Chapter 6
The bell rang, interrupting him and Tim jumped up to answer the door, finding the pharmacy deliveryman on the doorstep. He signed for the new prescription and brought them back to his dad. As he did, Ziva's phone buzzed; grabbing it she looked at the caller id and mouthed "Gibbs". She listened briefly, then disconnected.
Tim started to ask her whether they had a new case when his phone blared the Marine Hymn. Ignoring his father's laughter, he answered. "Yeah Boss?"
"McGee, when you bring Ziva to the office, want you to come in for a few minutes. That going to interfere with anything with your dad?"
"No Boss" Click, the call was disconnected.
Tim shrugged, looking at Ziva. "Even when he's in a decent mood! Did you tell him we were together, I mean, about brunch today or just now, by any chance?"
"No, I told nobody, Timothy. It is nobody's business but our own. And Gibbs simply told me to get into the office now rather than later, he did not give me a chance to respond. "
Both of them rolled their eyes as Tim said, "Well he knew we are together, he said when I bring you in, he wants me to come in too." John chuckled again, "Maybe he's psychic!" And was surprised to see both Tim and Ziva look at him, frowning.
"We've wondered about that, Dad. Abby has been convinced for years that he's psychic."
"Yes, McG…Timothy, but she also thinks he is magic."
Tim shook his head with a slight laugh. "Guess we'd better get going. He probably knows right where we are… Ziva, he wouldn't have tracked your cell, would he?"
"I do not believe he knows how to do that and he would have no reason to have Abby do it. No matter, come, we will question Abby and Tony later."
She reached her hand out in farewell to the Admiral, only to be pulled in for a soft hug. Tim also received a hug as he walked out the door. He opened the car door for Ziva and shut it afterwards. Before he could walk around the car to the driver's side, his father called out, "Watch out for the bad guys, son!" Tim looked at him, suddenly not wanting to leave, but his father waved his hands in a shooing motion.
From the Admiral's home it was just a short drive to the Navy Yard; both were silent, Tim thinking about his father and the illness that would take him too soon and Ziva, concerned for Tim. As they parked, she put her hand on Tim's. He covered it with his other hand, "Sorry Ziva, got a little lost in my thoughts there. I had a wonderful time today; I hope we can do it again soon."
"I too had a wonderful time, Timothy and yes, I would like that very much."
"You're off this weekend, right? Not even on call?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"How about I cook you dinner, at my place?"
"That sounds good, Timothy, and I will bring dessert!"
Glancing around, they saw they were not near any security cameras nor were there any passersby. Leaning in, Tim kissed Ziva on the lips, something he had been wanting to do for so long. It was a brief kiss, and with the response from Ziva, Timothy knew he was not alone in his feelings.
They broke, smiling softly at each other.
"Guess we'd better get upstairs before Gibbs figures this out too!"
"Yes, we had better."
With wide smiles on their faces, they hurried to the elevator, once inside Ziva punched the button for their floor. During the brief ride, each managed to find some level of composure. Tim knew he was usually an open book to Gibbs and sometimes to DiNozzo, so he deliberately turned his thoughts to his father. Ziva of course had no problems with her face but was aware her eyes might still give her away. She channeled her inner Mossad operative as the elevator doors opened near the bullpen. Striding out, trying not to walk in step, they spotted the reason for Gibbs' call. The young girl they had rescued early this morning stood in the bullpen, along with her parents, chatting with Director Vance, Gibbs and DiNozzo. As Vance spotted them approaching, he motioned to them, "Here come Special Agents Ziva David and Timothy McGee, the rest of the team that brought you home!" The youngster had already met Ziva, so smiled at her, and looked up at Tim. "I don't remember you, were you there?"
Smiling back at her, he answered, "No, I was on a computer helping these guys look for you."
Gibbs gave him a half smirk, half glare as he said to the girl and her parents, "Don't be fooled, he may not have been with us physically, but he was definitely on the case providing us with the information we needed to bring your daughter home." The Director and DiNozzo both gave their own nods of agreement as Tim felt his ears redden. He excused himself as his phone vibrated.
"Mr. McGee?"
"Yes, this is McGee. Who's this?"
"Sir, my name is Jeff and I'm an EMT. We were called to your father's house and we're treating him prior to taking him to Bethesda. He's insisting on speaking with you. I need to tell you first, that he's experiencing shortness of breath, so please encourage him to let us give him oxygen. I'm going to pass him the phone now."
"Timm… so..rr..y, wai..ted too lo..ng, wi..sh mo..re time. Lo..ve you."
"I love you too, Dad and we will have more time, you need to let the EMTs help you. I'll meet you at Bethesda, I'll call Penny and Sarah, I'll see you in a few minutes."
The EMT apparently took the phone back, "We're putting an oxygen mask on him now, sir."
"Good, thank you. I'll meet him at the hospital."
Disconnecting the call, he stood silently trying to catch his own breath. A hand on his shoulder squeezed gently, "Anything we can do, Tim?"
"Boss, I don't know. Yes, actually, the EMTs are taking my dad to Bethesda, the house probably needs to be locked up and I need…Boss I need to get to him."
"No worries, Tim" this came from Ziva, "I'll go back, pack your father a bag and lock up the house. Is there anything you know he'll want with him?"
"Can't think of anything, Ziva," he pulled the key to his father's house off his key chain, "Here's the key for the front door… Ziva, you don't have a car here!"
"We'll take care of it, Tim," this from Gibbs, "you get going and don't worry about the house. What about Penny and Sarah, do they need a call?"
"Yeah, but I'll have to do that, Boss." Tim's voice faltered and he felt Tony's hand on his other shoulder. "They don't even know he's ill, he kept putting it off and he ordered me not to tell them." Pulling himself up straight and pushing his shoulders back without disturbing either of the comforting hands, he took a moment to relish the support of his team. He had been missing them, now he was glad he had had these few minutes with them before…before whatever was going to happen.
"You ok to drive?" asked Vance. "My car and driver are available, McGee."
"Thank you, sir, but I'll be ok. This could very well be a "hiccup"; I might have him back home again tonight or tomorrow." He turned to face his family, not noticing that the young girl and her parents had been spirited off by someone during his call.
"Thanks guys, I'll be all right."
"Tim, you call me if you need anything and when you know something – that's an order, son."
"Yes, Boss."
Tim left the squad room, feeling simultaneously 30 years older and 30 years younger, both extremes in marked contrast to his happy entrance just a few minutes before.
