A/N - Finished it last night but did a final edit this morning. More at the end.

At the front desk, Gibbs smiled and pulled out his ID. "Good afternoon, ma'am. We're hoping to speak to one of your residents, if he's up for visitors. A Wallace Gainey?"

She didn't have to look at her charts. "Wally doesn't get many visits from strangers. Is there a problem?"

"No ma'am. He and my uncle served together. We're driving through, were hoping to meet him."

They were directed to a bright and airy room overlooking the gardens. A thin man with almost translucent skin and cloudy blue eyes was watching TV when they knocked on the frame of the open door.

"Mr. Gainey? You don't know me, but my name is Leroy Jethro Gibbs."

He turned and stared at them for a moment, then smiled. "Jackson's boy?"

Gibbs wasn't expecting the very elderly man to know who he was. Exchanging a glance with Tim, he walked into the room, Tim at his heels. "As a matter of fact, yes. You remember my father?"

"Yep." The nod was slow and thoughtful. "Came by to visit me a few years ago, maybe longer. I don't remember exactly. When you're in a place like this, it's hard to keep track of time." Before Gibbs could ask anything about that, he looked over at McGee. "And you are?"

Smiling, Tim stepped forward and gently shook the trembling offered hand. "Tim McGee, sir. I'm a friend of Jethro's."

"A friend, huh? Like Harold was a friend of mine?" There was a smile on his face as he looked at the two of them standing next to each other. "That's good."

One question answered, Gibbs moved even closer to Tim. "This might sound strange, but I never knew about my uncle."

A nod, but they could tell he was already tiring. "It was a different time back then. I'm glad Jackson finally told you. Harry was a good man, deserves to be remembered." Gibbs didn't say anything, but there was a sadness to the silence. "He's gone, isn't he?"

"I'm afraid so. He, he suffered a cardiac arrest a few days ago. The funeral was yesterday."

"Stillwater funerals are still on Sunday?"

"Can't interrupt the mine." They exchanged knowing looks before Gibbs continued. "We've been cleaning out the house and Tim found letters and pictures. That was the first I'd even known Jackson wasn't an only child. I was hoping you could tell me a little bit."

Wally shifted around on the bed, finding the controls so he could be more upright. "Harry and I, back during the war, most of the young men in town signed up to fight on their eighteenth birthday. I signed up like I was supposed to, but I got a deferment so I could help with the harvest."

Gibbs nodded at that. Even when he went in, helping on the family farm was an acceptable reason for a short delay.

"We," now there was an impish smile that showed dimples under the wrinkles, "got caught, if you know what I mean."

"Yeah, I think I do." Gibbs chuckled as he glanced over at McGee echoing grin. "Is that when my grandfather signed for Harry to enlist early?"

"Back then it wouldn't have been safe for Harry to stay there. Not with people knowing and news travels fast in a little town." The humor was gone from Wally's face. "Next night we were both on a train to boot camp. Turned out that having his dad sign him in early with me got us stationed on the same ship. At the time we thought it was a blessing in disguise."

"What happened?"

"Not a lot of privacy on a war ship, so we were real careful. Couldn't have any private time, but we could talk, sit next to each other at mess, those sorts of things. Then one day the Captain announced that the war was over, the Japanese had surrendered. Everybody was celebrating.

"We snuck a quick kiss in the engine room. I didn't think anybody saw us but a few days later, when we hit that mine... I'll always wonder if they could have tried harder to save him before they sealed the hatch."

Gibbs and McGee exchanged a look. He was right, there was no way to know and no way to ever prove it. Tim stepped forward and laid his hand on Wally's. "I'm so sorry. That must have been so hard, to lose him like that when you couldn't even be public with how you felt about each other."

"We had so many plans. We were going to move to California when we got out. Someplace where it was warm and we could see the ocean without actually being on it. Then he was gone and two weeks later, I was standing on a street all alone with a duffel bag on my shoulder and discharge papers in my hand."

"And you never went back to Stillwater?"

"Couldn't. My folks didn't want anything to do with me unless I showed up with a proper wife in tow and how could I face Harry's family? I traveled for a while, went to all the places Harry and I wanted to see, finally used my GI benefits to get some training and opened my own little shop. It might not have been much, but I was proud of it."

He stretched his arm out and pointed to a small wooden box next to some photographs. Gibbs stepped over to retrieve the box, taking a quick look at the photos on the table. They showed Wally in his shop over the years, along with various clients, both male and female. In all, they reminded Gibbs of the photos Jackson had had on his store walls. Gibbs carefully picked up the old box and brought it to the bed.

