DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!
In Abby's Lab?
Gibbs entered the bullpen and noticed his agent's empty desk. "McGee?"
"Yeah, Boss?"
"Go get DiNozzo."
"On it," Tim replied standing up and scooting around his desk. He headed to Abby's lab to find out what was keeping his partner. He had gone down to deliver some evidence and had been down there too long, especially by Gibbs' standards.
He slipped off the elevator and was about to enter the lab when he heard Abby shout, "Tony. Stop! You're doing it all wrong."
"What do you mean I'm doing it wrong?" Tony whined incredulously. "It's how I've always done it. No one's ever complained before," his teasing tone brought laughter to the lab tech.
"I bet," she remarked.
Tim didn't know why he continued to stand there and listen instead of retrieving his co-worker like he was supposed to. Something about their conversation intrigued him. What the heck where they doing?
"Come on Abs?" Tony pled. "Admit it. I'm better than McGee."
"Not better, Tony." Tim smiled at Abby's defending him. "Different." she stated diplomatically. Tim shook his head. He had to know what she was comparing them about.
"But I'm good right?" Tony questioned.
"Move a little to your right and I think it'll work better. Yeah right there," Abby exclaimed.
Tim nearly blushed at the sound of her excitement. He recalled a few times she'd said those words to him and he couldn't believe it was for the same reason. Not here, not in her lab. With Gibbs upstairs? Not possible.
The only sound he heard for a few moments was a knocking noise, like something heavy thumping against the wall or the floor. It came in a pattern: knock, knock a slight pause then knock. It repeated over and over and at times sounded faster.
Tim was reaching for the door release when Tony spoke again almost panting. "Come on, Abs!"
Abby equally out of breath said, "Almost there Tony. Almost…there."
A mutual groan escaped and Tim couldn't stand it any more. He mostly was afraid of what he'd see, but he entered anyway. A righteous anger deflating when he spotted the two of them on opposite ends of a long lab table, slumped over exhausted.
Tim couldn't help but to laugh at himself and his runaway imagination.
"What's so funny McSnicker?" Tony asked.
Tim shook his head, "Nothing, but if you're done here Gibbs is looking for you."
"Right," Tony stretched and winked at Abby.
She gave him a big smile. "Thanks for the help. I really appreciate you lending a hand."
"Anytime, Abs."
"I would've helped if you asked Abby," Tim whined.
"I know McGee. Tony just has a little more stamina than you."
Tony's smile told more than Tim wanted to hear. "Don't say it Tony."
"Oh, I don't have to say it. I think Abby put it quite nicely." Tony scuffed Tim's head, "Come on before the Boss sends Ziva after us."