He looked at the clock on the wall, counting the seconds. He was tired, he wanted to go home.

He looked at Dr Mallard, working on his desk. How horrible was it that he felt like he would go insane if he didn't leave the presence of a man who cared for him so deeply? It was wrong.

But he had to. He couldn't breathe. He was tired, forcing himself to work and focus on anything but, was hard. To force himself to act normal, or as normal as he was managing.

He felt even worse when he thought that Abby made him feel bad at the moment. For many reasons. He liked her, but thinking of her at the moment just made him remember things he didn't want to.

When the time for him to leave arrived, he left as fast as he could without looking like he was running away.

In his car, he took a moment to turn it on. He didn't want to go home, he still looked at the walls and could clearly remember his hallucinations, he didn't want to stay at work. He just wanted to relax.

After a quick moment, he decided to go for neither, turning on the vehicle and driving without a direction and stopping on the first hotel he could find.

Gibbs had asked for the woman to arrive after the time he knew Palmer would already be gone. If he could, he wouldn't ask too much of the young man. Funny how, before entering Jimmy's mind, he never called him young man. Now, he had to force himself not to call him kid.

He was still at his desk when a junior agent walked over to the bullpen with a dark skinned woman in her fifties.

" Gibbs. " She greeted him.

" Julia. " He greeted, nodding to the agent and the junior agent leaving. " Follow me. "

He led her to the conference room, she took a seat.

" How's work treating you? " He asked, taking a seat of his own.

" I wished to say it was light, but CPS never seems to have easy times. " She said, smiling. " I imagine neither does the navy criminal classes? "

He chuckled, shaking his head.

" Nah. " He said.

" Now, why am I here? You didn't mention anything on the phone. " Asked the woman.

" I don't have an active case, but I have something for you. " He said.

" I should make notes, shouldn't I? " She asked.

He smiled nodding.

" I have a name for you. " He said. " Don't know he is still a foster parent, but he used to be. " He took a paper from the pocket of his blazer, giving to her.

" And? " She asked reading the name and placing the paper on top of the notebook she took from her purse.

" He's trouble. " Said Gibbs. " Someone who was under his care as a child told me. He beats kids. Bad. "

The woman sighed and rubbed her eyes. She was used to kids' pain, but it never got easy.

" No matter how much we work, someone always slips through the cracks. " She said, placing her pen on the paper again.

" I'm not telling you the name of the person, not yet at least. " Said Gibbs.

" Doesn't want to come forward? " She asked.

" Not yet at least. I'll need a time to be convincing enough. " He said.

" But you don't want to his this monster still out there. " She guessed the line of thought of the man.

" Exactly. "

" Well, usually when they are abusive, they don't just stop or just do it on one kid. " She said. " Other kids would have suffered something too. I'll look over things without asking for your witness to say anything, but he/she, will need to eventually. You are sure of what you're saying? "

Gibbs hid the wave of hot white rage that came with the memories of what he saw in Jimmy's memories, but nodded.

" Positive. "

Gibbs and the rest of the team continued working on ' Jimmy's cases ' in between their own work load. Not hiding it from him, but not throwing it on his face either. Which was not hard, he hadn't exactly been sociable lately. They understood and respected it.

That didn't stop them from wondering what they could do to help him.

Abby was the one to try the hardest, specially because Jimmy, in the most polite and gentle way possible, had been avoiding her.

That's why, she got authorization from Ducky to take the man to a long lunch. They would have a nice talk and he could tell her how he felt.

" Jimmy! " She exclaimed, entering the autopsy room, a black picnic basket on her hands. " Want to have lunch with me? "

Jimmy looked at her surprised, she had just appeared out of nowhere. A look to her face and Abby could see he wanted to say no, but didn't have the heart to.

" I baked cookies for dessert! And made sandwiches! " She added. " You usually take your lunch break at this time, no? "

" Yeah. " He said, then looking at Ducky, sitting at his desk and working on signing some reports.

