Tim settles in behind his new desk and promptly fires up his new work station. As he waits for it to boot up, he can't help but think back over the last little bit of conversation he's just had with Director Vance as they'd walked from the older man's office, oddly enough, just a couple of stone throws from the MCRT squad room.

"I'm curious as to why you would be so quick to include Ms. Scuito in the requirements for what will make this the best possible training, McGee. I would have thought she would be the last person you'd want to work closely with right now."

With a wry, tiny smile, Tim huffs out a laugh. "Believe me, Director; this has nothing to do with me 'wanting' to work with her. You're asking for the best training we can give and her expertise and knowledge happens to be a part of that."

"Because there were many cases you couldn't have solved without her help."

"Yes. And not just in the evidence itself. There are encryptions and logarithms and specs and her infinite fountain of knowledge; of databases for instance. There's just too much she can add to this training to not include her, Director, if you want this to be everything we're capable of offering them. In terms of the bigger picture, it will save the Agency in the long run, to have her skills passed on while we have this opportunity"

"Okay. I see where you're going with this and I applaud your ability to present this with such objectivity even though it's definitely not your preferred situation. Now, is working closely with her on this project going to be a problem for you?"

"Closely? Sir, with all due respect, we won't have to work closely at all to accomplish this. When there is an example where it will take both of us on the computers at once to run through something, well, that's why there's two – set as far apart in the room as possible, right?"

Vance chuckles. "Point taken. So, then all you need to get the ball rolling, is a time slot for her to conduct her instruction – which you can then schedule an allotment of your time with for your joint presentation. Is that correct?"

"That should take care of it. Actually, Director, I'm going to need the cases we solved using our computer knowledge as examples and road maps for where we went in our searches and why. And probably double the class time you're anticipating – if you want them to get the most of the opportunity."

"Sounds reasonable to me. I'll work out the agents schedules, you take care of the proper paperwork – include a list of those cases in your class outline."

"Yes, Sir. Not a problem."

"Good. Looking forward to seeing your Class Outline on my desk before lunch today, Agent McGee."

****End Flashback***

Stretching his fingers, Tim sets to work pulling up an old class syllabus from MIT and begins to model one for the present needs he's assigned to meet. It's not long before he's lost in the task of pulling titles and descriptions and compiling them into something that makes sense and sounds logical when upgrading computer training for an entire agency.

It's nearly ten before he's satisfied that he's made good progress and takes a break to go through his emails. Realizing he's been gone for 2 weeks doesn't prepare him for the back log of emails that currently sits in his inbox. "Whew! Who'd a thought, huh?" He mumbles to himself as he sorts them by sender and barrels his way through – mercilessly deleting junk and re-directing some that don't apply to him anymore. Surprisingly enough, it's not long before he's got them back under control and shifts his attention back to the task at hand.

When he's completely satisfied that he's covered the ground he can cover from his end and come up with a short list of where Abby's experience and knowledge will best augment the upgrade in overall skill advancement for the Agency in general, Tim sits back and takes a deep breath and slowly lets it out. Printing out a hard copy, he's pleasantly surprised that it reads like an interesting computer class and seems to cover just about everything he can think of. Now it's time to sift back through the cases and see if anything else they've done during the course of solving them should be added; make sure he hasn't missed anything.

*****NCIS*****

Here it is almost noon on Monday and for more than two weeks now, the lab has almost been like a tomb since she's been less than willing to hear her 'pick me up' music and the MCRT has been working cold cases with very few fresh leads. This is all McGee's fault! Abby fumes angrily. Even when that sister of his came screeching into the squad room about how her brother had to be hurt and helpless somewhere since he wouldn't answer his phone two weeks ago- AND the team dropped everything and ran to his rescue – he STILL hasn't said a single word to ANY of them! Since he's come back this morning, there's been no word of thanks or appreciation or ANYTHING from him!

What's even worse is that none of the others are talking to her either! What the hell has she done to deserve such treatment? Even Gibbs has shirked his duty to at least check up on her! Well, okay, so her silver-haired fox has called her every morning to make sure she was here, but that's it! Asking if she's okay is NOT the same as coming down to check on her in person and he should know that by now! What the hell is going on around here?

