I want to apologize for the long wait, but I have no time right now to update much. I'm in my final year as a trainee. There're a lot of exams waiting for me, so the most of my free time I'm studying. I'm happy when this will be all over!

I hope you'll like the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS.

Chapter 18

Tony groaned annoyed when he was woken up by his cell phone. He opened his eyes to look at his watch and groaned again when he saw the time. 04:45 am. It should be illegal to call somebody that early!

He didn't think that it could be case related, since Gibbs would've just stormed into his room. It couldn't be one of his friends, because nobody would have thought about calling at this time. Curiously, who could be the one calling him, he accepted the call.

"Hello?"

"Tony?" a voice asked at the other end.

"Derek? God, did you even look at the clock?" asked Tony and laid back down on the bed again, relieved that it wasn't just a random caller who wanted to annoy a stranger.

"I know that it's quite early, but you've told me that I should contact you immediately if I found something…" explained Derek his early phone call. Derek worked for Secret Service and was one of two contacts that Tony called for help with Cole.

Now Tony was wide awake and sat up in bed. Could it be? Did he finally found something? "What do you have for me, Derek?"

"Well, it wasn't easy and well hidden, but I've found an anomaly in his finances."

"What anomaly"?

"He got 10,000$ a day after Duncan and his family had been killed by that car bomb. However, the bank account isn't active anymore and I've tried to follow the track, but I couldn't find anything. If I hadn't requested those old files, this anomaly wouldn't have been discovered. I have no idea what how he could've gotten that much money, but he had been a cop. He had been your partner. Someone like him couldn't have just gotten 10,000$."

"No, not even close. So I'll take a wild guess and say that the money had been the payment for the murder of Duncan and his family." concluded Tony.

"I'd guess the same. But we can't prove anything with those files. It would merely get ole a few uncomfortable questions."

"And Cole would have certainly an excuse for those 10,000$. We wouldn't have found that anomaly if he wouldn't." replied Tony thoughtfully. Even if they couldn't prove anything, this were still good news, because that meant that if they'll continue digging, sometime they'll find something they could use to pin Cole to the murder of Duncan. The 10,000$ were just the beginning.

"From which account had the money been transferred to Cole?"

"One sec, I have it somewhere…" murmured Derek and Tony could hear how different papers were pushed around. "Ah, there it is! The bank account is 5830850."

"And to whom does it belong?"

"It's also no active account anymore and any of my requests of looking into it, was blocked. I'd have asked for a search warrant, but since you wanted this whole thing unofficial and isn't case related, my hands are tied. It'd raise too many questions. Questions, I have the feeling you're not ready to answer yet."

"Damn. Should've known that we aren't getting the ones behind Duncan's murder that easily. Still, I have to thank you. I thought we wouldn't get any information. Could you send me those files though?"

"Sure, no problem. You'll have them as soon as possible on your desk."

"Thanks, oh and Derek?"

"Yes, Tony?"

"You should go home. Tracy deserves more than an empty bedside."

Derek laughed. "There you're right, my friend. That's the reason why I've booked cruise for my wife and me. We'll have fourteen days to enjoy each other company."

Tony laughed at Derek's anticipation. He knew how happy his friend was for being able to spend some quality time with his wife. People with jobs like them didn't have much free time and it was difficult to find enough time for the family, but still, a family gave the support one needed to work with such jobs. "And does Tracy know about her luck?" asked Tony teasingly.

"Well, let's say she thinks that we'll be visiting my brother in Chicago."

"Chicago?" Tony stated full of laugher. "I'm sure that she's very excited!" replied Tony sarcastically.

"She absolutely loves my brother and his family, but Chicago isn't really her dream of the perfect vacation."

"As well as I know Tracy, I can guess that. But the more she'll be happily surprised when she'll discover that you're going on a cruise instead of Chicago." assured Tony.

"That's the plan. So, I'm finished with my work now and as you've already mentioned, there's a beautiful and amazing woman laying lonely in a bed. What gentleman would I be if I do nothing to change that fact?"

Tony chuckled. "Then I wish you a very good night or morning. Greet Tracy for me."

"I'll do. And please say hello to Amelia, too. You two have to visit again! Tracy asked often when you'll be gracing us with your presence again."

"I'll keep it in mind. But right now it's going too much on. We're in the middle of a case, my daughter and I are moving and then there's Cole."

