Chapter Two

While they enjoyed Tea's scrumptious pastries, the group told Tim more about the office and Piraeus. He was glad Vance had advised him to pay attention to current events and history as well as Greece's ancient history. He knew from his online research that there was a Metro system that ran both under and above ground; in fact he'd planned to take that system from the airport to the office this morning. Now he heard more about the construction and the 'emergency archeology' that had to be done. The artifacts that had been removed were in one central museum and he thought that sounded interesting. He laughed as he told his new co-workers that everything sounded interesting. Matt told him as the most recent newcomer he could give him some tips and then mentioned that he had just moved out from upstairs in the past month, found an apartment nearby to share with an American student. He held up his hand, "It's clean up there, I swear, Pete's wife inspected it. "

They all laughed as Pete said, "You could have stayed up there Matt, but you would have had to share with Julian and now Tim."

Tim laughed, "Not a problem for me, I shared a flat with one of my team members in London!"

No one had heard about that so he told a much condensed version of his stay with James and a few of their travels. Their treats and coffee finished, Eva and Kim collected the dishes and mugs and put them in the dishwasher while Matt and Tim grabbed his luggage from the car and quickly hauled it upstairs. Tim came back downstairs with his carryon and a carry bag from his suitcase. Pete shook his finger at him, "No work for you today. Monday is soon enough."

Tim tried not to make a face and spotted Carla doing the same thing. "How about this, Pete? How about Carla and I just go over a few things…please?"

Pete laughed, "Joel and Leon were right about you, son, you're ready to roll, aren't you?"

Tim dared what a month ago would have been an unthinkably daring comeback for him. "I live upstairs, Pete, can't just go up there and listen to you work! And really, I'm just thinking about Carla; think how much this will reduce her stress levels."

Pete huffed a laugh at them while Carla obligingly batted her eyelids in a "helpless maiden" look. "Fine, who am I to stop progress!" His SFA and almost-SFA grinned at him, showing their appreciation.

Tim took the vacant workstation closest to Carla, opened his carryon and took out his laptop and some of his gizmos he'd brought from DC as well as some he'd acquired in London. He realized the office was scheduled for the new product upload this afternoon and wondered who would be handling that. His next thought was that would be a sideline for him here, his main job was Junior Field Agent getting up to speed on the duties of a Senior Field Agent as quickly as possible. He threw his carry bag with his favorite office supplies into a drawer and rolled his chair over to Carla's workstation.

She smiled, "That was fast!"

He chuckled, "Hey, I can set up my desk at 0300 if I want, why take the time now!" She patted his hand, "You'll be fine, we'll be fine, we've got a few weeks." He nodded, thanking her. They spent a couple of hours on procedure, reports, etc. and then lunch arrived.

Tim's eyes popped wide open when a woman everyone greeted as "Trina" walked into the office carrying a hot food bag, a young girl behind her carrying a second hot food bag.

Pete came out of his office and kissed the woman and the girl, as the others called greetings to her and Kyra. Carla patted Tim's hand again, "Don't worry, we only do all this for newcomers. Monday you'll have to get your own food!"

Tim nodded, "Not that I mind but…"

She laughed. "What you're probably already noticing is that we are a community here, a family. The Russells have lived here forever and they know everybody. My husband and I have been here for several years and many of our friends and acquaintances were introduced to us by the Russells. They make sure everyone has a friend, has a place to go for holidays. Do you have family?"

Tim nodded, "Yes, a sister and two brothers. My sister and younger brother will be moving from the US to London in the next few weeks, Sarah for grad school, Rob for medical school. Our older brother Geordie is Marines Special Forces, so we never know where he is or where we'll see him. But I've already told my kids we'll be spending holidays together, at least while they're in Europe."

"Your kids?"

"Sarah and Rob."

"That's sweet you call them your kids."

Tim shrugged, "I raised them, it's an old habit, haven't broken it."

Carla had her hand on her baby belly, rubbing it. "Hope you never do, it's very sweet and says a lot about the person you are."

Tim blushed and he was a little relieved when Pete whistled for everyone to gather in the kitchen. He was introduced to Trina and Krya, the Russells' youngest child, and then told to sit and enjoy his meal, a version of a souvlaki pita called a Gyro Pita. Tim looked at it and realized it was the original "Hero" sandwich, in a pita instead of a roll. These were freshly made and accompanied by plates of what Tim recognized as Greek salad. Bottles of lemonade were on the table and Tim poured himself a glass. He had never been one to use much ice in his drinks, growing up on the street he'd just been grateful to have anything to drink and ice had been the furthest thing from his mind. In London he had felt right at home when drinks were served without ice. He wondered about that here with the much warmer climate and smiled when Pete pulled trays of ice cubes out of the tiny freezer in the top portion of the small refrigerator.

