Out of the Dark

by Shelbylou

He's been through so much in his short life. Can one family finally give him the things that he so desperately wants...love, childhood and a family. A/N This is an AU story where Tim was born in 1984 and it starts off in 1993.

11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Gibbs narrowed his eyes as they pulled up to the car that Callum McGee had stolen. One thing he didn't understand is why the asshole would bring Tim here; near to where he worked. Maybe it was another slight at him, either that, or Callum McGee truly was just losing the weak grip on reality he had, or was every bit as twisted as he seemed and was a true sociopath.

"Why here?"

"Who knows." Tom replied as he pulled in and stopped the car. "Maybe he's getting at you. You work here, so why not cause bad memories at the place you are nearly everyday?"

Gibbs thought about it for a moment and shook his head. "No. I can't see it. It's convenient and it's close. He knew he wouldn't get out of state easily so came to the place that practically a second home to him."

"The Navy yard?" Tom frowned with confusion.

"The Navy." Gibbs replied dryly as he gazed out over the year. Callum had chosen a perfect place to look over the river. "The Barry."

"What about it?"

"Anyone searching it?" Gibb's asked as he eyed the large ship that was permanently berthed at the Navy yard. "It's open. Hell, Tom. It's a damn museum!"

"Gibbs, no one is on board the Barry. It's closed for fumigation because some kid saw rats on board. He won't get on board."

"Director! I found traces of gunpowder in the trunk, but there's nothing else there that tells us where he is. Security said they haven't seen anyone, but for what it's worth, they did say that the Barry is unguarded because it's plank has been pulled."

"The plank?" Tom asked distractedly as he gazed at the ship. "You mean the gangplank?"

Vance nodded. "Yes, Sir."

"The very same gangplank that is currently down at the moment?"

All eyes shot round to the Barry. "Well damn!" Vance muttered before being shoved out of the way by Gibbs hurtling towards the large warship with his weapon drawn.

"Gibbs! Damn it!...Mike!" Tom watched as Mike stood up from where he was stopped in the driver's side of the car. "Go with him! Do NOT let him out of your sight! You got that!"

Mike nodded and flicked the cigarette he was smoking away before running after his probie. Tom looked at Vance and saw the uncertainty in his eyes; an uncertainty he knew and understood because he wanted nothing more than to run after them and help. He knew they had to stay though, because it wouldn't be long before there would be a group of agents descending on their position to help with the search.

"Sir?" Vance asked shakily.

"We wait, Leon. Everyone will be here in a couple of minutes and need us to let them know what to do. Once they are here, and know where to search, you and I are going to go and get that boy back. I want four more men with us on the Barry and the rest searching the yard."

"Sir. We heard about what happened and we would like to offer our assistance." Tom and Vance turned to see at least twenty sailors and marines standing to attention before them.

"You're CO know where you are?" Tom asked warily knowing that taking them up on their offer could open a can of worms that would take days to clear up.

"Sir, yes Sir. In fact, there he is now." One of the marines indicated to two men walking over towards them all and saluted. "Reporting for search and rescue as ordered, Sir."

"At ease…Captain Arthur Hampton , Sir, and this motley crew are my men. Our ship is docked for repairs so we've got time to help."

Tom smiled at the man before him and nodded. "That's greatly appreciated, Captain. I take it you have been made aware of the situation?"

"Yes, Sir. I was having coffee with my niece, and she asked me for help. She works for you."

"Who?"

"Jordon Hampton. She received a call from your M.E. asking her to hang fire and help with injuries if need be. I contacted my friend here…" Arthur pointed towards the burly marine by his side. "He's an ugly SOB but he's the best I know. We were transporting his platoon back home when we hit an engine problem that couldn't be fixed."

"Appreciate your help…?"

"Master Gunnery Sergeant Jones, Sir. Anything to help."

Tom chuckled lightly and shook his head. "Well, Master Gunny. I need two good men to go after my agents on the Barry, two to guard the gangplank and everyone else to help the search on dry land. Captain, I'd appreciate your men assisting mine on land as well."

"You got it."

Tom watched as both men walked over to their men and started to issue orders. It wasn't long before four marines were making their way stealthily to the ship whilst the others paired up with the NCIS staff that had joined them.

"Sir, what do we do?" Vance asked nervously.

"Son, we are going to be where we are needed the most."

Vance frowned with confusion before realization dawned. "The Barry?"

"The Barry." Tom agreed before placing his hand on the young man's back and making their way over to the ship.

***NCIS***

"Probie!" Mike's whispered order didn't slow Gibbs down and he struggled to keep up. He soon managed it and stopped Gibbs on the end of the gangplank by clamping his hand on his agent's shoulder. "Hey! What the hell do ya think you're gonna do storming in there? You're one man, Probie and we have backup."

