"You did really well for your first time on the range, Tim." Gibbs praised as they made their way back through security At NCIS HQ Navy Yard.
"Thanks boss, all those computer games and paintballing are now paying off." Tim replied. He'd taken up paintballing after Kate had died, as a way to relieve the stress and fine tune his skills. He and Ziva would make a day of it, sometimes competing against each other and sometimes on the same team as part of a tournament. It used to annoy Tony that Tim had improved his aim greatly before Ziva took him down a peg or two. "Can't wait until the sniper training workshop, next month."
"If you're that enthusiastic, we could probably go away for the weekend soon and get some target practice in." Gibbs offered. "We'll bring Emily and head up to my cabin. It's so peaceful there, probably be good for Em. Get in an around nature. Maybe we can invite Ducky, he could keep Emily company while we head off for training."
"Sounds good to me, let me run it by Emily tonight." Tim replied thoughtfully. Emily may feel awkward at the thought of being isolated in Gibbs cabin.
"We'd have to take two cars, though. The cabin needs restocking." Gibbs worried.
"That's ok. I can take my chev trailblazer out. Plenty of space. It doesn't get to see much four wheel driving." Tim offered.
"You have a four wheel drive?" Gibbs asked, surprised. "Thought you only had the Boxster?"
"I did, the timing chain in it seized the engine short-circuited." Tim explained frustrated. "Ended up having to sell it, too timely and costly to fix. I'd just bought the apartment and things were tight. Luckily, I found a buyer who was willing to pay and do a full restoration on her."
"Ah, but she'll always be in your heart." His boss teased. Gibbs knew the younger man loved his Porsche. It was the one luxury he allowed himself after Deep Six made the best seller list. 'The trailblazer is a better family car' Gibbs thought to himself anyway. He had began to notice certain signs, that maybe, in the future, Emily and Tim might be more than just friends.
"Hey Duck" Gibbs greeted as he entered autopsy after he'd sent his team home that night. Jimmy had a night class and had already left, leaving Ducky to catch up on some overdue inventory himself.
"Jethro, my friend." Ducky greeted his dear friend. "What brings you to my humble abode?"
"Wanna head to my cabin with us?" Gibbs asked, still on a high from this afternoon with Tim and his discussion with Rachel regarding how well Emily is actually doing.
"Who's us, Jethro?" Ducky asked, he certainly didn't want to be a third wheel if his dear friend was bringing a woman.
"Just Tim and Emily Fornell."
"Our Timothy? And young Emily?" Ducky asked smiling in surprise. "How long has that been going on, my friend?"
"Not like that Duck." Gibbs sighed and explained to his older friend what had happened to Emily and how Tim and Emily's budding friendship came to be.
"I can see the gears turning in your head there, Jethro." Ducky teased his younger friend. "You wouldn't be matchmaking there?"
"Course not Duck" Gibbs winked at his friend. "I'm staying out of it. That way Diane and Tobias can't blame me."
"Sure you are." Ducky replied, winking at his friend. "I'd be delighted to join you both. I am not afraid of Diane and Tobias, maybe I can do the matchmaking?"
"I am not the boss of you." Gibbs winked at his friend. "We are planning to leave on Friday afternoon. I should warn you, Tim and I have to do some training stuff on Saturday so you will be alone with Emily."
"That shouldn't be a problem, Jethro." Ducky smiled, planning his own scheme. "Emily and I have always got along well. And I can keep her company while you two are gone."
Emily had agreed with Tim. She had loved her Uncle Gibbs' cabin, finding it peaceful and relaxing, so naturally she was excited when Tim said they were planning a trip there and that Ducky would be coming too. She always enjoyed his company and she assured Tim it was ok that they'd be leaving her and Ducky alone for the whole day Saturday for a training exercise. When Tim had confirmed they were going with Gibbs, they'd made plans to hit Costco after work on Thursday, to stock up on food for the cabin.
Emily was working from 'home' as she had been since the attack and having zoom calls with various authors, as well her colleagues. Although her visible injuries have healed, she still hasn't been comfortable enough to head back to the office. Her boss had been supportive and is happy to allow her to work from home, after seeing she's much more productive at home than in the office.
