Chapter 20

Abby’s POV

‘McGee, we need to tell her,’ I told him.

‘Yeah, I know. But you saw her when she found out about Gibbs, I can’t let her go through that again,’ he replied.

‘You really do like her, don’t ya?’ I asked, turning to face him.

‘Of course I do, we’ve known each other for years,’ he told me.

‘Yeah right, it’s obviously more than that,’ I replied.

Before he could reply, he got a call from Gibbs, telling him to get back into the office. Looking distressed as to whether he should go to Gibbs or stay and argue with me, he chose Gibbs.

He could probably inflict slightly more pain.

McGee POV

I couldn’t tell Lizzie about her mother, it would kill her. She would never trust her again, unless there was some unknown back story.

I don’t know, I’ll just have to wait until the right time.

Lizzie POV

How does Gibbs manage to spend so much time in the Directors office? Well, the fact we haven’t heard a gunshot is a pretty good sign I guess.

I don’t know what to think right now. I’m good at hiding my feelings and thoughts when I want to, so Gibbs has no idea what’s going on.

Ziva definitely thinks something’s up, but then of course she does. Trained Mossad assassin and all.

Tim was still in Abby’s lab, gone to chase up evidence.

DiNozzo was annoying Ziva, throwing paper balls at her, claiming that he’s trying to get it in her bin, but obviously (to me anyway) trying to get her attention.

He likes her, I know that. I think everyone but Ziva does. She also likes him, but she doesn’t want to, for whatever reason.

Gibbs started walking down the stairs and was on his phone, undoubtedly telling Tim to get back up to the squad room. He got out of the lift around the same time Gibbs entered the bullpen.

‘Marsden, McGee, David. Gear up. We’re going to Mexico,’ he stated.

Mexico?!?

Oh right. Detective Rivera.

‘Boss, why am I not coming,’ Tony asked, obviously really disappointed he wasn’t coming.

‘You need to learn how to type for one thing,’ I told him.

Ziva and Tim stifled giggles.

Gibbs gave me a glare.

‘What? Am I right or am I right, bossman?’ I asked. I’d always called those with authority over me in the marines bossman, so it’s a habit now.

Gibbs looked slightly defeated, and just turned and headed for the lift. We all followed, minus DiNozzo.

‘Go home. Pack a bag. Meet back here in one hour.’ Gibbs told us.

Finally. My bike’s been here for about two months, I can finally take it back to my apartment!

Strapping on the helmet I kept locked in my box on the back, and pulling my leathers over my clothes, I got on the bike, and drove home.

My apartment was in a nice part of Washington, so the roads were quiet, and the soft sunshine dappled through the autumn trees.

When I got there, I quickly stuffed a duffel bag of clothes, toiletries, and peanut butter chocolate bars. Those things were the only thing that kept me going right now. That and coffee.

I was almost done, when the buzzer to my apartment sounded.

Talking into the intercom ‘Yeah? Who is it?’

‘It’s me, I came to pick you up,’ Tim’s voice floated through the speaker.

I buzzed him in and continued emptying every stash of peanut butter chocolate bars I had. I also wrapped my portable coffee machine in bubble wrap and put it in my bag as well, before there was a knock on the door.

‘Why did you have to come and pick me up? Gibbs not trust me not to kill myself on my bike?’ I joked, opening the door.

‘No, I just thought, if your bike was left here, then we’d only have to take one car to the office,’ he replied.

‘Fair enough, but you’re not driving,’ I told him.

Tim raised an eyebrow.

‘We’re taking my bike,’ I grinned, heading back into my apartment, Tim trailing me.

‘Wai- wha- No. No, we’re not,’ he told me.

‘Why not? You scared?’ I teased.

‘No, I just don’t think it’s safe,’ he said.

‘Tim, don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe. It’s a two seater bike, I have a spare helmet and leathers, we can strap our bags to the back, sorted,’ I told him.

He looked as if he was going to say something else, but sighed and nodded weakly.

‘Yay, love you Tim,’ I said hugging him.

I bounced off to get my bag and grabbed the spare helmet (and mine) and leathers. I was still wearing my leathers.

‘Here you go,’ I handed him the leathers. ‘Just put them on over your clothes,’ I told him.

My phone started to ring as Tim began to protest. I held up a finger and accepted the call.

‘Hello?’

‘Lizzie it’s me.’

‘Hey Zi, I’m about to leave, I should be there in about twenty minutes.’

‘Good. Gibbs has arranged transport from NCIS so you can leave you bike in the car park. Be careful on it, I wouldn’t want you in hospital again!’

‘I’ll be careful, I promise, see you in a minute.’

‘Bye.’

I hung up.

‘Tim, come on, Ziva and Gibbs are waiting, Lock up when you’re done, I’ll go and strap up our bags, and we can go,’ I said, tossing him my keys.

I headed downstairs to strap up the bags to my bike. I’d always wanted to take someone out on it, but no-one, for whatever reason, wanted to come.

Note the sarcasm.

Anyway, once I’d got to the car park, it was quiet, which was pretty usual around here, but something just didn’t feel right. Strapping the bags onto the back, I noticed Tim come out of the door of my building.

I tried not to laugh.

The leathers fit okay on his torso, but about two inches too short on his ankles, which just looked funnier with his black office shoes. The spare helmet hadn’t been worn for a while, so had been in my wardrobe at home, and then in my wardrobe here.

It was red, or at least used to be. The light from when I opened my wardrobe (there was an automatic light that turned on whenever I opened the door) had turned it pink, so looked a bit daft on Tim.

He walked over – or waddled – and gave me a glare that could have rivalled Gibbs’.

‘Come on! Gibbs is gonna kill us if we’re not there soon! The longer you take, the faster I’m gonna have drive…’ I told him, pulling out the last word.

Looking panicked, he quickly got on my bike and looked at me, still with an afraid look on his face. He’ll be fine once he gets used to the speed.

Maybe.

Probably not.

Oh well.

A/N: yeah! twentieth chapter! Tell me what you think :) :) :) :) :)