hello, here is the next chapter,

But I don't have a beta for this as tealrose is kind of busy, so you have to suffer from my grammar again, really sorry for that.

McGee entered the bullpen quiet early it was his first day as Gibbs SFA and he was not going to screw that up by being late. All Gibbs had told him to do was making sure that their new probie will reach to them safely. Well that was easy he had visited HR yesterday and they told him that the new probie will reach to them safely. He was really eager to meet this new probie, he had already decided that he will not treat his probie like Tony had treated him. He will not prank him or harass him. He was determined to help him. Lost in his thoughts he took his place on his desk. Starting working on some reports. Sometime later Ziva arrived in the bullpen and scowled at him,

"Trying to impress Gibbs? Well I thought you will not be walking on Tony's footsteps."

With that she sat on her desk, completely ignoring Tim.

'Well, what is her problem? I'm just trying to do my work, why does she have to comment on that?' Tim wondered. But before he could reply, the lift sounded and Gibbs entered the bullpen. From his look it was clear that he was really angry. Wow what a day to start his new job, an angry co-worker and even angrier boss. Tim sighed. Well that was enough for Gibbs to turn his focus on Tim.

"Where is the new probie, McGee?"

"I asked in the H.R. boss they said, that they will make sure that he will make his way here."

"I asked where is he?"

Well I just answered that, so why is Gibbs asking the same question again? Apparently his confusion was clear on his face as Gibbs stepped closer to him and growled,

"When I say that make sure the probie gets here I mean that he should be here before I reach."

"Umm.. I will remember that Boss."

Tim muttered fully conscious of Ziva's smirk.

"So what's his name?"

"Wh..What?"

"Tell me McGee that you at least know the name of this new probie."

"Well…Boss you just said to make sure he makes his way here so I..just…"

"God help me McGee, tell me that you at least know that if this is his first assignment or not."

Even Tim knew not to answer that. Well if Gibbs glare was any indication he had probably had messed up big time. He glanced at Ziva for help but she just busied herself in some files. 'Well she could at least divert some of Gibbs ire.' McGee thought.

"What the hell did you do then? Just inquired at the H.R. that they are sending a probie? Don't you know that I never work with green probies?"

Tim stopped himself from reminding Gibbs that he himself was very green when he joined. He had an impression that Gibbs will not like that implication. Before Gibbs could ream him some more, a young girl's voce stopped them,

"Excuse me, are you agent Gibbs?"

When Gibbs just nodded she started with an enthusiastic

"I'm Elena Burke. I would be working as your new probie, I'm really excited to work with you,…"

She was cut short by Gibbs glare, then Gibbs turned towards McGee,

"I thought that you said he will be here shortly, didn't you McGee?"

All Tim could do was nod at that comment. He was sure that Gibbs was now going to rip him to pieces. But it looked like luck was on his side as Gibbs cell rang at the same moment and 15 minutes later they found themselves sitting in the car, travelling towards the crime scene.

Tim had not got any special time with his probie till now but he was sure that they were getting on just fine. Just like him she was also scared of Gibbs, she asked him about the tales of Gibbs legendary temper just like he had asked Tony but unlike Tony, who had scared him more with the vague answer he provided a proper answer to his probie. He told her that she had nothing to fear, that Gibbs temper was bad but the stories were exaggerated. He was sure that he had started on good foot at least with her. Gibbs was a whole different story. Boss was really pissed at him for the morning incident, but how was he supposed to know that the new agent was a woman and not a man? Well he could still make up for his mistakes, after all he still had two weeks till Tony come back.

Lost in his thought Tim had totally forgot to tell their newest member about Gibbs driving habit. So poor Elena was going green in her face, cursing the big breakfast she had eaten that day. She wasn't sure how far they were from the crime scene and how long she can hold herself from vomiting. But as luck would have it she didn't have to find out as Gibbs suddenly stopped the car, in front of an abandoned building. Alicia jumped out of the car in a moment and threw up on the pavement. She heard a snort of laughter from Agent David, which served to increase her humiliation. She really hoped that agent Gibbs wouldn't think less of her because of this, but he wasn't even around when she pulled herself together. She followed agent McGee who was silent, she really wished that he would say something just to lessen her embarrassment.

One hours later.

