A/N: Here's another chapter folks! To my latest followers & favourites, welcome aboard, I'm so glad to have you with us on this continuing adventure! To my reviewers, thank you so much! I love hearing your thoughts.
To my Guest Reviewers, who I can't reply privately to:
None: Thanks for the review! Flirting with Delilah & Tim, well maybe.. but yea, if it happens Kelly will definitely have something to say.
Sue Dooley: Thanks! Glad you're liking it!
Momcat: Firstly, thank you so much for your very detailed reviews, I'm glad you're enjoying this story. Saying that, I have to ask that you actually read the first story in this series - More than he dreamed of - as I stated, you have to read that first to understand this story & all the dynamics at play. Many of your comments would infact be answered if you'd have read that one first & going forward, you certainly wont understand much without having read it. Mike is a nice a guy, his actions are all due to circumstances, he's not as you described. Kelly & Nix both got various things from both their parents, the various teams interactions, Abby not being on scene (so far) and Shannon's nightmares are all situations that were explained/started in the first story. The other thing I have to ask is that you keep your Anti-Abby & team V McGee comments to a minimum, while I can apprecaite you are a McGee fan & you're not the only one, everyone has different opinions on the character dynamics, but as you've said, the team are a family in my universe & are acting as such, so please keep those 'world against McGee' comments to a minimum. Tim is in a great relationship & has a great family around him now, none of my characters would bully anyone (Shannon wouldn't allow it!). I also have many loyal followers who love Abby & I know they're waiting for her come back into the story & she will be. So please, read MTHDO so you can continue on this adventure with us & get a better understanding of my universe.
Now... I recieved some advice & I have to say I agree, with Dr Brine being the head of the base hospital, he would be military & such should addressed as such, so I'm going to have him be a Navy Commander. Also, for this chapter bare in mind that DI = Drill Instructor ;)
Just to let you know that Nix's game is still a few chapters away & there were a few thngs that I wanted to deal with, plus I had a pretty tough week & needed to write some fun stuff.. enjoy!
Gibbs walked out of the management meeting with Col Marks & Commander Brine, he considered something that he'd never tell anyone, he kind of enjoyed these meetings. To be given the responsibility of managing the affairs for the entire base, including its staff, facilities & all matters related, really was an honour he enjoyed. Yes it was sometimes a shit fight to get things dealt with, yes it sometimes came at inappropriate times, like now, and yes some matters he found entirely frustrating to deal with, but to have the responsibility to do it was an honour, and one he enjoyed.
"You think we're going to get that funding?" Brine asked
"All we can do is ask" Marks commented.
Gibbs nodded "we'll ask, they'll say no, we'll ask again, it'll be a cycle until they get sick of us asking" he finished with a smirk, this part of the politics was something he'd already learnt, you had to play that dance.
Marks chuckled, Gibbs was still in the process of learning about some aspects of management & politics, but had already sussed out this aspect of politics, his smile faded though as the trio were met in the hallway by Lt Gomez who was coming towards them.
Gibbs smile turned into a death glare, aimed directly at Gomez.
Gomez spotted the trio who was approaching him in the hallway & swallowed, he drew himself up against the wall & stood at attention, praying they just passed him without stopping to speak to him.
Part of Marks wanted to just walk past, but he decide against it "Lieutenant, how's your report coming?" he asked with a raised eyebrow
"You'll have it by 21:00 Sir" Gomez answered formally, he groaned internally.
Brine could see that Gibbs was just sending the guy death glares, he knew though that whatever report Marks had ordered him to write was related to what Gomez had done with Kelly & he knew why Marks had brought it up "What report?" he asked sending his own glare to the Lt.
"Give Deputy Special Assistant Director Gibbs & Commander Brine the title of your report, Lieutenant" Marks ordered.
