Hey everybody
My first post on this story in 2025, and mere days from NCIS Origins returning which I'm ready for.
Having wrapped up my recent NCIS rewatching since Christmas, well not the entire series just the main classic era of Gibbs, DiNozzo, McGee, and Ziva. Some later ones including Mark Harmon's final episodes.
Yeah, just that goodbye between Mark and Sean as their characters is a true gut punch.
Highlights of rewatching make Tiva pandering even more clear in season 10, a stronger McGiva supporter, and same for Timothy McGee. Plus, Origins does help you understand Gibbs a lot better and helped me not just dismiss the entire series.
I have a better understanding/appreciation of the classic episodes, as the show nowadays has no spark. Personally, I would have ended NCIS in season 10, ditched the Tony/Ziva pandering, let McGee/Ziva be together. Also, Gibbs retiring with McGee leading MCRT as Tony declines the responsibility.
Readdressing Abby's trip to Mexico in 7x22 Borderland with a lot more expansion than I did in chapter 02.
Leaving it up to the reader if this is Mark Harmon's Gibbs or Austin Stowell's version in present day.
Early morning Washington DC Navy Yard, NCIS headquarters – May 2010
Venturing down the stairs having been in MTAC on a conference call with Agent Burley for confirming the arrest of a pretty officer who embezzled from the Navy, and tried escaping onboard a ship that Stan had caught. Thankfully nothing major unlike a growing feeling in his gut, especially from a recent trip of Abby, and McGee down in Mexico. Besides Franks living down there, nothing good ever comes out of that country Gibbs notes. Still, it might be related to the recent killings of drug dealers with keeping their feet as proof, hopefully, they will have a break soon.
Pausing Gibbs notices Ziva who's standing in the semi-private place down at the staircase's bottom talking softly on the phone. Given how Gibbs the usual wall Ziva has is not there it's a safe bet for in a conversation with McGee. After all, he's always been the one she's been more vulnerable with even when first joining years prior.
Could interrupt her phone call but can spare a couple of minutes. It might be a good way to check in with what's going on, Gibbs knows. Yet instantly becomes concerned when seeing Ziva go from soft to furious.
"She did what? No that's inexcusable" Ziva inquires before "I will gladly find Gibbs."
Hearing those words, Gibbs' stomach feels like plummeting and his gut doesn't get any easier when watching Ziver glance over towards the bullpen, then upwards to see him on the stairs. A flash of different emotions crosses her face before the dark-haired woman climbs upwards handing him the phone.
"McGee, sitrep," Gibbs says knowing that helps keep Tim focused, and calm.
"Abby in investigating this case decided to leave the compound and go take the students out into Mexico to see this crime scene in person. Some dead drug dealer and Paloma Reynosa with her men came upon us. Gave this shell casing. I offered myself in exchange for everybody else, but she let us go free" Timothy replies far too calmly.
Ziva lets out a low curse word in Hebrew that Gibbs while knowing figures it's rather justified and has to resist doing the same in English or Russian presently. Never mind the anger that boils inside, for this Paloma woman, more of focuses on one thing.
A certain anger with memories of his NIS team of Lala, Mike, and him in Mexico returning. Them investigating Navy Officer's Dana Rogers disappearance by taking down a part of the Reynosa cartel's human trafficking operation, and later Saúl Ortega, Pedro's friend on problems Ortega caused. Or earlier for Joan Fielding's revenge mission in March involving the drug-ranging branch Captain Joseph Norton helped operate but shoves those thoughts aside.
"Abby did not listen?" Gibbs demands.
"Why on earth would she do that? Hardly ever does, Mikel Mauher made that obvious" Timothy says.
"Do you need me to have Vance pull the plug?" Gibbs asks.
"After what happened Rivera is making sure we get safely to the airport and requested the first flight back. Also bringing with us the body" Timothy says.
"Get back here," Gibbs says closing the phone out of habit.
