Agent Timothy McGee eased open Director Vance's office door as he had a million times before and quietly made his way over to the Director's desk. This was a foreboding meeting, seeing he had been summoned as soon as he arrived at NCIS headquarters. He had barely set his backpack on his desk when a call came in for him from the Director's secretary for him to immediately report to Director Vance's office. It wasn't necessarily unusual, but a debriefing normally came at least six hours after a case. Plus, there was the fact that Gibbs usually was the one called in after an investigation.

It shouldn't have surprised McGee as much though. He had always been Vance's favorite agent, one that was supposed to be a "model" for the younger employees of NCIS. Vance would call him in every once and awhile to give him pointers. This time was different though. Tim had made a mistake on their last case. How Vance had heard about it so quickly was a mystery.

That man must have eyes and ears everywhere, as Tony was always stating to the team.

As Vance gestured for him to sit, Tim wearily sunk into the armchair beside the desk. Leaning forward in the chair, he held his head in his hands while attempting to steady his breathing. Once he had it a bit more even, Tim lifted his head and gazed at Vance, who was waiting patiently with his hands clasped in front of him on the desk. Tim wiped at his bloodshot eyes before clearing his throat, "Director Vance…" his voice then choked.

"Do you know why you're here, McGee?" Vance asked after Tim lost his voice.

Tim looked down, studying his dirt-caked shoes, "Yes, sir."

"You realize that a stunt like that could get both yourself and your team killed?"

"Yes, sir."

"Agent McGee, look at me," Vance ordered.

Tim lifted his head and stared at the Director. The blood had again started trickling down his cheek from the gash in his temple and the massive black and blue bruises covering his jaw ached from when he had face-first hit the ground. He cradled his left wrist for a moment as the fractured bone began to throb again.

"McGee, you're a damn good agent, one of the few that I've seen that has unlimited potential. I put you on Gibbs' team for that very reason. I can see you becoming the head of that team within ten years. Hell, even director in fifteen! But after what you pulled today, I can see you in a body bag within two. You can't be a hero everyday, McGee. I thought Gibbs would have taught you better than that! You can't dive in and save everyone with one sweep. Your teammates can take care of themselves without you jumping into the fray and being damned reckless!"

"They were going to die, Director," McGee swallowed, "They were trapped in the house without knowing the bomb was under them."

"And you could have alerted them, or even gotten them out yourself, but what made you think that you were the bomb squad all of the sudden? What were you thinking running out of the house with an armed bomb in your hands? What if you had tripped and that thing gone off? What if you didn't dispose of it in time? You wouldn't be sitting here right now, McGee. You were damn lucky that you weren't killed today!"

"That house was the only evidence that we had on McMurphy!" McGee protested as he stood, showing the first sign of another emotion other than quiet shame and obedience.

"So you risk your team's lives just for evidence? McGee, use your head! We could get McMurphy on other charges, we didn't have to have the house for that!"

"But Director-" Tim was cut off by Vance continuing louder to drown him out, "But nothing, Agent McGee! You're on reassignment until I figure out a suitable team for you to be a member of, if I decide to put you on a team again. I know one thing though, you're not going back to Gibbs' team."

"Director Vance, I haven't done anything to deserve that punishment!" Tim found himself shouting in shock as he moved to stand in front of the Director's desk, "It was a simple mistake that won't happen again, sir!"

"I can't take that chance, McGee," Vance shook his head with a hint of regret passing over his features, "Gibbs is about to lead his team on a deep undercover mission and I'm not sure that I can trust you to not screw it up with your heroics."

"What? Director, I'm an integral member of Gibbs' team," objected Tim. His head reeled at the thought of being reassigned. It had taken him years to earn the little respect he had now. Tim's heart began to pump even more vigorously as adrenaline raced through his system. This couldn't be happening…not this. Tony had finally quit calling him "Probie" after all those years of being the timid agent worried about screwing up all the time. As soon as he gained the confidence to stand on his own two feet, he made one mistake and he was booted back down to the bottom again!

