I own nothing, i don't own NCIS and it's a shame. If i have, i will gave Tim McGee a lot more of backbone. I am not an American native so you will have to excuse me for the grammatical errors. Take place after Mexico events.
Thanks to my beta blanket8713 .
I hope that you'll still like it. And you still enjoy it.
Sorry for the delay.
The next day the young author step out calm and in peace. He spotted on his desk a coffee and a Danish. He shrugged after a moment and started to eat his treats. He had no idea who offered him that but he wanted to enjoy it. At the same time, he powered his computer and he checked his searches.
The Israeli arrived, greeted the computer expert and boosted her computer.
Ziva : Hello, McGee. Did you enjoy your evening?
Tim : Yes, it was good. Thank you.
She was about to continue to question him, when she caught a glimpse of the Italian leaving the elevator. She remembered their discussion from the previous day.
The older man arrived in the bullpen with coffee and donuts; which he distributed to all his teammate.
They were eating in silence when the ex-military entered the Squadroom and sat at his desk. The Team leader looked at the younger man intensely, which caused Tim to be nervous.
The white haired man was about to rise to speak with the computer nerd, when his cell phone rang. He sighed, listened to his phone, and looked at his team.
Gibbs : Grab your gear. We have another body at Rock Park Creek.
Ziva was confused, looked at him and frown. Before she could ask questions, he answered.
Gibbs : It's warrant officer second class Erik Hoche.
They gathered in the lift and went to the crime scene.
/***********************/
After the crime scene, they came back to the Bullpen, while DiNozzo brought the evidence collected to Abby. When the SFA arrived at the lab door, he stopped in his tracks. Something was wrong, really wrong. The 1st clue was the lack of music. He didn't like change and two people who behaved like pod people didn't sit well with him.
Abby turned around when she heard her name. That's when he saw the second clue, the lack of makeup and pigtails on the woman.
The brunette man wanted to shake her.
Tony : Abby, are you okay?
Abby : Yeah. Peachy!
Tony : Hey! Don't snap at me. It's not my fault, is it?
Abby : Sorry. You're right, it's my fault. I've done something bad, really bad. Gibbs and Ducky, they hate me. They think that I broke the team, that Timmy will never forgive me, or even speak to me. But he has to, I need him to. They also said that he would prefer to quit NCIS than be in my protection detail. I hope not because it has been his dream since he is 10 years old and it's all my fault. I hate this. I'm not a bad person you know. I'm a nice one. I go to the church, I give to the charities. You know that right? But Gibbs, he thinks that I'm awful...
In the meantime, DiNozzo who tried to stop her because she wasn't making sense.
Tony : Abby, Abby, Abby, ABBY! SCUITO!
The Goth jumped and started to chew on her lip.
Tony : What are you talking about? You're the favorite. How could you think that Gibbs and Ducky hate you? If you want to talk about it, you need to slow down a lot, ok?
Abby : I'm sorry. I never listen... And I'm not the favorite anymore. I'm stupid. Even now, I'm sorry that I'm not the favorite anymore.
Tony : What did you do?
After the Goth sighed, he realized he may need a time to cajole her into telling him, but she launched in her story. She was just finishing when she paused to observe the pissed off and barely restrained Italian pacing.
Tony : Have you any idea what would have happened to him if he was captured by a Mexican cartel?
The woman responded to him with eyes full of tears and shame.
Abby : Believe me, now I know.
This statement and the tone used, interrupted the man in his pacing and caused his eyes to narrow at her.
Tony : Speak now!
Abby had never heard the man speak to her like that. His intonation was low and dangerous.
Abby : Ducky and Gibbs, they tried to teach me what could happen to us if...
Flashback
When they reached the Autopsy, Gibbs one step ahead her Ducky greeted them cheerfully, until he saw the Team leader with a grim face and Abby looking full of shame just behind him.
Ducky : What had happened Jethro? Has something occurred?
Gibbs : Don't worry Duck! Nothing recently. Abby will explain the situation to you.
He turned to Abby who was trying to blend into the decor.
He smirked at her with a bittersweet and devilish sneer.
Abby : …
The ex-military crossed his arms, eyebrow raised. She had no choice.
