Gibbs gazed at the photo before silently handing it off to Ziva.
"Benzona!"
Ziva's transition into Hebrew was a sure fire sign of how pissed off she really was. The team had cajoled her long ago, into translating the words so they could understand exactly what it was that their multilingual team mate was saying. Gibbs nodded in agreement and pushed Tim's head down low in an effort to stem the panic that he could see steadily rising. Ziva was right; whoever had left this was truly a son of a bitch.
She grasped the photo angrily in her clenched fist before she bagged and tagged it in an evidence bag. She stuffed it in her bag angrily and joined Gibbs in helping Tim up off the ground so he could sit on the nearby bench.
Tim felt his boss' hands hook under his arms and let himself be helped gently off the dewy grass. He was vaguely aware of being led somewhere and when he saw the bench he simply refused to sit; He had never felt so vulnerable and more like a target than he did now and so, with a fierce determination, he began walking back to the car. Gibbs and Ziva saw that his gait was rigid with the fear and anger he was feeling and realized that, right now, they needed to be there for him in order to support him through this difficult turn of events.
Tim's rising anger lengthened his stride and Ziva had to speed up to keep up with him. She had the unyielding desire to talk to her friend right now and would run to the ends of the earth to do it, if she didn't nothing more than offer than muted words of support to help lift that rock that had settled in his heart, then she would do it.
Gibbs locked his eyes on his retreating Agent, he had never seen him this upset out in the field before, hell, he'd never seem him upset like this period. Tim was always the mild mannered member of the team and usually managed to keep a hold on his emotions. He decided to follow closely enough behind that he was able to hear what he and Ziva were saying.
"McGee, we will catch this person. You know that." Ziva's tone was solid like concrete and the unwavering tone offered a certainty that Tim was sure to have lost.
"I know, Ziva. It's just…" Tim answered miserably.
"It's just what, McGee?" Ziva pushed, she knew that if she didn't, McGee would retreat into himself.
Tim shook his head and threw his bag in the trunk with enough force that Ziva wouldn't have been surprised to see it laying on the concrete floor where it had shot straight through the hole it created on landing. She thanked her lucky stars that, for once, Tim's backpack didn't hold the breakable equipment.
With his eyes still on his obviously upset agent, Gibbs silently walked up to Tony's side of the car and was intent on telling him something but as Tim silently took his place in the back and morosely stared out the window, Gibbs knew he wouldn't have the chance just yet.
"Hey, McRomeo, this wasn't exactly how you planned your date ending was it?" Tony tried to joke without bothering to even look at Tim.
Thwack
"Ow!! Thanks, Boss, didn't realize you were here already."
"Enough, Tony." Gibbs said quietly whilst letting his eyes wander back to his younger agent in the back seat.
Tony took the hint and when he noticed the look on Gibbs' face, he dropped the humor. He turned his head to finally look at his Probie for himself. His teammate was obviously upset and sat there with his body taunt with tension; Tim's hands sat in his lap and were clenched so hard that that his knuckles and fingers were white with the effort of keeping his death grip on himself. Tony watched Tim with a look of sheer confusion and saw the thunderous look on the normally serene face. Wait a minute! Why did Probie look as through eh wanted to kill someone? What the hell had he missed?
As Tony looked first to Gibbs and then twisted around to look to Ziva for the answer to his questions, Ziva reached into her bag and pulled out the photograph. She silently handed over and scrutinized his face as he was bought up to speed with the whole nightmarish situation. She watched her friend's reaction intently as Tony reacted to the photo with a similar look of shock and fear on his face.
Tony was about to say something to Tim but he caught a slight movement out of the corner of his eye and turned his head back to look at his boss. He couldn't help but catch Gibbs' silent, sharp warning that told him to keep his mouth shut and nodded his understanding as the boss finally climbed inand started the car.
The ride back to the Navy Yard was quiet and the atmosphere in the sedan was emotionally charged. Gibbs was concerned, that in itself was obvious but he hadn't yet figured out what exactly it was about this situation that would bring Tim to this level of anger. The fact that something had was extremely unsettling.
