Tony rested his hand on Gibbs' chest. "It's weird being back."

"Yeah, it is. I'm sorry about how they're treating you. Something needs to change."

"Like what?" Tony asked.

"Burley isn't controlling them. He's a good agent. So either they need someone with a more assertive personality and backup from the director. The other solution is to move McGee and Ziva off the MCRT and bring in some new members.

"Shepard is up to something. You know her best."

"I wouldn't say I knew her best or at all. I didn't really look into her too deeply. I have no idea if she has the experience for the director's job. The way she acts gives me doubts that she is sending McGee on an undercover mission which he doesn't have experience for, and no backup worries me."

"She sent me there on purpose. That was clear when Jeanne hit on me and the glare McGee gave me. At a guess, she sent him to seduce her to get information on her father. Jeanne doesn't see him that way. If they want stuff on Rene, he's not stupid, which means he knows exactly who Tim is."

"It could've been you. I'm so happy that we work now with people we trust and like you and that we know our backs are covered. The best thing is that we told each other how we feel, and no one there cares except to be happy for us."

"I love you, Jethro."

"I love you too, Tony." Gibbs paused for a moment. "If Ziva carries on flirting with you, I am going to kill her."

"Ditto, when it comes to the director."

The two men smiled and kissed. There was no way those two women could split them up.

XXXXX

Tim had come into work, and he needed to speak to Abby. A lot was going on, but he needed to talk about them. He put his bag down and locked away his gun in a drawer. He glanced over at where Tony had been sitting and smirked. He'd proven to the other man he could do undercover. He bet Tony hadn't even realised that he was. He was getting closer to Jeanne and her father. The director would be so proud of him, and a promotion was in the bag. He'd jump over SFA and straight to team leader. Burley, just like Tony, didn't know how to lead correctly. Tim would show them all what to do, and Gibbs would admit that he was the best agent the older man had ever worked with.

He was going to get to know Dr McKay better as well. Knowing someone with the reputation the doctor did would help him, too. This was the way to network, not the way Tony did it. He didn't care who it was, but Tim only wanted essential people to be in his orbit. He would show that he'd be a better friend. It would also show how stupid Tony was compared to him. But now he had to see Abby.

XXXXX

"Who did you talk to last night?" Gibbs asked Tony as they walked.

"Let's just say I asked around about this op McGee's on, and it's unsanctioned. It's being looked into."

Rodney grinned at him. "You do seem to know the right people." He paused for a moment. "How do you do that? I mean, even back home, even then, you know the right people everywhere, and that was when you hadn't been there that long."

"Tony believes in meeting many people and getting to know them. He says you never know when you might need them," Gibbs answered.

Tony just smirked most times. It was the people in what would be considered lower positions that gave him the best information. But with unsanctioned ops, the higher the people you knew, the quicker something would be done. It worked quicker when people didn't like a person involved. He had found out that Jenny Shepard was not very popular with, well, anyone.

"Well, it definitely has worked in our favour. You've even helped us grow closer with the basketball league. We truly are lucky to have you," John replied.

"Thanks, but McGee and Ziva wouldn't ever agree with you." He sighed all those years working together, and they still thought he was an idiot. He had once thought they were family, at least friends. He was so wrong about that.

"They're morons," Rodney muttered, still angry at how those two treated Tony.

"Well, we love you," Abby hugged him tightly.

"We could just kill them," Ronon added casually.

"No, Ronon, we can't. Anyway, you need to stay with us for a bit. There are some files we need to look over. We need to see if we can spot any discrepancies. Abby will be down in the lab without you for a little bit," John explained.

"It's okay. I have plenty of work. If you need my help, just ask."

They all stopped and stared up at the NCIS was building.

"Into the lion's den, the bright orange den," Tony moaned.

"I'll treat you after work," Gibbs whispered into his ear.

"Let's get to work," Tony grinned.

The others just shook their heads and didn't ask anymore. They had tried before. Tony and Gibbs had decided to take the dare and go into a little too much detail.

XXXXX

Abby sighed as soon as she walked into the lab and saw Tim. She had been expecting at some point, and it had to be the one time that Ronon wasn't with her.

"Agent McGee, how can I help you?"

"Abby, we need to talk."

"I don't have any cases of yours." She knew was that it had to remain purely business. Anything personal, and he would run with it, and she would never have gotten rid of him. He would push her to try and admit something. Tim never really knew her, and he definitely doesn't now.

