Chapter 16

9.00am

Commander West's House

Tim felt terrible, and it was more than his ribs giving him trouble. He took a deep breath and heard Willow calling him into lounge. The relief that washed over Tim when he saw his team for the first time in what had been a very long night was immediate. He didn't think he had ever been so glad to see Tony's grinning face. The way Tony leapt to his feet, immediately washed away any concerns that he had quietly nursed in the long dark painful night that they hadn't even noticed he was gone in order to worry about him.

McGee shuffled his feet a bit nervously and waived. What the hell could he say? Its great to see you guys as for a moment there last night I thought I would never see you again? Bet you never thought I would be a Toy Boy? Guess what Tony? I had sex last night, twice actually! We have a guy tied up in the basement and I think he cracked my rib when he tackled me in the warehouse, while you were all sleeping? I now know how to drive a forklift?

He settled on a nonchalant 'ah Hi guys. I was just making some coffee. Would you like some?' He kicked himself for saying something so ridiculous but it could have been worse so he shut his mouth and watched what was going to unfold.

Ziva looked like she wanted to pounce on him, kiss him and then scold him into some sort of submission. She was fascinated by the silk robe and seemed to want to stroke it for some reason so Tim supposed Willows declaration that he should wear it was correct.

All of Tim's bravado disappeared in a flash like water on a hot grill once Gibbs was on the scene and in his face. He wanted desperately to tell Gibbs that he hadn't wasted the night, that he would have called if he could, that he wasn't even sure how he got locked out of the house in the first place, that he really did fix the Commanders security system, that he had been hurt but tried to be a brave agent like he thought Gibbs would want… that…..that….

It all tumbled around in his head and he couldn't get the words right. So tired. Perhaps if he hinted Gibbs would simply guess in that amazing way of his and ……his mental gears jammed on the fact that no matter how he protested his innocence he had in reality done exactly what Gibbs was furious about.

He had slept with the Commander and if he hadn't he might have been returned safe and sound back to the house. He tried to calm himself with the fact that they wouldn't have been jumped by Jeffrey though if he had been returned and they wouldn't have the information that should bring the bad guys to justice. It didn't seem to help.

The words tumbled out as he backed up against the wall, gripping tight to the neck of the robe to keep it closed against prying eyes 'I'm sorry Boss I thought she called! I was up late working on her……her……. security system and then I, I …… fell asleep on her couch'

His voice sounded pathetic even to his own ears and Oh God he was back stuttering again. Luckily the reality of the scene seemed to depend on him being a bit embarrassed at 'being caught out' as he wouldn't have been able to pull anything else off.

He could feel himself flushing pink from head to foot and it had more to do with the shame of deliberately withholding information from Gibbs than the way Ziva was trying to lean back and look up his robe.

Tim knew he sounded pathetic and he knew that Gibbs knew that he was lying which made it worse. Gibbs's blue eyes stared into Tim, looking for the answer to this debacle. He looked to Willow over Gibbs shoulder pleading to be able to tell him and she firmly held his gaze and flicked her eyes towards the two MP's.

He had to trust her. She was the one that had been able to get him out of that room. She had risked herself and her dignity and pride to try and keep him safe from harm. She had said it wouldn't be for long.

When Tim turned his attention back to Gibbs he seemed even more enraged than he had a moment earlier when he had stepped into Tim's personal space.

Tim tried again hoping that if he kept speaking that the right words would appear in the right order to make the whole situation disappear. 'I couldn't really leave you see Boss, I…….. (was tied to a pillar and beaten and I was worried that the Commander would get hurt)… I didn't have any clothes to wear (Well not at first but they are totally ruined now and covered in blood, MY blood and dirt and oil from the forklift)……. not that she held me here against my will or anything ( I did actually have sex with her) but I just thought she had called you….. (Ok that is a lie but he already thinks the whole thing is a lie) and I was doing work honest, not on the interview requests but I was working…(on trying to catch these guys and I swear as soon as I know that no one suspects us of finding out about the drop going on today I will tell you everything I know)'

When Gibbs had bundled the rest of the team out the door after Willow had insisted that he stay with her for a while longer he sagged and felt hollow. Willow waited until they had left then sighed and stepped in front of Tim, her wrists rested lightly on his chest while her hands scrunched in the edge of the silk robe. The robe pulled open slightly revealing the multitude of thin red lash marks covering his chest. She wanted to pull him close and hold him tight but she was sure his cracked ribs would probably protest so she hugged him gently.
'Are you alright?' Tim nodded
'I still think we should have told them'
'Soon Timothy, soon. I promise. Do you think they all brought it?' Willow had gently soothed him, insisting again to his doubting mind that the job was practically done. With the two MP's witnessing the dramatic little showdown the rumor mill would be working overtime and as soon as they got back to base he could pull Gibbs aside and explain.

