A/N Major apologies for the delay, had my own RL story brewing. it's that good i may make it into a TIVA story someday.
Anyhoo, thanks for the reviews, alerts etc each one is cherished and appreciated.
This WILL NOT be the last chapter as my muse (Haraseam) came over yesterday and we cut, pasted and brain stormed and last night just before posting she came up with a brilliant idea that we are now running with on this. (Just occasionally i need reminding as to who this story is supposed to be about! LOL). So it's going to be longer and way better.
Well...enjoy!
Disclaimer as chapter 1
Chapter 10
Tim and Sarah ushered the others out.
"Tony, why do you think they don't trust you? I showed them all the evidence and they know you're innocent." Tim told Tony.
"And?" Tony snapped.
Sarah walked up to Tony and laid a hand on his arm, he flinched and looked at her, "You're not planning on reading my mind or something?" he asked worriedly his mind was somewhere he did not want anyone to go right now.
"No, you twit," She grinned at him, "I can only do that to Tim, I just wanted you to know both Tim and I care and we are grateful for you stopping that bomb and saving us." She gave him a kiss on the forehead and he grinned at the glare that came from Tim.
"Tim, the doctor says I've been out of it for 3 days how long have they known I didn't do it?" Tony asked.
"I told them the afternoon you were brought in." Tim told him hoping it would lift his spirits. "Talk to them…..please." He begged. Tim hated his family fighting and feeling he was the cause of it.
"Just Gibbs, I want to ask him two questions." Tony said.
Neither Tim nor Sarah needed telepathy to tell all seemed to hinge on these questions for him.
Tim walked out to the waiting room and held his hand up as the others all stood.
"I don't know what you guys did to Tony while I was missing, but he's really hurting right now. Gibbs, he wants to ask you two questions." Tim said.
The others started to protest but both Tim and Sarah were adamant, Tony had not done anything wrong and while they were away, he had been made to feel like he was to blame.
Tim turned to Gibbs, "I hope you have the right answers to whatever Tony asks, I don't want to be part of a team he's not in Boss, he taught me all I know and just saved my sisters life and the lives of half the city, we owe him."
"You and Sarah did that Tim, by dismantling that bomb." Gibbs said.
"NO!" Tim snapped and Gibbs was taken back by the raw power in his voice, "I lost it in there, if Tony hadn't taken the bomb it was close enough that I would have set it off, you have to understand Boss, without Tony doing what he did we would ALL be dead."
The others looked shocked at that. Tim had not wanted to share how close he knew he had come to setting off the bomb or how unstable he knew he could be if not kept in check.
He was shaking with anger and monitors were beeping all up and down the corridor. Dave walked over and placed a hand on his son's shoulder calming him down, Tim gave his boss a wry grin, "See this is why I don't let Tony's pranks get to me." He said trying to diffuse the situation.
Gibbs had gotten the message; he took a deep breath, and walked towards Tony's room.
He walked in ready to tell Tony what he had been trying to tell him the last time he walked into the room.
"Gibbs," Tony said, "I need to ask you two questions and I just need straight answers" he waited as Gibbs nodded and sat down.
"Do I still have a job, now you know I'm innocent and do you trust me to be on the team and watch your six?" Tony asked apprehensive at the answer.
"If ya hadn't thrown a flaming bedpan at me you'd know the answer by now," Gibbs growled. "It's yes to both questions."
Tony looked contrite as McGee opened the door and stuck his head inside, "Is it safe to come in now Boss?" He asked Gibbs growled as Tim handed him a jumbo-sized Styrofoam mug of coffee.
Ziva and Abby quickly followed him.
Abby threw her arms around Tony, "I'm glad you're awake," she said smiling happily, "When are they letting you come back to work?" She asked
"I'm not sure if I'm coming back, you were all pretty quick to jump the gun and believe the worst of me,"
"Oh Tony, stop being so mallow dramatic!" Ziva exclaimed
"It's melodramatic Ziva," Tony false groaned with a big grin on his face.
Like all families, they had, had their spat and were now getting back to normal.
A week later, everything had settled back into a comfortable routine.
Tony was back to being annoying and pranking Tim and correcting Ziva and Gibbs was sitting at his desk looking over cold cases when Tim paled.
"Boss…Sarah…something's wrong I can't hear her or feel her, nothing!" His voice had risen with each word until he was practically screaming.
Gibbs grabbed Tim by the arm in an effort to focus him. Just as all hell broke loose.
Monitors started flickering and popping.
A large number of armed men in flack jackets with assault rifles and men in suits all swarmed over the floor blocking off entry and exit to the building and Director Vance walked onto the balcony.
"Everyone stay where they are!" Vance's voice boomed and all his staff stopped. Gibbs glared and Vance ignored it and walked down the stairs as a man walked up behind Tim who still seemed oblivious to the whole situation and jabbed a needle in his neck.
Tim dropped like a stone.
Tony, Ziva and Gibbs all drew their guns at the man as they SWAT team level their guns at Gibbs and his team.
The man with the syringe held up a piece of paper, "I have a warrant!" he said.
"Lower your guns." Vance said.
"Vance. What the HELL is going on and what did he do to McGee?" Gibbs demanded while Ziva knelt next to McGee and took Tony's offered jacket, which she balled up and put under his head.
"In a moment," The man said and motioned for two of the SWAT team to lift up McGee and handcuff him. "Take him to his sister." He said.
Gibbs stood in their way, "You're not taking my agent anywhere!" He threatened.
"Gibbs, back off and let this happen," a voice from behind him said.
His eyes widened minutely in a barely perceptible gesture of surprise.
"Tom?" Gibbs growled, "You're behind this?"
Ziva looked confused and Gibbs remembered she had started work just after he had left.
"Ziva, this is Director Tom Morrow, Jenny Sheppard's predecessor and head of Homeland Security."