Brynn stood in the living room, cradling Chris in her arms. From the big window that faced the street, she could see Gibbs standing in the rain. He hadn't moved from that spot since his team arrived. She sniffed when the tears finally came. She had been working to hold them back when McGee questioned her. He was just doing his job and Brynn didn't want to make it any harder. Movement caught her eye. Tony ran over to Gibbs and said something but got no response. Then as he turned away, Gibbs finally moved. Brynn watched him walk over to the truck where the body was being loaded. He shut the doors and turned away.

Mike Franks was dead.

The front door opened and Brynn tore herself away from the window.

"Agent Sutter?" Vance's voice was shaky. Brynn couldn't tell if it was because he was cold and wet, or if he was feeling just as lost as everyone else.

"Director." She acknowledged him and quickly turned back to the window. Suddenly all the vehicles were gone. Vance saw the confusion on her face and moved towards her.

"Gibbs is leaving an agent here with you." Brynn faced him again.

"Where is he?"

"They've all gone to the Navy yard."

"I should be there. I can help. I have to… I have to do something." Vance sighed. He knew there would be no stopping her.

"I'll tell you what. Let me take Chris to my house. Jackie can look after him. But the agent is staying with you until you get to the yard."

"Thank you, director."

NCIS

Brynn walked into the NCIS squad room carrying two bags and a cup holder with five large coffees. She set everything down on Gibbs' desk and sighed. How had they come to this? How had this happened? In just twenty four hours her whole world turned upside down and backwards. She stared down at the desk and let her mind wander.

Yesterday was beautiful. The sun was shinning, the birds were singing, and Brynn had just had probably the most romantic night of her natural life. She and Gibbs had come home to a tired but very excited Timothy McGee. After listening to McGee go over what had happened last night with Tony, Brynn was certain that Gibbs had broken his own rule (big surprise) and intervened. Brynn confronted Gibbs about it after McGee left.

"Okay, yes, I called DiNozzo and told him he should come over to talk to you. I figured if I got him and McGee alone together, they'd work it out." Gibbs confessed without a fight. "I'm just tired of both of them dancing around each other. I know they both want to get back together. And I want my team back the way they used to be. Back when everyone was happy. They need that, especially now."

Especially now. Those words had stung at Brynn. She knew he meant especially now, because there was a psycho killer on the lose. But wasn't there always?

Brynn came back to the present. How long had she been standing in front of Gibbs' desk? She picked up one of the bags she had carried in. It was full of clothes. The other bag was full of Chinese takeout. She pulled out one of the large coffees and walked to the elevator. She felt like she was in a trance as she stood there and waited for the doors to open. The ding brought her head up. Again, she was fighting tears. McGee, Tony, Ziva, and Abby were huddled together, holding each other tightly. They all looked up at her.

"Hey, Brynnie." Abby was the only one who spoke as they all filed out into the squad room.

"Hey…" They all just stood there for a few minutes. "I uh, I brought you guys some food and coffee. It's on Gibbs' desk." McGee moved forward and hugged her briefly.

"Thanks." He muttered before moving back.

"I wanted to do something… I wanted to help." She sniffed and swallowed hard. "Um, I brought Gibbs some clothes. Is he downstairs?"

"He's in Autopsy." Tony said and hit the elevator button for her. The doors opened immediately and she stepped in.

When she finally reached the door to Autopsy, she hesitated. Should she really have come? Would she just give Gibbs another thing to worry about? Would he push her away? No, he needed her. She took a breath to calm her over-fried nerves and stepped forward. The door to Autopsy slid open and Gibbs and Ducky looked at her. As soon as she saw Gibbs' face, she knew she had made the right call by coming here. He looked conflicted but grateful. Ducky stepped off to the side when she got closer to Gibbs.

"I brought you clothes." She held out the bag for him. "And I brought coffee and food for everyone." Her other hand held up the large cup. He took both from her.

