There's not an employee on the yard that doesn't know that Gibbs' team was taken hostage for over a week and so Ziva's return to work is news that spreads more quickly through the building than a wildfire – even on a Sunday. To her chagrin, it seems like hours before the endless stream of people making the trip through the squad room in order to welcome her back warmly thins enough that she can actually get to work. In actuality, it is fairly late in the morning.
"I agree with that last one." Jimmy Palmer says from the edge of the squad room as the last co-worker waiting to welcome her back, has walked far enough away, that they're out of earshot. "This place is never the same without you."
"Thank you, Jimmy. How are you?" Ziva glances over at him, noticing him for the first time since he's been there.
"Yeah, it has been a few days, hasn't it?" He marvels as he takes the opportunity to look her over for signs that she's not as well as she's presenting herself to be. Satisfied that she is in fact okay, he turns his full attention to her delayed response, not missing the fact that she's smiling at his silent assessment of her with full understanding he's doing it.
"Yes, it has. Are you….all right?"
"Me? I'm fine. Between Breena, Dr. Mallard and Dr. Cranston, I'm perfectly fine."
"Do not believe that for a moment, Jimmy. There is no such thing as 'perfectly fine' after what we have just been through. Do not allow yourself to believe that." Ziva quietly warns him. She should know because she's been down that road of denial before, and paid a very high price for it. As Rachel has reminded her, it's not a price she wants to pay again, or wants those she cares about to pay at all.
"Oh, I know. But, there's pretty darn close and I think that's where I'm at."
"Good. What brings you to the squad room on a Sunday?"
"I heard a rumor that you were back. I wanted to make sure you were all right."
"Thank you, but I am….okay." Ziva responds cautiously.
"Boy, you really are serious about not being the same, aren't you?" Jimmy surmises with a touch of awe.
"Yes. Yes, I am."
"Doesn't sound like the Ziva I've heard so much about from Tim and Tony." Jimmy admits to what he's really thinking, knowing she'd prefer the truth.
"That is because what you are remembering is the me they knew well before….this happened."
"Oh. I guess that makes sense. Listen, I'm sorry if that was being rude or anything, I'm just ….you know…trying to figure things out."
"I understand and it is all right."
"Now that you're back while the others are still out, what are you going to do? Wait, why are you the only one back - and on a weekend at that?"
"I am back because I am ready to solve the case of who else was working with that man who did this to us. The fact that it is a Sunday, matters not to me. It serves more purpose for me to be here at least attempting to sort through it all instead of in my apartment, doing nothing of use." Ziva's answer is firm with her 'take no prisoners' tone of voice that no one with a grain of sense argues with, as if she expects the Assistant Medical Examiner to actually send her home.
"And the others?" Jimmy's equally concerned and curious and his tone doesn't hide it.
"I do not read their minds, Jimmy. I do not know when they will be ready to come back to work."
"If they come back, you mean?" Jimmy asks quietly, his concern now more evident.
"Yes, there is that, too." Ziva responds just as seriously as she looks at him. "Now, if you will excuse me, I must get to work."
"Of course. It's good to see you again, Ziva. And I'm really glad you're back."
"And I am glad you are back, Jimmy. I was not certain that you would be."
"You mean because of what happened? You thought I might be through with the risks that come with the job?" He surmises calmly. He appreciates the fact that she'd been concerned enough about him to worry about his return.
"Yes. However, that… mess, as we both know, is not a usual risk that comes with your job."
"Yeah. I know. That's why it was easy for me to come back – without having to think about doing anything else, I mean. That's not to say that it was easy coming back, because it wasn't but, quitting just never occurred to me."
"Well, I am glad." Ziva responds with a smile.
"Thank you, Ziva. All right, I'll let you get back to work now. I've got an Autopsy suite to do inventory in."
"That sounds….interesting?" She jokes.
"It does, doesn't it?" He smiles at her before he turns to head out.
"Whew!" Ziva breathes out on a deep sigh as she spreads the photos out that have been included in the file on their case. After slowly going through them once, she gathers them together back into the folder, gets up from her desk and walks to the mobile big board used to host these kinds of photos in a lineup when needed, and begins doing just that with each photo in the file.
