Dante released his beloved burden onto the bed and leaning down swept Timothy's now silky blonde hair back across his forehead. His Little One was so exhausted he didn't even stir as he lay half curled on his side.

With a scowl Dante turned and assessed the damage to his private and most intimate domain. The fact that it had been breeched so crudely, offended him deeply. The dark velvet night pierced through the walls and ceiling and sharp metal pipes glimmered with reflected moonlight. Piles of dust and broken rubble surrounded his coffin and littered the room that could so easily have been his burning flame filled crematorium.

Dante felt sour and bitter that his favourite retreat had been used against him. He had lived in and owned many, many houses over the centuries but this was the only one he truly considered a home. This room was where he felt most comfortable and it had many wonderful memories attached to it. Most of which were associated with his still slumbering Companion.

When he turned around to glance watchfully at the other occupant of the room he stopped at the glorious sight before him. Timothy had slowly relaxed forward, deeper into the covers of his large bed and his white angel wings instead of being folded tight behind him now swept outstretched across the scarlet silk covers. His sweet face was the picture of innocence as he slept clutching a pillow, his lashes curled along his soft cheek, his breaths gentle and deep and his dreams free of the horror and pain he had recently faced.

It was an image that was so glorious that the immortal felt petty and ungrateful. How could he be angry at his fate when not only was his Beautiful Boy alive but he had been given gifts which they had not even begun to explore?

Since the very first time Timothy had walked through the dancing, surging crowd at the graveyard to speak to him he had known that his young man was different. If only he had understood then how special he was.

Feeling like he had been personally blessed Dante turned back to face the destruction of his bedroom. He closed his eyes and taking a deep breath allowed a small smile to play across his perfect lips. If it was to be a new era for his Companion then he deserved a new bedroom to suit his magnificence.

With a huge metallic squeal the invading hostile pipes were shot up and outside while whirlwinds of dust and rubble swirled up off the floor and the starry night sky quickly disappeared. The huge underground room was now a blank canvas ready for Dante's artistry and imagination, fuelled by passion and a long life of impossibilities.

Dante trailed his clawed fingers across the flat heavy stonework of the walls and glorious murals of beautiful dashing angels, preening doves, fierce handsome vampires and flashing swords followed in their wake. The ancient dull stones became etched in visions of sunlight soaked endless wheat fields rippling in the wind, moonlit star filled lakes and mysterious magical forests.

With an elegant wave of his hand, bountiful blooming vines crawled up marble pillars and jewelled butterflies and clawed bats soared playfully together across the ceilings. The stars that had brought them together that first night appeared in the ceiling above Timothy's bed to watch over them once more. In a forest of wonders a blue eyed black jaguar lay stretched across a massive tree branch and watched over a small boy playing amongst the thick grasses far below. On the far wall an old rickety typewriter appeared to billow pages of stories that turned into books lying in tumbled stacked heaps like magical staircases while a tall timber sailing ship with billowing sails raced invisible winds across the domed ceiling towards new adventures.

It was a love letter from an immortal to his nearly lost Companion. Timothy's NCIS shield kept a protective watch over the arch of the door and all who entered there while grotesque fierce gargoyles guarded each of the four corners of the room. A fountain of plenty flowed warm rugs and soft pillows across the hard cold floor while a starry nights worth of candles glittered amongst crystal goblets and shining silver battle helms.

When he was finished, Dante stood back to survey his work with a pleased smile. Now finally he too could rest, safe in the knowledge that he would be protected from the sun's rays when he woke. With a deep sigh he turned and sat beside Timothy on the large bed. He lovingly took off the remaining bloody shreds of clothing that had survived both the shooting and the desperate clawing transformation after Timothy's death. Each tug and roll as he freed Tim from his entrapments was earned with a small wince as Dante tried not to wake his Companion but soon he realised he could have immersed the young angel in freezing cold water and he would not awaken from his deep slumber.

