Tim woke up the next day feeling more rested than he had in weeks. He felt loose limbed, free and relaxed because of the fantastic massage he got last night and the hours of solid sleep that he'd had. He opened his eyes and took a moment to look around before finally remembering where he was.

"Good morning." Ziva's soft, sleep slurred voice tracked over from the left and when he turned his head to look at her, he noticed the way she had snuggled up to him during the night.

"Um…Morning. How did you know I was awake?"

"You tensed." She replied warmly and moved her arm so that it rested across Tim's chest. "How are you feeling today?

Tim lay there and smiled happily at the person he had woken up with. Truth be told, it was nice. He felt warm and comfortable where she was curled up next to him and found himself hoping, that it wasn't a one-time thing. "I feel good, Ziva. It's been a while."

Ziva hummed her approval and moved to rest her head on his shoulder. Tim moved his arm so that it wrapped around her, and they lay there or a few minutes just silently enjoying each other. It wasn't long before their phones started to ring and it was with heavy hearts, that they both disentangled themselves and answered. Tim watched as Ziva got up and padded out of the room so that he could answer in peace.

"Timothy McGee."

"Probie! Just thought I'd see how you were doing." Tim sighed at Tony's voice and glanced over to the pretty ornate clock that adorned Ziva's wall.

"Tony, it's 0530. You called me this early to ask that?"

"Sorry, McGoo. Nope, it's your second day back and it's started with a bang. Gibbs just called and it looks like we've got a body. Won't have to go far though, it washed up on the banks of the river in the Navy yard."

Tim looked up and saw Ziva coming back into the bedroom carrying 2 mugs. He knew that she favored tea, and wasn't surprised to find that she had made him a cup of her preferred drink, just the way he liked it. He winked his thanks and accepted the mug.

"On the Navy yard? That's a first. What time does Gibbs want us in?"

"ASAP. He said to make sure you're up to it first though. So, you up or it?" Tim laughed softly at Tony's question and placed his tea on the nightstand.

"I think so. Need to get back to some semblance of normality soon right?"

"Sure do, Probie. Okay, I'm gonna go shower so I'll see you in the yard in an hour."

They said their goodbyes and Tim reached over to brush a stray hair out of Ziva's eyes. "Gibbs?"

"Gibbs." She clarified and sipped at her drink. "I wish we did not have to go into work today. I would like to enjoy the day with you."

Tim felt his heart leap a little at that and nodded. "Me too. There's plenty of time though Zee. We'll take it slow and see where things take us."

"Yes. We will, Tim. So…" Ziva sidled up close to Tim and leaned in for a kiss. When she pulled back, she climbed over him and padded to the bathroom. "I'm going to have a shower. Relax there for a minute and I will be out shortly." Tim sat back against the headboard and drank his tea. This was nice, and he hoped that it would be the start of something truly amazing because in all honesty, they both deserved it.

***NCIS***

Gibbs arrived at the yard and pulled into the parking lot with a yawn. He'd been up most of the night working on his boat and for the first time in a long time, he felt bone weary as the past few weeks caught up with him. Once he had parked, he made the decision to go and get his team the coffee that he knew they would desperately need and pulled out his wallet to check he had the cash on him. He cringed when he noticed that he didn't have enough before remembering his favorite coffee shop took cards. He huffed a short, husky laugh before looking up and stepping out of the car and closing the door. When he turned, his attention was drawn to the other side of the dark parking lot, where two figures had just stepped out of their car and were talking happily.

***NCIS***

Tim and Ziva decided to drive in together and enjoyed the early morning journey because of the empty roads. Luckily, Tim still had his overnight bag in the trunk of his car which meant he had some clean clothes that he could put on for the day ahead. Tim pulled into the security gates and flashed his badge so that they could be let through, and pulled into his parking space fluidly before shutting the engine off.

"This is a nice car, McGee." Ziva grinned and unclipped her seatbelt. "I can see why you like it."

Tim chuckled and nodded his head. "I will admit, this is the one luxury I love. Everything else is about the creature comforts."

Ziva nodded and watched as he pulled the keys out of the ignition and stepped out of the car. Just before she opened the door, Tim was already there, pulling it open and holding out his hand to help her out. She accepted with a warm smile and stepped out of the car and into Tim's arms so she could wrap herself around his body. Their lips met and they stood there kissing sensuously as the world around them faded away. After a couple of minutes, they pulled apart and stood there holding each other in the darkness of the parking lot before moving to grab their gear out of the small trunk.

"Well, I suppose we should go and see what has happened. With any luck, it will be a simple case and we shall be able to go home on time."

Tim huffed slightly and shook his head. "When is anything ever simple?" He asked and pulled away so that he could look into her eyes. "Thank you."

