Title: Heroes
Summary: AU. Brothers are a big part of Eleanor Bishop's life. She has three of her own but when she joins NCIS and is put on Gibbs' team, she gains two more. Based on Episode 14x11 Willoughby – this is set after Clayton leaves Ellie in the hospital room with Qasim.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Now when I start doubting,
You help me see,
There's a strength, and a mind and power in me,
Oh believe me there ain't nothing I can't do,
My hero is you
– My Hero Is You, Hayden Panettiere
Big brothers are a big part of Eleanor Bishop's life. She has three of her own but when he joins NCIS and is put on Gibbs' team, she gains two more. There's Tim McGee, who is able to match her intelligence, can help her out with computer stuff and he could stay her fears or insecurities with a word or a gesture. She knows he has a little sister so he knows how to be a big brother.
Then there's Tony DiNozzo.
Tony was the oldest brother in their little family, he'd been there the longest with Gibbs and he was just like her big brothers. He was funny and street smart, charming and cocky but he was never arrogant. He was an only child in his biological family so he didn't know how to be a brother at first, but he was like that with Tim so Ellie knew that he could be like that with her and he had been. From the very moment that Tim and Tony filled one of the drawers on her desk with candy and chips. Tony still worked at NCIS but transferred to a different team. He finally accepted the Team Leader position he'd turned down several times before.
He had many faucets, he could be the cocky ladies' man and flirt with a pretty girl, he could be the man's man and talk football nonstop, and he could be the film buff and spout movie quotes and trivia all day long. However, Ellie decided that she liked the version of Tony that arrived at the hospital while she stood vigil over Qasim. She didn't look up when the door opened. She figured it was Clayton back again to try once more to stay with her and keep her company.
"Clayton, I'm fine. You don't have to stay." She said, sharply.
"It's a good thing, I'm not Clayton then isn't it?" Ellie turned. Tony stood behind her with a small, sympathetic smile on his face, a big change from his usual mega watt grin.
"Hey, Tony." She said softly.
"Hey, El. I came as soon as I heard." He said, Ellie stood up and welcomed the hug he offered.
"I just don't know what to do, Tony. I don't know how to say goodbye." She said.
"Well, I may not be Clayton. But I saw him outside. And he told me what he'd said. And he's right. Remembering the good times with Qasim are always the best way to remember someone. My Mother and I used to spend long summer afternoons watching classic movies or running around outside. I choose to remember those days and not my 8th birthday. The day she died." Tony said.
"How do I do that?" She asked.
"Close your eyes, Ellie." She did as he asked, "Now I want you to picture the day you first met Qasim. Your first date with him – where he took you, what you wore. The first time you kissed him. When he met your brothers. All the things that when you think of them make you smile. Ellie – no one can replace Qasim in your life, he'll always be a part of you. If you can hold on to those happier times, you'll be fine." He said softly, making her feel so much better.
"How do you always know just what to say?" She asked.
"It's a gift." He offered with a grin. She hit his arm, he pouted and pretended that she'd hurt him, "look, I find that sometimes when I can say the right thing – I guess it helps when I've been through something similar or I'm close enough to the person to know how they tick. If Tim lost Delilah, Jimmy lost Breena, Kate lost one of her boyfriends, Ziva lost one of her boyfriends or if Gibbs had been in love and lost her, I'd do the same for them. I'd be right here by their side and tell them to do exactly what I'm telling you to do. Because that is the best way to keep their memory alive." Tony said. Ellie allowed Tony to stay a little longer, as long as he hugged her to his chest and was just there for her. Just being her big brother.
"Are you sure you're ok?" Clayton asked when Ellie walked into NCIS on Monday morning.
"Yeah, I'm good. I got some good advice. I'll be ok." Ellie said, glancing over Clayton's shoulder to where Tony was berating one of his junior agents for making what sounded like a pretty big mistake. Clayton caught where she was looking and smiled.
"Mishandled evidence. It's like Tony's kryptonite. You mishandle it, he tears you a new one. But I'm glad you're gonna be ok." Clayton gave her one last smile before walking off, as he did, Tony looked up and gave Ellie a questioning look. She gave him her best smile and he gave her one right back.
Tim looked up from his computer as Ellie sat down and shared a smile with his Big Brother and former-SFA. He knew Tony would always know just what to say to any of them to set their fears aside and help them move past it. He just hoped that Tony could help him the same way one day. When he saw how Ellie was today after the death of her boyfriend, Tim was sure that if anything happened to him and Delilah that Tony would be right there if Tim called. That's what family does. And if Gibbs was 'Dad' then Tony was most definitely the 'Big Brother' and none of the MCRT would have it any other way.