Looking over Gibbs tries to not wince at the mild glare Ziva is sending him for that action while handing the phone back to the soon-to-be official American citizen. Debating on something for a moment Gibbs turns heading back up the stairs only a voice makes him pause.
"It's not McGee's fault for her actions," Ziva says.
"Let me know if anything changes, and update DiNozzo when he gets here. Can discuss rule twelve later" Gibbs replies.
Ziva watches as Gibbs continues towards the director's office until heading back to her desk. Quietly concerned for her boyfriend and angry at the lab scientist for Abby's extremely foolish actions alongside nativity or superiority in thinking acting like knows better than everybody else. In those kinds of countries, the concept of safe zones you do not leave is not a joke.
Reynosa's organization could have easily killed them all or worse taken some hostage including Tim, where what they due to captives is not pretty on everything from brutalized for fun or sold into sex slavery. Letting out a slow breath Ziva will try her hardest to not rip Abby into pieces upon their return.
Only Ziva pauses upon wondering how does Gibbs knows about McGee and her being together.
Hours later, same Navy Yard
Stepping off the elevator Timothy, letting out a light yawn only has Gibbs coming from the bullpen as McGee stops as the marine-turned-agent approaches.
"Where's Abby?" Gibbs inquiries.
"Down in her lab going over that corpse" Timothy replies.
Nodding "You did good McGee," Gibbs says, "Ziva was worried about you."
Timothy goes to speak only his mouth slides open a bit for realizing it's his boss's way of acknowledging their relationship yet figures it's not surprising that Gibbs knows either. Maybe even approval. Yet seeing the older man's light smirk while moving onto the open elevator he decides to speak.
"Rule thirty-six, it just feels off to me. Rule thirty-nine and forty since are the Reynosa cartel let us go" Timothy says.
"Trust your gut McGee" Gibbs replies.
As the doors close the agent in charge can see his younger one grimace and doesn't blame McGee because it's obvious, they are now being hunted. No doubt about assassinating Pedro Hernandez. Only covered his tracks by not just replacing the barrel on the M40A1 bolt action rifle but filing down the rifling before disposing of the thing inside a landfill. Making it impossible to find let alone match his rifle.
Sighing Gibbs is not looking forward to this, but can hear Ruth, his big sister in the back of his head saying quit being a wuss and man up. Quit quoting Ruth's exact words when using it as an inspiration to a young kid back in 99.
Meanwhile Timothy upon hearing the elevators close is making his way into the bullpen where DiNozzo gets up from behind his desk, alongside Ziva for stepping over. Ziva embraces her partner in a hug, as McGee following his minor disbelief at her being this affectionate in public, quickly returns it. Both stand there for a few seconds enjoying the other's aura until separating with McGee gently strokes Ziva's cheek before removing his hand knowing how much she must have been worried.
"Better recaption than I ever get from our ninja, you are certainly racking up the miles McFlyer. Did you at least get to enjoy any good drinks under the Mexico sun?" Tony asks a mix of partial playful, yet concern buried within.
"Missed you too Tony" Timothy replies, a light smile.
Nodding "Ziva told me what Abby did. Gibbs was pretty ticked, and I need to head down there myself" Tony says.
"Yeah, you wouldn't want him to knock your head off," Ziva says.
"Not what… hang on he just might. Especially knowing how hard his head slaps are" Tony says.
"Excuse me, can you guys point me down in the direction of the lab?" Woodrow Browne questions walking up.
Minutes later, inside a lab on the Navy Yard
Entering, Gibbs looks over seeing Abby Sciuto working away at her computer while playing the loud, annoying goth music like nothing even occurred. Like the lives of all those students, or his agent doesn't even matter to her. Not for the first time Gibbs has wondered if the forensics for her end up being more important instead of the people.
