"What's going on, Boss?" McGee asked as Gibbs stormed out of the bullpen and into the elevator. "Is everything okay?"
When Gibbs blew past him with even more determination than usual, without so much as a grunt in response, McGee had his answer. He sat back down at his computer.
"I'll take that as a no," McGee muttered to himself. He wondered what was up. Usually Gibbs gave him something to work with unless it was top secret or personal. He hadn't just been in the director's office, so it must be personal. McGee looked back at his screen to continue working when his eyes wandered to Gibbs' desk. His coffee was still sitting there, untouched.
Gibbs never abandoned his coffee- unless Abby was in trouble. What was going on?
He picked up his phone, dialed Abby's lab. Nothing. Next he tried DiNozzo. A bright and obnoxious pop tune sounded from the desk beside him. Tony's phone. Why didn't he have his phone? Tony usually took it everywhere with him. In case a hot chick called him, probably.
McGee stared at his computer screen, an idea forming in his mind. If he were caught, it would mean a lecture at least- a resignation at most. But he had to know what was going on. What if someone were in trouble? What if he could help?
There wasn't really a debate- he knew. McGee opened his software, hit a few buttons, and found himself staring at a mirror of Gibbs' phone. The call history was loading neatly in one corner of the screen. This was going to be interesting.
Meanwhile, on the road, Gibbs was breaking more laws than usual. He stabbed the car's control panel, silencing the radio. He had to think, and the whining of some country singer was not helping at all. In all likelihood, they were fine. DiNozzo had said as much on the phone, hadn't he? Gibbs wasn't sure-he hadn't been paying too much attention. All he had heard was "car accident". His mind had immediately gone to Abby. Usually she didn't leave her lab until the end of the day, but she had been sulking all week. DiNozzo had volunteered to take one for the team and get her out of headquarters for a while. Ziva had tagged along, muttering something about Tony never getting her the right kind of food. They hadn't asked permission, but Gibbs had let it slide. They had all been working hard.
Gibbs' mind wandered to the case. They'd found a dead petty officer bound to a set of railroad tracks outside of town. It was lucky no trains had gone through or Ducky would be assembling another meat puzzle. Gibbs chuckled to himself; the doctor sure had a way of making even the worst situations bearable. He wondered what Ducky would do if his agents were-
No. He couldn't think about it until he got there. Instead he focused on getting there without crashing a car himself. He just barely kept himself from slamming a fist into the steering wheel as a red light ground him to a halt. Seconds ticked by, a minute, minute and a half. Screw the law. Gibbs shot a glance either way- no traffic. He stomped on the accelerator, throwing the car forward. Tires squealed. Raindrops began to fall on the windshield. He flipped the wipers on and pushed forward. He was almost there.