Plus One
Director of NCIS, Tom Morrow, sat at his desk across from the team leader of his Major Case Response Team, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. The men had become comfortable with one another over the last six years that they both held their current positions. It was a camaraderie based on mutual respect for the work the other did. It was part of the reason Tom invited Gibbs to sit in on the interviews he was currently conducting.
The agency had grown considerably during both their tenures and divisions were being restructured, it seemed on a weekly basis. This was why MCR was getting its own forensic scientist. They would primarily report to team leaders in the unit, but help with overflow in the lab when necessary. The final three applicants had survived the in depth screening process and were finally to the stage of meeting with the Director and team leader.
"Jethro, how in the hell do you drink that swill without climbing the walls."
"The real question is how do you think I'd survive these little meet and greets without it. Why am I here again?"
"Because as good as you are you aren't the easiest person to work for Gibbs. I'm saving myself a lot of time and paperwork by letting you in on the process from the beginning. I don't want this kid to get three weeks in only to find out it's not working."
"Tom if this is about the Moreno case..."
Morrow chuckled, "no this has nothing to do with Moreno, so much as it has to do with Nicki Multz coming to me in tears asking to never have to work with you again."
"It was like the girl had no understanding of the words triple homicide. She's lucky all I did was yell."
Just then Morrow's secretary announced that their final candidate was there. "Miss Sciuto is here sir."
"Thank you Cynthia. Send her in please." Both gentlemen got to their feet as the door opened up and a very tall dark haired young woman walked in. Stumbled would have been a more accurate word for her entrance, but neither man was going to point that out. Tom came around quickly to shake her hand and steady her before she toppled over.
"Miss Sciuto it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Director Morrow and this is Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. He heads up our new Major Case Response team and you will primarily be answering to him."
The heavy southern accent was only slightly diminished by the rasp in her voice and the dripping courtesy.
"It's a pleasure to meet you both sir."
"You don't have to sir me and why don't you come over here and sit down before you fall down."
The girl was shocked, but had to smile at the truth of the matter. The reality was she had barely made it to the office without breaking both her ankles. As it was she'd worn her own platform sandals all the way to the elevator. Taking the hand of the silver haired man she tipped over to quickly sit in one of the more comfortable conference room chairs.
"Thank you sir." He cut her a look that should have made her shake where she stood, but all it did was make her immediately correct herself. "Special Agent Gibbs."
"Just Gibbs." He wasted no time with niceties. Since it wasn't really his way he didn't want to give the girl any false impressions on what it would be like on his team. "Well, I'm guessing you're more than capable of the work if you've made it this far. Tell me about you."
"Um, well, I... I graduated from..."
"I think what Agent Gibbs is looking for are the things your resume doesn't tell us."
"You mean personal stuff."
"Tell me about your family and where you're from."
"Well, my mama is deaf, so we're all fluent in ASL, American Sign Language. I graduated from Louisiana State University cause I wanted to stay close to home, not cause I couldn't get in anywhere else. I know people probably say that all the time, but it's the truth. My little brother needed me close by especially after daddy's death. Most of my other family members are in the South, well south of the Mason Dixon that is not necessarily Louisiana. My grandma is of course. That's my mama's mama. My father's family is from back East, which my grandma loves to whisper like it's some sort of crime. She can be a little old fashioned that way."
As she came up for air and noticed the look on both of their faces Abby started blushing. "I'm sorry I tend to ramble when I'm nervous, or excited, and just...right, I'm doing it again."
Tom spoke up first. He couldn't read Jethro's face exactly, but he seemed amused by the little spit fire. "No harm Miss Sciuto. Do you have any questions for us?"
"Oh, yeah, tons... I think I might just wait though. I'm thinking they'll be on the job sort of answers."
"Well, your experience is impressive. Interning with the state police and the local FBI office at the capital. How did you manage that?"
"I had a really great mentor-advisor in my department. I helped with some of the research he was doing and we got published. I've been reviewing for the university journal ever since. When Dr. Jameson was called in to consult on a few cases I assisted with the lab work. That's how I first got my clearance. As the internships opened up I was the best prepared to accept the opportunity."
Gibbs was still listening and closely observing the young woman's body language. She was definitely young, but what she lacked in interview skills she more than made up for in training. She'd had the best and seemed open to learning. He hadn't told Tom yet, but he was eager to pull together his ideal trainable new team and this girl would fit right in. Smarts without ego and experience without jade, Miss Abigail Sciuto would complement Stan and Ducky. He wasn't quite sure about her response to Vivian, but then again Gibbs didn't think she would be with them much longer the way she racked up reprimands. Vivian didn't take to following orders which left him no choice, but formal reprimands. He'd never even consider alternatives with her. She wasn't enough of a team player. This one though...this one had potential.
Standing up Gibbs stretched out his hand. "Do what you need to do you two, but she's got my vote. I'll expect you in the bullpen at 0700."
"Wait, wait... Agent Gibbs, I mean Gibbs. I do have a question. Well, I guess it's for you, but maybe it's for you Director. Well, once I'm working here what exactly is the dress code?"
"Kid as long as you do the work and do it well you can wear pajamas and bunny slippers for all I care."
Abby wasn't sure if he was serious or not, so she looked to the older of the two again.
"Standard lab coats and gloves are your only required attire Miss Sciuto. The lab will essentially become your domain once your training is complete. We'll work out the details with how your time is divided when you aren't working an active case. For now you'll shadow Nicki until she transfers to the white collar division. Most importantly you'll work at learning how MCR and Gibbs does things."
"So, I got the job?"
Gibbs gave her another patent look. This one with a little more twinkle behind it then he slipped out the door.
"I got the job, I got the job!" The last thing Gibbs heard was a thunderous whoop. Oh, she was going to work out just fine. Tomorrow he'd introduce her to the rest of the team. For once he thought this might be a change that wouldn't ruin his week.