Somehow getting home in one piece, despite not being able to hold back the melancholy, Tim takes the time to go for a walk around the neighborhood in order to pull himself together. He doesn't want to give Michelle the slightest reason to feel badly about this new change. She's going through her own adjustment to the idea and having to break away from her friends at work as well as her life here in D.C. The last thing he wants for her is to have a moment's doubt on his account.

Twenty minutes later and Tim is calm and back in control of his emotions enough that he's ready to go home. Once there, he finds Michelle packing up the non-essential things like knick knacks and photos in their living room. She's been steadily working at that part of boxing up their lives ever since she and Tim finished talking about her promotion. Citing the need to get busy because the weeks would be passing them by before they knew it and there's so much to do, she'd become a whirlwind in motion that he dared not get in the way of.

He knew then, just as he knows now, that she's working her way through the turmoil in her own way and he respects her for it all the more. There'll be plenty of time for them to talk through their feelings, once they're both ready to do so. But for now, he's willing to leave her be. Still, he can't help but smile when he sees her, even when she's not looking his way.

Seeing his soft smile as he walks in the apartment, she stops and walks over to him. "How'd it go?"

"Smooth. At least a lot more smoothly than I'd thought it would. Guess he's never forgotten that this day might come at some point, any more than we have." Tim answers quietly.

Taking his tone for what it is, the sorrow still working its way through his emotional balancing act, Michelle is quick to want to be there for him. "Oh, Honey. Since we've talked about this so much for the past year, I'm not going to ask you if you're sure this is what you want. What I am going to do is keep telling you what an awesome husband you are. "

Tim chuckles softly at that. "What can I say; I'm in love with my wife."

"Tell me, kind Sir, what doth thou see in this woman to make such sacrifices for her?" Michelle asks; only half teasing. She really does want to know what he's thinking now that the job situation has taken the one turn, they'd dreaded most.

Reaching out his arms, Tim pulls her to him. "Everything." He whispers seductively just before swooping down to drink from her kiss.

****NCIS****

Heading in to work the next day, Tim can't help but feel like his feet are encased in concrete. This is going to be the hardest part but it's got to be done. Michelle's career is just as important to her as his has been to him all the time he's been single. He's not about to let his own come before hers now. She's worked too damned hard for this promotion.

He's shocked to find the boss waiting for him and even more surprised when he ushers him up the stairs to the Director's Office. Tim would have never guessed that Gibbs would want to be there when he told Vance. Recognizing the wave of relief for what it is when it hits him, Tim can only offer a quiet "Thanks, Boss" as they reach the outer office door.

***NCIS*****

"I don't suppose this is your idea of a joke." Vance remarks with more hope than humor, once he's been filled in on the new developments with Tim and his wife.

"No, Sir." Tim's too nervous to appreciate the humor.

"What are your plans for your own career, Agent McGee? Transferring to the branch closest to the University?" The Director wants to know.

"I'm not sure I'll get in, Sir. From what I've been able to research since we found out about Michelle's promotion, the closest thing is the Office of Naval Intelligence in Milwaukee. It'll mean an 80 mile commute each way to work every day."

"Got something against moving somewhere in the middle?" Gibbs reminds him dryly.

Tim quietly scoffs at his own lack of thinking that far yet. "No. We'll definitely start looking there, Boss."

Gibbs can't help but wish he could do more to help the young couple as they uproot themselves and move across country. In a rare moment of reflection, he remembers his conversation with Michelle on her wedding day.

**Flashback***

"I can't marry Tim"

"I'm listenin'"

"I've been pushing for a promotion on my job for over a year now – since before I met Tim. If I get it, when it becomes available, it will probably mean leaving D.C. – for Montana. I can't let Tim have to make that move – give up the job he loves."

"So you've made the decision for him already."

"I know it seems that way. But I love him enough to let him go so he doesn't have to give up his job for me."

"There a reason you've decided not to let Tim make that choice for himself?"

"You're right. I'm just worried that…"

"That he'll choose what's best for the both of you – together?"

Michelle nods. "Even if that means letting his job on your team go – no matter how much he loves it."

"Hey. Don't you dare use this as an excuse. Whatever happens – is not here yet. Today is all we've got. Make the most of it. He loves you; wants to spend the rest of his life with you. That should tell you all you need to know."

"You're right."

"I know."

***End Flashback***

Realizing that both Vance and McGee are watching him curiously, Gibbs moves to head out. "He'll get the paperwork done today, Leon. We're running through cold cases anyway."

"Good." Vance returns quietly. "Agent McGee. Your wife's gain is this agency's loss. You will be missed. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help keep your career on track."

"Thank you, Sir." Tim offers meekly as he accepts Vance's hand in a firm handshake.

"Three weeks." Vance mutters half to himself as Gibbs and Tim head out.

"Whew." Tim can't help but feel relieved that he's managed to get through at least one part of the difficult conversations he'll be having today.

"Not gonna turn this into an all-day thing, McGee." Gibbs warns. "Tell the others to meet me in Ducky's suite in 15." Gibbs heads out for coffee as he watches Tim nod and head back to the squad room.

*****NCIS*****

"What's this about, McSecret?" Tony wants to know. "Something tells me it has to do with you and you know the full scoop."

"Have to wait for Gibbs, Tony." Tim reminds him for the tenth time in as many minutes as all of them except Tim settle in on the tables in Autopsy. He's too restless to sit still, too wound up as if preparing for a battle he hopes won't happen.

Finally, after twenty more minutes go by, Gibbs enters Autopsy with Ducky and Jimmy in tow. Surprisingly enough, it's the sight of Michelle walking in behind him that finally stalls Tim's pacing. "Hey, Honey! What are you doing here?"

