A few days passed slowly but Palmer remained the living dead. Laid out like a living corpse in the hospital with only the steady rhythm of his heart monitor as proof of life.
The team was restless with worry and grief but had no leads yet how to find Jimmy's attacker.
Gibbs looked up from his desk the third night of working and studied his team.
"Go home you three, might as well take some rest" he called out after studying each exhausted member.
"But boss…we didn't find anything yet" Tony said, reminding him of the awful truth.
"I know DiNozzo" Gibbs said and Tony nodded. The trio picked up their things knowing there was no point in arguing. They never won.
"Goodnight boss, we'll try harder tomorrow" Tim McGee piped up.
"That's the spirit McGoo" Tony praised and got a small smile from his coworker.
"Come on, lets go get a drink Timmy and then we'll go to my place for a movie" he added which Tim nodded to. "Sure DiNozzo" he said knowing Tony needed the company.
Since finding Palmer, Tony hadn't been himself. No wise cracks, pranks or anything else Tim was used to. To his surprise, he found he hated it.
Gibbs waited a half hour after the trio left before taking exit and left for the hospital.
He went to Jimmy's room and found him in the same position. "Still holding on Palmer?" he called as he sat in the chair by the bed.
"You better be Jimmy, we miss you…I think you outlast Gerald listening to Ducky's stories" he added to fill the silence.
"What the hell were you trying to tell me Palmer? I'm listening now kid" he whispered.
No answer. It was always the same now. Gibbs hated having no answers for so long. This time though, Gibbs visit had a small twist.
"What do you expect Gibbs? He can't speak now, you lost that chance" a voice asked. A familiar voice, but it couldn't be possible.
Gibbs stared at him and he chuckled. "Come on Gibbs, you should know its your subconscious talking…I thought you paid attention when your famous gut spoke" the figure mocked him.
"Are you here just to mock me or to help me?" Gibbs growled.
"A little bit of both Jethro…this should been as easy puzzle for you…but then I guess you really don't care about your team" the voice replied.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Gibbs growled.
"Think about it Marine! You know nothing old man! When your team gets into trouble it's because you didn't protect them!" the voice taunted.
"Boss?"
"Goodbye Jethro, better answer him before he disappears too" the voice said and disappeared.
"Boss?"
"You got tired of DiNozzo already Tim?"
The young man chuckled. "Guess Tony was exhausted, he crashed ten minutes after we got back to his place" Tim explained.
"Well Jimmy is about the same but go ahead and sit with him" Gibbs said and got up from the chair.
"Actually I came looking for you…you weren't home so…" Tim explained.
"You find out something?" Gibbs asked as he faced his agent.
"No…it's just…I guess I was wondering why Palmer didn't talk to you" Tim stammered.
"You didn't exactly come running to me when Sarah was in trouble McGee" Gibbs corrected.
"My sister was being framed for murder…Jimmy had some sort of psychopath after him boss…even I would have called if I felt I needed the help" Tim retorted.
"Well, obviously Palmer thought he could handle it himself" Gibbs lied.
Tim nodded. "Yeah…but why?" Tim asked.
"That's what we have to find out Tim…starting with who did this" Gibbs answered.
"How boss?"
"Good question McGee…find out for me" Gibbs answered and left. Tim stared after him.
'How do I do that Gibbs when your lying to me?' he thought. Tim turned back to Jimmy.
"Why didn't you ask me Palmer?" he asked quietly. He sat down and stared at him a while before taking his leave for the night still puzzled.