Gibbs/Allison Series:

Choosing Between Old & New # 5

By: MChakotayParis (R. Mason)

Chapter 14

Timothy McGee

Like Abby Tim's time with Ali was to be divided into two different activities. He'd asked Gibbs and Tobias if he could take Ali to the Washington Zoo, they agreed but only after her nap because they knew how big the D.C. zoo was and they knew she might get overtired if she spent all day there. Her day of construction with Abby had worn her out, even with her taking a nap, for the next day and it had taken her a few days of pampering after that to get back to herself. So Tim agreed to take her after her nap, spending the morning with her helping her with the yard work. He remembered the first time that he had Ali had worked in the yard and he had enjoyed it.

So on the next Saturday Tim arrived around eight o' clock at Ali's house and met Ali and Tobias as they came downstairs. When Ali saw Tim waiting at the bottom of the stairs as usual she screamed and ran down the rest of the stairs but stopped just short of running into him when she saw Gibbs come out of the kitchen.

"Hey Tim, we are still going to the zoo later on right?" asked Ali as she stood right in front of him slightly bouncing on her toes.

"Yes little one, after we finish the yard work and you take your nap" answered Tim with a smile

"Yeah!" cried Ali then forgot herself and launched herself into Tim's arms.

"Ali" warned Tobias softly from behind them as he stepped off the stairs

"It's alright Tobias, at least she didn't launch herself at me from the stairs" said Tim with a laugh as he looked over Ali's head and looked at the older man. Then he turned to speak to Ali "Now how about we make a start on fixing breakfast so we can get to work on that yard work"

"Sure, do you want to help or just watch?" asked Ali as she looked up at the younger man, then lead him towards the kitchen.

"Actually I was thinking that I might show you my famous breakfast omelet"

"Really Tim, can I help?" asked Ali

"Of course little one, now why don't you help me get the ingredients together"

After that all talking ceased except for Tim explaining to Ali how to make an omelet and about ten minutes later they were placing portions of the omelet on plates. As Ali carried two plates into the dining room she called. "Breakfast is ready Papa, Daddy"

Gibbs and Tobias came into the dining room and breakfast was eaten with enthusiasm, after everyone was finished Gibbs and Ali went upstairs to get Ali dressed while Tobias and Tim cleaned up the kitchen. Five minutes later Ali returned back downstairs wearing her Saturday work clothes.

"So what's on the agenda for today Boss?" asked Tim as he came out of the kitchen and met Ali and Gibbs.

"Well the front flower beds need to be turned, weeded and the flowers dig up and spread out" said Gibbs as he looked at the two. Ali was already bouncing slightly so that would be a good job for her.

"Can Tim help me Daddy?" asked Ali excitedly

"It's up to Tim, Ali. Why don't you ask him" said Tobias

"Tim would you like to help me with the flower beds?" asked Ali

"I'd love to Ali, how about we go get the tools we need and get started" said Tim as he moved with Ali towards the backyard.

"You're going to need to add fertilizer to the beds Tim, there's some in the shed Tim" called Gibbs as he watched the two from the kitchen.

While Tim and Ali worked on the floor beds in the front yard, Tobias and Gibbs cleaned the downstairs of the house each man taking a room and quickly getting the bottom of the house clean. After Ali and Tim finished with the floor beds they cleaned up a little then tackled the upstairs room while Gibbs and Tobias did the laundry. When the house was clean they all made a run to the grocery store and an hour and a half later they returned with a car load of groceries.

By eleven o' clock the house was clean and all the chores done were done so they started an early lunch. Once again Tim took charge and showed Ali how to make a toasted grilled chicken breast sandwich with tomatoes, cheese and mushrooms. After everyone was finished eating Tim and Ali cleaned up the kitchen then she and Gibbs went upstairs to take a shower then put her down for her nap. As Gibbs came back downstairs he met Tim coming out of the kitchen

"You don't have to stay while she's asleep if you don't want to Tim, she'll be down until around two-thirty three o' clock so if you need to go home and change your welcome to"

"Thanks boss, I didn't think about getting dirty and needing a shower and extra clothes when I left this morning" said Tim as he headed towards the foyer to retrieve his coat

"You will Tim, the more time you spend with Ali you've learn to think ahead. Just be back before three o' clock and you should be okay" answered Gibbs as he sat down on the couch. The morning had been hard work but a very productive time with his baby girl.

"Thanks boss, see you a little before three" called Tim the closed the door behind him and go into his car and left. He needed a shower and a short nap if he was going to keep up with Ali and the zoo this afternoon.

As the door closed Tobias entered the living room to see Gibbs lounging on the couch, his head laying back on the edge of the couch.

"Tim gone?" asked Tobias as he sat down next to his partner and took his hand.