Right now, Tony felt like scum. He hadn't meant to be spiteful to his Probie and thought Tim needed a dose of humor to help ground him after the day he'd had. He'd had no idea things had taken such a dangerous turn for his Probie though had an inkling that Ziva knew something was bothering McGee. It was obvious that Tim was in no mood to discuss how he was feeling or what he was thinking and that saddened Ziva. She was the last person to judge someone for not being able to say what was in their heart but her gut told her thatTim's thoughts were running rampantly wild and painful through his brain. Little did she know how right she was.
He'd finally, FINALLY, gotten his personal life back on track, permission to date Abby, understanding from his boss and his new girlfriend. He'd been through too much not to take things slow and easy because he didn't want to be left holding the bag again. Why? Things were going great and what happens? He gets targeted in a way that's too dangerous to be around the one person he wanted to spend all his time with. He couldn't live with himself if something happened to her. Look what almost happened to his dog!
Why couldn't things ever go right with his love life? Wasn't he entitled to be happy? Apparently not. He didn't know how many more times his heart could take this and he already felt like he was walking on thin ice with his bruised and battered heart. He wasn't certain that it could take it anymore.
"McGee, call Ducky. Tell him we need him to meet us in the squad room."
Gibbs' voice pulled him slowly out of his reverie and sounded extra loud from behind that fog that had descended over Tim's mind. It took him a minute to pull himself completely from his miserable thoughts and struggled momentarily to fully comprehend his boss' instructions. Thankfully, Gibbs waited patiently for him finally grasp the instructions and do what he'd been told. Tim pulled his phone out to call the M.E. and hit the right speed dial number, the simple action using every last bit of concentration he had leaving him oblivious to the sounds of his boss issuing his orders to the rest of the team.
"Tony, call Abby, Tell her to warm up her babies because we're bringing them something to do. Ziva, soon as we get back, go with Tony to Abby's lab to take her the evidence and then both of you get to do a coffee and lunch run."
Gibbs sighed heavily at the silence in the car and thought about what would happen if his agents went barreling into the lab and let Abby in on the situation, he cringed at the thought and turned back to the two of them.
"When you reach Abby's lab, don't tell her about the photo, you got me?"
Tony and Ziva nodded their assent solemnly and sat quietly whilst Tim spoke to Ducky.
"Timothy, what can I do for you?" Ducky answered his phone with a light tone and was obviously in as much of a jovial mood as he could be given the fact that some of the team had been shot at earlier.
"We're on our way in, Ducky. Gibbs wants you to meet us in the squad room." Tim said quietly causing Tony and Ziva to look at each other. They were both struck by the unusually quiet tone in Tim's voice, as their teammate answered Ducky's obvious question.
"No, Ducky. No one's hurt; we'll explain when we get there. See you in a few." Tim uncharacteristically snapped his phone shut before the call even ended causing the already raised eyebrows of his team mates, to shoot into their hairlines.
Oh, yeah, this situation was seriously knocking McGee off his feet! Tony looked at Gibbs. He needed some kind of clarification that Gibbs had caught it, too. One look at the boss' face told Tony that there was a damn good reason for the man's silence and the reason was the fact that he was busy keeping his eye on McGee, that was, when he wasn't watching the road. The remaining trip was a silent one.
As they entered the squad room, Tony and Ziva immediately headed for the elevator that would take them down to Abby's and met Ducky as he stepped out.
"Ah, hello, you two. Running out, are we?" Ducky asked with a touch of humor intended to cut through the thick, strained air between the two agents.
When neither of the agents replied with their usual witty, sharp replies, Ducky stopped dead to scrutinize the two of them.
"I do realize something is wrong, that was made evident by Timothy's tone when I spoke with him a few moments ago. Judging by your expressions, it must be serious."
"Gibbs is waiting to fill you in, Ducky." Tony replied quietly. Ducky frowned when he heard that same low, hushed tone that Tim had used earlier.
