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 what 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: Woooo Hoooo! I got one done on time this week! LOL
And who's gonna be plunking down some bucks on Tuesday for those Season 1 DVD's?... With BONUS MATERIAL!
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 your expectations.
Chapter 5
As McGee entered the lab for the second time that day, he wondered where the music was again. However, he was excited about what had happened on his case and with Gibbs, so the only thing on his mind was being able to share his excitement with Abby. Not wanting to wait any longer, he simply called out to her, "Hey Abs! You're never gonna believe what hap-…" He was stopped dead in his tracks when the figure emerged from the office.
"You just missed her, Agent McGee." The Colonel stood in the doorway with a datapad in her hands as she spoke to the young agent.
"Drats! I was hoping to catch her before she went to lunch." He was visibly disappointed to have missed Abby.
The Colonel returned her attention to the datapad as she walked around the room and said, "Actually, I sent her home."
McGee was left in complete shock at the Colonel's casual delivery of such a monumental statement, and he could not help himself when the words left his mouth, "She's really fired?"
The Colonel was stopped cold by his words and regarded McGee with a look of complete incredulity. "What?... God, no! She's just taking some time off today."
McGee's face was awash in relief at the news. "Wow, that was, um… Well, sorry, Colonel… It's just that, um, well, ah…"
"It's okay, Agent McGee. I suppose I should have guessed she would have also confided in you her fears." The Colonel smiled gently at McGee and then said, "However, any further intell on the situation will need to come from her."
"Oh yeah, sure… Um, thanks, Colonel." McGee turned and was headed for the door as he kept his focus on the Colonel. "I'll just see if I can't catch her at the bus sto-…" McGee was halted abruptly by the body of Dr. Mallard as he practically slammed into the older man. "Oh geez… I'm sorry, Ducky."
Dr. Mallard shook his head and said, "Nothing a new spine wouldn't cure, Timothy. Whatever are you in such a hurry for, my dear boy?"
McGee handed the doctor the clipboard he had been carrying until McGee ran into him. "Sorry, Ducky, but I gotta run if I'm gonna catch Abs at the bus stop."
McGee was nearly at the elevator when Dr. Mallard called out to him, "Nevermind that, Timothy… I had Mr. Palmer take her home."
Once again, McGee was halted in his progress and he walked back towards Dr. Mallard. "Huh?"
The hurt in his voice was evident and Dr. Mallard felt a need to qualify his decision to the young man. "Why yes… I had assumed you would be tied up with your case, and so as not to cause any unrest, I asked Mr. Palmer to drive Abigail to her apartment. The buses run so infrequently this time of the day and knowing her distaste for sunlight I thought it best to have her transported directly home." Ducky looked back to the Colonel with a flustered expression as he tried to explain the situation to Agent McGee. "If I had known that you would be available to leave the building then I would have gladly alerted you to the need, but Abigail assured me that you were working a case with Jethro, and he is not want to allow such frivolities during an investigation, and so I had Mr. Palmer take the poor girl home. You do understand, my boy, don't you?"
The doors were just about to close as McGee called out from the elevator, "I got it, Ducky… Thanks!"
Dr. Mallard practically "harumpfed" at McGee's apparent lack of attention to his explanation as he turned to speak to the Colonel, "Well, at least he gave the appearance of attention." The Colonel was busying herself with her datapad and did not notice that Ducky was actually talking to her at that point. "As it would appear you are not doing, Colonel."
She looked up from her task and said, "I'm sorry, were you talking to me, Dr. Mallard?"
"Apparently, I am talking to myself again… Though I could swear it had not started off that way." He lost his frustrated expression and smiled at the Colonel, "My apologies, Gwendolyn, but your assistant told me that I might find you down here."
"Not at all, Sir… I was just making a few notes before our meeting this afternoon." She continued to mill about the room, occasionally making notes on the datapad.
"Yes, well, that is exactly what I wished to speak with you about… Would you care to extend our meeting to include lunch, my dear?" Ducky held up his clipboard and continued, "I have come across some rather intriguing information since we spoke yesterday and-…"
"I'm very sorry, Dr. Mallard, but I have a lunch appointment already." She looked down at her watch and became aware of the late hour, "And if I don't double time it, there's likely to be some bloodshed if I'm late." She smiled at Ducky and said, "I have saved the entire afternoon for you, Dr. Mallard, so would you like me to call down for you as soon as I return from lunch?"
Ducky smiled, knowing that the Colonel would only be in such a hurry for one person. "That would be perfect, my dear… And please, give my best to the Lieutenant Commander." He added a wink to let her know that he understood her haste.
"Roger that, Doctor… And thank you." He watched as she strode from the lab and made her way to the stairs. In the time he had known the woman, he had yet to see her take the elevator when she was alone.
He had been deeply honored when the Colonel had contacted him the day after the big announcement to all of NCIS about the formation of the new division. She had wanted to make certain that he was aware of his place in that new division, and if he so chose, she would have him appointed as the assistant director of pathology. He had been touched by her reverence in her dealings with him, and it was intensely gratifying to know that she was eager to work with him during the transitionary period. However, he was completely floored when she asked him to assist her in the formation of the division as well. He had never before had such a long-lasting impact on a piece of history such as the opportunity she had offered him without reservation. The Colonel had shown him that she had perfect confidence in his abilities by including him in the process from the very first day.
He had spent more than two weeks working with her, side by side, as they forged through policy materials, budgetary considerations, personnel files and the countless statistics that had been generated regarding the work which had already been accomplished within the meager boundaries of NCIS in terms of forensic work. She had asked his advice, his opinions and his recommendations for the future and Donald Mallard felt like he was truly a part of the process for the first time in many years.
Throughout the entire experience, thus far, he had felt tremendous pride in everything he had done. That was, until she came to him with her decision regarding the status of Abby's continued employment at NCIS. She had confided in him that she wished Abby to take on a supervisory role in the new division, but that she had learned some terrible truths about the young woman's possible mental state. At first, he assumed that the Colonel was simply not used to dealings with the eccentricities of the world outside of the military, but then she showed him the evidence of the matter. Ducky was completely floored when he had all of the facts there before him, and that was when he realized that they had all been taking Abby for granted for far too long. It had taken an apparent outsider to come in and show them all the truth of their actions, and it caused him a great deal of sadness.
All of that changed when he had run into Abby as she made her way back down to the lab after her meeting with the Colonel. She had wrapped her arms around him and was practically singing with her joy. She had taken everything the Colonel had told her to heart, and she was filled with excitement at the prospect of her new responsibilities at the lab. She thanked him for sticking by her when she was "really crazy and all" and she was sincerely grateful for the second chance she had been granted at NCIS. Ducky had been worrying over her reaction to the Colonel's ultimatum for nearly a week, but when the moment came, he was delighted to see the obvious and positive change in his young friend.
He smiled as he tucked his clipboard under his arm and started off towards the morgue. Dr. Mallard was truly beginning to enjoy his tenure at NCIS once again. "Yes, the Colonel has brought some life into the old place… Thank you, Caitlyn. We needed some life around here again, my dear."