"Yeah? See if I give a damn. Mike, I'm gonna rip that bastard limb from limb for this."

"Sir, maybe you could use some assistance doing that." Gibbs turned to the strange voice and narrowed his eyes.

"Marines?"

"Yes, Sir. Our Master Gunny sent us to help you."

"Semper Fi." Gibbs responded and sucked in a huge, breath and forced himself to breathe it out slowly to try and calm down.

"You were in the core, Sir?" The young marine asked gently.

"Gunnery Sergeant Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Or at least I was." Gibbs replied and gazed up at the ship. "I was a sniper. You gonna stand in my way, Lance Corporal?"

"No Sir. I'm here to help and you 'was' a marine? With all due respect, once a marine, always a marine."

Gibbs couldn't do anything but nod at that and sighed heavily. "Okay, what have you been told? I need to get on that ship ASAP, so make it quick."

The marine grunted once before answering. "McKay and Finney are guarding the plank and we're with you Sir…Corporal's Gonzales and Jones at your service."

Gibbs nodded and raised his gun as he started to walk up the gang plank with his crew in toe. When they reached the top, Mike and Corporal Gonzales went ahead with their guns locked and loaded in case of enemy fire. The marine signaled the all clear and Gibbs ran forward stealthily with Jones. They soon made their way to a locked door that took them into the belly of the ship and found that the look of the door had small scorch marks around it.

"It's been blasted open. Nobody heard it?"

"Obviously not." Mike muttered haughtily. "Split up?"

"Split up." Gibbs agreed. "Corporals, you two search out here. We're gonna go in."

Gonzales and Jones both saluted before going off on their search, leaving Mike and Gibbs to venture into the belly of the beast.

"Not sure we're gonna cut it, Probie. We're only 2 men." Mike whispered softly.

"Yeah, but we've got bad attitudes and we're not in control of out trigger fingers." Gibbs responded wryly and made his way inside.

***NCIS***

Tim woke up with a headache and reached up to wipe the sweat away from his brow. He frowned deeply when his small fingers came into contact with something thick and sticky, and when he pulled his hand away, he could just make out the darkened stain.

"Blood…what?...D..daddy?"

"Yes Timothy?" Callum McGee stepped out of the shadows tapping a gun against his thigh. "What can I do for you, Son?"

Tim couldn't help the sob that escaped his lips. "I'm bleeding. I want my Mommy…."

Callum leapt forward and shoved Tim backwards against the hull of the ship. "Your mommy, died with that pretty little princess, Sarah. They're not coming back so quit your whining and let me think of a way to get us out of here."

Tim tried to control his sobs and started to focus on the cold, stiff fur under his hands. He could feel something wriggling underneath it and sucked in a shocked breath before pulling it away. "Wh…Where are we?" He stammered out before shying away from the harsh laugh.

"USS Barry. Surely Gibbs told you about this ship." Callum replied snidely. "Afterall, he bought you here the other day, didn't he?"

"T…to NCIS. Y…Yes, Daddy let me go to work with him and…."

"HE'S NOT YOUR FATHER! I AM!" Tim jumped at Callum's bellowed statement and whimpered as he tried to scoot away from the man that had caused him so much pain and misery. "Oh, Timothy. You never will learn will you? You just carry on being the naïve, weak little boy that your mother loved so much. Don't you think, that she'd want you to finally grow a pair and follow in your father's footsteps? I've been saving up for military school. That should toughen you up a bit."

Tim shook his head vehemently. "No…no I don't wanna! What?...what's this?" He picked up a dead rat and screamed as maggots that had infested the animals rotting corpse, fell down his sleeve. "Get em off! Get them…Noooooo!"

Callum laughed harshly pulled Tim up so hard, that he damn near pulled his shoulder out of the socket. "Jesus. They're only maggots, boy. I've seen worse on my tours of duty! I've seen insects that will eat a body in an hour."

"Get them off…" Tim sobbed "Please…ju…just get them off…"

Callum started to brush down Tim's small body and shook his head. "Damn weakling. Tell me why I want you again?"

"Because you're a selfish bastard who likes nothing more than to torment and torture small boys. Step away from him, McGee." Callum turned and picked Tim up so he was holding him in front of him like a human shield. "You think my son is gonna stop me killing you? I was a sniper and could kill you with one shot."

"You'd risk killing the boy you love as your son? I don't think so." Callum scoffed. "I still can't figure out why you want this wimp. I have no choice because he's my son and it's my blood that flows through him."

