Hey guys, I hope you like this chapter, more of the story should be up pretty soon. PLease review.


2 months, 10 days, 14 hours, 46 minutes

He was turning into a regular night owl now that he was writing full time. Ever since his first night in the city it had been that way. Once he had started his new story, he hadn't stopped writing until almost 10 in the morning. He had almost 30 pages typed out and lying in a neat stack next to his typewriter.

One in the afternoon was quickly becoming his dawn. McGee would lazily work on his apartment, trying to battle his way through the piles of boxes that held his books, records, and spare computer parts.

But the clean up wouldn't last for long, as he would hear his typewriter calling his name. He wasn't quite sure what he was writing but he knew it was something big, something that actually meant something to him.

Sitting back in his chair he stared at the words sprawled out on the page before him. McGee couldn't help but glance over at his phone, sitting silently on top of the completed pages. Abby hadn't called him since the night he had left, although fled might be a more accurate term for what he had done.

Ducky was the only one other than Abby or Sarah to call him. McGee hadn't answered but listened to the rambling message the older man had left. Ducky wished him well and that he hoped things worked out in New York. He had laughed when the voice message had cut the doctor off as he was telling McGee about a friend who had gone to New York in the 60's. The message had been meant to be supportive but left him feeling like shit. If he ever got back to NCIS, he would have to remember to ask Ducky about the end of the story.

***

Abby had thrown herself into her work, and her consumption of Caff- Pow had increased exponentially. Gibbs was having a hard time keeping up with her supply but the older man knew she needed it, so he wasn't complaining. Gibbs himself was in a crabbier mood than usual and Special Agent Keating was taking the brunt of the abuse.

She would have sorry for the kid, if she wasn't concentrating so hard on not screaming and pulling her hair out in utter frustration and loneliness. McGee hadn't called or e-mailed her and despite her longing to talk to him, she left him alone. Abby figured he just needed some space to sort things out and settle in. But standing by and doing nothing to help get her family back together was killing her.

Abby knew she needed to talk to someone about what was going on. She ruled Gibbs out because the older man was going through enough already. Piling her problems on top of his wasn't going to make things any better.

Taking a sip from her Caff-Pow, she opened up her e-mail account. There was only one person she could actually get in touch with that would make her feel better. She quickly typed out Tony's e-mail address and before Abby knew it, she was typing out the whole story in full detail for him to read. At the end she wrote about how much she missed him and that Gibbs was working on getting them all back together. She ended it with how many months, days, hours, and minutes had gone by since they were all torn apart.

Abby hit the send button and hoped that Tony would have a chance to read it soon. She wasn't quite sure how often he got to check his e-mail while he was on board the ship.

***

2 months, 13 days, 1 hour, 18 minutes

It was one in the morning when his computer announced that he had a new e-mail. He slid the computer chair from one end of the room to the other where his computers had been set up.

McGee was surprised to see Tony's e-mail address and the subject line which read 'You better respond to this Probie.' He couldn't help but chuckle as he opened the message.

'McGeek! You got some splannin' to do. Abby told me everything that happened. I applaud you for giving the metaphorical finger to Vance, but New York Probie? Haven't you ever watched Law and Order? And why haven't you been answering when Abby calls you, you really upset her McGee. You better be glad Gibbs isn't around to give you a smack upside the head. Although it is Gibbs, for all you know he could be standing right behind you.'

McGee couldn't help but look behind him, feeling the tension leave him as he realized Gibbs wasn't there.

'HA! Made you look. But seriously McGee, talk to Abby and at least tell her that you're alive and well. Hope New York is treating you better than Cyber Crimes. But don't get comfortable Probie, if Gibbs has his way we'll all be back at NCIS in no time. Any amount of time on this damn ship is too long for me though. Talk to Abby! Be safe kid.

-A.D-

McGee got out of his chair and walked over to the large window that led out to the fire escape. He knew Tony was right, he was being stupid and his idiocy and guilt had hurt Abby deeply. He looked back over at the computers; he knew he would have to respond to Tony sooner or later. If not, he was sure the older man could still make his life a living hell from all the way out at sea. Tony was just that damn talented at teasing people.

Walking into his bathroom, McGee looked at himself in the mirror and he thought about Abby crying as he told her he was leaving. He imagined her crying as she realized he was ignoring her on purpose. "You are the smartest dumb person I know," he mumbled to his reflection. Gibbs wasn't there and neither was Tony so he had to make due with smacking himself on the back of the head.


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