"Hey, guys." The timid greeting from the back gate had Tim turning sharply towards the voice. He was in shock and standing there in complete silence.
"Abby." Greeted Gibbs quietly as he glanced at the young man.
Tim wasn't ready for this. What's more he hadn't been expecting it. Why would they just spring this on him? His heart stopped in his throat as he remained frozen in place; his eyes locked on Gibbs' as the older man made no secret of his obvious gauging of Tim's reaction without showing any signs of being the slightest bit surprised at Abby's arrival.
Feeling like he'd just been baited and trapped, Tim silently glowered as his mind processed the scene in front of him. Had the Boss really just done this to him? Why would Gibbs set him up like this after everything he'd let the man in on about everything he'd gone through with Abby? Please, tell me this isn't happening!
A wave of anger rose up from deep inside him towards man he'd trusted with most of his deepest, darkest pain about this woman. Quickly, it curled around every nerve in his body. It grated and soon wound its' way through him to the point he was almost choking on it. But the deep rooted politeness that had been instilled into him won out as he forced himself to shove that wave back down enough that he could glance at Abby and at least acknowledge her presence.
"Abby." Tim half greeted in a painfully quiet tone that barely reached her from across the yard. Without another word, he turned and started to head back into the house without a backwards glance.
Tony scowled at his boss. Was this the plan? Force Probie into a confrontation with Abby? What kind a hair-brained scheme was that?
Gibbs glared at Tony's silent reaction that had censure written all over it. He gestured for the Senior Field Agent to look after Abby before he, himself quickly moved to head off Tim's retreat. Stepping into his younger agent's path, the Team Leader prepared himself for the justified anger he'd seen flash in the young man's eyes.
"McGee." Gibbs quietly brought Tim up short and acknowledged the younger man's fury with a look of understanding.
"Were you gonna tell me?" Tim asked him with anger and the sense that he'd been seriously let down, in his voice. Surprisingly, he found that he could look his boss in the eye as he gave him back the very same question he'd been asked earlier.
"Yeah, McGee. I was." The older man explained with a note of apology in his voice. "She's early."
Tim nodded silently in acceptance of the man's now obvious intentions to have waited until the last minute. Sure they had been misguided, but Gibbs' heart had obviously been in the right place and his plan almost typical. If anything, it was a shame that had gone awry. Looking away from him, Tim's eyes hit the ground as he tried to rein in what he was feeling.
"I want my team back, McGee." Gibbs told him with a deep, resolute honestly mixed into that tone that that none of them ever argued with
Tim looked back up at him and sighed. "Yes, Sir."
Gibbs understood the kids' reservations and with a slight frown, he tried to infuse his agent with just enough compassion to get him over this moment. He deliberately let the formal address slide knowing full well Tim only said it to him when he was under pressure from the authoritative gun.
"Gotta move on, Tim."
Tim nodded in agreement but still had something to ask, now that the layer of compassion had been added with the uncommon use of his first name. Glancing respectfully at the Boss, he finally spoke his mind. "I need a minute."
Having quietly made his request, the young man headed into the house; Gibbs let him go, grateful for the chance to attempt to rationalize everything that had just been said. Unexepectedly, he was yanked back to the here and now, pulled out of his thoughts by Abby's voice behind him.
"See, Gibbs! I told you he wouldn't forgive me!"
It was obvious she'd waited until the younger man had escaped out of earshot and it sparked his ire. Unrestrained, his anger escaped from his lips. "You're early!" Gibbs snapped at her. "If you'd done what I told you to do and been here at 1:30, he would have known you were comin' and he wouldn't have been blindsided!"
"Oh." Abby managed to get out as she struggled to swallow the crow she'd just been handed.
"This your idea of fixing things with him, Abby?" Gibbs asked as he tried to rein in his frustration and anger at the way things were happening.
"No, Gibbs. I'm sorry. I didn't know you weren't gonna tell him till the last minute!" Abby defended herself.
"She has a point, Boss." Tony chimed in cautiously in case the boss' anger turned on him.
"Yeah, DiNozzo, I know. You're right, Abbs. I shoulda told him sooner but you still should have waited."
Silence reined in the air between the three people left out back in the wake of this unexpected turn of events.
***NCIS****
Tim walked into the house and found the kitchen a beehive of activity. Ducky, Pam and Ziva chatted comfortably as they prepared side dishes and fresh toppings for their burgers and hotdogs and Tim couldn't help but feel slightly better at the friendliness and camaraderie that was there. He beat a hasty, silent retreat so that he wasn't in the way or roped into doing anything and soon found himself relishing the serenity that the small, quiet living room brought.