"He might share your genes, but he's my boy through and through. You threw your rights away the moment you started to abuse him the way you did. Hell, you didn't want anything to do with him! So why now?" Gibbs growled harshly. He was worried about baiting the man that held Tim's life so readily in his hands, but he had to do something to try and stop his finger pulling that trigger. "You think that this is going to make them give him back to you? You're wrong. I won't let you have him for starters."

Callum laughed harshly and pushed his gun into Tim's temple, making the small boy whimper. "What are you gonna do to stop me?"

That was it, that was all Gibbs needed and it only took a split second for the agent to put his sniper skills to good use and fired his gun. The moment that it took for Callum McGee to take his eyes off the ball was the window of opportunity that Gibbs needed and for the second time ever, his shot caught his target square between the eyes and he watched with horror as Tim was dropped to the ground before Callum fell on top of him.

"Crap….Tim! It's alright, Son, I'm here." Gibbs jumped forward and moved the body harshly off to the side before scooping his son up in his arms and holding him close. "I'm here. It's alright."

Tim let himself be rocked and comforted as he sobbed before feeling something moving over his skin. "Daddy…get them off…please…I don't like them…."

Gibbs pushed him back and frowned when he saw the odd few maggots crawling over Tim's hands. He quickly brushed them off and frowned. "Where'd these come from?"

"Something dead over there." Tim sobbed out. "I think they're rats, Daddy. I need a shower…and my head hurts…and I wanna go home!"

"I know, Timmy. I know. We need to get you checked out first, but I'll take you right home." Gibbs soothed despite his heart breaking in two at his little boy's pain. He was so lost in comforting Tim, that he didn't notice Mike step into the room.

"Probie? Everything okay?"

"McGee's…" Gibbs paused when Tim heaved with a small sob and shook his head. "Get Jordan in here. I'm gonna carry Tim out, but can you ring Shannon and let her know what's going on?"

"Sure thing." Mike replied and rested his hand on Tim's back. "So, you gonna tell an old man what damage my boy has got?"

"W…wanna go ho..home, Unca Mike." Tim sobbed out, the tears freely falling down his cheeks.

"I know. You'll get there because you're safe now. Did he hurt you?" Mike's worn face warmed as he leaned forward to pull Tim's head to one side. "You've got a bit of blood on ya there, kid. Hi or yours?"

Tim shuddered slightly before looking at mike with watery green eyes. "Where?...um…I don't know…My head hurts…" Mike frowned and glanced at Gibbs.

"He needs to go to Bethesda. He's in shock and needs to be thoroughly checked out."

Gibbs nodded. "Yeah, I know. I'm gonna take him out. He doesn't need to stay here any longer." Gibbs started making his way to the door and paused briefly. "Mike, you know what? I'll ring Shannon. It'll be better coming from me."

"Sure. Go. I've got the boys to keep me company." Gibbs turned back to the door and nodded a greeting to the two marines. Without saying another word, He walked past them carrying Tim to safety.

***NCIS***

Mike scanned the area and cringed. The hold had a definite air of death that seemed to cling to every cavity and crevice in the room. He pulled out his torch and swung it round, letting it briefly hover on Callum McGee's dead face before searching the area to see why there was such a huge stench in the air.

"Well damn." He said when the beam hit a small pile of rats that had obviously been exterminated and left to rot. Even in the winter, the ship was kept warm enough that the vermin seemed to thrive and even the maggots seemed rife as they ate away at the flesh. "Hey, you guys okay to stand guard?"

"Yes, Sir." They said in unison and both moved to door to vet who came in and out of the room.

"Keep our eye on our friend here. Try and make sure that son of a bitch doesn't try and come back again. Wouldn't put it past him. He's pure evil."

The marines nodded and pulled their weapons. Without another word, they both screwed on silencers and shot another two bullets into the corpse. "Definitely dead now, Sir. Anyone asks, he woke up and went for his gun."

Mike chuckled and shook his head. "That's what I saw too. You two are good kids. Just make sure you stay that way and don't do something stupid on duty. Hey, you never know, when you get out of the marines, maybe you should look at a career in law enforcement."

"NCIS?" Gonzales asked with interest. "I'll definitely keep that in mind."

"That's good to know." Mike said and left the hold with a firm clap on each of the Marines shoulders. As he reached the gangplank, he looked around from the top and saw Gibbs sitting on a stretcher, cradling Tim as the paramedics saw to his injuries. It was both heartbreaking and warming to see given the love that the two seemed to hold for each other. He just wished it wasn't in these circumstances.

"Mike." Tom called. "What happened down there? Gibbs said McGee's dead."

