Thanks to all of you that took the time to address my rant. I have found out some very interesting stuff. Just to share, several of you have mentioned that in late March, Tim's dad is going to be finally making an appearance ... I hope they don't mess it up! Also, I found that that there had been a shift personnel & that the change matches the time when Tim's character started fading (shout out to Gottahavemyncis for that little piece of info!). I totally agree that it seems that the new person in power must not be a McGee fan.

I posted my feelings on the NCIS facebook page, but I have a feeling that no one from the show really reads anything there. So I have found a higher power, I found a CBS feedback site: info/user_services/fb_global_ . I don't know if it will do any good, but maybe if enough of us Tim-geeks make some noise, we can finally get some satisfaction. (Not going to hold my breath, but hey, it's worth a shot.)

I have been apologizing for long chapters ... this one is a little short ... but I just had to stop where I did ... (evil laugh)

Enjoy!

"Is he still resting?" Gibbs asked.

Ari nodded. "He is very drained. As much as I hate to stay too long in one place, I feel it is best to stay put until he is ready."

"Could you not just carry him? Since we are not affected by those ... phantoms, we could keep moving."

"No, sister. Now that the phantoms know he's here, they will come back again and stronger. He needs to gather his strength if he is to fight them off. As for me carrying him, it ... it is complicated." He shook his head. "Trust me, this is the best option right now."

Ari looked to each of them. "You also need rest. This journey is going to keep getting harder and harder ... and not just for him," he looked down at the sleeping child in his arms, then back up to the team, "Take the time now to refresh yourself ... you may not get a chance again." He then turned his attention back to Tim.

The team stood quiet for a moment before Gibbs shrugged and said, "We might as well do as he says. Come on you two." He put a hand on each of their shoulders as he walked by. The three of them went into the center of the barrier.

"Ziver, I think it's time for more of the Ginseng strength potion stuff."

"I do not know Gibbs. The priestess was very clear ..."

"That wasn't a request." When she just looked at him, Gibbs sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Listen, your brother just said that things are going to be getting a lot harder from here ... for all of us."

Ziva titled her head to the side as she thought about it. "I do not wish to run out before the end of this mission, however, I can agree to use a little of it in the meantime." She met Gibbs' eyes. "After we have rested and are ready to be on the move again."

Gibbs nodded, "Fair enough. Alright, let's get something to eat, then some sleep."

Tony and Ziva nodded their agreement. After a small dinner of rations each went to their respective sleeping bags. While Gibbs and Ziva were trying to fall asleep, Tony was trying to stay awake.

He laid on his sleeping bag, listen to his mother call to him. He knew he had to be patient, if he moved too soon, everyone would try to stop him.

With no way to mark the time, Tony had no idea how long it was before he finally heard Gibbs' and Ziva's breathing even out. Still, he waited, paced out what he thought was another ten, maybe fifteen minutes. Then he slowly rolled to his side, away from his team, then stood. He kept his movements slow, so as not to attract Ari's attention. Hoping their guide would just think he was trying to find something in the supplies.

He went to the furtherest point from everyone, right to the very edge of the barrier, peering out into the drab land in front of him. He had no idea what it would feel like going through the barrier, so he took a deep breath and started to move forward.

Suddenly a small hand grabbed his and held firm, not letting him move.

Tony looked down and saw Tim. The child was also looking out the barrier, but had a death grip on Tony's hand. "You can't go."

The senior agent blink in amazement, then dropped down to one knee to be eye level with his friend. "Hey buddy." During this whole excursion he had wanted his friend to see him, but now Tony wished he was still invisible to the boy.

Without turning, the boy repeated. "You can't go."

Tony wiped his face with his free hand. "Listen, I know you might not understand, but ..."

"No." It was said gently but with surprising authority. "You don't understand." Tim finally turned to face him. "Listen with your heart."

Tony stared at his partner. "What do you mean?"

Neither of them had noticed that the rest of the group was now paying full attention to them ... or to the fact that a swirling mist was starting to form outside of the barrier.

