Tim's heart stopped.

"Take off your shirt Tim"

Gibbs looked up at him from his desk and Tim felt like all his recent private fantasies and teenage nightmares had just been rolled all into one. Gibbs didn't seriously want him to undress in the middle of the bull pen did he?

"I said take your shirt off McGee"

Tim licked his lips as Gibbs gave him that commanding look and he slowly raised his hands to his collar as his heart started to pound furiously.

"Here we go" Tony had joked with a slightly alarmed look on his face as Tim started uncertainly to unbutton his shirt.

"Take it down to Abby. As evidence."

"Why would…." Tim trailed off as Gibbs gave him that confident smirk that turned his insides to butter and his brain finally decided to join the party.

"So Abby can run her tests against the blood on the shirt and see if she gets a match!"

"There you go."

Gibbs smiled and held out a plastic bag which Tim stuffed his bloodied shirt into.

It was then that there was that split second when Tim leaned towards Gibbs eagerly, bare to the waist and he had caught Gibbs' eyes lingering on his soft smooth chest.

But no.

He MUST have got that wrong. Gibbs was probably thinking of something else. Something case related. Besides after that DiNozzo had whipped off his shirt and Tim had felt lost in the comparison against Tony's far more tanned, muscular and admittedly hairy chest. It was when Ziva was ogling the two of them he had quietly endeavored once again to hit the gym a little harder than he had been.

Months later when Tim lay in Gibbs' arms and he felt Gibbs softly rhythmically stroking his smooth chest he had remembered that moment and it brought a smile to his face. Perhaps Gibbs really had been checking him out? Tim found himself grinning in the darkness in satisfaction. He might not be the best built guy in the word but Gibbs didn't seem to mind.

Gibbs had nudged him then, curious to find out what brought the smile to his face.

Tim had blushed and shook his head, embarrassed.

'It's nothing"

'No come on Tim what is it?" Gibbs peered down at his young lover who appeared to be trying to hide his smile in the crook of his elbow.

"No it's silly."

"Then what's the problem in telling me?" Gibbs grinned and pushed a little harder, intrigued now and Tim shook his head.

"Tim you know you're going to tell me"

"Tim"

"Tim, come on"

"Come on Tim wake up"

"I know it hurts but I just need you to wake up for me. Tim? Please?"

Tim woke from his strange dream to see Gibbs bending over him, concern and worry written in every dearly loved line in his face.

"Gishbbbs?" Tim struggled to speak. He felt woozy and his throat felt scratchy and sore like someone had shoved tubes down it.

"Oh Timmy" Gibbs breathed it out softly and buried his face in Tim's neck, carefully cradling his head in his hands. Even underneath the smell of hospital sheets and disinfectant and machinery he could still smell Tim's familiar shampoo and a faint whiff of cologne against his skin. It made his heart ache and he felt the tears start to sting his eyes at the warmth of the man beneath him.

Tim blinked and tried to gather his wooly thoughts together as Gibbs pulled back and gazed at him tenderly.

"Whatz wrong?" Tim whispered faintly as he carefully put a hand on Gibbs rough unshaved cheek and thumbed away a tear. Gibbs looked so unhappy and so very tired and sad. Did someone get hurt? Did Tony get hurt again?

Gibbs gave a sharp bark of laughter and gripped strongly onto Tim's hand still cupped to his face.

"What's wrong? What's wrong other than I thought I had lost you?"

Tim smiled softly, blinking rapidly in his exhaustion as he struggled to stay awake, fighting against the drugs swirling through his system.

"Silly Jethro. Nevr loose me"

Tim's quiet harsh whisper sounded like a soothing balm to Gibbs' aching soul and he bowed his head in silent gratitude. He had his chance. Tim was alive and he still loved him no matter what an asshole he had been. And he was going to make it up to him. Everything was going to be different. Once he couldn't see anything that could be worse than someone finding out about them. Now he knew that the only thing worse than that was loosing Tim altogether.

Tim glanced blearily at the door and suddenly stiffened. Gibbs looked across to see Ducky guarding the door and allowing them a few precious private moments before the rest of the team stormed the room.

Tim looked up at him with panic in his eyes and Gibbs gently shushed him with a tearful smile, placing a finger across his soft full lips.

"It's ok Tim. Ducky knows about us. He's fine with it"

Tim just sort of blinked worriedly up at Gibbs and then slowly hesitatingly nodded. Gibbs sighed softly with regret. He had drilled the need for discretion and silence about their relationship into Tim so often it was no wonder he was so hesitant to recognize acceptance. He shouldn't have been the one to fill Tim with fear when Tim only filled him with joy.

"There is something I have to tell you Tim. Something I should have said a long time ago and I'm sorry I waited so long to tell you. I am a fool and I hope you will forgive me."

Tim looked up at Gibbs in obvious confusion and Gibbs smiled leaning in close to his ear to whisper.

"Timothy McGee I want you to know that I…"

"Probie! You're awake! Abby! Ziva! He's awake! Ducky will you get out of the way?"

Tony bounced excitedly in the doorway as Ducky tried to stall him and Gibbs bit back a curse of frustration, screwing his eyes shut. Excited squeals could be heard from further down the hallway followed by the chairs being pushed back and platformed feet coming towards them.

Dammit couldn't he have two minutes alone with the man he loved? He had nearly died. Twice. How many more chances was he going to get? This was important. Tim needed to know that he cared. That he wasn't just going to leave him. He was done leaving. He wanted to find out what sticking around felt like. Gibbs gripped the metal hospital rail in his hands tightly. DiNozzo was going to get the biggest head slap if he came anywhere near him. In fact he was probably going to end up unconscious on the floor the way Gibbs was feeling.

Gibbs looked down at the pale young man who adored him. Who even now was softly smiling as if Gibbs holding his hand was all he asked for. Who took a bullet for him. Who would do whatever he asked of him even when it hurt him. Who trusted him with his heart.

Fuck it

Gibbs leaned in and kissed Tim softly full on the lips.

Time slowed down to heartbeat. He closed his eyes and softly savored the warm familiar lips and then his heart leapt as he felt Tim smile against his own.

There was a violently loud split second of utter silence and then chaos erupted.