Abby was happy that she had been able to pull it off. As she gazed out over the living room she spotted the birthday boy smiling and laughing. It made her happy to see Tim like that. She watched as he joked with Tony and Ziva. She spotted Ducky talking to Tony's date, what was her name again? It would come to her. Ah and there were Palmer and his date. She saw Hannah walking up to her and as the other woman passed her Abby followed in next to her. "Thanks for all your help with the party."
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Hannah smiled at her as they headed into the kitchen.
"I just thought, perhaps you would want to do it this year since you live closer now but with the whole thing going on I thought maybe also you might not want to. I mean things have been a bit…"
Hannah stopped and turned to her placing her hands on Abby's arms. "Abby, breathe. It's fine. I know how you love to do these things and I was happy to help you."
Abby beamed at her and threw her arms around Hannah to give her a big hug. "So, how are you really doing?"
Hanna returned the embrace. "I'm good."
Abby tightened her hug. "Tim is not letting up." She withdrew but kept her hands on Hannah's arms. "I thought as time went by he would."
Hannah removed Abby's hands and went to the sink. "It hasn't been that long Abby."
"I know but still." She sighed as she watched Hannah rinse her plate. "When I told Tim that Gibbs had wished him Happy Birthday he just, well said and did nothing really."
"I know." The weeks that had passed had been different to say the least.
As if on cue Tim walked into the kitchen. "Why are you hiding in here?"
"Not hiding, just talking." Abby smiled at him and gave him a quick hug before returning to the living room.
Tim looked over to where his sister was washing some dishes. "I'm sure I can guess what you were talking about."
Hannah stopped what she was doing and turned to him. "And you would be right." She took a towel and dried a plate with it. "How have you liked your birthday so far?"
"I'm having a good time." He really was. He was enjoying spending time with all of them. Well, almost all of them. "Tony's date seems nice."
"Yeah, she does." Hannah had to agree on that one. "He seems really into her too."
"It does seem like everyone is having a good time." He paused briefly while waiting for her too look at him again. When she did and smiled he spoke. "Thanks for this."
She blinked not sure what he was referring to. "You mean the party? That was Abby's doing. I only helped."
He laughed slightly. "No, I meant for not making it difficult."
She sighed as she put the towel down as she clearly knew what he was referring too. "Well, Abby did invite him. Under the circumstances, he felt he shouldn't come. The hard part was convincing Abby of that."
"I can imagine. Then thanks for convincing Abby." He walked over and placed a small kiss on her cheek.
"And that was no easy task let me tell you." She poked him in his stomach as he chuckled.
"You have to teach me how you did it." He reached over her head and brought out a glass. Hannah took it from him, poured some water in to it and handed it back to him. He drank it all in one fast motion. "Then again it's a moot point. He usually never shows up for any of our birthday parties and if he does he doesn't stay long."
She remembered that Gibbs had told her something similar. "Did you like your presents?"
"Yes, especially that book you gave me. How did you ever find a First Edition?" He had looked for a copy for a long time and getting it from her meant that he would treasure it even more.
"I have my ways." She really wanted to tell him that Gibbs had helped her with that one but was wise enough not to mention it. "So will we ever see you in that t-shirt that Abby got you?"
"Who knows?" It wasn't really his style to wear a t-shirt with a big skull and flames coming out of the eye sockets. He could use it at home and it was from Abby. At least she had got him something else that was more him.
Hannah stepped up to him and started to shush him out towards the living room. "Go back out there now and have fun."
He laughed again. "Ok, ok"
He walked back to the couch and sat down next to Abby who linked her arm with his. He smiled at her as she did the same.
Hannah enjoyed seeing her brother so content. She wished it could always be like that. She turned back to do more dishes when she heard her cell phone ring. She walked over to the kitchen table and opened her purse. She took out her phone to see who it was. She should have guessed. She smiled slightly as she opened her phone. "Hi you."
"Hello yourself. I know I shouldn't have called but wanted to hear your voice."
"It's fine. I'm surprised that you did not call until now."
"How is the party?"
"It's a great success." She glanced out to the living room to make sure Tim was nowhere near. "He really loved the book. Thank you for your help."
"Glad I could help."
She took a deep breath and blew it out her nose. "I wish I could tell him that."
"Better not."
She didn't say anything to that. Neither did she notice Ducky that was now standing in the doorway.
"I'll let you go and enjoy the party. Call me when you get home."
"I will. Love you." It was so easy to say those words now and they rang true every time.
"Love you too."
She hung up the phone and put it back in her purse. She decided to wash some more dishes. She did not get far until she heard someone clear his throat. She turned and saw Ducky. "Oh, Hi Ducky."
She had turned around rather quickly and for a brief second he actually thought she might fall. "I did not mean to startle you my dear."
"You didn't." She couldn't help but to wonder. "How long have you been standing there?"
He had not meant to eaves drop but he couldn't help but to have overheard the last of her side of the conversation. "You talked to Jethro I take it?"
"Yeah." She started to clean the dishes again.
He walked up to stand next to her. "You know I cannot remember when I have seen him this happy. Even with his ex-wife's he's never been like this. You are good for him."
She tilted her head to look at him. "That's very sweet of you to say so."
"I mean it. It's just too bad that things have to be this way between Jethro and Timothy." He knew very well that trying to push the subject with either man would not do any good. It was better to let things unfold by themselves. It would work better that way. At least he hoped so.
She nodded as she felt him pat her gently on her back before heading back out to the living room. When he got back he saw Tony making some face that seemed to have everyone laughing hysterically. Except for Jimmy and his lady that seemed to be busy themselves in a deep conversation. He chuckled as he walked over to the group.
Tim looked out over the room of people. He was really enjoying this. He watched as Ducky got seated again. Good old Ducky. There were few of his kind around. Abby giggled next to him and he briefly wondered what joke he had missed now. He noticed Ziva looking at him and he smiled at her. She returned the smile and raised her glass a little. Ziva had really been an amazing friend lately and for that he was grateful. He knew everyone supported him in their own way but Ziva was different. She was not afraid to let anyone know just how she felt about the whole thing and that she blamed Gibbs for it. She was direct and honest as always. He never would have believed that she would ever be on his side against his former boss but here they were. He appreciated everyone but his respect and admiration for Ziva had increased since this mess had started. He was glad she was on his side.
His thoughts drifted to Hannah. He wondered just how they would fare in the long run if this relationship with Gibbs turned out to be more of a permanent thing. Make no mistake, if that was to be the case Tim would make sure Gibbs be aware of a few things that were on his mind. Things that needed to be addressed but for now he didn't even want to think about it. He had not failed to see the change in Hannah. She was happier then he remembered having seen her in years. The fact that Gibbs was the cause of that did not make him glad but more sad the anything else. It shouldn't feel like that. It really shouldn't' but yet it felt more like something was ending.
"McGee… Tim?"
He snapped out of it and looked over at Tony. He noticed that everyone was looking at him now. Ok, time to let go if these thoughts and start interacting again. "Sorry."
Tony could very well imagine what he was thinking about. "Come on man, get back into party mode." He was going to make sure that Tim enjoyed himself the rest of the evening.
"You ok?" Abby's eyes searched Tim's. They seemed a bit lost.
"I'm fine. Really, I am." He smiled at her and was relieved when she seemed to believe him.
Soon everyone was back to chattering with each other again and this time Tim was very much involved with the chatter as well.