Ok, I guess I would have to say that this chapter is dedicated to HyperMint and NsCvIuS, because they were the closest to guessing what McGee noticed.
And I should probably clarify my last author's note. When I said I wrote the sex scene, it's because it is currently sitting pretty on my computer. HOWEVER, it is not chapter eight (I swear that I did not write that sex scene for the sake of writing one, it did have a purpose) nor is it chapter nine, it is chapter TEN. And I promise you won't be disappointed.
On a completely unrelated note, this week, I made myself a new background for my computer. It makes me smile! If anyone is curious, it's also my avatar thingy on my profile (although the website cut off some pretty good pictures, that made me sad), but since I've been so excited about it, I had to share it with you.
Chapter Nine
Tim paced in front of the door for what felt like hours. He didn't want to do this, not even remotely, but unfortunately he wasn't sure that he had the choice. This was for the case. He just had to make sure he was very clear about that.
He stepped through the door.
Director Vance didn't look up from his paperwork, but he didn't need to. His secretary already announced that Tim was at the door. "Took you long enough, Agent McGee."
"Sorry, Director." He was sweating now. The air condensed around him. It was strange, but he actually felt that he was being suffocated by air.
Vance finally looked up at him. He leaned back in his chair, but he still had incredible posture. "What can I do for you?"
"Um, well…" Damn it! He was nervous. When he was nervous, he resorted to his early years as an agent, stumbling over his words, making a complete fool of himself. He was kind of hoping he was past that stage.
He took a deep breath. Every time he was in a situation like this he always tried to remember one thing. What Gibbs told him to say to the Under Secretary of State during the Jeffrey White incident. Oddly enough it always gave him his confidence back.
Stick it. "I need to know why you were a visitor to the Millworth Farms resort six months ago."
Vance's eyes widened in shock. "I don't see how that's any of your business, Agent McGee."
"And normally I would agree with you sir, however, our latest case has led us to the Millworth Farms resort. We believe it may be connected to the murders of a Marine officer and a Navy judge."
"So what's the problem?" Vance stood up straight and talked with an air of superiority and confidence. He was saying to Tim that he was the one in charge and he was not going to be bullied.
It only succeeded in fueling Tim even more. "The problem is that Agent Gibbs and DiNozzo are undercover at the resort." That earned him another shocked look from the director. He continued before he had the chance to argue. "It was a sudden op, they didn't have a lot of time to clear it with you. But they're flying blind right now. We all are. Gibbs and Tony aren't being forthcoming with information on the farm—"
"Probably because they know it's none of your business."
"I'm trying to run the investigation from here, but I can't do that because I don't know what to look for. I need to know what it is I'm supposed to be investigating, sir."
He held himself as tall as he could. He wasn't backing down. Vance tried to stare him down. Normally, Tim would have slumped back, stuttering like a fool, but not this time. He was an NCIS agent, damn it, just as good as Gibbs or Tony. They wouldn't back off from the director during a case, so he wouldn't either.
After what felt like an hour, Vance sighed heavily. "I want you to know, Agent McGee, I love my wife."
He sat back in his chair and rested his lips against his fingers. The statement confused the hell out of the field agent. "I'm not sure what that has to do with—"
"What I am about to tell you is for your ears only, do you understand? Agent Gibbs, DiNozzo, David are never to hear any of this. It's classified."
"Understood sir." He still didn't understand what Vance was trying to tell him.
Vance kept his eyes glued to his desk, he refused to meet Tim's eye. "Millworth Farms is an all male gay sex resort."
Tim felt the blood drain from his face. Vance continued to speak. "Its clientele are typically powerful men, sometimes with wives and families, or military men. Millworth offers complete discretion."
"And free sex?"
Vance glared. "I'm not proud of this Agent McGee. When a friend of mine told me about the Farm, I thought 'why the hell not? What's the worst that could happen?'" He chuckled bitterly. "I honestly didn't expect it to come bite me in the ass."
