I Do Not Own NCIS
There is a spoiler scene from Truth or Consequences is in this chapter
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Tony blankly stared at the images flashing in front of him, gulping down the remainder of the warm liquid from the bottle he held in his hand, grimacing. "Looks like I'll have to quicken my pace."
He sprang up to fetch another, leaning on the open door of the refrigerator while blankly staring at its meek contents; thoughts of Tim and Ziva distracting him.
He would had never, in a million years, thought those two would have hooked up. He had to admit they were very close, he couldn't deny that; with their, more than 'perfect' friendship staring him in the face for the past few years. He hated the nagging feelings of rejection that would creep in whenever Tim entered their presence; Ziva's face lighting up like a Christmas tree as he instantly felt forgotten and ignored.
Sometimes he would find himself watching them, envying their unbridled acts of intimacy; open and comfortable while sharing their feelings with each other with such ease and kindness; giggling over cute little things that Tony found...irrelevant and silly.
Ziva always thought she was being discreet whenever she went to McGee; her heart breaking over a dissolved relationship or the times a part of her past would suddenly surface, haunting her, hanging on with a relentless grip; but Tony knew about their private meetings. McGee was the one she chose to listen to her sorrows; equipped with his keen perception of her deepest emotions, things from her past that she confided only to him. They would meet for lunch and she would come back, the edge softened, a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye; something he was unable to accomplish for her.
He grabbed a bottle as it clanked against the others, dominating the contents of his refrigerator. He twisted off the cap, tossing it into his sink, listening to it ricochet off another discarded cap.
He regretted hitting Tim, wanting to chalk it up as the finishing act to a very bad day. He knew that was no excuse and he despised himself even more for thinking it. By the time Tim had told him the news, the capacity of his patience level had reached zero. Little Timmy declaring his love for the Israeli woman was the final straw to send him over the edge.
But, with the frustrations of the day cast aside, was he really that angry with McGee?
Maybe, he had been caught off guard? Thinking he still had a chance with Ziva. Or, maybe, he felt like the lesser man; the third wheel. He never fit into that category before and he didn't like it. Now, he would not be the first person Ziva would worry about when they went out on the field in pursuit of a killer. He would not be the first one that came to her mind when a shot rang out and everyone wasn't instantly accounted for. He would not be her main focus. It would be Tim, making him the lesser of the two, the leftovers.
Then again, maybe he had never been the first. Maybe, it had always been Tim that she favored all along.
He slammed the fridge door shut, his eye catching the photograph fastened to the freezer door, taken after they had rescued Ziva from Somalia, their faces still bruised and scraped. Ziva was on one side of Tim, an arm around his waist while he clung to Tony on the other side of him. Tony remembered how Tim's fingers dug into the flesh of his arm, a beaming expression of achievement and admiration written all over his face. Tony felt a deeper bond had been formed between them during that mission, something he would always hold close to his heart.
Tony had always treated Tim like a little brother, always having the upper hand. Tim had challenged his dominance before, but they were smaller instances; never over a woman. Tony knew Tim was a good guy, but his feelings for Ziva would out rank their friendship, because he tended to treat women with a deep sense of commitment and an admirable amount of respect. But, Tony also knew Tim would do everything in his power to make sure their friendship would not dissolve.
FLASHBACK TO SOMALIA
Tim lay on the floor, still. Tony tried to detect a rise in his chest, any subtle movement to determine if he was even still alive. When Saleem Ulman, their interrogator, left the room, he was relieved to hear Tim answer him, sounding confident and ready for action.
Moments later, Saleem had brought Ziva into the cell, sitting her across from Tony. He viciously grabbed a fistful of Ziva's hair to fully expose her throat to the threat of his knife. Ziva frantically bargained with her captor, with attempts to save Tony and Tim's lives. The gleam of the blade shone in Tony's eyes, when the quick thud of Saleem hitting the floor shocked him. Tim had courageously swept the man's legs, saving Ziva from the impending doom of his knife. Tony saw Tim reach for the knife, after Saleem had dropped it onto the floor but was stopped when the terrorist aimed his gun inches from McGee's head.
