emerald_green37 | The Witch 2/? (Reply)

McGee sighed and tried to ignore the sales clerk. Even since he and Tiana had walked into the furniture store, she'd been flirting with him. A voice inside his head that sounded suspiciously like DiNozzo kept reminding him that some women actually hunted for single fathers, but he had no interest in the woman despite her double-d chest and blonde hair.

Ignoring her once again, Tim bent down to Tia. "What do you think, Sweetheart?"

One sectional was modern and sleek, low to the ground with chrome legs and black leather. The other was slightly bulkier with plush, taupe colored cushions and pillows over a black base. He had his favorite, but wanted her to be part of the process. Tia immediately pointed to the two-toned set. "Papa will like that one."

It was the one Tim had already decided on, so he didn't correct Tia's assumption that they were choosing it strictly based on what Gibbs would want. The mention of 'Papa' also stopped the saleswoman in her tracks, which was a plus.

"All right, we'll take it." He pointed to the sign promoting their free, same day delivery. "And I want it delivered today."

Tia nodded very seriously. "It's a surprise for Papa."

The clerk gave a strained smile. "I'm sure he'll be very happy with it."

---NCIS---

Diane ignored the stack of messages and files on her desk as she logged into her computer. She knew it was too early for McGee's change of address to show up in any of the IRS records, so she went straight to the Federal Employee Database.

---NCIS---

"Well?"

The Yeoman shook his head. "I'm sorry, Sir. NCIS files are very secure. I wasn't able to determine any details about your son's leave status."

Admiral McGee glared at the young man that had been assigned to him for almost a year. "You're telling me that you have nothing?"

"All I was able to find was a change in his life insurance."

That made the Admiral sit up. "His life insurance? What did he change?"

"He doubled it."

"Who is the beneficiary?"

"I was not able to determine that, Sir."

"Keep at it, find me some answers. Dismissed." When he was alone, the Admiral picked up the phone, then slowly set it back down. "Damn it, Timothy, what is going on?"

---NCIS---

The charity truck had just left with his old sofa when the truck from the furniture store backed into the driveway. It took the driver and his helper several trips to bring in all the pieces of the large, curved sectional sofa. One end had a chaise that opened up for storage, but father and daughter found the curve to be their favorite stop. Extra deep with an assortment of pillows.

Once dinner was simmering away in the crock pot Tim snagged the remote and they snuggled in for an afternoon of cartoons. After the stress of dealing with the will, Gladys and Tia's reaction to her mother's car, Tim decided they deserved a lazy day. Even Jethro got into the act. He wasn't allowed up on the furniture, but he laid down right up against the side, his head resting on Tim's foot.

---NCIS---

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made Tim look up and he groaned as he recognized the woman behind the wheel. Tia turned at the sound.

"Daddy?"

"Shh, Baby. We're going to be real quiet and maybe she'll go away." Tim pulled Tia closer against him and ignored the knock at the side door. It was easy, since that door led into the laundry room. She knocked twice before moving away. Unfortunately, she walked around to the front door and started knocking even harder.

"Chucky, I know you're in there."

"Damn it." Tim muttered under his breath as he scooted out from under Tiana and stood. When he opened the door, Diane plowed into him. Being a gentleman, he stepped back, but he didn't hide his annoyance. "Diane, what do you want?"

"Is that any way to talk to a lady?"

"The case is long over, go home."

She smiled at him and walked further into the living room, heading for the sofa. Tim caught her arm and steered her towards the kitchen. "I just bought that sofa, you've not sitting on it."

He plunked her down on one of the stools at the island and circled around to stand on the other side, leaning heavily on the edge. "Why are you here, Mrs. Sterling?"

"Can't I come see a friend?"

"Friend? Since when have we been friends? You've gone out of your way to harass and belittle me since the first time you laid eyes on me."

"Now, that's not entirely true."

Tim snorted as he crossed his arms over his chest.

---NCIS---

Tiana was sitting on the sofa, her attention divided between the dancing fish on the television and the strange woman arguing in the kitchen. Her daddy's phone started to buzz and she recognized the picture that came up on the screen. She picked it up and pushed the button just like she'd seen her father do, then she started whispering.

"Papa, there's a witch in the kitchen and she's yelling at Daddy."

---NCIS---

Gibbs debated calling McGee and giving him a heads up about Diane looking for him and the request from Cybercrimes was the perfect excuse. His eyes widened at who answered the phone.

~Papa, there's a witch in the kitchen and she's yelling at Daddy.~

"A witch?" Gibbs was already on his feet, grabbing his keys and his weapon. "Does the witch have red hair?"

~Yep.~

"I'm on my way."