Tim is definitely in good hands now because neither Penny nor Sarah, both of whom have been through hell this week waiting for word of his whereabouts, will let anyone wake him. Knowing this, Gibbs focuses on what's going on out in the hallway. Neither of the women seems to notice the Team Leader slip quietly from the room, leaving them to spend time alone with the patient. They're not moving from this spot anytime soon. Gibbs allows himself to half smile at that thought. Their presence should help Tim's spirits come up too.

Stepping outside the room, he's not surprised to find Jimmy here but the look on the younger man's face is unexpected. The M.E.'s assistant's abject relief is unmistakable. He may be trying to hide it by not looking directly at anyone, but it's there as plain as day. Obviously Ducky thinks so too because it's barely a moment later when the older man is asking about it.

"Mr. Palmer, I do not understand. What is going on in that head of yours that would have you in such a state? One would think you were in shock by looking at you right now."

"I guess I am. I mean… I thought he was dead, Dr. Mallard." Jimmy admits quietly. Only Breena tucked up against him, their arms around each other keeps him grounded to that spot as the words leave his lips. Suddenly, it's feeling like he's just committed a crime.

Taken aback Ducky struggles with that one. "Oh, dear! Jimmy, I…"

"When?" Gibbs probingly interrupts to ask. His tone is sympathetic and solemn. It's obvious he's taking this very seriously.

The Team Leader's unexpected entry into this personal admission has Jimmy seriously struggling to put this into words that won't have him sounding like an idiot.

"Tell him, honey." Breena quietly urges him. "Let him hear it. Maybe you can start sleeping and eating better once it's off your chest."

Gibbs is getting a bad feeling about this. Somehow, whatever the answer is, it's not good. He can see the younger man's reaction is more than just Tim being missing while everyone was first waking up in the hospital and then while they were mending at Ducky's. Of course, hearing from a third party that whatever this is has the young man so troubled he's not able to take proper care of himself while he's still recovering has Gibbs upset for him already. Lord only knows how badly Ducky's going take that information.

Sure enough, Ducky's looking seriously troubled now and only Jimmy obvious attempt to answer their questions is forestalling the man's own discussion on the matter.

"When that….that g…when he was going on and on about Tim being on vacation." Jimmy finally admits.

That answer hits Gibbs like a punch to the gut. Putting anyone through that kind of emotional agony of loss is unacceptable. What the hell is wrong with him that it hadn't occurred to him that any of the team would be harboring such fears about Tim's whereabouts?

Even though Jimmy's still not looking at him, it hits home. Gibbs, as decision maker regarding Tim with regard to who got told and when, has fed those fears by not letting them in on it before now. Too busy trying to shield them from the pain of having to think about Tim's being missing and what ordeal he might still be going through, the Team Leader inadvertently caused more pain, an unnecessary sense of loss and heartbreak. He's made things worse. The words to say at this moment, completely escape him. 'Sorry' doesn't even come close.

From the deepest part of his heart, still a wreak as it is on the heels of his own hellish experience, he offers one anyway.

****NCIS****

Leon Vance has one last phone call to make. He's put it off until the end so Gibbs and Doctor Mallard could have all that time to do what they needed to – to get Agent McGee to agree to go to the hospital – and actually get him there. There's no doubt in Vance's mind that – that's what the young man needs and now. No more time wasted. Only his faith in his MCRT Leader and Medical Examiner have kept him from issuing that as an order for the youngest man. He hadn't wanted to rile him up or stress him out and so instead he'd stepped back and made room for the man's immediate supervisor to take care of things.

All except for the phone calls. While one in particular, he'd changed to a 'in person' notification, this one, he'd rather not. Still, he needs to talk to one of them; but which one? They're all dealing with so much. He's not even sure that the SOP in this case is the right thing to do. It is if he's looking to put things back on a normal even keel as much as he possibly can. But, if he's looking to adhere to their needs as persons who are hurting and trying to figure out what's next, then maybe more thought is needed as to who would be better prepared to receive the news and happy to spread it.

Scrap that, he's going over there. They're just as deserving as the 'in person' notification as Penny and Sarah had been. They consider Agent McGee as family, even if they do go overboard with the hazing and picking on each other crap from time to time. Besides, Agent McGee would want them to be told as soon as possible because he wouldn't want them to worry needlessly. That much they all know about him. Quickly, he takes himself out to his car, his driver already prepared to leave. Giving the man Ducky's address, he sits back and tries to relax for the ride, with the good update from Gibbs a few moments ago.

