Chap 2. Tim is in a good place emotionally and professionally but his team is having problems accepting this new Tim. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or any of their characters. In other words, I Own Nothing.
Chapter 2. You Better Recognize
The night of the concert
Abby was talking to herself as she waited at her home for Tim. Who did he think he was anyway thinking he could refuse her? He should know better. Abby decided when he picked her up she would make the night miserable for him as punishment for daring to say no to her. She started planning all the things she would have him do as punishment. As she continued plotting and planning, she didn't notice the time. It was already 8:00 pm. Once she her plan was put together, she took her phone out to play a game while she waited and saw the time. Had something happened to Tim on his way over? She called his cell and Tim answered on the third ring.
"What's up Abby, do we have a case"?
Abby was confused. "No Timmy, we don't have a case"!
"Then why are you calling me" Tim asked?
"I'm calling because you haven't picked me up yet".
"Why would I be picking you up Abby"?
"Stop playing games McGee" Abby said snappishly. "You know you are taking me to the concert tonight".
"No Abby, I told you I was not going to a concert with you" McGee replied back.
"But Timmy, I told you to pick me up at 7:00" Abby said haughtily.
"That's right Abby, that's what you said after I, very clearly, stated to you twice that I was not going. Now, listen carefully, I am not your play toy. I am a grown man. When I say I am not going somewhere; that means I am not going. Also, never call me at my home again unless it is involving a case. I do not want to associate with you personally. And for the last the last time, STOP CALLING ME TIMMY" McGee Shouted! Click.
Abby stood staring at her cell. What the hell was that she thought? Timmy had never yelled at her. He had never hung up on her either. Why was he so angry? What have I done to him, she thought? What does he mean he doesn't want to associate with me personally? I'm his best friend. He is not making sense. Well, I guess I'll just have to call my silver haired fox and have him straighten this up. I guess McGee will never learn he is not allowed to say no to me. I wonder what punishment Gibbs will give him this time. She started smiling as she tried to figure out how Gibbs would punish McGee this time. She even thought about smacking him on the nose with a newspaper when she would tell him 'Bad McGee' this time. She started laughing at that image.
The next morning, Tim was in early again working on the case.
Ziva again was the next one in. "Good Morning Timothy" she said with a smile.
Tim looked up and his smile lit up the whole room not to mention Ziva's heart. "Good Morning Ziva, how are you this morning? How did you sleep last night? How was your run this morning"?
Ziva started laughing as McGee hit her with a barrage of questions. "I am well this morning, I slept like a branch last night and my morning run was quite invigorating" she said.
"You slept like a log Ziva, not branch" Tim said with a smile. "I'm glad you slept well and had a good run because I have some more results I could use your help with".
"Of course Timothy, let me boot up my computer and I will be right over".
Once again, Gibbs, Tony and Abby stepped off the elevator and found them in the same position they were in the previous morning discussing the case.
"McGee" Gibbs shouted!
Tim looked up, "yes Boss?
"I would like a word with you" Gibbs said in a cold tone.
"Ok, what do you want to discuss" McGee said in a calm voice.
"Did you stand Abby up last night"?
"No".
"But you did not come and get me and take me to the concert" Abby said accusingly.
"That's correct", Tim acknowledged.
"McGee, what the hell are you trying to pull? So you did stand her up"?
"No, I did not. Now, as this is my personal life, it's really none of your business boss but just this once, I will speak to you on this subject. To stand someone up, you must have a date with them. I did not have a date with Abby. You were standing right there when I told her twice I was not going to the concert with her. You also asked me again after she had left and again I replied I was not going to a concert with her. That means I did not have a date with her so I did not stand her up. I cannot and will not be held accountable due her misguided way of thinking. I don't know where she got the idea that she can control my personal time or my life but that is not my problem. She lost any personal rights over me she might have had when she told me in no uncertain terms that she did not want to be with me because I'm too nice. Answer me this Boss, what If I tell you to come to the parking lot at 7:00 and wash my car and you say no. Then I say, you will come to the parking lot at 7:00 and wash my car. If you don't come, does that mean you stood me up"?
The guys from the other side of the bullpen broke out laughing. Ziva was having a hard time trying not laugh. Even Vance who had been observing from up above had to cover his mouth to smother a snicker.
"Now I have another question for you Boss. What has this got to do with you? This was a personal situation between Abby and I. You are not related to either one of us. At work you are my direct supervisor and Director Vance is Abby's direct supervisor but since this was not a professional issue, why are you harassing me about a situation that has absolutely nothing to do with you"?
