The drive back to the clearing was completely silent. Jimmy was trying his best to forget his outburst in the hardware store. The signs were rattling around in the back of Gibbs' truck with the lumber, tools, and other building supplies. Tiny, metal reminders of his heartbreak. Gibbs had been caring and supportive through this ordeal. The least he could do was help the man build his new cabin.
"Thanks for helping me out." Jimmy said as they stepped out of the truck.
"No trouble, just from now on keep the property damage to a minimum." Gibbs replied.
"I'll pay you back." Jimmy promised.
"Don't worry about it." Gibbs assured.
The cabin was going to be really old school. There would be no concrete slab only ties and a floor. Jimmy wasn't sure if this was a legal construction, but he doubted anybody would try to tell Gibbs the law. Gibbs showed Jimmy the blue prints and then the work began. Jimmy measured the wood and Gibbs sawed. Again the task was made in silence. Before Jimmy knew it the sun was setting. Gibbs put down his wood and signaled for Jimmy to come. They double checked the work they had done then tossed the rest of the supplies into the truck.
"We'll be back next weekend and every weekend until it's done." Gibbs declared.
"How long will that take?" Jimmy asked.
"Couple months, four hands will speeds me up." Gibbs explained.
"We building the furniture too?" Jimmy asked.
"Nah I got old stuff." Gibbs replied.
"Will I be well when this is done?" Jimmy asked.
"Afraid not" Gibbs apologized.
"Then what's the point?" Jimmy asked.
"Like I said keeps your mind busy. Makes you less likely to do something stupid." Gibbs explained.
"Would it really be that stupid in my case?" Jimmy asked.
"Doesn't fix anything, just makes you dead." Gibbs explained.
"My entire family is gone." Jimmy reminded.
"Mine too but people still care." Gibbs replied.
"But my family..." Jimmy started.
"Would want you to carry on." Gibbs finished.
"Take me home." Jimmy insisted.
"Tony's got the guest room ready for you." Gibbs replied.
"He doesn't have to..." Jimmy started.
"He loves you like a brother." Gibbs reminded.
"I wish he were my family." Jimmy sighed.
"He is." Gibbs insisted.
Jimmy was due to arrive home any minute now. In the mean time Tony was mentally preparing for his friend's return. He was grateful to Gibbs for taking Jimmy of his hands but now it was his turn to take over. Maybe Gibbs was the one who had endured the loss of a child but Tony was Jimmy's best friend and brother. He needed to be a shoulder to cry on and offer a place to land. He needed to remind Jimmy that he was important and that people did still care about him. He just wished that it would be easier for him. Gibbs just had to deal with Jimmy. Tony had to handle both Jimmy and Tali. How did you balance a best friend grieving a child and a child grieving her best friend. Victoria had only lived six years but she had left a massive crater when she left. Something Tony could never fix and that broke his heart more than anything else.
Tony heard Gibbs' truck rolling up the drive. He watched through the windows as the headlights flipped off and the doors opened. Gibbs carried two duffle bags into the house. While Jimmy leaned against the
front of Gibbs' truck.
"How's he holding up?" Tony asked.
"He trashed a display of signs and is talking about ending it all. Keep a close eye." Gibbs instructed.
"Any progress?" Tony asked.
"Regression actually but that is to be expected." Gibbs replied.
"My heart breaks for him." Tony commented.
"Mine too but he's got the best support a guy can get." Gibbs explained.
"What if we can't save him?" Tony asked.
"Then he was a good man and loved by many. He just couldn't go on without his little girl." Gibbs explained.
"I wish I could save him." Tony sighed.
"Don't be so negative. It will make Jimmy feel even worse." Gibbs explained.
"It's hard when both him and Tali are so depressed." Tony admitted.
"Just be there." Gibbs reminded.
Jimmy remained outside long after Gibbs had entered the house. When the former Marine exited and went to leave. He moved from the front end of the car. To the porch. He sat on the cool and damp wood. He dug his feet into the earth. Twisting until his shoe became caked with dirt. Carefully removed his dirty shoe and repeated the process with the other foot. When that shoe became dirtied. He removed it as well and thrust the pair down the driveway. When she shoes were gone he returned to his first foot twisting until the sock was black. He removed the sock and again repeated with the second sock. Once both socks were dirty. He balled them up and thrust them towards the shoes. He began the process again with his bare feet. This time twisting until his toes were bloodied. He covered his feet with dirt until the stinging became unbearable. He stumbled into the house bleeding over the porch and flood. He headed upstairs and to the bathroom. He cleaned and bandaged the wounds. After that he just sat on the tub and stared blankly at the ceiling.
"Jimmy? Is that you?" Tony called.
Jimmy was now in a panic. Tony was the last person on Earth he wanted to talk to. Well that wasn't true. He was actually wishing that he were in fact the last man on Earth and there was nobody left to worry over him. At least then he could commit suicide without judgment. Tony called again and this time he was heading up the stairs. In a panic, he tossed the evidence out the bathroom window. He raced to the guestroom and collapsed onto the bed. He buried himself under the sheets. He was just starting to cry, when Tony knocked on the door.
"Jimmy I know you aren't asleep. I saw you run to the guestroom. Look I just wanted you to know that you are my brother and that I love you." Tony explained.
A/N: Will Jimmy accept Tony's love? New chapter will be up soon. Please review and thanks for reading.