Chapter Seven

Gibbs pulled the small over-the -bed table over and found the cribbage board and deck of cards in the drawer of the small nightstand. He'd played it many years ago with Shannon; Ziva had recently taught Tim and now father and son were happy to play a few games together. They paused for a few minutes when the protection detail changed shifts as Gibbs wanted to hear any updates. It had been an uneventful day, giving the entire clan and their guards some breathing time; however Gibbs expected to hear a higher alert put out for the night. He was not disappointed. Hospital security had installed three additional cameras in the parking lot today and would be keeping a close eye on anyone out there. Gibbs was told his home now sported a few security cameras and an alarm at the back gate and that Ducky's home security had also been upgraded. The feed from the cameras was live streaming to devices each agent on the protection detail carried with him or her, including Geordie and Damon. Gibbs wasn't sure exactly what live streaming meant, but figured he'd just ask Tim. He was pleased when Tim signed the explanation; once he understood what it meant he could even visualize it.

After playing enough cribbage to come to a draw, each having won an equal amount of matches, Gibbs packed up the board and cards while Tim climbed out of bed and slowly made his way to the bathroom for his nightly routine. It did his dad's heart good to see his boy walking steadily again; he'd been pretty wobbly at first because his back muscles were still weakened by the invasive surgery. Now he was steadier although still went slowly to help maintain his balance. The doctor said that was his body's way of accommodating his weakened muscles and his pace would increase, along with his confidence, as those muscles continued to heal.

While he waited for Tim, Gibbs thought about a conversation they'd had earlier. Tim raised the subject of Abby's place within their family, worried that she would feel she was no longer part of it. Gibbs pondered that, knowing that if Abby were suddenly declared 'cured' or at least well and under control enough to return to work anytime soon, there wouldn't be much of a homecoming for her. Even if…no when, she did eventually return, and knowing an illness had caused at least part of the problems she'd created, there would still be challenges for her. He told Tim this and his son breathed easier, he'd been afraid his dad would believe Abby could just come back and resume her life and he knew it wasn't going to be that easy. His opinion, as he told his father, was that as she recovered she needed to be reassured that she had a place in Gibbs' and Ducky's hearts and also somehow let her know that things had changed and she would have to do some proving of herself, without 'throwing her to the wolves'. He thought that still having Gibbs and Ducky's love would be her primary concern. Gibbs countered that by saying that she was going to have a lot of adjustments to make in her thinking as Ducky was very involved with Maisie and the Hubbards and had drawn Jimmy closer to him as well. And he, Gibbs, had not only Tim but Sarah, Rob, Geordie and of course Ziva and Tony in his life and in his heart. He was afraid Abby would not be able to learn to share. Since that had been one of Tim's original points, he was satisfied that his dad understood the work that was ahead for all of them. His siblings were going to have to work through their dislike and distrust of the forensic tech and he would have to work through his own anger, but from a practical standpoint, he didn't see any of that really happening until she returned.

Working with Abby's doctors, Luca had requested that contact be limited to Ducky and Gibbs. Ducky was planning a trip to visit her, whether he would have to postpone due to Fornell's case remained to be seen. Gibbs would not go until Tim was out of the hospital and under present circumstances wouldn't travel anywhere unless the entire clan and their protection details went with him. As that was highly unlikely, his visit would just have to wait.

When Tim came out of the bathroom, he found his father in a pensive mood and guessed he was still thinking about Abby and re-integrating her into the family. He stopped by the chair, laid his hand on his dad's shoulder and tried whispering – "Dad, it'll be ok, we'll work together to get through this; I just wanted to make sure we were on the same page."

When Jethro heard his son's voice, he leaped out of the chair and grabbed his boy by the shoulders, "Tim your voice! You spoke, oh Timmy, it's so good to hear your voice." Tim was astounded and touched that his dad had tears rolling down his face. He hadn't realized how much his family and friends had missed hearing him speak; he just knew how much he'd missed talking. His dad was crying and smiling but finally found words, "You were supposed to wait for Dr. Bwookie." Tim signed, not too sure just how long his voice would last, "I won't tell if you won't." His dad laughed and held him close. Eventually both calmed and Tim crawled back into bed. His dad settled into the chair beside him and as Tim settled, took his long fingers into his big hand. As far as Tim was concerned, other than his dad cuddling him, that was the best and he drifted off to sleep with a peaceful smile on his face.