"Thank you." He leaned in and kissed her forehead. When he left the room, Brynn faced Ducky.

"I didn't know if I should come." Her voice was flat.

"Trust me, my dear, he's glad you did."

"I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help. I usually know what to do…" Her eyes went to the covered body on the table.

"You're doing it, right now." He stepped forward and gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Maybe I should leave now."

"I think he'll feel better with you in the building. He probably won't say so, but knowing you are near helps more than anything."

"I wanna help him. But I don't wanna get in the way."

"Maybe in the way, is where he needs you." Brynn's eyebrows came together at his statement. But before she could question him, the door to Ducky's office opened and Gibbs came out. He set the bag with his wet clothes to the side and picked up his coffee.

"I'll go upstairs. Um, see if there's anything I can do." Brynn turned and left. When she got to the elevator she was surprised to see that Gibbs had followed her. "I just wanted to help." She stammered.

"You are helping." He pulled her into his arms and squeezed. "More than you know." He pulled back. "Is Chris here?"

"No… Jackie Vance has him. Said she'd watch him for as long as I needed." Gibbs nodded. "Is there anything else you need? I can get you anything…" Her voice fell away.

"You should go home. Get some sleep." Brynn looked up at him in that determined 'don't argue' way.

"I'll go home when you do." Her voice was stronger now. She kissed him and turned to hit the elevator button. "I'll be in the squad room. You better come up and get some of the food." She started to feel more confident. The doors opened and she stepped into the metal box. "If you don't eat soon, I'll come looking for you." She looked into his eyes. He gave the tiniest little smirk just before the doors closed.

NCIS

Brynn was curled up on the long table in Abby's office fast asleep. After coming back with Levin's body and a traumatized Barrett, Gibbs had gone looking for her. He stood there, just on the other side of the glass door, watching her. Ducky had been right, just knowing she was in the building was helping Gibbs. She shifted slightly, curling herself up, like she was cold. Gibbs quickly took one of the clean lab coats hanging on the wall and entered the office. When he covered her, he bent down and kissed her cheek. She must have been exhausted because she barely twitched when he touched her. Usually, the tiniest contact made her come up, wide awake. Gibbs clicked off the light in the lab. He looked at Brynn one more time before heading back to Autopsy.

NCIS

Brynn woke up with a sore back and neck. Last night, sleeping on the lab table had seemed like a better idea than the floor. That had backfired… She didn't know who had covered her with the heavy lab coat, but she was grateful. Her watch told her it was close to 0500. She figured if she was hungry, everyone else probably was too. She hung the lab coat back on the wall and quickly left the lab. When she got to the elevator, Tim stepped out.

"Morning." She didn't realize how groggy she still was until she heard her own strangled voice. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Morning."

"Morning." Tim pushed out a smile. "You here all night?"

"Yeah. I was gonna go get breakfast for everyone. You eat yet?"

"No. Is Abby in?"

"Not yet." Brynn suppressed a yawn. "Well, I'm off in search of food. I'll let you know when I get back."

"Hey, wait." He stopped her from passing him. "Take someone with you." Her eyes narrowed for a split second. "Please, Brynnie. Take another agent with you. Gibbs will have all our heads if any of us let you go anywhere alone. And…"

"And?"

"I wanna know you're safe." Brynn smiled and hugged Tim.

"I promise I won't go alone. I'll make Tony go with me."

"He'll keep you safe."

"You gonna wait here for Abby?" Tim nodded. "Kay." She pulled his face down so she could kiss his cheek.

Twenty minutes later Brynn was sitting in the passenger seat of a Dodge Charger holding a bag of egg muffins and two cup holders bulging with coffees. Tim had called her to let her know he was taking Abby home.

"He called you instead of me. Did he not think I'd want to know where he was?" Tony tried not to sound whiney… He failed.

"He knows you're with me. He said you'd keep me safe."

"He said that?"

