A/N: Another writer would give you another 10 chapters, but I feel like a story is never meant to resolve everything. It took me awhile to figure out exactly what I wanted this ending to be, and then it took me longer to be satisfied with it. I hope you like it. Sheila

A Man Left Behind

Chapter 9

"Your plan is audacious, Eponine. If I had known the details, I would never come all the way from Portugal."

"Augosto, you will be a hero."

"It has very little chance of success." The middle-aged journalist kept one eye on a mirror his stylist had propped in the back of the limo. The man was handsome despite his portly and meaty face because he sported the most amazing head of wavy hair that required minute attention daily and because he carried the presence of a man who knew who he was.

"I want you to start thinking about what you're going to wear for the next United Nations dinner for Humanitarian Heroes."

He pointed a finger. "You are an amazing woman, Eponine, and I've known you and your father since you were a girl, but I will not be your pawn."

She looked out the window. "Pawn? You are the crux of this plan. He will believe it if you do. Only you can pull this off."

Her appeal to his vanity made him smile.

She patted his arms. "We are almost at his plantation. You can ask the tough questions, but make it clear that your interest is in a profile of a man brave enough to take on the U.S. military. There must be an undercurrent of admiration for his bravado."

Azul rolled his eyes. "I know how to play men like him. Tyrants don't impress me."

"Afterward, you must insist on a photo opportunity. Insist that he accompany you to the airport to see you off. The photos must happen there. It has to be a live feed that will be immediately sent to your network in Portugal."

His brow furrowed. "You are a clever girl, but I worry it is not enough."

She shook her head. "Augosto, you must have faith."

He reached over and took her hand. "I worry about you, my dear. Saldana will not tolerate your games. Don't be a martyr."

She squeezed his hand and smiled. "I am very resourceful."

"And very dangerous. I know that I would not wish to cross you."

She threw back her head and let out a throaty laugh.

…..

"Tim, they're going to be here any minute to pick us up and you have to be ready."

McGee shook his head. "We're not doing it."

"This is not a game. I've thought this through. It's our best chance, and we only get one shot."

"No." For the first time, McGee didn't look fragile. He was more like a wiry spring ready to explode.

"We don't have time to argue. I will follow you if I can."

"No."

"McGee!"

"We leave together or not at all." McGee's eyes were bright with emotion.

"If Saldana sees me, it's going to unravel."

"Not if we play it right. You told me that this whole thing depends on our commitment. We're going to make it so real that he's going to start to believe he had a hand in it."

Gibbs shook his head. "That's magical thinking. Not going to work."

"Well, it's all we have."

"McGee, I know what I'm doing. We're going to get you home."

"Look at me, Boss." He took a deep breath. "They can't do anything to me that I haven't already experienced. I have nothing to lose. If you're not with me, I'm not going to do it. Bottom line."

Gibbs kicked the coffee table. "Enough! We don't have time for this! I am still running this team. You'll do as I say!"

McGee looked shaky as he leaned against the wall. He shook his head. "No."

Gibbs pointed a finger. "Your father is waiting. Your family. The team. Abby. You can't do this to her."

"What was it like after you had to leave me? How did you sleep? How did you feel?"

"Lousy. You were and are my responsibility, Tim. It felt like a knife in my gut."

He shook his head. "And you wish that on me when I come back without you?"

"It's different. You're not responsible for me."

"Bullshit."

"Tim."

"Bullshit, Boss. I am responsible for you. Everything you ever taught me points to that truth. We leave together or we don't leave. I won't entertain any other scenario."

Gibbs stared at him for a long time. "You can't hesitate for a minute. We're going to catch him off guard, but he's a wild card. We don't know what he'll do."

"It's psychology, Boss. We're going to Psy-Ops him."

"Yeah."

McGee sighed deeply. "Okay. I'm ready."

….

"This is foolishness. We should've said good-bye at my estate." General Saldana growled as he paced the gate to Azul's flight. "Where is he!"