Glancing at the monitors Gibbs can tell on running ballistics on Hernandez's case, like Director Vance said when hearing about how they are not Alejandro Rivera's personal investigative service so that body is getting sent back immediately, with the director already telling Ducky to not make an incision on the corpse.
If Abby agreeing to take a body that has zero involving Navy or Marines when NCIS has plenty of their cases to work on was bad enough, Vance quickly filled out the termination papers for Sciuto upon hearing the stunt in Mexico. Gibbs knows whatever going on involving Hernandez is secondary. Given years prior accepted going to prison even though the very legal system he upholds could not catch Pedro Hernandez.
"Abby" Gibbs growls slightly louder just to be heard over the music.
"Oh, hi Gibbs, you're too soon. I don't have anything for you, yet. Did you just come down here to see me back after Mexico? I hope McGee is not causing too many problems given he ate spoiled yogurt; he can be such a party pooper at times" Abby says rambling excitedly.
"Nothing to say?" Gibbs questions.
Frowning "About what?" Abby replies.
"The trip you forced onto everybody outside the compound. A run-in with cartel" Gibbs says irritable.
"Oh that, not a big deal at all. Hope McGee's not throwing a fit over me not listening to his melodrama, I always know your aura of protection is watching over me. Besides, we were in no real danger that let us go" Abby says dismissively.
Glaring "You don't care about anybody but yourself. Makes this easier. You are fired, effectively immediately" Gibbs replies icily.
"What, did Director Vance get his toothpick in a bunch 'cause his golden boy was put in harm's way? Or some bratty parent complaining about having a gun pointed at them. If so, they should go work in a library somewhere" Abby says.
"McGee was there as your security detail you should have listened, and all those students you are responsible for. But I guess you don't care as long as it's not you put into human trafficking, chopped into pieces, or forced to work in the drug factories" Gibbs says, "You've crossed too many lines."
"I don't believe you; I mean you have McGee hack into federal databases all the time and frequently ignore or break rules" Abby protests.
"And the people who would pay the price are us. I never have ever put other people in danger just to satisfy a whim. Let me make this clear if one of the students or McGee had gotten injured by the cartel you wouldn't be getting a pink paper, I'd be dragging your ass to prison" Gibbs growls.
"You let Ziva come back to the team after" Abby begins yet gets cut off.
"The entire Micheal Rivkin mess was from multiple factors and poor communication," Gibbs says.
Footsteps are heard as the once-and-always marine with the goth scientist turns to see DiNozzo with Woodrow at the doorway.
"Hey, Tony" Abby says smiling "Uh who's this?"
"The person taking over the lab. Not impressed by the new outfit Gibbs since less like a clean workplace and rather some Kiss band member exploded from C4 stuffed inside its stomach" Woodrow says.
"Well, it's your lab now alongside the assistants Woody" Gibbs says.
"The assistants? Nobody is going to touch my babies, and I don't work with help. No, I won't stand for this" Abby says.
Rolling his eyes "If you needed me Gibbs instead of touring around setting up the various labs the past decade so you didn't have to put up with this immature brat I would have come" Woodrow replies "They are not babies, just machines. Get over it."
"We're leaving," Gibbs says.
"Oh, so Timmy gets a gun pointed at him, and suddenly I'm the bad guy 'cause he's not you. I mean even Tony's not that much of a dog-killing wimp" Abby says.
"That dog nearly mauled him to death. If it was me, I would have killed the animal" Gibbs says.
"Please it wasn't that big of a deal. Just a bite, even Tony gets it" Abby says.
"My rigging up a dog attacks CD on probie's computer? That got put in my file and I can't ever move up to a leadership role. After screwing over McGee on the Iraq mission no more long-term undercover jobs" Tony replies, "And those were put in by the boss."
"You're nicer than Franks ever was Gibbs, the old cowboy would have just fired their hides years prior. These two remind me of boys like Loughlin" Woodrow says.
"Wait, you worked with Gibbs during his probie days?" Tony asks.
