What Rule 12?

Chapter 3

*McGee POV*
I just got to work and see that I'm the last one besides Nick. I sit at my desk and start doing paper work. After an hour goes by Nick still isn't here.
"Hey Bishop did Nick tell you anything" I ask
"What do you mean" she asks
"He's not here yet. Do you know if he was coming in or not" I say
"I don't know. Where's Gibbs" she asks
"He and Jack are talking" I say
"One of them might know where he is" she says
"Where who is" Gibbs asks walking in
"Where Torres is boss. He's not here yet" I say
"Yeah. I know. He has the week off. We are not allowed to contact him at all. No calling, texting, or pinging" Gibbs says
"Yes boss" I say
"Bishop" Gibbs asks
We turn to her and she's staring off into space.
"Earth to Bishop" I say
She shakes her head and looks at me.
"You got it Bishop, no contacting Nick" Gibbs says
"Yeah Boss. Got it" she says 
She gets up from her desk and goes upstairs.
*Bishop POV*
I run up the stairs and to Jack's office I rush in and go over to her desk.
"Woah Ellie are you okay" she asks
"Yeah. No. Well... no" I say
"What seems to be the problem" she asks
"Nicholas" I say
"Oh that" she says
"Yeah that. Spill" I demand
"You know I can't do that" she says
"Does it concern me" I ask
"Eleanor Bishop you know patient doctor confidentially. You know I don't share anything about you with anyone. Nick respects that part about you so you should respect that part about Nick." She scolds
"Agent Bishop my office" I hear
I turn around and see Vance. I groan and follow him.
"Agent Bishop we are a team and a family here at NCIS. We all are concerned about each other and want to make sure they are okay. However, if they ask for privacy and not to be bothered we agree to that because we are not bonded by blood. I suggest you go home for the rest of the day or just go somewhere other then helping with the case or trying to find out about Agent Torres" Vance says
"Okay" I mumble
"Do I make myself clear agent Bishop" he asks
"Yes sir" I say
"Very good" he says
I leave his office and then head in the direction towards Ducky's office. I knock on the door and hear him call me in.
"Oh Eleanor what a pleasant surprise" he says
"Hey ducky" I say
"What is the matter" he asks
"I am kicked off the case for the day and out of the squad room practically" I say
"Why is that dear" he asks
"Because I am worrying about Torres too much apparently" I say
"Well dear I know you do not want to hear this but I would have to agree with the others" he says
I grumble and leave his office as well. I go to the break room and sit on the floor against a wall trying to process what everyone is saying.
*Nick POV*
I arrived in Oklahoma at midnight and just walked to the hotel a few blocks down to sleep until morning because I didn't want to be an inconvenience to Bishop's family. I ended up waking up at 6:30 and went to breakfast. Then at 8:30 I called Bishop's mom.
B-hello
N-hello Mrs. Bishop this is Nick Torres. I work with Ellie
B-oh yes. Nick. You can call me Barbara.
N-very well then. Barbara I was wondering if you could pick me up from the airport? If it is too much to ask I will just rent a car or take and Uber.
B-No no Nick. Of course I can pick you up. Did you just get in?
N-no. I arrived at midnight, but I did not want to bother you so I went to the hotel a block from the airport and got a room there
B-oh Nick you could have called me. I wouldn't have minded. Pack up your stuff and I'll be at the hotel in ten minutes. I'll also make sure that the guest room is ready for you.
N-you don't have to do that
B-please Nick. I insist
N-alright thank you ma'am
B-you are very welcome. I will see you soon.
I hang up and then text Jack.
N-Ellie's mom is really nice.
J-yeah. I know. Glad you got to Oklahoma safely. Have a nice time there.
N-will do.
I put my phone in my pocket and grab my bag then take the elevator to the lobby. I go to the front desk and check out, then go outside to wait for Barbara. Ten minutes later, like she said, Barbara pulled up. I put my bag in the back then get in the front.
"Hello Nick. It is nice to meet you. It's great to finally put a face to a name" she says
"Likewise, but what do you mean" I ask
"Oh Eleanor told me all about her team" she says
"Really. What did she say about me" I ask
"She said that you put on a tough guy act, but that behind that there is a nice guy who will go to any extent to protect his friends" she says
"Wow." I say
"Is it true" she asks
"Yeah" I smile
"Good" she says
"How are you today" I ask
"I am good. Thanks for asking" she says
"You are very welcome" I say
"we're here" she says
I look out the window and see a small but cozy looking house. I get out of the truck and grab my bag out of the back. I then follow Barbara inside.
"Here I'll show you to the guest room" she says
She leads me upstairs and to a room. She opens the door and there's a bed, dresser, night stand, and closet.
"Here you go. The bathroom is right around the corner. George's room is right next door. He'll probably be the most helpful, and then mine and my husbands is at the end of the hall" she says
"Thank you so much" I say
"You're welcome. Go ahead and get settled. Come down whenever you'd like. Just so you know George will be back soon and the other two should be here tomorrow. My husband won't be here at all because he is on a trip with some buddies" she says
"Yes ma'am" I say
She leaves and I close the door. I set my bag down and sit down on the bed. I really wish I could call Bishop and tell her how sweet her mom is but I don't want her to know that I'm here. I get up from the bed and head downstairs. I then follow the noise I hear to the kitchen. I walk in and George and Barbara are talking.
