Chapter 10

Gibbs was wondering what Tim would do to convince Tony and Ziva that this was a good idea. Tim had said he wouldn't bother, but would he really be able to just draw the line in the sand and dare them to step across?

"Morning, Boss," Tony said, as he walked in. "Am I really the first one in, today?"

"Not by much," Gibbs said.

Tony grinned. "Doesn't matter. I'm still first."

The elevator dinged. Tony turned back.

"Ha! Beat you, Ziva!" he said, triumphantly.

"Tony, are you five years old?" Ziva asked. "Does it matter?"

"No, I'm not and yes, it does," Tony said, succinctly. "And we both beat McGee."

"I think I saw him driving in," Ziva said. "He will be on time."

"Doesn't matter. I still beat him."

Ziva rolled her eyes and walked to her desk. Gibbs was thinking that their morning would be momentarily ruined by what Tim was going to ask of them, but if they could get over who they would be looking for and just treat it like any other case, it would only be temporary. The question was whether or not they could get to that point.

Gibbs thought about priming the pump a little bit and then decided against it. For one thing, he was actually a little interested in seeing how Tim approached this. As changed as he was, could he control what was sure to be a volatile meeting?

A couple of minutes later, the elevator dinged once more and Tim came into the bullpen. He looked at Gibbs for just a moment and raised an eyebrow. Gibbs responded with an eyebrow raise of his own. Then, Tim smiled a little and set his bag down at his desk.

"You're the last one in, this morning, Tim," Tony said. "I think you might be getting a little..."

"Actually," Tim said, cutting Tony off, "I'd like you all to join me in a conference room for a few minutes."

Ziva and Tony exchanged surprised glances and then looked at Gibbs, clearly questioning Tim's obvious attempt to be in charge.

"His case, his lead," Gibbs said, tersely.

"Your case?" Tony asked. "What case?"

"That's what I'd like to talk about, but not out here."

"Why not, Tim?" Ziva asked, now a bit worried.

"You'll understand when I tell you. I promise that the case is not about me," Tim said and smiled. The scars around his eye crinkled up, but Gibbs was interested in how calm he was. This wasn't something traumatic to him. It was just something that mattered to him.

There was a visible relaxing at his declaration. Anytime something seemed to involve Tim, they tended toward worrying about what would happen next.

"Well, then, Special Agent McGee, lead on," Tony said.

"You may not say that when you hear the details, but I appreciate that you're beginning on a positive note," Tim said and led them to a conference room.

Gibbs followed, but he was determined to let Tim make his case and deal with the potential fallout, rather than take over as he was sometimes wont to do. He meant it. This was Tim's case.

They all sat down and Tony and Ziva looked at Tim expectantly.

"What is it?" Ziva asked.

"I need your help to figure out who abducted Levi Carew last week and where they took him," Tim said, not hedging one bit.

There was a moment of shocked silence. Then, Tony forced a very fake laugh.

"What?" he asked, incredulously. "My hearing must be faulty because I could have sworn that I just heard you say that you wanted to find Levi Carew, the former director of the CIA, the man who made your life a living Hell for years, the man who..."

"...who also saved my life more than once," Tim cut in. "Your hearing is just fine."

"Great. Fine," Tony said, angrily. "It's the least he could do after everything he did to you. If he's missing now, good riddance, as far as I'm concerned."

Ziva had said nothing yet, but her expression was anything but accepting.

"No," Tim said, simply. "No, it's not good."

"Why do you care, Tim?" Ziva asked. "It is not as though you like him."

"No, I don't, but I do care about what happens to him. The people who took him nearly killed Tamara Carew, and they destroyed the cabin they were in. They're not good people. Levi never did that. He never went after innocents, and Tamara is an innocent in this. She was supposed to die, and she survived. Otherwise, no one would have known that Levi was gone."

Tim took a breath and Gibbs saw him debating about whether or not to let Tony and Ziva in on how interconnected the two men actually were.

"Levi?" Tony repeated.

"Yes. That's what his name is, Tony. ...and I promised him that if he ever needed help, I would try to give it. He needs help now. Tamara came to me last night, after walking for days to get back here, and she begged me to find him. I said I would."

