(Days later...)

''Alright, Agent McGee, you are free to go. Remember you have an appointment tomorrow at 10:30 am, Dr Wangen will be waiting for you in his office. Second floor, first door to the right'' the woman added.

''I know'' Tim reflexively smiled, signing the paper she was giving him.

''I guess I see you tomorrow then'' she said.

''See you tomorrow.''

''Lydia.''

Whatever.

''See you tomorrow, Lydia'' Tim corrected his thought.

The woman watched him leave before answering the phone that was starting to ring, looking happier than before. Tim dived both hands in his pockets and headed to the elevator, ready, and not so ready, to go. That was definitely weird. Weird enough to not be able to put words on the situation, but too complicated to even care minding.

''Hello Cynthia, I have to talk to Director Vance.''

''I'll connect you now.'' Tim nodded at the invisible and shortly waited for his interlocutor to join the private conversation, unable to tell how he was feeling right now. But Vance'd ask. Speaking of which... ''Agent McGee, this is Director Vance.''

Of course I know. Do you think I wanted to talk to Father Christmas ?

''Good afternoon, Director. I was just calling to tell I was...''

Free. Finally.

''...out of the hospital.''

''Well, that is good to hear. I am waiting for you then in my office as soon as you're reaching NCIS.''

Do you think that's the only thing I have to do ? I'd like my bed, and my place...a place free of people stupidly interrogating me, or constantly asking me how I feel... But I guess you only care about...

''Sure. I'm on my way, Director. I'm joining you as soon as I can get a cab.''

''Let me send you one. I insist.''

Do you think I'm dumb ? We're in DC, as soon as I'll wave three vehicles will stop and try taking my money.

''That's very nice of you, Director. Thank you.''

''You're very welcome.''

Tim sighed and hung up the call, staring at the cars around. If only he could have taken any of them...but no, he had to wait for Leon Vance to send him one. How stupid. He rubbed his neck and uselessly took a look at the landscape, trying to keep himself busy. Weather was nice. He guessed. Yeah, weather was nice. He finally made a step backward, a woman entering a taxi...and waited.

''Timothy...Maguee ?''

Well, that was fast. By the way, it's 'McGee', you asshole.

''That's me'' he pronounced, emotionlessly smiling. I have to go to...''

''NCIS, I know.''

Like you thought you knew my name...

Tim nodded and entered the car, discreetly sighing. The conversation that followed was short and distant but Tim kept his answers very polite...although he couldn't care less about this driver.

— — — — — — — — — —

''Agent McGee, please feel free to have a seat.''

'Agent McGee'. At least I'm not fired. Sounds like a pretty good beginning.
If only he cared.

Tim reflexively nodded and picked one of them, sitting.

''Would you like me to call Gibbs ? They're on the way to NCIS.''

''No need, thanks, Director.''

''Agent DiNozzo, maybe...? Or David ?''

''How can I help ?'' Tim asked, going straight to the point.

Leon took a discreet look at him but didn't comment. Agent McGee was certainly not in the best shape ever, but after all, that was his right to not ask for a baby-sittor.

''I had very good comments from your shrink, after weeks spent seeing him.''

''I am very glad, Director'' Tim simply said.

''I heard you had been interrogated as well, and I wanted to tell you we were officially done with your reports. To explain the current situation in a few words, let's just say you are officially considered innocent.'' Tim nodded and remained silent, not crazily expressing any kind of happy feelings, only waiting for some kind of 'diagnostic'. ''Well, I know you might be waiting to be back to being an agent, which I am not completely against...'' Leon's voice continued its speech.

Not completely. Meaning 'completely'.

''Of course, if you'd like to take some time off until...'' Leon tried, knowing his words were useless.

''Actually I think that might be a very good idea. I'm sure I could use some time off.''

Leon froze for a second and stared at his agent, not believing his reaction.

''Really ?'' he said, slightly hesitating. ''Well, I am sure you could use a few days, indeed, in order to rest and...''

''You'd do me a great favor.''

Leon Vance discreetly sighed and stared an additional time at the man in front of him, a bit suspicious.

''Are you still planing on seeing the people I recommended you, Agent McGee ?''

''Of course.''

''Well...'' Leon stopped and uselessly looked at his desk for a dozen of seconds, silently overthinking. Then the following speech he had carefully prepared wouldn't be needed. The one sincerely advising his agent to rest a few days more, to stay out of it a little bit more, and... He reflexively nodded and gazed into Tim's eyes, serious. ''Anyone I should call, again ? I am sure I can...''

''All is good, Director.''

''Looks like it, indeed...'' Leon confirmed, running out of advices. ''Anything you'd like to add ?

I don't trust you. I don't trust any of you.

''Nothing, Director.''

The man ended up raising a hand in front of Tim, ready to shake his.

''Then all I can tell you is to keep taking care of you for the next few days, and to not forget your next appointment with Dr Wangen.''

''Tomorrow, 10:30 am'' Tim pronounced without even blinking, not looking unease at all.

''Perfect'' Leon said and smiled, still shaking that opposite hand. ''Have a nice afternoon and a great evening.''

''You too.''

— — — — — — — — — —

...Tim walked past the men in charge of his protection and entered his apartment, dropping the key on the piece of furniture near the door, thinking about nothing. His phone rang almost instantly and he took a look at it. Gibbs.

''McGee.''

''Out of the hospital, McGee ?''

No, I'm at the fun fair, you idiot.

''Yep.''

''Welcome back. In need of a visitor, Tim ?''

Oh, you mean like 'you' ?

''I'm okay, boss. Gonna write a bit and go to bed. Nothing too exciting'' he said, slightly chuckling.

''Okay.''

''See you later, boss.''

''See you later, McGee.''

Tim hung up the shortest call ever, heading to the kitchen, this time, but the phone rang again a second later, revealing a new name.

''I guess I must be very famous today'' he commented right away, smiling.

''I guess I'm not that needed anymore'' the voice retorted immediately, the man smiling as well.

''The consequence of still being alive, I bet.''

''Poor you.''

''So ? How is it to be back to your old team ?'' Tim asked.

''Good, actually. We're still working on your case, but let's say I'm not directly into the action anymore.''

''Don't worry, there still is and 'll be a lot of bad guys to catch.''

''Sure, McGee. And that'll never stop. Well, now that you're back, do you fancy a drink, one of these days ?''

''Sure. What about Friday ?''

''Friday it is, then...''

''Perfect. See you then, Rowanson. And thanks for calling.''

''You're welcome. See you there, McGee.''

''Bye.''