AN: Flashbacks In Italics

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Ziva rested a hand on the casket and slid her eyes shut.

"Are you sure you want to see her McGee?"

Tim moved past her before she could even finish and sprinted towards the scene. He only caught a glimpse of Tony and Gibbs before letting his eyes fall on her body. "Abby…"

Ziva arrived behind him at the exact moment he began to faint. She eased him down to ground but continued to cradle his head in her hands. "I am here Tim…" She looked up to see the others appear at his side. "We are all here…"

She opened her eyes and watched her tears drop slowly onto the steel. "McGee wanted me to share how much he misses you, although I am certain you already knew how much he loved you…" She reached inside her bag and placed the stuffed hippo within the black rose petals. "He made sure I brought this for you as well…he did not want you to be alone…"

Her emotions began to overwhelm her ability to fight them so she once again clenched her eyes lids shut.

She was the first face he saw when he came to.

"Abby…Abby…Abby!" He yelled the last cry and looked around frantically.

"She is gone Tim."

It was then she held him close to her, doing all she could to bring comfort. But knowing too well how little of an effect she was having. Tony arrived and placed a soft hand on McGee's shoulder before joining him in his tears.

"Tony misses you as well…they are both very sorry they could not be here but…" She leaned down and let her lips meet the casket gently. "That was from Tony…" She then placed her Star of David within the cascade of petals. "And this is from me…Shalom Abby…"

Before she could say more she chose not to fight her emotions any longer and rightfully began to cry. Ducky was quick to appear at her side and let her head rest on his shoulder as she grieved. And was soon releasing tears of is own. Both unsure of how to express the wishes of the other missing member of their team. And so they left regrettably; knowing full well that neither could…

Timothy McGee had managed to go a full thirty seconds without thinking of her, and began to wonder if the pain in his chest would ever lessen. He'd lost people in his life before, but never anyone as close as her. It was then he foolishly vowed to never let anyone get that close again; a false realization but a natural one. He then began to wonder how the parents of victims manage to move forward, or the children who have lost someone. If they could it, so could he right? It was then the next thirty seconds passed and he let his imagination take him where he longed to be…

She placed her arms across his chest and clasped them together.

"Thought you had to ask permission first?"

She smiles slowly. "Never with you Tim."

Tears welled in his eyes for the fifth time that hour as he placed a soft hand over his heart. "God, I miss you…"

"When will your two friends be returning?"

Gibbs shrugged. "Flights only a couple hours…maybe tonight."

"If you'd like I could take the trip with you when you're well enough…"

He nodded but chose not to respond.

"So," he awkwardly continued. "How is the Challenger running?"

Gibbs took a moment as if switching gears in his head. "Good."

"I could take care of things at your house while your mending…maybe take the car for a cruise or two to keep it humming."

"Sounds fine."

"I suppose the front door is still unlocked?" He watched his son nod slowly. "Could never figure out if you do that cuz you're stubborn or because you're too damn trusting."

"Probably a little bit of both…"

"Your Mother…now there was a trusting woman. She would've let a group of ex-cons stay in our basement…then still yell at me if the liquor was missing." He gave a trying laugh and watched Gibbs look away towards the window. "I suppose trust has to be earned, doesn't it son?"

Gibbs remained silent for a few moments before responding. "Been burned way too many times to give the benefit of the doubt like Mom could…"

"Well now, she was a special case, you have to remember."

"Some would say the same about me."

Jackson smiled slowly. "Nothing unique about a man who trusts himself more than others Leroy…"

"Spoken like a true selfish bastard…" Gibbs offered in his usual manner and brought his eyes back to his Father.

"People can change Jethro."

Gibbs nodded slowly. "Yeah, people…"

"But not you?"

"The last time I changed…I'm not so sure it was for the better."

Jackson sat up in his chair. "Tell that to the SOB's you put behind bars."

"And my three ex-wives." Gibbs added. "Me changing would only be worse for everyone…"

"I highly doubt that…" He thought for a moment. "I'm sure your team won't be needing the tough boss they've become accustomed to, after something like this…"

"I don't know any other way…"

"The hell you don't." Jackson countered. "Who you became after Shannon and Kelly is not who you always were…the side of you Abby saw…that is the real Leroy Jethro Gibbs…the gentle side." He pointed at himself. "Not the bastard side."

