Author's Note: I just noticed this - I forgot to include Abby in my disclaimer at the start of Chapter 1! She's not mine either! Too bad you can't edit chapters once they're posted without having to do them all over again, lol!

Jazzy's Wrong Conclusion

Tony looked up from his pile of paperwork when Jasmine McGee walked into the squad room.

Probie's little sister did not look happy. In fact, she seemed on the verge of tears.

Okay, Tony thought to himself, I hope Palmer's got a good place to hide and a new identity ready to roll. Then he shook his head. Nobody had said it had anything to do with Palmer. Tony watched as she approached McGee's desk, and the younger agent looked up.

"Jazzy? What's wrong?" McGee stood up and walked around his desk, wrapping his sister up in an embrace.

"Is there somewhere we can talk?" Tony couldn't help the look of concern that crossed his face. McGee was almost like a brother… almost. And that made Jaz almost like a sister… almost.

McGee quietly nodded, then steered her towards the elevator. He gave Tony a warning glance and said simply, "Stay away from autopsy, Tony." Tony frowned. Now, how did he know what he was thinking?

When the McGee siblings had reached the elevator and entered through the doors, they waited for them to close, and McGee reached over and hit the switch.

"Jazzy… what's wrong?"

She seemed almost hesitant. "It's Jimmy. He seems so, I don't know… distant lately. I think he's losing interest in me." McGee nodded, as he reached over and brushed away a tear from her cheek. "I see. How long has he been like this?"

Jasmine sighed sadly, and sniffed. "About a week, I guess." McGee closed his eyes. He knew exactly what was wrong.

He cleared his throat and thought about how much he could actually say, before speaking. "Jaz, I don't think it's you. I think it's the case we've got right now." She frowned at him, her brow furrowing and her lips turning down. "It's hard to explain… how much has he told you about himself?"

Jasmine shrugged. "Quite a lot, I guess. Sometimes we do talk, in front of my fireplace."

McGee smiled at this, briefly, then his expression grew sombre. "Jazzy… does the name Michaela O'Farrell mean anything to you?" His sister paled a moment, and she slowly nodded. "Yeah. Oh, my God, Tim. This case… it involves a child?"

He nodded. "She didn't die though. She came very, very close. But she survived. Jimmy is just really… he's really intent on helping us solve this case. I think he sees it as a chance to absolve the past, somewhat. Maybe even do for Emily what he couldn't do for Michaela. I mean, I know he was just a little kid back then, but still… the memories are there."

McGee sighed inwardly as his sister's expression morphed from one of despair, to one of relief. "Well, now that I know, you're probably right. And I can be patient," she said, with resolve. "I think he and I are gonna have to have a little chat, though." McGee nodded, saying, "Probably a good idea. I'd hate to have to hurt him without justification." He grinned, just to reassure her that he was joking, and Jasmine hugged him, and said, "Thanks Timmy. I knew I could count on you." He smiled at her as he reached over and hit the switch again, bringing the stalled elevator back to life.

"I'm gonna head downstairs," she said, as he stepped out of the elevator. "See you later."

McGee nodded, and reached out to stop the closing doors for a moment. "Go easy on him, Jazzy. Don't forget, we can't always talk about our cases outside of NCIS. He was probably just maintaining that confidentiality. He has a responsibility with his job, so do I. I probably told you too much, but I know I can trust you." Jasmine smiled, and nodded. "I understand," she said. She gave his arm a squeeze and then gave him a gentle shove out of the elevator. He smiled briefly with satisfaction and relief, then turned on his heel and went back to his desk.

Tony looked up. "Palmer still alive?"

McGee laughed softly. "Yeah, he's still alive. Not his fault, entirely. He and my sister are simply victims of circumstance. And NCIS regulations."

Tony wasn't sure he understood Probie's rather cryptic statement, but thought he could wrangle an explanation out of him sooner or later, so he let the matter drop as he simply nodded, "Ah," and turned his attention back to the mountain of paper that sat in front of him.