Two weeks had passed in a blur to Tim; metaphorically speaking of course. With no way of telling the time himself, he found himself relying on others to let him know. He had been moved a week ago into the rehab unit and found it more comfortable and suited to his needs. The bed was a normal bed and more comfortable than the hard, horrible mattresses at Bethesda; the staff were friendly and his allocated nurses and doctors had time to work with him at consistent intervals rather than the periodic look ins of the staff at the hospital. Oh he knew they were busy and he didn't mind but still, having the support he needed really helped and since that day when Gibbs came in and talked to him, he'd been feeling more confident that things could move forward and the little glimmer of hope that had faded the day he was told he'd be permanently blind, had reignited.
"He who has health has hope. And he, who has hope, has everything."
Tim grinned at the familiar voice and turned his head to where he now knew the door to be. "Hey Ducky. I haven't heard that one. Where's it from?"
"Good afternoon, Timothy. It's a proverb I heard a while ago but it seemed to fit. How are you today?"
Tim paused briefly before sighing heavily. "I'm okay, I guess. It gets easier everyday but I still miss seeing things...I miss seeing people. I know you're here but not being able to see you makes it a bit lonelier if that makes sense."
"It does, my boy. It makes perfect sense." Ducky paused and gently placed his hand on Tim's shoulder so as not to startle him. "I've just been speaking to your doctor and asked if you were allowed out for the day. There are a couple of places I would like to take you."
"Where?" Ducky smiled at the question but the light of excitement and curiosity that shone in Tim's eyes was betrayal of the fact that this was exactly what the young man needed.
"It's a surprise, Timothy and what would a surprise be if you knew?" Tim chuckled and shrugged. "Ah, see. You can see the logic there somewhere. Now, I know you are in your sweats and MIT t-shirt but do you simply want to put your sneakers on or change into something else?"
"Can I change? I have some jeans in my closet."
"That's absolutely fine. Do you want me to get them for you?"
Tim shook his head. "No, but thanks. They helped me organise it all so I know what's in there and I can even read the tags they fitted as well. The Braille reading is really coming along."
Ducky stood stunned for a moment. "You can...Timothy it's been two weeks!" He said incredulously. "How on earth did you learn it in that space of time?"
"He's a fast learner. I have to admit, it shocked me too but he's coming on leaps and bounds."
"Hey Emelia." Tim said as he felt the tags on his clothes. "So what do you think? The blue or the grey?"
"Are you wearing those jeans?" Emelia answered when she saw the modern, slightly fitted faded blue jeans Tim had pulled out. She waited for Tim to nod before answering. "Then the light grey with your black Armani Jacket. That'll look nice."
"Cool. Thanks Em...oh, sorry Ducky. This is Emelia. She's teaching me Braille and helping me with the everyday things."
"I'm Tim's Occupational Therapist. He's really doing well but we still need to get him feeling more hopeful and happy."
"Oh come on. It's only been a month and I had 20/20 vision before that. Right now, all I can see are flashes of light every now and then. I think I'm entitled to be a little bit down in the dumps."
Emelia laughed loudly. "Yeah yeah yeah. I'm sure I can whip that out of you pretty soon."
Tim shrugged and turned towards the bathroom before making his way to it without any problems at all. Ducky had seen him do this on countless times but it always amazed him how adaptable Tim had been.
"He really is incredible." Ducky said quietly. "Oh dear, please, you call me Ducky. Everyone else does."
"One day, you'll have to tell me why and yes he is." Emelia agreed and grinned. "He's got a mind like a computer so he picks things up quickly. His Braille isn't perfect and still needs work but he knows enough to get him through."
"Has he read the plate on the cane yet?" Ducky asked softly with a soft smile.
"Ah, no. Not yet and Gibbs has already warned me against telling him what it says." Ducky turned and saw a twinkle in Emelia's pretty green eyes. "He said he wants to be more fluent because knowing the boss he'll be threatening a head slap or two."
Ducky laughed loudly and shook his head. "Hmm..no doubt."
"No doubt what?" Tim asked as walked out of the bathroom wearing his jeans and T-shirt. Ducky noticed that he'd even done his hair and put in the product he usually used to keep it neat.
