DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!
MASK OF INNOCENCE
CH 6
Gibbs twitched his head narrowing his eyes at his young agent. As McGee's smile fell his eyes showed a flash of fear. "What happened?" Gibbs asked darkly.
"Wh-what do you mean?" McGee clenched his fists willing himself to remain calm and not stutter. There was no way Gibbs or anyone else could know anything yet. At least that's what he hoped.
"Something's bugging you," Gibbs' voice softened slightly as he approached Tim's desk.
Tim didn't want his hands to be seen. The cuts and bruises were too fresh to cover up, so he dropped them to his lap before his boss got close enough to see them. He wasn't quite subtle enough.
"Do something to your hands?" the lead agent pointed with his chin.
Thinking quickly, Tim took his hands out turning them over and looking embarrassed said, "I was playing with Jethro and it got a little out of hand."
"Uh-huh," Gibbs didn't try to hide that he wasn't buying it, but let it go for the time being.
Meeting Leroy Jethro Gibbs unnerved Tim in a way he hadn't experienced in a long time. So much so he seemed to anger him with his fumbling and less than confident speech. Still he knew that he'd be if great value to him and his team, some how.
Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo appeared to take pity on him, patronizing him along the way.
The only friendly voice he'd heard was from their lab tech, Abby. He definitely wanted to meet her. When Tony said Tim wasn't her type, he vowed to find that out for himself.
The case was solved and Tim was thrilled Abby had agreed to go out with him. He found her to be bright and funny and certainly not like any of the other girls he'd ever dated.
Getting an order to update the systems at NCIS was like a dream. He'd show them how valuable he would be if he could there full time.
Despite a less than smooth start with Kate, getting caught under her desk looking up her skirt made the modest woman a bit angry, she became a supporter of his abilities.
Helping Gibbs identify the terrorist became a top priority and was actually not a difficult task to set up.
Hearing Gibbs tell him he belonged to him was sweet music. All he'd been striving for since taking the job in Norfolk was coming together.
Unfortunately things with Abby weren't going to work out. She was too much of a free spirit, but at least they were going to be able to maintain a friendly relationship. He knew he'd always have a soft spot for her, heck it seemed like most of the team did.
She began having problems with an old boyfriend. He had heard her on her phone trying to convince him to leave her alone. After a few such calls Tim knew that he'd have to send him a stronger message.
He managed to trace the calls and locate the stalker. He wasn't going to be a difficult challenge for Tim. Fortunately Abby's attraction to the geekier set was a good thing.
It took only five minutes to remove the man as a threat to Abby and dispose of any evidence that Tim even knew of his existence. For a few days Abby looked concerned at her phone when it wasn't ringing, but that turned into relief when she accepted it was finally over.
Tim was pleased to see her relax again in the lab. Maybe one day he'd convince her they were meant for each other.
After losing Kate, Tim had wanted to be the man to put an end to Ari. Gibbs' obsession made him want to do it even more. In the end it was taken out of his hands, as Gibbs shot him in self-defense in his basement.
He was surprised that Ziva returned to the bullpen. And he was even more shocked when Gibbs allowed her to sit at Kate's old desk. Something interesting had happened between them, but neither was going to share it.
Tony made his move on the young Israeli, but she seemed immune to all his ploys. Not that Tim thought she'd go for him either, even though she did like to tease Tony by flirting with him, even rating his butt higher much to the senior field agent's dismay.
His world began to unravel when his father's case was reopened.
Each agent had searched and chosen their own cold case. Tim cringed when he noticed the one that Tony had selected, but didn't show any outward sign. They sat at their desks and began to read through the files.
"Hey Boss," Tony called across the bullpen.
Gibbs looked up expectantly. When Tony didn't offer anything further, but looked furtively at his partners and back to the lead agent, he raised his hand to beckon him over.
Grabbing the file he'd been reading he sidled over to Gibbs' side. He placed the file open on top of the one Gibbs had been perusing.
Gibbs looked at Tony first before taking in the papers in front of him. He'd never seen his senior field agent look so out of sorts. Tony's eyes flitted from his boos to McGee and back again. He tilted his head toward the file beseeching he older man to finally see what he was trying to show him.
Before he took in the file Gibbs sat back and noticed Tim trying not to watch the scene unfolding in front of him. Gibbs leaned forward and focused on the file. Seeing exactly what had gotten Tony flustered he silently exchanged an understanding with him.
Tony returned to his desk leaving the file in Gibbs' possession.
The lead agent fingered the corners of the papers before flipping the file closed and standing. "McGee," he called getting the young agent's attention. He flapped the file indicating he wanted Tim to follow him.
Silently they entered the elevator which Gibbs stopped before turning to face the now nervous man.
"Boss?" McGee questioned his green eyes wider than normal.
"Why did you never tell us?" Gibbs blue eyes narrowed, but his voice was almost gentle wondering how the younger man had worked beside him for years and never mentioned his father's unsolved murder.
"Tell you what?" Tim asked while glancing at the file hanging by Gibbs' side.
Gibbs tapped the agent in the chest with the file, "This." He was surprised the light tap caused Tim to jump back, but mentally kicked himself for putting the younger man on the defensive. He handed the file to Tim and watched as he read what was inside.
Having never seen the official papers on his father's murder investigation, Tim was curious what might have been written about him, but didn't want to attempt it there.