Since her session with Dr Cranston, she's been keeping a 'dream journal' so they can work on the root cause of her nightmares. Her and Tim have continued going to the group therapy session, although now, Dr Cranston has advised her to slowly step back as she's finding herself too invested in everyone else's pain.
Having caught a case on Thursday morning, McGee and Gibbs were relieved to find it an open and shut case with Ducky ruling it suicide. They left at three, with the plan to hit up Costco, before Gibbs joined the duo for a dinner, that Emily insisted upon cooking. With both Gibbs' truck bed and Tim's four wheel drive loaded with supplies, they dropped Gibbs' truck off in his locked garage before heading the short drive to Tim's apartment for dinner.
"Smell's good Em," Gibbs said, sniffing the aroma's that greet them appreciatively as they entered Tim's apartment. "Real good, Em"
"Thanks Uncle Gibbs," Emily said cheerfully as she kissed each of the men hello. "I'm making Lasagna." Emily's eyes seemed brighter today. Gibbs noticed immediately, as did Tim. Gibbs watched as the younger man's eyes lit up in surprise at how well Emily seemed to be doing today.
"Productive day Em?" Tim enquired, as wordlessly he began to prep a delicious salad.
"Definitely, one of my best days so far." Emily gushed as she explained her day and they moved around each other with ease, as if they'd been doing it for years. Gibbs watched the scene with fascination as Emily made a pot of coffee and Tim put the finishing touches on the salad. All of a sudden he felt like a voyeur, and again his gut pinged, that perhaps there's some chemistry and attraction there. "Best of all, Charlise Hopper signed a five year deal with me today" she bragged, retelling how big of deal, landing this author is.
"When Gemcity's contract is up, you gonna try and poach me?" Tim asked, in a semi flirtatious statement, forgetting Gibbs was sitting at the bar stool watching the scene with a front row seat.
"Already workin' on it" she winked and Tim's heart fluttered a little. They caught each other's gaze and smiled at one another, coyly.
"Need some help?" Gibbs offered, breaking the flirtatious banter. He'd began to realise that they'd for the was here.
"You can set the table." Emily directed her Uncle.
"Just going to go get changed." Tim said excusing himself. Gibbs noted the redness of Tim's ears and noted it to himself. In all the time he'd known Timothy McGee, he knew Tim's ears went red whenever he was embarrassed. It was his telltale sign.
"Take your time, Tim." Em said, not quite meeting her uncle's piercing gaze. "Dinner is still twenty minutes away."
Gibbs and Emily began chatting more about her work, his boat and finally he bought up the subject of Tim. Tim's cell phone had rang while he was changing, interrupting them and he'd excused himself to answer it. It was an agent from Cybercrimes calling for some advice on how to bypass a security protocol and he was in full technobabble mode. Gibbs watched Emily out of the corner of his eye, watch Tim with adoration. He was chopping onions and pickling them in red wine vinegar as he held the phone to his ear with his shoulder and discussed how to bypass the said protocol. "Hang on Jordan, let me grab my laptop and see if I can Remote Assist" he said, as he cleaned his hands and wordlessly made a beeline for his study. Gibbs immediately noticed Emily ogling Tim's retreating figure and filed that information away for later on too.
"All excited for the weekend?" Gibbs asked, trying to distract Emily from wanting to follow Tim.
"Definitely" Emily confirmed. "Looking forward to swimming in the natural springs pool and relaxing. I'm giving myself a work free weekend, I'll probably do some writing of my own though. Unlike Tim, I use the laptop so I can write anywhere."
"He still uses the typewriter then." Gibbs laughed, the more advanced his technologically savvy agent was, he still preferred the simple pleasures of the typewriter when working on his book.
"Yes, I find the tapping of the keys most relaxing, quite often, they lull me to sleep." Emily said dreamily.
"Sure it has nothing to do with Tim and his omnipresence here." He teased his niece gently.
"Gibbs" she whined playfully. "We're just friends!" She supplied, effectively shutting down that line of conversation with a blush.
