Over There

Chapter One

The sound of the alarm startled Tony awake. He made a slight groaning sound as he removed himself from the hold that Tim had on him. Once the alarm was off, Tony turned back to his sleeping lover who mumbled something that he could only interpret as “what time is it?

Tony smiled. “Time to get up, McSleepyhead. No more late nights for you.”

“I am up.” With that, he grabbed Tony’s hand and guided it down his abdomen to the impressive erection he was sporting.

“I see that. I can take care of it for you, you know. I’m well qualified.”

“I think I remember that from last night.” Tim turned onto his back as Tony kissed his way down the smooth skin of Tim’s abdomen.  Once again he proved how qualified he was at pleasing his partner.

They showered together; not always a good idea when they were short of time and today was no exception. The warm water and soap lather made for too good a time. Tim showed Tony just how qualified he was.

Tim finished dressing first and went to the kitchen. He poured a glass of orange juice and carried it back to the bedroom where Tony was just finishing buttoning his shirt.

“Love you in that shirt,” Tim said, offering the glass of juice. “It goes well with your eyes.” Tony took a sip and handed it back.

His “I know” was accompanied by a wiggling of his eyebrows and a smile.

“We’re late. You know how I hate being late.”

“Yeah, but you love the reason we’re late.” With that Tony gave his partner a quick kiss. “More later,” he promised.

Since they weren’t ‘out’ to the others at work as yet each left in his own car; Tony in his beloved classic Mustang and Tim in the Porsche the success of his first book allowed him to buy.  

Tim arrived at the office before Tony, only to be greeted by Ziva who always arrived at 0545, which was even earlier than their ‘boss’, Jethro Gibbs.

Tony stopped for coffee and donuts at their favorite shop near the Navy Yard and carried his goodies into the bullpen. He set the box of donuts on his desk and took one of his favorite glazed donuts, setting it on a napkin by the phone. He handed McGee a coffee, and relished the smile that was bestowed on him, sure that no one else had seen it.

A strong black coffee was set on Gibbs’ desk. Tony wondered where the boss was as he usually arrived early, too.

“Ziva, where’s the boss?  He’s not late is he?”

“No, Tony, he’s not late,” Gibbs’ voice carried into the bullpen from the open stairway.

“Didn’t think you were, Boss; you’re never late. I can set my watch by…”

The head slap wasn’t totally unexpected.

“Thank you, Boss.”

Jethro Gibbs walked by Tony’s desk and stood in front of his own, a concentrated look on his face.

“Is something wrong?”

Ziva and McGee glanced at their leader, neither one wanting to be caught staring.  It’s not that they were afraid of Gibbs; it’s just that, well, it was better to not be on his bad side. Some days, though, it’s just kind of hard to figure out where that may be.

Tony DiNozzo, senior agent to Gibbs’ team, spoke up first. “Uh, Boss, we got a case?” He walked around his desk and casually leaned against it.

“Yes, we have a case.” He answered, looking around at his team.

Tony DiNozzo, his second in command, stood casually by his desk. He acted like a schoolboy sometimes, but Gibbs knew it was all just a front. He was one of the best investigators he had ever worked with and he trusted him to always have his back. It wouldn’t be long before Tony had his own team.

Tim McGee, the youngest member in age. Smart and a little naïve, although some of that naiveté had been worn away by the things he’s seen and done since becoming a field agent. Gibbs mourned that loss, but knew Tim had the makings of a top investigator.  No one could beat his skill with the computer and the FBI had even requested his help to solve a cyber crime or two.

Ziva David, former Moussad agent, was the newest member of the team.  She had to learn to investigate, not…whatever it was she did for the Israeli organization. He had an idea, of course, and he wasn’t above using her ‘talents’ to aid in his cases. After all, all’s fair, so the saying goes.

Now he had to tell two of his team members that they were going to Afghanistan to assist with a threat to the security of the Marine units stationed there. McGee had to go; he’d already been requested by name.

“Two of you are going overseas.” No one said anything, so he continued.  “A Marine unit has been compromised and two men have been badly injured. McGee, you’ve been requested by name. The Command feels someone well versed in computer forensics is needed and you’re the best. Ziva, you’re going with him. You speak the language…”

“Boss, let me go with McGee.” Tony could feel his heartbeat increasing. He didn’t like the idea of his lover in a war zone. He knew Tim was a good agent and he and Ziva weren’t going to be alone there, but he couldn’t help feeling like he needed to be there.

“Tony, it’s already been decided by higher ups. You get to stay here with me. You have a problem with that?”

“No, Boss,” Tony said quickly although he had a very big problem with that.

“When do we leave?” Ziva asked ever the practical one.

“Your plane is scheduled to leave Andrews at 2000 tonight; you need to be there by 1800.  Both of you go home and pack just what personal articles you’ll need then report back here. There’ll be a briefing in MTAC before you leave.” He gave the two agents the rest of their instructions. He noticed that Tony was not too happy about the situation.

Tim and Ziva grabbed their backpacks and started for the elevator. Tim glanced back at Tony.

“Boss…”

“What, DiNozzo? You’re not going. You and I will have plenty of work here.”

“Yes, Boss. Um, I’ll be right back. I need to go…” he said, pointing in the general direction of the elevators.

