Epilogue
After two weeks at work on partial duty, Tim was finally able to put in a full day. That also meant that he was finally able to think about going out and swimming again. He began to think about where he'd go, when, and whether or not he'd be able to track down the seals.
"What are you thinking about, McGee?" Ziva asked.
Tim smiled. "I think it's about time for me to go swimming again."
Tony and Ziva exchanged worried looks. Tim knew that they couldn't fully understand his need to be in the ocean, but that was all right.
"Are you sure about that, Probie?" Tony asked.
"Positive."
"Well...then, you must call us when you get back," Ziva said. "Just in case."
"All right. I'm going on Sunday when we're off duty."
They both nodded reluctantly, but Tim felt good about it. He would go and he would be able to revel in being whole again.
Gibbs walked in and looked at him.
"McGee?"
"I'll be careful," Tim said quickly.
Then, Gibbs smiled slightly.
"Have fun."
Tim smiled back.
"I will."
x.x.x.x.x.x.x
Tim saw the seals offshore. Carefully, he looked around. No one was yet out on the beach. It was early yet. He smiled and put on his skin before waddling out into the waves. It took a couple of minutes, but then, he was swimming smoothly out to them. They were excited to see him and began to frolic around him as he swam. For hours, they played close to shore. Tim felt a little bit of soreness as he swam but otherwise, it was just about perfect.
And then, in the afternoon, he sensed another presence and a solitary seal swam over to join the small herd.
What are you doing here? Tim silently asked his father.
I could feel your excitement. I decided to come.
They let you?
Yes. Reluctantly. You look well.
I am. Still a little sore, but I'm mostly recovered.
That is good. You are well in all?
Tim smiled inwardly at the awkward question. He knew that asking about mental stability just wasn't something the selkies did or even thought about doing.
Yes, I am. I'm happy. I'm whole.
That is very good. How well do you swim?
There was a slight challenge to that question.
Why don't we find out? Tim asked.
Then, without another thought, the two selkies took off in the water, the seals trailing along behind.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x
Gibbs was sitting in his basement, waiting. He was waiting. Not worrying. Tim was an adult. He would be fine.
So he was waiting.
It was close to midnight when his phone rang.
"I'm home, Boss. It was great. I think it'll work out just fine. The seals like me."
Gibbs couldn't help but smile at how excited, how contented and how happy Tim sounded.
"Good."
"Boss...thanks for everything. I needed this."
"Good."
Tim said a quick good-bye and hung up. Gibbs sat there, thinking about how much everything had changed in the last year, and even with all the difficulties, he couldn't help but think that things had changed for the better. Certainly, they had for Tim, but overall, things were better than they had been.
With that thought, he decided to stop sitting around and go to bed.
x.x.x.x.x.x.x
Tim lay in his bed, his heart full to bursting. It had been as good a day as he'd had in weeks. It was wonderful.
"My life is perfect," he whispered. "Just what I wanted."
Maybe, someday, there would be another selkie story, a happy one. About a selkie who was able to stay on land and yet still be in the ocean. Maybe.
Then, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
FINIS!