Ch 5
Abby arrived in her Lab and found her baby's all beeping frantically at her she ran to them and hit a variety of buttons as the beeps slowly stopped she then took Jethro off the leashes who had hid in the far corner of her lad to avoid the noise. It was almost noon her time that gave her 3 hours till noon in Seattle. She gathered her results from her machines and did some quick research on the flower. She prepared the results for samples 5 and 6 and then added the results of the flower in at the end. She sat back in her chair and smiled done and 2 hours ahead of time. She looked down at the clock she was hungry but knew she should first send them off to Tim and Gibbs. She hit the Send button and called Tim on her Com. He answered this time from his computer his forehead and face appearing on her screen before he spoke.
"Hey Ab's what you got" Tim looked up giving his best smile
"Well just sent you the results, Tim looks like sample 5 and 6 are some form of metals, I sent you a list of possible links and such." Abby said smiling back
"Thanks, got it right here" Tim says as he starts to read tough the report from Abby.
"Silver, plating seams a strange combo with Iron" Tim says as he reads on.
"Yaw that what I thought" Abby says as she see's Gibbs approaching from the rear.
"Hey Ab's what you got for us" Gibbs says as he sips his coffee
"I just sent it all to Tim Gibbs, seams that samples 5 and 6 were both the same Silver and Iron" Abby says worried Gibbs might see the flower info and not find it as funny as she did.
"Viola Abunca" Says Gibbs what is that?
Abby shrank in her chair that was for Timmy's eyes to see not Gibbs.
"Uhhh it's a flower Gibbs, it was for Timmy not related to the case, sorry " Abby said wishing the Com would disconnect so she could hide from both him and Tim's view.
Abby could see Tim sinking in the chair, as Gibb grabs the mouse from Tim's hand.
"Seams to be poisonous, causing severe stomach and intestinal upset, as well as nervousness and respiratory and circulatory depression" Gibbs reads as he smiles and Tim try's to slip away.
"Well Ab's seams Timmy and I got some work to do he will call you tonight" Gibb says Gibb places his hand on Tims shoulder and sits him back in his chair.
Abby smiles at Gibbs and Gibbs hits the button ending the Com call.
Abby turns to Jethro look like I got Daddy in trouble, Jethro comes over and sit bye Abby side and places his paw on her knee.
Gibbs releases McGee mouse and stands up as McGee opens a window and begins researching Silver and Iron uses.
"So what's up with the flower McGee" Gibbs ask enjoying making McGee squirm.
"Um uh I sent it along with the samples I sent Abby last night and a treat for Jethro from the Dog treat store across from the Hotel. It was just a flower boss, she gets jealous if I send others gift and not her something." McGee said wishing Gibbs would drop it.
"Jealous hmmm I see, so you sent Jethro a treat and her a flower" Gibbs said sipping his coffee and hovering over McGee.
"Yaw Boss" McGee answered wishing he would drop the subject.
"That is it McGee just a dog treat and a flower" Gibbs said still hovering over McGee causing McGee to loose all train of though.
"And a card" McGee answered in a quite voice knowing it was best to just get it over with and he quit typing and turned to face the Boss. He knew the boss wasn't gona drop it and he figured it was better to face the music now so he could get on with his work.
"Did she analyze the Dog treat as well" Gibbs asked as McGee turned to face him.
"Probably" McGee said wondering how far the boss would go with this.
"That's sweet McGee" Gibbs said walking away from McGee Desk he'd done it, Made McGee squirm, Tony would be proud, now there was work to do.
Tim turned back to his screen and continued his research. His though were it was sweet Abby had analyzed the flower and sent him the results. He wished Gibbs hadn't seen it though and hoped it wouldn't get back to Tony. He would hear about it for months if it did. He wondered if Abby had noticed the card and what she thought. He missed Jethro he noticed funny, the same dog who he swear he didn't want he missed. Life is funny he thought…..
Chapter 6
Two days had passed and Abby had bought Jethro into work both days but knew that Gibbs and Tim was due back today so she figured she leave Jethro at home incase she had to go to the base to retrieve them. Bringing Jethro to the base would be a pain since the other dogs and him had a few ego issues. Abby smiled guess he has something's in common with his namesake. Abby walked though the door to the office and Ducky was there at Gibbs desk looking franticly for something.
"What you lose Ducky" Abby asked as Ducky turned and looked like he wasn't up to anything.
"Um returning Gibbs stapler" Ducky said trying to look innocent.
"Ok Ducky if you say so" Abby smiled as she walked to the elevator knowing good and well he was lying.
Abby worked until 15:00 and then decided to call Gibbs. McGee had not returned one of her calls and she was trying not to worry. McGee told her last night when they talked that they were done in Seattle since they had proved the Air force Lieutenant had placed the General there in the floor seamed his wife had confessed to him who the father of her soon to be baby really was. Pretty simple and boring case forensic sided but getting the Air force and Marines to work together on a case was less than that. McGee told her they expected to be in around 13:00 and he would call her when they where getting on the plane. McGee always took her calls no matter what.