"Yep, said something about a shower and a clean set of clothes" answered Gibbs his eyes closed but a smile on his face

"He'll learn, with Ali you always need an extra set of clothes. She attracts more dirt than any two boys I know but together" said Tobias with a smile. As Ali she was always getting into something which was one of the reasons that they complained but didn't really do anything to stop Abby, Ziva or Auggie from buying her clothes. Every weekend they did twice as many loads of Ali's clothes as they did their and most of them were her play sets. But they couldn't complain really, at least she was happy and comfortable enough to be Ali and get into things like a normal child rather than just sit around the house all day doing nothing. Of the two they both much rather preferred to wash extra loads of clothes.

So with a smile Tobias looked at his partner and smiled, then asked "So what should we do for the next two and a half hours?"

"I don't know about you but a nap sure sounds like a good idea to me, race you upstairs" said Gibbs as he got up and headed towards the stairs

"No way Jethro, you wake Ali and you will be trying to put her back to sleep" called Tobias as he quietly followed Gibbs up the stairs.

-NCIS-

Two and a half hours later Tim returned as promised refreshed from a shower and nap. As he entered the foyer Ali called out. "Tim you came back, you came back"

"What makes you think I left Ali?" asked Tim slightly blushing at her question.

As Ali stepped off the last step of the stairs she walked straight up to him, hands on her hips and said. "I may not be a trained investigator but I'm not stupid Timothy McGee. For one your hair is slightly damp like you've just gotten out of a shower and two your wearing different clothes"

"She's got you there McGee" said Tobias as he came to stand behind Ali

"You're not mad little one?" asked Tim slightly worried, he knew he had promised to spend the whole day with Ali but he really had forgotten a bag with extra clothes for the zoo and after working in the flower beds all morning he needed a shower as well.

"Of course not silly" said Ali with a smile as she reached up and threw her arms around his neck. "I'd wondered if you'd maybe brought a bag but just forgotten it in the car this morning. The most important thing is that you came back, not that you left. So how do I look?" asked Ali as she stepped back and did her little twirling move to show off the play set she was wearing.

It was an off white crew necked tee-shirt dress with little lions, tigers and bears all over it. She had on an orange tank top under it with coordinating leopard skinned print Capri pants. He had to admit that even at sixty-two when she was wearing these outfits she looked adorable.

"You look wonderful Ali, now do you have all your drinks and snacks packed?" asked Tim. He knew that Gibbs and Tobias didn't want her eating too much junk food at the zoo so they packed her small cooler full of her snacks and drinks. Ten minutes later Ali and Tim were pulling out of her driveway headed towards D.C. The drive to D.C. usually took about forty-five minutes and then they had an additional thirty minutes until they reached the Washington D.C. National Zoo.

After finding a parking place and paying the attendant, Ali and Tim headed into the zoo to start their adventure. Ali was literally bouncing with excitement and it was just inside the entrance that Tim stopped, pulling Ali over to the side and went over the rules again.

"Ali, now I know you're excited but I need you to listen to me" said Tim as he put his hands on Ali's cheeks and forced her to look at him. "The zoo is a very big place with lots of new places and people, so I need you to promise that you won't go too far ahead of me and stay where I can always see you"

"I will Tim, I will" said Ali excitedly bouncing in place.

"I mean it Allison, if you wander away from me even once and we will go straight home and I won't ever take you anywhere again is that understood" said Tim forcibly.

He had gotten the standard lecture from both Gibbs and Tobias before they left the house about how he needed to watch Ali carefully and not let her run off. If something happened to Ali and she got hurt while she was with him he would never hear the end of it from Tobias and Gibbs not to mention the team plus he would feel awful about it. It still upset him when he thought about the small part he played in Ali running away to the beach house. Everyone had seemingly forgiven him but he hadn't forgiven himself yet. So if it took him being the mean big brother then that's what he'd do to keep Ali safe.

At his words Ali looked crestfallen and she instantly stopped bouncing and looked down her bottom lip quivering slightly "Yes sir, I understand" she whispered softly

"Ali I don't like being mean like that but the zoos a really big place and I need to keep you safe, so promise me that you will stay close by and don't go running off"

"I promise Tim" said Ali softly sounding a little happier and finally looking up at him.

"Good girl, now where to you want to go first" asked Tim, and then watched as Ali looked excitedly around, luckily it was still early in the year so the zoo wasn't that crowded even though it was a pretty day.

After a few minutes the pointed and started bouncing up and down again saying "May I please so there Tim, oh please Tim"

As Tim looked to where Ali was pointed he could see a large exhibit of Asian Elephants.

"Sure things sweet, let's go see the elephants" said Tim as he took Ali's hand and led the way to the elephants.

Tobias and Gibbs had gotten Ali a digital camera similar to the one they used at work so she could take pictures so she was happily snapping away taking pictures of the elephants and every sign that had any information about them. After the Asian elephants they headed down the Asian Trail and saw Panda's, Sloth bears, Small-crawled otters, Clouded Leopards, Red Panda's and a Japanese Giant Salamander. Then headed towards the Great Bird house, and then catching the Great Panda house on the way out. After that they went to the Olmstead Walk, Small mammal and Great Apes house.

