Tethered

Chapter One

Tony found himself gazing at his partner, the younger man had really grown up quick. How did he go from a squishy, lovable probie, to... well whoever he was now. Tony wasn't really sure he knew who McGee was. They didn't talk much about his life. But what he did know is that McSingle hadn't had a date in a long time, Tony was sure of that. McSmug always had a slight smirk on his face the next day if he did.

Tony's eyes traced McGee's face, sharp jawline, alert and calculating eyes, and his bottom lip still protruded slightly just as it did when he was younger and pudgier. His slim fingers effortlessly danced over the backlit keyboard, and he never seemed to reach for the backspace.

A ding on his own computer pulled Tony from his thoughts, and he clicked the program he was running open. McGee stopped typing and looked over, "Got anything?" Tony nodded, and the younger man stood, placing a hand on the back of Tony's chair, and leaning over him to see the screen.

"Looks like our guy went to medical school, like Ducky said" Tony quipped. The case they were currently working on was, well, very interesting. The first body was a First Lieutenant Ryewood, tied to a pole on a dock in Quantico, and received multiple stab wounds. Ducky was working on him now, to confirm suspicions. McGee nodded. "Doesn't tell us much though, unless we knew which school."
Tony swallowed, McGee was close enough for him to smell his cologne. McGee usually wore it very lightly. It smelled like teakwood, and Tony felt his face heat up.

"Yes. Okay, thank you" The two men looked across to Ziva, who hung up the phone.

"Got a hit on the bolo" She spoke with a sigh. "The man on the line was very difficult."

"We should check it out" Tony replied.
Ziva nodded.

"You two go, I'll tell the boss where you went" McGee said.

"Thanks, Probie" Tony called him probie to get a rise out of him, and it worked, McGee rolled his eyes. Ziva and Tony grabbed their bags and headed for the elevator. Once inside Tony stole a quick glance at McGee, before the doors shut. Ziva gave Tony a quizzical look before questioning him. "You've been awfully quiet today,"

Tony flashed her a grin. "Can't a man submit to the silence?" He threw on an old timey western accent. "A real man only speaks when spoken to." Ziva chuckled and shook her head. "Your becoming Gibbs"

Tony ruffled his hair. "You think I'm going gray?? But seriously, where is the boss anyway?" Ziva shrugged. "I believe he is at a meeting.

"Ooh, yikes. He's not coming back a happy camper"

"I think I saw him in a suit"
Tony grimaced, mentally preparing for a lot of headslaps that evening.