Six Months Later- December 23, 2010
"How do I look?" Michelle asks nervously as she glances at Ziva and then Abby for support. Her barely there makeup adds a touch of perfection to her already healthy glowing skin while a touch of lip gloss provides shimmer to her lips that completes the picture of a most beautiful bride-to-be.
In her simple ivory gown with three-quarter length sleeves and half-moon neckline, she's definitely the princess at the ball. Her veil, while just short enough to cover her face to her chin in the front, stretches majestically down her back, barely touching the floor. She'd laughed at the thought of having it long enough for it to drag across the floor or worse, have to be carried by anyone; not even remotely interested in anything quite so pretentious.
Her hair sits beautifully layered on her shoulders, gorgeous locks full and shining. In her ears are beautiful yet, modest pearl drop earrings that match the pendant resting on her alabaster neck, secured on a golden chain; a bridal shower present from Abby and Ziva.
It has been a long and adventurous six months and as she mentally looks back now, Michelle can't help but smile at the milestones she's reached and surpassed with the help of these two women. Oh, she'd been uncertain of how things would shape up with Abby at the beginning, more so than the others Tim works with daily. Surprisingly enough, it had been Abby who'd come around quicker than the others had let go of their concerns for Tim.
Michelle had set out to have dinner privately with each of the people Tim worked with every day; her way of letting them have their chance to have everything they had to say and ask, out in the open while opening the door even wider; enough to welcome them into getting to know her better and trying to get to know them better, too. She'd chosen Abby to get them started for obvious reasons. The history Tim had with the Lab Rat was so full of ups and downs and mixed messages and hurts, that Michelle seriously considered donning a pair of knee-high boots for the occasion. It had been a startling conversation that had ended so much better than she'd expected when Abby had come clean and admitted her fear of losing her best friend while in the same breath, warning Michelle not to hurt him.
"I know Timmy better than anybody. He's my best friend and I don't want to lose him. But, you make him happy. Even a blind man can see that. Don't screw it up and we'll be friends. If you want."
Michelle had smiled indulgently and agreed that Tim deserved love not hurt and that bygones should best be left behind if they were all to grow stronger in their friendships. She'd turned the tables on Abby though; reminding her that from this moment on, Tim was no longer a play toy or the resident fall guy.
Abby had shown her ability to grow up when she'd smiled softly and admitted. "I know. I figured that out already. I'm working on myself, don't worry. And I've already talked to Timmy; told him how sorry I was about how I've treated him."
Michelle had grimaced without realizing it, causing Abby to ask what was wrong and giving Michelle the opening she needed to advise the Lab Rat that it was also time to put that 'Timmy' to rest – for good. Surprisingly enough, Abby had been quick to agree to that, almost wistfully admitting she was going to miss calling him that. Having it pointed out to her that Tim had long ago stopped being young enough to fit that version of his name, brought an apologetic soft smile to Abby's face. "I know. Just like I know, you're really good for him, Michelle."
"We're good for each other, Abby."
"Sounds perfect." Abby had remarked wistfully.
Through the subsequent weeks, Michelle had taken one day out of the week to take not only Tim's biological family out for dinner, but each of the remaining team members as well; with the exception, of course, of the Team Leader. It had come as a shock when Tim had come to her apartment and told her how Gibbs had taken her idea in hand to give her what she was trying to achieve in the spirit of honesty and bonding with the team; actually being the one to approach Tim about it.
"McGee!"
"Boss?"
"You two. My place 0700 tomorrow night."
"Boss?"
"My turn." His tone says he knows darn well Michelle has taken every one else out to dinner so they could get to know each other better without the fear of anyone else's input getting in the way of whatever questions remained unanswered in their quest to know her better The eyebrows marching up to his hairline say he's more than ready to hear Tim admit it.
Tim smiles "Busted, huh?"
"Ya think?"
A gentle touch to her shoulder brings Michelle back to the present. "You look absolutely beautiful, Michelle." Ziva reassures her. "You will take his breath."