"Yeah. Probie there shot him right in the middle of the eyes. Nothing he didn't deserve because he was gonna kill the kid."

"McGee was going to kill his own son?" Tom asked and his face darkened. "Well he got what he deserved then. Jordan's waiting to go in, so I'm going to escort her on with a team. Take Vance and follow Gibbs to the hospital. Wait for Shannon and then you two go home and get some rest. It's been a long day."

"Yes Sir, it has." Mike agreed and pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. "Should give up but hell. You only live once, right? I'll probably be gunned down in the street before these things get a chance to kill me."

"Keep telling yourself that Mike, and one day you'll believe it." Tom said and smiled. "We should get that kid something to take his mind off what happened. I know it won't make him forget, but it'll be nice for him to know we care."

They both watched as Tim finally gave in and fell asleep with his head resting on Gibbs shoulder. The paramedics lifted Tim and placed him on a gurney before putting him in the back and waiting for Gibbs to get in so that they could get underway.

"He's a good kid." Mike muttered and took a puff of his cigarette. "How can any father do what he did?"

"McGee didn't hold much stock in family." Tom replied. "It's was his own downfall and ultimately, got him killed. At least now Tim can finally mourn his mother and sister before moving on with his new family. Gibbs and Shannon are good people, they'll make sure he has a good life."

Mike nodded and flicked his butt into the river. "You didn't see that." He said and made his way down the gangplank to get Vance and follow Gibbs to the hospital.

***NCIS***

Shannon sat propped up against her headboard, staring into space as she carded her fingers through Kelly's hair. The young girl had finally succumbed to sleep and was currently restless as her agitation at what happened refused to calm down.

"Shannon. I'm going to go down and make some tea. Would you like some? It might help a little bit because you know, the Brits had something right. Tea really is soothing for the soul."

Shannon smiled wanly and nodded her head. "Thanks, Donald. You know you don't have to stay with us. We'll manage."

"Nonsense. My dear, there is no where I would rather be right now. So, how does Earl Grey sound. I know you are as partial as I am." Ducky replied softly and reached over to pat her hand. "She's settling now. That's a good sign."

"Yeah. Guess so. Earl Grey would be perfect. Thank you." She looked at Kelly and felt the tears staring to pool in her eyes. "You know, before Tim was here, I felt complete. I had Jethro. I had Kelly and life was good. Then Tim came along and he seemed to fill a hole that hadn't even realized was there. He was the completion we needed and even with this new little one on the way, If he doesn't come back, I don't think we'll ever get over it."

Ducky perched on the edge of the bed and used his thumb to swipe away one of the tears that rolled down her cheek. "They will find him, Shannon and they will bring him back home where he belongs."

Shannon nodded and started slightly when her phone started to ring. "Oh…"

"Here." Ducky reached over and picked up the phone for her so she could answer it without disturbing her sleeping child.

"Thank you….Hello?"

"Shannon. It's me sweetheart." She felt her heart constrict at the sound of her husband's voice. They hadn't been gone for long, and if he was ringing now then surely….

"Gibbs. Please, tell me you found him alive, safe and well."

"We've got him. Alive and safe, but well? We're at Bethesda now. We just arrived."

"Oh God. Did he hurt our son? Gibbs! Did he hurt Tim?" She heard Gibbs sigh at the other end of the phone and wished she was there with him. "I'm going to come to the hospital. I'm okay to drive and want to be with Tim."

"Okay. Look, the Doc's haven't checked him out yet, but he's got a gash on the side of his head and is in shock. We'll know more by the time you get here. Duck still there?"

"I'll pass you over…" She paused briefly and looked around the room. "Do you want me to bring anything with me? He's going to need comfortable jammies, but what about…"

"Honey, just bring him something warm okay. Oh, and maybe his pillow he likes so much. You know the one."

Shannon smiled when she remembered seeing the pillow when she was out and about. It wasn't long after Tim had been to work with his father, so as a treat, she bought it and had the NCIS logo stitched on to it for Tim's bedroom. "Yeah. He'll like that."

"Okay, you go and get everything together and put Duck on." Shannon said her goodbyes and passed the phone to Ducky. Their old friend took it with a smile.

"Jethro. How is Tim?"

"Don't know yet, Duck. Will you be able to stay with Kelly? I don't want her here just yet. Not until we have Tim more settled."

"Shock." Ducky asked gently and when his friend confirmed it he knew that the young man would be a guest at Bethesda over night. "Ahh. Poor little fellow. He's been through the mill tonight. What about physical injuries. What are the obvious?"

"He's got a cut on his head and they suspect a concussion but apart from that it's all cuts and bruises."

