Chapter 4

James woke up exactly 3 hours later. He was escorted to Gibbs desk while constantly scowling at his designated agent.

'Hey James!' McGee said, and called him over where they proceeded to chat about (in Gibbs' view anyway) some nonsense computer games. Gibbs let it happen, relieved that James was having some sort of release. Once again he marvelled at how well he got on with McGee who was James' polar opposite.

'Hey, McMeHungry - get lunch for us.'

'No way Tony - I bought yesterday!' McGee replied indignantly.

'McGee get it for everyone - including Abby and James. DiNozzo will pay.' Gibbs said, keen to put a stop to the bickering he knew would happen.

'Aw Boss!' DiNozzo whined.

'DiNozzo!'

'Yes Boss. Paying McGee Boss.'

As McGee left the squad room James turned to Gibbs, 'I'm not hungry!'

Gibbs looked up - whining was new.

'Neither am I but I still eat.' Gibbs answered, which put an abrupt end to the conversation.

Gibbs threw a ball of elastic bands at James and told him to take it apart and put it back together again. James wanted to argue, but thought better of it after a glance at Gibbs. Anyway, he didn't mind doing things to keep busy.

Gibbs checked his email - which was very unusual - but only because his team had taken the hint that nothing could be said in front of James - he wouldn't miss a thing. DiNozzo's brief email updated him that they still couldn't get hold of James' guardian. Gibbs frowned at this - his gut told him that he disliked the guy.

'Coming Abby.' DiNozzo said into his phone before disappearing to her lab.

Gibbs was dealing with paperwork when there was a cautious,

'Gibbs?' from James. Gibbs merely raised his eyebrows. 'There's something I should have told you.'

'Uh huh.' Gibbs said slowly.

James looked guilty before grabbing a pen and paper from McGee's desk, writing something down and walking it over to Gibbs to deposit it on his desk.

'It's a bit of a number plate. From a black car I saw leaving Johnston's house this morning. I heard McGee talking about a black car?'

Gibbs nodded his thanks. This boy continued to surprise him - he wondered what he would come up with next. To remember some of a number plate at 10 was quite impressive.

'I'm sorry.'

'Don't apologize. It's a sign of weakness.'

...

The team ate in silence as they were all busy working on the case. James only managed half his cheeseburger but Gibbs let it slide. After about half an hour he looked up to see an uncomfortable looking James.

'James - are you ok?'

James nodded but then shook his head. 'Actually it's kinda getting difficult to breathe' he said in a rasping voice.

James was still managing to look embarrassed as Gibbs ordered DiNozzo to call Ducky. However, five minutes later he was sorted by Ducky (and to an extent Jimmy) - this time he didn't object to the treatment.

'Just a delayed response Jethro. It happens sometimes - his body must have still been running on adrenaline when I examined him. The painkillers and the sleep must have delayed it even longer. He should be fine now.' Ducky explained to Gibbs who still didn't look convinced.
'He should take these painkillers every four hours . These ones are non-drowsy. Though I dare-say some sleeping tablets may come in useful tonight.' Gibbs agreed and looked at James, who had just recovered and was breathing normally again.

'You'll be alright now James.' Jimmy said reassuringly and placed his hand on the back of James' neck. Gibbs, Jimmy and Ducky all saw it happen as if in slow motion. Jimmy quickly withdrew is hand.

'Palmer!' Gibbs roared as he simultaneously head-slapped Jimmy. There was no doubt that James had just been triggered - it often occurred with those who had had traumatic experiences. James just stared straight ahead, seemingly oblivious, but Gibbs wanted to snap him out of what ever head space he had fallen into.

'James?' He asked with no response. Gibbs took a breath to prepare himself for what he was about to say - but he thought it might work.
'Matthew James Baxter - look at me now!' he said forcefully. At this, James' head snapped up and he locked eyes with Gibbs.

'Bathroom?' James muttered. Gibbs understood and led the way before following him in.

'Alright Matthew,' he said gently, 'how about you wash your face?' James nodded and obliged. As he did so, he began to awaken from his trance and started to get angry again. However, this resulted in him kicking the wall in annoyance.

'Cut it out Matthew.' Gibbs said firmly but kindly. James began to calm down. It was then that Gibbs realized the provenance of the last few minutes. James responded to James most of the time but Matthew when he was angry or upset. He couldn't put his finger on why that was yet. James had also told Gibbs, after he had asked the for the first time, that there was something wrong with his breathing. That was something, Gibbs realized - he wondered if James was beginning to trust him.