"Yes!" If not for her hands being full, she'd head-slap him. "He's gonna stop by his place and grab some clothes. He said that you still had some clothes there and he's bringing them to you. He's gonna wait and shower when he gets back to the Navy yard." She paused. "You could use a shower too by the way."

"Hey!"

"Just being honest. You're kinda rank."

"Yeah, well you smell like… Eggs!"

"I'm sure that has nothing to do with the fact that I'm holding a bag full of them." He just glared at her. "Gibbs is gonna try to make me go home." All the playfulness left her voice.

"Maybe you should…"

"I'm not going until he does."

Back at the Navy yard, Brynn scowled when she saw Gibbs sitting at his desk. His eyes were bloodshot, and his 'pissed off' look was even more amplified than usual. Tony set the cup holders on his own desk before turning to update Gibbs on where Tim and Abby were. Gibbs took the coffee Tony offered without looking up. Brynn set the bag in front of Gibbs and shot him a look.

"Where's Vance?" She asked. "I got breakfast for him too."

"Up in his office with Sec-Nav." Now, the uber-pissed look made sense. Brynn rolled her eyes before taking out a muffin and holding it right under Gibbs' nose. He took it and silently began to eat. Brynn turned to find a chair to sit in, but Tony had already pulled one over for her. She smiled at him before sitting down.

"What about Ziva?" Brynn dug in to her own muffin.

"I tried to send her home to sleep. She was gone for almost two whole hours before she came right back. We're still trying to get ahold of Ray Cruz."

"And we have not been successful." Ziva came swooping into the bullpen. "I smell something good." Brynn reached into the bag and pulled out a wrapped muffin. "Oh, Brynnie, you are definitely the mother-figure here. Thank you." Ziva took the muffin and smiled. Then she got a better look at Brynn. "Have you been here all night? You look beaten."

"Beat." Brynn corrected her.

"Is there a difference."

"Not really." Tony called from his desk. Brynn turned and shot him a glare. When she faced Gibbs again, she flinched under his appraising stare.

"I called Jackie Vance while we were out." Brynn looked down. "She said Chris slept through most of the night."

"You should take him home." Gibbs had finished his muffin.

"You want me gone?"

"No, but you do need to get some sleep. Real sleep, not on a lab table."

"I was wondering who put the coat on me." Gibbs smiled.

"Hey, boss…" Gibbs looked over at Tony. "If you guys wanna head out for a few hours, we can hold things down here. Vance is gonna be busy for a while… And McGee is on his way back." Gibbs shifted his eyes back to Brynn.

"I'll leave when you do." She repeated her words from last night.

"Alright." Gibbs knew when to give in to her. She would not be out-stubborned. He rose from his chair and grabbed his gun. "Let's go."

"Chris can stay with Jackie." Brynn said as soon as they got into the elevator. Gibbs just looked at her. "We're just going home for a few hours right? Grab a shower and a nap, then head back in?" Gibbs nodded. "Then Chris can stay with Jackie. No sense in getting him if we're just gonna take him right back there. And Jackie said she likes having another baby to take care of." Gibbs didn't bother arguing. "I go where you go."

"Not in the field." He finally spoke up.

"Okay, but if you are working, I'm staying at NCIS."

"Deal." He could live with that.

They took a quick shower together. It wasn't anything romantic. They just wanted to save time. Gibbs was all for heading right back for the Navy yard, but as soon as he saw Brynn throw herself onto their bed, all he wanted was to crawl beside her. Brynn set the alarm on her watch for three hours and wrapped her arms around Gibbs.

"I love you." She murmured before closing her eyes.

"I love you, Brynn. You keep me going." He let his own eyes close.

NCIS

Gibbs didn't know if he wanted to laugh or cry. He had woken up ten minutes before Brynn's alarm was set to beep. He wasn't sure why, but he found himself in his basement. He picked up a piece of decorative wood he had been working on and ran his hand over the flowery carving. Then he picked up the letter he had been putting off reading and sighed. After reading Mike's last message to him… He decided to laugh.