"We were just talking about Jethro's philosophies and speculating about what was on your cane."
"I'm not sure I really want to know just yet." Tim huffed out a laugh. "But I'm sure the Boss wouldn't put anything too bad on there. Okay, how do I look? Please feel free to tell me my shirt is on inside out, or backwards."
"You look perfectly handsome, Tim." Emelia said and blushed when Ducky looked at her with a grin.
"Thanks, Em." Tim walked over to where he put his cane every night and picked it up. "Okay, I'm good to go Ducky. Do you mind if I hold onto your arm?"
"Not at all, Dear boy." Ducky moved to where Tim was standing and guided Tim's hand to his arm. Tim wrapped his hand around the M.E's bicep and let himself be led out of the room. Just before they reached the door, Tim turned slightly towards where Emelia had been standing previously.
"Oh, Em, did you speak to the doctor about tonight? I'd still like to do that if you do."
"I did and he said yes, so make sure you're back by 6, Okay?"
"And what are you two doing tonight, may I ask?" Ducky asked with an amused tone.
"oh...Um...we..." Tim blushed furiously and dropped his head. "We're going on a...well kind of a date." He said quietly hoping that Ducky had misheard him.
"Ooooh. I see, well in that case Miss Emelia, I shall have him back in time for your night out."
"Thanks, Ducky." She said happily and stopped to give Tim a kiss on the cheek. "And you behave."
"I always behave." Tim joked and grinned. Once Emelia had left Ducky patted Tim's arm to get his attention.
"So...I didn't think you could date the staff."
With a shrug, Tim cocked his head in thought. "She didn't mention anything and we were talking a couple of days ago about how much we enjoy Mexican food. She said there's a nice place around the corner and asked if I wanted to go on a date with her."
"That's really nice Timothy. Alas, in order to be back in time for your romantic rendezvous, we really must be going."
Tim's grip on Ducky's arm tightened and he let the M.E. guide him out to his surprise.
***NCIS***
The warm spring day was dry and clear with just a hint of a breeze rustling through the trees. This was the first thing that Tim noticed when he stepped out of the car and he couldn't help but smile at how beautiful the day sounded. Deep in the background he could hear children laughing as they played on what he presumed were the swings and somewhere a dog was paddling in the water with the owner whistling from the bank...wait! he knew that sound. That whistle and low rumbled order was...
"Ducky, is Gibbs here?"
Ducky laughed mirthfully and shook his head. "Timothy, I do not even want to know how you heard that but yes. He is."
"And Jethro?" the hope that laced Tim's tone was palpable.
"Of course, Timothy. Today is the day you get to take him back to the rehabilitation centre so you can start training with him. I know it's quick, but the sooner he starts to work with you the better and you only have two weeks left there before going home with Jethro. Once home, you will have someone there with you to help you adjust to being at home and they will continue with your training there so you can get used to your environment. Of course, there is the twice weekly visits to NCIS where you will learn to use the equipment that was delivered yesterday."
"Equipment?"
"It's being installed this week. Anyway, shall we?" Ducky guided Tim's hand to his arm once again and walked him down the long path to where the team were waiting with Jethro.
"Everything's been done so quickly. I mean, this time last month I was working a crime scene and now I'm being guided through the park because I can't see where I'm going." Tim stopped and breathed heavily through his nose.
"Timothy..."
"Ducky, I'm a little bit...I..."
Ducky knew the problem and paused to face Tim. He cupped Tim's face with his warm hands and leaned up as much as he could. "You are overwhelmed. I understand that but you have excelled in everything so far and in order for you get back some degree of normality to your life, you must bear with it. We need you back Timothy, and not just at NCIS. We need our friend back because we miss you. It's not the same visiting you in what is a more comfortable hospital. We want you to realise that there is more out there than self pity and recriminations because that will just serve to depress you. Please, Timothy. Humour us and let us help you."
Tim felt a stray tear roll down his cheek before being wiped away by Ducky's thumb. He stood there amazed and stunned at the emotion he could easily detect in the M.E's voice before replying. "I'm trying. I really, really am but this is the hardest thing I've ever done. How can I get back my life? How, Ducky?"