"I'm hurt Gibbs, you don't talk about me," Woodrow says.
"He doesn't really talk about any of his NIS time. Just mostly glares and a few word sentences" Tony says.
"Yeah, sounds about right. Glared back then too and had slightly more vocabulary than under a normal Twitter limit. Enjoyed being short on patience" Woodrow says.
"Thanks, Woody" Gibbs replies dryly knowing it encourages them
Smiling "I think we are going to get along just fine," Tony says.
"Oh, come on I still don't get why little Timmy gets nervous from a," Abby says yet gets interrupted.
"Enough, I know I've been an utter a hole to McGee a lot and for some reason, the guy still chooses to be my friend. Only he's not some spineless little wallow flower. McGee on one of his earliest cases on the made-up crop circles told me off for my juvenile actions. Anymore McGee gives as good as he gets, can hold his own with the boss. Never mind we went into hell together for stopping Saleem" Tony says icily.
"Yeah, well even then it's obvious he's favored as a little mini silver-haired fox," Abby says.
Looking between them "What are you even talking about?" Gibbs demands.
"Not surprised you can't see it, like just from the way Timmy changed his look after you left Mexico on being closer to how Mike Franks dresses or can be well rather choosing when to speak. I mean chattier than you'll ever be, but still. I've been on the receiving end of his glare during Ned Quinn's case is as harsh as you giving them, or the time like McGee inside the woman's prison. Even this past January when becoming lead on a case involving jet packs. Like a combination of you and him" Abby says.
"Kind of has a point, probie takes after you a lot. Like you guys have always had this bond given he was the only one who, besides maybe Ducky when you were attempting to locate Ari didn't think you were obsessed. And going to McGee for help like it wasn't even a second consideration. Regardless of all his Boy Scout image, I think half the time is messing with us, since has zero hesitation for breaking the law on all McGee's hacking" Tony says.
"Agent McGee kind of even looks like you with the short hair too. Not that I want to agree with these two" Woodrow says.
Looking between Sciuto and DiNozzo "You dislike how McGee can make you rather uncomfortable, focuses on work rather than games, and is listening to what I teach him?" Gibbs asks.
"Yes," Tony and Abby admit sheepishly.
"One day replace me as team lead?" Gibbs questions pointedly.
"Yeah," Abby and Tony answer again.
"Good, it means I've done my job" Gibbs replies, smirking.
"Of course you'd think that" Tony mutters.
"DiNozzo escort Abby out of this lab and to the entrance. Make sure she turns in her ID" Gibbs says.
"You're not serious" Abby protests.
Giving a harsh look "Leave willing or be removed in handcuffs, your choice" Gibbs says.
"Fine I'll go, but I want to be officially noted on finding this to be wrongful termination due to favoritism," Abby says.
"Whatever. Let's get a few boxes for all your Halloween crap" Woodrow says.
"You are not going to see me out?" Abby asks.
"No, that would imply you matter more than you should. Only between the dog incident, this mess, and Ziva clarifying to me about Mauher, I'm done" Gibbs says, "Frankly I regret having you around."
Abby starts having tears in her eyes, even DiNozzo winces at how harsh that is while Gibbs not sparing a glance leaves.
Hope you all enjoy this and let me know your opinions.
I decided to just go for it on having Timothy/Ziva together. Far better than any McGee/Delilah Fielding pairing.
Choosing to fix something that's been bugging me for years is the plot over logic part of Abby able to match Gibbs's rifle with the bullet that killed Pedro.
NCIS doing forensic work for a body found in Mexico that they don't even know who it is until Abby returns to the Navy Yard, and discovers the NIS connection. Yeah, Director Vance is not standing for this.
I have McGee instantly putting pieces on somebody trying to play NCIS since Mexican cartel let them go something they never do.
Yeah, decided DiNozzo faced consequences for his actions over the years, and highlighted how McGee is like Gibbs in various ways.
Until next time.