A/N: Here it is, the final chapter. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read and review. Who knows, I might even write a sequel one day. F

Chapter 10

Abby left early the next morning, needing to go home and change before heading in to the Navy Yard for work. As she pointed out, she'd already had two days running this week where she'd worn the same clothes; she really didn't want to do it again. Grumbling good-naturedly as he really didn't want her to go, McGee walked her to her car. At least he knew she'd be back. The fact that Abby loved him hadn't really sunk in yet; it still seemed vaguely dream-like. He'd have to get used to it. The thought of getting used to having Abby in love with him brought a smile to his face.

For now though, he had to get to work, or Gibbs would be even angrier with him than he was already. He really hoped that Abby was right about being able to bring him around her finger. It would be truly ironic to have to transfer out of the team under these circumstances.

He tossed the idea of calling Gibbs and explaining the need to rescind his transfer request out the window when he spotted the time. He was going to have to hurry to make it in on time. Thank God for the speed and manoeuvrability of a Porsche; he'd explain to Gibbs in person, it'd probably go a small way to appeasing the Boss' temper at not having discussed transferring with him in the first place.

Thankfully the DC traffic wasn't as crazy as usual, and he made it to his desk right on time. Gibbs however, was nowhere to be seen. McGee took the opportunity to go upstairs and see Vance. For once the Director wasn't overly busy, and he was able to see McGee straight away

He got right to the point

"Agent McGee. Have you come to a decision about transferring?"

"Yes, sir"

"And?"

"I would like to retract my request for transfer, sir"

Vance raised his eyebrows

"Something change, Agent McGee? You seemed pretty certain earlier this week"

"Yes, sir. The problems I was having with... another team member have been settled, and I'm confident we can continue working together"

"Is that so?" a small smile tugged at the corners of Vance's mouth

"Sir?"

"Well, if that's your decision, your transfer request will be cancelled immediately. Agent Gibbs will be pleased"

"Thank you, sir"

After McGee was safely away from his office, Vance deleted the request paperwork out of the young agent's record. No sense in letting something like this potentially come back to haunt him.

As McGee left the Director's office, he couldn't shake the feeling that Vance knew a lot more about his transfer request than he was letting on. He pushed the thought aside as he got downstairs and pulled out the cold case file he'd been working on. He was saved from the tedium by Gibbs' entry into the bullpen

"Grab your gear. We've got a dead Marine in Anacostia". As one, the team swung into action, glad to be doing what they did best. One nagging thought worried McGee as he headed for the elevator with the rest of the team; now he wouldn't have time to talk to Gibbs.

The case in Anacostia was pretty open and shut; a simple home invasion gone horribly wrong. The Marine gunnery sergeant had tried to protect himself, but Ducky put the preliminary cause of death as blunt force trauma to the back of the head; one of the two home invaders had taken a shot with a baseball bat. The Gunny's neighbours been walking their dog when the assailants had fled, and they'd caught them. It helped that the Gunny's neighbours were a Marine corporal and his wife. They spent the morning bagging and tagging evidence; even though it looked straightforward, they'd had cases like that before that had turned out to be as hinky as they come.

Gibbs kept a close eye on his youngest agent as they processed the crime scene. McGee was as professional as ever, but there was something different about him today. He wasn't the same withdrawn and moody man that they'd been dealing with for the past few weeks, and on top of that he kept smiling to himself when he thought no one was looking. Gibbs allowed himself a half smile. It was about time McGee and Abby got it together.

To confirm his suspicions, he sent McGee down to the lab with the evidence when they got back to the Navy Yard. There was a slight hesitation, a touch of nervousness, but nothing like the rejection of his order that had been written all over his face the last time he was told to run the evidence to Abby. That settled it. He wasn't losing one of his team members, at least not this time. Now he just had to head McGee off from telling him the whole story, otherwise he'd have to do something about Rule 12.

McGee couldn't help but feel a little nervous as he headed down to Abby's lab. A lot had passed between them last night, and he was a little unsure of himself. He grabbed the traditional Caf-Pow, hoping it would break the ice. He took a deep breath before entering the lab, telling himself he was being ridiculous.

Abby was seated at her computers, running a routine fingerprint test. She looked bored. Cold cases were as tedious for her as they were for the rest of the team.

"Evidence for you, Abs" he called out over the music as he set the white plastic evidence crate down on the lab table. She spun, startled

"Hey Timmy!" she greeted him, smiling broadly. "What'd you bring me?"

"Just the basic stuff, Abs. Murder weapon, victim's personal effects, the usual"

"Anything unusual on this one, Tim?"

"Not this time, looks like a home invasion that went wrong. We've already got two suspects in custody, the neighbours caught them fleeing"

"That makes it easier"

"Only if there's nothing hinky in that box" he grinned at her

"Well, I guess I better get started then" she turned and started sorting out the bags in the crate

"Hold on a sec, Abs" he touched her arm "I've only got a moment, then I have to get back upstairs, but I've got two questions... Have you seen Gibbs this morning?"

"Not yet, he'll be down as soon as I get results on this stuff. He always is. You haven't spoken to him yet?"

"Haven't had a chance, Abby. We got called out pretty much as soon as I got in this morning"

"Ok, so what was the second question?"

"Do you want to have dinner with me tonight?" the question sounded oddly formal after last night

"Sure, Timmy"

"Great. I'll pick you up at 7, ok? And now I've really gotta get back upstairs or Gibbs will have my hide"

Abby smiled as Tim left the lab. Now she definitely got to spend the evening with Timmy.

McGee headed back to the bullpen, hoping his stolen 5 minutes with Abby had gone unnoticed. No one said anything when he got back to his desk, apart from Gibbs telling him to do a routine background check on the Gunny's bank and phone records.

About half an hour later, Gibbs' phone rang.

"Yeah, Gibbs"

He listened for a moment, then hung up

"McGee, with me" he headed for the elevator, knowing that McGee was right behind him.

Once the doors were closed, he flicked the emergency switch

"Made a decision yet, Tim?"

"Yeah, boss, I did. I withdrew my transfer request this morning."

"Good to hear, McGee"

"Boss, Abby and I-"

Gibbs cut him off midsentence

"Don't ask, don't tell McGee"

"Right Boss"

Gibbs flicked the emergency stop back off again, setting the elevator in motion

"Abby could use a hand processing the evidence from this morning, McGee. I want you to stay down here until it's done. The quicker it's done, the quicker everyone gets to go home." The elevator dinged as the doors opened

"On it, Boss"

"Good" he strode towards Abby's lab. McGee heard his characteristic "Whaddya got, abs?" as Gibbs entered the lab.

McGee followed more slowly. Had Gibbs really just given them tacit permission to break Rule 12? He'd talk that over with Abby later. For now, he was just glad he was done with explanations.