Author Note: Okay, I have to apologize to some people. In the last chapter I accidently referred to Kate Todd as a 'middle-aged woman'. No, I do not think Kate was a 50 or 60 something year old lady. When I first started this story Tim's mysterious guardian the night he was almost mugged was going to be someone else, an older man actually (I was thinking about making it his grandfather or an uncle). However I decided to make it Kate and somehow missed the middle-aged reference in my editing. My apologies to all and it should be fixed now. Thanks for letting me know though :)

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Chapter 4: Like a Pass-Along Card

The day finished not too late and even though it wasn't the weekend, Tony invited the crew out for a few small drinks.

"Come on guys," he said with a sly smile. "We don't have to drink to go out and have a good time. We can just eat dinner and relax for a bit. We can even be home by curfew."

Tim wasn't feeling like going, but agreed after some persistent nagging from the DiNozzo department. Tony managed to wheedle Ziva and Gibbs into going, got an enthusiastic yes from Abby, and although Ducky couldn't make it Palmer said he could as long as he got a ride.

The crew drove out to a popular sport's grill and bar close to D.C. and Tim was surprised by how much fun he had. The grill served hot wings and he enjoyed watching Tony try and beat Gibbs at eating the hottest wings he could find. Tony made a mad dash for the bathroom after just licking the hottest wing on the menu. Palmer asked Gibbs how he had built up a tolerance to such spicy foods.

"It's easy. Don't let DiNozzo find out you're really eating the mild barbecue wings," said Gibbs with a satisfied smile. The group burst into laughter.

At the end of the meal, Tim offered Palmer a ride home, who had ridden over with Abby. They piled in and drove in silence. At a stop light, Tim glanced over and saw Palmer rubbing his forehead.

"You okay Jimmy?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Palmer replaced his glasses and smiled his usual smile. "Just a little tired."

"Stressed out?"

Palmer chuckled. "You could say that. Not really stressed, just worn out. With the wedding and all the drama with Dearing and the bomb at NCIS and Ducky in the hospital and his persistence at NOT obeying the doctor's orders and-"

"I got it Jimmy," said Tim with a laugh. "It's been a stressful last couple of months."

"More like a stressful year." Palmer sighed. They drove in silence for a bit longer. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Does your job as a field agent ever… scare you?"

Tim thought for a moment. "Sometimes. I think I am more nervous most of the time than scared. Depends on the situation." Tim glanced over at Palmer.

"I wouldn't say I've been scared lately," said Palmer. "I've just been…thinking a lot."

Tim said nothing. He could tell Palmer just had some things he needed to get off his chest, and his normal confidence, Ducky, had not been all that patient with Palmer's ramblings.

"I remember looking at Petty Officer Reeves at the crime scene and seeing how badly he had been stabbed, and how you were almost mugged by the same guys during the weekend, then I was thinking about when Director Shepard died, and how you guys are always getting shot at, and it just seems so overwhelming sometimes. Bodies don't bother me, but seeing Dr. Mallard lying in that hospital bed after his heart attack…" Palmer paused.

Tim just waited.

"I guess I just feel like… things have been more violent lately… and I know you guys have a violent job, but it just feels…"

"Closer to home?"

"Yeah. It almost feels like something is out to get us. Like the number of bad guys has increased in the world and the number of good guys has decreased." Palmer took off his glasses and rubbed his face. "It… it feels like the world just isn't… safe anymore."

Tim drove in silence, thinking. Palmer replaced his glasses and looked out the window, slightly embarrassed to have laid his thoughts on Tim of all people.

The pair rode and drove in silence. Tim stopped in front of Palmer's place and put the car in park. Tim looked over at Palmer, an idea pestering him to act, though Tim was unsure how it would be accepted.

"Hey Palmer…"

"Yeah."

"Do you believe in… guardians?"

"Guardians?" said Palmer with puzzlement.

"Yeah, like people assigned to watch over you."

"Like… guardian angels?"

"Yeah," said Tim hesitantly.

Palmer thought for a moment. "Well… I wouldn't say I believe there are people in white robes with trumpets and wings flying around protecting us… but to an extent… maybe."

Tim could see Palmer was very confused by the question and forged ahead before he wimped out.

"Well Palmer, that night I was almost mugged, the two guys who we have in custody said they saw someone… standing next to me, and she scared them off."

"She?"

"Yeah. A woman carrying a gun."

"Wow," said Palmer. "Are you sure she wasn't… real?"

"I never saw her." Tim thought back several years. "At least, I haven't seen her in a while."

"What do you mean?"

"The woman the guys described sounded a lot like… Kate."

Palmer opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. "Wow… I mean… wow. You think…"

"I'm not sure what to think," said Tim. "Basically… I'm just trying to say… well… don't worry Jimmy." Tim gave Palmer a small smile. "The world isn't doomed to utter destruction quite yet. There are a lot of good people still out there." Whether we can see them or not.

Palmer grinned at Tim. "Yeah, you're right." He looked at his watch. "Guess I'd better let you go. Thanks for the ride. And for… listening."

"No problem." Palmer gathered his stuff and exited the car. Tim watched him walk away and suddenly imagined Hannah gesturing over Palmer's shoulder with that knowing smile of hers. Well thought Tim, I guess my shoulder angel has... moved on to someone else who needs her more. Tim shook his head and chuckled at the thought of a mini person sitting on Palmer's shoulder as he worked in Autopsy. Moved on like a pass-along card.

He started the drive home and an image of Kate entered his mind. He thought of all the things that had happened in the past several days: his chance meeting with Hannah, his near-mugging, capturing the men who killed Petty Officer Reeves. He thought about all the ways that so many things could have gone wrong- that night and many other nights.

Well Kate. If it was you there… thanks.

Tim made it home safely that night and was enthusiastically greeted by Jethro.

Outside, invisible to most of the mortal world, a strong, confident woman stood on the sidewalk looking up at the lights in Tim's apartment.

You are very welcome Tim. She smiled, turned, and disappeared into the darkness.

The End