"Not anymore, Agent McGee," Vance continued, leaving Tim no time to think, "I expect you to clear your desk and report to the basement at 0800 to be ready to work. Is that clear?" Vance fixed him with a steely gaze that wouldn't be broken. Tim realized that arguing wouldn't do him any good. Vance was exactly like Gibbs in the respect of being stubborn about decisions. Once either man made up their mind, there was no going back. Tim supposed that made Vance a good director and Gibbs a good team leader. Either position, Tim wouldn't see. Not at this rate.

"Transparent, sir," Tim nodded slowly, voice growing quiet once more.

"Good," Vance looked back down at the files stacked neatly on his desk before glancing back up at Tim who had turned to leave, "For the record, Agent McGee, you're still a damn good agent. This is just a setback. I hope you learn from your mistake."

Tim didn't bother turning back to face his superior, instead continuing for the door. He did stop at the threshold, hand gripping the handle poised to pull it open, and said over his shoulder flatly, "I hope you learn from yours."

Tim ripped open the door and stepped through to the reception room, before catching his pent-up breath. Where had that come from? Didn't he realize that he could get fired for saying that? Being transferred was bad enough, but being fired was a million times worse. No other agency would take him on if he were fired. His career would practically be over.

What were you thinking, McGee? Tim wondered.

He didn't have long to mentally review the conversation, for Gibbs was sitting on the couch staring at him intently before standing and coming over to Tim.

"Well?"

"I…uh…well-"

"Spit it out, McGee."

"I've been reassigned to the basement," the words tasted like ash on his tongue. They made him sick to his stomach and Tim felt like literally throwing up. He couldn't go back down to the basement. Sure, he was a computer genius and a geek at heart, but those nerds that worshiped his every movement would drive him to the loony bin! Four months down there had made him feel empty and if he was permanently reassigned there…

Bile rose in his throat, but subsided as quickly as it came after Gibbs placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Wait here," Gibbs simply said.

"Boss-" Tim began, grasping blindly for the words he wanted to say, but was cut off by Gibbs saying sternly, "Just wait here, McGee."

Tim knew it was pointless to argue with Gibbs, especially since he the man who finished most of his sentences or at least cut them off before they could get very far.

Nodding in obedience, he made his way over to the couch and sat down as Gibbs pushed his way into Vance's office without knocking.

Maybe Gibbs can fix this, Tim thought desperately, I can't go down to the basement again, I'll go insane! I belong on Gibbs' team and Vance knows it!

Meanwhile, Gibbs stormed into Vance's office. Vance looked up at him, as if he were expecting him already. Which he probably was, knowing Gibbs.

"Agent Gibbs, if this is about Agent McGee's transfer, which I am certain it is, it's final. I'm not going to change my mind," the Director spoke.

"What the hell are you playing at, Leon?" Gibbs answered, "You know as well as I do that Timothy McGee is wasted talent in the basement. He doesn't belong there!"

"I know that, Jethro, but that kid needs to be taught a lesson before he gets himself severely hurt."

"This job is dangerous and he's going to get hurt. He's already gotten hurt before. Being a field agent is a risk. Or has the time in that chair made you forget all of that?" Gibbs glared.

Vance was unfazed by the insult, "I haven't forgotten."

"Then what the hell are you doing putting him in the basement?"

"It's not permanent, even though I'd like him to believe that. This is just to teach him that being a hero isn't his job. I don't want him to end up dead before he accomplishes anything," Vance replied coolly.

"He's accomplished a lot, Leon. He wouldn't be your little teacher's pet if he hadn't," Gibbs fought the urge to roll his eyes at his superior.

"Can you just trust me on this, Gibbs?" Vance began to show signs that his patience was wearing thin.

"Fine. But if I need him, he'll be put back on my team."

"It doesn't work like that. It's all or nothing."

