Sorry about the time between updates. Hope you like this one and I'll try to update sooner.

TOML chp. 19

Terry's eyes snapped open and he sat up. He shook his head to clear it and tried to figure out how long he'd been asleep, but could only guess. Even special operations soldiers are human and, as such, need things that every other human being needs, including sleep.

"Nice of you to join us." A female voice said. Terry recognized it and turned.

"You're in on this too?"

"Yes and no. When you said you were going off the reservation, I didn't know this is what you meant. We work as a team, Terry. Why do you feel the need to do everything yourself? " Jenny asked.

Terry would've used a smarmy retort, but his jaw hurt too much. Even speaking was an effort. Jenny noticed this and started leave. Terry looked hurt.

"Leaving so soon?"

"I'm just going to get Ducky."

"Hey, mom…"

She stopped and turned to him. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

A trace of a smile played on the director's lips. "It's alright; in the grand scheme of things, it's not the worst thing you've ever done."

000

All three men looked up when she entered. "How is he, Jennifer?"

"Ok, except to a sore jaw. He's all yours."

"If you gentlemen will excuse me, I'll attend to our favorite patient. Try not to be too hard on them, dear." Ducky said, leaving the room.

Jen folded her arms across her chest and put on her best 'pissed off director' face.

"So, which one of you hit him?"

"What's it matter? He deserved it." Mike said.

Jenny raised an eyebrow. "Did he?"

"He stole McGee's laptop." Gibbs said, in his former boss' defense.

"And he'll pay for that. But we still need him. Wouldn't you agree?"

Both men only nodded and conceded the point.

000

After his mother left, Terry tried to sleep again. But being handcuffed to a chair didn't help. He heard the door opened and lifted his head. "Hello, Terry."

He grinned. "Hey, Duck."

"How are feeling, lad? That looks like a nasty bruise." The doctor said, noting the younger man's jaw.

"It's not bad. I've had worse in SERE school." Terry said. "What's the verdict?"

"I believe your mother has convinced your father and Mike that we still need you, but I can't be sure."

Terry looked away. "I'm sorry, Duck."

The doctor knelt in front of his young friend. "Terry, while I don't agree with you tactics, I understand that all you wanted was to save those you love from getting hurt. Fortunately, your jaw isn't broken. You'll just be sore for a day or two." Ducky said. The door opened and both men turned. Gibbs, Mike and the director walked in. The doctor gave Terry a look of sympathy and left.

"So, what's the verdict?"

"You still have a job." Jenny said.

"For how long?"

"The moment." Gibbs said, uncuffing Terry from the chair.

He stood and stretched. "Where's my piece?" The director and senior agent looked at him incredulously.

Terry laughed. "What? You want me to just walk up to them and say boo? Use my intimidating personality."

Gibbs reached behind his back and produced his son's .45 and three magazines. "Thanks; Where to now?"

"Our hotel." Mike said.

The other three left him in the dust and Terry trailed them. He could tell they were angry. And God only knew what Ziva would say when she saw him. Terry tried not to think about it as he left his former cell.

000

Ziva, Abby and McGee all looked like they wanted to kill. And in truth, they did. "So, he's here?" Ziva asked.

"Yes, he's downstairs with Mike." Gibbs said.

"I want to see him. Just me."

"Ok," Jen said and went to make the call.

"Mommy?" Ziva and Jenny both looked up to see Collin. Ziva went to him and noticed tears in his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Is uncle Tim gonna kill Daddy?"

"Oh, honey." She hugged her son and whispered soothing words to comfort. Ziva gave Tim a look of apology and mouthed 'sorry.'

McGee gave her a sad smile and shook his head, signaling all was right between them. It had taken a three year old child to put everything into perspective. Whatever anger he'd felt toward Terry left him the moment Collin asked Ziva if he, Tim, was going to kill Terry. He went to the kitchen and Abby followed. "Are you going to forgive him?"

"It's just a computer, Abby. All Terry was trying to do was keep us safe the best way he knew how."

"I knew there was a reason I married you, Timmy." Abby said, hugging her husband.

000

Gibbs and Terry rode the elevator to the top floor of the hotel and Terry followed his father to the director's suite. As Gibbs was going to open the door, Terry stopped him. "Wait. Give me a minute." The older man nodded, understanding. Gibbs watched his son and for the first time, truly believed Terry understood the gravity of his actions and what he had done to the team.

"They'll forgive you."

Terry nodded. "Hope so."

Gibbs opened the door and both men entered. But they were no sooner inside the room than Collin and Sam ran to Terry hugged him, sobbing. Terry knelt down and took the toddler's in his arms. As the team looked on, the hardened warrior changed to a brother and father right before them.

"Are you gonna weave again?" Collin asked.

Terry swallowed and hugged his son. "No, buddy. I won't."

"Glad you come back, bubba." Sam said.

Terry smiled. "Thanks, buddy."

Then, just as quickly, the boys went to their mother's and asked to go to bed. When they were gone, Terry approached the group. He looked each one in the eye in turn before speaking. Then his gaze settled on McGee. "Tim, I'm sorry I disrespected you. You're a good agent and a friend. I should have trusted you."

Five long minutes passed before McGee spoke. "Terry, I respect you and I respect the units you came from. You wanted to keep us same. I get that. No hard feelings." McGee said, standing up and extending his hand. The two men shook hands and embraced.

"If you'll excuse me, there's someone else I need to apologize to." Terry said, going to the bedrooms.

When he was gone, Mike leaned forward and glanced around. "So, are we taking bets to see if those two have rauchy make up sex?"

"Mike!" Abby shot him a dirty look and McGee made a face.

"Leave me out of this." Ducky said.

Gibbs smiled, his first genuine smile in several days. "Mike, you are an older version of Dinozzo sometimes, I swear…" Gibbs left the sentence unfinished and laughed.

000

As they watched the scene below them, Tony turned to Kate, an offended expression on his face. "I was so not that shallow!"

Kate only smiled and wagged a finger at him. "Yes, Tony you were and still are."

"Oh, we'll see about that."

000

Terry entered Ziva's room quietly and saw she was alone in the bed. He looked around the room, but didn't see Collin anywhere. He slowly made his way to the bed, when she sat up. When she saw who it was, to his surprise, she smiled. He sat down on the bed.

"Hi, stranger."

"Hi. Ziva, I…" But he didn't get the chance to finish. She tackled him and pinned him to the bed.

"I'll let you make it up to me, Mr. Gibbs." She said, smiling.

"I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy this." Terry said, smiling. Then they kissed. It was long, deep and passionate. Each of them gave the other the release they so desparately needed.

000

Terry got up several hours later and went to the kitchen in search of coffee. He found his father also in the kitchen. "Fresh pot, if that's what you're looking for." Gibbs said, gesturing with his cup.

"Looks like you had a nice evening." He said as Terry sat down.

"It was more for her." Terry said, though Gibbs knew he was lying.

The two men lapsed into silence, which Gibbs finally broke. "So, I suppose you wanna know who the traitor is?"

Terry nodded. "Yeah, I do."

Gibbs looked away, before responding. "It's Lee, and Palmer."