A/N: My deepest, humble apologies for the long delay in posting this next chapter

- it is the 1st of three in the next, yet unfinished piece of this saga - and it incidentally bears a title very close to the very different wip I have going

- I do not know when I will have the time to write more on this one. Only the next 3 chapters have already been written.

Heck of a writer's block, I know. - Again, I apologise.

and now, moving forward...

Buckle up, folks. The team interaction and reactions begin!


Going back to work on the first day since the night at the club, Tim finds his expectations for the day aren't on the same page as the reality that unfolds. What does this mean for his new relationship with Leroy?


Monday Morning – 1100 – MCRT SQUAD ROOM

"McGee!" Tony's stage whisper garners his target; Tim's reaction, as the younger man looks over at his team mate and friend tiredly.

"Huh? What, Tony? Something wrong?"

"Wrong?" Tony jibes sarcastically as he jumps up and double times it over to Tim's desk. "Man, what's up with you? First you were actin' all 'out of it for the past month – then you talk to Gibbs about it – and not me? I get that you needed to talk to him because he's the boss, Probie, but to give us the whole 'sunshine and roses' routine while you were actin' pissed at him all morning?"

"What? Tony what are you talking about?" Now Tim is genuinely confused. Sure he's deliberately; very deliberately, kept from looking at the man he'd just spent the entire weekend wrapped around and making love to; but pissed at him? Hell no, he's not pissed at Gibbs! In fact, he's hyper aware of being too close to him without being able to touch him; at least not in any way that resembles the intimacy they'd shared all weekend long.

"Probie, when you won't even look at the man, it's pretty damned obvious you're trying your damnedest to avoid him. And since he's not pissed at you for anything, it's gotta be the other way around. That means it something big. So spill. What'd he do?"

"Tony, I'm just tired. I didn't get much sleep last night. I'm not pissed at Gibbs, alright?" Tim replies in frustration. "I appreciate your concern, really, I do. But' everything's fine."

"Sleep deprivation, huh?" Tony digs in where the conversational tide grabbed his attention. "So who was the lucky lady this time? Wait! Don't tell me; your online Level 3 Sorceress again!"

"My level 3 Sorceress; a.k.a Tony DiNozzo; a.k.a you, you mean?" Tim asks with an uplifted eyebrow and a frown. "Uhm, that would be a no, DiNozzo, but thanks for that vivid reminder. And the answer to your question is; my private life is my own and it's going to stay that way."

"Ouch, Probie." Tony smarts back as he plops down in his desk chair once again. "Sheesh, can't blame a guy for checkin' on his partner, can you? I mean, c'mon, McGee, none of us are blind. We all saw how down in the dumps you've been these last few weeks. Was kinda worried we'd have to call out the big guns for ya."

Tim sighs before offering a response that will be what the older man needs to hear. "Thanks, Tony. Seriously. And I know you did call them out. I mean you even asked Gibbs, so I know you were worried. So, thank you. But, I promise you, I'm fine."

"Perhaps you are over-reacting Tony. After all, the only expression I have seen on Gibbs' face today has looked like a grin to me." Ziva reminds the older man quietly as she sidles up to the conversation. She's listened quietly until now but has filed this away for future contemplation on the subject because Tony is right.

"Which is exactly my point, Ziva." Tony replies seriously.

"What's your point, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asks as he comes around the corner back into the squad room without missing a step or batting an eye; continuing on his way to his desk. It's all he can do to hide his smirk behind his coffee cup. Thank goodness he never has to be without that.

"Uhm, nothing, Boss. Getting back to work on cold cases now." The flustered Senior Field Agent stammers out as he does just that.

"Uhm, hmm. Sounds about right." The Team Leader half-heartedly replies as he picks up a piece of paper off his desk and comes back toward Tony's workspace. Once again, he keeps going as he speaks. "C'mon, McGee. You're with me."

"Told ya, you were in trouble for being so ticked at the man all mornin', Probie." Tony sympathizes even while joking as he watches the two men head out to the elevator.

Flabbergasted that Tony would speak of it out loud, Ziva stares at him open-mouthed while he grins back at her; neither of them witnessing the matching grin on the Team Leader's face as he turns an almost predatory look in Tim's direction.

Oh, Crap! Tim gulps hard as his brain tries to back up quick; find the exact point that has gotten him into this hot water.

