Lost Love Found Love Chap 5!

The team is having trouble adjusting to this new McGee. 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 5: Dessert

A week has passed

Monday morning and Tim and Ziva are the first ones in as this has become the norm. They sat their coffee on their respective desks and then go through their normal opening routine. Ziva goes around turning on lights while Tim goes over to the cold case file cabinet, unlocks it and takes out 20 cases. He places the 10 cases that Ziva is working with on her desk and takes the other 10 that he is working on over to his desk. Without saying a word, they get down to work. Unknown to them, once again the director has beaten them in. He has been keeping an eye on his two agents as they have been turning in great work. He watches as they get lost in case after case trying to find something that was missed. He sees why they come in this early. There is nothing and no one to disturb their concentration. They work in companionable silence only interrupted when one wants the other to act as a second pair of eyes. The director goes into his office making a mental note to look at their eligibility for the next promotion cycle.

Two hours later, Gibbs walks in with his coffee. The two agents speak and continue with their work. Tony comes in a half an hour later. They speak to him and continue on with their work. Both Gibbs and Tony keep glancing at McGee who is not paying any attention to them as he is deep in concentration on his cold case. At one point, Ziva asks McGee to come over and check something for her. He looks at what she has found and they discuss the issue at length. An idea comes to Tim and he reaches around Ziva with his arms on both sides of her so he can type on her keyboard. Ziva watches her screen as Tim's hands fly across her keyboard. She has an impulse to nuzzle his neck which is right above her but she knows they have an audience. When Tim is finished and the result of his search comes up, he picks up her case file and points to something on one of the sheets and then points to the computer explaining the connection to her. As she sees the connection, she thanks Tim and takes over the typing as Tim goes back to his desk and becomes engrossed back in his cold case.

At noon, Tim locks his computer and stands getting his badge and gun. As he walks out, he informs his team he is going to lunch. As he reaches the door to the stairs, Ziva calls out to him to wait up. She also informs the team she is going to lunch. After they have left, Tony looks over at Gibbs and tries to articulate his hurt feelings without sounding like a little whinny boy.

"Boss, I still don't know what I did but I can't continue to work like this. I can't talk to Probie unless I want my head taken off."

"I don't like it either Dinozzo but there's nothing I can do about it since he won't discuss it with me either. He told me whatever it is would not affect his job performance and it hasn't. As a matter of fact, his job performance has increased. He is here two to three hours early every day. He is closing more cold cases than anyone. He is nothing but a professional at crime scenes. From what I have seen, the only ones who have a problem with him are me, you and Abby."

"I know all of that boss, but you know what I mean. I can't explain it but he is not the same Probie. Yeah, I know, he speaks in the morning and says goodbye after work. He even lets us know when he's taking lunch. All of the things he supposed to do but don't see boss, that's the problem. He only does the things he has to do when it comes to interaction between me, you and Abby. It's as though he wants nothing to do with us unless the job requires him to interact with us." Tony explained.

"Yeah, I get that Dinozzo, but again, there is nothing I can do. He does not ignore anyone who is talking to him about job related topics. Am I supposed to yell at him because he doesn't want to discuss his tan or movies with you?" Gibbs states in frustration.

"I don't know boss; can't you take him in the elevator and have one of your 'straighten up or your out of here' talks with him."

"I tried that and for a minute I thought he was going to throw a punch at me. I don't want to push him because I think it would cause him to ask for a transfer. Is that what you want, McGee to leave the team?" Gibbs asked.

Tony eyes went wide as it had never crossed his mind that McGee would leave the team. He was also surprised that Probie was angry enough to almost take a swing at the boss.

"No boss" Tony said dejectedly. "I don't want Probie to leave. I just want it back to the way it used to be."

"Well, it's quite apparent that McGee doesn't so we either suck it up and get used to the new McGee or prepare for a replacement.

Tim and Ziva were having lunch at a little Italian restaurant not far from the Navy Yard.

"Ziva?"

"Yes Tim" Ziva responded smiling.

"You are a very beautiful woman. You have to be the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen in my life. That's all. I just wanted you to know that." Tim said shyly.