*****NCIS*****

The intrusive peal of the doorbell, rouses Tony from his near restful sleep. Seeing Ziva still at least trying to rest next to him on the bed, he's quick to hurry out to the front entryway to take care of whoever's come calling at this rather inconvenient time. Opening the door on the third ring, Tony's ready to snap off at whoever it is, nearly swallowing his tongue to forestall that effort at the sight of Leon Vance on the doorstep.

"Director?"

"Agent DiNozzo. You're looking better."

"Thank you, Sir. Ducky's not here. Neither is Gibbs."

"I realize that. I need to speak with the three of you that are here."

"So they called you, then. This something important that they asked you to tell us? Because we don't know anything about what's going on with them."

"It is important and I realize that you're not the one with the information. I am."

"Sorry. Come on in. Why the cryptic beat around the bushes, Director?"

"Not my intention. What I came to tell you, I need to say to all of you at the same time." Leon responds calmly.

"I am here." Ziva pipes in calmly from behind Tony in the doorway.

"Me too." Abby quietly adds as she leads the way to the living room where they can sit down on Ducky's chairs and sofa.

Knowing they'll need the support of the seats they've chosen, Leon waits patiently while the younger three get comfortable. Choosing to remain standing, he gets straight to the point once they've all stopped moving and look his way. "Agent McGee is no longer missing."

"That's great!"
"You found him?"
"Is he all right?"

"Right now, he's badly in need of the same medical evaluations all of you were. We'll know more tomorrow. In the meantime, get some rest. Meeting in my office 0900." His tone, while calm and quiet, leaves no room to argue. Having said all he's come to say, Vance turns to go.

"Wait, that's it? Nothing else about how he's doing or where he's at?" Tony asks with surprise mixed with disappointment

"Need to know, Agent DiNozzo and right now, you don't."

"Wow. Didn't see this coming." Tony's snarky tone is as unmistakable as his frown, visible to all of them before he looks away.

"Not mine to tell, Tony." Vance attempts to pacify the obviously ticked off agent.

Taking in the Director's serious tone and the fact that he's the only one of the three recovering team members complaining, Tony says nothing more about it. Instead, he mentally backs up and uses his head, reading what's not being said between the lines. Whatever's going on will more than likely be the subject of the meeting in the morning. With that calming realization running through his head, the Senior Field Agent is able to re-adjust his attitude into one of cooperation. He proves that with the next thing out of his mouth. "Okay."

As Vance mentally tries to process Tony's attitude adjustment, the silence is broken unexpectedly.

"0900? Mandatory?" Abby asks almost timidly.

Looking at her carefully, Leon can see quite plainly that this nightmare has seriously knocked her around and has left her nowhere near her comfort zone. The bags under her eyes are worse than he's ever seen on her while she's worked without sleep on cases before. She's lost serious weight, her tone of voice is far from normal and she's not meeting anyone's eyes.

Keeping his tone normal yet firm, he answers her. "Yes." Turning to head out, he wishes them all a good night. At the front door, he turns back, knowing Tony's right behind him where the women are not. "Do I need to get Dr. Mallard back here to check on anyone tonight?"

"No, Director. We're fine." Tony answers him quietly, his eyes locked onto the older man as he gives him what he obviously wants to hear.

"None of you are fine, Tony. But you will be." Vance reminds the agent in front of him. He's not letting him build a wall of faux bravado here. There's no need for it and it won't help any of them.

Tony gives a slight nod in silent agreement. "Thank you, Sir."

"Get some sleep."

"Will do."

Don't forget, my office 0900."

"We'll be there." Tony replies as he watches the man leave, closing the door behind him, locking it before walking back into the rest of the house. His gut isn't happy about this upcoming meeting, but then again, maybe they'll finally get some answers.

******NCIS*****

Watching Breena step into the elevator with Dr. Mallard at nine when they head home for the night, Jimmy smiles softly before he turns back to Tim's room, two coffees in hand. Going inside, he silently hands one to the patient's boss and retreats to the chair on the other side of the bed before any words can be spoken, leaving plenty of space between them.

While gearing up to drive Penny home, Jimmy patiently watches Tim sleep, grateful beyond words that the agent is alive and not physically damaged in any way. There's no doubt in his mind that in terms of the man's psyche, the probability is high that it will be a different story, but it is nevertheless, a huge relief that physically, he'll be whole with rest and proper medical care, like he's already getting.