And what about Ducky? As long as they've worked together, they've never had this much silence between them! What, she pissed him off too, somehow? She just doesn't get it! The last case they worked took a LOT out of her and she knows they all know that so why aren't they coming down here to rally her spirits back up and keep the close knit bonds – well, close knit?

That brings her back to mind of her earlier thought: McGee helpless and needing help. Surely, Gibbs and the others realize that's why she left him standing on the sidewalk and jumped on the bus without him, right? Because he was helpless! He couldn't even understand what she was trying to explain to him for cryin' out loud! How the hell was he supposed to be any use to her on the case like that? Hell, for that matter, how could he have been any use to any of them on that case? She's not surprised they were all looking angry and tense when she finally came back to the squad room. Even now, she can't help but smirk at the memory of the apology McGee had been quick to stumble over as he tried to offer it, only to be shut down by Gibbs. Rightly so, too!

Then again, if the others understand all that, why haven't they been down here checking up on her while McGee was off licking his wounds? They should have been actively seeking her out and cementing their bonds of kinship; inviting her out to lunch with them? What the hell is going on around here?

Enough is enough, already! With a huff, she turns to head out of her lab; determined to go ask for answers that obviously aren't coming to her on their own. She's taken all of three steps to the door when her computer dings with the announcement that she's gotten an email. Returning to her computer, she opens the email and frowns. Summoned to Vance's office right now? What has she done wrong? Jeez, can this day get any better?

Come to think of it, it can be made better, IF she were offered the chance to have a go at McGee! How dare he come back here today and not yet to come see her! She's still waiting for that apology he owes her! Apparently, he thinks he's too good to own up to his mistakes now. He obviously needs to be set straight and taken down a peg (or two)!

Humph! This unexpected summons from the Director is not science; her comfort zone. This unknown is unsettling and she hates it. Locking her computer station up, Abby heads out, still frowning at the unknown waiting for her up in Vance's office.

*****NCIS*****

Offered the chance to keep more distance between himself and Abby, Tim chooses to stay while the Director informs Abby of the new assignment she's being given. There's an off chance that she'll have questions he'll need to answer and for that reason alone, he refuses to duck the situation. That doesn't stop him from hoping things remain civil between them but he knows he can't guarantee her behavior; never could. Latching on to the major difference in the scheme of things between them now; Tim mentally smiles at the realization that he won't be suffering through anymore unjust punishments on behalf of her behavior. From here on out, she's not his responsibility outside the computer training class time they'll be working together.

He's still actively rolling his shoulders to release the last of the tension that remains there as she's admitted to the inner office by a smiling Pam. Once the door closes behind her, Abby remains frozen in place, her eyes growing wide with the realization that Tim's already here. He can still read her well enough to see the flash of fury that quickly slides away as a mask of innocent inquisitiveness takes its place just in time for her to meet the Director's eyes. Frowning, Tim turns his attention back to the Director and notes with a sinking feeling that the man has not missed any of what just silently took place between them.

Glancing back at Tim, the older man swallows and then beckons Abby to one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Ms. Scuito. Please sit."

As Abby finally moves, Tim moves over to the second chair, graciously leaving Abby the closest one to her. Without acknowledging him, she sits down and begins to announce her enthusiasm for whatever unknown awaits her. "Director, whatever it is you nee…"

Holding his hand up, Vance waits for her spiel to grind down into silence before he speaks. "Miss Scuito. I'm assigning you the task of assisting Agent McGee in his new position."

"Wha…?" Abby is so dumbfounded she can't even complete the question.

"For the next six weeks, the two of you will implement the best advanced computer training class you can possibly offer the Agents in this Agency."

"Wow. That's quite an ambitious idea." Abby marvels aloud.

"Idea? I take it you don't believe it's achievable, Ms. Scuito?"

"No, Sir. I do, it's just, well, we do still have cases to solve, right? And McGee, here is still a Field Agent, right? So, when will we have time to do this and I'm not exactly sure what my input needs to be since McGee, here is the brainiac degree holder in computers. My specialty is science."

"Are telling me that you aren't up to the task, Ms. Scuito?" Vance's tone has turned to ice and his eyes are booking no argument or sideshow.

"No! Absolutely no. I' am NOT saying that I'm not up to it, Sir." Abby sits up straighter and lets all other thoughts fall away from her concentration. Obviously the man is dead serious about this and while it's not what she expected, she can certainly use it to her advantage.