Tim actually found himself feeling sorry for the director. A scandal like this could ruin him. Both his career and his marriage. He stood up. "I have to tell Ziva what the farm really is, Director. But I promise to leave your name out of it. She didn't see your name in the records. And I don't feel that Agent Gibbs or DiNozzo need to know anything you just told me either."
Vance nodded. "Appreciate that, Agent McGee."
Tim knew that the conversation was over. He didn't stick around any longer.
He walked back into the bullpen, Ziva was still standing by his desk. He couldn't blame her, he kind of left in a hurry. But after he saw Director Vance's name in the spreadsheet, he had to get the scoop. He knew it would be helpful in some way. And it was, he just hadn't expected to humiliate his boss in the process.
"What was that about?" She asked as soon as he was close enough.
Tim kept his voice low as he answered. "I had a hunch that the Director could help us find out about the farm."
"And did he?"
"I can't tell you that."
Ziva huffed. "Are we a team, McGee? Tony and Gibbs have been working completely separately this entire case, you are keeping secrets! I am tired of being left out, now talk!" She glared daggers at him.
Tim recounted the basic details of the farm to her. He left out anything involving the director. But honestly, he could have told her intimate details of Vance's stay at the resort and it wouldn't matter. She burst out laughing halfway through his speech.
"Are you telling me," she said between laughs, "that Gibbs and Tony are undercover at a gay sex resort?"
That was the first time that Tim actually took the time to think about it. "Tony and Gibbs are playing gay."
Ziva snorted. "With each other!" She doubled over. Tim joined her only seconds later.
They fell over, their shoulders pressed together with their backs against Tim's desk. People watched them as they passed by, but the two of them couldn't stop. Tony and Gibbs were playing a gay couple. They had to flirt, call each other pet names, blend in with a bunch of closeted homosexuals.
"I, I," Ziva swallowed as she tried to catch her breath. "I always suspected that Tony had a thing for Gibbs."
"Tony! What about Gibbs? You know he would never look at me the way he looks at Tony."
"Well, I have got news for you McGee, Gibbs does not look at anyone the way he looks at Tony. And the closeness!"
"I know! I mean it's like, have you ever heard of personal space, boss?"
"But only with Tony."
"No, with Tony it's the worst. And he doesn't even care. I mean, when I have Gibbs leaning over me like that, I start freaking out."
"But Tony, he's just like," she shrugged, "'meh, it is no big deal.' I tell you, it is no wonder they have been working so closely together for this case."
Tim's laughs slowly ceased. Reality started to settle in. "They have been acting strange this case."
Ziva's smile dissolved. "And after finding out what the resort really was, they have not left."
Silence consumed them. They were just kidding around earlier. But now that they actually looked back on all the years, watching Gibbs and Tony interact. Tony's constant need for approval, but only from Gibbs. Director Shepard made it perfectly clear how much she liked Tony. Everyone at NCIS adored the man and kept wondering why he wasn't already leading his own team. Especially after Iraq and Somalia.
He always needed Gibbs to notice him. And Gibbs did. He never said it when Tony was around, but it was clear how highly he thought of the man. And when they watched Tony's car blow up, everyone was surprised. Gibbs may not have said anything, he may not have been as obvious about it, but anyone who looked at his face could see how destroyed he felt. It was like he was barely holding it together.
Tim never said anything to Ziva, but when Gibbs delivered the news that she was dead, he didn't have that same look on his face. He didn't even have the same level of heartbreak when Kate was shot.
"Oh my god." McGee said after a few moments.
Ziva shook her head, as if she had been thinking the same thing that he had. "Tony and Gibbs…"
"Are really in love."
*~*
The trip back to the resort was uneventful. They made it over the fence before they got any issues.
"Hey! You two!" Tony and Jethro twirled around to see a security guard standing a few feet away from them. Jethro silently wished that he didn't see them hop the fence. "What are you two doing here?"
"Sorry," Tony said with a smile. "Mr. Millworth said it was ok." He leaned against the fence and rested his hand on his belt.
The guard's eye followed the movement. He lingered for a full minute before he jerked back up. "Why was the fence rattling?"
