Burnout

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NCIS, PERIOD.

Chapter 3: Beginning Of the IA

Back at NCIS, Tony and Ziva hand off the criminals for holding cells and getting started on paperwork. Tony is unusually quiet as he is concerned about McGee. He sighs as he looks at McGee's empty desk. "What's going on with McGee, Ziva? Normally I am able to pry it out from him like the best Senior Field Agent, but with this one he is being tight lip about it like his life depended on it or he is going on a secret mission in the Middle East ". Tony said to Ziva.

Ziva looks at Tony as she knows the countless of times that Tony got the information out like it was an Olympic sport that he would win the gold metal in. "He does look like a refreshed monster from your movies". Ziva said to Tony.

Tony looks at Ziva as he laughs at it. "It's actually zombie not monster, and refreshed zombie is an oxymoron that McSmart would say". Tony said to Ziva. Ziva nods to Tony as they continued working.

Abby walks in the bullpen as she is looking for McGee. "Have you guys seen Timmy? I want to talk to him about something". Abby said to them. Tony looks at Abby. "He is in the hospital, Abbs". Tony said to Abby.

Abby looks at them. "What happened, did Gibbs pushed Timmy out of the way of a car again"? Abby asks Tony as she is getting slightly angry. Ziva looks at Abby. "Nothing like that Abby, McGee collapsed after he arrested one of the suspects". Ziva said to Abby. Abby looks at Ziva as she still has that angry look. "I bet he stayed up way to late again with his video games. Even if that's the case, why did you two didn't call Ducky about it". Abby asks them.

Ziva is picking up that something in Abby's behavior. "Gibbs said that he will call about Tim's condition, and Abby please calm down". Ziva said to Abby. Abby looks at Ziva. "Fine what ever, when ever he gets in, I need to talk to him". Abby said to Ziva.

Tony is also getting the feeling that Abby is angry with McGee about something. "Is it just me or is Abby really mad about something"? Tony asks Ziva. Ziva looks at Tony. "Yeah I am getting that same thing as well". Ziva said to Tony. Little did they know that IA agent Samantha Roberts saw the entire conversation.

While they were on their murder case, Samantha Roberts was on her investigation into Abigail Scutio. She went to a unbiased forensic scientist to test the letter that Director Sheppard received. There wasn't any prints on the envelope and the letter. Plus the ink from the printer that it came from is from a printer that anyone would use. It didn't give a lead into it as she took the letter with her.

It doesn't stop Samantha from looking into it as she talk to other members in the yard and in the forensics department. They didn't have the best word to describe Abby, but it did match to the adjectives in the letter. 'Same adjectives in letter, this is most compelling'. Samantha thought to herself.

However just as Team Gibbs left to get the suspects, Samantha's ears hears an argument between Scutio and the forensic scientist that helped Samantha with the letter.

Flashback

Samantha is heading back up to her department with the letter in her evidence bag as she overhears Abby and a scientist that she had the letter tested. "Why was that IA agent talking to you"? Scutio asks the scientist. The scientist looks at Abby. "Look Scutio, she came to me with something, and I can't tell you about it since you are not a field agent or even an IA agent". The scientist said to Abby.

Abby looks at the scientist. "I can make your life here at NCIS a living hell. Tell me or I can have Gibbs tell me what was it about, Smitty". Abby said to the forensic scientist named Smitty. Smitty knows how intimidating Gibbs is and how Abby is the princess. "Director Shepherd got a letter from an unknown source. The IA asked me to test it for prints". Smitty said to Abby.

Abby looks at Smitty as she wants to know everything. "The letter says that he is working to hard on this job and taking care of a sick family member, and it has the lack of support from his friends. It also stated that it was only a matter time before he collapses. It was signed with a statement saying I have stage 4 brain cancer". Smitty said to Abby.

Abby looks at Smitty. "That's what I thought. Loyalty and never lie to Abby", Abby said to Smitty as she left the lab unknowing that Samantha heard the entire conversation. Samantha quickly checked on Smitty as he profusely apologized to her as he explains that Abby played the Gibbs card said that his life would be like a nightmare, and he didn't have a choice but to tell her.

Samantha sighs as her investigation is getting into a rocky patch as Smitty filed a complaint and hand it to Samantha.

Abby is in her lab as she wondered about the letter. 'McGee juggling this job and a sick family member please. The family member must have something mundane like a cold, and the signature about having brain cancer is a lie'. Abby thought to herself as she is looking for McGee like its a manhunt. She quickly leaves the lab for the bullpen.

End flashback

Samantha is in her office in IA department as she documented the complaint filled out by Smitty. 'Alright Scutio, let's put you under the microscope'. Samantha thought to herself as she begins her investigation into Abigail Scutio.

Meanwhile back in the bullpen, Tony gets the call from Gibbs. "Yes Boss", Tony said to Gibbs. "McGee collapsed due to exhaustion and dehydration, and he also sprained his ankle. He will be staying at the hospital for a week. Tell Ziva, Jenny, Ducky, Palmer, and Abby". Gibbs said to Tony.

Tony nods to Gibbs. "Which hospital", Tony asks Gibbs. "St. Andrews Hospital, I am sending you the address now", Gibbs said to Tony as he sends the text message. "Ok boss, we will be there soon". Tony said to Gibbs as he receives the text and the call ends.

Ziva looks at Tony. "Was that Gibbs", Ziva asks Tony. "Yeah, Boss wants us at St. Andrews Hospital". Tony said to Ziva as he makes calls to Jen, Ducky, Palmer, and Abby.

As they got the call, they took two cars to the hospital in West Virginia. Little did they know that they are about to find out what Tim is dealing with alone.

End Chapter