Four-leaved clover

Chapter 4 - Unexpected

"What are you doing here?" DiNozzo had stopped in his track when seeing Olivia sitting by her desk and working on some papers. "You still have weeks to heal or am I wrong?"

"Nope, not wrong," Gibbs interfered as he rushed past him and stopped right in front of her desk, his coffee in his right hand as usual while his blue eyes scanned her. This intimidating look always got to her but she clenched her jaw and glanced stubbornly back at him.

"I am fine!" she defended herself even though she knew that was a lie but she could not take it a second more at home and in bed or on the couch. Her house was not that exciting!

Silence took over and when Ziva and McGee joined, even their voices died down quickly due to the tension in the room.

It had only been a week since she had been discharged from the hospital with two broken ribs, a sprained wrist and a major concussion. She had rested quite some time in the hospital and even tried her best to rest at home but now she could not take it anymore. She needed to work and be of use, and more than anything prove to her team that they could count on her despite her physical condition.

"Alright but you are benched," Gibbs grumbled and headed to his own desk where he then answered an incoming call. The case was still not solved even if they had managed to catch Cody Phillips, however, he wasn't the right guy. He had been set up, and now they were sort of back at square one.

Olivia wanted to protest but she piped down when seeing his look that he shot her while talking on the phone. "Grab your gear, people. We have yet another dead marine," Gibbs then barked out. "And you stay put." His words were hard which had Olivia grit her teeth annoyed.

As they all rushed out to the elevator, the wounded agent exhaled frustrated when glaring at the piles of papers on her desk. She really hated paperwork but she could at least be of use here than risking getting send home by Gibbs when she provoked him further.

"Ah, I see that Agent Gibbs has put you on a short leash, my dear" Ducky emerged from the hall, making Olivia shrug her shoulders but it only elicited a jolt of pain that shot from her ribs. "Take it easy, Olivia. Broken ribs are not to mess with."

She leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs, "I know, Ducky but it just annoys me to just sit here and do secretary jobs. I mean nothing wrong with secretaries but I'm a trained agent. I hate sitting around, and I certainly hate paperwork."

Ducky laughed out loud but it only resulted in a sour face from Olivia. "It's not funny."

"Oh indeed it is, dear. You sound a lot like your boss."

"I do not," she protested.

"How about you join me in autopsy? A little break from the papers would surely do you good," he suggested, which had Olivia smile gratefully.

Just as she was going to follow him to the elevator, Director Sheppard called for her.

"Some other time then, my dear."

"Thanks for the offer though. I appreciate it, Ducky," Olivia smiled before heading up the stairs - carefully.

Striding behind the director, Olivia couldn't help but feel like she was going to the principal's office because she had done something and was in for a major earful even though she knew that was not the case. Maybe the Director had a job for her? She feared the last thought that crossed her mind - getting send home as an order.

"Have a seat, agent Gray."

"Thank you, Director," Olivia responded and took a seat. "So, you wanted to speak to me?"