A/N: Ducky Returns (Unexpectedly)

A bit of fluff and relaxation mixed with a touch of moving along.


Morning found Gibbs easing out from behind Tim, making sure not to wake him as his feet met the floor and he silently worked to stretch out the kinks sitting with the younger man through the night had given him. The staunch former Marine needed coffee and he needed it before Tim woke up thinking he was alone. The door opened before he reached it, revealing the arrival of his long-time friend, now back from his vacation.

"Good morning, Jethro." Ducky greeted his friend quietly as he handed him a large cup of still steaming coffee. "Thought you might be in need of this."

"Thanks, Duck." The Team Leader offered with a grateful small smile as he accepted the cup and sipped from it with relish. Coming up for air a mere moment later, the younger of the two spoke again. "Welcome back."

"Thank you, my friend. It's actually quite good to be back. How did our Timothy fare through the night?"

"Good, once the restlessness eased."

"Ah." Was all the response Ducky offered, causing Gibbs' eyebrows to go up in question.

"I have spoken with his doctor, as medical personnel who happens to work closely with Timothy and has been his Treating Physician all this time, during working hours at least. He informed me that our young man here is both lucky and ready to go home this morning, once he's eaten a good breakfast and has no issues arising out of the once over he'll give him at nine."

"Good." Gibbs offered.

"Interesting four legged-children you have brought into my home, Jethro." Ducky laughed quietly.

"Damn! Tell me they didn't destroy your house, Duck." Gibbs worried. "I forgot to go back over there and bed 'em down."

"Relax, my friend. Your attention was focused elsewhere with good reason. Besides, there is no damage to worry about. They enjoyed the backyard so much, they barely set foot through the pet door I had installed when I first moved into the place."

Gibbs breathed out a sigh of relief as he took in the good news and watched the older man step more fully into the role of Tim's medical back up by reading through his chart. As he read, flipping page after page when he'd finished reading each one, the older man's face gave no indication of anything being wrong and actually smiled when he flipped the file closed and set it back into the slot for it at the end of the bed.

"Although nothing's broken, Timothy will be quite sore for the next few days. However, that is the extent of it. He is in fact, very lucky, indeed."

"Doesn't feel like luck." Came the sleep-laden voice of the patient from the other end of the bed.

"Hey, Tim" Gibbs greeted him as he walked over to him and sat down in the chair beside the bed. "How ya feelin'?"

"Like I got hit by a car." Tim deadpanned before his face crumpled. "I totaled your car, Boss. I'm so…."

"What'd I tell you yesterday, son?" His mentor asked him quietly, not wanting to come across as angry or even upset with him.

Tim could only nod as he worked to pull himself together. He got the point. It was hard to accept he was being forgiven so completely and so quickly for what had happened but he could work on that.

"Tim." Gibbs pushed, seeing the confusion and uncertainty in the young man's eyes. "Didcha do everything ya could to avoid gettin' hit?"

Tim wiped a hand across his face to clear away the blurriness and the unacceptable moisture from his eyes. Clearing his throat, he looked the man straight on and told him exactly what happened. "No."

"Oh, Timothy!" Ducky sympathized as he spoke to the young man for the first time since he'd awakened

"All I could think about was Shyanne and making sure hers wasn't the side of the car that got hit."

"Go on." Gibbs let him know he knew there was more to tell.

"I turned the wheel sharp so they would hit my side."

"Very good on your part, young man." Ducky sympathized as he spoke to the young man for the first time since he'd awakened.

"Thanks Ducky" Tim offered quietly. "Glad you're back."

"Thank you, young man. Allow me to say, I am relieved that you are all right after the events of yesterday. However, I wish to express my concern at your anxiety over the car. It will not do well for your recovery to hold onto this. You can rest assured that Jethro here, has been much more concerned for your welfare than that of his car. Do consider letting it go, hmm?"

Tim sighed. "I'll try."

"Good. Now, I shall go track down whatever paperwork we will be needing once you are released this morning."