Dr. Bwookie found both of them smiling in their sleep when she entered the room early Monday morning. The sight made her smile; she was indeed very fond of this family. Checking Tim's vitals woke both men up. "Rise and shine, Gibbses, it is the start of a brand new day. Timothy, today's the day, let's see how that voice of yours works; remember whispers only."

Grinning, Tim whispered, "Good Morning Dr. Bwookie. Hi, Dad." Gibbs beamed at his son, leaning over and kissing him on the head, "Good Morning, Timson, love hearing your voice!"

The doctor smiled, "That's excellent, Tim! Now, take it easy - no long conversations, stop before you feel you've spoken too much. It will feel like a case of laryngitis coming on, so stop right away if you feel any hoarseness or soreness."

Tim nodded and remembered he could speak now, "I will, Doctor."

"Now, we have another topic. I've had a special request from the Director of NCIS, is that the nice couple with the two children that were here his first night, Jethro?"

"Yes Barbara, my boss, Leon Vance."

"Oh he's just your boss, so maybe not so impressive," she said, making sure her tease was obvious by winking at Tim. He was still running "Barbara and Jethro" through his mind and coming up with one answer.

He returned to the conversation as the doctor continued, "Anyway, Tim, Director Vance has asked that we allow you a half day 'pass' today. Seems there's quite a nasty case going on, I'm assuming it has to do with the problems on Saturday, and he is in desperate need of your 'electronic wizardry' as he put it. So first of all, is that something that you're willing to do? Ok, wow, did not know your face could light up the whole hospital like that, Tim. I've been assured this is desk work only, and you will be restricted to your desk and your computer, only allowed to leave your desk to go to the bathroom. You want anything from the printer or something to eat, one of your loyal minions can fetch for you. Dr. Mallard or Dr. Palmer will check your vitals and your pain levels every 30 minutes, I saw that eye roll, Timothy, you don't go unless you agree to these conditions, you're still my patient. That's better; did you teach him that eye roll, Jethro?"

Tim chuckled, which hurt a bit. He signed, "He didn't teach me, raising two kids taught me." His father verbalized that for him.

The doctor nodded, "And that little laugh just then, did that hurt?" He nodded and put his thumb and index finger close together to show a 'little bit'.

"Ok, here's the deal, you can go for four hours, no longer and no talking today. I know you can but I'd rather wait another day or so, especially when you're in the dry air of an office building, and not take any chances of a setback."

Tim whispered this time, "I'll do my best." He was thrilled at the prospect of going back to work, even for just a few hours. He couldn't wait to get on the trail of the Bomlundering family to see who had been paying out more expenses than usual and find the dirtbag who'd hurt Fornell and his family as well as Tim's own family. Nobody hurt his brother or sister and lived, uh, he corrected his thought, went unpunished. His Dad smiled at him, seeing the fierce look in his eyes. The doctor took a step back, "Oh, I'm meeting Special Agent McGee for the first time, not Timmy, son, brother, lover and friend."

Tim nodded and pulling himself up straighter, snapped a sharp salute to Captain Bwookie. She smiled as she snapped one right back at him. "Where'd you learn that, Tim? That was a genuine military salute."

Tim signed and his father verbalized, "From my stepfather, Commander McGee."

"Oh, haven't met him, have I?" Gibbs answered, "No, he died when Tim was a kid."

Tim bounced a little and his dad and the doctor chuckled. "Ah, that's another thing, Timothy, you're going to travel to and from the car by wheelchair and I don't care if you get dropped off at the front door. Unless the car can drive into the building and drop you at your desk, you're in a wheelchair from and to the car or anywhere further than the men's room. If you get called up to the Director's office, you're in the chair. If you want to visit Ducky in his office, you will use the wheelchair and someone will push you. However, your physical therapist also wants you up on your feet, so your trips to the men's room will not require the wheel chair. "

Tim nodded, still grinning and his dad ruffled his hair. The doctor started to leave the room and then turned, "And Tim, no pizza or Chinese. Your digestive system is still healing. Jethro, I'm counting on you to keep Tony and his ever-present pizzas out of Tim's way. Drs. Mallard or Palmer will know what's safe to eat."