Eponine watched him carefully. "Augosto is getting last minute touches on his appearance. We're doing a live feed with ZNN Portugual."

Saldana clutched his side. "I have pains, Eponine. Can you not see that I need rest? And where is my makeup? I will appear on this 'live feed' looking like a ghost. It is no good. A trick on your part, no doubt, because of what happened to your father."

Eponine signaled for a makeup person. "There is no trick. You have a chance to impress the Portuguese people. You have a chance to prove you are a strong leader."

Saldana groaned as he tried to straighten up. A girl with powder in her hand began dusting his face. "And what is in it for you? You have no reason to help me."

She leaned over in her elegant Versace suit and pulled paperwork out of a bag. "Of course, I want something. I want to leave here. And you can make that happen."

He chortled. "I don't think so. You amuse me too much."

She pushed a VISA application in front of him. "Sign it and I can leave with Augosto."

He studied her for a moment. "This is his idea?"

She sighed. "He feels things for me, and there is nothing holding me here."

"I don't think I'll sign it. Like I said, it is good to have you nearby. My darling Cassia escaped on a plane this morning. I will be lonely."

"General, Augosto Azul has the power to make you legitimate. He can change international perceptions. He can give you the presidency with his influence. The only price for everything you want is me. Give me my freedom. I promise to never return."

"That makes me sad."

She rolled her eyes. "You'll survive."

"I'm too tired to argue, Eponine. Let me sign the damn papers."

She pushed them toward him and he signed with a flourish. "You have your freedom, but you better be careful. If you misbehave, I will find you. No one will mourn the untimely death of a Berumian traitor with no family."

"You are a charmer, General," she said with an odd smile. "Saying good-bye to you will be hardest of all."

….

"What's happening?" Tony burst into MTAC, Ziva on his heels.

Vance looked up from where he was sitting with Admiral McGee and Abby. "We have the most curious feed coming out of ZNN Portugal. I suspect we are all about to fall down a rabbit hole."

…..

McGee had the distinct displeasure of lying at the bottom of a truck bed crushed under the weight of his boss. Protesting was not an option so he did the best he could to swallow his discomfort. Just when he thought the lack of blood to his legs was going to necessitate amputation, a tarp was pulled of the truck, and strong, brown sets of hands pulled him out of the truck and hurried both of them into a maintenance door.

A man neither of them knew pushed documents into their hands that were stamped by customs. The man asked for their passports,a nd Gibbs produced his and the one they had made for McGee. They were summarily stamped and handed back to him. Then they were taken up a set of stairs and hidden in a closet.

They crouched in darkness, waiting. McGee swallowed, "This is it, Boss."

"I know you're not healthy, but I want you to stand tall and display nothing but confidence."

McGee found Gibbs' shoulder and squeezed. "You can count on me."

He could almost feel Gibbs smile in the darkness. "You haven't let me down yet."

…

Augosto Azul had the same comfort in front of the camera that one might find among their closest friends. Even without a prompter, his delivery was smooth and seamless.

"We all remember Berumi as a sleepy, tropical jewel off the coast of Brazil. How many of us can recall summer vacations on pristine beaches, the friendliness of a people steeped in the small nation's beauty. In recent years, the innocence of this special land has been marred with violence and civil strife. Plagued by failing health, President Monterros has given many of his responsibilities to General Alberto Saldana. Saldana, a Portuguese native, has been described both as brilliant and ruthless. Stories have leaked of death squads and torture. Tourism has declined sharply and the Berumian people have grown hungry."

Azul paused and turned to another camera. "Most recently, the General retaliated against the U.S. Navy after a training exercise left dozens of Berumians dead. Internationally, many have applauded his actions as brave while others wonder about the wisdom of poking the sleeping American giant."

Azul walked toward Saldana. "I had the pleasure of spending the morning with the General to see if I could unlock the mysteries of this complex man. Our conversation was most illuminating, and I believe we've come closer to understanding the Berumian situation."

He gestured. "General, you are live with the Portuguese people. What would you like them to know about Berumi today?"