'Sorry.' James mumbled.

'What did I say about apologizing? Now, I'm going to get some coffee. Wanna come?'

James grinned.

On the way to Gibbs' favourite coffee shop James talked - a bit. In the same way Gibbs talked a little too. It wasn't awkward so James talked about school and Gibbs said some things about his boat. Once again Gibbs marvelled at the kid - his mannerisms - and cursed the people who had influenced his life.

Gibbs threw caution to the wind and again asked, 'Why do you prefer James over Matthew?' However he got no answer so swiftly changed the subject. 'Tell me about Max.'

That got a response. James was off explaining about the first time he had met Max. He told Gibbs that Johnston (James had always called him that) had brought his car to the garage that Jack owns one day with his son. The car needed a lot of work so Jack had told James to watch Max, who was two the time, so that Johnston could supervise the repair work. Johnston could see that James got on really well with Max - despite them not being able have a full conversation - and things went from there.

'I never really looked after him completely on my own - Johnston usually worked upstairs when I was there. He went out a couple of times though but never for for more than a few hours.' James said simply. Gibbs was stunned - this was the most he'd heard James talk. He also agreed with Johnston - despite the fact that James appeared grown up - he was right not to leave him completely on his own because as was still young.

They walked back to the bullpen in a comfortable silence - Gibbs still thinking about the disgusted look on James face when he was asked if he wanted milk and sugar in his coffee. Back in the elevator, James suddenly said, 'My mother...my mother called me Matthew.' Gibbs was surprised but didn't show it. He nodded at James and he realized they had both reached a mutual understanding.

PING. 'Boss, you're not going to like this.' DiNozzo said with a meaningful look at James.

'McGee - take James to see Abby for a bit.' Gibbs ordered.

DiNozzo continued, 'The BOLO came back on the SUV. The car is registered to a Clare Martins. But - the car was at Bellfields motors at the time of the murder.'

'Jack Harper - the godfather - works there?'

'Yeah - how did you?... never mind' DiNozzo frowned. 'He owns and runs that garage for repairs.'

'Find him.' Gibbs growled.

James was completely bemused by Abby. She started babbling in that scientific language of hers at McGee while James could only stare. When she came up for air, McGee finally got a chance to introduce James. He also asked her to watch him a bit - James began to protest about being 'babysat' - but stopped when McGee glared at him. McGee grinned to himself - working for Gibbs had its uses. He felt a bit sorry leaving James with a hyperactive Abby (she was on her fifth Caf Pow! of the day) but considering he had tried to out-stare Gibbs earlier - Tony had filled him in - he reckoned he'd survive.

'I'll give you a tour.' Abby said excitedly.

'No tours.' Came a voice from the door.

'Gibbs! Come on - he needs to see everything!' Abby pleaded.

'You have work to do. And he needs some rest.'

'I don't...' Gibbs just shot another Gibbs-stare at him.

'Why?'

'No Abs. Come on - work. Email me when you find something.'

Gibbs turned to leave, 'Something's hinky James. Gibbs never uses email.'

...

In the hour that had passed Gibbs had gone to see Ducky. Ducky told him that head wound was caused by hitting the tarmac. There was also light bruising on his chest where he appeared to have been pushed. They both came to the conclusion that this must have been someone he knew - reactions of military personnel are usually better. Someone had then finished the job using the Johnston's own (Abby confirmed this) standard issue marine knife.

Back in the bullpen McGee filled Gibbs in on another potential suspect while DiNozzo and Ziva went to bring her - there was a chance it was the Clare Martins the car had belonged to. There was still nothing on the whereabouts Jack Harper. Gibbs' phone rang.
'Gibbs.' There was a pause, 'Ok Abs. Be right down.'

Gibbs made his way down to her lab. Considering he'd told he to email him he was surprised she wanted to see him personally - it must be important. James wasn't there when he got there - Abby quickly explained that Ducky had him (James hadn't wanted to see Jimmy).
Abby looked uncomfortable ask she began to talk. She babbled for a bit before Gibbs told her - in few words - to get on with it.
'The DNA from Johnston's uniform got a match on APHIS. He already had a criminal record for drug possession. It belongs to Jack Harper.'

Author's Note: I am not a doctor - I therefore have no idea if a delayed response is possible and I have only written about it for the purpose of this story.