Yay for holidays! Especially this holiday. Thank you to all our military who served in the past and those who are currently serving. Your sacrifice is appreciated. Happy Memorial Day!

Thank you for the reviews and alerts! Big smiles and hugs.

Since Tony and Ziva wanted to get to the Roanoke as quickly as possible it was decided that Ziva would drive. They talked a little but were mostly silent. It wasn't until they were close to the house. That Ziva spoke.

"What do you think we will find?"

Tony shrugged.

"Leos didn't seem too concerned so probably nothing too bad."

"It is McGee, any evidence of abuse would be bad enough, yes?

"Yeah" he said softly.

"I have rarely heard McGee speak of his father. I know he talks a little about his childhood, but he seems to talk more of places and events than people."

"Yeah Ziva, I know."

Ziva looked over at him for a moment then turned back to the road.

"I am sorry Tony. You do not seem to wish to talk. I did not mean to force you."

"It's not you Zee. I just can't really wrap my head around this. It's weird to beat somebody up and never even touch their face. And it's McGee, I mean come on!"

"That is what I was saying to Ducky. I imagine McGee is the only one who will be able to tell us why that is. I wonder if his mood last week had anything to do with this?"

Tony didn't answer and stared out the window until they arrived at their destination. Officers met them at the door and handed over the phone and ID they had found. One officer stayed behind.

"Wanted to let you know, we talked to some of the neighbors around here. They said Friday night late your agent's car drove up, they never saw it leave but apparently around 1AM this morning a cab picked someone up here. Here's the number, thought you might want to check it out yourself. No one saw McGee, the older one, leave. Don't have clue where he is. Your boy's car is still around back, keys inside."

Tony nodded.

"Thanks we appreciate it. We can handle it from here."

Tony flipped open the phone to look. The screen showed 8 missed calls 6 new messages and 7 texts.

"Tony, come here." Ziva called from inside where she was inside taking pictures. "Look at this"

Tony was confused as she handed the item over to him.

"It's a tube sock filled with double A batteries." He stated.

"Yes"

"What for?"

"This is, I imagine, what caused most of the bruises. If you strike someone with this, it will not break the skin but causes deep bruises and is quite painful."

Tony turned away in disgust and looked around. There was a straight back chair with ropes lying around it just like the officer had said. They were stretched in some places as if someone had strained against them.

"I have also found the belt, traces of blood and cigarette butts in that ashtray." Ziva continued. She looked around. "We do not even know how long he was here. It could have been all weekend."

Tony nodded.

"Have to ask Abby to check the phone chip I guess. Alright, let's bag it and get out of here. I'll drive McGee's car back to Yard."

Gibbs arrived at McGee's apartment a few minutes before the cab carrying McGee and Abby pulled up. He helped Abby get McGee out of the backseat. McGee didn't saying thing and seemed to be registering very little. Gibbs took one look at his glassy stare and glanced questioningly at Abby.

"He's kinda doped up on pain killer Gibbs." She stage whispered.

"Uh-huh, all right McGee here we go" he said guiding him toward the passenger side of his car.

"Wha-Boss, I live here. I'm just gonna go upstairs."

"No, Abby's going to go up and pack you a bag and then you're coming home with me."

"What? Why?"

"I'm not going to let you stay here by yourself McGee. You can barely stand up."

"I'm just going to sleep boss. I don't need someone to watch me do that."

All the while they were talking Gibbs was leading him to the car. He tried to ease him in as gently as he could. McGee grimaced at the movement despite the pain killer. Watching the pain Gibbs shook his head.

"I ought to take you back to the hospital."

McGee silently shook his head. Abby arrived with the bag and hovered for a few minutes.

"Is he gonna be ok Gibbs?" She asked worriedly.

"I hope so Abbs."

"You'll take care of him?"

He kissed her forehead.

"I will Abby, don't worry."

Almost as soon as the car got on the highway and picked up speed McGee dropped off to sleep. Gibbs shook his head. He had no idea why Tim would leave the hospital in the shape he was in. He pulled out his phone.

Yes, Dr. Mallard.

Hey Duck, Tim checked out of the hospital AMA. I'm taking him to my house, thought you might come over and take a look at him.

Oh dear, yes of course I'll be right over.

Gibbs pulled in his driveway and looked over at McGee. The man hadn't moved since he had fallen asleep. Gibbs wished there was a way to get him out and into the house without waking him up but knew there wasn't. He got out and went to the passenger side to help him out.

"McGee"

No response.

"McGee. Tim." he said louder.

McGee shifted and groaned as he mumbled.

"Please…I won't…promise"

Gibbs' eyes narrowed at the words.

"McGee, come on, wake up. We're here."

Sleepy eyes blinked at him

"What?"

"Need to get you in the house McGee. I don't think Ducky would approve of you sleeping in the car." Gibbs said with a small smile. He had hoped for something but the expression on McGee's face never changed.

It took a little longer than expected to get McGee into the house since he was so sore and stiff. He didn't make a sound despite his pain, his stoicism worrying Gibbs. Once in the doorway he just stood there.

"Come on McGee, sit down." Gibbs said guiding him to the couch.