Gibbs answered in a quite voice. "Yah Abby what you need"
Where are you two McGee told me you'd be to the base by 13:00 and it's 15:00 now and he isn't answering his phone and I-" Abby didn't get to finish before Gibbs interrupted
"Hey I'll call you back in 5 mins" And Gibbs hung up on her.
She walked back in forth in her office pacing what was wrong why had Gibbs been whispering now she was worried she grabbed her cell and went up to Tony's desk he'd know. She arrived and there sat Tony on the phone. He didn't look happy. Abby turned toward Ziva and she also was on the phone and looked annoyed. Abby looked around and Tony waved her over. He hit the mute button on his phone and whispered to her.
"Looks like your Timmy is in a little trouble with the Air force. The director and Gibbs are trying to clear it up now but seams he hacked his way though one to many system this time Ab's." Tony said as he returned to his phone call. Abby went over to Tim's desk and sat down in his chair, and logged on to his computer and IM'd Tony with what is going on. It seamed like forever but was only 5 mins. Finally Tony was off the phone. Tony looked over to her and Abby wheeled Tim's chair over to Tony's desk.
"So what is going on Tony and why won't McGee answer his phone he always answers his phone Tony and I call-
Tony smiled and placed a finger on Abby's lips. "Shhh your babbling and I can't tell you what is going on when you babbling like this" Abby calmed down and Tony removed his finger.
"Seams your Timmy is in bit of a bind see the Airforce doesn't like their systems hack though and well you know McGeek he would hack though anything for boss."
Abby then heard Ziva "yes I'll send it right over" Ziva hung up on what seamed to be a very big conference call.
Abby looked at Tony who smiled "He will be Fine Ab's. Just politics for Gibbs pissing off the Airforce and some Major. Jenny says they have never gotten along." Tony said smiling.
Ziva didn't look happy she looked worried. Abby got up and walked to Ziva's desk.
"What he do excatcly?" Abby asked pearing into Ziva's computer screen.
"Oh hacked his way into some top secret files again this time he got caught though looks like." Ziva said sending some files the director asked for over.
Tim never got caught what was going on. Abby looked at Tony
"Well keep me in the loop I'm part of this team too you know I'd like to know when something like this happends maybe I could have helped or something." Abby said as Tony reached back to his phone and started to dial another number
"Relaxe Ab's I told you Gibbs will have your Timmy home tonight I promise" Abby stormed off she didn't like the sarcasim in Tony's voice and she was worried about Tim. He never got caught what happened.
Her cell rang as she entered the elevator. "Hey Gibbs" she answered.
"Hey Ab's sorry I didn't call you earlier seams McGee left behind some way for the Airforce to track that he had been search though serect files while looking for the investgation and just as we were leaving today they arrested him. But don't worry just a bunch of Majors throwing there weight around I'll have him home soon." Gibbs said in a reassuring voice. Abby was suspisis. Why was everyone trying to make this sound like it wasn't a big deal and if it wasn't why could she not talk to Tim. She didn't like this. Everyone protecting her. She thought to herself seams strange they are all more worried about me being upset then the fact that poor Timmy was being integrated by some Airforce Majors who are just Jelous that he broke into there system.
"oh ok well call me I'll come get you when you land if you still want" Abby said feeling werid now.
"If it's not to late other wise we will just call for a car" Gibbs said
"Is there anything I can do to help Gibbs?" Abby asked wanting to help Tim out and keep busy.
"Not really Ab's, I'm pretty much out of the loop on this and it's in the director and McGee's hands. In the end, they will have to let him go, after all he was only following orders and those orders where mine"
You sure there is nothing I can do to help?" Abby asked almost pleading for something to do.
"We can talk about that later Ab's, I got to go ok. He will be fine" Her heart hit the ground what did Gibbs mean by we can talk about it later.
She went back to her computer only to see McGee send her a hidden message on her screen "sorry talk later" flashed in a error message on her screen McGee had done that before she new it was from him. He did it a lot to let her know when someone was coming down to her lab if their mood was bad or something. It was his little system. She wondered how he did it all the way from Seattle and how he had access to a computer if he was in so much trouble. Oh well she tough and hit the x to make the message go away. They'd talk tonight and she'd find out then what happened.
It was 20:45 and Gibbs had called her twice saying they were about to leave now, just to call back 10 min's later telling her they'd been delayed again. Gibbs didn't seam upset with Tim. Abby thought that was good, she knew Tim would be stressed that he had disappointed Gibbs. Abby finally sat down at Tim's computer again and started to play a game when another error message came up. "Still here stay night see you later please" She read it twice as it didn't read well Tim was usually good at making sure his messages were clear but this one wasn't very Tim like.
