The Pain We Suffer

AN/ I don't own NCIS. Sorry for the delay for this chapter. I have had the flu. Hope you all enjoy. Kind of an informative chapter. Kind of small. Make sure you review. And have a great Thanksgiving. Be safe and happy.

Chapter 25

Tony sleeps at his desk. Ziva is still searching the backgrounds of Jackson and Martha Gibbs and Shannon Camden-Gibbs. They really didn't think it was anyone from Mamma and Daddy Gibbs' past. So Ziva was going through Shannon's past. She came across a birth certificate for a baby boy in 1972. The baby wasn't born in Stillwater, PA. It was a small place in New York. A city name Rochester. It was a well known place for unwed mothers. The parents names were Shannon Camden and Oscar Strickland.

Ziva thinks she hit pay dirt. The child's name is Kerry Oscar Strickland. But it says that Shannon gave the child up. And then she disappeared for about 3 to 4 years. Ziva found that to be suspicious. Why would Shannon, a well know great mother, give up her child. Then Ziva looked at the age of the mother. She was a very young 14. In fact, she was 13 for most of the pregnancy.

Ziva wasn't sure how she wanted to handle this. She didn't want to soil Gibbs' memory of Shannon, but it was great possibility that it was Oscar and Kerry that were this awful people. And what did they have to do with Shannon's past? Obviously Kerry's her son. And her and Oscar had sexual relations. But she was VERY young to be bedding a 13 year old. And she never seemed the type to jump into a mans bed. She thinks maybe she needs to talk to someone sensible and would take this seriously. So Ziva picks up the phone and dials Ducky's number.

"Morgue, Dr. Mallard." Ducky answers professional.

"Ducky, I need to see you. I have some info, but need a sensible, mature person to talk to." Ziva says quietly to keep Tony asleep.

"By all means, come on down."

"Thanks Ducky." Ziva hangs up. She gathers all the print outs and her cell phone, then heads to the elevators to go down to the morgue.

"Hey Tim, how you feelin'?" Sarah walks into Tim's room at this late hour.

"Fine. Just can't sleep. Pretty much have been doing that for a couple months now." Tim smiles at his sarcasm.

"Timmy, what's the real reason?" Sarah could see fear in his dark, tired eyes.

"I'm afraid if I sleep, I won't wake up. It's stupid, but that's why I can't sleep." Tim turns from Sarah.

"It's not stupid Tim. In my text book it says that patients that wake from coma's mostly have that fear. So it's common to fear or feel that Tim. And the physical therapist says since I moved your legs everyday, that it will or should only take a week. Give or take. So by the end of the month you should be home." Sarah says smiling pretty big at her big brother.

"I don't know if I can go home. It's were I was attacked. I don't know if I can feel safe there. At least until these MEN are captured." Tim didn't like admitting fear to anyone. He felt it made him weak. Sarah was about THE only one he would tell. On normally circumstance he might tell Abby, but she had plenty to worry about right now.

"Oh, Timmy. I'm sure by the time we spring you from this place, we can have you set up somewhere. Don't you worry that head of yours." Sarah says, mussing his hair. Which was in need of a wash and cut. Sarah doesn't remember ever seeing Tim with hair this long.

"Yeah, let's hope so. So how are you doing in school?" Tim asks with his serious face on.

"Well the school has let me kind of take the semester to take care of you. And of course, mom and dad. When I was there, I worried about you. And I studied while I sat here with you. But I just couldn't sit in class knowing you could wake u at any moment and you'd be alone. So I talked to the Dean and he understood. So he's holding my classes for the coming semester and transferring the tuition over. But it was only for a semester. So it's great that you woke up when you did. Next week is the start of the next semester." Sarah laughs. Tim feels kind of bad that Sarah put her life at school on hold for him. She really couldn't do much while he slept.

"Thank you Sarah. But you should have kept going in school. It wouldn't have killed me to wake up alone." Tim sounded like an old man yelling at his child.

"Tim, I did what was best for me. I felt I needed to be here for you. I know you would and have done the same for me. Do you remember when I showed up at your apartment covered in blood? You helped me out with that. Even when I thought did something wrong. You knew I didn't do anything. Well, not without something happening to me. You and your team figured it out. I'll never forget that." Sarah leaned down and hugged Tim.

"I love you too Sarah. You still having nightmares?" Tim asks. Sarah pulls away and looks at Tim funny.

"How did you know I had nightmares? Why do you think I'm still having nightmares?" Sarah asked pretty fast. Which to Tim was an automatic yes.

"Because Sarah. I know you. You had nightmares after you saw your pet fish floating in the bowl. Itgoes to reason you would have nightmares after your rape and that guys murder. So don't even think of denying it with me. First off, I'm your brother and secondly, that happens a lot with women who have survived rape." Tim says, in his Yoda-ish tone.

"What would you know about rape? I know it happens to men too. But mostly women. And face it, men just can't understand. The bodies are different. Women can understand what men go through, but there is in BIG difference. I just thank God I wasn't a virgin." Sarah says, forgetting who she was talking to.

"OH! Well, I think that is none of my business." Tim starts to redden.

"Sorry, but it's not like I told you with who and what we did." Sarah smiles.

"Ok! Now, I'm officially uncomfortable." Sarah laughs.

"Oh Timmy, loosen up! Calm down. I was just joking with you. Boy, I hope you can get a sense of humor, FAST." Sarah jabs Tim in the arm.

"I have one. Now, are you talking to someone about the nightmares?"

"Don't worry bout it Timmy. Just get better. That will help me. Now, is there anything I can get you before I leave? Oh and before I forget. Mom and dad are coming up for a visit." Sarah says, looking through her bag for something.

"Can I get a nice, good hot cup of coffee? From Starbucks." Tim had a very hopeful look on his face.

"I will have mom and dad bring it up when they come. I will come back to see you soon. I'm going to pop by and see Abby before I go. Want me to giver her a message?" Sarah asks, gathering her things.

"Yeah, tell her I will see her soon. As soon as they let me sit up." Tim smiles.

"Ok. You take care. Love you Timmy."

"Love you Sar." Tim watches as Sarah leaves.