A/N: I apologise for the delay in updating. Writing as I go now - and I've been fighting a tough cold for over a week now.
Right...onward, we go!
"... I get that pulling all that crap was so much fun for you because no one...ever said anything to you about crossing the line or - except me and I was your target and just your probie so,…."
Tim's words echo in the Team Leader's head, even as the older man watches his former agent walk away, heading for his meeting with the Director. What was it the brilliant young man had just told the Senior Field Agent?
"Look. I know that you don't get why things needed to change – everything needed to be stopped cold.
Tim is right and the Team Leader knows it. But why hasn't Gibbs gotten it sooner; before it was too late? Why has such an observant guy, such as himself, missed what's been going on with his agent, at the hands of his own team and even himself? Why is it these things never sink in or even hit home until it's too late?
"You breaking up my team again, Leon?"
"No, Gibbs. This is your doing."
Blinking, he clears his thoughts of that painful reminder. What was it he and Ducky asked his team not too long ago? "Any of you figure it out yet? How to take responsibility for your own part in this disaster."
Sadly, he has to admit, at least to himself, that while his own head's been trying to wrap itself around trying to figure out how to fix things with Tim; he's failed to do more than admit to himself that he had a huge part to play in this resulting mess the team's dynamics are now in. Obviously, he's missed a key step – actually admitting that to Tim. Doing so will probably not do any good, but then again, nothing's a given when it comes to people's reactions; even those who are notably extremely forgiving by nature, like Tim.
It certainly won't help to continue the status quo of 'not' talking, with someone who's long ago learned to internalize everything, like Tim - and himself. Gibbs has to wonder if that part of McGee's character is because no one in his life gave him the opportunity to voice anything remotely helpful or if it's just this team's effect on him. Regardless, rather than just sit back and let him go completely like he's expecting, the Team Leader had long ago decided that Tim will always be one of his kids, will always fall under his protection, and will always be welcome in his home. So, then why has he long failed to treat him as such with equal footing? And why the determination to do so now?
Too little, too late. Frowning as that expression takes up residence in his thoughts, Gibbs huffs out a small breath. Yeah, I may very well be too little, too late. But, short of trying like hell to make up for the shortages and the shortcomings and the screw-ups, there's no…
"Oh, hey, Boss. Didn't see you there." Tony's subdued tone interrupts the older man's thoughts. "Not sure how long you've been standin' there but…"
Gibbs says nothing, choosing to let his silent scrutiny of his Senior Field Agent speak for itself. There were a hell of a lot better ways to handle Tim's return to NCIS than the way DiNozzo has just done. He's probably screwed up any chance any of them have to even begin to try to set things right with the young man. That's something that sets Gibbs' ire smoldering. He's sure his Senior Field Agent can sense at least that much. Sure enough, it's not long before Tony's squirming – and nearly babbling.
"Look, I know I shouldn't have done it – pulled him aside like that, but I had to know… right?
Again, Gibbs refrains from saying anything or even moving a muscle. He's too pissed to even issue his trademark head slap that knows Tony is ripe for. Hell, the guy lives for them! Him not getting one now will say more than anything the Team Leader might say to him, especially when that expected response is replaced by this silence.
With a hearty sigh of frustration, Tony proves Gibbs' right as the younger man saunters past the obviously less than happy Team Leader. "Yeah. Got it. Back to work." Tony mutters half under his breath.
Deliberately giving himself a minute to cool off, Gibbs heads off in the other direction, suddenly needing some air. A fresh cup of coffee won't hurt either.
****NCIS****
"Welcome back, Agent McGee." Vance offers calmly as he reaches out to shake Tim's hand. "Glad you didn't forget to come home."
With a wry smile, Tim leaves the jest to stand alone as he accepts the handshake with a quiet "Thank you, Sir." There was a time when this place did feel like home and maybe, just maybe there will come a time when it feels like that again. But right now? It doesn't even come close. But a professional promise is even more of a character reference than any other kind of promise and Tim's never reneged on any promise – on purpose- before. He's not about to start doing so now.
"You ready to dive in?"
"Yes, Sir." Tim almost frowns at the less than solid sounding tone in his voice.
"Nervous?" Vance almost grins since he's expected nothing less and thinks no less of the agent before him for it.
"Yes." The answer from the young man is honest and firm.
"Good. You'll do just fine, then." The Director reassures him as he gestures for him to take a seat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Here's what I've put in place."
****NCIS****
Tony frowns. It doesn't take a genius to see that the boss is pissed. He knows he screwed up just now but his reflexes had just taken over and the need to hear Tim's take on where things stood between them had been eating away at him for two weeks now. He couldn't take any more of a wait when the man himself had finally arrived.