Tim's grin did not diminish as his dad asked him whether he wanted to go to work with him now or wait for one of the others to pick him up in the afternoon. He answered him by going to the small closet and finding only his shoes and socks. The rest of his clothing had either been ruined in the fall or cut off him in the ER.

He looked at his current inside-the-room guard with a wicked look in his eyes. Agent Muller was the same height and close to the same build. The agent's eyes popped open, "Agent McGee, I…" Tim grinned at him, he'd just been teasing.

Gibbs grinned at both of them. "Tim, Ziva's at the house, you've got casual clothes there, she can bring those and I'll get some scrubs from the hospital staff for now."

Agent Muller looked relieved, he did have his go bag in his car but he didn't know either Agents McGee or Gibbs all that well and wasn't crazy about loaning his clothes to someone. He was normally part of the Pentagon team, so getting the clothes returned might take awhile. He dismissed all that from his mind as Gibbs was leaving the room in search of scrubs.

Gibbs walked out of the room, nodding to Agent Cresspin and headed to the nurses' station. Before he'd taken more than a few steps however, he heard Ziva calling his name and his hand went to his hip, prepared to react to whatever danger she was about to announce. Smiling at him, she approached him with a small sports bag. "Good Morning Gibbs. Ducky called and said Tim is going into the office and would need clothes." Giving her a quick kiss to the cheek, he took the bag.

"You're just in time Zeevers; I was just going to beg a set of scrubs for Tim." He stopped and looked at her, "Whose car do you have?"

"Your truck, I thought we could exchange vehicles again. I do not think his injuries are well enough healed to bend into the Mini and Ducky said Tim will use a wheel chair; I cannot fit one into my car. "

"Good thinking!" He looked her over carefully, "You sleep ok last night?"

"Yes, I did, it was quite soothing to be at your home."

"Anytime, Zeevers, anytime."

Ziva showed her badge to Agent Cresspin, also from the Pentagon team, and they re-entered Tim's room. Tim greeted Ziva with surprise and a kiss that would have gone longer if Gibbs hadn't spoken up. "McGee! David! I know you've already got a room, but you're not alone." Tim blushed and Ziva giggled. Agent Muller's eyes nearly popped out at that, he'd heard stories about Ziva; he knew she was a Mossad operative and the last thing, well the two last things he expected were that she was apparently Agent McGee's girlfriend and that she actually giggled.

The breakfast carts were rattling outside the room, so with Gibbs' permission, Ziva relieved first Agent Cresspin while she ate and then Agent Muller while he ate. Tim tried not to wolf his breakfast down, knowing that could cause problems along the way. NCIS and all the wicked details Tim planned on discovering today would not disappear if they arrived 5 minutes later because he chewed his eggs, bacon and toast, drank his orange juice and sipped at the weak coffee.

Realizing he might get more real coffee today, he looked at his father who knew just what he was thinking. "We'll see, Timiny, have to ask Ducky. Thinking he's probably going to restrict you to the swi…the coffee in the break room." Tim gave him an unhappy look and Gibbs laughed, "Yeah, I know, I can't imagine being without, but it won't be that much longer, son."

Tim signed something to him that made both Ziva and his father laugh. Gibbs put his 'Boss' face on and said, "Enough cheek, McGee!" Tim beamed at him and Gibbs shook his head, saying to Ziva, "Oh this is going to be fun." That earned Boss eye rolls from both his teammates.

After everyone was done eating, Tim showered and tried to dress himself. He finally summoned his father as he found he couldn't bend enough to put anything on the lower part of his body. Gibbs brought the chair into the small bathroom and helped his son dress, although he had to do the socks and shoes for Tim. Ziva had originally thought to bring jeans but was afraid the material and waistline would be too rough for Tim's healing incisions, so instead found a pair of his sweat pants that would be softer. Tim wasn't thrilled about wearing sweat pants to work but that was better than scrubs and he was going to work, who cared what he wore!

