Lost Love Found Love Chap 4!
This Chapter Tim and Ziva are back in the bullpen but things are not the same. Enjoy!
Disclaimer 1: I rarely, if ever, write cannon. I write how the story takes me.
Disclaimer 2: I don't own NCIS or any of their characters. In other words, I Own Nothing.
Chapter 4: Back at Work
The Monday morning after Tim and Ziva's weekend of discovery
Tim and Ziva arrive early at work together. They had left her car in Virginia Beach and Ziva is staying with Tim until they can go down and retrieve her car. Knowing that HQ has cameras everywhere, they don't hold hands or touch at all. They make sure that they look the same as always. When they get to the bullpen, they see they are the first ones in. They go to their desks and set their coffees down as they boot up their computers. Tim goes and unlocks the cold case file while Ziva starts turning on lights. Tim takes out 20 cold case files. He puts 10 on Ziva's desk and he takes the other 10 to his desk. They both settle down into their seats and get to work on their cases. Not a word has been spoken between them. There is no need. They thought they were the first ones in but there was one who was even earlier. He was now standing above them on the catwalk looking down on his two dedicated agents with appreciation. Leon Vance watched as Ziva and Tim dove into their cold cases. Leon went back into his office. He had only come out to see who was in this early. The two agents worked steadily throughout the early part of the morning as other agents started to come in.
"Ziva, could you come over here for a minute please, I want your input on this," Tim requested.
"Of course Tim," she responded.
Ziva came over and leaned over his shoulder as she had done all the other times he had asked her to look at something on his computer. He pointed out what he wanted her to look at and she saw why he wanted another pair of eyes. It looked like Tim had a breakthrough on this cold case but he wanted to make sure. As she started giving her input into what she was looking at, the elevator dinged and Gibbs, Dinozzo and Abby got off the elevator. They took in the scene of Ziva leaning over McGee's shoulder pointing to something on the screen as they discussed a cold case. Even though it was easy to see they were in this position to discuss a case, both Abby and Tony felt a spark of jealousy. They also felt a little envious as they noticed the two agents were both sporting new tans. Ziva finished her conversation with Tim and moved back to her desk while greeting the three. Tim also said good morning to them before immediately turning back to his cold case. Gibbs went and sat down at his desk as did Tony. Abby just sort of stood around not knowing what to do. Normally, they would engage in conversation but no one was saying anything. She tried to get McGee to engage her in conversation.
"Hey Timmy, how was your weekend?
"It was fine." he responded in a flat voice continuing to type into his computer.
Both Gibbs and Tony looked over to at Tim who was still typing into his computer. They had never heard use that tone of voice when addressing Abby. They also knew that whenever Abby addressed Tim, he would drop everything and look at her with his puppy eyes. He had barely spared a glance at her. Abby looked at Gibbs and Tony silently asking them what was going on with McGee. Tony just shrugged and Gibbs just stared at McGee as though he could see inside his head. Well, at least he was talking to them again about none work topics. With no answer from either of them, Abby decided she had better get down to her lab and get to work. As she turned to go, she took another look back at McGee who still had not looked up at her. Abby didn't like not being noticed. She always wanted to be the center of attention. She stepped on the elevator noticing Tim was still not paying her any attention. Something would have to be done about this.
Tony was also trying to figure out why McGee had practically ignored Abby while she was there. He didn't even look at her while she was there and that definitely wasn't McGee like. Tony knew if he came right out and asked McGee what was going on, he would not receive and answer so he decided to be sneaky and engage McGee in idle chit chat and hope something slipped out.
"So Probie, what did you do this weekend? You seem to be sporting a very nice tan there." Tony stated.
Tim continued typing and ignored Tony. Tony looked over at Gibbs and then Ziva before looking back at Tim. What the hell was going on Tony wondered.
"McGee, did you hear me talking to you" Tony asked raising his voice a little?
"Yeah, I heard you" Tim responded. "I'm trying to work here Tony, can you just talk to Boss or Ziva and leave me the hell alone so I can concentrate on this cold case."
All three agents were surprised by McGee's response. They shouldn't have been as McGee had already told them not to talk to him about anything that wasn't work related. They all looked at each other with bewildered looks on their faces. Tony was wrecking his brain trying to figure out what the hell he had done to piss Tim off. He couldn't think of anything. He had not played any pranks on him and he had not called him any nick names other than Probie this morning. What was going on?
