a/n - No, I did not fall off the face of the earth g My gen writing has taken over my life, and it has deadlines, I'm afraid. Being sick for the last six weeks didn't help either. Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I have every intention of finishing this story, it is all roughed out and waiting for the finishing touches.
Before any of them were truly ready, the new work week was ready to start. Dreading what was going to happen, Tony arrived two hours before the official start of the day. He had his desk clean before Vance arrived, ready to pack for the expected transfer or worse. Vance walked through the squad room, a toothpick clamped between his teeth, crooking his finger as he passed. Tony groaned, but followed him up to his office. Once the door was closed behind them, he stood at parade rest in front of Vance's desk. Vance didn't say anything while he booted up his computer and checked the list of messages his assistant had left on the desk, leaving Tony to squirm.
Staying quiet was never DiNozzo's strong suit, so Vance wasn't surprised when the silence didn't last long. "Well, I stayed close to home all weekend, but nobody showed up to arrest me. So, am I being shipped out or fired?" His tone was defiant, but he couldn't quite hide the pain in his eyes.
Still not happy with the situation, Vance didn't pull any punches. "Neither, thanks to McGee. He thinks your sorry ass is worth saving.
"McGee?"
"Make no mistake, DiNozzo, this is your last chance. One more stunt and not even your soft-hearted partner will be able to save you. If you think you can't work with them, if you can't be their back-up out in the field, put in for a transfer right now. Your team is not taking on a new case until I'm convinced McGee and Gibbs are safe from you. Are we clear?"
Tony stared at his shoes. He'd never thought the day would come where his willingness to watch Gibbs' six would come into question. "We're clear, sir."
"Good, because I'll be watching. You're dismissed, DiNozzo." Vance didn't move until the door closed behind Tony. Then he leaned back and rubbed his face. He was afraid it was going to be a long week.
---NCIS---
Gibbs and McGee arrived at Headquarters early, as Gibbs wanted Ducky to check Tim again before he resumed his duties. Once he left the younger man with the Medical Examiner he headed up to Abby's lab, Caf-Pow in hand.
"Morning, Abs. Have a good weekend?" He handed her the Caf-Pow and kissed her cheek, raising an eyebrow when she pulled away.
Abby put the cup down without drinking any of it. "Well, it could have been worse, I suppose. At least you didn't arrest Tony so I didn't have to bail him out."
He dropped his head down, letting his chin rest on his chest. "You heard."
"How could you and Timmy lie to me like that, Gibbs?" She wouldn't look at him.
Gibbs pinched the bridge of his nose. "We didn't lie to you Abby."
"That was a pretty big secret, and you told Tony first." She finally looked at him, crossing her arms in front of her, the pout making her look much younger.
"We didn't tell Tony. He broke into the house." He watched her closely as she struggled to keep quiet. "Whatever it is, Abby, just spit it out."
"Why McGee? You're both straight and you've never shown any interest any man, and certainly not in him. He tells me everything, Gibbs, and he never told me anything about you." She really wanted some of that Caf-Pow, but she wasn't ready to give in.
"Our private life was just that, private. We weren't ready to share. Like I said, we didn't tell Tony." Hoping the conversation was over, he moved to leave, not wanting Tim to have to face the bullpen alone. Abby wasn't ready to leave it alone.
"But why Tim? He was mine, Gibbs."
Her attitude was starting to make sense. "He hasn't been yours for a long time, Abby. Your choice, remember?"
"Well, yeah, because of rule twelve. How come that doesn't apply to you?"
"Abby, it's complicated."
She wasn't convinced. "You better not hurt him, Gibbs."
He leaned over and whispered in her ear. "I'm not the one that dragged him out of bed and beat the crap out of him. I suggest you have this conversation with DiNozzo."
---NCIS---
Gibbs hadn't returned by the time Tim made his escape from Ducky, so he retreated upstairs to his desk. Ziva was already at her desk, but Tony was nowhere to be seen, so he sat down and booted up his computer to check his email. He heard a throat being cleared and looked up to see Rebecca from Legal.
She stared down at him. "I guess we won't be having coffee anymore, will we?"
"How did you..."
"Oh, I got quite an education at my sister's bachelorette party." Behind Rebecca, Ziva winced and covered her eyes.
Tim realized they were well and thoroughly outed. "I'm sorry."
