Two weeks had passed since the accident and things were not any easier. Valarie was coming by to help Tony with cooking and cleaning. She also was his chauffeur and took Tali when she could. Without her Tony would be lost. He was seeing Rachel on a daily basis now. She would make house calls when Valarie could not drive him or care for Tali. He was happy to have at least two friends. He just wished that his family would care more.
Breena was home from the hospital now. She was on powerful anti-depressants and anti-psychotics. She still refused to get out of bed most days. She had moved back in with Ed and only spoke the names of her husband and child. Ed was at a loss. Breena's psychologist felt it would be best if Breena could connect with somebody from Jimmy's life. Unfortunately that was easier said than done. She was furious with Tony. The psychologist did not think it would be the best idea for her to speak with Tony just yet. All the other people who were closest to Jimmy, were blaming Tony for the accident. Ed knew they cared for her. They checked in on a daily basis and delivered food most evenings. Unfortunately they did not hide their anger at Tony and their behavior would feed into Breena's delusions. That was the last thing the young woman needed.
Rachel looked nervously around her group. Vance had, had enough of the teams attitude and arranged a group session. Rachel was livid that the team would not comply to her schedule and she was forced to cancel her appointment with Tony for the afternoon. The former Senior Field Agent needed counsel. More than these entitled folks needed their routine. She may have had more sympathy if any of them actually cared about why they were there. The group she was looking at, resembled little kids getting lectured by their teacher. They had been talking among themselves since she entered the room. They did not even acknowledge her.
"Excuse me but I canceled a very important session this afternoon! I would appreciate it if you would listen to me!" Rachel demanded angrily.
"We don't even need to be here." Jethro scoffed.
"Exactly Vance chose the feelings of a murderer who does not even work here anymore. Over the rest of us. We are just mourning Jimmy." Abby explained, harshly.
"I know that you are mourning but this behavior is unacceptable. It is getting to the point where you would rather bash Tony than do your job properly." Rachel explained.
"Tony murdered our co-worker and his daughter. We have the right to be angry." McGee reminded.
"It was a car accident. An accident that Tony would rather have never happened." Rachel corrected.
"Then why didn't he do anything about it?!" Bishop demanded.
"He couldn't. There was no time to react. The truck came out of nowhere and Tony did not have time to do anything." Rachel explained.
"How can you take his side?!" Ducky demanded.
"I am not taking sides. I know that all of you are hurting. I am trying to make you see Tony's side. So that you can understand his pain." Rachel explained.
"We are the ones in pain! Tony doesn't care! He didn't even bother to get the bodies out of the car! Before it burst into flames!" Abby snapped.
"He couldn't! He barely had time to save Tali! What was he supposed to do? Let his daughter burn alive to save corpses?" Rachel demanded.
"He could have at least tried. He could have survived a few burns. Poor Breena does not even have enough for a proper burial." Ducky explained.
"He doesn't care about anyone but himself." Jethro insisted.
Tony lie on his couch. Valarie had Tali and that came as a major relief. He was having major issues with pains that day. The physical pain was bad enough. Especially given he could not really take any pain killers, but it was the mental pain that was really killing him. He was having one of those days where he could not blink without seeing the accident. Without seeing the bodies of Jimmy and Tori. He felt sick remembering how mangled they were. He had his bad days but Rachel was always there to talk him through, but Rachel had to cancel his appointment for the day.
"Alright Tali take your new bunny to your room and introduce him to your other stuffed animals, while I talk to your daddy!" Valarie instructed.
"OK! Hi Abba! This is Pete! By Abba!" Tali cried racing past with a bright green plush rabbit.
"She saw him at the thrift store and just had to have him." Valarie explained.
"It's OK. I am still trying to replace what Jethro gave away." Tony assured.
"How are you holding up today?" Valarie asked.
"My legs are killing me and I can't take anything." Tony replied.
"Can you drink tea?" Valarie asked.
"I can but I prefer not to." Tony replied.
"I have teas that can help ease joint and bone pain. I used them when I was recovering from my car accident but knew I would be drug tested by the court." Valarie explained.
"They drug test you in custody hearings?" Tony asked.
"I did something stupid when I was younger. I managed to get off on misdemeanor charges and it was before I was eighteen. Still they decided that I should be tested before they decided custody. My exes new wife is loaded all the time but she has money." Valarie explained.
"Val" Tony whispered.
"I am sorry this isn't about me. Anyway I have tea that does not effect you. I will brew you up a little and that will ease the physical pain." Valarie explained.
"I wish that tea would take away the mental pain." Tony sighed.
"You and me both." Valarie replied.
"Rachel canceled on me today. She said that she had a last minute conflict but I have a feeling it's because she has started blaming me." Tony explained.
"Why would she start blaming you now?" Valarie asked.
"The full story was finally published today." Tony explained.
"I read that and I don't blame you." Valarie assured.
"You are the only one." Tony sighed.
"Do you really think the world hates you because the newspaper finally released every detail of an accident?" Valarie questioned.
"They do." Tony insisted.
"Come here" Valarie insisted.
"I lost my family. I have nobody. I mean I have Tali but she only two. She does not even understand that she will never see Tori or Jimmy again. I have you but you have your own struggles. I can't dump all this on you." Tony sobbed.
"You listened to me vent for months. This is the least I can do." Valarie assured.
"If it weren't for Tali, I'd kill myself!" Tony cried.
"Tony" Valarie whispered.
A/N: Vance talks to Tony in the next chapter. New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.