****NCIS****

He expected the sudden stop of the elevator as the boss engages 'his office'. He expected the stern look he's getting since he has had a lot of trouble keeping his bedroom thoughts buried enough for it to be safe for him to look across the squad room at his lover all morning. He'd done the next best thing instead, deliberately refrained from looking his way at all. Apparently, that has backfired too.

Truth be told, Tim really doesn't know the exact moment his way of handling the situation landed him here, called to the office. He just wishes the man would go ahead and tell him. What he isn't expecting is the quiet question he hears now.

"Thought we talked about this." Gibbs reminds Tim almost seductively as he remains in place, just out of reach of the younger man's arms. It's been so hard this morning, refraining from laughing outright at his lover's determination and refusal to look at him even once – just so no one will see how much trouble his agent really does have in hiding what he's thinking or feeling. Now he's given him the opening to talk - and the younger man is still silent, probably from nerves and guilt.

Finally, unwilling to keep Tim in the hot seat, Gibbs had gone to Vance with a request – a plan. Thankfully, the Agency Director has agreed. Hopefully, this will ease the situation, albeit with a little temporary adjustment all the way around – maybe, just maybe, they can work through this without causing all hell to break loose or straining their still growing personal relationship.

Seeing Tim glance at him nervously now, Gibbs huffs out a tiny laugh. "Your mind's been back home all morning."

Home! Tim smiles softly at the older man's accurate assessment that tugs at his own heart strings considering they'd spent the night at Tim's apartment, wrapped in each other's arms, the phrasing touches Tim. Hell, they'd even shared breakfast and showers together this morning before the boss had headed out alone, leaving behind one very sated and appreciative young lover who couldn't wait for the work day to be over. So, yeah, today has been a super tough adjustment – one Tim's still fine-tuning, obviously. You do realize that by not denying it, you just admitted you can't concentrate on your job now, right? Can't take you out in the field, now can we? Oh, crap!

With a knowing look, Gibbs nods as he leans back against the elevator wall, still refusing to touch Tim while he waits for his agent to work through this admission and the repercussions it should bring. With his ability to wrap himself in self-control when needed, the older man's had no trouble - well, less trouble than Tim, in keeping thier relationship at home today.

Crestfallen and already mentally berating himself, Tim looks across the space between them, locking eyes with the man he knows he cannot have as a lover and a boss – at least not without something having to give. He just doesn't know what that something will have to be and he's not sure he wants to find out. That's probably why he'd refused to even think about this all weekend.

But now, reality is biting him in the behind and it's obvious decisions have to be made. Hell will freeze over before he willingly gives up his new relationship with Leroy. So, that leaves the job.

"Tim." Gibbs pulls him from his thoughts.

"I screwed up." Tim admits guiltily. "I couldn't prepare for this."

"No, no, you couldn't. " Gibbs sympathizes. "But, we both know I can't have you out in the field until you can."

"I know." Tim admits dejectedly. "Like I said, I screwed up."

Gibbs quietly chastises him. "Stop beating yourself up for it."

Tim nods. "What's my punishment?"

The feral grin that lights up the elevator has Tim's blood pressure soaring, as does the quiet laugh that accompanies it. It's obvious the older man took that question back to the bedroom.

Tim feels himself getting tense as he waits silently because he knows the real answer is forthcoming.

Gibbs doesn't disappoint as he gets serious once again. "Cybercrimes."

"Seriously?" Tim doesn't know whether to be relieved or upset. On the one hand he knows he can't stay on Team Gibbs – at least not right now - if he wants to keep Leroy - and he DEFINATELY won't be giving him up. On the other hand, he also knows what a step down it will look like he's taking. AND he won't be able to help protect the team or help them nearly as much down in Cybercrimes.

Still, since it obviously means choosing between having Leroy as his lover – someone who has shown him what it feels like to be loved and to genuinely give back – on all levels – or working with Gibbs on his team – well, the choice is a no-brainer.

"Supervisor – in Training." Gibbs breaks into his thoughts to inform him without changing his tone.

"Me?" Tim is shocked. Never would he have seen this coming.

"Time to get serious about your career moves." His former Team Leader advises in a tone that says Tim should have already seen the signs that this was in his future.

