A/N: Ok, this chapter is a bit less dramatic than the previous, but it is necessary. Hope you like it anyway. F.

McGee went in to work early the next morning, hoping to see Director Vance and get his transfer paperwork sorted out before the rest of the team came in for the day. He didn't feel like explaining why he was asking for a transfer to Tony and Ziva, at least not straight away. He wanted to know where he was going before he told them; hopefully, that way they wouldn't try and talk him out of it.

He didn't want to leave Gibbs' team; being a field agent was what he'd always wanted to do, and there was no better team leader than Gibbs. But he knew he couldn't stay at headquarters and have to see Abby every day.

Vance's secretary wasn't at her desk when he reached the Director's office. Maybe he wasn't in yet? McGee took a chance and knocked softly on the office door, relieved to hear a faint response from inside.

"Enter."

Vance was sitting at his desk, apparently intent on some paperwork. He glanced up as McGee entered the room.

"Agent McGee. I hope you're not here to tell me you've been hacking into somewhere you shouldn't."

McGee thought quickly. Technically, he had, but no more than usual, and he'd done it on Gibbs' orders. He figured Vance didn't need to know about that, especially as he hadn't gotten caught. He shook his head. "No sir."

"So what do you need, Agent McGee?"

"I'd like to request a transfer, Director."

Vance looked surprised at that, leaning backwards in his chair. "It was my understanding that you enjoyed working on Agent Gibbs' team, Agent McGee."

"I do, sir."

"There's an opening on Agent Balboa's team-"

"I'd prefer out of the Yard, Director."

"Why?"

"For- for personal reasons, sir." He could feel his face flushing slightly red and hoped the Director wouldn't press the issue. He didn't really want to explain that he'd been sleeping with a co-worker and it had ended badly. From the assessing look that Vance gave him however, he got the feeling that there was very little that went on in the building that the Director didn't already know.

"I see." Vance's tone was dry, partly confirming McGee's suspicions. "Have you discussed this with Agent Gibbs?"

"Yes sir."

Vance gave him another assessing look. Apparently seeing what he was looking for, he merely responded "Ok, I'll have transfer options to you by the end of the day."

...

Dismissed, McGee made his way slowly down the stairs back to the squad room. His meeting with Vance hadn't taken as long as he'd anticipated; the only other occupant of the bullpen was Gibbs. From the look Gibbs gave him, he knew that he was well aware of why he'd been upstairs, though he made no comment. Soon Tony and Ziva arrived, and they got to work. It occurred to McGee with a pang of sadness that this was the last case he would work with the MCRT.

...

In one of the quirks that came with working major cases, they were swamped with evidence and leads for the rest of the day, and McGee wasn't able to check his emails until Gibbs dismissed them for the night. When he did, he found the email he'd been waiting on. Vance had sent him two options; one was based out of San Diego, the other out of Norfolk. As he read through the descriptions of both roles, he felt eyes on him and looked up to find Gibbs watching him from across the bullpen.

"Where?"'

"San Diego or Norfolk."

"And?"

"Well, San Diego is more senior... but there's no field work. I dunno. The Director's given me 24 hours."

"Uh-huh. You haven't told Tony and Ziva." It was a statement, not a question.

"Well, no, not yet Boss. I want to get things figured out first."

"And Abby?"

McGee heaved a sigh.

Gibbs stood and picked up his gear. "You gotta tell her sometime, McGee."

...

McGee sat at his desk in the darkened squad room, thinking about Gibbs' departing words. The Boss was right, as usual. He had to tell Abby he was leaving, and he had to do it before she found out from another source. He owed her that, at least. Which meant he had to do it tonight; once he'd let Vance know his decision, it would quickly become scuttlebutt, if it hadn't already.

Sighing once more, he picked up the phone to call the lab, then put it down again. This wasn't really a conversation that could be had over the telephone. He picked up his pack and slung it over his shoulder, heading for the elevator. He felt slightly guilty as he punched the button that would take him to Abby's lab; leaving or not, he was still banned from that part of the building.

As he walked down the short hallway to the lab, he could see that it was dark and quiet; Abby must have already left for the night. Cursing quietly under his breath, he went back to the elevator. He really would rather have this conversation on slightly more neutral territory than her apartment.

Palmer occupied the elevator when the doors opened again. McGee politely made small talk on the ride back to the main floor. As they exited, Palmer stopped him. "Were you looking for Abby?" At McGee's nod, he continued "I think she went down to the evidence garage."

"Thanks, Palmer."

...

The garage was mostly dark, but he could see a small patch of light coming from the evidence lockup. He made his way towards it, knowing he couldn't put off the inevitable.

She was seated, looking for something in the evidence register in the light of a desk lamp. He stopped a few steps away.

"Abby?"

She looked up, and for a second he could have almost sworn there was a softening of her expression as she saw him. But then the hard look was back, and he told himself it must have been a trick of the light.

"What do you want, McGee?"

At her snappy tone, he was tempted to tell her to forget it and let her find out with the rest of the team. But hurt or not, he loved this woman, and he had to tell her himself.

"Do you mind if I sit? This could take a while..."