It had been two hours since Gibbs had taken McGee home to rest and Tony was still bouncing off the walls, much to Ziva's amusement. When he paused at his desk he was studying and researching the information the younger man had given them.

"Ziva, we're going to the Green Mill for Gibbs' birthday."

It was the third time he'd told her, but she just smiled. "Yes, Tony, I know. McGee made reservations for the four of us."

"The Green Mill Jazz Club, Ziva. Al Capone's right hand man was part owner at one time. They made a movie about it with Frank Sinatra."

"Of course they did, Tony." With Gibbs out of the building, it fell to Ziva to keep him on-track. "But we get to see the real thing... if... we get all this paperwork done before our flight leaves."

The reminder of Vance's orders got Tony back on track, but she could hear him talking to himself as he worked. "Mmm, Chicago style pizza, gotta have that. We need to go to Wrigley Field, for sure. The season's over, I wonder if we can still get a hot dog there? The Sears Tower, gotta do that, oh and we need to go to the Navy Pier and ride the Ferris wheel."

"Trolley car," Vance's voice startled them both. "Get an all day pass and it's good for both the trolley cars and the double decker buses. They go to all the major attractions. Much easier and quicker than getting a cab or using the city bus."

Tony grinned as he nodded. "That's a great idea; thanks, Director Vance."

Vance didn't slow down on his way through the bullpen. "Do the Navy Pier on Sunday. There's a killer Sunday Brunch Cruise but I'm serious about making sure your paperwork's done before you leave, DiNozzo."

-NCIS-

Ducky set his medical bag down on the table as he came downstairs to join Gibbs in the kitchen. The other man looked up from the late lunch he was warming on the stove. "How's he doing?"

"Quite well, actually." A cup of tea was waiting for him at the table and Ducky gratefully sat down to enjoy it. "The labs we ran this morning were right on target and I think this trip is just the ticket."

"It won't be too much for him?"

"Our agreement is that after lunch he rest the remainder of the day and I'll check his blood levels again in the morning. If that is fine, as I expect it to be, then the two of you are free to enjoy yourselves."

Gibbs joined him at the table, his own cup in hand. "Yeah, I don't know all of what he's got planned for us, but I'm looking forward to finding out. Almost as much as DiNozzo."

"Yes, I heard about Tony's excitement." Ducky turned serious for a moment. "I know you want to wait until the Sutton situation is over before discussing your future with Tim, but perhaps this weekend might be a good time to explore your relationship in greater depth."

"Talking's not my strong suit, you know that, Duck." Gibbs shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I don't want to screw this up before we even figure out what this is."

Ducky tried to hide his amusement behind his cup, but knew he was failing miserably. "McGee is a practical, honest man, Jethro. He doesn't need the flowery speeches. When the time is right, just tell him what is in your heart. That is all he needs to hear."

Gibbs knew Ducky was correct, but he still couldn't quite silence that little voice in his head that reminded him daily of every broken relationship, every doomed marriage. "I hope you're right."

"I think you'll be pleasantly surprised." Ducky stood and patted Gibbs' arm. "Now, dish up some of those good smelling barbequed beef sandwiches that I've been hearing about and feed Timothy so he can sleep. I will take Jett out again and lock up when I leave."

"You hungry? There's plenty." The team had barely made a dent the night before and after Gibbs had two plates filled with the hot sandwiches, cole slaw and chips, there was still plenty for another person.

Ducky had never eaten real food at Gibbs before this had all started and he was looking forward to sitting McGee down and getting some recipes from him. "Well, as a thrifty Scot, I certainly can't let food go to waste."

"Appreciate that." Smirking, Gibbs took the two plates and headed upstairs.

Alone in the kitchen, Ducky piled the meat high, making sure to get plenty of the sauce before adding the top half of the bun. He tucked a paper towel into his shirt to protect his bow tie and took his first bite standing over the stove. "Oh yes, Timothy McGee, you and I are going to have a long talk about your cooking."

-NCIS-

"Hey, can you stay awake long enough to eat something?" Gibbs set the plates on top of the dresser before sitting on the edge of the bed.

Sleepy green eyes opened as McGee rolled onto his back and rubbed his face. "I can't seem to stay awake for more than ten minutes at a time."

Gibbs moved the pillows as Tim sat up, giving him plenty of support behind his back before handing him his plate. "Well, use this ten minutes to eat and then you can sleep as long as you want."