Wally tenderly opened the box and took out the picture that was on the top of the stack. Gibbs didn't even need to see the picture, just the look on Wally's face told him that was his uncle. "This is my Harry. We had three days of leave at Pearl right before our last tour. The rest of the guys hit the beach at Honolulu, but we headed to the far side of the island. Three days at Kahuku Point, there's a little cove a few miles to the east that's really isolated. We fished and hiked and at night we made love on the beach." Blinking back tears, Wally handed the worn and faded photograph to Gibbs.

Looking into the face of his long lost uncle was like looking into a mirror. Jethro always knew he took after his paternal grandmother in looks, and apparently so did his uncle. Put this picture up next to one of him during Basic Training and you'd hardly be able to tell them apart. The difference was that while Jethro was just starting his path at that age, Harold Gibbs was nearing his death.

"You look like him." Tim pressed up against Jethro, a warm reminder of living and being in the here and now.

"Yeah, yeah, I guess I do."

Tim studied the picture over his shoulder and Jethro tilted his head enough that he was resting against Tim's. "When you shipped out to Basic, you looked just like the last time Jack saw his big brother."

He'd already made the connection, but seeing the physical evidence really brought it home. "Like I said, it explains a lot." He took one last long look at the picture and handed it back to Wally, who had the next picture already in his hand.

Considering Wally's advanced age, Gibbs didn't want to drag the visit out too long, but talking about the past seemed to bring Wally a great deal of joy. There were dozens of pictures of their short life together and they spent most of the day hearing all the stories they represented. When Wally got to the bottom of the box there was a thick envelope with Jackson's distinctive handwriting across the front.

"Jack brought this when he visited?"

"Sure did. I was so surprised when he walked into my room that day. He...

"Good morning, Wally."

He'd been staring at the stewed prunes on his breakfast tray when the familiar voice called to him; a voice he hadn't heard in a lifetime, but it couldn't be Harry. Wally stared and eventually placed the face. "Jack? Jack Gibbs? It can't be."

"Sure is. Been a while, hasn't it?"

The last time he'd seen Jack he'd been practically a kid. "Damn, you got old."

Jack barked out a laugh. "You looked in a mirror lately?"

Wally had to give him that. He wasn't sure why the unannounced visit after so many years and slowly eased into a conversation. "So, how has life treated you? You're looking well."

"Can't complain." Jack pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down. "I've had a good, long life so far. Not nearly as long as I wanted with the one I loved, but it makes you appreciate what time you did have."

He felt his breath catch and it had nothing to do with not having his oxygen mask on. "I know."

"Yeah, you do." Jack leaned forward. "I might not have been old enough to be part of the conversations, but I wasn't blind. You and my brother were in love."

Wally didn't know what to say. "I'm sorry that -"

"No, don't be sorry for loving him. Never apologize for loving someone. Love is precious, in every form, and there's nothing to forgive, Wally. I'm the one that's sorry, sorry that you two didn't get your happily ever after, sorry that your loss was never acknowledged by the people that should have been there for you, and I'm sorry that it took so long for you to have these." Jack laid a manila envelope on the bed. The faded marks from the Navy were still visible and Wallace Gainey was freshly written across it.

"What?" He picked it up, suspicious as to what was inside. Sure enough, when he opened it he found Harry's medals and the official letter of condolence to the next of kin. "Jack..."

"No, Wally. If society back then was like it is now, you wouldn't have had to hide. What you and he had was as real as what Anne and I shared. Maybe it's seventy years too late, but I'm proud to call you my brother-in-law."

Blinking back the tears, Wally laid the envelope and the box in Jethro's hands. "I've outlived my friends and family, Jethro. No one will mark my passing and I don't want Harry to be forgotten anymore."

"He won't be." Balancing the gifts in one hand, Jethro reached out and squeezed Wally's frail hand. "He won't be forgotten, neither will you."

-NCIS-

They'd stayed until Wally had fallen asleep. Gibbs had felt strange about taking all the photos, but Wally had insisted. Do you think I could ever forget what my Harry looked like? He'll always be with me and now I know he'll be with someone else, too.

Gibbs understood that more than he could ever explain and now with his hands full, they were stopping at the manager's office.

"I heard Wally had some visitors today." She held her hand out and Tim shook it first while Gibbs hastily set everything down in one of the chairs.

Tim smiled and laid on the charm a bit. "Yes, we had a really great visit with him. We would have been here much sooner if we'd known the family connection."

"Family connection?"

"He and my uncle," Gibbs realized that he didn't even know how out Wally was in regards to the home, but the short, heavy-set woman put it together almost immediately.

"You're Harry's nephew."

"Yes, ma'am, that's correct. Wally said he didn't have anyone left, but that's not true anymore. I'd like you to put us down as an emergency contact and his next of kin."