Tim was really fed up with his new charge, it was like she had no idea about what you should and shouldn't do on a crime scene. Till now she had caused every blunder possible. She had no idea what sketching was. She totally screwed up while questioning witnesses (which according to Gibbs was totally Tim's fault.) And now after Ducky had started his initial examination she was puking on the crime scene.

"Take care of that"

Was all Gibbs said pointing at her, ordering Ziva to follow him. Ziva smirked at Tim before running behind Gibbs. Gibbs should have taken him, after all he was the sfa wasn't he? He gritted his teeth and helped Ducky to load the body in van. Making his mind that he had just been assigned with the worst probie in the world.

1300 NCIS.

Gibbs was standing in the morgue, waiting for Ducky to start telling them about their victim. Ducky had just started when he was stopped by the ringing of Palmer's cell. Gibbs was having a bad day today with McGee making it worse, so he was just about to rip Palmer open when Ducky said

"Keep your cell on silent Mr. Palmer."

Jimmy was worried about Tony. He wasn't paying attention today solely focused on his cell, waiting for Tony's call, so when Tony did call he was so glad that he answered the call, completely forgetting that Gibbs and McGee were also present in the room.

"What happened Tony, How did it go, how are you holding up?"

"Take a breath Gremlin. I won, he is coming home with me."

"You did? But how .."

"Well remember the plan you said will never work. Turns out it worked. And why are you so shocked you thought that I'm going to lose, didn't you?"

Well, shit he hadn't meant it that way and tony will now think that he is also like everybody else

"I didn't mean it like that Tony, I just….you know that I didn't mean it like that don't you?"

"You will start hyper ventilating if you don't take a breath now, breath Jimmy, I was just joking."

"Good. Ya I'm ok. Now tell me how did it work, it was not even a plan Tony, it was at best a hail Mary."

"Well I would love to tell you but I'm pretty sure that Ducky is waiting patiently for you to end this call."

Jimmy quickly turned back to see Dr. Mallard waiting for him. Also noticing Gibbs death glare he stuttered in the cell,

"Yes he is. I will call you later, in lunch break. Ok?"

"I'm not sure that I will be able to receive your call, what about I call you when things are more stable."

Well that was enough to make him focus his whole attention on Tony.

"What do you mean by when things are more stable? I thought you said was everything is alright? Are you ok? Do you want me to come over, I can help you know? Hell I should have been with you today."

"Jimmy everything is fine. I'm fine. Will you stop worrying? And I don't want you to come over. I don't want to overwhelm Brandon with too many new people."

"Well I can't stop worrying if you are not going to allow me to come over."

"Jimmy…..Ducky is waiting for you. We will talk later."

"Well Dr. Mallard can wait."

He glanced apologetically at Dr. Mallard who nodded understandingly.

"But ok we will talk later, but be sure that I will call Kevin if you don't call me till today's night."

"Ok. Now stop treating me like a child."

Tony pouted from the other side.

"Well you stop behaving like one. Goodbye."

NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS

Gibbs was listening carefully on the conversation, well he was listening to Palmer's side of it. First he was irritated that DiNozzo had called in work hours and was going to give a piece of his mind to jimmy and Tony. But then suddenly Palmer had gone all worried and started asking questions,

"What do you mean by when things are more stable? I thought you said was everything is alright? Are you ok? Do you want me to come over, I can help you know? Hell I should have been with you today."

Now Gibbs was worried; he remembered that Tony was really troubled about something yesterday. And apparently the situation has worsened. But before he could ask anything to Palmer, the call ended and Palmer joined Ducky on the autopsy table.

He had started apologizing for his rudeness, when Ducky stopped him in between and asked.

"Is Anthony alright Mr. Palmer? It looked like there is some problem."

Gibbs turned his full glare on Palmer, waiting for a sit rep. But he didn't notice the glare or Gibbs presence as he started talking.

"Well he is doing as good as anyone can do in the situation. I'm not even sure how he is holding up.. if it was me then"

Suddenly Palmer stopped as if he had just realized that Gibbs and McGee were also present in the room. Ducky as usual understanding turned his whole attention on explaining a COD. Gibbs wanted to know more but he had this feeling that his questions would not be answered. All Gibbs could do now was hope that Tony will keep his word and contact him if things got out of hand. And keep a close eye on Palmer for any clues. With that thought he turned his attention on the case.

