Hello fellow McGee fans
A new chapter with frankly thank NCIS Origins as it's a good show for sure. Both as a prequel and stand-alone. Really if it decided to go its separate path on not tying itself directly into NCIS I'd be fine with that.
I will say every NCIS spin-off, including Origins with how welcoming the Camp Pendleton unit is of Gibbs's silent endorsement of Tony DiNozzo, and Sciuto's actions even more appalling.
Mike Franks or Cliff Wheeler would have had DiNozzo or Abby's backsides out the door so fast. Really shows how far Gibbs fell as a leader, even more than we knew just by NCIS alone.
Speaking of Mike Franks yeah, I think he's cooler in this show than he was on NCIS itself. The guy might be very blunt but deep-down Mike cares about everybody in his life, alongside the victims.
It makes his eventual fate in NCIS isolated from everybody living in Mexico rather tragic.
Origins is why Gibbs got a chance for redemption in this.
Bloodbath 3x21
About to sit at his desk, Timothy McGee stops when seeing Gibbs approach looking furious.
"Give me the chair McGee, you don't deserve to sit" Gibbs growls.
Meeting his eyes "For what? Abby did not follow my instructions regarding keeping the door closed and not opening it, yet ignored me completely letting Mikel Mauher in. Never mind I only left the apartment since Abby threw too much of a fit regarding not wanting to use a brand new, unused toothbrush instead has to have hers. I swear she is more childish than DiNozzo. Of course, you'll never believe me because Abby will always be your favorite no matter what" McGee says icily.
Glaring Gibbs steps forward inches from Timothy's personal space trying to use the drill sergeant tactic only it doesn't work as McGee does not even flinch. After all, that was one reason Gibbs picked him for his team given able to not even blink when under that intensity.
"You know I met Agent Vera Strickland the other day when getting coffee. Mentioned how used to work alongside your team at times when you first started in NIS. Strickland mentioned how I kind of reminded her of Randy. And upon hearing about the crap which goes on with your team was disgusted" Timothy says furiously "So I'm asking boss, nobody ever treated you like I'm treated here by DiNozzo or Abby. Even Agent Lala didn't put super glue on your keyboard, tell people you were gay, constantly had demeaning nicknames, or the garbage Abby pulls including tonight. I've earned my place here yet doesn't seem to matter to any of you!"
Gibbs can only stand there in shame, and shock as McGee steps back taking a breath before walking out of the bullpen wanting to cool down. Memories drift back in, old ones of Mary Jo and Randy's kindness even on his first day, even Lala warming up, having dinner at Frank's house with Trish, or other instances of the family from the Camp Pendleton office.
Reaching up Gibbs slaps himself on the back of his head because knowing McGee is correct and has been massively screwing up. Bending, no worse breaking his own rules for people who don't deserve it.
A ghost of Shannon in a car the night from arguing with Jack of mentioning rule 29 of learn to obey before you command, alongside other rules that drift in from not wasting good, to working as a team. No more, Gibbs quietly decides, that will end for letting DiNozzo and Sciuto. Even old Woody Browne had way more professionalism with maturity than those two.
Gibbs quietly decides, after this case is over it's time he had a meeting, and there will be changes made.
Autopsy Room during nighttime - few days later
DiNozzo, McGee, Ziva, and Abby all enter upon seeing Ducky in his usual chair while Gibbs is over by one of the tables leaning up against it.
"Well, boss you wanted us all down here. I thought the Mauher case is done?" Tony asks.
"Oh, he's done, I doubt the guy will be coming after me given his mini breakdown earlier in the interrogation room," Abby says vindictively.
"Maybe finally giving McMess up a lecture and wants us all to see how much probie screwed up," Tony says happily.
"If you both would be quiet then perhaps, we will find out, yes" Ziva replies.
"Hey, ninja I was actually thinking I could," Tony says yet gets cut off.
"That's enough DiNozzo. The reason why I called you all down here is first to apologize to McGee" Gibbs says.
"What?" Timothy replies.
"Boss you can't be serious, why on earth would you ever be apologizing to McGeek of all people," Tony says in shock.
"But Gibbs, McGee let Mauher into his apartment and had a crappy toothbrush for me to use. You can't be" Abby starts yet gets cut off.
"If either of you wish to have careers tomorrow, I would shut up now" Gibbs snarls.
"You can't be, boss what did I ever do?" Tony demands.
"Let's see put superglue on my keyboard, constantly have less than flattering nicknames for not just me but various people. You treat women like they should be in awe of your very presence" Timothy says.
"All that stuff is toughened you up McWeakling. You were a green-faced rookie who threw up at a crime scene and was tripping over your shoelaces. I had to turn you into a real man" Tony says boastfully "I am Special Agent DiNozzo, I can't have such weakness around me."
"Tony" Ziva hisses.
"Enough DiNozzo. McGee pointed out a few things to me the other day about my time when first starting at Camp Pendleton, and he was right. I'm not even sure why I have let this continue Tim, I am not. But I have broken too many of my own rules by doing so, this stops now" Gibbs says.
"You can't be serious Gibbs, letting puppy McGee guilt trip you when he just constantly screws up," Abby says.
Rolling his eyes "Nice to know you care so much" Timothy says.
"He's not making me do anything Sciuto" Gibbs replies.
"What?" Abby steps back in disbelief having never, ever heard the older silver-haired man refer to her like this before.
McGee and Ziva glance at each other knowing that he really must be serious.
"I chose Special Agent McGee for my team because of his skills and who he is. Now does he have a long way to go? Yes, but hell even I'm learning. The childish antics stop, treat him like the agent he is with professionalism alongside everyone else, or send resignations to the director. And Sciuto, I'm done bringing you your caffeine drinks, and Goth memorabilia or music played so high that gives people earaches since you have the volume so loud, is over. That is not your lab, it belongs to NCIS, act like a professional or go work in the private sector" Gibbs says.
"You, I… why are you treating me like this? What have I ever done to deserve this?" Abby yells.
"Far too much" Gibbs replies.
"I just don't think I've ever heard you say this much at once or ever," Tony says in shock while still kind of processing what's been happening.
"Yeah, maybe that's been the problem," Gibbs says, recalling once Mike telling him next time has a gut feeling to share. Maybe just wasn't talking about cases, but life.
"Are we done here, boss?" Tony asks unhappily since instead of being in bed with whatever hot chick he can find, is being reprimanded and chewed out for just having some frat boy fun. Goodness, does he miss the college glory days.
"You can both leave" Gibbs replies.
After DiNozzo and Abby exit Timothy looks backward at Gibbs with the two men nodding in understanding. Once that's done McGee, and Ziva head out as it has been a long past few days.
"Well, Jethro I must say it's good to see you finally stepping up and reining those two in," Ducky says.
"Yeah, just hope I haven't waited too long, or if it will work," Gibbs says.
"If it doesn't, can you bring yourself to fire your supposed favorite children?" Ducky asks bluntly.
Flinching "I can," Gibbs says remembering the family made in NIS's early days.
"Good" Ducky replies "Night Jethro."
"Night Duck" Gibbs replies.
Standing up Ducky heads over grabbing his coat and hat, off a stand with shutting off the lights while leaving the older NCIS agent standing alone in the dark room.