Saldana smiled broadly. "We are the same beautiful island you remember from your youth, and we are waiting for you to return. The character assassinations against myself and my country are propaganda tools put out by the U.S. government. They are afraid to show force because of international influence, and thus, have stooped to lies. Our country is stronger than these lies. We will not fall. The Americans are incapable of starving us into submission."

"Those are serious charges, General. Do you deny that you are the ruthless dictator portrayed in news reports?"

Saldana flinched, and his hand reflexively went to his side. "I am a strong leader. Strong leaders are often accused of brutality. It has been necessary to instill discipline in a country plagued with poverty, but any and all claims of torture and murders are false."

"General, would you agree that a strong leader need also be a compassionate leader?"

"Of course!" Saldana puffed up, but the sweat on his forehead belayed his discomfort. "I am like a father to my people. It is crucial to remember my heart and the responsibility of my position. To whom much has been given, much is expected."

"I marvel at those words, General. Your press liaison, Eponine Fuentes, has informed me that you are giving us a magnificent gift as we leave the country today. This gesture is one that will solidify your status as a strong yet compassionate leader."

Confusion reigned on Saldana's face but he was acutely aware of the cameras watching him. "Of course, Augosto, I want nothing more than for people to know my compassion."

"Our flight is ready to board. Miss Eponine, please tell us about the general's generosity."

Eponine stepped forward and gestured toward a service door. Gibbs stepped through followed by McGee. "I don't understand," Saldana said softly, his brows furrowed in confusion.

Eponine smiled. "We spoke of this. Jack Hanson, U.S. Government liaison to Interdyne, has advocated for the release of American hostage, Timothy McGee, unjustly imprisoned. Despite pressure by anti-American elements, you reviewed his case and realized that his circumstances in Berumi were innocent. You have decided that your frustration with the U.S. will not prevent you from releasing him to his family."

Red-faced, Saldana started to rise, but Azul intercepted him. "This is a generous act and you are being watched by millions of people around the world who are applauding your actions."

Saldana turned sharply to Eponine. "They do not have the necessary papers to leave."

"You signed them just minutes ago."

Gibbs advanced on Saldana and shook his hand, turning sideways so the camera could capture everything. "On behalf of the U.S. Government, we wish to say thank you for your generosity in this matter."

….

Tony stared at the big screen in MTAC, mouth wide open. "Oh my God!"

Vance shook his head. "The State Department is going to have my head over this, but all I can say is bring it on."

Abby was on her feet clutching Ziva tightly around the middle. "They're safe!"

Ziva pulled away sharply. "They are still on the ground in Berumi and thus, still very much in danger."

…..

McGee also grasped the General's hand, his eyes steady. "Thank you for your generosity and fairness. I will never forget what you have done for me."

Saldana's face screwed up as if he'd been slapped. Then he pulled his hand away and looked at Eponine. "What is this?"

Eponine put a hand on his back and faced him toward the camera. "You are a hero, General. Your family back in Portugal is watching and they are proud."

"I do not feel well," he hissed. "I need a moment to think."

Eponine gestured with her head, and Azul moved in. "You are a very busy man, and of course, you are tired. We will take our leave of you now. Thank you for your hospitality."

He shook the General's hand and then took McGee's arm and steered him toward the plane. He signaled for the camera crew to keep filming. Saldana just stared. Gibbs started to follow, but stopped when he saw Eponine standing like a statue. "Eponine!"

She blinked. "I want to stay. My life is here."

He grabbed her arm but she resisted. "I am not afraid of the beast! This is my country, these are my people, and I belong here."

The shock was wearing off for Saldana, and he bellowed for his guards. Gibbs threw Eponine bodily over his shoulder and headed for the plane. The camera crew grabbed their things and followed. McGee was waiting at the door and pulled the, all through and shut the door.

Gibbs dropped into a seat next to McGee. McGee let out a ragged sigh. "We're safe."

"We're not off the ground yet."

