Chapter Seven

I don't own NCIS. To bad though I wouldn't be as broke as I am with this whole starving student thing. Hey maybe they should sue then I can pass on the loans. Well I'm almost done this story one more chapter plus an epilog to go. I have every thing written out just need to get them on my computer. I deiced to keep it light for this chapter and the reaming ones. I hope you enjoy.

Scratching Jethro's ear, Tim looked like he wanted to ask his friends something, but didn't know how to start. It was Friday and the team had ended up at Gibbs' house for supper, needing the time to relax after the drama of the past week. They were sprawled out over every chair and couch they could fill, the beer and steaks making them drowsy.

"Alright, McGee, what do ya want?" Gibbs asked, laughing at the deer in the headlights expression.

"Um well… I…" Tim tried.

"Well this got to be good, the probster doesn't stutter like this unless he has a dozy coming," Tony chuckled.

"Tony, be nice," Ziva, scolded, "Please continue Tim."

"My appointment with Dr. Sommers is on Tuesday, and could you guys come with me? I don't want to go alone," Tim blurted out.

"We already have the time booked off, McGee," Abby smirked, "Did you really think that you could keep us from finding out?"

"Apparently not," he grumbled good-naturedly. "Thanks guys, it means a lot to me.

"No problem Tim," Gibbs replied, still smirking.

"So, Tony, when we get to meet the new girlfriend?" Abby smirked.

"What makes you think that I have a girlfriend?" Tony asked nervously. Tim was the only one that knew and he hardly could keep the knowledge from him given the current situation.

"Well, the phone calls for one and the sneaking around; wait are you undercover again?" Ziva asked worried.

"No, I'm not, Zee, it's still new and I don't want to screw it up," Tony told her.

"You won't Tony, I've seen the way you look at her and it's real," Tim smiled.

"You told McGee, but not me?" Abby pouted.

"Tony asked me to respect his privacy and I am," Tim informed her unwilling to risk the new closeness he had with Tony.

She harrumphed and stalked off to the kitchen say she was thirsty. Tim tried not to be hurt by her actions but couldn't help feeling a little put out. He was tired of being the one to make up seeing as how he had already apologized to her. Besides, Tony was keeping his secret for him and Tim was proud of Tony's interaction with his girlfriend. There was a maturity that was not there even with Jeanne it shows up at work as well. The playboy attitude was gone and so were the annoying digs and juvenile behavior. Tim knew his partners' reports were getting better, more concise and clear, as well seeing as how they got sent back to him for revisions far less than before.

After Tony found out who Tim was seeing on the sly, he had fun teasing his probie, but ran interference not only with big bad older brother but Abby as well. Things had been strained a bit after the hospital fight and the pair seemed to be slowly drifting apart and though it hurt the older man to see he was glad for his friend. When Tony thought about it he realized just how much Tim had been forced to revolve around Abby and was glad that he was breaking the pattern. He always thought that they would get back together and have freaky smart Goth geek babies until he found out just how much Abby had hurt the man. Looking at her, he couldn't help recalling the conversation.

OoOoOoOo

"Hey probie what's up?" Tony asked walking into the hospital room smirking as Tim looked incredibly guilty over a phone call.

"Uh just talking to a friend Tony," he replied hoping that would be the end of it as Tony commandeered a chair in the room.

"I saw that look, who were you talking too? You were all lovey-dovey like you have a new girlfriend or something." When Tim blushed faintly the other man's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Ooh, do tell I must know what posed you to break rule twelve. Abby's the favorite and you're sick, but still it's a risk don't ya think?"

"What makes you so sure that it's Abby?" he snapped, annoyed at his friend. The annoyance turned to panic as he realized what he had said.

"Whoa there probie I was just asking. Who else could it be, you and the Abster are meant for each other," Tony couldn't figure out the look of sadness that passed across his friends face.

"It's not Abby," was the sad reply. Momentarily unsure if he could trust Tony he decided to tell his best friend how they really broke up. "First I don't do second chances. If it didn't work out the first time it a safe bet thing won't work out the next time. That, and Abby cheated on me."

"McGee, don't you dare lie to me," Tony growled. Abby was a baby sister to him and he refused to listen to this crap.

"I knew I shouldn't have told you, nobody would believe me over her," the young man snarled back.

"Are you sure, Tim? I mean it's Abby," he tried again unable to process the information.

"Just before I made the move to here, she dragged me out clubbing to celebrate Gibbs taking me on and I saw her making out with another guy. She justified it by saying that we couldn't be together because of rule twelve and that was that," was the quiet reply.

