with a tire iron. Now, you know where these dudes are or not?"

Mick offered his full cooperation and informed Tony and Ryan that McAvoy and Mueller were crashed in one of the empty apartments upstairs. "Terry just asked for a place to crash for a day or two. Didn't tell me why, and I didn't ask," Mick said.

Tony pulled his Sig and said with authority, "Okay thanks. Get your employees out of here now … quietly." Mick just nodded and dragged the young kid out from behind the counter and out into the garage bays where several mechanics were busy working on restoring a '72 Chevelle. Tony and Ryan watched as Mick quickly and quietly led everyone out the side door. When they were safely out of potential harm's way, Tony called to McGee over his com, "McGee, McAvoy and Mueller are in an upstairs apartment. We cleared the premises down here. You and Ziva go in; Ryan and I are right behind you."

Less than a minute later all hell broke loose as two gunshots rang out. "McAvoy's running, Boss! Mueller's down, but we got him in custody," Tim yelled into his mic.

McAvoy suddenly appeared and climbed out of a window then shinnied down a drain pipe before catching sight of Ryan approaching with their guns drawn. Tony and Ryan saw him jump the last several feet then take off running and immediately gave chase. Ryan kept yelling for Mueller to freeze, but his order fell on deaf ears. It wasn't long before Tony realized there was no way he was going to catch Mueller on foot so he yelled for Ryan to stay with him then ran back and jumped into the Charger. He turned the key and floored the gas hoping to cut McAvoy off like he had seen Gibbs do a many times over the years. Ryan continually called out his location as he continued to chase McAvoy on foot for several blocks and finally flushed him out of an alley. Tony squealed the tires as he took a corner without letting off the gas and slammed on the brakes just as McAvoy slammed into the left front fender of the Charger. Tony threw the door open and jumped out of the car with his Sig drawn and stood over McAvoy, who lay on his back writhing and groaning in the street.

Tony keyed his com and announced, "We got McAvoy. McGee, call for an ambulance. We're in front of Mahoney's, four blocks west."

Ryan came to a stop at the sight of McAvoy lying on the ground obviously in a great deal of pain. He grinned and shook his head at Tony then bent over to place his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath after the long foot chase.

Tony smirked and said, "Guess I got you to do all my running for me!" Ryan rolled his eyes and snickered then pulled his cuffs and got McAvoy's hands secured behind his back without moving him too much.

Mueller and McAvoy both got an ambulance ride to GW Hospital; McAvoy with cracked ribs, a sprained ankle from jumping, and a broken wrist, and Mueller with a through and through gunshot wound to his upper right arm. Tony announced to the ER staff that both patients were under arrest and in federal custody. Less than an hour later the attending physician on duly informed Tony that both men would fully recover, but he wanted to keep them overnight for observation. Fortunately, there were plenty of armed guards on duty in the "prisoner wing" of the hospital. Tony left strict instructions with the guards that no one other than hospital staff was allowed in for any reason, and that he would return the next day to transport the suspects to NCIS.

When the team arrived back at the office they dropped tiredly into their chairs. Tony leaned back in his chair and sighed before looking at his watch. It was 7:00 p.m. and it had been a bitch of a day. He was champing at the bit to interrogate the suspects, but the earliest that could happen would be noon the next day. Seeing that his team was as tired as he was, Tony sent them home with orders to be back at 10:00 the next morning to write up their reports.


Tony was decidedly cranky when he finally got home at 8:30 p.m. He had barely seen Gibbs or DJ the past couple of days and he missed them both terribly. Tony called Gibbs from the office to let him know he was on his way home, so when he came in through the front door Gibbs was there to greet him holding DJ, who smiled at Tony and reached out for him. Tony took DJ from Gibbs and clutched him firmly to his chest and breathed in the baby scent he still craved and immediately felt some of the tension leave his body.

"Hey little man! How's my boy," Tony asked as he rocked with DJ securely in his arms. "Hey Jethro," he said tiredly as he leaned in for a kiss.

"How you doin' Tony," Gibbs asked as he led Tony over to the couch where a cold bottle of beer sat waiting for him. Tony gave Gibbs an appreciative grin and sat down keeping DJ on his lap. DJ leaned back and rested his head against Tony's chest and watched curiously as Tony took a long pull from the beer bottle. Tony smiled down at DJ who yawned widely and began rubbing his eyes.

"I'm beat too, buddy," Tony said with a little chuckle before kissing DJ's forehead. He looked up at Gibbs, who was silently assessing him, and said, "I sent the team home. Told them reports can wait until morning. Doctors won't release the suspects until noon. I'll take McGee with me to pick them up. I can't wait to interrogate them; find out why the hell they beat Downes to death. But, right now I'm home and I just wanna forget about them for tonight."

Gibbs sat down next to Tony and put a protective arm around his shoulders and placed a kiss on top of his head. "Tell you what. Let's get DJ settled in and then I think you've earned some TLC. How about a massage?"

Tony turned his head and kissed Gibbs then smiled brightly. "One of your special massages? Mmmm, that sounds like heaven! Okay little man, let's get you all tucked in." Tony stood and carried a sleepy DJ up the stairs. DJ wrapped his arms around Tony's neck as they climbed the stairs and babbled in his ear.