"Just think about it the next time you plan a vacation."

"I'll do, don't worry. See you."

„Ciao."

"Any news on Alexander Thorne?" Gibbs asked his three agents when he entered the bullpen.

Tony did actually fall back asleep after the phone call. When he had woken up two and a half hours later, his daughter had sat already at the table eating breakfast, but according to Jo, Gibbs had been en route to NCIS already. He quickly had drunk a cup of coffee and got ready for work. After a quick kiss to his daughters head, he had bid his goodbye. The faster he could start with work, the sooner he could go home that evening and look with Jo for beds. Gibbs had also promised to give him a day off on Saturday, so that he could take care of his new house and the furniture. Lu had decided to keep her bed and some furniture for her room, so that they didn't need anything for her bedroom. They just had to transport the furniture to the house.

"Could not find him yet, Gibbs." replied Ziva.

"I've requested for Thorne's personal file. Apparently he got involved with drugs. Seems like he's really addicted." read Tony and continued. "He was twice in rehab. Seems like it didn't help."

"He doesn't have a lot of money, boss. The little bit he has is spend on drugs. He didn't even have a job for the last two years."

"But from where does he get his money for the drugs then?" asked Tony.

"Mr. and Mrs. Fallon said that their son and Thorne had been best friends. Maybe Fallon has helped out his former best friend." replied Ziva as a possible theory.

"With giving him money for drugs?" asked Tony unbelievingly.

"Maybe he did not know how to help exactly. That way, he could at least ensure that Thorne would not do something stupid to get to money." continued Ziva with her theory.

"We'll only find out when we'll find Thorne, so find him!" Gibbs interrupted the theorizing.

"Sure, boss." replied the three instantly and looked back to their screens while Gibbs grinned.

"I'm going to get coffee. When I'm back I want some answers."

The three Special Agents looked after their boss and when he entered the elevator, McGee turned to Tony. "Had he already his full dose of DiNozzo annoyance this morning or why is he in such a bad mood?"

"I find it kind of interesting that the first person you'll blame for Gibbs moods is always me, McInnocent."

"It's usually always you."

"Very funny, but no, I'm not the one to blame. I haven't seen the bossman this morning. When I got up, he had already left."

"Strange." McGee murmured thoughtfully.

"I think that he will tell us the reason for his mood if he really thought that we needed to know. Maybe he had just slept badly. I mean, he is not that young anymore and spending every night on a couch cannot be comfortable." interfered Ziva.

"Hey, I offered him that I'd take the couch so that he could sleep in his bed!" defended Tony himself.

"I did not want to accuse you, Tony. I have merely stated the facts."

"It'll be over soon, anyway. Tonight, Jo and I go looking for beds and from tomorrow on, we'll be living in the new house."

"When everything's finished, will you celebrate a housewarming?" asked McGee.

"Look at him, Ziva. Our little Probie is growing up and wants to go to parties." teased Tony his friend and Ziva had a small grin on her lips. However, McGee just rolled his eyes and decided to let it uncommented.

"But McGee is right. Will there be a housewarming?" asked Ziva.

"No idea. Maybe. It depends how much time we'll have left."

Tony heard the ding from the elevator and expected Gibbs stepping out of it as he was pleasurably surprised when instead of Gibbs Elena appeared. He excused himself and went over to her. McGee and Ziva followed him with curious looks, but as Ziva recognized the woman Tony greeted, she immediately looked back to her screen. She didn't need to see how Tony flirted with the woman.

McGee continued to stare curiously at Tony and the unknown woman. "Are they seeing each other?"

"No idea, McGee. Why do you not just ask him? " she hissed in a sharp tone. McGee immediately noticed that it wouldn't be a good idea to push the subject and looked back to his screen as well.

Although Ziva wasn't really sure if it was a good idea, she turned her head slightly back to her partner and the woman. In her mind, the two stood too close to each other.

While Ziva continued to look discretely over to the two, Tony enjoyed the short break from work.

"Wouldn't have thought that I'd see you today and at NCIS of all places."

"I've visited my brother and I thought that I could come up to see you too."

"Well, I'm glad that you chose to do so." He briefly looked to his colleagues and noted that Ziva looked at them, but as soon as she noticed him looking back, she glanced back at her screen, trying to look concentrated. The exchange didn't go unnoticed by Elena, but didn't say anything. "Listen, would you like to go on a real date with me sometime?"

