Abby walked into the lab knowing that Tim was at the computer waiting to finish a search., She then noticed his eyes were closed and his hands and feet moving to a rhythm that did not match the music blaring throughout the lab. She stood there staring at her geek, not really sure what he was doing. The computer beeped as it finished its task. Tim opened his eyes in response; he felt a set of eyes looking at him. Slowly he turned his head, let out a sigh of relief knowing it was Abby. How long had she been standing there and what did she see?

Abby walked up to Tim. “Tim what are you doing?” she asked.

Tim rolled his eyes and looked to the ceiling knowing he had just been busted. “Um . . . Running a check on the Captain’s hard drive, I-I th-thought he might have . .  . Ouch what was that for” Tim asked rubbing his shoulder.

“No not the computer. What are yyyyoooouuu doing?” Gently poking him in the chest.

“Um …Um …Practicing.”

“Practicing what?”

“Foxtrot.”

“Foxtrot, what do you mean Foxtrot?”

“The dance,” Tim turns and grabs Abby’s hands and starts to lead her around the lab. 

Abby, still confused, breaks his grip to stop the dance. “Enough Timmy, what’s with the dancing?”

He hesitated, looking toward the door hoping the rest of his team was not out in the hall. “I know you are not going to let this go till I tell you. So here goes... I was visualizing my dance and I guess I got carried away.”

“Really that is cool. I did not know you could dance” Abby was more bubbly then Tim expected.

“Well, you didn’t ask . . . I didn’t tell.” That response earned him another punch to the shoulder. “Hey! I have to compete this week and Kris won’t like it if I’m bruised.”   

“Compete! You are serious. Wait, who is Kris?” She demanded.

“She was my partner in college and we competed in ballroom. We are competing in the amateur open Friday night. It’s at 7 p.m. at the Doubletree Convention Center if you want to come and watch.” Tim explained, wondering how long Abby was going to keep his secret. Abby smiled and knew he would have some support in the audience.

“Abby, I need to get upstairs and let Gibbs know what I found.” Tim said as he left the lab. By the time he reached the elevator, he thought he heard Abby calling Ziva asking her what she was doing Friday night. When he got to the bullpen he looked toward Ziva, she gave him a knowing smile and he waited the rest of the day for Tony to start in on him. The day ended and, no one had said the word dance. 

--------- Flashback one year ago --------

It was a Saturday night, Tim was about to lose himself in his computer when his phone rang. “McGee,” he answered.

“Is this my Latin Romeo?” McGee let out a “Ha! You just like my Tango” and waited for the voice on the other end to continue. “Hi Tim, how are you doing?”

“I’m fine Kris. To what do I owe the honor of this phone call?” Tim asked smiling

“Do you want to go dancing? “

“Kris, it’s been a long time since we danced, and aren’t you in Kentucky?”

“Not anymore, I was transferred to DC a week ago. It happened so fast I have not had a chance to update my blog. I need a night out so what do you think? Do you want to go dancing?”

“Sure, I know just the place.” Tim said smiling even bigger “Give me your address and I will pick you up.” After she gave him the address, he quickly changed into something more appropriate for dancing.

A few hours later Kris and Tim sat at their table laughing and enjoying a drink. “Wow, Tim you can still dance.” Kris exclaimed.

A breathless Tim responded, “Thanks Kris, I have not danced like this since I was on the Team. You have not lost a step either.”

Kris smiled “You were the best partner I ever had.”

“Thanks. We won your senior year and after you graduated I tried other partners but no one was as good as you.” Tim said.

“Hey, do you want to try and compete again? The Open was last weekend so if you wanted we could train for next year.” Kris suggested.

“Next year, sure dancing will be a nice addition to my workouts.” Tim replied with a smile.

--------- End of Flashback --------

Early Tuesady morning Tim was sitting on one of the tables in autopsy with a shoe and sock sitting next him. He looked up to see the doors slide open and Gibbs walk in.

“Ahh good morning Jethro, I do not have anything new for you,” Ducky said as he walked over and lifted Tim’s foot.  “Well Timothy it seems to only minor. You should be fine. I don’t suggest any long sessions for the rest of the week”

“Thanks Ducky, we weren’t planning on it.”  Tim said putting on his sock and shoe.

“What gives, McGee?” Gibbs asked when a slight tilt of his head. Not expecting to see him in autopsy.

“I tweaked my ankle last night and I asked Ducky if he would check out.”  Tim said as stood up testing out his ankle again.

“Duck, is he okay to work?” Gibbs asked.

