Chapter 5

"Where's your sister, McGee?"

Tim barely blinked when he heard Gibbs' voice, the words of his late captor echoing in his head. "I don't know. In the bathtub." Was she alive? He was both dying to know and afraid to know.

"Tony called and said they were on their way. They haven't been here yet?"

"No." That must mean Sarah was alive. Something good had happened this morning. It wasn't much; it couldn't remove the guilt, but it was something.

"How are you doing, McGee?"

"Fine." Why did those people have to die? How was it possible that only a few hours ago his greatest worry had been whether or not he and Sarah would get home early. He had been so excited about the family reunion. He hadn't told Tony or Ziva because he could pretty much predict their reactions. It was going to be the first time in a couple of years that the McGee clan would all be together. The family together. Unlike those people he had killed whose families would never be complete again. A mother and her daughter. A son just coming back from introducing his fiancé to his parents. Lives torn apart in an instant. He had done that.

"McGee, did you hear me?"

"What?" Tim refocused on Gibbs, his respect for his boss momentarily pulling him out of his self-loathing.

"I said you don't look fine."

"Oh. I'm fine," Tim said in the same lifeless tone that had dominated his speech since he had reached the hospital. I'm fine, he thought bitterly. I just killed three people today, but don't worry, Boss. I'll get over it. It will only take a million years. I made a choice, and I have to suffer the consequences for it. "But I'm not the only one," he whispered, not realizing he'd spoken aloud.

"The only one what, McGee?" Gibbs asked, impatiently.

"Nothing." Finally, Tim stirred himself enough to ask a question. "Is Sarah okay?"

"As far as I know. Tony and Ziva are bringing her here and then they'll go question our witness. Since you had the weekend off anyway, we won't be missing anyone."

Tim nodded absently. He felt no curiosity about the case he was missing.

"What happened, McGee?"

Suddenly, the monotone, the emptiness was gone. "I killed two innocent people, Boss. That's what happened."

"Only two?" Gibbs asked. "The report said three."

"Two innocent people," Tim said angrily. Anger, even as conflicted as his own was, was an emotion easier to deal with than guilt.

"What about the man in the car with you?"

"I'm glad he's dead. At least..." As the tears threatened to fall, Tim stopped until he could control his emotions.

"Why?" Gibbs' question held no accusations, but Tim heard it that way.

"Because he was going to kill Sarah!"

"Why was he going to do that?"

"I had to choose, Boss. I had to choose, and I chose Sarah. He knew I would. He didn't think there was anything I could do. I knew there was one chance. I decided..." he trailed off and the animation left his face.

"McGee, please, try to be clear."

Before Tim could answer, Sarah called out his name and ran to his bed, hugging him tightly. "Tim! I'm so glad you're okay. I didn't know what was going to happen."

Tim hugged her back. "Are you okay?"

Sarah gently fingered her bandaged cheek. "Yeah. The doctor says I'll be sore for a few days, but there's no permanent damage. I think Tony ripped all the hair off my arms when he took the tape off." She didn't notice Tim wince at the mention of her restraints. "So, when do you get out of here?"

Tim shrugged. "I don't know. We should probably call Mom and Dad and tell them that we're not going to make it home."

"We're not? Why?"

Tim strove to remain calm, to prevent the breakdown he could feel from coming out, the black hatred he could still feel beneath the surface. "Sarah, that guy died, and my car is totaled. We have no way to leave town, and I'm sure I'll have to be here during the investigation."

"Oh. I didn't think of that," Sarah said glumly. "Well, I've been given the all-clear sign; so I can stay with you for a little while."

Tim shook his head. "No, you should go to your dorm and get some sleep. Call home while you're at it. I lost my phone."

"Are you sure, Tim?"

Painfully aware of Gibbs' continued presence in the room, Tim nodded. "Yeah. My apartment is probably a crime scene now. You won't be able to stay there, but I'll tell you when they're done with me here. Don't tell Mom and Dad about the accident, though, okay? I'll tell them myself."

"Okay. You sure you're okay?"

He forced a smile. "Positive. I'll just sit here in my luxurious accommodations until I'm released."

Looking a little sheepish, Sarah asked, "Do you have your wallet? I didn't grab mine before I left."

"He didn't let me..."

Gibbs interrupted, pulling a couple of twenties out of his pocket. "Here, you can borrow some money from me. I'll just dock your brother's next paycheck."

Sarah smiled. "Thanks, Agent Gibbs. You know, you're a lot less terrifying this time around."

"I do my best."

Sarah smiled and hugged Tim once more. "I'll see you later, Tim."

"Bye, Sarah."