AN: Thanks, as always, to the wonderful Kyrie for her editing and brainstorming help!
Chapter 4
Friday, Feb. 12, 2010
Tony tried to be quiet as he got out of bed to get ready for work, but when he stepped out of the shower, Tim was up and trying to squeeze toothpaste on his toothbrush with one hand.
"Want some help?" Tony asked.
Tim shook his head as he used his right hand to put his toothbrush in the left, then held it there while he squeezed the toothpaste with the right. He turned to Tony and smiled. "See, I've got it." He yawned. "I'll be glad when the stitches come out. I don't think I slept more than an hour or two at a time last night." He paused. "I didn't wake you up, did I?"
Tony shook his head. "After the past week, I was dead to the world. Literally. Ducky could have started cutting into me, and I would have slept through it," he said. He checked his watch. "Do you want me to cover your bandages so you can shower?"
Tim's forehead wrinkled as he thought about it. "No," he finally said. "I'll probably need help in the shower, and you don't have time for a second one. I'll just be grungy today. But maybe after you get home?"
Tony smirked. "I'm holding you to that," he said. "Come on, let's get you dressed. It's too cold for you to wander around with no shirt all day."
"I've got a box of older stuff in Jethro's room," Tim said. "There's probably some more big T-shirts in there."
"I'll go dig some out as soon as I get dressed," Tony said.
It took longer than either man expected, but soon they both were dressed — Tony in jeans, boots, and a sweater while Tim sported sweats, a T-shirt, and socks.
"Jimmy arranged for Allison to stop by to walk Jethro," Tim said. "That was good thinking on his part."
"Yeah, he's been a huge help so far," Tony said. "Want to invite him over this weekend for dinner? I can make my chicken cacciatore, and then we'll have leftovers for a couple of days for lunch."
"Sounds good," Tim said. "Check with him today, and I'll make sure Mom and Abby got all the ingredients you need for it yesterday."
"They should have," Tony said. "I saw peppers and onions in the kitchen, and I know we have canned tomatoes in the cabinet."
Tim opened his mouth, then stopped. "Tony, you're going to be late," he said. "Go. No need to tick Vance or Gibbs off, not if we're going to be talking to them about transfers."
"But not yet, right?" Tony said. "That's what you told Mom yesterday."
"No, not yet," Tim said. "Gibbs is going to be hurt that you want off the team, even if he understands why, so we should wait until I get into rehab. If I can't return to the field — and yes, I know you disagree, but just for argument's sake — then we'll have brought it up for no reason. Let's just wait and see."
"Fair enough," Tony said. "If you get a chance, can you explain that to your parents? Because if they mention it while talking to him about finding a house, you know he's going to ask."
"I'll call Dad in a bit. I want to see how he's doing, anyway," Tim said.
Tony let Jethro out in the yard, and by the time he was bundled up enough to brave the cold weather himself, the dog was ready to come back inside where it was warm.
As he navigated the icy streets to the Navy Yard, Tony decided they definitely needed at least one car that wasn't a sports car even if they weren't considering the idea of having kids. He had replaced his classic Mustang with a new Mustang after it blew up — two classic cars down the drain made him leery about risking a third beauty — so he could live with giving up either his car or Tim's Porsche.
When he walked into the bullpen, a cup of steaming coffee was waiting on his desk.
"Thanks, Zee," he said as he dropped his gear. "Where's the Boss?"
"Gibbs is in with Director Vance," she said, sipping her tea. "I believe they are discussing who will be assisting us until McGee returns."
"Oh, that ought to be a good discussion," Tony said. "They've never had a personnel discussion that didn't make me wonder if somebody was going to-" He paused. "He's right behind me, isn't he?"
Ziva laughed. "No, he is not."
"It's just me." Tony looked to see Dwayne standing there.
"Hey, Dwayne," he said. "The kids enjoying all the snow?"
"More than I am," he replied. "How's McGee doing?"
"He's home," Tony said. "I give him a day before he's bored out of his mind."
"That's right, he was shot in his dominant arm, wasn't he? That's going to make it tough." Dwayne leaned on the partition.
"Yeah, he can't even write longhand," Tony said. "I'm half expecting to go home and find he's trying to type one-handed, because he wants to get started on his next book. He's got plenty of time to plot it out while he's home."