"Stop! Stop! There's something I haven't told you, yet!" Tony screamed, terrified, thinking Tim was going to die within the next second.
As Tony distracted Saleem, waiting for Gibbs' kill shot, he watched Tim anticipating his next move. As soon as Gibbs' bullet shattered the window, Saleem fell to the floor, unmoving; a shot to his head. Tim rose, making his way to Tony to untie his hands with his bound ones.
As he was doing so, a guard had rushed in, firing aimlessly towards their captives.
"Look out!" Tony yelled.
Rapid gunfire had missed Tim by inches, disintegrating chunks of plaster from the wall behind them. Tony could have lost Tim twice, within moments of each other, rescuing Ziva and himself.
END OF FLASHBACK
"Dammit! I'm such an ass!" Tony slammed his hand into the freezer door, realizing he might have to sign up for anger management. Tony opened his cell to call a cab, knowing where he would find, Tim. He grabbed his apartment keys then bolted out the door.
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Tim snuck out of Ziva's knowing it would be better if they took the time to cool down before resuming their conversation. He just wanted to go home, climb into bed and forget all about the disastrous day. He was feeling responsible for the hurt he unintentionally caused Tony and, now, Ziva. He was clueless to how he could fix it, but he was also too wiped out to come up with any conclusions.
He exited the elevator, walking through the lobby distracted and unaware of his surroundings. He pushed through the lobby doors. The sidewalks were deserted and the late night air was brisk, alerting him his shirt wasn't completely buttoned. He walked a ways down the sidewalk, fixing his shirt as he neared his car.
"Tim!"
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Tony was surprised to see Tim leaving Ziva's apartment building as he rushed out of the taxi. It was well after two o'clock am. Tim was disheveled, his shirt untucked and his hair uncombed as he walked slowly; the day had obviously took a toll on him. Tony wondered why he would be leaving Ziva's so late?
"Tim!"
Tim turned slowly, confusingly surprised with exhaustion written all over his face. Tony took a tense breath knowing he was to blame. The harbored anger he took out on Tim earlier, had weakened him.
Tim stood still, frowning, his eyes blinking, slowly. "Tony, I really don't want to get into this right now. I'm tired and it's really late."
Tony's shoulders slumped, "McGee. I'm..." Tony noticed two policemen walking down the sidewalk, suddenly veering towards McGee. A red flag raised in Tony's mind as he silently questioned their approach.
"What, Tony?"
"Tim!" Tim realized Tony's gaze was fixated on something behind him; he started to turn but was grabbed from behind, cautioning him to not move.
"You're under arrest! Put your hands where I can see them!" The police officers drew their weapons, training them on Tim. The one closest jabbed his into his back, aggressively until Tim raised his hands.
"But, wait...I didn't do anything-" Tim's eyebrows furrowed, as he turned his head to get a look behind him, but the policeman hindered his attempt by grabbing his shoulder and holding it in place. The second police officer grabbed Tim's Sig from his holster then guided his raised hands to the top of his head, frisking him for any other weapons, finding the knife under his pant leg.
"Anymore weapons, Agent McGee?"
"No, I-" Tim wanted to turn, to face them as he replied, but the officer shoved him. "Stay perfectly still."
Tony cautiously walked towards them, "Officers, there must be a mix-up; we are Federal Agents. If you would just allow me to show you our credentials-"
"Stop right there! Put your hands where I can see them Special Agent DiNozzo!" Tony halted, raising his hands as his face turned into an expression of confusion and anger. "I don't understand. What has he done?"
"He's a suspect in a murder case." The officer did not make eye contact with Tony as he kept his focus on Tim, still searching him.
