Abby stomps around her apartment, fuming about Tim's transferring and why no one seems to know about it. Gibbs definitely should have told her that the younger man was even thinking of leaving so that she could have talked Tim out of it...after all, who would look after Jethro if Tim left? Those two were meant to be together.
She pulls out her cell and tries several times to call Gibbs, but the man doesn't answer. Grabbing her purse and keys, she strides out to her car and steps in before gunning the engine and setting off for Gibbs house.
"If the Gibbs won't come to Abby then Abby will go to Gibbs."
Pulling into Gibbs driveway, the Goth's ire is further stoked by the sight of not just Tony's rental car but Ducky's Morgan as well. She parks the car and stomps towards the house, throwing the door open as she goes in.
"Where is he? Where is Gibbs? Why didn't he tell us about Tim transferring and why are you all just standing here when you should be bringing Tim home."
Ziva doesn't bother answering, she just stands up and heads back outside. Ducky stares after her, sighing as he listens to Abby rant about Gibbs and Tim and of all things the dog Jethro.
"That is enough Abigail. As Tony and I have both stated Timothy is out visiting his relatives in Colorado. Jethro has been kenneled until Timothy returns."
"Which might be never! Who will watch over him then?"
"ENOUGH!" Gibbs roars from the base of the stairs. "I don't give a damn about the mutt!"
"But Gibbs, it's Jethro!" Abby's protest falls on deaf ears as Gibbs approaches.
"And what about Tim, Abby? Have you taken his feelings into consideration in all this or is it all about YOU?" Gibbs points an angry finger at Abby, who gulps nervously.
"Gibbs? What? I didn't do anything wrong! Timmy's the one who shot Jethro so he's the one who should make amends!"
Tony quietly stands up and hands Gibbs a mug of freshly brewed coffee. The lead agent nods his thanks as he reins in his anger at the Goth's callous statement. If he'd needed confirmation of anything that Daniel Jackson had told him or shown him he'd just received it.
"What about Tim's coat, Abby? Was that another way for Tim to make amends? For defending himself against a vicious animal? And he was vicious Abbs. Tony, Ziva and I all saw Tim's wounds before Ducky stitched him up. He was lucky that the damn dog missed a vein or an artery." Gibbs starts pacing as he remembers the video, "You even saw what his injuries were and you conveniently ignored them, and Tim's advice to leave the muzzle on him. If he hadn't been sedated, you could have been the next one to be attacked!"
"I knew that he was gentle. He was just a poor doggy that had been shot. And it was all Tim's fault!"
"NO ABBS IT WASNT! McGee was protecting himself! That's it end of story! Be damn glad that none of the rest of us had been the one covering the backdoor; the animal would have been DOA!"
Tony watches as Abby flees for Gibbs backyard and the lead agent fills up his coffee cup before sitting down at the table.
"What do we got so far on the bastards who did this to me?" Tony exchanges looks with Ducky and texts Ziva asking her to bring the lab rat closer to the open kitchen screen door. This is going to be the opening Ducky needs to talk to Gibbs. By keeping Abby outside, the forensic scientist can listen and not interfere. Ducky hands Gibbs a couple of aspirin which the younger man swallows with his coffee before turning to look for the missing members of his team.
"Where's Abby and Ziva?"
"They are outside Jethro. Abigail is still a tad bit upset at the way you yelled at her."
"Yeah, Jethro has rights too."
"Shut up Abby or I will shut you up, permanently." Ziva's threatening tone brings smiles to all three men at the table. Gibbs stands up and walks over to the door. He opens it up and ushers the women inside.
"No sense in eavesdropping when you can hear it better in here. So, what do we know about the team that Tim's gotten hooked up with?"
"Oh, well, for now it's lead by a former military man. He had retired after the loss of his child and was recruited for a special mission that very few people knew about."
"Duuuuck...we are not here to discuss my life."
"Really Jethro and who says that this story is about you? No this is concerning one Jack O'Neill. Who by the way has a life that almost mirrors your own. The main difference is that O'Neill values his team whereas I'm not so certain that you do anymore Jethro. At least not all of them."
Gibbs looks around the room at Tony, Ziva, Abby and Ducky. "How did any of you know about Tim transferring when I just found out a few hours ago?"
Abby shifts a bit in her seat and all eyes turn to the Goth. "I accidentally overheard the Director talking to Colonel O'Neill. He had requested that all of the team be brought in for questioning regardless of where they were."
Gibbs frowns at the information. "I wasn't informed. None of you called me to fill me in."
Tony clears his throat, "Ah, the director said that she didn't want you brought in. Said you were working on something and didn't need to be disturbed."
Gibbs frown darkens and the three younger people almost shrink as the implications of what he's hearing sink in. "Jenny knew O'Neill was there; she called all of you back in and she didn't bother to tell me? What about Tim? Did she try to call him in?"
"Colonel O'Neill said that Timmy wasn't to be disturbed. That he wanted to speak to you and primarily you but the director convinced him to go to lunch and that's when she talked him into letting Tim transfer."
Ziva frowns at Abby's words and Gibbs looks at her. "What is it Ziver?"
"The director did not go to lunch to talk him into the transfer. McGee's transfer is still sitting on Cynthia's desk waiting for Director Shepherd to look at it. McGee handed the transfer in before he left for Colorado, Gibbs. There are several files that were handed in at the same time and none of them have been processed yet."
Gibbs once again turns to his Gothic scientist. "Care to change that statement, Abbs?"
Abby glares briefly at Ziva who stares calmly but steadfastly back at her as if daring her to lie again to Gibbs. "I…I saw Timmy forward a copy of it to General Hammond. He was being so secretive that day and he wouldn't tell me what he was doing so, I waited for him to get absorbed in what he was doing and watched as he filled out his transfer request."
"Why didn't you come to me about this sooner Abbs?" Gibbs sigh is heartfelt and all eyes turn now to the team leader.
"I thought you knew and would do something about this Gibbs. He sent you a copy of it, but then you didn't come in today due to working on your boat and whatever assignment the director put you on."
"Tony, she's had you in her confidences in the recent past. Did Jen tell you anything about this supposed assignment I was on today?"
Tony shakes his head, "I know what today usually signifies so I wasn't too surprised that you weren't there, but I hadn't thought of any other reason for you to be gone to be honest boss."
Gibbs stands up and refills his coffee, frowning at the empty carafe before starting yet another pot.
"So, what do we know about O'Neill and his team?"
"Not a lot as they are all part of Homeland Security. What we do know is what Tim has divulged when he comes back from visiting them." Ziva's comment brings Gibbs attention to the pretty Israeli.
"No, Gibbs he has not said a lot. Just that he feels safe there and that he is listened to. Something that we, as a team are guilty of not doing."
Gibbs looks around the table and sees the guilt on not just Ziva's face but Tony and Ducky's as well. As for Abby, confusion is reigning on her features and he gives a silent sigh. The Goth may never know completely just what her actions have cost them; for now, Leroy Jethro Gibbs is hoping it's not Special Agent Timothy McGee.
A/N: next chapter we're back to Colorado
