A/N: I know, I know, a very long chapter with a lot of information. Read at your leisure and please enjoy your holiday(s). As it's already Sunday in the Southern Hemisphere, I'll wish a Happy Christmas to readers there! Up here in the Northern Hemisphere, it's still Saturday here in California and Christmas Day is Monday, although my first Christmas celebration will be on Christmas Eve. And I haven't even started wrapping presents yet, ARGH!
Enjoy, stay warm (or cool as the case may be), healthy and safe! See ya next week!
Ch 22: Rounding up the Troops, Questions and a few Answers
After Artie left, Vance sat in thought for a few minutes before saying, "I'm glad Morrow put a date of several years in the future on the sealed folder in your personnel file. After your promotion and transfer to the MCRT, it gave you time to grow, settle in, make a name for yourself and you've done all that and more. There are a few things to think about. One, the man with the shiny things on his shirt, do you think he was living there?"
Tim nodded, "Yes, I do. Once I was older and understood how military families usually work, the service member being away for weeks, months, even years at a time, yes. I have no memories of him holding me or interacting with me and I've never thought of him as my father."
"All right." Vance sat quietly for a moment, thinking through everything he'd just heard. "We need to find out what happened to you when you were taken or however you left your home. What we'll do is search for your birth surname in cold case kidnappings and disappearances, starting with NIS and working forward. You were 26 when you transferred to the MCRT, using your real birthdate puts you at 23 or 23 ½ so you're covered." He held a hand up, "I know, your records are legal; you had no way of knowing your birthdate. Did you ever find anything at Bethesda?"
Tim shook his head, "I never got there while I was in Baltimore and haven't attempted to look or ask since my mother adopted me. With two little kids to feed and clothe, the money I had, even with Chris's generosity, and the food I brought didn't last as long as I'd planned. Between taking care of them, scrounging to survive that first summer and then school, I never had the resources to do any research. An older friend called there once, to ask for birth records and of course, they wouldn't give them any information. I was disappointed but glad I knew ahead of time so I hadn't spent money to get there and back."
Gibbs looked at him, "By the time you went to MIT, computers were a big thing. Did you search while you were there?"
Tim nodded, "Yes but the internet was still relatively young. I looked but other than the disappearance of a toddler who was possibly two years old and who might have had a stuffed animal named Edward, I didn't have much else to go on. I can't interpret the names my younger self wrote in crayon on a piece of paper. I tried looking by the 1 or 2 letters I can interpret but didn't get far. After a while, I let it go. "
"And Morrow knew all this. Knew you'd likely been a Navy dependent when you were kidnapped or disappeared as a baby?"
Tim nodded before explaining, "The thing that stopped Director Morrow and me from doing anything more about it was and still is my captors. Although as an adult I've always believed I was sold, I don't know that and I don't know who or what caused me to believe that. I could have been kidnapped, given away or even wandered off. However, I'm pretty much a rule follower, you both know that about me," he tilted his head, adding, "with some electronic exceptions. Knowing that about myself, I've never been able to reconcile the thought of me just wandering off. Even if my curiosity got the better of me, say following a butterfly or a dog, I don't think I would have gone so far that they couldn't find me.
"Nor do I know who brought me to the hospital later although I suspect it was Ken. I don't know what the mystery people did to me or why or if they'll ever want to know the results if there are any or track me down to keep me from talking. I don't know who they were or where they might be now or who or what they might know that could lead them to me. Except for my writing, I've lived as close to total anonymity as possible. When I changed my name to Timothy Camilo McGee, I felt safe in doing so. Legally, from the hospital and CPS records, my previous name was Adam Ward, not any of the names I remember them calling me or my original name, which I hoped I would recognize when I saw or heard it and now," Tim gave a humorless laugh, "I've proved myself right."
Artie popped back into the room, holding something she gave to Tim. He smiled at her, giving her a kiss, "Thanks, sweetie!" Waving, she left again.
Drawing in another deep breath, Tim showed them what Artie gave him. His dad moved even closer to Tim, while the director made a visual examination. The object was a folded resealable clear plastic bag with two others folded inside of it. Inside the innermost bag was a piece of paper. Tim huffed, "The bags are just to remind me, really. As I said, the original is framed and in a safe deposit box."
"Why the safe deposit box?"
"I had it in my apartment in my gun safe until I moved to California in 2008. I wasn't ready to share or tell the story. The only other people who know everything I've just told you are Artemis, Malu, Dad, now Rob and as you know, the late Director Morrow and possibly Ellen Brill, Rob's birth mother and our shelter mother, who was present when I had a nightmare while staying at the shelter. Other than Ducky's paper, this is the only link I have to my past. Even if I can't read what I wrote, it's all I have."
While Leon sat very still in his office, Gibbs nodded. He'd known there was something he didn't know about Tim but his wife asked him to wait until Tim was ready to tell him. He'd finally told him one day while they were in Jaxton and Jethro had been thankful Tim told him on a quiet day so that by the next day he had his emotions back under control. Mostly. Of course, it had been even more difficult for Tim and Jethro had been and still was relieved that his son allowed him to comfort him.
Vance, still distracted by something in Tim's last statement, looked up, puzzled. "How did the subject come up with Morrow?"
Tim bit his lip and looked at the floor, remembering that day. "On the application for the agency, I only mentioned Baltimore, I didn't go back any further. I was legally Malu's son but I was too nervous to put the rest of the information in, birthplace unknown, date of birth unknown, etc., so it just had Luella Camilo as my adopted mother, my legal date of birth and the date my adoption was final. I believe I also listed Geordie, because of his status as a Marine and Barry because he was in law enforcement. I wrote the others' names in but not their occupations. When Director Morrow got curious, he called me in and I told him everything, everything I've told you today. I decided if it meant that I wouldn't be hired, that at least I wouldn't have had to lie. After having to lie for so many years, I was determined to leave that behind me."
Next to him, his former boss smiled to himself, remembering telling Ziva that Timothy McGee didn't lie. Even so, he'd been wrong in his assumption that the young man didn't know how to lie, instead, he'd made a choice not to lie. Deflect, yes, he was almost as good as Tony at that but he'd only lied to Gibbs once that he knew of and that was during the case Sarah was involved in, when Tim sent an email saying he was ill.
Tim looked up as Vance spoke again, "All right, Timothy, thank you. We'll need to work both cases, your disappearance and what happened to you after. Now that we know your birth name it shouldn't be difficult to find the case file. Do you remember what your mother called you?"
"I don't remember but now having seen my birth name, probably either Jeffrey or Andrew."
