AN: Beginning of a new epic. Not entirely sure where this is headed; but do I ever? Enjoy.

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Blind Faith: Absolute and unquestioning confidence in a person or thing…

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"He wouldn't, would he?" McGee finally broke the silence of the bull pen and didn't seem to regret it. He needed to say something.

Tony snapped his head towards him. "You didn't just ask that…"

Tim met his stare, but only for a few seconds before letting his gaze fall back on his desk. Ziva chimed in moments later. "Do not berate him Tony, it is a legitimate question."

"A legitimate question Ziva…is whether it's hot or cold outside. A legitimate question is whether Sean Connery is the best Bond ever. A legitimate question is not whether the boss would kill a man in cold blood."

She listened to the tone in his voice and stood up in response. "You are angry Tony."

"Very perceptive, you must be a detective or something. No, wait. You're not a detective, you're an assassin. And to an assassin it might look like no big deal. But the boss isn't a trained killer with no feelings…"

"Are you implying that I have no feelings?"

"If the shoe fits!" Tony shot back then watched Ziva simply huff in response.

Tim couldn't help but listen to the exchange but couldn't muster the energy to break it up. He was as lethargic as he could ever remember.

Ziva took in a few breaths before responding back. "When someone we care about is killed; there is no telling what we are capable of."

"The boss wouldn't do this. We didn't even know beyond a reasonable doubt that this was the guy."

She stifled a laugh that was laced with sarcasm. "He did not just lose a fellow Agent; this is not like Kate. She was not one of us Tony; she did not welcome the risks as we do."

Tony slammed his fist onto his desk in an attempt to vent his frustration. The glares he suddenly started to receive didn't bother him a bit. "Don't you dare mention Kate; it's because of cold blood assassins like your brother that you're even sitting at that desk."

The tension continued to rise; and the usual peacemaker could only stare at a speck of dust on his desk. Tony took in a few breaths while their stare down continued.

"Who is the closest to you Tony? Your Father? You college frat buddies? McGee? Gibbs?"

He shook his head. "If you're trying to say that I'd murder someone in cold blood just for revenge, then you're wrong."

"If I recall, you told me plainly that you wanted Ari dead yes?"

Tony swallowed hard; not expecting to talk himself into a corner. "He was different; we knew he was the bastard who did it."

"You do not think Gibbs would kill until he found the right man?"

He shook his head. "No, I don't."

"Neither do I." Ducky entered with a solemn look covering his face. "However, we must consider the possibility…"

Tim finally looked up. "How can you say that?"

"Before he left me earlier; he had a look in his eye. One that I've never witnessed before. I'd venture to say that Jethro…has changed. He may no longer be the man you've grown to admire."

Tony's face was a deep red as his adrenaline rush was starting to calm down. "We need to find him…"

"He does not want to be found Anthony."

Ziva threw her arms out. "His career is over if we cannot clear his name."

"Oh, now you don't think he did it?" Tony shot towards her then watched as Ducky stepped between each of them.

"The two of you are acting like children, and it will stop. Now. It has been a trying week for all of us. The last thing we need is our emotions getting the best of us and turning one against the other. We must focus."

"On what Ducky?" Tony questioned. "Even if we find the boss, who's to say he'll come along willingly? And I don't know about you but I'm not too keen on putting Gibbs in cuffs."

"Abby did." Tim spoke up gently; guarding his emotions with a quiet laugh. It was then his shoulders began to shake and tears formed in his eyes. Tony was the first to offer comfort.

"It's alright Probie…"

Tim shrugged off the hand on his shoulder and stood up. "Alright? No Tony, it's isn't alright. She's dead…and the boss would even kill me if I did it. He wouldn't think twice. I don't want to believe he would; but I'd be kidding myself and so are you. He killed Ari for Kate; he'll kill anyone who gets in the way of finding Abby's killer…innocent or not." He swallowed back the tears and stood up tall. "So maybe it's time to stop our blind faith and start facing reality…"

"That the boss is a killer?" Tony posed the question gently and stared in silence at his teammates.

Tim swallowed hard. "That he's no longer our boss…"