NCIS Squad Room.
"I'm not sure this is a good idea Tony."
"Why? You were quite keen when I brought it up last week."
"Quite keen?"
"O.K. O.K. A bit keen." McGee just stares at him. "This is a great opportunity for you."
Over at her desk Ziva is trying to work out what her colleagues are talking about.
"I know Tony. There's a lot of reasons it's a good idea but I feel..."
"Come on McDoubtful. Man up. Besides you can't get cold feet now after all the effort I've expended on your behalf to make this happen." He glares jokingly at McGee.
Ah thinks Ziva to herself. This is getting interesting. Tony doing Tim a good turn. What on earth was going on?
"All the effort you've put into this?"
"Well I did have to make a few phone calls." DiNozzo grins. McGee just stares at him.
"And some of them were long. Face it McGee you need all the help you can get in this area."
"Yes, thank you Tony. It's just that there's so may things to consider."
''Hmmm. You're right there and none of us will be happy if you mess up again. I know. Let's go to lunch and I'll give you some tips. Some advice based on all my experience in this area."
McGee rolls his eyes but Tony is digging in his desk drawer and doesn't see. "O.K. then." They stand up from their desks and cross the bullpen. "Want to join us Ziva?'
"No, thanks. I really need to finish this report for Gibbs."
The guys leave and Ziva continues her report daydreaming from time to time whilst trying to figure out what they were talking about. "Ah ha!" She looks around to see if anyone has heard her but fortunately her colleagues are still at lunch. She'd remembered some scuttlebutt (and she gives herself a mental pat on the back for knowing the expression) about a TAD in some remote and possibly rather cold location. Although it would mean leaving the Navy Yard a temporary assigned duty elsewhere would be good for an agent to learn new skills and show their ability. It sounded like McGee had applied for it and Tony had helped him. I wonder what I can do to show my support she thinks as Tony and Tim arrive back.
NCIS Squad Room. A Few Days Later.
"Here you go McGee. " Ziva hands him a package.
"What's this?"
"Just a small gift to wish you luck."
"Huh?"
"Just open it." He does as Tony looks over with undisguised curiosity as to why Ziva would be giving McGee a gift. Tim takes out a packet of woolly socks and a pair of slippers. "Thanks Ziva but what are you giving me these for?"
"To congratulate you on your new posting and to keep your feet warm while you're there."
"My new posting? Ziva what are you talking about?"
"Yeah, Ziva. What's going on? Is this wishful thinking? You want to be alone on the team with me? I'm sure the probie is not going anywhere."
"But I heard you talking the other day. I thought you had helped him to get that TAD. Somewhere cold." Ziva is frowning in puzzlement. The guys laugh.
"It was a nice thought Ziva but I'm not going anywhere. DiNozzo was giving me advice on...that is help with..." McGee starts to stutter and turn red.
"What!"
"I've set him up on a date."
"Oh."
"Yes. You know he needs all the help he can get in that area."
"I do not."
"Do too."
"You're all going to be needing help if you don't get back to work right now!" A gruff voice barks from behind Tony.
"On it Boss" his team reply scurrying to look busy at their desks. As Gibbs passes Tim's he remarks "Nice slippers McGee."