-NCIS-

Information given, it was late afternoon before they stepped out of the nursing home. Gibbs was quiet, which Tim totally understood. They carefully tucked the box and envelope between their bags and climbed back into the truck. Instead of starting the truck, Gibbs pulled Tim close for a kiss, the first time he'd done that out in public. Tim looked surprised, then pleased.

"Jethro?"

"If you hadn't found those pictures and letters, I'd have never known. Wally and Harry would have been forgotten. Thank you."

Smiling, Tim kissed him back. "I'm glad we found him and I'm glad Jack made his peace with him."

"Yeah, me too."

-NCIS-

It was dark when they pulled into the driveway, but the team had left several lights on for them. After he killed the engine, Gibbs reached out and took Tim's hand. "Maybe we're moving too fast, but I don't want to waste any more time." Tim nodded, then smiled when Gibbs brought their hands up and kissed Tim's knuckles. "I realize you can't give up your apartment because of the job, but I hope, I really hope..."

Tim leaned close and kissed his lips as he stumbled over the words. "I want to spend the rest of our lives waking up together. I don't care if it's at this house, my apartment or a tent out in the woods. You're right that we've wasted enough time and I'm not willing to give up one more night in your arms. We'll figure out my apartment later."

They were so close that Jethro could feel the words against his skin as much as he could hear them. He returned the kiss. "Then let's go home." He opened the truck door and climbed out. Since their hands were still joined, Tim slid out behind him.

Up on the porch they exchanged a smile before Gibbs opened the door. They had no idea what to expect, but the house was neat and organized. The family dining room set filled the dining room, the old, battered table and chairs totally removed. Jack's chair and his mother's rocker were in the living room, the rest of the furniture shuffled around to accommodate them.

Most of the boxes were neatly stacked along the far wall of the living room with a note letting them know that the rest were divided between the laundry room and the upstairs hall. That note was in Tony's bold handwriting, while on the newly arrived table was a note in Ellie's more flowing handwriting.

Tim had Ellie's note in his hand and was smiling as he read it.

"Well?"

Smile widening, Tim looked up at Jethro. "Fridge has been cleaned out and stocked for us and the team bought us a housewarming present. Apparently, it's upstairs in the bedroom."

Gibbs wasn't hungry, especially when Tim turned and gave him a sultry smile. "Dinner or bedroom, Jethro?"

Yeah, he didn't have to think about that one at all. "Bedroom."

They went up the stairs, Gibbs right behind Tim, his hands on Tim's waist. At the bedroom door, Tim smiled at him over his shoulder and then opened the door. "Wow."

A striped comforter in shades of blue and gray was on the bed, folded back to show off the deep blue sheets. More pillows than Gibbs had ever owned were piled up against the headboard, but in his mind he was seeing them on the bed with Tim naked and draped over them. Judging from the smile he got, Tim was thinking something along the same lines. Before he could say anything, Tim turned and walked to the dresser. That was when Gibbs noticed the basket. "What's that?"

Tim held up the note, this time the writing was in Abby's hand. He started laughing and Gibbs cleared his throat to get his attention. Tim laughed again and shook his head. "Apparently, Tony nixed the shopping trip to buy us sex toys, so Abby went by herself after her session with Dr. Cranston. You know, she's really trying."

"Yeah, I think she is." They were still a ways away from all is forgiven, but her gift and efforts were appreciated. "I am also almost afraid to ask what exactly is in there."

To answer, Tim held things up as he identified them. "Let's see, we've got massage oil, lube, condoms, more condoms, another kind of lube – I didn't know they made glow in the dark condoms – flavored lube, and these." He had two butt plugs in his hands, one green, the other blue.

"To match our eyes?"

That got another laugh. "I have no idea."

Gibbs leaned in for a kiss as he took the plugs away from Tim, then picked up the massage oil. "After we get the okay from a doctor, we're going to try everything, but for tonight I'm going to pamper you."

"Yeah?"

"Oh, yeah." Gibbs thought for a moment. He didn't want to get oil on the new bedding their first night – they'd never hear the end of it – so he folded the comforter down to the foot of the bed and tossed most of the pillows on the floor. Tim was still messing with the basket, pulling out what looked to be candles, but he was able to light them without a flame "What?"

"LED candles." Tim smiled and set several on each nightstand before turning off the overhead light. Between the candles and the hallway light, the room was cast in a soft glow.

"Nice." Gibbs had never considered his bedroom particularly sexy or romantic until now. "Get undressed for me, Tim. I want to watch you."