"We will be as careful as possible with the case, looking for it and looking into it. Will you want to know names as we find them, of your birth family?"
Tim thought about it before saying, "No, they're on Ducky's paper. Maybe just that you've found them? However, please don't tell anyone about me. I'm serious about believing that I was sold and that means someone close to me had to have been involved. Beyond that, I want to make the choice of whether or not to meet them."
"All right. That'll be a little sticky as I'm sure they'll want to know if you're alive, although from what you've said about the professor, he may already believe you are his very much alive brother. I think we'll need to investigate both events simultaneously, your kidnapping and captivity. In fact I think once we find the file on your disappearance, we'll switch to your captivity."
Gibbs moved, "Need known associates of the navy guy and the mother to help determine who was the kidnapper and if either were involved."
Tim sighed, "I can tell you a little more about the navy guy and the woman I believe was my mother. Like everything else about 'Before' there are little bits of memory and the rest is the older me putting things together although I know it's still conjecture."
Vance pointed to his phone, still recording, and Tim began. "Sometimes the navy guy was there with other people but without the woman I think was my mother. I had to stay in my room when the other people were there with the navy guy. None of them had stuff on their shirts and jackets like the navy guy though and they were all men. One of them used to pick me up, cuddle and kiss me when he was there but it wasn't the one who lived there. The nice visitor was the one who took care of me when he was there, fed me, changed me, played with me. The navy guy always kissed that man."
"Do you remember when they were together, did they look alike, were they the same height?"
Tim thought about it before shrugging, "I don't remember them looking alike and they were all big people, giants, to me!"
Gibbs nodded, "Makes sense. Sounds like the navy guy might be gay."
Tim considered that before tilting his head. "I wouldn't have known then but yes, it could be that or maybe they were relatives or best friends from birth or something. They could have been brothers for all I know. My brothers and I kiss each other, we all kiss you, Grandpa, Ducky, Mac and the uncles and you kiss us, although not Peter, Uncle Charlie, Papi, George, Alastair or Tobias." With an amused glance at Vance, Tim added, "Or Leon." That earned him a chuckle from Leon and an eye roll from his father.
"True. Do you remember anyone else?"
"No."
"What you have remembered is amazing for a 2 year old. What about your mother?"
"She wasn't home with me all the time. I think she worked, which seems odd if the shiny medal man was a Navy Officer. Maybe he was a non-commissioned officer, you also have a lot of 'shiny things', Dad."
"All right, we'll take all that into consideration. What about your DNA?"
"I've never had it tested and I don't think hospitals were collecting it yet, back in the late 70s, early 80s. It would have been expensive to process, so that's another mystery, how did the people on Ducky's paper get my DNA? Memories are tricky and of course I didn't know a lot of the details I've told you. After I started school and learned to write more legibly, I started keeping a journal and wrote down my memories and I still have all those journals. Over the years I've been able to more clearly define some of what I remember. As far as my DNA, as I said, I've never had it tested or allowed anyone to take it. It should not be in any database, anywhere."
"Afraid someone besides cold case investigators would see it?"
"Yes, sir and Director Morrow agreed with me. Even though DNA wasn't fully understood during the time period when I was taken, scientists knew it existed and what they did know or theorized was being taught in colleges and universities. I asked about that when I was at MIT, questioned a trusted mentor."
Vance nodded, "Makes sense. Do you remember anything else about when you were taken?"
Tim shook his face, "No, although I have a memory of a time when the nice man was visiting and we went outside to play and there was a bird in a tree that was chirping. He lifted me up to see better and then," Tim's face went white and Jethro wrapped his arms around him. "What happened then?"
"I woke up in the place that wasn't where I was supposed to be."
The two older men were silent while Tim struggled through the newest shock, that the nice man, his first friend, was the one who'd taken him.
Jethro took his hand, "It might not have been the nice man, son. He might have been knocked out and then you were taken."
Tim sighed, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "Thanks, Dad, I really don't want it to have been him. I should have realized that myself, some investigator I am!"
Vance made a noise, "There's nothing wrong with your investigative skills. You're dealing with very old and fragmented memories. What you have remembered is amazing."
Tim nodded his appreciation, he wasn't sure he agreed but he also didn't feel like arguing. Then he thought about what was about to happen, their lives being turned upside down and for how long?
"Director, may I continue working during the investigations?"
"Yes but until further notice, no travel other than between here and the UK. You will have a protection detail with you 24/7, in the office, embassy and at home, and I prefer that you work at home as much as possible. You'll need to postpone any business or personal trips until this is settled. Since you believe you were in the US while you were held captive, I'm going to have the Southwest team run the case."
Tim nodded, there was no getting around having a protection detail, although he wondered why the Southwest team. Then he realized he'd mentioned living in the Northwest and having been moved a lot, and considering the man with shiny things who sailed on a big ship, the biggest US West Coast Naval ports at the time would have been San Diego or on the Kitsap Peninsula, near Seattle. Of course, Alameda Naval Air Station, across San Francisco Bay from the city of San Francisco, had also still been open during the period of time involved.
Making a face, he shook his head, forcing his brain to return to the present and saying, "Sir, we have three trips planned in the near future. The first is during the children's half term vacation in February, several of us, all family, including the Clachers and the Dornegets, if they're available, are going to a ski resort in Scotland. We've been before, they have excellent security and great classes for the littles.
"The second trip is a week at the end of February, beginning of March, for Artie and me, a delayed trip for our wedding anniversary. We're going to Málaga, Spain."
Vance thought about it for a minute before nodding, "All right, we can handle both of those."
"Yes, sir. We'll need to reserve rooms for the team."
"I'll authorize that."
Tim was thinking about expenses, "Sir, that's two personal trips! We'll pay for the security teams or reimburse the agency."
"That's not necessary."
"Sir, I'd rather not be thought of as the most expensive person to ever be part of the NCIS Director's office. Frankly, I'm not comfortable with the agency paying for them."
"We're not paying for security for NCIS: Europe's SAC, we're paying for security for the victim of violent crimes that are under investigation."
Tim nodded his agreement although Vance was sure he was trying to figure out some other way to pay back the agency.
Needing a little more detail, he asked, "For Scotland, are you flying Paddington or taking the train?"
Very happy to move off the painful subject of his early life, Tim held back a smile at the reference to Tony's jets. "Both. We're taking the train to Edinburgh, where the Dornegets, if things are better in the US, and Clachers will join us and flying Paddington from there to the ski resort. On our return, we'll fly Paddington and then take the train home from Edinburgh. For Spain, we're flying Paddington both ways."
