For the next five days, Tali was listed as being in critical condition. Due to the severity of her injuries, even though DC Metro had Kennedy locked up, Tony, Ziva, Ari, and TJ still had to give the detectives detailed statements about what happened. That Friday, TJ paid Tali a visit, and even though she was still sedated, that didn't keep TJ from talking to her.

"Hey," he said, taking Tali's hand. "A lot of people are worried about you, Tals, and it's not just our families, either. Everyone at school is worried about you, too. Well, except Kennedy of course. But Ari and I put the bastard in his place, though." TJ stopped, then took a breath before continuing. "You have to pull through this, Tali. I don't want to think about what life would be like without you. At lo levad."

"Shut up, dork." Tali was awake, and she squeezed TJ's hand as he squeezed hers.

"When did you wake up?" TJ asked, unable to hide his smile.

"Somewhere around the part where you said that you didn't want to think about what life would be like without me. Did you really mean that?"

TJ nodded and brushed Tali's hair out of her face. "Yes, I did."

"Thanks, Teej. And to be honest, I don't want to imagine life without you either."

TJ's grin got wider, and he changed the subject. "Have you heard yet?"

"Heard what?" Tali asked in reply.

"Kennedy got busted. He's done."

"So I don't have to worry about him anymore?"

"Nope. And because all parties involved were required to give Metro Detectives statements, coupled with a very disturbing interrogation at NCIS, Kennedy is facing a Weapons Charge, which is the least of his worries. He's also been charged with Aggravated Assault, Battery, Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon, Assault on a Federal Officer, Assault With A Deadly Weapon on a Federal Officer, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Statutory Rape, and Attempted Murder."

Tali wanted details. "Who did the interrogation?"

"Your Dad. And Kennedy about shit his pants."

"Tim, what have I told you about your language?" A voice asked from the doorway.

"Sorry, Dad." TJ took a dollar from his pocket and handed it to his father, Deputy NCIS Director Timothy (No-Middle-Name) McGee, Senior.

"I heard your conversation," McGee said. "It's about time."

"Dad, can you give us a minute - ALONE?" TJ asked, slightly embarrassed.

"Sure. I'll just be outside. Yell if you need anything." McGee walked back into the waiting area, and TJ turned to Tali.

"I have to break Rule 6," he said.

"What?" Tali asked.

"I'm sorry. There is no way in hell that this should have gone as far as it did."

"I'm sorry, too," Ari said, popping up from out of nowhere. "I should've told someone the moment I suspected something."

"Stop blubbering, both of you," Tali said. "This is starting to become the apology scene from a crappy movie."

"Right," Ari said. Sensing the tension in the room, he added, "I'll be out there."

Ari left, and Tali again gently squeezed TJ's hand before kissing him on the cheek. And as she and TJ laughed away the hours until she could go home, she realized he was right.

You're never gonna be alone
From this moment on, if you ever feel like letting go,
I won't let you fall.
When all hope is gone, I know that you can carry on.
We're gonna see the world out,
I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone.

I'm gonna be there always,
I won't be missing one more day,
I'm gonna be there always,
I won't be missing one more day.

...-_-...

A little under two months passed. Tony was still adjusting to the fact that Tali was dating TJ (When he first found out, he said, "C'mon, really?"), even though everyone had said that it was inevitable.

Christmas rolled around, and the DiNozzo and McGee families (The remaining of what some Agents called "The Old Guard") were gathered at the DiNozzo house to celebrate.

Ari was having a laugh at Tali being suspended from school (For saying "Fuck Off" to the school shrink); Tony and McSenior were watching College Football after being banned from the kitchen; Ziva & Abby were putting the finishing touches on dinner; and Tali had TJ cornered under the mistletoe.

Tali was the life of the party, laughing and joking like the past three months were only a bad dream, and by the time that they were all gathered around the table, she realized that she had so much to be thankful for. Tali knew that not every bullying victim got a second chance, and she counted each day after what happened as a gift. She wasn't alone, and she had the friends and the family to prove it.

So, that's it for this story. Review?