For the first time in the flickering candle light he preferred, Dante studied the naked form of his now changed Companion. He felt an anger burning deep at the sight and smell of dried blood which covered the pale perfection before him in dried dark almost black smears.

With a soft leap Dante curled up beside his deeply slumbering Companion in his black jaguar form and began to gently lick his Beautiful Boy clean. As his large wet tongue rasped across Tim's tender flesh and cleaned away the detritus of his death Dante hoped that he could wipe away the memories of the anguish and pain as easily.

From the souls of his feet to the tips of his ears Dante compulsively cleansed his Companion, becoming accustomed to the altered taste and scent that Timothy now wore. The flavour was the same but somehow intensified and Dante trembled at the strength the sensation awoke in him. He hungered for the taste of Tim and the feel of him running through his dried veins like golden honey. Emitting a grumbling purr of satisfaction Dante placed his massive paws on Tim's stomach and rubbed his silky head against his chest, scent marking this boy child as his own once more. Then with a final yawn and dawn once more approaching he returned to his human form and slept exhausted with his arms around Tim, warm under a soft blanket of Angel wings.

Tim woke disoriented from a deep sleep, his body feeling heavy and stiff while his shoulders ached. He groaned and the pleasant coolness along his side moved and he realised that it was Dante lying naked next to him.

"Good morning Companion" Dante smiled softly down into Tim's slightly blurred vision and Tim blinked rapidly trying to clear away the cobwebs.

"Urrhhhh" Was about all Tim seemed to be able to muster and he frowned at how stiff and sore he felt all over.

You have slept for nearly two days without moving Beloved. You were exhausted. It is not surprising you are stiff and sore from your misadventures. Perhaps I can help?

Dante rolled Tim over so he was fully on his back, with his wings tucked behind him and began massaging his arms and shoulders.

Tim hummed happily and then winced as Dante probed a particularly sore spot. It appeared that having wings growing out of your shoulders played havoc with shoulder and neck tension. With his strong cool hands rubbing and working over his increasingly firm chest, sides and stomach Tim began to enjoy being more fully awake. Dante then started on Tim's feet and calf muscles and by the time Dante's hands were drifting up over his strong thighs Tim found himself beginning to consider other forms of activity which might also stretch out his muscles and prove to be very pleasurable.

Now that sounds like a marvellous idea Timothy....

Dante lay down on top of Tim and took his face in his hands and kissed him, softly at first but quickly building into a passionate...

"Arggggh" Tim yelped and wriggled sideways from beneath Dante who looked up surprised and hurt by the removal of Tim's mouth from his own.

"What is it?"

"Wing cramp!"

Dante couldn't help but laugh at the sight of his most adorable Companion hopping up and down beside the bed clutching his neck and shoulders as he rolled his shoulders and awkwardly stretched and flapped his new wings.

"Stop laughing! It isn't funny Dante. Its hurts" Tim pouted, frowning angrily while Dante tried to unsuccessfully hide his smile.

"I am sorry my Timothy but it would appear that we have some new things we need to learn about you now."

Dante tried to be calming and soothing even as he wished to pull Tim into his arms but it seemed to only make Tim more indignant.

"Well right now I wish the stupid wings would just disappear. My shoulders hurt and I was enjoying being able to finally ... "

"TIMOTHY!"

Tim turned to Dante and the shock in his voice "What?"

"Your wings! They have disappeared!"

Tim turned around not fully realising the ridiculous concept of turning around on oneself. He slapped his hands to the back of his neck, between his shoulder blades to find only his own bare familiar shoulders.

"They're gone!"

Tim gaped at Dante still sitting on the bed honestly unsure whether he was pleased or not. He had actually been extremely pleased with his beautiful wings and perhaps the possibility that he like Dante, might be able to fly. To soar unhindered through the sky seemed a marvellous, impossible thing. What child had not wished to be able to fly like Superman?

But the lure of a normal life without wings beckoned him as well. Without wings he would be able to return to his job with NCIS and his friends as well as the obvious advantages of being able to move about unnoticed in the human world.

