Hello once more

So, after watching 11x03 a short while ago for Vera Strickland in her only main NCIS episode, and talking over with Stand with Ward, I came up with this idea.

Rewatching the 7x11 episode and seeing Sean/McGee at his most physically fit, sharply dressed, and easily running Gibbs team while figuring out the link to answer the case just makes me sad for what could have been. We could have had that McGee as an eventual team lead.

Back to this, I wanted to expand on why Vera didn't show up for years, in universe at least. Plus, disliking DiNozzo being more than just cause he's supposedly unlucky health-wise. Especially since Origins has fleshed Vera out alongside Mike and Gibbs.

House basement, Washington DC, October 2013 - Nighttime

Working on his boat, Gibbs pauses to look up at the top of the stairs for Vera Strickland carefully making her way down them, until reaching the bottom and venturing over to the bench.

"You seem to be doing better," Gibbs says.

"Real nice offer of help probie," Vera says.

"I figured you had it handled, and if you needed help you would have asked," Gibbs says.

"Got anything to drink?" Vera asks.

"Should be on the counter. A glass to somewhere" Gibbs says walking over.

"I remember Lala telling me about this fresh rookie who had his first shot of bourbon," Vera says wistfully grabbing the bottle "Sometimes I wish I never started that damn criminal profiling program given what it cost us."

Gibbs grabs a glass and sliding it to the soon-to-be-retired NCIS agent as the dark-haired woman pours the liquid before drinking. Taking the bottle, Gibbs pours a glass as the agents share a beverage silently for a few moments. No longer the days at the local bar enjoying a conversation, playing darts, and joking around, instead, they are who is left of that NIS family.

"You going to ask me?" Vera inquiries.

"About what?" Gibbs questions.

"Oh, I think you know, I think you are afraid of my answer for why I've stayed away for nearly two decades. I never had an issue with DiNozzo's nearly lethal past, we've all had one. Rather your agent DiNozzo is like Roger, JJ, Carl, or Felix Betts all rolled into a single individual" Vera says.

"He's changed Vera, and I thought you would know better than to listen to gossip," Gibbs says.

"I don't pay attention to gossip Gibbs; I pay attention to facts. Maybe has gotten slightly better after Ziva left but it shouldn't have taken him to not get a woman he's been mooning after for years on considering growing up. The fact is you let Abby and DiNozzo run around doing whatever they want to whoever. And I bet you've stayed away from me cause deep down you don't want to hear what we all would have said about DiNozzo, Sciuto, or how they've treated McGee, who reminds me of Randy. You know if it was Wheeler, Mike or Pride in charge both of your golden kids would have been fired a long, long time ago" Vera says.

"Are you done?" Gibbs asks.

"Oh, I haven't even gotten started but I'm not squandering my breath other than to quote one of your rules of not wasting good. Only it's a rule I think you've broken a lot" Vera says, "So yeah I am disappointed in you for that."

Gibbs merely finishing off the last from his glass sets it back on the counter while heading for his boat.

"As an agent, you are one of the best and run an effective team. But as a person, Gibbs? Far off from the person who joined us when we went percolating or offered Dominguez a bowl of cereal just because she was feeling down. Maybe you have but it's just for two in particular" Vera says.

"You know better than anybody what happened and why," Gibbs says.

"I do, and I get it but doesn't mean I have to like it. I miss them all just like you" Vera says.

"Yeah," Gibbs replies.

"Thanks for the drink, probie. You watch your six" Vera says.

"Anytime Vera" Gibbs replies "Take care of yourself."

Vera merely nods while heading back up the staircase leaving.