Thank you for the overwhelming response to this story! I won't babble - just the usual - don't own, no money - sigh & sad face.

In the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, Mike was very impatiently waiting for his layover. It was supposed to only take an hour and a half, it had been over two.

He found a smoking zone and lit up, his cell phone going off. "Yeah. - - I'm in the damn airport! Slower than molasses in the winter! - - Are you kidding me? How the hell did he find them? - - Where's the kid?" Mike grinned. "Well, at least he's safe. - - Did you really think you could have stopped him from getting involved. - - Well, there's no stopping that now." Mike grinned even more.

~ "Flight 173 A to Washington DC, now boarding." ~

"Gotta go Hal. I'll call when I land." He closed his phone and put out his cigarette. He sighed and got himself moving. This retirement stuff isn't all it's cracked-up to be. He got in line, ready to complete the final leg of his flight.

XXXX

Gibbs woke early. He went to check on Tim and found him already in the shower.

That's a good sign. Gibbs smiled as he went to get breakfast started. He got the coffee on and heard the water turn off upstairs. That was his cue to rummaging through the refrigerator. Eggs and toast, that won't be too heavy.

He got everything out and was about to start cooking, when something told him to go check on McGee. Never one not trust his feelings, he put down the bread and went upstairs.

Tim had not come out of the bathroom yet. Gibbs walked to the door and knocked, no response. He frowned. So much for progress.

"I'm coming in." Gibbs opened the door and leaned against the door frame.

McGee had on socks, t-shirt and underwear, his hair still damp from the shower. His face was covered with shaving cream, razor in hand. He was in a similar position as last night, leaning against the sink with his fists, head down.

"Do you need some help Tim?"

McGee looked at his Boss slowly. "I can't ... how do I ... just like every ..."

Gibbs walked into the bathroom, closed the toilet lid and pushed McGee down to sit on it. "I know. It seems weird to be doing everyday stuff. Showering, shaving, eating, breathing." He took the razor from Tim and started shaving for him. It showed how much Tim was hurting that he didn't raise any objections having someone else do such a simple task for him.

"I don't remember much of the first week after I found out about my family." When he finished with Tim's left cheek, he moved to the right one. "I was a complete mess the first time I confronted Mike Franks about the investigation." He lifted Tim's chin. "Said when I could come to him looking and smelling like a human being, then he would talk to me." He pulled Tim's chin back down and got the 'mustache' area'. I was so mad at him. But you know Mike, he didn't give in until I cleaned myself up enough to be presentable in public again."

Gibbs took a towel and clean off the left over shaving cream.

"How'd you do it Boss?"

"All I had was my anger. That's what drove me to get myself back into the fight." He put a hand on each of Tim's shoulders and squatted down to his eye level. "You've got us."

Tim's sad green eyes searched Gibbs' strong blue ones. "I promise Tim. You take all the time you need. Small steps, big ones. What ever you need and we all will be there. You won't have to face this alone."

Tim took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "They should be here by now. I should get myself together." He tried to stand, but Gibbs put pressure on his shoulders to stop him.

"Let me see them first."

"Boss, I can ..."

Gibbs shook his head. "This is going to be the hardest thing you've ever done, Tim. Let me see them first, so that I can prepare you."

"We see dead bodies all the time. I'm used to it by now."

"Don't kid yourself. You know it's different when it's when someone you know."

Tim barley nodded. "I'm the oldest, it's my job to ..." He couldn't finish his sentence.

"To ID the bodies?" Gibbs completed for him. He knew how hard Tim was trying to keep everything together, to fulfill his last duty to his family. "You're going to, and I will be right there with you, but trust me, let me see them first."

"I trust you."

Gibbs gave him a smile. "I know you do." He stood and removed his hands. "You think you can handle finishing get ready, while I start our breakfast?"

"You don't have to do that Boss." He received a gentle head-slap in return.

"We both need to eat. If you want to feel useful, then you can wash the dishes while I get ready. Okay?"

"Okay." Tim sounded quiet, as if all this talking had taken all of his energy.

"Good. Be downstairs in ten minutes, or I'm coming back up here."

Tim nodded and Gibbs turned to leave. "Boss?"

He paused and turned to look over his shoulder.

"Thanks. For everything. I ..."

"You're welcome." Gibbs smiled again. "Ten minutes McGee."

Gibbs went back to the kitchen and got the food going.

Tim came down right on time, looking more like himself than he had since Monday.

Gibbs slid the plate of food, part of an egg omelet and two piece of toast. McGee just pushed it around his plate.