******NCIS******
Safely hidden from the others, having arrived without notice or fanfare and staked out his usual hiding spot, Gibbs listens to the exchange between two of his people, the two he's spent the least amount of time watching over since their rescue and yet are the first to bounce back and come back to work. His concern for them has simmered just below the surface and what he's seeing and hearing now is finally helping to dial back that concern even more. Mentally head slapping himself for letting them slip through the cracks until now, his respect for the both of them and admiration for their inner strength rises significantly enough that he remains in the shadows, completely out of their way.
Gibbs is surprised a moment later when Jimmy stops at the edge of the hallway, obviously still watching Ziva. Curious now, he turns his own attention to his agent as she peruses the contents of the file she's been holding for a few minutes now. he understands why Jimmy stopped when Ziva begins posting the photos from the case onto the large board near his desk.
From the edge of the squad room, Jimmy watches, curiosity and the need to see their case solved as badly as the rest of them have kept his feet glued to the floor while he watched Ziva work. Now, as she posts the next picture from the file up on the poster board, Jimmy's face loses all color, his breath faltering in shock. The sound of the young man's breath catching in shock garner's Ziva's attention as she looks over at him in both surprise to see him there and concern that something seems wrong.
Memories crash through his thoughts, transporting him back to the time when he's literally run into this man before:
From out of nowhere, Palmer is bumped roughly enough that he's knocked to the ground, twisting his ankle painfully as he falls on it unexpectedly. "Ow!"
"Ter...ribly so...so...rry! ...not see...u..." A wheezing, drunken voice offers a quick apology.
Seeing stars in his vision, Jimmy can't see the face of the man who's just knocked him down. He can just barely see the unsteady hand that's offered to him to help him up and he takes it. Surprisingly enough, there's no strength in that hand and it's no help in getting Jimmy back on his feet; knocking Jimmy back down to the ground instead. For a brief minute, he struggles to get up but finally manages to do so.
In the distance, he hears a faint 'Ow!" that sounds worryingly like Ducky and with a quick apology tossed at the man who had knocked him down, Jimmy's gone with a burst of adrenaline, quickly following after the elderly man, around the corner of the alley. When he turns the corner, he freezes in his tracks. There's no car with a victim waiting anxiously for help and no sign of Dr. Mallard.
"JIMMY!" Ziva calls out to him for what is a third time, this time determined to break through whatever's got him lost in memory.
Finally dragged from the depths of recollection, Jimmy can only blink and then continue to stare at the photo, his discomfort still obvious in his face.
"What is it?" Ziva asks quietly as she steps up over to where he's standing.
"I know this guy!" Jimmy's voice comes out shaky yet loud, obviously stressed with the residual effects of the memory he'd just been lost in. Walking up to the board now with Ziva shadowing him, he quietly asks her what he needs to know. "Who is he in our case?"
"He was the victim in the traffic accident in front of the warehouse; the man who stole the car whose owner got the police involved in finding it. Which led to our recovery from the warehouse. Who is he to you, Jimmy?"
"That's a good question. I'd like to hear the answer to that myself." Vance offers unexpectedly from behind both of them.
******NCIS******
"It's Gibbs."
"What about him is bothering you?"
"I don't know how to explain it, Ducky. It's kinda hard to know where to start."
"Let's try at the moment you began to feel this way, Timothy. When was that and what happened in that moment?"
"Gibbs...when he first saw me in ...in that room."
Tim warily watches Ducky read through his medical chart that had been stashed in the slot for it at the end of his bed, his own thoughts still running in circles, despite having already laid those concerns out for the wise man in front of him to hear and help him deal with. It's taken a lot for Tim to let Ducky in on even the bare bones of what had taken place between Gibbs and himself in 'that room' as Tim's brain has come to think of it now.