Eponine's hair tumbled out of her bun, and she struggled to sit upright from where Gibbs unceremoniously deposited her. "My people cut the phone lines to the air traffic control tower. Our military does not have the capacity to respond with an air strike. We are safe."

Gibbs narrowed his eyes at her. "And your plan was to stay and trade insults with Saldana while he ordered your firing squad?"

"He wouldn't dare kill me. Augosto would destroy him in the international press. Plus, I have people everywhere. They would never have allowed him to hurt me."

Hearing his name, Azul appeared, shaking his head. "You have always been too wild. Your father never could handle you. You need to learn to listen. All the friends in the world can't save you when a rifle is pointed between your eyes."

She flashed eyes at both of them while she slumped in her seat, arms folded. Gibbs rubbed his mouth to cover a smile while McGee closed his eyes and tried to settle his breathing.

….

Vance leaned over a monitor in MTAC. Finally, he straightened and looked at them all, a broad smile growing. "They've cleared Berumian air space! They are on their way home! They should be in D.C. in about 8 hours."

Spontaneous applause erupted around the room. Tony picked Ziva up and swung her around. Abby hugged a surprised Leon Vance, and Admiral McGee sat there with wet eyes, his hands clasped tightly together.

….

McGee groaned as he opened his eyes. Bright lights assaulted him from all directions.

"Let me pull the curtains."

It was a familiar voice, gentle in a way he hadn't heard since he was a boy. "Dad?"

With the light dimmed, he was able to focus on his father. It had been too many years. Most of his sandy brown hair had been replaced with gray, and there were lines on his face that surprised Tim.

"Where am I?"

"Bethesda."

"I don't need a hospital."

"What do you remember about last night?"

Tim frowned. "We were on a plane. Augosto, Gibbs, and Eponine were arguing because they wanted to take me straight to New York. ZNN wanted Augosto and Eponine there for a special broadcast of something they called, Escape from Berumi. Gibbs kept telling them to go to hell. I was too tired to say much. I don't remember much else."

"Well, we were waiting at the airport. When you came off, you looked a ghost. You were in no condition to deal with a bunch of exuberant greetings. Gibbs ran interference. Ducky was there. Said you had a high fever and needed hospital care to effectively tackle the malaria."

"Was Abby there?"

"She finally wormed her way in for a hug and you passed out in her arms."

Tim groaned. "Poor Abbs."

"It certainly settled the question of you not going to New York."

"I don't want to talk about this on TV, but I feel like I owe it to all the brave Berumian people who helped me. People risked their lives daily to keep me alive. I can't forget that."

"You don't have to be paraded around to various news programs in order to help. As soon as you're doing a little better, the State Department will debrief you, and a taped interview can be provided to the media. The International Red Cross gave your testimony to the United Nations Human Rights Commission. You've already done a lot."

Tim relaxed back into his pillow. He looked at his dad. "It means so much to me that you're here."

"I've been a fool."

"We both have."

"I would like it if we never fight again."

The Admiral shook his head. "We're McGee's, Tim. We're stubborn men with strong ideas. Of course, we'll fight again, but this time we won't act like we have all the time in the world to make it right. We'll be smarter."

Tim squeezed his hand. "I want that more than anything, Dad."

…..

Gibbs traced the impossible curves of his naked bed partner while she slept. He watched as a smile crept onto her face. Her dark eyes popped open.

"How did you sleep?"

She sighed. "Like a baby. You really know how to take care of a girl."

"In the bedroom, maybe. I fail in every other way."

"Don't worry," she said as she propped her head on her elbow, the sheet sliding off her breasts. He marveled at how she had no reflexive discomfort about her nudity. "I only want what you gave me last night."

"No one will ever tame you, Eponine."

She ran a hand through her thick mane of hair. "If I were tamed, I would be a shrew. It is only in being wild that I hold any interest for men."

He chuckled. "You have plenty of other assets."

"I follow Augosto to New York today."

"Please don't push me about taking McGee with you."

She sighed. "It would be good to have him, but he is sick. I understand."

