Tim walked into Autopsy, immediately hearing the voices of Ducky and Palmer.
"Abby says he didn't even seem to get why she was mad. She actually threw away the Caf-Pow he brought her," Palmer was saying.
Well, that statement was enough for Tim to know who the two men were talking about. Apparently at some point, Gibbs had learned that Abby had stopped looking at him like he could do no wrong. Still, it was surprising that she actually threw away a Caf-Pow. That was like murder in her eyes.
"Yes, he seemed to be very confused by the treatment he was receiving when he was down here, Ducky said.
Palmer was the first one to notice the team leader in the room. "Hey, McGee. How are things going?"
"If you mean Gibbs, you seem to have a good handle on how they're going," Tim said.
"Yeah, it's probably the worst for you. You've got the job of keeping him in line," Palmer said.
"And that is a job that can't pay enough," Ducky joked.
Tim laughed. "Yeah. So you wanted to see me, Ducky."
"I did say at your convenience, Timothy," Ducky said. It wasn't case related. He merely wanted to see how the young man was doing with everything.
"Ducky, right now, my team is going through cold case files trying to find murderers that fit our very generic MO. I cannot ever count how many files I've gone through in the last hour and a half," Tim said as he rubbed his eyes.
"Ah, so my call was a welcome distraction. Uh, Mr. Palmer, would you mind giving us the room?" Ducky asked.
"Of course. I have some things in the office to do," he said before heading into Ducky's office and shutting the door.
"I really only called you down to see how you're doing?" Ducky said.
"I figured that. I'm fine, Ducky. It's everyone else I'm worried about. Abby, Ziva, you," Tim said.
"Oh, there is no need to worry about me, my boy. I won't deny being hurt just like everyone else when Jethro left with no word, but I have dealt with it," Ducky said. The others were his concern because while he and Jethro were friends, the other man was like a father to these young people. He knew they felt abandoned.
"So have I," Tim said.
"Yes, you had no choice. You had a lot to deal with back then. Anthony had just left as well and the director was preparing you to take his place. As such, you thought it was also your job to be strong for everyone else," Ducky said.
"It was. I was eventually going to be in charge. It was my job to keep what was left of the tea together," Tim said. If there was only one thing Gibbs taught him that he took to heart, it was not treat his agents as just agents. They worked together everyday. They were meant to have each other's backs. They needed to trust each other inside and out. That couldn't happen if they were just coworkers. He needed them to know he was there for them, just as he taught them to be there for each other.
"Perhaps, but it pushed your own pain aside. That is why I've always tried to be there for you," Ducky said.
Tim smiled. "You have, just like you were with Gibbs. So I guess I should be honest with you. It does bother me that Gibbs doesn't trust my judgement or my ability to lead. It doesn't surprise me, but it bugs me."
"Me as well, Timothy. You have done remarkably well as team lead. It isn't right for anyone to demean you, and from what I've heard, you haven't let him," Ducky said.
"No. Despite the director telling him it was my case, he still came at me about handing it over. He found out quickly that it wasn't going to happen. It hasn't stopped him from questioning me every step of the way, but I'm handling it," Tim said.
"Jethro doesn't accept change very easily. I don't think he believes that a person can change as much as you have. It probably doesn't help that he wasn't here to see it," Ducky said.
"I doubt it would've happened if he had been," Tim said. He had no doubt that he would change some, but not like this and not as fast as he did. He'd had to change. He'd had to grow a backbone if he expected to be taken seriously by a team of agents, as well as anyone outside the agency that he'd have to deal with, like SecNav or the FBI.
"Yes, I think you're correct there. For that reason, it's good for you that he left," Ducky said. It really was best for Timothy that Gibbs and Anthony left. He wouldn't be where he was if they'd stayed and that wouldn't have been right. In fact, it would've been a violation of Gibbs' rule number five.
"It's not his leaving I have an issue with. I did at first. It was seriously painful, but understand now that the decision was best for him. He'd had enough. I respect that, but he didn't have to do it the way he did. He could've at least made us understand why he had to go and kept in touch. He left us wondering if we'd ever hear from him again," Tim said.
"Believe me, Timothy, I understand. I told Jethro that the way he left was wrong. I do believe he will see it eventually, but he will fight it. I have a question for you. Should he finally accept the truth and ask for forgiveness, could you give it him?" Ducky asked.
"I don't know. If he'd asked years ago, yeah, I probably would've, but it's been five years. For one, I'm not that forgiving anymore and for another, I think it's been too long. I honestly don't know. But that's okay because I won't have to find out. We both know Gibbs doesn't ask forgiveness," he said before walking away.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Tim walked back through the bullpen to his desk. He noticed Ziva on her phone and the others all continuing with the cold cases.
"I swear if I read one more of these, I'm going to lose all ability to read, maybe even see," Ralph groaned.
Tim laughed. "Let's not exaggerate, Jason."
"McGee, I am calling Jane Richards, as she has not arrived yet," Ziva said.
Tim made it to his desk just as his phone rang. He immediately answered it. "McGee. Yes, Detective? Crap! Okay, we'll be right there. Thanks," he said before hanging up. "Ziva, you can hang up the phone. She's not gonna answer."
Ziva frowned and hung up. "Why not?"
"She's dead. Grab your gear," Tim ordered before standing up. He watched everyone go towards the elevator. He waited until Gibbs started to go as well and stepped in front of him.
"I'm going, McGee," Gibbs said while giving the younger man one of his famous stares.
Tim wasn't planning to argue that. They didn't make a habit of taking retired agents to crime scenes, but he could use every pair of eyes possible. "That's fine, but you do what I say and stick close by. I have a murderer on the loose and his body count seems to be climbing. I…"
"Then do what you should've done from the beginning!" Gibbs growled.
"Get over it!" Tim yelled, tired of the older man's attitude. "You don't like that I took your place. Well, I don't care! You left, it's not your call. Now, I don't have time to argue with you about every decision I make. Deal, just like we had to!" he said before walking away, not even turning around to see if Gibbs was following.