Timothy McGee sat hunched over his computer, the soft click of his keyboard filling the quiet space of the NCIS bullpen. The case was complex, but he was used to the long hours. What wasn’t usual, though, was the way his focus kept drifting toward the desk across from him—Aurora’s desk.

She was stoic, always serious, eyes locked on her work as if nothing else existed. Yet, there was something about her that made McGee want to engage, to draw her out of her shell. He’d noticed the way she furrowed her brow when a case stumped her or how she subtly chewed her lip when she was deep in thought. Her intensity was magnetic.

At first, their conversations had been strictly professional—exchanging brief details about the case or a quick "thanks" when she helped with something. But over the past few weeks, those interactions had become more frequent. A casual joke here, a shared look there. McGee found himself looking forward to their moments, even if they were brief.

It was the beginning of something—something he couldn’t quite name yet—but he was falling for her, hard.