Joint Investigations

Chapter 3: Occupational Hazards

"I want you and Lt. Kelly to go through every bit of this guy's life and figure out why someone would kill him." Ordered Gibbs shortly after McGee had entered the lab.

"On it Boss." He answered as the other agent exited the room.

"Hey" he greeted nervously as he turned to his new partner.

"Hey yourself." She replied giving his hand a light squeeze.

Ok so Tim hadn't told Tony the whole truth about himself and the Air Force officer. He had met Natasha as t the mall and they had gone out for coffee a couple times. And dinner and a movie or two, but as odd as it might sound neither of them had ever brought up their occupation.

"I'm really really sorry Tim." She said seriously, her light green eyes meeting his.

"You don't have to apologize to me Tasha."

"No I do." She corrected sternly. "If we intend to have a serious relationship I need to know that you trust me. I never told you about my job because I was afraid it might scare you off."

"How so?" he asked, trying to lighten the tense mood of the conversation.

"Well the first thing would be that I work in law enforcement, but I guess that you can handle that one." She explained with a soft smile. "But there's also the fact that I am in the military which means I could be transferred or deployed at any time."

"I never told you I work for NCIS because that would have lead to me having to explain that I work extreme hours and frequently get shot at."

There was a moment of silence as the both thought about what the other had said.

"But if you can look past the fact that I'm not exactly good boyfriend material I'll tell you right now that I find your career choice more of an attraction than a repellant." He said meeting her gaze.

"You're perfectly good boyfriend material." She replied as she intertwined her fingers with his.

"And for the record I trust you with my life."

The two had sub-consciously moved closer, but quickly stepped back when Abby entered the lab.

"Hey Tim did you-did I interrupt something?" she asked suspiciously at seeing their closeness.

"Not at all." Tim answered calmly. "Abby this is Tasha, excuse me Lt. Kelly."

"You can call me Tasha." The Lieutenant amended with a smile as she shook the forensic expert's hand.

"Nice to meet you." Abby said returning the smile. "Now we have a murder to solve."

I apologize for the personality butchering I think I did in this chapter. It'll probably undergo some tweaking unless I'm convinced otherwise.

Anyway I've started the fourth chapter and hope to have it up before I have to go back to school on Tuesday. Reviews are my inspiration so if you read please let me know what you think!!!