McGee was also trying to listen in to try to know what knew mess Tony has created this time. The guy definitely had a bad luck charm with him. But he was also expecting Tony to talk with Gibbs. Maybe that would have made Gibbs realize that its better that he has me as his SFA and not Tony. McGee sighed, no such luck this time.

NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS

1 hour later..

Tim was sitting on his desk, completely fed up with his new probie and that was not even the worst part. Apparently Ziva had no intention of helping the new girl. He was sure that he or even Lee was not this bad on their first day. At the moment his probie was on the coffee run. And he couldn't keep quiet any longer

"She is a disaster." Tim said, hopeful that Ziva will join him.

Gibbs was frustrated with their slow progress so when McGee had started talking about the new girl he was ready to erupt.

"Well I suppose she is better than you. At least she knows the difference between a man and woman. I thought that you said we are getting a male probie?"

"Well…boss I didn't exactly….."

"Tell me Ziver when someone says He will be here soon, what do you expect?"

'That's all I need now, a chance for Ziva to rub in my mistake.' McGee thought ready for his impending doom. And as expected Ziva said,

"Well at least I thought that he was a male."

"How was I supposed to know? In H.R. they told me that the new agent will be here on time so I assumed that it will be a man."

Tim cursed himself the moment he said I assumed he was dead now. As expected Gibbs was towering over him with furious eyes. The headslap though really strong than usual was also expected. With a sorry boss Tim turned his attention on his computer. Hoping that he can find something about the killer.

Half an hour later.

He was still nowhere near any useful info. He was bored out of his mind so he turned his head sideways glancing at Ziva, she was also bored.

"Where is that girl? She was supposed to be here 15 minutes ago, how much time does it take to buy coffee?"

Ziva asked Tim. That was the first time he noticed that his probie was nowhere to be seen.

"I have no idea."

"Then shut up and call her"

Gibbs growled at both of them.

"Ummm…boss I don't have her number."

"So you want to tell me that, not only did you messed up on gathering info you also forgot to have her number?"

Gibbs thundered over him. Then ordered him to go search for Elena.

Tim really wanted to die right now, this could not possibly turn more bad can it? He found his answer as Elena drenched in coffee made her way to her desk.

"Where were you? And you know that getting coffee means getting it in cups, don't you?"

Ziva started the moment Elena was within ear shot.

"I was just coming here when they told me that you all were in the lab down. When I reached there no one was there, and then someone told me that you were in the morgue but the Dr. in the morgue said that you will be up here. So then I was running up I collided with an agent and all the coffee just…"

It was clear that Elena was trying hard to not cry. McGee could really sympathise with her but Ziva was having none of it.

"And I guess you have no idea who these agents were?"

"I really…"

Elena turned towards McGee for help, who was out of his depth, he was sure that no one in NCIS played this kind of mean pranks. Normally he would have suspected Tony but that was not possible now. And he was sure that Tony will never play such a prank even Tony wasn't that mean. So he was glad when Gibbs intervened

"Go and change your clothes. I want you here in next 10 minutes."

It took one look from Gibbs and Elena was racing towards the elevators.

"I think she was just lying."

Ziva muttered and Tim couldn't help but wonder if she was right. Well apparently Gibbs found this conversation really irritating as he answered Ziva with a growl of

"Ever heard of hazing David?"

"Yes Gibbs, but no one in NCIS will dare to touch our probie. And even if they did there is no hazing here."

McGee nodded at that. Thank god for that, if there was hazing he could not even think what else Tony would have done to him. He would have never have been able to stand this kind of pranks. The humiliation alone would have killed him.

"There is Ziva, why do you think there were so many different directions given to her? It just that they normally leave our team alone and this time they didn't."

McGee was feeling sorry for Elena now, he couldn't imagine how bad it must be feeling, so he decided to intervene for his probie

"Don't you think you should too talk to them about leaving her alone? It must be pretty hard for her."

Gibbs towered over him in a moment,

"Are you telling me what to do McGee?"

"No..no boss I just…"

How did Tony managed to stand up in front of Gibbs, Tim wondered, it must be from experience.

"I think it will just make her tough, if she can't stand some small jokes how can she work in the field?"

Ziva started with one of her Mossad theories. Seriously didn't she see that this was not just some pranks?

"Exactly my point."

Gibbs agreed with her, moving out of Tim's personal space. Tim couldn't help but mutter a small

"I'm really glad that they left me alone."

