DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!
Ladies' Man
Ch 2
At home Tony had showered and changed into shorts and a t-shirt. He sat on his couch plotting the steps of his plan. Maryann Stewart, which was her name. His first stop was going to be Luigi's on K Street. It was across from where she worked; a place noted that she frequented. He'd wait there for an hour, as good a place as any to at least eat dinner.
If she didn't show there, he'd next to the Belle Tower, a night club she liked to unwind at. He wasn't sure if he was brave or brazen enough to go directly to her home. Then again, she knew he was an investigator. Maybe she would be impressed by his discovery skills. Only in this case, they were Tim's, but she didn't have to know that.
With the right software he could've done the same research. Just because McGeek had it all installed on his computer didn't make him a better agent. Enough of that, on to the plan!
He changed again, into a pair of nice khakis and an olive green button down shirt. Nice, but still casual. He combed his hair, styling it just right. Giving himself a wink and smile in the mirror he left his apartment.
He couldn't believe his good fortune as he parked his car. He saw Maryann entering Luigi's. He rushed to the door and saw her leaning against the wall talking on her cell phone. She was wearing a red spaghetti strapped dress that stopped mid-thigh, allowing much of her well toned legs to be observed. And he did just that. Some might call it ogling, but in his profession it was clearly observing.
Her black heels accented the hair on her head which hung loosely to her shoulders in waves. Tony could barely breathe, yet somehow managed to walk up to her.
Catching sight of him she ended her call and turned to smile at him. "Took you long enough, Agent DiNozzo". His mouth dropped. "Don't be so surprised. I know you know I've been watching you. So of course I know who you are."
"Well, yeah," he hoped he said loud enough for her to hear.
Seeing the maitre d' wave to her she offered, "Shall we?"
"What?" his plan was forgotten. Clearly she had her own. For now he decided to play along. He wasn't use to a woman taking charge, though he was finding it a bit of a turn on.
They were seated before he found his voice, "So Ms. Stewart…"
"Maryann, please," she interrupted smiling, putting her hand over his already on the table.
Nodding and taking a sip of his water, "Maryann. It's nice to finally get to talk to you. I'd think in your profession that wouldn't usually be such a problem," he raised an eyebrow.
Behind her glass her lips turned up. With a slight tilt of her head she replied, "No it's usually not. But you," she pointed with her glass, "are not the 'usual'."
Tony grinned. 'Oh she's good,' he thought. "Would you have come to me? Eventually?" he had to know.
"I had all the confidence that you would come to ME," her certainty was almost cocky. "I figured you had all the resources necessary. And the right team to help you."
Tony tried to hide the discomfort that she seemed aware his knowledge had been uncovered by somehow other than him. "Once you were identified it wasn't that difficult to follow your usual haunts where you used a credit card." He knew how Tim had worked and it was certainly by following the paper trail behind her.
She simply nodded still smiling devilishly. Tony stared intently into her soft brown eyes. What he wouldn't give to read her mind. The waiter appeared to take their drink order, before he could say anything else. She ordered a glass of red wine. Tony asked for a beer. Alcohol would help to calm his jumbled nerves. 'Just one beer,' Tony promised himself.