From across the table in the quiet diner as she silently works her way through the chef salad and white wine she's ordered, Ziva watches Tony struggle to multi-task with eating and thinking. He's been extremely quiet ever since Gibbs broke the news to them earlier in the day, that McGee has been transferred off the team – and that they'll be dealing with a TAD and getting a new permanent team member within the next two weeks. She's had trouble understanding the reason for the suddenness of such change but she has never been one to question the why in any situation – when handed down from higher ups – that is. Still, even now, Ziva can't help but wonder – as the boss' no nonsense announcement earlier in the day and the after-effects skates back over her mind again.
***Flashback***
"Gonna be some changes made. McGee's being offered the chance to train for a step up. Keeton'll be TAD until we find someone permanent to fill his spot."
Sitting beside Tony in the conference room Gibbs has just summoned them to; Ziva feels frozen in place with shock. Her first reaction is to look to see how Tony is taking the news, only to find him already leaving the room, the loud banging of the door as it closes behind him, reverberating through the room. There are too many possibilities of what the Senior Field Agent might be thinking for Ziva to even attempt to hazard a guess, but she does look over at the boss to see how he's taking Tony's sudden and non-verbal response to what he's just told them.
Finding the nearly patented unreadable expression on the boss' face, Ziva sighs in frustration. She isn''t happy to be losing Tim off the team, by any means. But, if this was as Gibbs had stated, a step up for her friend, than she could come to accept it. Change, after all, happens all the time. It's when things don't change for so long that you get comfortable and complacent, that these kinds of things hurt us the most. Then again how could they be sure what Tony was feeling right now was hurt?
Mentally shaking herself to clear that thought pattern, Ziva turns her attention to the only other person in the room; the one with the answers. "This is a good thing for McGee, yes?"
Gibbs' answer is quick and quiet, a reassurance filled with promise. "Yeah, Ziva. It is."
For a long silent minute, the two remain almost frozen in time; Ziva searching for the knowledge that her friend is not being asked to make a mistake, while her Team Leader- cum surrogate father guarantees through his unwavering cobalt blue orbs, that no one is setting Tim up for such a fall; that everything is on the level.
Finally, after only a moment, Ziva feels convinced that all is right with this change, despite what it will mean for the team. Gibbs has never lied to her before and he cares about his team. That much she knows without a doubt. With a short nod of her head, she offers her support, not only to her Team Leader, but for her friend as well. "Alright, then. I am happy for him, although I will dearly miss him from our team."
With a matching short nod, Gibbs remains silent while he opens the door for her and together they head back to the squad room, ready to get on with the day.
***End Flashback***
Tony pauses in the middle of lifting a fork of his favorite lasagna to his mouth as some of what his now former teammate said to him earlier that morning clicks into place within the puzzle that has been 'what's going on with McGee' for the past month now.
"…And the answer to your question is; my private life is my own and it's going to stay that way."
Since when has Tim gotten so defensive about his private life? Sure, the guy's always cried about how it should be private – but this? This stern decree just isn't McGee-ish. So wha…?
"Tony?" Ziva questions as she sets her own fork down so they can discuss whatever it is that is obviously on her partner's mind. "Something is bothering you, yes?"
Lost in his recollections, Tony only hears the sound of his now former teammate in his ears.
"… I know you did call them out. I mean you even asked Gibbs, so I know you were worried…"
How in the hell would Probie know that he'd gone to the boss about him? Gibbs would never … Wait, what was it earlier in the day that got his radar up about Tim when Gibbs called him to 'the office'? Tony remembers smirking after making the comment to Tim about being in trouble and then getting back to work – or at least trying to – and lasting an entire two minutes.
***Flashback***
"I can't stand not knowing what's going on in there!" Tony announces as he tosses his pen down and shoots to his feet, hurrying over to the elevator.
As he passes Ziva's desk, she hisses at him. "Tony! Do NOT be rude!"
"It's a train-wreck waitin' to happen and I gotta be there, Zee-vah!" Tony explains excitedly as he bounces on the balls of his feet where he's stopped just a few feet from her desk. "I mean, come, ON! Probie's been so obvious all morning, how can the boss, NOT be going off on him?"
With his eyes locked on the elevator door, he's waiting with a Cheshire cat grin, until, that is, the door opens up to reveal a smirking Gibbs and Tim who, if Tony didn't know better, looks like he's just been thoroughly…? No way!