Gibbs paused and then grumbled, "Only for now."

Vance nodded, "I'll take what I can get. And just so we're clear, you're not to give Agent McGee any indication that he'll ever be reinstated to your team. This could very well be permanent and we're not about to get his hopes up for nothing. Even I'm not that cruel," Vance cracked a smile at the last part, but only met Gibbs' disapproving stare. Without another word, Gibbs exited the office, closing the door behind him with a sharp click! that seemed to reflect his irritation. Tim looked up immediately, hope clearly written across his face. He stood up quickly and met Gibbs halfway to the door leading to the rest of the building, "What did the Director say?"

Gibbs was silent as Tim matched his pace and then took a breath, "Just do what the Director tells you and it'll be a lot easier. You'll have a better chance if you do."

Tim's heart stopped and so did his movement, "What? You mean you couldn't-"

"No, Tim, he was adamant about his decision. There was nothing I could do," Gibbs answered as he continued for the stairs, leaving Tim in his tracks.

Tim's face fell and his heart throbbed in anguish. Not again, Vance couldn't do this to him again. He couldn't separate him from the team again. He was supposed to be the favorite! The perfect little agent that Vance had always wanted!

Now everything seemed all for naught.

After a long minute of standing stock-still in the middle of the floor, he found feeling in his legs once more and began to move on auto-pilot down the staircase that Gibbs had just went down. He rounded the corner leading him back to the bullpen where Tony and Ziva were watching Gibbs questioningly. It was obvious now that Gibbs had instructed them to stay behind while Tim was in the office with Vance.

Once Tim entered the bullpen, questions from both of his teammates began flying through the air.

"What did Vance say?"

"What did he want with you?"

"What's going on?"

"Why won't Gibbs tell us anything?"

"What's wrong with you?"

Tim sucked in a breath and ignored them. Not that he wanted to, but he couldn't breathe at the moment. He couldn't think or speak either.

His world was turning upside down again and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Tony and Ziva huddled around his desk as Tim set his backpack on the floor and sat down in his swivel chair. He continued to be assaulted by their questions, several inquiring if he was okay, which he mentally noted. Their concern for him had always been minimal, it seemed like. Now that he was leaving them again, he felt comfort to know that they at least cared to know how he was. The only one that wasn't assailing him with questions was the one that already knew everything and didn't seem to care. Tim looked past them to Gibbs who was silently watching the scene unfold. Without speaking to any of his three agents, Gibbs stood up, went to one of the spare desks behind the divider and pulled an empty box from underneath. He then turned and set it on Tim's desk. The two other agents stared at their boss in surprise and the questions flew toward Gibbs, realizing that Tim wouldn't answer.

"He's been reassigned," was all that Gibbs said as Tim absently opened the drawers to his desk and emptied them out into the cardboard box. As he cleared out his desk, Tim vaguely heard Tony accusing Vance of everything under the sun. It was Vance's fault that they had went on the mission. It was Vance's fault that didn't have all of the intel about the case that they needed. It was Vance's fault that their team was being split up again like last time.

Then Tim hesitated in his packing of the box, suddenly listening to Tony's words. They were the same as whenever a botched operation came about due to Vance's orders or lack of information. Tim was used to hearing them, but now they translated differently in his head. Instead of Vance being at fault, it was suddenly him that was on the spot. It was Tim's fault. Suddenly, he stood up, abandoning the box on his desk and grabbed his jacket, heading for the elevator. He felt like running for it, but that would have just drawn more attention to himself. He just needed to get out of there.

As the elevator doors closed shut in front of him he heard Ziva ask, "Is he going to be okay?"

Tim backed up until his back hit the wall and slid down to the floor, feeling the bottled-up tears spring to his eyes. He hugged his knees with his arms and drew in on himself in the silent elevator.

You can't cry here, McGee, he told himself, An NCIS agent doesn't cry at work.

Not that he was much of an NCIS agent anymore.