Like everytime I want to start by thanking everyone for the great support :)

The chapter will start with the dreaded and already announced date. But remember, it will be the first and last date they'll have! They will be just friends.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

Chapter 15

Tony inhaled deeply. It was already very late, or very early, depending on how you saw it. He sat in his car that he rented until he had a new one. It was really necessary to get a new car lately. He looked at many real estates with his broker this evening. All in all it were more apartments than houses he looked at, but still he hadn't seen one he could imagine spending the rest of his life in. His broker told him that he still had one real estate, which he would send him pictures and other data on. If this still wouldn't get Tony interested, he'd have to get in contact with his colleagues.

He was already on his way back to Gibbs' when an idea hit him and led him to where he was now. He was sitting in his car opposite the 'District'. He forgot all about Elena in this chaos that was going on at the moment. On his way to the bar, he stopped at a shop to get some things and a small bouquet. They weren't real since it was late and all the flower shops have been long closed for the day to get real one, but like the saying goes, the thought counted.

Most of the lights were out already, but it could still be seen a faint light from the bar. That meant that the guests were already gone and the bar was tidied up. Tony just hoped that Elena would be alone, because it would be quite odd to have an impromptu date when there were other people walking around you to clean up the bar. It would definitely kill the mood. Tony got out of the car, got his purchases out of the trunk and walked to the bar. The lanterns from the bar were still on so that he had no troubles walking down the stairs. Let's hope that the door was still open…

But luck wasn't on his side, because the door was already locked. Well, probably better that way, because that would ensure that there wouldn't be anyone walking in intending on causing problems. But that meant as well that Tony had to knock.

He heard someone approaching the door and how it was unlocked. The door opened a little bit and he saw how two blue eyes stared at him. „Tony?" She looked a bit tired, but he had the feeling that she could still work through the night if she had to. „What are you doing here?"

„Well, I thought we could have our date now. I mean, only if you haven't already any other plans." Tony answered and looked hopefully at her.

„You want a date? As in…right now?" Elena replied and looked at him like he'd be crazy. She might have seen and done a lot of crazy things, but an impromptu date in the middle of the night wasn't one of them. „You do realize that it's already 01:30am, don't you?"

„Yeah, well right now, my life is a little bit chaotic and I have little time for things like that. I could've went home but I thought you'd still be here and this time is as good as any other time to have a date with you."

She shook her head, but he still could see a smile forming on her lips. „You're crazy."

„Maybe, but the crazy ones are the best ones."

For a second, Elena hesitated, but then she seemed like she made her decision and opened the door a little wider to let him enter the bar. When she closed the door, he turned to her and smirked. „Are you going to kill me now and hide my body? Admit it, you're a serial killer who lures poor men into her bar to murder them."

„Watch it, my friend. Don't give me any ideas. And for the records, it was you who wanted to come here. I haven't lured you here."

Elena and Tony grinned at each other when she noticed the bag he was holding. „What is in that bag? Instruments of torture? Maybe you are the serial killer."

„Ha! Very funny, but no. In this bag are very important utensils for our date." He went to one of the tables that was already cleaned up and started to unpack. Two plastic plates, plastic cutlery, a little candle in the middle of the table, Take-Out cartons from the Chinese around the corner and his iPhone for the music part. „Tada! Our date can start. But just so you know, normally I don't eat Take-Out on the first date and the dishes aren't made of plastic either, but on an impromptu date you have to be able to do something of the few things you have."

Elena smiled and rolled her eyes. „When I woke up this morning I didn't think I would spend my night like that."

„How did you imagine your night then? Alone at home in the dark, cuddled up in your bed?" Tony asked teasingly.

„Who says that I'd have been alone?" There weren't a lot of moments in which Tony was speechless, but now was one of them. She looked so innocently at him that he expected all but this. „Wine?" she asked just as innocently.

Tony cleared his throat and hoped that she didn't notice that her answer really surprised him. "Yes, please."