Once Tim and Gibbs emerged from the bathroom, Ziva went to find an orderly. Gibbs had texted Rick Carter and now the agents of their protection detail received orders to split up, one to stay at the room and one to ride shotgun with Officer David, returning to the hospital when Tim did. Tim once again had his weapons on him, as did the others, of course.

The orderly was required to stick with Tim in the wheelchair until he was loaded into the car, and had a exciting story to tell as the truck and the little Mini parked next to it were first thoroughly searched by The Suit with them. Apparently both vehicles turned up clean as the young man was finally allowed to help the patient into the pickup truck and then helped load the wheel chair into the back.

The ride to NCIS was uneventful, much to everyone's relief. Gibbs pulled into the parking garage and into his favorite spot trying to remember the last time he'd been at the office. Just last Thursday which seemed a long time ago. Ziva pulled into the spot next to him and Agent Muller stood guard while Gibbs first helped Tim out of the truck and then into the wheelchair. After being warmly greeted by the security guards, Tim was still grinning as his dad wheeled him into the elevator and punched in their floor number. And he was still grinning when he was rolled out onto their floor and he saw Tony, Ducky and Jimmy waiting at his workstation. He signed to them that he loved them all but only had four hours so please could they celebrate later? Jimmy laughed and took his pulse while Tim booted up his computer, then looked around for his laptop.

"I've got it Probie, have it locked up for you. Hang on." Tony went to retrieve Tim's laptop from his own desk while Ducky listened to Tim's heart and lungs. Both doctors were pleased with his vitals and left for Autopsy. Tony delivered the laptop and helped Tim set it up. As Tim started to log on, his fath…boss and two partners started to laugh. Puzzled, he looked up and then realized he was still in the wheelchair. Tony carefully helped him up, but let him stand by himself while he moved the wheelchair out of the way and moved Tim's desk chair in place. Tim sat down and shook his head, signing he needed the cushion off the wheel hair. Ziva brought that and helped place it so he was more comfortable. Finally he could get to work, disturbed that he'd already 'spent' 3 minutes of his four hour time allowance. As he finished logging on, that big grin still on his face, he heard a throat clear and looked up to see Director Vance. "I won't take even a minute, McGee, just wanted to welcome you back and thank you for coming in. Not that I think anything could have stopped you!" Tim signed his thanks and the Director stood with Gibbs watching him pull up programs, including Instant Messaging. He IM'd Carter with a request to bring him up to date and Carter pinged him back that the information was ready to be pulled up on their plasma. While Carter's team updated them, Tim made notes of some names of interest and then, still listening and knowing his teammates were also taking notes, kicked off his first set of searches.

By the end of his four hours, he had learned how to capture people's attention when he needed something, just bang something to make noise and everyone came running. More importantly, he had narrowed the search down to two of the Bomlundering family's underlings. He had a gut feeling about one of them, a minor player with the auspicious name of "Stud Diopiti". He searched for the man's birth certificate and found that his given name was indeed "Stud". He also noticed that the father's name was listed as Marion Diopiti and wondered if that was the reason for the son's ridiculously masculine name. He shrugged his shoulders, who knew and better yet, who cared! Letting Rick Carter know his suspicions, he started his searches on the first guy; the one he thought was not their dirtbag, with only 45 minutes of his four hours to go.

He IM'd one of his former co-workers in Cybercrimes and asked him to come check for any results in 90 minutes. He outlined what he was looking for and Peter pinged him back, agreeing. Then he IM'd Tony and told him about the searches and Peter looking out for them. At some point during his time, he'd sent an e-mail to the Director, asking him to ask Dr. Bwookie for more time tomorrow. He needed to rule out this guy and then concentrate on the one he was sure was the dirtbag-in-charge.

At 11:30 AM precisely, his dad stood up and smiling softly, walked over to Tim's desk. "Ok kiddo, time's up for the day. You still have searches going?"

Tim nodded and pointed to Tony who knew a cue when he saw one, "Yes, he has searches going. Peter Akachi from Cybercrimes will be here in the next hour to monitor those searches and give Agent Carter the results and yes, Rick has been told this as well. Peter will also shut Tim's PC and laptop down after the searches are complete. None of us are to touch his computers."

Gibbs smirked at his agents. "Ok, I've got a meeting, Tony, would you take Tim back to the hospital? You can stay and have lunch, be back by 1400."

