She growls to herself as she smacks her computer yet again. Sighing as she reached for her phone, Bella looks up the number to the one person she knew that would come save her computer before she put a baseball bat into the screen. "Hey Tim, it's Bella; I got a favor to ask of you. Are you busy right now? My computer died again and I was wondering if maybe you could fix it for me? You're the best! Ok I live at 1111 46th St SE. Ok, see you soon. "

Grinning as she looked at her computer, "Ha that shows you." Suddenly, the phone rings in her hand causing her to jump, sending the phone flying. She turns back around glaring at the computer pointing her finger at it, as if it had done it to taunt her, then races for the phone. "Hello? Oh hi Uncle Jay. Nothing, just trying to get the computer to work again. I know I hate the blasted things too. No, I don't have dinner plans. Want me to grab something on my way over? Yea, I'll see you at six." Hanging up the phone she made her way into the kitchen and turned on her stereo, dancing to the song of Wake Me Up before you Go-Go by Wham, as she began lunch.

Tim arrives sooner then he thought, knocks but gets no answer, "Bella, you there?" He knocks again and tries her cell phone. Her car had been in the driveway. He tries the door handle and quietly slips inside. "Bella, are you alright?" He yells slowly approaching the kitchen to hear music. Peeking around the corner, he sees her dancing in the kitchen. He smiles and knocks on the doorframe where he is standing.

She turns around quickly, hitting the music button in surprise. "McGee, there is such a thing called knocking on the door."

He grins widely, "And there is such a thing as having the music too loud to hear anyone."

She sighs, leaning against the counter in thought. She studies him, "Exactly how much did you see?"

"Enough to rat you out to Tony if it becomes necessary," he answers, smiling sweetly as he sees her glare at him.

Sighing, she gestures for him to follow her. "The patient is in the other room. Follow me." She looks back to see McGee staring at her house. "I bought it with the money I had from the military. I always wanted to live in DC and I found this place."

"It's absolutely gorgeous Bella. My apartment could fit into the place."

She chuckles, "yes, but it's a bit lonely when you're the only person who lives here."

He can't help but look at her knowing the double meaning behind her words. She stops at the bottom of some stairs. "She's up there. Do your worst McGee. I'm sure it's better then my plans I had for it." Seeing his confused look. "I was debating if I should take a baseball bat to it. Anyway, I'm going to be in the kitchen making lunch."

He watches her retreating back before climbing the stairs. Needless to say, this room was as gorgeous as the rest. She had the computer by the window, which had an amazing view. He watched out the window, noting the small park not too far away before turning to the computer that sat in front of him. "All right, let's get started."

-little bit later-

McGee types in the last piece of the coding and then sighs. He starts it up normally, making sure everything worked right. He glanced at his watch. He had barely been there an hour. Standing up he looks out the window to see Bella standing in her backyard, her eyes closed. He watches as she slowly heads back into the house. He got to the kitchen to see her again dancing softly to the music.

"So what's the damage McGee?" She asked glancing up at him chopping up some vegetables.

"Well, everything should run smoothly now. You had some things that had caused problems with the mainframe but I fixed it," he explains, slowly walking up to the counter to stay out of her way.

"I can't thank you enough McGee. The blasted thing has been giving me problems for months now." She replied giving him a smile. "Lunch is almost done if you're hungry."

Having tasted her food before, "Are you crazy? You are an amazing cook. I wouldn't pass this up for anything."

She smiles at the compliment, "I just need to-Son of a-" She grabs her hand swiftly pulling it away from the food. "Could you get me a bandage? There is a first aid kit in the hallway by the bathroom."

He raced back bandage in hand and started cleaning up her finger. "It doesn't look like you need stitches. You ok?"

She nods as she watches him. "Yea. That's the first time I've cut myself in a long time."

"How's that" he asks before looking up at her face just as she looked down. Their faces were inches apart.

"Perfect" she whispers. What am I doing? Gibbs is going to kill me. Clearing her throat, she manages to look away breaking the trance. Please don't be mad.

He takes a step back. Breathe Tim. That was way too close; you don't even know she's interested.

After getting her heart to calm down, she looks at Tim, "So, how can I repay for you fixing my computer? Just let me know."

"How about we go to dinner?" Slips out before he has a chance to truly think about what he just did.

Surprised, she stares at him, "Dinner?"

Think, think….ummm…."Well, you hurt yourself making lunch for me, so it only seems fair."

She smiles and nods her head, "I would love to. Oh, I have to call my uncle."