"This does have to do with me" Gibbs shouted!
"How" McGee asked quietly?
"Abby is my, is my, is my" Gibbs stumbled trying to find the right word.
"I believe the word you are looking for is coworker. Professionally, you two are just coworkers. Personally and privately, you two can be whatever you want to be to each other, all I'm asking you to do is to leave me out of it. Let me make this perfectly clear since we are discussing this. You Boss, you Abby, and you Tony, are coworkers to me, nothing more. I do not want to socialize with any of you personally. Don't call me unless it's job related. Don't come to my home unless it's job related. Don't talk to me at the office unless it's job related. Is that clear enough for you or do I need to have it typed and notarized for you three to understand" McGee said in a mocking voice?
"Hey" exclaimed Tony, "what did I do? And why is Ziva not on the list" Tony whined?
"Those are not job related questions so I won't answer them. Boss, unless there is something else job related you would like to discuss with me, I would like to get back to work" and with that, Tim turned and went back to his desk leaving one forensic scientist and two special agents totally stunned.
There was complete silence in the bullpen. The only sound you could hear was Tim typing on his computer. After a moment, the regular sounds of the bullpen started to pickup as everyone settled down and got back to work.
Abby stood where she had been staring at McGee not knowing if she should be mad or sad that McGee did not want anything to do with her anymore. She decided on mad and turning to Gibbs, she said.
"Are you just going to let him talk to me like that? He stood me up, hung up on me last night and now he tells me he doesn't want anything to do with me. Do something Gibbs" she screamed,
Before Gibbs could say a word, Vance shouted down; "MISS SCUITO, MY OFFICE, NOW".
Abby gulped, she forgot the director was standing there watching everything. She looked at Gibbs trying to look like a little girl so that he would go with her.
Gibbs could never deny Abby, so he stood to go with her to see Vance until he was halted by a cold quiet voice.
"Gibbs, if you come up those stairs with her, it will be to turn in your gun and badge.
Gibbs looked up into the directors eyes and saw that he was not joking. Gibbs turned and started walking toward the break room throwing over his shoulder, "going for coffee".
"Miss Scuito, I'm waiting" said the director coldly.
Several moments later, after lots and lots of shouting, Abby came running down the stairs with mascara streaked tears running down her face and continued on down to her lab. After a moment, everyone went back to their tasks as though nothing had happened. Gibbs came back into the bullpen and saw all of his agents working. He glanced upstairs but did not say anything.
"She's down in her lab boss", Tony stated. "She didn't look to good when she ran down there".
Gibbs just nodded and turned to his computer. Gibbs sat there thinking that his team was going to be in disarray and he could not figure out how to fix it.
Over the next several weeks, Gibbs prediction that his team would be in disarray turned out to be false. As a matter of fact, it turned out to be just the opposite. His team was functioning at a higher level than it was before. Since McGee refused to talk to Dinozzo unless it was work related, Dinozzo was quieter than Gibbs had ever seen him but it seemed to focus him more on the cases rather than trying to think up ways to annoy McGee. Ziva was also more focused at work. She did not engage in the normal banter between her and Dinozzo. She didn't go as far as McGee in what she did and did not talk to Dinozzo about. But she no longer engaged Dinozzo in any kind of sexual innuendos or derogatory topics. McGee was the one agent Gibbs could no longer figure out. McGee used to be an open book to Gibbs but no longer. McGee continued to come in early as he had since he started at NCIS. His work was second to none as usual. In fact, even though it didn't seem possible, McGee's work had gotten even better. He already had great natural instincts when it came to siphoning out the smallest of clues but his ability at connecting the clues into probable leads was incredible. The team was not only solving active cases quicker but thanks to McGee, they were closing more cold cases. McGee continued to talk to Gibbs and Dinozzo on work related topics only but he and Ziva seemed to talk about anything and everything under the sun. Gibbs felt bad for Dinozzo since you could see on his face that he wanted to get in on the conversations. Whenever he would try to interject something into the conversation, McGee would just stop talking and Ziva would answer him with a one or two word reply and then also stop talking. Gibbs also noticed that McGee had no trouble talking to everyone else at NCIS who was not himself, Tony or Abby. Ducky and Palmer would come up and talk to McGee about plans they were making. Apparently, Ducky and McGee had been going to museums together and also going to visit Jimmy, Breena and their new baby. Gibbs also heard numerous conversations McGee had with the other teams which were not work related. This, of course, got him incensed but there was nothing he could do about it. He tried on several occasions to trick McGee into associating with the rest of the team but it did not work. Since Tim no longer went down to the forensics lab, Gibbs tried to order him to go down and help Abby on one particular case. Everyone was in the bullpen including Ducky and Jimmy. Vance was watching from above to see how this played out.
