"Good morning, Jethro."

Straightening up, Gibbs rubbed at his face before glancing at the time. "Didn't expect you quite yet, Duck."

"Yes, well, I had to be here early if I were to arrive before our young man made a break for it." Ducky held up both Gibbs' and McGee's go bags. "I believe we have a much better chance at pulling this off if the two of you don't look like the living dead."

Taking the hint, Gibbs slipped into the bathroom with his bag and a few seconds later the water turned on. Satisfied that one of them was taken care of, Ducky turned his attention to McGee.

"Morning, Ducky." Tim shifted on the bed, trying to sit up, but Ducky grabbed the controls.

"Heavens, Lad, if you're going to convince anyone you're up to going home, use the tools you have available." He watched carefully as the bed raised up. Tim closed his eyes, but only for a moment. "How is your dizziness this morning? And I want an honest answer, young man."

"It's better, a lot better. Not totally gone, but it's a fraction of what I was feeling yesterday. After I'm back on my feet, I'm looking forward to trying those pills the next time I need to be on a ship."

Ducky wasn't completely convinced, but he waited until Gibbs was out of the bathroom and looking better – freshly shaved and no longer wearing the clothes he'd slept in. "All right, let's see how stable you are on your feet."

-NCIS-

Tim ached all over. His shoulder throbbed and he dreaded the idea of ever moving again. It was only the promise to his little girl that kept him motivated. When Ducky wanted him upright, there was only one possible answer to give.

"All right."

Looking to Gibbs for support, both physical and emotional, Tim took a deep breath and started to work his legs off the bed. It took a few minutes, but when that happened he found his first problem. His muscles were too sore to just sit up the rest of the way and his arms were too badly hurt to grab the bed rails for help.

Gibbs didn't need to be asked. As soon as Tim's progress stalled, he wrapped a strong arm around the injured man and lifted him up the rest of the way. Once Tim was sitting upright, feet on the floor, and nothing behind him, both Gibbs and Ducky watched him carefully.

"How do you feel, Lad?"

Tim thought for a moment before he answered Ducky. "Sore, a little light-headed, but not the dizziness like I had yesterday."

"All right, let's get you up on your feet."

Carefully and slowly, Tim shuffled his body forward until just his butt was on the bed. He wasn't sure how successful the next step was going to be, but Gibbs carefully lifted, giving him just enough support to get up onto his feet. Nausea rolled through his stomach, but Tim breathed through it, willing his stomach to settle and a few moments later, it did.

Determined to prove he was ready to go home, he moved one foot forward, then the other. With Gibbs' arm around him he felt more confident and had made it to the end of the bed by the time his doctor walked in. Making sure he was balanced enough to stand there on his own, Tim looked Dr. Winters in the eye. "I'm ready to go home."

Winters crossed his arms and stared at him. "How are your pain levels?"

"Tolerable."

"Uh huh." Dr. Winters didn't look convinced and Tim tried to straighten up even more. Winters just looked at the IV line that connected his arm to a machine. "And what happens when we remove your pain meds? I can't exactly send you home with a morphine pump."

"I'll manage."

"Let's get a fresh round of tests, then we'll talk about it."

Returning to bed would require turning around but before Tim could decide if it was worth the effort, a nurse arrived with a wheelchair. Once he was seated, the wheels on the morphine pump stand were unlocked and he was on his way for another scan.

-NCIS-

Vance was awake long before the sun rose, as was Jackie, and they both clung to opposite ends of the bed while Tia and Jethro took up the majority of the available space. "We should have rethought this a little more."

"And done it differently, how?" Jackie shifted slightly, rolling more onto her stomach and Vance realized that she could now have one foot on the floor for support. She managed to gain back about a half of an inch of bed space in the process. "Of course we were going to bring Tia in with us when she had a nightmare and after everything he did yesterday, we certainly weren't going to keep Jethro away from her."

