The team had begun to relax once they were assured by Tim's doctor that he was out of the woods. He was diagnosed with a concussion and cracked ribs and the doctor insisted they monitor his heart to make sure there were no lasting complications after it had stopped due to the Commotio Cordis he experienced. Ducky explained to the team that the aliment was often a lethal disruption of heart rhythm that can occur as a result of a harsh blow to the area directly over the heart at a critical time during the cycle of a heart beat causing cardiac arrest. The hospital staff repeatedly commended Ziva and Tony with their quick and expert CPR response whenever they were in their presence. Tim's doctor assured them he would be fine but just needed rest and time to heal.

xxx

Ziva was leaning on the side of Tim's bed, using her elbows as a pillow, when Tony stepped through the doorway of the hospital room, stopping when he saw her. She had taken up a permanent residence by Tim's side from the moment he entered the hospital room to recover. He was now, sound asleep, his chest slowly rising and falling, assuring Tony that he was very much alive.

"Are you still mad at me, Ziva? Because I don't want you mad at me, that could be dangerous and a vital threat to my health just knowing you could snap at any moment and take me down-"

"Tony." Ziva waited till his one-sided conversation came to a complete halt. "I will not lie; yes. I am still angry but you did risk your life saving Tim-"
"That's my job Ziva I should not be thanked." He paused as he looked at the floor, slowly stepping towards her. "I will say it." He met her eyes. "I was wrong in treating him the way I did."
"Tony-"

"Ziva. I can't believe...I punched him...in the stomach...even after he was injured in the explosion. I don't know what...got into me." Tony sighed, still upset with himself after hearing his actions out loud. "Zeev..out of all the people I know, he does not deserve the treatment he received from me. I'm sorry."
Ziva looked down, showing her doubts.

"The night he told me how much he cares for you... I couldn't believe it. So, I went home and gave you two a lot of thought. You know, the whole idea of you two together and...well... I hate to admit it but, you two are like two peas in a pod."

Ziva looked at him blankly.

"You know, like in, Forest Gump, him and ...Jen...ny." Tony used his best Forest Gum impression as he pronounced the name Jenny.

"Sorry. I do not know of this forest, is it in DC?"

"No, he's a character played by Tom Hanks. You know, stupid is as stupid does." More southern drawl to try and spark a memory from Ziva.

Ziva looked at Tony hesitantly, raising her eyebrows. "Are you referring to yourself, Tony?"

Tony shook his head. "Anyways, I tried to find all kinds of reasons why I did it and the truth is... I'm jealous of you two. I pick on McGee, put him down when in actuality, I wish I was more like him. He's the kinda guy that a daughter's father would be happy to see his daughter bring home to meet."

Ziva's expression melted into a look of agreement and she smiled. "Now don't get your hopes up, you are still not off the looks." Ziva scrunched her face giving Tony an angry expression.

"Do you mean off the hook?" Tony asked.

"Well...either way, I will keep giving you dirty looks over this, whenever I think of it. Now, I suggest you apologize to Tim. I need a break so I hope you will stay here and watch over him while I am gone." Ziva grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair. She leaned over Tim to kiss him on the forehead after taking a moment to admire him, while caressing his cheek. She sighed then her longing smile changed abruptly into a look of authority as she eyed Tony. "I expect to hear a good report when I return. Gibbs should be by soon." Ziva passed Tony while exiting the room.

Tony sauntered to the chair by the bed then plopped down in it as he looked at his partner thankful for the serene face he wore. The bruises and cuts covering his face and body caused an ache in his chest even though he was relieved he was safe and sound and recovering nicely.

"Tim...I love you." He said it nonchalantly, trying to distance himself from the deep emotions that bubbled in the pit of his stomach, wanting to burst.

Tony rubbed the tears that moistened his eyes. "Just forgive me, big guy. I'm sorry." Tony took deep breaths trying to relax and ease away the meltdown he felt he was headed for, something that hardly ever happened to him.

"So...its okay, Tony?"

Tony's eyes widened, not expecting to hear Tim's tired, weak voice. Tim hadn't moved, his eyes still closed.

"Timmy?"

"Are you going to be okay... with me and Ziva?"

Tony kneeled on the floor so his head was level with Tim's. Tim could feel the closeness of Tony's presence and softly chuckled, his ribs reminding him it wasn't the smartest of moves. He finally opened his eyes.

"You've got my blessing, Tim. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me for treating you...so badly?" Tony knew deep down Tim and Ziva's relationship would happen either way. And, he respected Tim for that.

Tim adjusted his body then winced in pain. "I will have to give that some thought, but, Tony?"

"Yeah, Tim?"

"A word of warning. If I hadn't been injured...I would have kicked your ass."

