Guests remained in the home for quite some time, only leaving when the evening grew later. In the few hours they had spent side by side, Tim had asked if Tori would stay the night, since he hadn't been able to sleep for days. The little DiNozzo graciously agreed, and asked Tony to get the small bag from the car. McGee smiled, she always came prepared. It wasn't much later that the team said their goodbyes, and left the McGee family in the comfort and care of Tori. For a moment, the brunette chatted with the family as Tim changed; but she eventually found herself curled up in a blanket sharing half of his bed. The pair talked for what seemed like hours, catching up, bringing up happy thoughts, and trying to find their ways to dreamland. Sleep overcame McGee, as he began to fade in and out of consciousness, until completely drifting away.
Tori pulled the blankets up to Tim's chin, and placed her hand on his cheek, smiling softly. He looked like a child when he slept. She gathered the pillow and blanket that she had been using, clicked off the light, and headed downstairs. In the living room the only the light above the fireplace was on, illuminating the fake fir tree, which still remained undecorated. The little DiNozzo began to make herself comfortable on the couch when a voice startled her.
"You know, I don't care if you sleep upstairs. I know John let you," Mrs. McGee emerged from the kitchen.
"Maryanne," Tori jumped, "You scared me! And, thank you for your offer, but I don't think that would be appropriate right now."
"I don't think Tim would mind," the mother giggled, as she watched the young woman's face fall into an awkward blush, "Ah, but you mind. I'm sorry, I just assumed since things were so…so…normal today that the two of you had talked…"
"We did," the little DiNozzo smiled, making room for Maryanne on the sofa, "It's just going to have to take some time."
The older woman sipped her tea, "Time, it's a good thing, a very good thing. When I left John, I had no intention of coming back, but time had other plans. I'm glad you're taking your time Tori."
"Thank you," she whispered, as she watched Mrs. McGee's face scan the living room, an emptiness in her eyes.
"Just don't take too much, you'll never know when you need more," Maryanne placed the mug on the end table, in exchange for a family photograph that was taken the night of the party, "I know I wish we would have had time, for one last Christmas. No matter how many times he went overseas, or we moved, or when the marriage went sour, we always had time for Christmas. I would wake up early before the kids and make breakfast and he would hide the presents. Then we'd sneak off to bed and let them wake us up. And after tearing through the packages, we'd have bacon, eggs, and these little pancakes that I add strawberries and whipped cream to make them look like Santa," she sighed, "John loved Christmas, and I wish I could have given him just one more…"
Mrs. McGee began to tear up as her words were cut off by a loving embrace around her waist. Maryanne could barely see Tori under the mess of dark hair, but she hugged her back, and rest her head on hers.
"And he knows you wanted to," the little DiNozzo sighed, "Don't give up on Christmas, there's a lot of magic in this season."
"Lord knows I need it," the mother shook her head, as the two parted ways, "Now, you get some sleep dear. Even if it's only for a few hours, I want you to feel rested. Goodnight, sweetie."
"Goodnight, Maryanne," she smiled as Mrs. McGee retired to her room.
Tori nestled back into her blanket nest, but she wasn't the slightest bit tired. She looked around the McGee house, it was most certainly lacking its warmth and charm. The brunette's vision finally landed on the unopened boxes in the corner of the room. As quietly as possible she tiptoed over, and noticed they were all labeled 'X-Mas.' With a glint in her eye, and an idea in her head, the little DiNozzo began to hatch up a plan.
Sarah McGee was finally having a full night's sleep, when she heard the noise of the mixer in the kitchen, waking her from her slumber. A bit annoyed, the little McGee shot out of bed, stomping to her door, and also waking Brian in the process. She was about to step out into the hallway, when she saw the two boxes wrapped in white paper and addressed to both Brian and herself. Brian quickly took his box and opened it, finding a flannel pajama set. Sarah too opened her gift, it was a matching set of sleepwear. A notes in both their boxes instructed them to put them on. Confused, but excited, they did as the note said, and opened the bedroom door. Clearly, Sarah's stomping had woke up the entire house, as each family member emerged from their bedrooms, all in the same pajamas.
"You got a white box too," Tim furrowed his brow pointing at Sarah.
"Yep," the curly haired girl turned to her mother, "Did you do this?"
"No, I didn't" Maryanne shook her head.
"Don't look at me," Penny mumbled, "I slept like a rock last night."
