A/N: Another nod to the awesome Keryl Raist – with previously gotten permission, I have borrowed a line of Ducky's from her.


Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010

It's barely 0600 and Tim's on top of the world. His feet aren't even feeling the air they're moving on as he makes his way around the kitchen, whistling while he makes breakfast for them, letting his lover, no scratch that, his fiancé' sleep in. Fiancé!

Leroy's asked him to marry him!

Suddenly, Tim has to sit down. His knees are knocking and he's having heart palpitations. Leroy's ready! For their love to be 'until death do us part' – to love him – Timothy McGee, for the rest of his life! To let Tim love HIM for the rest of his! Wow! Just wow! He lets his mind take that in for a moment and swill it around a bit. A smile lights his face as he thinks back to just last night:

****Flashback****

"Timothy McGee. You do have my heart, - all of it, completely. Will you do me the honor of putting up with me, keeping me in line and keeping my heart safe for the rest of your life? Will you marry me?"

With tears in his eyes, Tim stares in awe at the beautiful ring sitting in the box before he swallows hard around the lump that's suddenly formed in his throat. Turning to the man he loves with all his heart, he reverently watches as the ring is lifted from the box and slid onto his own finger. Feeling it fit, seeing the symbolism, knowing what went into this decision, gives Tim what he's looking for, his answer, everything he's feeling shining in his eyes, as he reaches out to lovingly card that salt and pepper hair. Letting his long fingers reach that beautiful face, he tenderly caresses it as he somberly answers the most important question of his life. "Yes, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, I will marry you."

****End Flashback***

Sighing with a deeply seated sense of pleasure and joy, Tim gets back to his feet and gets busy getting the breakfast tray filled. It's early and treating Leroy to breakfast in bed is just the first of many things he needs to do today. Not to mention, they have lots to talk about, some physical manifestation of love to delve into with each other and lots more to talk about. It's gonna be a very busy day!

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

Through the last five months and six days, Tony has paid attention to of all things, his little brother, Tim and his relationship with the much older Leroy, aka Tony's boss. Having finally accepted the change in both men's sexual orientation and watched both of them literally come alive with the love and strength the relationship with each other has given them, he's also kept an eye on the nuances between the two. Oddly enough, he's found none that scream problem or even a wrinkle in their relationship, that he's seen. None, that is except one.

That one has brought him here now. It's nearly seven and Tony's pretty sure that it being Saturday night, means Tim is out with some writer friends of his again for a little while. The fact that the younger man's car is gone from the driveway gives testament to that probability. The Senior Field Agent's in perfect agreement with Gibbs that it's high time Tim get back into writing since it's what Tom E. Gemcity's been wanting to do for a while now.

Huffing a laugh at his own moment of self-proclaimed importance, Tony steps out of his car now that he's bitten the bullet and come here to talk to the boss. He reminds himself that Tim doesn't need his approval for anything. Regardless, he's happy that Gibbs has managed to talk the younger man into getting back into it, even if Tony has no idea what his Probie is working on this time around. Heading to the door, he's surprised when Gibbs opens it before he even reaches the top step of the porch.

"DiNozzo?" The older man's tone is cautious, almost uncertain in the face of this unexpected visit; the first unexpected one from Tony since the weekend the Senior Field Agent had come looking to talk to him about Tim, before he'd figured Tim and Gibbs were together.

"Hey. Can I come in?" Tony asks almost hesitantly."

With a silent moment of scrutiny showing him the serious attitude as well as the nervousness that has the younger man's voice less than steady, Gibbs turns from the door, calling over his shoulder as he walks toward the kitchen. "Coffee's on."

Making his way nervously to the kitchen, Tony's not really surprised to find Gibbs stepping up to the pot of coffee and pouring two cups of the brew. Gibbs turns toward the table, setting both cups down. He slides one cup towards Tony but remains standing, leaning back against his counter as he picks his back up,cradling it in his palm, holding it with the other hand as he asks. "Somethin' on your mind?"

"Well, actually…yeah. I've been thinking about this for a while since I found out about you two and..." The younger man's hands nervously turn the mug in slow motion, as if needing something to do. "I've noticed at the get-togethers, so I thought I'd uhm…."

"Just say it, Tony." Though it's clear the Team Leader is impatient, his tone is more subdued than it would normally be in such a case. Tony's brain hits on that realization as yet another living example of Tim's positive influence on the older man.

"I've been watching….looking out for ….well, both of you, ever since, well….anyway, I know now, that Tim cares about you ….a lot."

"You afraid to say the word, Tony?" Gibbs smirks.

"No, Boss. I just thought you were"." Tony deadpans.

Gibbs nods, sobering at the truth. Heavy silence insinuates itself into the mix and lingers for a moment before it's chased away with his unexpected disclosure, given out of respect for the younger man's obvious concern. "I was."