Dinner was a lively affair as Gibbs and Tim regaled Emily with a story of McGee chasing a suspect through a car wash when he was a green rookie and Gibbs admitted that he too, learnt that the lesson the hard way by chasing a suspect into a pool when he was a rookie. Emily was doubled over in laughter by the end of dinner and Tim had quickly whipped up some berries, strawberry coulis and ice cream into three bowls as Em moaned in pleasure, audibly at the decadent, mouth-watering, heavenly berry coulis he'd handmad, as hit her tastebuds. Tim's eyes quickly shifted away from Emily's and down to his food in a move that amused Gibbs greatly. He took pity on his young agent and changed the subject to work.
Tim ran Gibbs home after dessert and coffee, Gibbs had made a show of yawning enough that Tim had taken pity on him. Honestly, he felt like a third wheel, they'd both been so oblivious to liking one another, he wanted to head slap them both. But he didn't and began dreading the next time he saw Tobias and the warning he'd have to give his friend that somehow Tim and Emily were becoming friendlier.
Friday morning dawned as the morning from hell for Tim. Emily had had awful nightmares most of the night, then morning sickness had reared it's ugly head for the first time at zero four hundred. By the time he was ready for the shower, the hot water had gone out and the super had informed them it was going to be at least a week until the part came in. Groaning, he'd taken a cold shower, not needing Gibbs in a bad mood before their weekend away. He'd gone to make a pot of coffee at some ungodly hour this morning and he'd forgotten to restock coffee in his hurry to get supplies for the weekend. Finally on his way to work and a B double had crashed, killing a pedestrian and he was stuck in traffic. He'd called Gibbs and Gibbs had been sympathetic, yet suspicious of his story. Finally making it to work, only to find he'd left his credentials behind in his haste. After a quick trip to the retrieve them, he found a cold coffee on his desk.
"So McGoo …" Tony began to tease, but Tim threw him a threatening look that clearly said 'back off!' Tim was at his wits ends already and mentally counting down the hours until he could leave and the weekend was upon him.
He'd never been more thankful for a day of cold cases before.
Gibbs had found it amusing that Tim had really had the day from hell, all by mid morning. He'd told Gibbs the full extent of the morning, including the ninety minutes he'd spent on the bathroom floor holding Emily's hair back while she hugged the toilet emptying the contents of her stomach and then some.
"Crackers, McGee." Gibbs advised. "At least two before she even sits up in the morning and an apple before she gets out of bed. Shannon had horrific morning sickness with Kelly." Tim raised his eyebrows at his advice. Gibbs rarely shared tidbits about life with Shannon with anyone. "And plenty of water."
"Thanks Boss." Tim smiled, thankful for everything he'd said and everything he hadn't.
They'd gotten on the road later than planned after Emily needed a good thirty minutes to upchuck everything from her stomach just before they hit the interstate. True to Gibbs' advice Tim had crackers, apples and water on standby, as did Ducky, having been made aware of recent developments with Gibbs' niece. Tim had also supplied Emily with a stash of emesis bags and breath mints on the advice of Agent Brown from Balboa's team, who had just returned from Maternity leave. She had also recommended fruit tingle lollies for heartburn and peppermint tea for nausea. Agent Nora Brown, wasn't privy to the situation, but as a new mum, she'd guessed exactly what the young woman's problem had been when she'd seen her crying on Tim's lap in the MCRT bullpen the other day. Tim had simply smiled slightly in confidence, when she passed on her unsolicited advice.
Sensing Tim was at his limits, she promised (followed through on her promise) to email him the list of everything she found beneficial and a list of what to avoid along with a promise to bring in a couple of pregnancy books for Emily and one her husband had read that would help Tim.
Gibbs and Ducky shared a smile when they'd arrived and gone to greet the younger duo at their car and saw all the paraphernalia that Tim had supplied her with for the trip.
"Em, go on in and put your feet up." Gibbs ordered. "We'll get the gear and then start dinner."
"Actually, dinners done." Emily smiled. "I cooked a delicious risotto today and made a salad too, along with that berry thing you like that Tim makes. It's all in Tim's cooler. Just need to heat and eat!" Gibbs looked astonished at his niece. He couldn't believe that as sick as she feeling she'd had the energy to cook. "I'm pregnant, Uncle Gibbs. Not an invalid." She said, smiling at him.