"Of course." Ducky said and continued on to the squad room with a feeling of doom settling heavy in his chest.
"Jethro, you wanted to see me? Timothy sounded upset on the phone, what on earth seems to be the trouble?"
Gibbs glanced at Tim, who had silently moved to his desk and at down. He had begun working pretty much straight away on something. This worried Gibbs, since all they had been doing when they left on Friday was cold cases, and the files were locked away in the filing cabinet. What is he working on? Tim's body language screamed fear and anger and that was one thing that unsettled the team leader. Tim had never let his emotions surface like this, sure he'd been snippy with Tony, and he'd been withdrawn when he was under review for his first shooting…..but this?
This was different, this was just wrong. The sheer power behind every movement; the hard banging away at the keys on his board with his shaking hands; this wasn't Tim and shed the fact that he was now a target, into a completely different light. His body language still spoke of his intense anger and even fear.
Gibbs nodded his head curtly to the elevator and moved over to the place that had soon become his own private refuge and was now lovingly known as his 'conference room'. Ducky understood, his dear friend was obviously unwilling to have this conversation in front of Tim and so he followed behind, quietly hoping that whatever had unnerved his family wasn't nearly as bad as they made out.
"Jethro, this is a bit extreme." Ducky remarked tightly, he had always hated the fact that Gibbs seemed to like the confines of the elevator.
Gibbs silently handed the M.E. the bagged and tagged photograph and waited patiently for Ducky's response. A couple of seconds later he watched as Ducky's eyebrows furrowed.
"Oh dear heavens!" Ducky exclaimed in horror. "No wonder the poor boy is upset!"
"Ducky, I need you to help us break this to Abby. We need her to process it but I don't wanna hit her with it out of the blue."
"Certainly Jethro, though I don't think I'd be much help with her, you are the only person that seems to be able to calm her down."
Jethro snorted and reached over to flick the switch to get the elevator moving again. It stopped back at the squad room and they stepped out so Gibbs could grab something out of his drawer. Before they headed back, they paused briefly to check on Tim and both made a mental note of how his demeanor hadn't changed and neither had his activity level either. The bossman was glad, whatever he was working on; was keeping him occupied, though the anger didn't abate at all.
Gibbs and Ducky exchanged worried glances and continued back to the elevator to go see Abby. For some reason, the journey seemed to take a lifetime and when they finally got there, they were surprised to hear the forensic scientist's sobs that rang around the room. Gibbs scowled when he walked in to see Tony hugging Abby tightly with the support that she desperately needed. I'll give them a head slap later was the first thing that rolled around in Gibbs' mind but rather than jumping in feet first, he decided on a different tactic.
"Something happen?" Gibbs asked calmly.
"Something happen? Gibbs! You were there in the Vet's office! You know what happened! Poor Jethro was shot for absolutely no reason!" Abby exclaimed angrily.
Tony, Ziva and Gibbs exchanged meaningful looks but stayed silent, in a way, Gibbs was relieved that no revelations had been made just yet; it didn't make his job any easier though. Abby stood there, her face wet with the tears she had shed previously, and folded her arms, everyone was acting hinky and even Ducky had a strange look on his face. Come to think of it, why was Ducky down here? Abby soon cottoned on to the secrecy and fear that surrounded her surrogate family and crossed her arms with determination.
"What aren't you telling me? Where's Timmy? Do NOT tell me something happened to him!" Abby demanded with fear climbing into her tone and motions. The previous defiance of her crossed arms was replaced by the pacing, fretful Abby that, in any other circumstances, was kind of cute. Every time she turned and walked towards them, they could see that her eyes wide with fright as they jumped from Ducky to Gibbs and then over to Ziva and Tony.
Gibbs glanced at Ducky but the M.E. had already turned his attention fully to Abby.
"Abigail, Timothy is fine, but unfortunately, there does seem to be a reason as to why this has happened." The M.E. told her gently. He had managed to still her movements with a gentle hand on her arm and was currently looking softly at her.
"What's going on?" Abby asked fearfully.