Blushing, Ziva was having trouble sitting still. She wished he would not say things like that to her. Well she thought, let me rephrase that. I wish he would not say things like that when we are not alone in a big comfortable bed. Ziva knew Tim spoke from the heart. He did not just see a pretty face and a good figure but what was on the inside as well. Ziva was having trouble keeping herself in her chair after Tim's declaration. She just stared at Tim wanting to vault over the table and tackle him to the ground so she could have her wicked way with him. She might not be able to do anything about it right now but the scenarios running through her mind about what she was going to do to him tonight when she got him home would probably get her arrested in most of the United States. After taking a sip of water and clearing her throat, Ziva responded to Tim.

"Thank you Timothy. That is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me. Now, unless you want me to attack you right here in this restaurant, you will not say anything more like that until we are alone and I can show you how much I appreciate you."

Tim looked into Ziva eyes and saw that she was not lying. He could see the passion smoldering in her eyes. He decided he better do as she requested and talk about something else.

"Ziva, are you free this weekend?" Tim asks.

Ziva immediately starts smiling. She has learned very quickly that when Tim asks her a question like that it is because he has a surprise in store for her and she loves his surprises. He has not disappointed her even once with his surprises. Ziva decides to play along with the game they have both become accustom to.

"Yes, I am free this weekend Timothy, why do you ask?" Ziva ask while smiling demurely.

Tim is having a hard time keeping the big smile off of his face as he knows what she is doing. He found out rather quickly that Ziva loves playing with him. He also found out rather quickly that he loves that Ziva loves playing with him.

"I have a surprise for you that I think you will like. You will need to pack a bag for the weekend which includes a formal gown." He explains.

Now Ziva is intrigued. What is going on in that brilliant head of his? She can never guess what he is planning for her. Her guesses are never even close to what he surprises her with. A sultry smile plays on her lips as she remembers that their evenings always end with Timothy bringing her to heights of ecstasy. She wouldn't mind skipping the surprise and just going to the end of the evening. She looks over at Tim and starts blushing as he is looking at her in a way that makes her think he knows what she is thinking.

The waitress comes and asks if they want any dessert which they both decline. As they are preparing to get up to leave, Tim hands Ziva a small folded up note. She opens it and reads it and her entire face turns red. Her wide startled eyes immediately find his as she starts to perspire. She is not sure if she will be able to stand. The note reads:

'My dessert is already prepared. It is nice, warm and sweet and is waiting safely for me at the apex of your thighs. When we get home, I will eat until I have had my fill and then I will slowly and thoroughly lick the bowl clean.'

As she looks into Tim's eyes she has to grip her chair hard to keep from jumping his bones right then and there. Smiling, Tim signals the waitress and asks for a glass of ice water for them both. When the waitress returns with the water, Ziva gulps hers down right away and is a little indignant when a still smiling Tim takes her empty glass and replaces it with his full one. Even in her indignation, she can't help but smile at the fact that Tim also loves to play with her. She picks up the glass and drinks. Ever the gentleman, Tim comes around the table and pulls her chair back and helps her to her feet. As she stands, she whispers in his ear that he will pay for that. Tim laughs and pretending to fix Ziva's collar leans in whispers to her that she can have all the revenge she wants after he has had his dessert. This time Ziva can't keep the laughter inside. They are both laughing as they leave the restaurant.

They walk back to the Navy Yard talking and laughing the entire way. They never touch or get to close to each other. There are eyes everywhere. When they enter the bullpen, they both are smiling and go to their respective desks and dive back into their cases as though nothing had happened. Both Gibbs and Tony stare at McGee who has become engrossed in his cold cases and is typing away at his computer and making notes as the results come back. He has not said a word since coming back to work. As they are both still watching Tim, they see a frown come on his face and then a look of horror. They watch as he picks up the phone and dials.

"Hey Ducky, is Jimmy there with you? Good, I need to speak to the both of you on a cold case I'm working on. I'll be right down. Thanks.

Tim picks up his file and his notes and heads to the elevator.

"What's going on Probie?" Tony asks.

Tim ignores him and gets in the elevator and is gone. A frustrated Dinozzo turns and tries to take his frustration out on Ziva.

"Ok Ziva, what the hell is going on with him? I'm sick of being ignored and you're going to tell me what the deal is." Tony snaps.

Even though Tim still has not told Ziva what the problem is, she knows that Tony is a part of the problem.

"Do not yell at me because you have obviously done something horrible enough to McGee to make him want nothing to do with you. I do not know what that is but do not look to me to be your punching bag. I will punch back." Ziva stated in a dangerously low voice.

