Next day Tim came to work at the same time as Raylan, Rachel and Nina were chatting over coffee and she noted this as odd. The guys just shrugged. Givens disappeared for a few hours after the morning briefing but that was considered normal in his case. Pérez had asked Gutterson to go with her to a range – she apparently still needed to pass some shooting tests. Nina figured that Tim was as good a witness as there could be – him being a sniper and all. She only needed to pass on her service weapon – no sweat but it needed to be done. Tim was intently watching her at the range, he came closer when she emptied a magazine.

Nice he commented perfect stance then he looked at her target wow

Is it ok for you Mr sniper? Nina asked with a proud smile. She knew she was good.

Sure Tim said still looking at the paper with most holes placed perfectly in a tight concentration in the middle of a target and one at the "head".

Guess I passed she said and walked out. Gutterson looked after her in a bit of an awe – the target could have been his, so yeah… she was good.

The range was a walking distance from the Court, they didn't need to take a car. On the way back they stopped in a Coffee Shop.

Do you have a car? Tim asked her, when they were waiting for their order.

Yes. she gave him a look Rented.

I, uh… had to give my truck for a few days to a shop for some seasonal checkups. Could you give me a ride? he seemed a little abashed for asking. Nina let out a little laugh.

Sure, no problem.

The next few days were calm, mostly spent at drinking coffee and doing paper work. The whole bullpen was… serene. Until it wasn't.

Art stormed out of his office after ending a phone call.

People! Prisoners transport went bad, there is a situation at the airport. Our guy has hostages…

It has been decided that Art goes to the scene with Raylan and Tim takes Nina with him to set up with his sniper rifle in case his intervention was needed.

It's actually the first time he thought to give me a spotter… or something. I mean you would have to know things to really be a spotter seemed like Tim was nervous because that sounded like a beginning of a rant.

Why do you think I don't? he glanced at her while fixing some parameters on his rifle.

Do you? Nina smirked, but didn't say anything.

The situation at the airport was tense, they could hear everything through their comms. Ewan Backford has decided that he was only going to talk with the local Marshals Chief - that means Art, but things weren't going too good. Ewan was getting agitated, he was pacing the small room and lost all interest in what Mullen was trying to tell him. Tim was watching him via the scope, Nina through binoculars – the both saw the moment Backford went over the edge – he grabbed a girl, very young girl, looked no older than 13. Pérez heard Tim suck in a breath and at the same moment Art barked a command for him to shoot. He didn't though. Nina looked over at him. Tim seemed frozen in his position, all his muscles were tense, his breathing fast and labored.

I can't she barely heard him.

Tim! Mullen ordered again over the radio. She saw him reaching for radio button to inform Art.

Stop Nina breathed I got this, give me the rifle Tim hesitated a bit but did as she told him. She took the gun, poised herself, adjusted the scope parameters a little, inhaled, exhaled and fired.

Good shot Raylan's voice over the radio seemingly startled Tim out of the frozen state. He flinched, blinked twice and looked up at her.

If anyone asks, you took the shot half-whispered Nina, and pulled him up. They picked up the rifle and the bag and got off the roof. They arrived at the scene a few minutes later. Forensic tech grabbed the rifle from Gutterson, as per standard procedure, and left him where he was, leaning on his truck. He was still a little off. Nina saw the little girl being led by a paramedic to the Ambulance as she walked over to the Chief.

Hey chief, the girl okay?

She will be answered Mullen she'll need some therapy though. he looked over at Tim He alright?

I dunno Nina said softly.

Take him home, come back tomorrow to write your reports Art offered.

Sure she turned around and saw her partner already sitting in a passenger sit of his truck, eyes cast down. Nina walked over and got into the drivers sit You okay? she asked, concerned.

Mhm came a quiet hum from Tim, he didn't move. She commanded him to put seatbelts on, he did so, mechanically, without moving his eyes from his lap. Nina sighed and started the car and drove away.

Deputy Pérez has decided to take a longer route, outside of Lexington. The thought was that the longer way was more quiet and less crowded, so less possible triggers. They were about half way when Nina noticed a change in her passenger's breathing. She glanced sideways.

Pull over she barely heard him.