With Ducky gone from the room, Tim's eyes returned to his mentor's face, although he said nothing as he waited for the man to process what he'd just been told.

"You did good, Tim." Gibbs told him. "I'm proud of you."

Swallowing hard around the sudden lump in his throat, Tim could only offer a small smile of thanks.

"Ready to get up and move around?"

"Yeah." Tim found his voice and quickly agreed with the older man's idea.

"Take it slow." Gibbs warned as he raised the head of the bed up a few more levels so that Tim was sitting straight up and could more easily move to get out of the bed.

"Do you know what they did with my clothes, Boss?" Tim asked as he slowly moved his legs around off the bed until each foot felt the floor underneath it.

Gibbs pointed to the young man's 'go bag' sitting in the chair closer to the bathroom.

"Thank you." Tim offered, knowing the boss had to have been the one to bring that for him. Applying pressure to his feet, he tried to bring the rest of his body up off the bed, but felt muscle soreness all over and could barely lift himself. Wearily, he settled himself, refusing to rush it. "Can't believe how much everything hurts."

"Nothin' wrong with askin' for help, Tim." Gibbs reminded him.

"Would you?" The young man threw back at him in frustration. When he got no answer, he let the rest of it out. "C'mon, Boss. You know if you were in my place, you wouldn't ask. No disrespect intended."

"None taken. And you're right." The older man replied evenly. "That why you do all the holdin' everythin' in that ya do, Tim? Because I do?"

"Not like weakness is tolerated on the team." Tim defended himself.

Gibbs sat down in the chair in front of the younger man. "Want you to listen to me, all right?"

"Okay."

"Times change – sometimes circumstances bring the need for the change to light."

"Yeah." Tim already knew that and he knew that Gibbs knew that he knew that already.

"Situations like this one."

"Oh." Now he got it. "So, then no one has to be Superman anymore?" He joked lightly.

"Nope." Gibbs deadpanned. "Just Spiderman."

"That's not fair, I'm afraid of heights!" Tim sputtered in objection as Gibbs chuckled.

***********NCIS***********

1100 found Tim easing himself down onto one of Ducky's Chaise chairs in his backyard, watching Pepper and Rex cavort around him like the carefree puppies overjoyed to see him again. Although he was happy to be out of the hospital and once again surrounded by the carefree carrying ons of his new dog, he'd been far less than happy not to be waiting until Shyanne came for her visit with her father before leaving. His idea had been adamantly ruled against by both Ducky and Gibbs, with Tim's need for his own rest and peace and quiet in which to garner such rest front and foremost in their veto.

Rather than fight them on it, Tim had given in to the concern and wisdom they were offering him. Gibbs had reminded him that Shyanne would be coming soon enough, to Ducky's with her father and Tim would be needed to help look after her for Ducky. With that reminder, all fight had gone out of him and he'd willingly gone home with M.E. Now, with the instruction from older man. to make himself at home and to eat when he got hungry as he headed back to the hospital, As his new four legged friend came and jumped in his lap, settling for some cuddle time, Tim found himself already drifting off to sleep, lulled by the sounds of nature surrounding him, the pleasant breeze drifting through the air of the cloudless sunny day and the warmth of Pepper's body as the sheltie chose to nap with him, curled up on his chest, his nose settled on Tim's shoulder.

***********NCIS***********

The excited chatter of the now very familiar 5-year-old voice pulled Tim from his nap as Pepper jumped down from his lap excitedly and ran to meet her at the back gate as she entered it with her Uncle.

"Rex!" Shyanne shouted as her four-legged baby ran circles around her, jumping up and down trying to find a way into her arms. "Look Uncle Dut! He's happy to see me!" The excited child laughed gleefully.

"He sure is, Sweetie." Her Uncle replied. "He's cute, too."

"Told you!" His niece gloated happily.

"You sure did." Dustin McCarter frowned as he noticed Tim trying to get up out of the chair. "Don't get up. Sorry if we woke you."

