The next morning McGee went to work earlier than usually. He was sore and couldn't sit without feeling pain, but he braced himself and was determined not to let it be seen. He was alone for almost one hour before his boss came in. He used this time to finish all the work that had been left behind due to the power down, he wanted everything to be perfect before his boss came and he had managed it.
"Good morning, boss." Tim said to his boss when he was passing in front of his desk.
"Morning." Gibbs replied happy to find his young agent there so early in the morning. Apparently the spanking had worked and McGee wasn't fooling with his time any more.
They worked in silence for almost an hour before Tony and Ziva enter the bullpen.
"Good morning boss, Tim." Ziva said.
"Good morning boss, probie." Tony said.
"Good morning Ziva, Tony." McGee replied.
Gibbs was watching silently. Tony seemed to be bothered by sth.
"What's up Tony?" He asked in a stern voice, the one that could take nothing but the true as answer.
"It's just that you must have developed some pictures I have taken with one of you cameras, because I can't find the camera anywhere but I found the rest of the picture that where on the film." Tony said, ready to hear the dreadful order to follow his boss to the conference room for a very painful 'discussion'.
"What kind of pictures?" Gibbs asked not even bothering to hear the answer as everything clicked in his mind. Tim was saying the true and he hadn't believed him. That's why Tim was behaving in this way. Tim had submitted to his punishment only to protect Tony from the Director, clearly obeying rule 1. He had messed up this one and very bad actually.
"Some personal photos boss." Tony answered the question, puzzled by the way his boss was reacting. Sth like that usually means an instant punishment, but his boss was lost in his own thoughts. What is going on? He thought.
"And why you used McGee's camera to take these pictures?" Gibbs asked while he was thinking what he should do with McGee and his behavior towards him.
"It was the only one who had been working properly. I couldn't make my own work. McTechnology seems to have the touch with technology even when it's that old." How does he know which camera I have used? Sth is wrong.
"Go to work DiNozzo." Gibbs said to Tony's amazement. Gibbs realized that Tim, the techno-geek, young and inexperienced agent was the only one who managed to survive without power and have some job done. And when he had to praise him and tell him how good job he had done, he failed him with worst way possible. He betrayed his trust.
During the conversation McGee pretended to be busy but he kept an ear open to what was said. Now that the true was restored it was time for him to make his move. He got up from his chair, offering his throbbing butt some relief, and handed a folder to his boss.
"I have finished all my paperwork; I am going to see if Abby needs any help with the evidence." That to everyone's amazement wasn't a question but a statement. Gibbs took the folder and nodded to Tim how wasn't waiting for his permission to leave.
Tim stopped at the Caf-Pow machine, bought 2 cups of Abby's favorite drink and went to her lab to do the most difficult thing of the day.
"Hi Timmy. How are you? You came to help? Good because I have 3 different cases and everyone wants results as fast as possible. Auu!!! Caf-Pow!!!! I love you Tim. So can you crack these files?" Abby said without stopping working on her machinery.
"I am not here to help you Abby. I want to talk to you."
Abby stop moving around and with a concerned look on her face she asked.
"Are you ok? Is anything wrong?"
"I am fine. I just wanted you to be the first to know that I am resigning."
"You what? Why? Does Gibbs know? There is no way he is gonna allow you to leave. And you love your job. Why would you ever do sth like that?"
"Gibbs is reading my resignation as we speak and he won't try to stop me this time. I have got a very good reason. I can't tell you now but we can have dinner together. I'll pick you up at 7pm. And don't forget that rule 12 won't stop me this time. We are not gonna be coworkers anymore." He smiled at her, kiss her at the cheek and left the lab without waiting for her to response.
He went back at the bullpen only to find a mad Gibbs.
"With me", he said before even Tim had exited the elevator. He didn't even bother to check if he was following.
He headed to the conference room, waited for Tim to enter before closing and locking the door.
"What the hell is that?" Gibbs was out of control and he was screaming.
"My resignation", Tim answered calmly.
"Why?" It was a stupid question but also the only one that made any sense.
"You don't trust me and I don't know if I can trust you, knowing that. Our job is too dangerous to take such risk." He answered without leaving his boss' eyes.
"You think that I don't trust you??" Gibbs asked afraid of the answer.
"No, I don't think so", McGee said to Gibbs' relief and confusion.
"So??"
"I know you don't trust me; your actions had spoken for you."
