"Hey, Boss, how's he..." Tony quit speaking the moment he looked inside the room. He couldn't tell if Tim was awake, but he knew that the younger man couldn't be sleeping too soundly with the bed raised into a sitting position. The dreaded and familiar kidney shaped bowl was on his lap as Gibbs was gently rubbing his stomach.

Sarah stepped closer, keeping her voice low. "The one medicine that he had to drink is making him pretty nauseous." Tony was about to make their excuses when Tim opened his eyes.

"T'ny, zat you?"

"Hey, McGee." Tony stepped close and took the raised hand as he bent close. "Didn't mean to wake you, we just wanted to see how you were feeling."

"Feel like 'm... boat."

"Seasick on dry land? Only you, Probie." Tony leaned even close so he could whisper in Tim's ear. "You get better, okay? The Boss needs you too much to have anything happen."

He was obviously fading fast, so Tony stepped back to let the rest of their friends have a moment before Tim fell asleep again. Ziva was next and kissed his forehead before taking her place next to him. "We got her, McGee. She will never be able to hurt you or Gibbs ever again, I give you my word."

By now it was apparent to everyone that Tim was asleep, but Abby detoured by the bed as they all filed out. Knowing he wasn't ready for a hug, she kissed his cheek as he had often done for her in the past. "Just rest now, Timmy, and let the Bossman take good care of you." Next she leaned across the bed and gave Gibbs a matching kiss. "Be happy, okay?"

As the team and Jimmy left the room, Fornell stepped closer. "I owe you an apology, Jethro. I know how you feel about them, but the truth of the matter is that I couldn't wrap my mind around the idea that she was so obsessed with McGee. I should have put it together sooner." Fornell looked down at Gibbs' hand, still resting on Tim's stomach. "So, you and McGee, looks like it's not some mid-life fling."

"It's complicated, Tobias."

Moving towards the door, Fornell stopped to squeeze his shoulder. "Love always is, my friend. Just remember, being happy isn't a crime despite what Rebecca Warren may think."

-NCIS-

While the rest of them were visiting McGee and Gibbs, Vance tracked down Dr. Mallard taking a well deserved tea break. "How is he, honestly?"

"Exhausted." Ducky set his cup down and stared at the Director. He realized how little work had been accomplished since the two men were kidnapped by Sutton, but he wanted Vance to realize how serious this had been. "There will be no long term damage, as long as Timothy is allowed time to sufficiently recover. That extreme and rapid of a change in blood chemistry is hard on the body. I wouldn't expect him even on desk duty until next week at the earliest."

Vance shook his head at the obvious misunderstanding. "Don't worry, they're not taking on any cases until Sutton is dealt with. I should have never talked them into handling it this way. At this point, I don't see a good way for this to end."

"While I, on the other hand, see a great deal of positive in what has happened in these last few weeks. Two men I am very fond of have stepped out of their comfort zones and found what may well be a lifetime of happiness."

"Based on lies and deceptions and with Gibbs' history? It'll never last. Gibbs might be used to his love life falling apart but McGee's a different story, he still believes in happy ever after. That combination is a recipe for disaster." Vance rubbed the sides of his face. "Damn, I never thought it would go this far."

"But it has, and now you must accept it."

Vance didn't say anything to Ducky before walking out the door. It wasn't until he was alone in the elevator that he voiced his answer. "But what happens six months from now when they crash and burn like all of Gibbs' former marriages? I promised to take care of McGee when this was over, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Even if it means protecting him from Gibbs."

-NCIS-

Tim watched as they removed the last IV bag from the stand and capped the tube in his arm. "I want to go home."

Ducky looked away as to not let them see his smile while Dr. Silbey dealt with him. "I don't see any reason not to release you in the morning, Agent McGee. Your blood work is looking good and your last EKG was normal."

"So, why can't you release me tonight?"

"I'm sure that after a good night's sleep..."

"Which I would get in my own bed so much easier."

Gibbs wanted him home, wanted them to be surrounded only by people they knew and trusted. "Ducky, the guest room is all ready for you."

Smiling, Ducky nodded to Dr. Silbey, who knew he was fighting a losing battle. "Well, I suppose Dr. Mallard can monitor you as well as I can."

"Thank you." There was no mistaking the relief in Tim's voice as the last of the tubes and needles were removed.

"Yes, well I will want Dr. Mallard to run one last blood and urine check in the morning. As long as those are where we want them to be, then you can continue to recover at home."