"Assuming he can stay awake long enough," Ziva said. "It did not take much to wear him out yesterday."
Before Tony could reply, Dwayne's cell rang. After he hung up, he turned to the pair. "Gotta go, the director wants to see me."
As he walked off, Tony smiled. "See — I was right. He's getting TAD to us. We might survive the next few months without needing to tranquilize Gibbs after all."
"That right, DiNozzo?"
Tony didn't even have time to brace for the headslap. "Just glad we're getting a good fill-in while Tim's out," he said.
Gibbs raised a single eyebrow at him, and Tony ducked behind his computer monitor. "Catching up on paperwork, Boss."
"Good," Gibbs said. "Ziva, make sure the desk next to Tim's has everything Wilson will need. He'll be with us until McGee's cleared to return to the field. Vance is telling him now."
"Yes, Gibbs," she said.
"And DiNozzo?"
"Yes, Boss?"
"Go see Abby in the lab. Get her to show you how to run some of the computer stuff she and McGee do — you're the next best with a computer until he returns. I don't want to have to rely on the geeks downstairs."
"On it, Boss." He headed down to the lab.
Once down there, he managed to sneak up on Abby.
"Tony!" She jumped when he tapped her on the shoulder. "What are you doing down here?"
"Gibbs' orders — he wants you to turn me into a mini-McGeek until Tim gets back."
Abby snorted. "I left my magic wand at home, Tony."
"Thanks, Abs." He tugged one of her pigtails. "No, seriously. He wants you to show me some of the tracking stuff you guys can do, because between me, Ziva, and Dwayne, I'm the best at computers — unless you think Gibbs should learn."
"He still breaks at least one cell phone a month," Abby said. "No way is he going to learn how to do traces or how to track GPS signals." She paused. "Wait, Dwayne? As in Wilson?"
Tony nodded. "He's working with us until Tim's back." Before he could say anything else, the alarm on his cell beeped. "Darn it," he said. "I forgot I'm supposed to meet with Keith today. Let me just call and see if he's in or if the snow messed up his schedule."
Abby opened her mouth, then closed it again.
"Abs?"
"He's not there," she said.
"Snowed in at Pax River?"
She shook her head. "Transferred to LeJeune. His replacement starts Monday."
"Abs, I'm sorry," he said. "When did he find out?"
"He found out last week, but with everything going on, I just found out last night." She shrugged. "We had fun, but we both agreed it wasn't worth trying the long-distance thing."
Tony stepped over and hugged her. "Still," he said, "I'm sorry it didn't work out."
She hugged him back and buried her face in his neck. "It wouldn't have worked long-term anyway. He would have been reassigned at some point, and I don't want to leave the Navy Yard." She straightened up. "So, let's start turning you into a computer genius."
"I'll settle for learning enough to not get Gibbs-slapped during cases. Well, any more than usual," he said, as he followed her over to the computers in the middle of the room.
-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIC-NCIS-
Gibbs watched Tony leave and thought about what he'd overheard before he entered the bullpen. Wilson seemed to fit in with his team, and Tony seemed glad he was the TAD. That just supported Vance's description of what he'd overheard Tony say at Bethesda. He'd sent Tony to the lab to give himself time to figure out how to handle this. Vance and Tony both were right, he thought as he settled in at his desk. Wilson was probably the best fit for the team, especially if Tony was the one to leave. He had the street smarts that Tony brought to the team, and Jarvis had given him good marks for the way he put puzzle pieces together to break cold cases — another area where Tony added a lot to the team.
Still, he didn't like to think of the team without Tony. And he didn't like keeping the guys in the dark about Vance's plan. Of course, he wasn't crazy about them keeping him in the dark about their plans, either. He wasn't psychic like Abby always insisted, but he also hated being out of the loop, officially or unofficially.
He sighed. Ducky wanted to head to Silver Spring tonight, check Tim out, and see for himself how the junior agent was doing. He could go along too, use the excuse of bringing dinner and his toolbox to see if anything at the house needed to be modified to make it easier for Tim to maneuver one-handed. Maybe outside the office, his boys would open up a bit.
Gibbs forced himself to focus on the paperwork that last week's case had generated, plus some of the forms Tony usually filled out for the team. He hated doing them, but if Tony was going to be picking up some of Tim's computer responsibilities, it was only fair that he handle some of the admin bullshit. Ziva wasn't senior enough yet, though Tim could do it when he returned to desk duty.