"Good. Well, at least that's settled. Next question. Do you have anything substantial to add to advanced computer training that will aide this agency in solving cases more efficiently and quickly, nor not?"

This time his eyes are boring holes into her soul and she's wondering if the man's taken lessons from Gibbs. With all the sincerity she has within her, she gives him the answer he's looking for. "Yes, Sir. I mean, I'd have to look at what you're already thinking of offering to know for certain, but I believe so."

Handing her a copy of what Tim's put together, Vance waits silently as she looks it over. To his credit, Tim has said nothing and moves not even an inch. Standing statuesque, even his breathing is barely noticeable, the Director mentally marvels that the young man has learned more from Gibbs than he's even realized.

Looking over the plans for the class, Abby has to admit she's impressed. Then again, McGee's standing here, so he had to have something to do with this. Instantly, her opinion on the matter drops back down into that of being barely impressed. For all his countless times of bragging about his degrees, she shouldn't be surprised something like this would eventually show up. It's a good thing that the Director sees the need to add Abby's branch of computer knowledge to this training though. Lord knows, McGee would never think to include her knowledge – probably fought the idea tooth and nail!

With that thought in mind, Abby mentally smirks as she lowers the paper and hands it back to the Director. "I think I can add to this in several ways, Director."

"Good. I want a written outline – topic – case study to back it up – and at least 2 time slots a day on this six week calendar. One for you alone and one jointly with Agent McGee."

With a silent nod at the younger man, Tim takes his leave, leaving only Abby with the Director. Turning his attention back to her, he continues on. "I'll get you a backup tech in the lab for those time spots. They'll eventually be your second down there, so train them well, Ms. Scuito."

"Yes, Sir." Abby beams at the thought of being able to lead the way on this idea. This will be great! Wait, eventually her second? In the lab? As in no longer working solo? Holy Crap! No! That can't happen! She works alone for a reason, remember?

"There a problem?"

"Uhm, well. Yes, Sir. You see, I work alone for a reason. And I…"

"I'm well aware of that. I'm also well aware that there have been too many times while working solo, you became backlogged, over-tired and over-stressed. All of which, this will prevent in the future. It should also take care of your penchant for using your free time to do non-agency things with agency equipment. Consider it a safeguard to get you back on the straight and narrow. You're the best at what you do in the lab, Ms. Scuito and I'd like to do all I can to help it stay that way, even if that means shortening your leash."

Abby feels her world closing in on her. This isn't comfortable or even acceptable. She's a loner in the lab because she's in control. It has to stay that way! "But, Sir…"

"It's not open for discussion. I am not my predecessor who gave in to your whims on this; nor am I Gibbs, who gives in to your whims on most situations that arise on this job. Let me make one thing perfectly clear, Ms. Scuito. While you will get final say in whom-ever is chosen for the position, you will not bully them or pull out all the stops to chase them away. Contrary to popular belief, none of us are irreplaceable. Some of us, however, come pretty damned close to it. While you happen to fall into that category, I will not allow that fact to dictate the freedom to which you have been accustomed to on this job, any longer. Rules are rules, Ms. Scuito and you're expected to adhere to them the same as the rest of us. On and off the yard!"

Realizing that her comeuppance for her actions during the last case is finally being handed to her, Abby has nothing to say in return. This is tame compared to what the consequences could have been and she's smart enough to know this. It's also obvious that she's finally in the midst of consequences with no sign of her white knight coming to her rescue. Who is she kidding- getting a lab assistant is NOT tame! It's hell! Somehow, she manages the expected polite. "Yes, Sir."

Vance doesn't miss the plethora of emotions that filter through his Lab Rat's eyes even though her mouth remains aypically silent. It's her almost imperceptible 'Yes, Sir' that proves it. This is the worst punishment she could have been handed and the most necessary one. Needing to move on with the day and get her focused back on task, he verbally bulldozes on. "Good. I want that class plan on my desk within the hour."

"Yes, Sir." Abby quietly offers as she gets to her feet and heads back to her desk.

*****NCIS****

Done with his task for the morning, Tim takes himself to lunch. Leaving the note on his desk as such as well as leaving it on his desk phone's voice mail message, he heads out of the building. Enjoying the fresh air and open space of walking to the coffee shop around the corner, he's lost in his thoughts of the future as he bumps into someone. Almost immediately he politely offers an apology before it even registers on his brain who it is he's run into. "Sorry. I'm so sorry."

