Chapter 5 - Gibbs Has Had Enough

McGee thought he was home free the next day working at his own desk among the relatively normal co-workers of Tony and Ziva. He finalised reports, ran checks, and was able to state an opinion or ask a question without risking the loss of a limb...

Then mid-morning hit.

"I need you to work with Abby on this," Gibbs grunted as he walked past tossing McGee a folder.

"No," came the curt reply.

It was out before McGee even realised it but he thought he'd better run with it. He had practised all night so he could say this to Gibbs' face.

Gibbs screeched to a halt. "What?" The room had gone eerily quiet.

"Can't Tony do it?"

"Sorry," said Tony, holding up his phone. "Important detective work to do. Besides, I'm not going near her."

"Ziva," pleaded McGee.

Ziva formed a cross with her fingers and gave a vampire hiss.

"I just don't think it would be a good idea," said McGee levelly.

Gibbs positioned himself nose to nose with McGee. "Could you tell me why I shouldn't fire you right now?"

"Send someone else," said McGee quietly, his heart was pounding and he could feel the sweat trickling down the back of his neck but he knew he had to stop this downward spiral. "She can't seem to work around me. I've tried everything. No work gets done when we're in the same room."

"This team will work together regardless of their personal feelings," Gibbs growled malevolently. "You will go to that lab and you will work like you have never worked before. Do I make myself clear?" his gaze widened to include Tony and Ziva.

"Clear."

Sighing, McGee picked up the folder and his ipod and headed for the elevator.

When he arrived in the lab, he went straight to Abby.

"Gibbs says I have to come and help you," he said to her. "I'm going to sit over there and work. If you need anything work related, feel free to ask and I will help to the best of my abilities. If I need any help from you, I will ask and I expect a civil answer from you. Is that OK with you?"

"Fine."

"Fine."

They tapped away in strained silence until McGee chanced to question one of Abby's findings. She exploded, ripping into him with personal attacks that wounded him deeply. He fought back, saying many things he was sure he would regret and an all out, nose to nose, toe to toe yelling match ensued broken only by the sound of Gibbs' voice.

"Oy!"

The silence echoed down the length of the lab as they both looked at him standing in the doorway.

"Either you two work together or one of you leaves. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir," said McGee quietly through gritted teeth.

Abby gave McGee a smug little smile.

"And don't you be so cocky," Gibbs shot at her. "Chip may have been a homicidal maniac but he was a damn good forensic scientist."

Abby looked shocked as McGee allowed himself a little grunt of triumph.

"McGee, I need you in the bullpen," Gibbs continued. "I have a problem with my computer. Same problem as last time."

"What: 'idiot onboard'," muttered McGee darkly as he pushed past Abby.

She gave an involuntary snort at his humour and he stopped short and caught her eye. For a moment he saw a glimpse of the old Abby but then it was gone. He shook his head and followed Gibbs out the door.

Down in the bullpen, Gibbs stopped in front of Tony's desk and motioned with his head for Ziva to join them. He caught McGee's arm as he stormed past on the way to check his computer.

"Where're you going?" he asked.

"I thought your computer…," McGee was momentarily puzzled.

"There's nothing wrong with my computer, McGee. I think we need a little group meeting," Gibbs gave him gentle smile.

"Oh," said McGee finally registering he had just been pulled out of a war zone by his boss.

"Ok, what's the deal with Abby?" Gibbs addressed them all.

"She's finally been possessed Boss," concluded Tony.

"Caffeine withdrawal," Ziva hypothesized. "That Caf-Pow container has water in it. I've checked."

"But I get her a new one every morning," Gibbs protested.

"Well, then she uses that one over and over and fills it with water. I'm telling you there's no coffee on her breath."

"McGee?"

"Don't ask me, I don't get that close to her. She could bite my head off at that range."

"OK," Gibbs resolved, I'm giong to talk to her.

"Give me 2 hours alone with her," Ziva hissed.

"I need her alive, Officer David."

"In that case, make it 12. If I haven't broken her in 12 hours, then you can talk to her."

Gibbs looked at the three expectant faces in front of him considering his options.

"OK," he said finally. "You have 12 hours, then we're going in."