THE DISTANCE BETWEEN-CHAPTER NINE
I DO NOT OWN NCIS OR ANY CHARACTERS ON THE SHOW
(BUT I WOULD LIKE TO LEASE MCGEE FOR A WHILE)
Sarah had visited daily, sometimes more than once. The accident had made her realize just how much she took her big brother for granted. Tim was the one person in her world she knew she could rely on without fail. It had been eye-opening not only to her how much she had come to count on him as she was able to be witness to his friends facing the same reality. While she would never wish this accident on him she was grateful that so much good had come from it. Sarah knew that there would come a time she would forget again but she was determined to hold on to this feeling for as long as possible. Tim deserved the attention; he deserved knowing he was loved, special and he really was special. He was without doubt a remarkable man and as her brother it was easy to overlook the kind of person he is. She kissed him goodbye as she left Gibbs home for her next class and smiled when she ran into Tony coming in the front door. Maybe between all of them they could hold on to this epiphany and never forget how blessed their lives were with Tim in it.
It was on the third day after his release from the hospital that Tony was able to catch Tim alone. He passed Sarah as she was leaving and he entered the home determined to finally talk to him. Tim had noticed Tony acting differently around him when he visited but it was obvious whatever he wanted to say he wanted to do without an audience. They settled on the couch, Jethro lying across Tim's feet as if afraid his master would leave again; Tim could see Tony was struggling to find the words he wanted to say.
"Tony, whatever you're trying to say you don't have to. I know we pick at each other but I always know you have my back. The words aren't important; what's important are our actions and I never doubt that if I need you, you will be there for me," Tim spoke quietly hoping to put Tony at ease.
"Tim, when Sarah called me from the hospital and I didn't know how badly you were hurt; all I could think was what if you didn't know how important you are to me," Tony said.
"Tony…."
"No, Tim, let me finish. You know that Sr. wasn't the greatest dad in the world but he was all the family I had after I lost my mom. Then all of you guys came along and it was as if I suddenly understood what it meant to have a family, a real family. You ARE my brother, Tim. I may tease and pick at you but you are a big part of my life. When I thought I had lost that I …. I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you. I just needed you to know that."
"I do know that, Tony. I feel the same. Maybe we don't say the words like other people do but I never doubt that you care about me just like I care about you and Ziva and everyone else. We're a family like you said. I'm glad you told me, it means a lot to me. Blood or not, you are the only brother I have ever had."
Tony and Tim were both silent for a moment; both feeling a little awkward. The silence was broken when Gibbs opened the front door then both men stood looking everywhere but at each other.
"Well, I… I should be going. See you tomorrow Boss. Bye Tim," Tony said as he walked toward the door.
"See ya, Dinozzo," Gibbs said as he watched the two younger men.
"Hey Tony," Tim spoke waiting for Tony to turn back to face him.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for…well thanks," Tim replied.
"Yeah, you too Probie, see ya tomorrow," Tony said with a smile as he walked out the front door.
Tim smiled at the closed door before turning to the questioning look in Gibbs eyes.
"Sorry boss, you know how it is with brothers."
Gibbs smiled. His boys would be alright.