“DiNozzo, where have you been?”

“Talking to Abby, Boss. I wanted to tell her about Ziva and McGee’s little trip. I didn’t want her hearing it from just anyone.”

“How’d she take it?”

“It’s Abby, Boss. You can imagine, but she’s tough.”

Gibbs took a swallow of his coffee. “I put a folder on your desk. I need you to check some facts before we decide whether to proceed any further. You may have to go interview Petty Officer Klein again.”

“Today? I thought I could hang around here and help the guys before they leave. You know, give them the benefit of my experience. After all, I have been over there, wherever it is that they’re going, because you didn’t really say where they were going.” He caught Gibbs’ glare. “I’m only speculating here, Boss.”

Gibbs wasn’t sure what to make of his senior agent. It seemed like he was trying too hard to act ‘normal’. He couldn’t figure out if he was that genuinely concerned about the safety of his teammates or was he really upset that he couldn’t go, too, or maybe a combination of both? It was hard to disguise the fact that McGee and Ziva were going to a war zone. Tony was right on with his speculation. He shook his head picked up the phone. Like he had told DiNozzo, there was plenty of work for them to do.

Since she lived closer and just being the ever efficient person that she was, Ziva arrived back at the office first. “Anything new?” she asked once her bag was situated behind her desk.

“Final briefing will start at 1400. See what you can do to put that folder in order.” Gibbs pointed to a manila NCIS folder lying on her desk. “There are still a few hours, so you may as well get some work done while you’re here.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“I’m getting coffee. Want anything?” Ziva shook her head no. Gibbs’ offering to get her something to drink; the situation must be worse than she thought.

When Gibbs was out of earshot, she called Tony’s name. He looked up from the computer he was pretending to do work on. “I wonder, if Tim or I had a family or significant other as they say, would he have made us come back here right away? I guess it’s a good thing we’re unattached; no one else to worry about.”

“Yeah, Ziva, no one else to worry about and no one to worry about the both of you is a really good thing.”  Tony stood and walked away, leaving Ziva standing alone in the bullpen.

‘What’s gotten into him?’ she mumbled to herself since no one else was there to hear her.

Tony walked as far as the men’s room but didn’t go in. He returned to the bullpen and stopped in front of Ziva’s desk. “Look, Ziva, I’m sorry I snapped at you. I…it’s just that…I’m sorry, okay. You both will have a lot of some ones worrying about you.  Don’t you forget that while you’re gone. Just make sure McGee is safe while he’s doing his computer thing.”

“I will make sure of it, but he is a good agent and I am not sure he would appreciate knowing that you asked me to take care of him.”

“And that’s why you’re not going to tell him, right?”

“Yes, Tony, that is right.”

 “Ziva, I know he’s a good agent and I’d trust him with my life.”

“I know.”

The elevator doors opened and the subject of their conversation walked down the short hallway. “Ziva, you’re back already,” he said purposefully so he wouldn’t have to deal with Tony, even though that was what he wanted more than anything.

“I have only been back a short time. Did you get everything done you needed to?”

“There is one more thing on my list, but I’m not sure it’ll get done.”

“Oh, come on. Weren’t you a Boy Scout? I’m sure you can get everything you want before your plane leaves. In fact, I’m willing to bet on it.” Tim’s pulse quickened, knowing what Tony was really saying.

“You’re right, DiNozzo; I should go talk to Abby right now.”

“Abby?” Oh, yeah, that too, he thought. “She wants to see you. I had to tell her about your little trip. You need me to rescue you in ten or fifteen minutes?”

“Make that five.  I know how she gets and I’m not sure I can handle it right now.”

“I shall go with you. I want to say good-bye, too,” Ziva said as she fell in step beside Tim and they soon disappeared into the elevator.

“DiNozzo!” a raised voice exclaimed. Gibbs was suddenly behind him, sipping his coffee. “Petty Officer Klein, remember him? Shouldn’t you be interviewing him by now, instead of standing around doing nothing?”

“Yes, Boss, I mean I can’t, Boss.” Tony didn’t even bother to turn around.

Gibbs stood in front of the younger man, piercing blue eyes staring at him. Tony cleared his throat.

“He’s on a ship, at sea, for a training exercise and won’t be available for the next twenty four hours.” Tony quickly said then looked at his watch, “Make that sixteen hours.”

All he got in response was a continuing Gibbs glare.

“I’ve already made plans to meet him in Norfolk at 1000 tomorrow morning. His CO will have him available for me at that time.”

Gibbs broke eye contact and walked to his desk. “McGee back yet?”

“He and Ziva are down with Abby. I can go get them. It’s been almost ten minutes. I’m sure they’ve been hugged to death by now.”

Just then Gibbs’ desk phone rang. He answered it, said a few words then hung up. “Go get them. Vance wants both of them in MTAC now. The mission’s been moved up.”

  ***

Tony’s heart sank. “Moved up” means he may not get any private time with Tim. “Going now,” he said, already heading down the hall.

The elevator doors couldn’t close fast enough and he was glad he was alone. He leaned against the side wall and took a deep breath. They had only been together as a couple for six months. He didn’t want to think about being away from him right now, especially since Tim was the one leaving him and very likely going in harm’s way. “In Harm’s Way”, Tony thought offhandedly, letting his mind wander. 1965, directed by Otto Preminger, great cast including John Wayne and Kirk Douglas.

When the elevator stopped and the doors opened again, Tim and Ziva were standing right there.

“You’re late, Tony. She had me in one of her hugs for at least five minutes.”

“Three and a half, Tim,” Ziva said, smiling. “Do not forget she also had me in one of her hugs for at least that long, too.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Well, I couldn’t breathe.”