Vance contemplated mirroring Jackie's new position on the bed, but he didn't even have enough space to make the attempt. "Jethro, stop hogging the bed." From the other side of the bed Jackie started giggling and he raised his head up enough to see over the furry head. "What?"

"I bet that's something you never thought you'd say."

It took a minute for him to connect the dots, then he just groaned. "Funny, Jackie, very funny."

"Well, I thought it was."

Vance knew without a doubt that if he gave an actual command, Jethro would immediately retreat to the floor, but looking at Tiana's little fingers clinging to the dog's fur, he couldn't bring himself to do it. Oh, well, it was almost time to put the coffee on so with a not so graceful roll he was off the bed. Jackie didn't laugh at his landing on the floor and for that she earned breakfast in bed.

-NCIS-

Dr. Winters sighed as he looked over the test results with Dr. Mallard leaning over his shoulder. He'd almost hoped to find some medical reason to keep his patient another day or two but the internal injuries were healing and there was no signs of complications from the head injury. Even the dizziness seemed to be reasonably controlled with the medication. "Another twenty-four hours with IV pain management would allow him to rest and heal much easier."

"True." Dr. Mallard smiled and shook his head as if it were the most obvious thing. "However, I guarantee you that your argument will fall on deaf ears. Draw up the paperwork to show him leaving the hospital against medical advice if it makes you more comfortable, but I assure you that nothing short of needing emergency surgery will keep Timothy away from his little one another day."

"You will be watching him?" It had already been said, but he wanted to verify just how much help his patient would be receiving once he left the hospital.

Dr. Mallard didn't seem insulted by the questioning. "Yes, I already have a packed bag with me. I will be staying at McGee's home for the first few days at least, longer if I feel it's needed. Agent Gibbs will be with him also and other members of the team will be rotating through to provide additional assistance."

Winters recognized a losing battle. "All right, I don't like it but I'll have the paperwork ready within the hour."

-NCIS-

Vance hadn't done this in years, the shocked look on the kids' faces a stark reminder of that as he pulled the bed tray out of the bottom of the drawer. "You guys want to help me?"

"Sure."

"I'll get the orange juice."

While Jared had his head in the refrigerator, Leon eyed the size of the plates and the size of the tray. The last time he'd done this with everyone, the kids had been eating off of little plates. "Kayla, see if you can find another tray. I don't think I can fit five plates on that tray."

"Six, Dad." Kayla was grinning when her father turned around. "Jethro gets breakfast, too, right?"

Some things aren't worth arguing about. "Sure, Honey." Thinking for a moment, he decided that a few pancakes with peanut butter on them would work for the dog because he absolutely was not sharing his sausage.

-NCIS-

"What?"

Tim sighed again and leaned forward enough to rest his forehead on Gibbs' shoulder. They were taking their time and they were a long way from this point, but still... "I figured that the first time you had your hands on my body I'd be enjoying it a little bit more." He could hear the smile in Jethro's voice.

"We'll get there when the time is right. For now, let's just get your pants on before some nurse comes in to ogle your butt."

"Very funny." But Tim did take a deep breath and lift up enough for his pants to be pulled up the rest of the way. Once that was done he didn't argue at all when Jethro finished dressing him. He just concentrated on breathing now that the morphine drip was gone. He'd have to wait almost an hour before they'd even discuss new pain medications.

Ducky came in as Gibbs was tying Tim's shoes. "Oh, good, you're dressed. Dr. Winters is coming in with the head of Neurology to have a look at you." The 'and try to talk you out of this nonsense' was unspoken but very clear so Tim sat up straight and put a smile on his face when the door opened again a few minutes later.

Tim was patient, putting up with the lights in his eyes and the poking and prodding, but when the two doctors starting discussing repeating the tests they had already done that morning, he put his foot down.

"No, I'm done. I'm going home to be with my little girl. If something goes wrong, Dr. Mallard will be there with me. You've got ten minutes to bring me the paperwork or I'll just walk out of here anyway."