"McGee."

The unexpected almost congenial tone throws Tim for a loop and it's all he can do to think straight. Swallowing hard around the sudden lump in his throat, he stomps on his emotions as he stumbles through the most polite response he can come up with. "Hi…Boss."

*****NCIS*****

Coming back to the squad room, a short hour after he'd left out, Gibbs is unaware he's looking like he's just lost his prized Australian Shepherd. When he'd left out for lunch, the unreadable expression on his face had almost resembled reluctant resignation for all the changes that have come about in the last two weeks.

Now, he can't help but replay over in his mind, the short and not so sweet conversation he's just had with his former agent. It had been unexpected literally running into the younger man; not to mention, more unproductive than he'd hoped. Although, there was genuine hope for a more fruitful conversation later – off the yard; the time until that happens, remains in limbo and it's not a comfortable feeling that's sitting in his gut because of it. Settling back behind his desk, the words he and McGee exchanged come back to him vividly as if to taunt him about the failure it amounted to.

"You're lookin' better than the last time I saw you, McGee."

"Thanks. Thank you for checking on me, for Sarah. I appreciate the help."

"Nuthin' I wouldn't a done for anyone on my team, McGee."

A frown followed by a heartbeat of tense silence. Then: "See you around, Gibbs."

Shocked, he has nothing to say as the younger man walks away. Suddenly, he has to finish this better than it's being left. "Hey! McGee!"

Another heartbeat of silence as the distance between them is eaten up with the younger man's return to conversational space. "Somethin' else on your mind, Gibbs?"

"We need to talk."

"Maybe we do." McGee's quiet agreement isn't long in coming, even if it does sound as if he's not sure about it.

"But?"

"Not here. And not now."

Surprise fills him at that response, yet his own reply is almost instant; knee-jerk, so to speak. "My door's always been open, McGee. Still is."

A shake of the head and a verbal disagreement. "No. Needs to be someplace neutral."

Again, he's surprised yet manages to hold onto the mission. "Call me when you're ready."

"I can do that."

Yet another uncomfortable silence scurries in to settle between them until he breaks it with force.

"Take care, McGee."

"You, too. …Gibbs."

"Boss? You alright?"

Tony's voice penetrates Gibbs' recollection, drawing him back to the here and now."Go on, go to lunch. Both of you be back here in 45."

"Thanks, Boss." Tony leads the way in expressing their gratitude for the extra fifteen minutes they've just been granted for lunch. It's been a slow morning and he and Ziva are both antsy to get out of the office for a while. But both of them are just as unsettled about the continued chaos surrounding Tim's departure from the team. While Tony can't wait to get the probie's spot filled, Ziva is anxious to talk to Tim; to clear the air and to let him know he's not alone.

When the others have gone, Gibbs gets up and heads down to talk to his friend. Since Ducky is the only one who's talked to Tim at all since this whole situation snowballed into this mess, he's the only candidate for discussing the need to proceed with caution, through this minefield. Even if the M.E. hadn't talked to McGee lately, he'd still be the one Gibbs turned to about it – or anything else for that matter.

Finding the Autopsy suite empty is almost calming as he hoists himself up on an empty table to sit contemplatively in wait. Sure enough, just a few minutes later, the older man enters his work space from the supply closet beyond the door that doesn't hiss.

"Ah, Jethro. What a surprise to find you sitting in wait for me when we have no open case at the moment. I presume something weighs on your mind?"

"Where's Palmer?"

"Gone for lunch. He'll be gone for the better half of two hours today, as he has a class first thing this afternoon."

"Good."

Ducky walks over to the table Gibbs is sitting on and stops beside his friend so they can converse quietly. "From the look on your face, my friend, I'd say this has something to do with something not case related?"

"McGee." Gibbs gets right to the point as he glances at his friend.

"Ah. I take it the two of you have found a way to run into each other?"

"Huh." Gibbs snickers. "Literally."

"Ah, I see. And how did that go?"

Gibbs looks at him in that 'how do you think it went' tone that always has the older man softly smiling with understanding.

"You obviously need to talk about it or you wouldn't be down here gracing one of my tables."

"He's so- different now, Duck."

"How so?"

"Cold? Stiff?"