"Oh, Timothy. Honestly, you can't get what you had before but you can look at this as a chance to move forward and excel. Use what you have, young man. Utilise your skills and push past the difficulties."
Tears streaked a trail down Tim's face, but before they could drop off his chin, Ducky's thumbs wiped them away like a grandfather would a child.
"Difficulty need not foreshadow despair or defeat. Rather achievement can be all the more satisfying because of obstacles surmounted."
Tim laughed quietly. "William Hastle."
"Attaboy." Ducky joked and patted Tim's cheek. "Have I ever told you about Douglas Bader, Timothy?" Tim shook his head and felt Ducky turn. He grasped the M.E's arm instinctively and they started walking again. "Well, you see Douglas Bader was in the RAF...that's Royal Air Force in the UK...and was commissioned in 1930. A year later, he crashed his plane while attempting some aerobatics and lost both his legs. There began his real journey because despite losing his legs, he fought through the pain and learned to walk again with prosthetic limbs. That led to his drive and ambition of not giving up on his dreams and flying once again. He retook his flight training and passed his check flights before applying for reactivation as a pilot. Quite a remarkable man."
"Did he succeed?" Tim's interest piqued at the story and Ducky's soothing voice helped allay his fears.
"Eventually. There were no regulations that applied to his situation and he was retired on medical grounds but after the Second World War, he returned to the RAF and his role as a pilot. He fought at Dunkirk and in the Battle of Britain. In effect, it didn't hold him back. He had a dream and nothing was going to stop him."
"That's an amazing story, Ducky but how does it apply to me? I can't se..."
"Timothy McGee. I will not let you give up on life simply because you can't see. We have given you the options and have tried our hardest to help you carry on." Ducky sighed heavily and regretted his harsh words but they carried on moving forward. "The only person who can help you, is yourself. We can only offer a crutch when you need it and try to make your life as easy as possible."
Tim stopped walking and stood listening to the noise around him as his jumbled thoughts registered what Ducky was telling him. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologise. Just try. That's all we ask. Just try."
"Okay." It was quiet, but heartfelt and Ducky felt as though he'd turned a corner with Tim. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all. "Jethro? Oh my God! Jethro, come'ere boy!"
Ducky frowned and turned to what had got Tim so excited. He smiled when he saw the damp German Shepherd running over and took Tim's cane as the young man fell to his knees with his arms open wide. It was a sight to behold when Tim's beloved dog jumped into the familiar arms and nestled into Tim's face, and it was a sight that they would all remember for a long, long time.
"Hey! Jethro, not so fast!" Gibbs' voice travelled along and Tim heard the pounding of his Boss' footsteps as he ran after the dog. "Damn, sorry McGee, he got away from me. Guess there's a bit more training to do yet."
"its okay, Boss." Tim said happily and laughed loudly when his beloved German Shepherd licked his face. "I've missed you too boy. Have you been good?"
"He's been great. I was putting his harness on when he turned and ran. I know why now."
"It's been a month, Boss. He's missed me."
"Uh huh. Okay, Jethro C'mere and let me get this on you." Tim felt Jethro move to Gibbs and felt pang of loss. "He'll be right back, Tim. I just want to get this on him."
"Okay." Tim stood up and felt Ducky slip his cane back in his hand. "What are you doing, Boss?"
"We're going to introduce him officially to his role as a seeing eye dog and then the training he'll do will be with you." Gibbs replied. The change in Jethro when the harness was on was amazing and he went from being totally excitable and playful to being obedient and extremely well behaved. "Okay, Jethro. You know what to do."
Jethro walked over to Tim and sat down next to his master. Gibbs moved with him. "Tim, I'm going to take your hand and show you where the bar is, Okay."
"Okay." Tim replied nervously. He felt the calloused hand guide his own to the bar and grasped it tightly. "What now?"
"Now, we go for a walk around the park and enjoy the day." Gibbs said happily and patted Tim on the shoulder. "Ziva, Abbs and Tony are down by the water with a picnic, so how about we eat first?"
Tim smiled and nodded. Maybe, just maybe, things would be okay after all.
