Chapter 2
Gibbs looked at his watch, it was 3:37 in the morning, night, whatever that is.
The dream and the revelation that was brought to him by that, hit him hard for reasons he couldn't grasp. He went in search for a glass of water feeling the already eluded sleep abandoning him for good. Insomnia was knocking on his door again and there was no basement, no refuge here. He grabbed a bottle of cold water and one of J&B and walked outside. He strolled lazily down at the beach and sat in the sand in a futile attempt to clear his mind.
When was McGee's birth date? He couldn't really remember; it was either the same or the next year of his departure to Middle East. Why hadn't he made the connection before? He shook his head trying to understand why he was giving so much thought on the subject. Most probably it was only a coincidence. He couldn't even remember McGee's mother's name. The resemblance was unique though but Jethro decided to hold back a little; maybe Tim wasn't Synthia's son, but even if he was what this had to do with Gibbs himself?
He hadn't noticed Mike examining him from afar and wondering what was wrong with his Probie this time. Believing it wasn't the best hour to interrupt Gibb's heavy thinking he headed back to his bed for what ever sleep he could get. It was already 4:45 and he had to get up early.
The next day Gibbs wasn't any more talkative than all other days but his old friend knew something was amiss, his friend was troubled and if he knew him well –and he did- he wasn't going to open up on his own. Soon, darkness fell and coming near to autumn it wasn't as warm as a couple weeks earlier. Looking around he spotted Gibbs at the exact same place he was sitting that morning swigging from yet another bottle of whiskey.
As time passed by and the older man saw that Jethro wasn't getting up, he grabbed two glasses from the kitchen, walked straight to him and sat right beside him giving him a glass and pouring some whiskey in his own. In response he got a head shake and nothing more. Mike knew Gibbs' shouldn't stay in Mexico, he had a life in DC and anyone could see he was missing his job; well, anyone except Gibbs himself, he was too stubborn to admit it even if he did realise that he wasted his life in this remote place of central America; a beautiful place, but still, not Gibbs' place.
'So, Probie? Wanna talk?' That took Jethro by surprise. They could stay for hours in comfortable silence just watching the sea or whatever else but light chit chat was never a need, at least not after the first couple of years or so.
'About what?'
'About last night.' The younger man shot a quizzical look at his former colleague showing no recollection of what he was talking about.'
'I'm a light sleeper…' and that brought a heavy bout of laughter by both men.
'Oh yea? I seem to remember a case where the supervising agent fell asleep and wasn't waking up no matter what.'
'Exaggerations, Probie, you're full of them.' No one was looking the other, after all these years there was no actual reason. 'So, will you tell?' Jethro took another large sip of the liquid he had pour in his glass and then stared at the clear drink. Perfect! It burnt the inside of him as it slowly followed the path to the stomach and settled there for a while.
'I dreamt of something! Or rather I remembered something I had forgotten and it made me wonder…'
'About?'
'Losing my family for the second time hit harder than the first time… for reason I can't seen to understand. Cate's death last year was too much and now this…
I found solace here, Mike! It was refreshing.'
'And now?'
'Now, I wonder about those I left behind.'
'And how this has to do with your memory?' Well, one of those left behind certainly had and Jethro had to find a way to research about McGee's parentage without letting the younger man knowing it. Electronically? Yea right! Let's battle the geek at his territory and wager about the winner, shall we?
'I have to find a woman.' At Mike's leery look Jethro shook his hand. 'Not like that. And aren't here enough women for you?'
'There're never enough women for me.' Gibbs laughed at his friend's admission, but not whole heartily; it seemed the last time he had done that was a long, long time ago… Suddenly, he turned to his left and nailed Mike with a look of insistence.
'If you knew there's a possibility not to have lost everything, that there's a slight change to have a family member, of the kind you thought you had lost for ever, would you search about it?' Seeing he friend ready to answer he raised his hand. 'And that meant that you were going to change that person's life, the way they see their life, their family…and not necessarily for the best, would you do it?'
Mike's original idea to agree with no objections was lost during Gibbs' speech. 'I don't know Jethro.'
'Neither do I, Mike, neither do I…' The younger man got up and after saying a quick goodnight he laid down on his bed. All over again he brought McGee's face in his mind's eyes; open and trusting, full of respect and admiration about his boss, the man who could do no wrong. He didn't know many things about the younger man's life. Despite the kid's easy going and open character, he never showed, never gave away anything about his family life about his personal life. Was it good? Was it back? Gibbs didn't know and belatedly he thought that he had never cared enough to know, to ask, to show some interest about Tim that had nothing to do with the job or his computer skills.
The night was as productive as the one before; he stayed in his bed that time though, knowing Mike would look for him like a hawk and didn't need any hint of confrontation about his worries. But, if Synthia was McG…Tim's mother, then he had to learn about his father.
Next day he got a phone call from Ziva asking his help. Oh yes, he was going to help her alright and at the same time he was going to find some answers for himself.
