"Jethro," Ducky motioned him to a corner of the room and spoke softly keeping an eye on the young man in the bed. "He is in shock and we can't give him any other sedatives until we are one hundred percent positive that what Karson drugged him with is out of his system. You must make sure you and the team do not upset him unduly for at least the next twenty-four hours. I'm not sure how much more that young man can take before he completely shuts down."
"What do you suggest, Duck?"
"Light conversation, reassurance and plenty of rest until his mind can deal with Karson's return and the team finding out the details of the earlier case. And Jethro," Ducky paused to make sure he had his undivided attention "He NEEDS to feel safe."
"Got it Duck." Gibbs answered his eyes never leaving the man in the bed.
"Ducky," Tim said softly and both men returned to the bedside, "When can I go home?"
The pleading in the voice and the despair that had taken up residence in the once vibrant green eyes dulling them, broke the hearts of the older men. They were struggling with the knowledge that someone had set out to harm the kind, loyal and trusting soul lying before them and awoken the paternal instincts in both of them for the young man they considered a son/nephew.
"In the morning, my dear boy. Tonight you need to rest and let us take care of you." he said gently patting his hand.
"Boss, can I see Tony and Ziva now?"
Gibbs nodded and went to the door to summon the two remaining members of the team. He left the room and informed them of what Ducky had said before letting them inside.
"Tony, make sure he knows I'm just going get coffee and I'll be right back."
Tony acknowledged the statement with a simple look, plastered on his famous grin and opened the door, "Probie! Are you trying to out Ziva Ziva behind the wheel, or did that tree just jump out in front of you?" he teased walking into the room.
Gibbs smirked at the comment and ran his hand through his hair as he left the room to get a much need cup of coffee, it was going to be a long night.
By the time Gibbs returned he was please to hear the bantering, teasing and subtle threats that was the norm when his three kids were alone together for any length of time. Normal was what was needed now and he was proud of his senior agent for realizing it and delivering without having to be told.
"So how are we going to put this in the report,'terrorist tree attacks NCIS sedan." Tony was teasing when Gibbs entered the room. Tim actually smiled when he saw him standing behind the man.
Smack. "Thanks, boss."
The soft laugh from the young man in the bed made them all smile.
Yeah, normal was needed for the time being.
Thirty minutes and several head slaps later everyone could see the Tim was starting to nod off his body demanding the much needed rest.
"Okay you two, time to go home and rest." Gibbs told agents.
Ziva walked up to the side of the bed and whispered something to the young man that had him blushing then gently kissed the his forehead, "Good night, achi."
"See you tomorrow. I'll stop by your place and pick you up some clean clothes on the way over." Tony said , he looked like he wanted to say a lot more but he just shook his head and walked with Ziva out the door.
Gibbs walked with them to the door and made sure the overnight detail was guarding the door before turning back around to sit in the plastic chair next to the bed.
"Boss, you don't have to stay.", Tim said.
"I'm not leaving you alone, Tim." Gibbs said in his don't argue with me voice.
Tim's eyes weren't waiting for permission to close as he started to drift off trying to place exactly what he was feeling. His body gave in to exhaustion just as the word came to his mind 'safe'.
Gibbs watched over the young man all night never letting his guard completely down, he let his body relax and rest the way he learn in the marines, always aware of his surroundings.
While Tim slept through the night the same couldn't be said for Tony, his dreams were haunted by the teasing comments and rude remarks he had often subjected his Probie. He woke feeling worst than he did before he went to sleep. Looking in his bathroom mirror he made a silent vow to himself, "I will be the big brother I should have been all along."
With a plan forming in his mind, he quickly took a shower and got ready for the day. Forty-five short minutes after his alarm went off he found himself sitting in his car in front of Tim's apartment building ready to get the clothes he had promised his little brother the day before, the only problem was his gut cinched up tight the minute he pulled up. Something was definitely wrong.
Tony checked his key chain for the key that Tim had given him to his apartment and then checked his Sig before putting it in his shoulder holster. He slowly walked up the three flights of stairs to Tim apartment trying to figure out what was wrong. He couldn't see anything different from the last time he had been over to visit him friend.
He walked up to the door, put the key in the lock and stopped as he heard movement inside the apartment. He pulled out his cell and hit the speed dial for Ziva.
"Someone is in Tim's apartment.", he said as soon as she answered, "I'm going in."
He didn't hang up the phone as he entered so his partner could at least monitor the situation until she could arrive.
Tony grimaced as the door squeaked when he opened it, giving the intruder time to escape. He heard footsteps run from the bedroom and out an open window to the fire escape. He got to the window just in time to see Karson turn around and blow him a kiss as he turned the corner as was out of sight.
Tony paled as he looked around Tim's apartment, there were several vases of roses in every room varying in color some white, some yellow and some red. The simple breakfast table was covered with a white table cloth and set as if someone was preparing for a romantic dinner for two, complete with candles.
The welcome home banner hung over the bedroom door was larger than any he had ever seen and he was looking at it opened mouthed when he heard a noise behind him, he quickly turned aiming his weapon at the noise only to pull up when he recognized his partner.
Together he and Ziva entered the bedroom and stood in shock at the doorway, Tim's normal bedding was tossed into a piled in the corner of the room and the bed was remade in green satin sheets. There was a wine bucket on the far bedside table with a bottle of champagne chilling inside. On the near bedside table was two items that had Tony running for the bathroom losing his breakfast and Ziva cursing loudly in Hebrew, French and English. A pair of handcuffs and a large tube of lube.
AN: If my search was correct achi means brother in Hebrew. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews and please continue to review with all your thought and comments. Next chapter the Admiral makes an appearance. :) stray