THE DISTANCE BETWEEN-CHAPTER SEVEN

I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY CHARACTERS ON THE SHOW

From the moment Tim woke up his room was full of activity. Dr. Maylone wanted to start some simple physical therapy to keep the strength he had in both his arm and hip until more intense therapy could begin. The nurses were constantly in and out of Tim's room causing a lack of privacy for his friends and Sarah, frustrating them all to no end.

Tim's recovery was a slow process. He was anxious to heal and get back to his job; he felt like he was letting the team down the longer he was away. Tim had been amazed at the attention the team had lavished him with all week. He had no doubt that they cared for him but a part of him had always felt that he was not as important as everyone else. This week had proved him wrong. The constant therapy combined with the hours the team had worked had left little one on one time with his friends but each of them had made the effort to visit at least once a day.

There were times he felt like Gibbs, Tony or Abby were on the verge of revealing some big secret but interruptions seem to be the norm. Sarah had told him how worried everyone was on the day of the accident that had totaled his treasured Porsche. The driver of the SUV had suffered a heart attack and was dead before his vehicle had hit Tim. It was an accident that could have been so much worse than it had been. Tim was forever grateful that it had been him struck and not someone with a child.

Everyone had been a little surprised when the deceased man's wife had shown up at Tim's hospital room but had later learned Tim had contacted her himself. His kind heart had felt the need to express condolences for her loss; she had been stunned at his kindness and the lack of blame he had placed on her husband. The fact that he so easily made her feel better had only served to remind the team and enlighten the hospital staff of what an amazing man he truly was.

Dr. Maylone had ended up keeping Tim for a week to make sure he stayed off the hip the entire time. She had been concerned that if he was released he would be up and about too quickly. Tim had a feeling that she didn't come up with that idea on her own but so far he couldn't determine which of his friends or Sarah had ratted him out. While he was more than ready to leave it still gave him a warm feeling that they were all watching out for him.

He had nearly had to force Sarah back to her classes but his stubborn streak had won out and she had returned a couple of days earlier. She had wanted to miss today to take him home but Gibbs had promised her someone would be there to pick him up; being outnumbered she had relented. She still had sulked until Tim asked her to help him pick out a new car when the time came. It was an invitation he was hoping he would not regret.

Abby had given him daily updates on Jethro and Tim was pleased that she thought the dog was missing him. His dog was sure to be spoiled rotten by the time Tim got him back; but it would be good to see his furry friend again. It was during one of Abby's talks of Jethro that she had told him how sorry she was for the way she treated him. Not just during Jethro's case but on other occasions as well; she had went through a list of times she felt she had hurt him. Tim had tried to stop her, telling her it was in the past but she had been determined to 'make amends' for hurting him. So he let her talk it all out then he held her close while she cried. When she left she seemed at peace and Tim had to admit he felt more at peace as well. It was a fresh start for both of them. They could always fall back into the old routine but for now things between them felt good.

Ziva had been to see him nearly every evening bringing her scrabble board with her for 'teaching purposes'. Tim smiled at that thought. She beat him nearly as much as he beat her but playing never failed to make him smile and somehow Tim thought that was the real goal of her playing. She had made a point to tell him how thankful she had been for his friendship when she first arrived at NCIS. With the fresh loss of Kate on everyone's minds and Ziva's relationship with Ari not everyone was willing to extend a hand of friendship. She thanked Tim for being the first and the most consistent in making her feel welcome. Learning from Abby's confession, Tim let her have her say without interruption. When she had spoken her piece, Tim had reached out and touched her face, lifting her eyes to his own. He wanted her to see he meant what he said; Ziva can always tell a lie.

"I always trust people until they give me a reason not to trust them," Tim told her. "I trust you, Ziva. I always have. You made it very easy to be your friend and you still do, every day I know you."

Tim had noticed a few tears lingering in her eyes but Ziva was not one to show her emotions the way Abby did so he let her have a moment while he played a word on the board game. When he looked back up at her, she was in control again. Since that moment however, there seemed to be a softness between them.

When she had left that evening, Ziva had taken his hand and kissed him on the cheek. Tim felt the heat from the blush but instead of feeling embarrassed he had kissed Ziva's hand before releasing it. It was very sweet to watch the answering blush on her face.

Tony had shown up at that moment. He has yet to stop trying to get Tim to tell him what he said that made Ziva blush. Each time he mentioned it Tim would just smile at her and Ziva to her utter horror had blushed each time he did. It has delighted Tim to no end to cause this reaction in the stoic lady.

It was also great to see Tony speechless every time she blushed.

Ziva had agreed it was totally worth it.