Hello everyone, Gregorypeck205 here starting another NCIS fanfic.

I normally don't write cannon so don't look for correct dates and order of events from my stories.

For anyone who has been reading Broken Trust, you already know I'm a big Tim McGee and McGiva fan.

Tim is hurt by his teammates again but in his grief, he remembers a piece of advice and encouragement given to him by one of the few people in his life that he trusts. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or any of their characters. In other words, I Own Nothing.

Chapter 1. His Eyes Are Now Opened

Abby's Lab

Tim could not believe what he was seeing. His heart was breaking as he watched Tony and Abby locked in a passionate kiss that left nothing to the imagination. Tony hands were massaging Abby's ass as she moaned continuously while grinding into Tony. Tim turned and went back upstairs and made a beeline for the men's room. He went to the sink and splashed water on his face. His mind was a jumbled mess. He could not seem to focus on anything. He knew he had to get out of the building as quickly as possible so he could be alone and get his thoughts together without being interrupted. He took some paper towels to dry his face and made sure his clothes were in order. He took a look at his face and tried to look as though nothing was wrong. He left the rest room and entered the bull pen. Tony was back at his desk looking as though nothing had been going on.

"Boss, I'm at a dead end right now. I'm going to go out and get some air to see if I can get a better perspective on this case." With that, he immediately headed to the exit not looking at anyone.

Ziva David was looking at McGee shrewdly. "McGee are you all right?"

With that question, everyone looked up at McGee but he did not turn around or slow down.

"I'm fine Ziva, just frustrated that I haven't been able to come up with anything to help with this case." Tim had made it to the door and proceeded out of the building.

Gibbs, Dinozzo and David look at each other silently communicating that something was wrong but knew McGee would not confide in them. Gibbs made a mental note to have a talk with McGee to see if he could find out what was wrong with him. Tim had walked to the café and bought a cup of coffee. He walked into the park and sat on a bench and finally started to let the heaviness and sadness set in. He and Abby had dated before and even though Abby had broken it off, he still had feelings for her and always hoped they would get back together. Seeing her with Tony like that had been a shock, especially since Tony knew the way he felt about Abby. Tim started wondering just how long they had been together. He finally decided it would be better if he didn't know. That could only bring more heartache for him. The more pressing problem would seem to be how he was going to work with them every day. He knew every time he looked at one of them, all he would see was the image of them locked in that kiss.

As he thought about this problem, he was unaware that he was being observed. Ziva had been watching McGee through the window of the NCIS building ever since he had sat on the bench. She was extremely worried about him. She knew that whatever was bothering him was not about the case. She hoped he would come to her and share his problems with her. They were supposed to be friends. Ziva had a special place in her heart for McGee. When she had joined the team, he had been the first to greet her and welcome her to the team even though she could tell he was still hurting over their recently murdered comrade. She had seen right away that he was sincere in his welcome and his smile had lifted her spirits. Now, she was worried about McGee and didn't know what to do about it. She did notice McGee start to sit up straighter as though he had come to some conclusion. She wondered what had caused the change in his posture.

Out in the park, Tim had remembered what his grandmother had told him. She always said "Timothy, you are made of sterner stuff. Whenever it looks like the world is closing in on you, you remember that you are a strong intelligent man. You have achieved things people can't even imagine. If someone steps on your heart, don't get depressed because that person doesn't deserve you. You are meant to be with someone who will cherish you and protect your heart with a fierceness that even you won't understand. That woman will have realized how precious a gift it is to have your heart. That lucky lady will be person you will love, make babies with and grow old with. Don't worry about the others because they are unworthy of you." Tim just smiled thinking about his grandmother. She was a force to be reckoned with but she had a fierce loyalty and love for Tim and his sister, Sarah. Tim realized he could work with these people but he did not have to socialize with them. They were no longer considered friends but just coworkers. Putting them in this category started to ease the heaviness in his chest. He sat up straight on the bench and actually started looking forward to not having to put up with Tony and Abby during off duty hours. The more he thought about it the lighter he felt. He actually had a smile on his face as he got up and headed back to work. He walked into the bullpen, sat at his desk and unlocked his computer. He immediately started working with a smile on his face. His team was completely confused now. Tim had left looking like he just lost his best friend but now he was calmly sitting at his computer with a smile on his face typing away.