Because the table was already set, Tony only waited for Elena who went to get their wine glasses. „So, how is your brother?"

„Colin is good. He has the next week off and he offered to help out with the bar. If he wouldn't work for NCIS, I don't think I could get him out of here. He's a real night person. He has so much fun planning our events."

„If he likes it so much, why does he work for NCIS instead of here?"

„As much as he likes to work here, he loves his job at NCIS. He likes to not know in the morning what his day brings. The days at the bar aren't like any other either, everyday something else happens and makes that day special in its own way, but in the end, the activities are always the same. The same cannot be said for NCIS. He likes the little kicks he gets when he has the authorization to do something illegal like hacking into something. Apparently your boss isn't against breaking rules if he has to."

„Well, Director Vance is certainly something else. But you should know that every agency does things like that. They may deny it, but that doesn't mean that they're telling the truth."

Elena passed him a glass of wine and took place at the table. Tony followed her example and took his seat. „Why don't we enjoy our late dinner/early breakfast and speak about more important things. Are you spending your nights often alone or are you meeting up with ruggedly handsome and charming men for an impromptu date?" He smiled charmingly and she had to laugh out loud.

It was 03:00am when he arrived at his temporary home at Gibbs'. The date with Elena was successful. She laughed a lot and they teased each other. He considered not to tell Elena about his daughter, but in the end he did. Not much, but he wanted her to know that he wasn't alone and that he had to look after the happiness of his daughter. He feared that she'd lose interest as soon as she knew that he had a daughter but she surprised him when she told him that she'd like to meet his daughter. He promised her that he'd keep her request in mind, but that it wasn't a good time now and she understood. He didn't want to force a potential love interest of her dad on her when they have more pressing problems. Especially when he didn't know if they were even heading into that direction. But even when they won't have a relationship, he could imagine Elena being a good friend for him. He didn't have many female friends.

As quietly as possible he opened the front door of Gibbs house and hoped that he won't wake anybody. Just because he was still up didn't mean that his daughter and Gibbs had to too. He closed the door softly behind him, took off his jacket and shoes and sneaked his way through the house.

„Did you look at every real estate in D.C. or why are you that late?" came Gibbs voice from the living room and he winced. He inhaled deeply and tried to calm his heart again. Unbelievable how Gibb could sneak up to someone.

„Boss, you're still awake?"

„Couldn't sleep with your trampling."

„What? I didn't…ohhh, sure! Very funny." They stood there in silence and Tony wasn't sure if he had to justify himself to Gibbs. He rolled his eyes about this absurd situation. „God, Gibbs! You really succeed in making an adult feel like a teenager that was caught by his dad when he sneaked home."

„How was your search for a new home?"

„Not successful. I'll get a few more pictures of another real estate via e-mail." Tony looked at his watch. „I probably already got them."

„You should go to bed. You have to get up again in three hours." Tony groaned at that. „Don't whine. It's your own fault. Should've arrived home earlier. It's really surprising that you raised Amelia all this years and she's more grown up than as her dad."

„What can I say. Miracles happen everywhere in the world. They may be not big, but still wonderful on their own." Tony made his way to the bedroom. „Good night, Gibbs."

„Night."

Tony rubbed his eyes for the third time in the last half an hour, while he stared at his screen. As expected he found it rather difficult to get up in the morning. He asked himself how his daughter could get up in the morning and be in a good mood. But that could be also due to the fact that she slept more than just three hours.

While he ate his breakfast this morning, he checked his mails and looked for the data he got from his real estate broker. He overlooked the data and he found that the price was justified. He'll definitely look at that real estate. When Jo saw that her dad found a promising real estate, she asked him if she could come with him. His daughter had a good taste and since she would also live in that new home and therefore had a right to put her opinion in, he agreed with her and made an appointment in the afternoon so that she was able to accompany him.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw McGee arriving in the bullpen. He switched on the plasma screen and Tony knew immediately that he found something. „You found something?"

