Title: Impulsive Decisions
Rating: K
Disclaimer: None of my own characters are featured in this one. No infringement intended.
Summary: Timothy McGee makes an impulsive lunch-time decision. Two chapters, one posted January 23, and the second posted January 24.
Pairing: Oh, this is McAbby… most decidedly, most assuredly, most absolutely, McABBY. ;)
Author's Note: Written at the request of a reviewer who read and commented on "Collaborative Efforts," and requested something I already had bouncing in my head anyway. Thanks Grace, for the suggestion, and the motivation to finally write it down. Also, I apologize for the stupid title, but I just couldn't think of anything good! This story also elaborates upon an idea introduced in "Next Year," in which McGee visits Kate's grave on his and Abby's wedding day - a year to the day after Kate's funeral - to talk to her and tell her how the last year has gone.
Chapter 1
"Something wrong, McGee?" Tony asked, glancing over at his colleague from across their little corner of the squad room.
McGee seemed to start, then looked up, and over at Tony. "Uh, no… no, everything's great," he said, smiling warmly.
But that wasn't entirely true… because, the truth was, he was scared to death.
He'd had to draw his gun the day before, and shoot a suspect who was trying to put Ziva out of commission. But, that wasn't it.
He'd faced the Director over the incident, giving his full report, and then faced Gibbs after that for another debriefing, and to reassure his Boss that he was fine with how things had gone down, all the while Gibbs trying to reassure him that he'd done nothing wrong, trying to keep him from doubting himself again. But, that wasn't it, either.
The simple fact of the matter was, being shot at again had made him wake up, and decide once and for all to use that ring he'd bought, several months before.
Tim McGee loved Abby; there was no doubt about that. Loving Abby was the easy part, and he'd done it for so many years, that it was just second-nature to him now. And several things had happened over the past months, to make them both realize how much time they'd wasted.
But what he was trying to build up the nerve to do next… was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do in his life. And, he was scared spitless over the prospect.
He typed a few more words on to the report form on his screen, then clicked the mouse to save his work, and send it to the printer. As he waited for the machine to process his commands, he smiled slightly to himself – something that was not lost on his observant colleague – and reached into his desk, with a thoughtful look passing over his olive green eyes.
Tony watched silently and inconspicuously as McGee pulled out a small, velvet covered blue box, then smiled to himself behind his monitor, as he watched the younger man open the small box, and take out what was inside.
The ring was smallish - not miniscule, but not the Hope Diamond, either. It seemed a perfect size for its intended wearer, and the style of the setting was perfect too – inset, flush with the gold band that surrounded it. Nothing sharp or protruding to catch in sterile latex gloves and interfere with forensic lab work.
The two men both looked up as Jethro Gibbs breezed in. "Ziva picked up lunch, it's in the break room if you're interested. Snooze, ya lose," he said, grinning. He dropped a folder on his desk and grabbed his cell phone, then took off to where the food was.
"Well, Probie, shall we?" Tony said, getting up from his chair.
McGee nodded, and snapped the small box shut, dropping it into his jacket pocket. "We shall," he said, as he arose as well, and followed Tony out of the squad room.