Decisions chapter 3

Home, sweet home! But Jethro wasn't going to admit it to anyone, including himself; his mind was too much preoccupied on proving Ziva's innocence and dealing out with his newly developed suspicions. It was fun seeing his agents after a small for him huge for them –with the probable exception of Tony- time of hiatus really; Abby's hugs were missed, Tony's cocky behaviour hitting a spot and he could really see a change in dynamics between senior and junior agent.

Tim McGee was the biggest change and improvement all things considered, the boy must have been working out and eating healthy in the last three months. He constantly watched out for him and tried to see any similarities between himself and Tim; if there were he couldn't see them, except for the stubbornness. The quick slip of calling Tony McGee, twice by the way, was easily attributed in goading the younger agent, but truth was his mind was too busy with Tim's images; and Synthia's.

After they had managed to prove Ziva's innocence Jethro found a little time probing at NCIS personnel's files to find out more details about Tim's family. It didn't actually come as surprise when he read his mother's name.

Synthia McGee nee McAlister, born at 1956 etc etc. A recent photograph showed Gibbs that the beautiful young girl had become an equally beautiful and attractive woman, leaving no room for wondering. His stare travelled back up to see Tim's birth date that was actually only seven months after his own departure. Damn, double and triple damn; actually no matter how many damns he was going to scream the situation wouldn't get any better. That could only mean two things; either Synthia was pregnant when he had met her, and that would mean he literally knew McGee since before he was born, -and wasn't that a scary thought? hinky, Abby would call it- or the kid was premature and he had to dig even more to find out.

And he just wanted to get the hell out of there. Yes, that was the last time he was setting foot at NCIS. McGee had no relationship with him other than being the last Probie he trained. With that in mind he travelled back to Mexico to continue the happy days of his premature retirement. Problem solved.

Apparently neither life nor NCIS were happy about this decision. So, soon he was back in full force to take back his earlier position as a team leader with some eye-pulling-out different attitude. Oh he was Gibbs alright, just more detached, lesser laughing and ready to belittle his agents in their smallest mistake.

'We have a case! Grab your gear. DiNozzo, Ziva go to this address.' He handed over a paper. 'Two dead marines were found dead near the port, we'll be in touch. The murders were identical but the bodies were found in different places. McGee, with me!'

James Gardiner, Command Master Chief Petty Officer and George Pattinson , Master Chief Petty Officer were found dead, at Port of Edmonds, at the port district in different places. Gibbs sent Ziva and Tony at the moorage while he and Tim went to the Dry Storage.

'Boss, why were they here in the first place?'

'Did I see anything you didn't McGee?' Jethro snapped at his younger Agent without noticing the slight change in behaviour these last couples of days. Tim had figured that something was a bit adrift when it came to the senior Agent and with the laborious mind of his screaming it had something to do with him, he was strangely timid around Jethro always thinking twice –or four times- before uttering a word. After this really auspicious exchange of words Tim shat up for the rest of their investigation. He only opened his mouth when he was absolutely certain his Boss had overlooked something in his questionnaire, and that didn't happen very often.

Jethro was too wrapped up in his work to see the younger man collecting evidence, but as one of witnesses left him alone he turned and saw Tim. He stopped breathing for a few moments; the kid's stance was identical to his own, it was like he was watching himself in a mirror – and yes, he had done that once or twice in his long life!

He pushed the thought away; this ridiculous ideas hadn't bothered him for a couple of weeks and here they were again. In the meantime Ducky had arrived, a bit later than on time, as usual.

'Ducky, how did they die?'

'Actually Jethro, from what I can see right here, I'd go from natural causes, not wounds, no traumas, so if you'll excuse me I need to take these two gentleman back to give them a proper examination and then I'll be able to offer you an answer.'

Ducky and his assistant were out of the picture leaving Gibbs and Tim to gather evidence. A few minutes later Ziva and DiNozzo were coming towards him.

'Boss, we found evidence of drugs at the storage.' As Tim got up he noticed a light and as Gibbs was ready to follow his action he called.

'Boss! There!' No one was quick enough to look where the youngest man showed but a shot was heard and Gibbs found himself falling flat on the ground with McGee on top of him. He pushed the taller man aside while Tony and Ziva ran and kneeled to check them. Gibbs wasn't hurt, other than falling down with Tim on top of him.

Ziva stayed near them to check on McGee while Tony ran after the shooter.

'Call an ambulance! NOW!' Gibbs cried out because Tim, on the other hand, was shot at his side. Gibbs ripped the shirt to check for wounds and he saw a bullet entry wound just a few inches lower than were Tim's heart ought to be at the left ribs close to his lung. The bleeding was severe and both tried to stop it using their hands and Tim's shirt.

Ten minutes later an ambulance took Tim, the agents saw clearly the paramedics trying to minimise the blood loss. Tony was back as well having lost the shooter

'We need to check the place, Tony, go up there where the shooter was standing, take these to Abby and then will go to the hospital.

Six hours latre and after numerous calls to the hospital Special Agents Gibbs and DiNozzo, Officer David and Doctor Mallard were at the hospital waiting to hear some news about Tim's condition. Things didn't seem very promising and Gibbs looked down at his bloody clothes.

Suddenly and before learning anything new, Jethro walked out of the waiting room and called someone.

'Tobias, I need a favour…'

Chapter End Notes

I have no idea about American ports, so my only excuse is that I needed to find a place!