Gibbs held out the photograph and was pleased to see that Ducky had now placed his hand on Abby's shoulder. Tony and Ziva had also moved close and were supporting Abby in their own special way, Tony had his hand resting on her other shoulder and Ziva, in an uncharacteristic show of support, had weaved her small hand through Abby's. Gibbs felt a wave of affection at the support that his people were showing and waited for his girl's other, shaking hand to take the evidence bag from him. She looked at the photo and stood there gaping like a fish out of water.
"OH NO! Timmy!" Abby's strangled cry escaped as her knees buckled. Tony was thankfully quick and had managed to grab her round the waist to hold her up. Gibbs rolled her desk chair over to her and stepped back so Ducky could take care of her. Once Ducky was satisfied he stepped back to make room for Gibbs; who crouched in front of the distraught Goth. He turned his head slightly so that he could address his agents, knowing full well that the best way for him to deal with Abby right now, was alone.
"Tony, Ziva, go on; go get lunch." Gibbs quietly directed and waited for them to nod their assent and head out. He turned his attention back to Abby.
"Abbs, we need you on this."
Abby took a deep, steadying breath and stoically stood up.
"Where's Tim? If he's okay, why isn't he down here Gibbs?"
"He's already looking for suspects, Abby. He's busy." Gibbs told her in the no nonsense tone that let everyone know he was telling the truth and was serious. Abby was pretty much the only person who could ever doubt or see through Gibbs, she seemed to be empathetic to a fault, and could pretty much read him like an open book.
"What aren't you telling me, Gibbs?" the lab rat demanded.
"He's upset, Abby. Let's leave it at that and give him some space to breathe and work." The boss directed firmly.
"Of course he's upset, Gibbs! His dog was shot at and he finds out that he's the target of this sicko!"
"Abby, I think you will find that those are not the reasons behind Timothy being upset." Ducky advised quietly. "However, you must ask him yourself to get his reasons though I'm sure he will tell you anyway when he's ready, my dear."
Gibbs looked at his friend and knew that there was nothing any of them could do but work the case. He turned to Abby and kissed her on the cheek before stepping back and glaring at the M.E.
"Abby, get crackin!" Gibbs ordered "And keep it together. If you need help, ask." Gibbs softened his tone as he advised her; kissing her cheek again before leaving the lab.
Tim had given up on his searches and escaped to the men's room leaving their work area empty and strangely silent. Tony and Ziva walked out of the elevator and split to go to their separate desks, before heading out to get lunch. They both simultaneously paused when they noticed how much of a mess McGee's desk was. Several open files littered the surface of it, while his two computer screens flashed and jumped with random searches pulling out the information that he had so desperately searched for.
"Tony, what do you think he is working on?" Ziva asked more out of concern than for the sake of being nosey.
"Dunno, Ziva. C'mon, we need to get movin' or Gibbs' will have our asses." Tony said and grabbed his wallet out of his locked drawer. Ziva bent down low to pick up her bag and the two of them headed out. Tony knew Tim needed to keep his head in the game and having the two of them giving him the 3rd degree about anything wasn't gonna help him do that.
As they walked to the car, Ziva pushed for the answers that she knew Tony was keeping from her.
"Tony, you know why McGee would be so upset about this. Do not tell me it is because his dog was shot at because we both know that is not the reason."
"I don't know for sure, Ziva. All I have are possibilities and I'm gonna try to talk to him after work. I don't wanna get him in trouble with Gibbs for not keeping his head on straight."
"Okay. I expect to be informed when you do discover the reason, yes?" Ziva demanded forcefully. Tony huffed out a small laugh at her brazen demand and shook his head.
"Sure Zee. I'll tell you. BUT, only if he doesn't ask me to keep it to myself."
Gibbs and Ducky arrived back in the squad room to find it ominously empty. He knew where Tony and Ziva had gone which left only one of his agents missing and he was fairly certain that he knew exactly where he was. He decided to let Tim be for the time being and encouraged Ducky to put his profiling skills to the test about what kind of person who would want to do this to his agent.