Ziva looked at Gibbs.

"Are you allowing this, Gibbs?" she asked. "It has nothing to do with NCIS."

A last-ditch effort to remove the possibility of helping Carew. Gibbs knew that's what it was, and Ziva knew it, too. Jurisdiction was the weakest argument against taking on a case. They'd gone far beyond their jurisdiction many times in the past and they all knew it.

"It does have something to do with NCIS," Gibbs said and gestured at Tim. "McGee."

They both looked back at him. Tim hadn't backed down one bit. In fact, there was the slightest hint of irritation in his expression.

"Look, guys, I am doing this," he said, firmly. "With or without your help. I'd really like to have your help because I think it's going to be hard to figure out who did this and why and where Levi might be. ...but if I can't get your help, I'm not going to beg for it. I'm not going to force you to do something you really don't want to do because then, you won't try, and I need someone who is going to put forth real effort. I don't care if Gibbs says that it can't be a case taking up my work time. I'll still do it. I don't care if Director Shepard tries to tell me I can't do it. I still will do it. I gave my word that I would help if Levi needed it. And he said the same to me. He needs help, and I'm keeping my word. So what's your decision? Will you help me? Yes or no?"

There was a long silence wherein Tony and Ziva looked at each other, clearly not wanting to agree. Gibbs could see that they would agree, but they didn't want to. But perhaps Tim couldn't see that because there was a slight slump to his shoulders, almost unnoticeable.

"Fine," Tim said.

He turned and started to walk out.

Gibbs suppressed a smile as he saw the look of surprised distress on Tony's and Ziva's faces. There would always be that lingering fear that any time Tim vanished, it was going to end with him hurt or dead.

"Wait a second, Probie," Tony said, quickly. "What's the rush?"

Tim paused, but didn't turn around.

"He's already been missing for nearly a week, Tony. The trail's cold enough as it is."

"Well..." Tony glanced and Ziva and then sighed. "Well, if we're going to work on this, then, we need to have a plan, don't we? No sense running off willy-nilly."

Tim turned back around and Gibbs was surprised to see quickly-suppressed expression of satisfaction. Oh, Tim was too clever by half when he wanted to be. Gibbs could see, now, what Tim had been doing. Instead of letting Tony and Ziva mull it over until they could come up with good reasons not to do it, he had forced them to answer right away when their desire to be supportive overrode their desire to get out of it.

"Good point," Tim said.

No one addressed the fact that they'd capitulated. Tim didn't rub their faces in it. He just got down to business. If he ever wanted to do it, Gibbs could see that Tim would be good at running a team. All the years of suffering and rebuilding had burned away most of the dross of his uncertainty and had left behind a steel in him to do what was needed.

Tim sat back down.

"I want to start by going out to the cabin to see if there's anything that might give us a hint as to who was behind this. The cabin is in southern Virginia. It's about 200 miles away. It's a long drive."

He looked at Gibbs again.

"Your case. Your lead," Gibbs said, again.

Tim nodded, accepting the responsibility, and Gibbs was impressed that he would be willing do it, but then, Tim understood that no one else would be willing to take responsibility for this.

"Tony, I'd like you to come with me to the cabin and see what we can find. Ziva, I know it's not your usual task, but I'd like you to get with Abby and see if you can find any indication of people searching for information about the property. Tamara told me that she thought Levi bought it as a regular home purchase, but someone would either have to follow them to the cabin or else know where it was. I think Levi would have been watching for someone to be following them, and if someone wanted to know where the cabin was any other way, they'd have to know that he'd bought it. That requires searching. Boss..."

Gibbs raised an eyebrow with a slight twinkle.

"Yeah?"

"Could you convince Director Shepard that this case is a good idea?"

Tony let out another laugh, although this was sounded a bit more genuine than the previous one had.

"A good idea? She won't think that. Gibbs probably doesn't, either. In fact, the only one who does is you, Tim," he said, pointedly.

"Yep. It's true, but since I'm right, that doesn't matter," Tim said, in agreement, somehow making it sound like a good thing.

"Okay. Well, I'm guessing that we don't necessarily want to be taking the truck and attracting attention?" Tony asked.

