Notes: my first time writing Tammy! She's one of my favs, for sure <3 I worked hard on this, so please don't steal my works. enjoy! (:
When you joined the New Orleans division of NCIS, you immediately felt the most comfortable with Agent Tammy Gregorio. She was the only other female on the team, and you loved how she didn't take shit from anyone. In many ways, you looked up to her.
Tammy taught you the ins and outs of being a member of the NCIS team. She told you exactly what you shouldn't say to Pride when he's in one of his moods, and how communication is the key to creating a successful team.
She was insistent with making sure she was the one you drove with each day during your first week. That way, she could talk to you and give you advice without the guys of the team butting in every two seconds. Especially Sebastian, who seemed nice but you didn't want to be too sure, since Tammy had warned you about him.
It was exactly three weeks into your job as a Probationary Field Agent, and you were chilling out in the squad room with Tammy and Sebastian.
"Hey (y/n), you got plans tonight?" Tammy asked from her desk.
You looked up from your paperwork and replied, "no, why?"
"Well, now ya do. We can have a girls night at my place. Bring a blanket and pillow, and be there at ten."
"Ooh, a girls night?" Sebastian cocked an eyebrow.
"Shut up, Sebastian."
-
It was 9:56 and you didn't want Tammy to be upset at your coming early, so you stood awkwardly at the door to her apartment. You strangely felt like a ten-year-old again, even with your white pillow and grey throw blanket instead of a Barbie sleeping bag.
"(Y/n)? Why didn't 'cha knock?"
"Sorry, I was just waiting until it was ten," you said, feeling embarrassed once again.
"Well, c'mon in. I'm making us some popcorn, but if you don't like popcorn, I've got ice cream. A lotta ice cream," Tammy said, opening the door to her apartment wide.
"Popcorn is good, thanks."
-
"What movie are we thinking? I've got some rom-coms and some action movies," Tammy asked, holding up a fanned-out stack of dvds.
"Is that 10 Things I Hate About You?" you gasped. You loved that movie.
"Of course!" Tammy said, popping the DVD out of its case.
"So, (y/n). How are you liking the job?"
"It's actually a lot better than I thought it would be. When I first came in, I thought all of you would be intimidating, but that's not the case. You've all been really welcoming, and I appreciate it. And I probably shouldn't be saying this, but I think Chris is kinda cute, too. His accent is really growing on me," you laughed.
"Yeah, LaSalle is somethin', that's for sure."
"What about you, Tammy? Is there a special guy in your life?"
"I'm gay, but my love life is pretty complicated," Tammy shrugged.
You suddenly felt dumb. Shouldn't you have known? I mean, she never said it out loud before now, but you felt like you should've been a better friend, a better listener.
"Would that have something to do with that Eva girl you were telling me about?" you guessed.
"Actually, kinda. Like I said, it's complicated. I probably won't see her again, so it doesn't really matter," Tammy admitted.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up," you apologized.
"No, don't be. I'm not ashamed of it, but at some point I gotta move on. Let's talk about you and LaSalle."
For the rest of the night, the two of you chatted. Tammy told you about her life in New York, and you told her about your previous job as an NOPD Detective. She opened up to you about her former co-worker and best friend, Sonja, leaving, and you told her about a cop from your old precinct that you had been in a relationship with, until you found out how corrupt he was. You didn't even know it yet, but Tammy had been in your almost exact same situation years before. But that was talk for another sleepover.
You talked for hours, until the sun rose above the city and welcomed a new day. The best part? You didn't even get to the movie.
After Gregorio was tortured by her old mentor….she tried to play off she was fine, but you knew better, you went home with her every night. You pretended not to notice how she got out of bed a midnight and didn't come back until around 3 am, for awhile. After about three weeks you’d had enough and stood in the bedroom doorway as she was coming back to bed.
“Morning.”
“Babe!” She said, surprised. “What're you doing out of bed?” You crossed your arms.