"Never one to disappoint, were you Mike." His phone rang. He flipped it open. "Yeah, Gibbs." Tony's anxious voice pierced his ear. "Whoa, DiNozzo, slow down."

BEEP BEEP BEEP

Brynn came up with a start. She was alone.

"He better not have left without me." She muttered, throwing the covers off herself. She was already fully dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt. She quickly found her sneakers and pulled them on. Her bag, which was already packed, was at the foot of the bed. She grabbed it and her old Colorado State sweatshirt and ran for the stairs.

"Brynn!" She heard Gibbs calling from the kitchen. He hadn't left her!

"Yeah!" She reached the bottom step just as he came into the foyer.

"We gotta go in, now." She smiled at his use of the word we. He wasn't going to fight her about staying with him. But then, her smile dropped.

"Did something happen?"

"I'll explain in the car." He clipped his gun onto his belt and they both left the house.

NCIS

Brynn followed Gibbs off the elevator and into the bullpen. She stayed quiet while the team delivered the sit-rep. One sentence had Brynn's head spinning. Ziva was missing. Brynn threw herself behind Gibbs' desk and immediately checked the BOLOs she knew the team had already issued. It wasn't much, but it was something she knew how to do and it took away from their workload. She didn't look up until Gibbs was on his way to Vance's office.

"Agent Sutter." Brynn's eyes shot to Barrett. "Look, I know we haven't always gotten along…" Brynn couldn't remember them ever getting along, but she kept silent. "But I wanted to thank you for your support." Brynn's eyebrows came together. Was Barrett actually trying to be nice to her?

"You're welcome." Brynn was surprised and suspicious at the same time.

"I just know how much you mean to Tony…" Brynn's eyes narrowed. "I've heard him talk about what great friends you two are. I just didn't want there to be any bad feelings between me and Tony's friends."

Brynn almost came out of her seat. If it hadn't been for the situation and the exhaustion Brynn felt, she would have screamed at Barrett. How dare she try to get on Brynn's good side just to have another 'in' at Tony. Brynn looked away from Barrett's smiling face to see Tony staring right at her. Had he heard everything?

"Gear up!" Gibbs yelled as he came back down the stairs. Everyone jumped up. Brynn tried to join the flurry of activity. She got as far as the elevator when Gibbs turned and stopped her. "Not in the field." He held up his palm at her. "We had a deal." He was still staring at her when the doors slid closed.

NCIS

When Gibbs came back with P2P, AKA Jonas Cobb, Brynn was sitting at his desk talking to Jackie on her cell phone. She knew Jackie was just as worried as everyone else and would appreciate an update. The two women had spent nearly twenty minutes on the phone trying to keep each other calm with small talk. Then Gibbs and his team came bursting in and Brynn hastily said goodbye.

Twenty minutes later Tony trudged back into the bullpen. He looked pissed. McGee was already at his desk typing furiously. Brynn looked away before she could see who had followed Tony. It wasn't until she heard a chuckle that she looked up. One blue eye looked down at her.

"Kort?" Brynn sounded both surprised and weary. McGee and Tony both looked at her.

"Hello, Agent Sutter." Kort drawled out. "Heard you had a baby." He smirked.

"Yeah." She looked over at Tony. "So you're the one Cobb stole an eye from?" Her eyes went back to Kort's still smirking face. He nodded at her.

"You two know each other?" Tony asked, only looking at Brynn.

"We met in a hotel in Paris." Kort said, sending his smirk to Tony before turning back to Brynn. Tony and McGee both gawked at Brynn.

"It's not how it sounds!" She blurted out. "I had to work with the CIA when I went to Paris. He just happened to be there!"

"You're awful defensive about it." McGee remarked.

"Relax, McGee." Kort finally stopped smirking. "I'd never dream of making a play on any woman dating Gibbs."