By the time, Ducky and Gibbs had finished discussing the case, Tony and Ziva had returned bearing lunch and coffee for everyone, they had been gone for the better part of 40 minutes and the fact that Tim had not yet returned to the squad room had Gibbs' gut twisting with alarm.
"Probie's still not back at his desk? He was gone when we came up here before we left. Where is he, Boss?" Tony asked with concern as he placed Tim's favorite Chinese food on his desk.
Gibbs looked around at his team and stood up from his chair to silently walk to the head to check on Tim. Ziva had followed him partway, but had veered off towards the elevator to take Abby her lunch and to check whether her wayward friend was down there with her. 10 minutes later, she was back and reported Abby's complaints back to everyone. Apparently the Goth was agitated about the fact that Timmy hadn't been down to see her since they returned from the park. The fact that Tim wasn't there chilled everyone to the bone and the atmosphere in the squad room darkened heavily. Tony had called down to the front desk to see if Tim had left the building and found out that he hadn't so they knew he had to be at NCIS somewhere. The burning question was where?
Gibbs was getting seriously concerned now and pulled out his cell to call his missing agent. He couldn't help the small sigh of relief that escaped him when his call was answered, though that relief was short lived and replaced, once again, by worry when he listened to the voice on the other end. Tim's voice was different somehow and didn't sound like it belonged to the young agent who had gone from strength to strength over the years.
"Boss?"
"McGee. Where are you?"
"Sorry, Boss, I'll be there in a minute."
"It's ok McGee. Tell me where you are and I'll come to you." Gibbs directed calmly. He knew this young man wasn't ready to be met with the interrogations that his team would throw at him and knew from personal experience that, if Tim was upset enough to disappear like this in the middle of the day, something was seriously wrong.
"Please, Boss. I'm on my way. I promise." Tim said and hung up the phone before his boss could answer. He really didn't want his new found sanctuary to be invaded and he sure as hell didn't feel ready to talk to Gibbs about this. He'd lost track of time, damn it! He hadn't meant to be gone for so long but had gotten caught up in his thoughts and the peace and quiet he'd found in the midst of the Agency. He'd finally found a modicum of peace and had relished it.
Tim was true to his word and returned to his desk a few minutes later and silently sat down at his desk without looking at any of his team. The realization that he really needed to speak to Abby had hit him like a ton of bricks on his way to the squad room, but if the truth be told, he was nowhere near ready to face her so he settled for emailing her instead.
TO: Abby Scuito
CC:
BCC:
FROM: Timothy McGee
Subject: Sorry……
Abbs,
I'm really sorry I haven't been down to see you since we've gotten back. I've been busy trying to figure out who would want to do this. If I'm going to be honest with you, I'm too upset to face you right now because you read me so well and I would only cause you to be even more upset than I know you already are.
Please, understand that I need to keep busy right now. I am sorry if my staying away from you while I try to work through this has hurt you. I didn't mean to do that.
Love
Tim.
Tony silently read the email over Tim's shoulder. He was trying to stand as far back as he could and having read what Tim had typed to Abby, he quickly turned back to his own desk with concern climbing into his heart. Since when did Probie openly admit he was upset about something? Well, he hadn't actually openly admitted it. It was, after all, a private email to his girlfriend. That was still private. But, still? What exactly was it that Tim was upset enough about to admit it?
Gibbs left Tim alone and watched him pick at his lunch, the fact that he was barely eating concerned him and he looked over at Ducky. The look on the M.E.'s face spoke more than a thousand words, and he could tell that his friend was less than happy at Timothy's obvious lack of appetite. Ducky had stayed behind in the squad room to check Tim out on his return and Gibbs caught the look of pure concern that had come over that kindly face. Ducky shook his head and silently left the squad room because there was nothing that he could do about one of them not being hungry. It was obvious to all of them that Timothy knocked for a loop by the events of the morning and any undue attention to the situation would only make it worse for him.