"What if we..."

"No."

The two doctors stared at each other while Ducky and Gibbs looked so amused that Tim just had to grin at them. Finally Dr. Winters held his hand out and a nurse handed him a stack of folded papers, winking at McGee as she did.

-NCIS-

"Time to wake up, sleepyheads." It had ended up taking three trays to carry six plates, five sets of silverware, two coffees and three glasses of milk, but they'd managed. Tiana was smiling at the sight, so it was all worth it. Jethro needed out and just to be safe, Jackie took Tia to the bathroom at the same time, but ten minutes later they were all sitting on the bed – if they had two legs – or on the floor if they had four, as plates of food were passed around.

Jethro gobbled up his peanut butter coated pancakes, licking up every crumb from the plate as Jackie deliberately didn't watch. Once the plate was spotless, he turned his attention to the sausage and eggs he could smell on the other plates. The kids had eaten quickly, but Leon and Jackie were taking their time.

Jackie was looking very amused so Leon followed her line of sight to find Jethro staring soulfully at the last link of sausage on his plate. "Nope, that's mine."

A doggie whine and wiggle brought the canine a little closer.

"You got peanut butter and pancakes, Dog. Most mutts out there just get kibble, so consider yourself lucky. Besides, I don't think dogs should eat pork."

"Actually, that's turkey sausage."

"What?"

"Unless you snuck out and bought it this morning, the sausage in the refrigerator is turkey sausage. I haven't bought pork sausage in years. You don't need the extra fat any more than Jethro does." The kids giggled at Jackie's words while Leon stared at her.

"Years?"

"Since before we left California."

Sighing, Leon broke off a little piece. "Here you go, Jethro."

-NCIS-

Ducky watched carefully as Gibbs tenderly helped Tim up the one step and onto the front porch. Seeing that his old friend had the situation well in hand, Ducky unlocked the door and quickly reviewed their options. Granted, Timothy's house was only one story, but he was very stiff and sore. At the hospital he had the benefit of the electric bed to help him sit up and lay back down. The only thing here that was even remotely similar was – "Timothy, why don't you stretch out on the recliner? That might be a bit easier than trying to get in and out of your bed at the moment."

"Sounds good, Ducky." Tim gave a tired nod and, with help, changed his angle so that he was moving toward the recliner instead of the hallway.

Tim's voice was breathless and there was a sheen of perspiration across his forehead, which had Ducky second guessing his decision to support Tim's leaving the hospital so early. "Let's get him settled, Jethro, then I want to check him over again."

As soon as they had him eased into the chair, Tim waved off Ducky's concern. "I'm okay. When are the Vance's bringing Tiana home?"

Ducky glanced down at his watch. "We have almost two hours. Plenty of time for an exam and another pain pill. Then you can rest for a little while." That got a nod and Ducky started checking while Gibbs went into the kitchen for a glass of water.

"Well?"

Gibbs' not quite casual question made Ducky smile. "No damage, but it is imperative that Timothy rest for the next few hours."

Tim's eyes were already closed, but he wasn't asleep yet. "Just make sure I'm awake before Tia comes home."

"I promise. Just rest until then, I've got you."

The tenderness was something that Ducky rarely saw in Gibbs, even though he knew the man was capable. At the same time it made him feel somewhat like a voyeur. "Let Jethro take care of you, Lad. I'll be in the kitchen, taking stock, if you need me."

The open floor plan didn't give a lot of privacy but Ducky did his best to stay unobtrusive. Not that either of them would have noticed. Tim dropped off to sleep rather quickly when the new round of pain pills took effect and it was obvious that Gibbs' entire attention was on the sleeping man.

-NCIS-

"How is this possible? The plan was foolproof, it worked for over a year."

"I'm sorry, Sir. The military never figured it out while I was at the Pentagon."

"Then how?"

"It was an agent at NCIS. He led a group of cyber-techs that found our worm. They found everything." Hands shaking, he held out the thin file on Special Agent Timothy McGee.