She finally clicked it away and looked down at Jethro. She started to go back to her game and her cell rang, she answered it right away and paused, as not to sound to excited, it was Gibbs again.
"So Abby seams they want to now take apart his cell phone, they think he might have some sort of bug in it or something, heck I don't know what they are all going on about I've answered every thing they have came across against McGee with I authorized him to do it. I have said yes to every one of them so they have nothing. To be honest I have no idea what I've been saying I authorized him to do, though McGee gona have a lot to explain when they let him go. " Gibbs was rambling now
"He said it's gona be late Gibbs" Abby said possibly interrupting him
"You talked to him? How Abby they won't let me even see him" Gibbs said annoyed she knew something he didn't
"Quite boss they could be listening" Abby said not wanting to explain McGee's messaging system to him right now especially over the phone.
"Oh ok Ab's well I understand and will talk with you later. And yes, we will call a car it will be late I guess" Gibbs got off the phone.
Maybe McGee had managed to allow him to call her saying it was personal and all. He wasn't angry at McGee heck McGee had never been caught before it was bound to happen sometime he knew it. He just wishes Tim had been more carful working around the Air force. This was mainly in Jenny's court and better off she was charming and they needed that when politic was the game. Gibbs knew they'd let him go and all would be well in a few days. He knew Jenny would fix it soon as she talked with the right people. Mean while all he could do was sit here in this room waiting for them to let Tim go.
It was 9:30 when Tim walked though the door holding his cell phone in a million little pieces. He looked frazzled and tired. Gibbs stood up and walked over he put his arm on McGee's shoulder and smiled
"We get you a new one tomorrow Tim" Gibbs never called him Tim, it comforted Tim, Gibbs being angry was most of his stress in the integration.
McGee looked up did you call Abby and tell her he asked? Yaw but she said she already knew you'd be home late. Yaw sent her a few messages while I was showing the fed's how I managed to break though their system and all. " Mc gee said as he placed the pieces of his phone in his pocket.
"I won't even ask how, I've heard to much techno babble for one day" Gibbs said and walked out the door.
McGee smiled and walked down the hall toward the exit sign with his boss. They took the next flight back to Quantico and had landed by 10:45pm. Gibbs had already called a car and it was waiting on the tar mat when there plane arrived. McGee grabbed his bag and headed to the car it was nice to see a face he knew the driver, it was one of their people finally someone he knew. Gibbs got in on the other side.
"So McGee tell me how'd you get caught?" McGee was waiting for this he knew Gibbs would ask.
"Well boss seamed I forgot to jump enough severs before entering their mainframe though 13 would be enough but didn't figure in the fact that it didn't matter how many severs I jump from they were watching me from the beginning, I didn't stand a chance boss they watched everything I did, they just let me do it. In the end one of the guys General Honicke told me they decided to learn from me. I guess they wanted to see what I could do they'd heard I was the best and they still don't understand how I got though it, but I showed them several times and they said it wasn't possible. I showed more people how than I'd like to think about today." McGee stated to the boss leaning his head against the window it had been raining almost soothing to hear the rain against the window.
Gibbs sat in silence for a moment tired himself.
"So they were just playing you McGee, they knew you were hacking their system but wanted to see what you could do" Gibbs asked and stated
"yup boss sounds like it" McGee said trying to stay awake
"And your cell phone?" Gibbs asked?
"Well not really sure some of the guys seamed to like me and some were really upset with me. I think the ones who were on my side or our side had to let the others give me a hard time. The General Hoenicke, he was the one who finally let me go he told the others. Look it's late and he was tired and if they had more question they could arrange a meeting or something at a later date and he was releasing me. He then turned and said I could leave, so I did." McGee said and leaned his head back against the window. They rode in silence for a few more minutes till Gibbs spoke up again
"So you weren't distracted McGee" Gibbs finally asked
"Distracted with what boss?" McGee asked sitting up again
Gibbs gave him a fatherly look and smiled "Abby, McGee Abby"
"Oh" McGee was speechless he didn't know what to say to Gibbs he didn't know what to say at all.
"That's ok McGee I've been where you are, I understand just try and stay focused on work, it will give way McGee she's coming around you know" McGee looked out the window not sure whether to respond or what to say, it was awkward having boss know his personal stuff especially with Abby. Gibbs though of her as a daughter and he knew it, everyone knew it.
McGee turned and looked Gibbs in the eye.
"You think so" McGee asked looking like he could sleep right there in the car.
"she is different lately with you If I can see that, you surly can." Gibbs smiled and Tim smiled back.
"Just worried she'll run again if I say anything" Tim says breaking the silence
"Then don't Tim, just go with the flow enjoy her and don't rush it, oh and keep the dog" Gibbs said as the driver pulled up to McGee place.
"of course" Tim smiled he knew Gibbs was being funny. Yes Jethro had given them a reason to be close again, but he knew they where both just looking for a reason, he hoped.