By this time Ali was wet and a little tired and hungry so they stopped for a break and ate her snack, then found a restroom for her to change. After that they headed towards Invertebrates and Reptile centers, and then headed towards the Great Cats exhibition. Sitting beside the Great Cats exhibition was a carousel and when Ali saw that she screamed heading off at a dead run towards it.

"Ali….Ali….Allison Fornell-Gibbs stop!" yelled Tim as she saw her take off

Ali at first didn't hear his voice, but as he called her full name she stopped, turning around until Tim caught up with her. When he came up to her his face was flushed and his voice fierce.

"What did I tell you earlier, do you want me to take you home now!" asked Tim as he grabbed Ali's arm.

Ali stood before him her head now, hands twisting in front of her and her bottom lip quivering. "I'm sorry Tim, it's just that when I saw…" but stopped knowing that there was really no excuse. She had been told the rules at home and again before they entered the zoo and she had broken them, so if that was the punishment then she deserved it.

Tim McGee stood looking at the woman with him and smiled, she really had done some growing up since the episode that had sent her to the beach house. Before she would have tried to whine and cry her way out of trouble, now she just stood and took what she deserved. He really couldn't fault her for getting so excited when she saw the carousel, Gibbs and Tobias had told them all about their time at the county fair when they were down at the beach house together and how much she had enjoyed herself especially the carousel. So after taking a few deep breaths to calm himself he spoke calming to his charge.

"Ali, I'll forgive you this time but you have to stay right by my side for the rest of the day or we will go home and I mean that"

"Yes sir and Tim…thank you for not taking me home" replied Ali softly then looking up threw her arms around the younger man.

They were getting a few strange looks from some of the passing people but neither one cared, Ali had just had a special bonding moment with one of her brothers a moments she never thought she would have an opportunity to have.

"Now how would you like to ride the carousel before we head off to the Lemur Island?" asked Tim

"Really Tim, I can. Oh thank you…thank you…thank you!" cried Ali as she bounced in front of the younger man.

"Yes of course, just remember you promise" said Tim as he held out his hand to the women.

Ali looked at the hand and smiled, taking in gratefully then with a little skip in her step walked with Tim to the carousel. After a very enjoyable ride of Ali sitting on a beautiful orange and white Tiger, with Tim beside her on a grey Asian elephant the exited the carousel and headed towards Lemur Island. As they exited the carousel Ali held out her hand for Tim who took it with a smile.

The rest of the day Ali spent right by Tim's side as they visited Lemur Island, the Seals and Sea Lions and then went down the American Trail. By the time they finished the American Trail it was beginning to get dark so after a quick stop for a restroom break, Tim and Ali headed back to their car and headed home.

On the drive home Ali talked non-stop, rehashing everything they had seen at the zoo until finally Tim looked over about forty-five minutes into their drive back home to find her leaning against the side down asleep. At the next stop light, Tim reached into Ali's bag and pulled out her pacifier putting it in her mouth and her "Puffalump" in her lap before the light changed. The rest of the drive past by quietly and soon they were back at Ali's home pulling into her driveway.

After a couple of quick taps on his horn, Gibbs and Tobias came out and opened the passenger's side door quickly catching Ali as she fell into their arms.

"How'd it go Tim, any problems?" asked Gibbs as he pulled Ali into his arms, then looked at the younger man behind the wheel.

"Nothing we couldn't handle Boss, tell Ali that I'll call her later and help her put her pictures into an album" said Tim as he looked at the two men. Gibbs was holding Ali in his arms and Tobias had gotten her cooler and bag, as Tobias slammed the door he pulled away with a quick wave to both men.

"What do you suppose that was all about?" asked Tobias as he followed Gibbs into the house.

"Three guesses and the first two don't count. I'd bet Ali got away from him and he had to correct her, you know Tim still feels a little responsible for Ali running to the beach house after that incident with Jack" said Gibbs as started taking Ali upstairs

"But it wasn't really his fault" said Tobias emphatically as he put the cooler in the kitchen then followed Gibbs upstairs

"I know that and so does Tim really but he still feels that he should have told us as soon as Ali called him. When he didn't and we found out from her recorded message he blames himself, thinking we could have stopped her from running to the beach house" said Gibbs as he laid Ali on her bed, then went to get her nighttime diaper supplies.

"Do you think we need to ask Auggie to talk to him?" asked Tobias as he looked at two precious people in his life.

"Nah…I'd just let him work through it himself, if he needs to talk he knows that Auggie is there for him, if we push he might clam up" replied Gibbs as she started to undress Ali, and then changed her into her nighttime diaper and sleep top.

After Gibbs finished he stepped back and Tobias took out Ali's pacifier, replacing it with her nighttime bottle and putting her "Puffalump" back in her arms. As he pulled up her comforter Ali rolled on her side and snuggled down into her pillow sucking greedily on her bottle. With one more look at his little one, Tobias leaned down and kissed her on her head whispering "Night baby girl, Papa and Daddy love you"

As the exited Ali's room Gibbs turned on her sleep music then turned quietly exited the room, instead of heading back down stairs they just went to the master bedroom and got ready for bed, relishing the fact that their baby girl was once again home safe and had a good time.