" You can go Mr Palmer. " He said. " Take the time you need. I suspect it will take some time to taste everything Abigail has put on that basket. "

He smiled slightly and allowed Abby to drag him out.

" Here! " She said, placing the basket on the ground. " This is the spot. Perfect! "

Jimmy looked around the spot that looked exactly the same as the former ones, but if she said this was it, he believed her.

He helped her place the towel on the ground, smiling slightly at the red and black print of skulls. Then both sat down.

People might find weird two people having a picnic in the middle of the Navy Yard. One dressed in scrubs, the other black goth clothes and a parasol. But if they looked close enough to see one of them was Abby, they didn't anymore.

He helped her in silence as she took out the things from the basket and placed them on top of the towel. Everything had at least a small face on it. Full on decoration to look like little skulls, spiders and other various things on practically everything.

" You were expecting someone else? " He asked, seeing the amount of food. " A rugby team maybe? "

" I just like to be prepared. " She said. " This way I'm sure that there's more than enough for us. You can even take some home. "

" Thanks. " He said, taking a bat decorated sandwich that looked to be turkey flavored. Taking a bite. Thinking of why she had done all this.

" Soooo... " And there it was. " How have you been? "

He looked up at her green eyes, filled with joy, but also concern.

" Good. " He said, but not trying to smile too much. " You now, not bad. "

" Getting better? " She asked. " You know, you can tell me whatever you need. I'm here to listen. "

" Abby... I don't want to upset you, but... I don't really want to talk about it. " He said, looking apologetic. Feeling awkward.

" Sure? Because, all my research says it helps. " She said, eager. " And I did a lot of it. "

" I don't like even thinking about it, talking about it with- "

" Is it because I look like that girl? Millie? " She asked, eyes filled with emotion.

" No! I mean.. Yes, but I don't hold it against you. Is just that is hard- " He stopped his rant, holding his face on his hands. " Try to understand Abby... I am very thankful for what you did for me. But... " He looked at her. " You were INSIDE my mind. You saw my memories. I know I shouldn't but I feel so- "

" Violated? " She asked.

He nodded, already dreading the pain he was going to cause on the girl. To his surprise, she nodded.

" I'm sorry. " She said. " I am sorry it came to it. If we had noticed your symptoms before, it wouldn't have been necessary. " She leaned in, giving him a hug. " We are worried, we want you to get through this with as little pain as possible. We are here to help. "

He hugged her back, surprised. From how bubbly, happy and excited Abby was, it was easy to see her as this delicate thing that was easy to break. Not a grown woman who worked solving murders without ever losing the love she had for people and life.

She smiled at him when the leaned away from each other, giving him a sandwich.

" Take the time you need. " She said. " Just remember that is not something you need to do alone. Or to bury away. "

The first time he had gone to the hotel, instead of his apartment, it was a relief. He had managed to relax more than he had since the first hallucination as he got 'sick' (if he could call it as such). Those walls reminded him of his fear, reminded him of the things he wanted to avoid. Those walls, that used to fit around him comfortably, now would scratch at his recent injuries, poke and suffocate him.

But should he be worried that he had been staying in a hotel for two weeks, now? It was getting ridiculous. He should go back.

But the hotel was so much simpler. Maybe he should wait another day.

" Hey Gremlin. " Said Tony, walking in the bathroom, seeing the assistant ME washing his hands.

Jimmy looked up from his hands to look back at him.

" Hey, Tony. " He said, then looking back at his hands and focusing on them. He turned off the faucet, then went to get a paper towel to dry up.

He thought he had been very casual in his movements. That it would seem like a normal thoughtless routine.

He hoped Tony hadn't noticed his avoidance of the mirror.

" Anthony! What brings you by? " Asked the old ME when Tony walked in the autopsy room. The doctor was putting on his coat and hat. " Am I afraid I was already leaving. "

" It will be quick Ducky. " He said, thinking about what he had been the bathroom. " Just a question really. "

" And what is it, my boy? "

" Have you noticed if Jimmy had been avoiding mirrors recently? " He asked. He had noticed the younger man looking away from windows too.