"Mr. Tim!" Shyanne shouted excitedly as she rushed over to him, throwing her arms around his neck. "Are you okay?" She asked when she let go of him and pulled back enough to look at him.

"Yes. I was just taking a nap."

"Because you are still hurt?" The little girl asked with obvious worry.

"Sore. That's all. I promise. I'm okay." The young man promised her.

"Good!"

Tim smiled at her as she turned and ran back to Rex and Pepper and gave them her full attention. Dustin sat down in the chair next to Tim, watching his niece run around the yard with the puppies happily chasing her. "Feels like you got hit by a Mack truck, doesn't it?"

Tim nodded as he agreed. "That's for sure."

"You made sure Shyanne didn't get hurt. That took smart thinkin' and fast movin'. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Tim returned quietly. "Instinct really. I've got a younger sister, so..."

"You've been protective big brother all your life." Dustin surmised with complete understanding. "Me, I'm the middle son, got one, am one."

"I'll be that was tough."

"Oh, yeah."

"Did you get to see Andrew earlier?" Tim wondered aloud.

"Yeah. He ain't lookin' so hot, but he'll be fine."

"Been through worse, has he?"

"All us Lewis' have." Dustin said proudly. "Hell, Jordan and me rode down our hill on mattresses and survived!"

"Mattresses. Wow, that's uhm...wow." Tim marveled at the stupidity of that idea and the angel on their shoulders that must have been there to see them through it.

"Uh-huh. I see those wheels turnin'." Dustin joked. "Trust me, we heard it all from everyone about that stunt, especially since Jordan broke his collarbone and damaged his lung doin' it." He laughed. "The funniest reaction came from my sister-in-law's brother, Christopher. I'll never forget it - he said, "Now, I'll have to call you two Dumb and Dumber."

Tim chuckled. "What did you say to that?"

"Had to agree with him. Still answer to it - just for kicks."

Now Tim had to laugh, despite the aches he felt all over when he did. When the pain eased, he sighed. "Guess I need to go find something to eat. Ducky'll kill me if I don't at least try to eat some lunch. Will you be all right out here while I go in?"

"Yeah. Sure. Take your time." Dustin replied. "Seriously. Shy and I ate a while ago. Don't worry about us."

"Okay. I'll bring some drinks out when I come back, though."

"That'd be nice. Thanks. Didn't come here to be a bother. Andrew needs his rest and Shyanne wanted to spend time with Rex. Dr. Mallard told me to bring her here and let her play."

"It's not a problem - at all." As Tim lumbered awkwardly to his feet and stood up, Pepper broke away from playing with Rex and Shyanne to zero in on his movements, zipping across the yard to meet him before he got to the door.

"Hey, Buddy. Wanna go inside with me?" Tim crooned to him as he stopped to bend down and love on him. "Such a good boy. Havin' fun with Rex and Shyanne?"

Pepper's tail wagging amplified as his twelve-pound black and white soft hair covered body quivered with excitement and happiness, giving Tim a reason to smile as he absorbed the canine's love for him and gave back in spades. He'd missed this. In fact, he hadn't had a dog companion he felt close to like this since he was eight when the birth of his sister meant his parents no longer wanted a dog in the house. Now, thanks to Gibbs' generosity and warmth, he had that once more. Tim couldn't help himself as he scooped Pepper up in his arms to snuggle with him for a moment. The sheltie wiggled with joy so much Tim was quick to set him up under his arm like a football. Holding him wrapped in one arm, he used his other hand to reach over and caress the dog's face. "Such a good boy."

As he made his way inside, Pepper under his arm, Tim's thoughts turned to his upcoming lease renewal and how he was going to handle keeping this bundle of love and energy in spite of that. This was a no-brainer, really. He wasn't allowed pets where he was now and he had the money saved to make the bigger jump to home ownership where he could have twenty dogs if he so wanted. With a huff of laughter at the absurdity of that thought, Tim relaxed into the idea that was fast becoming a plan. His lease was up in two months. He could do this. Looking at Pepper, he smiled broadly. "Hell, I wanna do this!"