“Been there, done that, had the crushed ribs to prove it. You two are wanted in MTAC now. Everything’s been moved up.” He stared pointedly at McGee who nodded slightly, understanding what was meant.

Ziva, McGee and Gibbs were in MTAC for an hour. Tony sat at his desk trying to work on the case folder in front of him, but it was a losing battle. All he could think of is what was happening in the closed room and how soon his “Probie” would be leaving.

“Heard anything, Tony? Are they still up there?” The soft Scottish voice roused Tony from his thoughts.

“Ducky, no, nothing, but they’ve been in there for over an hour. Whatever’s going down, it must be something big.”

“No doubt. I just wanted to wish Tim and Ziva well. Mr. Palmer and I are heading out to a crime scene in your old area, Baltimore.” He couldn’t help but see how distracted the younger man was. “It’s hard seeing someone you care about heading off into possible danger, isn’t it, my lad?”

“What?” Tony said, startled by the question and wondering if Ducky had somehow guessed his secret.

“It reminds me of when I was a lad in Europe in the fifties, you know, the cold war and all that…”

At last, Tony could hear voices from the upstairs walk. Ignoring the doctor’s monologue, he picked up a sheet of paper he had just written on, placed it on McGee’s desk and headed for the men’s room.

“Oh, dear, maybe another time, Tony,” Ducky said to an empty desk. He saw Gibbs and his two team members coming down the stairs. “Ziva,” Ducky said. “Timothy. I just came to wish you well and a speedy and safe return. Mr. Palmer sends his well wishes, too. We’re off to a crime scene or he’d be here with me. Timothy, I do believe there’s a message for you on your desk. You’d better check it; it may be important.”

“Thanks, Ducky.” Tim held out his hand for Ducky to shake, and then hurried to his desk. A sheet of paper held the message “3014”, the engineering number over the men’s restroom door. He smiled and went to find his partner, crumpling the paper as he left.

Tony heard the door open and looked up. Tim closed the door behind him and locked it.

“This isn’t exactly where I wanted to be saying so long to you, you know.”

“Damn but you’re sexy in that desert camo uniform, McGee.” He couldn’t help the smile on his face.

“I bet you say that to all the men.”

“No, only you, now come here.”

Tim didn’t have to think very long before putting his arms around his lover.  Just as earlier in the elevator, he relished the familiarity of the strong arms.  

“So when do you leave?”

“The car is picking us up in nine minutes.” Tim looked into Tony’s green eyes. “I wish…”

“I know. Just remember that I love you, and I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back. Well, not here in the men’s room.”

“And I’ll be back just as soon as I possibly can.”

“You better be.”

Tim smiled. “Love you, my little Sugarplum.”

“You know, I’m not sure anyone dressed in desert camo is supposed to call another guy Sugarplum.”

“Tough, I already said it.”

“Yeah, you did.”

There was a knock at the door and a female voice called out. “McGee, are you in there. Our transportation is downstairs.”

“Be out in a minute, Ziva,” he said, not taking his eyes off of the other man.

“Go on,” Tony whispered. “I’m waiting here. I don’t want to have to see you leave and not be able to hold you once more.”

“I’m sure that would go over big.”

After a quick, final kiss, Tim unlocked the door and left without looking back. Tony took a deep breath and leaned against the cool tile wall thinking that no matter how soon they were together again, it was going to be too long.

  ****

Gibbs watched the van pull away from the brick building, surprised that he and Abby were the only two there to see them off. He knew Ducky and Palmer were at a crime scene, but he had no idea where Tony was. Could he be that upset that he would refuse to see his team mates off? He knew Tony well enough to know that wasn’t very likely.

Abby was also wondering where Tony was. “Why isn’t Tony here, Gibbs? Did you send him out somewhere?”

“No, Abs, I didn’t. I don’t know why he’s not here.” He put his arm around her shoulders. “Come on, I’m sure we’ve both got work to do.”

Returning to the building, Abby went directly to her lab. Gibbs was right as he usually was; she had work to do no matter what her mood was.

Tony was sitting at his desk, working on his computer when Gibbs got off the elevator. “You missed seeing McGee and Ziva off.”

“I had something to do.”

Tony never looked up from his computer screen and therefore missed the questioning look on his boss’ face.

Two hours into the work, Tony’s phone rang. Thankful for the interruption, he checked the caller ID, hoping it was Tim. He quickly answered, looking around to see who was within listening distance. Luckily, he didn’t see anyone but he kept his voice low just in case.

“Hi. I was hoping it was you.”

“I just wanted to tell you one more time that I love you.”

“Right back atcha. Be safe, okay.”

We’re about to take off so I have to go.”

“Say it one more time. Please.”

“Love you, Sugarplum,” Tim said quickly and hung up without waiting for a reply.

“Love you too, Probie,” Tony whispered into the silence.

 The rest of Tony’s day was spent shuffling papers and searching the internet for information related to PO Klein and the missing money. There were times when he thought they could really use McGee’s cyber knowledge. He sighed deeply knowing his lover had a very important job to do elsewhere. The two agents worked in almost virtual silence, which was a rarity when Tony was around.

“DiNozzo, it’s time to go home. That paperwork can wait til tomorrow.” The verbal intrusion was startling.

“Yeah, I guess it can, Boss.” He secured the file and shut down his computer.

“They’ll be fine, you know. Ziva and Tim can take care of themselves and they’ll look out for each other.” When there was no response, he added, “Care to share a pizza and some beer, my treat.”

“I have to be in Norfolk early. I’ll just grab a sandwich and call it a night. Thanks for the offer.”

“Tony, I don’t know what’s going on with you, but if you need to talk…”

“I know, Boss.”