Ziva had gotten on the elevator when the doors opened and waited for her coworker to get on. “I think I forgot something in my desk. Go on, I’ll be down in a minute,” Tim said. He glanced back to the bullpen and saw Tony walking hurriedly toward him. He had hoped Tony would be able to go home with him, but he knew it wasn’t so, just by the look on his face.

“I’ll ride down with you, Probie,” Tony said, pressing the button for the ground floor. “I have to go to Abby’s lab away,” he said for the benefit of anyone who happened to be listening. 

The elevator only moved for a few seconds when Tony hit the stop button. The two men were soon in each other’s arms. Tim rested his head on Tony’s shoulder and held on tight, calmed by the familiar security of his lover’s strong arms. The moment only lasted, well, a moment, when Tony pushed Tim away so he could look him in the eyes.

 “Come on, McGee, you’ll be back before you know it. This is a good opportunity for you.”

“I know. I just have to think about the lives that this could be saving.”

“Will be saving, Tim, because I have faith in you to do your job successfully. You know I’ll miss you, right?  And I want you safe. If I can’t be the one with you then Ziva is the person I’d want on your six. If anyone even looks at you sideways, she’ll do nasty things to them, I’m sure.”

Tim gave a small laugh which is what Tony had hoped for. “I can take care of myself, you know.”

“I know and I’d trust you with my life but your mind will be on other things.” He saw the look on Tim’s face and quickly added, “Like your mission.” Then, with a little laugh, “Well, that too.”

“I’ll have you know I’m completely professional when I’m working.” Tim leaned into Tony again. “I wish you could go back to the house with me.”

“I do to, believe me, but just think about how good it’ll be when you do get home.” Tony moved one hand to the back of Tim’s head and pulled him impossibly closer and bent to kiss his soft lips. Tony broke the kiss first and leaned back against the metal wall. “I love you,” he said softly. “You won’t be gone long. You and your cyber skills will have everything figured out in no time then you’ll be home in our bed with me where you belong.”

“And where I want to be.”

Tony didn’t want to let go of his partner, but he reached over to the control panel and pushed the button to set the car in motion again. When the doors opened on the ground floor Tim casually strolled out without looking back.

The music in Abby’s lab blasted into the hallway. It could be heard on the elevator even before the doors opened on the second floor.  Abby was bent over her worktable examining evidence from a recent case. A short stack of clear plastic bags, sealed and labeled sat on one corner of the stainless steel table.

“Abby,” Tony said loudly, but evidently not loud enough, as the lab tech continued to sing along with the music. She had a surprisingly good voice and Tony usually enjoyed listening to her. Today, though, he had other things on his mind. He knew how close Tim and Abby were. In fact they thought of each other as brother and sister.

“Abby,” he repeated, turning off the loud music. This got her attention.

“Tony, what’s up? I don’t have anything for you. This is all stuff from Cantrell’s case.  Of course you knew this wasn’t for you ‘cuz you solved your case and all that evidence is in the evidence locker where it belongs once a case is solved. That is until it’s needed for trial, then…”

“Abs.”

Abby stopped talking. For the first time she got a good look at Tony’s face. She didn’t like what she saw. “Tony, what’s wrong? Did something happen. Gibbs is okay, right?”

“The Boss is fine. It’s McGee.”

“Timmy? What happened, tell me.”

“He’s going on an assignment overseas, he and Ziva that is. They leave this evening.”

“Where are they going, Tony?” she asked, not wanting to hear the answer she knew was coming.

“They’re going overseas; that’s all we’ve been told. I’m sure Gibbs knows where.”

“Tony, there’s a war ‘overseas’. That’s where they’re going, isn’t it. That’s why you won’t tell me. You can tell me, you know. Why didn’t he come down and tell me himself. He knows I’d want to know. I need to go and talk to him.”

Tony put his hand gently on her shoulder. “Gibbs sent the two of them home. They’ll be back in a couple of hours for the final briefing. I’m sure he’ll, they’ll, talk to you then.”

Tony was wrapped in a big ‘Abby’ hug. “Tell me he’ll be okay over there, please.”

“He’ll be okay, Abs. They’ll both be okay.” He had been telling himself that ever since Gibbs had told them of the orders because ‘overseas’ probably did mean a war zone especially since there have already been injured marines. Abby finally released him but only because his phone was ringing.

“I need to get this,” he said, looking at the caller I.D. I promise you Tim will be down later to see you.” He walked out into the hallway and flipped open his phone.

“Hey. What’s up?”

“I just wanted to hear your voice. Can you talk?”

“Yeah, I’m outside Abby’s lab. I told her about your assignment. She’s pretty upset.”

 ”I’ll talk to her this afternoon.”

“Will you be heading back here soon?”

“As soon as I can, I don’t want to miss a minute of being with you. I need to call Sara and tell her I’m going out of town. We were supposed to get together for dinner on Tuesday, remember.” Tim’s sister Sara was the only person they had told of their relationship and she thought it was great. Tony made her brother happy and she was thankful for that. “The Boss isn’t going to make you go out on a case today is he?”

“I think he has a stack of paperwork for me to work on. You know how I love that.”

“Yes, I do. At least he doesn’t send it back to you five times anymore.”

“Yeah,” he said sadly. “Hurry back here, okay.”

“Got it. Love you my little Sugarplum.”

“You too.” He laughed as he closed his phone. Tim only called him Sugarplum when he needed cheering up. That certainly covered today’s mood. It took a few minutes before he felt able to get on the elevator and be composed when he arrived in the bullpen.

Return to Over There