McGee tries to brush it off, but it was apparent he was a little downfallen, "Oh, if you already have plans…"

"It's my uncle. We usually have dinner a few times a week anyways. He won't miss one night. I promise."

Score 1 for Team McGee!

Calm down Bella. It's just dinner. Tim isn't interested; he was trying to be nice.

Hearing the doorbell, she took one last glance at herself in the mirror. Here goes nothing.

Grabbing her purse, she bolts down the stairs. Better turn on some lights before I go.She does one more visual scan before opening the door. "Sorry about the delay Tim" She freezes as soon as she sees him.He looks so handsome. Do I have butterflies? "Sorry. I forgot to do something before I left."

He smiles shyly back at Bella, "It's alright Bella. Are you ready?"

"Yea." He sticks out his arm causing her to laugh. Wrapping her arm around his, they walk down to his car. He let out a soft breath, thankful that she didn't notice his reaction to her when she opened the door. The dark purple shirt hugged her curves and the black skirt made her look like she stepped out of a magazine photo shoot.

Opening the door for her, Bella gives him a dazzling smile, "So, where are we going?"

Closing her door and getting in the driver seat he just gives her a sly grin, suddenly feeling mischievous. "You'll see."

"Well since I don't know where am I going, will you tell me if I'm dressed right?"

Looking her in the eyes, "Bella you look fantastic."

Feeling a blush start on her face she stares down at her hands, "Thanks Tim." Afraid to look at him, she turns to the window. Breathe Bella Breathe.

"We're here." He gets out and walks over to her side once again, helping her out of the Porsche.

"Bellezza Di Inverno?" She looks back curiously at McGee, "Winter Beauty?"

Cocking his head, his green eyes study her momentarily. "You know Italian?"

Shrugging her shoulder, "Eh, I know enough to survive for a few days, but I'm not fluent."

Noticing some of the men look at Bella, McGee lightly places his hand on her lower back as if to say 'back off'. His attention goes back to her, "When did you learn Italian?"

"My mom use to speak several languages. Italian was one of her favorites." She gave a sad smile, "She said that it was a language of beauty and grace."

Softly nodding, he decidesto let the subject drop, sensing her immediate mood change. Looking up, he gives a small wave to the maître d'. "Mario, it has been too long."

"Monsieur Gemcity, it is always a pleasure to see you." The man upon seeing Bella, turns to her picking up her hand and kissing it, "And who is this beautiful young flower? She is absolutely gorgeous. Welcome madam to Bellezza Di Inverno. It will be my honor serving you tonight. Come, come, we have your table ready."

Raising an eyebrow, Bella waits until Mario gets ahead of them. "Monsieur Gemcity? Is there something I'm missing here McGee?"

"Tony hasn't made fun of it yet?" Tim asks rather taken back. "I've written a few books under the name of Thom E. Gemcity. Mario is a fan of the books and calls me Gemcity."

"I see." Smiling at the Mario, Bella slides into the chair. "Grazie."

Smiling, Mario looks at McGee while clutching his chest. "She knows Italian! A woman after my own heart. Do not let this one go."

Smiling back at the enthusiastic man, "I won't Mario." Waiting until Mario was gone, McGee turned to Bella. "Sorry about that. He tends to do that a lot. So Bella, what other languages do you know?"

Walking up the pathway to her house, "No way, Tony made out with a man?"

Holding up his hand, "Scouts honor. Of course, he says it was part of the undercover plan, but that's not true."

"I have something over Tony now. Wicked!"

McGee leans against the side of her entryway, "Wicked? You've been hanging out with Abby too much."

Feigning hurt, she looks at Tim like he is crazy."How could you ever say such a thing? Too much time with Abby? Impossible."

The key clicking in the lock, she cracks open the door. Facing Tim she smiles softly up at him, "I had a lot of fun Tim. I can't thank you enough."

"It was my pleasure Bella. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight Tim." After he was down that pathway she finally closed the door. She leans against the door, the day replaying in her head. His smile, the way he smelled, she almost kissed him in her kitchen. I can't like him. Gibbs would never understand. But no matter how hard she tried, he was there. She was so screwed.

(Meanwhile…)

After seeing her head inside, Tim made his way back to his car. Getting in, he sat for a few minutes. Bella was not at all like he thought she was. She was absolutely gorgeous for sure, but she had so many mysteries to her. He never felt like this for someone, not even Abby. There was only one factor he had to remember, Gibbs and rule 12.Sighing, he looked back up at her door, before heading home.