Realizing the man is obviously respecting Tony's version of looking out for Tim's welfare, Tony quietly lets him in on what he's figuring out as he goes along in this discussion. "But, Tim changed that."

The look Tony gets in response to his summary of the point clearly asks the question 'what do you think?'

"Here's the thing, Gibbs. I care about both of you. I mean, you're, well, VERY important to me and Tim's like the little brother I'm glad I never had but sometimes wish I had had, anyway.''

"There a point in there, Tony?"

"I'm worried about him…..oh, how do I put this….?"

"You think I can't love him enough." Gibbs forces the words from his throat, wanting Tony to hear what they sound like when they hit.

"No! I mean, all you gotta do is look at him and you can see the man's in love, Gibbs, so no. that's not what I'm saying! What I'm tryin' to say here, is Tim knows what makes him happy but…"

"Just spit it out, Tony, will ya?"

"I don't wanna see him hurt. You either, of course, but Tim's so in love with you, he'll do, say and put up with any thing – to keep you happy" Tony said in a rush of words, glad to finally have this worry off his chest.

"Meaning you don't think he'll be honest with me about something that upsets him." Gibbs surmises almost sadly, as if he's disappointed in Tony for even thinking such a thing about Tim.

"Exactly!"

"You call him McHonest for the sarcastic effect, then." The Team Leader states dryly, knowing his Senior Field Agent is smart enough to get what he's saying.

Frustrated at being misunderstood, Tony lets it rip. "No! "Boss, c'mon, you know what I'm gettin 'at here! He hates to hurt people's feelings – especially those he really cares about!"

"Just what is it you think he's so unhappy about that you need to run interference for him?" Gibbs asks quietly, as if walking on eggshells now. "Without him knowin' about it."Tony?"

"Okay. You got me. We both know he hasn't said anything because he wouldn't and that just makes my point for me. But….we all know...wouldn't this house…this house is full of memories. For you, Boss."

"Where you goin 'with this?" Gibbs' tone is even quieter now, his mind already figuring out the answer but needing Tony to admit it. He's puzzled by Tony's need to drag him into a discussion involving Tim's state of mind and the need to talk about it behind the younger man's back.

"Memories of. Your. Life. With. Shannon?", Boss." Tony carefully reminds the older man, each word spoken in a measured tone as if trying not to bring with it the memories or the emotions he and everyone who knows Gibbs well enough to know this about him, knows have long been attached to them.

"And?" Gibbs impatiently pushes Tony forward, feeling both angry and reluctant to drag this out. All of this is seriously eroding his cloud nine mood from the last 12 hours with Tim and that angers him even more.

"And now you're trying to maintain a relationship with Tim – in the very same house?" Tony asks with enough doubt in his tone that his question and concern is clear, as is the one thing the younger man believes Gibbs has obviously failed to take into consideration.

"You think after five months, Tim doesn't have any good memories of this house, Tony?" Gibbs asks quietly, his hurt tone shaded with a rare allowance of genuine emotion.

"Boss, I'm sorry. I just…. I was tryin' to….I'm sorry. I'm just gonna go…." Tony's feet hit the floor and he's quickly, beating a path to the front door, ripping it open, but carefully closing it with a snap behind him. Blowing out a breath, he closes his eyes. What the hell has he done? The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Gibbs by the suggesting he and Tim get a new place – a fresh start. Why hadn't he thought this through more thoroughly before opening his mouth, inserting his foot and kicking Gibbs in the teeth with said foot?

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

Gibbs understands Tony's concern and he appreciates it. At the same time, as his Senior Field Agent and someone who supposedly knows both him and Tim so well, for Tony to just automatically rule out the idea that he's built any good memories with Tim in this house he shared with Shannon long ago – really stabs the knife in there.

It sours his stomach and makes him angry that Tony would believe he'd treat Tim with such disregard. Still, he can't let the younger man who's just retreated on an obvious wave of guilt for speaking his mind, leave without at least trying to fix this attempt to support them both. Hastily he makes his way to the porch, not at all surprised to find Tony still standing there, as if trying to mentally punish himself for his good intentions. "You gonna answer the question, Tony?"

Tony's eyes open in shock. Thinking back to the exact question he'd been asked, he answered it honestly, "No, I guess not. I know you two have something special going. I just…..never mind, Boss. Sorry I interfered."

"Nuthin' to be sorry about, Tony. You're lookin' out for Tim. For both of us. Can't fault you for that. Appreciate it." The Team Leader gruffly admits.

Tony breathes out a huge sigh of relief. "You're welcome. And you're right. I was just thinking of the two of you."