The chatter soon hushed when the three people standing in the kitchen saw Tim slip away into the living room. Each and every one of them could see that he was upset but it was Pam who put down the dish towel down in the counter before going after him just after the door closed behind her boyfriend.
"Ducky, what could that be about?" Ziva asked with a confused tone.
"I'll wager Abigail has arrived early." The wise M.E. offered. "Timothy was most likely caught completely unprepared for her arrival. It's the only reason that I can come up with at the moment."
"Why would that bother McGee?" Ziva asked in genuine bewilderment. She knew that Tim wouldn't force himself to have a conversation he didn't want so why didn't he simply stay away from her?
"He most likely feels like he has been cornered into something he wasn't ready or willing to deal with, my dear. I'm certain things will work themselves out before the day is over. All we can do is be here to help, if and when it becomes necessary." Ducky directed as he led the way out back.
***NCIS****
"What do we do now?" Abby finally asked with worry.
"We fire up the grill and get this barbecue started." Said Ducky from the porch as he descended the stairs down into the yard. As Ziva helped him carry drinks to the table, Abby silently joined them while Tony and Gibbs, just as silently, headed to the grill to get it fired up and the charcoals burning.
"Think they'll work through this, Boss?" Tony asked quietly once they'd reached the safety of the cooking zone.
"Yup." Gibbs answered without a doubt as he filled the grill with charcoal brisquits.
"Wanna bet on which one plays nice first?" Tony joked as he held turned a few of the brisquits over until he was satisfied of thier placement.
"My money's on Pam." Gibbs quipped as he watched Tony's methods, an amused smirk on his face.
"What? Boss, you don't even know her! How can you…" Tony sputtered as Gibbs' smirk changed into a grin as he looked Tony in the eye and lit the charcoal.
***NCIS***
"Tim?" Pam questioned as she joined him on the loveseat in the living room.
"Abby's here." Tim answered the question she hadn't yet asked but undoubtedly was destined to ask next.
"You didn't know she was coming."
"I didn't know anyone else was coming." Tim explained with an air of frustration.
"I can see why you're upset because Ducky and Gibbs weren't upfront with you about the full scope of their plans for this cookout." She verbally reasoned out; it was strange, but she always seemed to know exactly what he was thinking.
"Yeah."
"Oh, Honey. I know it doesn't feel right that they handled it like this, but it's obvious that they're doing it for your benefit."
"Huh? How do you figure that, Pam?" Tim didn't mean to snap, but the questions held more than a little bit of bewilderment and disbelief. To his relief, Pam didn't flinch or get angry.
"Tim. They've just had a really tough week without you there. Think about it for a minute, Honey. You know him. Gibbs wants his team back together, honey. He wants to get it back to where it was before everything happened and that team includes Abby. He obviously wasn't willing to shove her down your throat at work without giving the two of you time to work through it away from the office, first. Considering this is Gibbs we're talking about, you should take this compassion while it's available and be thankful he's not just telling you to 'deal with it'." She reminded him with a warm smile.
"I know. I really do and you're right but what do I say to her, Baby? I don't even want to try to talk to her. I'm …" he stumbled over his admission as the right words evaded him.
Pam gave him the room to think through the obviously jumbled thoughts in his head. Tim only stumbled with what he had to say when he couldn't gather his thoughts enough to say the words. She knew he needed to finish thinking this through before he'd calm down.
Tim stood up and walked over to Ducky's big picture window that overlooked the backyard. It was strange, but he just needed to see an wide open space and needed the freedom that it would provide. He watched as Ziva and Ducky joined the others outside and was amazed by how they all just gravitated toward pitching in with full cooperation. It had Tim feeling slightly out of place.
Turning away from the window, to walk back over to Pam, he pulled her to her feet and wrapped her in a hug. "Thank you."
"You're so welcome, Sweetie. Just relax, okay?" Pam soothed as she hugged him back.
Silently, they stayed locked in that embrace that bolstered both of them with much needed support and love, enough to hopefully see them through what was most likely going to be a rough afternoon.
***NCIS***
"You couldn't just tell me this was a team cookout when you called me, Gibbs?" Vance asked grumpily when he arrived at the back gate with a flustered looking Jimmy right behind him.