Ziva's brow furrowed into a confused frown as she stood entranced by the deep rooted honesty and gratitude she saw in his gorgeous green eyes. "What for?"

"For being you; for what you did last night and for accepting me and my ghosts." He felt Ziva's hand rest lovingly against his cheek and nuzzled into the soft warmth.

"I will accept you no matter what. That is not even in question. Now, come. We must start the day because I do not want Gibbs to be…how do you say?" Tim could see her eyes searching for the correct term as her mind turned over. Luckily, he knew exactly what it was that she was trying to say.

"A bear with a sore head?"

"YES! That is it!" She said and giggled before rising up on her tiptoes to give Tim another, short kiss.

***NCIS***

Gibbs narrowed his eyes at the sight of two of his Agents kissing and talking happily in the parking lot. It wasn't that he minded because they both deserved some happiness; he just didn't want it to affect the team and the dynamics that they had. He watched as they finally made their way over the building and followed quietly. He stepped up behind them as they waited for the elevator and caught sight of their hands slowly untwining so that they wouldn't be seen…Too late! He thought.

"Morning." He said gruffly and smiled when they both jumped slightly.

"Um..M..Morning Boss." Tim said shakily.

"Good Morning, Gibbs." Ziva turned slightly and smiled at their boss. "So, we have a case?"

"Yup. Dead marine washed up on the shore." He said as the doors opened and they all stepped into the elevator. It wasn't long before Gibbs reached over and flipped the switch that stopped the carriage dead. He stood there or a moment and saw the confusion flitter across his agents faces before putting them out of their misery. "You two look happy; together."

"Oh…Boss, look…." Tim started but was cut off by a patented Gibbs glare.

"The rules are there for a reason." He said gruffly. "But, can be broken…Obviously."

Tim and Ziva glanced at each other at the irony that dripped off of the last work their boss had spoken and didn't know how to reply. Ziva cleared her throat and decided to jump in to save her new love the embarrassment he no doubt felt.

"Gibbs, we will not let it affect our jobs. It is…we can be professional."

Gibbs nodded "You better. If it does impact your jobs, then one of you is gonna have to transfer to another team and I'm not willing to let that happen."

"Boss, this is new. We're finding our feet here, but we won't let the team suffer." Tim jumped in and flushed at his bravado. "We're good at our jobs and going by the past twenty four hours, we're good together. Please, let us prove that we can make this work."

After everything that Tim had been through, Gibbs was loathe to deny the kid that happiness; heavens knows, he deserved it. "Listen up. You both have my blessing and trust me when I say, it's not given easily. But…and it's a big but, so pay attention." Gibbs rounded on them both and stood directly in front of them so that they could see how serious he was about what he was about to say. "The minute that this causes problems for my team…and that includes you two…will be the minute decisions need to be made because I won't put up with it."

The newly formed couple nodded their heads and stood there speechless. They had Gibbs' blessing that had been delivered in his own, personal way. Needless to say, that didn't matter. They had his blessing! The gruff man, had actually seen them, and rather than being pissed, he was almost happy for them and the look in his eyes, told the that he was happy that they had both found that little bit of sunshine breaking through the dark clouds that had loomed over them recently. Gibbs grinned at the stunned pair, before turning back and flipping the switch that put the elevator back in motion once again. They all travelled in silence, though Tim did reach over and take Ziva's hand so he could give it a little squeeze before they stopped at the squad room and stepped out.

"Well it's about time! What took you guys so long?" Tony shouted across as they stepped out. Gibbs was pleased to see the coffee that he held for each of them because the situation that he knew he had to deal with, put thoughts of treating them all out of his mind.

"Surprised to see you here so early, DiNozzo." The boss said as he took his coffee and moved to his desk to grab his gun and badge out of his drawer.

"Oh come on, Boss. You told us to be here early, I got here early. A bit of faith here please."

Tim couldn't help but laugh at the familiar, comfortable banter and soon melted into the atmosphere of the work that they did. This was where he belonged and this, is exactly why he was happy that he'd retracted his resignation and finally gotten back on track.

***NCIS***

Three weeks had passed. Three wonderfully brilliant, relaxing weeks that saw Tim finally getting back to normal. Everyone noticed the smile that seemed to grace his handsome face and the way in which his eyes sparkled once more. That was what he needed, that little bit of normality that seemed to ground him and put his life back on an even keel. Gibbs had no doubt, that Ziva had helped with that and he knew, that even though Tim didn't talk to them much about what had happened, he had been talking to Ziva and she had been guiding him through the turbulent emotions that still hovered beneath the surface.