Gibbs offers a dry olive branch of sorts. "Just not sure how much lookin' out you're really doin' when you're not very observant these days." Shaking his head in amusement, he turns to go back inside without another word. He's grateful that he realized Tony's big goof here or he would have fallen prey to the rising anger he's been feeling in this 'talk'. Had he given in to that, it would have been tough to mend that bridge.

Feeling like he's been kicked in the gut, Tony quickly grabs the closing door and slips inside behind the boss, stopping almost on the man's heels because Gibbs has unexpectedly stopped in the hallway. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Heading to the kitchen to get the man a beer, Gibbs talks over his shoulder, asking dryly. "Don't 'observant people, notice things, DiNozzo or is that not what it means anymore"

When several moments go by without Tony coming into the kitchen, the Team Leader smiles. It worked! He'd set the trap and hoped Tony would take the bait and he has. Closing the refrigerator without actually getting the man anything to drink, Gibbs heads downstairs. Tony's snooping, now that he's undoubtedly caught sight of some of the changes in the house, will keep him occupied for a while. No sense letting the man's beer get warm.

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

Left standing in the entryway as Gibbs goes to the kitchen Tony's still trying to figure out what he's missed. The boss man's making fun, of him obviously, but why? His eyes find the answer in short order, as they scan the room and wait a minute, where did THAT one come from and that one and…..holy…..no wonder Gibbs is laughing! Hell, it's a wonder the man's not pissed! It's not very long before Tony's reacquainting himself with all the photos on the walls of Gibbs' downstairs rooms, moving from one room to the next as he takes in all the ones he's never seen before. These two have done just fine blending their lives together! The pictures on the walls since the last team get-together prove it!

Feeling like an idiot and an insensitive one at that, Tony heads to the basement to apologize and is nearly blinded by the unexpected light. "Wow, Boss! When did you…? Wait a minute! THIS is why you've been cuttin' out early every day these last two and a half weeks! You've been making serious changes to the place!"

Gibbs levels his Senior Field Agent with his patented look that very clearly says 'Ya think?'

"You're right! I was in here earlier and I never even noticed the new stuff before I opened my big mouth." Tony admits apologetically. "It's obvious to me now that there's memories for him here, too. I'm sorry I implied otherwise, Boss. I didn't mean…."

"Hey, Babe! The new appliances are comin' tomorrow!"

Tim's excited shout from the front door ends the discussion and they wait for him to join them in the basement. Sure enough, the younger man's footsteps are heard making their way toward them without hesitation, descending the stairs as Tim throws a question Tony's way. "Tony? What are you doin' here? I thought the team get together is set for tomorrow afternoon? You were supposed to be meeting me for breakfast in the morning, my treat?"

Gibbs shoots Tony a look that dares him to tell Tim the truth of why he's here.

Tony sighs. He'd rather not do this now. He knows he was wrong in thinking Gibbs wasn't doing right by Tim and he knows that it will just upset Tim to hear about it. Besides, the Senior Field Agent really does see it now. It's in the changes in the house and in Tim's exuberance. Even more so, it's in Tim's enthusiastic and loving greeting to Gibbs when the youngest of the three finally reaches the oldest now, completely tuning Tony out without waiting for an answer to his question.

"Hey." Tim quietly greets his fiancé' and kisses him passionately on the lips.

"Uhm, I think I'm just gonna take that as my cue to leave." Tony scurries up the stairs without hearing a reply from either of the two people downstairs. The silence concerns him and he turns to see if they're okay. What he sees scorches his mind and not in a completely bad way as it hits him, just how much deep emotion is being poured into this moment between these two, their words drifting upwards and reaching his ears.

"My turn." Tim says with a loving smile as he slips his hand into his coat pocket and pulls something out, his hand wrapped around it.

"Tim, you didn't have…."

"Yes. I did.' Tim interrupts him with all seriousness as he reaches for Leroy's hand. "I really wanted to."

Leroy swallows hard and silently nods in understanding as Tim sets the jeweler's box in his hand. "I know we didn't talk about whether or not we wanted matching, but I thought you'd like it if they were. I know I would."

Feeling like an unwanted voyeur, Tony slinks to the shadows as he watches in awe. He sees the proof of just how much these two mean to each other when his boss reaches out and cards Tim's hair in a gesture that only couples in love do for each other. He sees it in the way the older man opens the ring box and stares at what's inside with something that can only be described as full-blown appreciation and love. And when the man tries to speak and can only utter a piece of what he's trying to say….

"Tim, I…."

Tony feels like he can't breathe. Watching as Tim gently removes the ring from the box and slips it on the older man's hand, holding up their hands together and smiling like he's never smiled before, so completely in love and happy at their matching rings, Tony finally completely understands it. He's never known a guy couple personally before that were actually in love like this so he hasn't been able to recognize that it truly does happen. Until now.

