NOTES: Hi, sorry it took me so long to come back, but after Michael left NCIS I kind of lost interest. However, I recently went through my files and found this story, nearly complete so I decided to complete it. It is set in Season 12. I hope you enjoy and please drop me a comment.

Chapter 1:

The elevator dinged and when the doors slid open Tim McGee walked into the all too familiar squad room of NCIS. Usually these tangerine coloured walls made him feel secure and happy, but not today. Today these walls were oppressive, the smell was stale and damp and the rainy day only added to the feeling of dread that permeated his body. Something in Tim's world had been changed, something that caused his work to no longer be a place of joy, but rather a place of anxiety and fear.

He walked past Tony and Bishop and heard part of their conversation that appeared to be about something mundane as usual. He walked straight past them without acknowledging their conversation and placed his bag behind his desk and looked around.

"Morning McIgnorant," Tony said from his desk and judging by the pencil to the back of the head that came with that greeting, it wasn't the first time they had said it.

"Hum… what … oh yeah, morning," he replied distractedly. "Where's Gibbs? I need to talk to him."

"Gonna have to wait McGee, we have a dead Admiral to investigate," Gibbs said as breezed past McGee to grab his gun and badge.

"It's important Gibbs," McGee said and received a stern look from Gibbs.

"I don't know if you heard me McGee but I said we have a dead Admiral so unless your problem involves a life and death situation it is going to have to wait. So does it?" Gibbs asked getting up close and personal to McGee.

"Does it what?" Tim asked pulling his head back to try and gain some room between their noses.

"Life or death McGee?" Gibbs said in a deliberately quiet voice.

Tim thought for a moment, "Ah, no, I guess not boss." Gibbs spun on his heals and headed out the door with Tony and Bishop close behind, shooting looks of amusement Tim's way. Tim grabbed his gear and followed them out the door. It was going to have to wait.

The team spent the remainder of that day working the crime scene and investigating the death of one of the highest-ranking officials of the US Navy. It was obvious from the start that the death was accidental, a drunken mishap, but because of who the victim was, every I had to be dotted and every T crossed.

Everyone on the team couldn't help but notice how agitated and jumpy Tim appeared to be. Tony even had to reprimand him when he called Tim over to look at something and Tim responded with a suspicious, "Why?"

"Because I am the Senior Field Agent and I told you to that is why!" When Tim came over to Tony he was shooting him sidewards glances that quite frankly was making Tony uncomfortable. Tim looked like he expected Tony's head to spin around Poltergeist style. He pulled him aside and quietly but firmly told him, "Tim, I don't know what is going on with you today, but pull your head out of your arse and do your job. We can't afford to get anything wrong on this case. If you can't do it to the best of your ability, then excuse yourself."

"You're right Tony, I'm sorry, I'll be fine."

Tony clapped him on the shoulder, "Good boy Tim. Oh and you're welcome by the way."

Again, Tim gave Tony a look that sent shivers down his spine, "Welcome for what?"

"That I was the one who spoke to you before Gibbs did. He's been giving you a weird look since we started. Kind of like the ones you have been giving me by the way, what's up with that anyway?"

McGee looked down at his notepad, "I don't know what you are talking about Tony, I haven't been giving you any looks."

"Yeah right! Do you think I'm…"

"DINOZZO! Stop the jibber jabber and get your arse over here before I come and kick it for you!" Gibbs bellowed from across the way.

Tony shot Tim a withering glance, "On it Boss!" Tony backed away but before he turned he pointed his two fingers at his eyes then turned the hand and pointed them at Tim's using the international hand signal for 'I'm watching you.'

Tim took a calming breath and continued on with the work. The sooner he spoke to Gibbs the better.

It was late by the time the team was finished for the day. Gibbs told them all to go home and get some sleep. Tony and Bishop didn't think twice before grabbing their gear and heading back to their homes.

Tim took the opportunity to step over to Gibbs desk. "Can I talk to you now Boss?"

"It's late McGee, can it wait until tomorrow?" Gibbs asked.

"No, I don't think it can."

"Ok, spill it then."

"Not here, can we go somewhere private?"

Gibbs looked around, there were only a couple of people left on the floor, he raised an eyebrow and looked back at Tim.

"I don't want anyone else to hear what I have to say," Tim insisted.

Gibbs sighed and stood up, "Fine, lets go into the interview room."

When they entered the room, Tim checked no one was near the door before he shut it and checked that the camera in the corner wasn't recording. "What the hell is going on McGee! What's with the cloak and dagger."

Tim took a deep breath and handed Gibbs an envelope.

"What's this?" Gibbs said opening it up and looking at a photo of a family of four.

"That is a photo of Tony DiNozzo and his family."

Gibbs looked down at the dark haired, olive skinned family, "What are you talking about. This doesn't look anything like Tony or his father."

"That's the point Gibbs." Tim pointed at the photo and at the little boy of about six years of age. "This is Anthony DiNozzo Junior," he then pointed toward the wall behind which the squad room was, "and I have no idea who that man out there is."