While Tony was getting DJ ready for bed and tucked in Gibbs went to the bedroom. He pulled the top sheet and covers down to the foot of the bed and placed two large beach towels in their place. He went into the bathroom and returned with a bottle of sandalwood scented massage oil. He could hear Tony singing softly to DJ in the next room so while he waited he dimmed the lights and stripped down to his boxer shorts.

Tony came in a few minutes later to find Gibbs sitting on the edge of the bed bathed in the soft glow of the dimmed lights. Gibbs looked up to see Tony looking at him and their eyes locked. This was one of those nights when no words would need to be spoken; everything was said with their eyes. Before Gibbs could protest that he was supposed to be taking care of him, Tony came over and dropped to his knees in between Gibbs' slightly parted legs. Never breaking eye contact, Gibbs pushed himself up with his hands so that Tony could pull off his boxers.

Tony licked his lips as he watched Gibbs' cock fill out and lengthen before his eyes. He leaned in and ran the thick pad of his tongue up the length before sucking hard on the head and teasing the slit. Tony hummed at the first little taste of precum; the taste was uniquely Gibbs and Tony craved it. He opened his mouth and took Gibbs' full length into his mouth and into his throat.

All Gibbs could do was fist the edge of the mattress and hang on for dear life. He let out a loud moan as Tony pulled back and began bobbing and sucking hard on his aching cock. The wet warmth of Tony's mouth and the perfect amount of suction had Gibbs ready to come all too quickly. He placed his right hand lovingly on the back of Tony's head and carded his fingers through the soft hair.

"Oh God Tony! Oh baby that's it," Gibbs panted, spurring Tony on. Tony replied by swallowing twice taking Gibbs' cock deeper into his throat. He then pulled back and gently scraped his teeth over the impossibly swollen head. "Oh shit!" Gibbs cried out at the assault on the over-sensitized flesh.

Tony took that as his cue that Gibbs was close, and this time took Gibbs' cock deep and swallowed hard three times. Gibbs couldn't stop his impending orgasm is his life depended on it, so he threw his head back and let out a growl as he shot stream after stream of warm cum down Tony's throat. After swallowing every drop, Tony licked Gibbs clean then looked up at him with a self-satisfied smirk on his face.

Gibbs grabbed Tony's face in his hands and kissed him tenderly, tasting himself on Tony's tongue. "You (kiss) are (kiss) fantastic (kiss). Now (kiss), get those clothes off (kiss) and get your ass up here on this bed."

Gibbs spent the next hour working the tension out of every muscle in Tony's body. Tony mumbled appreciatively as Gibbs' strong hands worked their magic from his neck down to the soles of his feet. He was practically a puddle by the time Gibbs finished massaging and working the scented oil into his skin.

Gibbs climbed up Tony's body after wiping the excess oil from his hands and whispered seductively in his ear. "All better now baby?"

Tony slowly rolled onto his back and gasped at the sight of Gibbs' eyes; the blue completely obscured by fully dilated pupils. Tony gave him a wicked smile and purred in return, "I will be as soon as you fuck me. God Jethro, please. Want you … need you." Tony then pulled Gibbs down and into a heated kiss that took both of their breaths away.

Gibbs could tell that Tony wanted hard and fast but that was not what was in the cards for him this night. Gibbs spent an inordinate amount of time working Tony open and refused to answer Tony's expletive-filled demands. No, tonight was about taking care of Tony and cherishing him. This was a night for making love in its most basic sense. Gibbs took Tony torturously slow, rocking with him as their eyes remained locked in a mutual loving gaze. Tony finally surrendered and let Gibbs set the pace. Tony brought both of his hands up to cradle Gibbs' face and brushed his thumbs through the soft hair at his temples. Softly murmured words of love were exchanged as they neared completion together. Tony began to arch his back to pull Gibbs deeper signaling his approaching orgasm so Gibbs reached between them to stroke Tony's cock in time with his agonizingly slow thrusts. Several minutes later Tony let out a loud groan as his release began to spurt out between their sweaty bodies. Gibbs was only seconds behind him as he buried himself as deep as he could before pumping his release into Tony.

Gibbs continued to hover above Tony as they both came down from their highs. He smiled warmly at the single tears that spilled out of the corners of Tony's eyes knowing full well that meant Tony also achieved an emotional release. Gibbs always felt honored that Tony trusted him on such a deep, emotional level.

"Shh, it's okay baby. I got you," Gibbs murmured as he lay down next to Tony and pulled him into his arms. Tony pulled the towel out from under him and thoroughly wiped his cum from both of their abs and chests before tossing it aside. He then snuggled in closer hanging onto Gibbs like a limpet.

"Don't wanna shower tonight, Jethro. Can we just stay like this," Tony asked sleepily.

Gibbs wrapped his arms even tighter around Tony and kissed the top of his head. "Sure thing babe. Get some sleep, Tone. I love you," Gibbs said with great affection in his voice.

"Love you too," Tony managed to say before letting out a jaw cracking yawn.