"That's enough!" Gibbs snapped. This is exactly what he thought might happen. He wants to blame McGee but he can't. It's not McGee's fault that Dinozzo can't work without personal interaction with his teammates, even if that interaction is childish.

As Ziva and Tony are glaring at each other, the elevator dings and McGee, Ducky and Jimmy step off the elevator in deep discussion. They pay no attention to the rest of the bullpen as they make their way over to the stairs and start climbing up heading to the Director's office. Gibbs has had enough of being kept in the dark.

"McGee, report!" he shouts while glaring at McGee.

"Not now boss." He retorts as they keep climbing and talking.

"Yes McGee, now! Gibbs screams.

"Oh Jethro, keep it down will you." Ducky admonishes Gibbs. "Timothy will bring you up to date as soon as he is finished following the Director's orders.

Gibbs is seething but he knows better than to irritate Ducky. Apparently, the Director is also in on whatever McGee found. Everyone seems to know except for him. He was not a big fan of being kept in the dark by anyone, let alone one of his team members. As he watched them, he was surprised when the Director came out of his office and told them to come right in.

About 30 minutes later, Gibbs gets a phone call from the Director telling him to come up to his office and bring Dinozzo and David with him. When they get in the office, Gibbs starts his blustering

"Leon, what the hell is going on? Why are" that's as far as Gibbs got

"Gibbs, shut up and sit down!" The director shouted.

The room was deathly quiet after that.

"Now" the director began. We are waiting for one more and here she is now." The director finished as Abby came into the room.

"Ok, lets just jump right into this." The director begins. "This is the case with the 13 murdered little girls." Before the director can go any further, Gibbs jumps up and interrupts again.

"That was my case!" Gibbs shouts as he glares at McGee. "What the hell are you doing working on my cold case without telling me?" he screams.

"Gibbs, this is the last time I'm going to tell you so make sure you hear me clearly." The director warns. "shut the hell up! One more outburst from you and you are off this case and maybe out of a job. Are we clear?"

Gibbs gives a brief nod and sits down still glaring at McGee who is not paying any attention to him.

"Now, agent McGee, Dr. Mallard and Dr. Palmer has put together some credible information and given us our best shot at catching this bastard. The problem is this sick psycho might have been getting help from someone in NCIS. That is why only the people in this room will know anything about this op. No one will be alone. Agent Dinozzo, you will be the protection detail for Ms. Scuito.

Gibbs speaks up "Let McGee be the protection detail, I need Dinozzo in the field with me."

Vance looked at Gibbs as if he had lost his mind. "If I had not heard it with my own ears, I would not have believed it. I think you really have lost your mind Gibbs. If not that, then your perspective. After Mauher and Mexico, do you really think I would ever have agent McGee on another protection detail of Ms. Scuito. I'm starting to wonder if I can even trust you with this op."

Gibbs and Abby had the good grace to look ashamed.

"Uh yeah, I forgot about that." Gibbs says quietly.

"As I was saying." The director begins again. "Agent Dinozzo will stay in the lab with Ms. Scuito as protection. Dr. Mallard and Dr. Palmer will go in the field with Agents Gibbs, McGee and David. The doctors will take their normal vehicle to make it appear normal but they are needed to you up to date in real time as we now believe the suspect is a medical person. Agent Gibbs, you will not use normal NCIS techniques in the performance of your duties. You three are never to be separated. I repeat, under no circumstances are you to split up. I have two security agents from my detail who are above reproach. I will have them work with Stan Burley only here to try and ferret out who was helping him. Good hunting." Everyone filed out of the directors office and went to work.

The team was able to finally track down and apprehend their suspect. Once he was interrogated it was discovered that he hated all girls between the ages of 9 and 12 because that's how old his older sister was when she started abusing him. They were not able to track him before because he was an EMT. No matter where he went, if he put the lights and sirens on, he was never out of place. His source of information in NCIS was a girlfriend who cleaned the offices. She was also found to have mental issues that she was able to hide very well like a functioning alcoholic. Everyone was in the bullpen with smiles on their faces at having put this murderer away. Everyone except for Gibbs that is. He was standing glaring at McGee. Tim was shutting down his computer getting ready to leave when Gibbs stormed over to him.