" Avoiding them? " He asked, thinking. " Well, we do not have mirrors, here, but he has been keeping his back to me as he cleans the tables. I will look into it. Why do you ask? "

" Something I have seen. Wanted to make sure it was just a one time thing or not. " He said. " Or something that someone needs to talk to him about. "

" Well, we shall see. " Said Ducky, moving to the door and Tony following. " He does seem to be sleeping better, the bags under his eyes are almost imperceptible now. "

" Yeah, I saw it too. " Said Tony, with a relieved small smile. " Finally. "

" Are you having a hard time not being ' overly ' concerned about him too? " Asked the doctor as they entered the elevator.

" DiNozzos do not get ' overly ' worried. " Said Tony, but he was lying. Jimmy had been right about one thing, he had changed in their eyes. It didn't make them have any negative feelings towards him, but being worried about how he was doing became that much easier. Specially when Tony kept flashing back to the boy in the alley he met all those years ago, with a gun to his head. And all the memories that were forever burned into his brain (saving someone from their nightmares apparently meant carrying them with him too).

The way Ducky chuckled showed him the man knew he was lying.

" Well, I am having a hard time. " Said Ducky, with emphasis on the ' I '. " The boy is too worried about everyone else, is hard not to do the same. "

" Yeah... " Said Tony, thinking of what he should do. When he arrived at his car, saying good bye to Ducky, he had an idea.

He drove straight to Jimmy's place, entering the building and knocking on the door of his apartment.

He knocked and knocked. He rang several times with no answer. Then he decided to call him.

" Hello. "

" Gremlin! "

" Hey Tony. " Said the man, he could hear a TV in the background.

" Came by to invite you for a drink and you're not here. " Said Tony.

" Ohh. I... haven't been sleeping at my apartment these days. " Said Jimmy, sounding embarrassed.

" Really? " Asked Tony, turning around and leaving the building.

" Yeah. I have been staying in a hotel. " He said. " Just to sleep. "

" Anything wrong with your place? Any repair you need to do? " Asked the man, he hadn't seen anything like it the last time he had been there.

" No, nothing major really. " Answered Jimmy, sounding hesitant. " I just felt like it. "

" How about you give me the address of where you're staying? We can have a beer. Is Friday, no work tomorrow. "

The pause showed how willing to go out the man was.

" You don't even have to leave the room. We can watch something on the TV. " Said Tony. " Come on, I told you I would help you when you were starting to steer your boat wrong. "

A sigh.

" Sure. "

Tony was a good friend. He truly was. And, fortunately, a lot easier to talk to than Abby. Still, why did he had to go to his apartment that day? The hotel bed had been so comfortable. He was in his PJ's and watching crappy TV.

Still, he guessed the man meant well and if he didn't see he was good, he would be worried.

So, he changed into a t-shirt and sweats and took out the sheet that had been covering the mirror in the room from over its frame. Avoiding looking at it.

After half an hour, he heard a rhythmic knock on the door and went to open it.

" Brought beer and chips. " Said the man as soon as he became visible. His usual ' DiNozzo smile on his face. " Let's see if this hotel has decent cable. "

Jimmy gave a polite smile as he had the brown bag shoved in his arms, Tony walking in his usual curious way looking around. The Assistant ME having the impression he was analyzing the place.

He closed the door and placed the bag in a small desk in the corner of the room as Tony sat on the bed, leaning against the headboard and changing the channels of the TV.

" Not bad. " He said. " Sports, good movie channels. Excellent! We have where to start. "

" Start? " Asked Jimmy, taking a beer, opening one and taking a sip.

" Throw me one, will ya? " Asked Tony, grabbing the bottle midair when Jimmy did. " Let's talk. "

" About? " Asked Jimmy, going to the other side of the bed and sitting down, leaning against the headboard. " The GodFather? " He asked, pointing at the TV, Tony having finally stopped in one channel.