As Vance was complaining, the younger man beat a hasty retreat into the space beside Ziva, where Jethro happened to be laying contentedly. Jimmy quickly sat himself down by the dog and busied himself lavishing the Alsatian with attention so he could ignore the sparks that flew around him.
"It's a little bit more than that, Director." Ducky answered before Gibbs could say anything. "I requested that Jethro invite you. I do hope you don't mind."
"It's not the invite that I mind, Doctor Mallard. It's the hidden agenda I'm sensing that I don't appreciate." Vance told him pointedly. Looking around, he was surprised to find Abby there and equally surprised to find Tim's dog but no sign of Tim. As his eyes completed their sweep of the yard, he caught sight of the fact that there were people inside Ducky's house, as could be seen through the large window.
"Director, would you care to help me bring out the steaks? I do believe the grill is ready for them." Ducky requested as he threw a glance at Gibbs, knowingly. "Hello, Mr. Palmer. Make yourself comfortable with the others, won't you?"
"Think I'll come with ya, Duck. I could use a refill on my coffee." The silver-haired Team Leader said with something surprisingly close to a grin.
As the three of them traipsed into the house, silence somehow had come to call on those who were retreating and those who stayed behind. Before anyone could say anything out in the yard, Abby was scurrying to catch up with the men heading into the house. She wanted to talk to Vance. It had thrown her that he'd shown up and now she wanted to test the waters to see if he was still pissed at her.
***NCIS***
Pam pulled out of the embrace and tenderly placed her hands on either side of Tim's face so she could gently kiss him chastely with all of her heart poured into it. Tim held her in the kiss and soaked up every ounce of what she was offering.
The happy couple were unaware of having an audience and missed the four people moving back to the kitchen; one with a warm smile, one with a grin and two in shock at what they had just witnessed. They had all walked in on Tim and Pam completely caught up in their moment of passion and blissfully unaware that they were not alone.
Abby didn't stop in the kitchen. She was too upset to be around anyone at the moment and inconspicuously as possible made her way to the front porch to be alone and to think. She'd had Tim without any other woman in his life seriously enough to even come close to take his heart like this, for so long now, seeing him with Pam like that was a hard pill to swallow.
Pam? Leon's Assistant? It was obvious they're incredibly close. How could Abby have missed the signs? How long had they been dating? Oh, no! What about the less than nice things Abby said to Pam about Tim the day she was told he was her escort to Mexico? Pam had been so objective, Abby had never suspected. Oh, man! Pam probably thought the worst of her now! And here, all this time, Abby thought she and Pam were friends!
And what about Timmy? Was this the reason he wouldn't come near her now? He barely even acknowledged her presence when she'd gotten here! This just wasn't like him at all!
"Abigail?" Ducky called to her from the front door, pulling her from her racing thoughts and emotions.
Wiping her eyes, she answered him. "Hi. Ducky."
"You seem quite upset at witnessing how close Timothy and Pamela have become, my dear. Might I ask why?" the M.E. asked gently as he crossed the porch and sat down beside her on the swing.
"It's all such a shock, Ducky. I mean McGee in a relationship that serious?" Abby spouted. "It's obvious they've been seeing each other for a while."
"Abigail, what is it about this that is such a shock? Is it that Timothy has risked his heart again and this time finally found someone who treasures him for the person he is, or that he has managed to keep his private life so private for so long?"
"I guess it's both, Ducky. And it's Pam! I thought she and I were friends all this time and I had no clue! Why wouldn't she tell me?"
"Abigail, it's clear your idea of being friends with someone is not quite the same as Pamela's. I, for one, am thrilled that our young Timothy has finally found someone to love him for who he is. Heavens knows, he's suffered badly enough on the road to love. Let's hope the two of them are right for each other and can have the lasting relationship they both deserve, hmm? I for one would love to see them get married and have that family they both want."
"Married?" Abby choked out as she felt the wind leave her lungs in a rush.
"Abigail, if you wish to have any chance of being Timothy's friend, you must learn to let go of him." Ducky advised as he patted her knee and got up to head back inside.
***NCIS***
After a few moments of tense silence, it was broken with a touch of anger from the harried Director
"That's quite some hidden agenda, Gibbs." Vance said irritably. "That why you asked me here; to let me see for myself that my assistant is romantically involved with your agent?"
"That was part of it, Director." Ducky, once again took the conversational bull by the horns. "My main objective for asking Jethro to invite you was so that you could help soothe those young people's fear that their jobs are not in jeopardy because they have discovered that they love each other."
"What are you talking about, Doctor Mallard?"