"I...I only wished they were gone Dante...I didn't really mean it"

Tim blinked rapidly suddenly feeling overwhelmed with a sense of loss. He hadn't even really explored what he could do with them. He had barely had a chance to remember the feel of the silky feathers beneath his hands and now inexplicably they were gone.

Dante watched alarmed as his Companions face looked like it was about to crumple in despair and his large eyes pleaded for answers while large white feathered wings soared over his shoulders.

Dante blinked.

"Timothy? Your wings......they are back again?"

Tim reached up again and felt the heavy soft weight once again pressing down against his shoulders. He grinned in delight and then frowned thinking back over the last few moments. He turned back to Dante with a smile that rivalled the first dawn breaking over the ocean. Tim stood joyfully before Dante naked, stretched his arms wide and extended his wings to their fullest extent so they curved up above him and out far beyond his fingertips in glimmering sweeping white perfection.

"Do you know what this means? I can WISH my wings away."

It was a sight of such beauty it took Dante's breath away as his Companion seemed to almost glow from an internal light and his green eyes sparkled. Tim swept Dante up into a large exuberant hug, squeezing him tight and managing to jump up and down at the same time in his excitement.

"I can have my wings and eat them too! I mean I can work too! I can have my wings around you and then when I need to work I can wish them away. This is perfect!"

Dante laughed at the joy in his Boy and was grateful he didn't need to breathe as Tim clutched him tight and began smothering him in scorching kisses, before pushing him backwards onto the bed and straddling his pale bare thighs. Tim's bright grass green eyes glinted mischievously.

Now where were we......

Dante gasped at the wash of desire he felt from his Companion and it was enough to set him alight.

Yes was all Tim said as he bent down over Dante and exposed his warm neck, sliding his hands into Dante thick black hair and cradling his head in his arms. With a growl of possession Dante reared up, bared his sharp fangs and sunk them deep into the pulsing artery beneath the warm flesh. Warm salty blood filled Dante's mouth in time with Tim's racing heartbeat and he thirsted and swallowed deeply for more. Pleasure so sharp it was almost agony seared through them both as Dante felt the taste and power of Tim's full angel tainted blood for the first time. Tim moaned and shuddered as he clutched Dante tight, white light exploding outward behind his eyelids as he felt Dante joined with him both physically and emotionally.

The terror and pain he had felt at his own death made his heart race while the joy at feeling Dante in his mind once more made his blood sing. The feel of the cold stone floor of the caverns beneath him, the tear stained eyes of Abby as she mourned for him, the feel of dozen bullets tearing into his flesh, the heat in his hands as he healed Tony's leg. His body tingled unbearably with the power that lived within him and he felt shudders of ecstasy rippling uncontrollably through him.

A thousand overwhelming emotions flooded through his blood and Dante keened for more, sucking harder and drawing more of the rich red fluid than he had ever dared before as Tim cried out his name and clutched him closer.

His Companion LIVED! Timothy was in his arms, in his mind and in his dreams.

Dante felt Tim race through his veins, scouring his long dead flesh with fresh new life until Dante swore he could feel his heart beat once more within his cold chest. With his blue eyes glowing and whirling with the thrill he wrenched himself away from the pulsing life source of Tim's delicious flesh and screamed out his completion.

Several heartbeats passed before Dante remembered and with a passionate mouth still stained and hot with Tim's blood he kissed and healed his Companion who sagged bonelessly lax on top of him, breathing heavily, his delicious sweat covered body shining in the flickering candle light.

There were no words to be said between them and they simply looked deep into each other eyes and held each other tight long into the kiss filled night.

Monday morning was too soon upon him and Tim nervously stepped out of the elevator, smoothing down his jacket with a reflex movement as he checked once again that he looked 'normal'. A week had passed since he had got the terrible bout of the 'flu' and Tim found himself anxiously rolling his shoulders, checking that his wings were still safely invisible.