That just reminded him that Tim could end up being his senior field agent in a few months. He'd do a good job — that wasn't the question. Knowing Tim, he'd even find a way to have the computer automatically generate the damn paperwork. He just couldn't picture the team without Tony. Or Tim. Or Ziva. He hated change, and this team had been together too long for him to like the idea of deliberately breaking it up. Some days, he had a hard time even remembering what it had been like when Kate sat at the desk Ziva now occupied. Kate's two years on the team put her in a select class, one only a few agents had occupied. Langer and Burley were the only ones, other than Kate and the current team, to last more than a year with him. Wilson had potential, and the rest of the team would teach him the skills he needed to survive. But Gibbs didn't have to like it.
Before he could get any further lost in his head, Wilson walked down the stairs and into the bullpen.
"Desk's over there," Gibbs said, jerking his head in the direction of where Ziva was still stocking it with supplies.
Dwayne nodded. "Do we have a case right now?"
Gibbs shook his head. "Paperwork, then cold cases until we get a call. You got anything you're working, bring it over. David will fill you in on how things work around here."
Wilson nodded and walked over to join Ziva.
Gibbs returned to his paperwork, hoping the phone would ring and they'd catch something easy. Not enough to make Tony stay late on Tim's first day home, but enough so he could see what Wilson's field skills were like.
But the hours ticked by with no calls.
-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-
After Tony left for the Navy Yard, Tim managed to make himself some cereal, though it was slower using only one hand. He'd never realized just how many things he did in a day that required both hands, even if one was just holding something steady. Now it seemed like everything took twice as many steps to accomplish.
Allison stopped by and promised to take Jethro for a long walk and leave him in the backyard when she was done. So Tim settled into the living room to call his parents.
"Hey, Dad," he said. "How are you feeling?"
"Not bad, Tim. You?"
"Tired. Bored." He yawned. "Considering I've done nothing but sleep for the past week, you'd think it would take more than half an hour before I felt like a nap."
"It's been two weeks since I got sick, and I only make it about five hours before I need a nap," Sean replied. "I'm glad the Academy isn't conducting classes this week. Hopefully by next week, I'll be able to make it through an entire day of classes." He paused. "Your mom told you?"
"That you guys are retiring and moving closer to DC? Yeah, she told us. Tony gave her Gibbs' number so you can talk to him about neighborhoods." Now it was Tim's turn to pause. "She tell you our news?"
"Wedding news or kid news?"
"I meant kid news, but she probably told you both," Tim said. "And news isn't the right word — nothing to announce yet. Just something we've started trying to plan for."
"All the more reason for us to move closer," Sean said. "The instructor who replaces me will need a place to live, and we're not sure we want to sell right now — market's too soft — so we're hoping we can find someplace quickly and move in, then rent out the house here to him."
Tim raised one eyebrow, then realized his dad couldn't see over the phone. "You sure about that?"
"My pension plus our retirement savings will be more than enough to live on," Sean said, "and we had put aside money to send you and Sarah to college. But since both of you got scholarships that paid for your education, most of that money is still sitting there, too. Since it doesn't sound like Sarah's planning on grad school right away, we can use that for a house."
"No, she said that she's been offered a manager position at the coffee shop where she works," Tim said. "She thinks if she can find an affordable place to live after graduation and works the opening shift, she'll be able to focus on writing in the afternoons and evenings."
"She can always stay with us for a couple of years," Sean said. "Then we might finally get to meet this Josh guy she's been dating."
"I haven't met him yet either," Tim said. "I think Abby might have or at least has talked to Sarah about him, but I don't know details."
"Abby didn't share?" His dad sounded surprised. "She's usually pretty talkative."
"She is," he said. "If she thought there was anything hinky about him, she'd tell me, but otherwise I think it falls into the category of girl talk. Tony, Jimmy, and I don't try to find out what they talk about when we're not around. When Abby, Sarah, and Ziva get plotting, we're not really sure we want to know anyway."
"Good point," Sean said. "So, your mom said it might be a couple of years before you have kids."
"We still have to figure out whether we want to try surrogacy like Uncle Aiden and Uncle Jim did or adopt, and if we adopt, if we want a newborn baby or older kids," Tim said. "Not to mention we have to figure out what to do about work. Which actually is one of the reasons I called."