It's not something he'd ever wanted to share with anyone else. It was their own private nightmare that has somehow forged a new path for them where they now seem to feel more comfortable talking about their ordeal with each other than anyone else, even Dr. Rachel, at least from where Tim's standing, anyway. It had been a hard decision and an even harder task, to let anyone else in, even if that someone was the most trusted confidant Tim's ever known.
All the moments that it took left Tim feeling numb yet ripped apart again. The emotions that had washed through him then, with Gibbs' eyes on him in that unreadable expression of his, had been so close to the surface that the kindly M.E. had urged Tim to give himself time to work through his explanation more slowly for his own sake.
Tim's stubborn streak had prevailed though and before too long, amidst the shakiness, the extra quiet voice and the less than steady breathing, he'd gotten it all of his chest. And while he feels marginally better, he's still very concerned. Everyone knows the Team Leader is wired to internalize every thing. What's to say all of this – hasn't been too much on him after the hell he's already been through in his life? As a matter of fact, Tim's worried enough to admit to himself that he'd stake his next month paycheck on the probability that they're all worried about Gibbs.
The difference is, Tim has lived through something with the Team Leader that as far as he knows, the others have not. Gibbs himself said it best when he told Tim's grandmother that it changes a person. Hopefully, with Ducky's help, Tim will be able to dig until he gets the answers he needs to be satisfied that the man is okay.
And he can't just take Gibbs' word for it because the man can't be objective about his own state of mind. No one really can if they're prone to internalize everything and have been through the hell he has. That's why he's allowed himself to express his concerns to Ducky earlier. It's also why, he's going to be focused on looking out for the Team Leader as soon as he gets out of here. It's the least he can do, after everything the man has done for him.
"Timothy, I realize that you are rather anxious to be discharged from here. However, I implore you to wait one more day, for your own recovery. I give you my word that Jethro will be looked after. And while I understand and appreciate your concern, young man. I feel it prudent to remind you that you are also in need of continued concern and recovery."
"Why another night, Ducky?" Tim asks wearily, his head resting on the pillow underneath it.
"I would prefer it if you were no longer losing sleep to those dreaded dreams of yours, dear boy."
Tim sighs as he looks away, the unpleasant reminder of the vivid recollections of death, malice, hatred and above all else, despair, literally sending cold chills down his spine. "Yeah. "Me too. I mean, it's true they're nowhere near as bad now as they were at first, but they are still lingering and I am tired of dealing with them." After a silent minute in which its obvious Ducky feels no need to add to Tim's sentiments on the subject, he looks back at the M.E. to find him already watching him. "You know I can rest at home, too, right?"
Watching him closely, Ducky sees the underlying anger the younger man forcibly shoves down as he speaks that last thought of his. Choosing to leave him the dignity of that choice to put his emotions aside, the M.E. concentrates on the point the younger one is trying to make. "Timothy, I am well aware of your penchant for underplaying how it is you're really doing. You will send everyone home and suffer in silence, if we do not do all we can to avoid that from happening. Humor me, please. Give your physical body one more night of rest under the supervision of the medical professionals here."
"Meaning, if I agree to spend one more night, you'll back me on being released tomorrow?" Tim asks with abject hope and expectation alongside a contagious grin.
"Yes, against my better judgement." Ducky gives in with obvious reluctance – and a small smile of his own.
Tim smirks. "So, if I let someone stay with me, you'll reconsider that too?"
With a chuckle, Ducky pats Tim's foot. "Yes, my dear boy. I certainly will be able to back you with confidence if you were to choose that road."
"Consider it done. " Tim says immediately. "There's just one problem."
"Oh?" The Scottsman's eyebrows go up in surprise to hear Tim admit to such a thing.
"I think it's something you can help me with. It's connected to our earlier conversation." Tim advises as he waits for the older man to connect the dots he's drawn.
"I see." Ducky admits with a touch of surprise. "Yes, I suppose I could work on trying to make that happen. But I must warn you, Timothy. If it is not possible, than you must consider an alternative without deviating from this."
"Meaning a Plan B."
"Yes."
"Ducky, the only idea that comes to mind for Plan B, is you." Tim advises him cautiously.
