2 weeks later...
Ducky placed the jug of iced tea on the tray with two tall glasses and the sandwiches that he had made for him and his young patient. It had been a tough two weeks and the M.E. found himself silently thanking Director Vance for approving his leave to look after Tim. He thought back to the first week and realised that the progress that the young man had made had been remarkable seeing as the first week was practically spent supporting Tim through some of the most torrid coughing fits that he had ever heard; add that to the pain that was still present from the pleurisy and it had been a miserable time for them both.
Sure, Tim had his visitors in the team and Tony had been a big help by staying a couple of nights to give Ducky a rest, but it had still been a difficult two weeks. Ducky smiled as he remembered the friendly conversation and support he had the pleasure of overhearing one night as he stood at the door and watched.
A week and a half ago...
Ducky walked out of the bathroom wrapped up in his robe and ready for bed. He was extremely thankful to Tony, who had called to say he was coming over with his gear to give the M.E. some respite overnight. He wondered how Gibbs' senior agent knew how tired he was, but guessed that it was just one of those 'gut feelings' that the whole team seemed to have become more adept at listening to as time went on. He stopped at Tim's open bedroom door and glanced in as Tony sat reading Tim's newest literary wonder whilst the author slept on. Tim started coughing in his sleep and was soon startled awake as the cough got harsher and started to dislodge more liquid from his lungs, making Tony jump up and rush to his aid. Ducky had started moving further into the room but stopped himself when he saw how well Tony was handling the situation; and so, he moved back into the shadows to watch silently.
"Easy, McGee. Easy." Tony rubbed soothing circles on Tim's back to help loosen the congestion. "That's it. Come on, Man, I know it hurts but its better out than in. Trust me on that, okay?"
Tony carried on with his ministrations and started gently thumping Tim's back to try to dislodge the gunk and fluid that was being stubborn tonight. He must have heard the tell tale gurgling and reached over to grab the basin right before Tim's body finally expelled it's tenuous hold on the congestion. Tim started to retch heavily and it damn near broke Ducky's heart to watch. He watched as Tim slumped against Tony and was surprised to see the senior agent hold on hold onto his friend as tremors wracked the weakened body that was wrapped in his own arms.
"Alright, Tim. That's good. Real good. You want some water?"
"When...Have you...ever ca...called me...Tim?" Tim's raspy, breathless voice was weak and Ducky watched Tony's brow knit into a deep frown.
"Sorry, McGoo. It just slipped out. I think you need that inhaler and..." Tony glanced at his watch "You're due for your pain meds too. Hang on."
He reached over to the night stand and grabbed the inhaler. Tim's hands were shaking too badly for him to handle the small device, so Tony pulled off the cap and held it to Tim's lips.
"Open up." The short command was enough to make Tim open his mouth and wrap his lips around the mouth guard. "That's it probie. You know what to do, On three. One...two...three."
Tony pressed down on the button on top and sprayed the medication into Tim's mouth. Ducky stood there with baited breath and sighed with relief when Tim inhaled as much as he could. He watched as the senior agent repeated the action before replacing the lid and reaching back over to pick up the pill bottle and the water. With a swift motion, he popped the lid of and made sure his Probie took the meds so that he could hopefully get some sleep.
"Tha...Thanks." Tim managed to huff out. Ducky was pleased to hear his breathing regulate slightly.
"Hey, no worries, Probie. We've gotta look out for each other and you'd do the same thing."
"Yeah. Tony...Ducky okay?" Ducky cocked his head at Tim's question and from where he stood, he could see the deep rooted concern that plagued the young man.
"Ducky? Sure, he's just gettin' some sleep. I told him I'd stay and so, here I am." Tony felt the tremors subside and reached round Tim to pile the pillows up so his friend wouldn't be laying flat. "Lay back, alright. You'll be more comfortable."
Tim lay back and sighed with relief and exhaustion.
"Look, Ducky's just tired. That's all. You worry too damn much." Ducky watched Tony's grin spread at Tim's exasperated look. "And you can quite lookin' at me like that. You've got two choices here, trust me and rest, or spend the night worrying. I know what I would rather you be doing because I've got this book that I've been tryin' to read for ages and have finally got the chance."
"Sorry...Tony?"
"Yeah."
"Abb...Abbs. How's she...doing?" Ducky frowned at the question because Abby had been by every night for a couple of hours, since Tim left hospital.
"You know how's she's doing. She only left a few hours ago."
"Diffe...rent. Not real...because I'm ...sick."
"Huh. Okay, yeah she is treating you with kid gloves, but she feels guilty and between you and me, I think the boss man has had a word in her ear."