"Engaged." Brynn held up her left hand. "We're engaged now."

There was a minute of silence before Gibbs came charging in and demanding McGee do a search on the results Abby found. Brynn caught enough to know it had to do with horse medication. There was another quick flurry of activity and Brynn found herself alone in the bullpen with Barrett. Brynn had been caught off guard by Gibbs' statement about knowing Barrett was Sec-Nav's niece 'from day one.' He hadn't told Brynn that. Barrett quickly left the bullpen, leaving Brynn to her thoughts.

It didn't take long for Brynn to get restless in her seat. She jumped up, intending to head to Abby's lab. When she got to the elevator, Barrett and another agent were escorting Cobb. The three of them stepped in and waited for Brynn to enter.

"I, uh… I'll take the stairs." Brynn quickly turned away and the doors closed.

NCIS

Brynn was back at Gibbs' desk with her knees up against her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs. She had just been told what had happened to Palmer and Barrett. Ziva, Tony, and McGee didn't know why she had curled herself up and was now staring into space. The silence around them quickly became too much for Tony.

"Uncle Sec-Nav. She could've mentioned that." Brynn only half heard Ziva's comment to Tony about having family in places of power. Suddenly, McGee was standing in front of her. Her eyes focused on him as he put his palms on Gibbs' desk and leaned towards her.

"Brynnie?" His voice was full of concern.

"I almost got on that elevator." Her voice was monotone.

"But you didn't." McGee tried to soothe her.

"You guys are the ones constantly out there chasing dirt bags. None of you would have been too scared to get in an elevator with one. He was in handcuffs. He had two armed agents with him. But I was… I was still to scared to get near him." She set her chin on her left knee.

"Sensible is more like it." Tony spoke up. "Do you think any of us are in our right minds when we throw ourselves in danger? You're smart Brynnie. Don't sell yourself short."

"And you are more help than you think." Ziva added.

"You guys shouldn't have to make me feel better." Brynn perked up when she saw Gibbs rushing towards them with that look on his face. "You guys better gear up."

"You heard the lady." Gibbs barked. He stepped behind his desk so he was right next to Brynn. He leaned down and kissed her head. "I for one, am damn glad you don't get in elevators with serial killers." He smiled and kissed her again. "Let's go!" He yelled at his team.

Brynn was left there with her thoughts, again. She felt so useless. Even Vance and the Sec-Nav had gone with Gibbs to hunt for Cobb. And here she was, sitting like a bump on a log. Brynn hated herself right at that moment.

Three hours later, Brynn was once again sitting at Gibbs' desk. Gibbs and his team were all in the conference room for their last briefing. When Gibbs had come back to the Navy yard with Barrett and Palmer, Brynn had rejoiced that everyone was safe. But Gibbs caught something else in her eyes that made him stop for a second. They were going to need to talk later.

Jackie Vance came into the bullpen carrying Chris in his car seat in one hand and his baby bag in the other. Brynn jumped up and took the car seat. Chris wriggled and cooed as Brynn set the seat on Gibbs' desk and freed him from the straps.

"Thank you so much for everything!" Brynn cuddled Chris close to her and sent Jackie a smile.

"I actually had a lot of fun with him. He's such a calm baby." Jackie set his bag near Gibbs' desk.

"Tim says it's a Gibbs thing." Brynn kissed her son on his head and gently rocked him.

"So you two are really tying the knot?" Jackie eyes the ring on Brynn's finger. Brynn just nodded. She hadn't ever been away from Chris this long and it had affected her more than she expected. "Have you made any plans?"

"Not really. We haven't been able to. I've always wanted a small ceremony. Just a simple thing with friends and family. I'm not in to big parties."

"Somehow I don't think Gibbs will argue with that."

"Argue with what?" Director Vance suddenly appeared. Behind him, the rest of the team were making their way to the bullpen.