After lunch, Carla and Tim wheedled a couple more hours out of Pete and then took the time to review current and recently closed cases. Tim was not surprised to see that the files and reports were the same high quality as his former team had turned in. By 1500, he could see that Carla was flagging, so they wound up what they were doing and he headed upstairs to unpack.

His room was quite spacious, had obviously been the largest bedroom in the former home and there was an updated en suite bathroom. His bedroom and bathroom windows looked out the back and Tim was pleased to see a garden, with plenty of shade, flowers and a fountain. Once he unpacked, he grabbed his phone and took some pictures of the room and of the view from his window. Pocketing his phone and picking up his tablet, he headed downstairs. Thinking to grab a bottle of the lemonade, he stopped in the kitchen, opened the refrigerator and found that it had been fully stocked with items all marked "TIM". Matt heard him on the stairs and came out to tell him that there was a two burner electric 'hot plate' in the cupboards as well as a skillet and a couple of saucepans, so he could cook whatever he wanted and the toaster oven was big enough to bake or broil most items. He showed him how to operate the appliances and then took him out to the garden to show him the shadiest spots and the switch to turn the fountain and lights on. Tim was entranced and wondered if he could just stay here rather than find his own place.

Seeing the look on his face, Matt chuckled. "I kind of felt the same way, Tim, but we can come out to the garden during breaks, lunch, I still cook my dinner here sometimes and eat outside. Eventually you will want your own place. As nice as this is, it's still the office and I guess Pete hasn't mentioned it yet, but we're not allowed to have guests upstairs."

Tim nodded, "I had wondered about that! Yes, that will definitely speed up my apartment hunt!"

"Uh, I was wondering, if you're not too tired tomorrow, would you want to go into Athens for some sightseeing? I've been but I'd really like to go back with someone, be a lot more fun. You know - different perspectives."

Tim's eyes lit up, "Yeah, that'd be great Matt, thanks! And I won't be too tired, remember, I only flew across the English Channel and parts of Europe today, not the whole Atlantic as you did!"

Matt nodded. "Great! Also, Kim and I would like you to come to dinner with us tonight. We'll show you around the immediate area here, then the nicer parts of the harbor – this is a big city and a big harbor, it's not all pretty and some of it is dangerous, so we can point out places to avoid except on a case! Then we thought we'd show you a couple of the quieter neighborhoods each of us has found – Kim's been here for nearly two years so she knows a lot more than I do. Have dinner; do a bit of walking, and sound good?"

Tim nodded again, "Yeah that sounds wonderful!"

Tim was quite happy to agree, he'd been mentally preparing himself to spend Saturday by himself. He'd thought he take the Metro into Athens and see a few of the items on his list, but going with Matt sounded like a lot more fun.

Matt and Kim had a couple of hours more to work, so Tim found a comfortable spot in the garden. He sent a text to Vance letting him know he was at the office, loved his "hotel" and the in-office chefs. Chuckling he sent that, figuring it would get the man's attention. Checking the time, he saw it was still a little too early to call Ducky so he picked up his tablet, sent a few e-mails and then caught up on his reading. Thirty minutes later, his watch alarm chimed and he picked up the phone again to call his friends.

Ducky answered the phone on the first ring, "Hello, Timothy, are you all settled in to your hotel in Greece?"

Tim laughed, "Did the Director tell you, Ducky?"

The older man chuckled, "Yes dear boy he did, before he left for Europe. He wanted to make sure you wouldn't be upset, I got the idea the British lad wasn't overly enthusiastic about it. I got quite a kick out of the rooms above the office and Jimmy has too; hold on…do you mind if I put you on speaker?"

"No, Ducky, not at all! It's a great room; has its own bathroom, very usable kitchen downstairs, beautiful garden out back with lots of shade and a fountain, I'm sitting under a really nice shade tree right now. I took some photos of the room and the garden; I'll send them in a minute."

"That's wonderful, lad! You sound every bit as close as you did in London, I'm happy to say. I take it you have met your new team?"