McGee sank down grateful to be off his feet. He didn't look at Gibbs, hadn't since they came in.

"Can I go to bed?"

Gibbs sighed.

"If you had stayed in the hospital you would already be in bed. And no Ducky is coming to look at you."

"Why?" He said looking up in surprise

"You checked out of the hospital AMA. He's going to tell me whether or not you should go back."

McGee looked away. Gibbs opened his mouth to say something when he heard a knock. He walked to open the door. Ducky was ever the one to stand on formalities. He knew the door was unlocked, knew he was expected and he still knocked.

"Jethro how is he?"

"Zoned out, painkillers. At least I hope that's why he's so out of it."

"Yes, well I'll take a look. Why did he leave the hospital?"

"Haven't asked him yet."

Tim looked up as Ducky walked in.

"Hello my boy. How are you feeling?"

McGee shrugged as much as his injuries would allow.

"Why did you leave the hospital Timothy?"

"Didn't want to stay" McGee said softly.

"Jethro, why don't you fix Timothy a sandwich while I examine him?"

Gibbs left grateful for the distraction. He had a nagging feeling there was something he should remember, something he needed to talk to Tim about but he couldn't put his finger on it. He was joined by Ducky just as he was finishing.

"Well?"

"He really shouldn't have left the hospital. However he seems adamant that he does not wish to go back. He is in no immediate danger even the doctor at the hospital was only going to keep him for the virus and observation. As long as he rests well tonight and is not worse tomorrow, it should be fine for him to stay here."

"What about…?" he glanced at the living room. "He seems more out of it than the pain killers would cause."

"I agree. He wouldn't discuss it with me thought. You may certainly try, though I imagine he will be more responsive after he feels better physically."

Ducky pointed to the sandwich.

"He does need to eat and drink plenty of fluids. He was suffering from dehydration as you will remember. Make sure he rests and takes his pain pills."

"Will do doctor."

"Very good, call me if there are any problems. I will come back in the morning to check on him."

Gibbs took the sandwich and a glass of water into the room. McGee was sitting in the same position he had left him. His eyes were closed and he looked like he was asleep.

"McGee" Gibbs said softly so as not to startle him.

His eyes shot open.

"I wasn't sleeping."

"You need to eat." Gibbs said setting the food down.

"I'm not really hungry Boss."

"Wasn't a request McGee. Eat or I take you back to the hospital."

McGee picked up the sandwich resignedly

"If you want, when you're done there's a bath tub in the bathroom at the end of the hall. Epsom salt under the sink. Might help the soreness a little."

McGee nodded blankly.

Gibbs sighed and sat down across from McGee.

"We need to talk."

"Boss I don't want-"

"Why did you go to your father's this weekend?"

Tim looked up in surprise and Gibbs continued.

"Yeah I know. Is he the one who did this?"

McGee looked back down and his breathing quickened, but he didn't say anything.

"Tim look I need to know if he's a suspect or another possible victim."

"He's fine." Tm said softly taking another bite of food so he didn't have to elaborate.

"Do you know where he is?"

The downturned head shook the negative.

"Why did you go there Tim?"

Tim paused and Gibbs was actually surprised when he answered. He had expected more silence or deflection.

"My sister is in college, she was applying for financial aid and the college needed some of my dad's military records."

"So you went?

"My sister is terrified of my dad, I-I just couldn't let her go."

"What happened when you got there?"

McGee immediately clammed up again.

"It doesn't matter."

"Tim, I can't help you if you won't let me."

McGee looked up, he had never heard Gibbs speak to him so gently. Part of him wanted to talk to Gibbs, to trust him, but he just couldn't bring himself to confide in a man who he knew had such a low opinion of him. He knew it would only get lower if he told the senior agent his story.

"You don't have to help me Boss."

Gibbs sighed. He couldn't force him to talk, of that much he was sure, not tonight anyway. Waiting might be his only option. Wait until Tim trusted him enough or was forced to tell him.

"Tim" he hesitated. "I wanted you to know I'm sorry about this morning. I would never have hit you if I had known…not that I should have anyway."

He could see McGee start to shut down and withdraw himself even more from the conversation. Gibbs wasn't surprised, just a little disappointed. He decided it might be better to wait. Tim finished his food in silence then finally made eye contact.

"Can I go to bed now?"

"Yeah, guest room is this way."

McGee attempted to get off the couch hating to admit how much he needed help. Gibbs took him by the elbow and walked a few feet with him until he was sure he was steady. Ducky had taken off his shoes earlier and Gibbs did his best to make sure he was comfortable in the bed. McGee hadn't lasted long once he finally lay down, he was out almost instantly. Gibbs pulled the covers up around the young man and headed to the door to turn out the lights. A voice stopped him before he got far.

"Boss?"

"Yeah McGee"

"About today…it wasn't your fault. It would have happened anyway."

Gibbs wanted to ask more but McGee was already asleep and Gibbs knew that was the best thing for him right then.

I know the sock filled with batteries is kind of weird, but I didn't make it up. I saw it on another crime show.

Thanks again for reading my story. :)