"I am feeling weary too, my dear." Ducky said suddenly, winking at Timothy. "Let's sit down and put our feet up while the able agents unload the cars."
Gibbs and Tim made short work of the cars, with all the extra canned food and bottled water stored in the cellar for future stays. They returned to the living area to find Emily dozing on the sofa and Ducky unloading Jethro and Timothy's coolers of fresh food into the pantry and refrigerator.
"Let's get the fire going before the chill sets in." Gibbs said softly to Tim. Although it was still relatively early, they were in the valley in between mountains and the cool night air does set in early.
Tim used this chance to look around. Leading up to the front door was a crushed rock path with a rose garden either side. The cabin had a huge double front door, opening to a gorgeously open plan living, kitchen, dining area. Off to the west of the house was the mud room and laundry, as well as a half bath. To the east of the house, off living area was a small hall that lead to the guest room. Upstairs, on the split level there was three bedrooms, a full size bath, with separate bathroom and a laundry chute. On the first floor, there was what's described as a retreat. A huge master bedroom, with fireplace, balcony opening up onto a large deck area overlooking the water, with a full ensuite including an extra large spa bath. Gibbs had already explained that he was remodelling the top floor - 'the master suite' so it was out of order.
They'd all sat by the fire and eaten the dinner Emily had prepared with Ducky and Gibbs on the recliners and the younger duo on the sofa. Ducky had opened a bottle of wine for he and Tim to share, whilst Gibbs had a glass of his finest bourbon and Emily had a bottle of her favourite mineral water with strawberries and cucumber slices infused in it. They sat in a companionable silence watching the open fire burn, just relaxing. Emily had excused herself first, saying good night and heading upto bed. Ducky was next off to bed, struggling to stay awake after consuming the last of the wine, combined with the extra long day and the stress of no assistant as Jimmy Palmer had been in classes all day today.
"Come on, Tim. Time to turn in too. We've got an early start." Gibbs said I'm best parental voice, ushering his youngest agent to bed. Tim still confused as to where he was sleeping, was preparing to take the pull out sofa. "No Tim, in with Emily. We both know, she'll be having her first nightmare anytime now." Gibbs said, taking Tim's bag upstairs and guiding Tim upto Emily's room. "I'm down the hall and Ducky is across the hall if you need us." He clamped his hands on his younger agent's shoulders in a show of support and sent him off to bed.
The morning dawned earlier than anyone was prepared for. Tim had been fully prepared before bed with water, apples and crackers on the bedside and despite all of that, the elder two gentlemen awoke to the sounds of Emily dry heaving up her now empty stomach and Tim's inaudible soft words of comfort.
Ducky and Jethro had met each other in the hall exchanging glances and a grimace as a new round of vomiting and dry heaving began.
"If this is a daily occurrence, I think that dear girl is in need of an antiemetic." Ducky said softly to his friend.
"You'll keep an eye on her, Duck?" Gibbs asked, letting his concern come through his voice.
"Of course."
The early morning rays had flown by and the sun was fully up. Tim had set Emily up in the outdoor sun lounger by the pool under the louvre veranda with everything she could possibly need: laptop, cell, crackers, apple, cooler with cold water bottles, hat, sunglasses and towels before he left.
Tim had left the keys to his four wheel drive behind in case Ducky or Emily needed transportation and he and Gibbs set off with their weaponry to do some more training in Gibbs' truck.
Gibbs smiled at Tim's crazy antics before they'd left the cabin, but it warmed his heart to know that Emily was in good hands with Tim. He promised himself they'd get back to the cabin with plenty of time to spare for he and Emily to spend some time together.
Ducky had Emily take a nap on the couch inside around ten, when she'd began to feel light headed and dizzy. Ducky gave her an antiemetic from his bag and assured her it was safe for her take while pregnant and it'd make her feel better. He'd called in a prescription to a pharmacist, in the town, not too far away from the cabin and sent Jethro a message to remind him to head into town and collect it before they close for the day. He wanted to have it on hand in case she had a repeat episode again.
By lunchtime, Emily was feeling like a new woman and ate a light lunch before her and Ducky took advantage of the pool. "The natural spring water in the pool will be good for your skin with all those minerals, my dear." He beamed at the young girl. "So relax, before you know it, Timothy and Jethro will have returned and it'll be dinner time."
