In Motion

Chapter 2: Hitting the Ground Running!

Late the afternoon of his first day as SAC, Tim chuckled to himself as he sent a text to Leon before he left the office, saying only, "Day One: NCIS: Europe is intact!" Meeting James in the lobby, he told him about the phone call with the people he knew. James grinned at him, waiting for Nikki to join them, "Good, so your first day has been successfully concluded."

Tim nodded to the two of them, "Yes, barring anything happening tonight. Thank you both for your support."

Nikki shook her head, "You're welcome. I can't imagine how it must feel to return to the agency after six years away, in a different office, different country and in a totally new capacity than from your days on the MCRT."

Tim tilted his head, "Yes, from a lowly agent with five years at the agency, most of the first year as a case agent, a year as a probie and then three as a junior. Not to mention the way I left with the nearly 40% pay cut and the two rank demotion. I never intended to return although I was thankful, still am, to Tobias for giving me the opportunity to stay in the Federal System, working part-time for the FBI and to Vance for fixing things. Most of all, I'm thankful for the move to California which led to all kinds of wonderful things, with Artemis at the top of the list!"

Nikki huffed, "What lowly agent are you talking about? You were a probie and then a junior on the Major Case Response Team at Agency Headquarters, after about 8 months of driving back and forth from Norfolk to the Navy Yard! You basically started at the top, accomplishing most agents' dream job in less than a year at the agency, with no prior experience! DiNozzo wasn't the only one jealous of you, although no one held your promotion to the MCRT against you. Except for Tony. You were so likeable, so unlike Gibbs the grouch and DiNozzo, the jerk."

Tim winced at her description of Tony, then thought about it, smiling and shaking his head at the memories of DiNozzo's irritating pranks and efforts to trip him up, sometimes literally. As he'd told Tony, they'd each grown up and grown together.

James huffed, "Hard to think of both of them like that. We never really know what's ahead for us, do we? Weird, all the planning people do."

Nikki rolled her eyes, "To my way of thinking, all plans are tentative until they're actually happening."

Tim nodded, "I agree with that, although I need to plan, even knowing things may or may not happen. If I don't have a plan, I obsess about everything. Better to have a plan, knowing it's only a plan, not a statement of fact."

James and Nikki agreed. They were quiet the rest of the way home, relaxing as the crowd in their carriage thinned out at the stops before Jaxton.

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That first evening was quiet after the children went to bed. Tim managed to keep his compulsion to check his email down to once an hour. Realizing they would have the pool to themselves, he and Artie swam laps for over an hour, finishing by racing each other from one end of the pool to the other. They laughed as both touched the edge of the pool at the same time, a tie.

The swim and their later, more personal exercise led to a full night's sleep, Tim's first since the swearing-in ceremony nearly two weeks before. No emails came in for him.

Tuesday morning, the 'all-hands' meeting for all of the European offices went very well. Tim was glad he'd decided to schedule it for his second day. When he introduced his 3 in-laws, there was scattered laughter both on screen and off.

Later Nikki teased that his in-law relationships with Ned, James and her were well known at the agency. She grinned, "After all, James and I have been here a few years, Sarah, Bill and Jasper have visited and Jethro's been in to work cases. And we were pretty excited when we heard about Ned's transfer, we told our friends and co-workers that we were also related to him. That was before you told us you were returning to the agency, to our office and as our boss!"

Tim chuckled, "We are an NCIS family!"

"Over here, anyway. With Abby now working at Johns Hopkins and Ducky retired, that leaves Jimmy alone aboard the Navy Yard. I hadn't thought of that before."

"Me neither, although the Vances are also part of the extended family. And Nikki, we still have many friends there and Jimmy's still tight with the teams. Speaking of the younger doctor Mallard, he texted me that he's finally found a new assistant to replace uh…"

Nikki supplied the name, "Bryce and that's good news. What's the new person's name?"

"Pandi is her nickname, her full name is Pandora."

James raised an eyebrow, "I'm sure Ducky is amused by that!"

Tim nodded, grinning, "I just hope she doesn't live up to her name! Until Abby reminded me, I'd forgotten that Ducky had close to a dozen assistants before he hired Jimmy. Although Gerald, the assistant before Jimmy, didn't leave on his own. He, Ducky and one of our agents were held hostage in Autopsy and the bad guy shot Gerald. He's probably still in physical therapy, I know it was close to a year before he could do any kind of work."

