Seven Months Later – Friday, Dec 21, 2012 - 1330 Hours
"Still can't believe the entire team has the week off for Christmas." Tony marveled as he shut down his workstation in preparation for the upcoming week of no work. "Guess there really is a first time for everything, huh?"
"I would not complain if I were you." Ziva warned as she too prepared to leave out. "The Director might think you were not happy about it – and perhaps withdraw the offer."
"Ha! Not likely, Da'vid!" Tony hooted back dryly. "Not even the Grinch would do something so cold."
"Don't push your luck, DiNozzo." Gibbs warned as he breezed in with his fresh cup of coffee. "Go on, all of ya's. Enjoy your holiday. Whatever you do, don't forget to come back on the 31st, bright eyed- bushy-tailed and ready to work."
"Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed?" Ziva wondered with obvious confusion.
"Don't ask, Ziva. Don't ask." Tony warned as he locked up his desk drawers.
"Ziva, enjoy your vacation. Please don't forget to come back this time." Tim half-seriously offered the Israeli member of the team.
"Do not worry, McGee. My home is here now, I will return." Ziva promised him with a slight wave of her hand as she turned to head out. "Gibbs, thank you for requesting this vacation for us…"
"Wasn't me, Ziva. But McGee's right. Don't even think of not coming back to us."
"Well, Boss, if it wasn't you, then who was it?" Tony asked as he paused in his movements, his eyes now glued to those of the Team Leader.
"Don't know, DiNozzo. Didn't ask," Gibbs replied. "What I do know, is that all of us had better enjoy it and appreciate it. It won't happen again, so go on, get outta here before you and Ziva miss your flights!"
"I hear ya, Boss." Tony answered as he headed toward the elevator. "Merry Christmas! DiNozzo is OUT!"
"Merry Christmas, Tony." Tim replied. As he headed toward the elevator on his teammates' heels, he made sure he called out one last thing. "Merry Christmas, Boss."
Gibbs' typical nod of his head spoke of his return of the sentiment more than any words could have and Tim had to smile as he followed in Tony and Ziva's wake to the elevator, the three of them managing to ride it down together without any other passengers.
"I am relieved that we had our team dinner at Ducky's early this year." Ziva remarked.
"Yeah, me too. With Abby heading out of town last night, it wouldn't have seemed right to have it without her." Tim remarked.
"Was great having Breena there with Jimmy before they headed out of town this morning, wasn't it?" Tony added. "Guess she's part of the family now, huh?"
"That she is." Tim agreed as the elevator reached the parking garage level. "It was nice that Jimmy and Breena invited Ducky to spend the week with them out at her parents' place, too. It should be fun for Ducky to get away for a while, not to mention have someone to talk to besides us."
"That's for sure." Walking toward the front door, Tony asked the one thing that had been playing on his mind. "Wonder what Gibbs will be doing this year. He's such a loner, ya know?"
"Tony, I wouldn't worry about Gibbs too much. I'm pretty sure he'll be spending a lot of his vacation time with his dad." Tim pointed out calmly.
"Yeah, you're probably right. They have managed to patch things up pretty well between them."
"So, Tony, are you looking forward to Panama Beach with your Frat Brothers?" Tim changed the subject, never one to feel comfortable talking about Gibbs behind his back.
"Oh, yeah! It's gonna be like Spring Break!" Tony jumped at the chance to celebrate his plans for his week long vacation.
"Only colder?" Tim asked dryly.
"Definitely colder. Keeps the blood flow going, Probie." Tony replied seriously.
"Uh, huh. Yeah. You go have fun with that, alright?"
"McChicken." Tony offered back with a grin. "My flight leaves in just under two hours so in just over seven hours, I'll be basking in the heat of the Florida weather while you're here freezing your cojones off, my friend."
"I'll survive. Seriously, though, Tony – aren't you going to be spending part of your time with your dad? I though the two of you patched things up." Tim asked with concern for his friend's family ties, especially at what was typically considered the holiday of all holidays – the one that typically brings families closer together.
Tony's eyes lost some of their merriment and his smile got just a shade tighter as he attempted to hide how what he had to say in response, affected him. "Nothing to worry about, Probie. My father's never been one to see the sentimental value in a holiday since my mom died, though he did somehow manage to pay for my plane ticket to Florida. Can't expect him to change completely now, can I? That'd be like expecting Gibbs to be able to stop being a loner and find someone he can connect with enough to let them actually get close to him; ya know, even love him?"