Gomez swallowed, he wished he didn't have to answer, but knew there was not a chance to not reply "Why a United States Marine must always show respect to anyone they converse with & behave in a manner befitting a marine and an officer, sir"
"Correct & who shall be reading it to make sure that you've captured the essence of your statement?" Marks prodded, he'd yet to tell Gibbs, thought this would be a good way to do it.
Gomez swallowed again "Deputy Special Assistant Director Gibbs, sir" he was already shitting himself about that!
Gibbs raised his eyebrow, he was glad he'd be the one to read it.
"Yes he will & if he deems it not acceptable, you will keep re-writing it, until it he deems it acceptable" Marks added "Gibbs, shall he bring the report straight you tonight?"
Gibbs considered it, more than likely with him being off for part of tomorrow with the game, he would be working back tonight, he brought himself right in front of the man & eyed him "yes, Lt Gomez, you will present yourself at my office at 21:00 with your report in hand, if you even consider being a minute late, you will not like the consequences, do I make myself clear Lieutenant?" he finished staring right into the man's eyes giving him a right good glare.
"Yes sir!" Gomez responded as though Gibbs was his DI.
Brine followed Gibbs & Marks past the Lieutenant, he looked rather pale "you look ill Lieutenant, you should see someone about that" he remarked softly with a smirk.
"Yes sir!" Gomez replied, he'd already realised he screwed the pooch, but shit, this was getting bad, he hadn't been able to go anywhere on base without someone saying something & now he was going into the NCIS building? This wasn't going to be pretty!
Coming out of the building both Marks & Brine could see that Gibbs was still rather tense, they didn't have much time to spare, so Marks went a diversion they had to discuss anyway "I take it the tickets are still on offer for tomorrow's game Gibbs?"
Gibbs was glad for the diversion & couldn't help but smile "Yeap, got some for both of you & your families, Kells will be bringing them home with her this afternoon, so feel free to send someone over to collect them later tonight"
"I'll send one of the kids over tonight to collect them, we're all looking forward to it, it's quite the accomplishment for him in such a short space of time" Brine remarked, he was quite surprised when he'd heard about Nix's promotion to the starting side so soon into his time with the club, but him & his family were all looking forward to watching him.
"You're telling me!" Gibbs replied "I'm still coming to terms with it myself" he admitted.
"I bet" Marks remarked "I'll send one of the boys over to get the tickets after dinner" even though he'd only known Gibbs & his family a short time, living right next door & working so closely with the guy had meant they spent quite a bit of time together & they'd become friends, they'd all gone on the ride with Phoenix as he set off trying to fulfil his dream, he had to admit, he was looking forward to it, there was something else though "I know we spoke about this in the meeting Jethro, but remember that if you need anything regarding the search for Kaplan, just let me know, whatever resources you need, we'll get"
Gibbs nodded in appreciation "Thanks, will let you know & I'll let Shan know the boys are swinging by too"
Brine watched as Gibbs headed off "you realise Gomez is going to be shark bait walking into that building don't you?" the entire NCIS staff would likely swallow him whole! He sort wished he could watch.
Marks smirked "That's the point" this might finally make the man realise how to act around other people.
Both men shared a chuckle as they got on with their days.
Tim was busy at his desk, he was doing that assessment on Delilah Fielding, wanting to get it done fast he'd enlisted Zuse to run down her work history & everything professional on her. He was taking the personal front, as that was his, Gibbs & really everyone's source of concern. From what he could see so far, he couldn't find connection between her & Mac, he'd even taken a look at his ongoing file they had about Mac & his connections & come up empty on anyone by the name of Liam or Delilah.
What Tim did see was that Delilah did similar studies to himself in college & had similar interests, it kind of intrigued him to know just what her professional life was like, he looked up "Zuse! What have you got?"
"Ahh, here you go McGee" Zuse said handing him some paperwork, he was a little nervous, this was his first background assessment & hoped he hadn't missed anything. He'd also been given a very brief highlight as to who MacDonald Fielding was & what had transpired, so to be given this responsibility was nerve racking to say the least.