Abby : Ducky, I made a mistake when I was in Mexico. I'm sorry, it's not my fault. Ducky, you know I'm not a bad person...
She made out Gibbs narrowing his eyes trough her watery eyes and she halted her speech and lowered her head. When she finished, tears streamed down her cheeks and she saw the disappointment filling the M.E.'s eyes. She never expected to see the older man looking at her like this.
Ducky : How could you do this, Abigail? I thought you were smarter than that? How could you treat young Timothy so poorly?
I always saw you like a naïve, immature woman but never like a manipulative one. You are more twisted than I expected. I am so disappointed in you.
Then he turned to his friend.
Ducky : Even if I understand why you wanted me to listen to this, what do you need me for?
Gibbs : I need you to show to Abby what could transpire when someone is captured by a Mexican Cartel.
Ducky : Are you sure this is wise, Jethro? I know why you will go to such length but I don't know if it won't cause the opposite effect.
Jethro : No, I think that Abby has lived in a fairy tale long enough. It's time for her grew up.
The Scottish bowed his head and searched for his old files.
Ducky : Abigail sits down in my office and look at the pictures. I will prepare us the tea and we will talk.
The young woman nodded and sat down. She hesitated a moment and opened the first file. The picture that she saw, she bolted in the restroom and she retched all her lunch.
Even if she was sad to have disappointed Ducky and Gibbs, she truly understood why now. She could have caused a great deal.
She cried and cried. She was hysterical and was pulled on Ducky's arms.
Abby : I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I never meant to cause something like this. I kept picturing McGee and me being tortured. He is my best friend and I treated him like trash.
Earlier when he came into my lab, he was cold. Spoke to me like I was a stranger, a bad guy. I was so mad at him. I was already trying to plot to get Gibbs and Tony to yell at him. How could I treat my best friend like that? I don't know if he'll talk to me again.
I start to think that since Jethro, McGee and me we aren't close like we used to be. I confided in him, talked to him, joked with him but he never reciprocated.
I'm so ashamed that I treat my best friend like this.
Gibbs said that I broke the team but I'm not the kind of girl that's doing that...
Ducky : Maybe but that was what you were doing. You had to see Timothy interaction with Jethro, Anthony and Ziva. He has already grown away from them.
Abigail looked at me please. You needed to make amends to Jethro, to the team and principally to Timothy.
And for the first time, you need to listen to the others around you. Don't protest. You used to impose your way, you need to come clean for your acts. Do you agree ?
The Goth nodded still crying.
Ducky : I need to hear an answer young Abigail.
Abby : Yes Ducky. I vow that I'm going to convinced him to stay with us.
The older man was infuriated with the Lab rat.
Ducky : It's not what I meant. Have you listen to what I have just said? I told you to express regret, to beg for forgiveness if you must do. I never said that you had to impose your will on the young man. It's what led you to the Mexico debacle isn't it?
The young woman was stunned. This situation opened her eyes to her character. She knew she could be difficult. This caused her to cry a fresh flow of tears.
When she calmed down, she gets up, rinsed her face and turned to the team leader.
Abby : I'm sorry. You are right Ducky. I hope that one day, you two will forgive me. I never meant to disappoint you . I never wanted to be the cause of a drift in our family. I am stubborn so I'll do anything in my power to change, so that you'll be so proud of me again.
Gibbs : I hope so Abbs, I hope so. I need my top team back together. So you'll work hard for it. Are we clear ?
The lab rat nodded fiercely.
Abby : I will Gibbs. I promise.
End of Flashback.
Tony : So you risked the lives of the students, your life, and McGee's life and all you got was a tap on your wrist and some yelling. I hope you enjoyed yourself.
The old man growled and cursed several times,
Abby : Tony?
Tony : What?
Abby : Why are you so mad at me? I know I screwed up and I will give all I can to be forgiven by Timmy. But you aren't innocent. You played some cruel jokes and pranks to him and you've never be punished for it ?
The Italian stopped pacing and sighed.
Tony : I know I can be cruel to him and sometimes I crossed the line, but I've never never risked the life of one of my teammates. I don't care that Gibbs told you that all will be forgiven. Mark my word, Abby. I, Anthony DiNozzo, will never forgive you. You almost got my BEST FRIEND KILLED. The Team, Ducky even Palmer is all I have and you almost shattered that because you are a selfish little brat.
