Chapter 15

They checked the bags one last time before loading up the car and heading to the airport. Salma and Jonathan were still asleep in their seats because it was very early. Tim was looking at the bags while Zahara was checking their passports even though they'd both done that three times already.

"Okay. I think we're ready," Tim said.

"Good. Let's go," Zahara said.

Tim nodded, trying to shrug off his feeling. He took a deep breath and let it out in a whoosh. Zahara leaned over and kissed him gently.

"Let yourself have fun, Tim. Then, you just might do it."

He laughed a little.

"It won't happen until we're actually there. I'm going to be nervous all the time we're traveling."

"You won't be nervous in Egypt, then?"

"At least I can be distracted by the pyramids when we're in Egypt."

Zahara laughed. "Then, we should go to the airport and catch our plane."

"Okay."

They got in the car and drove to the airport. They were parking in the short-term lot because the CIA was going to make arrangements to put their car back in their garage where it would be secured until their return. It was early enough that there was very little traffic on the road and they made good time. Then, they each picked up one of their children and their luggage and headed inside the airport.

...where Tim stopped in shock.

There was a large group of people there. His friends had come to the airport, clearly ready to see him off.

"What are you doing here? It's five a.m.," Tim said, after a couple of seconds of being unable to say anything.

Tony grinned and walked over. He lowered his voice.

"We know that you're a little worried about this, Tim, so we thought we'd just send you winging your way to Egypt with our good wishes."

"You didn't have to do that," Tim said.

"Of course not. We wanted to."

Then, he stepped back as Ziva, Jimmy, Ducky, Gibbs and Abby all walked forward to say farewell. Abby and Ziva both hugged Zahara who was holding a slumbering Jonathan. Salma began to stir with all the noise but she wasn't doing much more than leaning her head on his shoulder.

For some reason, Tim almost wanted to cry at this showing of support when his problem was so ridiculous. He knew they got tired of it. He knew it was frustrating for them. To have them get up early to see him off because they knew it would help...

Tim walked over to Tony, shifted Salma to one side and then gave him a tight one-armed hug.

"Thanks, Tony," he said, softly.

"I don't know what to do to fix things, but I figured this might help a little," Tony said.

"Thanks," Tim said again.

Then, he caught a glimpse of one of his CIA guards who simply widened his eyes slightly. Time to get moving. He let Tony go and shift Salma around again.

"We have to get checked in and everything so we'd better get going, but thank you. So much," he said.

"Yes, it was a wonderful surprise," Zahara said, smiling.

"Send us some pictures, Probie," Tony said.

Tim laughed and nodded.

"Are we on the plane, Baba?" Salma asked sleepily.

"Not yet, sweetheart," Tim said. "We're at the airport."

Finally, everyone stood back and let the McGees get on their way. Tim and Zahara focused their attention on checking in, getting their bags checked, going through security with their two sleeping children, and then finding their gate. When they reached their gate, they sat down with a sigh of relief. Salma was now truly awake, although still a bit droopy, and Jonathan was still sleeping.

"Mama, I'm hungry," Salma said.

"Here, Salma, let's go and find someplace to get hot chocolate, okay?" Tim suggested.

Salma smiled and nodded. She took Tim's hand and they found a Starbucks nearby where they bought coffee for Tim, tea for Zahara and hot chocolate for Salma and Jonathan when he woke up. Then, they also bought some pastries. Jonathan was awake, although not alert, when they returned. He perked up a little bit when he saw the hot chocolate and doughnut that he got to eat. Doughnuts were special treats because Zahara didn't make them and so they only got them when Tim decided to buy them.

Then, it was time to get on the plane. They got settled in their seats and then, it was time to leave. Tim was sitting with Jonathan for this part of the flight and Salma was sitting with Zahara. As the plane began to taxi, she looked at him and she smiled encouragingly.

Then, they felt the engines begin to build up power and the plane took off.

For good or ill, the trip had begun.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

"Baba, are we there yet?" Salma asked, trying to see out the window.

Tim laughed. "No, Salma. We still have..." He looked at his watch. "Two more hours until we land in Cairo."

"Why does it have two names?" Salma asked.

"What do you mean?" Zahara asked.

"Mama, you call it al-Qahira, and Baba calls it Cairo."

Zahara laughed. She hadn't ever thought of it, and Tim hadn't either.

"Salma, do you remember what language people speak in Egypt?" Zahara asked.

"Arabic!"

"Yes. And there are Arabic names for places that are a little different when you say them in English."

"It's the same thing with Spanish," Tim added. "What country do we live in?"

"The United States of America," Salma said, proudly. She had practiced it ever since her teacher had taught her class the name of the country.

"In Spanish, the name for our country is Los Estados Unidos," Tim said. "It's the same place but just in a different language."

"Oh. Is it like you are my baba, but other people say daddy?"

"Yes, it is."

"Oh."