As Tim scanned the documents he saw she was currently a cyber analyst, he wondered what someone like her interested in Withers was? He thought pattern got interrupted as he heard the elevator ding & heard that familiar voice he loved so much.
"I would have been quick" Kelly commented.
"Give me a break Kells! You're never quick" Mike smirked.
"I can be" Kelly retorted.
"yea right!" Mike rolled his eyes.
Kelly whacked him on his arm in frustration.
"Don't assault me when I'm right" Mike chuckled
Kelly just eyed him as she approached Tim "hi" she smiled.
Tim smiled "Hey, Nix get to the club ok?"
"Yes, he is safe & sound within the club's walls" Kelly replied.
Tim was glad to hear it, but he was curious as to what they'd been discussing "everything ok?" he asked, the pair were still eyeing each other off.
"Fine" Kelly answered, trying to brush it off "I'm going up to use dad's office, need to make a few calls" she gave Tim a quick kiss "back soon"
Tim smiled "no worries"
Mike smirked at her as she passed him "at least there's no mal... yeowch!" he couldn't finish the sentence because she'd whacked him again, this time in his midriff.
Tim watched her go up & turned to Mike "Something I should know?" she clearly wasn't happy with Mike at the moment & having her upset at anything, he never liked.
Mike smirked "let me ask you something McGee, you ever had the pleasure of going to a mall with her & only spent 5, maybe 10 minutes there?"
Tim let out a small smile, but then something wasn't right, "you went to the mall?" he was sure Gibbs had said straight back here.
"No, but only because I said no" Mike retorted, he knew Gibbs wouldn't like that extra excursion "so?"
Tim couldn't help but let out a small smile "she never can spent only 5 to 10 minutes in a mall, ever!"
Mike smiled "And that's exactly what reasoning I gave when she asked to 'duck into the store for 2 minutes' line, hence her…"
Tim just nodded "I think my record with her is like 45 minutes, and that was a quick run just to grab a necessity"
"Geez, mine's like 70 minutes!" Mike chuckled.
The pair smiled at each other, but were soon hit in the head one after the other, they looked to see where it had come from & Kelly was standing at the top of the stairs. Tim looked down to see what she'd thrown & it was paper towel.
"You've become violent!" Mike grinned.
"I'll give you violent!" Kelly remarked staring at the pair.
"Kell, he has a point, you've never done a quick trip to the mall" Tim said giving her a wry smile "and don't throw that!" he finished, seeing her still holding some paper towel.
Kelly was going to reply when she saw her dad come off the lift, a lightbulb went off "dad! They're both annoying me! Can you talk to them? I'm going to your office!" they give her crap, she gets them up shit creek! She grinned to herself.
Gibbs raised an eyebrow at the pair of the boys who were now staring at him wide eyed "well?"
Mike swallowed, damn his friend was evil! "She's upset I vetoed a quick detour to the mall, sir & McGee was merely agreeing that she can't do short trips to the mall"
"The mall?" Gibbs asked with a raised eyebrow, he said straight back.
"She wanted to quickly duck in to grab something, I knew you wouldn't approve & knew it wouldn't be a short trip, so I said no. So she's annoyed" Mike answered.
Gibbs hid the smile, but the boys were right, his girl did not do quick trips to the mall "and that paper towel?" he asked that was now in Tim's hands, why was he holding that?.
"She threw them at our heads when we were agreeing on the matter, boss" Tim explained, this felt so childish, but given she'd ratted them out, when it was her that was being childish, he had to explain it.
This time Gibbs couldn't hide the smile, he even chuckled quietly "uh huh, come on" he said motioning to the pair to follow him.
Tim & Mike shared a look wondering what he had planned.
"Nix at the club?" Gibbs asked Mike
"Yes sir, safe & sound, I even checked in with their security officer & asked hem to keep an extra eye on him" Mike responded.
