Chapter 2
Two days later Tim found himself in Director Vance's office early in the morning.
"How are you feeling agent McGee," Vance asked as he and Tim took their seats.
"I'm good director," Tim replied, "the day off was a big help to catch up on sleep."
"I'm glad to hear it. I imagine it's never easy discreetly flying internationally on short notice. But Alpha Team did good work. Hassan has already divulged a lot of information already and cooperated with sorting through the data on his laptop."
"I'm happy to hear that."
"Unfortunately you all have to go into action again. I apologize that it's so soon after an operation but a matter has come up that has quickly gotten complicated and SECNAV wants to be sure that we have a person of interest in custody as soon as possible."
"That is unfortunate but thankfully we didn't have any injuries so we should be good to go again once we are set up."
"The sooner the better but I understand not wanting to be under prepared."
Vance handed over the file he had ready and sitting on his desk for Tim. Tim opened it and skimmed through the information presented, including photos and criminal records of a gruff looking red headed man.
"The target is Michael Kilian," Vance explained, "a well known arms dealer, he also has done business related to drugs and human trafficking. He is a nasty piece of work. Recently it has been suspected that he's been in contact with known terrorists in Europe and South America, including a couple of the CIAs most wanted.
Currently we have a joint operation with the FBI with one of their own deep undercover within the organization but now the CIA are itching to step in and take him in. SecNav, DOJ and Homeland Security set up a deal that the CIA take custody of Kilian while FBI and NCIS get the rest of the organization."
"Do they have a plan on how to do it?" Tim asked, not taking his eyes off the papers in his hands.
"They don't. They left that part up to us. The way I see it, we can take advantage of the fact that we have someone on the inside to isolate and capture Kilian without much difficulty."
"Why don't we have it so that it looks like a regular big raid? That way, it won't seem too out of place to have our team there to go in and in the confusion extract Kilian. In fact," Tim said as he put the file down and sat up straighter as his mind fired up with ideas, "we can send in an undercover agent of our own to act like a buyer or something brought in by the undercover agent. Tony could easily pull that off and in fact if we involve the MCRT, that could be my cover on why I was involved. Just say you're assigning me to assist in the operation from MTAC.
Then Tony and the undercover agent could find a way to isolate Kilian. I'm sure Tony could find a way to get it so there's very few people around, if not just the three of them. We go in, extract Kilian, make it look like we subdued Tony and the agent and we get out of there before anyone could realize what happened."
"That's a great idea. We'll go with that and adjust it as we go along. Until then, just tell everyone that I had you attend a conference at the last minute to replace someone on the technical aspect. It shouldn't be too far-fetched of a story."
"Yes, director. If I come up with any more ideas, I'll let you know."
Tim stood up to leave and was about to say goodbye when Vance spoke first.
"Again, great work out there Agent McGee," he said, letting the authoritative voice drop, "I knew I was making the right choice to choose you as lead and you have not disappointed."
"Thank you director," Tim replied, trying not to nervously stutter, "You really flatter me. I'm just doing the best I can."
"You deserve the confidence boost. Don't sell yourself short. You've really accomplished things. You and Miss Gibbs. Even with everything she's done, I can still see the bit of nervousness she had when she first started."
"She's amazing. She just wants to make sure everything is perfect."
"I understand you both have gotten quite close outside the team."
"Well, it helps to be able to completely trust the person who's in your ear, watching over you and giving you all the info you need. She's a great friend and valuable teammate."
"If she's anything like her father, she'll be a valuable friend as well. Have a good day agent McGee."
"You as well director."
With that, Tim left the directors office and made his way to his desk. He had just turned on his computer when he heard someone call out to him.
"McAbsent, your back," Tony said as he and Ziva entered the bullpen.
"Morning Tony," Tim deadpanned.
"Good morning McGee," Ziva said, giving Tim a warm smile.
"Good morning Ziva," Tim said, giving her a smile back.
"How was your assignment? Are you allowed to talk about it?"
"It was good. Yeah, director Vance had me fill in as a last minute replacement at a law enforcement conference. The technological side of NCIS."
