Tony heads to his car, calling Ducky as he walks. He chuckles as the older man answers the phone in his normally jovial tone. "Hello?"
"Ducky? You ready to go? I'm heading out to my car. I'll wait on ya."
"Thank you, Anthony. I thought perhaps I would get some organizational work done in my office since I'm here now. I do appreciate the offer, however."
"Oh, no, ya don't." Tony argues with complete seriousness. "This is your time off too, Doctor. C'mon. Work can wait. You need r & r just as much as the rest of us do. Especially with this rare winter we've got going on. You should be out enjoying it."
"Perhaps you are right."
"I know I'm right, Doc. It's Sunday night in the middle of February and just this mornin' we were all sitting around soaking up the sun - and none of us had a coat on!"
"Not necessarily a wise choice, Anthony. A light jacket would have been most advantageous so as to not upset your body's immune system when the weather does return to normal. However, what's done is done. How is Timothy faring? Were you able to get him properly bandaged up?"
"Yeah. He'll be fine."-
"Where is he now?"
"Said he was leaving right behind me. He's fine."
"You did not stay with him?" Ducky's tone is unmistakably a mix of reproach and surprise.
"He needed some time, Ducky. I know how that feels. He's had a hell of a day." Tony explains patiently because he knows his answer does bear sounding out to the Medical Expert on the team.
"Anthony, I do not like the idea of leaving him alone just now."
"Ducky, he's a big boy. He'll be fine." Tony disagrees. "He asked for some space. We have to respect that."
"Yes, I suppose you are right."
"I know I am. In fact, I'm taking him to lunch tomorrow to keep an eye on him. Ziva's got him for breakfast so between the two of us; we'll make sure he's more than okay."
"Good. Very good. All right then, I shall be out shortly."
*****NCIS*****
Snapping his phone shut, Gibbs stows it on his desk out of his way and gets his mind back on the file he's been reading. He's grateful that Tony's managed to pry Ducky away and take him back to what's left of the work-free weekend. Hearing that Tim's promised to be leaving right behind them is reassuring that everything will work out okay. Hearing that the young man asked for some time to himself didn't surprise him or worry him. It actually sounded pretty normal. He knows there's plenty still to talk about. But, he also knows that tonight is not the time for it.
Tossing his pen down, he snatches up his coffee cup and heads for the break room. Since he brewed the coffee that's in there now - he knows it good enough to drink. With a smirk at that thought, he strides into the break room and refills his cup. On a wandering thought, he turns his attention to the windows across the room and goes to stand at them, staring out at the landscaped acreage behind the building. It's peaceful here right now - a rare experience - so he relishes it.
*****NCIS*****
He's not sure how long he stands here as his cell phone rings in his pocket, disturbing his thoughts and bringing him back to the here and now. Dragging it out, he frowns at the number he doesn't recognize. Tiredly, he grouses into it for an answer. "Yeah. Gibbs!"
"Agent Gibbs, this is Marc up in MTAC. The guards at sign in said you were still in the building. Sir, there's something you need to see. ASAP."
Snapping his phone shut, he double-times it through the maze of hallways and up the stairs to the Mezzanine Level, letting the eye scanner do its thing to give him access to MTAC. Hurrying through the next door and down the ramp, his eyes automatically travel to the bank of monitors on the left wall and as he deliberately addresses the person who's just called him, his voice carries loudly through the room.
"Talk to me, Marc!"
Surprisingly enough, one of the technicians steps back and points to the screen he'd just been standing in front of. Gibbs freezes in shock at the sight on the monitor. The location is recognizable because of some of the things in the surrounding area - but the sight within that space - nearly stops his heart. Able to recognize that person anywhere - the sight of him strewn out on the floor and unmoving like he is at this moment brings a stab of fear to the Team Leader's heart. Tim!
"Get the Paramedics down here, NOW!" Gibbs barks as his feet are taking him back to the door. Even as his brain is screaming at him to do something more, faster; he practically rips the door handle off the door when he opens it and leaves faster than he'd arrived as the technician shouts after him, "Already on their way, Sir!"
Once outside MTAC, he's running; down stairs and through corridors until he's finally reached the employee gym and his surrogate son. Hurrying inside, his breath catches in his throat at the up close and personal-sight of Tim, crumpled and still on the floor amidst all the stuff from his overturned bag. Please, be breathing! He silently begs over and over as he moves. "Tim!" He can't help but call out as he finally reaches the fallen man, dropping down to the floor on his knees as he quickly puts his hand to Tim's neck searching for a sign of life.