"A small wedding ceremony." Jackie blurted out causing everyone to stop. Brynn sent Gibbs an apologetic look but he just grinned at her.

"Oh yeah," Director Vance turned to the team and smiled. "That reminds me… None of you are to come back to work for at least another four days. Take some time. Rest and… Plan things out. Come back in refreshed and ready to work." He did a half turn, but then faced Gibbs. "And I better get an invitation, or I'll be pissed."

It took a few moments for everyone to start gathering their things to leave. Brynn just stood there, holding Chris and watching Gibbs. He was giving her the 'we need to talk' look. What had she done now? Simply to distract herself, she turned to Ziva.

"Heard anything from Ray?" Ziva's head popped up at her question.

"Yes… He wants to have dinner tonight."

"And?"

"I do not think I am going."

"Ziva…" Brynn sighed. "You should go. You should always give people a second chance. You don't know when they're not gonna be there anymore."

"You really are the mother-figure here." Ziva smiled and slung her backpack over her shoulder. "I will think about it." She turned to the elevator.

McGee stared at Brynn for several seconds before shouldering his own backpack and following Ziva.

"So, uh…" Tony stood in front of his desk facing Brynn. "Do you think I might get a second chance?"

"I'd wait for him to call you." Brynn smiled.

"Thanks, Mom." Tony kissed her head and patted Chris gently before walking away.

"What?" Brynn demanded when she turned and Gibbs was staring at her. He just grinned and took Chris from her. He kissed Chris' cheek before putting him in the car seat.

Gibbs remained silent until they were in the car leaving the Navy yard. Once they got through security, he finally spoke up.

"I know you."

"Okay…" She wondered where this was going.

"You think you're weak."

"I am weak."

"Would a weak person who has been through everything you have, come out as strong as you?"

"I dunno. Maybe."

"Oh, sarcasm. Nice."

"I just feel useless to you."

"Useless?!" He almost hit the brakes. "Who got us food when no one else thought to? Who brought me clothes and made me eat when I was feeling sorry for myself? Who is the mother bear who refused to leave her family alone when they needed her the most? You kept us together! You did that! And you did it in spite of the fact that you knew I wanted you home, safe." He let out a loud sigh. "You didn't think about yourself, or your safety. You knew Cobb had been inside NCIS. The son of a bitch had been at my desk! But you came in anyways and took care of us! Ziva was right, you do help more than you know." Brynn sat there and stared at him, wide-eyed. "And another thing! I don't ever wanna hear you say that not getting on an elevator with a damn psycho is a sign that you are weak! DiNozzo was right, it was smart! You could have been taken hostage right along with Palmer and Barrett! Do you think I'd want that?"

All Brynn could do was shake her head. She was surprised that Gibbs' raised voice hadn't upset Chris. She glanced back long enough to see him sitting peacefully in his seat., blissfully unaware that Mom and Dad were fighting. When her eyes went back to Gibbs, she saw him watching her. Regret flashed over his face and she knew he hadn't meant to yell with Chris in the car.

"I just…" He sighed again. "I just hate it when you fill yourself with doubt."

"It's not your fault that I do." She looked at her hands curled in her lap. He reached out and took on of her hands and brought it to his lips.

"I love you, Brynn."

"Love you, Gibbs."

Brynn had a feeling she had gotten off easy. Not that she said so out loud…

NCIS

Tony sat on his couch nursing his second beer. The apartment was dark except for the lamp on the table beside the couch. He just hadn't had the heart to turn on the T.V. or the radio. So he sat there in the semi-darkness, feeling like crap.