"So you WERE tech support for Vance," Tony interjected.
"No, Tony. I was one of the presenters. We talked about how we use the latest technologies we have available in investigations and how the future of it looks for NCIS."
"Look at you! From puking probie to giving presentations. You're moving up probie. I remember when Director Shepard had me doing presentations for schools and conferences. Maybe someday you'll be the director's first choice."
Thanks Tony," Tim said, internally chuckling.
"Though personally," Tony continued, "I don't think you'll ever beat good ol' fashion detective work. Pounding the pavement and getting those clues. It's been solving cases for centuries."
"Then you better start using it to solve cases today," Gibbs' voice suddenly cut in.
"New case today, boss," Tony asked as Gibbs crossed his desk to get to his own.
"Cold cases until something comes in."
"Fun."
Xxx
Later in the day, Tim walked into Abby's lab, hoping to talk to her about evidence in a case. As expected he was met with a wall of blaring music that drowned out every other sound, including his cries of Abby's name.
"McGee!," Abby cried out when she finally heard him.
She turned down the music and launched herself at him with a tight hug.
"You're back," she told him, "Oh how I missed you."
She then released the hug and gave Tim's arm a firm but mostly non painful punch in his arm.
"Ow, Abb," Tim exclaimed anyways, "what was that for?"
"You didn't get back in time. I missed my concert because of you. Why didn't you call me?"
"I just got back in town last night. Why didn't you ask someone else for a ride?"
"I did but no one was available. Tony kept bringing how he had a hot date he couldn't pass up. You know I'm not asking Ziva."
"Abby, you need to eventually trust Ziva."
"I trust her. Just rather not be alone with a trained killer."
"Abby."
"And Gibbs was busy with dinner plans. Either with his wife or his daughters, I don't know. He was unavailable. Which leaves you. You are always supposed to be available both as a first and last resort. That's what friends are for."
"Well, I'm sorry Abby, but Director Vance assigned me at the last minute to present at a conference."
"Why didn't you tell him you were busy?"
"You can't exactly tell the NCIS director no when he gives you an assignment, even if I was actually busy."
"Well, I was hoping to do more with you after the concert…" Abby mysteriously trailed off while looking away, "but it's hard to get anywhere if you're not dependable."
Tim rolled his eyes and decided to change the topic.
"Anyways, Abby, I was hoping to ask you if you remember anything about the forensic of-" Tim started but was interrupted by Abby.
"Speaking of not being dependable, " she stated, "I'm starting to have my doubts about Gibbs' daughter."
"What? Kelly?" Tim asked, very interested in what Abby meant by that.
"Yeah. She's decent enough at her job but I am wondering, with how far she got now, how much of it was because she's Gibbs' daughter?"
"Kelly is very capable at her job, Abby. She had no help from Gibbs in her NCIS career and got to where she was on her own merit."
"McGee, I know you can see it too. I don't mean to talk down on her, especially since she's been nothing but sweet to me and really likes me."
Tim had to hold back a scoff he was not proud of. Kelly has confided in him many times how much she dislikes Abby and tries to avoid her as much as possible.
"but I can see it in her eyes," Abby continued, "she's very subtle and thankfully hasn't done anything too massive yet but she is a manipulator. She uses her naïve attitude and sweet charms and digs in to get her way."
"Abby, you're being ridiculous," Tim interjected, "She is nothing less but a nice person and a hard worker."
"Don't tell me you fallen for her tricks too."
"Abby."
"She needs to be reigned in before any serious problems arise. She's already 'daddy's little girl' to Gibbs, she'll find a way to get to you and Tony. No offense Timmy but you are too naïve when it comes to the opposite sex. You need me to protect you from girls who will try to use you. And Tony will chase any pretty thing in a skirt that gives him fluttery eyes.
And since Tony is Gibbs' favorite and like a son to him, (uh again no offense McGee but you it's true), Gibbs will just let it happen and she'll have you all wrapped around her finger and that'll spell doom for the team."
"Abby! Can we please talk about my case now."