"Good" Gibbs nodded in thanks, he turned to Tim "You find anything yet?"
Tim knew what he was talking about "Nothing boss, no connection that I could find at all"
Gibbs nodded again, he was glad to hear it, he wasn't sure what he'd have done if there was. He led the trio into his office & saw his daughter was sitting on his couch, shoes off & reading something. He put his folder down on his desk & proceeded to take his tie off, glad to be rid of it with no more meetings required. He just eyed his daughter, he knew she felt his gaze but was doing her best to ignore him, and the other two, who were still standing around.
Gibbs sat down on the couch next to his girl & cleared his throat, he waited for her to raise her eyes to him "anything to say?"
"Can't think of a thing" Kelly said plainly "except I'm trying to read through this stuff for a client, meeting's tomorrow, so I really need to get through it" she finished before dropping her gaze.
Tim saw Gibbs motion him to pass the paper towel balls, so he did so.
"So these paper balls here" Gibbs started, rolling them through his fingers "did they at least hit the intended targets?"
Kelly grinned as she lifted her head "of course! My aim is still 100% accurate"
Tim could have been shocked at what Gibbs was saying but he really wasn't, he just smiled shaking his head at the dynamic at play.
"I'm glad" Gibbs agreed, he stood but looked down to his "and for the record, you my girl, have never ever done a quick trip to the mall, any mall, ever! So I'm glad Mike vetoed that side excursion" he finished with a big smirk.
"Dad!" Kelly groaned "I have so! If its only something I need quickly, I can be fast"
Gibbs leaned down "we don't lie in this family Kelly Anne, so zip it, you know we are right" he finished with a smirk.
Tim's eyes widened at Kelly's reaction, first she'd dropped her head backwards in a groan, but she then took hold of the paper towel & threw it at her dad.
Gibbs just smiled at her actions "Thank you angel, its been too long since mum & I have had to enact the penalty for F13"
Kelly smile turned into a look of horror, huh? "I didn't hit you!"
Gibbs again leaned down "You threw something at me that hit me, close enough" he chuckled, he gave her a quick kiss to her head & headed back out of the office. It was time to go find Hollis & see why she was here!
As soon as he'd left the office Kelly rounded on the pair in front of her "this is your fault!"
"Our fault?" Tim & Mike both asked shocked.
"Yes, whatever you said to him brought him up here" Kelly replied.
"You are the one that told him that we were annoying you! when it was the other way around. That means its your fault, not ours!" Mike replied.
"You tell your dad on us, you live the consequences of that" Tim added, he couldn't believe she was blaming them for it!
"Out! Both of you!" Kelly ordered, she was annoyed at what was to come!
"You gotta learn to take it when you dish it out KG" Mike smirked.
"Mike's got a point Kells, don't light the fire unless you can handle the heat" Tim grinned.
Kelly eyed them both "I'm so glad you are two are buddies now! But I've got work to do, so go be bumchumps elsewhere!"
Leaving the office Mike had to smile "I'd forgotten how stubborn she can be, you must have strong will power dealing with her, she sometimes drove me nuts!"
Tim smiled, over the last 24 hours he'd really come to understand that Mike wasn't a threat, he was just protective of his friend, he was merely a good friend of Kelly's that wanted her to be with someone that made her happy. Maybe he could learn a few things "More than happy to hear about those times, might help in future"
A/N: Well, firstly Gomez, is he going to be what did Brine say, shark bait? Me thinks so! But it seems like the boys have found an ally in each other in dealing with a certain lady that's stubborn, one with blue eyes perhaps? Kelly wasn't really impressed with them, but they did have a point, she brought that penalty against herself! But can Kelly come up with something to get back at them & possibly even her dad? ;)
Glad that Tim has found no connection between Delilah & Mac, but is there still something there? And just how will Gibbs go with Hollis? What is she doing here?
You know I love hearing your thoughts, so review away! More to come