The orange walls of the bull-pen, the bright light from the ceiling, the hustle and bustle of the footsteps coming from the elevator, the smell of energy in the air. The office was alive today, the sing-song conversations sounding almost like music. Abby was in the bull-pen, bent over McGee's desk, having an intense conversation. Tony was able to follow their voices up and down, to follow the pitch of the words, to listen to the song that they didn't know they were singing.
"Morning, Tony" McGee said, breaking away from conversation and looking at Tony.
"Tony!" Abby squealed, "Oh it's so good to see you!"
"I saw you last night, Abs." Is his reply.
"I know Tony, but I'm happy to see everyone today!"
Tony was just about to ask her why, but the conversation was cut short by Vance entering the bull-pen.
"Nice to see you all," he said "Gibbs here yet?"
In unison, they all replied "coffee."
"Ah,"said Vance, "I'll need him in MTAC when he returns. Get back to work."
And with that, they all went to their respective work stations, be it desk or lab. Tony sat at his desk and let the sunlight coming in from the open glass ceiling warm his face and his hands, and then he took a deep breath in. Looking at his desk, he saw that there was a small stream of sunlight resting on the top right drawer of his desk, and so he opened it.
"Ah" he said in his head, "there it is."
He reached for the Star of David necklace that he placed in that drawer oh so many months ago. Because the sunlight was shining on it, it seemed all at once warm and shining with importance. He began to think to himself, maybe that is why it seemed to be a good day, he hadn't thought of her yet, hadn't felt the sadness he became all too familiar in feeling. He knew now that the rest of the day could not be as good as it had previously been, that there would be some bitter to its sweetness, some subtle spinning to the gliding.
Gibbs walked through the elevator doors then, looked at no one in the bull-pen, and took the stair two at a time as he ascended towards MTAC.
"Gut or phone call?" Ellie asked, and at the same time, McGee and Tony flatly said "Gut." Without even looking up from their computer screens or paper work on their desk.
She was a good agent, Bishop, but she was still trying to figure things out.