He missed his Timmy. He missed the way they used to hold each other on this very couch. Missed they way Tim would challenge him for control when they kissed. Missed Tim's hands on his skin… Tim had such soft hands. It drove Tony wild. But more than the physical things… He missed how truly comfortable he was with Tim. They could talk about nothing for hours and not get bored. They were both just as content with cuddling as they were with making love. One thing never really had to lead to another. Even though it usually did, still there were no expectations… He never had to fight for his attention or affection. Tim gave both freely. Tony didn't have to go out of his way to impress him or constantly come up with new ways to surprise him. Tim just wasn't into that. It was so different from being with any woman. Women were so high maintenance and needy. The only thing Tim ever asked of Tony was trust and honesty. Boy, he had sure screwed the pooch there…

Knocking brought Tony out of his musings. He glanced at his watch as he stood. It wasn't late, but who would be visiting now? Tony looked through his peephole and felt his heart jump.

"Hi…" Tim stood in Tony's doorway holding a six-pack and a bag of BBQ takeout. "Guess you started without me." Tim smiled and nodded his head at the beer Tony still held. Tony looked from the beer to Tim. "Are you gonna let me in?" Tony's brain kicked back in and he hastily moved out of Tim's way. "Why's it so dark in here?" Tony shut the door and bolted it.

"Uh… I was thinking." He could feel his brain shutting off again.

"In the dark?" Tim had made his way to the couch and set everything on the coffee table. Tony quickly moved to turn on another light. It was still dim, but at least they would be able to see their food. "Come on, I stopped at that BBQ place you like." Tony jumped slightly and joined Tim on the couch. "It's too quiet in here. Kinda creepy." Tim smiled as he unwrapped his sandwich.

"I can turn on the radio." Tony didn't want to risk turning on the T.V. It would be too much of a distraction for his already slow train of thought.

"Okay." Tony picked up the stereo remote and found the local Jazz station. "Nice." Tim nodded.

"Uh, thanks for… Dinner." Tony tried to clear his head and reached for a sandwich.

"You're welcome."

They ate in a very awkward silence for about five minutes before Tim spoke up again.

"I wonder what kind of small ceremony Gibbs and Brynnie are gonna have…" Tony could tell Tim was trying to stick to safe topics.

"Knowing both of them, short and sweet." Tony had finished his sandwich and what was left of his beer. He grabbed a bottle from the six-pack Tim brought and popped it open. Tim had also finished eating but was still sipping his first beer.

"That's the best way, no mess, no fuss."

"You were never a mess and fuss kind of guy. It's what I like about you."

"Is that your way of asking me to get to the point?"

"No, uh, I didn't mean." Tony stammered. Tim held up his hand, stopping him.

"I've been thinking about what Brynnie said about second chances and not knowing when someone might not be there anymore." Tim paused and waited for Tony to slip in some remark. When Tony just sat there, Tim went on. "I also had a conversation with Gibbs earlier." Tony's eyebrow went up in surprise. "Yeah, he took me aside before the briefing and asked me point blank if I still love you."

"What'd you say?"

"That I never stopped loving you. I just didn't know if you love me… Like you did before. He said, "For a genius, you sure can be an idiot sometimes." Then he head-slapped me."

"I'm sorry." Tony jumped in.

"Don't be, he had a point." Tim took a long drink from his beer. He set it down, then looked at Tony. "Am I an idiot to think you might not love me?"

"Yes!" Tony nearly slammed his bottle on the coffee table. "Yes, damn it, you are!" Tony stood and pushed the coffee table away from the couch so he could get up. "I love you, Tim! I love you so much!" Tony stood in front of Tim and clenched his fists. "And I'm an idiot for screwing it all up! It was so easy being with you. It was so natural. I've never felt like that before. I didn't even have to try to be happy, I just was! It was so comfortable, I thought there was no way I could screw it up. And somehow I still did. And I'm so sorry, Tim. I'm so sorry." Tim held up his hand again. He beckoned Tony to sit down. Tony sat on the couch but left about two feet between them.

"I do want you back Tony. But I need to know you won't get distracted and go sniffing another shoe."

"Shoe…?"

"Sorry, Brynnie compared you and E.J. to a dog finding a new shoe to play with."