They ate in silence, enjoying each others company and the rare peace after the events of the last few days. Tim ate most of his food before giving in to exhaustion. Gibbs took his plate but didn't let him lay down yet. "Let me get you some juice and you can take your pills. You've got what, two doses left?"

Tim blinked as he forced himself to stay awake. "Yeah, so I don't have to worry about taking any while we're gone. Which is good, because I'm not going to one of the most famous old time jazz clubs in Chicago to drink Ginger Ale."

"Amen." Gibbs cupped the side of his face for a moment before going back downstairs. Since he hadn't heard the door, he wasn't surprised to find Ducky still there, but he was surprised to find him sitting at the table, still eating. The three remaining buns were gone and now Ducky was eating more of the spicy-sweet beef on sandwich bread. Gibbs smirked as he leaned against the door frame. "Getting enough to eat there, Duck?"

Ducky jumped slightly before taking the last bite of his sandwich, slowly and methodically licking his fingers clean and pulling his paper bib off to wipe his mouth. Finally, he looked up as he dropped the towel onto the table. "Jethro."

"Told you he was a good cook." Gibbs crossed over to the refrigerator and poured a glass of juice.

"Yes, well, at one time someone who could reheat pork and beans without burning them was a good cook in your opinion. As wonderful as the potluck was, I wasn't sure just how much of that was actually McGee's cooking." Ducky thought back a moment. "He made those cinnamon rolls from scratch, didn't he?"

"Yep, and do you remember the cook-out we had here on the fourth of July?" Gibbs saw the exact second that Ducky remembered the elaborate cake Tim had brought in an unlabeled bakery box.

"Heavens, he made that? When you four get back from your trip to Chicago, Timothy and I are going to have a serious talk about cooking, starting with how he made that cake. I want his recipe. In fact, where are his cookbooks? I'll just take a moment too..."

"Good night, Ducky." Gibbs was smiling as he herded the elderly man away from the binder Tim had on the counter. "You and he can cook to your heart's content when we get back."

Ducky took the hint. "I suppose you're right. Between he, Ziva and I, we will have quite the Thanksgiving feast this year."

"Counting on it."

Also smiling now, Ducky picked up his hat and bag. "Well, I hate to eat and run, but you both have quite a day ahead of you tomorrow. Jett was out a few minutes ago and is settled in his bed."

They were at the door and Gibbs squeezed Ducky's arm in appreciation. "Thanks, Ducky, for everything."

"It has been my pleasure, Jethro. Have a good evening."

Finally alone, Gibbs went through the lower level of the house, turning off lights and making sure all the doors were locked before taking the juice upstairs. It might still be early, but a few extra hours of sleep sounded pretty good.

-NCIS-

Vance returned to the Yard in a foul mood after a long and unproductive meeting on the hill. Every session, budget talks seemed to get worse, and having to tell the SecNav that one of their lawyers had been arrested hadn't helped the meeting. His assistant met him at the door to his office with a cup of coffee. "Good evening, Director Vance, how did it go?"

She laughed softly at his grunted answer. "Well, Sir, at least Agent DiNozzo and Officer David got through the paperwork you assigned them. It's on your desk for your approval."

"Already?" Vance looked down at his watch. "I expected DiNozzo, at least, to be pulling an all-nighter." He walked into his office and stopped to stare at the mountains of file folders covering his desk and Pamela burst out laughing.

"I guess he was well motivated, Sir."

Vance sat at his desk to discover that he couldn't see over the stacks. "Apparently so."

-NCIS-

After two nighttime trips outside with Jett, Gibbs woke at his usual time of 05.00. He made no effort to get up right away, instead relishing the quiet as he watched Tim sleeping. Comforted by the fact he was in his own bed and Rebecca was out of their lives for good, Tim's sleep was finally deep and restful, his face pressed against Gibbs' shoulder. Deciding that they didn't need to be up for at least another hour, Gibbs softly kissed the top of Tim's head and started to close his eyes when he heard the distinctive sounds of Abby's roadster pulling up in front of the house.

Tim stirred and smiled, but didn't open his eyes. "She's early."

"Very early." With a sigh, Gibbs slid out from under McGee and pulled on his jeans before straightening the blankets over Tim. "You don't need to be up yet. Wait until I bring you your pills, okay?"

"With coffee?" One hopeful eye opened up and Gibbs grinned and shook his head.

"Yes, with coffee."

By the time Gibbs opened the front door, Abby had quite a pile on the porch. As she arrived with what he hoped was the last load, he leaned against the porch post and crossed his arms. "It's just for the weekend, Abs."