„I looked at every surveillance recording I could found and I think that I can retrace Hayes' movements of that night." The team approached the screen to see the new progress of the case. „The first camera shows how Hayes went into the side street in which Fallon was murdered. The same camera shows us how he left that side street again after five minutes. I could follow him due to the help of four cameras. He walked down a block, turned left and walked another two blocks before he turned right into another street. Unfortunately there aren't any cameras in that one, but in every other adjoining street was one and he isn't seen in any of them. Wherever he went, he didn't leave this place. I'll go there and show a picture of Hayes around. Maybe someone saw him and can tell me where he went and what he did. But I also have to draw your attention to the time of the first recording." McGee called the first recording back on screen and pointed to the right corner.

„11:07pm." read Ziva.

„But according to Ducky, Fallon was murdered around 11:15pm and 11:30pm." said Tony.

„McGee, is there any chance that Hayes went back?" asked Gibbs. It would have been the easiest way. They could've closed the case and Fallon's Family could have gotten their closure.

„I've checked everything and calculated the time he'd needed to be back in that side street. He couldn't do it. He hadn't the time. Hayes is definitely not our murderer."

„Well then we have to search for our John Doe. Tony, when do you have your appointment with your broker?"

„4:00pm. Why?"

„Then you have enough time to go with Ziva to Mr. and Mrs. Fallon. I want you to show them the picture of our John Doe. Maybe they know him."

„Got it, boss. We're on our way." Tony and Ziva got their guns and were on their way to the elevator when McGee called for them.

„Tony!"

„What is it, Probie? I have an appointment today and I don't want to miss it."

„I looked through the surveillance recording from the shop across your apartment."

Now Tony was definitely interested in what he had to say. Did he finally have something substantial against Cole? „And? Did you find something?"

„The recordings from the time of the brake in were deleted. Seems like somebody was very careful."

„That means we have nothing." concluded Gibbs.

„Sorry, boss. However I requested for the surveillance recordings of all cameras in the surrounding area and will look for any suspicious person right before and right after the brake in. It's a long shot, but it's still a chance."

„Thanks for your help, Tim."

„You don't have to thank me, Tony. We'll find the one who was responsible for the destruction of your apartment."

Tony smiled a thankful smile towards McGee and went with Ziva to the elevator. It was already 1:13pm and they had a one hour drive to the Fallon's and he didn't know how long it will take to speak with the Fallon's. And he had to pick up Jo before his appointment so that all in all he had to hurry.

Tony and Ziva arrived at the Fallon's house and even when he knew that he had to hurry, he couldn't overcome himself to let Ziva drive. The car drive was spent in silence for the most part, which Tony surprised. When they hadn't been on good terms she did certainly not miss one opportunity to start a conversation, but now when he apologized and everything was on the way back to normal, she was quiet. During the drive he occasionally looked to her and noticed that something was on her mind. Since she seemed like she couldn't talk about it with him, he didn't address it also. He knew that when she was ready she'd come to him. It wouldn't help if he'd probe know. She'd certainly block every attempt.

They got out of the car and walked to the front door of the Fallon's house. „A broker, huh? So you will not renovate your apartment?"

„No. Even if it would've looked as new as ever, we'd always remember that someone broke in and destroyed our home. Besides the apartment was our sanctuary and now it had been desecrated, so to speak." replied Tony and knocks on the front door.

„Found anything already?"

„No, not yet. But I hope that we're soon finding something. We can't live with the bossman forever."

„I don't think he has a problem with you and Amelia living with him. And if you or Amelia should need anything, just let me know. I'd like to help. I don't care if it's just loaning you money or to pick up Amelia somewhere."

Before Tony could tell his thanks to his wonderful and extraordinary partner, the door opened and Mrs. Fallon stood in front of them. „Agents DiNozzo, David? What can I do for you? Are there any news?"

„Mrs. Fallon, could we come in, please?" asked Tony.