"McGee, with me," shouted Gibbs.

"Hold on boss, I think I'm on to something here. Just let me get this search going."

Gibbs stood and headed toward the elevators. After Tim had the search going, he got up and followed Gibbs to the elevator. After the elevator started to move, Gibbs hit the emergency switch and stopped the elevator.

"Ok McGee, out with it" Gibbs spat out.

"Out with what boss?"

"Whatever it is that is bothering you."

"There is nothing bothering me boss."

"Don't lie to me McGee."

Now Tim was starting to get a little angry.

"I said there was nothing bothering me. If you choose not to believe me, there is nothing I can do about that. If there was something bothering me, as long as it did not affect my work, I would be perfectly within my rights if I decided not to tell you. There is nothing in the NCIS or Federal regulations that says I must discuss my personal feelings with you. Now, can I get back to work?"

Saying Gibbs was shocked would be an understatement. He stared into McGee's eyes for a long moment which again surprised him since McGee was staring right back at him without flinching. Gibbs finally flipped the switch, which landed them back at the bullpen. McGee left the elevator first with angry strides and a scowl on his face. He went over to his computer and started shutting it down. He collected his backpack and his gun and stated he was leaving early today and left.

Ziva got up and went over to Gibbs desk with an angry scowl on her face.

"What did you say to him?" Ziva asked in a shout whisper.

"I just asked him what was bothering him." Gibbs replied nonchalantly.

"Tell me the truth Gibbs, we all saw McGee when he came back. He was cheerful and smiling and was making a breakthrough in the case. A few moments later, he gets off the elevator after having a talk with you and he is angry enough to just shut down his computer leave for the day."

"Well, I might have called him a liar." Gibbs said gruffly.

"McGee, a liar! But McGee cannot lie. We all know that. That is the reason you do not send him undercover. Why would you insult him like that?"

"Because I know something is bothering him and he wouldn't tell me what it was." Gibbs shouted.

"So, he chose to keep his private life private and you could not handle that so you chose to insult him?" Ziva was so angry she was shaking.

Tony didn't know why Ziva was so upset over Probie.

"So, Gibbs called him a liar and he couldn't handle it, so what Tony said."

"You are both imbeciles!" Ziva turned on her heels and angrily walked back over and sat at her desk. She started typing but she was hitting the keys so hard that everyone thought she was going to break the keyboard.

Gibbs wanted to shake McGee. There was something bothering him but it was not affecting his work so he couldn't force him to talk about. Whatever it was, it was still having an effect on his team and Gibbs hated when anything upset the smooth operation of his team.

When Ziva came into work the next day, Tim was already at his desk working.

"Good Morning McGee." She greeted.

Tim looked up and smiled. Ziva loved it when that smile came over his face.

"Hey Ziva, how are you this morning?"

Ziva smiled back at Tim. "I am fine Timothy."

McGee felt a little tug on his heart at the way Ziva said his name.

"Ziva, after you boot up your computer, could you come over here please? My search turned up some interesting results and I want to get your input."

"Of course Timothy, I'll be right over."

After going through her morning start up routine, Ziva went over to McGee's desk and leaned over his shoulder, both enjoying the closeness. Soon they were totally engrossed in the case, tossing ideas back and forth to each other, dismissing scenarios and hypotheses that did not work with the evidence they had.

Gibbs, Tony and Abby stepped out of the elevator together and stopped and stared at the scene before them. Tim and Ziva did not notice them. They also did not notice that Ziva had curled her arm around Tim's shoulder as she looked over his shoulder at his computer. They continued discussing the case and sometimes laughing when an idea was thrown out by one of them that was just ridiculous.

Finally, Tony said, "hey, no one told me we were meeting early to discuss the case."

Tim and Ziva looked up and noticed the three of them standing there staring at them. Tim said nothing and just went back to typing on his computer.

"There was no meeting Tony. McGee was already here when I arrived. McGee's search turned up some results and he asked me to come over and give him my input." Ziva said.

"Then why was your hand on his shoulder?" Abby said with a pout.

"Because it was tiring standing hunched over like that. But a better question would be why you are here Abby?"

"I was coming to ask McGee to go to a concert with me."