Ziva was looking at Tim for a different reason. They had just had a wonderful weekend together and even when they came in this morning Tim was in a happy mood. That had changed as soon as the elevator had pinged and Gibbs, Tony and Abby had stepped off. That told her who he had a problem with but not why. He had not discussed any problems at the office with her but then again, they had not discussed work at all as they were busy getting their beach bumness on this weekend. She smiled a little at the term Tim had made up and at the wonderful weekend they had just shared together. The smile left her face as she watched Tim. He was not relaxed and didn't seem to be in a talkative mood. She would just have to wait until after work to speak to him about whatever was bothering him.
Gibbs was staring at McGee trying to will him to look over at him which of course didn't work. Tim was only staring at his computer screen as he worked. Gibbs, as well as everyone else, could see that there was something bothering Tim but getting it out of him would be like pulling teeth. Tim was a very private person and did not discuss his personal life without some serious coercion. Gibbs didn't like distractions on his team and was just about to get up and go talk to Tim when his phone rang.
"Gibbs," he answered and then listened. "Ok, got it."
'Gear up, dead marine" he yelled.
Gibbs looked up as he spoke and saw only Tony standing there with a wide eyed look on his face. Gibbs immediately got pissed that two of his team had skipped out delaying their departure.
"Where are McGee and David," he yelled at Dinozzo? "They're making us late".
"Actually boss, they're making us early," Dinozzo stated.
"Oh yeah, and how is that Dinozzo" Gibbs spat?
"Well Boss, Probie left saying he would gas up the truck and Ziva left saying she would get the other vehicle. They both had their gear with them as they ran down the steps."
"Let's go" was all Gibbs said.
When they got outside, the sedan was idling with no one in it while the truck was behind it with both Tim and Ziva in it ready to go. Gibbs got in the driver's seat while Tony scrambled around to the passenger seat and off they went with Tim and Ziva right on their tail. When they arrived at scene, Gibbs started barking orders as he walked toward the officers who were first on the scene. He turned around to say something to his team and found none of them there. He looked around and saw they were already engaged in the tasks that he given them. Tony and Ziva had acknowledge him when he gave them their orders but Tim just nodded and left to completed the task he had been given. By the time Gibbs had received the report from the first on scene officers; Ducky had arrived and assessed the dead marine. He gave Gibbs the information and moved on to help Jimmy get the body in their medical truck. Gibbs called his team over to get a report. After they had each reported, Gibbs had Tim and Ziva take the evidence back to HQ so Abby could get started on it. Without saying a word, they both turned and went to carry out his orders. He watched them as Ziva went into the house to collect her gear and Tim started collecting the evidence bags they had accumulated. In no time, they had everything stowed in the truck and were on their way. Gibbs just shook his head and went to help Tony finish speaking to the neighbors. Tim and Ziva discussed the evidence they had collected and how it could help them solve the case. When they got to HQ, Tim told Ziva to take the evidence to Abby and he would restock the truck. They parted to go carry out their tasks.
Ziva entered the lab and walked over to Abby who had some hard rock music blasting over the sound system.
"Abby!" Ziva called out trying to get the Goth's attention to no avail.
"Abby!" she tried again a little louder still with no result.
"Abby!" she tried one more time louder still and still did not get a response.
Ziva walked over to Abby and tapped her on the shoulder. Abby screamed and jumped around staring at Ziva while trying to catch her breath. Ziva picked up the remote and turned the music down.
"Jeez Ziva, I know you're a ninja but make some noise or something. You just about scared me to death."
"I am sorry I frightened you. I called your name three times and you did not answer. Here is the evidence from our current case Gibbs wants you to analyze" Ziva said while handing Abby the evidence. As Ziva turned to leave, Abby called out to her.
"Ziva"
Turning back to Abby, Ziva responded
"Yes Abby"
"Did I do something to Tim?" she asked
"I do not know Abby. I think that is the question that I should be asking you." Ziva stated.
"I don't think I did. I don't remember doing anything to him. The last time I saw him was last week and seemed ok. I didn't see him over the weekend. He looked like he had a good weekend going by the tan he has. If I did something to him, I don't know what it was." Abby said sadly.
"Maybe it's not you. McGee does not seem to be speaking to anyone right now. Maybe he is upset at something else and does not want to talk to anyone" Ziva theorized.
Abby thought about that and seemed to make sense to her. Well, he had better get his act together she thought. She didn't like being ignored.
"That makes sense to me. Thanks Ziva."