What? she was worried

Please pull over he said in a very tiny voice. So she did – in a first little forest road she noticed and went a little farther in, away from main road. Tim jumped out in the moment the truck stopped, went as far as his shaky legs let him and dropped on his hands and knees by a tree. Nina got out just after him.

Tim she called out loudly when she was getting closer to her partner. She kneeled carefully beside him. Tim can you hear me? nothing changed. I'm going to touch you she announced and guided him gently, so he was sitting, back against a tree. His eyes looking somewhere around his feet, but actually far away. He started trembling now, in addition to the too heavy and way too fast breathing.

Tim, can you hear me? Nina called out to him again, she reached out and put one hand somewhere between his cheek and neck, and with the other she grabbed his wrist. Tim, you're in Kentucky, in United States. Tim, can you hear me? she kept talking softly, but loudly and in a commanding manner. After few tries she got a little nod from him. Okay now, listen, you gotta calm down your breathing. She moved his hand to her chest. Tim… he finally looked at her breath with me she started deliberately taking slow inhales in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 and out for 4. she kept breathing in that pattern until his eyes came fully into focus and his breathing calmed down. They stayed like that for about 10 minutes. You with me?

Yeah came a response, still in a small voice that made her uncomfortable.

Okay. Can we go?

In a minute now he sounded a little better, still tense though Thank you.

Nina nodded once and patted him on the knee. Let's go she helped him up and they continued the drive back to his house. The ride was silent except the radio playing – some old rock song, which she hummed along. Tim couldn't take his eyes of her, although he tried not to stare…

Nina parked the truck in front of Tim's – medium sized, two level colonial style house. Tim got out, his movements were slow and a little too mechanical, but he seemed better. When they stepped in to the house she noticed there was a kitchen area with an island to her left, stairs in the middle and a living room to her right – a sofa, one big armchair and TV on the wall. Straight ahead, between stairs and a living space, was a corridor with two doors on opposite sides and a backdoor at the end. Everything was simple, not much useless trinkets, but it was nice. Tim went straight to the kitchen, opened a cupboard and grabbed a bottle of whiskey.

Nope Nina took the bottle from him and put it back in.

Hey! Tim protested.

You're not drinking tonight.

I'm adult and it's my house!

Nina rolled her eyes with a deep sigh You're distressed, therefore you're not drinking tonight she said sternly. Tim stared at her. Do you have some cocoa? she asked in a softer tone

Uh, yeah, yes… I think I do Gutterson stuttered a bit

And dark chocolate, and milk? addedPérez, he just hummed and found what she asked for then put it on the counter and looked at her with a curious expression. She smiled at him and started the pot, warmed milk, added chocolate an cocoa and some sugar. After few minutes she had two mugs of hot chocolate ready and moved from kitchen to the sofa. Tim followed with a little smile. He plopped next to her and she handed him one cup.

Nobody has ever made hot chocolate for me… whispered Tim in a little-boy-tone after a bout a minute of staring into his mug. Nina looked at him and waited. After a bit he moved his eyes up to hers thanks she smiled at him, he returned the smile. Then they sipped their hot chocolate in silence for a while.

Uh… Can I borrow a T-shirt? she asked a little hesitantly after they finished drinking.

Yeah, I'll get you something. Tim disappeared upstairs. He came back few minutes later with a navy top and some shorts and handed them over to her Thought you might use some bottoms too he said sheepishly.

Thanks. "did she just blush?" he thought, when she left him alone after he showed her the downstairs bathroom.

In the morning they stopped at Nina's motel, to get her stuff and give up the room, before going to the office.

When they arrived Gutterson went to his desk but Pérez was called over by Art.

Yes Chief? she asked closing the door

How is he? Nina glanced over at Tim, who was staring at his computer screen

Not sure she answered . Mullen looked at Gutterson over the rim of his glasses and made a face.

Chief?

Behavioral Psychologist Art poked a file that was lying on his desk and gave Nina a look. She smiled. Make sure he's ok.

Yes sir. Nina went back to her desk to start on the paperwork and Art followed her to inform Tim about his upcoming short vacation.

I don't nee… younger Marshal tried to protest

Yes, you do Chief interrupted in a tone that did not allow any arguments.

Ok Tim gave up…