She smiled at him, but it didn't last long as she saw from the corner of her eye his female colleague looking to them again. She turned to her and the agent looked away instantly, but it had been long enough to interpret the expression in her eyes. "I don't believe that's a good idea, Tony."

With that the grin on Tony's lips faltered too. He hadn't expected that answer. "What? Why not?"

"Do you remember our conversation in my bar?"

"What? You want to tell me that you actually are a serial killer?" joked Tony.

Elena rolled her eyes. "Not that conversation. I mean the conversation we had on your first evening in my bar. I've told you that I'll back off as soon as I notice that a man is already taken."

Now Tony was really confused. He had no idea what Elena wanted to tell him. "I know that you've told me that. But I also told you that I don't hide any rings."

"And I believe you." assured him Elena.

"Then I don't understand why you brought up this conversation again."

"It's not just about rings, Tony. Even though rings are showing you that someone is already taken, it doesn't mean that the ones without are available too. There are many couples out there that live happily for years without feeling the urge to put a ring on a finger. It's just a ring and love can exist without it."

"I still don't understand what you want to tell me."

"I want to tell you that even if you declare yourself as a single man, your heart is already taken. Am I right?"

"And to whom does my heart belong in your mind?" he asked her, but he somehow knew the answer already. All people always came to think so.

"Your colleague."

"Ziva?" asked Tony.

"I don't know her name. But I see her looks."

"And that means you can't go out with me? Because Ziva looked at us?" Even when he knew that it was of no use to further persuade it, he wouldn't surrender just yet. He'll fight, even if it'll be a short fight.

"Oh come on, Tony. I've also seen your look. Don't be so stubborn." said Elena.

Tony always knew when he lost a fight and Elena's determined look just told him exactly that. "So, no date, then?" he asked in a feigned sulking tone.

Elena couldn't keep a grin from her lips as she saw his expression. He could be such a child if he wants to. "No, no date. I know I just got to know you, I don't know her at all and I certainly don't know about your relationship with her, but I still give you an advice. Do not waste too much time. Time is preciously these days. In my opinion, it's the worst thing to look back in life and regret the time one wasted. Love is beautiful, delicate and pure, Tony. Don't hide from it."

"A DiNozzo hides from nothing!" told Tony her meekly.

"Then I can be assured that you'll tell her soon about you feelings."

"Does this mean that we say goodbye now?"

"Of course not! I expect to see you now and then in my bar. Maybe even with your friends. Besides, someone has to help you when you're standing in the way of your own luck again."

"Very nice." snorted Tony sarcastically. "You need me for your turnover and as a TV show substitute."

"I'm sure, we'll be good friends." she smiled at him.

"Well, that means I'll see you around."

"See you, Tony." She gave him a kiss on his cheek and whispered something into his ear. "Don't hide yourself from love."

Tony watched how she disappeared in the elevator and thought about her last words. If it was just that easy.

He went back to the bullpen and sat down at his desk. He briefly glanced over to Ziva and noted her grim expression, even if she tried to hide it from him. Don't hide yourself.

"Do you have plans for tonight, Ziva?"

She looked doubtfully at him. "Why?"

"Well, tonight Jo and I will go searching for beds and other things we can't wait for the weekend with. I'd be glad about every advice I can get."

"Maybe you should rather take your new friend." Ziva tried to keep her feelings out of her voice as much as possible, but it didn't succeed fully and Tony groaned internally. Well done. Now she's jealous of Elena, although there's nothing going on and officially will never be something going on.

"Do you mean Elena? There's nothing going on. We're just friends." assured Tony.

"There will be enough staff running around to give you some advice."

"But no honest one. They just want to sell their furniture. Besides, I'd be glad if you would accompany us."

Ziva glance to Tony. She could see in his eyes that he was telling the truth. He seemed to really want to have her there with them. His were quite openly telling her everything she needed to know and he looked at her hopeful, but she was still unsure. Tony realized her indecision and gave her a good way out. It was always like that. If one of them was uncomfortable with something, the other helped out.

"Of course I'd understand if you already have other plans. After all it's very spontaneously."

Oh there goes nothing. "No, I have no plans. I'd honored to go furniture shopping with you and your daughter."

Tony's eyes beamed at her. Just for that, she was happy with her decision. "Well, we'd pick you up around 06:00 pm."

"Sounds good."

Hope you liked it :)