Chapter 24

Saturday came quickly, and after everyone left for the Mall, Tim looked around the empty office. He had tried to suppress his frustration after Ducky saw his rather childish display, but now, alone for once, Tim sat at his desk and dropped the mask. When Abby came up to see how he was doing, he covered quickly. Together, they watched the broadcast from MTAC.

"Okay, everyone in position?"

"We're set, boss," Tony reported. The other agents all signaled an affirmative.

"Okay, watch for them. I don't want them leaving here."

Time ticked away and noon came and went. There was no sign of anyone on their lists. Gibbs was about to call it off when McGee interrupted. "I see someone, boss! It could be Robertson."

"Where?"

"He's moving toward the benches. On the east end. See him?"

"Ziva? Tony?"

"I see him, too." There was silence, then, "Wait! There's Alwan! He's headed over to Robertson. Do we take them now?"

"No. All units prepare to move in, but do not move until I give the signal. Unit 2, any sign of backup?"

"Stand by."

Tony surreptitiously moved closer to Robertson and Alwan, taking pictures of the Lincoln Memorial while Ziva acted as his model. They were arguing audibly about numbers and shipment costs. "You know, a lot of movies were filmed in this area. In Independence Day the aliens blew up all of Washington D.C., including the Mall."

"You know what, Tony? I'm not even remotely interested," Ziva muttered, posing in front of the pool. She smiled fakely. "If you don't shut up, I'll kill you right now.

"This reminds me of that scene in–"

"Shut up, DiNozzo," Gibbs interrupted. "Anything yet?"

"I've got Bourdan! He's at the other end of the pool, moving toward Robertson."

"Okay, keep on him. When we take Robertson and Alwan, we get him as well."

Ziva interjected. "I see two men that look like backup for Alwan."

"Tony?"

"Yep. I see them, boss. They're way too interested in that meeting for it to be coincidence."

"Right. Everyone get ready to move. On my signal. You getting everything, Johnson?" he asked the agent in charge of recording the discussion.

"There's a lot of interference, but I'm getting a lot of it. Alwan's not too happy with the amount Robertson is demanding."

"Okay, take them down. Now!"

Chaos erupted around the pool. In seconds, Bourdan and Alwan's agents were arrested. There was a short chase after Alwan which ended with a flying tackle by Tony right into the Pool. Robertson ran a few steps and was surrounded. Tim watched with amazement as all the suspects were taken to cars. It had happened so quickly that he almost didn't think that it could really be over. The men were all taken to NCIS and booked. Tim looked at Robertson as he was escorted to the holding cell. There was no acknowledgment, nothing. They may as well have never met. Tim turned away, disappointed. He didn't know what he had expected, but it was more than that. Abby came up behind him and touched him on the shoulder. He flinched automatically.

"Sorry, McGee. Didn't mean to startle you. What are your plans now?"

"I just want to go home and sleep in my own bed. If Gibbs will let me that is."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

"Yeah. Tomorrow."

Abby kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Don't worry, Tim. It will all work out."

"Thanks, Abby."

He watched her leave and then sat at his desk and waited for Gibbs to appear.

"McGee, what are you still doing here?" Even though he'd been watching for him, Tim still was taken by surprise.

"Boss?"

"Go home. There'll be someone watching your place to make sure no one else comes after you, but go home."

"Thanks, boss." Tim started to go to the lab to get his stuff.

"And, McGee?"

"Yes, boss?"

"Good work."

He turned back and smiled a little. "Thanks."