He had found it had taken some practise to keep his wings hidden. When he wasn't concentrating they tended to dissolve back into view. Tim had spent much of the week practising long stretches without them and he hoped that it would be enough to keep him safe from prying eyes.

He was very nervous though.

Gibbs looked up and gave Tim a welcoming smile and a nod before returning to his work. Tim had spent some time on the phone with Gibbs discussing his transition and it had been decided that after Tim's 'illness' he would be unofficially on desk duty until Gibbs and Tim could both be assured that he would be safe out in the field.

Tim had met with the team just the once in Gibbs's basement to reassure them that he was in fact ok. Gibbs had told himself that it was mostly for Abby's benefit as she was still suffering from guilt and concern over her dear friend and her part in his attack. But when Gibbs found himself pulling Tim into a firm hug and giving him a few solid comforting thumps on the back he realised that he too had been relieved that he hadn't lost yet another friend under his watch.

Dante had watched warily from the stairs as Tim attempted to answer all the teams' questions. Gibbs figured that it was a subtle way of showing that if they accepted this new Tim back into their lives that they accepted Dante's place in it too.

It had been rather awe inspiring to see Tim, complete with wings and even Gibbs hadn't been able to stop himself from reaching out to touch the soft feathers and reassure himself that they were in fact real.

They were more than real, in fact they were a part of Tim. It soon became apparent as the team spent time with him that you could almost read Tim's moods through his wings. He was comfortable when they were smooth and tucked neatly behind him. When he was feeling threatened or anxious they would spread slightly and bristle and they would even droop when he was tired. Gibbs suspected that McGee if pushed into feeling real anger would be a terrifying sight as his large wings would powerfully extend ready to fight. They also seemed to get quite ruffled when Tim was around Tony too long.

It had been a long evening in the basement that had started with some very nervous chuckles and awkward smiles as everyone tried to get comfortable with the concept of their friend as part angel. Before long the team realised that essentially Timothy McGee was exactly the same person he had been the previous week. Sweet, intelligent and still apparently owed $50 bucks from DiNozzo for last week's lunches.

By the time pizza had been delivered and beer had been drunk and consequently peanuts thrown at McGee and DiNozzo's head respectively everyone seemed to be getting comfortable with the idea. Tony had even thoughtfully offered Dante some pizza but he had responded with a smirk that he had just recently eaten. Tim had blushed red enough to set something alight and Tony had spent the next several minutes choking on pizza crust much to Abby's delight.

The long night and many questions had ended only when Dante had asked to be excused as the sun was soon to be rising. Tim had been leaning comfortably into the vampires strong shoulder while Abby was snuggled happily into his. Tim had spent several hours stroking her hair soothingly, letting her know with his touch more than his words that everything was alright between them.

Gibbs thought it made quite a picture with the stunningly beautiful vampire on one side of Tim and the adoring tall pale Goth girl on his other. It truly seemed that opposites did attract and Tim was destined to feel at home with the mysteries of the dark.

Tim gratefully headed for his desk reassured that he was wanted and welcomed in the bullpen

"McGee you're back!" Tony greeted him brightly, his eyes curiously sweeping over Tim, checking for any strange halos or forked tails or anything not standard Federal Agent issue.

Before Tim could respond to Tony's greeting, Debra from Accounting stopped in her tracks in front of him and gave him a very thorough looking over.

"Wow McGee.....You look great. Have you done something with your hair?"

Tim smiled and automatically ran his hands through his distinctly blonder locks.

"Ah yeah. After being sick I felt like a change"

"Well it suits you. Seriously. You look great"

Debra leered appreciatively at the previously unnoticed mild mannered agent while Tony raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"Uh thanks" Tim made a move to continue to his desk when Debra called over several female colleagues to get their opinion on why exactly Agent McGee appeared so 'different' today.

"Tim I have to say you are looking really great. Have you lost weight again?"