"I think that's a good guess," Tim said.

"Then, I'll get the gear we'll need and transfer it to one of the cars."

Tony left. Ziva stood, still looking perplexed.

"Why are you doing this, Tim? Really," she asked.

"Because he needs me to," Tim said. "That's the reason. He doesn't have to deserve it. He just has to need it. And he does."

"You are a better person than I am," she said, "but I will respect what you wish to do." Then, she smiled. "And do not think that I have not noticed that you are leaving it to me to tell Abby about this."

Tim grinned. "I know you'll be great at it."

"Ha. Very funny."

Then, Ziva left as well.

Tim turned back to Gibbs.

"Well?" he asked.

"Well, what?" Gibbs asked, in return.

"Do you agree?"

"That you should find him? Not really. I think Tony's right. Good riddance."

"That's not what I mean," Tim said, raising an eyebrow.

Gibbs thought that Tim sounded more like him than any person had a right to. There was just a hint of warning in his voice.

"Your beginning?"

"Yes."

"I agree."

"Do you think Director Shepard will have a hard time with this?"

"I think she'll have to avert her eyes and not pay attention."

"Yeah, I know, but I meant what I said, Boss," Tim said. "I'll do this with or without anyone's help."

"I know. That's the only reason I'm agreeing to help."

"Zahara was right, Boss. Like him or not, Levi is a human being, probably being hurt. That means we should save him, if we can."

"It's more than that for you, though."

"Yes, it is, but that's all it should take. For any of us."

Gibbs sighed a little. "Look, McGee, I know that you have your own reasons for doing this, but accept that the rest of us aren't so forgiving."

Tim nodded and started to head for the door. "I know that, and I understand why. But I know something else, Boss."

"What's that?"

Tim looked at him with an unreadable expression. "Levi would agree with how you feel. He wouldn't agree with me."

Then, Tim left the room, leaving Gibbs a little nonplussed. The point of view was surprising. Would Levi Carew really view himself as not worth saving? Maybe Tim was right, and if so, Gibbs could actually see Tim's reasoning. Tim didn't want to be like Levi, and so he wasn't going to go along with what he thought Levi would say. That still wasn't all of it for him, but what Gibbs was seeing was not something he particularly liked.

Tim understood Levi Carew. He had taken the time to understand him, and that was more than just a required interaction.

Why? That was the question Gibbs wanted answered.

But for now, he would have to try to smooth things over upstairs.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Roy watched the door close and sat back, rubbing his hand over his head and was surprised to find a place where his hair was thinning.

That was federal politics. He'd had a thick head of hair before all this started.

That someone had decided to go after Levi was really not much of a surprise. In fact, it was more of a surprise that it had taken so long for someone to try it, but that Tim McGee was going to try to find him was the shock. The CIA couldn't do it. That wasn't their role and Roy was determined to keep them operating within their designated parameters. That meant that, really, it should be the FBI. However, while Roy had no reason to believe that Director Norton was like his unlamented predecessor, he was loath to get them involved.

Would Director Shepard really be willing to get involved with this? However, it sounded like Tim wouldn't take no for an answer and he was assuming that he would get the help he needed. Perhaps he would. Roy had not had much interaction with him, but he'd been impressed by Tim every time their paths had crossed. He had an edge of steel that showed his strength. That didn't change now, either.

That being said, he decided that he'd put out some feelers to see if there was anything being whispered about. He would have to be careful with it. He didn't want to be seen as going beyond his mandate, but he also felt obligated to help as he could.

It was just a matter of figuring out how to be most effective.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

While he had a few moments alone, Tim pulled out his phone, took a breath and committed himself.

"This is Daniel Worthing. Leave a message."

Tim smiled a little. He figured that Daniel must have changed his message to be in English while he was here.

"Hey, Daniel, I have a favor to ask you, but you may not want to get involved while you have time off. Give me a call back when you can. I'll be busy most of the day and may not answer, but you can leave a message and let me know if you're interested in knowing more."

Then, he hung up and went to find out if Tony was ready to go. As he headed down, suddenly changed course and went to Autopsy, hoping to find Ducky there alone. However, when he neared the doors, he could hear Ducky speaking. Now, that wasn't always indicative of whether or not he was alone, but Tim wouldn't be surprised if Jimmy was in there, too.