"All right, they'll fly with you and I hope you won't need the protection detail by the time you leave for Scotland in July. However, if you do, you'll have one. Now, at home, whether in Varkiza or Jaxton, you'll have a protection detail outside the house and that's not negotiable."
Tim nodded, knowing that was not a battle he'd win and to tell the truth, he was relieved his family would be protected. Who knew what the people behind his torturous childhood might do? "Understood, Director. There's one more thing and it raises more questions. First, back to DNA. As I said, I've never had my DNA tested or taken and it should not be in any database, anywhere although it must be on the genealogical site because it shows a match there. The thing is, I don't know why or how, especially with my scientific interests, I've known to keep it out of the databases. And I have kept it off or at least I've never had my DNA tested. So who did and how did I know not to?
"Having said that, a while back and I've been looking through my notes to see when in case that's important, I found a rumor online, more of an anecdotal rumor…" he started to say something else when his dad gave him a concerned look. "Anyway, there is a rumor online regarding graduate students in the genetics field who went rogue in the late 70s and 80s. The rumor is that there was some sort of challenge issued by a professor to change the DNA of a living person. That's one thing. The other is, as I said, that I question myself as to how I've known, years before discovering the rumor, that the torture I went through might involve my DNA? How have I known not to have it tested, been so adamant about it?"
"Are you thinking you heard your captors talking about it?"
Tim nodded, "Yes, although it is not in my journals and I don't have any memories of hearing them talk about DNA. However, I've always known there was something to watch out for and when I first heard of DNA in school, it terrified me. Just the three letters, without knowing the whole thing, Deoxyribonucleic acid, scared me so much that I vomited at my desk, in the classroom. I hadn't been sick, I was just that scared. I remember feeling sick to my stomach as soon as I heard those three letters, then I couldn't breathe and then I vomited. I wrote the incident down in my journal and I remember it clearly. However, there's no mention of me being afraid when I heard or learned about RNA, Ribonucleic acid."
"All right, that's another part of the mystery. Back to the rumor, can you trace that back to the point of origin?"
"Probably but I didn't, I couldn't and can't take the risk of being exposed to those who hurt me. Sir, I've had a brain scan and my blood tested every year since I was at Johns Hopkins when I first had health insurance. There have been no changes and every doctor and tech I've spoken to has said everything looks normal. What worries me is that my DNA is already changed and I would never know."
Vance frowned, "When your children were born, was their DNA taken?"
Tim shook his head, "No. Artie knows, she's known since our MIT days and we made it very clear to the medical staff when they were born that their DNA was not to be taken. We didn't want to also put them at risk or possibly have something lead back to me and put us all in jeopardy. Our adopted children do have their DNA in the databases, CPS does that routinely, to try to find blood relatives who might take them in. CPS has recently had a rule change so that now once adoptions are final the adoptive parents are given control of the child's genealogical account. We changed Liam and Chloe's names to phony ones and blocked their DNA from being shared with anyone. There are too many predators out there. Of course, if anyone is looking for them, CPS still has all their records, it's just the genealogy sites that leave their control. We don't have an online family tree, either. None of us former street kids or our partners do, even though we're all more than 20 years into adulthood, it still feels too risky."
Vance nodded his understanding, "Back when you were taken, when did you write your name and do the drawings? Was it before or after their first experiment?"
"I remember it was the first night, right after I heard them call me a baby, so before…Director, I never thought of that!"
"If you've handled it since then…"
"I haven't, it's been in a plastic bag since then. I framed it still inside the original plastic bag. It might also have Ken's DNA."
Vance nodded. "All right. You can have it tested for DNA and then have your DNA tested with specific instructions that the results must not be added to any databases."
"They'll have to do the crayon based run first and run my current DNA afterwards for a comparison."
"Since you're not in our system, the techs won't know it's yours."
"One tech, please, not multiple."
Vance was quiet, mulling over the possibilities, finally saying, "Timothy, I'm fine with one tech. I would like have Ms. Hines, our forensics expert, process this. Do I have your permission to have it processed at the Navy Yard?"
Swallowing hard, Tim took a minute to think while he worked to calm himself before nodding. While years ago their beginnings had been problematic, he now trusted Leon Vance implicitly. However, he'd never been farther away from the only link to who he'd been when he was born than the distance between him and his bank and safety deposit box. Even when he was in the hospital as a child, the plastic bag was in his personal effects, whoever had brought him to the hospital included his drawings in their plastic bag. When he left the hospital, he was given the bag, CPS had not taken it from him. The first bank account he'd had was in Massachusetts when he, Rob and Sarah moved to Cambridge for MIT and that was his first . Before that and before his adoption, Ms Lu set up a separate account in her bank for his scholarship money and put his drawings in their plastic bags into her own safety deposit box. In 2008, he'd moved the bag from his safety deposit box in his bank in Maryland to a bank in California and from there to a bank in the UK and then to an affiliated bank in Athens. It was the only possible original DNA link although now he wasn't sure that was true, and neither he nor Dad had thought of that until Vance asked!
Gibbs frowned, "I should know this but Abby always gave our DNA runs top priority. How long will these take?"
Tim calmed a little as he told him the minimum and maximum times. Vance tilted his head, "You'll still have that top priority. You two may no longer be members of the MCRT but the sooner we have the results, the sooner we'll know more about what to expect from Tim's captors." He frowned, "If that rumor is true, how old are those grad students likely to be now?"
After thinking about it, Tim replied, "The day I left the hospital, I asked one of the aides how long I'd been there and he told me I'd arrived on November 7th, 1981 and the date I left the hospital was June 28th, 1982. At least for my case we're talking about the late 70s through most of 1981. At the time, with a typical grad student, figure they're on scholarships, grants and loans or they've worked after earning their degrees and are using their savings.
"Most college students graduate with their bachelor's between ages 21-24, although these days a lot of people go back for their degree after working awhile. It's also possible that back then students' parents paid for their undergrad studies.
"Anyway, figure ages 20-23 for graduating with their undergraduate degree. If they went straight on to graduate school and we figure that as another 2 years, they'd be 22-26, let's say up to age 27 before earning their master's.
"Although I had a full ride scholarship for my master's and grants for my doctorate, I also had two minors to support and worked part-time during the school terms and full-time during summers and school holidays. I know I was not the only graduate or doctoral student doing that.
"However, for those who earn their masters in their 30s and are just starting out as far as employment in their field, I'd think that would be more difficult to find unless they already worked fulltime in their field of study, like a teacher or a medical professional.