Sure, he's known all along that Tim's heart was in it for the long haul. He just wasn't sure Gibbs' was. And he's made it his mission to keep an eye on them for Tim's sake and make sure his buddy didn't get hurt yet again by love. He'd made that clear from the beginning. Tony's done a pretty good job of keeping his distance, watching from afar so as to not get in their way or overstep. Until now.

It figures; the one time he decides he needs to speak up, he's three steps behind and looking at it all wrong! He's losing his touch, that edge he used to have. He used to be a damned better investigator than this! Not wanting to continue as an unwanted shadow, Tony stealthily retreats, taking extra care to avoid the creaking spots in the floor as he slowly heads to the front door, one careful step at a time. He's reached the front door and gotten through it without landing on one noisy spot in the house before he lets out his breath again. Only to lose said breath when Tim speaks to him from just over his shoulder.

"Tony."

"Aaah!" Tony's head snaps around as his body turns trying to keep up. "Don't DO that!"

Tim smiles. "Sorry. Were you here looking for me?"

"Uhm. No. Not exactly." Wait a minute! Is he laughing - at him? Of course! Tim knew Tony was here! It was all an act! Man, how stu...!

Tim looks at him with a scrutiny Gibbs would be proud of. Sighing tiredly, he finally speaks. "Okay. You know the whole reason I was going to meet you for breakfast was to tell you."

"Gibbs proposed?"

"Yeah!" Tim replies with an aire of shock.

"I'm happy for you, Tim." Tony claps him on the shoulder. "Really happy for you."

"You can't tell anyone! Penny and Sarah don't even know yet!" The younger man's earnest plea leaves little doubt he's serious about this.

"Wow. Ok. Sure." Tony promises.

"I'm telling them in a little while when they stop over for what they think is just us showing them the changes in the house. Hey, come look at what Gibbs did for me upstairs real quick before they get here!"

"No, that's okay, Tim. I don't …"

"Tony! You HAVE to see this!" Tim grabs him by the shirt and tugs him back inside the house, practically dragging him up the stairs.

When they reach what Tony knows to be the guest bedroom, Tony closes his eyes. "McGee! I don't need to see your personal playground!"

"Fine. But you'll be sorry you didn't!" Tim replies with mock resignation as he turns away and heads back down stairs.

"Okay. Wait." Tony's eyes snap open and he can't help but see the extensive work done in the newly remodeled room Tim's drug him into the middle of. "Wow, Tim!"

"Isn't it awesome?"

"Gibbs did this by himself?" Tony's nearly whispering, he's so shocked and put in his place.

"Before he asked me to marry him, Tony!" Tim's own voice is one of awe now. It's like he's being hit anew with just how much his lover and fiancé has done for him here.

"Isn't Penny coming soon?" Gibbs' voice comes from behind them.

"Hey." Tim says. "Oh, crap! You're right! I gotta hit the shower! Bye, Tony!"

Waiting until Tim has gone into the bedroom, the door firmly closed behind him before he moves, Tony says, "Guess that's my cue to leave."

Gibbs heads down the stairs without a word. He opens the door for his Senior Field Agent, still not saying anything.

Feeling six inches tall, Tony attempts to mend the rift. "I'm sorry, Boss. I didn't mean…."

"This stays between us, Tony."

"Sure, Boss. Absolutely." Tony knows Gibbs wouldn't ordinarily keep anything from Tim at this point in their relationship - unless, like this, it would only hurt him. At least, he hopes Tim was right when he'd told Tony they don't keep things from each other.

Gibbs nods and heads back inside, locking the door behind himself as he retreats from out of sight.

Tony breathes out a sigh of relief. Thank God, that ended better than it began!


Letting the nearly scalding spray of the shower wash away his stress over the mystery in Tony's visit and the upcoming one with Penny and Sarah, Tim's closed himself off to the sounds around him for the moment. Taking advantage of that, Leroy steps in the shower behind him, having already stripped as he'd bolted up the stairs once he'd come back inside and locked the doors to keep the rest of the world out.

Stepping up behind his young man, he nuzzles his neck while his hands go around his waist. "Mm mm. Lunch." He teases just before he nibbles.

Laughing, Tim leans back against his lover's chest. "I'll feed you something better, when we have more time." He promises. "But Penny and Sarah will be here any minute."

Reaching around the younger man, Leroy picks up the scrubber and pours some of Tim's body wash on it and begins paying homage to the physical body that he adores so much. Not missing a single nook or cranny, he can't help but chuckle while Tim squirms beneath his ministrations. "Problem, luv?"

"You're not playing nice." Tim whines with a grin. "But I'll give it back when we're alone later."

"Not nice?" Leroy asks with faux confusion.