“I could ask you the same question. Tammy, quit the bullshit and tell me what's bothering you.” She rolled her eyes and tried to brush past you.
“It's too early for this.” You frowned as you grabbed her arm.
“Just tell me, Tammy. I'm worried about you.” She ripped her arm away and you took a step back seeing the angry change in her demeanor.
“You want to know what's wrong?! Fine! I hate that every time I look in the mirror I see my failures! I hate that I have to deal with the same nightmare of the team never finding me every night! I hate that I didn't see she was the killer sooner!” Tammy punched the wall and pulled her hand back to her chest in a hiss of pain. You approached her carefully before putting your hands on her shoulders. Her skin was beaded with sweat.
“Do you want to know what I see when I look in the mirror?” You said, glancing at the full body mirror that was in the corner of the bedroom. Tammy looked over at it too. “I see the bravest mother fucking Italian woman to ever walk the earth.” Tammy giggled. “She survived a crazy psycho bitch and lived to tell the tale.” You shook her shoulders. “She put that bitch away for life. She was strong.” You looked back at the mirror and whispered in her ear. “Most importantly, she was mine.” Tammy spun around and slammed her lips to yours. Your arms intertwined and you both fell onto the bed.
“You’re my angel.” She cooed as you pulled away, yawning.
“That's nice and all...but can we go back to sleep now?”
Youfinished tugging the fabric down over your head, popping your head through theneck-hole, before you dropped to your hands and knees on the floor, pattingaround beneath the bed.
“Need help?”
“No! I just…need…my shoes!” you grunted, yanking them outwith a victorious cry, and rolling back on your butt to tug them on. The laughfrom the doorway made you chuckle, and wave your hand at her, as you pulledyour other shoe on.
“Sorry about the alarm,” she started, still chuckling, asyou shook your head.
“Bah. It happens. I’m not late, but if I can’t find my phone, now, I will be,” you told her,scrambling to your feet, only to move and rifle around the nightstand.
For afew minutes, Tammy didn’t say anything, just watched you. You moved fast,struggling to find your phone, swearing under your breath. But when you heardher laugh – again – you turned, seeing her waving the phone at you.
“Tammy.”
“I just couldn’t interrupt, you get so focused. By the way?”she said, catching your hand as you hopped around the bed and snagged back yourphone.
“Hm?”
“…you look good in my hoodie.” You looked down, blushingwhen you realized yes, you were in her hoodie, not yours.
“…mine now.” With a loud cackle, Tammy tossed her head back,before leaning in, and kissing your cheek.
You loved your job as a dancer at the club. It was fun! Especially teasing folks. You’d just gotten up on stage as you saw two people come in. One was a little nerdy looking and the other...wow. She was stunning. You almost slipped off the pole.
“Come on Tammy, liven up a little!” The man stated. He motioned toward the stage. “We just finished the case in South America, let's have some fun!” Tammy laughed.
“I didn't realize you liked to go to clubs, Sebastian.” He grabbed a handful of popcorn from the bowl on the table.
“I like the music.” Tammy brought her attention to the stage and you started dancing. You never took your eyes off of her. You could see her face was flushing red.
When your shift was over you went out to the main room of the club, hoping that Tammy was still there.
“Hey.” You said coming up to her table. Her cheeks reddened seeing it was you. “Do you mind if I ask you for a drink?” You looked over to Sebastian. “If it's alright with you, of course.” He smiled.
“It's perfectly fine with me.” You grabbed Tammy by the hand and dragged her to the bar before she could say anything.
“A beer.” You said for yourself before looking at Tammy. “And whatever she orders.” Tammy looked at the bartender.
“Beer, thanks.” He got your drinks and you both took a tentative sip.
“So, how’d you like my act?” You asked and laughed as she almost choked on her drink. “Apparently a lot!” You patted her on the shoulder. “It's fine…” You smiled. “Cause I kinda like you.” Her eyes widened. You offered her your hand. “I don't think I've introduced myself, sorry. I'm (y/n).” She took your hand with a grin.