"Anyway, that would put their birth years anywhere from 1954 to 1959 or up to 1961. Today, they'd be anywhere from late 50s to late 60s. I'm 43, excuse me, I mean I've recently turned 40, ha, I like that! Considering the timelines in the rumor, it's been anywhere from 38 to 44 years since then."
"They might be easier to track, once we figure out who they were."
Gibbs nodded, "I could help with the case."
Tim's eyes widened in horror and for once Leroy Jethro Gibbs quickly backtracked, "Or not."
"Thanks, Dad. I appreciate the thought but you need to be safe and we'll need you. I need you."
Leon nodded his agreement with that, asking the question he'd been avoiding, "Timothy, one more thing. You haven't mentioned it but we do need to note the file. Aside from the experiments, do you know if you were physically abused, assaulted or sexually molested?"
Tim shook his head, "I don't remember being hit at all, other than being pinched by the mean man I mentioned. Everything else was what I think of as surgical, so yes, from that standpoint, I was physically abused. And I think that whatever they used to put me under must have been in my food or drink so that was more abuse. There were a few shots but those were mostly after the experiments. However, I was their prisoner, I was not allowed outside without someone with me and I was locked in my room between 'treatments'. I think wherever we were living I must have had the master bedroom because there was always a bathroom in my room, which might also mean we were in newer houses as older ones often don't have an 'en suite'. As far as sexual abuse, I don't remember my genitals hurting or having any anal pain or difficulties.
"I do remember that my pants were always big, which I think meant they were bulky and then they weren't anymore. I've always thought Ken probably toilet trained me and before that my pants were bulky because I was wearing a diaper with plastic pants over the diaper. When I was at Johns Hopkins I asked them to check for scar tissue and there wasn't any nor have there been any problems."
Vance nodded, relieved and then was silent, wishing he could pull Gibbs in but knowing that would be too dangerous and that Timothy would need his support through whatever was to come. He'd also be needed to help protect his grandchildren. Since all the children who lived in the house, at least in Jaxton, could be in danger, that would also include the families of his other employees, Nikki Jardine, James Powell and the former Doc Palmer, now known as Doc Mallard. That would also need to include Geordie, Bec and their two new fosters. And, he'd forgotten that James and Sarah were expecting a child the same month as the junior Mallards. Mentally shaking his head, he added the two brothers still in the US, Jose and Freddie and their families, including Abby Sciuto and her niece.
One of the reasons Vance believed it necessary to investigate both cases now was that in a few months, he hoped that Tim would become his Assistant Director, that is if his and Secretary Porter's plan was still approved.
That would be a big deal and Leon didn't want Tim, his family or the agency to have to wade through whatever mess these cases might cause after Tim became his European AD. Leon also admitted to himself that he still had hope that Tim would agree to assume the directorship when he retired and that could prove dangerous if any of the rogue scientists figured out who he was or cause a huge, personal and political mess for the new director.
NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS
After they ended their call with Vance, Tim went looking for Ducky, finding him in the kitchen, back at the table.
The elderly man smiled at him when he poked his head into the room, "There you are, come in, we have things to talk about!"
Tim pulled up another chair and sat next to him, asking how he was feeling. "I'm much better, Timothy, thank you. How are you feeling?"
He had to think about that before shrugging, "I'm not sure yet. Did anyone tell you what happened?"
"No. Rob said I should speak with you but that you were in a meeting with Leon."
"I was, yes. Ducky, you know about my early childhood."
Ducky nodded, "You were separated from your mother, tortured and kept prisoner for a number of years, ending in a coma in a hospital."
Tim nodded, "Yes. When I looked at your paper, I saw my birth name, Jeffrey Andrew Langston, my real birth date and when I went missing. I didn't know any of that before I saw it on the paper. That's when I ran for the bathroom and got rid of everything I've eaten recently. Shock, I guess. I knocked the chair over when I jumped up, slammed the bathroom door shut and in the meantime, you fainted."
"Thank you, I haven't been sure of the order and I'm sorry that happened."
Feeling his eyes welling up again, Tim just nodded, finally saying, "Dad and I called Leon and I told him everything I know. They're digging up my cold case, if there is one, and will also use what I told them to investigate the people who took me, imprisoned and experimented on me."
"You had to tell him everything." Ducky said it as a fact and Tim nodded, feeling the tears on his face. The good doctor wrapped his arms around him, holding on until the storm passed.
After washing his face, Tim sat down next to him again. "I don't know why you fainted, what you found on the paper."
Ducky sighed, hanging his head. "I found two people, twins, who I believe are my children. They each have children and two of them have children."
Tim's eyes widened. "Wow, and you didn't know?"
"No and if it weren't for the DNA run I probably would never have known. Their mother and I dated in London for months before I joined the 'Doctors Without Borders' organization. The man listed as their father was my best friend. He and I both won scholarships to colleges in London and left Scotland at the same time.
"While my girlfriend, whose name is Maisie, and I were dating, Drew, my friend, dated a girl he was quite serious about, certainly more serious than I was about Maisie. I know the date I left London to join the 'Doctors without Borders' and compared that to the birth of Maisie's twins. Unless Drew was cheating on his girlfriend with Maisie and he is not, was not, sadly he's died, the sort, the twins are not his.
"Even if they had been conceived say a few weeks after I left, they would not have lived, not back then, as they would have been much too premature. However although Drew was not the sort to cheat, he was the sort to see a young lady in trouble, offer to help her and then raise someone else's children as if they were his own."
Ducky looked at him, "Not only have you recovered your birth name and birth date, Timothy, now you know who your birth parents were, along with your maternal grandparents. And, my boy, I'm happy to say that I am one of them!"
Tim had opened his mouth to reject Daniel Langston as his father but instead grinned, wrapping his arms around his grandfather, one with whom he shared DNA! Although he still didn't understand who or how his DNA had been collected.
The two men hung onto each other, both crying, partly in grief at the loss of so many years but mostly in joy at the discovery and the knowledge that they'd been close since they first met over a decade ago.
It was nearly a half hour before the two stopped sniffling and separated, still blinking back tears while they smiled happily at each other. Pulling Tim closer, Ducky gave him a kiss on the cheek and Tim returned it.
As Ducky was hungry they searched the kitchen together, finding snacks in the refrigerator labeled just for them, with instructions for Tim to stick with a half cup of cottage cheese and a few soda crackers and/or a snack cup of Jell-O, with water to drink. Ducky had slices of cheese and crackers, with a fresh pot of (decaffeinated) Earl Grey. With his approval, Tim also had a cup of the hot tea.