"If you don't eat at least half of that, we're not going anywhere."

Tim gave a ghost of a smile. "You sound just like my Dad ... used to."

"Would he let you get away without eating?"

"No way. I once spent a whole day just sitting at the table because I didn't want to eat. He sat there all day too."

Gibbs smiled at the comparison. "Well then, you know I'm serious."

"Yeah. You and he are ... were a lot alike."

"Thank you."

That made Tim's smile a little stronger and he ate. He didn't eat much more than half but least he had something in him. He did wash the dishes while Gibbs got ready, in record time. Something else his Dad and Gibbs were alike on. Must be a military thing ... along with the head-slaps. He smiled wistfully at his thoughts.

The ride in was quiet. Gibbs knew he needed to give McGee his space. Plus, things had gone so well this morning, that he was no longer worried about Tim's silence. What did worry him, was that Tim hadn't shown any real emotion yet. The shock yes, but no tears, no anger, nothing. It's coming and when it does, ...

When it did, they would all see a side of Timothy McGee that none knew existed.

XXXX

When they arrived at NCIS, Gibbs still held onto Tim's arm. When the elevators opened, Tony, Ziva and Abby were waiting in the bull-pen. Gibbs could tell they wanted to rush over to them, but were waiting for approval. Instead he guided McGee out of the elevator and paused at the start of the cubicles.

Abby was the first to speak. "Oh, Timmy! I just ... How are you?" She winced at her own question. "Do you ... can I ... would you like a hug?" This was the first time ever, that she didn't know how to talk to McGee.

"Yeah." Was his quiet response.

She went over to him and practically fell into him. His normally strong hug was missing and she could feel his slight shaking.

Tim rested his cheek against the top of Abby's head and noticed that Ziva looked ... odd. He wasn't sure quiet how to describe it, so he took a chance and extended one of his hands to her.

She quickly grabbed hold and let Tim pull her towards him. She wrapped her arms around him and Abby, grateful to finally be able to lend her support.

Tim looked up and nodded to Tony, who came right over and joined in the group hug.

Gibbs smiled. Yeah, Tim's going to be okay. He may have lost one family, but he still has us.

Gibbs let them continue for a few moments, he hated to bring Tim back to the terrible task at hand, but knew putting it off wasn't going to do anyone any good. He cleared his throat.

Everyone, but Abby moved apart. She hung to Tim's arm.

"I'm going to see Ducky. You come down when your ready. Okay?"

"Sure, Boss."

Tim walked over to his desk and sat down, with Abby still clinging to his shoulder. As Gibbs walked past to go to the inner elevators, he pulled Abby along with him.

She started to protest, but Gibbs gave her the 'Don't disobey me' look and she quieted. She waited until the elevator door closed to ask her question. "Why'd you take me away from Tim?"

Gibbs sighed. "I don't want him overwhelmed."

"What do you mean."

"This has hit him hard and he's still in shock."

"Shock?"

Gibbs nodded. "He's barely functioning right now and hasn't even started grieving yet."

"So why can't I hug him?"

"You can, Abs. You just have to be careful."

She looked at him confused.

"Right now you could probably tattoo his face and he wouldn't blink."

That made Abby smile slightly and she nodded her understanding. Gibbs smiled back and pulled her into a hug, which gave her the permission to let go of some of her emotions and she let quiet tears fall.

"I've never seen him so hurt Gibbs. I don't even know how to approach him right now. How can I help him?"

Gibbs kissed the top of her head. "Just being there for him will help."

They reached her lab. "Are you going to be able to work this case Abs?"

She pulled back slightly offended. "Of course Gibbs. Timmy and his family deserve the best and I'm the best."

He pulled her in to kiss her head again. "I know you are."

She walked off the elevator but turned back. "Is he going to be okay?"

"Yes."

It was the strength of his answer that gave Abby the lift she needed. She nodded back to him and left for her lab to get all of her 'babies' up and running, ready to help McGee and his family.

XXXX

"What've you got for me Duck?" The question was out before the door had fully opened.

Doctor Mallard turned from the bodies. "Hello Jethro. How is Timothy holding up?"

Gibbs shook his head. "He's still in shock from it all. That's why I came down here first." He took a brief look at the bodies. "Is there any chance this is a murder/suicide?"

"From the reports, there was no firearm found at the scene, the bodies were laid out on their backs with arms at their sides and there is no sign of GSR on any of their hands."

Gibbs sighed. "So what do you have?"

"Actually, there is something interesting." Ducky gestured to Gibbs and they both walked towards the largest body.