"He isn't only sick, Eponine. He's been tortured, traumatized. He needs time. He'll tape interviews for you and Augosto to use, but he can't be a puppet that you manipulate for your own purposes."

She buried her fingers in his hairy chest. "I don't want to hurt him. He's a good man. I suspect that Augosto will be happy to be the focus of this story."

Her fingers began to explore his stomach. "I want to come sometime, and sit with him. I want him to tell me about my father. I want to know who my father really was."

His breathing deepened. "What time do I need to get you to the airport?"

She twisted her head and looked at his old alarm clock. "We have an hour before I need to take a shower."

His hand settled on the small of her back and he pulled her in to him and buried his face in her neck. "Let me take another opportunity to thank you for your crazy, impulsive, and courageous service to my agent."

"Don't call me cra-" He had his mouth over hers before she could finish. She struggled for only a moment before melting into his kiss.

…..

Gibbs got into the office around noon, and found Tony and Ducky staring at a ZNN report on the plasma. Ziva sat at her desk with a pretended indifference.

"What's happening?"

Tony turned to him. "There's a news report that Saldana collapsed this morning and had to be rushed to the hospital. They don't know much else."

"He looked pretty terrible yesterday, and I was really grateful for it. If he'd had his wits about him, there's a good chance we would never have gotten out of there."

Tony looked at Ziva. "You have no interest in this conversation, do you?"

She shrugged. "I do not care what happens to him."

"You slipped him something."

"Yes."

"Kort gave you a poison."

All eyes were on her. "Ethylene Glycol in powdered form."

"How much?" Ducky asked.

She shook her head. "Enough so that he would die, but not so much that he would die right away. We needed to make it ambiguous as to when or how he got sick."

"You've pickled his kidneys. No one will know to look for the poison until after he is dead," Ducky said. "This has to be quite painful for him."

She glared at him. "I feel no guilt about poisoning him."

Ducky shook his head. "I'm not judging."

"Aren't you?"

"He's not, Ziva," Tony said softly.

She was on her feet. "Maybe you all think I'm still just an assassin; that I didn't feel anything when I had to lie there and let him…"

She stopped and looked away.

"Ziva, look at me. Come on. Look at me."

She looked at Gibbs.

"McGee and I would be dead right now if you hadn't poisoned him. If he'd been more lucid, I doubt our plan would've worked. You are the reason that we made it out of there."

Ducky took her hand. "Ziva, I'm so sorry. You made a very difficult but correct decision. And I do not see you as an assassin. You are so much more than that."

She nodded but couldn't meet his eyes. He glanced at Gibbs who nodded. "We're not working this week. We need to relax. It's been a long three months. Take some time. Go sit somewhere. Be kind to yourself."

Ziva nodded. "We should sit with McGee."

"No, he needs his own space. Let him get to know his dad again. Go somewhere. Be good to yourself." Gibbs caught Tony's eyes. "I'll take care of the follow-up with the State Department. Get out of here."

Gibbs nodded at Ducky and the two of them headed up to Vance's office. Ziva looked at Tony. "Don't judge me, Tony. I know how you feel about how close I had to get…to him."

Tony's eyes were soft. "You don't know so much, Ziva. For instance, if you knew exactly what I was thinking, then you would know how I am in awe of your courage and your willingness to sacrifice for those you love."

"Really? You're not disgusted."

He closed the gap, wrapping her in his arms softly. "Only with him, my sweet."

"It will be nice to rest for a few days."

"Not by yourself." He'd made no attempt to let her go.

"Tony."

He sighed. "We've spent enough time at the beach. I say we head to the mountains."

"I don't know." Her breath settled in rhythm with his.

"Separate bedrooms. Hiking. Dinner at the lodge. Then we'll sit by a roaring fire at night and talk…or maybe, we'll just sit. It'll be good for both of us."

She looked up at him. "You know of such a place?"

He smiled. "I already made reservations."

…..

When he opened his eyes, he found himself staring directly at the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen. "Abbs."