Itdidn’t take long to put up the decorations, the tree, all that, in theapartment. It was a little easier, still, when you and Gregorio had talked asyou two decorated that you weren’t doing gifts. With the stress of the holiday,combined with several cases slamming into the team, it was just an easier ideato not do gifts.
But ithad slipped your mind that you had already bought her a gift, before thatdecision was made. So the night before the holiday, you wrapped it, tucked itunder the tree, and left it only marked with her name, hoping she’d love it.
“I thought we weren’t doing gifts!”
Well…shedidn’t sound happy, so, there went that idea.
Rubbingyour hand over your face, you shuffled into the living room, staring at herthrough sleepy eyes, until you realized she was holding the gift in her hand,and facing you, confused. You hesitated, and shrugged, pointing.
“I bought it before we decided that…so…surprise?” Gregoriowas frowning, which made you duck your head, but when she saw it, she sighed,and shook her head.
“I’m not mad…I just…didn’t get you anything…do you stillwant me to open it?” That made you snort, and roll your eyes as you crossed thefloor.
“No, I want to throw it away. Of course I want you to open it,” you urged, crossing your arms overyour chest as she snickered. With a quick tug, she tore the paper open, andburst out laughing at the dinosaur inside.
“What the hell is this?” she cackled.
“A bottle opener!” you announced proudly, pointing at the teeth. “You just use those. See?” She tossed her head backin another laugh, shifting the dino into one hand, as she threw her other aroundyour shoulders.
“I love it, oh my god.”
“Good! Merry Christmas.” With another snicker, she kissedyour temple, squeezing your shoulder.
“I’m sorry I don’t have anything for you.”
“Are you kidding?” you asked, grinning. “You loving that isenough of a gift for me, I promise.” You paused, head tilted. “And you comingback to bed, it’s Christmas.” Tammyhummed, brow quirked, and turned to set the dinosaur down.
•• For anon 💛 If you're not caught up on season 4 of NOLA I don't want to spoil anything for you, anyway, enjoy! ••
Sonja’s departure was hard on all of you, but it was especially hard on Tammy. They’d bonded more than just teammates. They were best friends. Tammy was heartbroken when she'd decided to leave, but what could she do? It was her choice. She tried to act like she was fine, but you knew better. It had almost been a week since Sonja left and you were heading back to the apartment, Gregorio barely left unless it was for work. You carried a grocery bag in your hand.
“If this doesn't help her feel better I don't know what will.” You mumbled to yourself before pushing the door open to the apartment building.
When you got into the apartment you were greeted by the sound of crying. You quickly put your bags down in the kitchen and went in search of the noise.
“Tammy?” You asked gently, knocking on her bedroom door. She looked up from where she was lying on her bed, her face had been buried in her pillow. You could see her eyes were red from crying. “Are you okay?” She nodded. She wiped at her nose.
“Fine.” She sniffled. “I'm just peachy.” You sat down next to her.
“You know I don't believe that, right?” She sighed.
“Yeah…” You rubbed a hand down her back.
“I know, I miss her too.” She leaned her head on your shoulder.
“I know she wanted to go, I’m happy for her I really am, but I wish she could have stayed here in New Orleans.” You smiled, planting a kiss on her head.
“I have something that might help you feel better...I know it won't bring Sonja back but...maybe It could lessen the blow?”
“What is it?” She looked up at you with curious eyes. You smirked.
“I don't know, just a few action movies and a bag of popcorn.” She smiled before jumping out of bed.
“Alright.” She chuckled. “They better be good movies.” You rolled your eyes.
“They are, don't worry.”
“Hey, (y/n).” Her words stopped you before you went to grab the bag you'd left by the door. She rubbed her arm absently. “Thanks...for everything.” Your expression softened.
“Not a problem, Tammy. I'm here for you no matter what happens.”
