AN: Spoiler warning for real life stuff regarding the contract situation of certain cast members - I am really sorry for putting that in the previous summary and apologize to anyone who didn't know.
This is just a short bit of silliness that I needed to get out of my system. I'm still so new to NCIS but love the show so much, the fandom, the fanfiction, all of it. I really hope the contract situation gets resolved soon and will be so disappointed if it is not.
For those who are reading it, the next chapter of Dinner Interrupted should be up sometime this weekend.
As always, thanks for reading :)
Special Agent Jethro Gibbs leaned against his desk as his eyes moved over the lineup of the brand new NCIS employees…two new members of his field team, the new lab tech and new medical examiner. They had been thrown at him without any advance notice. Salary issues had forced his old team to leave and he missed them already.
"So...why don't you all introduce yourselves," Gibbs said unenthusiastically, his usually vibrant blue eyes looking somewhat dull and lifeless.
"I am Miguel Ramirez, Agent Extraordinaire and your new Senior Field Agent," a dark haired man replied cockily with a gleaming smile. He was very handsome, but in kind of a slimy way. "I am so pleased to meet you, Sir. I am certain we will become very good friends."
Gibbs already couldn't stand the guy. "I wouldn't be too sure of that." Without warning, he smacked Ramirez on the back of the head, eager to see the man's reaction, which was instant tear-filled eyes. Gibbs was appalled. This was even worse than he had anticipated.
"Wh...why did you do that, sir?" Ramirez stammered, looking fearfully at the team leader.
"Never call me, sir," Gibbs growled. "It's Gibbs. And I don't need a reason to slap you so you'd better get used to it." He didn't want these newbies calling him boss, it would bring back painful memories. He shook his head sadly. Hell would have frozen over before DiNozzo shed tears over one of his head smacks. He turned towards the other new man, a supposed computer expert. "And you are?"
"D...d...Donald McPherson," the young man stammered his eyes wide, obviously scared out of his wits.
Gibbs was about to say something, but was so taken aback by the young agent's pronounced trembling that he completely lost his train of thought. McGee might have been a little nervous around him sometimes, but nothing like this. This was just pathetic.
"My name is Gabby," a very young woman with bleached blonde hair tied in pony tails announced. She was noisily chewing gum and Gibbs couldn't help thinking that she looked like she belonged back in high school, maybe on the cheerleading squad. His opinion was further reinforced when she blew a huge pink bubble which finally popped. "Nice to meetcha, Gibbs." She offered him her hand which had the longest fingernails Gibbs had ever seen and smiled widely, displaying a mouthful of gum covered teeth.
"Nice to meet you too," Gibbs managed to say before abruptly turning away from her as he wondered who in god's name had made these hiring decisions. He sure wouldn't be bringing this Gabby girl any Caf Pows.
"Hello there," an older gentleman spoke as he lightly tapped on Gibbs' shoulder. "I am Dr. Henry R. Sparrow, but most people just call me Birdy. I am the new medical examiner. I'm eager to begin working with you, Jethro. I've heard wonderful things about you." Birdy? Gibbs almost spit out the coffee he was drinking. This was obviously some kind of colossal joke. It had to be. This was just some Ducky wannabe. There was no way his people could have been replaced with these characters. Maybe this was only a horrible nightmare. He pinched himself and was disappointed to find himself very much awake.
Just then, Ziva entered the bullpen area and gave a curious look at the people assembled before Gibbs. These are the new hires?" she asked, looking very unimpressed.
"Hubba hubba, doll face," Ramirez said with a broad grin at Ziva. "You are the ray of sunshine that has been missing from my life."
Ziva looked at Gibbs, an incredulous look on her face. "This...this fool is Tony's replacement?"
"Hey baby, don't knock it until you've tried it." Ramirez was not the least bit discouraged. "Once you've taken a ride on the Ramirez Rocket, you'll never be satisfied with another man."
"Oh my God." Ziva couldn't stand listening to him for one more second. In a flash, she had Miguel flattened on the floor and she gave a self satisfied smile. This one definitely wouldn't be around for long. She would see to that. Tony and the others would be back very soon if she had anything to say about it.
"Ziva…" Gibbs started, but didn't bother to finish. Ramirez was getting up off the floor and looked more embarrassed than hurt. Gibbs didn't feel it was necessary to make an issue of it unless Ramirez decided he wanted to. He brightened slightly as he looked at a clock and saw the time. "It's almost time for your orientation," he announced to the group, eager for them to just leave. "I'll see you all later."
He and Ziva watched as they walked away in single file. "I had no idea it could be so bad," Ziva stated. "What are we going to do?"
Gibbs shook his head. "I don't know, Ziva, but I need to do something. I can't just let this go on. There's no way it will work like this."
He was going to have to talk to the people in charge. Tony, Abby, Ducky and Tim all deserved to be treated better than this. They had been loyal to NCIS for seven years. They couldn't just be replaced at the drop of a hat. They were more than just co-workers. They were a family. There had to be something he could do. He needed to find a way for them to stay.
AN2: I see now that David McCallum has signed a contract to remain on the show but left Ducky in the story anyhow – hopefully the rest of the cast members will follow along behind him. Keep your fingers crossed :)