One Year Later

Gibbs stood near the building on the side of the tarmac, fidgeting and wishing he'd thought to bring his fishing gear and a cooler. He could have caught enough fish to feed the entire village in the time he'd waited. Finally a sleek jet appeared, making a somewhat bouncy landing.

When the hatch was opened and the gangway down, he walked forward eagerly, smiling as Tim stood in the hatchway grinning at him. He hurried down and the two men embraced.

Finally Gibbs backed up a step, still holding Tim by his shoulders, "You ok? That looked like a pretty rough landing."

Tim rolled his eyes, leaning forward saying quietly, "Jet belongs to the FBI so…you know. I take ginger root and use these sea bands to avoid motion sickness now though."

Gibbs chuckled, "How'd they end up your ride?"

"Let's see if I can get this straight. Leon said it is because 1) they were in charge of checking out the security at the Americas conference and obviously blew it. And 2) the FBI was also supposed to have eyes and ears on Sciuto and they quite obviously failed there too. I heard that Secretary Porter agreed and flat out told Director Stern he was providing transportation and housing for me for the trial of the kidnappers; the kidnappers who wouldn't have succeeded if the Bureau had done their jobs right."

"Well played and it's all true too. So, I know the trial's over but I didn't listen to the verdict."

"Hmm, well as you know from your own days of fun that was a new experience for both of us, a trial outside the U.S. As we said last week, it was actually handled very smoothly and the security was almost overwhelming. So since you opted to get the hell out of Dodge, I mean come home the minute your testimony was given, here's the verdict. Guilty on all counts for both of them: for the attack at the conference, 3 counts of kidnapping, 12 counts of murder, 15 attempted murder, transporting a kidnap victim over international borders, torturing and attempting to murder me." He paused, "Mandatory and immediate death sentences, think the executions have already been carried out."

Gibbs wrapped an arm around his shoulder, hoping to chase his friend's collywobbles away. "Glad you're here. And Abby's trial is over so you're safe from her craziness."

"Yeah, glad neither of us had to be involved with that. Tobias told me the results. Guilty of all charges. She got 75 years for conspiracy to kill a federal agent, the attack at the conference, and the same charges as the kidnappers plus murder for hire."

"And the guard who passed information, arranged to hire the dirtbags for her?"

"They threw the book at him too. He got 50 years total, for the conspiracy charges, murder for hire, assisting a convicted felon and some of the same counts as Abby. That's 45 years plus another 5 tacked on for obstructing justice. He's 57, wanted the money to pad his retirement."

"He sure won't have to worry about that now." Gibbs looked at his companion, "It's done now, Tim, no more trials. Kick back and relax for a few days here then head back to your life. Did you bring new pictures?"

Tim smiled tiredly, "Greedy guy, the hundred you saw when we were in Mexico weren't enough?" He chuckled, "Lilah and Breena sent me new shots so I have new McGee and Palmer kid photos and more DiNozzo wedding pictures."

"Great, I still…ah…forgot, you need to get checked in; that poor Customs guy probably wants to get home."

After Tim's passport and papers were checked and cleared he rejoined Gibbs who grabbed his bag from him.

"C'mon, let's get home. Rita killed a chicken this morning and it's been roasting on a spit for hours, we're going to have a feast!"

As they walked to the truck, he rested his arm on Tim's shoulders. "So tell me more about Tony's wife, can't believe he married a Marine!"

Tim chuckled, "Ah, you'd love Maggie, she's great, even likes Senior and movies!"

The two men laughed in harmony as they reached the truck and settled in for the journey home.

The End

So…yes, I had to find a way to give Gibbs a chance to redeem himself with Tim. Changing the characters' perspectives may seem like an easy 'fix' but it has real life connotations for me and my family. Some things, many irritating, annoying, even troubling things just don't matter in the long run. Or even the short run. Maholo.