John walked into the apartment building that Tony lived in it and looked at with his usual scrutinizing eye; it just about passed his approval however not exactly somewhere he would live himself. He found the right apartment and put the key in the door. When he went in he went to the bedroom and lay down on the bed. The last few days had the old man worn out, although it was not completely from being awake for almost three days straight, it partly was from the experiences of trying to building bridges that had collapsed long ago. John stood up aware that if he stayed there any longer he'd fall asleep. He went over to chest of drawers and pulled out some clothes to take to the hospital, he got to the sock drawer and opened it. He stood staring for a moment at what was in there. John took the gun out of the drawer and held it in his hands.
"Impressive" He said aloud to himself.
The pistol in the sock drawer may have been an inanimate object but it made John realise that the son he had lost touch with was not someone he knew anymore.
Tim locked his weapon in his desk drawer and sat down alone to finish the report and paper work that concluded the investigation.
"You did good today, McGee"
"Thanks, boss" He replied
He hadn't noticed Gibbs enter the room.
"I should have given him a warning first" He said.
"McGee, he would have shot her regardless, you saved Kate's life today"
"How is she anyway?"
"She's resting"
"And Tony?" Asked McGee
Gibbs sighed.
"That's another issue" He said "Have that report on my desk by the morning"
He disappeared out of the room as swiftly as he'd come in.
"Good Morning" Said Kate the following morning.
Christian looked up and saw her come into his room.
"You're feeling better then?" He said
"They discharged me this morning" She replied.
"I wish I were getting out today" He said "Wednesday at the earliest"
"It's only two days, relax" She smiled.
"You seem really cheerful considering my brother almost killed you last night"
She grinned
"In my job you learn to live with it"
An awkward silence ensued for a few moments until Christian filled it.
"So, how do you feel about going on a date with me?" He asked cautiously.
"I remember saying yes the other day, nothing has changed since then"
"But what about James?"
"If it's alright with you, I'd like to try and forget about James" She laughed
He sighed.
"That's a good idea" He replied "I feel like we've been through so much together but we've only ever
had two conversations
"He'll be going to jail for a very long time when he recovers from his gunshot wounds" She informed him.
"Things can only get better, right?" She replied.
The pressure lifted from him and became the sweet coffee shop guy once again.
"I brought you some things, clean clothes and stuff" Said John coming into the room.
"Thanks" Tony replied, his voice was void of all feeling.
"We need to talk, boy" Said John.
"Boy?" Said Tony "I'm not a teenager anymore, dad"
"Oh, believe me I know that"
"What's that suppose to mean?" Said Tony
"I found the handgun in your drawer" He replied, not looking his son in the eye.
"And?" Said Tony.
"Have you ever used it?" He asked.
"Of course" Said Tony "It's part of the job and for my own protection"
John nodded.
"I'm surprised you've got an issue with this, you know that I'm a federal agent"
John looked him in the eye.
"I know what you do for a living Tony, when I saw that gun..."
"What's your point, I've shot people, killed a few but only because they were either about to kill me or my colleagues" Said Tony "It's a dangerous job, if you've got a problem with that you're a little late coming in here and telling me now, I'm a grown adult"
"I last remember you as irresponsible and going against everything I said, you drove me crazy, but now you've turned yourself into this person I never thought I'd see, I imagined you ending up..."
"In the gutter" Answered Tony "I remember you telling me"
"I don't know you as well as I thought I did, but you've become someone I'm proud of, I haven't got a problem with the job you do or how you protect yourself when you do it, just don't get yourself killed"
"I didn't expect that from you, I thought you were just here out of duty, that you'd disappear in to the sunset and I wouldn't see you until the next time one of us nearly ends up dead"
"I want to be part of your life again"
"Are you sure about that?" He grinned "I'm told I can be pretty damn annoying"
"I guess not everything has changed about you, I sure I'll cope with it" He smiled "Get some rest"
The events of the past few days had had a devastating effect on all involved but a phoenix that had arisen out of the ashes of it all had in fact been the mutual respect and rediscovered compassion between a father and his son.
8 Months later
"I feel like a glorified coffee boy, I'm a special agent just like you Kate, Gibbs never makes you get him coffee"
Kate smiled across from her desk as he put Gibbs' coffee on his desk.
"That's because I'm senior field agent, Tim, perks of the job" She said.
"Actually, it's my job Kate; did you keep it warm for me?" Said Tony.
They both looked at him with surprise visible on their faces.
"I'm back" He said.
"Finally" Said Kate "It's been too long"
Tony waited for a sarcastic comment but it never came.
"Thanks, Kate" He said
"I'm glad you're alright"
"Right back at you" He replied "Does that mean you won't hit me with your car again"
She glared at him for making light of that horrifying day but in truth she knew it was his way of telling her that he no longer held her responsible for what happened, it had taken a long time for their friendship to return to being as close as it was, even though they both knew there was no way the accident had been her fault she knew as well as he did that she had ultimately been the driver of the car that had him and cause such horrific injuries for both of them, and regardless of blame that was hard for them both to get past.
"You need a sense of humour Kate" He grinned mischievously.
She frowned and looked like someone who was hurt but trying to hide it; the grin disappeared from his face. He came close to her.
"We need to put it behind us, Kate"
"I agree" She said and looked him in the eyes meaningfully.
"Hey Kate, how's Christian?" Said McGee, breaking their moment.
She gave him a gushing smile.
"He's wonderful" She replied.
Gibbs strode into the bullpen and opened his drawer to get his weapon; he threw a bunch of keys at Tony.
"DiNozzo, gas the truck"
"You got it, boss" He said "I've been waiting so long to hear that!"
"I'm sure the feeling will pass" Said McGee