"Meaning he isn't ready to let bygones be bygones this time."

Gibbs glares at the M.E. for a moment before looking away. "No, it's more than that, Doc."

"You believe it to be more. However, unless you've actually taken the time to hear him out…"

"Ducky, he wouldn't talk to me!"

"Oh. Jethro. You do recall that in that regard, Timothy has never been openly talkative about anything personal; a trait, I might remind you, that you very much have in common with him. The fact that the two of you have never had a conversation that was not case related does not help in this matter, either, I'm afraid."

"Yeah, I know. But this…this was different."

"What exactly did he say, my friend?"

"It didn't even sound like him, he said 'Not here and not now.'"

"Perhaps, Timothy is more prepared than you are giving him credit for; he simply requires the right time and place to be given the opportunity." The kindly M.E. suggests.

Gibbs shakes his head. "Nope. Reminded him that my doors' always been open to him and that it still is. He turned me down."

"Oh, honestly, Jethro! Did you seriously expect anything less of him? Of course he turned it down. The fact that he asked to be removed from your team suggests that he is no longer comfortable in anything less than neutral territory when it comes to your team. If you wish to reach out to him and attempt to right this wrong – then you need to respect that and agree to meet him somewhere of his choosing."

Satisfied now that he's handled the situation with Tim the right way, Gibbs slides down off the table and heads to the door. "Already did, Duck. Already did."

*****NCIS*****

Done with her first assignment of this new computer class idea, Abby trudges back up to the director's office. Ushered inside, she's surprised to find herself alone with him as she hands him the paperwork.

Silently, he peruses it for several long minutes. Just as she's about to restlessly begin squirming in her shoes, he sets it down on his desk and looks at her from across the desk. "I'm impressed."

"Thank you. I think. It really wasn't hard. Cake walk, actually."

"No, Ms. Scuito, I was referring to the way your class plan lines up with the ideas for it that had already been suggested. Almost perfectly."

"Oh. Well, that's good, right?" Abby guesses hesitantly. She's not sure where he would have gotten any such suggestions from but she's glad they match that closely because she can't imagine any other course of study, based on the cases she's pulled that required intense computer input.

"That's very good. Just one more thing, Ms. Scuito."

"Director?"

"Your dress code."

"What about it?" She asks on the defensive side.

"Beginning tomorrow, I expect you to adhere to it."

"I don't understand."

"I'm referring to the 'skirt length' requirement, as well as the 'proper shirt' segment."

"So, in other words, I have to wear button down shirts and knee length skirts." Abby all but mutters in barely concealed disdain.

"If that's the way you choose to interpret those code instructions, then by all means, you may do so. The fact remains that the dress code simply calls for sleeves that fall one inch longer than the shoulders and skirts that fall just below the knee. No more t-shirts – unless they are plain and without anything on them that might be offensive to others. We have dignitaries and guests in and out of here at any given time. Our dress code needs to be respectful of that at all time, Ms. Scuito."

Abby swallows hard. She knows they're just small adjustments to make but she also knows she's gotten away with dressing however she's felt like it for so many years now, she's not sure she can adapt. The t-shirt regulation will be the one to hit her the hardest. Damn it, this is just not fair!

"If you'd like to make it simple, I can require you to wear suit for the classroom instruction you'll be giving."

Abby shakes her head. "No, Sir. If …. I promise, I'll be more modest with my wardrobe from now on."

"Good. Because once this class gets video-taped, it will be used Agency wide – for years to come."

"Videotaped?"

"Yes. That's why we'll only be holding the class itself for two trial runs – to make sure we get everything ironed out and fit in just right."

"I see."

"That will be all, Ms. Scuito. Class begins 0800 Monday morning. You have until then to get your lab in ship-shape. I'll give you a list of candidates to choose from for you assistant later in the week and you'll have two days to work together before you start leaving that person in charge while you instruct."

Still trying to absorb the changes going on around her, Abby is silent as she makes her way to the door.

"One more thing, Ms. Scuito." Vance calls out to her.

"Sir?" She turns back to look at him.

"I expect you to give this your all."

"Of course, I will, Director." Abby replies almost automatically. Why is he pushing this? Does he really think she'll mess around with this?

"Don't give me reason to regret taking Agent McGee's advice to add you to this Advanced Computer Training he's Lead Instructor on."