"Your mom and I would love to watch any children you have while you boys are at work," Sean said.
"Thanks, Dad. But that wasn't actually what I meant." He paused. "Tony and I are still trying to work out what makes the most sense to do at work. We want at least one of us to have semi-regular hours, which will require one of us to move off the team. Part of that's going to depend on if I can get cleared for the field, so we don't want to talk to Gibbs or Vance until we know how that's going to go."
"And you don't want us to say anything to Gibbs when we ask him about neighborhoods."
"Exactly," Tim said, glad his dad understood. "There's a big difference if Gibbs is looking to fill my spot versus filling Tony's spot because our skill sets are so different. Plus, Gibbs won't be happy if Tony leaves, so we don't want to mention the idea unless we're sure that's what's going to happen. If I can't come back to the team, there's no reason for Tony to leave."
"From what I know of Gibbs, he won't be happy having either of you leave."
"No, but it's different with Tony. He's been Gibbs' senior agent for so long, and Gibbs fought hard to get him back after Vance broke up the team a couple years ago. So the idea of losing him again, even if it's just to a desk on the other side of the squad room, isn't going to sit well. Besides, everybody figures Tony will take over the team when Gibbs comes up on mandatory field retirement in a few years."
"I can see that," Sean said. "And if Tony ends up leaving the team, that would reshape promotion expectations for lots of agents — in different ways than you leaving would."
"Exactly," Tim said. "And if Gibbs knows Tony won't be taking over the team, he'll probably fight Vance on retirement. He can petition to stay longer, and if Tony's not there, he probably would." He smiled. "I'm not sure I'd be ready to lead the team in three or four years anyway, not and do as good a job as Gibbs or Tony. I'm too focused on my specialities — I don't always see the big picture."
"You'll figure it out, Tim," Sean said. "Gibbs thinks you'll be the next director of NCIS."
"Really?" Tim wondered if he'd heard right.
"The day we helped you boys move he and Ducky were talking about how you kids were the future of NCIS. They said Jimmy would be the next ME and Abby is already the top forensic scientist. Gibbs said Tony would be the next head of the MCRT and you would be the next director of the agency." He paused for a second. "I can see why you and Tony don't want to rock that boat until you have to."
"Pretty much," Tim said. He rubbed one hand across his eyes. "I start full PT a week from Monday, so hopefully we'll get a better sense of how things are healing by then." He stifled a yawn.
"You sound tired," Sean said. "You go take a nap, and if the weather stays clear, your mother and I will come down tomorrow and visit."
"Sounds good," Tim said. "Give Mom a hug for me."
"I will. Love you, Tim."
"Love you, too, Dad."
He closed the phone and dropped it on the end table, then let his eyes close. Next thing he knew, he could hear Abby's distinctive clomp on the wooden floors.
"Abs?" he said, blinking the sleep out of his eyes.
"Hey, Timmy," she said. "No, don't get up. Jimmy's unpacking lunch in the kitchen. Where's Jethro?"
"Thanks," Tim said. "He's out back. He'll probably stay out there until we drag him in. No hot case?"
She shook her head as she cleared a spot on the coffee table for their plates. "Gibbs has me showing Tony some McGeek basics, as he calls them. Vance has Dwayne working with the team until you're back, and he's no better with computers than Ziva."
"Better him on the team and Tony doing computers than Vance pulling in somebody from CyberCrimes. Not only aren't they agents, but there isn't a single one who could last more than three hours with Gibbs. Heck, I terrified them when I was down there."
Abby giggled. "No offense, Timmy, but Jimmy's the only other person you've ever been able to terrify."
"Hey!" Jimmy walked out of the kitchen juggling three plates piled with sandwiches and chips. "Even Kate scared me back then. Tim doesn't scare me now."
"Gibbs still does," Tim said, smirking.
"Gibbs scares everybody," Jimmy retorted.
"He doesn't scare me," Abby said. "He likes me."
"You're a special case," Tim said. "You can get away with a lot of things the rest of us can't."
"True," she said. "So, how's your first day at home?"
"I've spent most of it sleeping," Tim said. "Talked to my dad for a bit. He and my mom might come over tomorrow if the weather's good." He thought about mentioning dinner to Jimmy, but if it was going to be something special for him, that meant no Abby, and that would just be rude. Tony could catch him later and ask. "Is Dwayne settling in OK?"