"Tease!" Tim complains as he steps under the water and quickly rinses himself off.

Stepping out of the shower while the older man takes his turn under the water, Tim dries his face with the edge of his towel and ducks it under the water. Wringing the towel's edge out, he twirls it just right, snapping it just a touch against Leroy's thigh.

"Ow!" Leroy's head snaps up, his eyes promising payback even as he chuckles at Tim's unexpected stunt that only stung a little.

Tim's instantly sorry, offering an apology as he rushes to dry off so he can go get dressed. "I forgot how much that really stings when it's wet. I'm sorry."

"Tim. It's ok. Go on, get dressed and get down there before you have a heart attack."

"I can't help it if they're gonna be here in like a minute!" Tim defends himself.

"You'd think they don't know how to sit out on the porch for a few and enjoy the fresh air." Leroy tosses out dryly.

"Funny. That's cute, Leroy." Tim smiles as he disappears through the bathroom door into the bedroom. "You know exactly why I don't like letting them wait around like that! It just leaves them time to imagine things I'd rather they leave well enough alone, especially Sarah!"

"You worry too much!" Leroy hollers back at him.

"I'm heading down now!" Tim tells him as he heads out, making sure to close the bedroom door behind him.

Hurrying through the down stairs, he sighs with relief when he sees their car just pulling into the driveway. Wait, only Penny is in the car. Where's Sarah? Opening the front door, he steps outside and walks over to the support column at the top of the stairs where he can lean back against it while he waits for his grandmother. Keeping his hand deep in his pants pocket, he smiles as he watches her get out of the car and head up the walk, a smile on her face.

Enthusiastic hugs, greetings and kisses on the cheek are exchanged and Tim encourages Penny to sit down on the swing with him, wanting her to do just as Leroy suggested and enjoy the outdoors for a few. It will give the older man a little more time to make an appearance without having to feel rushed himself.

"Timothy, you look like you're on cloud nine."

"Leroy tells me we have you to thank for that." Tim tells her, wanting to address it before his lover get out here and curtails the chance for it to come up.

"You're angry with me for interfering."

"I was. For about a minute, that is until Leroy made me realize I should be thanking you instead. According to him, we both should."

"But?"

"I just wanna know why you didn't come to me first, Penny. Why didn't you just talk to me about it first?"

Penny looks at her grandson like he's just grown a second head. "Sweetheart, that is not how this works."

"How what works? And why not?' Tim is obviously confused.

"Timothy. If I have come to the point where I feel the need to open my mouth, then it is because you have become blinded to the problem. Why should I bang my head against your innate stubbornness, when I should go to the source that can see outside your bubble and address things appropriately?"

Tim sighs. He gets it. He really does and he knows that that's thanks in large part to Leroy's own view on the matter. If he can thank Penny and not be angry at her, then so can Tim. "I hope you had gloves on." He mutters half-playfully.

Penny laughs. "Oh, sweetheart! I promise, I kept it clean, short and simple."

Now, Tim cracks a smile. "Thank you, Penny. For caring enough to say something to him. And for looking out for me even though I should be …"

"Don't finish that, Tim." Leroy says as he steps out onto the porch finally. "Hi Penny. Sarah couldn't come?"

"Unfortunately, no. She's studying." Penny answers. "But, she's staying up late to hear the details when I get home."

"Well, let's show you what Tim's been dying for you to see, so we don't keep you too late to do that for her." Leroy steps back and opens the door, leaving room for her to step inside first.

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

Thirty minutes later, Penny stops at the bottom of the stairs, having just been up to see Tim's new study after seeing all the new photos downstairs as well as the improvements in the basement. She takes a good hard look at the photos on the walls that align the stairwell, once again. She sees Gibbs' past and she sees Tim's too. But she also sees their future in more than the photos of them together on display. It's in the way they stand close to each other without even realizing they do it; their barely there touches on each other's clothes and hands when they talk to each other.

"The changes are wonderful, Jethro. And that study for Timothy! I am impressed. Now, I really have to go. Thank you so much for showing me." Penny smiles as she heads to the front door.

"Penny!" Tim calls her back.

Turning around slowly, her hand still on the door handle, she waits to hear what he wanted to tell her.

"There's one more thing we need to show you. The best change of all. The newest one, too."

"All right." She replies as she walks back over to where the two of them are standing arm in arm.

With an almost imperceptible nod between them, Tim pulls his hand out of his pocket first, linking it with that of his love, their rings side by side as he shows them to her. "Leroy's asked me to marry him.

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

Smiling with genuine happiness for her grandson and for Gibbs as well, Penny hugs them both yet again as she's attempting to leave out, some twenty congratulatory minutes later.