His reward for such enthusiasm was a succession of licks to his face by his now completely besotted four-legged friend.

*********NCIS***********

Having set Pepper down a fresh bowl of water when they reached the kitchen, Tim was quick to wash his hands before even opening the refrigerator in search of some lunch. His eyes were met with a covered plate with his name already attached to it with a sticky note. "Timothy. Please eat some lunch."

As he pulled the plate out of the refrigerator, he couldn't help but remark aloud. "Oh, Ducky. What would we ever do without you?"

"That, my boy, is a very good question indeed." The Scotsman remarked as he entered the room unexpectedly. "Are you only now eating your lunch, Timothy?"

"I kinda slept longer than I'd planned." Tim explained.

"Ah. I see." The M.E. replied. "Well, rest is important as well. Why don't you take the delightful Pepper back outside while I heat up your lunch. I'll have drinks ready for all in a few moments as well."

"I'll carry the drinks, Ducky. Just let me let Pepper back out first. C'mon boy. Let's go play with Rex!" Tim threw excitement into his voice as he drew his pet to the porch door and let him out before returning to the kitchen to help.

"You have bonded remarkably well with him in the short time you have had him, Timothy." Ducky remarked.

"Shelties are easy to bond with." Tim explained.

"You've had one before? As a child?"

"Yeah." Tim sadly admitted. "My parents gave him away when Sarah was born. They didn't want a dog around the new baby. Or the dog hair."

"That must have been very difficult for you. You weren't but eight, isn't that right?"

"Yeah. It was tough." Tim replied while he poured four glasses of iced tea and set them on the tray the older man had set on the counter to be used.

"Well, I can guarantee no one will be taking Pepper from you, young man." Ducky reassured him seriously, as he pulled Tim's lunch out of the microwave.

"Got that right!" Came the unexpected back up into the conversation as Gibbs allowed his presence to be noticed from just inside the porch doors.

Tim smiled broadly. "Thanks."

"Decided what you're gonna do with him?" Gibbs asked as he joined them in the kitchen.

"My lease is up in two months and I've saved enough for a down payment on a house." Tim replied proudly. "I'm gonna start looking for a place with a good sized yard for Pepper."

"Excellent idea, Timothy!" Ducky applauded him.

"Agreed." Gibbs offered as he lifted the tray of drinks Tim had just added one more to. "C'mon, let's go give these clowns out here a drink before they die of thirst."

Chuckling at Gibbs' rare display of humor, they trouped outside and settled in at the picnic table. Watching in amusement as Dustin lifted Shyanne to his shoulders and jogged across the yard towards them, they couldn't help but laugh as he gave her an airplane ride down from his shoulders to the table with a grin, causing her to squeal with glee.

"Somethin' wrong, Agent Gibbs?" The younger man asked with genuine concern once the little girl had settled next to Ducky and begun drinking her iced tea.

"Nope. Just checkin' in." The Team Leader answered calmly as he reached over and tweaked Shyanne on the nose, garnering a giggle from her. "Makin' sure nothing needed to be done for tomorrow.

"Now that you mention it, Jethro, we'll need to prepare my guest room in a little bit, in preparation for his discharge from the hospital tomorrow. I'll need the two of you to help move things around as I do not want Timothy to do anything strenuous just yet."

"Not a problem, Duck." Gibbs reassured him as he relaxed and sipped his drink. "DiNozzo and and Da'vid aren't due back til tomorrow. Nobody in the office anyway."

As Pepper began barking excitedly at their feet, Tim shook his head at him and sternly told him 'No. Go play." he watched in amusement as his pet actually decided to just lay beside him, watching him carefully. Turning his attention to his sandwich, he was shocked to hear Gibbs call the dog over to him. He was even more surprised when the boss proceed to throw a toy across the yard for the sheltie and laugh when Rex joined in the fun, trying to take the toy from Pepper.

Watching the dogs play and seeing these people come together for each other, Tim relaxed for the first time since the wreck. This was nice!