DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!

Ladies' Man

Ch 7

Pulling up to the motel Jackie Thomas had used her credit card to register at, Tony and Ziva cautiously approached the room the manager was eventually persuaded to give up.

The curtains were drawn tight. The only other 'exit' was a bathroom window that was no more than a vent too small for anyone to escape through.

Both agents were tense knowing that this particular suspect would have no qualms about shooting them first before surrendering.

Going in as low as possible, Ziva knocked on the door shouting, "NCIS."

Before she could say another word a barrage of bullets hit the door. One hit the lock and forced the door open. Tony and Ziva both shot into the room hoping to have a quick and injury free ending to this gun battle. When it became quiet inside Tony took a peek and saw their suspect sprawled on the floor. Ziva approached quietly gun still at the ready.

The body was injured, but alive. Securing her with cuffs and making sure she had no more weapons nearby, Ziva motioned for Tony to enter. He cleared the room of any other suspects, and then he called for an ambulance, put on his gloves and searched the room.

"She is Jackie Thomas according to her ID," Ziva showed the card to Tony.

He studied the picture and resident information. Something was familiar. Not the face, but her hometown. Maryann's hometown. Tony didn't believe in coincidences any more than Gibbs did.

"Ah, Hell," Tony exclaimed startling Ziva.

"What is it Tony?" she asked.

"I'll explain it later. We got to get this wrapped up first."

Gibbs got his confession from the wounded sister. She was ordered by her father to take care of her traitorous brother by any means necessary. She chose the rifle because she knew it would be quick. The extra shots were random to make it appear sloppy.

FBI's Agent Fornell was called and informed of the hired hit. It was going to be up to him and his team to prove it.

"So Tony, tell us what was so upsetting in the motel room," Ziva inquired again.

"Maryann is from that same small town as the Thomases. She wrote for their paper. She would know all about them. I can't help but think she sensed this was coming."

"Do you think she's 'family'?" Tim asked.

"My gut says no, but I'm going to get to the bottom of this once and for all," Tony vowed.

"How're you doing that DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked curiously.

Smiling his most charming smile he answered, "I have my ways, Gibbs."

"Uh-huh. Who should we send as backup?" Gibbs snorted.

"I got this Gibbs," Tony pled for his boss to have faith in him.

Seeing the determination in Tony's eyes, Gibbs agreed, but only if someone could be nearby and he promised to give a signal for help at the first sign of trouble.

"Thanks, Boss," Tony jumped to his desk to make a call.

Tony swung by Maryann's to pick her up. "Thanks for seeing me on such short notice," he smiled at her.

"I was pleasantly surprised you could see me so soon," she replied. I know you guys are good at what you do, but to solve cases so quickly. It's amazing."

"Well everything has to fall into place just right," Tony shrugged it off. "This one was all about family and keeping true to the family doctrine."

"Afraid I don't understand," she shook her head.

"Well we could go out to dinner and maybe some dancing while I talk about it. Or we could go to my place and I could explain it a little more intimately," Tony suggested suavely.

"I'm not opposed to the latter idea," Maryann said running her hand from Tony's shoulder to his hand resting on the shifter.

He leered at her and winked, "To my place."

He poured on his charm assisting her out of the car and escorting her to his door. He unlocked it and let her enter first leading her to couch and helping her to sit.

"Let me get some drinks," he kissed her hand as he backed away towards his kitchen.

When he returned he found her just as he had left her. He lit two candles sitting on the coffee table and dimmed the lights.

"So what are you going to tell me first?" she asked smiling coyly.

"First, I find you extremely attractive. I find myself at a loss of words when I look into your eyes." He leaned in closer to kiss her and she accepted with no reservations. The kiss grew stronger and soon they were both panting and wanting more. Tony pulled away to catch his breath.

"Do you want to talk more? Or would you rather put your lips to better use?" Maryann asked.

Tony looked at her quizzically. Could she really only want to be with him? Was he that good a kisser, that she would put aside her own agenda, if she had one?

"I need to ask you something Maryann," Tony began.

"Anything," she said so openly he didn't doubt she meant it.

"Had you ever seen the last victim before?" he stared into her eyes looking for any sign of deceit.

"I didn't really look at him. All I really saw were the soles of his shoes," she looked confused. "Why are you asking?"

"If I mentioned the name Thomas to you, would it mean anything?" he asked instead of answering.

"There was some crazed family where I grew up. They were one main reason for getting out of there." She cocked her head to look into Tony's eyes. "Was that one of them? You think I was hoping to get a story?"

"Not exactly," Tony hedged. "I was just wondering if you knew anything about them."

She looked at him doubtfully. "I know they're all gung ho about their rights to carry arms and feel the government is trying to take that right away. I did hear there was a member that left and joined the military, but it was never revealed what branch. The family basically disowned him."

Tony nodded. What she was saying matched what they knew.

She let out a short laugh. Tony looked at her questioningly.

"I was thinking, if you thought I wanted a story about them it would have to be a joke. They're too radical and no one wants to read about them. People would rather not know they're actually out there. Besides if I did write anything, I'd be watching my back for the rest of my life. Not even being with someone like you would make me feel completely safe," she inched closer to Tony hoping to put all this to bed and maybe just get there herself.

Tony reached for the wine glasses and handed one to her. "I'd like to make a toast."

Her smile was radiant and Tony knew he had to make a go of this. "What would you like to toast?" she asked huskily.

Tony wound his arm around hers holding the glass, "To us. May we both find what we've been searching for, in each other." They both sipped at their glasses staring into each other's eyes.

"I couldn't agree with you more," she whispered.