Gibbs entered the squad room with his coffee and instantly felt the tension that resided there. It was weird, but for the first time in weeks, he knew something had happened and hoped that it wasn't the new budding relationship going on, turning sour. He stormed in there and saw Ziva standing behind Tim with her hands gently massaging the tense shoulders as she soothed him quietly.

"McGee! With me!" He demanded and watched as Tim stood up slowly and turned to give Ziva a quick hug. The relationship was now common knowledge, but he really didn't mind that so much, if anything, the support shown seemed to infuse the couple with a new sense of strength.

"Boss?" Tony questioned and frowned.

"Later DiNozzo. You and Ziva finish those reports." He ordered as he walked past with a bashful looking Tim in tow. "And go and get more coffee!"

Tony nodded and looked over at Ziva as she stood there watching Tim trailing behind Gibbs with a tense stance that she hoped never to see on his lean frame again. "He'll be okay, Zee."

"I know." She answered softly and walked over to her desk to grab her wallet. "I shall go and get the coffee."

"What about you? Are you alright?" Tony stood and walked over to where she was so he could offer his support. "You need to talk, you know where I am right?"

"I know. Thank you, Tony. I…this is not for me to talk about, but I am sure Tim will when he's ready. Do not worry. Should I need to talk, I will talk. But this is not about me. I am just worried about him."

Tony nodded and gave her a quick hug before stepping back with a grin. "You're good together."

"Thank you." Ziva nodded with a warm, loving smile. "He is amazing and makes me happy."

"I can see that. You make him happy too, you know? I mean, look at him. This past few weeks, the kid has been relaxed and we've had the old McGoo back."

Ziva laughed at the pet name and shook her head. "You know, he actually doesn't mind those names. If anything, he has started seeing them as a term of endearment. You did not hear that from me though and please, do not over use them."

"Yeah?...hmm…anyway, if you're going for coffee, I'll have a hazelnut cappuccino please, my little ninja chick."

Ziva thumped him hard on the shoulder and sauntered out towards the stairs so that she could go and get their drinks.

***NCIS***

Tim once again found himself standing in the still elevator cart between floors as Gibbs stood there waiting for him to talk. Where did he start? That was the real question because if he was going to be honest with himself, the whole situation made him feel stupid and weak once again.

"You gonna tell me what's wrong?" Gibbs asked gently and leaned back against the back wall. Tim started to pace in the small space, which was no easy feat, but the anger that emanated off of him, needed an outlet, and that was the best way.

"Nothing's wrong!" Tim growled loudly. The rare reaction from this gentle man, telling the boss, his gut was right.

"That's bull and you know it, McGee." Gibbs shouted back and put out his hand to still his agent. It took him a moment to finally get Tim turned around to face him. "Talk to me. We are not going back to this because we all know what happened last time."

Tim visibly deflated in front of him and it was all he could do not to push him into talking. "Mom wants to talk. She sent me a letter and left some messages because she wants to try and get our relationship back on track. Sarah's the same. She tried to email a few times and has tried ringing but…"

"You're not ready." Gibbs supplied and saw the small nod. "You need to sometime, McGee."

Tim deflated even more and moved to the side of the elevator where he sank down with his knees raised so that he could rest his wrists on them. "I know, Boss. I really do but there's just so much damn…it's too much. Right now, I don't feel ready and you know what the real kicker here is?"

Gibbs shook his head and sat down next to Tim. His agent chuckled when the boss's joint's popped and shook his head. "Getting old there, Boss?"

The headslap wasn't unexpected and made Tim feel more at east. "Comes to us all. What's the kicker?"

"I'm happy. Right now, I've got a beautiful girlfriend with a heart of gold and my job is going great. For the first time in years, I feel free and talking to my Mom just reminds me of what that bastard did."

"You still blame her?"

"No. Not really, Boss. It's just…if I was in her position, I would have walked years ago so that my kids were safe. She stayed with him and even now, he's got a hold on the family that can't be broken. He's dead! Damn it, he's gone so why is he still dictating our lives."

Gibbs huffed slightly and shook his head. Trust Tim to over think things and see the situation differently from everyone else. "He's not, McGee. You are. Right now, you're in control and you don't know what to do with it. Trust me when I say, I understand where you're comin' from, but you gotta do what you think is right here. Your mother; hell the woman was scared and still is."

Tim frowned and stared at Gibbs for a moment. "Why?"

"Losing you. Losing Sarah. Jesus, McGee, being widowed is one thing, but to lose your kids? That's hard and you never get over that. Right now, you and Sarah are survivors and your Mom doesn't wanna lose you knowing that there's still that chance of you being there. I know you don't feel ready, but you need to be telling her these things. She deserves to know how you feel and why it is you're not ready for talking just yet."

