The man silently walked in the bullpen, discreetly smiling to a few agents on the way. He then reflexively touched the desk, moved the chair away and logged in. The screen finally become brighter and he decided to sit.

"Can I help you?"

The man jumped on his seat, discovering a very tired stranger.

"My apologies, I hadn't seen you. Nice to meet you...I'm Dan."

Tony revealed his face a bit more, leaning on his desk. His voice was low, the man either exhausted or bored.

"Dan who...?"

The man finally figured it might be better to stand up and approached the opposite desk, ready to shake a hand.

"Oh, sorry. Special Agent Mackenzie. Dan Mackenzie."

Tony stared at the arm in front of him, both careless and suspicious.

"I mean what are you doing here?"

Mackenzie rubbed his rejected palm and tried to keep a professional eye contact no matter what, knowing he was not welcome.

"Director Vance affected me here." He quickly grabbed his badge and showed it to Tony, as if to prove some kind of legitimacy. "I am Agent McGee's replacement, if I am not wrong."

"Special Agent" DiNozzo instantly corrected, suddenly grabbing his jacket without a word.

"Special Agent McGee" Mackenzie repeated as he watched the man walk away. "I was wondering if you knew where I could find Special Agent G..."

But Tony was already climbing up the stairs leading to Vance's office, leaving the other man alone. Dan Mackenzie rubbed his neck, nervous, and took a look at the bullpen. He then walked back to his personal, although uncertain working area, and sat down. So many people around him in this building and yet, he felt incredibly lonely.

"Agent DiNozzo...can I help you with anything?"

Director Vance discreetly sighed before closing the large silver door, feeling that something was coming. His hand on the handle, he was now able to have a better look at the man in front of him. Dear, someone had actually lost a lot of weight...

"Yes," Tony instantly answered, "I was wondering who was this kid using McGee's desk."

"By this man," Vance corrected, "I think you mean Special Agent Mackenzie, but maybe you would have known that yourself if you had taken the time to ask him directly for his name, Agent DiNozzo."

Tony chuckled but there was no fun at all in his voice. He raised a finger in the door's direction, not letting it go.

"I don't care what this man's name is, Director, what I do want to know though, is why's that newbie touching McGee's things down there."

Vance exhaled a bit louder this time, walking to his large desk. Tony was clearly affected by the situation, psychologically and physically, but he couldn't play the emotional card himself, especially in this situation. All he hoped for was for DiNozzo to hold it together so that he wouldn't feel like he had lost two of his best agents already.

"Agent DiNozzo," he said slowly, "I am sure you are aware that Agent McGee has now been missing for months, including suspected of treason against the United States of America. Now while we are still relentlessly searching for him" he continued immediately, sensing that Tony was about to retort something, "I am sure you understand that we cannot keep going with our diverse investigations with a smaller team."

Despite Vance's low tone, Tony could feel he was getting too nervous for this conversation. He needed to leave. Probably break something. Anything that would make him feel something actually, give him even the smallest sensation of justice. How could they all do this to McGee? How could they all let him down like this? Life wasn't a fairy tale and lives and secrets were at stake for sure, but there had to be an explanation! They couldn't let him down. He was already feeling that way, himself. They couldn't throw him to the wolves without knowing everyone's version!

"With all due respect, Director..." he started, bitter.

"It's been months, Agent DiNozzo."

"I am aware of the facts, Director, but you don't understand, we have to keep..."

"I would advise you not to cross the line, Agent DiNozzo!"

"But what if he's a prisoner out there," Tony continued louder, "what if the man is dead, we can't just..."

Tony was already feeling sick just thinking about this possibility, but he had to say it. They had to hear it.

"Enough!" Vance insisted before calming down. "We are doing the best we can in this situation."

"Are we?"

"Now, whatever happened to Agent McGee," Vance cut the agent off for good, "the situation isn't just in my hands anymore. Either he is responsible or victim of what he is accused of, Agent McGee is now at the center of this investigation, and this agency must continue to run. And this whether you like it or not, I'm afraid" he added, noticing Tony's lips ready to move again.

Tony finally remained silent for what seemed to last an eternity before heading back to the silver door. How could they all act as if nothing had ever happened? How? How could they be so sure of what McGee had or hadn't done? If only he could just... He finally exhaled before pressing the handle, nervous, walking fast in the stairs direction. He looked up as a familiar voice interrupted his endless thoughts.

"Tony? Look who we have here!" Ziva smilingly said, standing next to the man he had previously met. "This is Dan, our new..."

"I don't have time for this, Ziva" Tony immediately answered, his eyes now focused on his new target: the elevator.

It was as if the man she knew had just turned into a robot, a man with no soul, nor joy. What had happened to the man who was joking so much, loving life to the fullest? The woman quickly apologized to Agent Mackenzie and sped up the pace, worried. Both doors opened as they heard the ding of the elevator but the woman had a chance to grab his arm and face him one last time. He looked at her hand, then her eyes, as if waiting for something to be said.

"It's been months, Tony..."

He briefly stared at her, not understanding how she could be so indifferent about it. How was she doing that? Always accepting situations as if it wasn't affecting her... Sure, she hadn't known McGee for as long as he did, but still... Tony sighed and seemed a little more impatient than before. He didn't care if it'd been months. Actually, he couldn't care less. He ended up moving his arm away from her hand, incredibly fed up by this situation, and pressed the button.

"I know" he finally said before both doors started to close. "It seems that these are the only words on everyone's lips, these days."

Ziva felt the vibration of the elevator going down and took a discreet look at her new colleague, feeling incredibly powerless.

"Give him some time, Ziva" a voice suddenly said next to her, coming from the other side.

She sighed as she saw Gibbs grey hair, nervously biting her lips. The man then stopped next to her and kept an eye on the closed doors, his hand now on her shoulder. Ziva touched the wall as if to feel a bit of Tony's presence and noticed the new agent watching them from his spot. Poor Dan, she thought, Tony would give him a very hard time.