Ziva studied Tony as he locked his SIG in his desk. He looked better today, she decided. Tired, but somehow better. He still wasn't the normal Tony; his trademark grin was still missing, but he was closer. She hoped he'd gone and seen McGee like she'd suggested. He couldn't keep avoiding it like he'd been doing.
As if he felt her eyes on him he straightened and looked at her. "Good morning, Tony" she greeted him, unabashed at being caught staring.
...
"Morning, Ziva" he responded automatically, part of his mind elsewhere. He kept running over his visit to McGee the night before. Ziva had been right; Probie didn't blame him for his injuries. And he'd been right too; it didn't make a difference, not much of a one anyway. It helped a little that Tim didn't blame him, but he still blamed himself. What had made the burden of guilt lighter was the revelation that McGee might still be able to come back and rejoin the team. Disdainfully he looked over to Keating's temporary desk. He'd do anything to get Probie back here where he belonged, even if was only to get rid of temporary replacements like Keating.
His musing was interrupted by Gibbs' entrance into the squad room.
"Gear up."
He shot a look at DiNozzo.
"You too, Tony."
His heart leapt; he pulled out his badge and gun and grabbed his pack.
"Where are we going, Boss?" he asked as they reached the elevators.
"To pick up Adams." The reply was typically clipped, but Tony could hear the anticipation in Gibbs' voice.
"Did we get a warrant?" Ziva sounded puzzled.
"Nope; probable cause. Abby figured out how he got into the lockup computer."
...
It felt good to be back in the field again, Tony reflected as they took up their positions around the modest house occupied by Sergeant Adams. Gibbs had sent Ziva and Keating around the back, leaving himself and Tony to cover the front. They'd approached silently, noting the presence of the sergeant's car in the driveway. It was still early enough that he hadn't reported for duty yet. Once Ziva radioed that they were in position, Gibbs kicked the door in and announced their presence at volume.
"Federal agents!"
As they advanced into the house with guns drawn, they could hear the calls of Ziva and Keating as they made their way through
"Clear!"
If the back area was clear, Adams must be in the front section of the house. Gibbs led the way down the hall, kicking open the door to the main bedroom. Adams was there, in full uniform. He laughed as he saw them, but the smile was quickly wiped from his face as Gibbs cuffed him.
Tersely Gibbs gave orders as he half dragged Adams out to the sedan.
"Tony, Keating, look around. Make sure you get his computers- Abby needs them. Ziva, you're with me."
Left alone with the greenest agent he'd ever worked with, Tony grimaced. This was going to take time.
...
Instead of spreading out, Tony made sure he stayed in the same room as Keating. It would take longer, but he wasn't convinced of Keating's ability. They bagged and tagged two computers, a laptop and a desktop, and numerous other items that might prove relevant. They didn't find any sign of explosives, something that had Tony on edge.
It wasn't until they were leaving that Keating made his first significant discovery of the day. Walking down one side of the house on their way back to the truck, Tony heard him say "What's this?" With a sick feeling of horror, he turned to see Keating tugging on a fine piece of wire extending from the wall of the house.
"Don't touch that!" he started to say, but it was too late.
With a massive roar, the tripwire triggered the bombs that had been planted in the hidden basement.
A/N: Ok, I had to do it. Couldn't help myself. F.