Chapter 3
"What do you mean you two hadn't had a first date?"
"Not an official one," Tim defended.
Almost like a routine, when Tim and Delilah woke up, Tim started relaying what happened in his dream and what he "remembered". Though by now both were starting to question if it really was a dream at this point.
"But you said you've been dating for several months now," Delilah replied, "how can you be dating for this long and not have one date?"
"We've had dates, kinda," Tim said, holding up his fingers to do air quotes for dates, "we just haven't had an official first date."
"What does that even mean? Official first date?"
"You know, that initial first date to start the relationship off. We just haven't had it yet since we're taking it slow."
"Taking it slow? You've practically done every relationship thing except meeting the parents and even then technically you already met them."
"I mean, yeah but-"
"You are both weird. You're both 'officially' a couple, how do you not have an 'official' first date? How does that mean you're taking it slow? I just don't get it," Delilah said as she pulled her wheelchair towards her and prepared to lift herself onto it.
"Her last relationship was very unhealthy," Tim said softly as he sat at the edge of the bed.
Delilah stopped mid motion and didn't move for a moment before continuing and getting into her wheelchair.
"Did he…," Delilah started to ask, not looking up.
"No, I don't think so" Tim replied before she could finish, "I don't remember if she said he did but I don't think I would ask anyways."
"I think I get it now," Delilah said, letting out a deep breath, "obviously she was affected enough."
"Yeah. You know how I said she was in my apartment when I got home, well before that, she got a note and flowers from her ex basically begging to take him back and how he forgives her for any cheating she may have done while apart."
"Oh he did not! She didn't cheat in any way, right?"
"Nope. No cheating from her. Him on the other hand…."
"OH! That asshole! The sheer audacity. Was she mad?"
"Irate. And distraught. She tried to hide it but she wasn't effective and ended up breaking down and crying."
"Poor girl," Delilah said, placing a hand on Tim's knee, "Tim, that young lady deserves an amazing first date, so when you finally do have it, make sure it's special. Ok?"
"Actually, I didn't get to that part yet," Tim replied, putting his hand on top of Delilah's hand and lacing their fingers, "After some talking, we agreed to have that date this weekend."
Delilah's eyes went wide and lit up with excitement.
"That's perfect," she said, "that means we need to plan it out and get you ready. Oh, we need to pick out your clothes. We have to make this perfect."
Delilah quickly turned around and wheeled herself to their walk-in closet. Tim couldn't help shake his head and wonder what he was getting into as he heard Delilah babble on about his clothing and picking what to try tonight.
xxx
Tim zipped up his bag and stood up from his desk, ready to go home. Ellie and Nick were already long gone leaving just him and Gibbs who was still at his desk, working on his computer. Thinking about the "other" Gibbs, he compared the two in his mind. One still has his wife and daughter (he couldn't recall how and wondered how he could bring it up with Kelly) while the Gibbs in front of him did not. As far as he could tell they seemed similar, at least on the surface. Underneath though, he wondered…
"Something on your mind McGee," Gibbs asked without looking up.
"Oh uh, no," Tim stammered, "I was just lost in thought."
"Careful you don't stay lost for too long. Doesn't always end well."
"Of course."
Tim adjusted his bag and took a quick glance around but did not move from where he stood.
"You…you doing anything this weekend boss?" Tim asked on a whim.
"Just working on the Shannon," Gibbs replied, his eyes never leaving the screen, "Got a new bottle of bourbon I have been meaning to start on for awhile now, may do that."
"Oh. Well, have fun."
Gibbs nodded at him as Tim gave him one last look. Tim then turned and left the office, a lot on his mind. Lots of thoughts that swirled and tumbled but nothing formed solid for the longest time. It wasn't until later into the night that one did as he stood in his bedroom shirtless and in casual dress pants as his wife searched for another shirt from their walk-in closet; there was a small collection of them on the bed already, including another pair of pants.
"Ok, if your jacket is warm enough, then I think you can go with a short sleeve," Delilah stated as she came out holding two button up t-shirts, one dark red and the other black and white striped.
"Do you think this is real," Tim asked suddenly.
"Well if it's suppose to be your 'official' first date, I would hope its real."
"No, I meant the…" Tim fumbled a bit to try and find the right word but then settled on what he was trying to avoid saying, "dreams. Do you think that dream world is real?"
"You tell me. Didn't you say they felt real?"
"Yeah, they do."
"Really real?"
Tim let out a loud short exhale through his nose as he tried (and failed) to not smile as Delilah smirked at him.
"Yes, really real," he replied.
"Then why risk messing things up if it's real? And if it is a dream, it's not like it's too big a loss."
"Well, I don't know about that. I mean, I was thinking about Gibbs. There's a subtle difference but it's there when I look at Gibbs. Why am I having these dreams and not him?"
Delilah didn't have an answer. Instead she held his hand as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"The more I think about it, the more I'm starting to feel guilty" Tim continues, "It's not like I could just tell him either. He'll think I lost my mind and send me home to get sleep or he'll murder me for bringing up his family. Especially if I tell him I'm dating his daughter."
"Yeah, it's risky enough to tell your boss you and his daughter are dating as it is but to tell him you're dating her in your dreams?"
"That's another thing. How are you immediately ok with me dating someone else at the same time we are married? Isn't it like a stereotypical joke for the girlfriend to get mad when the boyfriend dreams of other people?"
"Tim, I can hardly blame you for the things you dream about. Do you really think I'm that kind of person?"
"No, but what if it's more than a dream. What if it's not a dream but something real? What if this is a real relationship?"
"Well we did have a conversation about this before."
