Tim came back to work late Monday night, after everyone else had left. He quickly packed up most of his stuff and moved it to his new desk. Just a few things remained that he decided to wait and get in the morning.

He basically just threw everything into boxes, just to get things done as quickly as possible. He didn't even allow himself enough time to feel any emotion about leaving the team he had been with for eight years.


It was six o'clock the next morning when Tim came in to get the remaining things from his desk. Ziva usually got to work at six-thirty, and Tony at around seven, and so he figured he'd be in the clear of seeing anyone from the team… He was wrong.

Tony and Ziva sat at their desks, waiting for him to arrive.

He stopped when he reached the bullpen, "What are you guys doing here so early?"

"Waiting for you," Tony replied, getting up out of his chair.

Ziva got up as well, "We figured you would come in early to avoid us, and we refused to let that happen."

"Guys, it's really not that big of a deal. I'm one floor down. That's it."

Tony walked up to Tim and laid a hand on his shoulder, "McMask, you can hide how you're really feeling all you want, but you've been here for eight years, at the same desk… It is a big deal." Tony moved over so Ziva could go up to him if she wanted, but she stayed in her same spot.

Tim removed the shield he had put up since deciding to transfer to a different team. He sighed, "I'm gonna miss you guys. I'm in Ziva's spot downstairs. It's… weird. It feels wrong."

"It is wrong," Tony replied.

Ziva cleared her throat, reminding Tony not to go there.

"I know you don't like this, Tony, and it actually means a lot to me that you care so much, but… I just hope you can accept it… even if you can't understand it."

Tony let out a deep breath, then patted Tim's arm, "No, I understand… I just wish it didn't have to happen. We're all gonna miss ya here."

"Maybe you two will, but not Gibbs."

"Yes, Gibbs as well," Ziva replied.

"He didn't even react when I gave him my transfer papers. He's probably glad to have such a geek off of his team."

Ziva moved over closer to Tim, "You know that is not true, Tim. You would not have been on this team for so long if Gibbs had not wanted you on it."

That was now the second time, in less than twenty-four hours, that Tim had heard that, "That doesn't make up for the fact that he hid things from me. Our team is based on trust… and I don't feel I can trust him anymore."

Tim looked at his watch, "I probably need to go. I want to get the rest of my stuff situated before the day starts."

Both Tony and Ziva moved out of the way so Tim could get to his desk, then they followed behind him.

"Have you met your new teammates yet?" Tony asked, hating the words as he said them.

"I've met Sever and Smith, but just for like an elevator ride length of time. I've never met Dennis, he just started a couple of months ago."

"I met Dennis," Ziva replied, "He is very… orange."

"I think you mean green, Ziva."

"Yes, green. He is very green… but he seems like a nice guy."

Tim laughed, "Sounds like everyone's description of me when I first got here."

Tim finished putting his last item into a box. He looked around, "I think that's it."

Ziva walked around the desk and enveloped Tim in a hug, "We are going to make a date, and go out. I will not allow us to drift apart."

"I won't either, Ziva," Tim replied, returning the hug.

Ziva released Tim and walked back to her desk, allowing Tony to have his turn.

"I'm not gonna get all mushy," Tony began.

"Good," Tim replied, "That would creep me out."

Tony stuck out his hand for Tim to shake, which he did. "You're still gonna be my McWingman, right?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No." The handshake turned into a "man" hug.

"Later, McGoo…" Tony said as Tim picked up the box, "I'm calling you every time I get a new Mc-nickname."

"I believe that," Tim replied with a smile. He walked past Tony and Ziva's desk, then looked back. He stared at his desk for a moment, then glanced at Tony and Ziva, "See ya, guys."

"Bye, Tim."

"Ttyl, McLeaving."

Tim headed toward the elevator, pressed the button, and, once the doors opened, he got inside. But, before the doors could fully close back, Ziva stuck her hand in, "I just needed to say one more thing, Tim."

"What is it, Ziva?"

"If you never talk to Gibbs, or your mother, about what is bothering you, then nothing will ever be resolved. I know you, McGee. You are not the type to hold grudges, and you are the type to try and fix things when they are all… screwy."

Tim was quiet for a moment, "I really need to go, Ziva."

"Of course," Ziva replied, moving her hand out of the doors way so they could close.


"I'm going to go get my things from Tim's apartment today," Suzi said as leaned on Gibbs' bedroom doorway. He was putting on his socks and shoes for work.

"Need help?"

"No… I've tried calling him every day, multiple times."

Gibbs sighed, "He's not gonna answer."

"Yeah, I figured that. How are things at work?"

"I told you, he moves to his new team today," He replied, the words coming out angrier than he meant.

"How is that my fault?" She asked, hearing the blaming tone in his voice, "You were the one who said you'd die before you let Vance remove Tim from the team."

Gibbs stood up, "I said I wouldn't let Vance fire him… This was McGee's decision," He took a deep breath to calm himself down, "And it's not your fault… It just came out wrong."

"It's bothering you that you didn't try to stop him, isn't it?" She asked, crossing her arms.

"I knew that's what he'd be doing up with Vance. I didn't do anything! I just sat there!"

"Why?"

"Because I knew that if I went up there, it would only make things worse. Right now he thinks I hate his guts. If I tried to stop him, he'd just want to leave even more."

"How do you know? How do you know that he wasn't waiting for you to show that you really do care? Maybe he just needs you to make the first move… Which is something I need to listen to myself," She realized, then decided, "I'm gonna wait until Tim gets home tonight to go get my things. If he won't talk to me on the phone, then he's gonna have no choice but to talk to me in person."

Gibbs didn't know what to respond to those questions. How did he know that Tim wasn't waiting for him to make the first move? Why should Tim make the first move?

Suzi saw the looks of worry and wonder on Gibbs' face. She was glad to know he seemed to be thinking things over again.

She walked up to him and touched his face, then gave him a small kiss, "Have a good day at work."

Gibbs nodded then cleared his throat, bringing himself out of his thoughts, "Yeah, you have a good day too."

Gibbs headed out of the house and got into his car. He had a lot of thinking to do… and a lot of things that needed fixing. He just hoped it wasn't too late.


Wasn't the finale great? I loved it, and I loved the final moment. I'm dying to know more!.. I don't want to spoil it in case some haven't seen it yet, but if you have, feel free to tell me what you think is going on in your review :) I have some ideas, but I'm not 100% sure.

Anyway, thanks for the reviews :) They're much appreciated... and for those who were wondering, graduation rehearsal went well... I'm just super nervous for when there is an actual audience :(