"Oh fine. But don't say I didn't warn you."
XxX
Evening arrived pretty quick and before he knew it, Tim was back at his apartment. He stepped through the front door and was closing it when something pushed back on it. He opened it to reveal Kelly having caught up.
He let her inside and she slipped in and leaned back against the door as Tim towered over her. Both were giving each other loving looks and grins. Kelly had undone the bun she had her cinnamon red hair in while at work and it now lay past her shoulders, with some of it tossed in front of her face from, what Tim would guess, her rushing to catch up to him before he closed the apartment door.
"Are you gonna let me in?" Kelly playfully asked.
"I will," Tim replied in a voice that he knew would send shivers up Kelly's spine, "I just want to admire you first."
Kelly chuckled as she bit her lip. Tim reached up with both hands and cupped her face then connected their eager waiting lips in a passionate kiss that Kelly happily returned.
The two made out for almost a full minute before they pulled back air.
"I ordered us Chinese for dinner," Kelly told her boyfriend, "I hope that's okay."
"That's totally fine," Tim replied, "I didn't feel like cooking tonight."
Kelly grabbed the front of Tim's shirt and pulled him down to her, crashing his lips into hers again which Tim complied in earnest. He felt her tongue against her lips, begging for entrance which Tim eagerly allowed. Tim gently pushed her against the apartment door as their make out session heated up and their hands began to explore.
After dinner arrived and was eaten, the couple had changed into their night wear, pajama pants and a t-shirt for Tim and one of Tim's old shirts converted into a nightgown for Kelly, and were now laying together in bed, both engrossed in their own reading. A physical book for Tim and an electronic one on Kelly's phone. Tim was laying horizontal on his bed while Kelly laid vertical with her head on Tim's torso. They would occasionally share a touch with Tim arm going around Kelly's chest.
Their comfortable silence was suddenly broken by Tim's cell phone going off. Grabbing it off the nightstand, he answered before looking at the caller ID.
"Tim McGee," he answered .
"Timmy! Good, you answered," came the voice of Abby into his ear, "I need your help."
"What do you need Abby?"
Kelly's face scrunched up at the mention of her name.
"I need you to take me to the black stain heart concert in town right now," Abby declared.
"I can't do it Abby," Tim replied as he rubbed Kelly's arm, "I'm busy at home. I'm sorry."
"But McGee, this is their last concert before summer break ends. I have to see it."
"I can't, I'm sorry. Can you call someone else for a ride?"
"No one else will do it. Gibbs is out to dinner, Tony says he's got some date, Ziva said no and Kelly says she's already been drinking so that just leaves you."
Tim looked down at Kelly with a confused look and Kelly looked back with a raised eyebrow, unsure what's going on since she can't hear Abby's side of the conversation.
"Besides," Abby continued, "you owe me for not being able to take me to the last one because of your assignment."
"I don't know what to tell you Abby."
"I'm very disappointed Timmy."
"Good luck Abby. Have a good night."
Tim hung up the phone before Abby could say anything else and placed it back onto the nightstand.
"What did Abby want?" Kelly asked, sitting up to allow Tim to lay down properly on the bed.
"She wanted me to give her a ride to a concert," Tim told her.
"Doesn't she have a car? Why does she always have you drive her?"
"She likes to get drunk at them and doesn't want to pay for a taxi."
"Typical. Why you though? Does she ever call anyone else?"
"I guess because I said yes before. She says she tried the others but they always have an excuse."
"I don't blame them."
"Actually she said she tried calling you but you already started drinking."
Kelly let out a sharp humorless mocking laugh.
"She doesn't even have my number," she said, "how would she even call me?"
"Who knows? It's Abby. Don't let her get to you."
"As long as I can keep ignoring her."
Kelly put her phone next to Tim's and snuggled up against him, putting her head on his shoulder. After turning off the bedside lamp, Tim wrapped his arm around Kelly and kissed her head.
"I love you Tim," she said, her eyes closed.
"I love you too Kelly," Tim said back.
The couple fell asleep not long after.