Nikki nodded, "I remember him, he was a nice guy but although he liked Ducky, he never got used to his stories and what he called chatter. However, they still keep in touch. Ducky made sure Gerald got as much help as he needed during his recovery and when he was ready to return to his studies, he won several grants that he still believes Ducky arranged."

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Tim's first several weeks went exceptionally well thanks to his teams. The Cold Case team, ably assisted by the London Field and Cybercrime teams along with the satellite offices' field teams and Cyber agents, first unraveled their 15 year old cold case, bringing justice to the murderers of a young couple, a USN petty officer and his fiancée.

While resolving that case, the teams found connections to more crimes committed in 11 European countries, including the UK, crimes which those countries' law enforcement agencies still had open on their books. Once the agencies put everything together, they found they had a total of 37 crimes committed by the 9 criminals apprehended along with 3 others arrested a few weeks later. The crime ring, spread across Europe, had had 15 members, including 3 who had died in the years between committing the crimes and the solving of them. The crimes included treason, terrorism, murder, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, drug trafficking, extortion, money laundering and embezzlement as well as several of lesser severity.

One Friday afternoon near the end of February, Tim was in his office, still grinning after yet another phone call thanking the American agency for the break that led to the resolution of so many crimes and the capture of the evil doers. Last week he'd made a list of the law enforcement agencies involved, placing a small mark by each as someone, frequently the head of the agency, sometimes the lead officer or investigator on the case(s), called to thank the American agency.

When his phone rang, Tim's grin grew wider as he answered it. "Good morning, Director."

"Good afternoon, Timothy. I have a question for you."

"Sir?"

"What miracle are you going to pull off next? It'll have to be pretty spectacular to outshine your first 8 weeks!"

Tim laughed, "Hey, you're the one who hired and trained these outstanding agents! I'd only known them about two hours when the new lead was found and the rest followed."

"You sure have people talking over here!"

"About our excellent investigators, I hope. Seriously, other than meeting them shortly before, I had nothing to do with it."

"Nevertheless, you get to take the bow for them. They may have only been your employees for a few hours but you were there, you saw it."

"Then I'll say thank you on their behalf. Are you planning to speak with them?"

"Yes and I'd like to do it soon. How about Monday morning? By the way, I heard from SecDef by way of SecNav that your teams are being looked at for a prestigious European law enforcement award."

"Wow, that's wonderful, although I hope that occurs after the trials. So, which Monday morning, ours or yours?"

"Good question. It's their party, let's make it your time, say 1100?"

"0600 your time, that's doable as long as there aren't any call outs. I'll put the word out and let James know, Director, thank you!" Tim was making a mental list, first to check the budget, he wanted to celebrate with catered luncheons after the call with the Director. He hoped the caterers who had catered holiday and family dinners in Jaxton and at Tony and Maggie's place would be available and that they could also find suitable caterers in Hamburg, Marseilles, Athens and Rota! Naples was a given, he'd contact Sergio later today.

"Great! I do need a favor, please. If you could email me a list of their names, which team they're on, and note the leads and anything else I should know. I know that's all in their reports but I'd like a separate list."

"Of course, I'll get that to you in a few minutes."

The two men spoke for a few more minutes before disconnecting. Tim quickly put together the list for Vance and then, grinning, included the list of the Law Enforcement entities who had called or written NCIS to thank them. He also made a special note that both sets of parents of the young couple who'd been murdered had called to thank the investigators and the agency for bringing their children's murderers to justice.

Those particular calls hit Tim hard. He couldn't imagine the pain and grief of losing a child, no matter how old and that led him to thinking about Gibbs' Kelly as well as his mother's little boy, Tegan, who'd died of cancer when he was 6. He also didn't want to think about the possibility of losing any of his children no matter how old they were, it was too awful to contemplate. Although he obviously hadn't died, he was certain that he had been either sold or kidnapped as a child and if he was ever brave enough to do something about it, he doubted very much that whoever his parents had been would be thanking anyone. More likely they would be cursing him.

