"When I was little," Timmy pauses seemingly unable to go on but this is enough to floor a previously standing Tony. Tim takes comfort from the weight of Anna's hand in his and begins again. "When I was little there was a priest back home. He used to say God would punish the evil." A lengthy pause follows, the office a pained silence of dread. "Sometimes God needed help. Think Lawnmower Man, fists instead of a belt." Tony reflects on the film and in a broken voice fills the others in.

"The Lawnmower man is simple minded and he lives with the local Father. If he forgets his chores he is beaten as punishment. God given punishment." Tony cannot keep his voice calm and he is spitting in anger at the end. Gibbs and his little families' faces darken in rage. Abby starts reeling death threats off at a whirlwind pace before Gibbs silences her with a look.

"He never hit me, I was – am a goody two shoes." Even Tony winces; unaware a popular nickname had such negative awful connotations. "My best friend, Pete; didn't see the point of Sunday school. Thought nothing of saying so, or maybe he did but thought it worth it. I don't know. Five Sundays after my eighth birthday the priest found Pete and beat him. He broke his arm in three places." A further pause before he whispers brokenly, "I was there. I was there Gibbs and I did nothing. I hid and let it happen. My best friend."

Tim's face crumples and his whole body shakes with silent sobs. Anna has to help him. "Timmy, did Pete's arm heal?" Anna knows the answer she had met Pete over a year ago, after seeing the pair in a coffee shop. She couldn't help but notice the pained anxious glances Tim frequented to Pete's right arm. Anna could see nothing wrong with it and hand demanded an explanation once Tim had left. "When we were kids I got hurt badly. Tim had seen it happen, there was nothing he could have done but he blames himself."

Anna hadn't known how it had happened nor how deeply it had affected her Timmy. But she could help him now. She repeats her question "Did his arm heal?" determined to get an answer. McGee nods. "Could you have stopped it?" Timmy shakes his head but whispers, "I should have tried."

"Maybe, but then both of you would have been hurt. Who would have called the doctor and got his parents?" McGee has no answer, so she continues, "You waited with him, you comforted him, you made him feel better. Do you think lying beside him in pain would have done that?"

"He would hate me if he knew."

"Tim, He knows. He doesn't hate you. He definitely doesn't blame you. Trust me Timmy; it wasn't your fault."