The curious group, slowly made their way down the stairs, in which the railing had be draped with garland and ribbon. Sarah, with all the excitement of a child, led the charge down the flight and into the completely decorated living room. Wreaths hung on the widows with bows. Garland and lights adorned the mantle. And even the tree was completely decorated, with every sentimental ornament hung with care. The present were wrapped and piled high, and each stocking was full of goodies. And the smell of gingerbread was wafting in the air
"Whoa…" Brian sighed in amazement, breaking the silence in the room.
"It's a Christmas miracle, and it's not even Christmas anymore!" Sarah's eyes welled with tears, "We must have some sort of Christmas Elf!"
"Or an angel," Penny giggled, as she looked over the perfectly set up Nativity Scene.
"Yes," Maryanne smiled, taking her son into a hug, "And I believe she's in the kitchen."
Still shocked, McGee replied, "I'll got get her."
When Tim McGee entered the kitchen, there he saw Tori, the elf herself, wearing the same pajamas as everyone else, with the added Christmas apron. She was singing quietly in Italian, something that sounded quite similar to silent night, placing a pan of gingerbread cookies into the oven. As she shut the oven door, McGee came up behind her pulling her into hug.
Tori turned around sharply "Hey, what are you doing down here! You're supposed to be asleep!"
"Tor, it's after nine…" Tim chuckled.
"Is it really?" the little DiNozzo looked around the kitchen.
"Did you even sleep?" McGee arched his brow.
"…yes…" she smiled brightly, as she turned back to the baking.
"Victoria Anette DiNozzo," he followed behind her, "Are you lying to me?"
"…yes…" the brunette looked away, "But before you get upset, just know I had to look through all your mother recipes to find the one for Santa pancakes…"
Tim cut her off by taking her into a long embrace, "You're crazy" he sighed resting his head on hers, "Thank you."
"Hey you two," Sarah burst through the door, "I've waited long enough, its present time and mom says we can't start without you!"
"Come on," Tim took her hand excitedly, "I think you've got a few with your name on them."
"But, what about the cookies," Tori laughed, "We can't leave the gingerbread people homeless!"
Upon arriving in the living room, Maryanne hugged Tori and kissed her cheek and Penny sent her a loving wink from across the room. She and Tim took their seats on the floor, leaning up against the couch like children. Sarah dove into the gift, and the family watched as everyone opened them one by one! McGee was right the little DiNozzo was most certainly not excluded from the festivities, since their break up had occurred so close to the actual holiday. The family laughed and smiled, and Tori did too, despite the fact that she could now feel the exhaustion setting in. Tim wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder. Soon, the gifts were all opened, and the hunger set it.
"Back to the kitchen," Tori shot up almost immediately, "Breakfast will be ready in a second."
"I'm going with you," Tim grinned, following her, "You make the bacon wrong."
"I do not," she turned around and stuck her tongue out at him, "Not everyone likes to eat crunchy strips of charcoal."
"And I'm pretty sure you like to hear the pig squealing while you eat it," he snorted, closing the door behind them.
"Taking things slow is going to be harder than they think, if they keep acting like that" Sarah giggled.
"Especially, for your brother," Maryanne sighed, "I don't think he ever felt like he was out of that relationship."
"Of course he wasn't," Penny chimed in, "He had John fooled. Hell, he gave Tim the ring."
"No!" Mrs. McGee's eyes went wide, "He didn't even tell me. Well, John always did have a weird sixth sense about people."
"Ya, but Tim better stick it in low, and go back to being his cautious self, or he'll scare her off," Sarah shook her head.
There was a loud clatter in the kitchen, followed by a smack, an Ow!, and ended with a "Timothy Farragut McGee, keep your unwashed hands out of my cookie batter."
"Maybe, not," Brian laughed, "Tori might keep him in line."
"Come on," Maryanne giggled, "That's our cue."
Once the entire family joined in on the cooking, breakfast was ready in no time. Mrs. McGee's pancakes were delicious and Tori had made enough desserts to last a life time. She even had completed the walls of a gingerbread house, which Brian, Sarah, begged her and Tim to build with them. This was the perfect mom moment for Maryanne, who got some wonderful snapshots of all of her "Kids", and the lopsided cookie home. Afterwards, McGee promised that they would take care of the mess, if Tori wanted to take a well-deserved nap. The little DiNozzo, turned to the clock and didn't disagree.