"They shouldn't have, may be you could have stopped puking your guts out."

Gibbs replied from half way to his desk. 'or maybe I would have not stayed here to puke my guts out. I would have definitely ran out of here in 2 days' Thought Tim aware that Elena was coming so the subject should be closed.

NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS

When Gibbs was out for his next coffee run, Tim thought about helping Elena. He had no idea whom to ask for help so he went to Abby.

"You can't do anything Timmy. Its normal, some of Gibbs first probies ran away because of that."

"Then why did they left me alone. Not that I'm complaining but still..."

None of them saw agent Ross entering in the lab. He was there to just ask for the ballistic report for their team's case. He couldn't help but hear the words of the newly appointed SFA of mcrt. He just snorted at that and asked Abby for his reports.

The goth gave him the report eyeing him suspiciously. It was McGee who asked the question.

"Do you know why they left me alone agent Ross. "

"Yes I do."

With that he turned to leave the lab.

"Hey...why didn't you answer Tim's question? "

This time it was the goth who asked the question.

"Well I did. And I'm not going to tell you the reason. You will simply assume that its wrong. "

This time agent McGee used a new tactic.

"Agent Ross if you have any idea about why they left me alone please tell me. I'm trying to find out the whole time but I couldn't."

Ross greeted his teeth, he wanted them to know this for years. He would have really loved if Gibbs was here too but still...

"Well you have Tony to thank. He made a deal with others. We don't get to touch any new member of his team."

"He ...what. .why? "

"Well apparently what we did was too much and it was not for toughening a probie but to break him. That are his exact words. And don't tell me that you haven't noticed how we keep him out of our group most of times?"

"Ya...well I didn't think anything. ..it's Tony he must have done something or... and you guys do talk to him. Just not that much."

"Well we keep him out because of his bloody deal. He doesn't get to be a part of the sfa group. He actually threatened to ruin our lives with his pranks if we didn't leave his team alone. So in retrospect we also left him alone. But well...he is a good guy and he made friends with everybody afterwards."

"I had no idea...he should have"

"Oh no agent McGee. What he should or shouldn't have done is totally his decision. Don't you try to tell me that he should have told you. He has done many things to keep you people safe but now that he is not here. ..You will see how NCIS works."

"But...he was out many times before...nothing happened then."

Abby said her voice uncharacteristically small.

"Well because he normally tells us that we are supposed to keep out of his team each time. But this time for some reason he didn't talk to us. I heard he lost his voice maybe that was the reason."

Ross couldn't help the last jab. He left the two geniuses to figure out the rest.

"I...but…. did you know that Abby? "

"no Timmy I had no idea but that should have been easy to know. Tony has a weird way to show that he cares don't you think?"

With that and a big smile on her face the goth turned towards her work. Leaving Tim to wonder about the new info. He entered in the bullpen noticing that Gibbs was not there still, so he hurried to Ziva's desk and asked her if she knew anything about this.

"Well I didn't knew that, but what difference does it make? I could have paralysed them easily. Why would I need Tony's protection?" Ziva snorted.

"Well Elf lord here, would have been benefited from it." Gibbs growled in his ear, head slapping him.

"Did you knew this boss?" Tim was wondering now. He was sure that he would have ran away in two days, if someone had done something like that to him.

"Well.. I knew DiNozzo had something to do with it. He thought that they were torturing probies and they were tougher on MCRT because they were jealous or something."

With that Gibbs dismissed the topic, he was thinking about what McGee had said. He hadn't known that, this was the reason for the conflict between his and other SFA's. He always suspected that they were angry about some prank. Well Never Assume, gunny, he reminded himself. What made him angry was the Tim's next reaction,

"Well not like he didn't give me enough hard time himself."

He wasn't sure that if he was imagining the venom in McGee's voice or not. Is he really that dumb?

"Well at least he stopped you from puking on crime scene. Let's see when you can stop your probie." Gibbs spat at McGee, before starting on his work. McGee promptly ignored that comment, it was obviously wrong. its not like Tony will actually help him..ever. He just started working on his computer ignoring Ziva's smirk.