Taking their cues from Ducky, Ziva and Tony dug into their own lunches with a false gusto, and soon got back into the normal swing of giving each other a hard time to try to lift the unnatural silence that had permeated the room; That, in part got a smile out of Tim and Tony couldn't help but grin broadly – Mission accomplished.
As the afternoon faded, the squad room was filled with the noises of them all working electronic trails and making phone calls. Throughout it all, Gibbs continued to keep an eye on his troubled youngest agent. They still needed to discuss the case. There was the little matter or protection detail for both Tim and Abby to talk about. An unexpected meeting took Gibbs out of the squad room for the remainder of the afternoon, and the silence that came with his absence had become almost unbearable.
Finally, Tony couldn't stand it anymore, he had to try to get his Probie to open up and get his woes off his chest. He sat back in his chair and clasped his hands round the back of his head. Turning to Tim, hoping that his relaxed body language would help Tim, he smiled encouragingly.
"Probie, I know you're upset. Talk to me." The Senior Field Agent encouraged with absolutely no trace of mockery or malice in his tone.
Tim stopped what he was doing and looked at Tony for the first time all day.
"I appreciate it, Tony, really, I do. I just would rather not talk about it right now." Tim answered in that continued subdued tone that had everyone worried.
"It's eating at'cha, even I can see that, Probie." Tony pushed gently.
"Doesn't matter, Tony. I have a job to do. There's nothing I can do about it till we figure out who this guy is." Tim replied monotonously.
"Okay. Well, you and Abby are still gonna go on your date, tonight, right?" Tony asked before he remembered he wasn't supposed to say anything at all about it, he at least had the good grace to look embarrassed about the question and couldn't help but silently accept the glare that Tim shot him in anger over it. The look in Tim's eyes changed suddenly, and looking away from Tony, he felt the immense sadness that had been feeing his anger all day return.
"No, Tony. We're not." Tim said solemnly.
"What?"
"Tony, do you really think I would put Abby in that kind of danger just so we can go out on a date? There's a psycho out there with me in his sights! There's no way, I'm taking that chance with Abby with a bulls eye plastered on my back!" Tim declared angrily as he got up and stormed out of the squad room.
"Well, that answers that." Tony said seriously and turned back to his computer feeling totally frustrated at having put his foot in it once again.
"Answers what, DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked as he entered the squad room.
"What's got Probie so pissed about this target on his back?"
"Yeah? Care to share your discovery with the rest of us?" the boss asked.
"He's pissed because he can't keep dating Abby while this dirt bag's got him in his sights."
"Already figured that was part of it, DiNozzo." Gibbs answered before he went back to his work, signaling the end of the conversation.
Tucked away in his sanctuary once again, Tim sat and thought about all the small events that had happened over the weekend – The guy barreling into him, the feeling Abby had of being watched, Abby's hinky phone calls, the guy at the coffee shop, Jethro………All of it, every single occurrence seemed linked, all of a sudden there were fine threads that intertwined the different harrowing events that had led to here. They can't all be linked, no way, there's no way that they are possibly linked, are they?
Sitting down on one of the steps, Tim's mind tried to fit all the different pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle that seemed to have the wrong shaped pieces, they just didn't fit, there was no one he could think of who harbored hatred towards him like this. He let his thought's overwhelm him and the anger flared in him dangerously leaving him feeling like he'd gone totally blind with rage. Hitting out, he punched the wall with the side of his right hand and only calmed down when the pain it caused bought him back to his senses. He gazed at the spot on his hand and sighed heavily, there was no way he could do this alone and he needed help, but from where? Who could he turn to? He could feel angry tears starting to sting his eyes, damn it! I am not going to start blubbing now! Tears of anger or not, the day will not consume me! Whilst he wasin the midst of his meltdown, his phone rang and without looking at the caller id, he hit the speaker button while clearing his throat in an attempt to drive away the hoarseness caused by his sudden breakdown.
"McGee." He said sharply into his phone.
"Tell me where you are, Tim" Gibbs unusual concern broke his control and he couldn't help the stream of words that came out of his mouth that betrayed his position.