"This is everything?"

"Yes, it is all I could find. He's very careful."

"This McGee cost me a billion dollars."

"Yes, Sir."

"And you didn't stop him."

"I'm sorry, Sir. I made a mistake."

"Your last mistake."

"Yes, Sir." Seeing the gun, he closed his eyes and waited for the end. He didn't have to wait long.

-NCIS-

"All right, Sweetie, you remember that you need to be really gentle with Daddy?"

"Uh huh." The thumb had made a reappearance in her mouth, but under the circumstances, Vance could understand. Jackie had finished bucking her car seat and he had Jethro settled next to her so they closed both back doors and climbed into the front of Vance's SUV.

Jackie gave him a look and Leon just nodded in return. They were both worried that it was too soon for Tia to go home, but at the same time they understood Tim's need to have his little girl with him. They'd just watch closely and be ready to offer to keep either Tia or Jethro – or both – for a few more nights.

At the house, Jackie took Tia's hand while Leon handled the leash. They were met at the door by Ducky, who bent down to hug his granddaughter. "Hello, my darling. Are you ready to help take care of Daddy?"

"Just like I did with Papa?"

"Absolutely." Holding her hand, Ducky walked her over to the recliner as Vance took the leash off of Jethro. The dog trotted over with them, sniffed at McGee, then laid down next to the recliner, his chin resting on the human Jethro's foot.

"Daddy?"

Tim lifted his left arm as best he could. "Come here, Baby."

Just like before, Gibbs helped her up where she could cuddle with her father. Vance had to smile at the way she clung to him, instantly settling down. She was tired after a restless night and he suspected she'd fall asleep right there.

Not wanting to intrude, Vance stepped back. Jackie joined him near the front door and they watched the family for a moment. Jackie leaned close so Vance tilted his head toward her to better hear her whispered question.

"Leon, are Tim and Agent Gibbs -"

"I don't officially know, and since I'd be required to separate them once I do, I won't absolutely officially know until I have no other choice."

It took a moment for Jackie to follow the convoluted statement, but eventually she smiled and kissed him. "You old softie."

He returned the kiss. "Let's keep that our little secret."

After getting a nod from Gibbs filled with more gratitude than he'd ever seen on the man's face, they slipped out the door.

-NCIS-

I don't officially know, and since I'd be required to separate them once I do, I won't absolutely officially know until I have no other choice. Hearing the soft words eased a fear Gibbs had been refusing to acknowledge.

Once they left he turned his full attention to the two dozing figures on the recliner. This was his family, this was his future – one he never thought he'd find again. He'd buried his heart when he'd buried Shannon and Kelly, but somehow Tim had managed to work it back up to the surface over the years. Enough that Tim and Tiana were able to easily lift it up out of the ashes of his former life.

Could he step past the years of being a loner, of cutting himself off from people that wanted him to open up? For the first time in many years, he wanted to try.

Tiana was wedged in between her father's left side and the arm of the recliner, but there was space on the other side. It was cramped as he eased himself in, and he had to be very careful of Tim's injured arm and shoulder, but he knew that he was finally home and ready for the journey they called life.

a/n - This is it, the final chapter of Humpty Dumpty. Thank you all for the wonderful comments. Next up is The Admiral. Can the two very different men find some common ground? Here's a sneak peek -

Parking, Admiral McGee locked the car and carefully placed his cover on his head before tugging his sleeves into place and walking up the step. Once up on the porch he removed his cover, securing it under his arm before he rang the bell and stood at perfect attention.

A barking dog was the first sign of anyone home, a big dog by the deepness of the bark and John felt an eyebrow raise up ever so slightly. Timothy has a dog? The thought that he had been given an incorrect address crossed his mind before he heard a familiar voice telling 'Jethro' to hush. The dog instantly silenced, showing he was well trained, another surprise.

The door opened and he was face to face with the son he hadn't seen in over seven years.