"She does have a way with analogies." Tony chuckled. "To be honest…" He made himself look Tim in the eyes. "It took being with someone else to make me realize how much I really do love you. I thought… I don't even really remember thinking at all… I was selfish. I know that, and I admit it. I can't imagine how I'll ever get you to believe me but… I learned my lesson. There's no one like you. And I don't want anyone but you. I never stopped loving you either. I don't know why I went to her. But I know why I want to be with you." He sighed and ran his hand across his face. "That's all the answer I've got."

"It's all I need." Tim reached out and put his palm on Tony's cheek.

NCIS

The tangy-sweet smell of grilled steak filled Gibbs' backyard. It was their last day off before team Gibbs had to return to work. Brynn smiled as she looked around her at her family. Chris was being coddled by Ducky in a lawn chair. Ziva and Abby were at the picnic table talking to Palmer and his fiancé, Breena. Tim and Tony were trying to assemble a net for lawn tennis, it didn't look to be going well. And Gibbs was busy manning the grill. Brynn set a big pitcher of sweet lemonade on the picnic table. One of the few things her mother had ever taught her was how to make perfect lemonade from scratch. It was the only beverage with sugar that Gibbs would drink.

Tony quickly gave up on trying to help Tim with the net. Ducky laughed and offered to help if Tony would take Chris. Tony quickly agreed and took hold of the calm baby.

"You look so cute with him, Tiger." Brynn smirked.

"Yeah, I make any baby look cute." Tony smarted off. Tony's grin quickly turned to a grimace. "I think somebody pooed." He turned to Ducky. "Is this why you gave him to me?"

"You know, I have a rule about that, DiNozzo." Gibbs pointed his spatula at Tony. "He who announces the poop, changes the diaper." Gibbs grinned.

"Oh, come on, boss… Please." He sent Brynn a desperate look.

"No, no." Gibbs went on. "Rule number seventy-three: He who announces the poop, changes the diaper."

"You're in your seventies, now?" Brynn asked.

"Geez, Gibbs." Everyone turned to see Tobias Fornell holding a store-bought pie. "I didn't know you were that old."

"I hope that's apple." Gibbs pointed at the pie. Fornell just nodded. Brynn took Chris from Tony and headed inside.

Later, everyone was seated around the picnic table and the extra patio table Gibbs had pulled out for the occasion. Chris was in his baby swing, just between Gibbs and Brynn.

"Boss, you still make the best steak I've ever had." Tony mumbled with his mouth full. Garbled agreements went up all around.

"Well, we wanted to gather everyone up." Brynn said. "And we figured steak was the best lure."

"You figured right!" Tony pointed his fork at her.

"What do you wanna tell us?" McGee asked.

"We set a date." Brynn smiled. "Two weeks from today, we're getting married here. You are all invited. It's just a little wedding. Only all of you and the director and Jackie." Brynn's smile grew. "We sent Diane and invitation too, but… We don't actually count on seeing her." Laughter rose up.

"If she does show, do I permission to stab her?" Ziva asked. There were several 'No's' and a few 'Yes's' yelled out.

"Anyways, Gibbs and I talked about it and… There's no way we could possibly pick a best man or maid of honor. We love you all. So we're just not gonna pick."

"Are you going to have anyone give you away?" Tim asked.

"I thought about that. I've already given myself to Gibbs. So, there's no need in having someone else do it for me for the sake of ceremony." She paused. "I do have a favor to ask of you though."

"Anything."

"I'm setting up a live video feed so my uncle can watch the ceremony. I need someone to man the webcam so Ian can see everything."

"Sure."

"I am so happy for you two." Ziva's voice made Brynn look at her. "You give others hope."

"Yeah." Tony agreed. He very discretely put his hand on Tim's knee under the table. Tim gave him a warm smile.

Conversation returned all around, but Gibbs barely paid attention. He looked at his family, his happy family, and smiled.