"Away." Abby finishes Ziva's expression with a smirk. "She's right. You will. You're beautiful! Tim won't know what hit him. And I love that you let Ziva and I choose our own dress colors."
"Me too." Sarah McGee chimes in, speaking for the first time all morning. It's clear she's in awe of her sister-in-law to be; but she's equally as grateful that her big brother has finally found someone who loves him as he deserves to be loved. The two have gotten along wonderfully and there's been no doubt that Michelle is being welcomed to the family with open arms.
"Mom and Penny knew you wouldn't want to be crowed up in here so they've gone to their seats already." Sarah told Michelle.
"I really do like them. Both of them. They've been so welcoming. As for you, Abby, somehow, I just knew you would pick something that would compliment the colors Tim and I chose to wear." Michelle smiles at her. "And you didn't disappoint. Your bright orange will certainly liven things up."
"Aw, I'm really glad you like it. And thank you SO much for letting me where my boots!" Abby's happiness for her friends, both long-time and relatively new, is infectious, bringing smiles to Ziva and Michelle's faces as well.
Michelle laughs. "After hearing from Tim how much you hate having to dress up in your 'court suit', how could I not?"
"I knew there was a reason I liked you, Michelle!" Abby exclaims happily. "C'mon, let's get finished up. I'm sure it's almost time. As a matter of fact, I expect any minute no…"
The knock on the door cuts Abby short while it brings an "I told you so' smile to her face. Looking over at Ziva in her midnight blue knee-length dress she admitted to wearing back when she'd been undercover in Morocco which looks absolutely gorgeous on her, the Lab Rat walks to the door. "This had better not be the groom!" She calls out loudly enough to be heard through the door.
Silence on the other side tells her that she's right. Opening the door, she finds Gibbs waiting there in a dashing dark blue suit coat that brings out the beautiful blue in his eyes and goes well with his dress pants.
"Definitely not the groom." He quips dryly as he kisses her before moving on into the room and doing the same for Ziva and even Sarah McGee. "You clean up nice."
"Thank you, Agent Gibbs." Sarah answers him nervously. "I'm gonna go on out." She makes her exit quickly, leaving the others before anything can be said.
"Gibbs." Michelle greets him nervously as he turns his attention to her from where he's standing between the three of them.
In the last six months, she's gotten to feel very secure in his presence, as if comforted by his silent strength in ways she has never thought to question. They've had few conversations but several team get-togethers have eased her into seeing how this team-cum family operates so seamlessly away from work and why they mean so much to each other. It hadn't escaped her notice that the crux of the tight-knit group was the Team Leader's silent support that none of them seemed to question.
She'd been surprised to see Tim's confidence grow during the last six months because when she'd first met him, he seemed so sure of himself to begin with. Watching him as time went on, she'd come to realize that back when they had first met, he'd been just finding that inner strength and it had taken him some time to get comfortable with it; learning to depend on it and value it. But most of all, she'd been surprised to find his team looking more and more frequently to her when they wanted to do things after work as a group; including dinners at Ducky's or even at Gibbs'.
Her own parents, have been long gone; a terrible car accident when she was but three. An only child raised by elderly grandparents who had passed on while she was in college, Michelle has been comforted these last few months to realize she could turn to Tim's teammates to talk and even just to go out with and have a night of fun. She hadn't had any doubts that they'd be willing to help make this, her wedding day, more special than she'd ever imagined it to be without her folks here with her.
"Beautiful." He offers in his quiet tone.
"Thank you." Her own equally quiet reply speaks loudly of her state of nervousness.
"Relax. You already know McGee loves you."
She nods. "I know."
"Ready?" He turns to the door, offering her his arm. "Ducky's waiting to walk you down the aisle. Can't give you away if you don't get to the alter first."
Suddenly, she swallows hard, turns to locate the bed and sits down on it, shaking her head in denial in answer to his question.
