Author's Note:

Thanks to everyone who left a review!

All Errors Are My Own:( Sorry!

P4TH.

EDITED 02/01/2014


Chapter One: The Right Kind of Wrong

"You walk in and my strength walks out the door,
Say my name and I can't fight it anymore.
Oh, I know I should go, but I need your touch just too damn much.

Loving you isn't really something I should do;
Shouldn't wanna spend my time with you, yeah.
Well I should try to be strong, but baby you're the right kind of wrong.
Yeah, baby, you're the right kind of wrong.

Might be a mistake, a mistake I'm makin'
But what you're givin' I am happy to be takin'
'Cause no one's ever made me feel the way I feel when I'm in your arms.

They say you're something I should do without
They don't know what goes on when the lights go out.
There's no way to explain.
All the pleasure is worth all the pain.

Loving you isn't really something I should do
Shouldn't wanna spend my time with you, yeah.
Well I should try to be strong, but baby you're the right kind of wrong.
Yeah, baby, you're the right kind of wrong…"

~ "The Right Kind of Wrong" – Leann Rimes

Sunday Morning…

Poppy looked across the table at her brother as they sat outside on the patio of their favorite coffee shop in DC. At thirty-eight, Anderson Aslin-Noor was a handsome man. His blue eyes and dark hair matched hers exactly except for the few strands of silver that were beginning to show at his temples. Plenty of people had mistaken them for twins in the past despite their eight year age difference. The only difference physically between them was height. His impressive six foot two towered over her petite five foot five frame and it made him an imposing figure when meeting anyone in person. A career Politician like their father, Anderson had been recently elected to their father's senate seat earlier in the year.

"Everything is ruined and I have no Jonathan Heritage to show for it," Poppy told him pushing her toast away.

"That's the problem with secret assignments and politics," Anderson said quietly, "They do a bitch to your personal life. They ruin marriages and engagements."

"Elizabeth isn't going marry you?" Poppy asked shocked, "But, I thought she said she'd marry you when you were elected Senator."

Anderson gave her a rueful smile, "She was only after the title of Senator's wife Poppy. I kicked her to the curb. Now, back to your problems because I don't want to talk about mine."

"I just want to know what I can do to fix it," Poppy sighed deciding not to push Anderson about Elizabeth, "There's no proof that I can give that he'll listen to. Tim is convinced that those pictures are evidence. He'll dig up anything and convince himself that I cheated. In his eyes, I'm still the high school cheerleader and he's the geek. It's like he's afraid to believe me. I don't want to lose him Anderson, but...I might have no choice. He called me his soon-to-be ex-wife when he introduced me to his co-workers. I guess...I'm just waiting to be served at this point."

"So, fight for him," Anderson told her as he brought his coffee cup to his lips, "I know you Poppy. You always go after what you want and hold on tight like your life depends on it once you get it. Go fight for McGee if he's what you really want."

"How? He's convinced that I'm a cheating whore. Hell, maybe I am, but how do I win him back?" Poppy asked as she felt that anxious feeling fill her chest again as she stared at Anderson, desperate from answers.

"I guess just try being a good wife, friend…whatever he needs. Just try and make amends to start. I know that you can't tell him things about your operation, but I know you've told him what you can. You just have to trust that he'll find the truth on his own. Have you-" Anderson stopped and looked at her sadly.

"Have I what?" Poppy pressed.

"Have you thought about maybe there is someone better than Tim? Maybe this is all happening for a reason? Maybe there is someone out there who is more right for you than him Poppy?"

"I don't want anyone but him Anderson," she said tearfully, "I can't imagine not being his wife and being with him. That scares the hell out of me. I will do whatever it takes to get him see that I never cheated."

"He has pictures and emails Poppy," Anderson sighed tiredly, "That's a lot you're going up against. A picture is worth a thousand words."

"Then I will have to find a way to make him believe that I have been faithful."

Anderson sighed again and looked at his watch, "I've got to go but I'll see you soon. It's nice having you back."

He smiled at her as he put money down on the table to cover both their meals and coffee. He stood up and put on his dress coat. Kissing her on the head, Anderson Aslin-Noor left Poppy sitting at the table even more confused than ever on what to do.


Early Monday morning, McGee stepped onto the elevator with his backpack over her shoulder. Just as the door was about to close, Poppy stepped onto the elevator with two cups of coffee.

"Sucking up to Gibbs?" he asked her trying to sound indifferent.

"Actually it's for you," Poppy said turning to him with a smile, "It's just how you like it."

McGee flipped the switch to make the elevator stop. Poppy stared at him as the lights became low. She stood tall in her suit and heels trying to hid her nerves. Coffee in hand, Poppy took a sip of one of the cups and sighed.