„But of course. I'm sorry, I haven't expected any visitors."

„Sorry that we have to bother you again, Mrs. Fallon. Is your husband at home?" Ziva asked looking around. Nothing changed since their last visit. Not that she'd expected any changes.

„Yes, Phil is here. He's in our garden. I'll go and get him."

„Thank you."

After two minutes the married couple entered the room and Mrs. Fallon introduced her husband to the two agents. „Agents David, DiNozzo. This is my husband Phil." Phil offered both the agents his hand. He was in his fifties and had short grey hair. His eyes were brown and though he had a sporty body figure, he was starting to have a little beer belly. „How may we help you?"

„Mr. and Mrs. Fallon, we received a description of a man that was seen with your son around the time he was killed. We hoped that you could identify him. A witness saw the man and described him to a sketch artist." Tony passed the picture of their John Doe to the couple. „Do you possibly know this man?"

„Oh my God, Phil! Could this be Alex?"

„You're right, Sue. It's him." Phil Fallon looked back up. „To answer your question: yes, we know him. This is Alexander Thorne. Alex was William's best friend in high school. They were literally inseparable. Alex was like a son to us. But one day, when they finished high school, he suddenly disappeared and we never heard from him again."

„I don't believe that he killed our son. He was always so nice and innocent."

„Do you have any idea where Alex Thorne could be at the moment?"

„No, I'm sorry, but we can't help you. Like I said, we haven't heard from him since his leaving." answered Mr. Fallon.

„Don't worry. You already helped us a lot by identifying him, Mr. Fallon."

„If you find out something, please don't hesitate to inform us."

„We will. Thanks for your help. Have a nice day."

„You're late." welcomed him Jo, who already waited for him in front of Gibbs house.

„I'm just five minutes late! You're quite picky."

„I'm not picky. I just like to be punctual."

„I am, too. You should get in so that we can drive off."

Jo got into the car and fastened her seatbelt. „You are never punctual."

„Ouch! And this is coming from my own daughter." replied Tony and started the engine.

„One of us has to be realistic and somehow it's always me."

„There you're right."

They drove in a comfortable silence. Jo looked through the window and watched the passing buildings. She was very excited to see the house even if she thought that a house would be two big for just the two of them. But the house had already a plus in her opinion: it wasn't that far from uncle Gibbs. She also thought about Lu. She missed her very much. She knew Lu since she was a small kid and she planned to ask her dad if they could visit her. He'd certainly agree with her idea, because like her, he thought that Lu belonged to their little family.

„Dad?" broke Jo the silence hesitantly.

„Yeah, Jojo?"

„Could we visit Lu soon? I miss her. It's like something's missing when she's not around."

Tony stopped at a traffic light and looked with a soft smile at his daughter. Honestly? He misses her terribly, too. She had been always there for him and was one of the reason why he they never moved places. Now, with their current situation, living with Gibbs and searching for a new place to live, he really had to think of something that would keep Lu as a constant in their lives, because she was one constant he wasn't ready to give up. Besides, it would break Lu's heart, too, if they'd never see each other anymore. He just had to find a way that would give them the chance to see each other whenever the wanted.

„Of course we can, Sweetie. I miss her too and I'm sure she misses us as much as we miss her. How about we visit her as soon as we looked at the house?" When the traffic light switched back to green, he drove on.

„Really?"

„Sure we can." Tony turned into a quieter neighborhood. The house they'll be looking at had to be in this street, because if it wasn't, Tony had to confess that he was lost.

„Are you seeing any 'For Sale' signs?" asked Tony his daughter and looked carefully at every house in the street.

They were almost ta the end of the street already when Jo saw something. „There!"

When they stopped in front of the house and looked at it a little bit closer, both of their jaws were wide opened. They sure as hell hadn't expected something like this.

Like? Don't like?

The next chapter will be purely Tony and Jo looking at the house. So be ready for a father/daughter chapter :)