****End Flashback***
THAT's what it was! Tony chokes on his forkful of food and drops the utensil to his plate while rushing to drink some water. Once the crisis is passed, he pushes his plate away and drops his hands onto the table where his plate had just been. With his hands clenching and unclenching into fists, his eyes lock on his water glass, staring into it without seeing anything beyond the picture this puzzle was turning into.
Ziva attempts to soothe her obviously angry dinner partner while reminding him of the reality of the situation she believes this behavior of his to be about."Tony? You are upset with McGee leaving the team, yes? I too am unhappy to lose him from our team that has become so…what is the word,.. well-adjusted. But! We must be able to see that this is a good move for him. We should be happy for him and proud of him for earning this opportunity!"
His friend and team mate's words barely register on Tony's brain because the voice in his head that's already hard at work to overwhelm him, isn't hers. No, the voice that just won't shut up now is the source of one of the biggest pieces to this puzzle. Gibbs – and his strange conversation with him just yesterday.
... "When did you start sleeping upstairs? I thought you lived on your couch down here?"
"There some reason that should matter to you, DiNozzo?"
.., I wanted to ask you if you've noticed that something's really wrong with Probie. And before you ask, I haven't been able to find him all weekend. It's like he just vanished or something."
"He's fine."
"He's fine? Not sure we've been in the same squad room these last few weeks, Boss, if you really think he's fine."
"DiNozzo. He's fine. Already talked to him."
"AH. I see said the blind man. Well, alright then, guess I'll get out of your hair. Sorry I woke you up. Hey, you're sleeping in the middle of the afternoon?..."
"Tony!" Ziva tries again to break into his obviously troubled thoughts, still to no avail. Sighing, she sits back to wait this out. Hopefully, he'll talk to her when he's done thinking it to death.
Oh, no! no! NO! Tony's mind screams in denial as the picture before it becomes as clear as day – helped along by yet another piece that makes its definition and character unmistakable:
"...You sure you're alright, Boss?"
"Fine, DiNozzo. And so's McGee so don't go hounding him for answers to your questions."
"Just trying to look out for him, Boss."
"Yeah, Tony. I know."
"Thanks for the concern, Tony." Appreciate it too. Just give him some space for a few days, alright?"
"Sure, Boss. I can do that."
"I mean it."
Since when does the boss talk like that? He KNEW something was off when he was over there! Tony's memory drags up another piece to include in the problem that just seems to keep getting bigger and bigger.
"No problem, Boss. But, what's with the locked door? I thought your door is always open?"
"Times are changing. Sometimes locking the door's necessary."
Tony scowls now as countless questions and possible answers storm through his mind. Changing? Necessary? Gibbs and McGee talking about personal stuff? Now the probie's off the team? No! HELL NO! That CAN'T be right!
"Tony! Please, talk to me!" Ziva is practically begging now since it upsets her to see her friend and co-worker obviously very angry about whatever it is he's been thinking about all afternoon. There's no doubt he's not any closer to having it resolved and not talking about it seems to have only made him angrier.
"Tony, I'm just tired. I didn't get much sleep last night. I'm not pissed at Gibbs, alright?"…
Tony's brain slides the last remaining puzzle piece into place as his anger soars through the roof. He the hates it and can't wrap his mind around it but knows he's put it together regardless .That's it! It has to be!
Abruptly, he jumps to his feet, yanking his wallet out of his back pocket and opening it up to grab some bills from it. Throwing money for his and Ziva's dinner down onto the table, he stumbles through an apology. "Sorry, Ziva. Lost my appetite."
He can't even risk looking over at her, for fear she'll be able to talk him out of what he has to do about this. But there's no way in hell, he can talk to her about it. Not today, not tomorrow, probably not ever!
Without another word, he's gone from the diner, the speed in which he's moving giving his abandoned dinner partner at least a partial sense of just how angry he is even if she still does not know exactly why. She only wishes she did know so she could try to help him get a better handle on how it is affecting him. With a heartfelt sigh, she signals for the waitress so she can pay for the meal and go home. Suddenly, she's lost her appetite as well.
*****NCIS*****
Snuggled together in Tim's bed, Leroy and his younger lover quietly talk through the events of the day and what the upcoming changes will mean for them as a couple. With small, yet meaningful touches, their intimacy continues to enhance the foundation of their relationship as they each confess their concerns and expectations, albeit, in bits and pieces. Neither has ever been known as talkers, yet here in each other's company, wrapped in love and support that is still growing and deepening, both are amazingly comfortable with the concept and give as well as listen.
