Chapter 5 – NCISHQ
The ride in the elevator was unbearable. No one knew what to say, or how they were going to go about this. Abby was leaning against McGee, whose face was still rather red from his outburst. Ducky was leaning against the stainless steel elevator wall, and Tony was standing next to Kate.
Glancing at Kate, he noticed that her hair was ruffled and her clothes were wrinkled. She was still wearing the same outfit that she had had on yesterday. 'She probably didn't go home last night,' Tony thought to himself.
Everyone on Gibbs' team knew about the feelings Kate had for Gibbs. And Gibbs had matched her feelings. Abby had pointed it out to Tony and Ducky after Gibbs had been on Air Force One with Kate. McGee had noticed the electricity between his boss and Kate shortly after meeting the two.
The bell sounded as the elevator came to a halt, bringing Tony out of thought. He knew exactly what he was going to do. He took off in the direction of Director Shepherd's office, only to have McGee beat him there. McGee burst right into her office without as much as a knock on her door. Tony and Kate had stopped briefly outside; each exchanging bewildered glances before they too stormed the office. Ducky and Abby both followed quickly.
Director Shepherd looked at the agents, forensic scientist, and medical examiner with alook of shock. "Just what is going on here?" she demanded. "I was in the middle of speaking with---"
McGee didn't care. "Frankly, Director, I could give a shit who you're talking to! You have no right to hold us back from finding Gibbs! He's the one who made me the agent I am today, and I'll be damned if I just sit on my ass and let him die! And if you don't like it – FIRE ME!"
Tony put a hand on Probie's shoulder. McGee had just crossed the line, big time, and Tony knew he needed backup. "And that goes for the rest of us, Madame Director," Agent Dinozzo said sharply. "You had better let us in on this investigation."
Jen had expected protest from Gibbs' team, but she hadn't expected them to barge into her office and basically declare war. She looked at the faces of the people standing before her. She hadn't realized until now just how much these people cared for each other. She knew she had no right to keep them from finding Gibbs. But how could she allow the team to lead the investigation when she had already told the FBI that they would be in charge? Then she had an idea.
She looked at the team before her. Sternly, she said, "As of now you are all on two weeks mandatory leave. What you do in that two week is up to you. Abby, you can still have full use of your lab, if necessary."
McGee stared at the Director. Tony took a hold of McGee's arm and gently pulled him towards the door. Once they had gotten outside of the office, Kate walked to McGee and gave him a hug.
"Thanks, Tim. I owe you one," Kate said with a smile.
As they all turned to leave, Tony came up beside McGee and slapped him on the back, saying, "Way to go, McGee." McGee just smiled and nodded, then headed off in search of Gibbs. The rest of the team followed in determination.
A/N: Sorry, I know this chappter is kinda short. I wrote it sort of on the fly as I am just moving back to college and getting settled, so I'm not sure when the next update will be. Reviews are neat!