5

Separation

"Sound check Abby, how are we doing?"

"Loud and clear McGee, video feed is good to go, you're all set."

"Thanks Abs."

Tim checked the camera for position and gave a thumbs-up to his companion. "We're good Bishop."

"This is so exciting; I've never been on a real stakeout before." Ellie's hand went to her ear again. "Just checking the earwig's still there, don't want Gibbs chewing me out again."

"He's looking out for you, it's what a leader does; and it's not Gibbs' style to sugar-coat the pill."

Ellie smiled. "I had noticed." She walked over to the window, taking care not to be visible from outside. "How long do you think we'll be here?"

"Never can tell, sometimes you set up all the equipment and a stakeout only lasts a few days, other times…" He gave a brief grimace. "It can seem like forever."

"You been on many?"

"Enough, and it seems like I'm always partnered with Tony, it's going to be pretty different this time."

"You're going to miss him."

"Like a hole in the head."

"You don't fool me. I've figured you two out, you and Tony, you go together, simple as that."

"Not right now, Tony has to testify, so until he's done it's you and me." He smiled as he watched Ellie unpacking her supply of snacks. It was certainly going to be a very different experience being on stakeout with a probie; he felt a sense of responsibility for her welfare. He wondered whether Tony had felt the same when they'd worked together on their very first stakeout after Pacci was murdered. Thinking back, it didn't seem like Tony was unduly concerned about Tim, but he had a way of concealing his true motives under a barrage of wisecracks and borderline craziness.

He'd never admit it aloud but Tim would miss Tony, stakeouts could be tedious affairs, and one thing you never suffered from when Tony was around was boredom. With luck, the court appearance wouldn't take too long and Tony could rejoin the team. Tim wasn't sure Dorneget would survive too many nights teaming up with Gibbs, the young agent was perfectly capable, but around Gibbs he turned into a stumbling, stammering…Tim gave a brief smile; somehow that all sounded very familiar. Maybe when Tony's court date was done Gibbs would have Tony share the night shift with him, or not. Movie trivia at 03.00; Tim couldn't see Gibbs putting himself through that, more likely the team leader would take the probie under his wing and have Tony and Tim take the day shift.

NCIS NCIS

Ellie looked at her watch and Tim sighed. "The time won't go any faster because you keep checking your watch."

"I know…it's only been four hours and I can barely keep my eyes open; how do you stay so focussed?"

He shrugged. "No secret, you have to concentrate on the target area."

"I'm trying. There have only been six people walk by the whole time."

"Seven; told you, concentration is the key, if you get distracted…"

"How do you do it McGee?" Ellie couldn't work out how she'd missed someone, oh she could; some of her Candy Corn had rolled onto the floor and she knelt down to find it; she wouldn't do that again, next time she'd wait until the relief shift arrived before picking up her food, or she'd be sure to ask her partner to cover for her.

Tim spotted the change in her expression, he knew she'd figured out when she lost focus; he wanted to help, not hector. "How to stay focussed? I guess everyone has their own ideas, for me…sometimes I make up back stories for anyone who happens by; imagine them involved in the case, think about how they would fit in. That way I keep the case at the front of my mind; it wouldn't work for everyone, you have to come up with whatever works for you."

The small furrow appeared in the middle of her forehead, a sure sign she was thinking about what he'd said. "I get it…it's like a puzzle, how each person fits, or doesn't; I can work with puzzles, been doing it for years, only this way, you see the real people, not just pictures on a screen." The furrow disappeared and she grinned at Tim. "Thanks McGee, being a field agent, there's a lot to learn."

"I guess in this job you never stop learning, you're doing fine, and Gibbs is a great teacher."

"You are too, and Tony…Doctor Cranston, she told me I was lucky to be around you, Tony and Gibbs too; she was right."

"Wait 'til you've done an eight hour surveillance with Tony, then I'll ask you again how lucky you feel."

She didn't take her eyes off the window but he could see she was smiling. "Maybe before I get partnered with Tony I should get Jake to give me a crash course in movies."

"Nah, just remember Tony likes his breakfast eggs scrambled and you'll be golden."

NCIS NCIS

"Ellie…Ellie, can you hear me?"

She could hear…something, someone, they were far away…a man, it was a man's voice, why was he whispering? She tried to listen carefully, everything was muffled, like she was cocooned in a dense fog…wait, the voice, it sounded like Jake, only it couldn't be…"J…Jake?" She felt gentle pressure on her hand. "I'm here Ellie, take it easy."

Easy…nothing seemed to be easy, the very act of opening her eyes was taking so long…and there were drums pounding in her head. Through a haze she could see…what? White, everything seemed white, and there was a smell…hospital. She tried to sit up but Jake wasn't having it.

"Stay still Honey, you have a concussion."

Ellie took a deep, shuddering breath; she didn't understand…then there was another voice.

"She's awake Boss."

Ellie's confusion increased, Tony…he was supposed to be in court, what was he doing here…what was she doing here? She turned to the direction of the voice, trying to ignore the renewed drumbeat in her head. Gibbs took a step toward the bed, only to have his way barred by Jake Bishop. "She's barely conscious Agent Gibbs, can't you give her a little more time."

"We don't have time."

Ellie felt something stirring deep in the recesses of her confused brain; Gibbs looked worried, and Tony, he seemed to have aged since she saw him last…whatever was wrong it was bad. She sat bolt upright and was grateful for Jake's steadying arms as the dizziness threatened to overwhelm her. She glanced from face to face…there was someone missing…swallowing her fear, she whispered, "Gibbs, where is he, where's McGee?"

To be continued…