Stairwell, one floor up." He said with an irritated tone he wouldn't usually use with his boss. Tim wasn't sure if his voice managed to stay steady and normal, but he seriously doubted it. Ending the call, he set his phone down and folded his arms on top of his knees in order to put his head down on his arms, he must have looked like the poster boy for sheer, abject misery and rage right about now, but he was past caring and waited for the person that he knew was coming.
Silently, Gibbs made his way down to Ducky. He'd overheard the exchange between his agents a few minutes ago and revelation had come as no surprise to him. The surprise had been the tone of voice that Tim had used. There had been the expected anger, but there had been something else too. Something he just couldn't quite put his finger on.
"Jethro, is something wrong?" Ducky asked in concern, he had changed into his scrubs and appeared to be taking inventory given the distinct lack of visors at Hotel Ducky right now.
"Nothing new, Duck. McGee's disappeared again. At least this time I know where he is. What do you think is goin' on with him?"
"Jethro, I'm afraid this is most likely much more of a personal issue for the young man that even you or I can fully appreciate. Another setback, if you will, into being free of the dreadful incidents that have plagued him over the years. You simply need to recall our conversations with him on the subject to fully realize where his head might be at the moment."
"He told Tony he couldn't date Abby while this was unsolved."
"Of course he did. And he will adamantly refuse to be seen in public with her until this is solved. Timothy is a sensitive soul and will not do anything to risk Abigail's safety. That is quite possibly something else that is bothering him and this incident has darkened that precise part of who he is in other people's eyes; It's entirely possible of course, that this is what this perpetrator wishes." Ducky's words managed to confirm exactly what Gibbs thought and he nodded his understanding.
"Thanks, Duck." Gibbs said as he headed out towards Tim's hideout. It didn't take long for Gibbs to reach Tim's hideout and he silently approached his still agitated agent. Oh yeah, Duck was right in the fact that, for Tim to be this upset, it was something else, something intensely personal.
"Hey." Gibbs said in a quiet tone, not wanting to scare his agent.
Tim's body was tense and shook as he sat there trying to calm his emotions down, he didn't often see red, but when he did he usually blew spectacularly. The feeling abated slightly and when he looked up and saw Gibbs was standing in front him, gazing down with a concerned look on his face. Breathing in through his nose and out of his mouth a few times, he looked away from that piercing gaze and felt the sheer embarrassment at being caught in this condition flush through his face knowing damn well he'd be beet red as well as an angry wreck. Tim refused to look Gibbs in the eyes and fixed his unfocused eyes on Gibbs' shirt.
"Talk to me." The boss said without giving any ill-regard to Tim's inability to look him in the eye. It was a rare enough occurrence and given the extenuating circumstances, Gibbs could forgive him just this once. Rather than feel the anger that he would usually feel over a situation where one of his agents wouldn't look him in the eye, he felt his concern deepen.
"I can't." Tim said harshly.
"Why not?" Gibbs asked.
"I need to get back to work. I shouldn't have disappeared again. I'm sorry, Boss. It won't happen again." Tim stood from his seat on the stairs but was met with resistance as Gibbs hand reached out and tugged him back down.
"McGee! Sit back down and talk to me, damn it!" Gibbs demanded.
"I can't Boss." Tim insisted as tried to get up from the step again. He swiped his hand through his hair, and tried to walk past his boss.
"Why can't you talk to me about what's got you so upset?" the boss asked quietly with a hint of hurt in his voice, he wanted his agents to be able to come to him and right now he was starting to feel like a complete failure in that department.
"Because I have to follow orders. I've already screwed up enough as it is." Tim said. "I'm probably already looking at a write-up."
"This is me you're talking to, remember? If I was gonna write you up; you'd have known about it already. What the hell are you talking about?"
"You told me to keep it out of the office. Guess I can't even do that right!" Tim said miserably as he managed to make his escape past Gibbs. He felt his gut clench as he strode away from his boss to force himself to go back to work. He just hoped everyone would have the decency to leave him in peace for the rest of the day.
Once again, I've screwed it all up……….