"Seems to be," Abby said. "Nobody's called Ducky to examine a body on the third floor."
"Just as well," Jimmy said. "Dr. Mallard's busy examining a body for Balboa's team. I didn't think I'd be able to get free, but he said to go. I think he wanted to make sure you were OK."
"I'm fine," Tim said. "Just tired. I'll probably sleep most of the afternoon."
"Don't be surprised if Dr. Mallard comes by tonight," Jimmy said.
"I know," Tim said. "He can't drag me into Autopsy, so he'll come here. Better tell Tony to plan dinner accordingly."
"I'll tell him," Abby said. "He was working on some traces when I left. I told him I'd be up to check his work when I got back."
Tim laughed. "I'm surprised I haven't gotten a text asking for help."
"Duh, Timmy," Abby said. "He knows I'm here. He's not going to ask for help while I'm here and will find out about it."
"Good point," Tim said. "Knowing him, he'll use his charm to get one of the women in the cyber unit to help him." He smiled at the thought. "He'd better not use too much, though."
"You're not jealous of him flirting, are you?" Abby asked. "That's not cool."
"Of course not, Abs," Tim said. "But when he turns on the charm, he's pretty intense. Not sure most of them can handle that." He snickered. "Heck, you couldn't handle Tony when he's really putting on the moves."
"Oh, I've handled him before," Abby said. "He tried the first week he was at NCIS, and I froze him out. Didn't like the cocky cop who was trying to take Stan's place."
"Really?" Jimmy said. "You and Tony are almost as good friends as you and Tim."
"We are, but it took a while." Abby smiled. "He asked me one time why I warmed up to Kate faster than to him. I told him he was more like a piercing — painful at first, but once it heals, it's good."
Tim thought about that for a second, then nodded. "I'll take your word on the piercing part — a tat's as far as I'm going for body art — but that's a pretty good description of Tony. He's definitely an acquired taste." As Abby's eyes lit up and she opened her mouth, he backpedaled. "Not going to answer, Abs, so don't even ask."
"What is your fascination with Tim and Tony in bed?" Jimmy said. "You're always asking for details."
"Oh, come on, Jimmy," Abby said. "You never thought about two women in bed? It's the same thing."
As Jimmy's face turned red, Tim couldn't hold back his laughter. "Careful, Jimmy," he said. "Tony suggested Ziva and Abby kiss one time, and they both punched him."
Jimmy winced. "I've got a better sense of self-preservation than Tony does," he said. Then he looked at his watch. "And if I don't get back soon, it won't matter, because Dr. Mallard will kill me."
"Go," Tim said. "I'm ready for another nap anyway." He paused. "Abs, can you check Jethro's food and water bowls and see if he wants to come in from the back yard? You'd think the dog had never seen snow before, the way he's been playing out there."
By the time Abby had taken care of Jethro and Jimmy had cleaned up lunch, Tim couldn't wait for them to leave so he could go back to sleep.
-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-
When he and Abby got back to the Navy Yard, Jimmy headed directly to Autopsy. He found Dr. Mallard just finishing the preliminary examination of the body Balboa's team had brought in earlier that day.
"Ah, Jimmy. How is Timothy doing?" The medical examiner put his clipboard aside.
"He's doing well, doctor," Jimmy said. "Tired, but that's to be expected. I think he's spending most of today asleep, but he was parked in the living room chair, so he isn't running any risk of twisting his shoulder in his sleep."
"Good, good," Ducky said. "Now, Mr. Palmer, I've completed the first steps on this poor Marine's final examination. Since you did so well on the squirrel last month, do you think you're ready to perform this autopsy?"
Jimmy just stared at the doctor for a minute. "Me? I mean, yes, Dr. Mallard."
"Excellent," he replied. "I will take the notes on this one. As you reach the end of your formal schooling, it is time you get some more practical experience. I will not be here forever, you know."
Jimmy felt a chill settle below his ribcage. "Dr. Mallard?" He paused, trying to think how to phrase his thoughts. "You're not... I mean..."
"No, no," he replied. "Far from it. I continue to be in excellent shape for a man of my age." He frowned. "However, as Mother continues to deteriorate, it reminds me of my own mortality. I hope to be here for many more years, but I also believe that it is time to make sure you are, if needed, able to step into my scrubs. Metaphorically, of course. They would be rather short on you."