"Yeah, Boss, that'd be great, oh, we have to take what's-his-name back too."

"Yeah, Agent Muller. He's working with Carter's team, hang on."

Gibbs walked over to Carter's team and brought Muller back with him.

"Tony, Vance has approved an agency sedan for you three, it's being gassed up and searched now."

"Ok Boss."

Tim signed, "Now you won't have to put the top up, know you hate that unless it is raining or snowing."

"It's already up, I was anticipating." Gibbs helped his son into the wheelchair and gave him a quick kiss on his head. "I'll be by after work, see if I can spring the gang for a visit, how's that?"

Tim nodded, it hadn't been that long, but he missed Rob, Sarah and Geordie. He'd taken the time to question Ducky about his grandmother, aunt and cousins, gratified to learn they were doing well. They were planning on visiting the hospital on Wednesday.

As Tony was wheeling him into the elevator, the Director appeared, a little out of breath and squeezed in, "Good, was afraid I'd missed you, McGee. Ducky reported no problems today so provided you have a good rest tonight, you'll be allowed another four hours of work tomorrow."

Tim laughed softly and Tony and Vance's eyes lit up. "Tim, you made a noise!" Muller chuckled to himself. Tim signed that he'd been allowed to whisper this morning but the doctor had forbidden him to talk at all while at the office.

"Not even one little word, Tim?"

"We won't tell, Agent McGee." This surprising promise came from the usually reserved Vance. Agent Muller had to turn his head to the back of the elevator to avoid laughing in Director Vance's face when Tim shook his head, grinning and then whispered, "No."

Tony and Vance's faces lit up; Tony gave him a high five and Vance shook his hand. As the elevator descended, Vance told them the agency sedan awaited them in the parking garage.

Tony wheeled Tim to the car which was as close to the elevator as possible and Tim stood up on his own and got in the back seat. Agent Muller rode shotgun as they drove back to the hospital. Dr. Bwookie was at the nurses' station when they rolled out of the elevator on the 5th floor and started following them toward his room.

Muller stopped them all a few steps away. "Let me check, I expected Cresspin to be at the door." He drew his weapon and Tony rolled Tim away from the door, motioning the bemused doctor to follow.

Muller opened the door slowly, visually taking in as much as possible. He cleared the room, the closet and the bathroom, then ran a sniffer and found a new tracker on the back of the small nightstand and another on the phone in the room. There was no sign of Agent Cresspin, no explosive devices, no signs of struggle or trouble. Just the new trackers. He disconnected them, putting them in evidence bags and then motioned the patient, Tony and the doctor into the room. He showed the others the trackers; then stepped just outside the door to call Agent Carter.

Carter was on his way along with half his team, before Muller could get all the way through his news. While Muller was making his call and Dr. Bwookie was checking Tim, Tony discreetly called Gibbs and updated him, figuring Carter was probably on his way before Muller got through with the call.

As Carter and his SFA exited the elevator, who should they spot wandering down the hall but the missing agent, Cresspin. Carter sent his SFA to guard the door to Tim's hospital room, letting Muller assume his previous in-room position. The SFA also summoned Tony to witness Carter's on the spot interrogation of the errant Agent Cresspin. Ordering her to follow them, he brought her into the staff lounge, followed a couple of minutes later by Tony who had stopped to take a call from Vance. He wanted an update and Tony gave him one; Vance sighed and gave him a direct order, depending on the information they received.

After getting off the phone with Vance, DiNozzo joined Carter in the lounge, in time to hear him ask, "Where the hell were you Cresspin?"

"When?" she replied, her brow furrowed as if puzzled.

"While you were supposed to be guarding the patient's room!"

"Oh, he wasn't there, they took him somewhere and I got hungry so I went to the cafeteria and they couldn't get my order right, I don't understand why it was so difficult and why all those people were angry."

"Cresspin, while you were gone…"

Tony interrupted him, "Cresspin, you are our number one suspect for another attempt to compromise Agent McGee's safety."

"Me? I didn't do anything. I was in the cafeteria and they…"

"Can you prove it?"

"Prove what?"

Carter threw up his hands while Tony shook his head and took his cuffs out.