Tony grinned but there was no smile on Tim's face. Tony took a chance and gently wrapped his arm around Tim's shoulders pulling him closer to kiss his cheek. "I love you probie."
"Love you, too... numb skull." Tony smiled as Tim's eyes closed, falling back to sleep with a slight smile on his face.

xxxxxxxxxx

Tim had been home from the hospital now for three days. He had stayed, to appease his doctor and of course, Ducky then couldn't take it anymore so insisted that he return home. With some pleading and Gibbs' help by pulling rank in Tim's favor, the hospital released him as long as Ziva would stay and take care of him. They received no argument there. They had prescribed antibiotics for his previous injury and he was issued warnings to take it easy and stay out of work until further notice. Ducky assured him it would still be a while before he was cleared for desk duty.

xxx

Gibbs stood at Tim's apartment door, fidgeting, his fingers running over the object in his pocket, feeling it's contoured surface for the comfort it brought him, remembering how Kelly did the same whenever she had asked to look at it.

The door opened and he straightened.

"Gibbs."

"Ziver. How's our patient?"

"Come in and see for yourself. He has just taken some pain medication and is relaxing on the couch."

Gibbs halted, and scratched his head. "Do you think I should come back another time?"

"Of course not. The drugs make him sleepy but I'm sure he can make an effort to stay awake for a bit."

He walked into the room as Tim struggled to rise from the couch, clutching his side but Gibbs quickly waved him off. Gibbs could see Tim was still weak and tired. "You stay right there. Take it easy, we're not at work." Tim's face reddened. Gibbs smiled to himself as he took off his jacket draping it over a chair.

He was happy to see his younger agent in sweatpants, socks and a t-shirt; dressed comfortably and taking it easy. Ziva took a seat next to Tim on the arm of the couch. She placed a hand on his shoulder; acting as a lifeline, filled with support and concern for him.

"How are you, boss? I really haven't been able to talk to you about the details of the case, yet-"

"Don't worry, Tim. We have it under control. It's important for you to heal and take care of yourself. I don't want you worrying about anything. The Dearing case is over." Gibbs sat down on the coffee table by the couch, facing Tim.
"Well, that's a relief. Does this visit have anything to do with what you wanted to talk to me about the night..."

"The night you were abducted?"

"Uh..yeah."

"Do you know anything about your birth parents, Tim?"

Tim smiled at the dependability in Gibbs' traits; always quick and straight to the point.

Tim seemed to relax a bit, leaning his elbows on his knees as if he was about to state facts about someone else, distancing himself from the vague information that he knew about himself and his past. "Um, no. Nothing. My adoptive parents said the authorities found me in a car seat, with no information. Just sitting there... in a parking lot." Tim shrugged. "It seems to resemble those stories where a baby is found in a basket at a marketplace. I guess this is just the same version, but a different culture. They were never able to determine where I came from. Oh! Except...just a second."

Tim reached over picking up his wallet from the coffee table then pulling out a coin that was well-protected in a stiff piece of clear plastic that had been hidden away in a fold. "I was found with this coin taped to the seat. The doctors who took care of me made sure it stayed with me, felt it was all I had and maybe someday it would mean something. I've carried it around with me ever since I can remember."

Gibbs reached into his pocket, "Is it the same as this one?"

Tim accepted the coin Gibbs handed to him, his mouth agape and eyes wide open. "A 1937 three-legged Buffalo nickel... in what looks to be, mint condition! It's the same as mine! But...how...did you, hey, you knew..because you have it with you. Boss?"

"I know who your mother was, Tim."

Tim and Ziva looked at each other then he moved to the edge of the couch, his knees toughing Gibbs'.

Gibbs looked into Tim's eyes. "She was Shannon's sister, Tim."

"Wait! Your... Shannon? Shannon Fielding..or, uh, Gibbs?" Tim slapped his hand on his forehead, trying to comprehend Gibbs' information.

Gibbs chuckled, laying a hand on Tim's arm. "Tim. Let me explain before you hurt yourself. Shannon had a much younger sister..Ruthie. Ruthie was...a little on the wild side." Gibbs reached into his jacket pocket for a photograph, handing it to him. "Mrs. Fielding, her mother, said she owned a spirit within, that no one could tame."

Tim practically grabbed it from his hand studying the face, quickly growing quiet. Gibbs could see his eyes well with tears.

Ziva looked concerned. "What is it honey? Are you okay?"

"She looks so familiar..I remember her face. Sometimes it just comes to me, when my thoughts are wandering...I always figured it was someone from when I was really young, someone that I could never put a name to. Maybe someone I saw in a store or somewhere..."

"So...what happened to her...my mother?" Tim looked at Gibbs as Ziva rubbed his back then giving him a quick squeeze.

"A street accident-"

"You mean she was hit by a car?"

"Yes, Tim."

"You said she was a wild one, so I guess I'll just leave it at that. Did she really leave me in a parking lot?"

"Yes. I think it was the night she was hit. I don't think it was intentional, for whatever reason, she had walked into the road without you. You were found a few blocks away and they never tied the two incidents together."

"But, didn't they wonder where I was...her child?"

"When the authorities contacted her parents...your grandparents...the Fieldings, they thought you were deceased."

"Wait...huh?"

"From what I understand they were estranged. I remember this vaguely through Shannon. I was away, serving, at the time. She had runaway when she was young. I remember Shannon worried sick over her. She got pregnant...with you and she had a falling out with her parents and never returned home. They never even met you. She told them you died when you were an infant."

"So they could...have raised me...but they never even knew I was alive?"