The fact that they'd not even had any conversation about how work was going to be affected with their relationship has helped this conversation blindside Tim now and all he can do is stammer. "But, Boss, I…"

"You're ready, Tim." It's a statement of faith, bound in the strength and conviction seared by the depths of those cobalt blue eyes that aren't wavering now, any more than they have all weekend long. Quietly, clarification is offered to boost Tim's ability to process the fact that this is the new reality. "To train for it. When we need you for a case – you'll be pulled to assist."

Again, all Tim can do is nod. Suddenly, it hits him. He didn't ask or even plan for this, so Gibbs must have taken care of this for him, despite Tim's less than stellar abilities to keep things in perspective better this morning. In a voice suddenly thick with emotion, he offers all that he can at the moment. "Thank you!"

With a wolfish smile that promises payment will be extracted later, Gibbs breaks his self-induced moratorium on breaching Tim's personal space at work to lean in closely. With a sparkle in his eye, he whispers. "You can show your appreciation later."

While Tim struggles to maintain the 'no touching' rule that had been set up by mutual unspoken understanding between them, Gibbs grins before he turns back to the elevator switch – and flips it – sending them back up to the squad room.

Working hard to pull himself back together, Tim swallows hard and shifts his focus back on the job. "Uhm, Boss. When, exactly….?"

Without missing a beat Gibbs replies with a hungry look in his eyes "1800." Smiling softly at the confused look on the young man's face, he answers Tim's actual question. "0700 tomorrow. Meeting with the Director."

Catching up to the double meaning within the man's answers, Tim smiles hungrily in return, just as the elevator door opens back up.

*****NCIS******

Alone at last in the comfort and privacy of his own apartment, Tim breathes out deeply. It's been a hell of a day and he's thankful that no bloodshed took place. For a while, after Gibbs had informed his team about the changes taking place beginning the next day, Tim thought sure Tony would be blaming Tim for screwing up and causing this change. He'd seen the look the Senior Field Agent had sent the boss and the one given in response, too. Those two have been communicating in synch for a long time and Tim isn't bothered by it; as much as he is unsure of the team's reaction to the truth behind the changes – when they do find out.

A knock on the door behind him, startles Tim out of his thoughts. He hasn't been home for ten minutes so he's still wearing his piece and badge. Since the boss was still working when he left out with Tony and Ziva who were going out to dinner together, he isn't expecting anyone yet. Wanting a minute to settle that much, he calls out. "Just a minute."

"Food's getting' cold."

The sound of Leroy's voice on the other side of the door hurries Tim's motions and quickens his heart. Will it always be like this?

Opening the door after a short minute with a welcoming smile, Tim quickly takes the bag of take-out food from the older man's hands, leaving Gibbs to shut the door behind him. Setting the bag down on the counter, Tim's not really surprised to feel strong, impatient arms wrapping around his waist and pulling him backwards until their bodies line up together, turning up the heat on the moment very quickly. With a moan of pleasure, Tim relaxes into Leroy's embrace.

No words have even been spoken yet and still the air has already become thick with hunger and need mixed with animal magnetism and barely constrained control. Tipping his head back into the steady shoulder supporting him as his butt cradles his lover's rapidly growing rod, still encased in his trousers, Tim seeks and finds Leroy's mouth, engaging him in a dance with their tongues while he wraps his free arm up around his neck, completely lost in the moment.

Puling Tim's busy hand away from his trousers, Leroy entangles his own hand with it; their fingers intertwining as their hips dance to the same tune as their mouths. It's a short dance and is broken by the need to breathe when Tim pulls away and leans his head back on Leroy's shoulder once more, his breaths still ragged and uneven.

Tim has to smile when immediately his neck is caressed by nibbles, licks and kisses. His nipples are sought for, found and treated to the same a very short time later, wringing pleasure filled moan from the younger man. "Mmmm." He attempts to communicate something important they're forgetting around the fresh assault of kisses being reined on his mouth. "We….should….eat…foo…you…brou…"

Leroy stops kissing him to growl in his ear while his free hand travels further south and begins to cradle and massage the expanding package he's pounced on, "Appreciation first."

Blatant sensual hunger mixed with anticipation fills Tim's husky promise as he steps back just enough to tug his lover toward the bedroom. "Appreciation - coming right up."