What If
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I don't own anything that appears in this, but that will all change when my army of chipmunks manages to conquer the world with their plastic sporks!
A/N: Each chapter is its own one shot and they serve to answer the 'What if…' questions. Hopefully you'll enjoy these as much as I enjoyed coming up with them. The artwork is from stuff previously displayed in Abby's lab, well all of it except for the last one.
The Team was followed around by a video crew for a day?
"Director Vance why on Earth did you agree to do this? My team cannot do their jobs if their busy showing off for the camera." A scowl firmly set on his face Gibbs tried to ignore the camera crew that was stationed behind him busy filming.
"Agent Gibbs as you know recruitment has been steadily decreasing over the years. Every government agency is finding it harder and harder to recruit college students. I'm hoping that by showing people what working for NCIS is like that more people will want to join our family. "A twinkle was evident in Director Vance's eyes as he enjoyed the unease Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs was feeling. The Director knew how Gibbs preferred to be under no one's power besides his self, and by using the video crew the Director felt he could keep Gibbs under control.
Biting his tongue to prevent the oath from passing his lips Gibbs simply nodded before leaving the office. Gibbs made sure that on his way out he slammed the door extra hard slightly smiling when he heard the sound of broken glass and cursing. Happy that he had destroyed at least one of those infernal cameras Gibbs walked off smiling for a short time before reaching the stairs. Heading down the stairs Gibbs could only grumble and glare at the spectacle his office had become.
Little had changed in the ten minutes Gibbs had been gone. Agent Anthony DiNozzo was still showing off. Though whether it was for the camera itself, the woman operating the camera, or the young women who might be watching could not be discerned. Agent Timothy McGee was no longer at his desk. Likely he had gone to seek refuge in Autopsy since the cameramen were not very interested in watching Ducky dissect bodies while giving his usual long winded explanations. Agent Ziva David was the only one working hard at the moment. Like Gibbs she had little interest in being on camera but she had gone to the trouble of cleaning herself up and applying fresh makeup in order to look better for the camera.
As he neared the bottom of the steps Gibbs decided that there was one way he could ensure his displeasure was known. "…well I personally have solved many of the crimes we have investigated, but truly I couldn't have done it without the help of the others. Though I would be willing to tell you more say over dinner tonight?"
Without missing a step Gibbs brought a hand up and smacked Tony in the back of the head. "Fraternize on your own time DiNozzo unless you want to try and rejoin the police force." Delivered in a growl followed the head slap as Gibbs walked over to his desk grabbing the Caf-Pow sitting on top of it before heading to the elevator.
"Is he always like this?" was heard whispered from the camera woman directed at DiNozzo.
"Actually no, you managed to catch him on a good day since we don't have a case." Ziva's short reply was delivered with an undertone of jealousy as she openly played with the knife she always kept in her desk drawer.
Gibbs had to smile at Ziva's reply and knew the Special Agent would ensure Tony refocused on his work. Getting onto the elevator Gibbs hit the button for Abby's lab. During the short ride down he allowed himself to wonder and worry about how Abby was handling being on camera for a day. It was well known to her and the rest of the team that he cared deeply for her. This was mainly due to Gibbs seeing Abby as a surrogate daughter. If things had turned out differently he would have wanted the two to know each other and hopefully become friends. Finally the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened.
Music could be heard issuing from Abby's lab as per usual, though it strangely sounded louder then it normally would have. It wasn't until a shot rang out that Gibbs started to worry, and if the cameraperson station in Abby's lab wasn't visible Gibbs would have gone running in there. Upon entering the lab Gibbs' was taken aback for a moment by the appearance of the lab.
Abby's paintings were literally all over the place taking up every spare inch of the walls with some leaning against the numerous benches and tables. Music from the band 'Brain Matter' played loudly over her stereo system while photos from some of the more grisly crime scenes they had investigated were up on the computer monitors.
Abby dressed in a lab coat and safety goggles held a smoking gun in her hand. Over and to the right of the big monitor are: 'Shotgun shattered backbone', 'Icepick to the cerebellum', 'Duodenum with a lye chaser' better known as 'Sad end to a Drano drinker'. The last one if from a crime scene set up by a former boyfriend of mine. It would have been more romantic if I didn't have a restraining order against him at the time. He was kind of obsessive and slightly crazy. Though it was still rather tastefully done.
"Ok…um thanks. I think I've got enough footage now." Looking slightly green the cameraman quickly pushed past Gibbs before hastily exiting the lab.
"Was all that really necessary Abbs?" A smile on his face Gibbs handed the Caf-Pow over to the forensic scientist.
"Gibbs thanks! I was actually worried for awhile there that I'd have to shoot the guy to get him to leave me alone. Thankfully he wasn't a big fan of my artwork." Taking a long sip from the beverage Abby headed over to her stereo and turned down the music. "How are the others handling the cameras?"
"Well with the exception of Tony most of them feel the same way about them as you do. Ziva's ignoring them, and McGee's gone to hide down in Autopsy. Hopefully the Director will get the idea soon that we don't want the cameras here." With that said Gibbs started slowly walking around the room admiring Abby's artwork.
It was only a few minutes later when the lab phone rang and Abby answered it. "Hello. Yes Director. They are? Ok, I'll tell Gibbs that." Hanging up the phone Abby turned to face Gibbs with a smile. "That was the Director. The film crew felt they had enough footage and has left the building. Though Director Vance wants to see you in his office, something about paying for a broken camera. Gibbs did you do something?"
Shrugging his shoulders Gibbs could only smile. "I'm not saying what happened, but I will say that it was definitely worth it."
Well that's it for now. Please review; feel free to give suggestions or ideas. Next time we answer the question of 'What if Abby was deprived of Caf-Pow?' Thank you.