Not beta'd' standard disclaimer applies.


Tim pulled into the parking lot early the next morning and was surprised to see Tony casually leaning against his car.

"Morning," Tim called as he exited and locked his Porsche. "Everything all right?"

"Yep," Tony replied, as he walked over to meet Tim.

"Okay," Tim agreed, not sure if he believed the older man. After all, never before had Tony met him in the parking lot, and for him to be here so early was highly unusual, and suspect. Tony didn't say anything just matched his stride to Tim's. With a huffed sigh, Tim stopped and faced him, "Okay, what's up?"

"Whatever-"

"Cut the crap, Tony," Tim snapped. "You obviously want something or have something to say, and since you chose the locale, I'm guessing you don't want Ziva or Gibbs to overhear."

"Fine," Tony stated, as close to an admission that Time would get. "I want to see pics of your date, not just you at the restaurant."

Tim's eyes narrowed, "Why?"

"Because you've barely said anything about this girl, and probably wouldn't have if I hadn't asked about your Valentine's plans. She could be anything, a spy, an assassin, a fortune-hunter,"

"A doctor or a teacher," Tim added sharply, hoping Tony would get the point and drop the subject.

"Someone pretending to be doctor or a teacher," Tony corrected. "She could be a thief or a murderer. Maybe someone bent on revenge because we arrested her ex or brother. She could be anyone," he reiterated.

"She could be someone who just wants to date me and get to know me better," Tim offered.

"C'mon, Probie, get a clue before you get hurt," Tony snapped. "You're practically obsessed with her. You've been spending almost all your free time with her. You even thought grocery shopping was fun. And you admitted that it was her idea to date. Why would she do that if she didn't have an ulterior motive?"

Tim kept a firm grip on his control. At Tony's words, he mentally staggered back, surprised he hadn't done so physically as well. Was that really what Tony thought about him, that anyone who showed an interest in him did so because of ulterior motives? He gave a slight growl; his hands clenched in fists at his sides, resisting the impulse to take a swing at the other man, as he brushed past him and headed into the building. The main reasons why he didn't swing was because a) he was pretty sure Tony would win any physical fight they had, b) he would end up getting suspended or fired for starting a fight, and it, Tony, wasn't worth his job.

Those thoughts running through his head kept him from responding when Tony called out after him. Tim gave a sigh of relief as he entered the building and was able to quickly jump on the elevator, the doors closing right as Tony entered the lobby. Tim continued listing the reasons why it was better to ignore Tony and his comments as the elevator made its ascent: c) he really didn't want Gibbs to become involved in this; and d) he didn't want to share with Ziva, or anyone else, what Tony believed, partly in fear that they might agree.

"Good, you made it in early," Ziva smiled as he exited the elevator. "I was thinki-what's wrong?" she asked, once she got a good look at him. His jaw and fists clenched, his posture tense, his eyes lacking their usual warmth; it was a look she had never seen before on Tim and she couldn't help but be worried about him and mad at whoever caused it to happen.

"McGee!" Tony shouted as he came running out of the stair well. "I'm just trying to help."

"I don't need any help," Tim snapped, "Especially your kind of help."

"Please, you're in over your head," Tony snapped. "Can't you see that she's-"

"Don't. Just don't," Tim interrupted, part pleading, part ordering. "I really don't want to know any more about what you think about me," he said, turning away.

Tony looked at Tim horrorstruck, "I didn-"

"We have a case to solve," Tim continued, "I suggest we get to work."

"Tim, I-"

"I think you need to listen to McGee, DiNozzo," Gibbs stated as he entered the bullpen. He didn't know what happened, but could tell that it wasn't good. Most likely Tony had crossed the line in asking Tim about his 'relationship'.


"What the hell are you doing, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked when he had his SFA cornered.

"Boss?" a puzzled Tony replied.

"I told you to stay out of McGee's personal life and you went and said something that had McGee moments away from taking a swing at you."

"Probie?" Tony scoffed, "As if."

"DiNozzo," Gibbs growled. "I don't know what you said or did, nor do I want to know," he snapped when Tony opened his mouth to provide that information, "When I give a directive I expect it to be followed," he added pointedly before continuing, "I suggest you stay away from Tim and refrain from mentioning his relationship." When Gibbs finished he stared at the younger man until Tony nodded in recognition. "I'll also tell you that if something you do ends up breaking up this team, I guarantee that you won't be happy," he spat before pivoting on his heel and leaving a shocked Tony staring after him.