With all hands on deck, the house was cleaned in about an hour. Tim sat and waited patiently for his ballerina to wake up. It was especially hard, after his mother caught him going upstairs, and shot him a "don't you dare disturb her" look. However, the family kept him occupied, laughing and sharing stories. It wasn't much later that, Tori came down the stairs, fully dressed and carrying her suitcase.
A confused Tim met her halfway up the stairs, carrying it for her, "Where are you going?" he asked brows furrowed.
"I've got to back to New York," she sighed, "Rehearsal starts today and if I want to keep my spot I can't miss it."
"Of course," McGee shook his head in realization, "I'm sorry, I didn't remember!'
"Its fine, I was having so much fun I almost forgot," Tori squeezed his hand.
"Leaving already?" Penny caught wind of the situation, bringing the entire family into the private conversation.
"She's got rehearsals for New Years," Tim smiled, "We can't let her be late."
"When do you leave, dear?" Maryanne brought her into a hug.
"Oh, I've got a cab coming, it should be hear any minute," the brunette smiled half-heartedly, making her rounds of goodbye hugs.
"Any minute?" McGee's face became more displeased, "At least let me take you."
"It's really ok, Tim," Tori smiled, "I want you to enjoy Christmas with your family."
"Alright," he shrugged, not wanting to blow off the kind gesture, "I'll wait outside with you."
Before the little DiNozzo could protest, McGee had grabbed his boots and coat, and pushed them both out the door.
"Sorry," he sighed, "I just wanted a moment to ourselves, you know without my family watching."
"We do have trouble finding those moments," Tori giggled taking his hands between hers, trying to keep them warm.
"And we won't be getting anymore once we get back to work on the case," Tim laughed, as he slowly watched as her face fell, "What's wrong? Did I say something that upset you?"
"They didn't tell you," the little DiNozzo shook her head in disbelief, "Tim, Director Vance pulled the case. We haven't had any new leads in months. It's cold."
"Well, so? What does that mean?" a worried McGee stammered.
"It means I'm back in New York, permanently," the ballerina sighed, "I'm sorry I thought you knew."
"No," sadness filled his eyes, "Not at all, but I thought…I thought you were transferring to D.C. I read it in a letter that fell out of your sweater pocket, when Jethro tried to chew it. I know it was wrong, but it was already opened."
"I see someone found their Christmas gift early," Tori chewed her bottom lip, "I'm just sorry to say, I took it back."
"What?" Tim McGee could feel his heart breaking into a million pieces.
The little DiNozzo exhaled slowly, "The night we broke up, Ziva left, and Tony and I took a red eye flight to New York. The moment I got home, I wasn't as sad as I was while I was in D.C. So I told Cass, to cancel it. I only came back for the funeral, because I would never leave you in your time of need…"
"Then what was last night," McGee cut her off, "What about not giving up on us? What about our amazing future?"
"I told you, it wasn't going to be easy," Tori started to tear up, "I thought you knew, and I understand if this is too much for you right now."
Tim's face softened, "No. No, I said I didn't care if it wasn't easy, and I stand by that. I want this to work, more than anything."
"Me too," she sniffled.
"Come here," he pulled her into a tight embrace, "First chance I get, I'll be on a plane to New York. It might be a while, depending on work, but you understand."
"I'll count the days," the bundled brunette buried herself deeper into his chest.
Tim McGee stood for a moment just holding her, taking in the way that she smelled, the way his arms felt around her body, and how his chin cold rest so perfectly on the top of her head. Slowly, along the snow plowed streets, a yellow cab pulled up and honked its horn. McGee did not let go.
"Tim, I've got to go," she giggled.
"I know," he sighed, letting her out of his grasp, "Please, call me when you get in."
"Of course," she flashed that famous DiNozzo grin, and kissed him on the cheek, before running to meet her cab.
Tim stood on the front porch of his home, realizing just how much distance was between him and the street. And that was nothing compared to how far apart they would be in a matter of hours. After, getting her suitcase settled, Tori looked up, waving goodbye one last time, blowing him a kiss. She shut the cab door, and in the longest minutes of his life, McGee watched the yellow car disappear. The feeling of being lost was now more prevalent than it had been in the previous days. Tim felt like he had taken his good luck with Tori for granted, only to ruin it by his own stupidity. He fumbled his way into the house and was met by the curious eyes of his family.
"So…" Sarah smiled hopefully.
"So, she's back to New York," Tim faked a smile, trying to be alright with the rotten situation.