"She's tried to get back with me a couple of times after that, but I wouldn't do it. I can't trust her with my heart anymore."

"She wouldn't do something like that," he replied in shock.

"The women put a dog above me Tony," The answer came back more bitter then he intended. "I love Jethro, but listening to her yell at me for defending myself hurt like hell. After that I don't think I trusted her as much with personal stuff, and now with the cancer I've done a lot of reevaluating and it's time to live my life."

"I'm so sorry buddy," he said the pain reflecting in his eyes. The pedestal that his baby sister was on had crumbled and the rubble left an ache in his chest.

"It's alright, I'm over it and I've got someone great in my life. I'm sorry for telling you Tony I know she family, but…" he trailed off not knowing how to say what he wanted too.

"But you need to be family too," The look in Tim's eyes told him he got it in one. "Believe me, you are Tim. I never had much in the way of family until you guys came along, so sometimes it takes me awhile to get it right but I do." Looking at his Tony smiled with mischief. "You still haven't told me who she is probie. Come on, you can tell me. Please?"

In retaliation, Tim whumped him with a pillow but with a little, ok a lot, of prodding the new girlfriend was revealed.

OoOoOoOo

After thinking for a moment, Tony got up and went over to Abby and whispered, "You give him a break or Gibbs finds out how you really broke up with Tim."

Shaken that someone else knew what she had done, Abby went back to the group and tried to play nice with Tim.

Tuesday morning saw Gibbs picking Tim up from his apartment much to the younger man's surprise. He knew better then to argue when his boss had that particular look on his face, and climbed into the passengers' seat. Looking at his agent, Gibbs tried to think of away to ask what about Friday. Things had been strained after whatever Tony had said to her.

"Abby hurt me after the blow-up in the hospital, and when she apologizes for her behavior I will accept it. I gave her mine so everything's up to Abby now," Tim told him.

"How about I talk to her?" Gibbs replied mentally cursing how perceptive his youngest agent truly was.

"No, Boss, I want it to be real. It won't be if you just order her to say sorry," Tim whispered.

"I understand," he replied patting Tim's leg.

"You do? You're not mad?" was the surprised reply.

"I love Abs, but I know what she's like, and I'm proud that you're standing up for yourself. Now how about telling me who the new girl of yours is?"

"You'll like her Boss. She smart and funny and …"

Gibbs smiled as he listened to the young man prattle on about his lady enjoying the young man's untainted give it all approach to love, though after awhile it had occurred to him a name hadn't been passed on. When ask he got quiet, so Gibbs pushed and was shocked at the answer. No wonder the kid had been so secretive he was liable to get shot.

Pulling into the hospital parking lot Gibbs turned to his young agent. "It'll be alright, I'll help run interference."

"Thanks Boss," Tim chirped with a bright smile before getting out of the car.

Meeting up with everyone else Tim smiled apprehensively and led the way to the small waiting area in Dr. Sommers office. When the nurse called his name they all trouped into the office. Looking at the crowd, Dr. Sommers chuckled slightly, "looks like you brought half the agency with you, Tim."

"Well, Doc, how was the blood work?" he asked encouraged by the smile and joking.

"Alright, let's see," was the reply as he slowly opened the file. The man wasn't able to resist a dramatic pause before saying, "Congratulations, Tim, the results of your last blood test was negative. You're officially in remission. The anemia is still present so people will still have to be gentle, but now that your body is not fighting its self I'm confident that it too will go into remission."

There was a moment of silence before his friends and family erupted into shouts of joy. Sarah and Ziva wrapped themselves around Tim's neck while his mother placed a kiss on the top of his head, causing the young man to blush furiously.

Tony was next wrapping his arms around the man. "Glad that you're still going to be around, probie."

"Thanks, Tony, for everything," Tim whispered as he stood up to hug his friend better.

Gibbs just stood there for once he didn't know what to say or do. He came far too close to losing one of his boys these passed months and there had been nothing he could do about it. Watching Tim's body try and destroy itself was more painful then he could ever admit even to himself. He pulled through though and watching the team celebrate brought a mist to his eyes. Looking at his boss, Tim knew what the older man needed. He couldn't ask for it but the solution was simple, so Tim walked over and embraced Gibbs.

"Thanks for getting me through this, Dad," he whispered into the man's ear.

"You're welcome, Son," he whispered back returning the embrace. After a few moments of reveling in the contact he pulled back and looked at the assembled group, "come on, lets grab lunch."