"Please, make sure you tell Sarah – no one else gets told except for the two of you, Tony, Ziva, Ducky and Jimmy. And maybe Dornie since he's on Leroy's team now." Tim reminds her for the third time. "It's very important to us that this stay small and private."

Penny chuckles. "Sweetheart, I promise you, I heard you the first time."

Tim looks abashed. "I'm sorry."

"Honey, relax. You're nervous. I understand. But, I give you my word, Sarah will NOT breathe a word of this to anyone. Outside of me telling your sister, the only ones doing the telling will be the two of you."

"Thank you, Penny!"

"Thank you for sharing your wonderful news with me. I'm looking forward to hearing the details and the date when you set one" She hugs him tightly, looking over Tim's shoulder to Gibbs with pride and happiness in how he's handled making more room for their Timothy in his life.

The fact that the man is obviously completely happy about it is icing on the cake.

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

Ziva adores having lunch at Gibbs' house with Tony, Ducky, Jimmy, Tim and Gibbs. The fact that she's the only female included doesn't faze her in the least. With a smile on her face, she accepts her welcomed entry into their home when Tim opens the door for her with a smile, her hands full with her own homemade cake in one hand and lasagna in the other.

How are you, McGee?" Ziva asks. "It has been a few days since we have spoken, yes?"

"Yeah. I'm good, Ziva. You?" He's quick to answer as he relieves her of the lasagna, removes it from its' thermal cover and sets it in the oven to stay warm.

"Good? McGee, you are bouncing – not walking. That is more than good, is it not?" She teases him as she sets the cake down on the table and looks at him.

"Can't say." Tim tries to dissuade her from digging with his aire of nonchalance, but doesn't push it beyond that lame attempt.

"Ziva." Gibbs greets her with a smile as he walks into the room. "What smells so good?"

"I made lasagna." She admits as she kisses them both on the cheek now that her hands are free and she can keep her own balance

"Wow. That takes a couple of hours, doesn't it?" Tim asks.

"It does take time, yes. But, I enjoy cooking, so…"

"Anybody home?" Tony's voice rings clear from the doorway of the still open main door. Beyond calling out, he's not crossing over the thresh hold without checking to see that they meant to leave it open.

"Kitchen, Tony!" Tim calls out without moving. He left the door open so they wouldn't have to bother with the formalities of knocking – this time. Besides, he wants Tony more at ease this time than he was yesterday. The fact that the Senior Field Agent cancelled their planned breakfast earlier today already has Tim concerned.

"Hey, guys! Open House?"

Tony's over the top cheer doesn't fool anyone and Ziva's opening her mouth to question him when Tim shakes his head at her at the same time that Gibbs glares at Tony for the lame real estate joke that isn't really funny on the heels of the discussion the two of them had just yesterday.

"Hope you guys are up for pizza!" Tony avoids looking in the direction of what he knows to be the boss' less than happy expression, directing his gaze instead in the direction of Ziva and Tim.

"Is that all you know how to brlng, Tony? Ziva asks in exasperation.

"It's fine. Really." Tim replies with a somewhat serious tone as he takes in the silent unpleasant and deliberate lack of communication between his fiancé' and his friend slash former teammate. "But, uhm, where is it, Tony?"

"Being delivered in twenty minutes, Probie." Tony tells him with a slice of that charming smile they've all seen from him over the years. "You said 6:00, so that's when it'll be here.

"Hmm. Hot and fresh. That's nice of you." Tim offers politely. I've got to get something from upstairs, I'll be right back." Having said that, Tim disappears from the kitchen and makes his way up to the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He was ready to let whatever's going on between Leroy and Tony go last night. But, it's still between them and his gut tells him that it concerns him, too.

Sure, he and Leroy had deliberately had a little fun with Tony about his visit, but that doesn't mean they'd gotten to the bottom of it and that bothered Tim last night because what he'd walked in on had looked very serious. It had been serious enough that Tony had obviously waited until Tim wasn't home – and had been quick to try to escape without leveling with him about it.

But, the night had been full of things more pressing and he'd let it go. But now, with what he's just witnessed downstairs, it's bothering him again. In fact, the more Tim thinks about it, the more questions come to mind, none of them pleasant.

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

"Jethro? Is everything all right?" Ducky asks his long-time friend. "I've been here at least ten minutes with no sign of Timothy. Didn't you say he'd be right back when I first arrived? Is h all right?"

"I'm fine." Tim says as he reappears with a small smile and heads to the coffee maker now needing to be refilled and reset. He looks over at his love and smiles encouragingly at him. "Where'd everyone go?"

"Ah, there you are, Timothy!"

"How are you, Ducky?" Tim asks the older man as he sets the coffee maker up once more this time with the stuff Leroy's mainlining – even on his day off.