Courtney from Legal eyed Tim's trim waist and lingered a little on the curve of his ass while Julie got lost in the deep green of his expressive eyes. A heated discussion broke out over whether McGee had had his teeth whitened or been working out with a personal trainer or had his lips always been just that lush? And surely he had never been that tall or broad shouldered? Had he?

Tony was starting to become alarmed at the growing noisy throng of women forming around McGee to the point of him being seriously out numbered. Tim, ever the gentleman was reluctant to simply barge through but he wasn't used to being the subject of such open admiration. He found himself flushing, pleased that it appeared that he was now considered attractive to woman rather than simply being in the Sweet Geek position he had previously occupied.

"Ok Ladies, break it up. Let the poor man get to his desk and do his job" Tony clapped his hands and started cutting a swathe through the anxious bodies in order to pull McGee free.

Tim sighed in relief as the women started to disperse back to their work with some lingering and amorous glances still being thrown his way.

Dante smirked in his sleep and rolled over. His Timothy was feeling pleased about something. That was good. He knew he had been worried about returning to work even though he had assured him it would turn out to be fine. He had experienced many times how humans chose to see only what they wanted to see. If people didn't expect to see an angel sitting behind a desk or at the photocopier then an angel they wouldn't see.

By the time the day was winding to an end an unexpected development seemed to be building amongst most of the single and even not so single women at NCIS.

They wanted Timothy McGee.

Some of them weren't even quite sure why they wanted to be near him except that he smelled better than any man alive. Others had always thought he was mildly attractive but for some reason currently wanted to rip his shirt from his back and have their wicked way with him on the floor. Several women simply found themselves totally distracted by him and his soft pout and big eyes.

Even Gibbs had noticed the increased attention and the vast numbers of women who seemed to be finding their way to McGee's desk. Several times he had looked up to speak to McGee only to find women's rear ends in his way. Not that he generally minded the view but when it interfered with his ability to get his job done it became unwanted. He had sent packs of women scurrying away only to find new ones materialising on his return.

Tim bit his lip and shrugged "Sorry Boss' but Gibbs waved it away, knowing that McGee wasn't doing anything on purpose.

When Tim stepped outside into the early evening after a very long day Tony, Gibbs, Abby and Ziva accompanied him almost as protective guard. More than a dozen women waited, each eyeing the other off to see who would step forward first and ask if Tim was doing anything for dinner.

Tim stood nervously unsure how to proceed. Suddenly the smooth purr of Tim's Porsche preceded the silver gleaming sleek machine pulling up to the kerb. Dante stepped out to a sigh of female appreciation and he strode across to Tim with a delicious smile, oozing sex appeal in his tight designer jeans and black leather jacket.

"Hey Baby. Missed you today" Dante leaned in and whispered into Tim's ear while he wrapped his arms around Tim's waist.

Several curses were heard along with a frustrated mutter of "THATs why he seems so hot all of a sudden. He's gay"

Tim blushed but still felt comforted with Dante beside him and he smiled up at the tall vampire.

"Missed you too. Are you hungry? Fancy some dinner?" Tim smirked as Dante's eyes sparked bright blue at what Tim was really offering and he followed tight on Tim's heels hopping eagerly into the passenger seat of the Porsche.

Gibbs watched with a smile as the two men, obviously pleased with the others company drove off to the rather frustrated gaze of several women.

"Well I suppose Dante has solved at least one problem for us." Gibbs mused as he watched the women disappear off into disappointed groups to bitch about all the best men being either married or gay.

"Yeah well I figure Dante was going to need to STAKE his claim sooner or later" Tony joked while Ziva rolled her eyes at him and Gibbs gave a small grin.

"Now how long have you been waiting to be able to use that one DiNozzo?" Gibbs queried and Tony looked thoughtful.

"Oh since the time I discovered McGee was seeing a vampire"

"And was it worth it?"

"Oh yeah" Tony grinned "definitely. And I have a few more saved up for special occasions too"

Gibbs sighed.