Just a slightly shorter chapter on what Tony's thinking about the situation, or at least about the very little he knows about the situation, to keep you guys going. More updates to follow soon! Thanks for reviewing and sticking with it :)
Their trip through Europe had, at some point, landed them in Italy, much to his father's delight. It hadn't been planned, they had simply gone to the airport in France and boarded the first plane they could see to a close-ish destination. Naples it had been. At the time he had tried every which way to convince his Dad that he was fine, that everything was ok and he didn't need to be babysat but secretly he was glad of Senior's stubbornness. As much as he loved Tali and would have spent every waking moment with her, his father's insistence in tagging along allowed him some much needed Tony time.
It was warmer in Naples than Paris had been by several degrees but Tali was relishing in it. Her skin was growing darker by the day and her hair lighter, so much so that despite continuously stating she was Ziva's double he was starting to see more and more of himself in his little girl. There were definitely no doubts to her paternity. Tony watched her from his spot as she splashed through the pool in her floaties and Senior chased her in the shallow water. There were some days he thought his heart might burst from the love he felt towards that child. They had been enjoying the simple bliss of being in such a beautiful place and were taking their time through the city, exploring beach after beach and several sights his father had set his eye on while still spending a great deal of their time confined to the hotel pool where Tali had positively come to life with the children's play area and the absurd number of slides. Currently however there were more urgent things pressing him. He had his cell to his ear listening to the third frantic message Abby had sent him in as many days. She was concerned about Tim. Tim wasn't talking to anyone, was too quiet, was yelling at Gibbs and then becoming even quieter. Tim was possibly drinking too much, sleeping too little, definitely working too hard. Tim wasn't coping. And Tim wasn't letting anyone know.
Tali squealed in delight as Senior lifted her into the air and splashed her into the water. Tony smiled as he watched. He had given up a lot for that little girl, he would have given up his life for her if need be. That being said he technically had- he exchanged one life for another and he would never regret his decision but some days had him questioning whether it was time to return home, get into some sort of reality and stop doing so much moving about. Other days he questioned whether to return home at all or whether to not make a life for himself and Tali in a new place, start afresh without the weight of DC on their shoulders. His sticking point was always the team, always Tim. Tim was his brother and as much as he would give his life for Tali he would have always done the same for Tim. They had been as close as two strangers could get and the thought of how much his absence was hurting him made his heart ache a little. He knew it would be hard for him with Ziva gone and him away but he'd figured things would just naturally get better, that things would go back to as normal as possible and Tim would slot back into his Agent McGee place, he always seemed to be the best at adjusting to change. He also however, knew Tim inside out and back to front, so did the fact Tim was struggling and not saying anything surprise him? Not in the slightest. It did surprise him however that he hadn't heard from him at all in a week. He frowned at Abby's hurried words of "don't know what to do Tony, we need you, I miss you, I'm sorry for calling again. Give Tali kisses." As usual when he hit the redial button Abby's cell went straight to voicemail. He sighed and cut off the call; he would talk to her later. Instead he scrolled down to Tim's name and let it ring as he watched Tali out the corner of his eye waving over to him. He dropped his hand as Tim's too went to voicemail.
"Hey McGee. Just thought I'd call and see how you're doing? Haven't spoken to you for a little while so wanted to touch base. I've left you a few messages. I hope you've gotten them. Give me a call back when you get this." He paused. "Love you Timmy."
He considered trying to call Abby again or leaving her a message, or calling Delilah, even calling the office and trying to speak to Tim that way. He did love the freedom but he hated being so far away when things like this were going on and the time difference in each country they went to made it nigh on impossible to ever manage to get in touch with each other when they needed to. Maybe it was about time he thought about heading back towards DC. Then again, maybe whatever was going on with Tim needed to run its course; he wasn't going to be around forever so maybe Tim needed to work this out without him. He hated himself the second he thought it and he resisted the urge to give himself a headslap. Tim was his brother and if it came down to his freedom or Tim's peace of mind, he would sacrifice that. Tony tuned his phone over in his hands while he watched Senior and Tali a little longer, his little girl brimming with excitement over having Senior drop her into the water again and again, that man was going to put his back out one of these days if he continued the way he was going. He waited until the urge to call Gibbs had passed, just as Senior winced a little and rubbed the base of his spine, and went to join them in the pool before his Dad really did hurt himself, his mind still too full of things to truly enjoy it.