"It was a long time ago," he tried to explain.
"Not that long," Gibbs had hid his own past, but it had really seemed a lift time ago. This had been less than half the time of his family's case.
Tim shrugged. "They couldn't solve it then. Claimed it was some robbery gone wrong and no way to track who did it. I didn't think it was worth your time."
Gibbs scowled. Why McGee couldn't see how everything about his team was important, he'd never understand.
"Wouldn't be a waste of time. We'll find who did it," Gibbs clapped Tim's shoulder and took the folder form his hands.
Tim smiled nervously, "Thanks Boss."
They returned to the bullpen. Tim could tell by the look Ziva gave him that Tony had filled her in on his 'secret' and she sympathized.
Gibbs dropped the file on Tony's desk. "Top priority," he said pointing his finger on the file.
"Right Boss," Tony picked it up and began to see where the original investigators had messed up.
After a few days, Tim approached Gibbs. "I want to help," he stated.
"Out of the question," Gibbs replied not giving an inch.
"If it was your father, you'd want in on it," Tim argued trying to show that he had a right to participate in solving the case.
"It's not my father and you're not to get involved," Gibbs glared at Tim. "Don't you have a case of your own to be researching?"
"They're called cold cases for a reason. Sometimes they're too cold," Tim realized he'd gone too far and moved back to his desk. "I'll just have to see if I can defrost them some more."
Gibbs continued to glare until he was certain the agent was back to work. Sure he'd be the first to want in on the investigation if hew was in his shoes. Heck he was once in them and it was the last place he wanted Tim to end up.
Recalling the case the involved Tim's sister, Gibbs knew Tim could be useful in solving the case. But not knowing much of his past didn't want to be blind where Tim was concerned. He'd let Tony decide if he waned his partner's help at some point. He trusted the senior agent to make the right choice on the matter. Tony was keeping him in the loop on the case. Not that there was too much to go on. Either the crime was done by someone very intelligent of the investigating agents were too incompetent to get it right.
Tim was frustrated that he couldn't clear up any of the cold cases he went through, but even more so that he was left in the dark on the one case e needed to follow. Tony h ad enlisted Ziva's help, but only in making a few calls, as she was close to breaking open her own case.
One morning when Tim arrived he found Tony anxiously pacing between the desks.
"Tim," Tony stopped and pointed at his partner.
McGee thought his heart had stopped beating fearing Tony had somehow figured things out. He quickly composed himself and went to drop his gear behind his desk. "What is it Tony?" he asked sitting behind his computer and turning it on.
"I need your help," he sat on the edge of Tim's desk.
"I'm not allowed to help. Remember?" Tim said sarcastically.
"Gibbs said I could bring you in if I need to," Tony waited for Tim to look up at him. "I need to Tim." He didn't quite beg, but the tone implied how much he wanted the younger man to agree.
"What exactly do you need?" Tim eyed him hoping whatever it was would allow him to read the reports.
There are a couple of suspects that disappeared. I need you to track them for me. I lost the trail and Ziva couldn't find them," Tony smiled. "You're the genius in computers. I know you could figure out where to find them."
Tim smiled, "Sure Tony. I'll do it." Tim figured if he could show his ability to assist without letting his emotions get in the way, he'd have a better chance at getting more involved later.
By lunch time Tim discovered one suspect was in prison and the other had met his match in a victim who was armed with a license to carry a concealed weapon and knew how to use it. Tony thanked Tim and made arrangements to interview the current inmate.
When it came time to leave Gibbs instructed him to take one of his teammates with him. As Ziva was busy with her now hot case he asked Tim to tag along.
"I'm asking the questions. You just sit there and take notes," Tony ordered knowing that Tim wanted to play a bigger role, but needing to keep him in control.
Happy to be included at all, Tim nodded, "I got it Tony."
On the way to the prison Tim perused the case file. By today's standards it was rather flimsy though it was clear the investigators looked at every lead they were handed. When it came to the interviews with his mother and himself, he was relieved that there was nothing the investigators had noted as peculiar.
He gave Tony a wry smile when his partner noticed him reading the notes on himself.
"You were a bright kid weren't you," laughed Tony trying to lighten the mood. "Can't imagine spending a night watching for stars."
Tim shrugged it off, "It was actually very enlightening." Tim wished he could've saved the video he'd made that nigh. The stars had been pretty spectacular.
That thought of course led to what his night had really entailed and he became quiet.
The visit and subsequent interview of the prisoner led to nowhere as he eventually gave up that he was in another state performing a different crime.
Tim wrote all the details down to double check his story, but the gleam in his eyes gave little doubt that it wasn't fabricated.
Driving back Tony struck at the steering wheel in frustration. "I thought we had that sick dirt bag," he slammed his hand again.
Tim didn't know what to say and his silence made Tony check himself thinking he inadvertently upset his friend. "Look Tim. I'm just mad that I can't find who killed your dad for you."
Tim looked at his hands in his lap. There was never much guilt over what he'd done, but Tony's desire to solve the case wasn't something he could handle.
Mistaking the silence for disappointment Tony vowed, "I promise you. I'll find who did it. I won't let this one go."
Tim saw the determination reflected in Tony's eyes and nodded grimly. Somehow he believed it would happen. The question he had to answer was what would he do when he did.