The next day was pure hell for McGee, They were not able to solve the case and Gibbs was getting angrier by each passing minute. Their probie has ran away on her second day, full of tears. And all McGee could think was running behind her and out of the bullpen. As if the constant hazing was not enough the poor girl had to suffer from Gibbs unrealistic demands. Tim was sure that she was scarred for life now. Even Abby was starting to get the burn of Gibbs bad mood. His demands were getting unrealistic and he was ready to blow at any second. He was constantly head slapping Tim and growling on Ziva. Tim had no idea how to handle this Gibbs. And as if an angry Gibbs was not enough they couldn't make any progress on the case. Nor he or Ziva had any ideas and that just made Gibbs angrier. So when they found the killer at the late hour of the second day, Tim was enthralled. He had hastily completed his report and was ready to go home. HE was really looking forward to some actual sleep. But Gibbs had some other ideas.

"What the hell is this Ziva?"

NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS

For the past two days Gibbs was going crazy. It looked like his team had no idea about how to run an investigation. McGee had no idea of what he was doing, no one was helping the new probie, Duck was angry with him and Ziva was no help at all. Thank god that the new girl, Alice was it? Ran away on her own. He had no time for training a new agent with this whole mess going on. He was really out of his mind with this case, it looked like his team had no idea about how to work together.

So when they solved the case all he wanted to do was go home to his boat. All he was waiting for was reports from his members. First he got McGee's report which was full of the usual technical stuff. So he skipped it and turned towards Ziva's report. And all he wanted to do was jump from somewhere.

"What the hell is this Ziva?"

When she just stared at him questioningly, hr had no other option but to explain.

"Your report Ziva, it has so many mistakes, it's impossible to read."

"I always write my reports like that Gibbs."

"No Ziva you used to write reports like this when you were new, but you don't write like this now."

"I haven't done anything new Gibbs, just…"

"Just what David?"

Gibbs was ready to snap now.

"Well normally I send my report to Tony first… and then he.."

And then Gibbs remembered that he had told Tony to check Ziva's report.

"You mean to tell me that DiNozzo is still checking your reports for you? You are working for me for last 4 years David. Learn to write."

With that he threw Ziva's report on her desk.

"Both of you are not leaving till this report is complete."

Gibbs growled, noticing McGee who was leaving.

"Boss I completed my report, why do I have to stay?"

"Help her, it's your job now. You are on Dinozzo's post McGee."

He told McGee while leaving them alone in the bullpen. Tim cursed Tony. Why didn't he just teach Ziva to check her reports? Now because of Tony's laziness he has to wait.

It took half hour for Tim to realize why tony had not been able to teach Ziva. She was doing the same mistake again and again, when he marked her mistakes she left some of them as they were. It took them 2 hours to write the report right, by end of which Tim decided that he will happily write a whole new report rather than correcting Ziva's.

"So Tony always does this? This report thing?"

He asked Ziva as they were entering the elevator.

"Yes, and he doesn't take so much time."

Ziva snapped at him.

NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS* NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS*NCIS

The next day, things took a turn for worse. Turned out there were some more forms that had to filled by him yesterday.

"But boss, Tony used to fill those forms, when I was his SFA."

"And my SFA used to fill this forms for me."

Gibbs growled.

"I had no idea boss, if you have told me, then"

"Learn to anticipate McGee, I cant tell you each and every thing."

McGee was out of his depths here. What was Gibbs problem? And how the hell are you supposed to anticipate that you are supposed to do your boss's work?

"But..boss"

One glare from Gibbs and Tim answered with,

"I'm staring it right now boss."

That was the moment Vance choose to come down,

"How did you manage to scare of a probie in one day Gibbs?"

Gibbs just stared at Vance, who was completely unaffected and kept on talking,

"Well I'm going to assign you a new probie. Maybe this one will work right for you."

"From the looks of it I think I'm going to need a new SFA."

Gibbs growled while turning towards his desk. And McGee felt his heart drop. Surely Gibbs did not mean that…did he? Vance threw him an encouraging look and left him alone with his team.

"Well looks like I can have a chance after all." Ziva said quietly making sure that Gibbs will not be able to hear her.

The day preceded, getting worse every hour, McGee suddenly found himself stuttering again. The only good thing was Ziva too was getting head slaps today. After her 3rd headslap of the day she turned towards Tim and muttered,

"I really wish tony was here, so he could have got this head slaps and Gibbs will leave me alone."

So do I Ziva, so do I. Tim thought ready for a long day.

next chapter will have Tony and Brandon.