A/N: Ah! We finally learn Tim's new lady's name - and here's a clue:
- This one's for you Shelbylou - for all you've been for me and done with me - this is my "Thank You"
In all the years he's refused to lock his door, never has he expected this late night visit and he can't help but feel a twinge of concern intermixed with the interest as to the guiding force that has brought this particular team member of his to his basement at nearly 2 AM.
" Hi. " The trepidation and quietness speaks clearly of just how aware Tim is that he's stepping out of his 'box' and at a very imposing time.
"McGee." Gibbs keeps his tone even, equally aware that the young man wouldn't be here now if whatever is on his mind wasn't extremely important.
"Sorry it's so late, Boss, but I had to see if you were still up and well, I saw your light on and…"
"What's on your mind, Tim?" Gibbs question, while cutting into Tim's nervous apology, has not even a trace of impatience or irritation in it.
"I want to ask you… well, I've been seeing this girl and…"
"You think you're ready to marry her."
Tim blinks at the boss' perception that negates the need for the words to have been posed in a question. "Yeah, actually, I do."
"Whattaya need me for, McGee? I can't choose your women for you." The Team Leader growls. "Damned sure don't need me to do it at 2 in the mornin'."
Tim smiles in appreciation for Gibbs' jest.
"No. Boss, I just wanted to ask if you'd please be there – to meet her, that is – when I ask the others for dinner so they can meet her too, I know going out with us when we get together like that isn't usually your thing, but…"
"Why's it so important to you that I meet her, Tim?"
"Because I trust your judgment." Tim's quick answer speaks loudly to just how much thought he has given this.
He can see the scrutinizing depth Gibbs is looking at him with; one that years ago would have had Tim squirming in his shoes. Tonight, though, it's comforting to see that the man cares enough to be looking to see the bigger picture underneath the words Tim has spoken.
Soon, the silence that had dropped down between them, is broken with a short , quiet answer. "Okay."
Tim's smile lights up the room. "Thanks, Boss."
*****NCIS*****
"So, when are we meeting the new Mrs. McSecret?" Tony teases unmercifully and for the umpteenth time since the team arrived together at the nearest local diner after work the next night.
Un-phased by Tony's deliberate attempts to trip him up, Tim smiles and quietly reminds him that he's already told them the woman he wants them all to meet will be joining them in thirty minutes. He knows it could have been worse; the team's reaction to his reason he wanted to treat them all to dinner tonight. With no advance warning so they couldn't rag on him about it, they are all being exceptionally nice about it. He really does appreciate this but at the same time, he can't help but feel nervous about the team's reaction.
"Is this your way of making sure you have time to tell us why you've never said a single word to any of us about her, McGee? I mean, you and I used to talk about everything and about this girl, not a single word!" Abby finally spoke after having remained shockingly silent all day since being asked by Tim to join them here tonight.
"I'm not going to apologise for keeping my private life private this time." Tim answers with something they weren't expecting, judging by the looks on their faces. "I needed the time to let things develop; or not. I'm hoping that, as my friends, you can understand that."
"Completely understandable, Timothy." Ducky agreeably answered. "I applaud your sense of self-preservation, dear boy, as well as your abiding by your own need for caution and privacy. I do hope she is worthy of you, although, if you have chosen to pursue her, that tells me that she is definitely that."
"Thanks, Ducky. But c'mon, worthy of me? I think we're both deserving of a true kinship in a relationship if that's what you mean. I honestly think you'll like her."
"I congratulate you. I'm sure I will like her very well since it appears that you have become wise to realizing what's important in a relationship. That is, in fact, the spirit of what I was meaning.."
Tim smiles. "Thank you. And thank you, all of you for being agreeing to meet her tonight."
"You should be thankful, Probie. I mean, you even got the boss to come!"
"DiNozzo!" Gibbs growls.
"C'mon, Boss, you know I'm right! You never come out with us after work." Tony defends his remark.
"You're missin' the point of this, DiNozzo." Gibbs remarks as he glances at Tim before letting his eyes glance next at Abby and then back to Tony.. His quick agreement earlier in the evening to join them tonight had gone over with a brief suspension of time as the others caught up with the surprise. Since they'd arrived at the diner and taken the two large tables in the back of the room and joined them together, he'd remained his usual quiet self.
"Wait a minute!" Turning to look at Tim as he puts the clues together, Tony indignantly lets loose what he's thinking. "You asked the boss to come before you asked us?"
"Tony. Do you want to hear about her and how we met or not? Because if I don't get the chance to tell you before she gets here, I'm not going to let her be subjected to your version of 20 Questions to feed your curiosity." Tim's boldness firmly calms the situation is a silencing moment.
Finally, Tony blinks away the surprise. "Yeah. Okay. Spill McGee. I mean, jeez, you haven't even told us her name yet or how long you've been dating!"
"Well, that's the easy part." Tim quips. "Her name is Michelle and we've been dating for six months."
*****NCIS*****
Twenty- five informative and intriguing minutes later, Tim stands to his feet as he finally lets his voice die out from his long spiel. He's told them all they need to know about his girlfriend and their history so they don't have to ask her for the details or anything they already now know. He's already seen her arrive and glance around the room, although just briefly since she's known they'd be sitting at a big table arrangement.
