Minor spoilers for hiatus, both parts.

LM&MB chp. 21

Terry woke and looked around, aware that he wasn't alone. He turned his head and saw Ziva sleeping next to him. He got up carefully so as not to disturb her, grabbed his shirt and jeans, and went to bathroom. When he came out, he saw Collin in the hallway. The boy had an expression on his face somewhere between confusion and sadness. It was enough to make Terry want to eat his .45. But he went to the kitchen in search of coffee and surprisingly, Collin followed him. He looked at the boy and smiled.

"Hey, buddy, how are you?" He asked while making his coffee.

"Why'd you come back? I thought you didn't love us anymore." Collin said, fresh tears in eyes.

Terry knelt to the boy's level and opened his arms. "Come here, Collin."

Collin slowly walked over and Terry picked him up. He walked to the living room and sat down on the couch with the boy in his arms. "I came back because…because I made a mistake."

Collin looked up, his eyes dry. "A mistake?"

"Yep; a big one."

"What did you do?"

"I said some mean things to people I care about."

"Like mommy." The boy said. It was more of a statement than a question.

"Like mommy." Terry confirmed.

Collin's face scrunched up, confused. "Why'd you do that?"

Terry thought for a minute, unsure of how much to tell the boy. Finally he settled on an answer that was the truth. "Because I was being stupid."

"But you're not anymore, wight?" Collin asked, hopefully.

"I don't think so." Terry said.

"Good." Collin said, hugging him. Terry hugged him back.

"Good morning, gentlemen." Ziva said, coming into the living room and joining them on the couch. Collin went to her and Terry got up.

"Morning." He said.

"I'd appreciate it if you stayed away from the office, at least until I tell you otherwise."

"What did you do?"

"Let's just say you're not the only one I need to apologize to." Terry said, leaving the apartment.

"What were you guys talking about?" Ziva asked, looking at Collin.

"Terry wants to be my Daddy again. Forever." Collin said simply.

Ziva smiled. "That's good, honey."

000

Terry walked back to his own apartment and went in. Everything was as he had left it the night before. The e-mail that Ziva had sent was still open on his computer. He re-read it.

Dear Terry,

While I was hurt by what you said, I feel that I must forgive you. Not only for myself, but for Collin as well. Terry…he doesn't want another father, he wants you. And so do I. I can think of no one else I'd rather spend the rest of my life with. I hope we can repair the damage and move on. No…moving on isn't the right word. I want build a family with you, Terry Gibbs. You would, could and do understand me better than any man I have ever known. We have already endured the crucible. Allow me to make amends and let us move on, together.

Love,

Ziva

Reading Ziva's words gave Terry the courage to do what he knew he must. He went to his bedroom and took a long, hot shower, mentally preparing himself for what lay ahead. After showering, he put on the same suit, shirt and tie he'd worn when he went to see Ziva in the hospital only two days ago. Then he put on his .45s and left the apartment. He made the drive to NCIS headquarters in thirty minutes, far too quickly for his liking. His stomach was doing flips as he parked and entered the building. His first stop was Abby's lab and he immediately noticed that it was far too quiet. He saw her hunched over a microscope and knocked on the door. As no one ever knocked, Abby looked up in surprise. "Terry! You came back!" She squealed, running to him and hugging him in typical Abby fashion.

He was so taken aback that for a moment he didn't speak. "Well, Abs, I must say this was not the reaction I was expecting."

"Ziva called me after you left. You dog." She said, punching him lightly in the arm.

"Woof, woof." Terry said, grinning.

"Have you seen the director yet?" Abby asked, suddenly turning serious.

Terry looked away. "No, not yet. I've got to run. I just wanted to see you." He said, walking out.

"Hey, Terry."

"Yeah, Abs?"

"Good luck."

"Thanks." He said, going to the elevator.

000

Terry got off and walked to the bull pen. He saw McGee and walked to his friend's desk.

"Hey, Tim." He said, when McGee looked up.

"Terry, good to see you. Abby told me what happened with you and Ziva. I'm glad you two worked things out." Tim said, smiling.