It's the subject of the team finding out about them as a couple that has Tim most worried. Once that subject is mentioned, the air between them seems to become tangibly filled with worry. "Tim. Don't let this get to you. They'll either accept it or they won't. Either way, it won't change what we have – what we're building here." Leroy promises quietly, his eyes locked onto Tim's.
Tim nods. "I saw the look he gave you earlier. I know that you two can practically read each other's mind, so you probably know what he was thinking better than anybody."
"Not gonna play the guessing game with this, Tim. He'll tell us when he's ready." Leroy replies as he continues to caress the younger man's arms. Lying here together is extremely comforting, even if he's still in awe of it all. It's a feeling, he won't quite admit to, but it keeps him quieter than usual and more pensive than he's ever been considered to be.
"Except he's about as verbal with what he's really thinking as you are – at work." Tim reminds him quietly. "But, I agree. We have to wait him out. If he was ready to talk, he'd have done it already."
"Yup."
"Okay. We can agree to do our damnedest not to let it hurt us, at least." Tim's tone is hopeful more than certain.
"You got that right." The older man declares with heartfelt conviction as he pulls Tim back to him and nestles closer to him, for once, happy to keep things smoldering on cuddle.
*****NCIS*****
Ducky settles into his bed, his favorite pillow propped behind his head and his favorite book nestled in his hands as he finally allows himself to call it a night and sit back to relax within the story's pages. Unfortunately, he's not destined to enjoy the moment as it's shattered by the ringing of his cell phone.
"Hello?"
"YOU KNEW!"
With a troubled sigh, the M.E. does what he can to diffuse this unexpected and obviously tenuous moment. With his voice as calm as he can manage, he probes for the answers he'll need from his caller to deal with this. "What is it you believe I knew about, Anthony?"
"The boss and the Prob…God, just tryin' to say it makes me sick! I KNOW they wouldn't have paired up without confiding in you! That's how Gibbs is! So, I KNOW you knew! How long, Doctor Mallard?" Tony demands.
The younger man's white hot fury literally vibrates through the phone line and Ducky's penchant for all that is privacy and respect for others recoils at the agent's imperious tone and nosiness. It's not his business, no matter how obviously upset he happens to be! This needs to be squashed right here and now, that's for sure.
Letting his own ire out to be heard, the M.E. issues his response in his own no-nonsense tone. "Kindly refrain from taking that tone with me, Agent DiNozzo. As for what information you believe I do or do not have privy to – well, I'm afraid, I am not in the business of sharing unless given permission to do so!"
"Damn it, Ducky!" Tony sprouts off, still too furious to watch his tone or his words.
"Perhaps you will be in a better frame of mind to discuss this tomorrow, young man. DO NOT take this attack of yours any further! Go home and get a good night's sleep! "
"Yeah." Tony mutters as he abruptly ends the call and glares angrily at the phone still in his hand. That'll be the day!
******NCIS*****
"How have you been getting here?" Tim asks his lover quietly as they sit on his bed, snuggled under his cozy comforter. "Yesterday? Tonight? You still haven't told me."
Leroy snickers as he kisses Tim on the temple and hugs him a shade tighter. "I have my ways." As his cell phone rings from where it's sitting beside the bed, he reaches for it with only one hand and snaps it open with a frown as he speaks into it. "Yeah, Gibbs!"
From Tim's side of the conversation, there's silence as his lover listens to whomever it is that's calling. It almost sounds like Ducky, but he can't be sure and it's not in his nature to pry. Whatever it's about, he knows he'll find out if he's supposed to know. Silently, he eases from Leroy's arms and sits back so the older man can have his conversation without distraction.
It's hard to get an idea of what's going on because Leroy has closed his eyes and is wiping his hand over his face in obvious frustration, all the while still listening wordlessly to his caller. A pounding on the door, startles Tim into practically leaping from the bed and grabbing for his boxers as he glances back at Leroy.
Seeing the scowl presently on the older man's face sends his own stomach down to his knees as he hurries to wrestle the boxers on before he scrambles for the door. Tim swings the bedroom door to close behind him as he rushes through it in a hurry to silence the belligerent racket he's sure is disturbing every one of his neighbors - all three floors of them. He's only half-way down the hall when a voice bellows alongside the still banging fists.
"OPEN UP THIS DAMN DOOR BEFORE I BREAK IT DOWN, MCGEE!"