Gibbs is surprised into a moment of stillness. He scrutinizes her demeanor for a moment before he moves things forward for Michelle's sake. With a gesture for Abby and Ziva to go on ahead, he remains standing next to her, his concerned expression locked on her obvious tension. When the others have gone, he finally speaks. "Talk to me."
She licks her lips in nervous habit, her hands twisting restlessly in her lap. With her trademark sense of strength, she looks Gibbs directly on as she admits what's on her mind.
"I can't marry Tim."
*****NCIS*****
Tim nervously shifts from one foot to the other, time seemingly passing in slow motion wrapped in hot molasses. Although he never thought this day would get here, now that it's arrived, he can't seem to chase away the extreme case of nerves he hasn't felt in a very long time. He wants this day to be perfect for Michelle. She deserves it and she's earned it, too.
It hasn't been the smoothest six months, what with putting so much effort into getting to know his NCIS family while trying to spend as much time as possible with Tim amidst their hectic work schedules. As the Assistant Head of the Grant Committee at Waverly University, Michelle's hours more closely resembled a nine-to-five format, but there was always a chance she would be needed for a last minute meeting or public function to raise funds or some other requirement that came with her position.
Tim's confident that today will go off without a hitch so he doesn't know why he's feeling so nervous, except maybe that it seems as though Michelle should be arriving in the chapel by now? He knows that they'd asked that the Wedding March not be started until she arrived so she wouldn't feel rushed so her continued absence some five minutes after the appointed time has not only started a murmur within the wedding guests, but an army of butterflies wreaking havoc on his stomach as well. Thank goodness he can keep his eyes focused on the guests; mainly his mom and Penny sitting in the front row in their beautiful light blue dresses and whoa, is that Sarah in the doorway back there looking like she's ready for her own wedding in her gorgeous gown of blue that matches her mother's?
Tony's grin is faltering as time slips by and not even the sight of Ziva and Abby in their dresses as they join Sarah McGee in the doorway of the chapel can ease his wave of concern. Seeing Jimmy dressed up and standing behind him for Tim spurs him into doing something. He is the Best Man and he has to be there for Tim. Turning to the younger man, the Senior Field Agent offers his trademark tension easing grin. "Women! Always gotta keep us waitin', huh, Probie?"
Tim smiles nervously and is greatly relieved when he's saved from having to answer as the crowd hushes and the expected short piece of music leading up to the wedding march starts in time with the arrival of his bride to be in the doorway of the chapel. As he watches, spellbound, Gibbs raises the veil and kisses Michelle on the cheek before he hands her off to Ducky. He steps around the women standing in a row in front of her to casually walk to his seat, edging his way around the room to the front row. As the older man sits down, his eyes meet those of his agent about to be married. He doesn't miss the tension ease from the younger man's shoulders as a relieved smile graces his face. No worries.
****NCIS****
In a leap of time that feels as surreal as it does incredible, Tim finds himself slow dancing with his new bride under the soft lights of the romantically staged and decorated reception room just off the chapel. Had it been summertime, they would have been able to take Ducky up on his offer for them to use his spacious back yard. But neither Michelle nor Tim had wanted to wait another six months to get married. Someone has fast-forward time and he doesn't remember getting to this point, but he does relish being in this moment.
Holding her Michelle close, he nuzzles her ear as he braves the question he can't quite leave alone. "What happened before the wedding, Sweetheart? Is everything okay?"
Lifting her head off his shoulder, she replies quietly with a tender smiling playing across her face. "Nothing you need to worry about."
With a sigh, Tim gently raises her chin so they're looking into each other's eyes. "Michelle…." He leaves it there because they both know where this conversation is going. They've been through it countless times in their relationship; one keeping things from the other in an effort not to overload them or dampen a good mood. Countless times they've admonished each other that it needed to be a complete sharing of their lives; not picked and chosen by one or the other. And both of them have promised to work harder at getting there; where they're not protecting each other so but learning to trust that they can handle the ups and downs together.
