Chapter 22

"Gibbs!"

"Quiet, Abby!" Gibbs cautioned with a look at Tim. He was still asleep but he'd been stirring over the last hour.

"Oops, sorry," she whispered.

"What is it?"

"I think I know generally where the meeting is going to take place."

"Well?"

"The National Mall."

"The Mall's a big place, Abby."

"I know, but that's all the file had. I haven't found anything else to indicate an exact location. It will be at the Mall on Saturday at noon."

"If we don't know the exact location, how will Robertson?"

"I don't know. Maybe McGee's wrong and Robertson didn't want to make the meeting."

"Do you think so?"

She hesitated. "No. I think he's right, but I don't know how to get around that."

"How did he know that Robertson wanted to make that meeting anyway?"

"I'm not sure. But as soon as we found that file, he knew. Robertson wouldn't have killed all those people just for a minor embezzling scheme, not if he's as good a smuggler as the FBI thinks."

"Quiet, please. Some people are trying to sleep," a voice mumbled.

"Sorry, McGee. How are you feeling?"

Eyes still closed, Tim said, "Like I was run over by a steamroller. What was in those sleeping pills? I must have slept a week."

"Only a day and a half," Gibbs corrected drily.

"What?!" Tim sat up quickly.

"You needed it, McGee."

"But, I–" Tim began and then stopped when he saw who was about to start yelling at. "What day is it?"

"Thursday."

"Have you found the place?"

"No. We know they'll be at the Mall, but there's nothing in the files to tell us exactly where."

"We must have missed something," Tim insisted. He was getting worked up again. He started to stand, but sat down suddenly as a wave of dizziness hit him.

"McGee, stay where you are. You are not allowed to leave this bed until Ducky says so. Until further notice, you're on leave."

"But boss, I need to help."

"You've helped enough. Now, if you don't lay back down, I'll strap you to that bed. Are we clear?"

"Yes, boss. Clear," Tim said. He lay back down and fidgeted. There had to be some indication of where the meeting would take place. He was missing something again. And he was more frustrated than ever at being forced to stay in bed while everyone else was working. He was ready to scream when Ducky finally came in.

"Good afternoon, McGee. How's the sick?"

Tim didn't answer. He wasn't even listening.

"Timothy, hello?"

With a start Tim realized that he wasn't alone in the room anymore. "Sorry, Ducky. I didn't hear you come in. What did you say?"

"I asked how you were, but I think I'm getting an inkling."

"I'm fine, Ducky. I've been sleeping for almost two days. I'm fine."

"Let me be the judge of that. Now, sit up and let me examine you." Ducky looked over all of Tim's injuries. He also checked his heart rate, his eyes, his breathing. "You're not as healed as I'd like. You're still too pale."

"I need more sun, I guess."

Ducky smiled sadly at the quip. "True. You've been inside for awhile haven't you?"

"It's necessary, I guess."

"For now, Timothy," Ducky said as he removed the IV. "Now, I'd like to tell you to stay in bed for awhile longer, but I think that would be rather like trying to keep an elephant restrained with nothing but a piece of string. So here's the deal: You promise me that you'll go to bed at night and take those sleeping pills if you can't get to sleep on your own. Eat regularly, and don't try to do everything yourself. If you agree to that, I'll give you the green light."

"I'll do it, Ducky. I promise."

"Okay. Go forth and slay the dragon."

Tim stood up, wobbled a little. Ducky steadied him. "I think I've been laying down too long."

"That's possible, but then again... Maybe I was too hasty."

"No, Ducky. I'm okay."

Ducky cocked an eyebrow.

"I promise. I'll take it easy." He hurried out and took his place at the computer. Ducky watched him start to type and started to leave the lab. He took a last look at McGee and saw him stop typing. He stood up and looked around uncertainly. Tim closed his eyes tightly and brought one clenched fist to his forehead. He tapped his head a few times. Ducky took a couple of steps toward him, but then he looked up.

"I've got it. I've got it, Ducky!"

"Got what, McGee?"

"The answer. I remembered!" Tim smiled, looking like his old self, and ran to the elevator.