Tim McGee stepped out of the chopper, keeping his head low, holding his carry-on satchel, while a Naval Petty Officer had run to the helicopter and grabbed his case. Moving away from the chopper, Tim made his way to Deputy Director Leon Vance. Tim had known Vance for almost three years. When he began at the CTOC, the two had butted heads over Personnel usage, with McGee using NCIS assets out of California, without going through Vance. Once Vance realised Tim wasn't being difficult, just avoiding red tape, he began to like the agent.

Vance watched as the younger man came towards him, head kept low to avoid the dying wind caused by the helicopters blades. Here was the man Vance thought of as the future of the agency. He was more than willing to coordinate with the other agencies, as well as foreign outfits. He had good relations with the upper echelons of power, and hated politics. Vance knew that one day this man would be the Director of NCIS.

"Agent McGee, welcome to California."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Lets jump in, we'll take you to your place." Vance gestured to a sedan, most likely his own agent driven car. Getting in the car, Tim saw the window go, leaving the two men in seclusion. "You've got concerns about the job, haven't you?"

"The job, no, Sir," Tim answered honestly. "One particular agent assigned to the team, yes, I do."

"Jen told me about the problems on Sunday when she was reviewing the office personnel. Agent McGee,..."

"Sir, Tim or McGee is fine," Tim was so used to working with a team where everyone was on a first name basis, hearing the word "Agent" was strange.

"OK, Tim, Jen had completely forgotten about his assignment there when we put you here. Trust me, you can handle this. You're here for three months, doesn't mean you are a seat warmer. Your record is exemplary, I want to see the same results coming out of SpecOps. If you butt heads, or have to bang them together, then do so. There will be some people who don't like it. Send them my way. Understood?"

"Yes, Sir. I have some ideas for changes, as well as a takedown. Before that, when is SAC Powells funeral?"

"At the moment, we don't know. More than likely Wednesday or Thursday. The body has not yet been released to the family. The ME has confirmed it was a heart attack. Unfortunately, it was natural. One of those things where the heart misses or adds an extra constriction, and everything is thrown out of rhythm. If he had been closer to medical attention, its a possibility, a slim one, that he might have survived." Vance had decided to get a full physical. Louis Powell was two years older than him, and this had made him face his mortality. "When you've settled in over the next couple of weeks, let me know. My wife has invited you over for dinner."

"Thank you, Sir, but that won't be necessary." Tim did not want to intrude on the directors home life.

"Yes, it is, Tim. You've been dragged more than two thousand miles in the last twenty four hours for an assignment you don't want and didn't ask for. The least I can do is make sure you get at least one home cooked meal in you." Vance looked out of the window, seeing the base residences coming closer. He passed Tim a large envelope. "Here's your base pass, office pass, and keys. The sedan parked out front is yours for your time here. At Jens request, you are on the top floor. Not penthouse, but one of the better apartments on base. I'll see you at 0845, I'll introduce you to Livingstone first, then the team."

"Thank you Sir. For meeting me. I appreciate it." Tim thought if he had been met by some random Naval officer, he would have told the chopper pilot to take him back. At least he felt like Vance wanted him here.

"No worries, son, see you in the morning."

Tim stepped out the car, the driver getting out and getting the case out of the trunk, along with his carry on. Tim accepted them gratefully and made his way the apartment block. Tim knew this block would have in it senior officers, all single, hopefully all quiet. Opening the door, Tim saw the elevator and thanked the heavens he didn't have to walk up four flights of stairs. Two minutes later, Tim was looking around his new place. Kitchen/diner, living area, large bedroom, bathroom.

Not my usual standard, Tim thought. He knew he had spoiled himself with his apartment in Jacksonville. Balconies, walk in closet, en suite bathroom, it was like being in a hotel all the time. At least it has more room than the Silver Springs place.

Tim got his phone out and texted Ric, letting him know he had arrived. He called Cassie, wondering how bad she was.

"Tim."

"Cassie." Those two words said it all. Tim felt the pain and longing in her voice, the sadness of not being next to each other. They should be figuring out how their relationship was going to work being in the same city, now they weren't even on the same coast. "You get home ok?"

"Yeah, Ric dropped me off before taking your car to the base. Hows the new place?" Tim guessed she was going for small talk rather than anything serious.

"I won't be having drinks on the balcony any time soon, but it'll do for three months. I won't be having any sleepovers, either. Military issue two seater sofa and one bedroom. So much for entertaining while I'm here." Tim kept the tone light, knowing he would miss the social part of Jacksonville. He would have to find someway to unwind while he was here.

"I miss you already. Its so weird knowing you're not ten minutes away. Even when you have been up in Washington, I always knew when you would be back. This is horrible."

"Cassie, please don't cry. We will get through this, ok? We'll skype, and text, and call each other every day and night. I'll be home in no time." Tim knew these three months would feel like three years.

"I know, but I want you here. I'm not going to start crying again. And I don't want to start sounding all needy, but I just want you to hold me again, and never let go. God, i hate our jobs sometimes." Cassie was very tired, both physically and emotionally. She had cried for most of Sunday, and didn't get much sleep the night before. Tim knew what to do for her.

"Cassie, we are both exhausted after the weekend. Lets go to bed, and speak again tomorrow night. I don't know about you, but I need a shower after three flight and a helicopter ride. God knows what Vance thought when I was in his car." Tims attempt at humour work, he heard Cassie have a little giggle.

"You're right, as usual. Call me when you finish. Dont forget, I'm three hours ahead." Tim had forgotten. For him, it was 9.30pm, for Cassie, it was gone midnight.

"Oh God, Cass! I had forgotten! I'm so sorry, oh god!"

"Tim, its ok. I wasn't sleeping. I couldn't until I heard your voice. Just remember, if you do finish late and call me, I'm not ignoring you, I'm sleeping." Tim and Cassie both knew how much sleep was important in their jobs, and apart from their bosses, their phones diverted all other calls after a certain time.

"Ok, I'm gonna let you sleep now. I love you."

"I love you, too, I'll speak to you tomorrow. Goodnight, Tim."

"Night, Cass." With that, Tim ended the call. For the first time in three years, he was alone. Tomorrow was the start of the next three months. Three months in California. Three months with no longer Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo.