"I, I, I was going to tell you, hon. Real soon, but-" Jethro's eyes were fixed open and huge, a worry in his gaze that was stuck on his wife's as he stuttered with panic, a sound Tobias had never heard come from his friend's mouth. Tobias failed to stifle an impulsive chortle, his eyes instantly widening with alarm, realizing what he had just done as he met the glare of Diane, her hand on her hip.

Jen took one look at Tim's sleeping form and her body slumped. She diverted her attention quickly from her husband to her youngest son, stepping beside him to feel his forehead. She immediately felt guilty for so many reasons; how could she be angry with Jethro after the story she had just relayed to Diane in the car? There were much more dire issues that currently needed addressing, like, if Tim was going to be okay, being the most crucial.

Tim's eyes fluttered open."Mom..mommy?" He reached out to her, staying focused on her face as Diane came closer to hold Kelly for her. Gibbs was by their side in a heartbeat, consoling them both, quietly. Jen lifted Tim into her arms, wrapping a blanket around his waist as he cuddled into her side, desperately clinging while forming his body to hers.

Jen couldn't meet her husband's eyes, he could see that she was trying to keep it together. Gibbs was thankful for the few moments to remind himself that his wife was under a lot of stress, on top of the fact she had just had a baby and was experiencing a slight case of postpartum depression. He was going to tell her the story eventually, maybe now would be the best time. Tim had narrowly escaped enough harrowing episodes lately, maybe she would be able to find comfort with the knowledge he was still here, alive and healthy and in her arms.

"Did they administer oxygen to him at all?" Jen referred to her husband.
"In the ambulance." Tobias answered, since Gibbs seemed to be stuck in a fog, his eyes on Tim as he rubbed his leg.

"Did they run tests, yet?"
Gibbs looked at Jen, surprised to notice she was addressing him directly, "Tests? Uh-"

Tobias thought it'd be good to smooth out the obvious communication gap they were experiencing, hoping to cushion their tension. "They're going to start as soon as they get a chance, they seem to be pretty busy-"
"Mommy, where'd are we? Can we go to uncle Doby and aunt D...an's beach house now?"
Jen kissed his forehead, her gaze meeting Tobias'. "Jen, I'm afraid they want him to stay overnight. Something about the possibility of lung problems arising-"

"Yes. Problems with his lungs can crop up even twelve hours... after submersion." Jen sighed, seeing the sympathy in his eyes as she hesitated to answer Tim, her lips resting against his forehead. "Honey,you're going to spend the night here, with your father." She nodded questioningly to Gibbs as he acknowledged her earnestly.
Tim clung tighter, his fingers digging into her shoulders, "But...I, I, I don't want to, please, no-"
"But, daddy will stay with you-"
"No, all of you stay wid me," Tim placed his hand on his chest for emphasis, "or I will miss you, a lots. It will make me cry if you don't stay." He buried his face in her shoulder as he trembled. "Please mom, I miss Spike and Baxter."

Tony tugged on his foot, using a cheery voice. "I will give the dogs a hug for you when I get back." Tim began to wail, "No, Dony,you...you, stay here..., too. Wid me." Tim tried to focus on his brother's face over Jen's shoulder through the big tears that filled his eyes. They fell before he could rub them away with tightly, curled fists.

Jen gave Tim a gentle bounce then squeezed him tight. "Honey, you'll be asleep before you even know it and you won't even know we left-"
"But, I sleep-ed in the water then I just sleep-ed, again...mom, I'm all sleep-ed out." Jen couldn't help but smile for his clever reasoning. then her smile grew, seeing the admiration on Jethro's face.

"We'll stay until you fall asleep then we'll be back before you even wake up in the morning."
"No, mom. You need to make a better plan." Tim was shaking his head adamantly as he nervously curled his finger in her hair.

Tobias could tell Diane was on the verge of tears witnessing the heart-breaking episode so he rubbed her back as she reached out and rubbed Tim's. "Oh boy, is that bottle of scotch back at the beach house yelling my name, about now." He mumbled to Gibbs. Gibbs couldn't help but crack a smile. His friend always had a way of saying the right thing, at the right time.

The doctor walked in, with a nurse behind him wheeling in an electrocardiogram machine that Jen quickly recognized. The nurse began to untangle the mass of wires that were connected to it.

"My. my, look at those big tears, the nurses were worried when they heard all the crying.

"I am better now so I don't have to... to stay here, now, 'kay?"

The doctor smiled at the small boy then lifted his medical chart to give it a quick study. He placed his hand on Tim's arm. "So, Timmy, you had quite a day. The nurse helping today is, Kim and my name is Dr. Piontkewickz, but you can just call me Sam. I think it'd be easier."

Tim nodded, "You're dah name of my teddy bear." Sam winked at Tim, creating a small smile on his face.

Jen watched the doctor slip a device called a pulse oiximeter onto Tim's pointer finger after wrapping the band it was connected to around his wrist. Jen could see the trepidation in Tim's eyes as he looked to her for reassurance. She kissed him on the cheek, "It's okay, baby. They're reading your blood oxygen levels."

"Are you a doctor Mrs. Gibbs?"
The nurse approached them sticking the temp gauge into Tim's ear, waiting for the beep.

"Actually,doctor, I'm a nurse-" The sudden beep stopped Jen's train of thought, as she was the first to ask the readings.

The nurse replied, "Normal." with a lighthearted smile.

"His blood oxygen level is also normal. That's a relief. As you know, we will conduct the electrocardiogram and I have to insist with the nature of his accident he stay for the night." The doctor could see Tim's eyes brimming, then patted Tony's shoulder, hoping to distract him. "Is this your brother Tim?"

"I'm Tony and I am his brother...his older brother. Could I sleep here tonight with him?"

The doctor chuckled as the rest of the adults joined him, easing the tension in the room. "Well, I don't see why not, the beds we offer here are very big."

"But, I want them to all...to sleep here. Do you have mo' beds or bigger ones?" Tim looked at the doctor, pleadingly.

The doctor frowned looking at the group in the room. "Wow. He'll make a good lawyer some day. Would it be feasible if you all stay?"

They all became quiet, looking at each other, confused. Diane piped up, "Well, I can surely go back and pack a very big bag with everyone's pj's-"
"Hey, doc, would it be possible if we rent out the whole floor for the night?" Asked Tobias.

The doctor raised his hands, "I'm just kidding. That'd be a tough request to fulfill. How about dad and Tony, Tim? That's my best offer."

Tony tugged on his brother's foot to gain his attention. "Don't worry Tim. We can play, 'camping trip' and I'll bring back a flashlight, right dad?"

Gibbs nodded.

"It'd be really fun if we camped without grown-ups."

"But, dad will be here, Dony."
"Dad, can you stay at the beach house, then?"
"Uh..." Gibbs looked hurt, frowning at Tony.
"Yeah, maybe Dony has a good plan, dad."

"Well...I'm going to stay and we'll make it into, an exclusive men's camping trip."

Both boys pumped their arms. "Yes." Whispered Tony.

"Hey, maybe this could be fun, after all." Said Tim.

"Okay,Timmy. Let me listen to your lungs and heart. Could you place Tim on the table Mrs. Gibbs?"
"Of course." She gently set him on the table as the nurse lifted Tim's sweatshirt to expose his chest for the stethoscope.

"You know, why don't we just have him take off his sweatshirt and lay him back so you can start affixing the electrodes."

"Arms up, Tim." Tim raised his hands above his head as Sam pulled off his sweatshirt.
Tim was unsure what to do next so the nurse placed a hand on his shoulder to guide him onto his back to lay on the table. He crossed his arms behind his head so he was able to observe her place the tabs on his chest. Gibbs and Jen felt more at ease to see their son more relaxed and assured.

Jen motioned for Jethro to talk to her away from the group. He was more than happy to oblige.

"Are you okay?"

Jen smiled to see the concern in his eyes. She nodded, "Are you okay staying here tonight? I figured it would be most convenient since I would have to stay with Kelly for feedings-"
"Of course, I agree."

"I'm sorry that I was tough on you before, Jethro-"
"No, it's okay. It's something I wanted to discuss with you anyway."
"Actually, there's something I also need to discuss with you."
"Really? What is it?"

"It'll take a while to explain...Can this all wait, till tomorrow?"

"Sure, we'll talk tomorrow, but no later, okay?"

Jen coyly winked, "You got it, handsome." Gibbs blushed as Jen leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.

"I think we're going to need some time alone, very soon."

"Oh, yeah." Jen enthusiastically agreed.
"I'll go back and feed Tony dinner and pack you both up for the night."
Gibbs placed his hands on her shoulders then leaned forward gently kissing her forehead. "It's going to be okay, hon."

"You're right, Jethro, it is."