Author's Note: And after a long (and rather unnecessary) break from the internet, I am here to update once again. I apoligize for leaving this story where I had left it off last chapter, but now I'm back. This is where the story strays from the episode 'Bury Your Dead'.
Without furthur ado, Chapter 3.
Chapter 3
"Ducky. Don't tell me…"
"Look." Ducky exclaimed, cutting him off before he could go any further. "Tony… contracted pneumonic plague. As I'm sure everyone can remember."
"Before my time?"
"He…" Tim drifted off. "He almost died."
"From severe pneumonia." Ducky finished for him. "As a result, his lung tissue would have been extensively scarred, and I'm afraid that the scarred lungs of the man in autopsy are uncannily similar to the type of scarring that Anthony would have suffered."
The silence loomed after that.
They all knew what to expect, but Tim couldn't take it.
"The man I am performing an autopsy on… is more than likely Tony."
McGee couldn't listen to anymore. His feet quickly carried him to the bathroom, ignoring the protest in his heart.
He stared at the mirror in front of him, his hands pressed weakly against the sink.
His eyes were red, more than he had ever seen them before.
He tried to look calm, normal. But every time he thought he would be OK, another tear would escape past his defenses, and he would once again wipe it off viciously before turning back towards the mirror.
He failed to notice the footsteps that had entered the bathroom.
He failed to notice the man standing beside him.
He failed to notice the arm that clamped his right shoulder.
"Wanna talk?" He turned to Gibbs, whose face barely looked affected.
Had he even shed a single tear yet?
McGee kept silent as he stared back at the reflection.
"You should be proud of yourself." Tim turned towards Gibbs. "Look McGee, you put a lot more faith in Tony than the rest of us had-"
"I was too weak to accept the truth-"
"No. McGee." Gibbs shook his head. "You had faith in your partner when no one else did. That takes a lot of courage and determination." He paused. "I'm sure DiNozzo was grateful."
McGee's eyes snapped open.
His words struck Tim… just not in the way he intended.
"You're right, Gibbs. I do want to talk to someone." He suddenly shoved Gibbs to the side with surprising ease, the elder man barely having enough time to balance himself before he impacted the wall. "Just not you." Tim finished darkly before storming off, knowing exactly where his stomping feet were taking him.
The sudden, aggressive opening of the door left a sharp crack that diminished the silence.
"Agent McGee-" Jenny said startled. McGee slammed the door behind him.
"This is your fault!"
"McGee, let me explain-" He marched up to her, eyes glaring death at the woman sitting behind the desk in front of him.
"No! I'm fed up with this bullcrap! The only reason he's dead is because you can't tell the difference between your personal matters and official N.C.I.S. business! Because you refused to tell us Tony was on an undercover assignment, no one was there to watch his damn back! That's him on the autopsy table downstairs, and you know it!"
"McGee, I'm so-"
"I don't want to hear it." He growled softly as he glared at her with fierceness he did not know he possessed in his cold, green eyes. "I'll never forgive you," he whispered coldly as he stormed out of the office. He closed to elevator door behind him, not waiting for anyone else, while the sound of his sobs echoed in the empty room that seemed as almost empty as his heart.
Author's Note: I've said this earlier and I'll say it again. I REALLY apologize about any OOC-ness in this story. I've been working evtra hard to try avoiding it... but... hence the word 'tried'.
Reviews/Favorites/Watches are greatly appreciated! I hope you all enjoyed!