"Everyone's out back. Keep an eye on the food, will ya? I'm gonna go check on 'em, make sure they don't tear out my yard." Leroy half jokes as he smiles at Tim and heads out back.

"Is something wrong, Timothy?" Ducky asks with concern.

Tim looks at him directly. "No. At least, not anything that I can't talk to Leroy about. I just haven't had the time yet."

Ducky nods. "Good. I'm very glad to hear it."

"Thanks, Ducky. I'm gonna go set the table."

"And I shall go supervise the children while you and Jethro do what needs to be done for lunch." The older man says with a knowing look and a compassionate smile. He knows they need to talk, about whatever this is about.

"Thanks."

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

Lost in his thoughts and endless questions without answers as he mindlessly lays down the placemats that are small enough they'll fit just under each plate, Tim doesn't hear Leroy come in behind him and doesn't sense him in the room until the older man's hands descend onto his shoulders comfortingly and his voice quietly speaks to him near his ear.

"Hey. You ok?"

Startled, Tim blinks as he instinctively leans back into his lover's chest and breathes out. " Yeah."

"Tim?"

Tim hears the tone that clearly says the older man knows better and he accepts that he needs to lay it all – leave nothing hidden between them. Setting the things he's holding in his hands down on the table, he turns to look his fiancé in the eye as he speaks to him. "I know something's not right between you and Tony. What did he say to you last night?"

Leroy shakes his head. "Not mine to tell."

"You want me to get it directly from Tony." Tim reasons out calmly.

"You need to." The older man replies, his tone calm

"Okay." Tim nods. "I'll talk to him - later."

"That what's been botherin' you all mornin?'

Tim shakes his head. "No. I mean I wanted to ask you about it last night, but by the time Penny left, it wasn't on my mind anymore. This morning's been so busy – and fun – that I haven't thought about it either. But I saw the way he won't look at you. And you seemed unusually pissed about his 'open house' remark. So, I'm guessing he said something about…..crap! Not him, too!" Tim angrily gripes. "Lemme guess, he came over here to tell you - you needed to do better by me, too? Somethin' about needing to move from here because you don't deserve to have your memories kept intact? "

"Tim…"

"He lets his mouth run away with him before he thinks! Did he put his foot in it? Say something mean disguised as 'helpful'? He did, didn't he? Please, tell me you told him what lake he needed to go jump in!"

Leroy chuckles as he pulls Tim closer to him. "I told him he wasn't very observant – left it at that while I left him standing with a dozen clues he hadn't even noticed before he'd opened his mouth."

"Good!" Wait. You're not gonna tell me he's just looking out for me too, are you?"

"Yup."

"Oh, jeez. What am I supposed to do with that, Leroy? I can see it in your eyes, he did say mean! I told him, he doesn't get to do that on my account!"

"I'm a big boy, Tim. I can take it."

"But, you shouldn't have to!"

"Tim."

"Mmm?" The younger man instantly calms down in the face of that tone.

"December 19th." Leroy deliberately changes the subject.

"Our six-month anniversary." Tim immediately answers the question he hasn't quite been asked. "Exactly one month from today."

"Where?" Leroy asks, hoping Tim's following his train of thought.

"Here in the living room – too cold for the backyard – just our few chosen friends." Tim replies with all seriousness, knowing exactly what this is about. With a smile on his face, he picks up Leroy's hands, joining them together, "Dress Casual – not jeans, but nothing fancy either."

Leroy smiles as he leans in and kisses Tim. "Sounds perfect. Honeymoon?"

"Surprise me?" Tim offers.

"I can do that." The older man vows. "C'mon, our guests are waiting. And we've got news to share."

Together, they head out of the dining room, side-by-side, arm in arm. Ten feet from the back porch and Leroy stops them, his eyes looking straight into Tim's. "Gotta stop holdin' back from me when somethin's botherin' you."

"I promise, I'll work on it." Tim vows with all seriousness.

"Ok." Leroy accepts his answer and once again, they head out to bring the family in for dinner and more.

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

"Thanks, Penny." Tim snaps his phone shut and smiles at Leroy as they continue on their way into the dining room once everyone has come back inside and washed up for dinner, leaving them alone in the kitchen once more. "She and Sarah are really happy for us. And Penny wants to take care of all the details."

"Gonna let her?" Leroy asks with a smile.

"She's the only one we can count on to keep it as small and private as we want it!" Tim grins back as they walk into the dining room together, each carrying a platter of food for the family.

"You look like the cat that ate the bird, McGee." Ziva announces to the rest of the room. "Gibbs, you do as well."

"I feel like it, Ziva." Tim smiles as he saucily answers her while setting the food down. "So, uhm, guys?" He raises his voice to get everyone's attention. " Before you dig in, Leroy and I have a favor to ask all of you."