"I know, Gibbs." She sounded so excited that he just sighed and started collecting the bags and boxes as she continued to talk. "I mean, I hated to turn McGee down when he invited me to go to Chicago with everybody, but I'd already promised the nuns I would help them tonight and so when he asked if I wanted to stay here with Jett instead, it was just perfect."

"Okay, but what is all this stuff?"

"Just what I need for the weekend, Gibbs, and a few new toys for our big guy." Abby dropped to her knees and started pulling squeak toys and rawhide bones out of the first bag Gibbs had set down. "I don't know why McGee never gets him any of these."

Jett trotted out of the den and immediately pounced on the hamburger shaped toy Abby tossed at him. He happily plopped down in the middle of the hall and started pressing on it with his nose. After about five minutes of constant squeaks Gibbs had a pretty good idea why there had been no squeak toys in the house. Coffee in hand, he glared at Abby as she continued to unpack. "He better be bored with that by the time we get home."

Upstairs, Tim was now sitting up in bed, laughing at what he was hearing, when Gibbs came in. Closing the door muffled the sound, but not by much. "I tried to tell her."

"We'll be out of here soon and she'll get to listen to it, not us." Gibbs gathered his clothes as they listened to Abby try to entice Jett with something else from her stash. "I can tell why he doesn't get those, but why no rawhide?"

"You ever step on a piece of cold, wet, slimy rawhide when you're barefoot at two in the morning?"

Gibbs couldn't quite stop the shudder. "Good point."

-NCIS-

Tony and Ziva arrived just as Jethro and Tim were coming down the stairs, Gibbs carrying both of their bags. They had both packed light enough that they could have combined into one carry-on bag, but Tim insisted that Gibbs not see what was in his bag. Tony had a similar bag tossed over his shoulder, while Ziva's was a rolling suitcase.

Gibbs had to poke fun at Abby just a bit. "See, this is how we pack for a weekend." She just stuck her tongue out at him and went back to trying to coax the toy away from Jett. Tony had to almost yell to be heard over the loud and constant squeaking.

"I parked in the driveway, is that going to be okay? I mean, you're going to remember that it's there, right?" He just grinned when the expected headslap made contact. "So, McGee, when will your car be finished?"

Tim was trying very hard not to laugh. "Sometime next week, there's some parts that are backordered."

Gibbs just rolled his eyes and concentrated on getting Abby away from Jett long enough to give her the necessary instructions. She listened carefully as Gibbs explained about checking the ground for anything that might harm Jett before giving him privacy in the yard, nodded as he reviewed the contents of the doggie first aid kit with her and even managed not to laugh at the very long list of emergency contacts he not only had written out, but made her put in her phone.

It wasn't until he started telling her about adding ice cubes to the water bowl if it got too hot outside that she put her foot down. "Gibbs, go. We'll be fine."

Jimmy with an agency sedan, courtesy of Vance, was their ride to the airport, but he quickly handed the keys to Gibbs and climbed in the backseat with Tony and Ziva. There was never a lack of traffic on the road to the airport, but even with the detour to the Yard for McGee's last blood test they arrived at the airport well ahead of schedule and once they were through security, had plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast.

It wasn't until they were waiting for their food that Tony noticed their seat assignments. "We've got first class seats?"

Apparently, Gibbs hadn't noticed either because his head swiveled around to look at Tim. "Really? I don't think I've ever flown first class before."

"It is much more comfortable." Ziva considered it almost a necessity when flying between DC and Israel, but for such a short flight it was quite a luxury.

Tim blushed slightly at the happy faces and gave a shrug. "Let's face it, coach is designed for short people who were sardines in a former life and I couldn't think of a better time to use my upgrades."

For a man quite content with flying halfway around the world in the back of a cargo plane, Gibbs quickly adapted to the pleasure of first class with the leisurely boarding and wide, soft leather seats, but the best part was the arrival of the mimosas and pastry platters the moment the seat belt sign went off. He stretched out his legs as the soft music played and gently tapped his glass against Tim's as he leaned close. "This is already one of my best birthdays, thank you."

Tim tilted his head enough to lightly brush his lips against Gibbs'. "I'm just getting started, Jethro."

Across the aisle and another row up, Tony was too far away to hear what was being said, but he smiled at the happiness he saw on Gibbs' face before he checked out the other passengers. One row in front of him, a heavy-set man was staring at the happy couple and Tony leaned closer. "You got a problem with them?"

If the man thought about causing a problem, it ended quickly as he turned to look at his questioner. "No, no problem."

Tony stared until the other man blinked. "Good."