Gibbs ran a hand over his face but said nothing.

"The bastard side will always be safer Jethro…but then what kind of life will that be? Those kids need you…hell; they risked their lives so they wouldn't be without you."

It was then Gibbs managed a response. "I don't have all the answers they need."

"Who said they need anything more than just you Leroy?"

Gibbs took in the statement and let his eyes once again return to the window. His mind taking him to the night when one of them needed him more than anything…

He reached out to touch her but hesitated. Then eventually leaned in close… "I'm sorry I wasn't here Abs…" He moved back and realized that one of his hands was resting in a pool of blood. Tony handed him a towel but he refused it. It was then he rejected all protocol and placed a warm kiss on her forehead. "My girl…" He whispered softly. "I'm so sorry…"

"I wasn't there then…" Gibbs turned back.

Jackson met his eyes. "But you are now."

Ducky ushered Ziva into the car and took his place beside her.

"I suppose the worst is over yes?"

The Doctor contemplated for a moment as he watched the rest of the procession enter their cars. "One could say so, but one may also say, that the worst is yet to come…"

"Yes Mr. McGee?"

Tim glanced to his right. "Hey, sorry to bother you. I was just wondering if you could tell me anything about my partners condition?"

Janie hesitated for a moment. "Unfortunately patient privacy only allows next of kin to be informed…but I do know that this surgery can take quite some time. I doubt there is any information readily available…" She watched Tim sigh deeply before turning away. "But I'll see if my eaves dropping skills are still as sharp as they used to be…"

McGee turned back. "I uh, wouldn't want you to get in trouble. I'll just wait till he's out of surgery."

Janie looked through a few sheets on her clip board. "Do you know a Leroy Jethro Gibbs?"

Tim's face fell. "Why? Is he alright? Please tell me he's alright."

"Oh no, he's fine. It's only that he is listed as Mr. DiNozzo's next of kin. Perhaps he'd be willing to share the information with you…"

"So he knows that Tony's in surgery?"

"He should have been told by now; his condition seems to have stabilized."

Tim sat up. "Is there any chance I could…get up and walk around soon?"

She reached the end of his bed and glanced through his chart. "I don't see why not but I will have to check with your Doctor. Although, I don't think you'll be running the 50 yard dash anytime soon."

"I don't think I'll be doing much at all anytime soon…" his voice was barely audible.

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, uh, nothing…but thanks for asking for me. I'd really like to move around a little."

Janie nodded with a smile. "I will let you know soon."

"Thank you…" Tim responded genuinely and almost managed a smile.

"Keep trying…" she said gently. "You'll remember how to smile soon enough, just don't give up."

He nodded and watched Janie leave; only to realize it had been a full three minutes since he'd thought of her…

Franks set a bag down beside the door and stepped inside.

"Hope I aint interrupting anything."

Jackson stood up and eyed his son as if assuring him that what they'd discuss would stay between them. "Just talking cars."

"Cars?" Franks questioned but didn't pry. "Well Probie…"

Gibbs interrupted him and gestured towards the bag. "You deserting me Mike?"

"Hell, you just say the word and I'll stay Probie, you know that."

Jackson moved towards the door. "I'm gonna grab a coffee."

"The cafeteria is your best bet…these machines put out an awful brew." Mike offered, and stepped aside to let him exit before moving towards Gibbs. "You never mentioned you had a Father."

Gibbs shrugged. "You never asked."

"True."

"Mission accomplished eh boss?"

"Mission aint never accomplished with you Probie…I learned that early."

Gibbs sat up slowly. "Next time I call, I'll try to have some good news."

Mike put his hand out and watched Gibbs take hold of it. "You got some good people around you Probie…you'll be alright. You always were."

"Thanks for coming Mike…if you hadn't…"

"I did." He interrupted him. "Just don't make it all for nothing…"

Gibbs nodded and released his hand. "I won't..."

Mike moved towards the door and lifted his bag. "My offer still stands…that roof aint gonna fix itself you know?"

"Yeah…" Gibbs waved and let the look on his face express what never needed to be said between them.

Just as Mike left, Gibbs watched a nurse enter and a familiar face appear behind her. "Tim?"

"Hey boss…"