"Fix this!" Gibbs called back right before he disappeared from view.

Tony banged his head against the wall in defeat, "How can I fix this when I don't know for sure what happened and I'm suppose to stay away from him and not mention his girlfriend?"


Never before had Tim been so thankful for omniscient Gibbs. Tim couldn't help but believe that the supervisory agent knew what had happened between him and Tony and had somehow taken steps to prevent the two from being alone together. Tim wasn't sure he would be able to keep his temper under control if Tony started insulting him again.

Glad that another confrontation hadn't occurred that day, Tim had returned home as soon as Gibbs had dismissed them and tried to relax on his couch, dreading work tomorrow, since it would mean seeing and talking with Tony. Tim doubted that he would be lucky enough to be able to avoid the senior agent two days in a row.

On the plus side, he would also be able to see Ziva at work tomorrow. It seemed like Gibbs had kept Tim and Ziva separated as well. The two hadn't had much chance to talk or interact with one another. Maybe he should see if Ziva wanted to join him for a run tomorrow, or perhaps dinner. Their Valentine's date had gone well, they had spent the evening talking and laughing, yet the topic of the plan and how to proceed after that momentous date was never broached.

'Timothy, do you want to run together tomorrow?'

Tim smiled as he read the text Ziva just sent, wondering if she had access to his thoughts, and was quick to send back a confirmation.

'Earlier than usual ok with you? I want to get in to the office early.'

'Fine with me. Want to ride in together as well? We haven't talked much about the plan.'

'Sounds like a plan. Jethro and I will meet you outside, just text me when you leave your place.'

':) Looking forward to seeing Jethro, I missed him.'

Tim grinned at her response before sending a reply, ':)', and putting his phone away. A few moments later when his phone chimed again, he took it back out as he wondered what Ziva had to say now. Probably something about breakfast, he thought with a grin. To his surprise, though, it wasn't Ziva that texted him.

'Probie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it the way you took it.' Tim didn't bother replying to Tony's text, mostly because he wasn't sure how he felt about what the older agent had said. He was definitely hurt and shocked that Tony had said what he did. He knew he wasn't as popular with women as Tony was, but that was no reason to think that he wouldn't appeal to any woman.

'I'm just worried, especially since you mentioned that it was her idea. Women don't often initiate serious relationships like that. Sure, they might ask a guy out, but most of them are a still a bit old fashioned and want the guy to take the lead. Showing that he wants the relationship, has a vested interest in it so to speak.'

'You have to admit you've been spending a lot of time with her, and since you barely talk about her, well, my spidey senses started tingling.'

Tim snorted as he read Tony's latest text.

'I saw you fall this fast more than once and you've ended up hurt. I just want you to be aware and cautious.'

Tim frowned. Okay, so maybe he did fall with little prompting, he realized, but still, this situation was different. Was it really? A voice in his head asked. Yes. He and Ziva were pretending to date. Both of them were well aware of that. And okay, so maybe that kiss showed Tim what a real relationship with Ziva could be like, but that wasn't possible, and Tim knew that. He was fully aware and in control of his feelings here, there was no reason to think that he would be hurt. And how was Tony to know that? The voice continued. Another frown. Okay, so Tony wasn't privy to that information, Tim realized, as he replayed Tony's words from earlier that morning. No doubt Tony had just been trying to help. Could he really be mad at him for that?

'Probie?'

With a sigh, Tim finally responded.

'Please trust me. I know what I'm doing and have entered this relationship with my eyes wide open. I'm enjoying the moment and the relationship while it lasts. I don't expect it to last forever, mostly because she is so far out of my league, but for however long she's willing to deepen our friendship and pursue this relationship, I'm there.'

'Okay, Probie, I trust you…I'll probably still ask questions and tease you, but I'll trust you.'

'I wouldn't expect you to do otherwise' Tim replied with a grin.

'I will also be here if you need anything, otherwise, we'll pretend these conversations from today didn't happen.'

Tim snickered as he read Tony's last message. No doubt Tony would like to forget about today, especially since Gibbs had spent most of the day glaring at his senior agent. While Tim agreed not to mention today's conversations with Tony, he would keep the text message of his apology and offer of help, both of which Tony had never seriously offered before. As Tim once more put away his phone, he could only hope that with time, he would truly be able to forgive and forget.


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