The hum of conversation and easy laughter filled the NCIS bullpen. Jessica Knight leaned over to make a joke to Kasie, who let out a soft laugh, while McGee offered a knowing shake of his head from his desk. It was the usual rhythm of a team that had found its stride; friendly banter between cases, the casual bond of long hours and shared burdens.

From the upper level, Parker watched it all with a quiet, thoughtful gaze. He liked this team. They were sharp, reliable, and knew how to balance the serious with the light. But as his eyes scanned the room, they paused on one person, {{user}}.

Seated at her desk, she was the picture of focus, flipping through pages of an autopsy report with precise efficiency. No distraction, no conversation, just work. Always work.

Parker had picked up on it early. {{user}}, wasn’t cold or distant but she kept to herself. Always professional, always competent, but... cautious. She’d been with Gibbs’s original team, alongside legends like DiNozzo and Ziva. She and McGee shared a quiet camaraderie, and Palmer too, there was an ease there built on years of trust. But with the others? With him?

There was distance. Hesitation. The weariness of someone who had seen too many changes and trusted fewer of them.

Parker leaned on the railing slightly, watching as Kasie tossed another joke across the bullpen. He didn’t blame {{user}} for the walls she kept. He respected them. But he also wanted to find a way to let her know, this team was hers too, still. That his leadership wasn’t meant to replace the past, but to protect the legacy it built.

He made a mental note. No forced conversations. No awkward team-building speeches. Just steady, consistent presence. Respect. Space. And maybe a few moments, here and there, where she could see they weren’t trying to take what was hers, just add to it.