"Are you going to hurt me?" she asked looking up at him, "Is that why we stopped?"

"We're going to lay down rules," McGee bit out.

"Yes, Gibbs already gave me a lecture about this," Poppy stated already feeling annoyed, "We're supposed to keep our…issues out of the office."

"I know. So for starters don't bring me coffee."

"I always bring you coffee. Even when you were in Norfolk I brought you coffee when I came to see you."

"We're not in Norfolk anymore," McGee stated emotionless, "We're separated and you bringing me coffee is inappropriate. Don't forget you cheated on me. Coffee isn't going to fix that."

Poppy shifted uncomfortably, "Please, don't throw that in my face. I didn't cheat on you."

"Don't lie about it, Noor. I have pictures and emails that say otherwise."

Poppy sighed and turned looked at the elevator doors, "I know you sold our house. What did you do with my things?"

"I gave your things to your dad before he died," McGee said as he flipped the switch back on and the elevator moved.

"What happened to my cat?" Poppy asked quietly as the doors opened.

"I gave him up for adoption," McGee stated stepping off the elevator on to their floor.

Poppy followed him into the bullpen where Ziva greeted McGee with a smile and ignored her for the most part.

"Who did you give my cat to?" she asked while she set the coffee cup down that she'd gotten for him on his desk.

"Does it matter?" McGee asked not bother to look up.

"It's my cat."

"It destroyed my shoes."

"You were never nice to Charlie."

"You cheated on me," McGee said looking up at her, "Please give me one good reason I should have taken care of that abomination you call a cat."

Poppy looked over her shoulder to where Ziva was watching them intently.

"Stop throwing that in my face," Poppy hissed as she turned to look back at him angrily. Her hands were on her hips as she fought the urge to rip the cords from Tim's computer monitor out and wrap them around his neck.

"You started it. You brought up the cat," McGee argued.

"Morning McGeek! McGorgeous! Ziva," DiNozzo said cheerfully walking into the bullpen, "Did I miss a good fight Ziva?"

"McGee got rid of Noor's cat," Ziva stated as she leaned back in her chair and watched.

"I'm simply curious to know where Charlie is at," Poppy smiled tightly at Ziva, "That's all. We're not fighting."

"Yet," DiNozzo chuckled.

"DiNozzo! McGee! Ziva!" Gibbs called loudly walking past the bullpen, "Get your stuff. We've got a dead Petty Officer in Virginia. Noor give the file and evidence bag on my desk to Ducky and Abby."

Poppy nodded but looked at Gibbs confused, "I'm not coming with you."

"You violated the rules I laid down with the cat conversation," Gibbs stated not telling her the real reason why she wasn't coming. He still didn't think she was stable enough to be in the field. He wanted to be the one to determine when she could join them in the field not some half-ass navy doctor who only wanted to get her out of the hospital to free up a bed. Tony grabbed the coffee off of McGee's desk and flashed a quick smile.

"Thanks for the coffee, Probie. Sorry about the tough luck, Noor. On your six boss!" DiNozzo called following Ziva and Gibbs to the elevator. McGee passed her with his gear and didn't say a work.

"Great," Poppy mumbled, "I've gone from being a field agent to this. I'm reduced to the office runner."


Finding Abby's lab hadn't been difficult. Walking in, Poppy was assaulted with pounding metal music.

"Abby!" she called loudly and the music stop. A gothic dressed woman walked over with a smile.

"Can I help you?" she asked with a curious glance.

They were certainly dressed differently, Poppy mused. Abby was dressed in platform shoes and chains while she'd put on a conservative tight black dress and pearl earrings.

"I'm Special Agent Poppy Noor," Poppy said with a smile choosing not over think things and offered Abby the evidence bag, "Gibbs said I was supposed to give you this."

"Oh," Abby said, "You're her."

The mood in the room shifted and Poppy felt another frosty reception from a co-worker coming on.

"Her?" Poppy asked trying not feel insulted.

"McGee's wife," Abby said like the phrase was a dirty word.

"I am Poppy McGee. It's nice to meet. Can I ask what's in the evidence bag that's so important?"

"Thanks, but I don't share information with strangers," Abby said before turning away and starting the music again.

Poppy took her actions as a sign of dismissal and resisted the urge to break something or shoot someone. She left the lab and headed to autopsy with mixed feelings. She admired the team's loyalty to one another, but she was annoyed with them none the less. They weren't judging her based on her skills as an agent, but on what they believed to be the adulterous actions of her personal life. Entering the elevator, Poppy went to the basement and entered autopsy department praying that she wouldn't have another frosty reception.

"Doctor Mallard?" she asked looking at the young man cleaning tools that had to be used in autopsy.