"Yes, they're great, Ducky. Pete, that's my new Team Leader, Pete Russell, picked me up at the airport; I was so surprised that he'd do that on a workday! He brought me to the office to meet everyone so I didn't even think anything of not going straight to the hotel. It wasn't until I saw the building and then the staircase to the second floor that I realized this was my 'residential hotel that was within walking distance.' Anyway, one of the women who works here brought in homemade Greek pastries and they had a welcoming party for me. I spent the rest of the morning with Carla, the woman I'll be replacing and then Pete's wife and daughter showed up with lunch! These people are amazing!"

"I'm so happy to hear that, Timothy, you sound as happy as you were in London."

"I am. I was a little worried about being on my own all weekend, but two of my co-workers have asked me to join them for dinner tonight and one of them asked me to go into Athens with him tomorrow. Sunday, Pete and his wife are having a get-together for all of us. And I haven't really even done anything yet, Ducky, these people are just naturally friendly!"

"Yes well, Timothy, it is about time you found kindred spirits."

"I guess...Ducky, Vance told me about Gibbs, DiNozzo and Abby. Is everything ok there?"

"I will admit it is strange with none of you here, dear boy, but the atmosphere in the office has settled down quite nicely. Anthony has left for his new assignment and Gibbs is in Stillwater."

"Is he ok, Ducky?"

"He is…all right, Timothy, you shouldn't worry about him."

"But I do, I never thought…well, you know what I thought would happen."

"Yes I do but with the exception of your own departure, the rest have been the Director's decisions, Timothy and surely you don't mean to question them, do you?"

"What? No, not at all, I just…"

"You just settle in, enjoy your dinner tonight and your sightseeing tomorrow. Would it be possible to have someone take your photo over the weekend and send it to me? I love seeing the sights, but I most want to see you in those sights, lad."

"Of course, Ducky, and I have some from London still to send you." Tim paused, "Ducky, have you spoken with Gibbs this week?"

"Not since he left for Stillwater, lad. I've talked with Jack and you may as well know I'm flying up there this weekend. And before I forget, Jackson asked to send you his love."

"That's sweet of him, Ducky, please thank him and tell him I send mine as well. But Gibbs… he's not ok, is he?"

"He will be fine, Timothy and if you start thinking any of this is your doing I shall be very upset with you."

Tim paused, "Ok, Ducky, I see your point. Thanks for being such a good friend, to both of us, to all of us. Is Jimmy there?"

"Unfortunately, no, although the reason is a good one, he and Breena are meeting with an adoption counselor this morning."

"Oh, that's great, they're moving along pretty fast!"

"Yes, and Timothy, they have asked me to be grandfather to their child!"

Tim let out a whoop, momentarily forgetting that he was in the back garden of an office. He grimaced and looked at his watch, nearly 1700, shouldn't be too bad a faux pas at this hour. He hoped. "Ducky, that's wonderful! I'm so happy for you!"

"Thank you, dear boy, I'm quite excited about it! Now as much as I would love to chat with you longer, I do have a guest who needs my attention and Agent Carter has just walked in."

"All right, Ducky, it's been wonderful talking with you. Tell Rick, Jimmy and the others hello for me and … have a safe flight."

"I shall do so, my friend. Have a wonderful weekend and send me photos! I'll talk with you next week, hmm?"

"Yes, Ducky. Have a good flight." They ended the call and Tim sat thinking about the news. He knew Jimmy and Breena had intended to ask Ducky to be grandfather to their children. Jimmy's father had died years ago and Tim knew Ducky had a big place in Jimmy and Breena's hearts just as they had in his. The other news, about Gibbs, didn't sound so good. He worried his lip, thinking about calling Jackson's store but was interrupted by Kim's arrival.

"Matt and I are just getting ready to shut down, Tim, if you want to come in. Matt says he always left a couple of lights on upstairs so the place looks occupied. We thought we'd take you to one of our favorite pubs after dinner. We'll take my car now and leave it at the bar; I'll be designated driver tonight."

"How far away is Matt's place?"

"It's a bit far but it's close enough so that I can drop him off on my way home, then he can get his car here tomorrow when he meets you for your trip into The City." Tim smiled, thinking how funny it was that everywhere he went, London, Baltimore and now Athens, the metropolis was usually referred to as The City, with capital letters.

"Do I need a jacket, is this ok?"

"Yes, you're fine and yes, this time of year the evenings do cool down, so bring a light jacket. In the summer you won't need one at all." Tim went upstairs to leave his tablet, grab a jacket, turn a light on and lock his bedroom door (as advised by Matt and Pete), then walked out with his two new co-workers.