The smile he received was brittle and forced. "It's okay, it's not the first time I've been used as cover for a gay man."
"No, it's not okay, and I am very sorry, Rebecca. You deserve better, and I know someday you'll find it."
He didn't get an answer as she stormed out of the room. Ziva shifted uncomfortably before she came over to lean against Tim's desk. "I am afraid that was my fault. When I spoke to Tony that night, I did not watch to see if anyone we knew was around."
"Thank you, Ziva, but it really wasn't your fault. Apparently, it was just our time to be outed."
She had one more piece of news for him. "Abby knows, too. She spoke to Tony."
Tim buried his face in his hands. "Is there anyone that doesn't know?"
She couldn't stop the smirk that crossed her face. "I do not believe that Palmer has learned of your relationship with Gibbs... yet."
McGee uncovered one eye to look at the clock on the corner of his monitor. "It's only 0700, he's got time." While Ziva was laughing at him, Tony quietly slipped into his chair, hoping to be ignored most of the day.
---NCIS---
Gibbs made a detour to pick up two files before returning to the squad room. He gave Tim the briefest of nods before stopping in front of Tony's desk. "Do you remember the bashing here at the Yard right before you had the plague?" Tony nodded, not knowing where Gibbs was going with it. "You made a public joke out of telling women that McGee was gay, so that he wouldn't cut into your dating pool."
"Boss, come on, I didn't mean anything by it."
Instead of voicing his doubts, Gibbs laid out the first file across DiNozzo's desk. This was a copy of the original file, before Tim's name had been blacked out, telling of his harrowing experience escaping from the mob of homophobes that had wanted to end his existence.
"Oh, God." Tony's eyes flickered back and forth as he skimmed the report, remembering how young and inexperienced his Probie had been back then. "I just said that to a few of the ladies downstairs."
"And it spread, just like your discovery in our home is now most of the way through the agency already." Tony's head jerked up at that announcement and Gibbs handed him the second file. "Here's the file on the poor soul that wasn't as lucky that night." Gibbs walked back to his desk, leaving Tony staring at the photos of the victim the MP's had rescued. He had survived, had in fact been lucky, but the bruises and marks on his face bore a striking resemblance to the bruises on Tim's face right now.
Tony's gaze darted between the photos and McGee as he flexed his hand, remembering the look on Tim's face, the feel of his face impacting against Tony's knuckles. His breathing became shallow as his stomach churned. He dropped the pictures and bolted for the head.
Gibbs stood and started to follow, but Tim stopped him. "No, I'll go."
---NCIS---
"Dr. Mallard?" Jimmy fidgeted as he waited for Ducky to finish with the report he was writing.
"Hmm, what is it, Mr. Palmer?" Ducky paused and looked up over the top of his glasses at his apparently uncomfortable assistant.
"I heard a rumor this morning about Agent Gibbs and Agent McGee, and I was just wondering if it was true."
Ducky knew exactly what had been buzzing around the agency that morning and struggled to keep his temper in check. "If it was true, would it be a problem for your?"
"What? Oh, no." Palmer nervously ran his fingers through his hair. "Just the opposite. It would be really great to not be the only one here."
It took Ducky a moment to figure out what Palmer was actually saying. "I am glad for you, Jimmy, but don't rush them. Being outed like this can be extremely uncomfortable. Give them time."
Palmer's head bobbed up and down. "I understand and it's not like we run in the same social circles. It's just nice to know, to not be so alone."
Ducky stood and squeezed his arm. "I look forward to meeting your young man when you're ready."
---NCIS---
McGee walked into the men's room to find Tony bent over the sink, rinsing his mouth. Without saying a word, he pulled some paper towels from the dispenser and held them out for Tony. He stayed quiet until Tony had dried his face. "You okay?"
Tony turned and rested his hip on the edge of the sink. "I don't get it. Why didn't you have me fired?" He reached out and skimmed his fingers around Tim's black eye without touching it. "I can't believe I hurt you like that. Hell, you should have had me arrested."
They were alone, but even if anyone else had been in the rest room they would have had to struggle to hear Tim's words for Tony. "I saw hurt, not hate, in your eyes that night."
Tony found the pattern of the tile floor fascinating. "Ziva says I'm jealous."
"Of me."
"Of both of you."