******NCIS******
"Stopping for pizza was a great idea, Ducky. I'm glad you thought of it. Even if we have had to wait over 30 minutes for it." Tony says as he opens the back door to set the boxes of hot wonderful smelling food on the seat. Getting in the driver's seat, he settles in and buckles up before he starts the car.
"Yes. Well, consideri..." Ducky breaks off his sentence to answer his ringing phone. "Hello?"
"Duck! Tim never left - Tech's saw him on security video sweep- in the gym - collapsed in the floor."
"Oh dear heavens! " Ducky exclaims in alarm, causing Tony to freeze in his motions of starting to pull out of his parking spot. Now he waits and watches as Ducky listen to whatever he's being told with increasing angst.
"Tony was the last one..."
"Yes, of course. Anthony, when you last saw Timothy, how did he seem to you? Did you notice anything wrong with him?" The M.E. asks hurriedly, obviously trying to get to the bottom of something involving Tim. He pushes the speaker button on his cell as he waits for Tony to answer
"He looked a little peaked." Tony throws the car into drive and peels out of the parking lot, hurrying Ziva-style back towards the Navy Yard.. "Said he was too tired for another head slap."
The Team Leader's voice fills the air between them, "Ano...what the hell' d you give 'im one for?"
"You gave him one after I specifically advised against it?" Ducky asks angrily.
"Well, yeah! He was blamin' himself for everythin'...and I kinda got pissed and let him know it." Tony replies defensively.
"Damn it, DiNozzo!"
"Jethro, while you're waiting for the ambulance, see if you can rouse him enough to ask him if his head is causing him pain. Perhaps this is another one of those monster migraines he gets on occasion. "
"Yeah, Duck. Still gonna let them take him in, though. "
Yes, I agree. A trip to the emergency room is in order regardless just to be sure it's not anything more serious. We'll meet you there.
"Better call Ziva." Gibbs' voice carries over the phone enough that Tony hears it clearly.
"Pretty sure he wouldn't want Ziva woken up for this, Boss."
"Yeah? You wanna be the one to face her tomorrow if she doesn't get told now, DiNozzo?"
"Good point."
"Ya think?"
Taking a page out of Gibbs' playbook now, Tony pulls an illegal U-turn and heads toward the hospital.
"I will take care of calling Ziva. You just look after Timothy, Jethro. "The M.E. ends the call and drops his phone down in his lap; reaching out to hold on to the door handle for dear life.
****NCIS*****
"Hello?" Ziva answers her cell phone groggily. She's made an early night of it so that she can enjoy her breakfast with Tim more. Having been awakened from her sleep, she hasn't checked the caller id on her phone before answering it.
"Ziva. "
"Ducky? What is it?" Completely alert not, she sits up and throws the covers off, swinging her feet to the floor and standing up. Hitting the speaker button, she drops the phone on the bed and throws herself into a change of clothes as she listens to Ducky.
"I'm afraid it's Timothy, my dear. We're not sure what happened, only he was found collapsed on the floor of the employee gym. The paramedics are enroute now. We should meet them at the hospital."
"I am leaving right now. Thank you for telling me, Ducky."
"Would you grab Timothy's migraine medicine when you come? I believe that may be part of the solution, but we will let the doctors confirm it for us."
"Yes. I will bring it and I will be right there!"
"Be careful, Ziva. We don't want to you to become a hospital patient as well." Ducky reminds her.
"Thank you, Ducky." She ends the call and bolts for the door, already prepared to head out.
*****NCIS******
Only the constant reminder he's forcing himself to hold onto that Tim is conscious and restlessly shifting around on the gurney they've lifted him and lain him on; with obvious discomfort while the paramedics look him over is keeping Gibbs calm enough to wait out the time it's taking them to check him over. Even standing just two feet away as they check him from head to toe for blood pressure, core temperature and swollen glands, is testing the older man's patience.
"I'm okay. It's just a migraine from hell. That's all." Tim argues weakly. "I don't need to go to the hospital."
"Tim." Gibbs steps closer and looks at the younger man with all the parental concern he can find. "Let them take care of you, alright?"
"Please, Boss..." Tim s eyes are becoming even glassier as they stare at Gibbs now. "No hospital."