"Okay. Well, at least there isn't anything too bad by way of injuries. Jethro, just watch him for any emotional trauma because no doubt the lad hasn't come away scott free given his past history with Callum McGee."

"I know. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it…Duck, I gotta go because the Doctors just gone in to Tim."

"Okay, my friend. Keep me informed and should you and Shannon wish to stay with Tim, then I shall stay here with Kelly." Ducky waited for Gibbs to say his goodbyes and hung up the phone. He turned to see two sleepy eyes looking up at him. "Ahh, Miss Kelly. How are you doing my little darling."

"Unca Duck? Where's Mommy and Daddy? Did they find Timmy. I miss Timmy." She said and started to cry gently. Ducky pulled her up into his arms and hugged her close.

"Daddy is at the hospital with Tim and your Mom will be following shortly. I'm afraid you're stuck with me for the night, my dear, so the question is, what shall we do?"

"Timmy's okay? Why's he at the hospital?" Kelly asked innocently.

"Timothy is fine. He just need to rest overnight and then he'll be home. Now, he will need a few things, so how about we go and find your mother and help her get a bag together. I'm sure there's something you would like to put in for your brother."

Kelly's eyes brightened slightly and she hopped off the bed and ran to her bedroom. Ducky shook his head and grinned knowing that no matter what life threw at that boy now, he had the family he deserved behind him to help see him through.

***NCIS***

Gibbs sat there watching Tim sleep and felt his heart pang at the pain and emotional turmoil that his boy had just been put through. The poor little tyke's headache had spiked to a nominal level, which left him sobbing and shaking uncontrollably. Test had shown that his concussion was mild, and so the doctor had decided to sedate him lightly so at least Tim could sleep.

"Hey." Shannon whispered as she stepped into the room in the ER that housed her men. "How's he doing?"

"Hey Honey. They've sedated him for now so he can sleep. He got that worked up, that he gave himself a migraine. Add that to a mild concussion and the minor scrapes and bruises he's got, and you have one cranky little seven year old."

"Cranky?" Shannon asked gently and walked over to inspect the small bandage that covered the side of Tim's forehead. "Really?"

"For, Tim…yeah. For a normal kid? Not so much." Gibbs replied and huffed out a laugh. "He's a fighter, Shan. But I think he reached breaking point tonight. That bastard had him and hurt him again. To top it off, he saw his old man shooting a bullet through a man's brain. He's entitled to be a little bit emotional."

"He saw…his old man? Gibbs, he didn't…."

"Me! Shannon. Me! I shot Callum McGee right here." He pointed a finger in between his eyes and shook his head. "He saw that. I've given him something else to have damn nightmares about now."

"How could you? Why?"

"Honey, McGee had his gun to Tim's head. He was about to shoot out boy and there was no way I was letting that happen."

Shannon softened slightly and nodded her head. "I get that. I really do, but what if you'd hit him, Gibbs. What if you'd shot Tim?"

The shakiness in her voice wasn't lost on Gibbs and he felt his heart drop like a stone. That handn't even been an option, and the fact that he could have shot Tim didn't even go through is mind.

"I didn't."

"But you could have."

"Shannon." Gibbs sighed heavily. "You know I wouldn't have hit Tim. I can shoot a target in high wind from 20 feet away. Close range, in a room on a ship? Come on."

With a small sigh, she perched on the side of the bed and cupped her son's small face. "He looks so vulnerable." She muttered and tucked his hair behind his ear. With a small sigh, she turned to her husband. "Sorry. I know…it's just…sorry."

"I am too. I just wanted him back and did the only thing I could think of to get him. Honey…"

"You need to take him to get his hair cut again." She cut in. "We shouldn't be doing this, so let's just concentrate on Tim."

Gibbs pulled his wife to his chest and hugged her close. Together, they sat there watching the slow rise and fall of Tim's chest as the little boy breathed easily in his sleep.

"He'll be okay, Shannon. He will."

"I know. He's free now and we can finally be a family." She relaxed in his arms and picked up the small hand that didn't have an IV in it. "He's a Gibbs now, and there's nothing standing in his way."

"Yes he is." Gibbs agreed and pulled her away from the bed, so that they could sit side by side on the small couch that sat under the window in Tim's room. Gibbs sighed as he gazed upon the small figure and knew, that no matter what came along in the future, they would deal with it as a family, and Tim would finally get, the life that he truly deserved. Shannon jumped up suddenly when she remembered something and rummaged around in her bag until she found the small bear that Kelly still hugged closely to her at night. She stood up and tucked the bear under Tim's arm before sitting down and cuddling up to Gibbs so that they could both watch their son peacefully sleeping together.