Well, he could still ask to talk to Ducky alone, even if that would make it sound more important than it was.

Decision made, Tim walked into Autopsy and saw Ducky and Jimmy staring at an x ray. The skull in question was split down the middle.

"I don't think he's going to make it, Ducky," Tim said, with a smile.

Ducky turned around and chuckled.

"No, I doubt he will. This isn't from any case of Jethro's. What can I do for you, Timothy?"

"Actually, I was hoping to talk to you for a couple of minutes, if you have the time. I'm heading out soon."

"Of course," Ducky said, easily. He turned to Jimmy. "All right, Dr. Palmer, take these samples up to Abigail for analysis and tell her that I'd like her to rush them, if possible."

"Sure thing, Dr. Mallard," Jimmy said. "Morning, McGee."

"Good morning, Jimmy."

"Breena says that I need to invite you and Zahara over for dinner soon or else she'll do it herself."

Tim grinned. "Well, I'm thinking that the next little while is going to be too busy for that, but I'm sure that Zahara would be happy to accept, maybe in a couple of weeks."

"I'll tell her."

"On your way, Dr. Palmer," Ducky said.

"Yes, sir."

Jimmy smiled and evaded Ducky's mock kick. After he was gone, Ducky turned back to Tim.

"What is it, Timothy? Did you finally figure out your premonition?"

"Actually...I probably did," Tim said, surprised that he hadn't thought of that already. "It certainly fits."

"What does?"

"Last night, Tamara Carew showed up at my place and she begged me to find out who abducted Levi and tried to kill her."

"Oh, dear. That's terrible. I take it you said you would do what you can?"

"Yes...but it took some arm-twisting to get Tony and Ziva and Gibbs to agree to help."

"Understandable."

"Maybe, but I know that they don't understand why I'm willing to help."

"I must admit that it surprises me, Timothy. While I know he has given aid in the past, I had assumed that you were relieved to have the contact with him over."

"Generally, I am," Tim said.

"But not completely?"

"No."

"May I ask why not?"

"Yes," Tim said, smiling a little.

"Why not?" Ducky asked, smiling in return.

"Because...he could be a really good person, if he let himself be. From what Tamara said, that's what he was before he decided to give everything to the CIA. I want to let him be that."

"Are you projecting?"

"Probably to some degree," Tim said. "But even if there wasn't all that, he's a human being who hasn't committed a crime. That alone should be enough for us to help him if we can."

"I agree with you, but I take it that the others weren't so enamored of the idea."

"No, they weren't, but they agreed to help."

"So, why did you come down here to speak to me?"

"Do you think I'm wrong?"

"No. Actually, I'm impressed that you are so determined."

"Why? Don't you feel the same way they do?"

"No, I don't...mostly because you don't. You have had more interactions with Levi Carew than any of us, and if you feel that he deserves a second chance, even twenty second chances, you must know something that the rest of us don't. That means I'm willing to support your desire."

"Thanks, Ducky. I appreciate it. I wish the others were more like that and less grudging."

"Give them time. Perhaps they'll mellow as well."

"I doubt it, but Tony is probably ready to go. So I'd better get out to the car. We're driving to the scene."

"Good luck, Timothy. For both your sakes."

"Thanks. I think I'll need it."

Then, Tim headed out to the car and Tony was there. He wasn't happy about it, but he was there. They got in the car and started on their way.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Levi came running inside, crying as blood ran down his leg from a nasty scrape.

"Papa!" he cried.

His father quickly hugged him and comforted him as his mother cleaned up his knee.

"It hurts, Papa," Levi said.

"I know it hurts, Levi, but the pain will leave you."

"I want it to leave now!"

His father smiled.

"You can separate yourself from the pain. It takes practice."

"Eli," his mother said, softly.

"Hedva, it is his past."

"But not his future."

"We cannot know our future. Did any know? Did I? No."

"Papa, how do you not feel pain?" Levi asked.

"Levi, you are ready to play."

"No, Mama. I want Papa to teach me."

"I will teach you."