"Timothy, I would be happy to have your company for the next two weeks, as it will ease the solitude that I have encountered since Mother's passing and allow me to keep an eye on your recovery. However, I know that you have your heart and your concerns set on Plan A, so let me see what I can do to grease the wheels on that for you. For the both of you."
"Thanks, Ducky. I appreciate it." The patient offers tiredly as he lets his head nestle further into his pillow, exhaustion creeping in unannounced.
"As I appreciate your intentions, dear boy. For they certainly are admirable." Ducky says with a smile before he turns to head out. "Now, sleep, Timothy. It is obvious that you are overly tired already."
"Yes. Doctor." Tim says with a sleepy grin as the door closes on the M.E.'s departure.
******NCIS********
Now that his concern and need for as much information about their case as he could get has collided in Jimmy's reaction to the photo, which he was fortunate enough to catch as he walked through the work area a moment ago, Vance isn't going to let this go until he hears all about it.
Jimmy clears his throat and glances at the man who happens to be over all of them in the Agency. "He's the old drunk that ran into me in the alley. He tried to help me up, but he only succeeded in knocking me off balance a second time. He's the reason I twisted my ankle. This is a cleaner picture of him than when I saw him, but it's him. I know it. He's the reason Dr. Mallard and I got separated in the alley."
"We do not believe in coincidences." Ziva reminds them firmly, no question in her mind that Jimmy's right about this and that it's a missing link in their case.
"I'd have to agree on that in this case, Agent Da'vid." Vance offers.
"He must have been paid to deliberately interfere, thereby delaying the time in which it took you to reach Ducky." Ziva says to Jimmy, her tone sympathetic.
"Well, Dr. Mallard …. he was gone by the time I…oh, my God! You're right! This guy was in on it!"
"Do we know that for sure?" Gibbs asks as he finally enters into the discussion as he strolls in from behind them all, having been given the opening with Vance's presence, catching them by surprise.
"Since we do not believe in coincidences, my answer is yes, Gibbs." Ziva replies without missing a beat. "Making his presence at the warehouse far from that of an innocent bystander after all."
"Stay on it." Vance orders as he turns his attention to Jimmy. "Write it all down, Mr. Palmer. Everything you remember about it, about him."
"Yes, Sir." Jimmy replies immediately as he turns to leave.
"There is no need for you to leave, Jimmy. Stay here and write it up. That way if you remember more details you can add it to what we already have here." Ziva encourages him. "It will also allow me to update you if the face recognition comes up with anything."
"Okay. Where should I sit?"
"Tim's desk. Pretty sure he won't mind under the circumstances." Gibbs offers without missing a beat as he settles in behind his own, breathing out a heavy sigh.
"Thank you." Jimmy almost reverently replies as he sits in Tim's chair and silently accepts the writing tablet Ziva is handing him now. Without anything further said, he begins to write, effectively tuning out the two agents in the room.
Ziva glances at Gibbs before returning to her task of posting the photos and slowly looking back through what they have in the file. Suddenly, this just got a lot more complicated than they'd originally thought. But, do they have all the pieces yet? Somehow she doubts they do, but she is more than relieved to see Gibbs back in the squad room and his mind back on the job.
Without further conversation, Gibbs follows Vance up the stairs, neither of them saying anything as they trek towards Leon's office. Both are feeling a sense of shock at this new development. At the same time, Gibbs ' thoughts are splintered between their case and his still troubled agent he's just left in Ducky's hands for the next couple of hours. With still so much going on, he's distracted from letting himself feel anything personal and so appears to be unaffected by all of it, to those who don't know him well enough to know better. His reputation in the agency is certainly still intact, but for the first time in a long time, he couldn't care less.
******NCIS*******
If you're feeling so responsible and you feel so badly about what you put Tim through - then why is he the one you're punishing now?
Staring out at her neighborhood behind the security of her curtains and shade, Abby can't find the answer to Rachel's question and that bothers her to no end. She's a scientist, a woman who needs facts and figures and proof in front of her, and yet, she's failed to find the answer to this question. Frankly, she's not surprised that Rachel had cut their session short, but directed Abby to stay clear of the team until after they talk again.