"Velorla Cresspin, I am placing you under arrest for conspiracy to commit a felony on a federal agent."

Tony continued to read the soon-to- be-former agent her rights as Carter witnessed. When DiNozzo was done, Cresspin just sat there. "Get up, Cresspin, we're taking you back to NCIS."

"But I'm supposed to be on protection detail."

"No, you're not." She stood quietly, her hands cuffed behind her back.

Carter led her out of the lounge, just in time to see Gibbs and Ziva nearly jump out of the elevator. "Situation is under control for now, Jethro. Going to leave Eastman here to work with Muller."

"You need help with her?"

"Yeah, if I could borrow Ziva for the drive back, that'd be great."

"May I stay for the interrogation?"

"Fine with me, you might have to take a Valium first, though, this one…" Behind the prisoner, Carter made a 'cuckoo' circle around his temple. Gibbs got it; Ziva did not until Gibbs leaned over and whispered in her ear.

"Oh, I see. Then why was she included on the protection detail?"

"That, Officer David, is something the Director is probably looking into right now."

Carter started moving and the prisoner looked at him, "Where are you taking me? I'm supposed to be on guard duty." He shook his head.

The woman spoke again, "There's no need to be rude, Agent…what did you say your name was again?"

Gibbs stood, his eyes showing his disbelief that this person had been chosen for protection detail. He had a thought and stuck his foot between the elevator doors.

"Rick, better have Ducky take a look at her, maybe she's been drugged."

"Good idea, Jethro."

Gibbs watched the elevator doors close again and then clapping Carter's SFA, Agent Eastman on the shoulder, went on in to Tim's room. Dr. Bwookie was still there, Tim's pulse and heart rate had been a little high and she was stroking his wrist, working to get him calmed down. Tim was working on it as well; he wanted to calm himself before his dad arrived. He knew nothing could keep him away and sure enough his father walked in the door within a few minutes. He went straight to Tim and just gathered him in his arms for a few minutes. Tim decided not to be embarrassed that not only Tony but Agent Muller were there to witness his fear and frustration.

His dad whispered in his ear that Ziva had gone to help Carter transport the prisoner to NCIS. When Tim looked confused, Gibbs looked at Tony. "Haven't had a chance to tell him, Boss."

Gibbs turned to the doctor who had just taken another set of vitals. "Doctor, are you satisfied with Tim's numbers now?"

"Yes, Agent Gibbs."

"Then will you please excuse us? We have some agency business to discuss."

She smiled, "Of course, I'll check back later, Tim." Tim gave her a half smile as she left the room.

Tony quickly filled Tim, Muller and Gibbs in on everything that had just happened. Muller frowned, "Wow, that's really weird. I've never seen her like that."

Gibbs nodded, "They'll have her blood tested to see if she's been drugged."

"But she just wandered off because she was hungry?"

Tony nodded, "That's what she said and then she was babbling about the cafeteria staff not getting her order right and people in line being angry and rude to her."

Muller sat, "Guys, I know you don't know either of us well, but she's…I've worked with her for over a year and never seen anything close to what you're describing. She must be drugged."

Tim tapped his dad on the shoulder, "Or maybe she's on a new prescription?"

They all nodded, that was a possibility. Still, if she hadn't planted those trackers herself, she had to have some interaction with whoever had. And if she had planted them, who was she working for, who had gotten to her?

They tossed around ideas for a while and then Gibbs looked at his watch, "I have to go, need to witness the arraignment of those two thugs this afternoon and then drop by Arlington PD for my statement."

Tim had gone pale at hearing that his father was going into a court room. "Relax, Tim, I'm not going into the courtroom; Vance arranged for me to watch live via the security camera. So I can see which of the two peons you identified shows up in court."

Tony cleared his throat, "No, you're not going, DiNozzo, not going to take the chance one of the other families shows up."

Muller's eyebrows went up even though he was on protection detail and these conversations were none of his business. Except they were because his teammate might have been compromised by whoever these dirtbags were.

Gibbs left, promising to call when he was through viewing the arraignment. He would have another agent with him for both the courthouse visit and then on his way to and from Arlington PD.

After lunch, Tony left for the office, itching to know what was happening with the case, especially with the rather odd Cresspin.