"I called Gibbs and asked him if I could be here with you for this." Michelle tells him quietly. "It's only fitting that we do this together, since we're doing it together."

Tim smiles softly at her. "Thank you." Swooping in for a kiss, he keeps it brief and straightens back up, taking her hand in his as they turn to face the others. "Guess you figured out something big's going on, so I think I'll just come out and tell yo…."

"Honey, let me." Michelle interrupts as she steps up and looks at him with encouragement and determination.

Nodding, he steps back just enough to be there for her without being in her way, their hands finding each other and knitting together tightly for support. Telling their friends that they're moving away isn't going to be pleasant but hopefully, they'll understand and not hate them for it. Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, Michelle takes the plunge.

"I've told all of you at one point or another over the last year that the big-wigs at my job were difficult pains in the rear and that my chances of getting a promotion were next to nil. Tim and I have always known that that slim chance was still out there and if I ever got the promotion, it might mean relocating for the job. To make a long story short, I was offered that promotion on Friday."

"Hey, that's great, Michelle!" Tony's the first to get to his feet and approach her, even as the others share in her good news.

Waiting for the hubbub to die down, Michelle can't seem to smile just yet.

"There is more you need to tell us, yes?" Ziva questions quietly as the noise level dies off.

"We will have to relocate." Michelle admits. "Just as we'd feared might happen."

"Okay, people do it all the time for their jobs, Sweetie. It can't be that bad." Tony encourages her to cheer up.

"Where?" Abby asks with a shakiness in her tone that says she's keyed in to the probability of the answer she's going to hear being something she's not going to like.

It's as if that one little word has zapped the room with a tranquilizer when everyone goes still waiting for Michelle to answer the question.

"Madison, Wisconsin."

****NCIS****

Uproar doesn't begin to describe the tears, shock and denial amidst the sadness that fills the air at Michelle's announcement and it's a long time before peace is restored; brought back to them by Gibbs' piercing whistle.

"It's a done deal?" Abby asks tearfully.

"Yeah, Abbs. It's Michelle's dream shot and we have to take it."

"I know." The Lab Rat sniffles as she runs to Michelle and wraps her in an Abby hug. "I'm gonna miss you SOOO much! Both of you!"

"Believe me, the feeling's mutual." Michelle is quick to offer sadly. "You guys have been so incredible and I really am going to miss you terribly. I know this is harder on Tim and I'm sure you guys have lots to talk about so I'm gonna go and leave you to it. Hopefully we'll see a lot of each other before we leave in three weeks."

Before Tim can offer to walk his wife out of the building, Abby and Ziva have whisked her away, leaving just the men in Autopsy – and an incredibly heavy silence.

****NCIS****

Through the next few weeks, Tony works his way around to being able to accept his little brother moving away; of losing him off the team; of his being the first to go. Spending every free moment they have together, be it a night of fun mixed with packing or a night of relaxation – mixed with packing, the team leaves no free minute unused. Tiredly, on most nights neither Tim nor Michelle seem to mind the lack of private time before they shoo their company home for the night.

Ultimately, the NCIS family rebounds as they help the couple pack up to move. Sadness remains even as they try to refocus on Michelle's good fortune, letting her know above all else that they do wish her well and they're not angry with her for taking Tim away from them. They know it's simply time marching on – even if it is to a beat of a different drum for one of the Team Gibbs' members.

Before they know it, the weeks have flown by; filled with more things to get done than there's time to do it all. Packing Michelle up for the move – keeping just to her essentials, while only packing Tim for a weekend stay, still takes a lot of work in the midst of house hunting and maintain their work schedules. Somehow they get it all accomplished – although, for the time being, they'll be renting an apartment.

Tim's thankful that he was able to sign the lease on his good credit history – securing them a place to call home when they get there. He's equally thankful that Vance has agreed to let him use most of his saved Leave to shuttle back and forth between the couple's homes until the move is complete since Tim is unwilling to leave Michelle alone over a long stretch in a new place. His plan to drive her to Wisconsin and make several trips back and forth is set as firmly in his mind as this new direction in their lives.

****NCIS***

The day of departure dawns bright and clear, with the team gathered around the packed car. It had been an incredibly early start to the day but neither Tim nor Michelle felt like staying in bed with so many last minute things to worry about. Michelle had smiled when the first knock came at only 0600, knowing the morning would be full of them. Finally, she threw open the door and left it open; a welcoming that couldn't be misunderstood.

All too soon, breakfast is over and the time has come to actually drive away. Abby's tears are flowing, Ducky's eyes are suspiciously shining and even Ziva is blinking furiously. Tony seems to have swallowed a series of frogs he can't quite swallow around and Gibbs is even more quiet than usual. It takes all Tim's inner reserves not to let them see how sad he is to say goodbye. Only Michelle's happiness and brighter future on her job is keeping him moving forward at this point.

"Do take care, both of you. We shall always be here for you. Do stay in touch." Ducky offers as the young couple nods at him in agreement to all he's requesting.

When the hugs and farewell wishes have all been given, a moment of uncertainty seems to settle among them. Finally, unable to stand it any longer, Gibbs steps forward, speaking quietly to the young man he'd come to think so highly of.. "Don't look back, Son. Not with regret."

Tim glances at him briefly as he nods in understanding.

"My door will always be open to you both. Phone number won't change either."

Tim nods and gets into the driver's seat.

Michelle hugs him. "Thank you, Gibbs. For everything."

"Take care of each other." He orders as he returns Michelle's hug and steps back.

With one last look at each of them in turn, Michelle bids them all a fond farewell with her love, gets in the car and doesn't look back.

With their hearts in their throats, Team Gibbs watches one of their own leave the nest as they hope and pray it won't be the last they see of him. After all, he is family and always will be.