Something registered in Tim. He slowly recognized the man's voice yelling commands and accusations behind his back. He had just heard the calm, monotone voice with a touch of southern drawl, just a day ago in MTAC. "Tony!" Tim whipped around, "It's Harper Dearing!"
Tony shot forward and grabbed Dearing by the wrist, but he twisted it out of his hold as his partner hit Tim on the back of the head, causing him to collapse, hitting the sidewalk on his knees, hard. Dearing pointed a gun directly into Tony's face.
Dearings' partner grabbed Tim's collar to yank him into a standing position then wrapped his arm around the front of Tim's neck, as he weakly struggled to pull his grasp away, finding it difficult to breath.
Tony began to see through Harper's disguise. His beard had been shaved off, but Tony noted Dearing's big, dark brown eyes, under the shadow created from the brim of his police cap, confirming Tim's accusation. Tony did not recognize his partner, probably some low life he had hired to help him do his dirty work. Tony's stomach clenched, realizing how clever Dearing's choice of disguise was. If anyone were to pass by, they would believe Dearing's word over two men dressed in civilian clothing.
Dearing quietly spoke to his accomplice, his gun still aimed towards Tony. "Handcuff him." The man looked smug as he slapped the cuffs on Tim. Tim locked his gaze on Tony, showing defeat as he surrendered to Dearing's partner, reaching his hands behind his back without a fight.
"You son of a bitch! Let him go! Just give it up, Dearing! Do you have to take out more innocent people before you go down? Are you that incredibly evil?"
"Sweet talk will not get you anywhere Agent DiNozzo, now I suggest you relinquish your weapons." Dearing grabbed onto Tim's arm.
"Do it now, or he dies; right here!" Harper redirected his aim to Tim, jabbing the barrel of the gun into his neck.
"Don't...Tony!" Tim pleaded through gritted teeth.
The gun trailed up the side of Tim's neck, stabbing behind his ear. Tony could see sweat form on Tim's brow despite the cool air of the night.
"I don't have...any."
Tony did not stop to think to grab his jacket or gun, rushing out of his apartment, eagerly wanting to talk to Tim. He stood, silently berating himself; how many acts of stupidity could he accomplish in one day?
"You really expect me to believe that Agent DiNozzo?" Harper cocked the gun, aimed at McGee's head proving he didn't have the patience for games.
"No! Please! S-s-search me! I don't..I don't have any weapons! I headed here on a social call."
"Come closer!" Tony took a couple steps towards McGee, Dearing and his disguised partner, his hands placed on his head, hoping to appease the crazed killer. Dearing had a good hold of Tim at this point. "Search him."
Dearing's accomplice grabbed Tony's shoulder, whipping him around so he was no longer facing them to check the back of his waistband for weapons then turned him back, again. He was thorough in his search, but came up with nothing.
Tony glanced at Tim, his balance off, his eyelids closing. Tony could see a small amount of blood coursing down the side of his face. Tony knew he had to do something quick, they were taking Tim hostage but, there was nothing he could do to stop them,he felt so helpless.
Harper Dearing was a marked man and he was going to take Tim down with him. 'Terminate with extreme prejudice'; his heart raced.
Tim swayed on his feet so Dearing jostled him, pulling him closer so he was directly in front of him, using him as a kind of shield if Tony was to try anything.
Dearing leaned close to Tony, "You tell Special Agent Gibbs I took someone very special and dear to him, as the Navy took mine. I expect to see him soon so we can discuss his future." Tony wanted to knock the sarcasm off his calm face, glaring back at him with an expression of petulance just before Dearing pistol whipped him across his temple.
"Tony!"
Tony felt any hope, dissipate the moment McGee yelled his name and just before his face hit the sidewalk. He didn't fully lose consciousness and was able to watch through half closed eyes as Dearing covered Tim's face with a rag, no doubt; saturated in chloroform rendering him unconscious. They lifted Tim then shoved him into the back of a black sedan. The letters and numbers of the license plate became a mantra as he fought to stay conscious.