Catalyst 14/?

[emerald_green37]

 

 

 

Monday morning found Gibbs arriving at the Yard even earlier than usual after a restless weekend at home. He'd almost driven back out to Milford, catching himself with his keys in hand at one point before busying himself with with mundane chores around the house.

 

"So, what did you think of McGee's little retreat?" It was a rare event when Vance managed to startle Gibbs, and he couldn't quite hide his amusement.

 

"You knew about it already?"

 

Vance hitched his hip up on the corner of Gibbs' desk. "Jackie and I took him there after his last surgery. He really wanted to get away from DC while he was recovering and the doctors didn't want him driving that far that soon. Jackie enjoyed driving the Porsche out there for him and we both enjoyed the pizza joint he recommended."

 

"I bet." Gibbs had a slight smile on his face as he thought about it. "It's very peaceful out there, I can see why he likes it."

 

Needing to get his day started, Vance stood and turned to leave before turning back. "When McGee gets back this afternoon, you and he come up to my office. We need to discuss what security measures he's going to be taking when Patterson gets out this week."

 

"This week? Patterson's getting out this week?"

 

"He didn't tell you?"

 

Gibbs had a strange look on his face. "No, he didn't."

 

 

---NCIS---

 

 

"Good morning, Lizzie." Tim sidestepped the hand that was reaching for him as he took his coffee.

 

There was something different about the semi-regular customer and Lizzie studied him as she made change. "Didn't see you with the other agents when they were here."

 

"We were working different parts of the case." As he always did, Tim dropped all of his change into the tip jar before adding a few dollars to the collection for the graduating class' alcohol free celebration party.

 

Lizzie wasn't satisfied with the answer. "But you're one of us. You should have been in charge instead of Mr. Stern. Does he ever loosen up?"

 

The question had Tim flushing. "Sure he does, but not on the job. One of us had to do the research and that's my specialty."

 

She watched him leave with his drink, recognizing another man that was off the market.

 

 

---NCIS---

 

 

Abby signed for the evidence as she peppered Tony and Ziva with questions. "So, you guys already rescued the victim and got a confession out of his kidnapper? Why didn't McGee come in with you?"

 

"McGee stayed to talk to Cathy Young's doctors this morning."

 

"He spent an extra three days at a motel to save a two hour drive? Fred from accounting won't be happy about that."

 

Ziva answered without thinking. "No, McGee stayed at his own house."

 

"His house?" Abby stilled and looked at both of them, spotting the glare Tony gave Ziva.

 

Ziva just shrugged. "It is no longer a secret, Tony. McGee has offered to host us all for a weekend this summer."

 

"McGee has a secret house that none of us knew about? He lied to us?"

 

Tony pointed a finger as he shook his head at Abby. "It wasn't lying, he wanted to keep it private. It's his place to go to get away from all of this when it gets to be too much. To... to get away from me when I hurt him."

 

The tone of Tony's voice more than his words caught Abby's attention. "Tony, what did you do?"

 

"I don't know." He spoke slowly as he thought it through, trying to remember each clue he'd gathered. "I caused something to happen to him, Abs. I don't know what it was, but it was bad. Bad enough that it put him in the hospital."

 

Tony remembered about the cat lady and dropped his chin down onto his chest. "Actually, I guess I've put him in the hospital a couple of times, but one time was bad enough that the team was almost broken up over it."

 

Abby crossed her arms as she stared at him. "How could you do something that bad and not know about it, Tony? You'd better figure it out."

 

He recognized the look in her eye. "No, I'm not and neither are you. Whatever happened, it's caused this need for privacy in McGee and we're not going to cross that line."

 

"But if you don't know what it was, you might do it again."

 

She'd hit on his greatest fear since the whole mess had started. "Don't say that, Abby. Don't even think it, okay?"

 

Not knowing what else to do, Abby threw her arms around him and gave him one of her famous hugs before she punched him in the arm.

 

 

---NCIS---

 

 

Palmer had recognized the look and left to go clean the autopsy van without being asked and now Ducky was watching in amusement as Gibbs prowled around the room, randomly opening cadaver drawers and thumping on the stainless steel tables.

 

"I realize you have a reputation for using very few words, Jethro, but I'm afraid I need at least one or two to know what is going on in that head of yours. Three would be even better." Ducky hoped the friendly nudge would ease the situation, whatever it was.

 

"Did you know?"

 

Gibbs had spoken three words, Ducky had to give him that. "Did I know about what? I am afraid I'm going to still need more."

