Abby couldn't race over fast enough and quickly took the badge from McGee and handed it back to Gibbs. "Are you sure you didn't bump your head when he hit you?"

Gibbs shook his head. "Abs…"

"Don't you even think about Abs-ing me right now…what is it with you two? You love each other… so stop this non sense and make up already."

Tim had chosen to remain quiet until he met the look in her eyes. "It's not that easy Abby."

"See, that's where you're wrong…it is easy. You just have to be strong McGee…it's not like Gibbs left you when you were being held hostage…or you had to hold Ducky in your arms while he was bleeding all over you…did that happen to you? No...it happened to me…" She started to cry softly and managed to shy away Gibbs comforting hand.

Neither of them knew how to respond except to look down at the badges in their hands. After a few moments passed Gibbs set his badge aside. "Leaving you behind was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do…"

Abby took in a breath. "I know." She watched his expression change. "I know how much you care Gibbs; I know you wouldn't have left if you didn't have to…I also know that you wouldn't have hurt Tim if you weren't hurting so bad inside. I just think its time for all of this to stop…we have to move on…all of us…"

Gibbs almost smiled at the simplicity of her speech; but soon frowned when he caught the look in Tim's eyes. "I am moving on Abby…I know you won't understand, I know no one will, but it's something I need to do…" He handed Gibbs back his badge and moved towards the door.

"Tim…" Abby almost shouted before Gibbs put a hand up to quiet her.

"Let him go…"

She shook her head and reached for McGee's arm to pull him back. "Don't go McGee…please?"

The pleading in her voice almost broke Tim's heart. He then shifted his eyes to meet Gibb's stare and shook his head. "I have to."

Abby's grip slowly loosened. "Why?"

He continued to stare at Gibbs as if making up for all the time their eyes hadn't met and swallowed hard. "To heal."

She continued to cry as he walked away and Gibbs was there when she was ready for an embrace. And it was one that lasted longer than any embrace they'd ever shared before.

Tony almost fell off his couch when he heard the knock at the door. He rolled himself onto the floor and slowly but surely got up and stumbled to the door. "You could've called Ziva…Probie?"

"Sorry to disappoint you Tony."

He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stepped aside to let McGee in. "Sorry the place is a bit messy…my cleaning lady quit."

Tim stifled a laugh before standing awkwardly in the middle of the living room. "Listen Tony…"

"You're here to cancel our movie nights aren't you?"

"I'll make it up to you; I just need to get away for a while." Tim started to pace and continued to rub at the hand he had used to hit Gibbs. "I know this is gonna sound like a movie line but I don't know how long I'll be gone or if I'll come back at all."

Tony shrugged. "The boss really hurt you huh?"

"I don't know why everyone finds that so hard to believe." He pointed up at Tony. "You're his golden boy…sure Abby's his favorite, but you? You're like his adopted son. When he thought he lost you he did the complete opposite than when we lost Kate. He had this look in his face…a look of vengeance, and the only person he had enough reason to take it out on, was me…the computer geek he quickly regretted putting on his team…"

"Whoa there Probie. You're a good Agent…the boss told you that himself before he went parading off to Mexico with half a brain…so yes, Gibbs makes mistakes…be it a few, but it has happened. And putting you on the team was not one of them."

Tim nodded as he realized Tony was right. "Doesn't change what he did."

"Um, no…but you're forgetting the key player in this whole charade…the one who coerced me, drugged you, lied to Ducky, got Abby kidnapped…made us endure Frank's wise cracks for days…"

McGee almost smiled. "The Director."

"Ex…" Tony qualified. "If you want to hate someone, hate her."

Tim shook his head. "I don't want to hate anyone…"

"Then what do you want?"

His eyes began to well with tears. "To heal."

Gibbs waited for Abby to ease away from the embrace herself and stood by waiting for her to speak. "Were you really gonna leave?"

He nodded then shook his head. "If I thought it would fix this."

"But it won't. All Tim would do is feel guiltier than he already does."

His wound suddenly started to ache and he placed a hand over it instinctively. He rubbed at his forehead with his other hand until Abby reached for it and squeezed gently. She examined his expression and let it speak for itself. She read the pain in his face as well as the confusion.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked finally.

"Tomorrow."

Tony nodded. "If leaving is what you have to do then I won't stand in your way Probie."

"Thanks."

"That is unless you plan to work for the FBI…in that case I'll have no choice but to stop you."

McGee forced a smile on his face but the tears in his eyes remained. "As much as I'm tempted to get back at the boss, I wouldn't do that to him."

Tony sighed. "You do realize how much you leaving is gonna suck right? I mean Ziva already tried to kill me with a paper clip…twice." He put up two fingers and the look on his face actually caused Tim to laugh outright.

"Wow…" He took in a breath. "Been a long time since…"

"You laughed?" Tony interrupted. "Maybe the healing has already begun man."

He nodded and put his hand out for Tony to take; only he didn't. "Brothers don't shake hands…brothers gotta hug."

And so they did. And as Tony walked him out he had only one thought running through his mind. Tomorrow.

Ziva had already prepared herself breakfast, put in a load of laundry and started to do the dishes when she heard the knock at the door. "Didn't think you'd be up this early Tony…McGee?"

Tim managed a smile. "Is there something going on between you and Tony I should know about?"

Ziva ignored the comment. "Please come in." She stepped aside to allow him entry and closed the door with a hopeful smile. "Having second thoughts yes?"