Turning to the medics expectantly, Gibbs waits impatiently for their input. Luckily, they don't keep him waiting for long. "We've administered some pain relief to help ease the migraine as much as we can for now. So long as someone's with him when he does get his regular meds and they begin to kick in and take effect, he should be fine. Just make sure he gets plenty of sleep and fluids. Don't let him skip out on eating either. It's not always easy to force yourself to eat when one of these hits you. "
Gibbs nods in understanding as Tim sighs softly with relief.
Quietly he celebrates. "Home."
Shaking his head, the paramedic looks Tim straight on as he contradicts that plan. "I wouldn't advise going home alone just yet."
Tim's startled when that direction is seconded - by none other than Gibbs himself. "He won't be."
As Tim stares at Gibbs in disbelief, the paramedics offer positive reinforcement. "Good. Give us a minute to get packed up here and we'll wheel him out to your car on our way out.
Worn to a frazzle and still battling the shards of shooting pain that haven't completely dissipated in his head, Tim stubbornly attempts to disagree with that plan, albeit weakly. "I...ca...walk."
Gibbs glares at him. "Not gonna happen."
Tim's too befuddled to do anything more than stare at the man until Gibbs finally breaks the silence with more force. "It's a ride to my car and my place or a ride to the ambulance and theirs. Your choice, Tim. But, either way, you're layin' there and ridin' til we get you outta here."
Finally, Tim gives in with a slight nod of agreement; to the direction of those looking out for him - and to the exhaustion that's keeping pace with the agony that won't let go - slipping into a light slumber as they gear up and wheel him out.
*****NCIS******
Ducky answers his ringing phone a short fifteen minutes later as Tony reluctantly slows down for the red light he dare not run since traffic is heavy. "Hello?"
"He's okay."
"Oh, what a relief! Jethro, what hap...?"
"Migraine got hold of him. Gonna guess that the head slap from DiNozzo sure as hell didn't help."
"Oh dear. I take it we're talking one of the same caliber as what he suffered at his grandmother's beach house back in October?"
"Yeah. Change of plans, Duck. My house."
"Oh? Why...?"
"Wouldn't agree to go to the hospital. We'll be there in 15. Let Ziva know."
"Yes, I will certainly do that. We shall be there just as soon as we can."
*****NCIS******
Stowing his phone back in his pocket, Gibbs watches as the paramedics settle Tim into the passenger seat of his car and buckle him in. As they turn in his direction, he thanks them and sends them on their way. Getting in, he buckles his seat belt but spears the young man a sharp glance to make sure he's still being compliant. Realizing there's nothing to worry about there, since Tim's almost dead asleep again, Gibbs starts the car and heads home; for the first time in forever, not enjoying this peace and quiet one bit.
Arriving at home, Gibbs sees that Ziva is already there, waiting for them. Parking in front of the garage, he joins her at Tim's passenger door, both of them silently watching him sleep for the moment. Finally, Ziva breathes out what can only be relief. "He is alright, yes?"
"He'll be fine. You bring his migraine pills?"
"Yes. But, Gibbs, he is supposed to take them with food."
"We'll take care of that once we get him settled."
"Alright. Where are we...?"
"Master bedroom. Bed's bigger - bathroom's there."
Ziva nods silently as she gently opens the car door and sets about waking Tim up.
*****NCIS********
"Can't believe he refused to go to the hospital!" Tony mutters.
"Anthony. Instead of focusing on that, I'd suggest you spend your time re-assessing your behavior from earlier this evening." Ducky chastised him.
"What? Oh, the head slap?" Tony is quick to figure out what the older man is referring to. He realizes it was too much and that he shouldn't have done it but it hadn't seemed like it at the time. "I know. I screwed up. But damn it, if he'd just told me he had a headache...!"
"Yes, well, it certainly would have helped, but that does not excuse you, my boy."
"I know. I know." Tony admits as he continues driving, albeit much slower than before.
******NCIS******
Helping Ziva get a very unsteady and very tired Tim into the house, with Gibbs taking most of Tim's weight even as he's carrying Tim's back slung over his other shoulder, so Ziva can focus on quietly keeping the young man moving, it's not really a surprise to see Abby sit up on his couch as they come in. As she attempts to get up to come help, he glares the lab rat into staying put - not wanting her to let Tim see her right now, even for a moment. The young man only needs a place to lie down, some food and medicine and all the sleep he can take. Everything else can wait. Everything else WILL wait.
*****NCIS*****
Ducky and Tony's arrival is quiet as both men silently enter the house with respect to Tim's migraine. Having been alerted by Ziva once Tim had been comfortably settled on the bed, that food, medicine and rest is all that Tim needs, Tony makes a beeline for Abby, leaving Ducky to head straight to the stairs to check on the patient.