Shaking off the painful thoughts and memories, he quickly pulled up the current budget, pleased when he found the funds he'd need. He stopped to send Vance an addendum to the names' list, their Intel Analysts had also been a huge help with the cases, using their contacts when necessary and providing other information the other teams would have had a difficult time uncovering. Forensics, autopsy and IT were also a big part of their success. IT, in keeping the system updated, tightening security while also maintaining their systems for use by those agency employees not involved in the investigations, planning and takedowns. With a laugh, Tim shook his head, finally writing that it would be easier to tell Leon which employees were not involved.

When Cynthia contacted the caterer, she also asked for recommendations for caterers in the locations of four of the satellite offices. They didn't need one for Italy, she'd told her boss she'd handle the call, after she'd asked Artemis for the email address or phone number for Belle Figlie. She'd also asked Tim's wife if she knew of a caterer to recommend in Piraeus or Athens. Intrigued, Artie said she'd contact her grandmother. If her yaya didn't know of one, she'd certainly know someone who did.

The celebratory call on Monday went over very well, with every employee in each office attending. Secretary Porter, who wanted to also add her congratulations, joined them, telling those on the call that the good news had gone all the way to the White House. She added that over the past few years NCIS had become a trusted, highly capable agency in the eyes of Congress and the White House and that they were a big part of it, with their hard and smart work, determination and willingness to work with other agencies.

She told Leon she was impressed with the turnout as well as the catered luncheons afterward. Before the call, the list of everyone who'd contacted the agency to thank them or congratulate all of them had been shared with all the employees in each of the 6 offices.

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While the cases Tim's teams later celebrated solving were still in the process of discovery and unraveling, the younger children of the Gibbs family had their own celebration.

The little cousins came to Jaxton in early February to help celebrate Jackson and Ellanne's 4th birthdays! McKenna and Madelyn joined the twins, Liam, Chloe and Jasper, now 20 months old, for the day. As a special treat, cousin Alec took the train from Edinburgh, bringing his parents and paternal grandparents with him. The US based family and friends along with the Greek and Italian family joined the party via Skype when it was time for cake, ice cream and presents.

Before presents and their delicious treats, the twins and their party guests, resident and visiting, had a wonderful time playing outside in the snow, visiting the resident lambs, sheep, goats and llamas in their barn. Then, back in the house, having races and playing games in the playroom on the main floor and of course swimming with their adults in the lovely heated, indoor pool.

The younger littles had a separate baby pool that they splashed around in, their parents, aunts or uncles staying with them. Alec, nearly 10 months old, had fun crawling after his older cousins, squealing and making other happy noises while baby Madelyn, now 5 months old, watched from her bouncy chair and baby mat, laughing and smiling at her family, while Jasper floated happily on his own baby mat, guided by his mama.

Ellanni was fixated on her baby cousins, playing with them and Jasper. After the cake, ice cream and presents, when her parents joined the children in the playroom, she looked up at them with a look that was 100% inherited from her daddy. With a smile, Artie joined the other children while Ellanni obviously had something to ask but wasn't quite sure how.

She laughed when her father picked her up, "Hello, sweetie pie, are you having fun with everyone?"

"Yes! Daddy, I really like Liam, Chloe, Jasper and the cousins but are we ever going to have a brand new baby, like Madelyn?"

Tim barely kept his mouth from dropping open, quickly thinking how to answer that. He'd also noticed that Ellanni had included Jasper with her siblings, which was interesting. Although he was a cousin, he lived in the same house, perhaps that's why she thought he was a sibling, although with different parents. He mentally shrugged, they'd figure it out later.

He started by smiling at his daughter, "We might someday, Ellanni. However, babies take a lot of time. It's good time and mommies and daddies love their babies, just like we have loved you and Jack as babies and all the time since you were born. Right now, your mom and I feel that Liam and Chloe are our babies. They're not little like Madelyn and Alec or still learning like Jasper but their first mother was too sick to be with them as much as we are with you, so we want to give them all the love and care we gave you and your brother when you were babies. When they've been with us longer, then we'll talk about having a new baby. We like spending time with the four of you. We like playing and singing with you, telling stories and everything we do together."

"So when Liam and Chloe feel older to you, used to us, maybe then?"

"Yes, that's a good way of thinking about it, used to us, having two parents, another sister and brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, whether they're old enough to play with like Jasper or little like Alec and Madelyn. Maybe then."

He almost laughed when her next question was one he'd anticipated. "How long, Daddy?"

"Let's talk about it after we come home from seeing Mimi next summer."

She frowned, "That's a long time from now."

