A/N: Hello everyone! Thanks so much for all the reviews for the previous chapter and thanks to all those who are enjoying reading this story. Sorry I didn't get around to personally responding to your reviews, it was do that or get this chapter ready (darn you college) so I am sending a hug to everyone. lol
Quick word before ago, for those of you who watch NCIS:LA (stop if you didn't see Tuesday's episode and don't want to be spoiler-fied) you'll know what I'm talking about. Anyway, I was watching it and the way the episode ended I was like "WHAT!? YOU CAN'T END IT LIKE THAT!! WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM??? HOW CAN YOU LEAVE US HANGING LIKE THAT?! AHHHHHHH...." and then I stopped mid rant when I realized I have been doing the exact same thing to you guys. And I felt horrible about it...for about a minute. Then I recovered. SO. Hope you enjoy the chapter.
Chapter Two
"Tim."
"Tim come on you're gonna be late."
"Timothy McGee, if you do not wake up this moment I will let Probie chew on your manuscript."
"Hmmm," Tim opened his eyes, smiling as they connected with his wife, "Are you sure the honeymoon's over?"
Natalie smiled, slapping McGee on the chest, "Yes. Now get dressed and go before Gibbs' calls you. I don't want you to be late on your first day back. Now get up now and I'll make you a bagel."
Tim rolled out of bed, heading for the shower, rubbing Probie's head along the way. Probie licked his hand in greeting before following his wife out of the room.
His wife. McGee still got a little giddy anytime he thought that particular thought.
Hurrying with his morning routine because he was running a bit late, McGee buttoned up his shirt as he walked downstairs, "Smells good."
Natalie smiled, handing him the bagel with a kiss on the check, "I love you. Be safe Tim."
"Love you too," Tim smiled and kissed her back, giving Probie one last pat before he headed outside and started his car.
He was about two minutes away from his house when his phone dinged, signaling he had received a text message.
And if you know what's good for you, you will text me if you are going to be late for dinner. Love you.
Smiling, Tim tapped out a quick, Yes. Love you too, before placing his phone back in its holster and focusing on his drive to the Navy yard.
"Tim!" Wilson's head popped up from behind the dividers, reminding Tim of a meerkat coming out of his hole, "You're back!"
Waiting for Tim to enter the bullpen, Wilson slapped the Senior Field Agent on the shoulder, "Did you have fun? Three weeks is a long time McGee, I got to tell you. Director Vance wouldn't put us on rotations because Boss wouldn't sign off on a TAD and me and Ziva have been through so many cold cases files I stopped counting after the first day!" Dwayne walked around, behind and on every side of Tim as he neared his desk, possessing that same uncanny ability Tony had always had of being able to invade someone's personal space without ever really getting in the way.
"Glad to be back Wilson," McGee laughed at his friend and coworker's antics before accepting the hug Ziva gave him.
"I'm glad that you're back," Ziva smiled, her greetings much more sober than her coworkers.
Tim raised his eyebrows in astonishment, "Two contractions in one sentence Ziva? Impressive."
Rolling her eyes and smiling at him as she walked back to her desk, Ziva responded, "I have been in this country for close to a decade Tim. It seemed about time don't you think?"
McGee nodded in response before turning on his computer, drinking his coffee as the PC booted up. He still had to run down to Forensics and Autopsy to say hello to Abby, Ducky and Palmer. But Gibbs was bound to be in the office any second and he would like to greet his Boss before continuing his greetings.
Besides, Tim thought, if he left and Gibbs entered the bullpen without Tim sitting at his desk, Gibbs would have his head.
"Special Agent McGee?"
Tim lifted his head, his eyes landing on a small petite woman who stood in front of his desk.
"Yes?" He asked, not recognizing her and not seeing a visitors badge anywhere on her person, "How may I help you?"
"Thank heavens," the woman sighed, her shoulders dropping in relief, "I'm new here, just started a few weeks ago and I'm still trying to figure out how everything is laid out around here and no one here wears name tags, not that that's a bad thing I'm just saying that it makes for learning everyone's names all that more harder because I understand how one would get annoyed, especially if someone keeps asking your name over and over-"
"Gear up," Gibbs said, cutting off the woman's monologue as he entered the bullpen, "Ziva, gas the truck, Wilson go get Ducky."
"Um," Tim stood, grabbing his gear and placing his gun back in his holster, "If you'll excuse me, I have a caseā¦"
"Oh um," the woman bit her lips, glancing at the paper in her hands.
"Tim!" Gibbs called out, already at the elevator waiting for him.
"I should be back in a few hours," Tim smiled apologetically, "Swing by my desk then."
Giving the woman a wave, Tim hurried into the elevator, keeping his head lowered, not wanting to get Gibbs slapped for taking so long to respond to his call.
But instead of a slap, Tim was happily surprised to feel Gibbs give him a pat on the back.
"How did it go?" Gibbs asked and Tim swore he could see the beginnings of a smile on Gibbs lips.
"Good," Tim replied, still watching for that famous Gibbs' slap out of the corner of his eye, "It was nice to go away for a bit. Haven't had a vacation in years."
Gibbs huffed, "Yeah, I know what you mean. Though Ziva and Wilson didn't particularly like sniffing through Cold Cases."
"No one does," Tim smiled, "Well, except for maybe Tony. I don't think he minded them as much."
At this statement, Gibbs laughed, "No," he shook his head and stepped out of the elevator when the doors opened, "He hated them just as much as the next fella. But he always kept the mood light, so it seemed as if he didn't mind them. But back when it was just me and him, he hated not having any active cases. He was always much more agreeable when he had someone else to mess around with. "
Tim smiled but didn't respond. He had never found out much about what it was like when it had just been Tony and Gibbs, and not even Kate, when she had been alive, had known much about it either. From what he could gather, Tony and Gibbs had worked for at least two years before Kate had been added on and in that time frame they had gone through numerous agents and according to comments Ducky sometimes made off handily, had gone through many time spans in which it had just been the two of them.
Arriving at black Charger, Tim huffed before sitting in the backseat, Wilson already sitting proudly in the shotgun seat. Ziva, who had probably lost at paper scissors rock, sat next to him as she glared at the back of Wilson's head. Tim, being the smart man that he was, gave her enough space that in the event she should attack him, he at least had a fighting chance of evacuating through the side door.
"Lost a bet?" Gibbs laughed, starting the car and leaving the Naval Base.
Ziva huffed in response and Tim worked hard to conceal his smile. Ziva turned and glared at him and even though they had been away for a few weeks, McGee found it comforting how quickly they fell back on their team dynamic.
And when Wilson started animatedly talking to Gibbs about a sports game he had seen on TV, Gibbs ignoring him completely, McGee let his thoughts wander as familiar voices filled the car.
A/N2: And because someone asked, no, no one guessed the boat's name. But yes, you will find out what Gibbs named it. PLEASE REVIEW! :)