When Mimi found them, she kissed them both, saying, "Timothy, Donald has told me the good news, that you are his grandson! I'm so happy for you both and now you and I are doubly related!"
Artie came in next, also congratulating them and asking if Tim would now call Ducky 'Granducky'.
Ducky and Tim looked at each other, Ducky blinking first. "No, Artemis, I think we'll come up with a more adult name for my adult grandson to call me. We already have Poppy, Ben is Grampy, Dick is Papi, Grandpa Jack, Grandpa Mac, Granddad will be George's grandfatherly name, Gramps for Alastair and Pappouli for Peter, correct?"
"Yes."
Ducky paused in thought, "I called my grandfather 'Grandfa', how about that?"
Tim gave him another hug and kiss, "Yes, Grandfa!" He laughed, repeating what he'd said to Vance earlier, "Jimmy and Breena are my uncle and aunt and their children my cousins! And Jimmy is also my brother through Mom's adoption of him. I'd like to stick with that relationship."
"Yes, there will certainly be some necessary sorting!"
The four of them were still sitting at the kitchen table talking when they heard the front door opening and closing. The children came in, hugging their Mimi, Granducky, Mom-Aunt and Dad-Uncle. They were followed by Tim's parents who were relieved to see the two men far more relaxed and happy about their 'new' connection. They knew Tim had a long road ahead of him, he'd already acknowledged that they'd been with him every step of the way, he was beloved to his wife, children and parents and he'd belonged to this family, was a founding member of the family, for many years now, really since he'd met Sarah and Geordie when he got off the bus in Baltimore.
They weren't sure what Ducky would do, although they thought he might try to find out if his biological children knew about him and then figure out the next step.
Tim and Artie had already decided to gather their children in their room to tell them the good news. They'd do that tonight before the littles' nighttime routine and ask Mimi and Grandfa/Granducky to stop by to say goodnight. They'd have a family Skype call at some point to let everyone else know.
When Grandpa Jack and Uncle LJ came in, they were astounded and happy with the news about Tim and Don, sad and worried about the rest. While LJ went off to clean up, they'd been fishing most of the afternoon, Jack remained, deep in thought, finally noticing he was a bit smelly and excused himself to also get cleaned up. The two men were renting a holiday apartment across the street from Tim and Artie's place, with Dick Barnes on one side of them, although he spent most of his time with his granddaughters or in Athens with Sophia, and Charlie Camilo and Tricia Baxter on the other.
After his shower, Jack dressed in clean clothes and then sat in the living area of the apartment, thinking. Smiling, he considered the stages of his life, his youth, fighting in World War II, meeting Anne, his smile grew wider at that, working in the coal mine, marrying his love, opening the store with LJ, the happiness and excitement, along with some trepidation, when Anne told him they were going to have a child, as well as his nervousness and joy when their son was born. He grinned remembering those first weeks, how neither he nor his wife thought they'd ever again get enough sleep. And then one day, his mother-in-law, Charlotte Baxter, Jackson smiled as he hadn't thought of her in years, appeared on their front porch, ready to help with baby Leroy. His own mother, Esther, who told him previously she would not have any time to help, suddenly found time. Eventually the two grandmothers worked out their schedules so they weren't tripping over each other.
Considering today's discovery, he was happy for Don and Tim although also worried about both of them. He wondered how he'd feel if he found out he had a child or children he'd never known about. He thought there might be some sense of guilt, possibly shame, definitely anger that he hadn't been told and, he hoped at some point, joy. He thought about Athena and Don, glad he had a partner to help him cope with the changes. And lastly he thought about his own son and daughter-in-law, knowing they were happy for Tim and Don as well as worried about their son and the mess he himself feared was about to descend upon them all.
NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS
After the family members currently in Varkiza were told about Ducky and Tim's relationship, the tumult eventually died down. There was plenty more to come as those in the UK and the US hadn't yet been told. Even more important would be the news about the investigations into toddler Jeffrey/Tim's 'disappearance' and the abuse he'd suffered, although his wife, parents, grandfathers, Tony, Maggie, Dick, Rob, Bill, Nikki and Leon all thought of it as torture.
As Tony and Maggie were told the news about Ducky and their brother, Jethro also told them the basics of what had happened to Tim. After several minutes holding very still to control his emotions, trying not to lose whatever he'd eaten that day or scream in horror and anger, Tony was relieved to ask a question, wondering why the director had chosen the Southwest office to handle both cases.
Coming up behind his brother and best friend, Tim hugged him before answering his question. "I mentioned to Leon that I'd been put into foster care in the Northwest, that is Oregon and Washington, and my suspicion that the man with the shiny things who sometimes stayed in the house was Navy. At the time, the biggest Navy ports on the West Coast were in San Diego, California and on the Kitsap peninsula in Washington, near Seattle. Since I didn't and don't remember being cold all the time, or possibly for some other reason, he must have decided to go with Southwest."
After everyone but the current residents left for the evening, the adults said goodnight to each other.
Much to Artie's relief, Tim slept all night without any nightmares or unrest. She knew he was exhausted and felt the same, as well as worried about her love. Hoping whatever was coming at them would be worth it in the end, she finally fell asleep.
NCIS NCIS NCIS NCIS
Tim woke early Monday morning with one thought in his head, with their family so large and so many people to protect, there wouldn't be enough NCIS agents left in Europe to investigate criminal cases and the only office with space for more than one additional staff member was London.
As Artie was still sleeping and it was too early for the children to be awake, Tim pulled on his bathrobe, pushed his feet into slippers and quietly left the room. He nodded when he found his father in the kitchen making coffee. Remembering what day it was, Tim looked again at the time but there was plenty of time before Jack and Ellanni needed to wake up and get ready for their first day at the International School. Tim had planned to take them on his way to work but at the moment wasn't sure how the day would play out.
The morning should be all right as it would be several hours before anyone in the US would see or hear whatever information Leon left for them on Sunday.
Sitting down with his father, they talked about the security issues, Dad admitting he'd had the same thoughts. Tim shook his head, "Considering my "grandfather", that is Admiral Langston, was wealthy and well-known, I imagine NIS and the FBI treated my disappearance as a kidnapping."
"With no ransom demands?" Jethro frowned with an expression that his former team called his 'deep in thought' look. Then he winced and sighed at the same time. "I remember hearing about him, none of it complimentary but then I guess that's to be expected from a bunch of non-coms!" He closed his eyes and then opened them again. "Do you want to hear what I know about the Langstons?"