“Oh yes, Jethro, our Timothy will be fine.  He should not be dancing tonight.” Ducky said then he looked over to Tim “Does Jethro know?” Tim shook his head “Oh” Ducky responded.

“Know what, McGee?” Gibbs asked.

Tim let out a deep audible breath “I have a dance competition on Friday night, Boss.”

 “What kind of dance?” Gibbs urged.

“Jethro, its International Standard Ballroom, it can be traced back to the late 16th century France.  In my youth I did a fair bit of dancing.” Ducky looked at Gibbs.  “Well, I have been taking care of Timothy’s bumps and bruises for several months now.” Ducky said matter of factly.

“Just the amateur open, I have been practicing with my partner from college for almost a year now and we qualified for the open last month. This is the final competition of the season.” Tim said standing tall with confidence and joy as if he had just broken through an encryption that solved the case.

“Sure McGee, would you like some support?” Gibbs asked

“Having a friendly face in the crowd is always helpful, thanks” Tim said a little shocked “Abby knows all the information she walked in while I was practicing in her lab.”

“Timothy, I will be more than happy to be there as will Jethro, right.” Ducky said looking at Gibbs.

Gibbs smiled and looked at Tim, “If you are planning on leaving early on Friday, then you better get to work on those computer files you found.”

“On it, Boss,” Tim said, carefully walking out of autopsy and went to his desk.

 --------------------

The week seemed to move along quickly. By noon Friday, Tim had finished his reports. Thankfully, they had not been called out on a case. Tim handed his reports to Gibbs and hesitated. Gibbs looked up “What, McGee?”

“Boss, remember what we talked about on Tuesday?”

Gibbs nodded.

“Well, I was wondering if now would be okay?”

Gibbs looked at the reports and said, “Go on then.”

Tim smiled, grabbed his bag and said, “Thanks Boss,” as he quickly made his way to the elevator.

“Hey, McGee” Gibbs called out.

“Yeah, Boss?”

“Good luck!”

“Um, thanks” Tim said smiling as the doors closed.

Tony was watching and spoke up “Luck…What? Probie’s the lucky one he gets to leave early.” 

Gibbs looked at Tony “He asked me Tuesday . . .” but before he could say anything Abby bounced into the bullpen looking around. “Where’s Timmy?” she asked to anyone who would answer.

“He just left” Tony said sourly.

“Oh… uh… okay,” Turning toward Tony “What are you doing tonight?”

“Just going out the bar or just watching a movie.” He replied with a shrug “Why, do you have something better in mind?”

“Yes, I do.” Abby replied defiantly.

“Really and what might that be?”

“I have a table reserved at the Doubletree tonight, I thought it would be a good team outing.” 

Ziva smiled at Abby “That does sound good, add me in.”

“Count Zivaahh, Count me in, but dinner at a hotel doesn’t exactly sound like fun.” Tony said

“Well Tony, if you to stay home and watch a movie that you have already seen a dozen times that’s okay with me, but I am going to watch ballroom dancing and support Tim and Kris as they compete.” Abby said crossing her arms.

Tony could not hold back a laugh “Did you say dance, McTrips-a-lot, and compete in the same sentence.”

Abby scowled, “Yes, I said Tim and Dance. He is competing tonight and you should be there as support.”

“Yes, we all will.” Gibbs stated. “Abby, what time?”

“The doors open at 6 o’clock.” 

“DiNozzo you and Ziva get those reports done so we can be there for McGee.”

At 3 p.m., Tony and Ziva handed their reports to Gibbs “Let’s call it a day. Don’t forget 6 o’clock at the Doubletree. Ducky will be meeting us there,” Gibbs said grabbing his bag and walking to the elevator.

“Tony rubbed hands together and smiled and said, “Probie thinks he can dance.” He felt a gentle tap on the back of head “What was that for?”

Gibbs just smiled as the elevator doors closed.

------------

Just after 6 p.m. the team found their table and ordered drinks and dinner.

“Nice table Abs,” Tony said noticing they were close to the dance floor. They were enjoying each other’s company and watching the first division dancing. Tony was have a hard time focusing on the conversation because his eyes kept wondering. “These women look amazing.”

Ziva shook her head and said, “Of course they do Tony, they have to be in great shape to be able to dance with pace and intensity. They have to compete in three, four, or even five dances, depending on the division.”

Tony stared blankly at her. “How do you know that?”

I read the program while I was waiting for everyone to show up.” Ziva responded

“Oh… When will we get to see …” Tony was interrupted by an announcement. “The couples making their way to the dance floor will be competing in the Adult International Standard Pre-Championship division. These couples will be dancing the following four dances: the Waltz, the Tango, the Foxtrot, and the Quickstep. Cheer for your favorite couple.”