"You've got our attention now, Probie! What's up?" Tony is quick to reply, hoping to help corral the others' attention for him. Ducky and Jimmy stop talking to each other and look at Tim, waiting to hear what he has to say.

"Dec. 19th." Gibbs speaks up. "Here. 1700 Sharp."

"Next get-together?" Jimmy asks as he continues watching Tim, feeling like there's more to it, but not wanting to get wrong.

"Yes." Tim answers, his smile lighting up the room. "But with a dress code requirement of sorts. Business casual. Please."

"Timothy, is there something going on that you'd like to tell us more about?" Ducky asks, hoping to help this along since it's obvious to him where this is headed.

Smiling at Leroy, he interlaces their fingers, squeezes the older man's hand supportively and raises their ringed hands up for the others to see, rings facing their guests.

"We're getting married!"

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

What seems like hours later, the cacophony of congratulations and suggestions for the big event have finally died down enough that Tim and Leroy still standing side by side, actually make an attempt to be heard once more.

"We're keepin' it small." Gibbs informs them.

"Very small." Tim adds.

"How very is small, McGoo?" Tony asks with brotherly affection, over the moon elated for them.

"Well, Tony. As a matter of fact, besides Penny and Sarah, you guys are it."

"What? Why?" Tony wants to know.

"Because it's personal, Tony." Tim replies with all seriousness. "It's nobody else's business. It's personal and private and we'd like to keep it that way."

"Well if it's that 'private' why not make it just the two of you with two witnesses and the justice of the peace?" Tony asks.

"The point of marriage vows is that they are public. That it's not enough to build a life together, but that you do it in public, that you stand before everyone who has ever mattered to you and proclaim that you will devote your life to that person." Ducky clarifies for them.

"McGee, what about your parents?" Ziva asks. "Do you not want them to come?"

Tim frowns. He doesn't want to discuss this. What he wants to say is I think the fact that I haven't already included them in what I just said, tells you the answer to that. But as he feels his fiancé's hands coming up to rest firmly and supportively on his shoulders, he swallows that down and simply shakes his head, sighing tiredly. "Ziva..."

She's quick to realize she's overstepped and quick to try to make amends. "I am sorry."

"Just tell me you're coming!" Tim quickly gets her back on track, thankful it's so easy to do.

"I would not miss it!" She replies as she kisses them both on the cheek. "Congratulations! I am very happy for you both!"

"Thank you." Tim offers as his shoulders visibly relax.

"Thanks, Ziva." Gibbs offers in return, his hands not leaving Tim's shoulders.

"My congratulations to you both!" Ducky smiles broadly as he clasps his hand encouragingly on Gibbs' arm, his eyes going from one to the other and back again as he does his best to infuse them with his full support.

"Couldn't have done it without you, Ducky." Tim says with a genuine appreciation that Leroy shares with his own look of gratitude leveled at his long-time friend.

"Honored to have been of assistance." Ducky assures them both. "Tell me, are we including Director Vance in this 'small' ceremony?"

Tim's look of horror says it all. "No. It's bad enough he knows as much as he does already."

Leroy squeezes his shoulders comfortingly. "I agree."

"Understandable." Ducky concurs as he moves on back to the meal laid out so that others in the group can step up and say what's on their mind.

"You sly devil, you." Tony grins at his boss, hand held out to offer a congratulatory shake. "You really enjoyed the thought of me eating all this crow, huh?"

"What crow would that be, Tony?" Tim asks as he stares at his friend.

"Yeah. About that…. " The young man's hand drops to his side like a dead weight.

"Tony. I already know. And in the future - If you're worried about me- something that concerns Gibbs the way this did -, how about you talk to me about it, instead of letting your mouth run away with you and dumping anything on Gibbs' head – especially since you can't seem to do it in a way that's not like a punch to the gut, huh?" Tim asks him quietly enough as to not include the others, yet angrily enough that there's no doubt in Tony's mind that he's serious.

"I can do that, Tim." Tony says apologetically.

"Gonna hold you to that, DiNozzo." Gibbs warns quietly. "No more end runs 'round him."

"I promise"

"Okay." Tim smiles and finally accepts Tony's congratulatory handshake – and his brotherly hug before Tony moves to give the boss the same,

With both of them smiling and accepting the reactions from the team, including Jimmy, Tony now takes advantage of the moment and steps back to the table, quickly pouring everyone a gulp of champagne. "Everyone grab a glass!" He calls out. "A toast! To Gibbs and McGee!"

"To Jethro and Timothy!" Ducky firmly adds his own toast to the mix.

"Hear, Hear!" Jimmy throws in.

Ziva offers her toast last. "To their long life and happiness! And their love!"


To be continued - Next Installment - "A Wedding Present Like No Other"