Feeling frustrated beyond any ability to find the end of the tunnel, she snatches up her keys and heads out, needing to talk to the one person she's always been able to talk to. About anything. Almost on autopilot, she's parking in his driveway and heading inside, her feet quickly finding the steps down to his basement, but faltering when she finds it void of his presence. Where the hell is he on a Sunday?
Suddenly, too tired to move or think or do anything, she plops down on the steps and leans against the wall, wishing with all her might, that he'll show up in the next heartbeat…or the next….or the next….
*******NCIS*******
He'd thought Gibbs being overly cautious, for lack of a better word, when he'd sent him home for a mere two hours of sleep. But waking now, Tony finds that it's not only, a lot later than any two hours since he's last closed his eyes; but that he's also a lot more rested and physically ready to face whatever's coming next.
Standing in his kitchen while enjoying a cup of coffee, Tony thinks back on the mess of where they'd been and their rescue that none of them will ever have any glimpse of memory of except Gibbs and those who found them and actually did the rescuing. He wonders what it felt like for the Team Leader to see the calvary finally arrive and to watch them cut away the chains from the rest of them. In fact, he has a lot of questions about that time and he would really like to know the answers. He knows Vance was there so he would be a good person to ask.
Picking up his cell phone, he makes a call without remembering that today is Sunday.
"Vance."
"Director. I need a few moments of your time when you have some available, please." Though more formally stated than usual for him, Tony's feeling cautious and is carefully choosing his words.
"Agent DiNozzo. You do realize today is Sunday?"
Crap! "Sorry, Sir. I'd completely forgotten."
"Free pass, DiNozzo. This time. I will be checking in with your teammate at the hospital later today. That would be as good a time as any."
"Thank you, Sir."
"There something I need to know about, Tony?"
"No, Sir. I just need to ask you about something.
"All right. This afternoon, then."
"Thank you, Sir." Tony hangs up the call and tosses his phone down on the bed. Grabbing up a change of clothes, he heads to the shower, his burden of worry feeling lighter already.
******NCIS******
Leon Vance hangs up the phone, frowning as he contemplates what it is DiNozzo could possibly need to talk to him about in person that he couldn't talk to him about over the phone. Then again, the DiNozzo he's seeing now is definitely not the same one that they'd come to know before this nightmare fell down on them. Maybe that was why he'd refrained from letting the younger man know that everyone else on his team except their still recovering team member was back at their desk.
He doesn't want any of them feeling pressured to be here or to return to the job. As a matter of fact, the only reason he's allowing them to stay at this point without further medical leave for stress relief – is because he knows they need to pull their own case together until they're satisfied they've found all the strings attached to it and can sew it up tightly shut.
With the others here and DiNozzo not at the hospital yet, himelf, it stands to reason that the person at the hospital is Dr. Mallard. Vance knows this because he knows this team has not left Agent McGee alone since he'd been found. Part of him wants to call DiNozzo back and tell him that his team is in the office working the case without him. But the Director side of him that has at least some semblance of experience in helping agents wade through the comeback process from tough situations, warns that each of them must come back when they are ready. Neither of the two downstairs already were called in, but rather came in on their own because their gut told them too or maybe because their restlessness got the better of them. Either way, they brought themselves here under their own will or that's what it needs to be for Tony, too.
******NCIS******
"I remember seeing her taking time to fold a few of our dinner napkins, as if she was making him wait for his water or something. And the funny thing was, there was a guy standing next to her, almost as if he was trying to act like he belonged there. But his grey hoodie stood out like a sore thumb….but he didn't raise any kind of alarm because he was just standing there, head bent as if he was staring into his own drink. Wait...he didn't have one! He was staring at the one Shelly had poured! Oh, my God, did he do something to poor sweet Agent McGee? Is that why he ran to the men's room looking sick? Oh, God, now I remember! That guy followed him in there! And I never saw either of them come out!"
