"Officer David, the liaison position with NCIS is being terminated. You're going home. McGee, I'm moving you across to the Cyber Crimes Unit. You'll be working with Officer Holsworth, starting tomorrow. DiNozzo."
"Sir."
"You've been reassigned. Agent afloat, USS Ronald Reagan. Pack your bags, you fly out tomorrow. Agent Gibbs. (
hands Gibbs three folders) Meet your new team."

There have been few times when every member of his team were too stunned to speak; however, this was one of those times. Newly-appointed Director Vance had just informed them they were being split up. Tony was being sent to sea, Ziva back to Israel, and McGee was being sent down to the cyber crime unit. Though they had each wanted to react, none of them made a move.

Time seemed to stop as they all held their breath, waiting for their leader to act. Finally, Gibbs picked up the manila folders Vance had tossed down on the desk, then promptly threw them on the floor. He made sure to step on each one as he stormed out of the office. Seconds later, they each followed the same path, traveling back down to the bullpen.

Gibbs was nowhere to be seen as they reached their desks. Glancing at each other, they silently agreed on an action plan. One by one they collected their personal belongings and made their way to the elevator. Piling their items in separate cars, they finally ended up in one and headed towards the nearest bar.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"That sneaky…mean…lying…ASSHOLE!"

"Abs---"

"How could he do this? How could he think it was a good idea? Why would he do this? What are you going to do about it?"

"Me?"

She stopped pacing long enough to march towards her lover. With an angry glare, she pushed at his chest, trying to show how upset she was.

"Yes, Gibbs. You! You have to fix this. You can't let that…uh! Asshole do this to us!"

"Us?!? Abby, he's doing this to me! Not to us. To ME! That's MY team up there he's breaking up. MY people. All day long, you're in this lab. You aren't out there risking your life with us. You don't know how…you don't get to act as you're the only one this is affecting. "

"But I thought---"

"Grow up! Take a look around you. I can't fix everything, Abby!"

Abby watched as Gibbs stormed out of her lab. The words he spoke, even though in anger, hurt her. They were family…all of them. She had never heard any of them, especially Gibbs, make reference to the fact that she wasn't "part of the team". She knew it was a combination of things that made her resentful. She knew it was the pain of losing Kate and Jenny, and now possibly more of her family…she knew they were all hurting. But for just one moment, she let herself forget. She took solace in her pain, and allowed her tears to run free. She allowed her heart to feel broken by the one man she trusted and loved above everyone else. She grieved.