"You are welcome Abby." Ziva said as she once again turned to leave. As Ziva left the lab, her thoughts were troubled. She knew what she had told Abby was not the problem. She had just spent one of the best weekends of her life with Tim. She also knew he had awakened still in a good mood this morning if the way he woke her up was any indication. A tingle went through her body as the erotic images of the two them flashed through her mind. No, his mood had not altered until those three had stepped off the elevator. As she entered the bullpen she put the matter on hold. She would pursue this later on tonight when they were alone.
Tim was at his desk busy pulling up anything he could find on their current case. Tim tended to get so engrossed in his work that he could shut out everything that was going on around him. He did not notice the strange stares he was getting from his three teammates. He did not hear Gibbs ask for a report until Gibbs yelled his name.
"McGee!"
Tim jumped, startled from his task and looked around seeing Gibbs, Tony and Ziva standing up at the plasma looking at him. Tony had a smirk on his face at Tim's reaction. Ziva had a worried look on her face and Gibbs had an angry look on his face.
"What?" Tim responded getting angry.
A little startled at McGee's response, Gibbs barked "Report!"
Tim got up and went to the plasma. Ziva handed him the clicker. He gave her a brief smile before launching into the information he had pulled up so far. After he was done, Gibbs started barking orders.
"Dinozzo, David go bring in the suspects for questioning. McGee, continue to pull up any and all information you can find on these idiots."
Tony was the only one who acknowledged Gibbs. "On it boss."
As Tony and Ziva left, Tim had already sat back down at his desk and once again was lost in cyberspace as he tried to locate clues for the case. Tim had been at it nonstop for about an hour when Gibbs called him.
"McGee, with me" he barked"
Tim looked up and saw Gibbs headed to the elevators. He locked his workstation and followed him. Once in the elevator, Gibbs hit the stop button and just stared at McGee. McGee started squirming under his intense gaze but didn't say anything. Gibbs let this go on for another minute before speaking.
"Talk to me McGee." Gibbs started off.
"Talk to you about what exactly?" Tim responded.
"About whatever is bothering you McGee." Gibbs stated.
He then witnessed Tim's face just turn to stone as his entire demeanor changed from one of nervousness to one of anger and defiance.
"Didn't we already have this discussion? Whatever is bothering me is none of your concern. It is a personal matter which I will handle privately. If you feel my work is being negatively affected, I can put in for immediate leave until I have resolved the issue" Tim stated in a calm no non sense voice.
Gibbs just looked at him. That was definitely not the answer he was expecting. He thought McGee would deny he had a problem or try to side step it all together. He not only admitted that there was a problem and he was handling it but basically told Gibbs to get lost. Gibbs, of course didn't like not knowing what was going on in the lives of his agents. Tim telling him it was none of his concern did not sit well with Gibbs.
"Yeah McGee, it is my concern. Now tell me what's going on?" Gibbs requested raising his voice a little.
"What the hell is wrong with you? You just don't listen to anyone, do you? For the last time, this is none of your damn business and I will not discuss it with you or anyone else. Now if there is nothing further, I would like to get back to work." Tim replied.
Gibbs was shocked. He thought his usual intimidation tactics would work since they always had. He could always get McGee to do or say anything he wanted him to. This person standing before him was not his McGee. Gibbs was shocked again when McGee reached past him and started the elevator. The doors opened and McGee strolled out. He walked angrily back to his desk not making eye contact with Tony or Ziva who had returned and were sitting at their desks. He sat down at his desk and once again zoned out into his world of cyberspace. Tony and Ziva were startled by the angry look on McGee's face. They both slowly turned to look at Gibbs who had a shocked look on his face as he stared at McGee.
"Uh, boss" Tony started, "we couldn't find the suspect at his last known address. The place was a mess. It looked like he packed and left in a hurry."
While Tony had been giving his brief, Tim had started printing something. Before Gibbs could respond to Tony, Tim handed at sheet of paper to each of the agents.
In a monotone, McGee spoke to Dinozzo. "Tony, here is a list of places I was able to locate that the suspect is known to frequent. I put them order of what I could gather as the suspect's favorites. Maybe you and Ziva can catch up to him at one these locations."
Tim went back to his desk and started typing leaving his fellow agents staring after him. Tony looked up at Gibbs for confirmation.
"Go" was all Gibbs said.