 

"Patterson." Gibbs looked at him, closely, watching for any flicker of recognition. "Patterson and McGee, ring any bells?"

 

"Patterson?" Ducky's eyes lost their focus for a moment as he concentrated on the name, thinking back over various cases and remembering an assassinated agent. "Agent Jack Patterson? That dear fellow who was killed to cover up what that mining company in Arizona was up to?"

 

"What? No, not that Patterson. He didn't tell you either? You're his doctor."

 

Now Ducky was totally lost. "He, who, Jethro? What is going on that's got you so worked up?"

 

Looking like a man on a mission, Gibbs turned on his heel, heading for the door. "Nope, we're done playing around. We're going to do it my way from now on. Thanks, Ducky."

 

Ducky watched him leave. "You're welcome. I think." Lost, baffled and now confused and curious, Ducky sat down at the computer to check for previous cases, using the name Patterson as a search point.

 

 

---NCIS---

 

 

After driving up to New Castle, it was quicker to drive down the Maryland side of the waterway to return to DC, which put McGee driving directly through Baltimore. A quick stop at Abby's favorite bakery meant that the first person he saw after arriving at the Yard that afternoon was Abby. He set the box down on her table with a flourish.

 

"I had to go through Baltimore, so here you go, Abs."

 

"You remembered?" She peeked in the box before throwing her arms around him. "You remembered!"

 

He kissed her cheek. "Of course I remembered, now don't eat them all at once." She didn't let go and he became worried. "Abby, you all right?"

 

Her eyes were huge when she finally pulled back. "Should I be the one asking that question, McGee?"

 

McGee stilled, then gave her a slightly strained smile. "I'm fine, Abs."

 

"Then why all the secrets? Why the secret house?" Even though she'd stepped back, she was still hanging onto his hands. "Why are you hiding from all your friends, Timmy?"

 

"When you go on a retreat with the nuns, do we tag along?"

 

She looked thoughtful, then shook her head. "Well, no, but I don't hide it either."

 

"And if everyone had known I had a vacation home out in the country, an easy walk to the beach and with deer walking through my side yard...

 

Abby understood what he was trying to say. "We would have pestered you about going with you or borrowing it."

 

"Kinda defeats the purpose of private, doesn't it?"

 

She had to agree with that, but it didn't settle the bigger picture of what he was hiding as she watched him walk out of the lab.

 

 

---NCIS---

 

 

McGee's next stop was Autopsy to drop off a copy of the report on Cathy Young with Ducky who would be translating it for Gibbs if necessary. Ducky hadn't made the exact connection yet, but he knew whatever was going with Gibbs had something to do with McGee.

 

"Hello, Timothy, how was your weekend?

 

McGee was immediately suspicious. "It was fine, Ducky. Same as usual. Here's a copy of the report." He dropped it on Ducky's desk and quickly made his escape before he could be questioned further. Ducky waited until he was almost at the door.

 

"If you're having some difficulties, lad, I am always available to talk things through and I can certainly be discreet. Anything you tell me would be held in the strictest of confidences."

 

Looking much older than his thirty-two years, Tim slowly turned around. "If that were the case, Ducky, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[merzibelle]

*chuckle* And now it begins. Abby's going to get pushy trying to find answers under the guise of 'helping' and Ducky's just going to want to know what was kept from him regarding McGee's medical history. And they both won't stop asking questions until they find out. I think I feel sorry for McGee because he's right, if it was confidential, Ducky wouldn't have asked just because Gibbs mentioned something.

[emerald_green37]

Yep, when Ducky gets to talking, he totally forgets when to stop and Abby is always so intent on "helping" that she totally ignores everything else, including being told not to.

[merzibelle]

Yup. So, poor McGee's going to have to deal with a 'pouting' Abby because he won't tell her anything and Ducky whose trying to clear up his confusion. Add them on top of Patterson's release and McGee's likely to snap! Tony seems to be the only one aside from Gibbs who's doing what McGee asked and staying out of his private life!

[emerald_green37]

Absolutely. Who'd have thought that Tony would be the practical one. Of course, it's going to be fun when Tim does snap. (I need my evil laugh smiley here)

[merzibelle]

Tony has his moments, few and far between that they are, and it's going to be a mess when Tim snaps. No need for the smilie, I can see that evil smirk all the way on the other side of the country!

[emerald_green37]

It's going to be fun, that's for sure.