Ten days after Jimmy's death Tony and the others from Team Gibbs had their psych evaluations. It was strange for Tony knowing his evaluation was just to check recovery, search for red flags. Rather than to determine if he were able to return to NCIS. Vance and Gibbs had tried numerous times over the ten days to talk him into returning but Tony could not. He could not take the risk.
"What time is your evaluation?" Donna asked.
"Noon" Tony replied.
"Do you think you will be done by two thirty?" Donna asked.
"Should be, why?" Tony asked.
"I have an appointment at two thirty." Donna replied.
"Are you finding out today?" Tony asked.
"They said they could probably tell but if we wanted accuracy it's best to wait until twenty weeks." Donna explained.
"You sure you want to know?" Tony asked.
"Maria is texting me every day with reveal ideas. I think she'd kill me if I backed out. Are you still wanting to know?" Donna laughed.
"I love mystery but I want to know if I will be the creepy old man buying an athletic cup in ten years or the creepy old man buying a training bra in ten years." Tony laughed.
"Or both" Donna reminded.
"Right twins. God what have I done?!" Tony groaned.
"We don't need a condom. We are old." Donna mimicked.
"Shut up" Tony scoffed.
It felt like a lifetime since Tony had last been at NCIS. The building had changed now that Jimmy was gone. His picture newly hung on the memorial wall. Flowers and candles still placed below the memorial. Autopsy was different. Ducky had preformed Jimmy's autopsy and then left. Last Tony heard he was in Scotland. Nobody was sure if he would return or not. A lanky man of what Tony guessed was Asian and Caucasian origin had assumed the position of medical examiner. He was dry and quiet. Like Gibbs but without the personality. Joe or Jack or Dave had about as much personality as the sterile equipment now locked up in Autopsy Storage. Autopsy was not the only change. Abby was still in mourning. She had played her funeral music for a few days but then new guy complained and now her lab was silent as a tomb. Another team was working the major cases. Only ten days had passed but everything had changed.
Tony entered the room where the evaluations were taking place. McGee was just finishing his appointment, as Tony entered. Vance had been waiting outside with Baby Persephone. McGee looked exhausted and stressed to the max. Tony swallowed hard. Had his Probie failed the psych eval?
"How did it go?" Tony asked.
"I am reinstated but I have to report for counseling every other day for the next month." McGee explained.
"What about the others?" Tony asked.
"Bishop needs two more sessions and Gibbs is going every week for a month." McGee explained.
"That sounds like good news. So why are you so upset?" Tony questioned.
"Delilah and the triplets have the stomach flu. I am actually on the way to drop Persephone off with Penelope." McGee explained.
"Hope it misses you." Tony replied.
"I went down first. Now I am the nurse and the only parent. Truth is Persephone will probably get sick soon but I just can't handle four sick people and a baby." McGee explained.
"Do you want me to take her? I know Penelope has been showing her age recently." Tony offered.
"Penelope is fine and besides I don't want to get Donna sick." McGee replied.
"She did just kick the morning sickness." Tony agreed.
Tony took a seat in front of Dr. Cranston. He had been dreading this moment. He knew he was not dealing with Jimmy's death quickly. He knew that he was struggling with the memories of the explosion. He was not returning to NCIS but he was terrified of the results nonetheless. He did not want to be deemed crazy. Especially now that he was about to welcome twins.
"According to Director Vance's file you do not wish to return to NCIS. Is that true?" Rachel asked.
"I handed in my resignation papers almost two weeks ago." Tony replied.
"And the decision stands?" Rachel questioned.
"Yes, mam." Tony replied.
"How do you feel since the blast?" Rachel asked.
"It was a bombing. A bomb was sewn into a dead body. Gibbs warned us but we were all close. It scared me but I was alive. I knew I was done. Then I found out that Jimmy's injuries were more grave than first thought. When he died that evening it confirmed what I already knew. I could never return to NCIS." Tony explained.
"How do you feel about Jimmy's death?" Rachel asked.
"Devastated" Tony replied.
"Understandable is there anything else you want to discuss?" Rachel asked.
"I've been sleeping well, eating well. The nightmares are getting fewer and further between. It's been two nights since my last nightmare. I only had one that night and two the night before. Overall I think I am doing well but I am scared I will back slide and end up in the throws of a nasty breakdown. I can't do that now. Not with twins on the way." Tony explained.
"Even though you are definitely more affected than the others. You are recovering just as well as they are. I am going to recommend the same protocol I prescribed to Agent McGee. One therapy session every other day for the next thirty days and a repeat evaluation at the end of that time. Does that seem reasonable?" Rachel asked.
"Yes" Tony agreed.
A huge weight had been lifted from Tony's chest. He was far from OK but he was going to get better. Rachel was going to work with him and he was going to get through. Things only got better when he made it just in time for Donna's appointment. Both babies were doing great. It was good they did not plan to learn the genders that day because Baby A had it's legs crossed and Baby B was back to hiding behind Baby A. There was a chance they would not figure out Baby B until the delivery room. No matter what they wanted. After the appointment, Tony and Donna went to Jimmy's grave. A temporary marker was still in place but Breena had said she found the one she wanted. Tony was in the middle of paying his respects when a minivan pulled up behind their car. The passenger side door opened and Breena exited. Still heavily pregnant but Tony knew the look on her face. She would not be that way for very long.
"Oh Breena, we were just leaving." Tony announced.
"It's alright. I can't stay long. We are on the way to the hospital. I am in labor but I wanted to tell Jimmy. He can't be there when he son is born. He should at least know." Breena sobbed.
Tony and Donna congratulated Breena and said their final goodbyes to Jimmy. They drove home filled with mixed emotions. Tony told Donna about his evaluation and Donna told Tony the latest news on the children.
At one thirty the next morning Tony received a text from Breena. Twenty minutes earlier she had delivered her and Jimmy's son, James Asa Palmer. His middle name literally meant doctor or healer. He was twenty inches long and weighed eight pounds nine ounces. He was perfect and looked just like his father. Once again Tony was filled with hope and peace.
A/N: Tony is at least on the road to recovery. New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.