"Bout?"
"You and her. She already feels guilty about what happened and wants to make it right but you've gotta understand, that it's hard for us because of what happened. I think she's just being cautious because she doesn't want to hurt you."
Ducky could feel the raw honesty that Tony injected into his words and knew that it was good for Tim to hear them.
"Kay..."
"That's it for now, McGee. You need to sleep so, come on. Get some shut eye." Tony pulled the covers over Tim's shoulders and patted the one nearest to him. "We'll talk more when you're feelin' better."
Ducky watched Tim's eyes drift shut and with a sigh and a lighter heart at leaving him in Tony's care, he drifted off to his own bedroom to catch up on some much needed sleep.
Present day...
Since then, Tim had come along in leaps and bounds and had actually started to move around beyond the bathroom and bedroom. Ducky had convinced him to sit outside on the porch with him because the day was pleasantly warm and the M.E. knew that it would do him good. With a smile, he picked up the tray and carried it outside to the table in between the two loungers.
"Timothy, are you warm enough?" Ducky wasn't aware that Tim had drifted off and felt awful when the young man's bleary eyes opened to look at him.
"I'm good, Thanks."
Ducky had already draped a blanket over Tim's legs and had made sure the pillows were placed just right so that he'd be comfortable.
"I apologise. I wasn't aware that you had dropped off."
"It's okay. I'm just feeling a bit tired I guess."
This was something that the M.E. understood completely given how sick Tim had been...Still was. It would take time for him to be 100%, but for now, he was just happy with his young patient being able to speak without getting as breathless and cough without it causing him as much pain.
"That's to be expected. Here." He handed Tim a tall glass of ice tea "I've made some lunch if you're hungry. I would prefer you to at least try to eat something because you're appetite has been fairly touchy recently and you need to regain your strength."
"I could eat." Tim accepted the sandwich and settled back. It was a good ten minutes later, that both men had finished their lunch and were making a good dent in their drinks.
"Ducky, can I ask you something?" the young man asked cautiously.
"Of course, dear boy." Ducky asked in surprise.
"Am I doing the right thing?" Tim's quiet question shocked the M.E.
"What do you mean?"
"Me and Abby."
"Why on earth would you ask that?" Ducky glanced at Tim and saw that far away look which meant his patient was trying to analyze everything. "Has Abigail done something to make you doubt your relationship again?"
"No, nothing like that. It's just...I think I've had too much time to think."
"And you are unsure as to where this is leading."Ducky said knowingly.
"Something like that. Abby's has been trying really hard; too hard, and while it's nice, I just want everything to be normal again." Tim's earnest, heartfelt answer was one that Ducky wasn't expecting.
"Well, I have to admit that she has been extra vigilant recently and the only thing I can suggest is taking it one day at a time. You have to realise, that seeing you so ill shook her. The fact that she knows her part in that cuts her deeper than we will most likely ever know or understand."
"So, you think we are doing the right thing?" Tim asked with a slight frown.
"No, what I am saying, Timothy, is that you need to follow your heart and stop thinking so much about it. Let it happen and see where it takes you, because you may be surprised."
Tim nodded and grinned. "I will admit, the extra TLC is nice."
"I'm sure it is, Timothy. I'm sure it is."
Both men settled back to enjoy the warm sunshine and sat in comparable silence as the world slowly went by before them. It wasn't long before Ducky noticed that Tim had fallen asleep again and reached over to take the glass out of his hand.
"Rest and get better soon, my dear boy, because you have a whole new world to explore when you are well."
Abby was on her way up to the squad room but paused briefly at the voices that she heard in the stairwell. She remembered cursing the maintenance crew for making her walk up and down these damn stairs all day long whilst they figured out the fault with the elevator, but right now, she was actually pleased as the familiar voices washed over her.
"No, Tony. I do not think it is such a good idea."
"Come on, Zee. It's perfect! We just need to get the boss man on our side."
"Why? Why on earth do you want to interview this man? It is not conducive to the investigation. There really is no need for it."
"Is that your professional opinion?" Tony asked huskily. The change in tone sparked Abby's curiosity to the point where she was compelled to move closer.
"Yes."
Abby finally caught sight of them and noticed how close the two of them were standing.
Huh, interesting. Abby thought to herself as she stood there watching the scene unfold.
"Well maybe, just maybe my little Ninja Assassin, I am right and my gut will be right." Tony huskily suggested.
"Or maybe, you will be wrong and you will find yourself on the receiving finish of Gibbs' hand." Ziva gave Tony a sultry smile "My little hairy butt."
