In Defense of Rule 12

(McGee-centric) Tim offers arguments on why he did or did not break Gibbs Rule 12. Each chapter is a one-shot with a different defense. McGee/? AU

Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or any of the characters.


Chapter 2 Rule #5

"McGee with me," Gibbs stated as he headed to the elevator.

"Now Boss? But-" a quick look stifled his arguments. "Coming," he said jumping up and racing to the metallic doors.

Once inside with the doors firmly shut, it didn't take long for Gibbs to flip the switch to stop the elevator. Blue eyes met green, holding his gaze for a few moments.

"Something you need to tell me, McGee?"

"No, Boss."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

The older agents eyes seemed to bore into him. A few minutes passed before the silence was finally broken.

"Then what the hell is going on between you and David?"

"We're dating," Tim admitted calmly.

"And you didn't think I needed to know."

"It's personal."

"Not when you bring it into the workplace," Gibbs argued.

"Have we?" Tim questioned. "If we hadn't run into Ducky last night while having a romantic, candlelight dinner, would you even know?"

"Rule 12, McGee."

"Rule 5, Boss," Tim countered.

"What does that have to do with anything?" Came the confused reply.

"Rule 5-don't waste good."

"I know what Rule 5 is, they're my rules!"

Tim continued as if his boss hadn't spoken, "Ziva and I have been dating for over six months. We are good for each other and good together. I can get her to savor each moment, appreciate what is here and now., she has also started to look toward tomorrow with hope. She gets me to see who I am clearly and what I can do. We bring out the best in each other.

"I am more confident in my skills and adding to these skills daily. She is more in touch with her emotions. More empathetic and understanding with others. I'm sure you've seen how we have both changed in the last few months."

"Yes," and he had often wondered what had inspired that change.

"And would you say that those changes have been good, beneficial for the team?"

"Yes," he said again, grudgingly admitted the truth.

"So would I. Plus, both of us are happier than we've ever been. Our relationship is good, in so many aspects and you don't waste good."

"Hmph," Grunt of approval was the only reply as Gibbs restarted the elevator.

Tim smirked, "If it makes you feel better, if it's up to me, we won't be breaking rule 12 for much longer."

"After that argument, you're going to break up with her?" Gibbs argued angrily as he once more stopped the elevator.

"Nope," Tim said with a smile as he restarted the elevator before pulling a small box from his pocket. "I'm going to ask her to marry me," he finished, exiting the elevator as the door opened, leaving a speechless and stunned Gibbs behind.


A/N: I know some people don't like this pairing, but in order to argue Rule 12, the couple have to be coworkers. I don't really like McGee/Abby, mostly because I don't like how Abby treats McGee (no respect at all). Some people think McGee is too weak for a strong woman like Ziva, but I think that when/where it counted, McGee could & would stand up to her. Perhaps this is because McGee is more confident in himself and his abilities than he was when he & Abby first started seeing each other (at the time, McGee wasn't yet a part of the team and once he did join the team, he was very insecure and nervouse regarding his place on this team).