The child gave a knowing smile and locked eyes with Tony. Where they were holding hands a small glow began, it completely encompassed their hands, slowly spread up Tony's arm, then dissipated.

Tony felt a warmth go through his whole body, a warmth he hadn't felt since his mother had held him as a child.

"Now, listen again."

Tony turned to face out into the swirling mist. When the voice came, it sounded like his mother for just a moment, then it turned into the hissing voice of the phantoms. He looked back down at his friend in shock.

"But ..."

"You've been wanting to see her since you got here. They knew and tried to use it against you. That is their nature." Tim still looked like a child, but at the same time he seemed incredibly old, as if he had the knowledge of a thousand lifetimes weighing him down.

Tony was so overcome with everything and had so much he wanted to say, but he could only get out, "Thank you."

Tim smiled brightly and started to let go of Tony's hand. However, the senior agent tightened his grip and pulled the child into a bear-hug ... for once in his life, letting all his emotions come through in his actions. Behind him, the swirling mist stopped and in a sudden burst was gone.

Tim hugged Tony back, although it looked more as if Tim was comforting his friend.

Gibbs had watched the entire scene play out. He felt a guilty for not realizing anything was wrong until Tim ran past him to get to Tony. However, he couldn't be happier about the outcome. He let himself smile. He looked over to Ziva, who had tears slowly making a trail down her face. When she realized he was looking at her, she turned and gave him a smile and a nod. He looked over to Ari and his smile fell.

Ari was watching Tim and Tony with narrowed eyes and a scowl.

Before Gibbs could say anything, the sound of a child's laughter reached his ears. He turned back to his two agents. Tony had Tim hoisted up under his arm, as if carrying a sack, pretending to almost drop the boy, then swinging him around to the other arm.

They looked like two brothers playing, the sight brought such a warmth to Gibbs, that he started laughing along with Tim.

Ziva hadn't taken her eyes off of her teammates. She watched them play and it made her smile, when Gibbs started laughing, she couldn't help herself, she joined in as well.

It continued for a few minutes before a sharp, "Neri!", brought them all to a halt.

Team Gibbs turned to their guide, all of them angry that he put an end to the good mood. Tim seemed to be the only one who didn't mind. He patted Tony's hand to indicate that he was ready to be put down. As soon as Tony did, Tim took off running, going straight to Ari.

When Tim reached him, the Israeli immediately scooped him into his arms and held him close for just a moment. Then he held the boy at arm's length and a silent conversation began between the two.

They could tell when the conversation ended, because Ari relaxed and released Tim. However, the boy did not go far, choosing to sit down right beside his protector.

Ari draped an arm around the boy, but addressed the team. "Go back to sleep. You will need to be well rested for what lies head."

Gibbs thought about arguing, but changed his mind. Ari had proven himself loyal to Tim and to getting the boy to the Golden Halls. There were many times he could have taken off, either by himself or with Tim, leaving them stranded, but he didn't. He knew Tony and Ziva were watching to see how he would react, so Gibbs just nodded and slid back inside his sleeping bag, settling down to go back to sleep.

Just as he knew they would, Tony and Ziva followed suit and soon the three were fast asleep.

XXXX

In a far off corner on the level closest to the Golden Halls a monster stirred. He felt a shift in the atmosphere as a familiar feeling caught his attention.

He uncurled his eight legs and stood up tall on them, extending his spider like body to its full height. He stretched his giraffe-like long black neck lifting his face, which looked like a pig after the slaughter, to sniff at the air.

He roared in pleasure at the recognition, then unfurled huge wings that resembled a fly's and beat them, creating a wind storm.

He paused and then roared again, this time it was a summons. Several monsters immediately answered back with their own roar. Within minutes, he was surrounded by his followers: disgusting creatures in all shapes and sizes, all chimera like with parts and piece of several different animals. With one gigantic roar they started forward as one.

The leader knowing that this time, his adversary would not get way.