Waiting to pounce on him as he returns to his desk, Ziva voices her anger. "Tony! What did you just do? I saw that McGee was not happy when he went upstairs and you were not sounding very happy to see him when he first arrived!"
"Leave it alone, Da'vid." Tony orders without bite.
"No. I will not leave it alone, DiNozzo." Now she's in front of his desk, her arms supporting her weight as she slams her hands down on the furniture. "What. Did. You. Do?"
"Nuthin' alright?" Tony defensively gets to his feet, staring her down. "Jeez, you act like askin' the guy why he never called any of us while he was gone, is a crime!"
"Why would he have called us, Tony? McGee took time off from work to get away from us. All of us!"
"Big baby." Tony mutters as he plops back down in his chair and turns his attention back to his work.
Realizing that biting retort is directed at Tim and not herself, Ziva remains silent for a moment, waiting to see what Tony will say next. Several silent moments later and seething with anger at Tony's attitude towards Tim, Ziva returns to her own desk and forces herself to turn her attention to the cold case file she'd been reading through when Tim had arrived. How dare Tony take that attitude about all that Tim has been through! Has he really just shrugged off their culpability in Tim's leaving the team, as pointed out by Vance, Gibbs AND Ducky?
For all of two minutes she attempts to read what's in front of her. Knowing when she's fighting a losing battle, she glares at the long silent Senior Field Agent across the way. It's clear he's done discussing this and isn't even bothered in the least by any of it. Huffing out an impatient breath, she locks her computer and gets to her feet. She cannot concentrate. She needs answers of a different kind. There's only one person who can help her find those.
****NCIS****
Settling into his own chair, Vance watches as the agent in front of him thinks that over for a minute. He knows a question is coming and it's not long before he hears it.
"Sir?" Now Tim's confused and isn't ashamed to admit it.
"Agent McGee, in your new position, you are being given the responsibility of taking this Agency's Agents above and beyond any computer training they may or may not have had. With your degrees and what you've learned on the job during the course of your tenure here, applying that knowledge and experience toward training your fellow agents will be invaluable in– as inexpensively as possible, upgrading their computer knowledge. This will provide much more effective investigative teams and save them all valuable man-hours when it comes time to dig for information, solve the case and even when putting the report together."
Tim is flabbergasted. It's right up his alley, that's for certain. And it's NOT in cybercrimes! Granted he wouldn't mind helping them out again IF they ever needed it, but it offset the reputation of Team Gibbs too badly the last time he was sent down there. He doesn't want them affected like that again, even if they did treat him like crap repeatedly and progressively worse and worse until he no longer felt safe on their team.
Mentally headshaking himself, Tim internally frowns. He needs to let that go, damn it! Especially here in the Director's office, for cryin' out loud! Wait, the Director can't possibly expect to get the best updated computer training going with just his knowledge and experience. He never got the job done by himself; okay he didn't get it done by himself very often. To really offer the best training, he's gonna need Abby's input, too, since her skill sets in some area top his by a wide margin. Well, crap!
Watching with more than a touch of concern, as Agent McGee's eyes seem to be filtering a plethora of emotions, Vance decides he needs to move this along. They'll deal with whatever has come to the young man's attention about this later on.
"You'll have an office to call your own; a small one, mind you, but with adequate space and whatever furniture, shelving you'll need for the job. I believe you'll be able to handle this with one computer in your office?"
His attention snapped back to the present, Tim is still quick to respond; fully in tune with the question he's just been asked. "Yes, Sir. But, where will these classes be held? That's where there will need to be at least 2 set up."
"Actually, the classroom that's been designated for this has two– for you - and six; one for each student. To minimize the time spent away from their teams, each class will only have 6 students at a time. You'll have them for 2 four hour classes, for one day. Each day will be a different set of employees. One full week; more if needed."
"Sounds like a great plan." Tim admits, his tone inflecting some of the earlier concern he felt on the subject.
"I sense some doubt."
"If you want them trained as well as they can be, part of what they need to learn – will have to come from Abby. Some of her skills are much more advanced than mine." The no nonsense tone he's speaking in manages to at least partially mask his concern about this necessary part of the plan. There's been plenty of times, we wouldn't have solved the case without her skills on the computer."
While he's not entirely surprised by this, Vance is watchful of just how open to this integration, the young man really is. They'll have to be closely monitored, at least for a while, if they were to work together. Maybe, just maybe, it would work. "I see. Why don't you devise an acceptable approach to getting this 'training' accomplished within that weeks' time frame. Write up a comprehensive course description – complete with what they'll be learning and by whom. Have it on my desk by noon today."
"Yes, Sir. There's just one problem with that."
"Oh? What problem would that be?"
"Not knowing when Abby can be available on a regular basis to set up such a schedule."