"Thanks. I am, too. Is the director in?"

"I think so. Be careful." McGee warned. Then Terry noticed that his father's desk was also empty. With his stomach churning, he took the stairs to the director's office and stopped at Cynthia's desk.

"Are they in?" He asked.

"No, there in MTAC. I'll get them. You can go in."

"Thanks." Terry said, entering the office. He took a chair at the conference table and waited.

000

Gibbs and Jen were watching a snatch via satellite on the plasma screen in MTAC when Cynthia entered. As this was unusual, both turned to her, but only the director addressed her. "What is it, Cynthia?"

"Agent Gibbs is waiting in your office, Director."

Jen actually laughed at that one. "How long has it been since your last vacation?" she asked.

"Not him, director." Cynthia said, gesturing to Gibbs. "The other agent Gibbs."

000

The door opened and Terry looked up, one of his .45's on the table within easy reach. Terry was glad he'd gone with his gut instinct, as he was now out numbered.

"I didn't expect to see you." She said, taking the chair across from Terry. Gibbs sat next to her.

"What's that for?" He asked, pointing to the gun.

"Just trying to keep everything kosher." Terry said. He sighed. "Look, I know I can say I'm sorry all day long, but I also know that's not enough. I want to apologize for my behavior to you and Sam."

Jen thought for a moment. She knew her son well enough to know when he was and wasn't being forthright. "I accept your apology." She said.

"Me too." Gibbs said.

"Thank you." Terry said, re-holstering his pistol. "Do you think I could see Sam?"

Terry watched the wheels turning in his parent's heads. Finally, Jen spoke. "I'll have someone bring him up."

"I'll go get him, Jen." Gibbs said.

000

While they were waiting for Gibbs to bring Sam back up, Jen couldn't help smiling. Terry looked like he was ready to crack. "Something wrong?" she asked, offering him a cup of coffee.

"No. I'm good." He lied.

"You know…your father pulled a similar stunt four years ago. Remember that explosion, when he had amnesia?"

Terry nodded. It had been a trying time for all of them. He was deployed to Afghanistan and couldn't get leave.

"He ran off to Mexico for a few weeks afterward." Jen said.

"That's just a similarity. I doubt very seriously that he behaved like a child."

"Terry, we love you. Sam loves you. You're forgiven; move on." Jen said, smiling. But before he could respond to door opened and Sam and Gibbs entered.

Sam saw his brother and ran to him, launching himself into Terry's lap. "I knew you'd come back, bubba." Sam said, hugging him.

"Sorry I made you sad, buddy." Terry said, returning the hug.

Sam pulled away and looked up. "That's ok. I was sad for a little bit, but I knew you'd come back."

"You did, huh?"

"Yeah, I did." Sam said. He looked at Jenny. "Can I go back and play now, mommy?"

Jen smiled at him. "Sure, honey."

"Come on, bud. I'll take you back." Terry said.

"Ok." Sam said, taking his brother's hand.

When they were gone, Jen breathed a sigh of relief. "Glad that's over." She said, looking at her husband.

He laughed and put his arms around her. "You and me both." He said, kissing her.

000

"Are you and auntie Ziva gonna get married now?" Sam asked as he and Terry rode and the elevator downstairs.

Terry was caught off guard and fumbled for a response. "Uh…um…uh. What makes you think that, buddy?"

"Well, Michele's boyfriend got mad at her, then they made up and he askted her to marry him." Sam said, as if that was the way it was supposed to work. He was referring to Special Agent Lee and Ducky's assistant, Jimmy Palmer.

Terry knelt in front of his brother. "Can you keep a secret?"

"You mean wike secwet agent clastified stuff?" the boy asked, his eyes bright.

"Yeah, just like that."

"Yeah, I can do that."

"I'm going to ask Ziva to marry me."

"Cool. I won't tell, bubba." Sam said.

"Thanks, buddy. Have a good day." Terry said, handing him off to one of the daycare workers and leaving the building. Now all he had to do was buy a ring.

000