"Yes, Dad, I do."
"The Admiral must have loved publicity because he always seemed to be in the news. Anyway, he and his wife had two sons. The older son publicly stated he did not want anything to do with the Navy or any other military service. Whatever the truth was, he was of course invited to attend and showed up, with his father standing close enough to push him through the gates of Annapolis." At Tim's look of incredulity, Jethro nodded, "I saw the photo in a newspaper, the kid was standing in front of an open gate and the Admiral was right behind him with his hands on his shoulders, sure looked ready to push!
"The son made it through Annapolis, somehow managing to take a few outside courses, don't remember what they were but the fact that he took them made the news.
"Once he'd graduated from Annapolis, he eventually made it to Lieutenant and fulfilled his 8 year commitment to serve before he quietly resigned his commission and disappeared. His resignation and disappearance is why I know so much, it was printed up in the newspapers, reported on the news with follow up articles in magazines and newspapers, for months. At first there was a lot of speculation, then I guess things quieted down. However, every few years there would be a news article of a possible sighting and more speculation.
"The second son, and everything I know came either from newspapers, magazines or scuttlebutt, was the opposite of his brother, he couldn't wait to join the Navy. He didn't attend Annapolis but graduated from a college that was approved by the Navy and went through Officer Candidate School. I don't know where his first station was after he graduated from OCS but right away rumors started that the young ensign had some personality traits that were strongly discouraged in the services. The most alarming was that he was more interested in his 'special' buddies than women. At the time, in the mid-to-late 70's, there was no tolerance of same sex interest much less relationships, if discovered and not hushed up somehow, that was end of any military career.
"However, second son had Admiral Daddy backing him up, although speculation was that Daddy never really understood why his son was never in line for career-making operations or promotions. In other words, he didn't know his son was gay or bisexual or perhaps he did but made the mistake of thinking that his son could just drop that 'lifestyle' and choose to be 'normal'. And Tim, the second son's name was Daniel."
At his son's eye roll, Jethro nodded. "I was in training in Southern California when he was in some sort of advanced training there. Of course, every move he made, everything he did was scrutinized, he had little if any privacy and part of that was due to his brother's disappearance, part was due to his own reputation and of course part was him being the son of a very well-known Admiral. I remember feeling a bit sorry for him at the time. We were deployed before his class finished but heard later that he'd fallen 'madly in love' with a young woman and they'd married a few weeks later."
"Most of the rest is supposition and scuttlebutt. You'd think with the thousands of military officers there would be other objects of gossip but he was apparently destined to be the "it" guy of those years. It seemed like he'd be stationed somewhere and then suddenly he'd be transferred elsewhere. Whenever there were any problems or hints of problems, Admiral Daddy used his influence to have him shipped somewhere just far enough away so the hints or actual problems wouldn't be known at the new base. However, in their first year of marriage the couple had a baby boy and that kept people quiet for a couple of years."
Tim frowned, "I've never thought the man with the white cap and shiny things was my father. Of course when I was little if I never called anyone Daddy, Papa or Father, I would not have known what that meant."
"What did you call him?"
"I remember calling the man with the white cap 'sir'. What happened after those couple of years?"
"His little boy disappeared and was never found."
Tim sat down with a thud. "And here we are, back there again."
"Yes, son. I was concerned that no one would ever tell you the truth about Daniel. I don't know if it might be important to your cases but I've already sent Leon a report of what I know as fact, which can be backed up by Navy records and public documents and what was scuttlebutt. That's not the sort of thing that gets into case reports, at least not the final reports."
"So he marries to quiet any rumors and then apparently fathered a child and it's not a coincidence that Matt Mello looks like me, we're brothers."
"What that means in the long run will be up to you. If, after the cases are closed, you want to take on another brother, that's all right."
Tim nodded, suddenly feeling very tired again. He ate the breakfast his father made for them, switching to his herbal tea after two cups of Dad-made coffee. He woke his two older children, fed them breakfast and then made sure they washed up and brushed their teeth before putting on their new uniforms.
Artie ran into the girls' room as Tim finished putting Ellanni's long hair into a ponytail. She smiled at him, it felt like the twins', the older twins, very first day of school all over again.
Before they left, Poppy took a photo of the two students, standing inside the front door, smiling at their parents. First Chloe and then Liam rushed into the room. They'd wanted to see their siblings in their new uniforms and to tell them to have fun.
While their dad watched, he smiled and then suddenly felt himself blinking back tears thinking about how quickly their littles were growing up and that led to a feeling of utter desolation that nobody had cared about his first day of school. No one had ever walked him to school or nursery/daycare as he and Artie did for all four of their children on first days.
Giving himself a mental head slap, for heaven's sake, millions of children had probably never been walked to school, millions likely never had a school to walk to in the first place! He needed to grow up and get past this pity party of his!
Taking a deep breath and turning around, he smiled when his children hugged him. "Don't worry, Daddy, maybe your work will be fun today or maybe you'll make a new friend!"
He chuckled at that, "Thank you, I'll look forward to that!"
They all jumped when there was a knock on the door. Opening it they found Jasper grinning at them. "Uncle Tim, may Mama please have a ride to work with you?"
Tim squatted down to give Jasper a kiss, "Yes, Nephew Jasper, of course she may have a ride!"
"Then may I please ride to daycare with Chloe and Liam? Daddy's still asleep."
The adults chuckled as Poppy agreed with a hug and kiss for his grandson.
Jasper was all ready so he had some juice while he waited for his cousins and best friends to be ready, kissing his mother and waving goodbye to his uncle as they left for work.
While the little boy enjoyed his juice, Poppy called Bill to wake him up and found his son finishing his breakfast. He'd seen the note his wife left him so he hadn't been worried about the whereabouts of his 2 ½ year old son.
Tim was glad he wasn't alone after taking the children to their new school. He walked them in, all three smiling at the twins' new teacher whom they'd met last week. Back in the car, he was quiet on the drive in, listening to Nikki as she updated him on a couple of her contacts. That helped both of them get into 'work mode' before they arrived at their desks.
Nikki turned into her office while Tim walked down a separate hallway to his office. As he'd forgotten to run his usual backup program last week, he ran it now. While that was going on, he listened to the messages on his phone, finding one from Leon at 4:30 AM that morning.
He was sad again as he listened to the first part of the message, Leon telling him that Quan Dixon, the SAC of the Southwest Field Office who had replaced Joel Morris when he retired, had died Sunday afternoon.