"Right. You let me handle that. You just map out the rest of the details. We'll get it done."
"Yes, Sir."
"Something else on your mind, Agent McGee?"
"Yes, Sir."
"I'm listening."
"What happens when the agency's roster has been gone through and there's no one left to send to this class?"
"We'll take what we know – how long it takes, how effective it is – and apply it to the rest of the agency in its other locations – hope you don't mind hopping around the country to start with; the globe later on."
"So, I'll be traveling for months at a time, then."
"Unless you have a better idea how to accomplish this mission, Agent McGee."
"Video, Sir."
"As in video conferencing other posts into your classroom or creating a video to send out?"
"Either way. Sir, you won't be able to lend Abby out that way, so videotaping it or video conferencing the others in – will better accomplish your ultimate goal. It will save the agency in travel expenses, especially with the global teams."
"Ah. That's brilliant, McGee. Brilliant."
"Thank you, Sir. Sir, if I may suggest...?"
"Absolutely."
"I think videotaping it would work best. It won't require anyone to drop whatever case they happen to be in the middle of to attend a conference and it can be used when they have their own available time. There is, however, the question of what you'll need me for, once it's been done." Tim huffs out a small laugh.
"Believe me, Agent McGee. There will plenty for you to sink your teeth into. In all honesty, it may very well turn out to be a somewhat bouncy ride for you for a while – going from one task to another – but it will all be in your favor, as well as aiding the Agency in making things better. I imagine that you'll be hounded by questions from each new set of students, at least until all of those have been covered at least once."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Good. Alright, let me show you to your new office." Vance replies with booming encouragement as he leads the way out of his office.
****NCIS*****
Finding Ducky alone in Autopsy, Ziva allows herself to relax just a bit as she politely asks if he has time to enjoy a cup of tea with her.
"Why certainly, my dear. For you? Anytime." The M.E. replies with a twinkle in his eye. "Come, let's go into my office and get the teapot started, shall we? Then, while it is brewing you can perhaps tell me what it is that has brought you here to my humble abode at this early hour of the day, hmm?"
"One cannot fool you, I suppose, Ducky." Ziva remarks guardedly.
"Nonsense, my dear. I know you well enough by now, to realize when something is bothering you."
"Well, I must admit that you are quite correct. I only wish it were not quite so true; at least this time."
"Go on." Ducky invites as he points her to the small couch in his office while he adjourns to the chair closest to it.
"I am still struggling with how to fix things with McGee. Mainly because I do not believe I am aware of all that I have done to bring things to where they are with us. And instead of attempting to fix things with McGee, Tony is making things worse!"
"What happened?"
"McGee came back today. Tony immediately cornered him and demanded to know why he failed to contact any of us while he was on vacation. When McGee headed upstairs to the Director's Office, it was very clear that he was upset."
"Oh dear." Ducky commiserated.
"Yes, exactly! Now, I do not know exactly what was said or what McGee's response was, but I do know that neither he nor Gibbs looked very happy when Tim walked away a short time later."
"Well, Ziva, if you do not know what was said, then how do you know what Anthony wanted to know from Timothy?"
"Because he admitted that much to me when he returned to his desk a short time later, Ducky. Whatever was said had to be serious as I did not see Gibbs' mouth move to speak to either of them and he immediately left out for more coffee. I still have not seen him."
"Seen who, Ziva?" Gibbs asks from the doorway.
"You, Gibbs." She's quick to answer, despite her heat's increased rhythm and steady pounding in her ears at his unexpected appearance.
"Why are you down here?" The usual no nonsense tone almost brought a flinch from Ziva.
"Now, Jethro, do take a moment and allow her to speak won't you? " Ducky attempts to keep the peace.
"What's on your mind, Ziva?"
"Did we or did we not just loose our chance to begin to make things right with McGee?"
"Ziva, my dear, I do believe you are forgetting something very important here. It makes no difference how Anthony handled things with Timothy – not in relation to your own personal friendship with the young man. That, my dear, is entirely up to you."
"And McGee." Gibbs reminds the M.E. Turning his attention back to his agent he offers her an opinion that is deceptively calm. "Ducky's right. Tony's mess shouldn't have any bearing on whatever it is you need to do to patch things up with McGee, Ziva. Also shouldn't be affecting your ability to do your job."
Ziva gets to her feet and nods. "You are right. Both of you. I apologize, Gibbs. I will return to work now. Ducky, thank you for taking the time to listen. Perhaps we shall have that tea some other time."
"Any time, Ziva." Ducky offers as the young woman heads out. Not at all happy with the Team Leader's brusqueness, he turns to let him have it, only to find himself alone in the room, the hissing of his closing autopsy doors – at both ends of the room, telling the tale of their synchronized departures.