Tim has no idea the sheer number of Lou Ferrigno references that are possible. Then again, inane movie and television references are one of DiNozzo's best talents. The days go by and he sees agents respond differently to him. He becomes the diplomat he'd been when he was a part of Gibb's team, and the compromiser he'd been when he'd had his own team but saying no when he needs to. There is respect in the way Agents defer to him and accept his decisions. He finally feels like he might be able to do this. He doesn't see Tony quite as much, but when he does, amongst the banter and jibes, there is approval in the other man's green eyes. Tim won't admit the warmth it fills him with. He has lunch with Abby that week and she notices right away.

"You look happy, Timmy. I mean, really, really happy," She hasn't seen him since the congratulation party they'd held for him when he took over four months ago. She's been in town for the conference that half the agency is attending. Her portion finished this morning. She's taught forensics in Virginia for a couple years now. He'd been sad to see her go, there had been so many changes already. "It's just not the same," was her reason for leaving. He hadn't understood then. It had taken him this long to finally get it. She couldn't keep going on like nothing had changed. Like Gibbs and Ducky hadn't retired, like Ziva hadn't transferred to Rota and everything else that had happened. She'd moved on, quite literally. It was the only way she'd known to deal with it. But he can't leave. He can't abandon his post. And he can't live in the past. Not anymore.

He kisses her cheek and sees her back to her car and wishes her a safe drive home. There is no sickness in his gut at watching her go. He's letting the past go, little by little.

Funny, he hadn't even realized how hard he'd been holding on.

**(**

He's back at the office when the call comes in. It's a frantic call from a rookie agent from the same conference Abby had been attending. He's hiding in a supply closet at the Hyat hotel. A man is holding up conference room A. He thinks there are twenty law enforcement personnel in the room and the gunman fired once and the agent thinks he might be bleeding.

Tim doesn't wait for his driver and takes a company car. He passes six other responding cars and pulls up before the perimeter is even secured at the hotel. Gibbs was his mentor, after all.

"What have we got?" the uniformed officer pauses, trying to gauge who McGee is.

"Director, we've got it under control," a gravelly voice calls from nearby.

"Uh-oh. Look out McSpeedy, it's Ahhhnold," Tony's come up behind him, doing his best Schwarzenegger impression. Tim lets it wash over him as he squares his shoulders and turns slightly to watch as Special Agent Arnold strides quickly over to him, Agent Sullivan trailing nervously behind him. Sullivan is young and Tim remembers what it was like keeping up with Gibbs at that age. Daunting. "Remember your inner Lou," Tony whispers behind him and he's rolling his head on his shoulders before he registers what he's doing. Geeze, all he needs to do now is put his fists in the air and dance back and forth. Instead, he takes a deep breath.

"SitRep, Agent Arnold," he ignores Tony behind him who is shivering dramatically and whispering about goose-bumps.

"Twenty-two hostages, all NCIS personnel and all unarmed. We have a list of names. We've secured the area and evacuated the hotel. I have NCIS agents and local LEO's at all stairwells and exits,"

"Do we know who exactly is holding up the conference?"

Arnold purses his lips. Tony's voice is in his ear then, "That's his tell,"

"Huh," Tim watches and realizes that it is indeed a give-a-way. Arnold isn't irritated with Tim, well, right now. He's irritated with himself because he doesn't know.

"Not at this time," Arnold answers grudgingly, "We're working with the Agent who called it in. He was grazed. Got him in the back of an ambulance with a sketch artist. We'll run facial recognition and narrow it down. Whoever he is, he's cut the phone line to the room. The hostage negotiator just arrived and is making his way to outside the room now,"

"And in the meantime, we have twenty-two people at this maniacs' mercy. That'll take too long. Have they disabled the surveillance cameras?"

Arnold looks visibly rankled, his shoulders twitch back and his eyes narrow. "Yes. That was the first thing we checked. This isn't my first day on the job,"

Tony is spoiling behind him now, making comments as though the situation has become a spectator sport. "Come on Probie, I know he wouldn't like you when you're angry,"

"You're right," he's answering both men now, but instead of anger, Tim feels calm and allows a smile that makes DiNozzo proud, "It's not my first day either,"

And with that, he turns to Agent Sullivan.

"Yes, Sir!" Sullivan is new and shiny and eager and Tim marvels that he was ever like this and flushes embarrassed knowing that he was. Sullivan steps forward with enthusiasm. Unfortunately. he wilts under Arnold's glare and Tim is trying desperately not to draw comparisons with Gibbs. He glances back to see his backup crossing his arms over his chest, sucking in the sides of his cheeks so his lips purse out, and eyes narrow in knowing disapproval. Tim shrugs sheepishly and turns back to continue the pissing match.

"Agent Sullivan,"

The agent in question turns warily back to him, his eyes straying to Arnold's challenging gaze.

"Agent Sullivan," and Tim's voice is calm and low and those standing in their little circle can't help but lean forward to hear him. Tim stares hard at Sullivan, keeping his gaze, daring him to look away and willing him to believe that the only person with authority here is Timothy McGee. "Agent Arnold has told me that you're quite the tech whiz,"

Tim isn't sure who looks more surprised, Sullivan or Arnold. Sullivan looks to Arnold who looks uncomfortable. Even he isn't cruel enough to squash the hopeful glint in the kids' eyes, so he nods and grunts what is assumed to be approval. Sullivan beams and Arnold's eyes widen. He shifts his feet as Sullivan turns back to Tim, his back ramrod straight and proud.

"Yes, Sir, I mean, uh, I know my way around electronics, Sir,"

"Director will do, Agent Sullivan," Sullivan dips his head and smiles sheepishly. Tim puts his hand on the young mans' shoulder. Sullivan watches him with something akin to awe. "You ever gone old school, Sullivan?"

Sullivan hadn't, but the gleam in his eyes told Tim everything he needed to know.

"He looks like a fifteen year old seeing his first Playboy,"

Tim snorts. Tony has no idea.

**(**