Tim nodded and with renewed determination he grabbed his clothes that Tony had brought and headed to the bathroom to gratefully get changed. The sooner he could get dressed and out of here the sooner he could explain and get rid of this roiling feeling in his stomach.

9.45am

Central Command

Willow felt marvelous. Better than that. She felt spectacular. As she readied herself to step out of the base elevator to continue her performance as the Wicked Witch of the West aka The Cradle Snatcher she smiled. She was going to have fun with this.

This morning before Gibbs and his team had arrived she had dressed carefully, choosing an outfit she hadn't worn in years. Her fitted scarlet suit. She had brushed her thick chestnut hair out and left it falling down. It accomplished two things. You couldn't see the bruises that Jeffrey had left on her neck, man handling her out of the car that morning and she doubted anyone on her current staff had ever seen her with her hair down. She thought that the matching red snakeskin stilettos would probably be a bit much but today she was going all out. After a quick look in the mirror she even flicked a button undone on her blouse letting the neckline plunge even lower than she considered decent. She smirked, well it really was all for poor Tim as the better she turned out the less traumatic it might be for people to consider them having slept together. Yes she was doing this all for him really. She had sprayed herself with her best perfume, a rich oriental scent few could pull off with class (she considered herself one of the lucky) checked that her silk underwear was giving her the right silhouette and with the addition of makeup and jewelry she was ready.

Yes she was going to be every inch the woman in red today. Lieutenant Douglas had phoned her as soon as Gibbs had left his office to give her the heads up. It had been all they had needed. Tim had had a quick shower, she had wrapped his bruised ribs in a firm field dressing, treated his numerous cuts and had stepped into her now slightly battered silk robe. He had been sweeping up the remains of the glass in the kitchen when she had called him into the lounge.

For too long now she had been stuck behind a desk. She had forgotten what it was like to be out in the field. This was why she had joined the military. Excitement, danger, intrigue, pain, betrayal, sex, duct tape, kisses, handcuffs, dragging resisting men into cars this glorious morning had provided it all to her. Other woman could Ohh and Ahh over arranging their Martha Stewart style High Teas but she was busting for a real down and dirty fight. The tussle with Jeffrey and in a way Tim too had simply given her a taste of what she was really after. She could feel the adrenaline surging through her until it felt like her finger nails were going to burst into flames. Her eyes glowed, her heart rate was up, her fingers itched to take up arms and she felt as sexy as hell.

Sexy. That reminded her of her companion and she turned to Timothy who was standing behind her next to a rather stunned young woman. Willow was surprised to note that it wasn't her own transformation which seemed to be holding her attention but rather she couldn't take her eyes off Timothy. Willow smiled, well it seemed he had more admirers than he realized.

She decided to start as she intended on continuing and purred to Tim, 'Well Timothy look at you! All flash with your clothes on!'

Tim smiled and hitched up the edge of his trousers 'Look I even have socks.'

'Well good for you. Shirt, pants, shoes and socks. What ever will I do with you?' Willow was feeling playful.

Tim found himself appreciating simple things like warm socks and comfortable shoes. He drifted off, musing on the events of the evening completely forgetting about having an audience himself. 'This would have to be the first time since yesterday afternoon that we have both been dressed at the same time'

This comment seemed to catch the other occupant's attention and she turned mouth open towards Commander West.

'Love the Red suit.' Tim was thinking of the previous night when Willow had laughed about being defenseless Little Red Riding Hood to his Big Bad Wolf.

'I thought you would like it. Your suits very smart too by the way. What it is? '

'Armani, it's a wool and silk blend.'

'Umm wool. I like wool.' Willow smiled thinking of how Timothy had been the proverbial wolf in sleeps clothing or should that be in Armani clothing?

'Yes wool, such a handy fiber. It's so fire retardant' Timothy smiled across at her and she remembered how she had whispered to him in the night of how his touch burned her.

'Ready to face Grandmas house, Timothy?'

Bing!

The elevator doors slide open and with a heated glance Commander West strode forth out of the elevator braced to bring forth some wanton destruction upon some certain interlopers.

Tim significantly less enthusiastically followed after her, smothering a yawn. Suddenly the elevators now lone occupant whipped out her hand and stopped the doors closing.

'Excuse me are you the missing NCIS agent Timothy McGee?'

Tim stopped and blinked then turned to her. 'You know who I am?'