He walked forward, took hold of her arms, pulled her to him and kissed her. Abby escaped from his tight grip and punched him.

"Abby, why would you hit me?" Tim touched his face where she had punched him. He was so shocked that she would do something like that.

"Why? What do you mean why? How dare you force yourself on me?"

"I didn't force you. You love me. I'm the love of your love." He whined.

"Have I indicated that I wanted you? Did I ask you to grab and kiss me? I really had hoped John was wrong when he said that." She sighed. "I'm not in love with you. I was over that before I left. How could I want to be with someone who treats people the way you do, especially someone I adore, Tony."

"You need to come back. You're not good with change, and I can protect you."

"You're kidding. You don't truly see me, and I love where I work now. I'm very happy there." Abby looked him up and down and laughed. "You've seen Ronon, my boyfriend. You honestly think you could do better than him?"

"He's using you."

"You don't even know him, Agent McGee. You're just jealous. You don't see people the way they truly are, especially Tony and now, me. Please leave if you try to talk to me about anything but work. I will get in touch with HR and report you for harassment." She turned and walked into the smaller office.

Tim stared at her. What had gone wrong? It was Tony's fault. He was the one that was jealous and wanted to run his life. He had to find out what Tony was up to once prove he was a liar.

XXXXX

Ziva arrived as the others were at their corner. Ronan was play fighting With Tony. She didn't know who the guy was, but he was attractive and robust.

"You'd better be carefully Tony, he might hurt you." Ziva sneered.

"Oh, trust me, he already has," Tony laughed.

Ziva glared at Tony. "I don't understand." She hated when she felt out of her depth, and Tony did that often.

Ronon ignored her. "It's called training, and you have improved with mine and Teyla's aid."

"I know I have, and I appreciate it," Tony reached over and patted Ronan on the shoulder.

"I'm glad they trained you too," Gibbs smiled at the man he loved.

McGee walked over to his desk and ignoring everyone until he was ready.

"What's going on?" He finally asked when he was settled.

"I don't know. I'm being ignored," Ziva snapped. Just then, her cell beeped. She pulled the cell out of her pocket and smiled at the message. She looked up and at McGee. "What happened to your face?"

McGee quickly glanced at Ronon and then down at his feet. "It doesn't matter."

Gibbs, Tony, Rodney, John and Ronon looked at each other and then said. "Abby," and then laughed.

McGee decided to ignore them. "Dr McKay, I was wondering if you wanted to spend time with me." He smiled brightly.

"Why would I want to?" McKay looked at the others, a little confused.

"I thought you would like to spend time with someone who has your intelligence."

"Ah, now he's calling all of us thick," John muttered.

"You do realise they're other kinds of intelligence, right?" McKay muttered. It had become apparent when he watched Tony deal with people. He could read them, interact and get them talking so quickly.

"But not like us," McGee argued.

"He doesn't understand, does he?" McKay looked over at Tony.

"He used to when he first arrived. He had a lot of potential. Then his ego became everything to him. If he didn't think people were his equal or he wasn't afraid of them, he didn't listen."

"Why would that stop you? I'm brilliant. I've proved it time after time. But there are areas that I would completely trust you in, Tony. I know that our safety is your top priority."

"But it's Tony," McGee stuttered.

"I agree. He's nothing special," Ziva added.

Tony could see McKay, John and Ronan prepared to argue. Gibbs just looked pissed off.

"Don't, it's not worth it. They're never going to change their mind. We're hopefully going to be here for only a short while. They aren't worth the energy."

To show his support, Gibbs placed his hand on Tony's back where the two others couldn't see.

XXXXX

Michael sent the text to Ziva. He had to find out what she knew. Her father didn't trust her for excellent reasons. She wasn't very good at subtle and couldn't keep her emotions under control.

XXXXX

Rene sat in his car and waited. He couldn't wait until the fireworks started.

XXXXX

Leon Vance walked into the bullpen and looked around. Just then, the director started to walk down the stairs

"Leon, what are you doing here?" She asked as he walked over to her.

Just then, the elevator doors opened.

"How dare you, Tim," Jeanne stormed over a slapped him. "How dare you lie to me?"

Rene smirked at Jenny. She looked back at him in shock.

TBC