Two months had passed since the Palmer's attack and Tony's death. Slowly but surely things were heading back to normal. Breena had been back at work for about a month and a half and Jimmy had finally been cleared to return the week before. He had regained some of the hearing in his right ear but he was still legally considered deaf in that ear. It was unknown if he would ever be back to a hundred percent but he had been cleared to return to the field. Albeit with some restrictions.
Breena was doing pretty well too given everything she had been through. She was still mourning for her baby but realized that she had a family that loved her and that there were lots of children who needed that kind of a family to love them.
Victoria had remained down in Florida with Breena's family while her parents recovered but they would be bringing her home the following weekend.
Tony's funeral had been more of a celebration. The service was full of stories and happy memories. He had been buried only a few stones over from Shannon and Kelly in a bright and sunny spot. A location that Gibbs had picked out special for his son. Gibbs
Gibbs had retired rather abruptly after Tony's death. He kept in touch with Ducky and he had talked to Abby once but for the most part he had dropped off the face of the Earth. There was hope that he would come around but for now he was still deep in mourning for his agent.
As for Ball, Fornell had dropped him off at a local prison after Bishop and McGee interrogated him. He was facing a lifetime in prison for being accessory to Tony's murder alone. The other charges could add up to a second life sentence.
The rest of Ball's team had been cleared of any charges but all were being closely monitored by Vance and all had endured psychiatric evaluations. Tyler was still seeing a therapist but everybody else had been cleared.
For a long time Jimmy sat in his car in front of Gibbs' house. It took a lot of courage for him to come here. He had not seen Gibbs since Tony's funeral and from the way it sounded nobody else had either. He had made limited contact with Ducky and maybe Abby but for the most part he was avoiding everyone. Jimmy knew that he was having with Tony's death and that he tended to go a little crazy with his grief. Jimmy also knew better than to poke the bear but he wanted to see him. They had gotten fairly close during the ordeal with Kemp and Ball. Still Gibbs was Gibbs and Gibbs was anything but unpredictable. Of course Gibbs wasn't at NCIS anymore and Ducky wasn't one to chose sides. Unless of course this really was over the line. Finally he decided that it would be better to bite the bullet and go inside. Than it would be just to drive away. He raised his hand to knock on the door but then remembered Gibbs' open door policy. Taking a deep breath he walked inside and made his way down to the basement. He found Gibbs hunched over his work table chiseling away at what appeared to be a small box. He walked down the steps and made a quiet coughing noise.
"What are you doing here, kid?" Gibbs asked.
"I came to check on you." Jimmy stammered.
"I'm fine!" Gibbs growled.
"I'm sorry, I'll just go." Jimmy replied nervously.
"No you can stay. I am sorry." Gibbs apologized.
"How are you holding up?" Jimmy asked.
"I'm coping but it's tough." Gibbs confessed.
"Tony wouldn't want us to mourn for too long." Jimmy reminded.
"I know but it's hard." Gibbs replied.
"I know I am having a hard time with the baby." Jimmy admitted.
"I am so sorry about that. I should have made myself more present but Tony's death. It destroyed me and I just couldn't." Gibbs explained.
"It's alright Breena really wanted privacy." Jimmy explained.
"How is she doing?" Gibbs asked.
"She's doing better but she still has her bad days." Jimmy replied.
"Can you guys have anymore kids?" Gibbs asked.
"Yes we can. We are actually going to add two to our family." Jimmy replied.
"Twins?" Gibbs gasped.
"No well maybe she is only two weeks along. We started trying the first day we were allowed and I guess it was meant to be." Jimmy explained.
"So how are you adding by two?" Gibbs asked.
"We are adopting a little boy. We decided that we wanted to adopt a child who had been through a lot. Because I could relate. His name is Joshua and he's seven years old. His dad murdered his mom and little sister two years ago. We are getting him in June. We could have taken him sooner but we decided it would be better if he finished the school year with his current foster family." Jimmy explained.
"That's great I am so happy for you guys." Gibbs replied.
"Thanks" Jimmy replied.
"Have you heard anything about Ball?" Gibbs asked.
"No" Jimmy replied.
"I don't know anything for sure but he is most likely going away for the rest of his life." Gibbs explained.
"Good" Jimmy replied darkly.
"Is it a relief? Kemp being dead?" Gibbs asked.
"It is a relief to know that we are free but I am never going to stop looking over my shoulder. Not after that last attack." Jimmy explained.
"You seeing a therapist?" Gibbs asked.
"I go once a week by myself, once with Breena, and she goes twice a week." Jimmy explained.
"Good" Gibbs replied.
"Yeah it's really helping." Jimmy replied.
"How's Victoria?" Gibbs asked.
"She is doing great. We are going to pick her up this weekend." Jimmy replied.
"You haven't already?" Gibbs asked.
"Breena and I wanted to wait until we were healed up a bit." Jimmy explained.
"Makes sense." Gibbs replied.
"Well I should get going. I am back at work now and I need to get up early." Jimmy replied.
"Night" Gibbs replied.
"Oh if you want I can bring Tori over when we have her back." Jimmy offered.
"I would love that." Gibbs replied.
"I think she would too." Jimmy replied.
"Maybe" Gibbs replied.
"Oh and Gibbs." Jimmy called.
"Yeah" Gibbs asked.
"I am sorry about Tony and thanks for everything." Jimmy replied.
FIN
A/N: Well that's it. What do you think? Thanks to all who read, followed, favorited, and reviewed. One last time please review. I will have a new story posed sometime Friday night.