The answer was like a knife at his heart.
"I don't believe that you think sth like that for me. We had a bad moment, I made a mistake but you can't actually believe that I don't trust you." Gibbs was screaming.
"Anyone can make a mistake. You are the one who gave me that lesson. And I know now that it's true. I don't care about your mistake or the fact that you punished me unfair. I have already forgiven you about that. What I cannot forgive you about is, believing that I was lying to you. I have never lie to you. NEVER. About anything. I might withhold some info once about my sister, to protect her, but I didn't lie to you about it. And suddenly you believe that I would blow all your trust away simply by lying to you about some stupid photos. But obviously you never trusted me enough." Tim had started speaking calmly but the pain his was feeling about the betray had overtaken him and he ended up screaming just like his boss.
At that moment and before Gibbs had some moments to gather his thoughts and answer to Tim, if he could actually find sth to say, the door was broken and a very pissed and concerned director enter the room.
"What is going on here? All the navy yard can hear you screaming."
Gibbs was lost in his thoughts. He couldn't believe how bad Tim was feeling about what happen. He was used to Tony who could use any excuse to get away from punishment. But it was his fault. He should know better that Tim isn't Tony. Now he was going to lose his so precious agent, the only probie that had survived with him for so long.
"I am sorry director. We were having a conversation and I lost control. But you don't have to worry about it happening again. I have already handed to my b… to Special Agent Gibbs my resignation. "Tim said realizing that Gibbs wasn't speaking.
"What are you talking about McGee? Do you have a better job offer from another agency? I can't lose you. You are really important for this agency."
"I am sorry sir but I cannot stay here to work. And no I don't have any job offer. I think I'll choose sth without guns this time."
"No, you won't." Gibbs said. He had finally found his voice.
"I did a mistake. I treated you as I would have treated DiNozzo. I forgot how different you are and that you would never lie to me, not even for getting away from a punishment. But that single mistake can't cost me you Timmy. You are far too important to lose you. "
"I am sorry b….. Special Agent Gibbs. But I have taken my decision." Tim silently reprimand himself for getting confused and addressing Gibbs as boss but he couldn't stop himself before it was too late.
"Stop apologizing McGee." Gibbs said without even realizing it, just as a habit. It was not the right moment for sth like that."Let me explain you and I might convince you to give me a second chance."
Tim didn't answer. He couldn't find anything to say but he knew he wouldn't be able to trust his boss again.
"You can't just leave." The director said. "I am not gonna let you destroy your career and your life because of whatever this is. You can run the MTAC if you want or I can give you your own team."
"He is not ready for his own team yet. He needs to learn a lot more and I am the only one that can teach him what he needs." Gibbs said.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Tim said looking meaningfully at his boss. "Anyway, director I appreciate you concern but I can't stay here anymore."
"I don't know why Special Agent Gibbs doesn't trust you to have your own team but I do. So tomorrow is Friday, take the day off and I am expecting you back here on Monday with a decision. It's either MTAC or a new team. "
"But I …."Tim muttered.
"No buts. That's an order. You don't want to disobey me. I can be stricter than Gibbs."
"Ok director." Tim said, not sure that he could face another whipping soon. He could still resign on Monday.
"Tim belongs to me. I want him in my team."
"Yeah, but from what I can see he doesn't want to be in your team. The subject is closed. And I expect a report Special Agent Gibbs about the reason you were yelling at him before. "The director said, trying to support Tim as much as possible.
Tim turned his attention to the door nodding to the director to do the same. Abby was there.
"What are you doing here?" Gibbs asked angrily.
"Director, please don't leave Timmy quit. He is such a good agent and friend and I need him….I mean everyone in the bullpen need him. He is really precious. Do you know that he was the only one how survived without power? Please director do sth." Apparently Abby could see that Gibbs had no power over Tim's decision. But the director had to do sth. He was her last hope.
"Don't worry Abby I have already done. I gave him a choice. It's either running MTAC or having his own team. He can't choose to quit. I am expecting his answer on Monday. You can help him take a decision if you want."
"Thank you director. You are the best." Abby said and gave him a special hug. Then she turned her attention to Tim. "7pm and I want all the details."
With that she left the room.
"You can leave for the day McGee. I expect you on time on Monday. "
"Yes director." Tim said and headed to the door, not even bothering to turn when his boss was calling his name.