"Director, Pamela is petrified that you will force her to resign her position if she intends to continue seeing Timothy, which she does. She has no intentions of breaking his fragile heart in order to keep her position, therefore, she believes that she has reason to worry." The M.E. explained.
"Fragile?" Vance scoffed.
"McGee's been through hell with the few women he's dated, Leon." Gibbs added with complete seriousness. "You were there for the last one's real intentions."
"Oh, right. The one that tried to kill him." Vance replied with sympathetic recollection.
"Yes, Director. That is correct. I will admit I thought that if you saw Timothy and Pamela together without any outside influence, you would be able to see that they are good for each other and they have no trouble working at the Agency together. They have managed very well so far and it hasn't interfered with their jobs or professional relationship at all." Ducky turned and headed out onto his porch, having seen Abby retreat there silently. It was blatantly obvious that she needed a friendly shoulder to lean on at the moment and the kindly M.E. was just the person to provide it.
"Why would I have a problem with my assistant dating your agent, Gibbs?"
"Dunno, Leon. Why would you? Guess that's the question they need the answer to. In case you missed it, that's what today's for." Gibbs reminded him as he snagged his fresh cup of coffee and headed back out to the backyard.
***NCIS***
Tim and Pam stood talking to Tony and Ziva. Gibbs watched as Ziva snagged Tim's arm and gently encouraged him to walk with her as they talked. Pam and Tony seemed to be talking about something serious as they sat in chairs near the grill. Gibbs was curious to know about what, but also needed to check on the food because leaving Tony to man the grill alone with all the food being cooked on it wasn't necessarily a good idea. As he ambled over to check on the steaks, he could plainly hear the conversation already in progress
"…that's all I'm asking Tony. Don't tease him about any of what happened down there. He's too scarred by it and It's gonna take time for him to heal."
"He seems fine to me, Pam." Tony advised her. "Now that he's had the chance to actually talk things out with Gibbs."
"Tony, you know that we hide our deepest scars from those who think they know us best. It's one of the defense mechanisms that we have that protects us from being hurt." Pam advised him with an intense look.
"What are you saying? You saying he hasn't told me everything?"
"Should he have? Isn't he entitled to some privacy, especially when it comes to how things affect him on the inside?" she pushed seriously.
"But, he knows I have his back. I'm his big brother." Tony objected.
"Tony. Let it go. Let him handle this in his own way. He'll come to you if and when he wants to. Give him the space to breathe through it, all right? And don't forget, you and Gibbs were the ones who pounded it into his head that he had to be tough to make it on this team"
"But, I didn't mean… You'll tell me when…?"
"No. No, that's Tim's choice. I won't be telling tales out of school, Tony. I simply wanted to ask that you don't tease him about what happened down there."
"Yeah, Okay. He's okay, though, right?" Tony's question laid his concern on the table.
"He's getting there." Pam answered honestly.
"Think you can get him to patch things up with Abby?"
"Now that he realizes Gibbs' intentions here today weren't meant to be hurtful, yes. I do. Tim's forgiving nature is still there. It's just severely battered and bruised right now and needs a little help and time. We can't rush him"
"Well, I'm glad he has you. It's obvious you two are great for each other. Well, not that I know you very well, yet; but, it's obvious that Probie's happy."
"Tim's a great guy. I'm very lucky to have found him." Pam answered as she smiled at him and stood up in readiness to walk away. Suddenly, she stopped when she realized that Gibbs had been just behind them at the grill while they'd talked. Her nerves twisted in her stomach like a punch in the gut. How much had he heard?
"Got a minute?" he asked in quiet seriousness as she moved to step away from both of them.
"Sure." She answered with quiet nervousness.
"Tony, you got this now?" Gibbs asked as he pointed to the grill.
"Yeah, Boss, I got this. Relax, I'm not gonna burn anything." The younger man said as he got up and took his post back by the grill.
"Good. Better not or I'll sic both Abby and Ziva on your ass." Gibbs joked before he turned and walked with Pam over to the vacant table. He waited for her to sit down before settling in next to her so they could talk without being overheard.
"I need you to do something for me."
"Okay. If I can, Agent Gibbs."