Tony moved closer and backed Ziva into the wall so that he could put his hands on it on either side of her head. Once he had her trapped he leaned in and lowered his voice even more.
"That's receiving end, Zee and you think I'm scared of the boss?"
"No. I think you are scared of making a mistake. You are all talk."
Abby watched as Tony swooped down and whispered something in Ziva's ear; she felt a pang of regret at missing what was being said but just knew that this wasn't as innocent as it looked...Huh, Tony and Ziva? NO! She would have heard, but then again their flirting had gotten more prominent recently so maybe their heading in that direction. With wide eyes, she watched Ziva's hands absently move to Tony's waist and hold there while Tony whispered to her. Whatever had been said obviously had the newest official member of the team looking...Debauched! Oh my God! She looks debauched!
Enough was enough and with a plan already forming in her mind she started to move up the stairs.
"Hey guys. What'cha doing?" she said breezily and grinned as Tony jumped back with a manic look on his face.
"Er..Abbs. Nothing. We're doing no..."
"We were discussing the case, Abby. What brings you up here?" Ziva jumped in knowing that the man standing next to her was looking and acting guilty for no good reason. She elbowed him in the ribs to get his attention "Tony, seems to think interviewing the victim's son is a good idea. I however, disagree."
"Uh-huh. Anyway, I wanted to bring these results up to Gibbs but the elevator's out so I've been waiting for all the results to come in. I didn't want to keep running up and down the stairs." She waved the manila file in her hand to emphasise her point.
"You could'a emailed them, Abbs." Tony cocked his head and raised his eyebrows slightly at the suggestion.
"I could have." Abby shrugged. "But, how often does he check his emails?"
"You gotta point there. I better get back to work before the boss finds us and..." he swirled his hand around a couple of times before turning towards the door. The last thing they heard was "I gotta go." as he disappeared through.
"Wow! That was subtle. You and him?" Abby asked Ziva with a grin.
"I do not understand what you are getting at, Abby." With that, Ziva turned and followed Tony through the door to the squad room, leaving the forensic scientist standing there with her plan predominant in her mind. With another grin, she pulled out her phone and dialed.
Tim woke up in the lounger to his phone ringing incessantly. With a sigh, he glanced at the caller ID before pressing the button to answer it.
"Hey, Abby." He cleared his throat as the sleep and cough left him with a dry throat that tickled when he spoke.
"Timothy." Ducky whispered from his side and handed over a glass of ice water. The M.E. grinned at the thankful look in Tim's eyes and he patted his young patient's arm before heading back into the house.
"Timmy. You alright?"
"Yeah. I'm good. Ducky and I had lunch on his porch and guess I fell asleep."
"Fell asleep? Tim you should be indoors wrapped up on a blanket to keep warm. Not sitting outside in the cold air." Abby chastised.
"It's not cold and I've got a blanket. I'm alright, really, so stop worrying." Tim tried to inject some levity into is tone but choked on the last word and coughed. He guessed that the pain meds were wearing off when his chest twinged and despite the fact that it wasn't as bad as it had been; in fact it was considerably better; it still felt uncomfortable enough to make him wince.
"Is Ducky there? Please tell me he's there because that, does not sound good."
"It's better than what it was. Don't worry, I'm due for my meds soon, so I'll take them and then go crash on the couch with a movie."
"You should rest in bed."
"C'mon, Abby. I've been in bed forever and it's time I got up and moved about. I'm okay and will probably fall asleep. Besides, it feels better sitting up." Tim admitted earnestly. "You know I wouldn't be out here if Ducky didn't appove, anyway."
"Yeah, you're right. You sure you're okay?"
"I'm sure. Anyway, what can I do for you, swee...Abby." For some reason, Tim still found himself catching himself every time he started to use an endearment with Abby and he felt his heart skip a beat at her sigh. "Sorry, sweetie."
"That's okay. I know it's hard right now, but I'm trying, Tim. I really am."
"I know. We both are. So, you just calling to chat?"
"Actually, I have something that I want to talk to you about." Abby outlined everything that she had seen in the stair well and Tim found himself becoming increasingly interested at what he was hearing. At the end of it, he sighed when Abby told him what she wanted to do.
"You think it's a good idea? I mean, we won't be able to do anything for at least a couple of weeks, but do you think we should get involved?"
"What harm can it do? And it's only a case of giving them a nudge."
"Do you think they really need it?" Tim broke off and coughed before spitting into a tissue. "Sorry. Um, yeah I guess it is. I guess it can't do any harm. How're you gonna get them to agree?"
"Well, it's like this..."