6

November 5

The operations centre for OSP/DC was taking shape. Tim finally had somewhere to put the picture that the LA team had given to him, and he had a broad smile on his face as he imagined their reactions if they could see his current working conditions. Quin caught his eye and gave a crooked grin.

"Not exactly up to LA standards I admit, but I guess the Director had to work within the budget."

Tim swept his gaze around the windowless, featureless box that was to become the centre of his working life.

"It's not so bad Quin; and our place is out in the field on ops, we shouldn't be spending too much time here."

"But I will…"

Jemma was trying to personalise the space a little with plants and pictures, lots of postcards stuck on every available surface showing the sights of Washington DC.

"If we can't have a window, at least let's pretend we can see outside."

"Looking good Jemma, good to be reminded where we are."

Tim ducked as she threw a paper cup in his direction.

"Okay, so they're not exactly original, but I thought, you know OSP/DC…"

"Ignore him Jemma, just because Tim's lived here for years, he doesn't get that we may need some reminders of what's beyond these orange walls."

"So, do I take it from all this that you and I won't be interviewing potential recruits here?"

Quin sat on the edge of Tim's desk, and surveyed the room once more. Telling himself for the twentieth time that he'd make the right decision uprooting his family from the Californian sunshine; Quin knew it was a great career move, and he genuinely wanted to be in at the start of what could be a brilliant move by the Director, but it was a big responsibility…

"It's going to be fine Quin, just imagine it without the trailing wires and the electricians crawling around the floor."

He'd have to learn to hide his emotions a little better; Tim was too good at reading people…

"You're right, but no, I don't think we'll interview here, not unless we want our candidates to run screaming from the building."

November 8

The conference room had been reserved for their use, and Quinlan and Tim were making their way down the corridor, personnel folders in hand.

"McGee, it is good to see you."

"Hey Ziva! Can't stop…interviewing all day, I'll call you later."

He gave a brief wave and continued on his way. Ziva stood for a moment and watched him, watched them both as they went on their way. This was how it was now, a brief greeting, a very occasional meeting for lunch or a drink, but McGee was so busy, he had moved further away than ever even though he was right here on the Navy Yard.

She was pleased to see how well he was doing, she really was. But she was also sad that she had never seen him like this when he had been on their team. Looking back now, Ziva knew she had been guilty at times of not seeing Tim at all...he was there to do the computer work, chase the paper trails...when Gibbs wanted back-up he took Tony or herself...very rarely Tim; if only they had allowed him to fulfil his potential.

"Stop this..."

She startled herself by saying this aloud, this really had to stop, wishing things could be as they once were was useless. It was because of the way things had been that Tim left them, they failed to recognise and nurture his talents, and they now had to watch from the sidelines as he soared away from them.

With a shrug of her shoulders she continued on her way...too late to change things now, he wasn't coming back and they had to try and get along without him.

At the end of an exhausting day Quin pushed two files into the centre of the table.

"We're agreed? Seemed to me these were the outstanding applicants, great records, exactly the attitude we're looking for, aced all the aptitude tests…don't think we could do better. I think they'll complete the team."

Tim rolled his shoulders and tried to work the kinks out of his stiff neck.

"Couldn't agree more, do you want to sleep on it, or shall we tell the Director tonight?"

"Let's tell him now, get the paperwork started."

November 12

"It's great to have you on board Dwayne, put your stuff over there...you'll be sharing a desk with our other new recruit, Heather Kincaid for a while..."

"Not a problem Agent McGee."

"Tim, I told you, we're pretty informal round here. Unpack your gear, and then I'll talk you through the set-up."

Director Vance had been only too happy to approve the new appointments and expedite the transfers. Dwayne Wilson was already an NCIS agent, so it was easy to get him transferred immediately. Officer Heather Kincaid was still serving with Seattle PD, but she would be joining them on the 29th of the month; Vance was eager to get the team together, and he'd persuaded her superiors to waive some of her notice period. Quinlan was happy to have his team complete.

"She's one sassy lady; I think she's going to take to undercover work like…well, like you Tim."

He clapped his Senior Field Agent on the shoulder.

"Thanks Quin, I did have a few hairy moments starting out..."

"Only way to learn on this job Tim, by doing."

"You're right, and I'm pretty sure she'll do a great job; she certainly made a big impression on Tony."

"Tony DiNozzo? When did he meet her?"

"When Ziva was gone, we were looking for replacements, Heather came for a meeting."

"Then you got Ziva back…"

"Yeah, but I remembered what Tony said about her…she could be a natural…"

November 15

Tony was sitting at his desk, reading yet more personnel files; the Director had given Gibbs until the end of business Wednesday to shortlist a permanent replacement for Tim…impossible. That was the word that kept drumming through his head all morning; how do you replace the irreplaceable? He slammed down the last folder from his pile and glanced over at Ziva's desk; she had more folders, but as she caught his eye she shook her head.