"Honey, it was a brief 'what if' discussion in bed after it came up in your novel which then became a discussion on 'who we would date outside our marriage' which became 'who would we date together at the same time' which turned into 'who would we have a threesome with' which then led to sex only to never come up again until now."
"I still think Krystle would be a good choice for you in all three."
"Not where I was going hun."
"Look Tim," Delilah said, looking straight into her husband's eyes, "let's say this is real. In fact, let's pretend this isn't a series of dreams but something happening while you're awake and you happened to have ended up in a serious relationship that's been going on for months. First off, I know you would never go behind my back or have a secret relationship that I wouldn't know about. I would hope you'd never.
"No, of course not, never," Tim replied earnestly.
"Good," Delilah smiled at his words, "and second, your happiness is very important to me and I realize that there may be times where I may not be able to provide happiness for you in certain areas as much as you need. As much as you deserve."
"Delilah, you are more than enough. You make me happy in every way and in every area."
"I believe you Tim, and you do for me as well but let me finish, ok? I'm not so selfish as to keep you from being happy in every way if the opportunities arises and I'm not so selfish as to keep others from experiencing the amazing happiness you can provide just because I want you to myself. Besides from what you told me, I think Kelly could benefit from the happiness you've been giving her."
"Won't we be risking jealousy? I don't want you to feel jealous of her or something."
"Tim, we dealt with jealousy before, and those were technically more justified," Delilah replied with finger air quotes around justified, "I like to think we've grown since being married and we can talk it out like adults. I've been told that discussing healthy rules and boundaries is a big help, so if need be, that's what we'll do."
"OK, sure b-but what if she's not ok with being with someone in a relationship? What if… what if I'm not ok with it? With you possibly being in a relationship with another person?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, ok? Let's just take it one step at a time and enjoy the moment."
"Ok, yeah."
Tim tried to sound assured but couldn't help but sound uncertain, something Delilah noticed. So she reached out and placed a hand on Tim's cheek, causing him to look at her again.
"I love you so much Tim and I want to spend the rest of my life with you," she said, "and nothing will ever change that."
"I love you too Dee," Tim replied with a genuine smile, "and I feel the same way."
The married couple looked at each other with warm smiles for a few moments before leaning in and giving each other a soft kiss that quickly became deep.
"You really think Krystle and I do well together," Tim asked, pulling away suddenly.
"Absolutely," Delilah replied, "You two have a lot in common and you get along so well. I just know you two would hit it off if you went that direction."
"Huh."
"Better than your pick for me to date."
"Mark is a great guy. I think it could work."
"I'm sure he is a great guy but he seems too boring for me. I don't think I would be able to hold a conversation with him. Besides, I'm not a fan of bushy mustaches."
"Fine, Mark is a no then. Have anyone else in mind?"
"You know what? I choose Krystle for myself too. I'm taking advantage of our polyamory talk. She's my pick."
"Oh geez." Tim replied, shaking his head, "I'm sure she would love hearing this conversation."
"Yup. And if she's not interested in a three person relationship, then I call dibs."
"Now hold on. You initially picked her for me to date."
"Yeah but you don't seem interested in the idea."
"I never said I wasn't interested. Krystle is an amazing woman."
"I know, which is why I picked her."
"What happened to not being selfish?"
"Krystle is special. Her, I keep to myself. You can have Mark if you think he's so great. "
"Oh God," Tim replied face-palming as Delilah smirked smugly at him, "OK, no more talk about other people. Right now I just want you. Preferably in this bed. Clothing optional."
Delilah tilts her head, turning her smug look into a lustful grin. She grabs her husband by his shirt, pulls him down and crashes his lips onto hers.
Not long after, Tim's shirt was pulled off, followed by Delilah's shirt, which gradually led to the rest of their clothes being shed and both naked on their bed which is how they spent the rest of the night.
Later that night, Tim laid in bed with his eyes closed but still very awake. He drifted in and out of sleep but each time he would find himself with Delilah next to him. He doesn't know what the time was, just that the only light was coming from the moon through the window and Delilah breathing was low, telling him she was in a deep sleep.
Giving her a quick glance, Tim adjusted his pillow and attempted to sleep again.
A sudden gasp from his side made him jump in surprise followed by a hand grabbing his chest. He looked over to Delilah breathing heavily and looking at him in panic.
"Delilah, what's wrong?" Tim asked worriedly.
"Nothing," she replied as a look of relief replaced the panicked one, "nothing. I'm fine. Just a bad dream."
"A really bad dream?"
"It-... I woke up in my old apartment which was weird enough but then I tried to find you and I started to panic. You weren't there, and you weren't answering. I got up to try to find you and I panicked. I fell out of my chair and I woke up. Then I saw you and I just…"
"It's okay Dee," Tim said, trying to comfort her as he held her hand, "I'm right here."
"Yeah. I'm sorry. I'm so used to seeing you in this apartment that I guess I got scared that it may not be the case."
"It's ok, I would probably get worried and panic too."
"At least you had Kelly to distract you and keep you company," Delilah said, smirking.
"Well, I mean… I guess that's true," Tim replied not knowing what to say, "well hopefully if it happens again, you'll have your own Kelly there too."
"That'd be nice" Delilah replied chuckling, "but if it's OK with her, I'd rather you be there. I'm sure she's a great woman but you're my husband and I don't want to lose you."
"You won't Dee. I promise."
The married couple looked at each other as Tim squeezed Delilah's hand. They then shared a loving kiss before laying back in bed. Delilah was quickly back asleep , and while it took him longer, Tim eventually joined her.