DECISION TIME
By
Ashleigh Anpilova
A sequel to Conflicting Thoughts.
Vance has given DiNozzo twenty-four hours to make his decision. DiNozzo seeks McGee's opinion.
A DiNozzo & McGee centric gen story.
Written: April 2012. Word count: 500.
Tony left Vance's office feeling stunned; shocked even. He'd been given a second chance; a second chance to lead his own team. For all his talk he hadn't expected a second chance; an agent doesn't turn down an opportunity and get another one. But he had; now he had to think about whether to take it or not. And it would be his last chance; Vance had made that clear.
He had to talk to someone. He pulled out his cell phone and pressed a number. "Tim, meet me in the men's room in five minutes." He hung up before McGee could reply.
He was leaning against the sinks when the door opened and McGee came in. "Tony, what -" He broke off abruptly and stared wide-eyed as Tony locked the door. "Tony?"
"I need your advice, Tim."
"My advice?"
"Yeah." He paused and stared at the man who'd been coworker, friend, and the person he loved to tease and play practical jokes on for nine years; the man he trusted with his life; the man he respected second only to Gibbs; the man he admired and envied (not that he'd ever tell him); the man who'd put up with everything he'd said and done and had barely ever hit back. "Vance has offered me my own team."
McGee smiled. "Hey, Tony, that's great."
"Is it?"
"Of course it is. And Tony, you have to take it this time. You won't get a third chance."
"So Vance told me."
"Why do you need my advice?"
"Should I take it? Am I ready, Tim?"
McGee smiled and shook his head. "Oh, Tony," he said, and put his hand on Tony's shoulder. "Of course you are. You're more than ready. Look how well you led us when Gibbs retired."
"That was different."
"Why?"
"Because it was Gibbs's team. You, Ziva, me, we've all been trained by Gibbs; it was easy. This will be new people; a new place. I don't know, Tim, what if I can't handle it? What if I fail?"
"You won't fail, Tony." McGee's tone was serious.
"How do you know?"
"Because I know you. Come on, Tony, you're bored here; you've reached your potential on Gibbs's team and you're growing stale. It's time; you know it; I know it; Gibbs knows it."
"How do you know?"
"Do you really think Vance would have offered you your own team if the boss didn't think you could handle it?"
"I guess not."
"I know not. How long have you got to think about it?"
"Twenty-four hours."
"Well, I'll tell you what, how about I buy you dinner tonight and give you a dozen reasons why you should take the job."
"You mean it?"
"Of course I do. Congratulations, Tony. You'll do a great job; I know you will. I have faith in you. Now can we get out of the men's room before someone wants to know exactly what we're doing behind the locked door?"
Tony laughed and unlocked the door.
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