"You all settle in Nick" she asks
"Yes ma'am" I say
"Good." She says
"Hey Nick, why don't you come join me outside for a bit" George says
"Okay" I say
I follow him outside and we just sit on the porch swing.
"What are you doing here? I know Ellie doesn't know you're here and I'm not allowed to tell her you're here so tell me why you are here" he says
"Honestly, I don't really know why I am here" I say
"You said you have no interest in my sister. You said she isn't your type. To me it looks like you're here because you like her" he says
"Okay okay. I might like her but I don't know. One of my coworkers told me I needed to take a few days off and clear my head. I decided to come here and meet you all and think about if I really do like Ellie or not" I say
"You like her." George says
"How can everyone say that if I don't even know if I do" I ask
"That's how we can tell. Your love for her is making all your feelings confused" he says
"Ok. Wait, so you are okay with me liking your sister" I ask
"Yeah. You'll be good for her. Even when she had her other boyfriend and her husband I saw how you cared about her and tried your best to protect her" he says
"So I can ask her to be my girlfriend" I ask
"I give you permission but I'd also ask John and Robert. They'll probably agree just because they're scared of you" he says
"They're scared of me? I'm scared of you three because of how Ellie describes the way she grew up with you three being her big brothers" I say
"Yeah well we matured a bit and the other two became weaker as they grew up" he says
"Oh. When are they even suppose to arrive" I ask
"George, your brothers are here" Barbara yells
"Now" George says
We get up and walk around the house to the front. He goes over to his brothers and greets them in a hug. He then waves me over.
"John and Robert you remember Nick Torres, Nick my other brothers" George says
"Yeah. I remember you. What are you doing here" John asks
"He'll let you two know after you boys get settled. John and Robert you two have to bunk together because Nick is in Roberts usual room" Barbara says
"If I am in one of their rooms I can go and stay in a hotel. I do not want to impose. I can also sleep in a tent outside if you have one" I say
"Nonsense. They are capable of sharing a room for a few days and you are a guest" she says
"But Mrs. Bishop I do not want to cause trouble for you and your family" I say
"Nicholas you will sleep in Roberts room and that is that" she says walking inside
"One thing about our mom is that she will get her way" George says
The three of them go inside and I go and sit on the front porch. I pull my phone out and see that I have no missed calls or messages. I go to the phone app and go to my favorites. I then click on the first one and put the phone to my ear.
E-hello
N-hey Ellie
E-hey Nick what's up
N-nothing. How's work
E-I don't know
N-what do you mean you don't know
E-Gibbs took me off the case because I was getting distracted. Why are you calling me? Gibbs said you didn't want any contact with us while you were out.
N-I don't know. I sort of felt the need to talk to you.
E-is everything okay
N-honestly I don't know. I couldn't think properly at work. I talked with Sloane and we decided it'd be best if I took a few days off to collect my thoughts
E-it's only been one day but has it helped some
N-I think. I don't know. Maybe when I get back we could talk
E-yeah of course. When are you coming back
N-I don't know yet. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe the day after. I haven't decided
E-ok. Well if you need to talk I'm here
N-ok. Bye Charlie
E-bye Luis. Be safe
N-always. You too
E-always
I hang up and stand up. I turn around and all three of Bishop's brothers are there.
"Who was that" John asks
"You sister" I say
"Why did you call her Charlie" Robert asks
"It was her name on a case that we went undercover for" I say
"Ah. Wait I thought you didn't want any of them to know you are here" George asks
"I don't. I never told her where I was. We were just talking and I said that I'd be back soon" I say
"Ok. So what did you want to talk to us about? We already know you told George" John says
"It's about your sister Ellie. I like her and I want your permission to ask her to be my girlfriend" I say
"You like our sister huh? Why did you say she wasn't your type last time" Robert asks
"I think I was trying to push my feelings aside because she had feelings for someone else. I would do anything for her. I always have her six on cases and I will continue to always have her six" I say
"Alright" Robert says
"Brother huddle" John says
The three brothers huddle together and I hear some whispering. Eventually they turn around and they all look at me.
"Welcome to the family Nick" they say
I smile and we group hug for a bit then let go.
"Thanks. I think I'm gonna go home tomorrow. I need to talk to Ellie and get her to realize that it's okay to fall in love again before I have to return to work" I say
"Alright. That's fine. Do what you have to do" George says
We go inside and to the kitchen where Barbara is making dinner.
"Mrs. Bishop just so you know I am going to return to D.C tomorrow. I got done all that I needed to in Oklahoma. Thank you for being so welcoming to me" I say
"Of course Nick. You are welcome back anytime. Maybe you can come out with Eleanor on her usual trip here in April? That's in three months" she says
"Maybe" I say
"Great. Well dinner is ready so Robert and John set the table" she says
They nod and start setting the table. I then grab the dish with the food and carry that over to the table as well. Once the table is set and drinks are poured we all sit down at the table and start eating. After dinner we all sit around and talk for some more and then I head to bed. I fall asleep rather quickly relieved that I no longer have to worry about Ellie's brothers hating me.