"Thanks Ducky." She said softly and reached up, kissing his cheek.
By three, Tim and Gibbs had indeed returned, along with having stopped for the required medication for Emily. Tim spied Emily relaxing in the pool at the far end, he quietly slipped into the pool as Gibbs took Emily's seat, next to Ducky and watched his agent swim the length of the pool to Emily, giving her a fright in the process. As a result, a water fight between the duo erupted and Emily pounced into Tim's arms, knocking the taller man under the water. When they both came up for air, he held her, securely in his arms, smoothing the stray wet hair from her face. "Hey you." He smiled. "Have a good day?"
"Ducky took good care of me." She assured him and hugged him tight, pressing her whole, bikini clad, lithe body into his. "You know, you should enjoy the sight of me in a bikini now." She whispered softly. "By July, I'll be showing and probably not feel like showing my body off." She finished shyly, ducking her down and gently nuzzling his chest.
"Hey, you'll be beautiful, no matter what." He replied, in a whisper. "You've got a baby growing inside of you." He splayed his large hand against her naked stomach. "That's amazing and I'm just lucky to get to witness you grow this tiny human." He caught her chine with two fingers and tilted her face up before he remembered they weren't alone. He kissed her cheek and winked at her. "Remember what I said." Splashed her and swam back to the end where Gibbs and Ducky were sitting, witnessing the scene, which caused a huge belly laugh from Emily and she began chasing him. Gibbs smiled at the pair and dove in to back Emily up.
By the time dinner time rolled around, the trio had dried off and freshly showered. "Savour that shower Em, it's cold showers when we get home." Tim teased, remembering the super's words about the water heater.
"Cold showers?" Gibbs asked, hooking an eyebrow at the obvious question.
"Hot water heater went yesterday, going to take at least a week to fix." Tim supplied, frustrated that he can't catch a break.
"Come stay at mine, Tim." Gibbs offered. "I've got the room."
"Emily should stay, boss. Me, I can handle it." Tim said bravely, thinking about how a cold shower might control his errant libido.
"You're staying Tim. End of discussion!" Gibbs said as he tossed the foil clad potatoes into the fire pit.
"Ok" Tim agreed. He was feeling like a bug under the microscope. He and Em had began a little flirt thing and he always got shy if he knew he was being watched. Then again, maybe having Gibbs underfoot by staying with the kid we agent would help control his errant libido.
Sunday morning, bright and early before Emily even sat up, Tim headed downstairs for the crackers, having left them down there yesterday. So far this morning, there was little nausea and Emily had gotten up and joined the men downstairs. It was definitely a sight, her Uncle Gibbs in his boxers and USMC tee, Ducky in cotton navy blue pyjamas and robe, Tim in his blue and white cotton checkered boxers and his MIT tee and Emily, surprisingly wearing a pair of Tim's plain black cotton boxer shorts (after vomiting on hers late last night) and a plain black tee of her own. Suddenly everyone was laughing, "Well, this is a change." Ducky said through his laughter. "I don't think we've ever seen each other wearing pyjamas before, even with all the out of town cases we've worked together through the years."
"I am more concerned with why my niece is wearing your underwear, Special Agent McGee." Gibbs teased jovially.
"Mine are upstairs covered in vomit. I'm not wearing them." Emily said, straight up. "Tim was gentlemanly enough to loan me a pair of his." She kissed his cheek in response, making his ear tinge red. "But they're so comfy, I just might have to steal a few more pairs." She teased, winking at him. Before Tim made himself busy cooking omelettes for breakfast. Halfway through breakfast, Em discovered why breakfast was a bad idea and made a mad dash to the bathroom. That was the final straw for Ducky. He set the medication out in the table with a bottle of water, all ready for Emily when she and Tim returned.
Before they knew it, it was time to pack up and make their journey home. This time, Emily made it home. Gibbs and Ducky went to Gibbs house where he prepared the guest room for Emily and Tim to share, noting that the previous night Emily had slept the whole night through, without a nightmare. So Gibbs was happy for his agent to continue sharing a bed with his niece. Tim and Emily made a beeline for his apartment before packing what they needed to see through the week at casa Gibbs.