Epilogue
Three months later...
"Agent DiNozzo, Agent McGee, Director Vance will see you now," Pamela said, looking at them both.
Tony and Tim exchanged glances and then nodded. They stood and walked into Vance's office. After months of therapy and, for Tony, recertification and psych evaluations, they were, hopefully, getting told that they'd be allowed back to work. They had asked to have this meeting together rather than separately. That way they could still be each other's backup.
As they stepped into the office, Vance stood up from his desk and walked over to the conference table.
"Have a seat," he said.
Tim and Tony both sat.
"Now, I understand that you're both hoping to get back to work."
Tony glanced at Tim and then nodded.
"Yes, sir," he said.
"All right. Agent McGee, your therapist has given his authorization for your return, although he has required that you continue to have regular sessions with him for the foreseeable future."
"Yes, Director," Tim said.
"And your physical therapist has no objections except that you give yourself time to adjust."
"Yes."
"Agent DiNozzo, you have passed your required psych evaluations, although your therapist has also required continuing to meet with him."
"Yes, sir," Tony said.
"And you have had no significant relapses during the last three months?"
"None."
"Any issues that still need addressing?"
"No, sir," Tony said.
Vance simply nodded. Then, he was silent for a few seconds.
"Agent McGee, your behavior while Agent DiNozzo was missing bordered on insubordinate."
"I know," Tim said.
"While I understand your motivations and even agree with them to a certain point, you created a situation which was nearly untenable. Agent Gibbs' team was already operating at a suboptimal level and your decision only made that worse."
"Yes."
"No apologies for that?"
Tony wanted to interrupt, but he knew that he shouldn't. So he sat where he was, just waiting since he knew his turn would be coming next.
Tim took a breath. "I am sorry for making Agent Gibbs' job more difficult, but I can't be sorry about what I did. Agent DiNozzo needed to be found and I knew it would take more effort that anyone could give while still trying to do our regular jobs. I was willing to pay the price for that, and I still am if you decide it's necessary."
Vance stared at Tim for a long time and then turned his attention to Tony.
"Agent DiNozzo, there is also still some uncertainty about the wisdom in allowing you to resume your position simply because of your previous psychological break."
"Yes, sir," Tony said.
"Do you feel that you will be a hindrance to the performance of the MCRT by returning?"
Tony wanted to just give a glib answer, but he didn't. Instead, he chose to sit and think about it just a little bit.
"Honestly, Director, I don't know. Even after my therapy and talking it over with experts in the field, no one can explain why this happened. Since we don't know why it happened, there's no way to predict whether or not I'll have a relapse. Some people who have had similar experiences have relapsed multiple times. Others have gone on with no trouble. But... based on how I feel right now, I feel... like myself, and if that stays the case, well, I don't think I'll be any more of a hindrance than I ever am."
There was the faintest hint of a smile.
Then, Vance looked at both of them.
"Captain Blaine's trial will be coming in the next few months. The work you both did helped take down a smuggling ring that went far deeper in the Navy than anyone could ever have anticipated. You both paid a heavy price for that work. I appreciate that and it seems only right to give you both the chance to resume your former positions. Agent DiNozzo, you are reinstated with probationary status for no longer than six months and likely much less. This probationary period is for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not you truly are prepared to return to your position. Agent McGee, while the work you did was admirable, your refusal to follow orders will be noted in your file with a full explanation of the reasons for it and the outcome. This will be a permanent tag that will require discussion when you next are up for promotion." He looked at both of them. "Any questions?"
"None," Tim said.
"No, thank you," Tony said.
"Good. Then, you're both dismissed. You may feel free to join your team. ...and welcome back."
"Thank you," Tim said.
Then, they both left the office. As soon as the door closed, Tony let out a sigh of relief.
"We made it," he said. "Are you okay with that?"
"Yeah," Tim said. "I expected worse, really. A tag like that in my file could be either good or bad, depending on the situation. I knew what I was doing wasn't really right, but it was the only thing I could do."
Tony gave Tim a side hug.
"I'm still grateful for it."