"Yes, Dr. Mallard," Jimmy said. "How is your mother?"
"She grows ever weaker, in both body and mind," the doctor said. "I do believe that Alzheimer's and dementia are the worst ways to end a life, the body trapped in this world while the mind has moved on to the next. I only hope that when my time comes, it is swift and painless." He walked around the autopsy table and handed Jimmy the scalpel. "But I digress. Your body, Mr. Palmer."
-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-NCIS-
Ducky watched all afternoon as Jimmy worked through his first solo human autopsy for a case, not a class. His assistant worked slowly and methodically, and the medical examiner was pleased with what he observed.
He allowed his mind to drift to his mother. She was sliding downhill dreadfully fast, and the nursing home staff had spoken with him a few times about what measures to take. He had reluctantly chosen to allow her continued slide. There would be no benefit to prolonging the life of her body, not when he knew her mental capacity would only get worse. She did not know anybody or anything these days, sinking into a gray cocoon of oblivion.
When Jethro had asked him to examine his father a few months ago, Ducky had braced himself to deliver the same news he himself had faced some years earlier with his mother. Fortunately, that had not been the case. Jackson Gibbs was healthy, if emotionally scarred. And whatever the cause, Jethro had dealt with it by the time Christmas Day rolled around.
It had been a pleasure to watch Jethro with Jack and Anthony, as well as Timothy and Sean and the rest of their self-made family, enjoy the holidays together. Seeing the father and son relationships had reminded him of the things he had missed out on in his life. Still, he had young Mr. Palmer and the other children. He knew he shouldn't think of them that way. After all, they were all grown adults, old enough to have children of their own. But to him, they were his grandchildren. He was more likely to bandage bullet wounds than skinned knees, but he was still glad for that sign that they needed him.
As part of his plan for Mr. Palmer to gain confidence handling the responsibilities of a medical examiner, he excused himself and went to find Jethro. After searching, he discovered the team leader at the base of the stairs, looking out over the Potomac.
"Jethro?"
"Yeah, Duck?"
"I am stopping by the boys' house this evening to check on Timothy. Would you care to join me?"
Gibbs sighed. "You think they'd want me there?"
Ducky frowned. "Why wouldn't they?" He began cataloguing Gibbs' appearance. His shoulders were slumped, most uncharacteristic.
"Why would they?" he asked. "McGee's off work, and Tony's probably ready to kill me after I sent him down to the lab to get Abby to teach him all that computer stuff McGee does so he can fill in until he gets back." His tone was quiet, resigned. Quite unlike Jethro.
"I was rather thinking more of having their Papa Bear, as Abigail puts it, coming to visit, not their boss," Ducky said.
"Am I?" He stared out the window, his voice barely audible. "Just because I think of them that way, doesn't mean they do."
Ducky frowned. "Jethro?"
Gibbs shook his head and seemed to come back from wherever he'd been. "They know you're coming?"
"Mr. Palmer told Timothy," he replied. "As you haven't been by yesterday or today, I would be surprised if they did not expect you. Anthony, in particular, is most familiar with your brand of mother-henning when one of the team is injured. I rather think they would be hurt if you didn't come by."
Gibbs didn't seem to hear, but after a long minute nodded his head. "I'll bring my toolbox. See if there are things that need some work to make life easier for McGee until he has both hands back."
"I'm sure both boys will appreciate that," Ducky said. "Now, I should get back downstairs. Mr. Palmer is working on his first solo autopsy, and I should not leave him alone for too long. Just long enough to build his comfort level."
"He's come a long way since he started," Gibbs said. "Never thought he'd make it through the first month."
"Not all of us choose to scare off new staff members," Ducky said, his tone a gentle reproof. "And the same could be said of Timothy. He and Mr. Palmer had much in common when they started. Each has, in time, found a level of comfort in their role on the team."
"They have, Duck, they have." Gibbs turned away from the window. "Better get back down there before Balboa goes looking for answers and wonders what happened to you."
AN: I don't normally ask for reviews, but today is D-Day on my annual work project from hell and it's been a three-ring cluster at every step this year, so breaks to read reviews might be the only thing that keeps me sane today. :)
