Ducky returned to work with a heavy heart. Timothy had been home from the hospital for 3 days now and steadily working on reaching a full recovery; especially, since Jethro was adamant that the young man take things even slower than the Doctor said was necessary. However, with the injured agent seemingly withdrawn and obviously upset about something; Ducky. couldn't help but be concerned about him.

It was bad enough the team had ignored the M.E.'s medical diagnosis and warning in regard to the young man; resulting in his collapse and other dire consequences. But, to now have the young man begin to show signs of emotional stress and possibly set back his own recovery; was not sitting well with Ducky at all. He sincerely hoped Jethro would be able to get the young man to open up.

Late in the afternoon; when the Autopsy phone rang; Ducky; not working on an autopsy; but still lost in thought; answered it without checking the id.

"Autopsy." Ducky's distracted voice earned him a question of concern.

"Duck? You all right?" Jethro's voice surprised him back into the here and now.

"Oh, yes, Jethro, I'm fine. How's Timothy? Have you managed to get him to open up?" Ducky asked with hope abiding in his tone.

"Yeah. Duck. I got him to let me in. You busy tonight? Kinda want the team to have dinner together; spend some time outside of work." Gibbs requested.

"Certainly, Jethro; I would love to be there. Why don't we have it at my house? I have much more room." Ducky offered.

"Great, Duck. Thanks. What time?"

"7?"

"7 is fine, Ducky. And thank you. Think you can spread the word for me?" Jethro asked.

"Certainly, Jethro. I would be happy to." Ducky gushed.

"Okay, See you at 6:30." Gibbs warned.

"Somehow; I would be surprised if you did not arrive that early. Very well, see you at 6:30."

"Ducky. I meant the team will see you at 6:30. When you spread the word; tell them that. Little pow-wow before dinner, if you know what I mean." Gibbs explained with a chuckle.

"Oh. OH! Certainly, Jethro. See you then." Ducky ended the call; and immediately called an outrageously large take out order in.

6:30 PM found the team assembled at Ducky's for conversation and dinner. Dinner had already been spread out in his dinning room. Since, Gibbs had wanted them to talk; they were all uncomfotably silent, waiting for the shoes to start dropping. Assembled in Ducky's living room; they looked like an extremely somber goup, indeed.

"Ducky, this little pow-wow was assembled at Tim's request; so, I'll let him explain it. And yes; it is unusual and not anything like how things are usually done on this team; but; it's like I've already said. When you come this close to losing someone; like we almost did; it changes your priorities and methods." Gibbs offered.

"Ducky. I wanted everyone to have a chance to say whatever was on their minds; specifically, to you; our chief physician; about what happened and why and all of that. I'll be honest; none of them knew this was part of being requested to dinner, tonight; so, if they're angry; rest assurred it's at being put on the spot. But, I couldn't help myself. You and Gibbs presented me with the opportunity; so I talked Gibbs into letting me use it. Mainly because I have something I need to say to you. To all of you.

"I am sorry, I didn't take better notice of how I was feeling that day. I'm sorry I didn't come back and see you; Ducky when I should have. I meant you no disrespect. The team was put through hell because of me; and I am sorry." Tim's apology didnt surprise them. Hearing that he'd had a hand in arranging this dinner did surprise all of them; except Gibbs.

Bossman took a minute to watch each of them react to the whole ball of wax they'd just been handed. As he had expected; shock was the ruling look of the moment. As the brains before him began processing where the ring leader's own brain was at in this scheme; Gibbs could almost hear a half dozen gears begin to grind and churn. He was thankful he saw no smoke.

Ducky smiled in appreciation. After everything this young man had just come through and was still recovering from; and even whatever had been so heavily on his mind; he still took the time to be so concerned about Ducky; that he made sure the rest of the team stopped to think of the M.E. too. Timothy McGee had just risen up a notch in Ducky's book of impressionable people he respected.

"Thank you, Timothy. However, no apology is necessary, young man. You weren't exactly thinking straight; as I'm sure we've all told you by now. Nonetheless; your sentiments are most appreciated; by us all; I'm sure.

"Uh, hmm. Yeah, Ducky, But, Probie's right." Tony said. "I am sorry I didn't stick around and keep an eye on him. I should have tabled the case work until Gibbs came back from the Director's office. I didn't mean to disregard your medical orders about him."

"Anthony; I know you did not deliberately ignore his condition. I don't believe any of you did or ever would I appreciate your apology, young man. But, it is not me you need to be handing your sentiments out to; but, rather, Timothy, himself."

"Probie, Ducky's right, too. We can't hold you completely responsible; not even sure if we can hold you responsible at all; so; let's just accept that it was a royal mess; almost did not come out well; but now that it has; let's just appreciate it and each other better; and move on. Whatta ya say?" Tony asked.

At the heads nodding in agreement; Tim smiled and answered "Thanks, Tony; everyone."

"At the same time, Duck;" Gibbs surprised everyone with his words. "I know we're all sorry we didn't listen more closely to your warning. And Tim; I know we all regret that it became such a life and death situation for you. With that being said; and if no one has anything else to add; then I agree with Tony. Let's move on with gratitude and experience; enough not to let it happen to any of us in the future."

As they got up from their seats; Abby and Ziva each gave Ducky and Tim a hug and a whispered apology. Gibbs and Tony; both shook hands with the M.E. and everyone went in to dinner. As individuals; everyone of the silently sent up words of thanks for Tim's gentle manovering of the situation. More than simply being happy he was still with them; they were all happy; his gentle; always thinking of the other person; side of him was still a part of who he is.

Ducky looked upon each one of his surrogate family members with pride in who they were and hope for their future as individuals and as a team; grateful for each one of them