"Yes and we'll have many great things to do between now and then. School, swimming, feeding the animals, maybe it'll snow again and we can go sledding! And when it warms up, we can go for bike rides and hikes when the flowers are all blooming."

"That sounds like fun!" She gave him a big kiss before running off to play some more.

When Tim told Artie, she looked at him, her eyes wide. "A baby? With four little ones who aren't even in school yet?"

Laughing, Tim held up his hands in defense and shook his head, "I didn't say I wanted a baby, that was our older daughter! I told her we want to wait until Liam and Chloe feel more comfortable being part of the family, until you and I have had more time with them."

"Oh, that was sweet!"

"I hope she doesn't tell them we can't have a new baby because of them! That never occurred to me."

"She won't, she's as good-hearted as her daddy."

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After the twins' birthday celebration and the solving of the cases, Tim and Artie took a few days off, traveling with their children to a ski resort in Scotland.

Barry, Ned, and their girls joined them, flying from Marseille to Edinburgh where they met Tim and his family, along with Sarah, James and his parents, riding the train together to the ski resort.

The adults enjoyed skiing, Barry took lessons, and playing in the snow with the littles. The twins and Ava, Barry and Ned's older foster daughter, were eligible for the children's beginner classes and the three of them had a great time learning all about the sport of skiing, including how to walk in their skis and most importantly, how to stop! It was not only fun to learn but gave the twins time to get to know their cousin better and for Ava to also have fun and become friends with them.

While Ava, Ellanni and Jack enjoyed that, Liam and Chloe had a blast with the pre-beginner ski lessons along with their cousin Naomi, Ava's younger sister, with the same results, Naomi getting to know her cousins better and Liam and Chloe becoming better acquainted with her. Liam thought it was fun that their family had added a lot of children since he and Chloe joined them, especially because there was almost always someone to play with!

Remaining at home, the Barnes-Gibbs family thought ahead, planning to go to the snow with the others in 2 years when little Madelyn would be about 28 months old. Even then, the little girl wouldn't be quite old enough for even the 'pre-beginner' ski lessons but there was a nursery on site that included some snowy fun, teaching toddlers how to make snow people, riding in a horse-drawn sleigh and other adventures.

During their vacation Liam, Chloe and Naomi enjoyed spending time in the nursery, playing games and learning how to do a few things in the snow, including making 'snow angels' as well as various snow people.

Toward the end of their stay at the resort and to the wonder and delight of all, the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, could be seen in their glory. The children all took post dinner naps so they could be awake later to see the spectacle. It was truly breathtaking and many photos were taken, including the children, as proof they were there if they didn't remember.

Lu and Jethro had originally planned to go with the ski group but Grandpa Jack caught a nasty cold and neither wanted to leave him.

Artemis' sister and her family promised to join the skiers when little Alec was older. They'd probably go the same year the Barnes-Gibbs went with the group as Madelyn and Alec were born the same year.

Nikki and Bill felt much the same. Their Jasper was only a few months shy of his 2nd birthday and was now achieving milestones he'd missed as an infant and during the first part of his second year. However, he wasn't yet ready for the pre-beginner lessons. His parents also knew he would be very upset if he was left behind at the ski resort nursery while his cousins took their pre-beginner lessons. They wanted him to enjoy his eventual fun on skis, when he was older.

Instead, he stayed home, playing with cousins McKenna and baby Madelyn along with his friends at nursery. He was very happy when the girls were there and all three were happy when Cousin Alec came for another visit, accompanied by his mother and grandmother. That way, all the Jaxton, London, Edinburgh and Marseille Gibbs and Clacher children had a nice holiday.

The only one who wasn't happy was Grandpa Jack who was recovering from his cold but still had to stay away from his littles. Fortunately, he'd kept the cold to himself, no one else caught it.

When the ski group returned home, they had another celebration as Bec had been offered another extension of her visiting professorship, less than a year after the first extension had been tendered. She and Geo were thrilled, deciding to move to the Jaxton house. Geordie was now an assistant professor at a London campus of a US university. He was having a wonderful time teaching World History to his students who came from a dozen countries. He told his wife that some days he was learning more from his students than he was teaching them! Still, the interactions between students and professor were well received and Geordie's department master astounded him when he told him during his evaluation at the end of the scholastic year him that his classes were some of the most popular on campus.