Then again, Jimmy's not so sure that's accurate. But he's not aware of the details either since he's not been read into Tim's actual medical situation and he's not about to intrude where he hasn't expressly been invited in. What he does know is Sarah and Penny have gone for a walk to stretch their legs and have agreed to go home and get some real sleep after they come back and check in on Tim one more time. Well, Penny has, anyway. Sarah is insisting on spending the night at her brother's bedside when they get back.

In the meantime, it's he and Gibbs keeping Tim company and the silence between them is equal parts for the patient as it is for Jimmy. At least, that's the story he's holding on to so he doesn't have to speak into the silence that right now is very comfortable in his corner of the room. No words come to mind anyway and he's more interested in focusing on the patient while he can.

While he understands that the Team Leader's ordeal was distinctly different than his own and that the man had his own reasons for keeping his silence, Jimmy still can't wrap his head around the idea of them not being told sooner that Tim was alive, the boss man's apology, notwithstanding. Being a man of few apologies doesn't get him off the hook in Jimmy's eyes; but as a medical professional who has seen far too much death in his short career and just recently escaped the jaws of it himself; the Medical Assistant isn't remotely comfortable with hanging on to this as if needing to hold a grudge against the man. He just needs time to work through it in his head.

Apparently, Gibbs has already sensed that because the man has said precious little since offering his sincere apology earlier tonight out in the hall. In the hours since then, he hasn't even done more than glance at Jimmy a time or two, nothing to make the younger man uncomfortable. His focus has been Tim and the women in Tim's family who are here to see him, to stay with him. If Jimmy didn't know any better, he'd swear the man is trying to move things forward, leaving the entire situation behind as if it were resolved.

But, Jimmy does know better. He's not on Gibbs' team directly and so he doesn't read him nearly as well as Tony does, but he does know guilt when he sees it and he can tell as much as the next guy, when the person in the room with him can't look him in the eye. He just hopes they can find a way past this without dragging it down further into the mud. They've all been through enough. It's time to focus on the here and now as well as the future, now that they all have one.

******NCIS******

Glancing at his watch and noting that it's going on midnight, Gibbs arches his back enough to stretch out the kinks before he settles back down into the chair beside Tim's bed. The others have gone home now, with the exception of Sarah McGee. Together, the two of them will not only make sure Tim feels safe at all times, but also help him through whatever comes up through the night. It's going to be a long shift before Jimmy comes back to relieve him while he goes to that meeting and that's fine with him because he's got a lot of thinking to do.

He can't remember a time when he's felt so badly about a decision he's made in the best interest of the people he's responsible for; only to realize too late that it had been a bad one. To be hit between the eyes with the realization that in trying to keep them from dealing with something extremely painful; he's hurt them even worse, is a heavy weight on his already over-burdened shoulders.

Not for the first time, he finds himself wishing he could talk to Ducky about this. But, the older man has gone home for some much-needed rest and to check on the rest of the team. Speaking of rest, he knows he needs some himself and somehow wishes he could turn his mind off long enough to get it. Tossing his coffee cup in the trash, Gibbs gets to his feet and checks on Tim up close one more time.

Smoothing the younger man's hair out of his eyes, Gibbs smiles softly down at him while he sleeps peacefully. "You're gonna get through this, Tim. We won't let you go through it alone." He tells him quietly as he mentally shudders at what that 'it' entails. The image of Tim in that room flashes angrily before his eyes as a too vivid reminder. Opposite Tony's anger at this younger man, the Team Leader struggles to think of a way to repair the gap between them.

"I'll take the first shift since you've been here the whole time." Sarah offers quietly from where she's already sitting in the chair next to him.

Gibbs turns to look at her and offers her a small smile of thanks. "The extra bed's there for you to get some too." He reminds her in hopes she'll jump at the chance.

"I will. I promise. Just… not yet." She stubbornly resists.

Nodding, he retreats to the far corner of the room and gets as comfortable as he can on the wide window ledge. There's no way he's taking the bed and leaving her to sleep in the chair. Between the two of them, they'll hear Tim moving around and be there for him so they should be resting in the meantime. In his usual protective style, he lets rest find him, leaving one eye open.

*****NCIS****

What about you, Agent McGee? Is your silence regarding that humiliation you suffered in Mexico worth it now?

…. the vision in front of him. ..still there, painfully unchanged. But, it can't be! NO! Damn it, NO! Oh, God, NO!