McGee looked up and said no thank you to Abby and went back to typing at his computer. Again there was silence as no one could believe McGee had just turned Abby down for a date.

Abby finally found her voice, "Oh, you're going McGee; pick me up at 7:00."

"No Abby, I'm not going, now quit bothering me, I'm trying to work."

Tony had a shocked look on his face. Ziva had a smirk on her face. Gibbs face was stony.

Abby walked over to McGee's desk and leaned over as she said

"I don't know what's wrong with you but you will pick me up at 7:00 and take me to the concert." After saying that, she turned and went down to her lab.

Tony came over to McGee's desk and started teasing, "Well Probie, let me know how you like the concert."

"I'm not going to any concert Tony and will you please go to your own desk and leave me alone so I can work."

Tony straightened up and gave McGee a long stare which McGee ignored and kept working.

Gibbs spoke up. "McGee, did I hear you right? You are not going to the concert with Abby."

"Yes boss, you heard right." McGee responded.

"Don't you think you should tell her?" Gibbs asked making it more like a statement.

"I've already told her twice. If she refuses to accept my answer, there is nothing I can do about that." Tim replied.

"McGee, get up and go down to the lab and talk to Abby." Gibbs said starting to raise his voice.

"No boss!" Tim responded.

Now everyone in the bullpen, including the other teams was stunned. There is complete silence in the bullpen.

"McGee with me!" Gibbs states angrily, and starts for the elevators.

"No boss!" Tim repeated.

Tony was gasping like a fish out of water.

Gibbs turned back to Tim and in a low controlled voice asks, "What did you say?"

"I said no." Tim responded.

"Are you disobeying a direct order?" Gibbs asked threateningly.

"No, I'm disobeying an unlawful order. Show me one regulation that states you can order me to go talk to someone about a date. Show me one regulation that states you are allowed to interfere in my personal life, if it is not affecting my work. My personal and private life is just that, personal and private. I will not be discussing my personal life with you or anyone else who works in this place?" Tim informed Gibbs.

No one had ever seen Gibbs turn his current shade of purple before. He was stuttering as he started to walk back toward McGee. "YOU WILL GET YOUR ASS DOWN TO ABBY'S LAB RIGHT NOW MCGEE!" Gibbs shouted.

"No boss, I will not!" McGee stated quietly but firmly.

"GIBBS!" director Vance yelled from upstairs. "MY OFFICE RIGHT NOW!" Vance turned and went into his office. Gibbs, still glaring at McGee started walking slowly toward the stairs.

When Gibbs arrived in Vance office, he was still angry but after taking a look at Leon's angry face, he knew he had better tread carefully.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Leon shouted.

"Agent McGee was disobeying a direct order." Gibbs responded.

"Oh really, what was the order?" the director asked.

"I ordered him to go down to Abby's lab and talk to her." Gibbs answered.

"Why?" the director wanted to know.

"What do you mean why?" Gibbs snapped.

"Why did you need agent McGee to go talk to Ms. Scuito? Did she have forensic evidence on a case?" Vance asked.

"No!" Gibbs replied quietly.

"Then why were you ordering agent McGee to go talk with Ms Scuito?"

"It doesn't matter" Gibbs responded sulkily. "I'm his boss and he should just do what I say."

"Bull Shit! I was watching the entire time and I heard Agent McGee advise you that he would not discuss his personal life with you or anyone else. Unless I'm mistaken, which I doubt, it seems you wanted him to speak to her about a concert that he clearly said he would not take Miss Scuito to. Here is a piece of advice you had better think about before you speak with agent McGee again. Tread lightly! In case you haven't noticed, something or someone has pushed agent McGee past his tolerance level and he is not going to put up with same mistreatment he has endured since he has been here. Here is another nugget you might want to file away if you want to keep your job here. He was perfectly within his rights to tell you to go to hell for butting into his personal life. Furthermore, if you continue this way, agent McGee can file harassment charges against you along with a number of other federal privacy laws you have broken. You need to get it through your thick skull that Miss Scuito is not your 16 year daughter and agent McGee is not some teenage boy coming to ask if he can take her out. Those are two grown consenting adults who can make up their own minds about how they live their lives. Think long and hard before you do something that will get you thrown out of here Gibbs. Dismissed!"