Salma looked like she was thinking hard about that.

"What do I say it is?" she asked.

"Whichever one you want to," Zahara said. "They are both right and you know both languages."

Salma thought again.

"I'll call it al-Qahira. Since people here call it that."

"Okay."

Then, Salma went back to her coloring book and Zahara watched as Tim turned his attention out the window, his expression unreadable for the moment. During their many hours of travel, his mood had gone up and down, not completely connected to how close they were to their destination. Zahara felt that there might be something more bothering her husband than just his usual, but he hadn't said anything to her.

"Mama?" Jonathan said sleepily.

"Yes, Jonathan?"

"Are we at Egypt yet?"

"Almost. Do you want to sleep longer or play with your toys?"

"Sleep," Jonathan mumbled and his eyes closed again.

She wasn't sure what would happen with the change in time zone. They had tried to explain it to the children but it was a fairly advanced concept and it was questionable whether or not they'd understood.

But children tended to adapt better than adults did so they'd likely be fine. Zahara tried to relax in her seat and sleep. Jonathan snuggled close to her and relaxed.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x

Two hours later, they landed in Cairo. Both Salma and Jonathan were now awake and alert and excited at the new things they were doing. Tim and Zahara had to remind them both to stay close to their parents. They gathered their bags, went through customs and headed out to where Ahmed was supposed to be there to greet them. It would be the first time Zahara had seen her brother in more than a year and she was excited to spend time with him, even beyond the fact that they were in Egypt where he had been living for many years.

As they left the secure area, Zahara saw Ahmed almost immediately. She and Tim hurried the kids over to him.

"Ahmed, it is so good to see you," Zahara said.

"Ahlan wa sahlan," he said and smiled at Jonathan and Salma who were both feeling shy. "Do you know what that means, Jonathan?"

Jonathan shook his head and hid his face in Tim's pants.

"It means welcome. Welcome to Egypt."

Tim knelt down beside Jonathan. "Can you say thank you to your uncle?"

"Thank you," Jonathan whispered.

Tim stood up and picked up Jonathan who held on to him.

"We've got our luggage and we're ready to take it to our hotel," Tim said.

"Very good," Ahmed said. "We will go."

As they left the airport and stepped out into the hot air of Egypt, it was more humid than Tim had expected but it was as hot as he had expected. He looked around as they left the building. Part of that was because he was a little worried about being watched. But he was also looking to see if he could spy a pyramid.

"Baba, is there a pyramid?" Jonathan asked suddenly.

Tim laughed a little at realizing he was thinking the same thoughts as his three-year-old.

"Not yet, Jonathan," he said. "Tomorrow."

"Okay."

Tim took note of his CIA guards and then followed Zahara and Ahmed to the hired car. They were a little bit cramped in it with three adults and two children, plus luggage, but they made it. Ahmed didn't own a car and driving in Cairo was not for the faint of heart. They'd have a driver pretty much everywhere they went while they were in Egypt and that would have been the case no matter what. ...of course, in this case, the driver was one of the CIA guards who had been on site in Cairo for a few weeks already.

The driver got them to the fancy hotel they were staying in for the duration of their visit. It had room for everyone. They got their luggage inside, checked in and then headed for their room. As they walked toward the door, Tim saw another one of his guards just opening a door to a room next to theirs. He didn't even glance their way but Tim noticed him.

Then, they were in the room and Jonathan and Salma were running around and checking every nook and cranny. It was large enough and had two large beds so that they could easily fit. While putting Salma and Jonathan in the same bed might be tempting fate, having everyone in the same area was simply a better idea.

Tim walked over to the couch and flopped down on it while Zahara hugged Ahmed tightly.

"I am so glad to see you, hermano," Zahara said, happily. "It has been a long time."

As was usual, now that they weren't in a public space, Ahmed smiled and hugged his sister back. They sat down and began speaking in Spanish to each other...again, as was usual. Since he couldn't join in that conversation and he knew that the siblings didn't get this chance as often as they wanted, Tim got up and walked over to Salma and Jonathan.

"Do you want to see the balcony?" he asked.

"Yes, Baba! Yes!" Salma said, clapping her hands.

Tim led them out to a small balcony that looked out over an expansive pool area.

"Baba, swim?" Jonathan asked, eagerly.

"Not today, Jonathan," Tim said. "But maybe we'll have time while we're here in Egypt. As soon as Mama and your Uncle Ahmed are ready, we're going to get some dinner."

"Will we have Moroccan food?" Salma asked.

Tim laughed. "No, we'll have Egyptian food since we're in Egypt."

"Oh." Salma thought about that for a moment, her dark blue eyes solemn. "What do they eat in Egypt?"

"I don't know. Ahmed will have to help us with that. It will be an adventure, like when Mama tries a new recipe."

"But sometimes, they aren't good," Salma said.

"That's what happens on adventures," Tim said. "Sometimes, they're good. Sometimes, they aren't. You won't know until you try."