Tony takes a good look at the unusually quiet woman sitting on the couch. "Abby?"
"Hey, Tony." Her greeting is the less than cheerful tone she uses when she's extremely bothered by something.
"What's going on with you?" Despite his own inner turmoil and exhaustion, the friend in him wants to know.
"What's wrong with Tim?" She counters as she looks up at him now, uncertainty written all over her.
"Migraine."
"Oh. Wait, why are his hands wrapped? What happened? Is that why Gibbs had to rush out earlier? You and Ducky, too?"
"Long story, Abby." Tony replies tiredly as he leans back against the couch, drawing her back with him, brother to sister, comforting each other. "Long story."
*****NCIS*******
As Ducky arrives in the bedroom with a pre-wrapped sandwich and a bottle of water, Ziva opens Tim's bottle of pain meds and takes out the proper dosage, setting it down on the night table. She glances over at Tim who's finally managed to find a bit of sleep, for a brief minute before taking the bottle with her as she retreats. She knows Ducky's keen to examine Tim for himself to make sure he's really alright so she gives them the time to get that taken care of without an audience. While her heart tries to calm itself, now that the adrenaline rush has passed, she fixes herself a cup of coffee and sits down at the kitchen table.
It's not long before Gibbs joins her at the table; his own cup of coffee in hand. The silence between them does not last long as Ziva has questions that need to be answered for her own understanding and peace of mind. "Gibbs, what happened?"
He knows that the story needs telling but he's not prepared to do it more than once. There's also the fact that some of what needs to be told can only come from Tony. "Let's take this in the other room."
Together with Ziva, he walks to the living room and they both settle into a seat. On pins and needles, Ziva waits to hear what happened while deliberately not looking at any of them individually. Hearing Ducky coming down the stairs, the four of them turn expectantly towards the M.E. as he steps into the room. "Timothy is sleeping now. And with his medication and the pain relief he's already been given earlier, he should be able to do so for most, if not all of the night."
"Thank you, Ducky." Ziva offers with subdued gratitude and an audible sigh of relief.
"You're quite welcome, my dear." Ducky returns with a gracious smile.
"Duck. Grab a seat. Gonna tell this only once." Gibbs instructs him almost congenially.
"Understood, Jethro. However, might I trouble you for a cup of tea before we begin?"
"Already heatin' up." Gibbs gets to his feet and retreats to the kitchen, leaving four silently somber people behind in a shroud of troubled silence.
Coming back in the room a mere two minutes later, Gibbs hands Ducky his cup of hot tea and takes his seat once more. Looking around at each of them in turn, his eyes return to Ziva as he begins the story of what happened tonight that's brought them all here now.
*****NCIS*****
"Tony! Talk to me!" Abby hisses as she attempts to keep her voice down. The others are all back in the kitchen and she doesn't want to include them in her discussion or wake Tim up.
"Not now, Abbs." Tony replies tiredly. "Not right now."
"How can I help if I don't know what's going on?" She demands persistently.
Tony opens his eyes and glares at her from his slouched back position. He's too tired to sit up straight and even this conversation is making it worse. He needs to nip it in the bud. ""Abby. You need to find where your head's at. And why. Get back to me when you've done that, okay?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means, Abby. That you and I have both screwed the pooch - royally and we both need to fix it - ASAP."
"Wait, you? I thought you and Tim we..."
"I screwed up - again. Enough said. Now let me relax. I'm beat."
Silently, Abby sits back - scooting closer to him to let him know she still supports him. The room grows eerily silent as both retreats behind their private walls.
*****NCIS*****
"Jethro, I believe I can leave Timothy in yours and Ziva's most capable hands." Ducky enters the kitchen but remains in the doorway. "It's been a rather long day so I'll bid you good evening."
"Abby and Tony still here?"
"Yes, they're both lost in their thinking worlds. I believe they both wish to be here for Timothy's moral support. Although, perhaps Anthony is hoping for a chance to talk to his friend?"
"Tim's call. Nite, Duck. Thanks for everything."
"Goodnight, Ziva. I shall see you both tomorrow."
"Not Ziva. She'll be stayin' with Tim. Takin' him home, makin' sure he eats and takes his meds." Gibbs contradicts as he looks over at the young woman.
Ziva offers him a small smile of gratitude. "Thank you, Gibbs."
"Just take care of him."
"And do call me if you have any problems or need anything, Ziva." Ducky reminds her before he turns to go.