"I don't remember if you two ever met and I'm sorry if you didn't, he was a great guy, you would have liked him. Two things: I need an SAC for Southwest and I also need an AD on the West Coast. Call me when you get this, we need to chat. Remember I'm still in Greece, I'm upstairs at the office. I'm not going to try to sleep until later in the day so call me."
Tim took a moment to find some calm before calling the director on Skype.
Leon answered immediately. "Good morning. I was right then, thinking that today is the first day at the international school for the twins. Have you had coffee yet?"
"Yes, two cups of Dad's and I have a thermos with more if I need it. Thanks for your message, I'm sorry to hear about Dixon. I thought he was doing better, in remission."
"He was doing better, as far as the cancer, it was in remission. However, he had a heart attack early yesterday afternoon Pacific time, his wife called the paramedics who were able to revive him but he suffered another, worse attack at the hospital and they couldn't save him."
"That's so sad. To think you've beaten the beast and then still go just like that."
"There is one good thing that happened, he was alert enough to see his wife in the examination room of the hospital. She'd returned to the waiting area when the second attack hit him. And Timothy, ultimately we never beat the beast. "
"Yes, I know and I'm glad she was able to see him, be with him for a few minutes. Do you know if there will be a service?"
"Yes but I don't know when. Jackie and I will go and I'll arrange cover so his staff can attend if they choose to. If we know when it will be before we leave for home, we're hoping Joel and Carol will go with us."
"That would be good, Leon. I know some of our folks knew or worked with him, I'll send out an email once all our offices are open. People might want to write a note or maybe their favorite memories of Quan, we can put it all in an email and then print it for his wife."
"That's a great idea. I've already emailed everyone, including our retirees and those working at other agencies who worked with him either while at NCIS or on shared cases."
Tim acknowledged that with a nod, tilting his head, so much like his adopted father and former boss that Vance couldn't help smiling.
"As to what will happen with your case, this will be somewhat awkward but we need to keep moving forward with everything. Also, before I start with everything else, we have a solution to the lack of agents for security details in Europe, we'll talk about that later as I have a lot of other information for you."
At Tim's obviously relieved nod, Leon continued, "All right. To start with, I have been taking full advantage of the time differences between Greece, DC and California.
"I spoke with the head of our Legal Department, Ms. Horner. She is adamant that you be in the US for the trials, at least those that concern you. She'd also prefer you be there during the investigations as well but once I told her our protection plans, she agreed to you staying in Europe. Of course, that was before I heard about Quan, which leads me to our next item.
"With his death I need an experienced SAC to run Southwest. However, that can't be you because the investigations into your disappearance and captivity have already been assigned, are already being handled by the SSA there, Jeff Andreson, his team and their cold case team. Andreson, his field team and their cold case counterparts are exceptionally successful in closing their cases, almost but not quite approaching the records of your MCRT.
"I also spoke with William MacDonald, who goes by Mac, the SAC for Marine Corps. West or MCW, the formal name is Marine Corps. Air Station, Miramar, which is located 15 miles north of San Diego and the Southwest office. Mac has agreed to take Southwest for the two to three years Horner believes you'll need to be in the US. While he's there, I'll transfer you to the SAC spot at MCW. Both posts will be listed as special assignments to each office.
"Also, as part of the future of the Southwest SAC position, I've recently promoted a Senior Field Agent to the SSA lead at one of our larger satellite offices. They deal with more Navy Brass than most of our satellites. She'll need two to three years of experience there before I can move her to Southwest, you home to London and Mac back to MCW.
"Next, I spoke with Joel Morris. He has agreed, pending your approval, to return to work as the London-Euro SAC for the time you'll be away. He'll be your replacement here.
"And last on this list is that I want you as one of my Assistant Directors. As we need to keep your name out of the press as much as possible, I'd like you to be sworn in before you leave for California. That can be in London, Athens or even Tain if you want to do it there. Acting Secretary Chapman will perform the swearing-in ceremony.
"You'll be my AD in the Southwest until you move home, I mean return to Europe, and then you'll be my AD in Europe. When we do that, I'll likely appoint Mac as my western AD and I may also appoint one in Japan or Singapore. We have funding for you, I'll work on the rest over the next couple of years, depends a lot on who ends up as SecNav."
He shook his head at Tim's unspoken question, "Haven't heard anything new about Porter but Chapman is still 'Acting Secretary' so Porter hasn't resigned or been fired." At Tim's frown, he shook his head again, "I don't think firing will happen now, it's been too long and Chapman, although vague, occasionally mentions Porter's eventual return."
Tim tilted his head, making a face, "I wish we could contact her, let her know we look forward to her return. Not that Chapman isn't doing a great job, just to let Porter know." He sat in thought, "Maybe I'll ask Mrs. Bess to let her know."
Leon nodded with a smile, "I like that idea and you'll have a better chance than I would, SecState definitely has a soft spot for you. Are you going to tell her about everything?"
"At some point in the next few months. I don't know how tied in she is to what's happening in the world of criminal investigations."
"I have a feeling she's currently more interested than she may have been a few weeks ago."
Tim nodded. "Still, need to maintain as much privacy and security as possible."
"Maybe she has a trip planned somewhere over here where you can meet with her."
"That's a good idea, Leon, thanks again." Tim looked at his notes, "Back to the TAD/special assignment transfer, when will we need to be in Southern California?"
Finding his spot in his pages of notes, Leon smiled, "I have additional information, about MCW, schools, housing and support for you. However before we get into that and in answer to your question, while Mac will move over to Southwest immediately, I've also contacted a retired SAC who lives in the area and she's agreed to run MCW for a few months, until you can get there. She went through a somewhat similar situation during her time as an agent, with a self-employed husband and children. As far as when, I remembered that the Remises' property won't be finished until April and that there are two babies expected in April."
"Yes, although the completion date for the Remises' property has now been moved up to the end of March. Still, Artie won't be able to completely sign off until the final inspection when everything will be approved. That'll happen probably in mid-April. And yes, if we could please stay until the babies have arrived, that would be wonderful."
"Actually, she's hoping to work until the end of the summer, not sure why and I didn't want to ask."
"We can stay in Europe until after the annual reunion?"
"Yes, although that is also subject to whatever happens with the investigations."
"Of course. So, barring any complications from my cases, we'll be home in the UK from Easter through our weeks in Scotland! Thanks so much for taking care of everything, Leon!"
"You're welcome although it wasn't all me! You should also thank Cynthia and Pamela, they both had suggestions, gave me contact information and kept me pointed in the right direction. Now, I have more about living possibilities in California and then I'll update you on the protection details.