She stroked his face gently. "I was just looking at you. Sort of afraid to touch you though. Last time I tried, you passed out."

"I'm feeling better now."

She shifted on the pillow. "They'll probably complain if they find me in bed with you, but I thought it would be nice to be really close and feel your breathing. It's been so long, Timmy."

"I know." He settled a hand on her waist. "I missed you so much."

"Me too." Her eyes watered.

"Abbs, I was in a bad place for too long, but sometimes, in a place like that, your mind gets really clear. You see things you never really saw before."

"What did you see, Tim?" Her fingers stroked the side of his face.

"I used to be afraid to know it and say it."

"Tell me."

He breathed in. "You and I are supposed to be together always. It was no accident that we found each other. It happened for a reason, and it's up to us to honor that. It's a blessing…"

"Tim?"

He frowned. "I can't find the exact words."

She smiled. "I think your words are perfect."

"I don't know how we do this. I know that you are meant to be a part of me. I also know you can't possibly have that same certainty and I don't want to scare you with mine."

"But I know the same thing. I think I knew it for a long time, but I wasn't…ready."

"I have a lot of healing to do."

"We both do," she said as she nuzzled her nose against his. Then she began kissing him softly on his nose, his forehead, his cheek, and then his mouth. She drew back when she felt the tears on his cheeks. "Timmy?"

His breath was ragged. "I thought I was dead, Abby. I thought it for a long time. It's kind of hard to adjust to feeling alive again…and then having you so close. I'm just a little overwhelmed."

"Hey, it's okay. We'll take it slow…just as slow as you want. Okay?"

"Okay."

….

She came at him fast and hard in the formal chambers of the U.N. building, and he flashed back to the first day he met her when he wasn't sure if she was going to save him or kill him. She wrapped her arms around him like he was her long lost brother and kissed him on the cheek remarking on how chubby and beautiful he was. Then she caught his face in her hands. "You and I must sit down. I have thought about you so much!"

Abby tightened her grip on his arm impatiently, and before he had a chance to respond, the elegant Eponine and her head of hair had stalked off on her expensive heels toward Gibbs. She'd been hired to work on the U.N. Human Rights Commission particular to the question of Berumi and was coordinating the witnesses for testimony on human rights violations.

The boss was in a suit and a tie which always left him looking like he was a bit constipated. Hurricane Eponine landed, and McGee winced as he saw her settle her hand on his arm. Boss was not a toucher. Any sustained contact was usually greeted with a swift retreat, but something funny was happening here. Boss wasn't moving away. In fact, he seemed quite comfortable with her proximity. McGee cocked his head at this oddity, but he didn't get a chance to consider the implications because Abby tugged on his arm and pointed.

Admiral McGee was on the scene in his dress whites with a group of similarly dressed officers. McGee felt a smile pulling at his mouth. His dad had stayed close in the last few months, and while they didn't always see eye to eye, he had rediscovered his father's sharp intellect and dry humor. As long as they stayed away from past slights, they found that they really enjoyed one another.

"Dad!"

The Admiral gave him a hug. "You ready, Tim?"

"It's not a big deal, really."

"You're testifying at the U.N. It's a very big deal."

"Did you have to bring your entire staff?"

"Just a minute." The Admiral leaned over and kissed Abby on the cheek. "How's my favorite girl?"

Abby beamed and hugged him. There was something about the unfettered affection between his dad and Abby that touched him deeply.

"Dad? The posse?"

Admiral gestured. "This is actually the team that is investigating the accident that killed Berumian fishermen and Saldana's resulting retaliation. They want to hear your testimony."

Tim closed his eyes. "It's starting to feel like a circus."

Admiral McGee gripped his arm. "You can do this."

He shook his head. "It's been two months since Saldana died. Why hasn't Monterros emptied El Corazon? It makes no sense."

"The old man is scared. He knows that he should've done more to control Saldana. He rightly assumes that a lot of those prisoners are going to blame him for his negligence. That's why your testimony is so crucial. The U.N. can file sanctions against Berumi if we can make a case for human rights violations."

