A/N - for those wondering; I am not implying anything between Gibbs & Vance. I have really enjoyed (and been driven crazy by!) watching the ins and outs of their relationship. Especially after Jackie was killed it seems like Vance kind of clung to Gibbs, emotionally seeing himself in him. Gibbs didn't necessarily agree (he kept reminding Vance that he still had his children) but I get the sense he cares very much for Vance and they developed a deep friendship even if it's not always put on display.

Now...The guys are about to land at home and as the story shifts away from what it takes to physically make it back, it will focus more on laying the foundation for the two different emotional realities we see each man discuss with Grace in 15x2.

Tim glanced out the window, recognizing the shore line of Virginia as they started their descent into DC. His stomach tightened again.

So close.

When he was a kid he remembered Penny had banned cheering and gloating in the final minutes of any sporting event. "Karma is a bitch, you know. The moment you start to think everything is in the bag, that's when the other team will knock one out of the park."

The words of caution echoed again as the pressure in the cabin changed and they closed in on the airport.

Sometime during the flight, Gibbs had moved to the small sofa, crossing his arms, extending his legs and falling into his customary plane doze. He wasn't exactly asleep but he certainly appeared more relaxed than Tim felt.

He shifted in his seat. How could Gibbs be so relaxed? It was surreal, wasn't it? How could you be being held like an animal in a cage, starved, beaten and tortured one day...and then the next be sitting in a 40 million dollar jet, sipping on orange juice?

Was he the only one who thought that this transition was too fast? Too easy?

Looking back across the table he found Vance's eyes on him. He fought the instinct to squirm under the blatantly analytical gaze of his director.

"I know you must be worried about Delilah." Vance spoke quietly, "You should know the rest of your team has been there for her during the last 2 months. I believe Ms. Scuito has attended every doctor's appointment."

Tim swallowed. Although that hadn't been the exact thing on his mind, it was not far behind. He nodded, "That's good to know."

He had seen Abbey worry about Gibbs before and had somehow assumed her concern would only be focused on him. Now that Tim thought about it, of course Abbey, the most feeling person he knew, would not only be concerned for Gibbs but also for him and by extension, Delilah.

She would have dealt with her worry by doing whatever she could to feel productive or helpful. He smiled, imagining her whirlwind energy flitting around his apartment, making sure Delilah wanted for nothing.

He felt a warmth within him and looked at the growing view below. His previous worry began to cede to the deep desire to just be home with not just Delilah but Abbey and Ellie and Torres and Ducky and Jimmy. Even Reeves would be a comfort to see. He knew later this week he could probably expect a visit from his sister, mother and Penny. He would be surrounded by people he could count on to be happy to see him, offer hugs and back slaps and filling meals and comfortable evenings sitting around talking about nothing.

Like whiplash, his fear of coming home too fast became an urgent need to physically get there before anything else could happen, keeping him from those familial comforts.

He glanced at his watch, "Director, Sir, what is the plan once we land?" He looked up, "Do we need to check in anywhere?"

"There isn't exactly a procedure for this, McGee." Vance indicated with his eyebrows, "But my car is waiting for us at the airport. I need to head back to the office but see no reason not drop you both at home first."

Tim inhaled and then exhaled, "Good. Good. Thank you."

Vance smiled and nodded, "Better buckle up."

The plane seemed to speed up as it descended, trees and houses getting closer and the lights of DC clear through the window.

Gibbs stirred with the first bump on the tarmac, cracking his neck and rubbing at his eyes with the heel of his palms before remembering the still tender skin. He stood with a wince and a grumble before the plane even came to a halt.

"Remind me to thank Porter for the ride sometime." He directed to Vance, rolling his shoulders and flexing his knees.

"You'll have the opportunity soon enough." Vance nodded, not looking up as he cleared the paperwork he had been reviewing into a briefcase, "This whole misadventure stirred up quite a bit of heat on the hill for the agency and she's very interested in hearing directly from you."

Gibbs stilled, "Don't tell me now…"

"No." Vance assured, standing and gesturing to the door, "Tonight is about getting you both home."

Tim tilted his head, watching as Gibbs stilled, pressuring the inside of his lips.