Tony and Ziva retrieved their gear and headed back out. Gibbs continued to stare at Tim confused. McGee had advised him that his work would not be affected by whatever this issue was and it hadn't been. The list McGee had come up with was damn fine work. Gibbs let a slight smirk twitching on his lips as he looked at the list. Tim had printed his copy in very large font. Gibbs then started frowning as he thought some more about his young agent. It was not a surprise to him that McGee did excellent work. He always did. It did surprise him that he never noticed the little things that McGee did to help the team. Case in point, the list he was looking at. To anyone else, it was just a list. To the people who knew the team intimately, it was much more. Those people in his inner circle knew Gibbs hated technology. He hated cell phone, he hated texting and he hated computers. Taking Gibbs bias against technology into consideration, instead of texting the information to their cell phones, which was much quicker and easier, McGee had printed it. Instead of printing them all in normal font, he had only printed Tony and Ziva's copies in normal font and Gibbs in very large font. Just that easily McGee had managed to avoid what could have been an embarrassing moment for Gibbs because of his poor eyesight and fear of technology. Thinking back, Gibbs could also see how Tim made sure neither Tony nor Ziva saw his copy; further protecting Gibbs from the teasing Tony would have surly done. He had done this while producing results to help catch the perpetrators and hopefully bring the case to a close. Gibbs came to the decision that he was going to have approach McGee differently when dealing with him. The young man had fought and worked his butt off to become a very good agent. Everyone knew he was a great person with high morals. Everyone seemed to forget he was also an outstanding agent. Change was never easy for Gibbs but he knew it had to be done. He could either change or take the chance of losing one of the best and brightest NCIS had to offer from his team. His whole body went cold at that thought. No, losing McGee off of his team was not an option. Yep, if change for Gibbs is what was needed to keep McGee, then change it would be.
Tony and Ziva were having a discussion about McGee as they drove to the first address.
"Come on Ziva" Tony whined, "You have to know something. Don't you have that woman's intuition thing going on? What the hell is wrong with McGee?"
"Tony, as I have told you all day. I do not know what is bothering McGee. I would also like to know so maybe I could help him but he has not spoken with me about whatever it is." Ziva stated.
"Well, do you have any ideas? This not knowing is killing me. It's Monday so whatever it is must have happened over the weekend since he was fine on Friday." Tony stated.
Ziva turned her head and stared out the window so Tony could not see her face. Her face was warm so she knew she was blushing. Tony's statement about the weekend immediately brought memories of her weekend with Tim back to her which of course brought memories of this morning back to her. All of these memories were very happy memories. The memories that were not happy memories were Very Very happy memories. Who would have guessed that kind quiet McGee was a very thorough and insatiable lover. Ziva's body started tingling again at the memories.
"ZIVA!" Tony yelled.
Ziva was startled out of her erotic trip down memory lane. She came up with a very intelligent reply for Tony.
"Huh"
"What the hell Ziva? I asked you like 5 times if you have any ideas and you just continued to stare out the window ignoring me. What the hell?" Tony shouted.
"Ok Tony, you can stop yelling. I hear you now. I apologize for ignoring you. I was lost in thought and no, I do not have any ideas." Ziva confessed.
"Well, at least you are talking to me now." Tony pouted.
Smiling, Ziva said "Oh Tony, you are such a divet."
"Diva, Ziva, the word is diva and I am not a diva" Tony huffed.
Tony and Ziva found the suspect at the first place on the list and brought him back to NCIS HQ. Gibbs questioned him and got the rest of the information they needed to break the case. The bullpen was quiet as everyone was finishing up their reports so they could leave for the day. Tim had actually finished his report and was writing up some notes on a cold case he was working on while waiting for Ziva to finish. The elevator pinged and Abby came bouncing out. She saw the team typing up their reports and wondered over to McGee's desk.
"Hey McGee" she greeted.
"Hi!" he returned in a flat voice.
Abby looked over at Gibbs with a hurt look in her eyes. Gibbs hated seeing Abby hurt on any occasion. He glared over at McGee but didn't say anything. Abby tried again.
"Timmy, could I buy you a cup of coffee after work. I have something I would really like to discuss with you?" Abby asked.
"No thank you. By the way, make sure you understand I'm actually saying no so I won't have to worry about some overzealous person coming at me about standing you up again." Tim replied as he started powering down his computer preparing to leave.
Normally, when Tim said no to someone, he would give an explanation as to why he had said it. It wasn't needed but everyone knew this was just a part of McGee's sense of courtesy. When he didn't explain why he said no but instead made sure she knew he was saying no because of his confrontation earlier with Gibbs, everyone knew just how serious an issue this was even if they didn't know what the issue was. As trained investigators, the clue that they had just been given told them that Abby was a part of the issue since he had not given her any explanation for saying no to her. Abby also knew this but still couldn't think of anything she had done to McGee. With tears in her eyes she started walking away from him.
"Ok then, maybe another time." she replied sadly.