Never taking his eyes off of Jethro, Tim unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall to the floor. Next, he undid his belt buckle, taking his time to remove it from his belt loops, rolling it up and dropping it onto the chair. Gibbs gave a soft growl and Tim smirked as he slowly undid his pants and let them and his boxers slide down his legs. Only then did Tim sit on the bed and reach down, freeing each foot from not only layers of fabric but shoes as well. Totally naked, he eased back onto the bed and settled in the middle with one leg bent enough to show every bit of him. "Your turn, Jethro."

Gibbs didn't take quite as long and probably wasn't quite as graceful, but he managed to not rip anything in the process, so that was a win. He picked up the massage oil. "I'm driving tonight, we're not going to risk your health doing too much before you're cleared."

Tim smiled his understanding. "How do you want me?"

"On your stomach so I can work on your back first and no touching yourself. Your hands don't move."

Tim did just that, upping the ante by shoving one of the thick pillows under his hips to raise his ass up and Gibbs felt his mouth go dry. "Damn." Tim didn't say anything as he spread his legs more, but Gibbs saw the grin. Up until now their sexual encounters had been standing up in the shower. Seeing Tim laid out like this, ass exposed and dick peeking out from the shadows of his thighs, was on a whole different level.

Gibbs poured some oil into his palm and rubbed his hands together to warm it up. He started at Tim's neck, rubbing and kneading, working every muscle. By the time he got down to Tim's lower back the breathy moans had him hard as a rock.

From Tim's hips he jumped down to start on his left ankle and work his way back up. Just short of Tim's left ass cheek, he again detoured, smiling at the groan when his hands touched Tim's right ankle instead of his ass.

"Jethro."

"Patience, love."

The endearment did the trick, stilling Tim as he basked in Jethro's undivided love and attention. Finally Tim's right leg was done and his was practically a melted pile of contentment so Jethro was ready for the next step. Lots more oil in his hands, then a hand on each cheek. Circling and rubbing, his thumbs moving closer to Tim's hole with each pass. Finally he scraped his finger across his target.

"Yes. Oh, yes."

"Soon." Jethro stroked his fingers over Tim's asshole one at a time, enjoying the reaction. "As soon as you get the all clear, we're going to do everything." He sat back on his heels, enjoying the view. Oiled up, Tim's skin glowed in the candlelight. "Roll over."

Gibbs had to move back a bit to give Tim enough room to roll onto his back but a few moments later he had resumed his position between Tim's legs and now had an even better view. Finally free, Tim's cock stood hard and straight. The pillow was under Tim's butt now, keeping his groin elevated.

Reaching back, Gibbs worked both legs simultaneously, enjoying every little bob and movement of the hard dick in front of him. As promised, Tim wasn't moving his hands, unless you counted the tight grip he had on the sheets. When Gibbs' hands touched the front of Tim's hips, he moved up to start on the muscle directly below Tim's collarbones. From there he massaged the front of his shoulders and chest, stopping just above his nipples, and then onto his arms.

Once he was done with that, Gibbs dribbled some massage oil directly onto Tim's nipples and worked them with his thumbs. He watched Tim's breathing carefully, backing off when Tim started to pant.

"Jethro."

"Shh, not letting you exert yourself too much until the doctors give the green light." He shifted a little closer so that his knees were pressing up against the pillow under Tim, then took Tim's legs and tugged him down a little until he was spread across Jethro's thighs.

More oil added and then Jethro leaned forward, lining his dick up against Tim's and wrapping his hand around the both of them. As he set up a rhythm Tim met him stroke for stroke. "I wanna move my hands."

When Gibbs gave an affirmative grunt, one arms snaked up around his neck to pull him close for a kiss. A few moments later he felt Tim's other hand wrapped around their balls. "Oh, yeah." He pulled Tim even closer and picked up speed.

-NCIS-

Sticky and sated, they really needed to get up and clean off, but Gibbs was very content as his thoughts wandered. His life had changed so much in a week, he could hardly believe it. From losing Jack to finding love to finding family he'd never known about. Every step of the way, Tim had been there for him, a rock to hold onto during the storm.

Cuddling won out over cleanliness so he reached down and found his shirt to wipe them partially clean. It was enough that they wouldn't be glued together come morning. Tim hummed his approval and burrowed right back against him and was almost instantly asleep.

It was still a little early for Gibbs so he enjoyed the sensation of Tim in his arms, the tickle of breath across his chest. Tomorrow was a new day and for the first time in many years, he was looking forward to it.

~Fin~

No sequel is planned at the moment, but I expect that I might play in this universe again. Maybe a case that takes them to Hawaii and they visit Harry and Wally's camping spot? Who knows. For now, I'm working on the next two stories in the AALCSLT series plus the final story in the Stillwater Trilogy and a few other things. Thanks for sticking around.