"Why didn't you tell me you were working on my cold case?" he spat out.

Everyone stopped what they were doing to take in the scene. No one knew what Gibbs was so angry about.

"Didn't know it was a requirement." Tim answered calmly. "From now on, I will notify you on any cold case I work that has your name on it." Tim stated as he continued in his preparation to leave.

This made Gibbs even angrier.

"Don't get smart with me. The next time, you come to me first, not the director." Gibbs stated.

Still speaking calmly, Tim replied. "In the future, if the director has not given me a direct order to come directly to him first, I will come directly to you first as I have always done." McGee stated.

Gibbs got in McGee's face. "I didn't put any stipulations on that order. You will come to me first no matter what." Gibbs bit out.

Tim picked up his gear and as he was walking away he said "No boss, can't do that. The director is all of our boss and if he orders me to come directly to him, I will follow that order."

"McGee!" Gibbs shouted. If I ever find out that you disobeyed my order, I will have you off this team so fast it will make your head spin."

Tim turned around and walked back over to Gibbs and got into his face, nose to nose.

"What makes you think being on this back-stabbing team is so great? Do you really believe that was a threat you just made? I tell you what Gibbs, there's no sense in waiting. The director is in his office right now. Go ahead up there and tell the director you want me off your team. Oh, and just so you know, I didn't bypass you, Ducky did." Tim stated before turning and leaving.

After Tim left, Gibbs turned and looked at Ducky. "What the hell did he mean by that Duck?"

"If you had just been patient, like I asked you to, you would have been given a full explanation. The lad is right. Once Mr. Palmer and I were able to help him with the medical part of the cold case, he immediately stated he was going up to notify you. I stopped him and told him to wait until I had spoken with the director. When I called the director and explained what we had uncovered, he told the three of us to come directly to his office and not to speak to anyone. So, you see Jethro, Timothy wanted to do exactly what you had trained him to do which was come to you and yes, it was me who stopped him." Ducky finished.

Even though he was feeling like an idiot, Gibbs still wouldn't let it go.

"It doesn't matter; he still should have come and briefed me." He stated stubbornly.

The one thing had been trying to avoid had now happened. Ducky was pissed. It took quite some doing to get Ducky angry but when it happened, no one wanted to be on the receiving end.

"Are you quite daft Jethro? Are you even listening to yourself? You are trying to order Timothy to disobey the Director of NCIS. Have you gone mad? That young man has done everything by the book as he is supposed to do. He has solved a 15 year old gruesome cold case that should have you, of all people, knocking everyone else out of the way so you could congratulate him and instead you try to take him to task for doing exactly what he was ordered to do. Tell me Jethro, and think about this very carefully. What has that young lad done that was so wrong? What has he done to deserve you berating him like this? Tell me Jethro, WHAT HAS HE DONE! Ducky shouted.

Everyone in the bullpen was quiet as they had never heard Ducky shout before. As a matter of fact, they had never seen Ducky this angry. This really scared everyone, including Gibbs. He knew he was wrong. He knew he couldn't answer Ducky's question because there was no reason. Everything Ducky had said was absolutely spot on. He also knew Ducky had a special place in his heart for McGee. He knew Ducky looked at him and loved him like a grandson. He also knew the feeling was reciprocated by McGee. McGee looked at Ducky as a friend, a confidant and a grandfather all rolled up into one person. Gibbs tried to do something that went against one of his rules. He tried to apologize to Ducky but the M.E. turned his back on Gibbs and left the bullpen. As long as Gibbs had known Ducky, he had never seen him this angry. Ducky was one of the few people in the world that Gibbs could trust with his life and he might have ruined it for what; nothing but his own petty jealousies and insecurities. Gibbs felt like crap.

Ziva had turned to follow Tim out but had turned back around after Tim made that last statement. She stood transfixed as Ducky lit into Gibbs. She had never seen him this volatile. She wasn't sure Ducky wouldn't have shot Gibbs if he had possessed a gun at the moment. She felt very proud of the fact that Tim had such a strong advocate in Ducky. Tim was the strongest person she had ever met but even people with such strength still needed people they could count on. She was glad Ducky was one of those people.

Ziva looked up at the clock and started to hurry out. She had a big smile on her face as she remembered she had Tim's dessert with her and she did not want her man to be without his dessert.