"Nothing Tony, we will have to go through those…"

About twenty more folders were stacked on Gibbs' desk. He'd told them that if he didn't get out of MTAC they were to read the files on his desk. Reluctantly, Tony went over and grabbed the files, he handed half to Ziva and took the rest himself.

He dropped them onto his desk and was about to sit down when he noticed the Director and a petite woman walking purposefully toward MTAC…so that was Henrietta Lange. It had been the talk of NCIS all day that the fearsome Operations Manager from LA would be visiting to inspect the OSP/DC , and Tony had it on good authority that there were some problems with the new communications set up…from the look on Ms Lange's face she was already aware of the problems.

Tony smiled mischievously. McGee was going to have his work cut out dealing with her; she certainly didn't look like the kind of woman who would settle for second best. His smile broadened as McGee rounded the corner, this should be good…he leaned back in his chair to enjoy the floor show.

Tim was frowning slightly; he was intent on getting into MTAC to check the comm. links through their computers. He spotted Hetty, and his expression changed from serious to smiling in an instant. He ran toward her and lifted her off her feet.

"Hetty! It's so good to see you!"

"Special Agent McGee! Will you put me down?"

Doing as he was asked, Tim gave a deep bow.

"Your wish is my command."

Hetty was grinning broadly as she turned to Vance.

"Leon; I am aware that some of my colleagues in Los Angeles may be a little...unconventional, but I had always been under the impression that standards of behaviour were better here in DC."

Vance shook his head.

"You're not laying this at my door Hetty; Special Agent McGee's behaviour was exemplary until he went out to LA."

Hetty wagged her finger at Tim.

"We will continue this conversation over dinner this evening young man."

Tim smiled.

"I'll pick you up at 7.30...I'm looking forward to it."

They went their separate ways and Tony sat open-mouthed...what the hell just happened? Had he really just watched his former Probie actually pick up Henrietta Lange, the woman who could strike fear into even the hardened political hearts on Capitol Hill? He shook his head...and the words of an old Joni Mitchell song went drifting through his head. 'You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.'

"Tony! Stop staring, and let us find McGee's replacement."

He sat back at his desk, but as he opened yet another personnel file, he knew that whoever the new team member was, they would never replace Tim.

November 22

Abby was catching up on reading the latest forensic journal when she heard the swish of her lab door; she wasn't expecting anyone, last she heard Gibbs and the team didn't have a new case. A broad smile lit up her face when she saw her visitor.

"Tim! How are you doing?"

He returned her smile.

"I'm good Abs. I'm taking my new buddy on a tour of the building, and we saved the best 'til last. Pete, say hi to my best friend...Abby, this is Peter Quinlan."

The young boy peeped out from behind Tim's legs and started open-mouthed. He tugged at Tim's jacket.

"She's got a spider's web on her neck!"

Tim put his hand gently on the boy's head.

"I know – cool isn't it?"

Abby stooped down and held out her hand, after a moment's hesitation Pete smiled and put his hand in hers.

"Welcome to my lab Pete, would you like to look around? I think I may have some candy around here someplace...oh, are you allowed candy?"

"We can take some and check with his mom, she's with his dad in the Director's office...Come on let's take a look, Abby has some extra cool toys."

Abby had a great time showing Pete around, and she enjoyed it all the more because Tim was there too. She hadn't seen him in the lab for weeks; sure they still saw each other outside work, but she missed the easy way they used to share each others' work spaces...the Director had already asked her to help OSP/DC with any forensic evidence they may collect; and she had agreed without a second thought...it would mean she'd be mega busy at times, but if it meant she'd get to see Tim more often, she'd take the extra work any day.

"Okay Pete, it's about time we were getting back; your mom will be looking for us."

"Aw...do you have to go?"

"'Fraid so Abs. Pete's got a busy day ahead, he's visiting his new school this afternoon...come on sport, let's go."

Peter held on tight to his candy, and slipped his other hand into Tim's.

"Thank you for the candy Abby, your lab is excellent...see ya!"

"Thanks Abs - come on, let's get you upstairs before I get into trouble."

They both waved as they headed for the elevator, Peter chattering away to Tim. Abby waved back and gave a wistful smile...he's going to be a great dad one day.

And maybe that day wouldn't be so very far away…Abby was going to meet Verity next week, she was visiting DC for Thanksgiving, and Tim wanted to introduce her to Abby. He'd never done that with any of his other girlfriends…looked like this could be the one. Abby hoped so, she knew deep down that she would never have been right for Tim; he wanted a life that she could never share. But Verity…Abby smiled a little wider as she sat back at her desk…she's check her out next week, and if she thought she was good enough for Tim, Abby would make sure Verity knew what a great guy she was getting.

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