***NCIS***
From his perch on the porch steps, Tim watched his boss talking to Pam as he lavished attention on the dog that had sat down in between his legs. He had no idea what was going on, but his girlfriend had gone from a deep and meaningful conversation with Tony and was now chatting freely to Gibbs. He knew that there was no malice in it and that no matter what, that wonderful woman would be trying to make things right. What had he done that had earned him this angel? It actually calmed his inner nerves to see her relate so well with his team and the fact that she had no qualms about talking to them one on one meant the world to Tim. It was his greatest wish at this moment and he wanted nothing more than for them to accept her into their 'family'. Considering he never wanted to let this woman go, this was an important step and he was so happy to see it just fall into place like this. He didn't know but he did know he loved her more than any woman he'd ever loved before, including Abby.
Abby. Yeah, he did need to talk to her and get this over with, but what the hell could he say? Tim felt uncomfortable with the idea of talking to her just one on one. For some reason, that idea sent a fission of unease down his spine. Watching the woman currently the subject of his thoughts suddenly return to the backyard, he felt a moment of sadness for the obvious signs that she'd been crying. He hadn't meant to hurt her. But, him living his life in his own way shouldn't hurt her like this to begin with.
As he sat there thinking, he noticed Pam and Gibbs parting company and his beautiful girlfriend immediately seeking Abby out. Not the least bit worried, Tim stayed where he was and wished he could eavesdrop, but wouldn't dare do such a thing. Palmer popped up from inside the house and seated himself beside Tim and the two of them were soon engrossed in teasing and playing with the dog.
***NCIS***
Pam walked up to Abby and gently placed her hand on her arm in a gesture of good will. "Abby? Can we talk?"
"Okay."
"It's obvious that you're really upset. If I have anything to do with that, I'm really sorry."
"I thought we were friends, Pam. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Abby, you and I get along great in the office. But, we've never done anything outside of work. Think about it, we've never even so much as called each other over the phone. I think you and I have completely different ideas of the meaning of 'friends'."
"Yeah. I guess so." Abby admitted guiltily. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. Abby, I need to be able to talk to you, woman to woman. Can I do that?"
"Of course, Pam. Anything you need to talk about, I'm here for you."
"Abby, I'm talking about where Tim's concerned." Pam corrected Abby's assumption.
"Oh. Okay. Well, what about him?"
"Abby, Tim needs you to let go of him." Pam told her gently.
"Why does everyone keep telling me that?" Abby demanded.
"Because it's the truth. The way you treated him in Mexico; the way you treat him when you want something and won't take no for an answer. It has possession written all over it and you really need to realize that, and let go. He's with me now and I won't hurt him but, Abby, I won't let you hurt him anymore, either. He's been hurt enough; more than enough; too much, really."
***NCIS***
Tim watched as his former girl friend and his current one talked beyond his hearing range. Although he couldn't see their faces, their body language spoke volumes. Abby was slouched and defeated while Pam was erect and serious, unrelenting, yet trying to be less than harsh. Their shoulders did most of the talking, along with their hands. While he had complete faith in Pam, he worried about Abby's reaction to the new woman in his life; especially since it was abundantly clear that he and Pam were committed to each other.
"Agent McGee." Vance's voice jerked him from his thoughts and brought Jimmy to his feet beside him in a rush of nerves.
"I'm gonna go help Ducky. Again." The M.E.'s assistant sputtered as he hightailed it past the Director and back into the house from which Ducky had yet to come from.
"Sir?" Tim asked as he got to his feet.
"I don't appreciate being kept in the dark, Agent McGee."
"Yes, Sir."
"Am I correct in assuming that that decision was Ms. Cook's?"
"Well, Sir…"
"Relax, McGee. I'm not gonna fire her either way. I just wanna know."
"Yes, Sir."
"Well, I will say this and you and I will be done with this conversation, Agent McGee. Treat her right and keep it off the job, and you and I will have no conflict with this." Vance vowed.
"Yes, Sir. Thank you." Tim answered with gratitude.
"You're welcome." Vance answered as he headed over to the picnic table for a drink.
Tim breathed out a sigh of relief. Gibbs had been right. Now he just needed Pam to get the good news and they could really begin to relax in this relationship and start building on It without fear of consequences.
***NCIS***
Lunch was announced by Ducky a short time later and all conversations were dropped as the group herded toward the table in hunger. Once their plates were full, they all sat at Ducky's large picnic table and chatted about inconsequential things and it wasn't long before they found themselves caught up in humorous memories from the years spent on the team.
As their food settled and their spirits grew restless, Tony threw out the dare for a game of badminton, for which he'd spied the net set up in an unused corner of the yard. Ducky retrieved his racquets and birdies and watched alongside Gibbs and Vance, in amusement, as the younger group soon lost themselves in a healthy competition of the ladies against the gentlemen.