" Stuff. " Asked Tony. " You know, things that might be still bothering you. Odd things. Like: Why are you staying in a hotel when you have a perfectly good apartment waiting for you? "

Jimmy looked at the eternal playboy sitting next to him. He hid it under a layer of his usual humor, but he was worried. They all were those days.

" I... " He started, then scoffing. " I don't feel comfortable inside my own apartment. " He finally admitted. " Can't be there anymore. All I see reminds me of the things I saw in there and I can't be in there in order to push them down again. "

Tony was in silence for a moment, before taking a sip of his beer.

" You want to stay in my place? " He asked. Not telling him it was stupid or he had to get over it, like he imagined people doing it if he said he was afraid of his own home. " Better than to throw away your money in this hotel room. Is not that nice, but it can't be cheap, after all these days. "

" No, I couldn't- "

" No problem, really. " Said Tony, looking at him with a serious face. " But there is something. "

" What? " He asked, taking in the solemn tone of the agent.

" You have to take the couch. "

He chuckled, shaking his head.

" Uhhh, that's almost a deal breaker. "

" A lot to ask, I know. " He said. " Even if I have excellent furniture. Aaannnd, we can go to work in the same car. Saves me the gas. You will be doing me a favor. "

He was touched, really he was. And Tony had a way of saying things that didn't make him feel small or like a victim. But to be around others... He wasn't ready. It would be too-

" Gremlin. " Tony interrupted his thoughts. " Is time you allow us to help. Remember, I am here to tell you when you're doing things wrong. Take at least a favor. Is okay to say you need help. "

Jimmy's memory flashed back to an alley years ago.

" Not the first time you tell me this. " He said.

" Not any less true. "

He paused for a long moment.

" Okay. "

Tony smiled, nodding.

" Great! Let's just finish this movie and we can go. "

Tony helped Jimmy carry his things as they left the hotel room, once again noticing the sheet in the desk by the mirror. He would bet good money that it was covering the mirror before he arrived.

He would question Jimmy about it later, after he was already at his place.

Jimmy had never been in Tony's place before, but he was happy to learn that he had a couch big enough for him to lay comfortably. He placed his things by it and looked around as Tony went to change out of his suit. It was unlike and just like he expects it to be at the same time. The movie collection he imagined was there, but a picture of Tony with a puppy dog wasn't. He turned the picture frame around, the photo of him with a cat appearing. Why did he have that? He didn't have a cat. Tony talked A LOT about his life, they would have heard if he had a cat or a dog.

The goldfish named Kate was there, they all had heard about it when Tony took her to the vet.

But the decoration was so... nice. Not that Tony didn't have good taste, he did, but Jimmy expected the place to be much more 'jock playboy'. He couldn't explain it very well, but it was certainly surprising to find a piano. Did Tony played? He didn't know that?

" So, what do you think? "

He jumped a foot in the air with a startled GAH! When he heard Tony's voice next to him.

" Sorry. " Said Tony, eyeing him with a raised eyebrow.

" How is it that you walk so silently? " Asked Jimmy, a hand over his heart.

" Socks. "

He looked down, he was indeed without shoes and wearing gray socks that went with the sweat pants and old t-shirt.

" Oh. Well, you scared me. "

" I noticed. " Said Tony. " So, what do you think of Casa Dinozzo? "

" I like it, is nice. But why do you have a picture with a cat and another with a dog? "

" Ladies. "

" I don't follow. " He said, looking at the smirk on the other man's face.

" If she likes dogs... if she likes cats... I am prepared. "

" You don't. " Said Jimmy, looking perplexed at him.

" I do. " Retorted Tony, smirking.

She chuckled, shaking his head.

" And the piano? "

" To play, obviously. "

" I didn't know you played. "

" You don't know everything about me. " Said Tony, smirking and moving to sit on the stool in front of the instrument. Placing his hands on the keys. " Sit down, let me show you how it's done. Maybe you can even use it to help you with girls. "

" I don't need help with girls, but sitting next to Tony anyway.

" Sush, sush. Listen to teacher, Jimmy, my boy. " Said the eternal man-child. His fingers playing a quick sequence of notes.