DISCLAIMER: Don't own it... No money is made... Just for fun and enjoyment!
SUMMARY: Sequel to "The SecDef Cheats." Lt. Col Cassidy moves in to NCIS and this will mean for Abby in the long run. McAbby, Drama/Romance/Angst
RATING: T - Adult subject matter, rare mild language, killer smooching.
A/N: Sorry about the delay... I've been working heavily on my CSI fic lately, and this one gotten a little sidetracked :( And although this one is short, it was necessary for setting up a really cool chapter coming soon. :D
REVIEWS: I am always trying to improve my writing, so all constructive criticism is welcome. I would also like to thank you in advance for any reviews you might wish to leave. They really are a great boon to a writer's ego and gives you a huge incentive to live up to the readers' expectations.
Chapter 4
The bullpen was unusually quiet for a Tuesday morning, but without McGee there to be tormented and Gibbs in a meeting somewhere Tony was running out of ways to keep Ziva talking. It also did not help that he had run out of girls to talk to on the instant messaging program on his computer. He decided he was going to have to find another source for contact that way, since he had managed to offend the last of them the day before.
As Ziva rounded the desk to take her seat once more, Tony simply could not help himself. "Everything come out okay?"
Ziva's only response was to shoot him a death glare from the other side of her desk. She took out a folder and started flipping through it when she looked over at McGee's desk and forgot for a moment that she was still mad at Tony for the prank he had pulled on her at their crime scene first thing in the morning. "McGee still isn't back?"
Tony shrugged off the question, "Guess not."
Ziva shook her head at the idea of McGee still being down in the lab, "Gibbs is going to have his skin for taking this long."
"HIDE!" Tony was growing very tired of her butchering American slang.
"Why? You're the one who should be looking out for Gibbs, not m-…"
"No, Ziva… It's not skin, it's hide. Maybe you should stop using those if you can't get them right… Ever." Tony shook his head in disgust.
They were both surprised when McGee came rushing past them on his way to his desk, "Ever think she's only screwing them up to get under your skin, Tony?"
"Well, well… The probie FINALLY makes it back to the office. Nice of you to join us, Probie." Tony was doing his best to berate the younger agent, as was his customary practice.
"Join you nothing… I've already solved the case." Tim started working on his computer without regarding either of the other agents and their shocked expressions.
"I'd be interested in hearing how you pulled that off while making buck eyes at Abby down in the lab." Ziva was the first to recover, even if she did mess up another expression.
"Ziva, it's Doe-…" Tony stopped himself to consider word choice. "Actually, buck does work better this time around." Tony quickly changed his expression from pensive to irritated. "And what she said! How can you solve the case fooling around in the-…"
SMACK "By working, instead of playing on the internet all morning, DiNozzo." Gibbs had entered the bullpen with his typical flair.
"Hey, Boss." Tony was busy rubbing the back of head to release some of the sting from Gibbs' attention. "How was your meeting?"
Gibbs took his seat behind the desk, shot Tony a glare and then looked over at McGee. "Fire it up, McGee."
"On the screen, Boss." McGee was directing everyone's attention to the display behind Gibbs. "Got a twelve point match on the prints we lifted at the scene to a Petty Officer Marlin… Marlin was listed as AWOL two days ago. I issued the alert to the proper authorities. And, as of…" McGee looked at his watch before he continued, "One hour and twenty-seven minutes ago, he was sitting in the SP offices at Norfolk. He even had the stuff in his trunk when he tried to get on base, Boss." McGee was shaking his head at that one, and then he brought up the digital image which had been relayed to him by the Shore Patrol's commanding officer. As soon as he had presented his case and the graphics had been displayed, McGee took the time to look at the others in the bullpen. "Is that what you wanted?"
Gibbs cocked his head to the side and nodded slightly as he swiveled back around in his chair. "You'd have needed a bow to make that any prettier, McGee."
McGee made a few more keystrokes on the computer and suddenly there was the image of a bright red bow tied around the mug shot of the suspect. "How about that one?"
Gibbs did not even have to turn around to know what McGee had just done, so he just smiled. Tony, however, was not about to let him slide on that one, "What a suck up."
Ziva regarded Tony with a sly expression and said, "What's the matter, Tony? Feel like McGee is taking over your territory?" Tony was afraid to do more than give Ziva a "better not push it" look from across their desks, given his proximity to Gibbs. However, just to add emphasis to his look, he stuck his tongue out at her for good measure.
Gibbs started going through some paperwork and was putting on his glasses when he spoke again, "Good work, McGee… Why don't you get out of here and get some rest." He regarded Tony from over the top of his glasses with his next words, "I'm sure Agents David and DiNozzo will be more than happy to finish up the paperwork on this one, won't you guys?"
Ziva shot Tony another death glare and Tony shrunk away from being caught once more as they both roughly pulled out the paperwork they would be filling out for the rest of the day. Tim quickly shut down his work station and did his best to get moving before Gibbs changed his mind. Then he thought to himself, And if I hurry, I might just be able to catch Abby before she goes for lunch!