"McGee" Gibbs barked! "Go down to forensics and help Abby".
"Does she need forensics help or computer help" Tim asked Gibbs?
"How the hell should I know" Gibbs shouted! "Just go down there and help her.
"No, Tim replied simply.
"This is a work related order agent McGee" Gibbs said bitingly. "Are you refusing a direct order on a work related case"?
"No boss, I'm refusing an illegal order on a work related case" McGee stated calmly.
Gibbs was speechless for a moment and then he said quietly while clenching and unclenching his hands as though he wanted to strangle McGee
"What makes you think this is an illegal order"?
"Number one" McGee started, "I'm a field agent, not a forensic scientist. During your entire career, name one other field agent, besides myself, you have ever ordered to go down to the forensics lab and help them do their job. Number two, on several occasions, Abby has been offered an assistant to help her whom she has not only refused but came running to you screaming about how she does not want or need an assistant. Since she has turned down the forensics help offered to her, how do you justify ordering a field agent to go help her do her job now? Number three, if she needs computer help, she should requisition a computer specialist from cyber crimes like everyone else. We have a whole section here at NCIS that is dedicated to do just that. Again, how do you justify ordering a field agent to go help a forensic scientist with her computer problem when you have an entire section specifically dedicated for that"?
While everyone was trying to figure out what had just happened, McGee grabbed his coffee cup and started to leave stating he was going for coffee.
With the exception of four people, everyone else were standing in place stunned by what had just happened. Jimmy, with a smile on his face told Tim to hold up he would go with him. Ducky, also smiling said he needed to get back down to autopsy. Ziva, trying hard not to laugh put her head down and started typing at her computer. And the director, with a smirk on his face, turned and went back into his office thinking, very good agent McGee.
Again, Gibbs was so angry it looked like he was about to burst. He knew McGee was right and there was nothing he could do about it. It didn't help that Abby had called whining in his ear about where was McGee, she needed his help and Gibbs had promised he would send him down to her.
The next debacle came when Gibbs stated he was having a team meeting at his house on Saturday and everyone needed to be there. He said he would be grilling steaks. Everyone showed up except for Tim. Gibbs was again pissed. He told Dinozzo to call McGee and to put it on speaker.
"Hey Tony, we got a case" McGee asked calmly?
"Uh no McGee but why aren't you here at boss's house" Tony stuttered?
Tim ignored the question and his voice took on a colder tone. "If we don't have a case, then why are you calling me"?
Gibbs stepped in then, "McGee, I told everyone to be at my house for a team meeting, why are you not here"?
Tim asked one question that took the wind out of Gibbs sails.
"Are we getting paid for being at your house for this team meeting"?
Gibbs was at a loss as to what to say.
Tim continued "No? I thought not. That means we are off the clock and you are having a cookout and I have better things to do with my personal time than to go to your cookout".
"But I told you this would be a team meeting" Gibbs stated.
"Discussing work at a cookout does not make it work related or a team meeting. It makes it discussing work at a cookout. Now, as I said, I have better things to do with my personal time and you are interrupting that. And I'll ask you one more time; please do not call me if it is not job related. Thanks". Tim hung up.
The cookout went from bad to worse after that. Everyone knew that Gibbs had called this supposedly team meeting just to get Tim to interact with the rest of the team. So, without Tim there, it seemed pointless. Tony and Abby just complained about Tim and who did he think he was not coming to Gibbs house and hanging up on them. It did appear for a moment that they might be able to salvage the evening until Palmer, unknowingly, asked a simple question that opened up Pandora's Box.
"So agent Gibbs, what is this team meeting about"?
Poor Palmer, he didn't get it. He really thought there was supposed to be a team meeting. Ducky blamed himself for not informing Palmer that this was just a ruse by the team leader to try to get his team back to having personal interactions. Jimmy was looking around trying to figure out why everyone was looking at him frowning.
Finally, he asked "What did I say"?
Since Ducky and Jimmy had rode over together, Ducky made up an excuse to leave so Jimmy would have to drive him home and he could clue Jimmy in to what the real purpose of the meeting was.
Ziva said she also needed to leave as she had some things she had to attend to.
When it was just the three of them left, Tony couldn't take it anymore.