Vance seemed to also pick up on the shift in the other man and waited, even as the engines turned off and the door was opened. "What is it?"

With a forced clearing of his throat, Gibbs blinked as if he had forgotten the other two were there, "Uh. Any chance I can come to the office first?"

Frowning, Vance looked to McGee for a beat.

Tim just gave a shake of his head. It didn't make sense why Gibbs would want to go to what would surely be an empty office.

"I uh..." Gibbs shrugged, pausing on his words, "Well if our stuff is still there, there's something in my desk and my truck..."

Ahh. That was it. McGee knew that Gibbs personal SOP was to leave all personal affects in his desk before leaving on a mission; his way of keeping them safe. He wasn't sure what Gibbs might have tucked away last May, but if it was something familiar and important then Tim understood completely.

It seemed Vance did too and he nodded. "Yeah, okay. Your truck has been moved to your house but no one has gone through the personal items in your desk. I was just telling McGee I need to stop at the office anyway."

"Thanks." Gibbs nodded, his shoulders relaxing again as he followed Vance out of the plane and down to the tarmac.

Tim followed last, hesitating on the last step.

This was it. Home.

The Larson had been an American ship and Guantanamo was an American base but this...this was America. He could see the Washington monument over the low airplane hanger and he breathed in deep, wanting his cells to absorb every molecule of American air.

Vance gestured to his tan SUV and Tim automatically went to the backdoor, leaving shotgun to his boss. His eyes focused on the city passing through the window as they drove. He barely heard the murmured conversation between the two men up front as Vance explained some of the personnel changes that had gone on and the congressional hearings over the last two months.

Finally and suddenly they were stopping.

In front of his building.

Home.

Gibbs turned in his seat, looking back at him, "Ready?"

Tim swallowed. First he had been so nervous, and then he had been excited and now the two emotions were crashing together and his stomach was lodged in his throat. There was no way he was going to say no though. No way he was going to get this close and not finish the journey.

So he nodded, smiling when Gibbs reached back to pat affectionately at his cheek, "Find a razor, will ya?"

"We'll see, boss." He gave a nod of gratitude to the director and exited the car.

Standing in front of the doors he hesitated. Something seemed wrong. Not enough.

He turned back to the road.

The SUV was still there, idling. Gibbs' window was rolled down and his boss was watching him with a tilted head. For a beat he wanted to ask Gibbs to come in with him. Not leave him alone. He swallowed the request.

"It's okay, McGee." Gibbs assured as if reading his mind. "You know where to find me. You did it. You made it home. Go; be with your family. It's okay."

With a swallow and a nod Tim raised a hand in a stilted wave, "Thanks Boss."

Gibbs smirked and the window rolled up, obscuring his face.

Finally, McGee turned back to the building and entered through the double doors.

Ignoring the stare of the watchman he stood in the lobby looking between the elevator and the stairs.

He was so close. Couldn't screw this up now…

He'd been stuck in an elevator before...But if he took the stairs it was possible his still shaky legs would trip and he'd fall, breaking his neck only steps away from home.

He shook his head, he was over analyzing. This was a good building, they didn't shirk on the maintenance; the elevator would be just fine.

He pushed the up button and the doors slid open as if the cart had been waiting for him to make up his mind. He swallowed and stepped in.

Taking a deep inhale he looked to the ceiling, trying not think about how his stomach was clenched and his heart was racing. His hands began to shake and he shook them out until the tremors were internalized.

The doors opened again and he was staring down the hall, his hall. 50 more feet.

He moved with deliberate steps, realizing as he approached the door that he never planned what he would actually say to Delilah, his mind was blank.

He took a deep breath, gathering himself, it didn't matter if he didn't have the right words; it never mattered with her.

It felt odd to knock on his own door but he had no choice, he had no keys.

He hadn't expected Abbey to be there, but wasn't surprised when she answered the door. He was a little surprised to see Torres step out from the kitchen. He knew the two of them had a lot to talk about but for now he was happy to see how much the former rogue agent had apparently fully committed himself to the team.

And then, he heard her. And he was turning the corner and there she was.

Perfect.

And he was speechless.