A reminder for Tali's appointment popped up on Jimmy's phone late Sunday night. He was correct in thinking that he could not get off of work, but Breena was able to take her. She had made arrangements with the funeral home. Jimmy hated having to miss the appointment but he had missed a great deal of work in the last few months and he was going to miss Friday. Breena was returning to work but Jimmy was going to take Tori out for a special day. Just the two of them. Ducky had agreed to keep her for a few hours so Jimmy could take Tori out for lunch.
"Tali's appointment is tomorrow at nine." Jimmy reminded.
"I have everything arranged." Breena assured.
"Thank you. I am sorry I cannot make it." Jimmy apologized.
"It's fine you have missed a lot of work and besides you do need to spend Friday with Tori." Breena assured.
"I hope Tali does well with you." Jimmy sighed.
"She will do as good as she does." Breena replied.
Breena tossed and turned all night. She was stressing bad about the appointment. She worried that Tali would have an episode when they were alone. She worried the doctor would not be able to help her. She worried that they would be told the best option would in fact for the to put Tali up for adoption. She had inquired in a parent's group about what to do. Most comments were supportive but several people had suggested handing Tali over to foster parents who specialized in caring for traumatized children. Maybe to a facility temporarily but Breena could never give Tali away. She could never let her daughter down like that.
Jimmy struggled through the morning. He felt terrible for leaving. No amount of assurance could make him feel any better. For a brief moment he knew how Tali felt but knew it was nothing like what she was enduring. Fresh guilt came over him. He took another swig of coffee, before stepping out into autopsy. Ducky looked in his direction. Jimmy trudged over to the table. He slammed his hands down on the cool metal.
"Rough morning?" Ducky asked.
"Breena had to take Tali to therapy this morning. A specialist out in Tacoma." Jimmy replied.
"Washington State?!" Ducky gasped.
"No Tacoma Springs, Maryland" Jimmy laughed.
"Oh of course! Young Tali would be seeing Dr. Nadir I do believe." Ducky gasped.
"Linda" Jimmy sighed.
"She is excellent she studied under one of my dear friends. Even as a young college student she was brilliant. I assure you that Tali is in wonderful hands." Ducky assured.
"I know but she shouldn't have to be. She shouldn't have to go to therapy at least not for what she has to. A kid's problems should be temporary. Not permanent. Not being orphaned at four and shuffled between three different countries. Three different families. She is just a child." Jimmy rambled.
"I agree whole heartedly. However what I can tell you is that I commend you and Breena for doing what you can and all you have for her. She is in wonderful hands and I know that Anthony is at peace knowing." Ducky explained.
"I can only hope so." Jimmy sighed.
Breena took a seat in the shrink's office. She had Tali in her arms. Tali had screamed the entire drive and continued as they stepped into the office. Breena was expecting judgmental stares. The same ones she had received trying to take Tali to the store. The same she had admittedly given in the days before adopting Tali. Instead she received pity. She saw other parents dealing with traumatized children. Children with cuts and self injuries on their bodies. A child was throwing himself hard onto the floor. Breena shuddered as Tali continued to scream.
"Tali Palmer" The receptionist screamed.
"NOOOO!" Tali screamed as Breena carried her through the door, this was really happening.
Gibbs pulled himself up off the floor. He looked around the basement. There were bottles and cans scattered on and around the work bench. He couldn't remember how he had gotten the liquor just that he had. His head was pounding and standing was almost impossible. He was dizzy and miserable. He could hear Ducky screaming at somebody upstairs. No other voices lead Jethro to believe that his old friend was on the phone hadn't he gone to work today? Head throbbing and the world spinning around him, Jethro drug himself up the basement stairs. Falling twice before reaching the door. He reached for the knob and fell backwards going down the stairs and crashing hard onto the landing. He tried to stand and ended up going the rest of the way down to the floor. As he was trying to stand, the basement door opened and Ducky raced down to his aide.
"Ouch" Jethro moaned as Ducky pressed down on his ankle.
"Wonderful job Jethro. You seem to have broken your ankle." Ducky scoffed.
"Give me a break." Jethro hissed.
"Give you a break? Give you a break?! You smell a brewery! You fell down a flight of stairs! You tricked poor Timothy into bringing you alcohol!" Ducky ranted.
"I am having a tough time. I could use a break." Jethro reminded.
"Giving you a break is how I let you go down that road. I am not doing that." Ducky rebutted.
"What are you going to do? Send me off to rehab?" Jethro questioned.
"I am not sending you to rehab. What I am going to do is insist that you get counseling. It is clear to me that you are not coping with Anthony's death well. I thought you could work through as you had with Caitlin, Jennifer, Michael and the others but it is clear to me you are not going to get through this on your own. You are in desperate needing of professional help." Ducky explained.
"I don't need help! I need Tony!" Jethro snapped.
"I cannot bring Anthony back." Ducky reminded.
"I know but it hurts. God it hurts so much." Jethro sobbed.
A/N: Will Gibbs and Tali ever recover? New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.