Abby waves her hands to quite everyone down. “This is Tim’s division.” The rest of the team turned to face the dance floor. 

Six couples stepped in to the brightness of the dance floor. Tony saw Tim and Kris as soon as they entered and let out a whoop. Kris’s flowing navy blue dress contrasted Tim’s tight navy blue shirt and black pants.

Abby’s eye opened wide as she said, “Wow! Tim has really gotten in shape. Look at him.” She stated clapping loudly. Gibbs joined in the clapping with a smile on his face.

As the music started, Ziva reads aloud, “This is the Waltz. It has a small turns to the right and to the left all while they are moving in a larger circle around the dance floor, the couples should not lose the classic frame with each other.” She looked up with everyone else and watched as couples flowed around the dance floor turning and pausing with music. Then music stopped the couples all stopped, and acknowledged the applause from the audience.

The music started again Abby was the first to speak “I know this one it the Tango; wow, this is just like the movies what a romantic dance. They look really good.”

“This is like dance in the movie Moulin Rouge, and in Chicago there was the . . .” Tony stopped talking as he felt a thump to his shin. “Got it shut up and watch” his eyes went back to the dance floor.

The dancers moved smoothly and romantically around the floor with the power and intensity until the music stopped. This time Tim and Kris stopped close to the team’s table. They were all cheering loudly and then Gibbs whistled. Tim’s head jerked in the direction of the whistle has he had done so many times in his NCIS career. He smiled and nodded to the five sitting at table near him. He leaned over and said something to Kris who then smiled as well.

The music started and it was Gibbs who spoke up this time. “The Foxtrot is a smooth dance with long flowing movements, from jazz and the blues.” Tony and Ziva looked at Gibbs with shock and surprised expressions. Gibbs merely raised an eyebrow and nodded toward the dance floor. The Foxtrot finished and the dancers prepared for the final dance.

Ducky offered as the music started again, “This is the Quickstep the dance’s origin is from Britain and was standardized in the 1927. It is a faster version of the Foxtrot we just saw but more intense requiring the dancers to be light their feet.”  It seemed to be the fastest dance. By the time, the music stopped all of the dancers were breathing hard.

The still breathless couples lined up for the winners to be announced. The M.C. stepped on the floor, “The winners in the Adult International Standard Pre-Championship division starting with third place; placing 4th in the Waltz, 5th in the Foxtrot, 3rd in the Quickstep and 1st in the Tango couple number 162 Kristin Sanchez and Timothy McGee.” The NCIS team stood and cheered as Tim and Kris stepped forward to receive their prize. No one really paid attention to who won the other places they were cheering for their teammate and friend. Tim gave Kris a big hug before they left the floor. 

The other divisions continued but the team was busy looking around for Tim and Kris who showed up after they had changed into something less formal. Abby was the first to Tim approach the table, she leapt up and gave him a hug. “Tim you guys did great cognates.”

“Thanks Abby.”

Abby released him and gave Kris a hug. Ziva stood up and gave Tim a light hug and a peck on the cheek. “You guys looked amazing.”

“Thanks Ziva”

Tony clapped Tim on his back “Wow Probie 3rd place great job”

“Thanks Tony. Boss, thanks again for the letting me leave early.  I was really getting nervous.”

 “I think you earned it. Tim, you and Kristen did a good job.” Gibbs said with giving them a rare smile.

“Bravo to the both you. That was an excellent dancing tonight.” Ducky said shaking Tim’s hand. He turned to Kris and gave her a kiss on the hand.

They all set down Kris looked at all the smiling faces “Let me see if I can get this right you are Abby, Ziva, Tony and Gibbs. Dr Mallard thanks for taking of Tim.”

 Tony said with a grin on his face. “So McBallroom, when did you start dancing.”

“As you all know I have never been very athletic, I needed a physical education credit so I to a dance class. I liked the ballroom part so I joined the MIT Ballroom Dance Team.” 

“MIT has a dance team” Tony interrupted

“Yes, it does and my junior year I teamed up with Kris; we won every competition we entered that year.” Tim finished with a smile. 

“I don’t get it Tim how you can be so graceful on the dance floor but . . .”

“But trip over the crack in the sidewalk.” Tim stole the punch line before Tony could finish it.

Tony nodded “I really don’t know it just clicks, like my fingers tapping on a keyboard.”

They all laughed and enjoyed the rest evening talking and watching the dancing.

End