There's NO hope now.

Perhaps you are angered now that you are unaware of what fault he may be responsible for - why we are all here today?

What did he do to merit this? You are a smart man and you know there is a reason for his isolation - just as he is well aware that I also have the others.

You never did ask him how that trip went for your agent here, did you? That is too bad. You might have learned something valuable if you had.

Agent McGee, here - set you on that hunt - set her on the warpath so that it became something that no one could stop - the chase - until one of you died. It should have been you - but instead, it was my beloved. Now you are all paying the price for hunting her down…

- because SHE WOULD NOT BE DEAD!

*****NCIS*****

Restless movements from the bed across the room have Gibbs up off his seat in a heartbeat, at Tim's side in just one more. The nightmares have begun. Sarah, too has been abruptly awakened by her brother's obvious signs of distress and is now holding Tim's only free hand in an attempt to draw him back from wherever his mind has taken him.

"It's okay, Tim. You're all right." Her soft voice with noticeable shakiness doesn't seem to have much affect on him.

Bending down close to Tim's ear, Gibbs speaks softly to him. "Easy, Tim. I've gotcha"

Tim's head stops moving from side to side as the words meant to calm him actually work in some degree. But, his hands are still restless in their own rite; clenching and unclenching into fists that have dragged a part of the blanket up into them. Glancing up at Sarah, Gibbs offers her a look of reassurance. She needs to calm down. They'll get her brother through it.

Using one hand to stroke Tim's hair above his brow, Gibbs tries again to get through to him, still stroking his brow and carding his hair as he quietly speaks in his ear again. "It's not real, son. Come on back."

Almost instantly, Tim relaxes completely, his head turning in Gibbs' direction as if seeking to be closer to the security he senses and hears.

"Maybe you should stay there for a while." Sarah suggests with tears in her eyes. She hates seeing her brother like this. He's such a strong person for her that seeing him this thrown and this insecure hurts. It's like watching him become someone completely different and it scares the hell out of her.

Looking over at her, Gibbs feels his heart pull. He can see what's going on and he feels for her. Not wanting to let go of Tim with either hand, he gently calls her over to him. "C 'mere."

As Sarah approaches him, Gibbs finally stops carding Tim's hair and uses that arm to wrap Sarah in a one-armed hug, tugging her to him in a gesture of reassurance. "He'll be okay."

Nodding, Sarah sniffles but says nothing.

"I know it's hard seeing him like this." Her brother's boss sympathizes.

"He's always been my tough big brother." She admits quietly.

"He still is." Gibbs reminds her firmly. "He's alive and back with us. Focus on that."

"But…."

"Don't count him out before he's even started to fight." He tells her, making sure to keep his tone calm and quiet.

"I am, aren't I?" She replies guiltily.

"Not anymore." He reminds her while showing her that he's got faith in her.

"Thanks, Agent Gibbs."

"Welcome. Go get some sleep. I'll sit with him."

"Sounds like a good idea. It's obvious it's you he needs right now, anyway." She replies sadly.

"Sarah…"

"It's okay. I get it."

Gibbs leaves it alone. It's highly unlikely that she does get it. But, it's not something she's going to understand because she hadn't been there.

*****NCIS*****

"It's okay, Tim. You're all right."
"Easy, Tim. I've gotcha"
"It's not real, son. Come on back."

A sea of calm blue water below as billowy soft clouds cushion him, seems to go on endlessly. Closing his eyes, he finds peace….

...Black empty space so thick with smoke he can't breathe through moves aside as he parts it with his arms. Finally, it's gone and he can see but wishes he couldn't…sitting before him…the chair he spent a week chained to; the chain he spent those seven days confined to; the gag he spent days nearly gagging on; the blindfold he spent hours underneath; the gun that had been placed in hand and kept there for countless hours…..the faces of those here with him but not here….Ducky, Jimmy, Tony, Ziva, Abby, Gibbs…..

cloud of desolation so thick it's almost tangible…

the figure across the room… strength embodied enough there to share.

Tears of hopelessness and rage … tickle down his face, all traces of hope ….gone

NO hope now…

*****NCIS*****

Sadly, it's not long before Tim's restless again, this time his nightmares taking him further down the path of angst he's already traveled once, as evidenced by the tears trailing down his face. Quietly, Gibbs wipes away the tears and speaks to him again, one hand going back up to caress his brow as he'd done before.