'Oh yes your famous. Well around here anyway. Everyone has been searching high and low for you. You even have a bounty on your head if you were found and turned into the Purchasing Department before Legal got there hands on you. So you are found now, your not lost still are you?' She looked a bit hopeful but Tim smiled and shook his head 'Nope sorry I'm all safe and sound. And found.' He screwed up his brow, wondering it that made as much sense in his head as when he had said it.

'On more thing, can I ask who found you?'

'Commander West here'. Tim nodded in her direction where she was standing a short distance away with a quizzical expression on her face.

'Oh okay then I will let everyone know that they can call off the search'. She seemed a little disappointed and she let the doors close and whisk her off to another floor.

'It looks like your famous, Timothy'

'Well actually I am famous. Very big in Germany and Australia at the moment'

The Commander looked at him to see if he was teasing her and Tim smiled 'I will explain later'.

Tim fell into step behind the Commander, happy to let her take the lead in this charade. He could feel a dozen different people staring at her and then at him as they made their way across the open floor. Suddenly a man who had been hurrying across the floor with his head down glancing at a large pile of reports suddenly ground to a halt in front of them openly staring at the Commander.

'Lieutenant Douglas, how are we this morning?' Willow smiled sensuously and tried to think dirty thoughts with her eyes.

'Ahhhhhhhh' The Lieutenant stopped and then tried again as the woman he had worked with for several years evaporated before his eyes into some sort of …… vamp?

'Umm I thought you were going to take today off?' Douglas struggled for coherent thought as her sharp eyes seemed to pin him struggling like prey to the floor.

'I thought I would come and see if there is anything interesting going on in my absence, Douglas'. He felt himself break into a sweat and remembered now why she had been called the Wicked Witch of the West. He was sure he was going to melt into a puddle of perspiration any minute if she kept looking at him like that.

'There isn't anything unusual…..' he kicked himself and tried to recover 'except for well….. the NCIS investigation and the missing agent I told you about this morning.'

'Ahh yes well he has been found. In fact he was never really missing. He was with me the entire night.' Willows voice rich and true rang through the busy foyer and Tim could swear he could have heard a pin drop.

'How are you Douglas? You don't quite look yourself?' Douglas glanced over her shoulder at the tall young man standing behind her who was wearing a rather sheepish lopsided grin on his face. Even fully dressed it was clear that he was the missing NCIS agent that all the fuss had been about.

Willow continued her voice carrying across the room, her smile wide as she flashed her teeth. 'Well I'm feeling marvelous. Do you know why I'm feeling so wonderful Douglas? Ummm Would you like to hazard a guess?'

Douglas was on slippery footing here and he knew it. It seemed she was almost baiting him to say that she had not just spent the night with the Agent McGee but had slept with him too. That couldn't be right could it? He stuck to a very articulate 'Uuummmmmmm'

"Well the reason I'm feeling so wonderful is Agent McGee here has been able to do what no man on this entire base has been able to do for over six months!'

There was an actual perceptible gasp in the room at this declaration.

'Any guesses Douglas? Hum? No? Well I must say he is a genius but he was still able to………………FIX MY BLOODY COMPUTER SYSTEM AND ALARM THAT HAS SUPPOSEDLY HAD EVERY SPECILIST KNOWN TO MAN LOOK AT IT! Willow raised her voice and poked Douglas firmly in the chest, leaning her considerable chest into him.

'He' Willow pointed at Tim 'is an NCIS Field Agent. An investigator. Yet in a few short hours he was able to fix the supposedly unfixable. How do you think that makes me feel? Has this been some colossal joke on my behalf?'

Douglas wanted the floor to open up and swallow him. 'No Maam. I'm … I'm not sure what has happened…'

'Never mind Douglas I will speak to you regarding this later. We will be up in my office having a private meeting and I don't want to be disturbed. Oh and order us breakfast. Three of everything they have on the menu. We are both starving and we never did get to eat anything last night.' She turned and grabbed hold of the rather stunned looking Tim and strode into her office and slammed the door.

'There that ought to do it. I don't think I could have made it any clearer. Give it a minute and then you can go get Gibbs in here and we can get started' Willow leaned back against the door her eyes bright and her mouth smiling. Tim tilted an inquiring head at the display outside 'Well I thought reputation be damned.'

Tim beamed, and with a quick grateful kiss on her cheek he started to head for the door.

(Ok people review. What do you think? Is it coming together, silly, spelling mistakes. (I'm sure there are a few of those!) I will take anything at this stage. Next up Gibbs and the unveiling of the evening)