A new story, yay! To readers of A Dance With The Devil I promise I am working on the sequel, it's just taking a little longer than I'd like. For some reason I just can't get it right. But no worries, it will be up by the end of this month!

Please review. :)

This story takes place right after 'The Penelope Papers.'

How To Save A Life

Tim McGee sat in a booth in the middle of an old bar, sipping a beer under the dim light. Tony DiNozzo sat across from him, an awkward silence filling the space between the two.

He wasn't sure how Tony talked him into coming to a bar, after seeing his grandmother he wanted nothing more than to be alone. But DiNozzo was persistent, and eventually Tim said yes. So here they were in a bar he had never heard of, drinking beer and staring blankly at the wall.

"So, Tim.. What are you doing this weekend?" Tonys attempt at small talk was amusing so Tim decided to play along.

"If I don't get called in? Sleep." he said simply. He was exhausted, no scratch that he was dead tired. He could see the dark circles under Tonys eyes and he wondered if he looked as bad.

"Sounds like a good idea." Tony took a sip from his soda, insisting he would be the designated driver for the night. Tim could only laugh.

"You know, there's supposed to be a really good club near my apartment, maybe we could check it out?" Tim sighed and rubbed his eyes. He appreciated Tonys attempt to make him feel better, and he didn't have the heart to tell him no. It had never been one of his strong suits.

"That's sounds cool." he said. Tony smiled widely, nodding his head.

"I'll call you tomorrow, let you know the details." Tony couldn't hide the excitement in his voice, knowing he had someone he could hang out with on the weekends.

He had always liked Tim, but there was no way he would ever admit it out loud. Jimmy was the closest thing he had to a real friend and being engaged, he rarely had time to go clubbing with Tony, or to bars or do anything really.

So when the case involving Tims grandmother had the young man in bitter mood, he decided it was time to take action. It took some persuading but he did it.

"Come on McCrankypants one drink will not kill you." Tony was sitting in his chair, feet propped on the desk. Tim typed something on his keyboard and sighed.

"You never know Tony, it might." Tony growled and wadded up a piece of paper, launching it at Tim. It bounced off his head and fell on the floor.

Tim simply kept typing, waiting about a minute before another ball hit him in the head. He sat up a little straighter and kept typing, until a third ball landed on his desk in front of him.

Pursing his lips he picked it up and unfolded it. Written Tonys messy scribble was "Come. Have. A. Drink. After. Work." Tim gawked at the paper, then at Tony.

"Really? What are we, in the seventh grade?" Tony shrugged and launched another ball at McGees head.

"Fine Tony you win. I'll have a drink." Tony smiled broadly and winked at Tim.

"Oh probie, you might wanna clean those up before Gibbs gets back." Tim groaned and let his head rest on his desk. He would never win.

It was 11:30 now and Tims attempt to stifle a yawn had failed.

"You know Tony this was nice, but I think I'm ready to head home." the younger man tossed some bills on the table, following Tony to the door and into his mustang.

The ride was uneventful, Tony bobbed his head to the radio and Tim stared absentmindedly out the window. Shooting a concerned glance in Tims direction, Tony made another attempt at small talk, but not without having a little fun on his part of course.

"So, what's up with you and Abby?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.

"What makes you think there's anything going on?" Tim asked, resting his head against the cool glass. Tony laughed and wagged a finger at him.

"Don't play dumb with me McRomeo, I see the way you two act when no ones around. Have you tapped that yet?"

"Tony!"

"Yeah you're right, Gibbs would probably kill you."

" No, Tony look out!" Tony didn't even see the deer in front of him before it was too late.

He cursed loudly and swerved, his car clipping the animal before spinning desperately out of control and down the revine. He felt the impact of the tree, the air bag slamming into his face. Glass shards flew past him, cutting his skin. He could feel the warmth of the blood and the sticky texture as it ran from his obviously broken nose.

He kept his eyes open long enough to check on McGee, slumped against the window and bleeding heavily from his head. That was the last thing Tony saw before the world around him slowly dissolved and he was swallowed into the darkness.