"Remember, son. It's not real. We're all here. You just have to come back to us."

As before, Tim's anxiousness dissipates at the sound of his mentor's voice close by but this time it takes a little more repetition before it sinks in enough to completely calm him.. "That's it, Tim. Hear me. Come back, son."

To us…..son….not real…back to us…

Feeling free again, breathing without darkness hinging on every breath, whispers of encouragement repeat themselves like refreshing raindrops on his face. 'that's it, Tim….come back, son….

Blinking, Tim realizes he's awake, the vestiges of the dark place he'd just been in, now left behind, but just barely. A shudder rips through him as he trips over the edge of that which had him in its' grips, trying to pull himself further away.

"Easy, Tim." Keeping his hand comfortingly on the young man's head, Gibbs speaks quietly while carefully watching him struggle not only to awaken more fully, but to leave the nightmare behind, as well. "Let go of it, son. I've gotcha."

Embarrassed by the attention, yet feeling immensely comforted by it at the same time, all Tim can do is remain still, his heart still up in his throat as he unknowingly begins absorbing the feeling of security and comfort that is Gibbs in parental mode. He closes his eyes again, this time against the sight of the surreal; Gibbs sitting by his bedside, comforting him. Though he wants this to be real, needs it to be so; he's not sure it is.

Gibbs waits patiently. He gets that the nightmares were bad and that waking up to something out of the ordinary takes adjustment. Tim's been through a lot and no one needs to rush him through anything right now, not even something as seemingly insignificant as who's here with him when he faces the world outside of his nightmare driven sleep.

Afraid to go back to sleep now, Tim tries to bask in the moment, completely unaware that his own internal need for security has him turning slightly toward that soothing voice. Opening his eyes again, he sees that he's moved closer to Gibbs and it has him retreating in embarrassment, especially when he realizes his face is damp. Great! Just. Great. Not bad enough these damned dreams feel so real, but they have me crying like a baby, too?

Seeing the young man's emotions rise to the surface through his expression, with humiliation and embarrassment leading the way, Gibbs calls him on it, albeit, kindly. "Hey. No one's worryin' about anything right now, except seein' that you get a good night's sleep. All right?"

Silently, Tim nods without looking up from the blanket.

"Tim look at me." The boss requests with a slight increase in firmness without one in volume. This is just between them and that's where it will stay.

Doing as he's asked, Tim looks up at the man that's had his back since finding him in his home unexpectedly.

"Meant what I said. I'm not leavin' you to deal with this alone, even in your sleep."

Tim nods. He gets it and he appreciates it. But it means he's still nowhere near the independent, strong Tim McGee he has been up until this nightmare snatched him away from all of that.

"Tim. I was there. Remember?" Gibbs asks carefully. "Got no need to go through this alone."

Does he remember? Of course he remembers! His vivid dreams won't let him forget!

Seeing the expression on Tim's face, Gibbs knows he's hit the heart of the matter full on. The humiliation and physical pain they were both in; saw each other in - is still freshly haunting the young man before him. It needs some air for now so that Tim can at least let someone help him with it. "That what's followin' you around right now?"

Tim nods.

"We made it, Tim. Hold on to that."

Swallowing hard, Tim looks up. This man sitting here with him, helping him through the nightmares and comforting him, has been through his own; several times over. It's clear he wants to be help how ever Tim needs him to. The unexpectedness of that realization and the soul deep cleansing breath that comes with it, releases the stopper on what's left of Tim's emotional overload, compliments of the nightmarish dream he's just left behind, the tears silently riveting their way down his face.

Without a word, Gibbs pulls him close; embracing him as a grounding physical show of support as the storm crashes through him. When he feels Tim stiffen as if fighting his attempt to comfort him, he soothingly encourages him to relax, quietly speaking in his ear. "Let it out, son. I've gotcha."

In the silence that's descended on them, Gibbs feels his shirt become increasingly damp. It startles him to realize that this emotional release is a silent one for Tim. When the young man finally goes limp, giving evidence that he's cried himself out and exhaustion has carried him back under, the boss settles him back down on the bed. What he's seen here just now makes him wonder about the young man's sister. Looking across the room, he sees that he's not far off the mark.

Across the room, Sarah McGee wipes her own tears away, her brother's emotions laid bare like this is breaking her heart. With her eyes still closed, she cries herself to sleep, never noticing the cobalt blue orbs filled with compassion watching over her while watching over her brother too.