Ziva sets the piece of paper back in the file when she finishes reading it. Closing the file, she pauses for a moment before opening the file back out and retrieving the document.
"Got something, Ziva?" Gibbs asks expectantly as he watches her concentrate on the same piece of paper for longer than a minute. He knows her and he knows that she's on to something or at least a piece of something enough worth mentioning.
"Perhaps. Shelly Hunter gave her statement, still at home with her parents recovering from her emergency surgery, yes?"
"Right."
"Her description of the man who ran into the restaurant asking Ducky and Jimmy for help with his friend outside matches the others. But it is her additional information that seems most helpful."
"Go on."
"She remembers Tim coming in first, alone. The facts are clear in that he sat down and requested water. Shelly also stated that the waitress serving Tim had poured his water but that she did not do so at his table like most people would have."
"Right. She did it at the counter."
"Where she then turned her back for a moment. Shelly also recalls a man wearing a grey sweatshirt with a hood being at the counter. In fact, by her recollection, he was watching the waitress as he stood right next to her. We also know that Tim felt sick to his stomach shortly after drinking some of that water, yes?"
"You're right! That's where we start lookin'" Gibbs remarks firmly as he gets up out of his seat and begins to walk out toward the stairs. He needs to talk to Leon.
"Uhm, Agent Gibbs?" Jimmy calls him back rather urgently.
"You got somethin' to add to that?'
"Actually, yes. When Dr. Mallard and I got there, Tim was quick to ask if the way he hadn't been feeling well. all week was normal?"
"That's right. He'd felt dizzy, sick to his stomach and hungrier than usual." Gibbs recalls. "And more tired than usual.
"And according to the file, Sarah McGee requested that her brother's food tray from the last dinner he ate at home before being taken, be tested for drugs." Ziva reads from the file now.
"What about his trash can up here?" Jimmy asks. "Did they test anything from that?"
"Wouldn't have been able to. It's changed regularly." Gibbs reminds him. "We already know Tim was the main target. This just tells us his earlier suspicions were right. He was being watched."
"Shelly also said he followed Tim into the restroom but that neither of them returned, yes?"
"Yeah. He was definitely there." Gibbs replies angrily.
"All of this because that woman was attracted to him when he and Abby were in her country!" Ziva swears angrily now.
"It's done, Ziva. Let it go." Gibbs firmly encourages her. "We can't expect Tim or even Abby to unless we do it first."
"Of course, Gibbs." Ziva sighs. "That does not mean that a part of me does not wish she were alive once more – so I could get my hands on her."
"You and me, both, Ziva." Gibbs answers her with sympathy. "You and me both."
*******NCIS*********
At the end of the day, Gibbs has finally returned to the hospital to be there for Tim. It's hours later than he'd planned on returning but he knows Tim will understand when he hears that they were working on trying to tie up the loose ends of their case – and finding everyone involved.
Stepping into Tim's room; the Team Leader's not surprised to find the young man resting in the chair by the window, instead of the bed. Actually, he's glad to see him up and around. Reluctant to disturb him the older man stops just inside the door, closing it carefully as to keep it quiet.
Scrutinizing him from across the room, Gibbs can see that Tim is still suffering the effects of lingering twisted memories that hound him in his sleep, the tenacity with which he's clinging to this nap a tell-tale side-effect of that. Gibbs is relieved that Tim's being released from here, and given the chance to rebound. It's something to look forward to and seems like the one of the last stepping stones to their road back from this nightmare.
*******NCIS********
From across the room, Tim feels himself being watched as his subconscious gives way to wakefulness and his vision slowly comes into focus. Slowly but surely, he's beginning to feel the exhaustion fade and he's grateful for that improvement, as long time in coming as it has been. But the lack of energy persists, leaving him incapable of moving very fast just yet. Finding the cobalt blue piercing eyes scrutinizing him actually leaves him feeling warm now where it used to make him squirm.
Still, not actually a different person where speaking comfortably around the boss or even daring to ask him anything personal, Tim holds his tongue, despite seriously wanting to know how the man's doing. Realizing that he needs to bite the bullet, he sighs as he overrides his old constraints and embraces the nerves it takes to do better. With a soft smile, he opens his mouth with the first thing that comes to mind "You okay, Boss?"