Reaching up, she cups one hand alongside his cheek. "I'll tell you later, I promise."
Tim nods in agreement before he dips his head and kisses her with all the tenderness in his heart, wrapping her even more tightly in his arms, obviously unwilling to let her go. Gently pulling back to breathe, Michelle lays her head on Tim's shoulder and shares the one thought on her mind at the moment. "I love you, Tim McGee."
Tim smiles down at her as he answers her. "Good thing, since we're stuck with each other now."
Chuckling at his inclusion of humor into the mix of all this emotion and nerves, Michelle playfully pinches him in a very sensitive spot on his chest. "Behave!"
Smiling in return, Tim gets serious as he gives his bride what he knows she needs to hear, pouring every ounce of sincerity he possesses into it. "I love you, too Michelle McGee. "
With eyes locked on each other, they both smile as they offer their often shared encouragement with each other; two voices united into one.
"Forever and back again."
****NCIS****
Thankful to have been able to get married over the Christmas Holiday, Tim and Michelle settle into the short honeymoon they've allowed themselves to take on Christmas Day. To be fair to the rest of the team and because Michelle has to get back to work herself, they agreed early in the wedding planning stage, to minimize their honeymoon now and take a longer vacation later on when it better suited both of their schedules. In yet another blur of time gone by faster than they can keep up with, the beach is before them with its majestic blue capped waves touched with ivory crowns everywhere you looked.
Sitting on a large blanket, wrapped up in yet another one to stay warm, Michelle snuggles into Tim's embrace as he sits behind her with his arms holding her tight. "I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful wedding."
"It was nice, wasn't it?" Tim agrees.
"I don't know what I would have done without Gibbs being there." She remarks almost in awe.
"Ready to tell me what happened?" Tim asks encouragingly with no trace of irritation at not already knowing.
"I got cold feet." Michelle admits.
"About marrying me?" Tim is shocked. In the three months they'd planned the wedding and talked of their future together, neither had ever expressed a single doubt as to what they were doing or where it was taking them together.
Michelle is shaking her head, "NO." The look in her eye tells him they've been down this conversational road before.
Tim is quick to pinpoint exactly what it is she isn't saying. His reaction is not entirely unexpected as he pulls her closer to him and kisses her on the temple. "Sweetheart, we've talked about this."
"And you're not going to change your mind." She looks at him to gauge his reaction to her gentle probing.
Tim shakes his head. "No. I'm not."
"I know. Gibbs reminded me of that trait you have. I think he called it stubbornness." She teases him in hopes of lightening the mood.
"Wait, you actually thought of not marrying me because of it?" Tim asks in surprise and it hurts her to see the hint of sadness in his eyes.
"Honey, it's a BIG decision- the one you've made, that is. It wasn't because I don't love you or don't want to spend the rest of my life with you, because I do. You know that! It's because I love you so much that I don't want you to have to make that choice and for a minute at least, I figured if I didn't go through with it, you'd never be in that position.
"You thought about making that choice for me." Tim observes sadly.
"That's what Gibbs said. He reminded me it's your choice to make – if it ever happens. I don't regret marrying you; not even for a minute. You have to know that. But, Honey, now there may very well come a day when you do have to make that decision."
"Fortitude is endurance animated by courage " Tim reminds her.
"Ah, yes, Dean Koontz at his finest." Michelle teases him. Getting serious again, she runs her hand down his cheek. "I know you hate to talk about this. I didn't mean to spoil our honeymoon with it."
"Let's just enjoy the here and now?" Tim requests quietly as he strives to put the possibilities of the future away for another day. Wrapping his arms around Michelle, he draws her closer to him. "I love you with all my heart Mrs. McGee." He reminds her just before he ends the conversation with a kiss that steals her breath away.
Drawing back for some air, he stands to his feet, reaching down to offer her his hand to help her stand as well. Time for talking is over. Wordlessly scooping her up in his arms like a child, he cradles her as he carries her back into their room, shutting the door behind them with his foot.