After she had left, Tony immediately started yelling at McGee.
"What the hell McGee, why did you treat her like that? I don't know what the hell your problem is but you had better get it fixed quickly. You also better be prepared to give Abby an apology in the morning if you know what's good for you. If I ever see you treat her like that again, you and I are going to be having a talk away from the office and words won't involved."
As McGee got up to leave, he said three words that not only left Tony speechless but brought home, not only to Team Gibbs, but everyone left in the bullpen just how seriously upset Tim was.
"F**k you Tony!" He then turned to Ziva "I'll wait for you by the car."
Ziva nodded and Tim turned and left. Ziva was now angry. She knew Tim had become upset when the elevator opened this morning and Gibbs, Tony and Abby were in it. Now, in a span of 60 seconds, it had been confirmed by Tim's actions that at least 2 of the 3 people in that elevator had done something to piss Tim off. Since Tim did not hold grudges or use crude language, it also confirmed that whatever it was, it was something big for him to be this upset. Ziva finished her report and sent it off to Gibbs before shutting down her computer and hurrying after Tim while glaring at Tony. Tony was still in shock after McGee's departure but when he saw Ziva glaring at him, he knew she had come to the same conclusion he had. What the hell had he done to McGee? For the life of him he couldn't think of anything but it was obvious he had done something. Gibbs, who had been glaring at McGee after he had turned Abby down, was just as shocked as everyone else. He had never heard McGee speak to anyone the way he had spoken to Dinozzo. He had also come to the same conclusion as the rest of the team. What the hell had Dinozzo done to McGee? This was really bad. Whatever it was, McGee had maintained his professionalism with Dinozzo and Abby. He had not raised his voice or been rude to them. He had been cordial in his interactions with them. That is, up until the time when Tony felt it was necessary to rip McGee a new one. Gibbs knew that must have been the last straw as far as McGee was concerned.
"Dinozzo, with me!" Gibbs barked.
Tony looked up and saw Gibbs headed to the elevators. He got up and followed him. When they were both in the elevator and Gibbs had hit the emergency switch, Tony started before Gibbs could even say anything.
"I swear I don't know what I did boss!" he blurted out. I've been going back over the last month, hell, the last 6 months in my head and I can't think of anything I did to get Probie this angry." Tony admitted.
Gibbs had been prepared to rip Tony a new on for whatever he had done to McGee but hearing Tony's voice and the explanation he gave made him pause. He knew Tony well. If he had done anything, he would have told Gibbs at this point. Tony did pranks and got up under people skin but he would not do anything to endanger the team or upset a team member, especially McGee, like this.
"Well, you had better figure it out pretty damn quick Dinozzo. McGee is one of the most level headed people I know and for him to say what he said to you makes it abundantly clear you have done something." Gibbs stated. Gibbs flipped the switch and they exited the elevator. Meanwhile, Ziva had joined Tim at the car. They got in and neither of them spoke. It was a quiet ride home. Tim parked the car and they walked to the apartment building in silence. They rode the elevator up in silence. When they entered the apartment, Tim took Ziva into his arms and just held her. He was holding her so tight that she was having trouble breathing but she did not care. She had wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him back. If this is what he needed it was ok with her. Breathing was overrated anyway. Tim finally released his death grip on Ziva but kept her in the circle of his arms. He looked down into her eyes as he spoke.
"I know you want to talk about this but I can't right now. I'll understand if that isn't good enough for you and you want to leave" he stated quietly.
Ziva looked up into his pained filled eyes and knew there was no way she was leaving him. They had not been together long, actually just a weekend, but she had worked with him for years and knew what kind of person he was. If he said he couldn't talk about it right now, that's exactly what he meant. He was not playing any games with her.
"I am not going anywhere Timothy." she responded. "I am here for you. What do you need of me?" she asked.
"Can we take a shower and go to bed? I just want to hold you." he stated.
"Yes Timothy, that sounds wonderful. Anything you want." Ziva responded as she kissed him.
They went into the bathroom and undressed for their shower. Tim held Ziva under the spray of the hot water. He caressed her back as he held her. Ziva placed small kisses on his shoulder and chest as they were content with just being together. They finally got around to actually washing. They got out of the shower and dried each other off. They passed on the pajamas as neither one of them wanted barriers between them. Tim lay on his back and Ziva crawled over him as she had found out pretty quick that she loved lying on him. Tim was a big man and Ziva loved how she felt so small on him. Tim put both arms around Ziva and she snuggled her face into his neck loving the smell of him. They fell into a contented sleep in this position.