The noise of the door opening causes Abby to look up from the evidence table in the office section of the lab where she is seated hunched over a laptop.

"Hey McGee what happened with the FBI agent?"
"Turns out he is I mean he was a friend of McCadden's."
"That doesn't mean he didn't kill him. We've had cases like that before."
"Yeah but Fornell vouched for him. He couldn't have done it."
"He could've got someone else to do it or Fornell could've lied."
"Lied to Gibbs? I doubt it and if he did Gibbs would've seen straight through it."
"That's true."
"You do have a creatively evil mind Abby."
"Thanks. Any luck with the shoe print?"
"Still waiting to hear back. It's frustrating though."
"Why?"
"Tony and I think we've seen someone wearing ladybird sneakers recently but we can't remember where." He sighs.
"Well where have you and Tony been together lately?"
McGee tries to think. "Since we've had a full on case load we've not had much time off. I've been working on some chapters for my latest book as my publisher's been nagging. Also Ziva's been so busy with her new romance and going away to meet him she hasn't had us over for a meal."
"Hmm. Sounds like you must have seen them on someone around here then."
Tim nods. "I'll have to keep thinking about it. How's things going down here?"
"The blood work came back clear. No helpful surprises. I got the report from the NIIBIN database on the gun that was meant to be destroyed. It was a Metro PD case."
"Do you know the names of those who were involved in the case and taking the gun to be destroyed?"
"The summary only gave the captain's name. I've requested the full file but it's a holiday weekend ya know."
"Gotta start somewhere. What was the captain's name?"
She walks over to her computer and calls up the file. "Captain Sandra Jackson. I looked her up. She's still there. She's Sparr's boss."
"Metro PD?" McGee is frowning.
"I said that. Pay attention Timmy."
"That's it!" He practically shouts at her as he starts to pace the room.
"What?"
"It has to be a coincidence. Then again she did have a connection with McCadden..."
"What are you talking about?" Abby is looking as if she's afraid for his sanity.
"I've remembered where I've seen those sneakers. It was, god was it only yesterday morning. When Vance and the captain were in the bullpen. She was wearing ladybird sneakers. Don't you remember?"
"I was being interrogated by Sparr at the time. I was concentrating on other things."
"It's probably just a coincidence but I better call Ziva and get her to tell Gibbs. Maybe we can somehow check it out quietly." He presses the speed dial on Abby's phone.
"Probationary agent Ziva David."
"Ziva I've remembered where I saw those sneakers. That Metro PD captain we met yesterday."
"You're right. I remember thinking she was a bit casually dressed for a captain. She must've heard about McCadden and dressed quickly to get into work and find out what was happening."
"Or she already knew. Tell Gibbs and check her out. Captain Sandra Jackson. Quietly of course."
"Of course." They both hang up their phones.
"Now what do ya need my help with?"
Abby glares at him. "I don't need your help McGee."
"But in your instant message you said..."
"I said I'd like your help. Not that I need your help. It's totally different."
"You do get cranky when you're tired." She continues to glare. "Sorry. Okay then. What would you like my help with?"
"I found nothing much on McC's laptop. Just some emails and personal financial stuff. Not even any good porn."
"You went looking for porn?"
"Just teasing. He didn't have anything relating to cases he was working so no leads there."
"That's unusual. Most cops and agents have some notes at home. Things to remember to follow up. Lists of people to check into. Notes like that. I'll have to ask Ziva if she and Sparr found any hard copies."
"Petty officer Jones' computer was the exact opposite. I don't think he ever deleted anything."
"Oh." The reason for her bad mood is now obvious.
"I've copied his emails over to mine. Can you go through them while I look at the rest of it?"
"Sure." He sits at her desk and they both work on for a few moments."We haven't spent time together in ages. What's new with you?"
"Actually there is something I've been meaning to speak to you about."
"What's that?"
"The way you act when I talk about a guy. Like when I was explaining to Sparr the phone calls between me and Phil."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean Tim you and I are not dating."
"I know that."
"We broke up years ago."
"I know that too. So?"
"So, where I go, who I see and what I do with them is none of your business. You have to stop making a scowly face every time I mention a guy. Honestly you're getting as bad as DiNozzo whenever the topic of Ziva's new man comes up."
"Scowly face?"
"Like this." She scrunches up her face and holds it like that for a moment before unscrunching."Ow, that hurts. You really have to stop it."
"I will if you will."
"What?"
"Those snarky remarks you make if you see me flirting with someone."
"When have I ever..."
"Special agent Julia Foster-Yates."
"Oh."
"And what about what you and Ziva did when we all went bowling a few months ago?"
"What we did?" She tries to look as if she's no idea what he's talking about.
"I dunno what you said to that woman I was chatting to but she left awfully fast after it."
"She wasn't the one for you Tim. We simply warned her that she'd better treat you right or there would be serious consequences. You know it's because I care. I just want you to be happy with someone who is right for you."
"I want you to be happy too. I really do want that Abby." They smile at each other.
"Guess we need to give each other some space then. Deal?" She holds out her hand.
"Deal." They shake hands. "It's getting late. Tony's already left for that thing in honor of McC. How about we get Ziva and go and grab a drink?"
"Good idea."