"How long do I actually have to be at home?" With three curious faces staring at him, Tim hurried to explain. "I was hoping we could get out of DC for Jethro's birthday this weekend."

"That should be all right, just pay attention to what your body is telling you and don't overdo it. No mountain climbing, but some relaxing fun sounds like just the ticket." Dr. Silbey authorized Tim's release with a flourish. "All right, Gibbs, take him home and spoil him rotten."

-NCIS-

It was a rare event, but Ducky didn't argue when Gibbs climbed in the back seat with Tim. Instead, he concentrated on not laughing at his terrified assistant. "It's all right, Mr. Palmer, I will drive this time." With Jimmy riding shotgun, Ducky eased the sedan away from the entrance to Bethesda. By the time the hospital was no longer visible in the rear view mirror Tim was asleep, his head resting on Jethro's shoulder. At first glance it would appear that Gibbs was also asleep, his cheek resting on the top of Tim's head, but Ducky knew better. The hand that came up to cup Tim's face every time a traffic light turned red was evidence of that.

Jimmy used the silence to send several texts, letting Sarah know that her brother was on his way home first before signaling the rest of the team that it was time to spring into action.

With Tim sleeping against him, Gibbs didn't speak until they arrived at the house and Ducky had the car parked in the driveway. "Tim, hey, need you to wake up long enough to get upstairs, okay?"

"Home?"

"Yeah, we're home. Have you in your own bed in just a few minutes, but I need you to stay awake while we tackle the stairs."

"I'm awake." The half opened eyes weren't a particularly convincing argument, but with help from Jimmy, Gibbs got him upstairs and onto the bed. Outside, a car door and barking could be heard . "Is that..."

Ducky was closest to the window. "Yes it is, Anthony and the ladies picked him up from the vet. Abby felt that it would do you both some good."

-NCIS-

Tony parked on the street, pulling the keys out of the ignition as he turned to look in the back seat. Abby was sitting with Jet's head on her lap. Next to Tony, Ziva used a cell phone to snap a picture of the sight. "I am sure that it will make McGee happy to have Jett home again."

Of course Tony agreed, but he had a reputation to uphold. "But tell me why we're using my car to transport McMutt?"

"Did you really want to ride in a hearse or fit all of us in my car?"

"Good point." Tony took the leash from Abby and tried not to look at the dog hair on his seats. Jett was wobbly from the tranquilizers, almost falling when he barked and Abby shook her head.

"Don't make him walk up the steps, Tony. You heard what the vet said."

Tony dropped his head and sighed before slipping of his jacket and handing it to Ziva. "I hope McGee appreciates this, come on Jett." With that, Tony picked up the dog and walked up to the porch. As soon as Ziva had the door open, he continued in and up the stairs.

"Hey, McGee, got somebody here that wants to see you."

"Jett, hey boy." Open arms showed Tony where to set the dog and he forgave the hair and drool when he saw the joyful reunion between Jett and his two fathers.

Gibbs stroked Jett's fur, leaning out of the reach of the long tongue. "He looks like he's feeling pretty good."

"They've got him on tranquilizers so he doesn't over-do it, but the vet seemed really pleased. Oh, here," Tony pulled out a credit card and set it on the nightstand. "Between the insurance and the collection Abby and Ziva took up, they didn't need to use this at all."

"Wow," Tim looked over at the two women smiling from the doorway. "Thank you."

Abby was too busy smiling at the reunion, so Ziva was the spokesperson for the group. "It was our pleasure, McGee. When they heard what Rebecca had done to Jett and then to you, many people wanted to help." She caught Tony's eye and subtly tilted her head towards the door. He nodded and moved closer to pick Jett back up.

"Come on, boy, it's time you went outside and then to bed and your dad needs to go to bed, too." That started a mass exodus and moments later Gibbs and McGee were alone in the bedroom.

"Tony's right, you are exhausted." Jethro undid the buttons and slipped the shirt off Tim's shoulders before helping him lay down. Tim had managed to kick off his shoes before Gibbs helped him swing his legs up onto the bed.

Tim's groan of pleasure had the other man chuckling. "Yeah, this bed is a whole lot better than a hospital bed." Gibbs undid the button and Zipper on Tim's pants, trying to keep his touch clinical. "Raise up a second and we'll get these off of you."

The late fall day was still warm, even in early evening, so Gibbs just had the sheet over Tim and the rest of the blankets folded back before whispering his destination. Once McGee smiled and shooed him off, Gibbs gratefully slipped into the bathroom to take a shower.