"No, I'm not," he said with a smile, "I'm Doctor Palmer. I can get Doctor Mallard for you though."

"Thank you," Poppy agreed and watched him leave and come back a moment later with an older man.

"You must be Poppy," Doctor Mallard said with a smile and a British accent, "I'm Doctor Mallard. I've heard quite a bit about you from Jethro. It's a delight to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you too. Agent Gibbs told me that I was to give you this," Poppy told him and handed him the file that had been given to her with a smile.

Ducky opened the file and nodded, "I'm supposed to give you a physical and psych evaluation my dear. I will need you to sign a few things before we start."

Poppy nodded. She'd been expecting that to happen at some point. Gibbs was bound to do and it made sense. He didn't trust her and she'd have to prove herself to him again and again until he could. The paper work took only a few minutes and soon Ducky had her sitting a stool in his private office as he was poking and prodding around in a manner that she'd become used to after spending months in a hospital. He was polite and told stories about his various adventures from around the world that made her smile.

"Abby told me that you're Timothy's wife," Ducky said conversationally as he listened to her heart as the last part of the exam.

"Is that all she told you?" Poppy asked trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice.

Ducky took off his stethoscope and smiled at her, "What happened between you and Timothy is none of my business. Nor is it Abby's or anyone else."

"I didn't cheat on him Doctor Mallard," Poppy said already tired of having to defend herself to others. She hadn't even been there a full day and already work was feeling more like torture. Being tortured by Jonathan Heritage had been more enjoyable than the current situation she found herself in.

"I saw the report of Afghan Operation," Ducky smiled at her sadly. "Jethro sent it to me last week. He wanted my opinion, based on everything that happened to you, if you were ready to be cleared for field duty."

"Am I cleared Doctor Mallard?" Poppy asked hopefully.

"Call me Ducky. My last question is how much pain are you in dear?"

"Not much," she admitted honestly, "The physical pain in nearly none existent and expect for a few times. Mentally, I don't have any pain. I feel fine."

Ducky nodded and looked down at the forms in front of him, "Well, I think that you can be cleared for light field work Agent Noor, a few times a week. Nothing too strenuous. My biggest concern is making sure that you don't do anything that could aggravate your recovery."

"I understand Ducky. Thank you," Poppy said standing up, "You will be keeping this conversation between us and Gibbs?"

"Yes," Ducky nodded, "No one but myself, Gibbs and the director know that you were shot in Afghanistan or anything else relating to what happened. Can I ask what you told Timothy?"

"About the operation in Afghanistan? I only told him that it an assignment that was off the books. If anything happened we could say it never existed. How many governments do you think would admit to killing their own soldiers? If anything got out about what Heritage was doing it would a scandal unlike any other we've ever had. I never told him anything but that it was…covert. He never believed me. Someone sent pictures of me trying to get close to Heritage. That's why Tim thinks I cheated. Even I think I look incredibly guilty."

"Did you ever tell Timothy that you nearly died? Five bullets to the chest was very near lethal Poppy."

"I did try to call him when I woke up in Germany. Several times in fact. He probably deleted the messages and never listened to them. I would have done the same thing Ducky if our roles were reversed."

"If you'd like a piece of advice Poppy I'd be happy to offer you some," Ducky told her quietly.

"I'd love advice," she nodded.

"Ziva, Tony and Abby only have Timothy's perspective on the situation. You'll have to win their respect based on what you do in the field my dear. I know that only a few select people including Jethro and myself were cleared to know about the operation in Afghanistan and you can't tell Timothy anything but Poppy…you can win the respect of your team members. I have no doubt about that. Your record speaks for itself. You're one of the strongest people I think I've ever met."

"Thank you Ducky," Poppy smiled, "You've been the first person to really make me feel at home. Thank you for this and your advice. I have one question for you though."

"Anything my dear," Ducky smiled.

"After everything, I still love Timothy. I can't bring myself to hate him for being…mean. Am I crazy? I feel like any other woman would just walk away at this point."

"You're in love Poppy. Love makes us do crazy things."


"So…when will this divorce be finalized?" Tony asked a few days later as he and McGee sat at a stake out.

Their missing Petty Officer had faked his death for some reason and they were trying to figure out why. Nicholas Smith had a clean record, no debt and no family obligations. It didn't make any sense as to why he faked his death. McGee and DiNozzo sat across the street from the bar that the Petty Officer was a regular at in the hope that maybe they could catch him. They also hopped that the suspect they were watching might know where the missing officer was.

"Why do you care?" McGee asked watching their suspect through binoculars.

"I don't know. Your wife is attractive… she's about to be single," Tony shrugged.

McGee turned and glared at Tony, "Don't even think about DiNozzo."