"What the hell is going on boss? What the hell is up with Probie"?
"I don't know Dinozzo but let's take these steaks in the house and sit down and discuss this while we eat. Maybe we'll be able to figure this out".
While Jimmy was driving, Ducky was explaining what the team meeting was really about. Jimmy, who was seething by the time Ducky was done, pulled over into an empty lot, turned the car off and put his head on the steering wheel taking deep breaths. He had rarely been this angry and he did not want to yell at his mentor. He not only looked at Ducky as his mentor but also as his father and grandfather to his child.
"Let me make sure I have this right. Those three have treated Tim like crap the entire time he has been a part of that team and when he has taken all he can take and decides to exercise his right to associate with whomever he wants to on his personal time, they come up with a plan to trick him into spending time with them and get mad at him because he saw right through it and would not be coerced into doing something he did not want to do. Do I have it just about correct Doctor"?
"No Mr. Palmer, you do not have it just about correct. You have it absolutely correct" Ducky responded.
"And you knew this was the reason for this team meeting"?
"Yes Mr. Palmer. Not at first, but when young Timothy asked if we were getting paid for it, it became clear to me that Gibbs was trying to manipulate him into interacting with the team in a social setting".
"All I can say is, no wonder Tim doesn't want to spend any time with them. They think they own him like property and can do anything they want to him. Now they are upset because their play toy is living his life for himself, as we all are, instead up being at their beck and call. Doctor, I no longer want to spend any of my personal time with them either. Tim is the best person I know and I'm honored to be able to call him my friend. I don't want to associate with anyone who doesn't have his well being in mind".
Ducky was so proud of his surrogate son that he had to work to keep the moisture in his eyes from rolling down his cheek,
"Mr. Palmer, since the day you stepped into autopsy, you have done nothing but make me proud of you. It gladden's my heart to hear you speak of our young Timothy that way. You are truly a good friend to him and I have nothing but the deepest respect for all that you have said here today. Now, let us hurry on to your house so grand ducky can play with his grandson".
With a big smile on his face, Jimmy started the car and pulled out into traffic saying, "right away doctor".
As Ziva was driving back to her apartment, she was thinking about Tim and what he was doing today. She decided to call him.
Tim looked at his phone and immediately was filled with excitement, "Hey Ziva, How are you"?
Ziva gave a little laugh as she felt a thrill go through her at his excited greeting. "I'm fine Timothy, how are you or better yet where are you"?
"I'm great Ziva. I decided to drive down to Virginia Beach and be a beach bum for the weekend".
"You decided to become a bum? You gave away all of your money", Ziva asked confused? Ziva felt that thrill go through her again as she heard Tim give a little chuckle.
"No Ziva, it's an expression that means I came down to the beach with no real plans other than to hang out at the beach and relax".
"Oh", Ziva said and then smiled, "I like your plan Timothy".
"Ziva, you should totally come down and hang out with me. We can be beach bums together. Two beach bums have way more fun than one beach bum".
Ziva started laughing, Tim sounded so excited as he was invited her to share the beach with him. She was almost tempted to go. She enjoyed spending time with Tim and she had nothing going on this weekend.
"Please Ziva, come on down and hang out with me. I promise I will make sure you have a good time. Please Please Please".
Ziva felt a bubble of happiness in her chest and started laughing again at Tim and his antics.
"Ok Timothy, I will join you".
"Great Ziva, I'll text you the address of the hotel I'm staying in. I have a two room suite so you already have a room. Just grab a quick bag with your bathing suit and casual clothes and come on down. We will be the best beach bums ever".
"Ok Timothy, I will see you in a few hours".
As she hung up the phone, she could not believe how much she was looking forward to spending the rest of the weekend with Tim. She was actually excited and could not explain why. She always had fun with Tim when they went out. Even though she was a trained killer he always treated her like a lady. He made her laugh. He was so handsome. Hey, where did that come from? When did she start thinking of Tim that way? A picture of Tim's smiling face popped up in her mind and she felt butterflies in her stomach. Oh no, when had she become attracted to Tim. But why shouldn't she be attracted to Tim. He was everything she wanted in a man and more. She thought about it a little more and then smiled. But this was a different smile. This was the smile of a feline temptress thinking of the different ways she would beguile and lure her prey into her web until he was hers. Ziva started laughing as she pictured how Tim would look when she started her seduction on him.
Ziva didn't do things half way. Once she figured out what she wanted, she went for it with gusto. And now, Ziva had just figured out she wanted one Special Agent Timothy McGee.