"I will, Ducky. I will." Ziva promises as she settles back in her chair.
*****NCIS*****
He's surrounded by off-road vehicles filled to over-flowing with gun toting henchmen, all of them looking at him with barely disguised disdain. It's not but a minute later that not one but six rifles are cocked and loaded, all aimed not at his head - but to his horror - at a student and even Abby standing right next to him.
Shrouded in a mist, the words float around him on the breeze:
You're trespassing.
We were just leaving.
Actually, no. You're not. Line up. All of you. It's probably a good time to start praying, too.
More guns are raised and the words he dreads most of all - reverberate through the air - "Kill them all!"
*********NCIS********
"NO!Take me instead!"
Hearing Tim's cries from upstairs a good two hours after Ducky has gone home both Ziva and Gibbs, still quietly sharing a comfortable silence at the kitchen table over coffee, are quick to their feet.
"I got him." Gibbs quietly says as he heads to the kitchen doorway.
Ziva nods in agreement. "I am here for him if he should ask, Gibbs. Perhaps it is time Abby and I talk."
He nods because he gets it. Should Tim ask for her - that will be the end of the time Gibbs will have to attempt to step in and be there for Tim - at least for now.
"No. No. No. NO. NO! NO! NO! - Take me! - Take me!"
Taking the steps two at a time, he ignores the pain in his knees as he races to the master bedroom and the troubled young man within. It breaks his heart to see Tim tossing in the obvious midst of a terrible nightmare and suffering like this. As quickly as he can, he reaches out to soothe him, talking quietly in his ear as his hand strokes the young man's hair at his brow.
"Easy, Tim. You're safe now. You're all safe. Easy now."
Almost immediately, Tim calms and settles; leaving Gibbs to breathe a sigh of relief. Settling down on the bed next to him, the older man blocks out the memories this room has for him, focusing instead, on Tim and the need to keep him grounded with physical touch and soothing reassurances as he sleeps. Sure Ziva could be doing this; but he needs this opportunity to help Tim and Ziva needs to let Tony and Abby be there to help her with what has to be a very unpleasant backstory. He wonders how much Tim and Ziva talked about Mexico or if they ever have.
For that matter, have they ever discussed whatever horrors Ziva experienced in her life with Mossad? It's not his to worry about - except by extension because they're all his kids. But, for now, the only one of them that needs him at this level - is Tim. And so long as he's able to help him - even if it's just to make sure the young man is able to sleep as peacefully as possible, he's not going anywhere.
*****NCIS*******
When Ziva reaches the living room, it's to find Abby with tears filling her eyes as she obviously hears Tim's' cries of distress. Looking at Ziva now, Abby asks her the one question she doesn't understand the answer to.
"Why is this coming back on him now? It's been almost a year!" The Lab Rat sniffles.
Ziva glares at her angrily. "It has only been nine months - and the reason it has come back to haunt his dreams is very simple. No one has allowed him to speak of it - until now." Too upset on Tim's behalf to calm down just yet, she's pacing Gibbs' living room as she fires off her answer.
"Wait. I didn't know anyone told him he couldn't talk about it." Abby argues in surprise without even stopping to think before she opens her mouth.
"No one told him he could, Abby." Tony advises her sadly from right beside her, his eyes open now, watching Ziva as she works to vent her emotions without words.
"Why would he need permission?"
"You really have to ask?" Tony's getting upset now - even more upset than he already is that his friend is being tormented by the door Tony, himself convinced him to open back up and deal with. He looks at Abby now and lets her see just how stupid he really thinks that question is. "Do you really think he felt free to just let it all out - knowing that your shenanigans brought this on? You - the favorite who can do no wrong - vs. McGee the only one to blame - every single time? Seriously?"
"Tony, arguing will not help." Ziva chides even as she stops pacing and picks up Tim's stocked bag of supplies that she's brought from his apartment. "But, perhaps this will. " Reaching in, she digs through and withdraws a folded letter. Opening it up, she hands it to Abby. "I suggest you read this. And try to figure where this person has gone. Because she holds the answers you seek. We do not because we were not there. She was."
With a glance at Tony, Ziva goes back to the kitchen, suddenly needing the time alone and a fresh cup of coffee.
Torn between trying to be there for Ziva and needing to get through to Abby, Tony decides to stay with Abby and possible help her figure out some things. "What is it? Who is she talking you about finding?"
Staring at the page Ziva's just handed her, Abby answers softly. "Me."