He shook his head and watched her smile fade. "Gonna go away for awhile, wanted to say goodbye."

"Will you stay for a cup of coffee?"

He shrugged. "Sure, just as long as there are no drugs in it."

She watched him hide a smile before ushering him towards the kitchen table and pouring them each a cup. "You are certain this is what you want?"

"I don't see any other option."

Their eyes met and in a moment she knew what he needed to hear. "You find it difficult to heal with Gibbs around yes?" She watched him nod. "Every time you see him you are reminded of what he did?" Again he nodded.

He thought he saw tears forming in her eyes but he wasn't sure. "Something you want to tell me Ziva?"

"I am trying…" She replied forcefully, setting aside her cup and folding her hands. "I have told this to no one else. Gibbs is the only one who knows and that is only because he was there…"

Tim took in her expression. "You don't have to tell me…"

"Yes, I do." She replied simply. "Ari…he was my half brother." She continued before he could even respond. "The night in Gibbs basement…he did not kill Ari. I did." She closed her eyes as she remembered. "He had a rifle aimed at Gibbs and I took the shot from above the stairs…"

"Ziva I'm…"

"Do not say you are sorry McGee, because I am not. I am not sorry for what I did, I am sorry that evil had taken hold of him so deeply that…it does not matter. What matters is that no one blamed me because no one knew. The only person who reminded me of that night was Gibbs."

"But you asked for the transfer?"

She nodded. "I needed a change of scenery…"

"But the boss would help you remember, not forget…"

"A part of me wanted to blame Gibbs…blame my father…but another part of me realized that the only thing that would help me to move on was facing my part in it."

Tim gestured towards himself. "But I did nothing wrong."

"I agree with you McGee…we all know who caused this. But what Gibbs did to you, as wrong as it was, should not cause you to leave behind all that you have worked for."

Tim let his head hang low and was silent for a few moments. "Every time I see him I get sick to my stomach…and now that he does look me in the eye…I keep remembering when he wouldn't….I have to leave."

"I knew that every time I saw Gibbs I would remember that night…but I also knew that running away from where I needed to be would not solve things either. McGee, I am not playing down what he did to you or telling you how to deal with it…I am simply sharing my thoughts and my feelings…"

"Wow Ziva, I never thought I'd hear you use that phrase."

She sat back in her chair. "Yes well…I have grown in my time here. Had I left when the going got tough…I may not have."

He was able to smile at her last comment. "Let me guess, Gibbs helped you heal instead of hindering it?"

She nodded. "What I saw in Gibbs was what we all know to be true. A kind, honest and loyal man. One that would gladly lay his life down in place of ours and not think twice. Some one who has suffered more pain in his life than most care to imagine. Not a perfect man, but a man much like yourself."

Tim scoffed. "Like me?"

"You are kind, honest and loyal. Find ways to get the job done in the fairest manner possible. Sure you may not scowl or stare to get what you want but you certainly find ways. And I have no doubt that you would gladly lay down your life to save another."

McGee admitted his surprise in his expression. "You've just been waiting for a chance to tell me this haven't you?"

"Maybe."

He twirled the coffee cup with his fingers. "Don't worry, I wont tell anyone about the first part."

"If I was worried I would not have told you McGee." She took the cup from his hand and brought his focus back to her face. "If you must go, then go. But do not do it because it seems easier. Because things are not always as they seem."

"Thanks Ziva." He stood up but the look on her face said she wasn't finished.

"We all have scars McGee. Some of us more than others…but putting a bandage over it will only hide the scar for so long."

Tim nodded and leaned down to place a soft kiss on her cheek. "I'll remember that."

"I request you take at least a months leave from work to heal physically as well as emotionally." The Doctor standing in front of Gibbs knew he might as well of been talking to a wall but continued. "Im recommending it to your Director."

Gibbs shrugged. "My mouth still works fine. I can work."

"I am well aware of that Agent Gibbs, but I will send my recommendation regardless."

"Fine." He put out his good hand and the Doctor shook it. "Thanks for patching me up."

He managed a smile. "Take care of yourself."

Abby had corralled most of her things into her arms along with one small duffel bag containing a few of Gibbs things. She tossed all of it in her trunk before getting in the drivers side and starting the car up. "Off to your humble abode we go…"

Gibbs shook his head. "I'd like to make a stop on the way."

Tim had arrived at his final destination and didn't sit in his car for long. He knocked at the door and waited patiently.

"Is Miss Sheppard in?"

Only before the man could answer Jenny appeared in the door way. "Come in Tim." She ushered him to the study and offered him a drink which he declined.

He examined her demeanor and though he was curious as to how she was feeling; he didn't ask. "I have some things I'd like to say."

She swallowed some of her drink before nodding. "I'm listening."

"Why did you do it?"

"Revenge."

It was a simple answer and Tim had expected it. "Was it worth it?"

"Yes."

The lack of hesitation in her voice caused McGee to cringe inside. "It was worth breaking up our team?"

"Collateral damage…"

A part of him wanted to leave right then; but the other part knew what needed to be said. "We are not collateral damage…we're people…people who got dragged into your personal war. You already cost me a month of pain that I wont ever get back and I'm not letting you cost me another second." He turned towards the door and stopped in his tracks. "Boss?"

Gibbs stepped inside and shook his head. "She's not to blame McGee…her Father is."