"I wasn't talking about getting into bed with her," Tony shot back innocently.

McGee shook his head and turned back to watch their suspect, "Don't get involved at all. Poppy might be attractive but she's like a snake in oil. You never catch her and you never know when she'll bite you with a lethal injection of poison."

"Whoa! Tough words about the wife dude!"

"I was being nice."

"You did love her at one point though," Tony pointed out as they watched the front door, "I mean you married her."

"I also thought she'd never cheat on me but she did and ran off with the guy. She's the kind of woman no man should get involved with. She's the right kind of wrong that should be avoided."

"Touché but she's trying to make it right."

"What's she gonna make right?" McGee asked exasperated as their suspect who might know where the missing Petty Officer was walked into the bar, "Is she gonna bring me coffee and praise me for the rest of her miserable life? She cheated. End of story. We're getting a divorce and I'm gonna move on with Crystal. Let's get our suspect."

"Wait…the Redskins cheerleader with the boob, butt and blond hair? That's the right Crystal were talking about, right?" Tony asked getting out of the car and following McGee across the street.

"Yep," McGee said as they stepped onto the side walk.

"You're trading Noor for a cheerleader? Dude, you need to sort out your priorities. Noor is at least an eight. Your cheerleader is like a six."

"You're just saying that because you wanna sleep with my ex-wife."

"So?" Tony said as they walked into the bar, "Is she any good in bed?"

"Not answering that Tony."


"Noor, what do you have?" Gibbs asked coming into the bullpen.

The case had been a confusing maze of twists and turns for her. McGee and Ziva didn't talk to her and any bits of information she got from Tony who found the whole situation amusing. Abby refused her admittance into the lab and Gibbs was as detached as anyone could be. Having lunch with Ducky proved to be the highlight of her day. He was charming and accepted her without question. His stories amused her and she felt comfortable with him. She'd even opened up to him and had told him her favorite story about how McGee had tried to fix their old kitchen sink using one of those Dummy books.

Standing up and walking over to Gibbs' desk she handed him the file of the information she'd collected on their missing Petty Officer. Gibbs opened it and took one look at it before closing it.

"Sir?" Poppy asked confused.

"Talk to your co-workers, Noor. You just wasted this whole morning gathering information that we already had yesterday," Gibbs told her, "If you can't do that then get off my team and pack your desk up. Director Shepard said you're one of the best. You're making yourself look like one of the worst and you're not even in the field yet. Now, get out of here."

McGee, Ziva and Tony's eyes were all on her as Gibbs reprimanded her and Poppy tried to ignore the burn of humiliation at being chastised in front of McGee.

"Yes, Boss," she said quickly before talking the file back and slipping away silently. Walking down the hallway to a private room, Poppy slipped in and closed her eyes fighting away tears. Working on Gibbs' team was pure hell. Maybe she should have asked to be reassigned when Shepard had told her that she was being transferred to Gibbs' team. Walking to the metal desk, Poppy tossed her morning of hard work down on the top and sat down. There was a knock on the door and Poppy looked up to see DiNozzo walk in with two cups of coffee.

"Thought you could use some coffee," he smiled as he sat down in front of her. Three files were tucked under his arm and he set them down with the coffee.

"What are these?" Poppy asked opening them and seeing the information that she'd spent the morning collecting.

"Ziva was supposed to leave them on your desk," DiNozzo said as a look of guilt crossed his face, "She's protective of McGee and-"

"I'm the adulterous whore that he calls wife?" Poppy finished with a sarcastic smile, "I understand."

"Did you cheat on our McGee?"

The smile dropped from Poppy's face as she stared at Tony, "Does it matter?"

"If we work on a team, we have to trust each other."

Poppy closed the file and pushed it away, "I never cheated him. Pictures and emails say otherwise."

"So, McGee has physical proof that you cheated even though you still deny it?"

"Jonathan Heritage," Poppy said cryptically before standing up and picking up the coffee and files, "Thanks Tony for the information. I'd appreciate it if you kept me in the loop more."

"Who?" Tony asked watching her leave the room confused by who Jonathan Heritage was. Getting up and following her back down the hall, he nearly ran into her as Poppy abruptly stopped and looked at the blond woman who sat in McGee's chair.

"Who is that?" Poppy asked turning to look at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh boy," Tony mumbled as he rubbed the back of his neck. He looked between Poppy and the blond woman he recognized as Crystal, the cheerleader. He could already see the cat fight happening in his head when the two women were introduced. Crystal spotted them and began walking over with a bright smile.

"I gonna wanna kill her after this, aren't I?" Poppy said plastering a fake smile on her face.

"Please don't get blood on the carpet, Mrs. Probie," Tony said through his own smile, "Gibbs will kill me."


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