Chapter 3:

A/N: For the most part, this is pretty much a filler chapter, and it's very short, but I hope you enjoy it none the less. Also, this will most likely be my last update for several days. I am currently in a different state visiting a friend (the amazing AbbyScuito, go check out her stories) and then this weekend I will be in yet another state getting married (YAY!) Then, I will be coming home and starting my final two classes to get my law enforcement degree over summer. I have a couple more chapters already written, however I am trying not to get too far ahead of myself. So in short, I don't know when the next chapter will come up, but *hint, hint* the more reviews I get the more inspired I might be to update sooner.

Present

Stephen Jones looked up from current task when the phone rang. Seeing that his boss was at the desk, he went back to what he was doing.

"Oh dear. I thought you guys were just canvasing the scene. Did you find another body?"

Stephen looked up once more, curious. His boss was now standing up and appeared to fishing for the keys to their vehicle in his desk. Realizing this meant they would be going out, Steven quickly began putting away the cleaning supplies he'd had out, happy to be given a reprieve from the only part of his job he disliked. He had just gathered everything when he heard gasp and a crashing noise. Steven looked up just in time to see his boss collapse back into his chair, deathly pale.

"Dr. Palmer?" Stephen asked, rushing to him. He was still holding the phone to his ear in a death grip, but his arm and whole body appeared to be trembling severely. Steven felt his own heart clench in fear. He had talked to Brian about an hour ago and had known they were headed out to re-canvas the crime scene in their most recent case. That had to mean Dr. Palmer was talking to someone on Agent McGee's team, and something had clearly gone wrong.

"Ok." Dr. Palmer breathed out shakily. "We'll be there soon. Does Zachary know?" he paused, waiting for a response. "No, I think that is probably best." Dr. Palmer hung up the phone and just sat still for several moments, seeming completely unaware of Steven's presence. Finally, Dr. Palmer looked at him through his glasses, and Stephen was horrified to see pain and tears building up in his eyes normally calm and kind eyes.

"There were two suspects at the scene when they arrived," Dr. Palmer said with a shaky voice. "Agent McGee and Agent Stein were cornered by one of the shooters after taking out the other one. Agent McGee," here his voice faltered. "Tim will be taking his final journey back to NCIS with us." The only reason Steven remained standing in that moment was because the wall was right there to support him.

NCIS * NCIS * NCIS * NCIS

By the time Jimmy and Stephen arrived at the warehouse, the scene was swarming with people, all of whom didn't seem know what to do with them selves. The paramedics that had responded to the scene now seemed unsure of whether they should stay or leave. Metro PD had responded as well, and beyond setting up a perimeter, they seemed to be milling around aimlessly. There was no laughter or friendly chatter, or even the usual jurisdictional arguments. There was a heavy, solemn silence that permeated the air. Jimmy saw Brian and Rebecca talking quietly to an officer, one that Jimmy recognized. It was Richard Church, a sergeant and detective they'd crossed paths with before. He was one that they'd always been happy to work with and one of the few people that could bring forth genuine laughter from Tim in the last few years. There was no laughter now though. His face was drawn and serious, mirroring that of Brian's. Brian stood stoically, seeming to have aged ten years since this morning, clearly trying to do his best to fulfill his role as Senior Field Agent, now team leader. He had one protective arm around Rebecca, and it was clear that he was the only thing keeping her upright. Next to him, Rebecca contrasted sharply. Her cheeks were tear stained, her eyes puffy, and she looked impossibly young and fragile. Jimmy shook his head. She was young; next to himself, they all were. She had been 12 years old on that night, the night that had changed everything for him and his family. Realizing he was allowing his mind to take him to a dark place, he shook his head once more.

"It's ok to think of them, you know" came a hauntingly familiar voice from beside him. "I thought of them all the time. Sometimes it was the only thing that kept me going, especially after Tony… I used to tell myself that the only way I could face them, could face Gibbs was to keep putting away the bad guys; to keep doing the job they couldn't anymore."

"And now you're with them," Jimmy was surprised out how harshly it came out. Taking a deep breath, he glanced at the figure next to him. "And I'm still here, alone."

"Not alone Jimmy," Tim replied from beside him. "They're going to need you," he said nodded in Brian and Rebecca's direction. "Becks especially is going to need you," Tim said regretfully.

"Why?" Jimmy asked, his gaze now focused on where he knew his friend had drawn his final breath.

"I think that is a question that will still be asked until the end of time," came Stephen's strained voice, startling Jimmy. "Why is it always the ones the world needs the most that get taken from us too soon." Stephen now stood to his left, holding some of their equipment. Looking to his right, Jimmy was disappointed but not surprised to find that the image of Tim he'd been talking to had vanished.

Taking a deep breath, Jimmy started walking toward Brian and Rebecca. As he came closer he saw that the front and Rebecca's shirt and her hands were covered in blood. Brian's were too. For a split second, Jimmy thought he might be sick. He didn't know if he could do this, if he could bury another friend. Very quickly, he pushed those thoughts aside, knowing that he would otherwise let himself drown in his sorrow. There would be time for that later. He would go home and hold his children close. He would tell them how much he loved them, and then he and Breena would disappear into their room where he would hold her and cry. For now though, he had a job to do and he had a team to take care of.

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