Gibbs nodded slowly.

"So many unanswered questions." Tim mumbled looking at the photograph. "What was the name she gave me?"

"Tim."

"But...how did they know?"

"Apparently, your name was written on the car seat, I don't know why."

"Now let me get this straight. Dearing...was the one who found all this out?"

"He sent me all this information in an anonymous letter."

"Wow. So, that was why he was researching you...and me." Tim shook his head with a sad chuckle. "If he hadn't been so dim in the attic he would have made a good investigator."

Gibbs smirked with a chuckle. Gibbs looked at Tim, admiring him as he studied the photo of his mom, his heart swelling. He recognized Shannon's long fingers that held the photo and Kelly's thick eyebrows that furrowed in concentration; features shared by three people he held dear to him. Gibbs wished he could tell Tim that he reminded him more of Shannon than anything he had remembered about Ruthie, but didn't think it would be appropriate in Ruthie's honor and any small bond Tim had with his mother.

"Tim?"

"Yeah, boss." Tim glanced up giving Gibbs his full attention instead of the photo he held in his hands.

Gibbs cleared his throat, inching closer to Tim, sitting on the edge of the coffee table. He placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "I want you to know, that when I found out we were related..I was extremely... happy." Gibbs took a second, blinking his eyes as he cleared his throat. "This has been the best news since..I don't know when. I've always found you to be an honorable, sweet, kind man. And just the thought that we...are family; you're Shannon's own flesh and blood...this is going to step up our relationship a notch or two. I hope you will let me honor this fact."

"Of course, boss, uh, I mean Gibbs, uh, Jethro-" Tim quickly bowed his head, his hand covering his eyes as his shoulders began to shake. Ziva pulled him closer as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Oh baby..."

Gibbs stood, then sat on the other side of Tim on the couch placing his hand on his shoulder kissing the top of Tim's head.

Ziva and Gibbs held Tim, as he took a few more minutes to cry. He wiped his eyes then smiled at them, thankful for their support and patience.

Tim chuckled looking at Gibbs. "You're my uncle! I don't know what to even call you anymore." Tim deeply inhaled then leaned back into the couch, letting his body slump from exhaustion.

"We'll figure that out later." Gibbs patted Tim's knee.

Tim smiled, rubbing his tired, swollen eyes. Ziva smoothed the hair from his forehead. "I think the meds are kicking in, sweetheart. You look exhausted."

"Nah, this isn't the meds. But, yeah. This is a lot to take in, in one day. I'm wiped out."
"I'm going to fetch a blanket from the bedroom."

"Thanks." Tim smiled at Ziva.

"Excuse me." Ziva left the room.

"Gibbs?"

"Yeah, Tim?" Gibbs stood over Tim then found it appropriate to help him lift his feet onto the couch, seeing how tired he was. Tim didn't seem to realize what Gibbs was doing, responding compliantly and too distracted with the information he had just received from him.
"So...I don't get it. What about... the coin?" Tim lay back against the pillow that was positioned against the arm chair and yawned, his eyes growing heavy.

"The two coins have been handed down through the generations from your great grandfather. There are other coins, too, handed down to cousins...your cousins. He was a coin collector and wanted to pique' all the grand kids' interests into the fascinating world of coin collecting." Gibbs smiled. "Those coins meant a lot to him and he liked the idea of his grand kids learning about him through the coins." Gibbs pointed to the coin Tim had placed on the table. "That coin was meant for Kelly for when she got older."

Tim could see Gibbs' smile turn sad.

"Gibbs...can I ask you...do you think...uh..?"

"Yes, Tim?"

Tim yawned, again, causing his eyes to tear as they ran down his face. Gibbs kneeled by Tim's side, then reached over to rub the tears away.

"Would you and Shannon have..."
"Raised you, Tim? Shannon and I would have loved to raise a boy. Especially knowing you would have been that boy." Gibbs hesitated, "I'm sorry, Tim but I'm going to have a tough time trying to forgive your mother for taking that chance away from us."

"I wish we knew more...to the...story." Tim hands rested on his stomach as he looked at a wall across the room deep in thought. His eyes began to close as his head tilted to the side. Gibbs smiled, knowing Tim was quick to forgive. He would hope there was a good reason his mother made the choices she did.

Gibbs leaned over him, running a thumb over his thick eyebrows, watching Tim's body fall into deep relaxation. Ziva walked into the room with a blanket.

Gibbs blushed as he smirked at Ziva. "Ever since I first met Tim and these thick eyebrows of his, I've had this deep desire to do this. This is what I did for Kelly sometimes, to get her to sleep."

She smiled. "Believe me, it works well on him. Used it many times myself. Ziva suddenly blushed, "Oh, sorry I probably shouldn't be talking about us-"

"It's okay Ziva. I know we haven't had a chance to discuss your relationship with each other but in all honesty, who am I to get in the way of true love."

Ziva's face reddened more as she replied with a shy, appreciative look. "Thanks, Gibbs. I'm glad you are understanding." Gibbs winked with a proud smile.

xxxx

I have a cousin who was discovered in a basket in a market place in Korea. She was adopted by my aunt.