"I try food!" Jonathan interjected. "Now, Baba?"

Tim laughed and picked Jonathan up. Jonathan started giggling and wriggling to get away.

"That sounds like a good plan. Let's see if your Mama can stop talking long enough to find out where we'll have dinner."

Salma nodded and ran into the room.

"Mama! Time for dinner!" she said. "Nahnu jā'i'ūna!"

Zahara laughed and turned from Ahmed to look at her daughter.

"Salma, are you really hungry?" she asked.

"Na'am, Mama!" Then, she looked politely at Ahmed. "Khālī, are you ready to eat?"

For a moment, Tim wondered if Ahmed would find Salma too forward. He was never sure how much Ahmed agreed with some aspects of Arabic culture. In fact, his reticence to show much expression reminded Tim quite a bit of Suhayl. Ahmed raised an eyebrow at Salma for a moment but she was uncowed... not that much cowed her anyway. Then, he smiled.

"She is like you, sister. Demanding and certain that she is right. All the time."

Zahara just laughed.

"I am ready to eat, ibna ukhtī," Ahmed said to Salma. "If you are willing, I will take you all to a restaurant that serves what is traditional here in Egypt."

"That sounds great to me," Tim said and hitched Jonathan onto his other hip. "How about it, Jonathan?"

Jonathan clapped.

"Okay, then. Do we need to call in advance or can we just go?" Tim asked. "I don't know what's normal here."

"We will just go."

"All right."

They grabbed their passports and a few other essentials and then headed out of the hotel, content to let Ahmed take the lead. He led them to a brightly-lit restaurant that was bustling with activity, especially considering it was earlier in the evening. As they got out of the taxi, Tim glanced around once and saw his CIA guards with him as always. Then, he took a breath and followed Ahmed inside. Zahara took his hand and squeezed it once. He looked at her and smiled. She knew how he was feeling.

They were directed to a table and Tim was a little dismayed to see that the menu was in Arabic. He was getting a little better at hearing and understanding it, even a little bit with speaking, but he could easily admit that his reading ability was slim to none.

"Okay, I have no idea what's on here," he said.

Ahmed actually smiled a little.

"Would you know if it was in English?"

Tim laughed in response. "Probably not. Okay, Ahmed, can you tell us what to order?"

"Will you trust me?"

"Of course," Tim said. "...but if I can't, I'll hope that my wife will protect me."

Zahara took his hand again.

"Always, Tim." Then, she skewered Ahmed with a look. "Kun jayidan, yā akhī."

Ahmed didn't smile that time but there was a definite twinkle in his eye.

"We will get eish baladi. It is bread that is served with almost every meal. It is a flatbread."

"Sounds fine."

"They have a meal that is to serve five. It is an Egyptian dish called kushari."

"What's in it?"

Ahmed pointed to a picture on the menu.

"This is kushari."

"That looks like rice and macaroni and..."

"Lentils and chickpeas and tomatoes and onions."

"That doesn't sound bad at all," Tim said. "What do you think, Zahara?"

"Yes, we will try that," Zahara said.

"And we may have dessert?" Ahmed asked.

"Yes."

"Baqlawa is very sweet, but it is good in small amounts."

"Tim loves sweet things," Zahara said. "That will be good."

Tim smiled and nodded. When the waiter came, Ahmed did the ordering. They all got sparkling water to drink and when their meal came, they all tried it. Because Zahara had trained their children with Moroccan food from a very early age, Jonathan and Salma were much more adventurous than many children would be at trying a foreign dish. The food was good and Tim loved the dessert, which turned out to be basically the same as the Greek dish called baklava. Only it was better than he'd ever had it (in the States). Ahmed insisted on paying for the meal and then he took them back to their hotel. As he dropped them off, Zahara smiled at him.

"I will come to get you to see the pyramids tomorrow morning, yes?" he asked.

"Yes. Shokran, Ahmed," Zahara said. "That was a wonderful dinner. We will have breakfast in the hotel so you don't need to get that for us."

Ahmed nodded to her and then to Tim and the children.

"I will see you all in the morning."

"See you then," Tim said.

It was early in the evening even now, but it had been a long day of traveling and giving the kids time to relax... and giving themselves that same time, was a good idea all the way around. They made both Salma and Jonathan have a bath and then they took turns showering before settling down on the bed and watching a cartoon together, something to try to get them all in the right time zone. Tim was exhausted and he knew Zahara was too. By the time it was night in Cairo, the difference had even caught up to Salma and Jonathan who were both sleeping.

Tim picked them up and tucked them into the bed and then he and Zahara snuggled up together.

"Do you need me to sing to you?" Zahara asked.

"Just let me hold you," Tim said softly. "That's all I need."

"I love you, Tim," she whispered as Tim put his arms around her.

"I love you, too," he said.

Then, they both fell asleep.