The Goth reverted to her old coping mechanisms she had developed for dealing with angry people. She shed some tears in hope that he would calm down the SFA but, it was like he had become immune to her tricks. She remembered Ducky's words.
And for the first time, you need to listen to the others around you. Don't protest. You used to impose your way, you need to come clean for your acts.
Abby : I'm sorry, so sorry Tony. Please forgive me. You are my big brother. I can't stand that you aren't in my life anymore.
Tony laughed hysterically.
Tony : Oh! Don't worry. We will see each other at work Miss Scuito.
He was about to cross the lab door when she called him back.
Tony : What Miss Scuito ? When you have finished with the tests and received with the result, just call and one of us will join you.
Abby : Tony, please. I am only asking you to look at me...
Tony : I can't even look at you.
And just like that, he left her behind, listening to her cries. He entered to the Squadroom pissed off, hurt and had no idea what to do.
He wanted to talk to Tim. He wasn't a touchy-feeling person but he needed to help his friend. At the same time, he wanted to knock some sense to Gibbs. He sighed loudly and tried to work. He had to try to establish some background.
/******************/
The team leader sensed that all wasn't well for the Italian man. If he was a lesser man, he would have squirmed in his chair under the glare was that sent at him from the younger man. Abby must have come clean to Tony but he had no clue why the man was so angry with him. After a phone call, he shouted suddenly.
Gibbs : DiNozzo, go see Abby for the result .
Tony : Not now, I haven't finished the background Gibbs.
Three similar stunned glances were directed at him, then at the ex-military. It had been a long time since DiNozzo called Gibbs by his name to his face. It was always either Boss or Bossman. And it was also the first time that he had defied a direct order. It was like a tennis match.
Ziva and Tim looked at each other, got up and walked in the direction of the restroom. They had no idea what turned up between the two men and neither wanted to be involved or be the recipient of their anger.
Gibbs went to the elevator. He was about to enter in the elevator when he saw that the other hadn't followed. A red flag.
Gibbs : DiNozzo, with me!
He saw the debate in the SFA's face but then he saw the resolution to talk to him. When the lift started its course, Gibbs switched the emergency button and turned to the other man.
Gibbs : Tony, talk to me.
Tony : I thought that we always had each other's six! Never screw over his partner. Isn't it one of your rules ! The first one if i am not mistaken?
Gibbs : Yes, of course. Why did you say that? Why led you to this question?
Tony : Abby explained to me what she did in Mexico. Funny, she said the only consequence that she will suffer is that you will never trust her like you used to . And you only asked her that she asks for forgiveness. Whoa! It's harsh. A gentle tap on a wrist. I wanted to know if it was the other way around, if it was McGee the responsible for this mess, would you be so understanding? I always enjoyed being privileged, but now I'm not so sure that I like it if this the result.
When Kate died, I was harsh with him but he helped me anyway.
When you were in Mexico, Tim had my six. He was a great SFA. While I wasn't sure that I'll be a good team leader and Jenny kept comparing me with you, he was the one that encouraged me to be myself.
When Ziva went missing, he was the one to help me to keep me sane.
The young man took a breath and followed his drift.
Tony : He was almost kidnapped, tortured or killed because Abby was selfish and the only thing you do is yell at her. I don't think i can respect you if you treated McGee like this.
When he had finished, he was short of breath. His respiration laborious.
Gibbs : Tony, it's not what you think. What do you want me to do? She isn't in my team, and I'm not her direct supervisor. If I went to Vance, McGee would face sanctions also. He was the agent sent with her so the one in charge. I don't want him to face that on top this.
I know he deserved better and I know, in a part, it's my fault because the way I treated Abby. It's over now. Don't worry Abby will execute different tasks before I trust her with anything other than the lab work.
Tony : You promised?
Gibbs : Yes, don't you think a good first task should be that Abby will have to talk to Ziva.
The two men smirked at each other.
Gibbs : When we will finished this case, I'm gonna talk to McGee and settle everything.
Tony : You better.
They then left the lift with a lighter spirit than when they entered.
I hope that you didn't find Tony's behavior was odd. I thought that even if it can be childish with his teammate. He considers them his family.