Agents were supposed to check their emails first thing, so before she left for work Kate sent an individual email to the people she wanted to see, individually.
Looking up from her desk at the knock on the door Kate smiled at Ned, "Come in." Kate nodded gesturing him to the couch before getting up herself. "I was wondering what you were looking for here, what is your goal as an agent?"
Clearing his throat he thought for a moment before saying "I would like to be a Special Agent and not the guy that's in charge of the evidence locker or the weapons locker, I want to be the guy out there solving the cases, helping the families." he explained.
Holding up his file Kate asked "That's why you take any course NCIS has to offer?"
"Yes Ma'am." Ned nodded.
"What if I gave you an opportunity to join the profilers department, you would have to start out as my assistant but while in that position you would be taking all the different courses and classes to get the proper training." Kate put the file on the table "At my side you will learn everything I know and everything the other qualified team members can show you."
"Really?"
"Yes." Kate nodded "Being able to profile would be a useful talent when getting on a team, it was one of the reasons Gibbs hired me."
Sitting quietly for a few moments Ned slowly nodded. "Okay, I'll do it."
"That's great." Kate smiled "Let's get your desk set." Kate gestured to the newly installed door that connected her office to the office space next door. Both her office and the one next door had previously been conference rooms, one obviously smaller than the other. Her team would be sharing the larger office. Leading Ned into the other office Kate smiled at the team setting up the computers and other equipment for her team "I see they recruited you." she grinned at McGee.
"Gibbs volunteered me and once I found out it was for you I didn't argue." McGee chuckled. "Hey Ned."
"Hi McGee." he smiled.
"Ned is the first of my team." Kate gestured him to the desk closest to the door they'd just walked through.
"Congratulations, have you told Abby yet?"
"N...no? Should I?" Ned asked nervously.
"You are one of her favorite people, she will be happy for you." Kate assured him "You go tell Abby and I'll deal with the others."
"Thank you Agent Todd." Ned hurried out the door to go tell Abby.
"She's going to drag him to the clubs." McGee chuckled, Kate nodded agreeing.
"There's not much to do here today other than meet the other possible team members."
"Possible?" McGee asked.
"Possible, they get to say yes or no." Kate explained "I will not work with someone who doubts my ability to lead this team. The agents I have invited to the team work well with Abby and Ducky which, of course, they will need to continue doing."
"So if they can work with Abby, they should have no problem with you." McGee nodded.
"Exactly." Kate nodded "I will leave you all to your business." Kate said ducking back into her private office closing the door behind her.
It was nine o'clock when there was a knock on her door, she knew it was Rourke she'd asked him to come to the office at nine the others were staggered after. Nodding to Ned she let him open the door. "Agent Todd."
"Agent Rourke." standing up and straightening her jacket Kate met him with an extended hand waiting to see if he would shake it, he did. "Please have a seat, coffee? Donut?"
"I'm good." he glanced at Ned who was closing the door behind them. "So you're lead profiler." he said sitting down, Kate nodded taking her own seat "Heard it was a short list."
"So I've been told." Jenny had told her it was her and one other person, if Kate had said no. "I'd like you on the team, you naturally have all the skills I learned both in and out of school."
"I'm set to retire." he leaned back in the chair.
"This I know but you don't seem happy about it." Kate said frankly.
"Too many near misses last year, my wife... she wasn't happy." Rourke said without giving away what had happened. "But no, I'm not ready, still so many cases to solve."
"I understand, and if you were to work with me there would be no field work, you could still carry your side arm if you wished but we would mostly be in office. You would have to take some college courses." Kate explained "But I will buy donuts at least once a week." she added with a grin causing him to chuckle.
"Gibbs."
"What do you say?" she held out her hand "You're my number one pick, if I'm out sick you're in charge."
"Let me run it by my wife, I promised her a vacation when I retired."
"I can arrange one, vacation and then come back to this team." Kate stood as he did.
"Got pull with the boss." he nodded, Kate gave a shrug. "I'll talk to my boss and get back to ya." Kate nodded.
"So good news I assume?" Jenny asked gesturing Kate to the chair in front of her desk.
"Rourke is going to talk to his wife, I'm sure he will say yes by the end of the day, I did tell him we would give him vacation because he promised his wife a trip."
"Tell him anywhere he wants to go, I'll arrange a week." Jenny nodded "He's a skilled agent I'd rather not lose him to retirement."
"Agent Sayer declined but all the others said yes." Kate handed Jenny a paper with their names.
"As soon as possible everyone starts classes...Agent Dorneget too." Jenny nodded calling out "Cynthia, have this taken care of, email Agent Todd the details." Jenny handed the paper to her secretary. "Now I have a question." Jenny waited for the door to close before asking "Abby has been snippy with Jethro..." Jenny knew to tread carefully in personal matters with Kate. "Are things okay between them?" he'd been amused by Abby snapping at him but Jenny was concerned.
"I will handle it, she will be fine." Kate promised, she hadn't thought Abby would be pissy with Gibbs, the Goth adored him.
Jenny wasn't sure what was going on but knew Kate could and would handle it, Abby and Team Gibbs listened to her.