Okay Guys you win! :o) Two more chapters - but very short just to round things off - Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own NCIS or its characters.
Chapter 28 - Contract and Starting to Heal
Monday morning and Vance was playing catch up due to the number of reports he'd let slip in the last couple of weeks. He knew that he should enjoy the peace and quiet whilst it lasted as Lawrence's Metro friend was delivering the paper work to Abby Sciuto at some point. So half an hour later Vance was absorbed in reading when the door to his office suddenly swung open smashing forcefully against the comfortable chair that was alongside, as Abby Sciuto stormed in.
"What the….!" Vance started only to be cut off
"You can't do this!" Abby shouted in anger as she slammed her hand down on the front of his desk clutching the delivered paperwork, as a security officer came running in.
"I so sorry director" state the obviously out of breath man as he explained what happen "She slipped past when I was dealing with another visitor"
"That's alright Nixon I've been expecting her" Vance said whilst signalling for the man to stay where he was in the door way before turning his attention back to Abby and calmly asking "Exactly what is it you think I can't do Miss Sciuto?"
"This!" Abby shouted waving the paper
"And what is 'this'?" Vance asked as if he was ignorant of what the papers were about.
"You can't degrade my status and transfer me like this!" Abby spat, it wasn't all she was upset about but there was nothing more she could do regarding her precious Jethro thanks to some stupid Judge.
"Miss Sciuto, if I'm not mistaken - I am the Director of this agency - so if I decide to transfer a member of staff it is my prerogative"
"On temporary basis not permanently!" Abby butted in
"As for the downgrading of your status you brought that on yourself" Vance continued, as if no interruption had taken place, keeping his voice even "Unfortunately the only space available for someone with your new found status is in LA and if you took a moment to read your contract and staff handbook you would know that any member of staff who has had a status change has to fit in with the current employment requirements of the agency"
"I don't believe you!"
"You may believe what you like Miss Sciuto, though I suggest you read pages fifty through to fifty five which will clarify it for you and if you want to stay working for NCIS then it will have to be in LA. I will warn you however, that if you decide to work your notice you won't find another opening available in any of the alphabetic soup as someone has let it be known you're not up to the task"
"And who would that be!?" Abby demand
"Me" Kort stated from just inside the doorway, were he had been for the last few moments, watching the altercation, making Abby turn around "And don't even bother Abby, your childish temper tantrums don't work on me, you asked to see me Director Vance"
"Yes actually I did, Nixon escort Miss Sciuto out will you" Vance requested
"We're not done!" Abby growled as she turned back to Vance, but the director had an ace up his sleeve that would end the conversation. He knew for a fact that Abby Sciuto hated not having disposable money at her finger tips so her suspension would soon be taking its toll on her financially.
"Look, I'll make you a deal, take the position in LA and your suspension will end immediately, reject it and I'll terminate your employment effective immediately" Vance stopped for a moment before he made it clear what he thought she should do "I'll give you 24hours to decide - please be so kind as to pass on my regards to Hetty when you get to LA" Vance stated dismissively
Glaring at the two men for a moment believing they would back down, Abby was surprised to find herself being completely ignored as Vance silently waved Kort to take a seat before getting up, turning his back to her and getting some glasses from the sideboard. Stomping her foot Abby turned and stormed from the office, when Vance turned back round he had a smirk on his face and Kort gave him a knowing wink.
NCIS
"Hey dad" Gibb said as he saw his father enter the living room, just as he got off the phone. It was Friday already and he felt the week had gone fast, but well with Tim finally relaxing and starting to get back to himself little by little.
"Jethro, who was on the phone and where's Tim?" Jackson acknowledged, he'd just been out to check on things at the store.
"That was Vance the carrot and stick approach worked, Abby's gone to LA, so we don't have to worry about her being around when we get back and Tim's outside with Sarsty, he seems to be doing better, I was just going out to join him" Gibbs replied
"I'll come with you, just remember that these things take time, at least he's eating better than at the start of the week, so that's a good sign"
"Yeah, thanks to you"
"It was nothing just a little chat" Jackson said as they stepped out on to the rear porch
"Hey Tim" Gibbs greeted as he sat down next to him on the porch steps
"Oh hey" Tim replied seemingly being pulled out of deep thought, before he threw a ball for Sarsty
"How you doing son?" Jackson asked
"I'm good thanks sir" Tim replied automatically
"Are you ever going to call me Jack like I told you?" Jackson queried as he laughed, ruffling Tim's hair. The only response he got was the blush that swept across Tim's features so Gibbs decided to change the topic
"Heading back tomorrow Tim, you okay with that?" Gibbs asked
"Yeah boss, I mean it's going to be strange living with you but…" Tim started only to have Gibbs interrupt him reassuringly
"Only until you're back on your feet and even then there's no rush"
"Thanks – I mean it thank you, for everything" Tim replied with sincerity
"Not a problem son, now have you decided" Gibbs asked, over the last few days the three of them had been discussing different forms of exercise that would help Tim improve his leg strength once he'd got the all clear to start, of course
"Yes" Tim said a little cryptically
"And?" Gibbs nudged
"Karate" Tim informed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world
"Yeah?"
"Yeah - I mean it should help with the strength and then there's the added benefits" Tim reasoned
"Yes it will and yes the added benefits will help, not that you didn't defend yourself well in the first place" Gibbs replied knowing how Tim had felt about his handling of the abduction, not that he'd done anything wrong, however you try telling him that "but only after you get the all clear from Ducky and the physiotherapist"
"Now what about going out on a weekly basis, work permitting of course, with the rest of the team like they suggested?" Jackson asked, again it had been a topic the three of them had discussed after a group phone call, midweek with Tony, Ziva, Ducky and Palmer.
"I don't know about that, not just yet anyway, maybe in time" Tim stated a little sadly
"Okay just don't cut yourself off, life is for living Tim" Jackson reasoned
"Somehow I don't think the team will let him dad" Jethro stated knowingly
"Yeah – besides, Tony doesn't understand the word no" Tim said with a smirk on his face, which had both the older men laughing