"Because I wasn't sure how many of the family will be living with you in Southern California, I spoke with our relocation agent who I've been told is an expert at finding affordable and livable housing in the area. When I told her the minimum would be 4 children and 4 adults, she said it wouldn't be a problem. But I've also had an idea for Nikki, no telling just yet, so I added another child and 3 adults, thinking her Aunt Evelyn might stay during winters. She said that would take a little more work but she still didn't think it would be much of a problem. When I mentioned a few others, she asked what the maximum might be. So I told her 54, I believe that was our most recent count?"
"Yes, although that doesn't include my new Scottish cousins. Still, I can't see them visiting us in California. While our relationship is new, they already know me and the family. If our relocation agent can find us a place with space for 54, no that's 57 of us including the new babies, and the one that is still a maybe, oops, there are two who are still maybes. So 58, might as well make it 60, at least for winters and holidays." He laughed, "Maybe an apartment building!"
"I'm glad you're thinking ahead and you're close with the apartment building! Our agent told me about a residential hotel that's been on the market for a few years. I have all kinds of notes about it but I'm going to let you and Artie talk with her as you're sure to have questions that Cynthia, Pam or I didn't think about.
"Next up are safe schools for the children. Ms. Relocation ran a report and came up with three safe choices. The one she, Jackie and I liked the best is a private school in the town of Playa Vieja, north of San Diego, where the residential hotel is also located, that features a daycare, preschool and kindergarten, primary, middle and high school all on the same campus. Jackie and I found their website and took a look. It's a very interactive school as far as parents, students and teachers and they have a great record for academics as well as safety. They have their own security teams on site 24/7 and the entire campus, which is quite large, is fenced. It's been operating for more than 40 years with excellent statistics for their students and no violence. As it's only about a 20 minute drive to the base, I suspect there have been and likely still are, some devil pups, that is children of Marines, in the student bodies. They also offer scholarships."
"Wow, Leon, everything sounds good, thanks for doing all this, very much above and beyond! I can't wait to tell Artemis."
"Good! Timothy, as your boss and your friend, I also needed to know you would be safe and comfortable, especially because you're not being given much of a choice while we're investigating the crimes against you. Seems a bit backward but I know that protecting you and all of our family is an absolute necessity.
"Now, last items, the protection details. First of all, I called your previous agency director to ask about a cold case file and after I explained what was about to happen, Director Sailes immediately offered the services of 40 FBI agents. Some of them are already posted here in Europe and the others he has in mind have previously worked in Europe. I thanked him and said we would most likely accept the offer, after all, I'm sure the FBI was involved in the search for you.
"Ten minutes later I had a call from the CIA Director, Beau McKinley. Have you ever met him?"
Tim said no, he'd definitely remember that and Leon chuckled, "He's a big fan of yours, he said you're the only SAC who has ever thanked him in writing for the many 'loans' and the excellent work of his agents based in Athens. McKinley told me that considering the problems NCIS has had with various CIA agents and knowing you'd been on the team that suffered through most of those troubles, not to mention Gibbs' reputation as a hard ass, he is even more impressed."
Tim was a little embarrassed, although he was happy to hear the praise because the way he saw it, praise for any NCIS employee was praise for the entire agency, very difficult to come by in DC.
Leon chuckled a little at Tim's embarrassment, saying, "He's also offered to supplement our teams with another 40 agents, all familiar with the various countries of Europe. And yes, both Ted and Jack are included, he's sure Ted will temporarily come out of retirement to help. Between what we can spare from the US, along with the FBI and the CIA, we'll have 100 agents for the protection details. And then, Timothy, to top it off, our Tony and his cousin Nigel called, offering the services of their Security teams, who are employees of Paddington and have been rigorously vetted.
"They also wanted to ensure that everyone in protection will travel via Paddington Air, no train or cross-continent car trips for the duration. They're offering us another 40 security officers. Now we have more than 140 agents! We can set up as many protection details as we need and make sure all those on the details have personal time, they'll likely be rotated as needed. Secretary Chapman has already approved using the Paddington officers and Sailes and McKinley already had approval before they made their offers.
"I've given the lead to Agent Uhl as I know you're familiar with him and his teams. And yes, some of those details will cover you and your immediate family as well as whoever goes with you to California."
Tim sat there, his mouth open in astonishment. He finally took a breath and shook his head slightly. "Director, I, I don't know what to say. This is incredible! I've never heard of something like this, a massive multi-continental, multi-agency effort, not for ordinary people. Royalty or heads of state, maybe but us? Wow!"
Leon smiled, "Timothy, there is very little that is ordinary about our family! Before I forget, Bill, Barry, Freddie, Rob and Sarah's identities will be well hidden, as will their partners and in Bill's case the Kings, Barry's, the Dornegets, although I'm hearing you may have more news about them, Freddie's, the Sciutos and Kyle Davis and Sarah's Powells, to keep them from anyone who might recognize them from their childhoods or who might be able to trace them from seeing who is linked with them. I asked Jackie but she agreed, neither of us thought that Rob is currently seeing anyone."
Tim nodded, saying his younger brother was not currently seeing anyone, too wrapped up in work. He was amazed and grateful that Vance had made sure those of his family who had reason to shun public attention would be protected.
Leon continued, "And of course we'll work to keep your current identity as protected as possible. Attorney Horner has ideas as to how to protect you during the trials."
Tim paled, "I'll have to appear?"
"She believes you will need to testify. However, there is precedence for allowing you anonymity, testifying from an unidentified location and disguising your voice and whatever can be seen of your body. I haven't mentioned this yet, but part of my discussion with Sailes was about your cases. The Bureau has found multiple mysterious disappearances, both children and adults, as well as unsolved suspicious deaths during the time period we figured out. You won't be the only victim testifying."
"You found a cold case for me?" Tim was relieved to know someone had cared enough about him to report him missing.
"Yes, we have one and at some point the FBI also opened a case, we've now combined the cases as well as establishing a separate although case case to investigate your captivity and torture. And yes, Timothy, our attorneys and the US Attorney General's office agree you and your fellow victims were tortured."
Tim closed his eyes, putting his elbows on his desk, his hands holding his head. Leon was quiet, wishing he'd thought to drive to the embassy to meet with Tim in person. With everything going on, between this and Dixon's death, he'd been reluctant to leave the NCIS office in Piraeus and he'd discarded the original plan of meeting with Tim there. It was too small, there was too little privacy, no matter how much both men trusted Pete and his staff. As it was, he was using one of the bedrooms upstairs from the office, housed in a former dwelling.