"How did we get back to talking about Gibbs?" Ziva finally offered something to the conversation as they reached their parked cars in the garage.
"I don't know. You seem awfully fixated on Gibbs for some reason, Tony. What's up with that?" Tim teased as he planted his feet by Tony's car and stared at the man, unwilling to move until he got an answer.
"Nuthin'! I just think the guy's entitled to a little love in his life, ya know? Kinda like you, Probie! When are you getting' back on that horse?" Tony threw at him, his grin back in place.
"Oh, you mean so you can get your kicks makin' fun of me when I fall off again?" Tim offered wryly. "Thanks, but no thanks. That side-show is over; closed down. Seriously, though, Tony, have a great vacation, alright? Just don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Wow, Probie. You do realize that doesn't leave me with much, right?" Tony reminded him.
Tim shook his head, chuckling before offering an answer. "I know. Just be careful, alright? Can't have you coming back to work all bruised or battered and unable to work because you and your frat brothers got carried away re-living your glory days."
"Yes, Boss." Tony offered flippantly as he turned to Ziva. "You ready to go, our little Ninja-chick?"
"That's right; you two are riding to the airport together." Tim remarked as if he'd forgotten.
"Well, yeah, Probie. Our flights are leaving from the same airport, so it makes sense, don'tcha think?"
"Yeah. Plus you two can keep each other out of trouble while you're waiting to board your flights. Oh, wait; I forgot who I was talkin' to." Tim joked.
"You can relax, McGee. I will not allow Tony to get into any trouble before he leaves." Ziva promised seriously, as she kissed his cheek. "I hope you have a good vacation as well, McGee. I am sorry Penny and Sarah are away for the holiday. Will you be alright? Do you have plans. I have not heard you speak of any as of yet."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I've got things to do; plenty of plans made, I promise. Go on, have fun." Tim replied seriously, as he turned to head to his own car so they'd be reassured and not get distracted from their plans. With an encouraging smile, Tim got in his car, waved to his teammates and drove off toward the base main gate, leaving Tony and Ziva behind.
***NCIS***
Tim smiled as he drove off the Navy Yard towards his apartment. He too, was packed and ready to go since his plans for this week's vacation had been made months ago. He still needed to take care of the final last minute details such as getting his apartment cleaned up and ready for his week long absence, and dropping his dog off with the dog walker who had been happy to take him. But it wasn't the beginning of his vacation that brought the smile to his face and those plans certainly weren't what was keeping the anticipation and joy in his heart; but rather the personal anniversary he was celebrating tonight.
Six months ago tonight, he had experienced the most memorable night of his life, though it had been an unusual night and hadn't involved a roll in the hay with anyone. What it had been was what he considered to be the turning point in his life and ever since he'd known nothing but happiness in his personal life.
Tonight he planned on showing the person who had changed his life for the better just how much he not only appreciated what they'd done for him, but also how much that person had come to mean to him. For months now, he had been saving a very special gift and Christmas made the perfect time to deliver it: the gift of himself wholly and completely. He hoped it was a gift that would speak for itself.
If anyone had asked Tim five months ago, or any day since, if he could ever see himself in a relationship this lengthy that included waiting this long to go all the way with each other; he would have told them no. He would have explained that in any relationship he'd attempted to have, it had been always expected that Tim be the giver until the other person was satisfied, but then they always wound up leaving him once he'd given them what they wanted. He didn't know any other way a relationship worked, no matter how much he craved it.
Tim sighed. Even now, just thinking back on how his personal life had been up to that point saddened him. He had been a champion at finding women who only enjoyed the chase; but wanted no part of a commitment or anything that resembled an actual deepening relationship with him. Shaking his head, he mentally admonished himself. He had left that behind and there was no good reason to look back at it now, especially tonight of all nights.
Patting his inner coat pocket where the first present he planned to give tonight rested securely, he glanced at his phone as it beeped, alerting him to a text message. Opening it, he smiled even more broadly as he read it.
Safely aboard and taking off now. Tony got off safely as well. Have a fun week.
He quickly sent Ziva a reply. Thanks. Be safe! Have a great time!
Putting his phone away, he couldn't hold back the thought that crossed his mind. Finally! While the team's away, the mice can play!
Tim smiled at his own private joke. The last five months had been tough, keeping the team in the dark while trying to actually build a relationship that would stand the test of time, one careful day at a time without any outside strain or complications.
And to think it all started on a night that started out so badly, he'd thought things wouldn't get any better!
