Tim watched the man as he watched Tony. The laughing, dancing crowd surged around them to the music's wild beat but seemed to leave the two of them untouched.

He wasn't sure what it was but there was something different about this man that Tim couldn't quite put his finger on. There was something a little …off.

But then again this whole night seemed a little off to Timothy McGee. It was Halloween for a start and unusually they weren't working. Tony had been regaling them with stories from his time as a cop in Baltimore about how all the crazy's would come out of their hiding places this one night of the year. Consequently he had made no plans as he had been convinced that they would be called in to attend to a case.

When Abby found out they were both unattached for the evening she had then invited (read demanded) the two of them come with her to attend a party.

It wasn't until they got there that Tim had realized that the party itself was being held at the edge of an actual graveyard.

Tim turned his eyes back to study the man standing at the edge of the crowd, far from the flickering light of the large bonfire. He was dressed obviously as a vampire. His immaculate early twenty century dinner suit with snowy white shirt and trim waisted black jacket was complemented with large black cape lined in blood red silk and a black top hat. He stood at ease, his hands gloved in leather and resting on the top of his silver toped cane.

It was far from the most eye catching or outrageous outfit being worn at the party. One brave soul had large feathered wings stained black soaring from his shoulders while another had two heads connected to the one neck. There were nearly naked dancers covered in exotic jewels, murdered brides, mad scientists and grotesque murder victims.

And yet amongst the riot of color and noise Tim's eyes were drawn to the silent handsome man. And he was handsome. Tim might not be the best at rating men's appearances but had to give him that. Tall, about 6.2, with bright blue eyes and black hair and an expressive mouth. He was pale but that just seemed to highlight his chiseled features.

Why was he staring at Tony? Tony didn't seem to even notice as he danced and flirted and laughed without a care in the world. Tim envied Tony his easy grace. The way he could drop into a party unannounced and make himself at home. Tim wondered what it must be like to never be lonely and have a thousand friends to call on any time of the day or night.

Tim felt a surge of protectiveness towards Tony. The man was reckless in his own way when he wasn't in the field and although Tim knew full well that Tony could look after himself he decided he wouldn't have that third drink…….. just in case.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

The Boy was watching him again.

Dante didn't move but he could feel the Boys curious eyes watching him through the night, searching him out in the flickering darkness. His eyes were intelligent, he was no fool but there was a sweet roundness to his countenance that resulted in Dante feeling no threat.

He would live through the night.

Besides it wouldn't be a good introduction to the one he wanted as companion if he killed his friend.

Dante watched as the Boy moved towards him wending his way through the surging raucous crowd with a sense of purpose until he stood before him.

"Hello. I thought I would introduce myself. I'm Timothy McGee. I see you have taken an interest in my friend there, Tony."

Dante smiled. How sweet, he was trying to protect his friend from danger. Curious. His obsession with Tony must be throwing his abilities off. Normally he was able to exude a feeling of calm, a non threatening sensation allowing him to move through human crowds without alerting their primitive senses to the predator which lurked inside.

The Boy knew though. The Boy of all the hundreds of people here knew he was a threat. Not what sort of threat but enough that he wanted to do what he could to prevent harm coming to his friend. It was sweet really. Pointless but endearing none the less.

Tim watched as the man assessed him back as they stood nearly toe to toe alone in the crowd. Gibbs had taught him to trust his gut, and his gut was telling him to run away.

There was something else though. A fascination he hadn't felt since he had sat entranced during the lessons at John Hopkins on string theory. Something marvelous and unexplained and immense that went back to understanding the very fabric of the universe had entranced him them. String theory and all its marvelous complexities aroused in him the same sensations as this strange man.

Tim cocked his head and tried to understand the strange compelling questioning that was running through his mind.

The man smiled and his eyes flashed bright in the darkness.

"I am known as Dante"

Tim fought back a smile. Abby's friends always were a little dramatic. Ok he could play along.

"Like the poet?" Tim enquired politely trying to recognize the slight English accent in the mans rich deep voice?

"Like the stages of Hell"

Dante replied with a smirk. Normally by this stage humans excused themselves from his company overwhelmed with a primitive sense of dread.

Tim smiled "Oh yes I always liked that"

Dante was surprised. The Boy barely blinked even though he had used his voice to subliminally suggest he leave post haste and allow Dante to contemplate Tony's beauty in peace.

Tim wanted to assess this man further and get him as far away from Tony as he could. He didn't feel threatening to him….. just odd. He felt a strange compulsion to know more. To understand this man.

"Would you mind talking a walk with me?" The suggestion was out of Tim's mouth before he even realized what he was asking. Dante looked down at him and then with a small smile slightly inclined his head. So curious.

"Well into the darkness then my Little One……" Dante replied as he walked beside Tim away from the crowd and into the quiet darkness of the graveyard.

Abby looked up from her sweating laughing companion to see McGee slip silently away into the dark with a tall handsome man.

Hinky.

She looked across searching for Tony, to see him laughingly wrapped around two blondes dressed as a French Maid and a Nurse respectively.

What was McGee up to?

Abby's attention was diverted as her partner grabbed her waist and whirled her back into the center of the heaving crowd. McGee could look after himself. He was a Federal Agent after all.

(Ohhhh I hope its nice and dark for you? Timmy! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to wander off into the dark with strangers? Precious)