They went down to the bullpen where Gibbs and Ellie were both at their desks. Gibbs looked up with his usual silence. Ellie looked up and smiled.
"Are you back?" she asked.
"Probationary status, for now," Tony said. "Tim's back."
Then, Tim suddenly grinned.
"So can I call you Probie, then?" he asked.
"No way, man," Tony said. "That's not happening."
"Congratulations! It wasn't the same without you," Ellie said.
"What now, Boss?" Tony asked.
"Work, DiNozzo," Gibbs said. "Bishop, bring them up to speed."
Then, Gibbs got up and walked away, but he paused and looked back as they both sat down at their desks.
"Welcome back," he said.
Tim looked at Tony.
"Thanks, Boss," they both said.
Then, Gibbs was gone. Tony looked over and saw Tim sitting at his desk. Tim was at his desk. Tony was at his own desk.
This was right.
As Ellie started briefing them on the current case, Tony felt a level of calm that he hadn't in a long time. Even if it took time for everything to fit in the right way, this was where he was supposed to be. This was his life.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x
"Tony, why won't you just tell me what's going on that I need to go to your place after our first day back?" Tim asked.
Tony grinned. "Don't ask me why."
Tim rolled his eyes.
"Come on. It won't take long. Just come on up for a bit."
"Okay, okay."
They went into Tony's apartment.
"Sit down," Tony ordered.
"Why?"
"To be comfortable, Tim," Tony said. "Stop being difficult."
Tim smiled and sat down. "Okay. I'm sitting. Now what?"
Tony walked over to his piano. "Now, you listen."
Tim's brow furrowed.
"And with some apologies to Billy Joel because I'm adapting his song. Sorry, Tim, but I'm not interested in a romantic relationship."
Tim laughed. "I'm so disappointed, DiNozzo."
Tony grinned.
"Just listen."
"Why?"
"This is a song that I never liked playing when I was in Los Angeles. It always seemed like it was mocking my situation. In fact, the first time that someone requested it, I tried to get around it, but I couldn't. It was really hard to get through it then, but it's one of my favorites now. So just listen."
Then, Tony turned back to the piano and started playing the introduction to Billy Joel's "Everybody Has a Dream" and he couldn't help but smile as he did.
"While in these days of quiet desperation
As I wander through the world in which I live
I search everywhere for some new inspiration
But it's more than cold reality can give."
He glanced over and saw Tim listening and, to his surprise, he was silently mouthing the words. He didn't realize that Tim knew the song. He sang through the first verse and chorus and saw Tim smile a little at the changed words in the last lines of the chorus. The meter wasn't quite the same as the original, but it was close enough. Then, he went into the second verse and when he got to the chorus again, he really threw himself into it.
"I know that everybody has a dream
Everybody has a dream
And this is my dream, my own
Just to be here at home
And to never be all alone... because of you."
Then, he sang the repeated first two lines of the chorus a few times before finishing with an instrumental flourish. Then, he turned around.
"You were right, Tim," he said.
"About what?" Tim asked, his voice soft.
"I'm still myself, even when I do stuff like this. And the reason I'm back here, the reason I have my dream is because you were willing to risk everything to find me. I can't even say how much that means to me."
"You've thanked me before," Tim said.
"I know, and I'll keep doing it. You gave me my life back and that matters. I couldn't think of any way to express better than with a song."
Tony knew that Tim was still a little uncomfortable with being told he had done enough, but this was important. So as Tim stood up, Tony walked over and gave him a hug.
"Thanks, Tim," he said.
"I'm just glad you're back."
"So am I." Tony let him go. "So... that's all, if you want to get home."
Tim suddenly smiled.
"Well... I don't have anything planned. So... Piano Man, why don't you sing me some more songs."
Tony grinned. "Only if you sing backup."
"You said I didn't have to do that."
"Just this once... without an audience."
"Do you trust me?" Tim asked.
"Always."
"Okay... but you'll have to stick to the easy ones," Tim said.
Tony laughed and walked back to the piano. Tim joined him on the bench and they spent the evening singing Billy Joel songs.
And everything was right.
FINIS!