Part 5
(17 weeks…Monday after sonogram)
Tony watched uneasily as the younger agent clicked quickly through the last of the pictures and hurried up the next room as he entered. That's the third time that's happened today. Now I know something is up.
"Hey Ziva, Have you noticed anything strange about McGee today?" he questioned lifting a hair with his tweezers and bagging it.
"Now that you mention it he does seem suspiciously perky for a Monday morning." Ziva shot a narrow eyed glance at the younger agent.
"No not that, he already explained he had a great weekend with a girl." Tony dismissed her suspicion. "No I mean the way he is keeping quiet about this girl. Usually he likes to talk about his conquests."
"Maybe he just wishes for a bit of privacy?"
"I don't think so… He is actively avoiding me."
"No he is not Tony. Now you are just being paranoid." Ziva measured the height of the chair for her sketch.
"I'm not, watch this…" Tony finished bagging a tissue and moved into the room Tim was taking pictures of.
Ziva listened to the sound of the camera shutter pick up clicking rapidly before McGee slipped out of the room walking at a pace just a hair quicker than his usual pace. He glanced around the room, spotted her and continued moving towards the kitchen. She looked up as Tony stuck his head back in and raised his eyebrows.
"Okay so he is avoiding us. This behavior is not like McGee."
"So what do we do about this?" Tony looked after his teammate as Ziva gave a shrug.
"I do not know Tony."
XXXxxx
(19 weeks)
"Do you think it's a guy?" Tony mused aloud. He and Ziva were alone in the bullpen.
"The thief? We already determined-" Ziva looked up from her work.
"No, no. Probie's mystery. Do you think he's dating a guy and that's why he isn't talking? Because I know I give him a hard time about being gay, but he knows I'm not serious right. I'd be okay with it if he were. I didn't mean anything by…" Tony shifted uncertainly looking guilty and uncertain.
"No I do not think so. He clearly said it was a girl and he was not lying." Ziva cut him off firmly. "Have you asked him about it again?"
"I started to but he blew me off again. I don't know if I want to push on this one. He looks so…worried when I bring it up. He wants to tell, but doesn't. I have never seen him being so evasive."
"I agree. It is usually very easy to get information out of McGee and he has not dropped his guts yet."
"Spilled his guts."
"Spilled, dropped neither saying makes any sense. The point is he is not saying anything, but he also is not lying to us. Maybe we should wait this time."
"I don't know Ziva. Maybe you're right, but what if he's in some kind of trouble?"
"I do not think he is. McGee has been acting unusually happy, not nervous or scared. Whatever is going on is good for him."
"Yeah, maybe." Tony tossed a paper ball into the trashcan and turned back to his work.
XXXxxx
(6 months- after Tim buys a car, around the time he starts his midnight craving runs)
Ziva frowned as she looked around the parking lot. It was almost midnight on a Tuesday and the parking lot was mostly deserted. Something is missing. She could see her car and Tony's as well as cars that must belong to the night staff and cleaning crew maybe fifteen vehicles. Gibbs is gone already… Where is McGee's car? She slid into her car and drove it quickly through the mostly empty parking spaces. Still not seeing the Porsche she made a note to herself to ask about it. It is not like McGee to park elsewhere, he must be having car troubles. Why did he not say something? She debated waiting and offering her friend a ride, but without knowing when he would finish his report she decided to just go.
XXXxxx
Gibbs frowned as McGee drifted off behind his computer. His agent had been slow all day showing signs of exhaustion. He knew from experience that McGee could pull five long days or three all nighters before showing this kind of wear and tear. Considering we have been working through cold cases for the last three days, with normal office hours, there is no reason for this kind of exhaustion. His frown got darker. At least not work related. Gibbs hadn't forgotten the bruise from four months ago that had never been explained. He'd also noted that McGee seemed to be on edge around his team the way he had been when he first joined. Like he doesn't know where he fits in. What brought out his insecurities? He was really coming into his own.
"Hey boss" Tony interrupted his musings. "I think I've got something with the Baker case. Did anyone follow up on the interview the neighbor? Mrs. Flow reported that there was a fire escape in the attic, one of those detachable ladders that are pulled inside. There are no notes eliminating that as the entrance or exit of the attackers."
Gibbs pulled his copy of the case looking over the lead. "Good work DiNozzo. Very sloppy work, whose team missed that… ah. Take Ziva and check it out."
Gibbs watched McGee rub his face and clear his desk of files, pulling up the Baker case and putting the highlights on the plasma. He was still moving too slow.
"McGee."
"Boss?"
"Are you doing okay?" he kept his voice level, nonthreatening.
"I'm fine boss." McGee looked surprised at the question and then slightly guilty when he lifted an eyebrow. "I'm a bit sleepy. I have been getting calls at three in the morning." McGee admitted sheepishly.
"Well tell them to take you off their list. You are worn out. Get some sleep tonight. If this lead pans out we may have a busy day tomorrow. I need you at your best." Gibbs felt slightly irritated that it was such a ridiculous reason but something in his agents face stopped him from snapping. "Are you sure that's all?"
McGee blinked at him in surprise and actually hesitated for a moment before answering. "Yes Boss. Just late night calls. I'll get more sleep."
Seriously concerned about his agent Gibbs bit off more questions. Now was not the time to startle his agent away. With the way he's been acting I half expect him to bolt out of here.
XXXxxx
Abby frowned at her friend, sometime boyfriend and coworker. "What do you mean you can't make it? You didn't even try to wiggle your schedule. This is Habitat for Humanity, Timmy."
"I know that Abbs, but this Saturday is no good. I have other things to do."
"Well cancel them! You owe me Tim. You haven't been bowling with the girls in months and you didn't go with me to my last concert either, even after I bought tickets." She moved forward intimidatingly.
"I'm sorry, but no. I have things to do. And I don't owe you Abby I never said I'd go to that concert, you never asked."
"Things more important than helping people? Timmy how could you!" She deliberately ignored the other half of his answer.
"Look Abs, I have a doctor's appointment. I am not canceling that to go do service work, no matter how worthy the cause." Tim sounded angry.
"Doctor?" Abby froze taking in the dark circles under his eyes and remembering the exhaustion of the past weeks. "You're sick. Of course you're sick. Oh my gohd Timmy, is it serious?"
"Calm down Abby. It's just a check up."
"But Timmy!"
"Look Abs, I have to get back to work. I can't go with you to Habitat this weekend, so stop asking."
"Tim-" Abby watched as Tim shook her off and walked away. Tim never blows me off. I didn't know he knew how. This must be serious! Oh Timmy.
XXXxxx
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A/n: Hope you enjoyed! Please review...