With Tim, Tony and Jimmy on one side and Abby, Ziva and Pam on the other, it wasn't long before both Ducky and Vance found themselves on opposite sides of the playing field as line judges, leaving Gibbs to enjoy the spectacle before him, with only a disappointed and left out Jethro for company.
Three entirely hilarious and lengthy sets later, the boys were declared the winner of 2 out of the 3 and all participants retired to the table and available chairs for a much needed drink. As they headed in that direction, Pam found herself waylaid by her boss as he quietly requested her attention.
"Yes, Sir?" she asked.
"I'll tell you what I told Agent McGee, Ms. Cook. I don't appreciate being kept in the dark about this. I have a healthy suspicion that that it was your decision to do so and while I can respect the fact that you were concerned for your job. I expected a little more from you than fear, after all this time, Ms. Cook."
"I'm sorry, Sir."
"I am too. I'm sorry you didn't think you could be straight with me. But, I will say this. So long as you can keep it out of work, and you two are good to each other, we'll have no further need to discuss this." Vance told her.
"Thank you, Sir."
"No need to thank me, Ms. Cook. But, maybe you'll find it within yourself to trust me a little in the future?"
"Yes, Sir."
"Good. Now, shall we go get a drink?"
Pam smiled with both relief and humor as she made a beeline for Tim who was obviously waiting for her with both a smile and a glass of iced tea. As she took it from him with a smile of thanks, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek and whispered in her ear.
Her answering smile lit her eyes and she kissed him back and whispered something back to him. With a matching smile he finished his drink, leaving all those around them wondering what they'd missed, but letting their own imaginations work on it when no explanation was forthcoming.
***NCIS***
Vance left shortly after the drinks had been finished off and his departure seemed to bring an end to the rest period. Pam stood up and started clearing up the mess and it wasn't long before Tim, Ziva and Jimmy were soon pitching in with trash cleanup while Tony and Abby started carrying condiments and bowls of left over food back into the house.
Ducky was amazed that, in the blink of an eye, his backyard was spotless and his grill was in the process of being cleaned by Gibbs, leaving him nothing to do but relax. The elder gentleman knew that all the others were inside cleaning up his kitchen and made to get up and go help them.
" I really must..."
"Relax, Duck." Gibbs calmly advised him. "Let 'em be. They like doing what they can for ya. You oughta know that by now. Sit. Relax."
"We should do this more often, Jethro." Ducky suggested as he sat back down.
"Yeah, I agree, Duck. We should. Not somethin' I'm used to, but I suppose it'd be nice if we did it more often."
"I do believe we accomplished what we set out to. I did see Vance speaking with both Timothy and Pamela and they both look very much relieved and even as though there is no more weight on their shoulders."
"Still something left to take care of, Duck." Gibbs warned as he came and sat down next to his friend.
"Oh? Ah, yes, we still need to get Timothy and Abigail to talk. Have they spoken with each other at all today?"
"Nope."
"oh, dear. It's not like Timothy to act this way, Jethro."
"Give him time. The day's young."
"You seem rather confident."
"Like you said, Duck. This isn't like McGee. It's temporary. He'll be fine."
"And what makes you certain of this?"
"Easy, Doc. I told him I want my team back."
"Oh, Jethro!"
"Duck, he' gotta move on. I just gave him the right motivation to do it."
"I hope you're right."
"I know I am."
***NCIS***
Inside Ducky's kitchen, Tim and Jimmy were bagging trash and carrying the full bags out to Ducky's trash bins while the ladies were washing up the dishes and loading up Ducky's dishwasher. Tony was busy wrapping the food leftovers and finding room in the refrigerator and let the chatter flow over him. It was the lack of tension and emotions that told him that the evening had been a partial success and that knowledge bought a smile to his face.
It wasn't long before all was set to rights again and the gang trouped back outside to the backyard. Tony glanced at his watch and was shocked to see that it was soon going to be dinner time. He had plans for the night and knew that Tim and Pam probably did too, but, he also knew that Tim and Abby had yet to talk things out. Maybe he, Ziva and Jimmy should leave and let the others work through what was left of this Mexican fiasco.
Whispering as much to Ziva and Jimmy, the three gave their thanks to Ducky and Gibbs and took their leave, saying their goodbyes to the others and heading out through the back gate. Suddenly, only Abby, Tim and Pam were left sitting there with Ducky and Gibbs.