Tony arched his eyebrow. "You ever try and fuck against a fence?"
Jethro closed his eyes and took a deep breath. An image of pushing Tony against the fence and claiming his body took hold of him. He desperately needed to get a hold of himself if he was going to survive the case.
"Both of you are completely clothed." The guard scowled.
"Because you interrupted."
It still looked like the guard didn't believe them. Jethro scooted closer and threw his arm around him. His other hand went to Tony's chest and rubbed up and down. He felt Tony's arm reach around him to pull him closer. Jethro's hand temporarily stopped.
"You wanna, leave now so we can finish?" Tony winked.
The guard stayed behind for another few minutes, just scowling. Jethro wondered if he was waiting for them to start ripping each other's clothes off. He was about to make a crack about wanting to watch when the guard grunted and walked away.
The two of them shared a sigh of relief. "Well that was close." Tony whispered.
They were still holding each other, weren't they?
Jethro looked over at the other man. His arm was still around him, his other hand was still on his chest. And Tony's arm was still around his waist.
He pulled away and stepped as far away from Tony. Neither man was willing to make eye contact. Jethro didn't want to say anything. Instead he just started walking back to the resort, Tony on his toe.
"Are you hungry?" Tony asked after a minute. He sounded like he was trying too hard to act normally.
"Are you?"
"Well, we skipped breakfast, and lunch. And we have been walking a lot."
Jethro sighed. He was starving. He was functioning solely on the coffee he had that morning, which still wasn't enough. "You're paying."
Tony chuckled, but when he realized that Jethro wasn't kidding he stopped. There was a bit of a grumble, but Jethro ignored it.
They made to back to the resort and immediately headed towards the restaurant. It was a completely different building to the bar. It was more of a fancier place, although it didn't give off a black tie feel.
It was more of a first date kind of place.
The two of them were seated almost immediately, although the waiter sneered at them. Jethro couldn't really blame him—they were dirty and coated in sweat—but it didn't mean he didn't want to deck the guy.
Tony sat down with a smile on his face, apparently oblivious to the waiter's attitude. Or he possibly just didn't care, which was also a possibility.
Tony picked up the menu and studied it, still smiling. Jethro couldn't understand what was wrong with the man. He was almost afraid that he was going insane. "Something on your mind, Tony?" He finally asked.
The younger man shook his head. "Just hungry is all."
When the waiter came back, the two ordered their food. They both ordered a dinner, an appetizer (Tony got two) and the soup, plus an extra plate of fries. They were starving. It was probably the longest either of them had gone without food in quite a while, and Tony was probably going crazy.
He looked down at his watch. Most of the day was already gone. They really went this long without any food?
"So what do you wanna do when we're done eating?" Tony asked as he rested his napkin in his lap.
Jethro shrugged. "We're not gonna know who to talk to until McGee gets back to us with the list of names."
Tony's lips twitched. "Are you saying you want to take a night off?"
The older man was still confused about Tony's behavior. But, he shrugged again. "We can play it light tonight instead."
"So I take it the hot tub's outta the question."
Jethro was about to say something when the waiter came back with their drinks. Jethro of course got a cup of coffee, Tony went with a Coke.
Tony took a sip before he spoke. "You wanna go back to the bar tonight?"
The boss felt his anger rising again. "You gonna keep your hands off of Corporal Jarvey tonight?" He hoped he sounded light and mocking.
Tony chuckled. "Very funny, Nick." He took another drink. His eyes gleamed with the low lighting. "I was thinking tonight we should play it a little close to the chest."
Jethro's eyebrows scrunched together. Was Tony…flirting with him?
He shook his head. That was completely ridiculous. Tony was quite possibly the straightest man he had ever met. This was just hopeful wishing on his part. Nothing more.
"Whatever you want, Tony."
The younger man's smile brightened.
I don't really know anything fun to say at this point, but, next chapter, things get steamy! Oh, that's what I can say, if anyone has a problem with really graphic m/m sex, then you might wanna skip over the next chapter. But you can still tell me what you thought of this chapter! *smiles sweetly* You know you love me.
Bob