Tim nodded and rested his head back against the doors of the elevator. "I know. It's just hard."

"And you're angry."

"Yeah." Tim admitted ruefully. "Right now, I feel like I'm being forced into something that I don't wanna do."

"Then play to your strengths." Gibbs said simply and stood up before holding out his hand. Tim accepted and let himself be pulled upright.

"What strengths?"

"You're a writer aren'tcha?"

Tim watched as Gibbs flicked the switch and realized then, what Gibbs was trying to say. "Yeah, Boss. I am. Thanks."

"Anytime." With that, the doors opened and they walked back out into the squad room to finish up what they were doing. Ziva followed five minutes later and handed out the coffee's, but when she got to Tim's desk and handed his over, she smiled warmly and felt her heart soar at the relaxed expression on his face.

"Are you okay?" She asked softly and grinned when he nodded and winked.

***NCIS***

The day had got considerably better after his chat with Gibbs and now, he was home wearing his favorite MIT t-shirt and sweats. He'd taken Ziva out for dinner first, and had enjoyed the pleasant, warm conversation that flowed between them. As they drove home, Ziva let her hand drop onto the top of his leg and left it resting there as he drove; right now, he could still feel that touch as he said at his writing desk and it was the one thing that seemed to be grounding him.

He glanced down at the pen in his hand before setting it aside and reading the letter that he had just written to his mother.

Dear Mom

I am sorry for ignoring your calls and letters, but I'm not ready to talk just yet. I will be soon, I promise, but right now, I need the time to work through my demons and get my life back on track.

There's so much that I want to say and so many questions that I need to ask. It's just hard because after what happened and what he put us through, I still can't understand why you didn't just leave. Why didn't you take me and Sarah to safety?

You know what the hardest thing right now is? It's the fact that I need to know why he treated us the way he did instead of just walking away from the family he didn't want but also know that those answers are never going to be answered. Why did he feel the need to take his bitterness out on us…on me? I was at his beck and call and had to drop everything so that he'd be happy and would leave you alone. I always got it in the neck and always ended up being the one to suffer the most.

I know it's not your fault. I really do, but I just can't stop feeling as though I've been let down somehow by everyone. Don't get me wrong, I love you both very, very much and miss you, but I need time. I need to be able rationalize everything in my own mind before releasing the demons that are knocking at my door.

You know, I can't help feeling like George, even though I haven't quite slayed the dragon. I still feel as though I am free now and know that I haven't got someone hanging over my head or looming in the darkness. Mom, my life hasn't been good and I'm sorry to say that, but right now I'm getting back on track. I am back at work and am actually living life to the best I can. I'm enjoying life.

On a happier note, I'm in a relationship with Ziva. You've met her and I'm sorry it wasn't under better circumstances. We're good together, Mom and she cares about me for me. That's something that I've never had before and I will admit, I'm starting to fall in love with her…No, that's not right. I am in love with her.

Please, give me time. That's all I ask. Like I said before, I love you all dearly and really do miss you and Sarah. I just need to do some soul searching first so that I can finally bury my skeletons and close the door on the Dragons lair. It's something I need to do; I can't explain it and I don't know why, but I just do.

I love you and Sarah very very much.

All my love

Tim xx

P.S. Thank you so much for doing what was best for me instead of what I asked for. Calling Gibbs to come help me probably saved my life. I can't ever thank you enough for that. Maybe someday soon, I'll be ready to do just that.

Tim placed the letter down on the desk with a smile and nodded to himself. It pretty much summed it up and would hopefully mean that they would understand and give him the time he needed. Sure, he'd talk to them again, he loved them too much not too, but he needed time.

He sighed happily when Ziva came up behind him and started to massage his shoulders again. It was something that she did often now and he had to admit, the very action was soon becoming his favorite thing in the world. She leaned down and wrapped her small arms around his neck before kissing the pulse point just under the ear.

"Are you finished?" She asked with a purr.

Tim placed his hand over hers where they were clasped together on his chest. "Yeah, I think so."

"Good. Then come to bed."

Tim nodded before folding the letter and placing it in the envelope he'd written out before the letter. He propped it up against his typewriter and stood up so he could turn and pull Ziva in close. They kissed sensuously and Tim couldn't help but trail his hands down her back as she stood there melting into him.

"Come on." He said huskily as he pulled back enough to guide her toward the bedroom "Let's go to bed."

~Finis~

End Notes:

Just a quick note to thank you all for following us on this journey. It has been a long winding road, and we have finally reached the end.

You have all been wonderful with your reviews and yor comments and we have been blown away by them.

Thanks again everyone

Smartkid37 and Shelbylou xx

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.