"Should be askin' you that, Tim." The older man returns seriously as he refrains from crowding the patient any further, choosing instead to remain standing where he is. He's surprised to hear the younger man actually ask him how he's doing but only briefly. After everything they've just been through, Tim's sensitive soul is bound to find the need to actually ask how the others are doing, since he's long been concerned for others above himself.
Feeling emboldened by the success of his first venture into actually asking the man a personal question, Tim takes the next bold step. "Except, I really want to know. I'm done with this being about me. I'm gonna be fine, thanks to you and everyone here and the team. Are you okay?"
Gibbs offers him a silent look of pride. "Hear you're checkin' outta here in the mornin'."
"I hope so." The young man replies cautiously.
"Any thoughts about where you'd like to go? I don't want you stayin' alone just yet."
"Seems to be the consensus." Tim offers dryly with an equally dry half smile.
"Plans?"
"Not yet."
"There a reason for that, Tim?" Gibbs questions with concern. If there's a problem, he wants to know about it now.
"I do apologize, Jethro, I have not yet had time to discuss this with you." Ducky advises as he enters the room and inserts what he needs to into the discussion. "I will second the decision to release Timothy from the hospital, provided he does not attempt to stay alone just yet."
"That's fine, Duck. He can stay with me." Gibbs offers without hesitation, his eyes almost daring the M.E. to argue with him.
"Very good. I will inform Timothy's doctor so that his release in the morning can go without any delay." Having said his peace, Ducky turns to go, smiling encouragingly at Tim as he does.
"Talk to your grandmother lately?" Gibbs asks Tim, suddenly recalling the older woman hasn't been here in days.
"She's packing for her new post abroad. They want her to start in a week." Tim says with a ton of regret in his tone.
"You gonna be okay with her over there?"
"Yeah. She travels so much, it's tough to pin her down in one spot for long as it is, so I'm kinda used to it." Tim admits, inwardly shocked that the man is asking.
"Sarah?"
"She's going with her. Wants to try writing over there."
"Leaving you alone, without any of your family close by?"
"I'll be fine, Boss. It won't be the first time." Tm smiles softly at the older man's genuine concern.
Gibbs nods, willing to drop the subject now that he sees Tim really is okay with these changes in his life on the heels of the nightmare he's still recovering from.
Looking down at his lap now, Tim quietly throws a wrench into the discussion. "Besides it's better if they don't have to worry about me."
"Meaning what, Tim?" Gibbs asks as he leans closer "Somethin' goin' on that you haven't told me?"
Tim shakes his head. "Just havin' a hard time shaking off the nightmares Boss. They're still kicking my butt"
"You haven't said anything about them in days. Been waitin' for you to tell me."
"I didn't want to worry you."
"Tim…" Gibbs growls with frustration.
"No more keeping stuff from you, I know." Tim admits guiltily.
"Okay." The older man accepts Tim's vow. A moment later, he's shocked again when Tim next opens his mouth.
"It's just…I'm worried….about you, Boss." Tim looks over at the man now, his eyes nearly begging him to be straight with him.
Gibbs sits back in shock. Breathing deeply and scrutinizing his man at the same time, the Team Leader sighs again before speaking, his voice calming and comforting. "I'm okay, Tim."
"Promise?" Tim digs deeper, his concern almost tangible.
"I promise you, I'm okay." Gibbs patiently vows. He knows where this is coming from and he can't fault Tim for it. In fact, he's grateful for the younger man's concern. Although all of this is new for both of them, or maybe because it is, Gibbs doesn't begrudge Tim the need to know that his Team Leader's all right.
"Okay isn't fine, Boss." Tim reminds him with lingering worry. "You always say you're fine."
Gibbs shakes his head. "Gonna take time, Tim. Gonna take time."
Tim lays his head back and sighs, caught up in feeling comfortable talking to his mentor on a personal level. "Yeah. For me too."