She's well aware of who they are and exactly who they are to Tim. He's shared a lot about them with her, both the good and the bad since he's never wanted to white-wash anything, preferring honesty to half-truths or secrets. Michelle knows tonight's going to be tough; but she also trusts Tim. He's promised her that no matter what the team thinks – he'll stand by her and continue to build on what they have together – so long as honesty is front runner in their relationship at all times.
Her biggest concern as she offers Tim a smile from across the room and heads over to him, is Tony. No, wait, she's more worried about Abby. She can't decide because they both have the power to destroy Tim's opinion of her. Or do they?
Mentally shaking her head, she reminds herself that they don't have that power unless Tim gives it to them and he's already promised not to give that up. Tim's made it abundantly clear that his own main concern is Gibbs. She smiles as she remembers Tim's words on the subject.
"Honey, it's not you I'm worried about where Gibbs is concerned! It's my getting serious about someone enough to start thinking of permanent. The man doesn't do permanent – not with his team's personal lives, I mean. I think he feels like we're safer doing our jobs without that. I mean, he's never frowned at our having a relationship with someone, at least, not that I ever noticed. But. Still, I get the feeling, that…"
Reaching Tim and taking his outstretched hands, Michelle lets her memory grind to a halt. "Hey."
"Hi. Honey. Thanks for agreeing to do this." Tim murmurs in her ear as he turns her to the group. "Everyone, this is Michelle. Sweetheart, this is everyone."
Michelle smiles and glances at each one of them in turn. "Thank you so much for doing this for Tim. I know he's been really nervous about it and truthfully, so have I. But he's talked so much about all of you and shown me the photos of you that you've taken over the years so I feel like I know you all at least a little bit. I know, that puts you all at a disadvantage and I apologize. But, I hope we can build on things from here – get to know each other better?"
The first one to end the stilted silence is Gibbs as he gets to his feet and offers his hand out for a shake. "Happy to meet you."
"Thank you, Agent Gibbs." Michelle smiles softly as she looks him in the eye. She sees he's sincere, his gaze steady and deep. Her tone says she wants to say more, but she holds herself back even as she lets go of his hand and turns next to Ducky. "Dr. Mallard?"
Rising to his own feet, Ducky likewise, offers her a hand to shake and smiles warmly at her. "Likewise, my dear. I am most pleased to meet you. You've certainly brought happiness to our Timothy's life, of that there is no doubt. Thank you for that."
She's quick to smile slightly in embarrassment but accepting the compliment all the same. "Thank you. Believe me, it's mutual."
With the ice broken, it's mere moments before the rest of the team has introduced themselves properly with Jimmy apologizing profusely for having to leave to go study for his exams, almost immediately. With his express wish that they do this more often so they can get to know her, the Assistant Medical Examiner says his good night and disappears into the crowd to make his way out.
Tim's smile hasn't faltered since the moment she's walked into the room and as he holds out her chair for her, she returns that smile with her own, "Thank you, Honey."
Kissing her on the cheek, he sits down next to her and pushes his own glass of iced tea to her, knowing she doesn't mind sharing. "Here, you might need this for the Inquisition."
Laughing quietly, Michelle accepts the glass from him, their fingers touching, lingeringly staying in contact as their eyes meet; the matching gleams of happiness brighter than anything else around them except their smiles. Tim removes his fingers and returns his hand to the table, letting Michelle settle into her seat and drink her tea.
As she sets her drink down, she glances over at Tony. "I imagine, you have the most objections, Tony. Or at least the most questions." Turning her gaze, she looks next at Abby. "Or, does that description belong to Abby?" Michelle asks calmly before returning her gaze back to Tony. "Whomever has the questions, please feel free."
"My dear, why don't you just tell us about yourself. We are truly interested in learning more about you." Ducky offers sincerely.
Michelle nods. "Thank you." Taking a deep breath, she slowly lets it out, glancing at each member of Tim's team briefly. "But, first, I'd like to just put something out there so there's no misunderstanding or misconceptions hanging over us. I'm well aware that I am not Tim's first girl-friend. But, I love him. I know you've heard women telling him that before and I know that in some cases, it's been a love like puppies; doing little more than leading him on; leaving him high, dry and lonely and in others, it's almost gotten him killed."
While Tim looks acutely uncomfortable as Michelle has all of their attention with her words , Abby squirms in her seat. She mentally screams out the unfairness of Tim telling this woman about that time Abby had told him she loved him like puppies. Already, she doesn't like this woman. She just hopes things don't get worse from here.
"I promise all of you, Tim most of all, that I am not like either of those extremes. And I look forward to getting to know each of you, since you're all very important to Tim. I don't plan on going anywhere. What we have, is real."
Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, Michelle takes a drink from her tea as she offers Tim a soft apologetic smile. He hadn't known what she was going to say but she'd promised not to dwell on anything past; to focus on the here and now while pushing towards hope for the future. She can do that.
Setting her glass down, she smiles over at Ziva before returning her eyes to Tony. His reputation for being much more inquisitive than the others has given her the feeling that he's the one she needs to reach the most. "Now, let me tell you what I think you're wanting to know…."