After making an appointment to be back in six months for more blood tests, Tim looked at the waiting team and smiled his family was going to be alright. Lunch was a loud affair, with everyone in such good spirits. They laughed and joked and tried to extend the time they had together, even convincing Gibbs to have dessert. When the team walked into the bullpen there was a collective breath held before Tim made the statement that everyone wanted to hear that he was in remission. The cheers and applause were and loud even the Director joined in. When the cheering subsided Jenny made her announcement, the timing just couldn't have been better. NCIS would be hosting an interagency charity ball, and the half the proceeds would go to the cancer ward and half would be put into a trust to help patients. After her announcement she made her way to Tim.

"Congratulations Agent McGee, I'm glad to hear that you are in remission," she smiled. "How long before you're considered cured?"

"Thank you Director, and I'll never be considered cured. With this cancer rarity and tendency to come back people who get it will always be considered in remission," he explained. "I'm alright with that."

"I'm sorry to hear that," she replied a little sadly, "but I won't let you go any were. Just one more thing Agent McGee I don't expect to see a check with your name on it, your treatment is expensive enough, and Jethro you are expected to be there."

Every one chuckled when Gibbs huffed his agreement. He had to keep up appearances, but he honestly want to be there, and he was impressed that Jenny had read McGee so well. His probie was learning. The rest of the day went by quickly and when it was time to go the team decided to the bar in a low key celebration. Even now that chemo was over it would take awhile for Tim's strength to return. As everyone trouped out of the building chattering like magpies Tim felt better than he had in awhile. He survived and now it was time to live.

When he had told Sofia about the ball she was excited. There was one problem, she wanted her to meet her older brother first. No doubt he would be at the event but she wanted tell him before that. His protests of being shot dead fell on deaf ears she was just too excited to see the impending bodily harm coming. Gibbs and Tony were of little help. Oh they sympathized with his plight but drew the line at being used as human shields.

Sitting nervously Tim mauled a piece of bread as he waited for the rest of the table to come. He had picked Sof up from her apartment and was now waiting for her brother to arrive. Looking up at what she saw he gulped it was show time.

"Toby, I would like you to met my boyfriend Tim," Sofia smiled as she stood for a hug.

"How are you feeling?" he asked gently embracing her.

"A lot better. Tim's told me you two met at work," she replied.

"That we have. So how long have you been banging my sister Agent McGee?" was the menacing reply.

"Tobias," Sofia gasped shocked at her brothers lack of manners.

"Sofia and I met several months ago and have been dating ever since Agent Fornell. As for any extracurricular activities, they have been curtailed by chemo," was the sour reply.

"Yes well… Nice place you found here Agent McGee," he tried kicking himself for forgetting that the young man was going through the same thing as his sister.

"I found it just before I got sick, and please call me Tim," he offered.

"What do you recommend Tim? I've never been here before," she said trying to fill the awkward silence.

"The duck is excellent. If you want something lighter the linguine with sausage and garlic is good as well," Tim replied as he sat down.

"How did you too meet?" Fronell asked trying to make conversation.

"Just after I started treatment Livie, a mutual friend of ours, introduced us and we hit it off. We've been dating ever since."

"Livie? The little girl that I met a few months back?" he asked Sofia. When she nodded he asked how she was doing miss reading the look on the pairs faces.

"She passed," Tim told him bitterly before excusing himself to use the restroom. The little girls death was still too raw to think about. At his sister's death glare, Fornell went after him.

"Sorry, I didn't know… wait, is she the one this charity thing is named for?" Tobias asked.

"Yeah, we were going through chemo together and she loved coming to NCIS with me. She was one of the kids who passed from the computer virus messing with peoples meds."

"I wondered how NCIS got the case, it should have been Metro or FBI?"

"Not when an agent was one of the victims," Tim told the older man making him cringe.

"I'm really putting my foot in it aren't I? All right let's try this again I'm Tobias Fornell, Sofia's older brother, keep her happy and we get along. How's that?" he asked with his trademark smirk.

"Tim McGee and I won't ever hurt her. Shall we go before Sofie thinks we killed each other and you know what her tempers like," Tim smirked back.

Gesturing for Tim to lead the way, Tobias grinned at the comment. The kid did know his baby sister well. She was the sweetest person you would ever meet unless you ticked her off and boy would she lay into you. The rest of supper went well and everyone managed to enjoy themselves. The next day both Gibbs and Tony smirked at Tim when he came in relatively unscathed. They both pried for details which, Tim thought was endlessly amusing, but still he obliged them and gossiped for a few minutes on what it was like trying to appease the terror of the FBI for dating his baby sister before getting on with the days work.