Chapter 1

Gibbs was sitting at his desk going through old files when his phone rang. Giving it a dirty look, he picked it up.

His voice was less than friendly as he answered. "Gibbs."

"Hello, Agent Gibbs, this is Detective Stevenson down at the station." There was a nervous cough. "Well, we were wondering how you'd like to handle this, seeing how it's your boy an' all. Your agent Timothy McGee's DNA was found on a rape victim two weeks ago, we just got the results in today." Gibbs felt himself go cold, like his heart had stopped beating. Tony he could be more willing to believe to be framed, but not McGee.

Gibbs cleared his throat, "Send us all the files and evidence, we'll handle it from here."

"Thank you Agent Gibbs." The detective's voice sounded relieved, as if they were already swamped enough. "I'll have one of my men send it right over." Gibbs hung up the phone and glanced up at his team, his eyes lingering on McGee. The director would have to be notified, but despite the protocol, he had to hear it from his agent first. Not like he was one to follow protocol to a T anyway.

Timothy McGee was sitting at his desk typing up emails when he heard the phone ring. Thinking they were getting another case, he prepared himself to grab his gear to go. He looked at Tony and Ziva, who seemed to be anticipating the same thing. When his boss slammed down the phone and stayed silent, the team started getting nervous. Tony was about to say something when Gibbs stood up.

Pointing to McGee, he barked, "Conference room 1, now." And he marched off without even checking to see if Tim was following. Tony sat there slack jawed as McGee jumped up and all but ran after the boss. Ziva's face was a picture of confusion and both were rendered speechless as their teammate and leader left the room.

Once inside the conference room, McGee looked questioningly at Gibbs. "Boss, what's going on?"

"What did you do two weeks ago? Have you been on any dates or anything?" The questions seemed silly but Gibbs' face was so serious Tim found it hard to talk.

"Um no, boss, I haven't been on a date in months. I don't remember what I was doing two weeks ago. What does this have to do with anything?"

Gibbs cut to the chase. "I got a call from metro saying your DNA was found on a rape victim."

"Boss!"

Gibbs ignored the outburst. "They're sending the evidence over today. Until we sort this out, you will be suspended." McGee tried to interrupt but Gibbs continued. "We all know you wouldn't do something like this, but you'll have to follow protocol until proven innocent. The fact that they have your DNA is a very bad sign." He went to the door. "Come on, we have to talk to Vance."

The walk up to the director's office was silent and awkward. When they arrived, the secretary just looked at Gibbs and sighed, knowing he'd walk right in anyway. He didn't even look at her as he opened the door. Vance was sitting at his desk, alone in the room.

Nodding at them, he greeted, "Gibbs, McGee. What can I do for you?" Gibbs proceeded to inform him of the case against McGee. When he was finished, the director sat back in his chair. "Well you know as well as I do what should be done." He turned to McGee, "You will need to stay in our holding cell until this thing is sorted out. Knowing your team, it shouldn't take long. We'll have to hold onto your badge and weapon until further notice."

Gibbs interjected, "He'd be of better use on the desk. I can at least have him working cold cases." Vance looked long and hard at his most stubborn agent. He knew he could force the issue and make McGee stay in the cell, but he figured that if McGee was watched at all times and just stayed in the cell overnight… "Fine. But Agent McGee will stay in the holding cell overnight." McGee looked relieved, but only slightly. He remembered when Tony had to stay in that cell over the Chip incident.

Gibbs replied, "Agreed." He turned to McGee and motioned for the badge and weapon. Reluctantly, Tim pulled his badge out and unbuckled his gun belt and handed them to the director.

As they were about to leave, Vance reminded Gibbs, "Don't forget to keep me in the loop on this one."

Gibbs grinned, "Wouldn't dream of it, director." Vance just raised an eyebrow at him.

Down in the bull pen, DiNozzo was still puzzling over what had just happened when a young nervous looking man approached his desk carrying a box.

"I'm looking for Agent Gibbs?" He asked, looking around.

"Agent Gibbs isn't here at the moment, can I help you?" DiNozzo was very curious as to what was in the box and figured it had to do with that phone call. The man looked at the box and shrugged.

"Well, this is the evidence and files on that rape case he asked us to bring over. I just need your signature on the chain of evidence log." Tony signed his name and the young man left. Ziva could not keep her eyes off the box either.

"Did I hear correctly? A rape case, not a murder case?" She wandered over to DiNozzo's desk as he inspected the box.

"The thing I'm wondering is if we should open it or wait for the boss man." Carefully peeling the lid up, he peeked inside right as a hand smacked him upside the back of his head. "Hey boss, just checking the new evidence that came in."

Gibbs grabbed the box, "Thanks, DiNozzo, now get back to work. I'm going to take this down to Abby." Looking pointedly at McGee as younger agent was sitting down, McGee dropped his eyes to the desk and nodded. As the senior agent left, Tony and Ziva rounded on McGee.

"What was that all about, McGeek? Got yourself in a little trouble?"

"Shut up, Tony. I didn't do anything."

"Would this have anything to do with that rape case we were just given?" Ziva asked. Tim let out a sigh, figuring they would have to find out sooner or later and it'd be better coming from him.

"Gibbs just told me metro found my DNA on a victim. I didn't do anything, so I don't know how they found it."

Tony looked thoughtful for a moment. "Hmm, when was the last time you had a lady friend, anyway?"

"None of your business, Tony!" McGee looked flustered, wishing he hadn't said anything to Tony.

"Of course it's my business, it's pertinent to the case! We have to know who could have had access to… um, your DNA. And of course who would have a grudge against you."

Looking thoughtful, Ziva pondered, "I do not know of anyone who dislikes our Timmy. I think we will have to speak to the victim to learn more about the case."

Tony patted McGee on the back, "It'll be ok. Just like that time I was framed…" Tony walked back to his desk, leaving McGee to his thoughts.

Techno music was blasting through the lab as Gibbs entered. Abby was dancing away, sipping on her CafPow, completely oblivious to Gibbs' entrance. He watched the goth for a moment and smiled, shaking his head.

"Abby!" He yelled. She quickly stopped and turned the music down.

"Gibbs! You brought me something!" She wandered over and took the box. "So what is this?"

"This is a delicate situation, Abby. One that I'm sure you can help us figure out." She quickly opened the box and read the brief case description. As she read, her mouth dropped open.

"What? They think McGee did this?" Glancing through the photos of the victim all bruised and beaten. "I can probably prove that he didn't do the beating, but the DNA evidence is pretty condemning. This is going to be very difficult."

"You can do it, Abs, I have faith in you." She turned and smiled, saluting.

"I'll run the samples they gave me and see if I can actually use them. Two week old samples though…" Gibbs kissed her on the forehead and left her to puzzle over everything.