The chamber doors opened and Kort and Laurent Pierce came out. McGee stiffened. "I didn't realize he was going to be here."

"Me neither," Admiral McGee said in a low voice.

Gibbs came over. "Pierce testified regarding all of his dealings with Saldana. It's part of his plea deal. He starts a seven year sentence in federal prison tomorrow."

The Admiral frowned. "They're walking over here."

"I got this," Gibbs said but McGee held him back.

"It's okay, Boss."

Kort walked ahead of Pierce as a buffer. "They're going to call you in shortly, but Laurent wanted to say something to you first. Are you willing to listen?"

"Tell that bastard he can go to hell!" Abby said, breathing hard.

He clutched her hand tightly. "Abbs, you gotta' let me do this."

She bit her lip and nodded. Laurent was in front of them looking nothing like the handsome rogue he used to be. He took a deep breath. "I don't know what to say, Tim. I screwed up. I think back on it, and I don't really understand it. It's like my ambition made me a different person. I'm so sorry. I don't know if you can ever forgive me, but you should know that I understand that I have to pay for my mistakes."

McGee studied him. "I'm glad you understand that, Laurent."

"I'm not that person anymore, Tim."

"I don't know who you are and I don't particularly care."

"The pressure at that time in my life was wild."

"Is that an excuse? Are you trying to explain to me that it was somehow reasonable to give me to that monster?"

"I just meant that there were extenuating circumstances."

"Except you weren't being threatened and your life wasn't in danger. Your extenuating circumstance was your career." Tim moved face to face with Pierce. "Don't come over and talk bullshit with me. You're going to prison and you're feeling sorry for yourself. Good. You deserve nothing less."

"Calm down, Tim."

"Calm down! Did you just tell me to calm down!" Tim let go off Abby and rushed Pierce. Kort, Gibbs, and the Admiral were all there to pull him off.

"Kort!" Gibbs barked as he pushed Tim back. "Get him out of here!"

Kort got Pierce to his feet and just as he steadied, Admiral McGee punched him square in the jaw. Pierce fell back and the admiral stood over him. "You have no right to ask anything of my son! If I had my way, you'd be charged with espionage, and I'd have a front row seat at your hanging! Get up and get out of here!"

Kort pulled him to his feet and pushed him forward. He looked back. "My apologies."

The sharp clicks of heels on marble sounded and Eponine was there, looking angry. "I told the pig he was not to talk to you. Has he rattled you? Are you okay? Compose yourself. The commission will be ready for you in five."

Then she patted his cheek. "You mustn't worry. I will always watch over you."

Then she was gone and Abby blinked at McGee. "Has she adopted you or something?"

"I don't really know."

The Admiral regarded her retreating form. "She's like a barnacle, Son. Once she attaches, I doubt there is any getting rid of her."

"I think you're exactly right, Admiral," Gibbs said. "Do you mind if I talk to my agent for a moment before the proceedings?"

Gibbs led him away from the group. "Nervous?"

McGee swallowed. "The idea of talking to such a large and distinguished group would be difficult for me on any occasion, but the idea that I have to speak to them about something…so horrible…I'm not comfortable talking to anyone about this, Boss."

"Look at me, Tim. I need you to hear this."

McGee nodded.

"When you walk in that room, I want you to remember that you are the strongest one there. No one else has survived what you have. You are remarkable and they will see that. And you will help them understand what they can do to help Berumi. Okay?"

"Okay."

"Just remember that we are all here for you.

He smiled as he focused on Abby and his father behind them. "Got it, Boss."

Gibbs patted his shoulder. "Let's do this."

"Hey Boss!"

Gibbs turned.

"What do you think of calling a girl L.J.? I mean it's not traditional, but I think it's kind of cool, right?"

"What? Who? What girl?"

"A baby girl," McGee said simply as he walked past Gibbs through the large oak doors of the U.N. Chamber.

Gibbs stared after him, mouth open. "Are you trying to tell me something? McGee? McGee!"

…

The End