The Previous Day
"Director Vance? You wanted to speak to me?"
Leon Vance looked up to see Agent McGee peeking through the door uncertainly. Vance had known the young man for two years and though Agent McGee had no problem asserting himself when he saw necessary, whenever he was called to Vance's office he took on the demeanor of a young school boy who was being called to the principal's office.
"Come in, McGee. Have a seat."
Tim did as he was told, folding his hands in his lap. His knee was bouncing up and down as he sat there; it was a nervous habit that had plagued him for years. "Is there something wrong, sir?" he asked. He hoped Vance hadn't found out about him hacking into the Playboy website to get Tony those exclusive pictures of Miss March. He would never have used his computer skills for such lascivious purposes if he hadn't lost a bet with the older agent; though he couldn't deny it had given him a bit of a satisfactory rush.
"Nothing wrong at all. I just wanted to ask how things were."
"Everything's fine, sir," he said, raising an eyebrow uncertainly.
"The team is okay?" he asked. "I know that Officer David's return was met with mixed emotions."
"No," Tim interrupted firmly. "No, we were all happy for Ziva to come back." Tim didn't just mean Ziva returning to NCIS; he also meant her escape from the terrorist group who had held her hostage. It had been a difficult and trying period for them all, but they'd managed to get through it, though no one could deny Ziva wasn't quite the same woman she had been when she'd left.
Vance had heard whispers among other NCIS employees regarding Ziva's self-dismissal from Gibbs' team. Said whispers came from people who barely knew the Israeli woman, who only knew the minimum of facts as to what had happened. Things were not back to normal among the employees, but Vance didn't feel the need to bring that up. After all, that had nothing to do with this. "And how are you feeling on the team, Agent McGee?"
"Me?" Tim asked in surprise. He wasn't very accustomed to people asking him how he was feeling with his current situation, so the question actually made him stop and think before he responded. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't it be?"
Director Vance shrugged. "I know you're a very academically inclined person and the work of a field agent can sometimes lean more to the physical side. I would hate for you to get bored with your work."
In truth, Tim had begun to feel a bit bored, like he was in a rut. Sure, he loved the job and the agency, but there was a certain degree of monotony to it.
"Not bored at all," he said, pushing away his thoughts. "Who could get bored with law enforcement? It's like living in an action film."
"I wouldn't go that far, Agent McGee," Vance commented with a slight smile. "I don't deny that field work can be fun; I was only questioning how advanced and challenging it was for you."
"Challenging?"
"You skipped ahead two grades when you were in school, correct?" Vance asked, changing tactics.
"Yes, sir. I skipped 2nd grade and then later I skipped 8th grade."
"You were too advanced for your grade and got bored too easily," he surmised.
Tim nodded. "I, uh, would always finish my work before the other students. I don't think the teachers would have noticed, but I got in the habit of goofing off after I'd finished my work," he admitted.
Vance had to grin. Timothy McGee had never struck him as the goofing off type.
"But I'm not bored," Tim added hastily. "And even if I was…I would never goof off on agency time, sir."
"I know, McGee."
Tim could sense there was an underlying point to this. "Sir, could you please tell me what this all about?"
"Of course," he said with a nod. "This morning, I received notice of a job opening with the L.A. agency."
"L.A.?" Tim echoed, trying—and failing—to hide his interest.
"I know that you enjoyed your time spent there with Agent Gibbs."
Tim shrugged in what he hoped was a nonchalant manner.
"It's okay to say so," Vance said, noticing the young agent's reluctance. "I've been there a few times myself and was very impressed by the equipment. Seems like heaven for a man like you. Technology is just up your alley, isn't it?"
"Yes, sir."
"They want an agent with excellent computer skills, a vast knowledge of technology, and the capability to use that technology. My mind immediately went to you."
"Thank you, sir," Tim said.
Vance didn't respond right away and Tim knew the Director was waiting for an answer. "That's a wonderful offer, Director. I just don't think I can accept."
"And why is that?"
Why? A million reasons ran through Tim's head. He was happy here. He liked working on Gibbs' team. His friends were here. "My apartment's here," he blurted out. He winced.
Vance looked amused. "I am almost certain you would be able to track down an apartment in L.A."
"I know. I just meant that I'm not sure I want to leave Gibbs' team." Had he said "not sure"? That implied that there was a chance he did want to leave the team. But he didn't…right?
"I didn't expect you to decide this quickly, McGee. I'm sure you'll want to think about the offer, weigh the pros and cons. That's perfectly fine."
"When would I need to give you a definite answer?" he asked. Inside, he mentally berated himself for even asking about a deadline. He wasn't going to accept this offer…was he?
"I'll give you until Friday to give me your decision."
Tim nodded. "Thank you, sir. Does anyone else know about this offer?"
"No, and, if you'd like, I'll keep it just between us."
"Yes, I'd like that." The last thing Tim needed while he mulled over the prospect of a new job was for the team to add their two cents. He already knew what they would say. "Is that's all…" he said as he stood.
"Just one more thing," Vance interrupted. "I know you feel a loyalty to your team. Gibbs wouldn't have you if you didn't. However, all teams will break up eventually. I hope you don't pass up this opportunity if it's something you truly want."
"I won't," Tim promised. And it was true. Tim wasn't going to let his co-workers decide this for him; his decision would be made based on whether or not he wanted the new position.
Now he needed to decide if he did.
